Valentine's day.

Valentine's day is right around the corner.  Here is a free pattern from someone else's blog.  Just too cute!

http://krisknits.blogspot.com/2008/01/valentine-surprise.html?m=1

And even better, you have plenty of time to make a few of these.

Home ownership

Today I was digging in the front yard.  Planting flowers? No.  Putting in a driveway? No.  Trying to find a water line leak? Yes.

It's one of the tradeoffs of home ownership that you eventually have things break down.  And the odds of things breaking increase with the age of the house.  My house is within spitting distance of a century.  No, I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds kind of cool.  At least to me.  Maybe you don't think so and that's fine, too.

So, last month I had to change out the innards of the toilet.  Not too bad.  It wasn't the "after" portion off the innards, so the water was clean.  For the other part I like to call a plumber!  This month was a miscellaneous leak. Who knows where!  Yep, my job was to find out where the leak was.  I cut out a large piece of tree root, but that wasn't it.

So I went to the muddiest spot and dug.  Found it!  With other chores to do I decided to leave "find the exact spot" to tomorrow.

Even with all the repairs and upgrades, painting, sanding, cleaning, de-bugging, etc, it's so worth it.  I've owned this house for 20 years now.  I live in the country, so I have farm animals in my back yard.  The peace and beauty it's breathtaking.  And at the end of the day, I own this house and isn't that cool?!  I won't be paying rent the rest of my life.  I'll pay it off and own it free and clear.  Awesome!!  I can't wait!

Like raising kids, horses, llamas, dogs and cats, owning a house brings a certain amount of pride.  I did that!

Wishing you proud ownership and a trouble free house!

We aren't the only ones who care

Sometimes it's nice to know there are like minded people out there.  People who know that when you take your time and do things right, the final result transcends the sum of the parts.

Today I want to share a post about people who care.  I hope you are as touched by this story as I was.

But before you go, a few thoughts of my own.  Inspiration comes in many forms.  Sometimes inspiration comes from someone, or something that wasn't meant to be inspirational.  I don't think the sun is trying to inspire us with it's glory, but I am inspired by it.  By giving 100% to whatever we do, we create something worthy of inspiring others.  What greater flattery than imitation?  I would say that inspiring people to create is greater flattery.  The very idea that my work, no matter how insignificant, might be a stepping stone of creativity is awe inspiring to me.  So here is the article I want to share:

http://bittersoutherner.com/alabama-chanin#.VpmZAkRMHqD

Hello, friends!

Today I'd like to talk about using the right tools.

The right kind of yarn for a very lovely sock.  100% wool, but light enough to wear in summer.

Using the right tools saves time and money.  OK, that's a pretty obvious statement.  Feed your dog on chocolates, get a big vet bill, or a dead dog.  Not good!  Feed yourself chocolates all the time and you might feel better in the immediate sense, but you're also likely to gain weight, which makes you feel worse and makes you eat even more to maintain that higher weight.

So, that wasn't really about tools, was it.  How about eating soup with chopsticks, or using a butter knife to tighten a screw.  I really have done that with the butter knife.  It works if the screw isn't too tight.  I don't recommend it because you kind of tear up your butter knife and sometimes the screw, too.

But how do we decide what's good and what's not good in yarn?  There aren't any labels on the yarn balls that say "do NOT EVER use for socks".  Of course, not!  I can't tell you how many socks I've knitted, just to find out that what I used did not live up to my expectations for a good sock.

1)  Synthetic materials that were too heavy, so my feet stayed sweaty.
2)  Llama/wool blend that didn't have enough stretch and was worsted weight to boot, so stiff as well.  If it wasn't scratchy, then I could have used them for house slippers, but I never made the second sock.
3)  Gorgeous wool, silk, mohair blend that made the most striking sock ever!  And the yarn broke the first time I put it on. (Many times mohair is listed as "strong" and silk as well.)
4)  Yarn with a very high twist - great wear and tear sock, but my feet are sensitive, so the socks wound up hurting.
5)  A very loosely plied sock yarn - very soft, but pilled up a lot and didn't last long enough to justify the hours it took me to knit.

FAS Round Sock Yarn in Granny's Roses.

So, what makes a good sock yarn? (My opinion only!)

