The Sassy Knitta!

She's such a sassy knitta sporting her knitwear and hanging around holding all my new stitch markers on a clasp metal ring.

DIY: Stitch Markers

Knittas can never have too many stitch markers! I like to make these for myself and as gifts. Catch a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby and get all these jump ring findings for $3.98 in sizes 9mm, 12mm and 15mm. You'll save yourself a bundle and have a supply that will never run out.

Fresco Slouch

I'm so into this shade of green lately and it goes well with this slouchy hat out of Berroco Vintage DK. The kind of hat I can throw on to go with a t-shirt and peacoat. Sitting here posting another completed project makes me realize I must be stressed to be knitting like such a mad woman.
And then here's another in alpaca. Started this morning while riding the stationary bicycle, worked on during my lunch hour and finished tonight while winding down from the day watching tv. Such an easy knit and oh so slouchy!

Kansas Alpaca Yarns

While at Heartland Farm, Sister Terry asked if I would knit up some items out of the luscious Prairie Winds Conference yarns sponsored by six alpaca farms across Kansas and processed at The Shepherd's Mill in Phillipsburg, Kansas. The fingering yarn a 70% Kansas alpaca / 30% merino blend in shades of blue Summer Skies, Golden Wheat and Winter Grasses. It's going to be an honor to pick out some special patterns and get my Knit On!

FiberSpace 2013

This weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer and help the Sisters at Heartland Farm (outside of Great Bend, KS) with an overnight fiber arts retreat. I assisted those wanting to learn spinning and drop spindle with alpaca and wool fiber. The Sisters also provided instructions for weaving and bobbin lace. Everything at this organic farm has a beginning and end like the alpacas that provide a fiber to knit with to the chickens that provided us with a tasty meal. It's always a peaceful and inspiring place to visit and recharge.

Everything at the farm has a simple use and purpose:



Several years ago I found a rigid heddle weaving loom at an estate sale but didn't know if I had all the pieces or even how to use it so I brought it along. Sister Terry helped me set it up and to my delight all the pieces were there and now I'm on my way to weaving a small project like coasters. I discovered that I really enjoy working with a drop spindle to make a lace-weight yarn. So much fiber and so little time...

DIY: Turquoise Bracelets

I was feeling creative today, sat down with my assorted bead collection, charms, stretchy beading elastic and made some great bracelets.

Cerrillos Citron

Off the needles and loving this shawl. The fourth one I've made with this one in a hand dyed merino lace-weight yarn by Lost City Knits. The designer, Denise, explained to me she named the color of this yarn Cerrillos (head of the turquoise trail) when I bought it from her back in September at the Walnut Valley Festival.

DIY: Upcycled Christmas Cards

On Ravelry, I came across instructions to recycle Christmas cards into gift tags. So, using the cards I received this year, I cut out the pictured fronts in ovals, circles and rounded squares, evenly whole punched and crocheted with acrylic yarn (sc through the hole and chain one) all the way around. Some I chained 50 stitches before and after for ties and others chain 10 for a loop on top. I packed them away to use on gift packages next Christmas.

Happy New Year!

That black lace dress won me a trophy for "Best Dressed Female" at the New Year's Eve dinner and dance we went to. Hopefully, a sign of good things to come for us in 2013. Happy New Year!

So Long 2012

It's not often I look at the passing of time as a good thing but I'm ready to say goodbye to what seemed like a year of stress and worry. Looking back there were some good times like a wonderful Caribbean cruise vacation, a couple motorcycle trips, a week in Sturgis and a very nice Christmas. But most notably, I'm ready to move on from the problems of death, finance, health and occupation that 2012 dealt to me for the hope of a better year in 2013. I've got a black lace dress and new shoes -- tonight we celebrate!

Christmas Knits

I sent two knitted gifts to Washington. For years now, I've made wool felted slippers for those special in my life. They can be time consuming but I've made so many now that knitting them are second nature and I've developed my own tricks in making them. I prefer to use Lamb's Pride wool that has a 15% blend of mohair. I felt heavily in a top-loading washing machine with dish soap and dryer balls in hot water. Once felted, the mohair makes the slipper dense and fuzzy. I then take a pair of clippers and slightly trim down the mohair fuzz. A warm and cozy gift for Dr. Dan.
Next a gift for Laura and while I'm at it, myself. We picked out the yarn during our June road trip at a yarn shop in Taos, New Mexico. It's a one-skein Schaefer Nancy yarn shawl. We liked the samples in the shop and getting it done before Christmas was good timing for her a sentimental gift.

