Knitsonice

McMurdo Station Winfly

2011-08-14T16:27:00.000-06:00

Here I go again. With no plans to leave the western side of the Colorado Rockies at the beginning of this week, I am now almost packed and ready to leave home for 6 months. I begin my long journey South to McMurdo Station a week from today, Aug 21st. Tom will follow in October if all goes as planned. The fact that, at this writing, there is no icebreaker for resupply activities in late January/early February 2012 makes this an interesting deployment. We can only remain adaptable. Bend. Like the willow...

Road Trip!

2011-07-26T21:34:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow I leave for the Sock Summit! So exciting...doing a happy dance. What if the roads heading to the NW are packed with vehicles carrying obsessed knitters? What if all airplanes are flying to the Portland International Airport with nothing but knitters on board? What do you mean not everyone wants to knit and be at the Sock Summit? I can't wait to get there. I've been looking forward to this for many months.

We're all packed. Except for the most important thing. Yarn. Which yarn to take? Big decisions to be made. Lucky for me, my hubby is doing the last load of laundry and other domestic chores while I ponder my wool choices. It's so important isn't it?

So ready to go! I even found time to check out the last Harry Potter movie with a girlfriend. I'm not organized very often so I'm a little amazed. I enjoyed the film and the company.

A good road trip is my fave but this one is going to be special.

Party in the Mini Cooper

2011-07-23T21:14:00.000-06:00

Today I went to the Mesa County fair and I saw a pink Mini that wasn't so mini. There was a hot tub in the back and the inside was swank.

Dream Catcher Therapy

2011-07-23T17:39:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow we are attending a benefit concert at the Botanical Gardens in Grand Junction for Dream Catcher Therapy and End of the Trail Horse Rescue. I donated these two hats to the silent auction. Three bands will be there, beer from Palisade Brewery and Mexican food. It should be a fun time for a really good cause.

The McMurdo Sign

2011-07-23T16:46:00.000-06:00

Photo op

International Knit In Public Day

2011-06-13T22:32:00.002-06:00

On Saturday, my friend Valerie and I packed up our knitting and took it to the lawn of the Mesa County Library where Jennifer Murrel, a librarian there, so thoughtfully set up Grand Junction's world wide knit in public gathering. It was a delightful morning getting to know another 25 or so friendly knitters in town.
Gretel Daugherty from GJ's local newspaper came by, interviewed several knitters, and took many photos. Vivian Ortiz,(see photo below) was one of the young women who joined us. She was a fun to talk to and I got to knit with her again tonight at Tangle, our lys. She was happy the men and women knitters of Grand Junction come in all ages. She said she imagined it might be like knitting with "old cranky ladies in the church basement" who didn't like her tatoos. This photo was taken by Gretel Daugherty. The article was written by Rachel Sauer and can be read online at the GJSentinel.com.

More of Los Ojos

2011-06-09T21:51:00.003-06:00

Los Ojos, New Mexico

2011-06-08T21:38:00.013-06:00

Tierra Wools is in the picturesque village of Los Ojos and a fave stop of mine. It's been 5 or 6 years since our last visit and it was winter then. What a beautiful place, summer or winter.

How to Knit the Second Mitten...or Not

2011-05-23T21:20:00.072-06:00

I wonder if the mitten in this photo will ever get its mate? It's been so long since I made the first one (we're talkin' years!) and I didn't write down the pattern as it spilled out of my head. There's a Ziplock bag with yarn in it (see there?) for knitting the other mitten that I so carefully squirreled away and didn't pillage for other projects. That was sometimes difficult, I recall. So why don't I JUST KNIT IT?? No pattern? uh uh, that's no excuse, sister. Look at the first mitten and count. No prob.

What will make me do it? Someone please jump start me.

In my defense, (sadly, I feel the need to justify), this is the way it used to be all the time with me. There was so much unfinished knitting in my closet that one day I was compelled to give most of it away. I mean c'mon. When I started knitting some of the items in there I was younger than my daughter is now! She's 37 so that means I kept unfinished knitting around for decades.

But I don't do that anymore. I usually begin and finish 3 or 4 items a week. I'm so good now. I'm an obsessed knitter. I'm a knitting fool. I never leave the house without knitting in my purse. I'm knitting all the time. Maybe I will knit a second mitten and not even notice.

Nah. I need a kick in the buttocks.

Looking back on Knitting days in Antarctica

2011-04-21T21:56:00.009-06:00

Knitting group Winter 2002 at Hut 10, McMurdo Station

Lynn's lids for the craft show

More hats and some socks

The Liz Hat

2011-03-16T22:18:00.006-06:00

In 2003 I knit this hat for Liz during the dark days of Winter at McMurdo.

Knitter's Bingo at McMurdo

2011-02-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is my donation to the Knitter's Bingo for Charity several winter's ago. It was a fund raiser for the children's home in Christchurch. We are no longer allowed to raise money for charities as it is considered gambling by the company. Too bad. In the winter, 200 people once donated as much as money as 1000 summer folks did for several years in a row. It's the children that suffered when we had to stop giving. I don't understand some of the decisions that corporate makes.

