Knitting and Reading....

"Sometimes I follow directions exactly as written. And sometimes I knit what the yarn tells me to.  Either way, a pattern for me."...from The History of Needlework by C. Lloyd

 

The pattern for this scarf is called Side Line Scarf (free on Ravelry).  I made one for my niece out of a bluish gray Cascade Chunky yarn. I loved it so much, that I immediately cast one on for me.  This one is done with Berroco Vintage Chunky in a cheerful cherry red shade. So squishy and cozy! Love it.  I knitted like crazy to get it done. We were hit by a blizzard and I couldn't go anywhere to wear it. And now that I can go out and about - it is in the 50's!!! LOL!  I am hoping to get to wear it at least once before the winter is over....   I'm re-reading this book. Loved it the first time around - hope it stands up for the second time around....

 

 

 

 

2016 blizzard is now officially over - well, except for....

the shoveling out the 25 inches we got!  Not sure when we will be able to gt out and about!

The Story Behind It....

Many many years ago, I went back home to Ohio to visit my family...
My Aunt was living in a mobile home at the time.  Her friend across the way had a cat who delivered a litter of kittens.  I ended up bringing one back to Virginia with me...  I named her Lacey Gracie Sue (Sue is my middle name).  She was my first cat. We'd always had dogs.  They didn't know what to make of her - but soon grew attached to her.  We would often (especially my husband)  call her Lucy Goosey...
After we lost her in December of 2004 (which was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through)... I stitched this little sampler...  Every time I look at it - I smile and remember....

 

 

Shadow Play....

"Keep your face always toward sunshine...and shadows will fall behind you".... Walt Whitman

A Rainy Day Outing....

On my way.....I have my name in sparkles on my visor...that way I don't forget who I am - ha!

First stop - Starbucks! For a nice hot hot chocolate...

Then a quick in and out at JoAnns Fabrics - to get a circular needle.  I also wanted a valentine wreath - but they had nothing - nada!  Need to now make a trip to Michaels for one!!  At least the needle wasn't on sale so I could use a coupon and get a good price!

Last stop - Barnes & Noble - to get some help with my Samsung Nook tablet and to do some browsing and some buying of course!  No real help with the Nook - and this was after talking to the "expert" who said he was unfamiliar with what I should do to fix my issue...  Arghhh!  I bought one book for my husband and three for me!  Yeah!

 

 

 

the end.....

Knit One - Read Two....

 

 

 

 

 

I've tried doing the Noro Striped scarf many times over the years - but all that seed stitch drives me batty and I end up taking if off the needles...

I'm trying again!  Not using Noro (as it itches me). Using Crystal Palace Danube instead (think I've got the name right)!  Whether I'll stick with it and finish it - only time will tell.  The book is a definite "know I will read to the end"!  I thought about reading this when it came out years ago, but never did - fell off my radar I guess.  But I saw it mentioned on a blog that I read and decided to buy it and get going (I'm from Ohio - which is where the book takes place)!  I am so happy I am getting to sit down and lose myself in this book!

 

Unbirthday Month of Fun!

 

 

 

"Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them.  And it is much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world"... Neil Gaiman

 

 

 

 

 

I belong to an online group of women - and each year - for a long long time now - we have been participating in a fun celebration that we call "the unbirthday book" club!  It isn't your real birthday month - but just a month that gets assigned to you.. And during that month - the other members send you books and gift cards!  How fun is that!  Lots, let me tell you!  My "month" is January!  And these are the first gifties that arrived in the mail. I've already delved into them and read a chapter or two! 

Shadow Play.....

 

 

 

“If we didn't have shadow we'd just sit around loving the light, likely doing nothing with it.”
― S. Kelley Harrell