Curtains for my toddler

I just came across curtains that I made about 26 years ago when my now 28-year-old daughter was 2. We had just changed her room from having a crib to having a twin sized bed. I bought a quilt kit to make that had Hollie Hobbie on it. I looked today, but I couldn't find the quilt. I remembered though what I did to make the curtains to match. The technique is old and I'm sure could be done with a computer program today, but then I had graph paper. So, I traced the design from the photo of the quilt on the box. It was about the size I wanted for the curtains. I traced it on graph paper and then colored it the colors I wanted to use in the counted cross stitch design you see here. I bought very fine counted cross stitch fabric and actually made the entire curtain from the fabric. I stitched the design over 4 squares. I also flipped the pattern for the facing design.

When I was done, my daughter had a cute matching bedroom design.

Way too long since last post

Well, it's been almost 3 months since I posted last. Secret Pal 10 came and went and while I privately acknowledged the final gift from my secret pal, I never did it publicly, until now.

What a great box of goodies. Thank you very much for being so good to me. I'm not soing secret pal 11, but I might do it again in the future. There's a lot of knitting talent out there and I'm proud to be one of you.

Where did the last two weeks go

Wow, it's June 1st already. May just few by. I got a nice surprise package in the mail yesterday from my secret pal. I know she lives in New Jersey, but not her name. Maybe by the end of June I'll know. Anyway, she send me all these great goodies. The 4 large balls of yard will be great for the hats I knit for the homeless http://eyevea.blogspot.com/2007/03/hats-for-homeless.html I think I can make 5 hats from the 4 balls of yarn. That's great!! Also, in the box was the yarn harlot's latest book, some chocolate, a hat and some unscented soap (scents make me sneeze). Thanks so much!! I forgot to mention the great hat from Maryland Sheep and Wool. It'll be a great hat to wear while kayaking in the sun.

odyssey

It's been awhile since I posted here. My husband, Paul, and I just got back from quite the adventure. My son, Ben, just graduated from the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, and then moved to Laredo, TX. So, Paul and I drove to Virginia where my son has been living with his wife and son. We helped Sarah (Ben's wife) finish packing up their belongings and loaded them onto a rented truck. Then we flew to Ben's graduation ceremony in New Mexico. Two days later we flew back to VA and then began the 3 day drive to Laredo. Paul and I were driving the truck, towing one of their cars, and Ben, Sarah, Billy, their dog and cat drove their other car. It took 2 very long days and 1 shorter day. Then we arrived at their new apartment and unloaded the truck, brought the truck back to the rental location and went to dinner (9 p.m.). This morning Paul and I flew back home to CT. This all took place over the last 9 days. Quite the adventure, like I said. Along the way I managed to knit 11 hats for the homeless (see directions from earlier posts). I'll put up some pictures soon.

secret pal socks

I got this fun yarn from my secret pal. I knitted it into socks. Aren't they cute?

contest winner!

Wow, so I tied for 1st place in the secret pal 10 contest #2. It's always fun to win things. I'm re-disovering knitting socks, so the sock yarn is a fitting prize. Thanks, secret pal hostess Robin (with an i).

Worldwide yarn search

About 4 years ago, I bought 10 balls of Rifflessi Yarn made by Filati Bertagna, at WEBS in Northampton, MA. I go to WEBS each year between Christmas and New Years when they have great sales. I always buy too much yarn and never really have a plan for it.

About 3 months ago, I decided it was time to use this Rifflessi yarn. I chose a sweater pattern that should have worked with the amount of yarn I had, but I was wrong. I was making a cardigan and got the entire body done and probably had enough yarn for one sleeve, but definitely not enough for the other sleeve.

The hunt was on. I first contacted WEBS to see if perhaps they still had a ball or two, but they haven’t carried the yarn since 2003 (the year I bought it). I wrote to Filati Bertagna in Italy to see if perhaps they might have some or know who would. It seems they stopped making the yarn in 2001. I thought my long-sleeved sweater was doomed to become a vest. They suggested that I contact the U.S. distributor (Plymouth) to see if they could tell me which yarn stores they sold the yarn to. So, I contacted Plymouth and they told me that their records don’t go back that far, so they couldn’t tell me which stores might still have some of the yarn.