Cupcake Hat

2011-01-30T19:25:00.003-07:00

Here's a hat I made for Lisa. She wanted pink and cupcake.

Homemade Hats for Heirlooms for Hospice

2010-11-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

Tom sent me this article from the Grand Junction Free Press:

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Calling all knitters, crocheters, and other crafty people.

Suzi Potratz of Fruita organized a unique fundraiser for Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado by asking people to donate homemade hats of any size, shape, style and material to be sold Dec. 4-11, at the Heirlooms for Hospice store, 635 Main St.

Kathy Martin, Heirlooms regional manager, said the store sells a lot of hats during this season and thought this would be a successful event, according to Hospice development director Jacquie Chappell-Reid.

“We just want them to be handmade,” Chappell-Reid said.

Hats will be collected at Benges Shoe Store, 514 Main St., through Nov. 27.

Organizers are asking for hats to be dropped off at the shoe store as opposed to Heirlooms, in order to avoid mixing with the store's other donations, Chappell-Reid said.

All proceeds from the hat sales will go toward Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado's general fund.

Potratz had a family member who used Hospice's services.

“It's interesting how periodically we have someone call (it's called a third-party event) and organize a fundraiser and then simply donate the proceeds,” Chappell-Reid said.

A woodworker donated hundreds of dollars to Hospice earlier this fall from the sale of toy wooden spinning tops at the Fruita Fall Festival, she said.

For more information about the homemade hat fundraiser, call Potratz at 623-3913, or e-mail handmadehatsforhospice@yahoo.com.

Winfly 2010

2010-08-07T20:07:00.006-06:00

Let the pre-season begin at McMurdo Station, Antarctica! Winfly. Short for Winter fly-in.

Several people begin their long commute this week, first to Denver, then LAX, then New Zealand and after a night in Christchurch, on to McMurdo Station. They will be on the "Ice" in less than a week. Get ready all you winterovers who have been isolated there all austral winter. Here come the orange people. They'll be tan (orange), fast talking, fast walking, and full of goodies, libations and freshies. It's always good to see new faces and enjoy the new energy on station after a long, cold, dark winter with no outside contact from the rest of the world. Just think...MAIL! You get MAIL! Have fun. The Hamanns are thinking of you and wishing you the best as you deal with the masses.

Willa Wearing Her Sweater

2010-07-31T15:05:00.002-06:00

Willa's mom sent me this photo of her beautiful daughter wearing the sweater I knitted for her back in May. Isn't she gorgeous?

The First Sock

2010-07-20T08:46:00.003-06:00

Kristi finished her first sock and is thrilled. I love this woman. This sock is one of about a million things she did this day...just try to keep up with her. More stuff is accomplished in one normal day of Kristi's than most people do in a month! She made the leg short, anxious to get to the heel turning part of the work asap. Kristi is a free spirit that isn't interested in instructions. "JUST DO IT!" was invented by her. Here's what she wrote in her email:

"(instead of taking the time to learn the (kitcheners) stitch, I just strung the yarn through the last few stitches and pulled. :0 Do you always use the (kitcheners) stitch?

I don't feel like doing the second one now, since this doesn't fit so great,
and I had a few mistakes....but I guess I will just for practice cuz I NEED
IT."

HA! I know EXACTLY how you feel Kristi! Great job on that first sock.

Finished Wrap and Hot Weather

2010-07-14T14:53:00.001-06:00

The collared wrap is complete. Now I'm on to the UFOs (unfinished objects) and something new, a brimmed hat. I'll try to stay focused but there are new flip flops calling for some knitted decoration also.

In need of a smaller project that doesn't lay in my lap in 106 F (41 C) weather, I am working on 2-at-a-time socks in addition to the above mentioned projects. (My attention span is short, hence many UFOs).

The heat is wonderful. I'm not complaining. Well, maybe I am a little but it can't be helped. On my morning walk with hubby at 8:30 a.m. it was already in the high 80s. Can I tell you how much I love my BreezAir swamp cooler (aka evaporative cooler)?! Thank you Australia for building the world this state-of-the-art wonder. We had a new cooler installed in 2006 when we bought our house.

The Longest Collar

2010-07-10T10:24:00.003-06:00

I'm about 4.5 inches from finished. I'm talking about my knit-along project with Val. I've been knitting for miles and miles on the last loonnng side, the collar side of this shawl and while I love to knit, can I just please be DONE with it so I can block and wear. Enough with the whine fest. I'm going to knit now.

The Art of Patrica Waller

2010-07-09T16:30:00.007-06:00

Here's a website for all you crazy knitters. It's gory and unsettling and I love it. Consider the art of Patricia Waller. Here's a sample to entice you. Simply click on her name in this post for more of her creative knitted art. I first saw this a few years ago but today I saw it again. It was on Facebook as a link sent by one friend to another. It was a sign.

Nieces and Nephews

2010-07-09T07:43:00.000-06:00

Another set of great looking kids to which I'm fortunate to be related.

Uh Oh!

