|
Anyone made the Thistle shawl?
This goes back to 2014. Mary Scott Huff had a class at Madrona and sold a kit for this shawl. Vanessa or Hope or someone bought me a kit because I asked for one but I didn't go to that Madrona. I just finished the shawl and I don't have enough of the Violet and Olive for the tassels. If any of you got the kit and have made the shawl and have leftovers, let me know. It is a long shot but I thought I'd ask. I'm not totally sold on the tassels so it isn't a big deal. -- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
Elann going away
5
At the end of the month (2/28/21), the owners of Elann will be retiring and at the same time, retiring all of their patterns (on Ravelry). If you want them, get them now! They are discounted, but at the end of the month, they will be no more. Also, yarn available through their website and Amazon is limited to stock on hand, then it also goes away for good. Elann was one of the first online vendors that I frequented, though once they switched to Amazon, not so much. They are entitled to a happy stand down. I wish them well. Ann in PA
|
|
|
|
Here's a wonderful article from the NYTimes about sheep herding in Maine. The photography is beautiful and so is the story. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/travel/lens-sheep-island-maine.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage Our Christmas was glorious after so much isolation. My son and DIL wanted to spend Christmas in Raleigh this year. Their biggest gift to us: they quarantined for almost two weeks so that we could all be really together without masks or distance That was meaningful to me because quarantine was their choice. We had an epic two days with singing, eating, laughing (story telling), finally watching the funny speeches at their rehearsal dinner, cocktailing and eating some more. Michael and I? Well, we are essentially quarantined all the time, so it wasn't much of a stretch for us to isolate. We hugged them for the first time in ten months. New roof in Southport so I'll be able to stay dry until I'm 95. That was the result of hurricane season, but everything is fine. As soon as we got back to Raleigh, all kinds of little things started to malfunction: heat, exhaust fan, a faulty circuit. We delayed what we could around the holiday, but we now have things sorted. I head back to the coast after New Year. I'm working on getting proficient in flicking. I'd like my right hand to stay on the needle all the time. I'm still a little clumsy with purling, but the gauge is really consistent. I just pick it up in quiet moments to practice. All my other projects need some tweeking before I can go forward. A Starmore jacket needs a sleeve cap re-knit. I somehow read those directions incorrectly. I recalculated the sleeves on a classic Starmore, but I'm not sure how much I like the rate of decrease, so that may need some brain work. In a desire to jumpstart my knitting, I can't believe that I have ordered yet another set of needles: Dyakcraft black nickels, mainly because they are supposedly super slick. I do not need needles. None of us do, but I when I ask W.W.C.D.* I know the answer: order them. No sewing! I'm in a sew slump right now. TV watching is close to zero. I do watch YouTube, however. I have become addicted to two vlogs about chateau life in France: The Chateau Diaries and Doing It Ourselves. I find them both endlessly light and entertaining. The guy who produces Doing It Ourselves is quite endearing. I find myself rooting for him as he, his family and friends have managed to bring his future home, a gardener's cottage back to life by accomplishing amazing feats of carpentry, stonemasonry, and managing life threatening equipment while on a tight budget. I'm reading. I got into Carl Hiaasen mystery thrillers with "Tourist Season" and enjoyed it. It's light fare, but that's what I need right now. I'm now into Razor Girl and I find it funny and entertaining. Over the last year I've picked up the ukulele of all things. I used to play years ago, but this time I'm really learning all of the ins and outs. Ukes are small and portable. Easy to pick it up and noodle with it a bit. Welcoming really. As a Monger in all things, I've got a custom tenor coming to me: Sinker redwood and quilted maple. It will have frequent flier miles by the time it gets to me: Ontario to Hawaii to NC. Attaching photos that were shared with me. I'm excited and in these times excitement every once in awhile is a good thing. Love to you all and hope everyone is safe in these weird times. Mary. *W.W.C.D." - do you really have to ask what this is? OK: What Would Connie Do? That always gives the perfect Magic 8 Ball answer to fiber related decisions b/c the answer is always, "Do it."
|
|
A happy story......