On the Plymouth site, there is a list of yarn stores, some with websites, so I wrote to all of those (about 20 or so) in desperate hope that someone might still have a few balls of this yarn. The yarn comes in about 15 colors, so even if I found some yarn, I was losing hope that it would be in the right colorway that I required. What I got in return were a bunch of very nicely phrased, negative responses from yarn storeowners, and some more suggestions of how I might find the yarn.

Awhile back I had some luck finding a specific yarn on ebay. So, my hunt continued. There was one listing for Riflessi yarn, but it was in solid colors. I wrote to the seller, anyway, to see if he/she might have other colors, but she didn’t.

So, I “googled” Riflessi to see what came up. I found an expired ebay listing for a color 6056 (pinks and purples) I needed 6054 which is jeweltones. So close and yet so far. And a yarn store in Australia who was selling light blue (also not what I was looking for). When I clicked on the expired ebay listing, nothing came up, but when I clicked on the “cached” page, I could see the listing and then found the seller’s email address. I wrote to that ebay seller and to the store in Australia. No luck with Australia, but about 3 weeks later the seller of the expired ebay listing wrote back and actually had 8 balls of the yarn I was looking for! Because the yarn has so many colors in it, I wasn’t too worried about the dye lot, but as it turns out, it was even the same dye lot.

I asked the woman to put the yarn up on ebay and I bought it, the minute it was listed. I also bought the woman’s pinks and purples that hadn’t sold when she first had it listed. I do really like the yarn.

So, I guess, this qualifies as a worldwide search since I needed to contact people in Australia and Italy as well as several people in this country. But now my sweater will be getting sleeves and I’m a happy knitter.

Thank you to my secret pal

My secret pal sent me a great package over the weekend. It had a cherry theme. There are dishtowels with cherries on them, a "tea for one" pot and cup with cherries, two kinds of cherry candy (yum!) and some great sock yarn (no cherries), that I've already starting knitting with. This secret pal thing is fun! Thank you secret pal.

Billy and Lilly come to visit

I was in heaven this past weekend. Both of my grandchildren came to visit. They've only met each other one time before. They are Billy and Lilly. We call them "the illys" They are 2 days shy of 1 year apart in age.

Looks like they're dancing, but actually Lilly was trying to hug and kiss Billy. They both just kept giggling.

We went to the town's egg hunt on Saturday. What fun!

Hats for the Homeless

I posted these directions earlier (in December), but now I have some pictures of the hats.

Each year my daughter and I knit hats for homeless people and donate them to various shelters, soup kitchens, and sometimes just hand them out on the streets of NYC where my daughter goes to school. It started out as a way to use up leftover yarn and now we actually purchase yarn for the project. We did get a rather large donation from WEBS which is a great yarn store in Northampton, MA (http://www.yarn.com/).The pattern is very easy. We use size 10 or 10.5 16" circular knitting needles (double pointed needles would also work). It takes approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn to make one hat. Cast on 84 stiches. Place marker at the beginning of the round and you join in a circle and knit one, purl one around until the hat measures 10 ". Then begin the decrease rows. Decrease row one: * knit/purl for 5 stitches and then decrease one stitch (I like the slip as if to knit, knit one and passover method)* Continue from * to * around to the row marker. Next row: knit the knit stiches and purl the purl stitches. Decrease row two: "knit/purl for 4 stitches and then decrease one stitch*. Continue from * to * around to the row marker. Next row: knit the knit stiches and purl the purl stitches. Continue to decrease every other row with one fewer stitches between decreases and then knit/purl one row even until there are 12 stitches on the needles. (You'll probably have to switch to double pointed needles when there are about 48 stiches left.) Then cut a long tail. Thread through a tapestry needle and run it through all 12 stitches. pull tight and weave in the ends.It's a great project and there are a lot of cold heads out there. It takes me about 5-6 hours to make one hat, so I can't do too many in one season. So, if you want to help...start knitting.

best and worst yarn

Okay, this is for the SP10 contest. I definitely have two favorite yarns. Koigu Painter's Pallet yarn and Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I've made several scarves out of the Koigu as well as the only pair of socks I've every made. It's wool, but soft and the colors are incredible. I made two baby sweaters for my grandchildren out of the Baby Cashmerino. Both yarns are on the pricey side, so I don't knit too much with them...but I love them. Here are some of the scarves I've made from Koigu.