1)  Wool or wool blend with a tight enough twist to last, but not so tight it's ouchy.
2)  Wool or wool blend that is fine enough (micron count) to not be scratchy.  Merino is one of my favorites, but there are several others that are fine enough - Blue Faced Leicester and Cormo come to mind.
3)  Yarn that is not so fine in diameter that your foot can feel every line as if it's fishing line.
4)  Alpaca blend that has enough bounce to lend itself to socks.  Most especially if you have sensitive skin like I do.
5)  Colors that I adore.  Really?!  Yes!  If you don't enjoy working on a project, you aren't likely to finish it any time soon.  I have to have nice colors and a yarn that is kind to my skin as I knit.
6)  An appropriate weight for the type of sock you are knitting (dress, boot, flip flop, etc.).  Yes, there are sock patterns for flip flops and yoga.

 And then there are all the pattern factors for what makes a good sock.  But that's another topic for another day.

Growing up I was always the quiet one that listened and watched.  If I saw my brother get in trouble for something, I made a mental note to not get caught doing that!  I suppose I should have been more focused on doing right instead of not getting caught, but there you have it, I was a kid and that's what kids do, right?  So, my advice to you today is to learn from my mistakes.

If you have a question about yarn and what you might use a particular type to make, drop me a line.  As for my recommendations for a sock yarn, I like my Round Sock yarn a lot, but if you want something thicker, then I like the luxury of FAS Serendipity.  I make socks to be wonderful to my feet and the alpaca/silk blend is very nice to my skin!

Time

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer.  Lots of people get cancer, that's not what makes him special.  His cancer is aggressive.  A year ago he did not have it.  Now he has just a few months to live.  What makes my friend special is his attitude.  I have never seen anyone with such a positive outlook.  He's quite sure that he's in God's hands and that whatever happens is God's will for him.  He's on his second round of Chemo.  The first didn't work.

So, why is he in my Blog?  Because he has made the most of the time he has left.  He has mended fences and grown closer to his kids and (ex) wife.  He is planning for the future - the next few months.  He has not given up and never will, IMO.  I was shocked at the level of "taking care of business" that he has tackled.  Things like house, car, life insurance, etc.  Making sure his affairs are in order to the tiniest detail.  I'm quite sure that's a hard thing to do.  You might think doing those things makes for some grim, dark days, but no, he's quite upbeat about it all.  Amazing!!

My suggestion to you is that you remember this man in your darkest hours.  Remember how positive his outlook has remained.  Remember to express yourself to your loved ones.  They probably know you love them, but do they know how much?

Finally, make something for them.  Nothing says I love you like a homemade gift.  It can be cookies, candy, a homemade dinner, a scarf, a hat, house slippers, a scrapbook page with pictures of you together, anything.  Show them you care enough to spend time on and with them.  Time is what my friend doesn't have, but he's found time to show his family how much he really cares.  You probably have more time than he does.  How are you spending it?

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
'Til eternity passes away
 Just to spend them with you

December pattern: Karen's Amazing Hat

This one got too round on the top.  Oops!  Everyone makes mistakes.  It proves that it's handmade!!

I love my yarn.  If I didn't, I wouldn't knit, crochet or weave with it.  Why do I love it so much?  Because it does such amazing things while looking and feeling great.  In celebration of my yarn and the giving season, I have a super stretchy reversible hat pattern for you and it's free!

Karen's Amazing Hat by Karen Page.

This pattern was inspired by looking at other patterns and wanting just a little bit more, or less than what I could find.  So, I just made up my own.  And I'm sharing!

Yarn: FAS SW Merino DK, one skein,  Color used is Meditative Reflections.  36 stitches=4" in 2X2 rib.  Buy your yarn here:  www.TheFineArtofSlow.com/yarn.
Alternate Yarn:  FAS Round Sock Yarn, 4 Ply, one skein, held double throughout, in Meditative Reflections.    36 stitches=4" in 2X2 rib.  Note that the colors blend and become more subtle when holding two strands together.
You will need a similar weight yarn in a contrast color.  I used some synthetic yarn I had on hand, about 3-4 yards should be plenty.

**** Please be aware that you may not get the same results if you substitute yarn.  This pattern fits small child up through adult, but only if you make it with stretchy yarn! ****

Circular Knitting needles, 3.75 mm, US 5.  36 stitches =4" in 2X2 rib.

Gauge is not as important for this pattern because the stretchy pattern and stretchy yarn combine to make a super stretchy hat!

OK, now that all that is out of the way, here's the actual pattern, first the short version, then with helping hints.