2010-07-07T23:28:00.004-06:00

My friend broke her fibula in two places. It's all my fault. If she hadn't been rushing out the door to come over to my house with her Carolyn Myss Archetype cards it wouldn't have happened. Oh!, those Sacred Contracts studies. I'm sorry Jude. I can't believe you sat at my kitchen table all afternoon with your foot on ice and all the time it was fractured, not twisted. OUCH! You're a trooper. I hope it feels better soon.

Fireworks

2010-07-05T12:33:00.007-06:00

Our town put on a short but impressive fireworks display last night. Tom got some great photos of the show. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day of relaxing. Since we live only a mile away from Lincoln Park where the fireworks were, Valerie, Tom and I walked to and from the display by going through the Mesa State College campus. The place has really grown and it's looking really good. I like the feeling on campus and plan to take more walks there.

Today's knitting project consists of working on the collar of the collared wrap to finish it up for blocking.

A Special 4th

2010-07-03T22:35:00.013-06:00

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day in America, a major holiday in our country. It's also a special day, personally. Six months ago today I took in a foster kitty from the Roice-Hurst Humane Society. I asked for the kitty that was most challenged adoption-wise. I was introduced to "Chloe", a beautiful blue-eyed Sacred Cat of Burma who was socially and physically challenged and had been there for over a year. She is thought to be about six years old. I planned to foster her and try to help her become adoptable since I work out of the country for at least half the year and it wouldn't be practical to have a permanent pet.

It was a success. She's adoptable. We are officially keeping her. Who couldn't love a kitty with a face like this? I especially like her "Clutch Cargo mouth" pose.

We want to follow the naming convention of Birman cats which involves names starting with a certain letter of the alphabet depending on the year the cat is born. We are happy to introduce the newest member of our family with her new name: Basia (pronounced BAH-shah). Thank goodness she wasn't born in a "Q" year!

Any pet sitters out there?

Happy Birthday Leza

2010-07-03T09:27:00.007-06:00

Last year on this day Leza was with us in Ecuador celebrating a certain milestone birthday. It was wonderful having her there. Here's a photo of Leza hamming it up at the Ecuadoran equator. Happy Birthday Leza. I hope you have a fun celebration today and that your year is stellar.

What do Baseballs, Knitting and Recycling have in Common?

2010-07-03T08:43:00.011-06:00

Yesterday while at Border's books with my hubby, sipping green tea and browsing a magazine named Belle Armoire, (July/Aug 2010, Vol.10, Issue 4) I was impressed with an idea by Cindy Shaffer.

What's inside a baseball? Good news for knitters. It's made of string and that string can be knitted or crocheted into a great little market bag. Now I know what to do with all the old baseballs that land in my backyard as a result of living behind the high school baseball field.

First thing I did when I got home was peel the "skin" from a baseball and get out my crochet hook. It's intriguing to see what's inside that ball of string. I'm almost at the end of a charcoal colored, 2-ply, sock weight "yarn" that feels like a cotton/wool mix. It even has a bit of sparkle with metallic threads here and there. I can see some white "yarn" underneath the charcoal. Who knew knitting/crocheting with a baseball could be so fun?! Many thanks to Cindy Shaffer for sharing her idea. Old baseballs will not be in the landfills and the market bag will reduce the use of plastic bags. Brilliant.

Melanie's Visit

2010-07-02T07:43:00.002-06:00

We are enjoying a visit from Melanie, our "Ice" friend. She's a world traveler, currently heading to Denver after she leaves us for a BBQ party and then back to the fields of waving grain to pack for her trip to China. I can't wait to see photos of her travels.

King Kids

2010-06-30T22:06:00.001-06:00

Here's a great bunch of nieces and nephew!

Collared Wrap progress

2010-06-29T11:13:00.003-06:00

The knit-along I'm doing with my friend Valerie is progressing nicely. I am almost done except for one more side, the collar side, of my wrap and Valerie is knitting for miles on her shawl too. This pattern is from Sally Melville's book, The Knitting Experience: Book 2: The Purl Stitch. It knits up fast and is really easy to do, a good take-along project. I recommend writing out the chart by the row as we got mixed up and had to continually rip out in the beginning when looking at the chart. The written instruction was easier for us. It's a combo of 3 stitches (stockinette, purl, and garter) in squares and then a 2x2 rib all around the edges, longer on one long edge to make the collar. My favorite thing is that there is no sewing. It's all one piece with picked up stitches along the edge for the the ribbing. My shawl is knitted in olive green baby alpaca from Peru and I'm really excited about it...so soft and cuddly. I'll post a photo of the MY finished wrap soon but here's a photo from Ravelry, the knitter's social network online where you can see various finished collared wraps others knitted in the same pattern.

The Traveler

2010-06-23T10:41:00.003-06:00

One of the best things about living in Colorado is visits by friends we've met down under. Seeing them in the "real world" away from McMurdo Station is always a treat. Susie is here, sitting in my living room right now!

What Happens in Vegas...

