Strand Farm Knitting

Anyone Out There?~~New Ravelry Group for E'burg Knitters

2011-07-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hi All. Long time but I'm back for now anyway.

Just wanted to let you know Lynn of Froggy Knittery has started a new Ravelry group for Ellensburg and surrounding area knitters. Check out Windy City Knitters on Ravelry.

They meet at Campus Starbuck's Thursdays 5:30p-8p.

On the farm front we are still in haying season. Two broken balers and one broken swather (all now repaired). But, on the bright side the hay in the barns was cut and baled w/o being rained on. Two more fields to go. Rain, Rain go away. Don't rain on the drying hay!

On the knitting front, lots has been knitted and FINISHED!!

More later.

New Beginnings & Endings

2011-01-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

I'm going to take a break from blogging. Simplifying my life. It's been fun but I'm done. (For now anyway!)

See you later.

Kathy

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

~HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED NEW YEAR~

Christmas decorations came down yesterday and today.

Knitted and felted these trees. The pattern is from PurlBee. Thought they would be cute New Years/January decorations for the house.

I used Cascade 220, a white that does felt. One skein made the two trees.
Embroidered them with two shades of blue embroidery thread and silver metallic embroidery thread. I think I would knit them in the round next time leaving an opening on the bottom, stuff them and then add another piece of felt to cover the holes. Also, would probably look better weighted at the bottom.
I sewed the table topper several years ago while I was still in my "sewing stage"! Love all the snowmen and wanted to leave them out thru January. I should knit some snowmen for next year.

TREE DECORATORS

2010-12-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

And they always do such a great job!

Mushrooms!

2010-12-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

I found this pattern today on Garnstudio & Drops Design Jule Kalender! They are doing a new free pattern every day for Advent.
I used Rowan Handknit Cotton and modified it a little for the yarn.
I haven't crocheted much in the last 20 years but couldn't resist these cuties!

MONDAY MORNING--18 Degrees

2010-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:00

Kitchen Window Views

The sky was so pretty and pink.

Back Yard Views

Good day to stay in and knit.

Jungle Stocking

2010-11-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

It started with a casual trip to the florist. I found this for my great nephew, Jack. He will be 5 1/2 months at Christmastime and his room is done in jungle.

The tissue paper was inspiration for this.

Christmas stockings hold up better when lined with fabric so a trip to the fabric store for this.

Look how well it goes!

And, here's the finished product--haven't finished the lining yet.

Yarn: Cascade 220

Ruby, Buttercup, Natural & Herb

Needles: US5 16" circular and DP's

Pattern: I just used several different patterns and came up with my own.

I carried the natural down the stocking without cutting it but cut the others at each change. You know how we knitters like to weave in ends! Ach!

Hope Jack, mommy & daddy like it.

Trip Yarn & Christmas?

2010-10-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

We took a trip last week. I bought yarn--surpise surprise!

Had the opportunity to visit several yarn shops between here and Missoula, Montana. Local yarn but some others too.

What did I buy you ask?

Left to right is:

Brooklyn Tweed's new Shelter--I actually ordered this and it came before I left. What a nice feeling yarn! Can't wait to try it. You can read all about it here.

*****

Next is Misti Alpaca. An alpaca, merino, silk and nylon blend fingering sock yarn I picked up at Paradise Fibers in Spokane. This store is like a warehouse but it was fun to look thru all the products I see on their website.

*****

The pretty dark pink balls is Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran. This was purchased at Harmony Yarns in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. The yarn matches my new winter coat so fingerless mittens it is! Coeur d' Alene is a beautiful town on a huge lake of the same name. A great destination vacation.

*****

Joseph's Coat was our next stop in Missoula, Montana. What a quaint little store just across the river from the downtown. There were at least two local yarn artists but I only bought this brown one. It is from Thirteen Mile Yarns--made with organic wool and certified predator friendly (I assume they don't kill the wolves?) This skein is a handspun DK Brown Heather color.

*****

And, finally, the last skein I purchased at the Clark Fork River Market in Missoula. It's from Raven Ridge Fiber Arts and is a handpainted fingering weight yarn and a merino wool, silk blend. This market is one of the nicest I've ever seen. The veggies were beautiful! Too bad I couldn't take any with me.

*****

Here's a Christmas stocking I knitted last week from some Muench yarn that I don't remember where I purchased. The free pattern is from Valley Yarns.

I made a few changes by knitting it stranded instead of slipping stitches. With bulky weight yarn, it knitted up quickly. My first time for doing this kind of heel. I like it.

*****

And, last but not least, my daughter and I took a trip to Weaving Works in the U district of Seattle. I picked up this Regia sock yarn because it reminded me of Christmas. Soooo, I'll soon have a new pair of socks for the holidays! This is called Rome, one of the series of balls named after countries or cities. I never knew how nicely Regia knits up. I think I'll have to try some more.