The worst yarn? Anything that is 100% acrylic and very stiff. In my youth, I knitted a couple of afghans out of acrylic yarn. I stil have the afghans, but they stay in the closet because they are very stiff and not comfortable.

birthday knitting

I just finished a sweater for my granddaughter, Lilly. She lives in Germany with her parents and we don't get to see her much. I knitted her this sweater for her birthday. I waited until they came to visit this week to give it to her. It's fun to be able to see her wearing the sweater. She's so cute. The sweater is made out of Plymouth Jelly Beenz yarn. I usually don't like to knit too much with acrylic yarn, but this has some acrylic in it making it easy to wash and dry which is good for baby stuff.

Billy's Birthday

We went to Virginia where our grandson lives (with his parents) to help celebrate his 2nd birthday. He is such a cute kid. He and his parents will be moving to Texas in a couple of months when his dad (or son) gets finished with border patrol school. So far away.

Lilly is one year old today

Our Granddaughter, Lilly, was born one year ago today and we've only seen her in person 2 times. She lives in Germany with her parents and It's sad that we weren't there.

Here she is with her Mommy. They both look pretty happy. Happy Birthday Lilly.

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire.

Here are is the questionnaire for SP10. Please be sure to post it in a spot on your blog where your pal can easily find it. Since your pal will use this to help create your packages you'll want to have it posted to your blog no later than the last day of February.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I like to knit with natural fibers. I'm not too fond of things that are too bulky. I absolutely do not like 100% acrylic yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a knitting needle case for the straight ones. I have hooks in my sewing room for the circular ones.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting for about 35 years. My mother taught me when I was in high school. I'm an advanced knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, I don't have a wishlist online.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Not too fond of scents. They make me sneeze.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, I have a sweet tooth...Favorite candy is anything cherry flavored.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I love to sew, quilt, counted cross stitch. I also do home renovation projects. My husband and I just bought a house that we're renovating and hope to rent out soon. No, I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I still like the music from the 60s and 70s best. Yes, my computer does play MP3s. and I don't have a stereo.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like blues, greens, burgandy, and lately orange. Can't stand yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I'm married (to the same man for 30 years). I have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. I have two dogs (a golden retriever, and doberman mix) and two cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves and mittens. I don't like hats much. I might wear a poncho, but don't own any right now.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Sweaters for my grandchildren, children, and nieces and nephews. I like to make hats for the homeless and scarves.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Hats for the Homeless.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Some handmade gifts are okay. Usually when I get something handmade, I know I could have made it myself, but I appreciate the effort of others as well.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer circular and double pointed needles. In order of preference: aluminum, bamboo, and plastic is last.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About 5 years old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect all things "panda." And I like dishes of all kinds. Little animal figurines

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No books or yarns in particular.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

None that I can think of

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I knitted one pair. It was fun. I would like to knit more of them. I wear a size 6.5 shoe.

23. When is your birthday?

December 31

Hats for the Homeless

Each year my daughter and I knit hats for homeless people and donate them to various shelters, soup kitchens, and sometimes just hand them out on the streets of NYC where my daughter goes to school. It started out as a way to use up leftover yarn and know we actually purchase yarn for the project. We did get a rather large donation from WEBS which is a great yarn store in Northampton, MA (www.yarn.com).

The pattern is very easy. We use size 10 or 10.5 16" circular knitting needles (double pointed needles would also work). It takes approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn to make one hat. Cast on 84 stiches. Place marker at the beginning of the round and you join in a circle and knit one, purl one around until the hat measures 10 ". Then begin the decrease rows. Decrease row one: * knit/purl for 5 stitches and then decrease one stitch (I like the slip as if to knit, knit one and passover method)* Continue from * to * around to the row marker. Next row: knit the knit stiches and purl the purl stitches. Decrease row two: "knit/purl for 4 stitches and then decrease one stitch*. Continue from * to * around to the row marker. Next row: knit the knit stiches and purl the purl stitches. Continue to decrease every other row with one fewer stitches between decreases and then knit/purl one row even until there are 12 stitches on the needles. (You'll probably have to switch to double pointed needles when there are about 48 stiches left.) Then cut a long tail. Thread through a tapestry needle and run it through all 12 stitches. pull tight and weave in the ends.