2010-06-05T20:08:00.006-06:00

During the first few days of June, we embarked on an inexpensive road trip. In fact, we could probably win a prize for the least amount of money spent in Las Vegas. We drove the Corolla and it got about 36 miles to the gallon (with the air conditioning going full blast). We stayed at the Excalibur for a song, a family friendly hotel on the strip, ate THE BEST buffet at The Spice Market which is inside Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino (I highly recommend it) and had our fill of gambling, playing 5 cent Black Jack machines. That was interesting for about 10 minutes and then we had a great time enjoying all the free stuff we could find, including a trip to "The Attic" thrift store, a great place to pick up something wacky to wear. Yes, there was even knitting, mostly in the car on the way there and back. I finished making a penguin baby hat, 2 pairs of booties, and a pair of mitts to complete the set.

We visited the "old" strip now known as the Fremont Street Experience. We saw Elvis and Austin Powers. We took photos of old signs of Las Vegas. Only there can you see signs that say things like "Say I Do Drive Thru" or "If it's in stock, we have it!" (duh) or "Pawn Shop Open 24 Hours".

Booties and Baseball

2010-05-31T17:40:00.002-06:00

We are fortunate. Every year, the JUCO World Series happens in our town. We went to a game last night. I brought my knitting.

In the next section over, anyone who bought a funnel cake was mercilessly teased by a large crowd of laughing youth. With cries of "FUNNEL CAKE, FUNNEL CAKE!" they harrassed the poor victim all the way back to their seat. It was funny. I have never had a desire to eat funnel cake. Good thing!

Warm Up America in Antarctica

2010-05-28T15:16:00.008-06:00

Here's the first Warm Up America blanket knitted and crocheted at McMurdo Station and Scott Base during "Winterover" 2005.

My husband sent me a link to Antarctic conservation blog, part of the National History Museum in the UK. It made me feel nostalgic. Oh how I miss the fellowship of knitting together in the dark winter months (May-August) in Antarctica.

The Warm Up America blanket is a group knitting project that happens every year in Antarctica, as well as all over the USA. At the bottom of the world, the blanket has morphed into "THE CHARITY BLANKET" and is now donated in other countries too. What could be better than spreading the love around the world? Also, more people learn to knit/crochet or knit/crochet better every time they make a square! The blankets have been donated to a womens shelter, childrens homes, hospices, and a homeless shelter. So far.

socks two at a time

2010-05-25T08:37:00.000-06:00

I'm making slow progress on the new (to me) way of knitting socks but not because it's hard. I simply have too many knitting projects going at once and need to concentrate on these fun socks exclusively for a bit. I love connecting two ends of the same skein of yarn and making two socks at the same time. It's so satisfying to know that I am knitting both socks the exact same way without having to count rows.

Baby Set Finito

2010-05-19T09:49:00.001-06:00

I did it! I followed the pattern to the letter. The only thing I added was ribbon weaved in at the button band, but I followed the pattern. Exactly! I CAN do it, whadoyaknow! Crossing THAT off the list. I will put an edge on a couple of flannel receiving blankets to use as wrapping "paper" for this gift and put it in the mail to New Zealand. I purchased the fabric yesterday and it's just out of the dryer. I like to wash fabric, especially cotton flannel, so it does its shrinking before the sewing. Hopefully this gift will arrive before the baby.

Blocking the Baby Sweater

2010-05-12T14:11:00.006-06:00

The sweater pieces are dry from blocking. Now comes the sewing part and not my favorite process. I usually knit sweaters in the round so I don't have to do this but I am challenging myself to follow a pattern without altering it just to see if I CAN. So far, I've followed the directions. Exactly. This is a big deal for me, letting the pattern boss me around.

Cats

2010-05-12T13:36:00.004-06:00

YUM! May I have another?

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Chloe begging like a dog, no shame. The black kitty, Pro-mi, is horrified by her lack of proper feline aloofness.

Knit Graffiti photos

2010-05-11T07:54:00.001-06:00

More Knit Graffiti

2010-05-10T07:45:00.000-06:00

Knit Graffiti at the Grand Junction Jazz Festival

2010-05-07T22:22:00.013-06:00

Grand Junction's local knitting store, Tangle, displayed their love for knitting downtown during the Jazz Festival. Knitting is not like you remember it from your grandmother's day. Welcome to the 21st century of knitting. Tangle knows how to have fun. Thank you Allison and Christina for keeping knitting alive and well. And artful.

I have more knitting graffiti photos from today but will post again in the days to follow.

Socks Two at a Time

2010-05-06T22:12:00.002-06:00

I just started these test socks to see what it's like to knit two at a time on one long circular needle. It could definitely be a cure for second sock-itis. Or even, second sleeve-osis, or maybe even second mitten-virus, aka M1M2 virus.

Knit Along shawl

2010-05-05T19:39:00.006-06:00

Valerie and I are off to a great start...our third...on this wrap we are knitting together. Mine is in baby alpaca and Valerie's is in organic cotton. The pattern is "Collared Wrap" from Xrx Books - Book 2: The Purl Stitch

Baby Lid

2010-05-03T23:12:00.001-06:00

This baby hat goes with the booties and cardigan in previous posts and I'm making a flower to attach.

