Knitting Bucket List

Well, we survived the move to the apartment, barely.

It was enough to make you weep. Under all that clutter is the furniture.

Would eventually be a dining room.

Still digging out from under the unpacked boxes, which have been confined to the "spare room."

The last frontier, bravely go.......

 I went on a seek and rescue last night for my set of  rosewood double points. The elusive things are just that ... elusive. They will turn up sooner or later. One must remain pragmatic when one moves or one runs the risk of complete melt down. Humour there.

Birthday flowers were much appreciated what with moving AND achieving Senior Status! I look a trifle exhausted!

I did come across my lace weight cardi, a WIP, which I gladly knit on last night. Beautiful hand dyed Primo Lace from Knitivity, which just happens to be the same colour as my car... Once it is knit and blocked I think it will become a staple in my wardrobe. I am loving the little pearls I am kniting into an otherwise perfectly plain little cardi. Have not done a stitch on my Dad's picture the CBN I started at the house. My concentration just hasn't been to that point. Crazy busy at work. The most I have been able to manage is knitting on my second Phydlbits sock.
I came across an article about bucket lists and knitting. Ever since the movie Bucket List; which by the way if you haven't seen it you should; there have been bucket lists for everything.  The knitting thing of course appealed to me. So here are some of the things I want to Knit before I kick the said bucket:
The Princess Shawl from Heirloom Knitting, I have the yarn and the needles, just no time at present.

Spanish Armada

The Spanish Armada Shawl by MMarioKKnits, I want it in black. I mean if you are going to do it lets make it as hard as possible.
That's two things give me time I am sure I will come up with more. ;0)

10,918 stitches later

 Captain Jack Sparrow is finished.

 I have packed my yarn scale or I could have calculated how much yarn I actually used. I went into the second ball of black and almost finished the ball of dark blue. There is quite a lot left on the other balls. He will be a pillow cover after we move. I just packed him away in his project box for the time being.

I have already started the second project using the crochet by numbers technique with a slight modification because I can't leave any good idea alone. This one is a special pattern generated by Todd Paschall for me from a photograph. I am going through embroidery floss like water. It only has 22,436 stitches! Holy crap.

This just the beginning, I do like the way the floss shines. More will be revealed later unless your on Ravelry and then you can see it on my projects page. If this turns out as well as I hope I will have it framed professionally. All this and working and packing to move.

"Captain" Jack Sparrow

Hold onto your crochet hook! I have just discovered a new obsession. (as if I needed another one) Take a moment and go visit this site Crochet by Numbers and click on Gallery. Then come back, I will still be here.
Now, pop over to Lee's website . Impressed??? Well, I am.

10% April 12th
Knit Picks Palette wool with a 3.5mm hook

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25% complete April 15th

40% complete, April 23rd

50% complete, half way there, April 25th

60% complete, April 28th

70% complete, April 30th

Free pattern from  Lee Mac, "totallee" on Ravelry, she is a fantastic fiber artist. Very talented lady with a great sense of humour; love her "vlogs."  I am totally addicted ( pun fully intended, Lee).
 Todd, "toddapaschall" on Ravelry, has made me two patterns from personal photographs and I am learning how to make my own patterns.
Just because I have nothing to do except finish pack a whole house and move in four weeks. Cue hysterical laughter.
I will add updated pictures to this post so you can see the progress.

Remember Logan's bear?

Logan: " Can you keep a secret?"              Bear: "Forever."

You have a fuzzy.

Playing Peek-a-Boo

You can tell they are related, they have the same smile.

The bear was a success. Mom and Dad were happy and appreciated his heirloom status. Here's hoping "Bear" gives many years of quiet confidence to my young Grandson.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Looks a little like bunny ears, doesn't it? Having a bit of a sock fest going on here. This is a good basic mindless sock pattern and I will make them again and again. I used the Zebra pattern from Cat Bordhi's latest E book, "Sweet Tomato Heel Socks," available through Ravelry. Great "hand job" (to quote Colin), He dyed this colourway up for me by special request. This post is going to be full of links today. Colin is the Knitman's Kitchen, beautiful yarn, excellent service.

The dragon fire socks (another Knitman's yarn) I started in Mexico are progressing a lot slower than they were when I had nothing but the sun and surf around me. The pattern is a little too complex for TV watching. I shall persevere. Progress has been made.

Another of Cat's patterns, Sweet Coriolis Socks.The diagonal rib just about sent me around the bend. Kept loosing my place. Don't look too closely I am sure there are errors in there. I used Judy's Magic cast one, as usual, this one has a spiral toe. Now the second sock "spins" the other way. So there will be a new challenge. No boredom here. (Colin's yarn again, we are all enamoured of the colour pooling in this one)

I made a request for a peacock feather inspired colourway from Ray at Knitivity and he came through. I am so pleased with the colours. Head on over to facebook and "like" him. There will be some new hand dyed yarns comong up for sale today. Just tell him Susan sent you, lol.
 I am using the Wyvern Socks Pattern, a Marnie Maclean Design . It is similar to the dragon fire pattern but a little more basic, hugs the foot, not to lacy, I do not like "holes" in my socks and it is TV watching friendly.

 In honour of Spring and after months of coaxing, the lavender seeds have finally produced some hardy shoots and we are actually looking forward to some blooms. Lavender repels moths AND scorpions if that is a problem in your neck of the woods.

Maple is having a "stay over" at Grami's while her family is away for a few days. She won't come in. In fact she ignored me just now... she is staring down a squirrel on the fence.

Wisp of a cardigan

 This is merino and silk lace dyed by the KnitterMan, Knitivity. Gorgeous stuff and not one knot in a thousand yards. Very impressed. It just so happens that it is the same colour as my VW beetle. So what's not to love?