FULL CIRCLE

2010-09-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

First, wow two posts in one week! New for me for awhile.

I've come full circle. When I was pre-teen, my mother taught me to embroider. That's the only craft she knew well (she sewed but it was always a trial for her). From there I took sewing in high school home ec class. Went on to learn crocheting in my twenties living in Okinawa. I still crochet but very little. Macrame lasted for a while. Then counted cross-stitch, then quilting and finally knitting. Now back to embroidery. These are a gift for a friend for her birthday tomorrow.

These are wonderful new towels from Sublime Stitching. Thicker than the flour dishtowels and they have a handy hanger too. My daughter put me on to this company. And, "this ain't your gramma's embroidery". They have some pretty wild patterns! These patterns were some I've had for years.
My daughter just started at the age of 39 and got pointers from Mom and Grandma, who is still embroidering at age 87. I think every daughter-in-law, granddaughter and me (only daughter) have gotten a pair of pillowcases and/or dishtowel sets.
And, of course, another tea cozy! I purchased a Brown Betty and just had to make this Fiber Trends pattern for her.

Pattern: Fiber Trends Braided Cable Tea Cosies
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Size: Two Cup

Another BSJ with a Little Hat!

2010-09-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

I love knitting Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket! Especially with the new pattern that came out last year. I needed more instructions and this really helps. Plus it has several modifications and patterns for knitting sizes for older children and adults.

I found a really cute earflap pattern from Knitting Pure & Simple that I think goes with this baby sweater beautifully.

What you can't see in the picture is how lovely this yarn is. It has blue, light purple, brown and gray colors in it.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Worsted Multi

Colorway: University of Nevada at Reno

Purchased at: Jimmy Beans Wool

Patterns: Schoolhouse Press Pattern #5

(A-B-C-SJ Adult, Baby & Child's Surprise Jacket)

Knitting Pure & Simple #2910

(Baby Hats, Mitts and Booties)

Ribbons from the County Fair

2010-09-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

The Kittitas County Fair & Rodeo is always held Labor Day weekend. It's fun to see what everyone has made throughout the year. This year I entered some of my knitting. Here are the ribbons!

Elizabeth Zimmerman' Baby Surprise Jacket is always a favorite!

I used Cascade EcoWool.

I think it looks very rugged!

I've made several of these Ruffled Tea Cozies. The pattern was free from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. The yarn is Blue Moon Socks That Rock. The color is named Farmhouse. Rather appropriate for our home on the farm!

Cerise Baby Sweater

2010-07-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

CERISE IS FINISHED!

The sweater turned out so cute.

Pattern: Cerise by Sock Pixie

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted

Colors: 1/2 skein Apple Hill & 1 skein Bold Red

Needles: US6

I knit this really tight because I'm a loose knitter and this yarn really loosens up after it's washed. I did shorten the sleeves. Hope they are long enough! I like how Lorna's Laces solids still have a little variegation in them. I think this would be suitable for a little boy in "manly" colors. Maybe a 12 month size.

Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi

2010-06-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

This is such a cute pattern! Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi by Melissa LaBarre for Madelinetosh. I like the grownup version but the neck is too big for my comfort and I don't wear a lot of sweaters at my age (all you over 50's will understand).

I knitted it in Cascade 220 Superwash. Wanted to use a little less expensive yarn for the first try but think I'll splurge on the yarn next time.

Size: 2T

Yarn: 2 Skeins Cascade 220 SuperWash

Color: 844 Light Blue (I'd call it Periwinkle)

Needles: US 5 & 6

(As usual I went down but also Cascade SuperWash really "relaxes" when washed and blocked. This was quite puckery when I knit it but it relaxed out to about how the pattern looks.)

Buttons: JoAnn Fabrics

Check it out on Ravelry

I shortened the sleeves too.

Now I just need a baby to bless!

Next Project: Just downloaded this from SockPixie.

Cerise Baby Sweater

Can't wait!

WHAT DID HAPPEN TO ALL OF MOM'S SPOONS?

2010-06-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

My daughter & family gave me these plant marker spoons for Mother's Day. She ordered them from an Etsy shop that I don't have the card for anymore. It reminded me of when we would use Mom's silverware as garden tools!

No Rosemary! Most of these herbs will winter over but not Rosemary.

LEARNING A NEW TECHNIQUE

2010-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

It's good to always keep learning. That is one reason I like to knit. I try new techniques. Some I keep, some I forget or let go and some I return to and try again. One of the techniques I came back to was the Magic Loop method for knitting socks.

Lynn from Froggy Knittery was teaching Knitting Two Socks at a Time at Dancing Ewe Yarns.