11
For anyone who would like a little cheerfulness this morning! My infamous mother in law turned 90 last week. Much as she has aggravated me over the years, I have to admire the determination and even gallantry with which she has faced and dealt with declining physical health and fitness and a slow but steady increase in her dementia. She is very competitive and, ever since her husband turned 90 just 18 months ago, has been looking forward to her own 90t birthday which she intended to celebrate with even more pomp and ceremony than he had! Unfortunately the odds were against her, Glasgow has been in severe restrictions for months (No non-essential shops, no restaurants or cafes, no meetings indoors or out, no travel, no visitors, no hotel stays etc). So everything we had planned as a family was off. We ordered an individually decorated cake of her favourite sort from the famous Betty’s of Harrogate in Yorkshire (lovely people so happy to help with such an occasion), sent up a large box of mystery parcels, managed (with some difficulty) to teach father in law how to connect to Skype for a group call in the evening, and awaited developments. The in laws have lived in the same area for over 60 years, shopped locally, visited their GP clinic three times weekly for years (long story) and are a very familiar sight either trotting slowly around or, in fine weather, sitting on the balcony of their fairly basic apartment, a third floor one with an open, concrete stairwell which has no protection from strangers or from the elements. Well, during the night before the birthday, some people got in to the stairwell and even through the wrought iron railings and private gate which they put in to separate the balcony from the public areas. And they did some things…….. When MIL and FIL opened their curtains on the birthday morning, they found that the neighbours had conducted a “midnight raid” on the premises. The balcony, railings, gate, the stairwell, everything was decorated with streamers and balloons. A massive banner facing out to the street, custom printed, read “Sadie Swanson is 90 today”. There were flowers, and more were delivered as the day went on. The GP took time from work in her lunch hour and visited them herself with cards and gifts from the staff and receptionists (and kindly took pictures so we could see what was happening, which she e mailed to us – what a wonderful woman). All day, a stream of bouquets arrived until they ran out of vases. MIL had so many cards there was no-where to display them. Passing busses honked and hooted for her, passers-by waved and cheered. They had a superb day after 9m months of isolation and restrictions. And MIL’s comment in the evening when we skyped her? “They didn’t need to tell the whole world that I was 90”. But really she was thrilled. It wasn’t the birthday she had planned, nor yet the one she anticipated, but it was special just the same. The shops re-opened the following day so she was able to wear her “90” badge and tiara. It’s so good to learn how kind people can be. As MIL said, many of the people who sent a card or flowers she would barely recognise in the street. Hope everyone is hanging on and waiting for better times. My parents get their first covid vaccinations tomorrow and the Gp practice led by my sister started vaccinating locally here yesterday. Stirring times. Jenny
|
|
Jenny Swanson!
3
Did you get my message? I got this odd communication from messenger... Carol
|
|
Hello! Hope you all are well. I am on clinics and buried, but I look forward to reading everyone’s updates as soon as possible. In the meantime… My daughter’s new school is holding a silent holiday auction to cover material costs for COVID-related safety changes. I have rounded up a passel of items but am unsure what to recommend/set as appropriate minimum bids. The items are listed below. Four are gifts from <3 Ann McManus <3 toward the cause - definitely want to make sure minimum bids on those treasures are appropriate! I doubt Stonington will go, but the office manager was extremely intrigued so I figure it cannot hurt as long as it has a sensible minimum bid. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, jacqui Hats: Ditto, small: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/ditto Ditto, large: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/ditto-2 Latu: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/latu Owls: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/owls The Leafy Beanie: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/the-leafy-beanie Other: Hitchhiker: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/hitchhiker Menelaos: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/menelaos-mitts Pivot Cowl: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/pivot-cowl Stonington Shawl: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/JackieChris/stonington-shawl-wg15-so18 Two GORGEOUS handwoven alpaca scarves donated by Ann McManus (not on Rav that I can find, images attached) Two also GORGEOUS scarves donated by Ann McManus (not on Rav that I can see, images attached)
|
|
Rant: local politics