 I am knitting the Kid Seta cardigan from Cascade yarns. My apologies to Cascade for not using their lace weight as the pattern was a free download.   Go Here. This exactly what I was looking for, for this yarn. Just to keep it interesting I am adding glass pearls every 10th stitch every 10 row, (stagger them.) It doesn't show up that much in the picture but I think the overall look will work. I plan on some alterations... 3/4 length sleeves and a crochet edge. The perfectionist in me can't handle rolled edges of stocking stitch.
Air conditioning in the summer, can vary greatly when you are in the mall or at work and I think this fine cardi will be ideal for when I feel chilled rather than cooled.
Now for, what is to me, earth shattering news. After years of wishing and hoping ... I am going to Stitches Midwest in August 2012.

Wait till I tell you. I have classes booked with Franklin Habit and Nicky Epstein just to drop 2 names. Only an experienced knitter will appreciate how pleased I am that I have 6 hour class on Estonian Stitches. The list goes on. There will be lots of posts coming during and after the event. this little cardi will be perfect to take with me. Hotel reservations are confirmed as well. (Insert mental picture of me jumping up and down clapping my hands)
 My sweet man will be accompanying me to Illinois and THAT is a testimony of devotion!

Back to the knitting...

 ...still cleaning up UFO's. Started these socks a couple of months ago. Really they are a quick knit. (when you knit) For some strange reason they do not knit themselves... duh

This is from Cat Bordhi's latest book which I downloaded through Ravelry. Sweet Tomato Heel socks. I will link to the exact title in a minute.  Here is the pertinent info:
2.5mm needle
56 sts
toe up
Judy's Magic Cast On
Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel
Jenny's Super Stretchy Cast Off
knit the ribbing (2x2) as long as your foot.
Fits me perfectly. Am turning the heel on the second sock. When I get to the ribbing it becomes mindless TV knitting. I am almost finished the Dragon sock I started in Mexico and I want to get the second one on the needles. Leave it to me to have 2 new pair of socks I probably won't need to wear until fall.

I am crocheting another rope, just to keep my self busy (insert maniacal laugh). This one is made using #11 beads and is finer than the last one. Photo taken on a mirror by my "camera guy."
When the socks are finished I am going to finish the Icarus Shawl! Really. Promise. I have a lot of grafting to do and that is why it has languished in the basket. Must be done before I can start anything else! Stay tuned.

Logan's bear ... finished.

Once upon a time, I had a home based business called "Thimble Enterprises." I designed and hand made stuffed animals. Especially Teddy Bears. This was right at the beginning of the teddy bear craze in the early '80's. I had a white Mini and I used to pack is solidly with animals and props and go off to craft shows around southern Ontario. At one point my animals were carried in specialty stores in Leamington and Windsor.
When Evan, my youngest, was little he would sit by my feet driving his hot wheels cars around the inside ledge of the sewing machine table while I was working. I had two huge utility shelves in my tiny sewing room full of disembodied animal parts. I made dogs, cats, squirrels, deer, bears all sizes and designs, and beautiful bunnies. I still have all the pattern templates.
It seemed fitting that in view of that memory of Evan as a little boy, his son should have a bear for his first birthday.

Partially stuffed

The bear is finished and I pleased with the outcome. I have had this length of fabric in the cedar chest for probably 20 years. When Logan is big enough I hope this bear becomes his trusted companion and he will always have this memory of his Grami and the story about his daddy when he was a little boy.

This particular bear was originally sold with copper rimmed glasses, a pipe and dressed in a buttoned plaid vest with watch chain. This "Grampy Bear" was designed in honour of my father who loved to come to the shows with me and shmooze with the customers. I sold more of these in London as "executive gifts" than anywhere else.

I made the nose too.

He even comes with a letter of authenticity.

 All that remains now is for him to have a name and that I will leave up to Logan.

Bear : Under construction

Bear in pieces

 Logan's birthday bear is coming along nicely!

ultra suede paws and soles

Logan on the left and Emily, oh, and Grami's hand

 

I just have to sew the ears in by hand and then turn the head right side out and all the pieces will be ready to join. Stay tuned for more pictures

Needles from another dimension....

Although I am a knitter and crocheter I first started with embroidery. When "back in my day" (lord, I sound like my Scottish Nana) young girls were taught the fine art of embroidery and how to hem an apron. There is another word lost to the archives, who wears an apron any more? I digress, as usual.
Anyway, I was having a think, always dangerous, and decided it was time the grand girls (4 oldest) had a new wall hanging for their room or bedroom door. For years I have been collecting mother of pearl buttons with the idea of making something "pearly" inspired. My great grandmother, Mathilda, "Tilly," was a true cockney, born within the sounds of "Bow Bells," in London England.

No relation, just added for enlightenment, remember them in Mary Poppins?

 I wanted to remember that Pearly tradition and pass something down to the Girls that would last.
In all fairness, this time the recipients are in reverse order from the last gifting. The last shall be the first to receive. Meaghan's went out in the mail this week and is awaiting her arrival. Ryleigh's went out next and should be at her home today.
Now, I have to have a hiatus as The Bear is next on the list of "to-do's." Logan's first birthday is on the 20th. we are getting together on the 18th. I have less than 10 days. Love the pressure. Sewing with a "hot" needle again...sigh ...I never learn.
So here are my latest accomplishments. Personalized with embellishments: Click on pictures to see the detail.

Meaghan's  wings to fly.

Ryleigh is all about the fairies.

The hangings are about 16x24.  Now I have to get sewing on the bear......................