Knitted Old Antarctic Explorer (OAE)

2010-04-30T17:49:00.002-06:00

Shackleton keeps company with Olaf the OAE. I knitted him one Sunday afternoon and stuffed him with polyfil. He's one of a kind.

Lynn's Lid

2010-04-29T17:31:00.000-06:00

Hats are a favorite of mine to knit. Here's another one. I used Noro Kureyon and Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride wool. It's lined with fleece for extra coziness. My inspiration comes from the book 45 Fine and Fanciful Hats to Knit by Anna Zilboorg.

Knitting with 1000 strands

2010-04-27T09:19:00.004-06:00

This morning I awoke to an email from my excellent friend, Christine, a Californian living in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, Antz. It simply said:

This is fascinating!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVRfVEONxJQ&feature=related

AND IT IS! Well worth 7 minutes of your life to view. Click here

Baby Cardi, Booties, and Hat WIP

2010-04-26T11:00:00.009-06:00

I am motoring along on the baby set. The booties need ties and the sweater needs sleeves. I just started the hat. In the hat, I think I'll repeat the design in the sweater.

I love the John Q yarn from New Zealand. 50% is a blend of Alpaca, Corn, Cashmere, Silk, and Angora. 30% is NZ Merino and the rest is Acrylic. I'm knitting with a US size 5 needle.

The sweater pattern is a free download from Classic Elite Yarns.

The booties are a modified version of 100 year old pattern for booties that stay on and I'm sorry I can't remember where I got the original pattern. I've knitted so many of these booties that the pattern is in my head. I vary it each time, sometimes with ribbing, sometimes ALL stockinette stich. The hat is also in my head (for now).

Sunday Morning

2010-04-25T10:29:00.006-06:00

Chloe, the foster kitty from Roice Hurst Humane Society with a survivor story to rival the Dalmations' evil Cruella de Vil, is loving her new digs. She's a new woman and oh SO loved. She puts up with hugs all day long, playing aloof, but I know she secretly enjoys it.

Talie's Sweater

2010-04-24T18:53:00.005-06:00

Winterover 2008 was a stellar year for knitters at McMurdo Station and Scott Base in Antarctica. Here'a an almost-finished sweater that Talie designed and knitted, one of several she made that winter. I remember the first day she arrived on Ice and taking her to her dorm. We both spent over a year there, my 8th season, her 1st. We knitters had a really good time that year.

Cabled Cardi

2010-04-16T00:08:00.000-06:00

This is a WIP, since, well, since a long time ago. It might get finished this year.

Felted Messenger Bag WIP

2010-04-15T16:01:00.003-06:00

Another bag, and this time I felted the heck out of it. It's a modified version of a pattern from the beautiful book Norwegian Handknits. The flap was knitted separately and hand-sewn onto the bag with a contrasting pine-green yarn in a zig-zaggy rustic fashion. I knit the shoulder strap from that color also.

The bag waits to be lined and embellished with embroidery. I'm still in drawing stage on the design. I want rosemaling to be my inspiration. I chose a lovely red shade from my stash. So far, that's the only color but I'll add more.

By the way, if you have a chance to visit the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa, USA, don't miss it. Hubby took me there on one of our road trips about a dozen years ago and I LOVED it...beautiful things and amazing needlework.

Noro hat

2010-04-13T22:21:00.000-06:00

Remembering Peru

2010-04-10T19:33:00.000-06:00

Last year, we spent 3 months in Ecuador and took a side trip to Peru. Here's some random photos from one day in the Andes.

Knitting with Old T-shirts

2010-04-01T17:14:00.000-06:00

Whatrulookinat?

2010-03-24T18:07:00.001-06:00

Keeping fingers warm

2010-03-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wrist warmers before embroidery.

Leslie's Noro Bag

2010-03-01T14:54:00.003-07:00

Here's Leslie's Noro bag. She loved the one I made for myself so we went to our lys Tangle and she picked color #188 of Kureyon . She asked for a fleece lining. I fulled the bag a bit in the washer. A length of old cargo strap lined with a knitted tube allows her to fill the bag with the kitchen sink if she chooses without worrying about stretching the shoulder strap.

I'm all for reuse/recycle/re-purpose whenever possible and cargo straps are very useful. You can make a whole bag with them. Hubby, Tom took a photo of this bag, made on the Ice by members of the WAIS Divide Field Camp during the Summer09/10 season.

Ribbit, Ribbit

2010-02-28T19:28:00.001-07:00

I ended up dismantling this hat because I didn't like the drape of the yarn in this particular project. Back to the drawing board.

I love getting mail

2010-02-24T18:09:00.001-07:00

Surprise! Jenn R sent me some Icelandic wool she got in Iceland and here it is.

Knitted Catnip Mouse Toy

2010-02-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

My two cats love their new cat toys. The pattern is from a book by Schoolhouse Press. I can't remember which one at the moment. I'll post it later. It's a design by Meg Swansen or her mom, Elizabeth Zimmermann. It knits up quickly in Icelandic wool. I buy unspun Icelandic wool in wheels from Schoolhouse Press. The mouse is felted, stuffed with whatever is on hand and fabric pouches are sewn for a bell and catnip to add to the belly of the mouse which is then sewn up and ready for play. Easy and fun.