We are in the second nasty battle in the county for the position of the Democratic Commissioner of Elections. This is a paid position at the Board of Elections where the members of the county Dem committee vote in their choice every two years. The County Legislature then appoints that person to the position. Our county Democratic Commission is a bit of a "my way or the highway" person. She's been in the job a long time. Two years ago she wanted the current commissioner out and endorsed this person B for the job. I didn't think B was qualified but the committee voted B in. Now everyone is railing against B and another person H is running for the job with the support of the commissioner. H is very competent and seems like a good fit because she's both worked the election process and has run for positions. B has not. She was a union leader. But B is a hard worker. The argument against B is that a) she's cooperating too closely with the Republican commissioner and that is hurting Democratic candidates and also voters and b) she's trying to extend her appointment to a 4 year term along with the Republican commissioner. I have no personal knowledge of any of this but emails have been retrieved using the state's freedom of information act, and show some proof of what is being alleged in a). But it is all so nasty. Instead of sticking to facts, words of people like me are being twisted and reported behind our backs. I corrected a couple of statements at our meeting yesterday - when B said there was absolutely no voter suppression here, I said she couldn't possibly know that unless someone complained. So she corrected her statement by adding 'to my knowledge'. Then another (troublemaker) member said that when he voted, he saw no intimidation or suppression of voters and I said that he couldn't know that. People who are intimidated or turned off are going to walk away, not make a big deal about it. I'm sure he's the one who twisted my words into a complaint that I saw voter suppression when I worked at the Board of Elections during early voting. Le sigh! End of rant -- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
I feel like I have been asleep ... on a bus ... and when I woke up ... y'all musta got off a few stops ago :-) Can you tell I just finished listening to an interview with Mary Karr ... love her word*crafting ... knock*knock ... anybody out there? erica in sunny <blue> arizona
|
|
Craftsy coupon code
2
This was posted in one of the Ravelry threads on Craftsy. Apparently, this is an offer received by many people. A year’s premium membership for $2.49 c24282 c24397 I just signed up for a year. My classes are all on there but I haven’t looked at any of them yet. People don’t like the new interface as it doesn’t let you watch at a higher speed or go back and forth easily but the tech team at Craftsy is busy coding stuff. Also, people with problems are being given months of premium membership for free.-- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
More on Heartwarmer shawl
I finished one chart knitting back in mirror fashion using Steph's video and a couple of others just to learn how to knit backwards continental style as I only knew how to do it with flicking. It has been an education in how much I do without thinking. Concentrating on the actual movements made me lose track of the mirroring around the center and I've had to rip back multiple half rows to correct that. Now I'm constantly orienting myself with respect to the edge or the center. Fortunately I think there are only two charts that still have orientation left to do. The rest are symmetrical or easy. The other problem I ran into is that the two colors of Bearfoot that are used in this chart have a brown-ish tinge that is very close in both the purple and the gold. At times these are being used at the same time so trying to figure out if I used the right yarn requires good light and a close-up view. If they were identical, it wouldn't be a problem. But being close but not identical means that I worry the difference will show in certain lights. Anyway that problem is gone. The rest of the colors are distinct enough, I think. I'm enjoying it though it is slow going and stresses my hands so I have to knit in small pieces. I try to do a half row at a time. -- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
I've got a ton of catching up to do and will begin reading all the messages tonight. I wanted to share a simple solution to a problem that has plagued me: how to repair a purchased cashmere knit poncho without access to the right weight and color of cashmere yarn. I've worn this poncho so much and my car's seatbelt had worn through the bound off edges of the poncho in a few places. I looked through my stash of laceweights and nothing was right. Either it was too heavy, too scratchy, too dark, too light. My poor poncho sat on top of my dresser since March, front and center, so I wouldn't forget about how much I wanted to do a proper repair. This morning, the first full day back in Raleigh since this summer, I had an inspiration. I sometimes use a serger thread called wooly nylon to do a rolled edge on a scarf or delicate garment when I don't want the thread to show. It's also useful when you want extra stretch. It's a fine collection of a few untwisted nylon fibers and it looks a lot like laceweight, cashmere top, ready to spin. I unearthed a spool of black wooly nylon, armed my self with a needle and a very fine crochet hook and got to work. I've attached before and after shots. The nylon was very forgiving, gives a result that is almost completely invisible and retains the softness of the cashmere knit. Wooly nylon is easily sourced from online sellers and even JoAnne's Fabric and Crafts. If you have a problem like this one, it's a great option! Mary.
