Yarn Along and a Giveaway from Drawstrings!

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading (though not at the same time!), and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

Lilah's Sunday Sweater is coming along.  I have had to frog a few rows but should be back on track soon.  I took the sweater to my Tuesday knitting group ( I should have known better),  The rule is to bring public knitting, which is something you don't have to concentrate on, rather than private knitting, which requires your attention. My fault.  Slow learner.

I finally have a copy of Colleen Hammond's book Dressing With Dignity.  Colleen is a blog friend of mine that actually lives close.  We have not met, but have FB messaged many times.  This book was written in 2004 and a second edition printed in 2005.   "Colleen challenges today's indecent, demeaning fashions and provides you with the information you need to protect yourself and your loved ones from the onslaught of tasteless, immodest clothing.  She explains that there is a difference between dressing attractively and dressing to attract."  I am looking forward to reading this!!

And yes!!!!.... There is a giveaway today!  See that cute little flannel bag above.  I had a limited supply of that fabric. So today I present this small bag to you.  Leave a comment here for a chance to win.  For a second chance, also "like" Drawstrings on Facebook.  I will draw a name for the bag at the close of Thursday, 11/6 and announce it on Friday's post.  But.....in addition, all bags in the shop are 15% off through November 9th.  Use the coupon code YARNALONG5 to receive the discount.  Psssttt..... there is a medium size bag in the shop very similar to this one!  Please make sure you enter that code.  I had a few disappointed customers last week who didn't know or forgot to enter the code.

Linking up with Ginny today!

Yarn Along and a Bath

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading (though not at the same time!), and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

I thought ahead and took hand knitted socks on our trip north. It was 14 degrees the first morning we awoke.  They have now had their bath and are hanging to dry.  On our way home I knit a little Puerperium Cardigan.  I used Pure Pima cotton. It looks lavender in the photos, but it is actually a light gray.  I will find little pink buttons in the next day or so as this is to be gifted soon.

Last night I started on a Gift Wrap Sweater for a shower in a couple of weeks.  No pics yet, but I hope to have it finished for next week's post.

My weekly trip to the library is tomorrow.  No reading on the bedside table until then.  I'm researching photographers/videographers with the Bride to Be :)))

Linking up with Ginny!

Yarn Along

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

My goal was to complete this first Chevron blanket by July 1st.  I should be close to that. Since both of these babies are due relatively close together the pattern needed to be a quick one.  Assuming the showers will be in late August to early September, I should be right on time.  Mr. Golfer makes fun of my planning.
( he is a last minute kind of guy) Good thing he is not in charge of baby knitting!

Speaking of planning.  Someone made a comment a few weeks back about my Drawstring bags tending to match my project. It got me to thinking that even if I hadn't intentionally planned that, it was a cute idea.  None of these bags are large enough for this project, but I thought they were a  cute grouping.  All are available in the shop.  I'm thinking before I start the second Chevron I should make something in lilac and gray :)))

I have never really enjoyed cooking. For some reason today I had an epiphany in the kitchen.  Maybe it will be similar to the one that began my little business, but I reached up onto the shelf and brought down a book I had only skimmed. This book is not a cookbook.  It is more a philosophy on why we cook and how the ingredients of one meal should lead into the next.  I am drawn to it and hope that even at this stage of my life I may decide I like to cook.  Stranger things have happened.

Linking up with Ginny today!

Yarn Along in the Garden

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? 

It is sad to not be in love with something you knit.  Especially when it is for a wee one.  But this pattern is giving me fits.  Even with stitch markers and extra counting.  I am going to say it is the back pain.  yes, let's just say it is the back pain.  The center section is to be 25".  It will not be 25"  My knitting group has helped me make adjustments as to how this all will end.  I hope by next week I am close.  There are two more blankets to knit by Septempber!

Today at morning coffee with two of my dear friends, we were discussing The Little Oratory  by  our own Aunt Leila.  Our host, who is also reading the book, pulled this copy of Hallowed This House from her shelf.  Copyright is late '70's but the message is near and dear.  Room by room he explains the eucharistic meaning and value of the family and home.  Both of these books, side by side, are infusing in me what the spirit of my home eminates.  Every aspect of what happens in these walls is by its nature holy and we are to take that holiness with us into the world.  Deep.

Mad Tosh is closing out all there fabrics .  Check over at Drawstrings !

Linking up with Ginny !