1.  Cast on 100 stitches with a crocheted provisional cast on.  In case you are unfamiliar with this cast on, simply make a chain with a crochet hook and a contrasting yarn longer than 100 stitches and pull up a loop to knit with through the back of each crochet stitch, using the main yarn color.
2.  Join to work in the round.
3.  Work in 2x2 rib for 4 inches. (Knit 2, Purl 2)
4.  Work 2 rounds in pattern with a contrasting color yarn.
5.  Work 2 rounds in pattern with main color.
6.  Remove provisional cast on waste yarn, placing the stitches on a spare circle needle.
7.  Knit the cast on edge and the live edge together.
8.  Knit until piece is 6 inches long.
9. Place markers every 20 stitches (5) around work.
10.  *Work in pattern to marker, slip marker, knit two together through back loop, repeat from * until there are 20 stitches remaining.
11.  Knit two together through back loop until you have 6 stitches left, removing markers.
12.  Break yarn and use a tapestry needle to slip the yarn end through all the stitches.
13.  Pull to close the opening, fasten off and run in ends.

Using a crocheted provisional cast on, cast on 100 stitches. (In case you are unfamiliar with this cast on, simply make a chain with a crochet hook and a contrasting yarn longer than 100 stitches and pull up a loop to knit with through the back of each crochet stitch, using the main color.) If you are making this for an adult with a large head, increase to 120, 140, etc.  Just remember to adjust your markers and that the existing size fits me and my head is not small.  Did I say the hat is amazingly stretchy?

Join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

K2, P2 until the work is 4 inches long.

Change to contrast color and knit in pattern (knit 2 purl 2) for two rounds.

Change to main color and knit in pattern for two rounds.

Remove the provisional cast on, picking up the stitches.  I use a smaller diameter circular needle for this.  It doesn't really matter what needle you use, but I would not use a larger needle because it will be harder to knit those stitches.

Keeping in pattern, knit and purl the two live sets of stitches together, putting the loose ends from the cast on edge inside the tube that is forming.  This is like a three needle bind off, but you aren't binding off.  You're just knitting them together.  This makes the "ear" portion of the hat double thickness.  I live in Oklahoma and have to feed animals during the windy and cold winters.  A good hat is a must have item.  One of my pet peeves has been that hats don't keep your ears covered enough.  This one does!!

***NOTE:  The contrasting color stripe is what makes it reversible (and different on each side).  The line of contrast color is only on one side of these two ends of the same fabric. ***

Once you have connected the two ends, continue in pattern until the hat reaches 6 inches from the folded over lower edge.  At this point, add stitch markers every 20 stitches, which will place 5 markers around.  If you made your hat bigger, you will need to adjust the markers accordingly.

From this point on, Knit the Knits and Purl the Purls.  After each marker,  Knit two together through the back loop, even if one is a purl stitch.

When you are down to 20 stitches (30 for a more rounded look), Knit two together around, until you have 6 stitches.  At this point, break the yarn and use a tapestry needle to pull the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull together to close the hole.  Tie off and weave in your loose end.

If you put the other ends inside the two halves of the doubled portion, you won't have to weave in those ends.

That's it!  Now you have a hat with two beautiful sides.  One with a contrast line, one without.

My beautiful model is Lisa Page, age 12.

Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Happy Hanukkah!
And a wonderful new year!

www.thefineartofslow.com

Making the most of what we have.

Sometimes you can bite off more than you can chew.  You know the feeling.  Oh, sure!  No problem.  I can wash 10 cars in one day, by myself.  Not!  We all have to know our limitations.  But we also need to know how to make the most of what we can do.

Isn't this a lovely fall picture!?

So, if my goal is to offer 5 different yarns in 10 color ways, I'm going to have a hard time keeping stock in ALL of them.  So, I offer to custom dye the yarn bases.  These can be in my colorways, or I can make one up for you.  See?  I went from keeping close to 100 skeins dyed at any one time to keeping maybe a dozen at a time.  Of course, there is a down side to that.  I don't have a good excuse to "use up" all that extra yarn on my projects.  <sigh>  Oh!!  I know!  I can "make Christmas presents".  OK, so a couple of them might be a present for me.  That's OK, too.  Sometimes we have to do something for ourselves.  You matter, too!  Don't ever forget that.

As for Christmas presents, maybe I'll wait and see which relatives drools over which color.  That's a pretty good sign that it would be a great match and very much appreciated.  The greatest gift we can give another person is to care enough to notice the little things.  What foods do they like, colors, temperature in the car, it's all part of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up each person.

Until next time - pamper yourself a little and do something nice for someone else, too.