Wool Fidel

I just can't stop making these hats. Of course, I had to use leftover fishermen's wool from my vest to make a matching hat. I carried another heathered yarn with it just to make it appear slighting different and used the same buttons.

Fishermen's Wool Vest

As the temps dropped this week, I started thinking about wool sweaters and flipping through vest patterns that I can layer under a blazer. Then I came upon the BEST Patons book with all kinds of sweater pattern variations. Seriously, I want to knit up every thing in it. The crew neck vest caught my eye so I purchased two skeins of Lion Brand Fishermen's pure virgin wool in Oatmeal and knit it up this weekend. When I was finishing it, I decided to add the collar.

Blanket for Grey

Neice Amy is expecting her first child in December. She's naming him Grey. I picked out some Navy yarn that fits the baby room ocean theme and had a week's notice for her baby shower so I had to get my KNIT ON -- and like, fast to get the blanket finished in time.

Handspun Fidel

This one is special. I knitted it from my very first hand carded and hand spun chunky yarn I made from assorted fibers when I first got my spinning wheel several years ago.

I haven't had a use for it until now. The many different fibers made the yarn somewhat stiff so for this project I carried along a worsted cream acrylic with it. This hat has great structure and not as floppy as the previous one I made.

Fidel (Crochet) Hat

It was a lazy Sunday morning. We were watching movies and I sat down with 80 yards of bulky handspun wool from That'll Do Ranch that I picked up at the festival in Winfield and a crochet hook. I looked at several hat patterns and made some modifications to this one and came up with my own crochet fidel hat. Update: Gifted it to someone special.

Pecan Grove Scarf

That red yarn (Twin Canyon Merino Silk) I purchased in Winfield at the Walnut Valley Festival from Denise has turned into a beautiful lace scarf. She designed the scarf and named it after the grove where we camped. Once I stretched it out with blocking wires, the knitted pecan leaf pattern came to life. I can almost hear the dulcimers, guitars and fiddles playing.

Kansas Barn Sale

Following our morning at Woofstock, I drove out to Hesston for the Kansas Barn Sale. The temperature dropped and a light drizzle fell making it almost too cold to shop for antiques and handmades. But I was able to spend some time with my friend Tamara at her booth and get one of her crochet flower embellished hats. She's a master at crochet.

Woofstock 2012

Molly and I had to bundle up for this year's benefit for the KS Humane Society at Sedgwick County Park. There was no need for wading pools for the dogs to cool off in this year. The cold front that came through allowed her to sport her hot pink handknit cabled sweater and I some matching hand mitts for a morning at the park - all for a great cause. That's the face of one happy dog!

Happy Birthday

I can say that Friday is an awesome day to have a birthday. I was able to have lunch with my dad, dinner with my husband and finish the day off with my family of friends and birthday cake. Oh yeah, throw in a new pair of red birthday western boots...I am truly blessed.

2012 BBB Rally

Our last motorcycle trip of the year took us to the Blues, Bikes & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville, AR. It's an easy two gas stop trip that we have been making for several years. We made it down to Dickson street to walk around, went to a car show and then spent most of our time at the Pig Trail HD dealership in Rogers where there were alot of vendors, music and LOTS of biker stuff going on.

2012 Walnut Valley Festival

For this year's bluegrass festival, I set my tent up on Monday next to my friend, Karen's RV and left it there until I could get off work later in the week. My friend, Angelique, drove in from NM and we headed out to the festival on Thursday. As it always does this time of year, the rain moved in that afternoon, stayed throughout the night, drizzled all of Friday and it was cold. But in all, the rain didn't stop me from having a good time. I just layered more clothes, put on my rainboots, knitted in my tent at night by the lantern light and by Saturday the skies cleared and we really got to take full advantage of the many band acts, bicycle ride around the campground and roam around the campgrounds at night. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival.
The Festival

The Campsite

The Knitting

Good Friends, Good Times

Taormina Circle Vest

The pattern for this vest was very poorly written with errors and vague instructions. I started over at least six times but since it was a birthday gift for my BFF, Laura, I was persistent and figured it out. There are also other posts on Ravelry that address some of the errors. Anyhow - I was pleased with the end result and she looks fabulous in it! I substituted 3 skeins of Berroco's Remix, a 100% recycled fiber yarn of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and linen.

DIY: Badge Necklace

A friend of mine inspired me to make my own badge necklace using wax linen thread, beads and a clasp. I just doubled the thread and tied knots before and after the beads securing them into place. I even had enough leftover beads in the package to make a matching wrap bracelet.

Labor Day Oklahoma Weekend

We spent the holiday weekend riding with friends to a campout at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma. With temps in the 100's, we changed our non-airconditioned cabin reservations to a motel in town and rode out to the lake in the afternoons, explored the Arbuckle mountains and Turner Falls park. Just like a summer postcard at the lake, we swimmed in the clear aqua/green water in our denim jean shorts. Saying goodbye to summer and the warm riding months always leaves me feeling a little sad.

DIY: Redneck Wine Glass

The "Redneck" wine glasses are all the rage but before you go out and pay up to $25 for one at a retail store or craft fair I will let you in on a little secret. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought the mason jar (wide mouth & jelly pictured) and glass candlestick for under 5 bucks. Glue with a clear adhesive and you'll save yourself a bundle.
Caution: These are not dishwasher-safe. The heat will melt the adhesive so be sure to hand wash.

Biker Black Citron

The easy stockinette pattern makes the Citron shawl the perfect traveling companion. I worked on it some in Sturgis and finished it on the drive back home. The perfect color - black - goes with everything for a lightweight cover-up from biker to work to church and all things in between.

Rodeo Bike Games

It was a party day out at the 101 Club starting with the blues music of Nobody's Business, some BBQ and our own family of friends rodeo biker games. The guys laid out the course and ran their bikes through slow races, barrel races, balloon tosses, and ended the games with the not so classy wienner bite. We had great audience participation from those cheering from the sidelines to the women who volunteered to ride on the back of all the bikes. So much fun in true biker style with event t-shirts and trophies for the winners.

Riding the Black Hills

Andy's Trail Rides provided us with a different way to experience the Black Hills - on four legs! Andy guided us up the mountain at over 7,000 feet through the pines and at times at a full gallop -- that was way too much fun. We saw many deer along the way and were amazed at how loud the wind sounded at such heights. It was an amazing 3 hour ride that I wish could've lasted a lot longer and unlike any ordinary trail ride. My girl, Becky, was a trooper in her boots and spurs but I don't think I will ever be able to convince her - or my husband - to join me on a longer trail riding experience in the future.

Sturgis Rally 2012

Here we are once again for our 14th Rally Week in Sturgis, SD. A place I don't think I will ever get tired of. This year, I decided to leave my Harley at home and haul husband's bike with my Jeep. I will miss riding the Black Hills but it's all good and I'll just be content to be a passenger this go around.

More ReCreating with Mike

Mike worked in one more class for about 15 of us before going back to Sweden. We spent the morning making a garden tower out of vases, plates and assorted glassware and then a rustic sign from wood at the barn and photo letters of signs she photographed during her stay in the states. How special is that? She asked us to come up with a word. While many chose words like, Blessed, Peace, Family, Welcome and family last names, my word was something much more simple. Hey, it's festive and will be a great addition to my patio. Follow her repurposed creations at reCreate Design Company.