Insulate a Wall with Yarn

2010-02-04T13:27:00.002-07:00

The wall of yarn was moved from its previous home. My motivation? If you have a wall of yarn, why not put it to work insulating your house to save money on the electric/gas bill? So I bought shelves. Gina, Leslie and I put them together...which was entertainment, especially the second time around. And now the yarn is working on the outside wall of my basement instead of loitering on an inside wall like before.

Rhoda's Sweater

2010-02-01T10:02:00.002-07:00

Today I received this photo from a friend, Rhoda, currently on the Ice who just finished knitting her first sweater. It's PERFECT. I'm so excited for her. I love the wool. I confess I have an unfinished sweater in my stash from around 1988 made out of the same wool. I might just have to rip it out and knit Rhoda a hat to go with her sweater. I'm so impressed with the fit. She did a great job.

Knitting and Kitty Litter

2010-01-31T14:44:00.006-07:00

Why do knitting and kitty litter go together?? If you are like me, you are trying to save money,live green and keep all those knitting patterns organized. I had a 4R idea (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect) this morning and actually had everything on hand I needed to make it happen:

A pile of knitting magazines begging to be organized

An empty plastic kitty litter container

A pair of scissors

I re-purposed the container and now my knitting magazines are in order and neatly stored.

Noro Kureyon bag

2010-01-29T17:14:00.002-07:00

Chloe, the friendly kitty!

I'm knitting myself a bag (for a project I'm working on that will remain secret for now). The yarn comes from a gift certificate given to me by my daughter for my birthday last month. At Tangle, the local knitting shop, I bought a new color: Noro Kureyon no. 242, rust/olive/black. I am using discarded cargo straps as the handles for the bag. It's still in progress and I haven't decided yet...to felt or not to felt. Hhmmmm.

Handmade books by Carrie Schaffner

2010-01-25T16:17:00.001-07:00

Carrie, my uber creative friend, taught Tom and I (and many others) how to do bookbinding in a class she gave on the Ice one Winter season. It was very interesting and entertaining. I can't wait to make more books as soon as I find my supplies (somewhere in a box in the garage). ARGH!

Recently, I received a very special "Carrie book" in the mail, a couple of them actually, an adorable little penguin book and a red knitted book. I love my hand knitted, handmade, hand embroidered Carrie book the most. It's the best present in the world. It's extraordinary. Thank-you Carrie for the wonderful handmade books.

Spiral Rib Mittens for Kristi

2010-01-20T15:25:00.003-07:00

I am currently knitting a second pair of these mittens for Tracy's birthday. After that, I'll make a third for myself. Besides being a pattern that's fun (no second mitten syndrome) these are the warmest EVER and not bulky at all. I'm using baby alpaca worsted on size 4 (US) dpns. I love that these mittens fit perfectly, are so warm and especially that they take up hardly any room in my pockets.

The pattern for the Spiral Rib Mittens (from Mildred Oakey) is on page 84 in the book, HOMESPUN HAND KNIT, Interweave Press, 1987, edited by Linda Ligon, founder of Interweave Press. Click on the title of this post to see the book.

I am on my second copy. The first copy fell apart from being used by so many of us on the Ice...good stuff if you can find a copy. I rarely follow a pattern completely without making changes, (if I follow a pattern at all). This is a great pattern, no right or left mitten and small enough that they can be layered inside another mitten for extra warmth or protection in bitter cold.

Chloe Comes Out

2010-01-18T15:04:00.007-07:00

The foster kitty Chloe, finally broke through her fear and has become part of the family. Already! Who knew she'd come around so fast? She came out from under the bed, approached me, meowed, and then rubbed up against me. After I scratched behind her ears and under her chin for a really, really long time, she settled in at the foot of the bed, not under it, and slept. In the morning when I awoke, she was right there. She followed me around for a good part of the morning and then took a nap. I think it's excellent progress for only 2 weeks. It's nice to see her roaming the house freely. Now the goal is to get Leslie's kitty, Prommy and Chloe to be nice to each other. They are definitely not friends, in fact, they abhor each other....hissing and running away whenever they meet in a room or on the stairs. Chloe is a sweet kitty and loves being friendly so it's only a matter of time before she makes friends with Prommy. I am glad Chloe is here and happy to report that now she is too...that didn't take long!

Roice Hurst Humane Society

2010-01-04T19:53:00.002-07:00

Meet Chloe, the foster kitty from the humane society. She is very shy and just arrived today. If you live in the Grand Junction, CO area check out our humane society (click on the title of this blog post).

I'm excited to get to know Chloe when she gets used to her new environment. Currently, she's hiding in the corner. She has blue eyes, long hair, and a long fluffy tail and lived at the shelter for over a year because she's so shy that she hides when people come to pick out a kitty to adopt. I want to help her get socialized a bit so she can be adopted someday. Welcome Chloe.

