"Bamboozled"

Hi Knitters,
Nothing new to  post regarding knitting as I have been otherwise engaged for a bit.  However, I did run across a blogger's story that made me grin and hope it brings you a laugh as well. 

All knitters who have finally placed an order for some extra special yarn or accessory that they have been wanting for some time know that eager anticipation of counting the days til its arrival and the happy feeling when you finally see the package sitting on your front porch.

Enjoy the linked blog entry titled "Bamboozled."

I will be away for a few days but, of course, will be visiting a few LYSs while out-of-town so I should have inspiration and knitting news to share when I get home.

Happy Memorial Day and Happy Knitting, Josey

Classic Elite Farmers Market Pattens

Hi Knitters,

Classic Elite's e-letter arrived in my mail box this morning and I can't wait to get over to Gourmet Yarn Co. to pick up CE's "Farmer's Market" pattern book.  I like all the patterns but there are two "I absolutely have to knit that" projects.  The first is the Market Bag. 

Looks fairly easy and quick to knit and I think it would be a perfect gift for just about everyone I know--after I knit one for myself, that is.  They show it in Allegoro, 70% organic cotton and 30% linen.  I have never knit with Allegoro before but I am hoping like crazy that Gourmet Yarn carries it because the soft, springy colors are so lovely.   If not I think Berocco's cotton Vintage would work really well.

I am more likely to use my Market Bag as a purse and a project bag rather than an actual market bag.  I am not a big fan of stretching out knitted market bags to to maximum capacity so I will be lining it with some fun fabric from the quilting shop.  It's partly aesthetic with me--because the stretching usually distorts the pattern which attracted you to the project in the first place--but, also, I just like the support and shape that a lining provides.   I usually handsew some bias binding along the inside of the shoulder strap as well since, depending on the yarn and the stitch used, knitted straps can stretch an enormous amount and your bag could end up swaying around your ankles.

The other must-knit is the Sideways Lace Vest knit in Soft Linen. 

I can imagine throwing this on over a sundress or jeans and tee every day.  And although sweaters are a difficult gift to knit I think this is actually a sweater that you could surprise someone with as the design is such that sizing wouldn't be too much of an issue, a general bust measurement would be all you would need.   The colors of the Soft Linen are wonderful -- "Winter Pear," "Thistle Down," "Kentucky Blue," and "Bottocelli Pink."  The hardest thing for this project is going to be color choice.

Happy Knitting,  Josey

Oklahoma Weather and more Noro Kureyon

Hi Knitters,

The Oklahoma adage "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes" has once again been proved true.  We woke up to sunny skies and singing birds last Sunday morning.  We opened all the wondows to enjoy the fresh cool air.  Tim jogged and worked in the yard while I knit.  Later that afternoon I was sitting at my computer with both cats nearby enjoying the sunny views out the open windows.  Tim was a few steps away watching a game on TV.  The next moment the skies darkened, the wind kicked up dramatically, and hail stones began pelting our roof so loud and so fast we couldn't hear each other speak.  The cats ran under the bed, and we ran around closing windows just in time for a deluge of pounding rain mixed with more hail.  When the storm let up just a few minutes later our front yard looked like this:

Our back yard looked eerie.  I guess the icey hail combined with the warm ground made the mist. 

 

Everyone in our neighborhood and sesveral other surrounded neighborhoods needs a new roof, and many of us also need to replace screens, windows, siding, etc.  Fortunately our pets were safe and sound but I wondered how all the outdoor animals faired.  Sadly to say, my neighbor picked up several birds in her yard that didn't survive the storm.  We have had Mourning Doves cooing away just outside our windows all spring and I was so happy to hear them cooing away again yesterday.  I wonder where they weathered all the danger.  When we called our insurance agent Monday morning he said we were his 50th call.  Our street was abuzz all day yesterday with out-of-state roofers that must have loaded up their trucks and headed for Oklahoma while the storm was happening.  Signs are popping up on yards and I am sure we will be hearing construction noise for some time to come.   

