Fun in the Sun!!

It was SUNNY, and 81 degrees today! Just a BEAUTIFUL day for a POOL party. My Granddaughter Casey, and my Great nephew Jadon had a fun time. And Grandma got to soak up some SUN!
I love the sun!!!!!!!!

Chevron Scarf

When I saw this yarn in the Knit Picks catalog, I knew that I had to get it and make something for my daughter. She is Irish, and her last name is McNamara. So you could say that this yarn had her name written all over it. LOL
Any way I decided to knit her a scarf. I choose a chevron scarf pattern, because I love the look of chevron patterns.
I used Knit Picks Shamrock yarn, the color is called MacNamara. I think that the scarf turned out great, and will keep her neck very warm this winter!

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmill

If you enjoy reading books about the Amish way of life, this book will be a page turner for you! Their was of life is very different from ours. Much simpler, I guess that is the appeal of these books for me. Putting myself in a simpler place and time. But I could not live that lifestyle at all.
This is the 1st in a series of books about Amish life for Cindy Woodsmall.
Did you know that if you lived in an Amish household, that even the way your furniture was arranged in your own house was determined by the Bishops. You would sew all of your own clothing. Raise all of your own food. And travel with a horse and buggy? Well it is true. I am looking forward to finding the 2nd book in this series!

Celebration of Love

I have designed another Folk Mitten. For this mitten the design came first, then I hand dyed the Knit Picks yarn, with Easter Egg dye, then I named the mitten. We are Celebrating Love in hour Family this summer. My middle daughter is getting married on June 28th. My youngest Son is getting married on July 19th. So that is how this mitten got the name Celebration of Love. Because we have 2 big weddings this summer to Celebrate.

I like the way that the hand dyed yarn stripes in the cuff. I used size 2 needles on this pair of mittens, and worsted weight yarn.

This pattern can be found at http:www.freewebs.com/folkmittens

Elvis Precious Memories

This is the true story of a poor Southern boy, that became a King. The King of Rock and Roll. Being a huge Elvis fan I LOVED this Book. It was written by his cousin Donna. Elvis had a close knit family, and he took care of his whole family. He was a very tender loving man. This book details his life, his many loves and his death. He died when he was far to young. Elvis was only 42 years old when he died. I truly enjoyed this book, and will forever keep it in my library.

The Widow of Larkspur Inn

The Widow of Larkspur Inn written by Lawana BlackwellIs a story about a widow, set in London in 1869.She was very much a proper Lady, that had to learn to care for, and support her family, after the death of her doctor husband. Dr Hollis was a gambler, his wife and children were left penniless. Their only inheritance was an old run down Inn. Julia restored the Inn, rented rooms to provide for her family.You get to know the borders in the Inn. Life in the small town of Gresham, and how Mrs Julia Hollis learned to love again. A very easy and entertaining read. I enjoyed the book very much.

Tips for knitting Fair Isle mittens

Knitting Tips

Fair Isle mittens are funtional as well as warm, and beautiful.
Try using wooden needles instead of metal. Wooden needles are less slipery, the wooden needles will grip your stitches better.
You can bind off Fair Isle mittens with a 3 needle bind off from the inside.
The easiest way to knit Fair Isle mittens is to use 4 needles, and devide your stitches evenly onto 4 needles.
Using 5 DPN's will help to avoid ladders.
When choosing colors for your mittens, make sure that there's enough contrast between the background colors and the pattern color so the pattern doesn't get lost.
Carry the strands of unused color loosely in the back of the project.
If you carry the yarn, that is not in use to tightly, you will have puckers.
Loose stitches can be tightened, but it is almost impossible to loosen stitches that are to tight, and they will cause puckering on the right side of your project, and may even affect the fit.
To help you keep your place on the chart, use a magnetic board or a piece of sticky note paper to mark the row you're working.
The key to organizing your yarn, is to keep one ball on your right side, and the other color on your left side. You should hold the main color in which ever hand you feel the most comfortable.
Putting your ball of yarn in a bowl, so that it can roll around in the bowl, may prevent twisting of your yarn.
I like touse a ribbed cuff on my mittens, because the rib is more snug, and very elastic. Your ribbing can be shortened or lengthened, to make the mitten perfect for you.
If your mitten does not fit perfectly, washing and blocking the mitten can change the size. I always block my wool Folk mittens.
Felted wool is warmer, and more water repellent.

Thank You Mikki

I would like to Thank Mikki very much for test knitting my La Dame Porte Rouge-Lady in Red folk mittens. She is the Best!! She was very professional with me, and very helpful to me also. She took time out of her busy college schedule to test knit my mitten pattern, and I am truly grateful for that. Mikki, may all paths lead to happiness, and may all your dreams come true!!!!

Designing another mitten

I am designing a new Folk Mitten today. It is going to be called Celebration of Love. I am going to use Knit Picks Wool of the Andes yarn, that I hand dyed with Easter Egg Dye.