I took the class and gave it a whirl. I like it but should have tried it with two separate skeins. Knitted here with Cascade Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn. This is color #9826--Londonberry. It's so pretty. Can't wait to see how it wears. May become one of my favorites.

But, I found it tedious to keep them straight. I'll finish this pair and maybe try another pair with two separate skeins.

But, it did cause me to go back to the Magic Loop and try one sock on a circular needle again. I found I LOVE IT!

It helped with the laddering problems I was having and it's faster for me than double pointed needles.

Here are two pairs I'm working on now.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock

Colorway: 909 Sheridan

Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US0

These needles are 32" but I would recommend 40"

Pattern: Modified (no pom poms & different top) Purl Bee Pattern--Pom Pom Peds

I love this pattern because it only takes one skein of the Lorna's Laces Sock and I love wearing them with sneakers. They're also a wonderful gift for my mom and daughter. Here is a pair I knit for Heather last year.

This is a pair of socks that I started on double points but moved them to a circular.

Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot

Colorway: Lodgegrass

Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 1 40"

I like socks made from this yarn because they are warm, cozy and not overly thick. Also, I can use a size 1 needle on them. Most people would use a size 2 but I knit loosely.

Pattern: This is just a basic sock from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.

I used this yarn for my favorite Ruby Red Socks.
By the way, none of these socks have been blocked yet!

Just keep on learning, it keeps you young!

Not About Knitting (Again)

2010-05-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

We've had some beautiful weather the last few days here (ie. no wind), sunny and warm. Just had to take pics of the dogwood and other flowers. It's in it's glory right now.

Also, the Tiny Rubies Dianthus is just starting to bloom. Between the lilacs and the dianthis, the air is sweetly scented around here.

Living Tribute

2010-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

My mother celebrated her 87th birthday last week. I just wanted to tell you a little story about Mom. She loves flowers and has always had them in her garden and house. She lives in the same house she and Dad bought in the early 1950's. They had a huge garden that fed their four children as we were growing up. Later on, she planted a rose garden that is still producing. There are always fresh flowers in her house.

When she was small, she used to go out and pick the wildflowers that grew around their farm. Her mother always asked her why she didn't leave them outside for everyone to see them. They lived on a farm--who was going to see them? I think Mom always has flowers in the house because she likes to be surrounded by beauty. She still keeps her house neat as a pin and whenever there are flowers blooming, there's a bouquet on her dining room table.

With youngest great-grandson, Sam. Also, my grandson! Older brother didn't make the pic.

As far as knitting, no pictures lately. Mom taught me to embroider and she spends her winters doing that. But, the other three seasons will find her outside in her yard doing what she loves best!

Island Blue Cardigan

2010-03-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

Knitted for Baby Clark, this top down cardigan is so fun to knit. He is due in July so I made it bigger. Hopefully, he can wear it sometime! I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Island Blue and buttons from Joann's. This took two skeins of yarn. The pattern is Tasia's Cardigan from Cabin Fever and they also have a pattern using DK weight yarn called Buttons Cardigan. Best of all, no seaming if you knit the sleeves with double points. Hope he (Mamma) likes it!

Never Say Never

2010-03-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

This is a good lesson in never saying never. My niece saw my grandson's monkeys at Christmas and asked for one for her unborn baby. What could I say? Found out it's a boy so here's monkey #3. His hat is from Michael's. Wanted a baseball cap but this is all they had. Might knit him a stocking hat and scarf for winter. Makes him look like a farmer, don't you think?

All the yarn is Cascade 220. Hope Baby Clark likes him!

Beautiful--But, Tooooo Early!

2010-02-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

Found this lovely beauty this morning. Way too early for spring here but still........

Grandsons Love Monkeys

2009-12-11T07:08:00.001-08:00

I finally finished my Sock Monkeys for Ben & Sam for Christmas. They are not Christmas colors because of Christmas, but because Ben likes red and Sam likes green.

These are so cute to knit up and with the altered directions by Susie, they are much easier than the original pattern which is available here. I called them Mr. Chili Pepper and Mr. Green Jeans. Susie also created the overall pattern for them. There is an opening for their tail too.

Construction Details

Body: Cascade 220 Quatro

Overalls: Cascade 220

Hat & Scarf: Regia Flusi Das Socken Monster

Ruby Red Slippers?

2009-11-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to make these for a while. I love this yarn. It's called Mountain Colors Bearfoot in color Ruby River (or Rose Hip--I can't remember). I knit 56 stitches on size 1 needles, and with it being sport-weight, they are just right for me.

60 % Superwash Wool, 25 % Mohair, 15 % Nylon--YUM!

I purchased the yarn at Dancing Ewe Yarns and I think I'm back for more. I like the Juniper color.

My fashion statement for Christmas!