Yarn Along A Gift Received and a Wild Goose Chase for Yarn

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

The Lullaby blanket was well received.  Many oohs and ahhhs over the knitting.  You are always pleased as the giver when the thought and work you have done is appreciated.  A blanket like this is sometimes doomed to the treasure drawer because it appears so exquisite.  That is why I knit it from a pima cotton blend.  I explain to the mothers that it is meant to be used and can be thrown in the washer and dryer.  They smile!

While I was in Austin I took the opportunity to go to one of my favorite shops, Hill Country Weavers.  My niece is expecting baby # 2, a girl, and of course, a blanket is expected.  I knit the first Lullaby for her son.

I have never asked a mother what kind of blanket she wants.  I ask about nursery colors so that I can make a selection.  This time I made the mistake of giving too many choices to my niece and it drove me crazy.  The color blanket she wanted is not available in my favorite baby yarn and the pattern she chose is rather boring for a knitter.  So walking into HCW I thought I would at least be able to find a good yarn.  This time I was disappointed.  There were two yarns I could have been happy with.  Neither had the quantity I needed and the dye lots had changed, so if I ordered they would be a different color.  So I walked out with 9 skeins of Blue Sky Organic Worsted Cotton.  The color is perfect, but it will require more care.

I left Austin rather early Sunday after Caitlin and I had a lovely breakfast.  Knowing I had time, I decided to make a stop in Saldao at a yarn shop I had never visited.  Still searching for a different yarn that might work better, I found the shop, only to find out that it did not open for another hour. Darn!  Heading north with still plenty of time, I decided to take a detour east to Waxahachie.  Listed on Ravelry was a knitting store I had not been to and was only about 45 minutes from home.  But on arrival....it no longer existed!  Double darn!!   So now I headed northwest toward home and decided to stop at a shop I knew was there, but had not visited.  This time I called to make sure the posted hours  were correct.  After making a wrong turn that cost me 30 minutes, I arrived at The Knitting Fairy.  They did not have the yarn I was searching for, but did bring out a choice that had been discontinued and discounted!  I went ahead and purchased it because it was very inexpensive, but after getting home and knitting a few rows I decided I did not like the feel at all.

So this afternoon, Patrick helped me wind the cotton.  I made some changes to the pattern and think I will be content to knit this and add the ruffle my niece desires.

I am still reading The Reed of God, but in all honesty have spent the last week searching Ravelry for patterns!

Joining Ginny today and looking forward to reading all the other blogs!

Yarn Along, a new grandson,and projects galore

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

If you haven't read here by now, my grandson, Luke Alexander, arrived Saturday on his own without the need for an induction.  Contractions began on the way to the hospital for said procedure!  I am still amazed that my daughter delivered a 9lb. 8oz baby without one single push!

There is a striking resemblance to his oldest sister.  Sweet. And of course you will notice he is wrapped in his Babar blanket and below in a precious hat his mommy knit.

Another look at the V Junkie socks.  The mornings are cool now, but not quite cool enough to have these on all day. I do love the finished product.  Mad Tosh yarn is always a joy to have slide through the fingers!

I am working on a variety of little projects.  A baby shower this weekend will yield this little hat for an October baby.

\In order to get the true orange I had to use an acrylic based yarn and I hated the feel.  The finished project is really cute, but I have 2 more I want to make, so I am turning to a darker orange and green from my stash.  Vintage will be used for the others.

A variety of small projects have popped up that need to be completed before Christmas.  Not really Christmas knitting, just some needs that I want to accomplish for some special people.

This is the collection of yarns I am considering.  A scarf, 2 hats, and a fair isle headband will come from this.  Not all the patterns have been chosen.  Do you see that light brown in the center?  Mink!  Yes mink.  It will be paired with the skein to its right for a scarf.

This is last fall's Interweave issue.  I am going to have an opportunity to take a class on this sweater.  My LYS is bringing in a well known teacher.  She has redesigned the technique in knitting this from pieces to in the round.  I am very excited, also because I found the yarn on 50% off!

The true color is a mint green.  This is Leche.  I was still in need of 4 skeins to have the quantity and was able to find them on Ravelry in a destash forum!  Yea me!

I am still reading Bonheoffer and will be for a while although the book of Matthew has taken precedence due to my bible study class beginning again.

As usual, a big shout out to Ginny for sponsoring the link up!  Can't wait to see all the knitting and reading.