Christmas 2012

I didn't ask for any gifts this Christmas. Our focus was more on health, faith and family this year. But Santa did pull through for me and didn't have to think very hard about things that I might like. Like anything Harley or Jeep. Elfs on a shelf are big this year and mom gifted me with a huge, vintage Longaberger laundry basket with wooden lid. We had special times with family, close friends and most importantly the gift of health. All very good blessings this Christmas.

Somewhat The End

Today was not the end of the world as the Mayan calendar predicted, but nonetheless it was a terrible day that put an end to almost a five year work relationship. Without going into too many revealing details, it was a partnership that was often stressful, challenging, respectful, appreciative and fullfilling professionally. Not the end of the world but a change that I would never imagine to happen.

Wine, Crafts & Good Cheer

I called up my inner circle of high school girlfriends to come over for a night of wine, crafts and good cheer. We made Shrinky Dink wine glass charms, a photo ornament and a commemorative ornanment filled with the names of the Sandy Hook victims we should never forget all the while sharing the Christmas spirit. I'm so lucky to have some very special friendships that have lasted the test of time.

Knit & Purl's

Yarn shops give me a destination while traveling and I was relieved to find a shop less than two miles from the clinic. So, while husband rested, I got out for a couple hours to visit Hank & Purl's. The shop mascot sheep greeted me at the door and I found a great pattern for boot cuffs. It made for a very nice little getaway.

Mayo Knitting

Knitting is my therapy, reduces my stress, anxiety and makes me patient. So when I had to pack for a worrisome trip with husband to Mayo Clinic for testing, I actually packed an entire (small) suitcase of yarn, patterns and needles. Going into it, I didn't know what to expect, how long we would be there or how anxious I would be. I chose simple patterns such as Ripple, Wingspan and Citron and they helped to settle my nerves and allowed me to wait patiently in my "knitting zone" between appointments. After 7 days, I was left with some lovely reminders of a positive Mayo experience and he a positive outcome and treatment plan.

DIY: Note Magnets

I woke up early on Sunday with a long list of To Do items and decided to start my day off with a DIY project. I purchased a sheet of adhesive magnet squares, sliced some used wine corks in half (horizontally and carefully) and secured with super glue. Easy as that -- upcycled fridge magnets.

Holiday Greenery

How I love you, December. Not the cold, but the next stage of decorating my porches, galvanized pots and buckets, birdbaths and windowboxes with fresh greenery and holiday flair. This year I'm going with a cardinal and pinecone theme. I got a lot done today on my front porch and patio and tomorrow I will finish the hanging baskets in the back.

September Circle

My knitted September Circle should actually be called my November Circle. It's an infinity scarf (you can't lose it) and also wraps around twice for a cozy neck cowl. I am in love with the colorful german sock yarn, Crazy Zauberball!

Small Business Saturday

I had absolutely no desire to get out and shop on Black Friday. Instead, I support small businesses on Saturday. Starting with an early knitter's meetup for coffee with Becky and Jackie at Meads. Then over to Twist yarn shop for a new knitting project. Jackie, Shelly and I will be starting on the pattern, September Circle, knit from the colorful sock yarn Crazy Zauberball. A belt buckle (with coupon that came with their holiday greeting card!) from Aspen Boutique and a handknit hat from Roots & Bloom. It was an enjoyable morning spent with good friends, shopping and all my favorite local small businesses.

Rasta Hat

Be still my beating heart -- all knittas love kettle dyed Rasta Malabrigo! The colorways are exquisite and the chunky merino wool is not the slightest bit itchy. This color is Arco Iris in a rasta hat called Shroom.

Matching Mitts

I knit up some matching mitts while watching the news with the leftover yarn I spun on Sunday. The super easy pattern, a simple chunky stockinette, Last Minute Knitted Mitts.

Spinning Sunday

I can't always make the 3rd Sunday Spinning group but when I can, we have a lot of fun and it's inspiring to see all the different kinds of wheels and spinning techniques. I recently got a jumbo flyer that has a large orifice for making chunky yarns and tried it out today on some wool roving I got years ago in Estes, CO. And then later tonight, I made another hat with enough yarn leftover for a matching pair of mitts.

Fun with the Nuns

I spent the day in Great Bend with the Sisters at the Dominican Sisters of Peace working the annual mission bazaar. They think I'm helping them by donating hats to sell when in all actuality, their kindness and spirit takes me right back to nostalgic and heartwarming times with my grandma and aunts.

A Whole Lotta Hats

On top of a hectic work schedule, somehow I managed to crank out 20 hats in the past couple of weeks to donate to charity. I think I'm just about done with these for a while.

Fall in Oklahoma

It was another great annual family reunion at Osage Hills State Park. Aside from a 3 hour, four mile hike in the woods, I bet we spent the entire weekend sitting by the campfire. Daytime temps were in the mid 60's with very little wind - just perfect for a relaxing weekend.