Photo post

2010-01-04T18:49:00.003-07:00

Today's "high points": I smashed my bird finger in the garage door, became a foster mother, bought a snow shovel, played with the black kitty, did two loads of laundry and worked on a couple of knit projects, one of which is finished (the slippers). Oh. And DID NOT play my guitar...guess it'll be awhile before I do that again. And that's my story.

Lorna's Laces Shawl

2010-01-03T20:29:00.002-07:00

Over the 1st weekend of 2010, I worked on several knitting and crochet projects but the most fun is the shawl...a wool/silk blend from Lorna's Laces. I chained 9 sts with a crochet hook, pulled the first loop to close and put them on dpns, evenly distributed, and knit one round. The rest of the shawl is basic math...just keep doubling the stitches when you double the rounds. On the second round I knit one, yarn over, to double stitches. And then, I knit 2 rounds, repeated the K1,YO, on the next round and knit 4 rounds, repeat k1, yo for a round, and then knit 8 rounds, repeat, then 16 rounds, repeat, then 32 rounds, repeat, then 64 rounds....I'm in the middle of the 64 rounds currently. In between the K1, YO rounds I am making other lace (yarn over) designs but I make sure to yarn over, K2 together so I don't add stitches on those rounds.

Grandma Conliffe's Sweater

2010-01-02T20:18:00.002-07:00

I received an unusual "gift" this year for Christmas. Apparently, my friend's grandma, like most knitters, had an unfinished sweater that she thought I should like to finish. Most fun were the instructions which were so old I was afraid to touch for fear they'd disintegrate before my eyes. All turned out well in the end and the sweater is now complete...very satisfying. Now for my own unfinished projects....ugh!

Leslie's Hat

2009-12-27T21:55:00.003-07:00

A couple of years ago, I made Leslie this hat and meant to line it for her, but gave it to her without doing so. I finally got the hat from her and finished the lining this morning...with high performance fleece. SO soft...and it matches.

Christmas Stockings

2009-12-27T19:35:00.002-07:00

These were fun to knit and lightweight to ship to the Ice for a couple of my fave people.

Christmas knitting

2009-12-27T19:14:00.006-07:00

Now that presents are opened, it's safe to show knitterly photos. Wish I'd remembered to photograph the other stuff I knitted. I enjoyed trying to make this year the GREEN CHRISTMAS with decorating, wrapping, purchasing and gift giving. Next year will be even better but I'm proud of how well I did this year.

I like to make wristlets that fit either hand no matter which way they are put on (no up or down side). That means knitting the thumb to fit exactly in the middle (top/bottom-wise) with the same number of rows above the thumb as below it. Super simple.

Quiche anyone?

2009-12-26T17:24:00.001-07:00

Fresh quiche right out of the oven. I texted Leslie and she came over and had a piece with me. I love that she lives next door.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T09:44:00.004-07:00

In Grand Junction, Christmas lights are bountiful. On Westwood Drive Christmas is serious business and includes hours of computer programming (coordinating music with lights) AND it's broadcast on FM 97.1 from 6 - 10 pm, keeping the community alive in the spirit of the holiday season. Thanks for all the hard work. Judging by the long line of cars curling around the neighborhood's streets, we love it!

More Snow for a White Christmas

2009-12-25T22:38:00.001-07:00

It's STILL on the ground from the first snowfall and now there's new snow covering the old. How can that be? Simple, it's colder here than in Antarctica these days. Nothing's melting much, regardless of all our Colorado sunshine. Interesting weather this year.

Christmas luminarias

2009-12-24T23:48:00.002-07:00

It's Christmas Eve! My daughter and I made luminarias while she baked ginger cookies for tomorrow. The candles burned in their brown paper bags for several hours and we enjoyed brie, baguette, wine and spaghetti for dinner. I have a couple of knitting photos to post AFTER the big day tomorrow.

Dying my own

2009-12-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Kristi gave me a Knit Picks gift card for my birthday and this is what I ordered. It came today. I'm so excited to try it out. If anyone has words of wisdom, please share. I'm a newbie at dying yarn. This will be my first time.

Winter Solstice Dinner

2009-12-21T23:39:00.002-07:00

Ben is back in Grand Junction (his hometown) between Ice deployments and he came for dinner tonight and met my daughter, Leslie and my friend, Gina. I made lasagna and chocolate cake. This is an old photo of him (left) at the 4th of July party one winter on the Ice. Which winter is it Ben? 2004? 2005? And here is what he looks like now...swiped this shot from Spacebook...or was it MyFace?

Happy Winter Solstice

2009-12-20T20:22:00.003-07:00

It's the shortest day of the year. I wish I were at Chaco Canyon or Stonehenge. Winter Solstice in ancient times interests me. I wonder about the blending of Christian holidays with ancient pagan celebrations. Things to think about.

I found a boatload of info on http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm.
Check it out.