Here's my current knitting project.  As I was knitting this I thought it reflected the colors of the stormy skies we had witnessed.  The pictures don't do the the depth and variation of the Noro colors justice.   The finished square is color #213.  It may be my favorite so far -- no surprize, with all the greens and blues.  No 254 is on the needles and looks like a winner as well.  Nine squares and counting!

 

Happy Knitting, Josey

Vanillajoy Giveaway - Flower Power Headband

Hi Knitters,

Kelsey Norwood is the enthusiastic crafter behind VanillaJoy, a wonderful website/blog with an assortment of fun info directed mainly at moms/crafters, but with a wide variety of interesting topics not necessarily limited to crafting.  Having gotten to know her a little from her blog I would describe Kelsey as fun, joyful, generous, and incredibly productive.   Crafters all know that hand-made, home-made, one-of-a-kind things bring sweetness and fullness to the everyday aspects of family life and this, along with helpful info on other subjects such as healthy eating and children's activities, is all reflected in Kelsey's blog.

I was really flattered when Kelsey contacted me to ask for the Flower Power Headband pattern to use as a giveaway on her blog.  It will be posted on her site next Monday so go to Kelsey's website to leave a comment or sign up on her blog to win.  I think you will love VanillaJoy and want to be a regular follower.

Here's a couple pics of the latest Noro Kureyon that I bought to make more Lizard Ridge squares.  Isn't Noro amazing?!  It's pure joy to watch the colors emerge as you knit. 

Happy knitting, Josey 

Redfoot After Party Shoes

Hi Knitters,

Look what I got for Mother's Day this year.  The cute little box is only about 3 1/2" x 5".  Intriguing, yes?

My daughter discovered these at a shop in the college town where she lives and bought a pair for each of us.  Her pair is silver with a big sparkly buckle.  They fold in half and fit into the little stretchy sack to keep handy.  They are advertised as the  "After Party Shoe" and once you put them on your feet you will know why.  They feel like little elastic gloves hugging your feet.  My tootsies are happy.  Here's the link if you want to check them out:  Redfoot Foldable Shoes

Boyfriend Socks

Hi Knitters,

My current project is a free pattern on Ravelry:  "Boyfriend Socks" by Alice Bell.  It is my favorite men's sock pattern.  The cabling is beautiful and looks a little complex but the pattern is actually very simple and easy to follow for the intermediate knitter.  At first glance, seeing the 24 row repeat, I expected a more heads-up, no TV watching kind of knit.  But once you have knit through one pattern repeat you see that there are really only four rows to learn and repeat in the correct order.  You probably won't even need to refer to the pattern once you have worked through the repeat once.  You do, however, need to keep close track of which row you are on, so I would recommend a row counter or at least a paper tally next to you. 

For this pair I am using Cherry Tree Hill Semi-Solid sock yarn which I had on hand and, actually, I am not too crazy about how it is knitting up.  Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn is first quality and I have no complaint there.  But in this case the distribution of the semi-solid bits as I knit is looking decidedly out of whack.  Perhaps it's the 80-stitch cast on, but the variegation went from a lovely tweedy effect on the toes to some off-kilter over-sized stripes, funky but not in a good way.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of sock knitting is the gorgeous variety of hand-dyed, hand-painted, self-patterning, self-striping yarns.  It's the anticipation of not knowing exactly what the yarn that captivated you at the knit shop will become, and witnessing the fun surprise of seeing it come together stitch by stitch.
In this case, and for the first time since I have been using the self-patterning yarns, I am a tad disappointed in the outcome.

This is what is refered to as "pooling" and now I understand first-hand why we do not like pooling.  Since I am knitting in the two-at-a-time mode I think adding two more skeins would send me over the edge.  Debated frogging but decided I had too much time committed to give up or give in now.  I'll play around with it a bit and let you know what happens.

