Wrap it up!

We Chicks are wrapping up the last few items to bring to Hurricane Sandy survivors this weekend. 

Carole worked on the beret she started last week. It's almost done here and she'll have it ready for me before Friday.

 I finished one mitten and have less than half of the second to go. I worked on it while I waited for an appointment today. Isn't it funny how you don't mind waiting if you have something worthwhile to do during the wait? When I was called into the appointment I was disappointed that I couldn't wait longer! HA!

 In the beginning of the evening Maureen was at this point on her cable hat. See it later on down in the post.

 Kathleen made this beautiful baby blanket using acrylic so it's washable. That's always a benefit with baby clothes!

 Here are a few more things Kathleen knitted since last we saw her. The little brown hat to the right is one I made and slipped in there. It matches the mittens I'm making too.

 Maureen found the perfect silver button for this cloche hat that she made.

 And here is her other hat all finished. See? I told you she would get it done before the night was over!

We have a few more things to wrap up before Friday. I also have to shop for some cleaning materials and toiletries to include with our delivery. 

Our prayers continue to go out for all those who were touched by Hurricane Sandy.

Changing Course

In light of the recent Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, the Chicks decided to reroute the current donation to survivors downstate. Having relatives in Staten Island, I was able to make arrangements to donate directly to a neighborhood that was one of the direct hit areas. Last night we Chicks hastily labeled items with our washing instruction labels and our cute little chicks label.

These are some cute chicks!

On the reverse side of the label is our prayer for every recipient.

So far we have four large bags filled with scarves, mittens, hats, shawls, socks, and blankets. More will be arriving before we deliver next week.

A few weeks ago I showed you Carole's Wingspan in progress. Last night she modeled it for us. It's beautiful!

Look at Beth's face in the lower left. You can tell she really likes it. Beautiful job Carole!

Maureen made a lot of progress on her hat since last week. 

And I finished the scarf I started last Tuesday. I mentioned that I didn't like the garter stitch edging so I frogged the scarf and started it over on Wednesday.

I used an I-cord cast on, I-cord edge stitches, and an I-cord bind off. I am much happier with the results.

By the way, last week I misspoke when I called this the Linen Stitch. It's actually called the Cross Stitch. The scarf is about 8 inches wide and 60 inches long and used a little more than 3 skeins of Baby Alpaca Grande yarn. The yarn is very soft and the dense stitching will keep someone nice and warm. There is enough left to make a small hat. Now I need to get back to it so I can slip it in this inventory. The survivors of Hurricane Sandy could use your prayers and donations. Please take the time to make a contribution.

Never ending projects and Halloween with the grands!

Last week I showed you the Cedar Leaf Shawlette blocking with the fingerless mitts. Well, this week is time to model. This close up shows the details of the leaves. And it was a very easy pattern to make.

 

It can be worn as a shawl that just skims the shoulders or wrapped around the neck like a cowl. I used Knit Picks Baby Alpaca yarn so it's so very soft and not at all itchy or scratchy against the skin. Believe me, I know itchy and scratchy personally!

The evening Chicks all laughed about our projects this week. We each seem to be knitting the "Never-Ending Scarves"! Beth is afraid you will be tired of seeing the same old scarf she is knitting. It is longer, really!

Karin is working on a shawl which will have a sawtooth edge finish to it.

Maureen was at the first few rows of her project.

And Dorah has decreased her knitting time to under two hours to do the 18 or 20 rows of the motif for her scarf.

I started this linen stitch scarf with a bulky weight 100% baby alpaca but I'm not happy with the edging. Since the linen stitch pulls the fabric taught the edging is all wonky. I think I will be frogging this in favor of an I-cord edging.

Maureen finished a pair of slippers for a man and.....

I finished a scarf for a man. It seems I get more inspiration for feminine knits so I have to force myself to make something more masculine.

Karin made a warm hat which a man could use too.

The grandsons, Sir Philip and Sir Leo, brought Mommy, Queen Guinevere, for a visit this week. They were supposed to come up for the Halloween party on Sunday but were forced to stay through Hurricane Sandy. Too bad for me, right? I loved having their stay extended! I get to have all the Moose and Leo cuddles 24/7 that I can take.

The party was on Sunday and started with finding candy in the Haunted House room.

We all moved on to the big ballroom where there were arts and crafts. Moose made a few leaf hangers with line designs.

The staff at the restaurant get in on the festivities too with their own pumpkin carvings.

And what would a Halloween party be if you didn't bob for apples?

Moose took quite a dive!

Leo looked like he had a sampling of the "decorate-your-own" cookies.

And this would explain why Moose couldn't get to sleep that night!

Leo and I watched as Joey D. made balloon animals for the bigger kids.

Moose took quite a while to decide which balloon animal he wanted from the menu. It amazes me what a good reader he is and he has just started kindergarten! We can't even spell around him because he knows what we're spelling!

He chose Spiderman!(edited to correct, it should read Ironman, not Spider-Man. I was reprimanded by my grandson for getting that wrong! LOL!)

It's a good thing the boys' trip home was delayed because they got to see Uncle Drew before they left. They really love their Uncle Drew!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go take a nap. A whole week with those beautiful, energetic boys is a lot for me to take!

Soft yarns and festivals

Barbara finished the hat I showed you last week. This very soft yarn has a sparkle thread running through it which is equally soft. That's the gull lace pattern making such a pretty hat.

Kathleen is just zipping along with her ABABA scarf and enjoying every stitch of it. She said she can't wait to see what color comes up next.

Dorah finished a snowflake cowl. She used Baby Alpaca Grande yarn which makes it not only the softest thing to wear around your neck but it's also hypoallergenic! It's a good fiber for people who itch from wool.

Beth made a square to add to the afghan Karin is assembling for our friend.

And Dorah made another.

Beth's scarf is growing.....

as is Dorah's.

And Maureen is back after a few works off for work and not feeling up to par. She's just starting a new project. Tune in next week to see what it is.

Karin started a watchcap and by the time we ended the evening she had a good 6 inches finished already!

I'm blocking two things for donation. The mitts are called Green Thumb and the scarf/shawl is Cedar Leaf shawlette. I used a baby alpaca yarn that is actually a burnt orange, not the brown that shows up here.

Sunday Amanda and I took Leo to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY while Moose took his Dad and Poppop to a playground.

Leo had just awakened from a nap when we arrived so he wasn't sure what was going on.

The weather was gorgeous on Sunday as were the trees. I much preferred attending the festival on Sunday since the crowds are not as crazy.

There was the usual pretty and unusual fibers.

And Amanda and I tried to count the Catkin shawls.

Amanda squealed with delight when she spotted Nancy Shaw signing her childrens' books about sheep. She purchased one for Moose and one for Leo, who doesn't look as impressed as his mommy.

There goes another Catkin. I think we spotted four or five, not counting the one I was wearing.

There was a parade of llamas and alpacas right down the center of all the festivities. They are so cute.

And there were the angora bunnies,

sheep,

and more sheep.

Two of my favorite trees at the festival. You can tell by the blue sky the weather was perfect.

But all too soon it was time to say goodbye to our fibery friends and get back to our knitting.

Before I leave you let me show you Barbara's 4 month old granddaughter wearing her Grandma's hand knitted set. It fits her perfectly! She's a beauty!

Well, Halloween is not too far off and I'll be taking Moose and Leo to a costume party next weekend. I hope to have some good photos to show of them next week. In the meantime, don't eat all the candy!