Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Home From Savannah

I'm home from soggy Savannah.  It rained hard all day long every day I was there, except for Sunday.  It doesn't matter, however.  I love the city in the rain and when it's sunny.  It was a nice break to see palm trees and flowers as I'm very tired of the cold and snow.  I'll write more in the coming days, but for now, here are a few pictures from my trip:

Click on the picture to enlarge it.
Flowers were starting to bloom everywhere.  These are in front of the International Trade and Convention Center


To me, part of the beauty of Savannah is the Spanish moss that hangs dramatically from the trees. 


One rainy evening, sitting in a restaurant, this song was playing.  It seemed very fitting.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Yarn Crawl

I just found out that the Yarn Along the Rockies yarn crawl will be held again this year.  I miss Denver (home for many years) and I plan to go back every year, so this seems like the perfect time to go.  Colorado is lucky enough to have a large number of wonderful shops, even more than what you see on the map.  I'd better get some projects finished over the summer so I can justify any yarn purchase I might make in the fall.  Might?¿?  That's funny.

Of course, any trip is made better with visits with friends.  I'm already looking forward to getting caught up with them.  Monday afternoon will be reserved for the knitting get-together at A Knitted Peace

Sunday, February 17, 2013

A Few Good Things

When I started the week I had completed 152 diamonds and 20 edge triangles of my "I've Got The Blues" afghan, picture below.  Now I'm up to 191 diamonds and 26 triangles.  I'm moving right along at a pace I like. All internal ends have been woven in and I've decided on the yarn that I'll use for the border. 


While surfing some knitting sites online (can't remember which ones) I came across a picture that I thought was funny.  What a creative use of snow!  Now, if the snow here in Calgary would just go away for good, that would be a good thing.  


 At least I'm getting a reprieve from the cold and snow for a while as I'm traveling to one of my favorite places soon, Savannah, Georgia.  Since I was there last a new yarn shop has opened up, The Frayed Knot.  

 

I'm looking forward to visiting and picking up a ball of yarn to add to my Travel Afghan.  I already know that they carry a yarn that I like a lot by the Copper Corgi.  I've become somewhat of a collector of Copper Corgi yarn.  I'd better leave some space in my luggage for "souvenirs" after seeing this photo, and I understand more yarn is arriving.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Mardi Gras

I may be living in the frozen north but right now my mind has traveled to the south, specifically Louisiana.  I've been bitten by the Mardi Gras bug!  Having visited New Orleans in October I got a feel of the energy of the city.  If it was that lively in October I can only imagine what it's like now that it's Mardi Gras time...probably a bit too much energy for me!!

A number of years ago, when we were both teaching at a knitting event, I met with a wonderful lady from New Orleans who also happens to be a fabulous designerJackie E-S created a pattern for a knitted "Stress Ball" that evolved into a large Mardi Gras Ball.

Photo used with permission.
Sometimes you just need to take a break from practical knitting and knit something whimsical, so I ordered the pattern.  I've decided that I'll make one ball a year, each one to be different than the others, until I have enough to fill a decorative bowl.

I have the same yarn that Jackie used for hers, a skein of Lorna's Laces sock yarn in a color called Funky Stripe.  (I don't know if it's a currently dyed color as I don't see it listed on the Lorna's Laces site - Jackie has kits, click here). I think I'll save that one for next year as I came across another yarn that spoke to me for now.  The color is called Sour Grapes and is from Your Mom Knits, a shop on Etsy.

The colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power) and this yarn has two of the three colors.  The addition of the 8/0 gold beads from EarthFaire rounds out the combination.


I won't have the first ball done in time for Mardi Gras this year.  My goal is to have it ready for 2014, at which time, I'll start the second one.  I'm drawn to all the bright colors.

♪  Laissez les bons temps rouler - Let the good times roll.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Ranger 2/75

Back in 2010 I blogged about a friend's grandson, Tyler, who was in the Airborne and heading to Afghanistan. Since then, his younger brother, Brent, also joined the Airborne and I made him a cap as well.  Now, Brent has gone on to be a part of the Ranger Regiment, so a request was made that I make another cap/helmet liner and I was happy to do so:


THE DETAILS

Pattern:  My own
1x1 ribbing, stocking stitch crown, fairisle lettering.

Yarn:  Cascade 220 Superwash - worsted weight
Colors #815 black and #809 red
 
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Started with 16" circulars, finished with double-pointed needles.

Note:  The text is RANGER 2/75 for the 2nd Battalion, 75th Regiment.
It's knitted twice around the cap.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Braydon Turns 3

My grandson, Braydon, turned three years old last week and had his birthday party this past weekend.  The saying that 'time flies' certainly holds true.  He had his little friends over for snacks and cake, along with their parents, and his family.  My daughter made him a beautiful Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake.  Braydon is crazy about Thomas and all his friends.


I don't know if he made any wishes before blowing out the candles.  


I brought along a snack, Rainbow Jello.  One of my co-workers brought Rainbow Jello to a Christmas potluck and agreed to share the recipe with me.  I can't share it further, but I see very similar versions online.  It's very easy to make, just takes a bit of time.  It's fun and colorful and opens up possibilities to other versions (e.g. the colors of New Orleans' Mardi Gras, Easter colors, Hallowe'en, etc.).  I think it turned out pretty well.  The marks on the slice on the piece on the right were from trying to cut the first piece out of the pan. 


I got some knitting done on the weekend, even finished a project.  That'll be next time....