Socks with Birkenstocks

Entrelac is like candy...

2009-04-05T12:21:00.002-06:00

...and the creativity is endless.

Based on the Entrelac Scarf pattern by Laura Spradlin and an idea from Sue at Camas Creek Yarn , I'm creating an Entrelac Stole. I'm using a combination of Mary Maxim Aran yarn from my stash, Louisa Harding Glisten, Shingle and Kimono Ribbon Pure, Terra Bamboo/Cotton and Araucania Ulmo all in shades of ivory and beige. Instead of the 32 stitches for the scarf, I cast on 56. Six repeats of the six yarns, should make this about 60 inches long.

I am pleased...

Log Cabin Tea Cozy

2009-03-13T18:34:00.005-06:00

A log cabin tea cozy for my mom's birthday present. One of the many good things about my mom is that she always appreciates what my sister and I give her for gifts. No matter how silly.

Log Cabin Tea Cozy

This tea cozy is a pleasant reminder of those wonderful Lincoln Logs from my youth. Loosely based on the Tea Cozy Cottage by Vintage, this log cabin is useful during those cold Montana days when you need a cup of tea to go along with your knitting.

Yarn: 1 skein each of Cascade 220 in Cafe (MC), Forest Green (A), Pear (B), small amount of Grey (C). You should have enough to make a second cabin of equal size or less, if you chose.
Needles: Size 6 and size 10 needles.
The cabin is approximately 12 inch by 7 1/2 inch, excluding the chimney.
Gauge: 4 sts. per inch with size 10 needles in reverse stockinette (log) stitch.

Walls of cabin (make two): With two strands of C and larger needles, cast on 40 stitches.
Rows 1(RS), 2(WS): *K1, P1, repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 3, 4: Switch to MC and for rest of wall, K to end of row.
Rows 5, 6: P to end of row.
Rows 7, 8: K to end of row.
Rows 9, 10: P row
Rows 11, 12: K rows
Rows 13, 14: P rows
Rows 15, 16: K rows
Rows 17, 18: P rows
Rows 19, 20: K rows
Rows 21, 22: P rows
Rows 23, 24: K rows
Rows 25, 26: P rows
Row 27: K row
Row 28: P row.
Bind off in knit.

Roof of cabin (make two): With two strands of A and larger needles, cast on 44 stitches.
Rows 1(RS)-3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5 (and each odd numbered row): K1, K2tog, knit across to last three stitches, SSK, K1.
Row 6: K
Row 8: P
Row 10: K
Row 12: P
Row 14: K
Row 16: P
Row 18: K
Bind off in knit.

Door: With single strand of A and smaller needles, cast on 14 stitches.
Row 1(RS): K2, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K3
Row 2: P2, K1, P3, K1, P3, K1, P3
Row 3: P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P3, K1, P3, K1, P3, K1, P1
Row 5: Repeat row 1
Row 6: Repeat row 2
Row 7: Repeat row 3
Row 8: Repeat row 4
Row 9: Repeat row 1
Row 10: Repeat row 2
Row 11: Repeat row 3
Row 12: Repeat row 4
Bind off in knit.

Windows (make two): With a single strand of B and smaller needles, cast on 11 stitches.
Rows 1(RS)-3: Knit
Then, as follows:
All WS rows: K1, purl to last stitch, K1.
All RS rows: K
Row 12-13: K
Bind off in knit.
With a single strand of MC, do duplicate stitches to create window panes.

Chimney: With a single strand of C, cast on 15.
Rows 1-12: *K1, P1*, until last stitch, K1.
Bind off in knit.

To assemble log cabin, join side seams of the walls, matching the purl logs evenly. Join the side seams of the roof, matching the purl stitches. Sew the cast off edges to join the roof. Fold the chimney in half and sew the side seams together. Do not sew the top of the chimney closed. Sew the chimney to the roof.

Place roof above the walls. Attach roof by sewing between first two rows of roof and below bind off edge of walls. Sew on doors and windows. Weave in all ends.

I added a door handle in charcoal to resemble an old cast iron handle. Purchased flower buttons complete the homey cabin feel.

Daylight Savings Time

2009-03-08T09:18:00.006-06:00

The thing I don't like about daylight savings time is that:

I inevitably oversleep
I feel like I'm being cheated out of an hour of my life
One hour knitting time lost (or blog time or laundry time or any other time well spent)

Of course, when autumn rolls around, I'll rejoice for that extra hour. Stay tuned for that post later in the year.

I've been enjoying some classic movies of late. Ghandi, The African Queen, A Night At The Opera, The Miracle Worker, The Philadelphia Story, It Happened One Night. Excellent vieweing to go along with some quality knitting. *glances at tv* Ooh! The Scorpion King in HD! *blushes* I'm not really watching it, just on while I post. Yeah. During advertisements for The Rock's newest movie, he's introducing himself as Duane Johnson. Is this his attempt to be taken as a serious actor?

In addition to the movie viewing, I have been knitting. A lot. I'm currently working on three projects.

I finished a shell, but not the cardigan of a two piece set. The cardigan is on the needles.

All I have left of the Dorothy Bag is the handle. I'm making two longer handles and am turning it into a backpack.

I've also finished a new tea cozy. Well, I've finished the knitting. All that's left is the construction of the log cabin. Stick around. You'll see.

Missing In Action

2009-02-07T13:09:00.004-07:00

I've been away from my blog for far too long. Some of it was because of laziness, work and falling down. I've always found it difficult to play on my laptop from a supine position with a swollen foot elevated. Then my two week vacation interferred with posting.

But I'm rested, relaxed and ready to post!

I finished my Gameday Socks. Granted, these are for UM Griz fans, but could easily be adapted to any favorite team.

I'm taking a class to make the Dorothy Bag from Black Sheep Bags. I've wanted to learn the Entrelac stitches, so I'll get a new bag out of the deal. I'm going to modify the strap a bit, add a second and turn it into a backpack.

And me having fun with a new man in St. Thomas, USVI.

Blogging Community

2008-09-06T13:43:00.002-06:00

I've joined the blogging craze. I suppose this means I'll have to come up with clever little things to write about.

Or I could show pictures.

I gave Kelly the baby sweater and tam. She was thrilled. All I want in return is a picture of the baby sporting the latest in knitwear from moi!

Sweater is of my own design using Sweater Wizard 3.0 software. The tam is from The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. Both knit from Regia Silk Color on size 2 needles.

Lunch was homemade chili with chili-cheese corn muffins. Dinner? Ratatouille. The food stuff, not the movie.