It's a great project and there are a lot of cold heads out there. It takes me about 5-6 hours to make one hat, so I can't do too many in one season. So, if you want to help...start knitting.

We had some snow and ice here over the past few days. Couldn't really get to the house to work on it. Tomorrow we're going to go there and try to shovel some of the snow and ice so we can get the car into the driveway. The snow plow hit our mailbox and severed the 4x4 post that was holding it up. Another chore.

We are closing in on getting the house ready for rental. Everything is painted and stained. We need to do some more cleaning of the wood floors though. That's my job tomorrow.

I'll post more pictures next time.

More on the house

Here are some pictures of the way the inside of the house used to look. The paint was partially stripped from the woodwork in the living room.










The only bathroom was so tiny that you could sit on the toilet and hit your knees on the bathtub.

The house

This was how our investment house looked when we first bought it. It was so covered in vegetation that people couldn't even see the house as they drove by. We cut away most of the plants so the house can now breathe.

New Day

It's 7 a.m. Eastern Time. I just got out of exercise class. It's called Extreme Butts and Gutts, so it's easy to figure out what kind of class it is. I'm lucky because the class is just upstairs from my cubicle since the community center where I work is also a fitness center. So, I get to work a little before showering when it's nice and quiet. Come to think of it, this is a nice time to write here too.

My husband and I bought an investment house back in August. It was built in 1941 and no one had done any renovations. That's not to say they didn't paint and wallpaper layer after layer (there were 7 kinds of wallpaper in one of the upstairs bedrooms). Anyway, it's a 4 bedroom cape and it's adorable. We've been working on it after work and on weekends with the hope of renting it out for a couple of years and then selling it before we retire. I'm going to try to post some pictures when I figure out how. More on this later.

NBA problem

Today the NBA changed the time of the March 11 Celtics game in Boston. Now we have to call all the people who were registered for the game to see who can go late. It's a pain because there are bound to be people who can't go at the later time and we might not have enough people registered to run the trip. If the Celtics had been playing better then the gametime would not have been changed...something about a cancelled TV contract. Just needed to vent a little

Day 3

So, apparently I forgot to mention in my first entry that I also enjoy quilting. It's fun to take perfectly good fabric, cut it into tiny pieces and then sew it all back together in a different pattern. I actually like to do all kinds of sewing and needlework.

So back to "about me" I work as a recreation supervisor and I love it. I get to plan lots of programs, hire staff to teach them and then watch the smiles on people's faces as they get to do all kinds of things. We have the typical programs like tumbling and arts and crafts for kids and some "adult ed" classes like German and Spanish, but we also have some not so typical programs like Chinese medicine for infertility and 14th century German Longswords. It never ceases to amaze me what kinds of programs people will respond to. We offered 2 Modern Latin Dance classes this Winter and had so many people interested that we had to add 3 more classes. I guess Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance have played a role there.

I work with a bunch of great people too so it's fun to go to work every day. I have some very funny stories to tell about some of the patrons of our community center, but I'll save them for another time.

About my family, Feb. 5, 2007

A little about me. My husband and I have been happily married for 30 years. We have three kids (well, they're actually adults) and 2 grandchildren.

Our son, Ben is 29 and is currently in Border Patrol Training (long story for another time). He is married to Sarah and they have a son who is almost 2 named Billy. They'll be stationed in Texas soon.

My oldest daughter, Mandy, 27, is married to Keith and they have a daughter who will be 1 soon named Lilly. We call the grandchildren "the illys". They live in Germany where Mandy is a scientist, working for the European union on a project that is "looking for simple indicators of sustainable fisheries." Sounds pretty impressive, but I don't really get what she does from day to day.

Our youngest child, Becky, 22, is a senior at Parson's School of Design in New York. She'll be graduating in May with a degree in design and technology. She's applying to graduate schools, so we'll see what happens there.

First Time--February 3, 2007

Here I go. I'm creating this blog as a start to joining Secret Pal 10. It's a knitting/crochet club of sorts that my daughter joined awhile back. It's a good idea to have an accounting of things, sort of like a journal of thoughts. More later.