Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts

Saturday, September 01, 2012

A Week At the Castle Farm

It has been a busy week at the Castle Farm.  Lots of playing, weeding, fruit preserving, schooling, soccer ball dribbling and so on.  Fall must be on her way . . . Here is our week by the numbers.

One nectarine tree picked.

Two soccer practices.

Three batches of nectarine freezer jam.

Four front yard garden beds weeded.

Five days of schooling.

Six rows done on my mystery shawl. *sniff*
(Curse you, weeding!!)

Seven stints of mopping.
(Curse you, muddy dogs!!)

Eight (at least) loads of weeds hauled down to the "edge".

Nine wedges knit for my Spectra shawl.
(Love you soccer practice knitting!!)

Ten dehydrator trays of nectarine fruit leather. 

And now it is time to rest, and look forward to the fun next week will bring.  More soccer.  Applesauce making.  Friends to visit from far away.  Friends to visit from close by.  More school.  More knitting.  More weeding, ugh.  More knitting (a girl can dream right??).

Random picture from this summer.
I know when *I* think of SD,
camels always come to mind!!


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mmmm . . . Cake


Four little cakes
of scrumptiousness!


My favorite flavors too:
wool and silk

Fall just can't get here soon enough.
The sweet treats
pictured above are for a 
shawl (that cake of dark blue Tussah silk)
and a scarf (the medium blue and the multi-colored cakes).

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Castle Randomness

We here at the Castle, just enjoyed a wonderful visit with my next youngest sister and her family! What a treat! Now, however, I am tired, a good, happy tired, so here are so random bits for you from the Castle Farm:

1. The wild blackberries are ripe. Super yum!

2. Four pies, one cobbler, one custard, and 5 gallon ziplocs worth of yumminess.

3. Lots of beautiful webs were seen in the bushes, the spiders on said webs, not so much.

4. Princess #1 and I did the best we could, but after a while we were pretty sure, that every rustle we heard was going to be Shelob (a little LOTR reference for you), so we hightailed it out of there with our berries.

5. The rustling was most likely the cows, but who could rightly say? {grin}

6. Speaking of the cows, we had our first fence go down today because of the bovines.

7. Fixing fence=not fun. I plan to reward the fixers with one of the previously mentioned blackberry pies and fresh whipped cream.

8. I am in the midst of another mystery knit. So far, the jury is out, but I will say this, super interesting knit! Pictures to come.

9. I am working on a giveaway here on the blog, it will of course, be knitting related, so stay tuned.

10. I ate a lot of mama humble pie this past week.

11. I despise that bitter taste it leaves in my mouth.

12. However, through the servings, I was reminded of an important parenting lesson. One that I was failing at, which is, simply, when you give instructions to your wee ones, it is important to explain how to do the task. For instance, if I tell my daughter to clean up her room, it may not get completed, because I didn't explain what my definition of a clean room is: put your clothes away, put your toys in the box, etc.

13. Laundry is calling my name.

14. Why does he have to be so blinking insistent?

15. Yes, my laundry is a he.

16. The goldfinches love the feeder on the deck, so do the house finches and the sparrows. And one little hummingbird keeps trying.

17. Guess, we need to make her some food too, and find a feeder.

18. Looks like the fencing crew is making their way home, better quick fold some laundry and slice the berry goodness. Thanks for putting up with the random, dear readers.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Lots of Knits this Week

The Royals have returned home.
Home to the Farm.
A bit weird to have a new home to return to.
But oh so nice to be home.
Close to 4,000 miles of journey gives a knitter
lots of time to get projects done!

Specifically these two:
Langston, in Grace silk and wool yarn by Louisa Harding.
For Princess #2's 10th birthday.
{{Whew, got light-headed there a moment,
I just typed 10, as in two children in the double digits.}}
Pretty cables down the front, lots of pretty ruffles
at the cuffs and hem, perfect for my Princess.
Fun unicorn buttons from etsy seller, TessaAnn.
Her buttons are amazing pieces of art!

A plain old vanilla sock pattern from my head, using
afterthought heels so I could control the color pooling
  with the gusset and heel, in some wild,
crazy, super fun, self-striping yarn from
String Theory Colorworks.  Her yarns
are so cool.  This colorway is Cassiopeia dyed
on her Inertia sock base.

We have these two huge retaining walls in our back yard
on the way down to the garden, corrals, and river.
They were made for sock modeling!!
Here is another pair that I knit up for Princess #1,
modeled on our new fab sock modeling location!
So glad the oldest Princess scouted out this spot.

Don't you just love the little hearts on the heel!
Adorable-ness!

Princess #1 loves to mis-match her socks,
so mama obliged!!
These are called LoveSocks and were knit up in
Spud and Chloe fine sock yarn in the tutu and sassafras
color ways.  Very fun pair to knit up!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Happiness Is . . .

