my oldest rescued...

... a red-winged black bird tangled up in string this morning. 

I'm amazed how quickly he got the bird to calm down so he could it free. 



winter wonderland

moonlight mohair ~ everglades

I have quite a bit of this yarn bought on sale a few years back.  It was one of those buys that couldn't be passed up and then just sits in the stash.  I have used up several colors bought at that sale.  One of my favorites is the Tundra.  I have one skein left and was thinking of making a headscarf with it. 

This is something I won't be frogging because I don't like to take out anything knit with mohair.  It knots up, tangles, breaks, basically it is a pain.  If it ends up surviving the frogging; the yarn is never the same the second time it's knit up. 

So, I swatched it.

I checked it for stitches per inch.



I stretched it a bit because this headscarf is held on by stretch alone.

Then I did the math, subtracted a whole inch worth of stitches, and used one size smaller of needles; being cautious of it being too big.  And what happens.....

It ended up bit bigger then I wanted it to be.  It will still fit someone with a head of about 22"; too big for me.  I am glad that used one of the 8 Everglades skeins and not the 1 Tundra that is left in my stash.



third time around...

... with a wool, mohair, and silk blend.

I definitely like this blend and see a couple of hats being made with it for winter. 



frogged and cast-on again

With fewer stitches cast-on, smaller needles, and a couple pattern adjustments...a new head-scarf is finished.

This one isn't belt sized and actually fits onto a cute little head. It also stretches to fit on mine without looking stretched out.  There are no pictures to prove that true.  My camera battery died.  It is doing that a lot lately.  I am going to have to get a new one soon.

Now that I understand this particular wool a little better I don't think it is right for this project.  Though there will be no frogging of this head-scarf; it will hold up just fine and keep some ears warm.  I think I'll try a mohair/silk blend or an alpaca or an alpaca/silk/wool blend. 

So now it is time to find a new yarn (hopefully from my stash). But first I'll find out if my camera battery can be ordered.  Fingers crossed it isn't discontinued; I like my little camera.

fibers on friday ~ two more...

...projects are finished up. 

My girlies fingerless gloves to match her ponytail hat.

I started a head scarf inspired by this; which didn't turn out quite like I wanted it to. I tried a new yarn which is really stretchy. So stretchy that it is being used as a belt right now.

I am casting on another one tonight and hope I get it right this time.

birthday wishes

a new hermit crab.

a haunted candy cake

Happy Birthday!



catching up ~ six

I finished off some more knitting projects that were collecting dust. 

Including the scratchy scrubby.



catching up ~ five

I am finally posting a picture of the quilt I started back in the spring and finished in August.

catching up ~ four

I finished a skirt that was cut out 3 years ago and abandoned.



Maybe I will get it washed and pressed sometime in the next 3 years.

catching up ~ three

We found a new friend seeking shelter in our home from the rain we've had this past week.



catching up ~ two

I finished a ponytail hat.

catching up ~ one

I finished my autumn table runner. 



outdoor monday ~ sunrise

I am thankful for being able to enjoy many beautiful sunrises with my children the last few weeks.

fibers on friday ~ 0400,45,45,50,0700,0515,0901,81,140,80,09

I have been able to get a lot of knitting done this week. I get to knit during the 45 minute drive taking Senior Chief to work. Then I get a break from knitting while I drive, but not home; to early morning seminary. I get another 50 minutes of knitting while my oldest attends his class. Then back home by 7am. and on with the day.


I will get about double the time knitting in the evening when I pick him up due to traffic. But I have been blessed to not have to do that trip much. Senior Chief has been lucky to get a ride home most days. I will be so happy when his transmission is fixed on his car and I get to sleep in to 5:15 am!

Now on to all the numbers in the post title:

0400   the hour I am waking these days
45       minutes of knitting
45       minutes of driving
50       minutes of knitting
0700   I return home
0515   the time I look forward to waking up soon
0901   at 9:01 this morning
81       it was 81 degrees F outside (it's supposed to be autumn, right?)
140     inch scarf
80       inch scarf
09       inches on a pair of fingerless gloves
 

My son pointed out the time and temperature when I asked him to wear the scarves for a photo.  Then I had him stand where the sun was in his eyes.  Always willing to help me with whatever I ask of him; sometimes with a grin, chuckle and a roll of the eyes (though not in a disrespectful way.)  Kind of like a "you are silly but I will do it anyway." 

 



outdoor monday ~ dirt snake ring

fibers on friday ~ scarf

I am working on a scarf to go with the hat I knitted up last week.  After the scarf some fingerless mitts to match might be cast on; since there is about 2,500 yards of this unknown fiber in my basket to use up.  If I had to guess what the fiber is I would say it is an acrylic. 



I still haven't picked up the scrubbie that was started a couple weeks ago. I am just not interested in the feel of it.  Perhaps a deal with myself will motivate me.  When it is finished I will get some silk to work with.  No, not going to work today.  The guilt of not finishing it off will hit me one day, but I am not there yet.

outdoor monday ~ beach

My oldest wanted to go to the beach on his birthday.  We all were more than willing to help that birthday wish come true. It was a lovely day celebrating with an amazing young man.

fibers on friday ~ scratchy

It has been a while since I knitted with tulle and now I remember why; it's scratchy.  Needing to take a break from the scrubby I whipped up a new hat in an unknown but very soft fiber.

Don't forget to stop by Visions of Sugar Plums and see what fiber projects others are working on this week.

a tuesday night...

...campout.

an auction of cuteness...

... for Becky.

Becky's family, friends, and even strangers are all pulling together to help her beat cancer.  There is an auction going on until September 10th, ending at midnight, pst. 

Please check it out and bid on something!
Here are just a few of the many cute item.





















You can help Becky beat cancer.  Click on a picture above to take you to the Bald for Becky blog Auction of Cuteness!