Sunday, December 27, 2009

All A Knitter Wants For Christmas...

Books about knitting... A gift card to get more yarn...which I did...Some nice baby Alpaca!



And a few new beads to go on my bracelet that are "yarn related!" Note the "sheep" and the one that looks like a "sweater"...and there is the new one that is "coffee beans" to make my day even more fun!

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Final 15th Fetching?

Fetching gloves for the nieces and my daughter on Christmas eve. They listed all the uses for fingerless gloves. So far they came up with using them for: computer, piano playing, opening your stocking, recycling Christmas wrap, texting, driving, keeping warm in the art studio and playing Probe! The quilt on the wall was done by my lovely and talented mother! And the 15th, and possibly the FINAL Fetching?...........Stay tuned...I can do this pattern in my sleep!


Sunday, December 20, 2009

Family Christmas Fun!

The first of the family gatherings at my cousin's home. It is the annual gag gift exchange and huge dinner. We took the opportunity to pose with my daughters and new son in law in front of the pretty tree. This could be next year's card (early!). My hub is on the right. Momma with her two daughters....Love!
I love my family and all our chaos and gatherings this time of year!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

"Catching" Again

"Fetching" is still very "Catching" around here too. See what I started? The really altered version for my artsy daughter, which no longer resembles the original "Fetching" at all since it is now "sans" the cables altogether, at her request. She wanted simple, no cables and that's what she got. Using RYC Cashcroft DK, one skein. Lightweight and soft.
And I got the homemade mocha with the candycane!

My niece's version was done with O-Wool Classic and turns out it is a very sturdy yarn, holds definition, doesn't split, however doesn't stretch or give much either. The verdict is still out on this yarn choice for this project. She wanted the plum color and that was right on. How many more of these can I do, you ask? As many as relatives ask for them I guess! Until I am sick of the pattern!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Fetching Revisited...Again and Again!

Shown here are the ones made for my Mom in the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, with added length in body and thumb, and ribbing modifications: My happy sis in law, sister and Mom were all the recipients of the Fetching gloves at the family Bday party tonight!

Visit my new friend Sheila's blog, Material Thoughts for another great idea for altering the Fetching Fingerless gloves bind off to avoid the "curling" issue, as well as a wrist cast on alteration to make the wrist more snug.
Also, see her beautiful weaving projects in progress and enjoy her book discussions. She is one crafty lady!

Here's another pair in a Queensland Rustic Wool DK weight for a Christmas gift for my friend. Added 3 rows of K1P1 rib at the end of the glove so it won't curl, casting off in K1P1.
My Mom wanted her own pair, but with more of her smart modifications: Adding 4 more rows of the ribbing to the body of the glove to increase length. Then adding the extra K1P1 rib for 3 rows before binding off the hand. Another modification was adding a few more rounds on the thumb. These will serve her well on playground duty days at the school or on the computer.

It's too COLD here in Seattle this week, though to wear fingerless gloves outside. We need "fingered" gloves in these 20 - 30 degree temps! Although you can wear them in the house, and they make great driving gloves. My daughters are getting some for Christmas. Artsy daughter wants hers with no cables. Just ribbing, and very simple so she can wear them in the art studio and stay warm. Eventually I will branch out and do other patterns, but I have gotten fixated on these! Maybe instead of being called "Fetching" they should be called "Catching"! I have gotten so I can whip them out in a few days if I have some concentrated time. Stay warm!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Visiting Fiber Gallery

A visit to the Fibery Gallery on Greenwood Ave. N. in Seattle today! I scored a few balls of yarn, for making more fingerless gloves of course. This was a really great shop with a huge wall of Cascade wools, as well as another wall of Noro yarns, and plenty of other great offerings. I picked up a skein of Debbie Bliss Fez, Classic Yarns Cashsoft Dk, and Queensland Rustic DK. I checked out alot more while I was there including the Spud and Chloe yarns, Elsabeth Lavold silk/wool, and many more. This shop was also very dog friendly!
After hub picked me back up we thought we were going here...but alas, once inside this popular joint, we saw it was cash only, so we had to leave! With no burgers.
So sad...it smelled so good too.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Chocolate Sheep Delivery



A surprise delivery today came from my sis-inlaw in BRRR cold Chewelah, WA. She found a funny knitting book by Franklin Habit as well as a chocolate sheep in Winthrop, WA and sent them to me as a surprise! Well I did taste the sheep over and over again,so...he is no more! He was a sweet ending to a long day. Thanks, Jean!