|
|
all-clear
12
I met with my breast surgeon yesterday. After she examined all the scans she said, “I don’t see anything here to worry about.” So I am all clear until September/October 2021. Thanks, everyone for all the good thoughts. Ann in PA
|
|
Fw: Online Events next week from Handweavers Guild of America
For the weavers & spinners especially, but there are vendor tours and discussions and specials relevant to all fiber arts. Some things, like studio tours, have a small cost for non-members. Check it out: https://weavespindye.org/spinning-and-weaving-week/
|
|
Therese? Fires? You OK?
3
I’m not much on FB these days except to post stuff to the Dem committee’s page, so if you checked in there, I missed it. I didn’t see anything on IG so I’m just checking. Sorry to bother you-- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
Mutual Moon Gaze
5
Tomorrow night at 8:30 (EST), the Grands and I, and some local friends, will each from our own yards look up at the moon. It’s a way to stay connected even if we can’t be in the same place. The moon will be full (it’s a Harvest moon). “And if you are ever lonely, look at the moon. Someone, somewhere, is looking at it too.” Please join us! Ann in PA
|
|
Big yarn destash!
2
I’m having a big yarn destash! Like a lot of people who have spent the last six months in their houses, I took a hard look at all the space my yarn was taking up. I realized that some of it I would never knit with and wanted to make space for future yarn that I might love more. Some it is sweater quantities that aren’t the right color for me. Some is 3 skeins of something that I could never figure out the right project for. Some of it is oddballs. Heaps of it seems to be discontinued Rowan and Jaeger yarns, including the dear, departed Calmer. Lots of things left from the days I was knitting for small nephews and friends’ kids. There are also some weaving yarns that I’m selling for my Mom and some things that could be great for either knitting or weaving. I’ve priced everything because it was a requirement of a destash group on Ravelry that everything have prices. But I’m open to offers (especially from all of you!). I’m really interested in clearing things out and if it doesn’t sell within a couple of months I’m going to donate a bunch of it. https://www.ravelry.com/people/Regan/stash/trade —Regan
|
|
Discord channel and other info
22
https://discord.gg/A5rJ6g Let’s plan on a scheduled meeting on Sept 20 at 7 pm EDT, 6 pm US CDT, 4 pm US PDT, and Monday Sept 21 at 9 am for Beryl. -- Jaya http://knitsarina.blogspot.com/
|
|
sighing a deep sigh of relief
15
Had my follow up mammogram this morning (surreal experience, socially distanced). The radiologist found “nothing significant” and so, I can breathe again. I did not sleep last night. At All. Appointment (annual) with the breast surgeon on Monday. It should be routine (she says hopefully). Thanks for all the Mongerjuju. That’s powerful stuff! Ann in PA
|
|
FW: Walk with Me While I Age
10
Ann in PA From: Lucille <luhlman@...> Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 6:00 PM To: Sager Florence <floseph8@...>; Bradshaw Terry <jambunny2@...>; Biase Felicia <feliciabiase@...>; Manicone Betty <bkm555@...>; Tyler Annette <aotyler@...>; McManus Ann <mcmanusab@...> Subject: Walk with Me While I Age Walk With Me While I Age I hope this poem has the same effect on you as it did on me; then my forwarding it will be worth the effort. Walk with me while I age - worth the read. A BEAUTIFUL POEM ABOUT GROWING OLDER SHIT ...... I forgot the words. Virus-free. www.avg.com
|
Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am