. . . living in denial.

I am making pie when I should be packing and organizing for this road trip.  And yesterday we made homemade ice cream from strawberries freshly picked from the garden.  I wonder what food creation I can come up with for tomorrow. {grin}

Don't worry, the knitting has begun to be thoughtfully packed, I have a sweater I'm knitting for car knitting, a pair of socks to finish for when I need a little easy something, and a fun hat or two that I am bringing along, just in case.

Mmmm . . . pie . . .

Thursday, June 21, 2012

A Knit A Week

I know you have all been wondering,
so I will keep you in suspense no longer.
Yes! The Queen has been knitting.
Just not photographing very efficiently.

Here is Princess #1's Birthday sweater.
Yes, she turned 12.
No, I didn't document it on the blog.
Moving, apparently, is a time suck.
Who knew?! {grin}

She chose the Diana Cardigan, a pattern
from an Interweave Knits magazine.

This gorgeous young lady can't possibly be my baby!!
I swear I had her only yesterday . . .

The Details:

Pattern:  Diana Cardigan by Amy Miller

Yarns:  Three Irish Girls Cotton Rayon Sport
in the sweetmint color way for the main color.
And from the stash no less!!
I wish my photography skills could show off the 
beautiful sheen this yarn has--stunning.
in the sterling color way for the ruffles down the front
and on the sleeves

Verdict:  Gorgeous fit.  Fussy knit.  She loves the feel and shape.
We found some great vintage buttons on etsy
that really finish it off!!


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Surefire Answer to Stress

Stress makes me do funny things.
Like obsess about learning to spin.
Spin yarn, that is.
General spinning around and getting nothing done, 
I already do quite well, thankyouverymuch.

So instead of doing all those little pesky
or maybe not so little pesky chores
associated with moving, 
I browse spinning wheels online.

I confer with friends who spin.
Asking lots of questions.
Which wheel is best?
What is a good price?

I borrow books from the library.
I think this looks like fun.

I find a listing for a used wheel.
Just the right one.
Just the right price.
I bite.

And now it sits.
Watching me patiently as I paint yet another wall.
Waiting to be set up at the Farm.

Will owning sheep be the next level of crazy?
No.
But I would like to make friends with someone who does.

More to come, dear readers, more to come.

Not *my* wheel, but one just like it!
It's a Lendrum, double treadle.
So pretty, and folds up nice and tidy.


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Moving Random--Facebook Style

The Queen

--is desperately trying to decide what should be packed.  In other words what does our family of 6 *not* need for the next 6 months!

--had no idea that picture books could weigh so much.  Sorry honey, should have packed them in a smaller box.

--found a purveyor of used moving boxes.  She is my new bff.

--so glad to be moving to a bigger house. Not so sure, however, about upsizing the amount of property.

--whew!  For every hefty bag of goodwill/garage sale/plain old crap, I seem to pack two more boxes to keep.  Something is wrong with this picture!

--trying to explain moving to a three year old is beyond my level of expertise.

--attic is emptied!

--packed up the stash.  See you soon my lovelies.

--have only opened the yarn box twice to get more yarn out since packing it.  You never know when your knitting time and speed will increase exponentially and unexpectedly. {grin} I am now prepared for every contingency!

--is wishing that we could justify hiring a moving company.  Sigh. At least this way, I will be sure that nothing is packed (like garbage cans with garbage in them) that shouldn't be.

So, dear readers, the Castle is relocating, hopefully in about a month.  Not far mind you, just a few miles away, but it sure feels like a continent away at this point.  Lots of sorting, hauling, packing, repacking, goodwill runs, home repairs, painting, and other nonsense going on.  This move has been a long time coming.  We have been debating the merits of moving vs. remodeling for years quite some time now.  More details will come as I have them.

Monday, April 09, 2012

A (lot of) Knit(s) A Week

Easter!
He is RISEN!

Knitting up little critters for the royal Easter
baskets has become a bit of a tradition.
I just can't help myself.
They are so quick and great stash user-uppers!
All of the patterns are from Susan B. Anderson's fab
book:  Itty Bitty Toys.
I highly recommend her books/patterns.
They are well-written,
and oh! so! cute!

Without further ado here are the 2012 editions:

Mama and baby koala for Princess #1.
Although, secretly, I was tempted to send them to
her auntie, who loved anything koala when she
was younger. :)

It's a stripey kitty!!
It matches Princess #3's pinwheel sweater. :)
Wait . . .

. . . no, it's cute blue mousey!
I love these reversible stuffed animals
so, so much!!

Timmy, it's Timmy!
He's a handful of trouble at every turn,
the sheep that is . . .
 er, um, ahem. {grin}

A little puppy wrapped in blankie for Princess #2.

Monday, March 19, 2012

The One Where I Disappoint the Boy

Queen:  Do you want to come with me to the yarn shop?