These socks are a gift for my Dad who thinks hand-knit socks are about the best thing ever and I know that my dad is not going to comment on the distribution of the self-patterning yarn.  After his first pair of hand-knit socks given to him for his birthday two years ago he was hooked.  Now all he wants for any gift-giving occaision is more hand-knit socks.  Last time I was home to visit I told him I would keep knitting for him until he had at least one pair for every day of the week.  This will be his sixth pair.  They may not be his prettiest but he can always wear them with boots.  Anyway, I shall plod on and hope once these are all neatly blocked and folded, I will feel a little happier about them.

Happy knitting, Josey

Oklahoma City Arts Festival

Hi Knitters,

Haven't posted in a while for two reasons. 

One: the Oklahoma City Arts Festival and

Two:  I am on a knitting deadline for one of my favorite yarn manufacturers.  I am privileged to be one of the first lucky people to knit with a new yarn that will be on the market this summer.  I will have more details and some pictures of this beautiful yarn and fun project later this summer.

The Oklahoma City Arts Festival takes place during the third week in April every year.  It's one of my favorite times of the year and a great showcase for so much of what makes Oklahoma City a great place to live.  Who doesn't love an arts festival?  Always something for every one.  The inspiring arts and crafts, live entertainment all day long, and no better eating and people watching anywhere.

 
Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts was started forty years ago and we have missed very few of them since moving here thirty years ago.  For most of those years my husband's office was just a block from the Festival.  We had free and easy parking and could just walk out his front door and down the street.  Some years we have wandered through the booths and had dinner and dessert every single night of the Festival from Tues through Saturday.  This year we made it twice which really didn't allow enough time for all the food sampling we would have liked, but there's always next year!

This year--with just a few little windy spurts and one very short rainshower--the weather was nearly perfect.  The many and varied artists come from all across the states and represent nearly every medium and style.  This year my favorites were some of the textile artists (no surprise there) who had sewn their hand-dyed silks and cottons into loose and flowy clothing.   

I think it's probably accurate to say that the strongest draw to the fair is the food.  Local restaurants and caterers team up with city non-profits and provide an incredibly varied feast.  The vendors serve up every kind of savory wrap, roll, crepe, puff, wonton, taco, burrito and salad imaginable.  But they really shine when it comes to desserts.

Fried peaches with home-made ice cream, "Caramel Knowledge" Sundaes, lemon curd crepes with blueberry compote, tequila bread pudding, skewered strawberries dipped in dark chocolate sauce, sugary crusted strudels and melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls to name just a few and my all-time, every-year favorite must-have:  "Strawberries Newport."   Just ask any Oklahoman about the Arts Festival and he or she is likely to tell you that the first thing you need to do is get yourself to the Strawberries Newport booth.

I have eaten at least one nearly every year for the last 30 or so.  It's a flakey puff pastry topped with vanilla custard, fresh strawberries, and home-made whipped creme with just the perfect sweetness.  I think another thing that makes it so special is that you can't get it any other time of year.  It is a Festival-time only dessert. 

A percentage of the proceeds from both the art and the food sold goes to Allied Arts of Oklahoma City.  Just doing our part for the arts!  The entertainment from morning til night is as varied as the food.  From opening until closing the main stage features local talent.  We saw these terrific ladies wandering through the art booths early in the afternoon and couldn't help but smile.  They are the "Not Just Country Line Dancers."  They had tons of spunk and you could tell they were completely enjoying themselves.

We got to watch them perform later that afternoon and it was too much fun.  We all should be so spunky when we're seniors.  Everyone in the audience was smiling and clapping along.  If you want to see them in action check out this video.  It will make you smile.

This was the first site we saw as we came to the Festival this year.  Interesting, no?  We weren't exactly sure what it was, a snail or slug of some kind I think, but definitely unique and got lots of attention. 

More about knitting on my next post....

Happy knitting, Josey