For example:

DRUIDISM: Druids and Druidesses formed the professional class in ancient Celtic society. They performed the functions of modern day priests, teachers, ambassadors, astronomers, genealogists, philosophers, musicians, theologians, scientists, poets and judges. Druids led all public rituals, which were normally held within fenced groves of sacred trees. The solstice is the time of the death of the old sun and the birth of the dark-half of the year. It was called "Alban Arthuan by the ancient Druids. It is the end of month of the Elder Tree and the start of the month of the Birch. The three days before Yule is a magical time. This is the time of the Serpent Days or transformation...The Elder and Birch stand at the entrance to Annwn or Celtic underworld where all life was formed. Like several other myths they guard the entrance to the underworld. This is the time the Sun God journey's thru the underworld to learn the secrets of death and life. And bring out those souls to be reincarnated."

Knitting help for Kristi

2009-12-20T19:35:00.005-07:00

Wine Tasting December 13th

2009-12-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely time and met several amazing women in Palisade tonight. Hey Jude, you ROCK! That was SO much fun. Thank you Christine. You're a great chef and wine wench. The birthday torte? What a sweetie you are!

The Edukators

2009-12-08T19:56:00.001-07:00

I just watched a really, really good movie: The Edukators. Check it out.

John Lennon

2009-12-08T12:52:00.006-07:00

John Lennon died on this day in 1980. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a super huge fan of the Beatles. I grew up on them, like many my age. The first record album I ever purchased was Meet The Beatles for $2.50. I spent ALL my allowance for the month. Today is a day to remember the so called "smart Beatle" and IMAGINE. John is not on this planet anymore, but we can still feel his spirit in the art and music he left.

As American as

2009-12-03T19:56:00.004-07:00

I made dinner for family tonight and this was the dessert....Apple Pie. I created it this afternoon and used my Longaberger pie plate. Click on the title of this post for Longaberger info.

Kristi's hat revisited

2009-11-24T14:18:00.002-07:00

The blocking and lining are done and the hat is on it's way to Spokane. I hope she likes it.

Clock Project Complete

2009-11-24T14:05:00.002-07:00

Tom's clock is now working.

Things to do with Bacon

2009-11-23T22:09:00.002-07:00

That's Carrie in the middle. Carrie sent me a link today. Click on the title above. I have no words.

Kristi's Hat

2009-11-22T11:15:00.005-07:00

Almost finished...still need to weave in ends, block and add a liner. I'm also going to write out the pattern so I can publish it.

Clock Project

2009-11-21T11:02:00.001-07:00

This is the clock that Tom bought. I am fixing it because it's broken. Then I'll give it a face lift.

Tea Cozy

2009-11-17T10:36:00.002-07:00

I made a hat that never sold so now it's a tea cozy for my morning green tea. It works quite well.

Mother Nature

2009-11-16T09:13:00.008-07:00

Remember the other day when I was so proud of blowing leaves? Now not so much. But all the leaves (almost) are off the trees so that's a positive thing for now.

Leslie's Birthday Party

2009-11-12T22:51:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday to My Daughter

2009-11-12T17:52:00.005-07:00

Today is the anniversary of the day my daughter was born, a very special day in history. Happy Birthday Leslie. What do you think of the cake? I baked it just for you but forgot to take a photo. However, there are lots of cakes to look at on the cake wrecks website...click on "Happy Birthday to My Daughter" (above) for a laughing good time. Looking forward to your party tonight. Hope this is a banner year for you.

Autumn leaves

2009-11-12T15:13:00.010-07:00

There's a chance of the wet stuff coming our way so I wanted to get as many leaves off the Hamann desert as possible. I also wanted to trim vines that grow on the south side of the house. I asked to borrow the neighbor's hedge trimmer last night and when he heard me blowing leaves this morning he came over and trimmed the vines for me! What a nice guy. But the neighbor on the north side was tired of the noise as I was blowing leaves on his side of the house and finally put an end to me and my yard work. I was trying to return the favor for Gina as it's because of her I have the blower and she blew my leaves last night but Mr. was done with my noise so that was the end of that.

Look at that sky.
href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zw_cYo7iMZo/Svyislc3xSI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/VZBpn-KYiok/s1600-h/IMG_6691.JPG">Jim and his hedge trimmer helping with the vines. What a great neighbor!

No leaves at the fence. Yay!

Minutes later the wind kicked up and new leaves moved in.

Here are some Grand Junction photos for Tom on the Ice...

Jim's Beret Finished

2009-11-11T17:43:00.001-07:00

I finished making a new hat for Jim, my next door neighbor. He gave me his old hat which was knitted in 1969 to use as a guide. I added a wee bit of embellishment and now he has two green hats.

Kitty

2009-11-02T10:46:00.007-07:00

Time to plant some catnip on my farm...

Jim's Beret

2009-11-02T10:10:00.005-07:00

My next door neighbor, Jim, commissioned me to knit him a new hat. He handed me this beret over the fence and asked one like it in green or tweed. I'm part way through his new hat.

Happy Birthday Tom

2009-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not in Antarctica this season but some of my favorite people are and Tom got the royal treatment from them on his birthday. I heart you all. I miss you Tom. Here's to a banner year ahead for your ??th year on Earth.