The Prince:  Yes please, sure!

Queen:  Okay, it will be just a quick trip okay.  There and back.

The Prince:  I want to see the horses, sheep, cows and pigs.

Queen:  See what??

The Prince:  At the BARN store, Mama.  I want to see the animals.

Queen:  We aren't going the barn store, we're going to the YARN store, where mama gets knitting needles and new yarn.

The Prince:  (bursts into tears)  I no wanna go!!!!!!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Knit A Week: Stashdown Edition

Knitting, knitting, oh, how I love thee.
Especially when I end up with creations like this one!

Another from-the-stash project!!

Lace with beads, yes! please!

Another mystery shawl from Susanna IC.
I love her shawls!!

Blocked in time to wear to church! Yay me!

The Details:


Yarn:  Cascade Alpaca Lace
purchased April 2011 (I think)

Verdict:  Love.  Love the pattern.  I hope to make
this in a different weight yarn at some point.
The pattern included versions in fingering weight and worsted
weight, as well as the lace, like I did this time around.

Monday, January 30, 2012

The One Where I Get Shot

After a rough morning, involving, a tangled skein of yarn, an uncooperative yarn swift, and a little boy trying to help by turning the yarn winder unbeknownst to the untangler of the yarn (that would be me), tempers flared.  I took the Prince over to the family room, coerced lovingly convinced Princess #3 to occupy him with Little People and finished untangling the mess that the "helper" had made.  Once tidied up, I made the rounds apologizing to the helper and those who had to witness the "flare".  I went on to make lunch, when the Prince crept up behind me and shot me with his little laser gun.  After I pretended to be mortally wounded, I hear this little gem.

Princess #1:  Hey! Come and get me!

Prince:  I not bad guy. I just shoot mama!!

There you have it.

He wasn't a bad guy shooting an innocent lady.

He was protecting mankind from his evil mama.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Great Stash Bust of 2012

So, I have a lot of yarn, by some standards.  I am not apologizing or asking you to understand my obsession with string.  It just is what it is.  Last week, I took some time to clean out my yarn cupboard.  My cupboard is three shelves high, just about 3 feet tall, so it's not like wardrobe size or anything. All of my non-sock yarn is grouped by weight or by project, if I know the yarn's destiny. My sock yarn is kept in a different location, because in my world, sock yarn does not count as stash, sock yarn is special and set apart, lovingly handled as the need arises.

One of my biggest peeves with knitting is leftovers.  I try desperately to use every last inch of yarn and when I have a smidge left behind it annoys me.  It annoys me because I have a hard time throwing it away.  I might need it someday or it was expensive good quality.  I have gotten better and each time I clean out the stash, more of the littlest bits leave the nest.  However, there are a few stray balls of yarn.  Not big enough to make something on their own, but too much yarn and too good of quality to just trash or Goodwill.  (I do donate yarn to various charities, but most charities prefer machine washable yarn, and I just don't have much stashed.)

So, why tell you all of this dear readers, well, it is because this year I have determined to knit from the stash as much as is humanly possible (for me).  I have two shelves in my little cupboard of yarn that is for potential projects, and by George, I am going to knit them up.  I'll keep you posted (yah, you saw that one coming didn't you) on my progress, and may possibly have a give away or two this year.  I'm working out the logistics of that.

Here's to stash-busting!!  My needles are loaded with three projects right now, all of which are from the stash!  It is on!!

Thursday, January 05, 2012

A Knit A Week

What better way to start off the New Year than
with a lovely wool cardy??
This sweater is actually a test knit that I 
did for Terri Kruse, whose patterns I adore.

The buttons are made from a deer antler by
this etsy seller.  ((I think they bear a marked
resemblance to banana chips.))

So warm and pretty.  I love the offset opening and the cables.

And more pretty cables down the back.
Pattern:  Foster by Terri Kruse (it hasn't been published yet)

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Heathers in the river rock color way.

Verdict:  Wonderful, seamless, knit from the top down sweater.
Lots of stockinette, but having the cables to think about, 
made it bearable.
I think I will get a lot of use out of this one.  
I really like how it fits.

Monday, January 02, 2012

2011 Knitting Wrap Up

I did this last year, if you'll remember, and found it so encouraging and inspiring for the new year of knitting.  So I am doing it again.  This is not to brag or any of that stuff, this is for posterity's sake. {grin}

The tally goes:

Pairs of Socks:  10  (approx. 3,500 yards of yarn)

Toys (stuffed):  13  (approx. 5,000 yards of yarn)

Sweaters: 2 adult; 12 child size  (approx. 8,000 yards of yarn)

Scarves, Shawls, or Cowls:  8  (approx. 2,000 yards of yarn)

Hats:  7 (approx. 700 yards of yarn)

Pairs of Mittens:  1  (approx. 150 yards of yarn)

Bags:  3  (approx. 900 yards of yarn)

That is a whopping (approximately) 20, 250 yards of yarn I knit this past year!!  
I'm suddenly feeling very tired.

My favorite project you ask, well, hmmm.

Favorite socks.
Love the stripey goodness on these.

Favorite cowl, this double knit
beauty.  It is completely reversible, and
absolutely lovely.

Favorite new skill, planned pooling shown
in this poncho for Princess #3.
I controlled (as much as I could) how the colors
would stack up by tension, and where I started
knitting from the skein.

This one is still my absolute favorite piece
from 2011!!
The Hitchhiker scarf.
You'll be seeing it again in 2012. {grin}


Thanks again for all of your kind comments and encouragement along the way.
I already have quite the long list of knitting projects 
that I dream about having enough time to do for the coming year.
Happy New Year!!


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Prize Worthy

So, remember that sweater I knit in 23 days.
Well, I entered it in a drawing that Jill Draper
was hosting, and . . .
WON!! 
Whoo-hoo!

Best of all.
This is what I won:
Photo slurped from Jill.
It may not look like much, but dear friends,
that is enough yarn to make an adult sweater.
Almost 1,300 yards of yarn.
Made specially for Jill, sheep to skein in New York state.
Now to find something to create with my beautiful prize!!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

23 Days

I did it.  
I started and finished a sweater for myself in 23 days!
Out of lace weight yarn.
With long sleeves.
And stripey goodness.
Best of all . . .
It fits.
Like a pair of favorite jeans.
Like it was meant to be.
So glad I paused the holiday rush to knit this for myself.

I really do love this sweater.
I swear.

It fits! I am in sweater love!

The Details:

Pattern:  Versio by fallmasche (Rav link)

Yarn:  Jill Draper's Aurora wool/silk blend yarn
in the Sterling and Blue Agate color ways. 
Happy Birthday to me!
Gorgeous stuff, my photos do not do it justice!

Verdict:  Doing a lace weight sweater for myself, was a bit on 
the crazy side of things.  But I am so glad I used the 
lighter weight yarn because winter at the Castle
aren't really *that* cold. {grin}

P.S.  Christmas knitting--it's on.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Quiet and Crazy

So in a moment of what is hopefully fleeting insanity and perhaps, an over-inflated sense of my knitting speed, I decided to tackle making myself an entire sweater started and completed in the month of November. (It may have also been due to the fact that what is left of my Christmas knitting is uninspiring.)   Anyway, I decided to try.  And being the impulsive freak that I am, I decided to make a long sleeve pullover . . . out of laceweight yarn.  Yep, I am a glutton.  But I am not alone.

And that, dear readers, is why it has been quiet here at the blog.  I am knitting in every spare second that I have and am loving the challenge of this.  So wish me luck.  Wish me speed and accuracy.

Oh, and Christmas knitting, I'll see you in December!!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

A Knit A Week

So I went a little crazy with the photos for this post, 
but when you spend the amount of hours
that I did for one creation . . .
you want to heavily document it! {grin}

This is another mystery shawl knit-a-long.
I have admired the designer's shawls for a long time, 
but had yet to screw up the courage to tackle one
on my own.  It was great to be joined by a 
couple hundred others in making this shawl.


My lame attempt at an artsy photograph!

Princess #1 showing off one wingspan.


Although you can't see them (due to my stellar photo taking skills),
there are about 200+ seed beads knit into the shawl.
I used dental floss to do it!

It has a crescent shape which is awesome, because the
curve keeps it on your shoulders.

So, so pretty!!
Pattern:  Polaris by Susanna IC (Rav link)

Yarn:  Aurora by Jill Draper in the Blue Agate colorway
This is one of Jill's new yarns! In a word: gorgeous!
Wool and silk lace weight yarn with stunning color!

Verdict:  Okay, so this was a challenge for me. My first lace weight shawl and
first time adding beads to my knitting.
 When I saw the first clue said cast on 361 I about threw in the towel.
However, the brilliance of shawls done this way (bottom up, crescent)
is that you tackle the multitude of stitches while the
excitement of starting a new project is highest.  By the time you're done,
you're down to about a couple hundred. Easy peasy! {grin}

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A Knit A Week

Okay, so I know it's not the end of the year yet,
and I may end up knitting something else
that is takes the cake, but for now,
this "knit a week" is my favorite knit for 2011.

I don't know if it's the combination of the 
yarn with the pattern.  Or the pattern with the yarn. {grin}
But . . .
 something about this project, just makes me happy!


Fall colors--love.  Pattern so simple it is stunning.

♥ Maybe it is my model?  She is gorgeous too! ♥
Pattern:  Hitchhiker by:  Martina Behm

Yarn:  Miss Babs Windsor Sock Yarn in the Mums colorway
(purchased at Sock Summit)