Through the Loops!

Yes, We Are Blurry

But:

1. It was before 7 am when these photos were taken
2. It was very foggy
3. We only had about 5 minutes to take the photos
4. I hadn't finished my coffee

Will you forgive us?
Thanks.

 

Wildly Staccato Hoodie

Pattern:  My Own

Yarn:  Cascade 220

Zipper:  Mood Fabrics (What is up with M&J Trimming not carrying zippers?  I swear I used to be able to buy them there back in the 80's before they were the Mecca they are now.)

Coffee:  Latte w/ 1% - Made as a bribe to get him to model so early in the morning.

Started in January, finished on May Day with much harassment/guilt from the recipient.   If I didn't love this kid so much I never would have been able to get through the weaving in of those ends.
His sisters have designs on stealing this.  Perhaps I should take advantage of the Cascade 220 on sale at Webs and make a few more.

Now, if you haven't already seen it, go have a look at the striped Tomten Nova made for her rock star.   I feel a kinship with her over these projects, not just because of all of the ends that we both had to face, but also because Little Sir reminds me so much of my son at that age.  Seeing him in those stripes is like a time machine.

Hey Nova, guess what his first comment was when he tried the finished hoodie on?
"Where are the pockets?"  They never change.  The only difference, the trains are now Metro cards, random guitar picks and a cell phone.

Off to Maryland Sheep and Wool tomorrow.  The weather report looks great!  I can't wait of meet some of my blog friends.

Chickadee Cowl

Since a number of you asked, I wrote the pattern for the cowl from yesterday's post.  I'm calling it the "Chickadee Cowl" since DD#1 says that the linen stitch looks like little birdie feet close up.  It's available as a freebie in my sidebar.

Enjoy.

Fourty @#*!#%! Six

At least I can still do this:

(Inspired by these talented ladies.)

However, it is advisable after a certain age to apply makeup before taking photographs in bright light.  (Tidying up the background is a nice touch too.)

"The cowl?" you ask.  I had to make the cowl because Ms. Fricknits says they are the new scarf, and I am a follower.  It is a basic linen stitch.  I'll write up the pattern if anyone wants it.

(Gratuitous close up of stitch pattern and the glorious Plucky Knitter's colors. [Colorway: Janis])

It was an all about me weekend.  First there was the cowl.  Then 18 holes of golf.  Then dinner with my golf buddy/tax preparer/sommelier/tech support/the only guy who'd stick with me for 20+ years.
The next day there was the spinning of 4 oz. of Scout's Superwash Merino Roving.   (Colorway: Power Couples)

The fiber arrived on Friday.  Admit it, you wouldn't have been able to just tuck it away in your stash either.

Along with the spinning, there was more golf.  Since I now have a locker at the golf club I had to crochet a key chain for my shiny new key.  You know "had to".  That bag full of sock yarn scraps does come in handy from time to time.

The weekend was nicely rounded out with Indian take out last night.  One would think that I had all the free time in the world.  I don't.  I'm just really good at neglecting the things I should be doing.  It also helps to have a fantastic family who indulges me.

Off to get a pedicure!  ;)  Hey, I can, it is my birthday after all.

Heavenly Shawl

To keep the peace in this house, I'll need to make two more of these.  Luckily Blue Sky makes this yarn in a lot of gorgeous colors.

Pattern:  None.
Yarn:  Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes, Color #2013, purchased at Angelfire Studios, Basking Ridge, NJ
Needles:  US 15 (like knitting with Lincoln Logs
Movie viewed during knitting:  There Will Be Blood
Photographed at the Cross Estate Gardens.

Crochet Love

Before we begin, jump over for a visit with Ms. Frick and learn how to become a Ravelraiser!  There are some pretty sweet prizes being offered just for supporting Ravelry!  Go ahead, I'll wait.

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled blog post.  I've gotten myself on a crochet binge again.  I think I've been visiting Kinokuniya a bit too much.

Normally I only need to make one of any given project.   My girls each have such different styles/preferences that we seldom have arguments about to whom a new FO should go to.  This crochet hat was the exception.  I made the yellow-green hat first and there was much dueling for ownership.
 

I quickly made another.  Luckily crochet is a fast craft.  At least there were no battles for color.
Reunited, they were able to return to the usual activities.

DD#2 continues to plaster pumps with newspaper.  There has been much searching of sale racks for the perfect shoes.  She's made three more pairs, one for each of her favorite music teachers.  Headlines and images are carefully chosen for each individual.  The pair that she is spraying here goes to her vocal teacher.

DD#1 busied herself examining signs of spring on the maple trees. 

Specs
Pattern:  From a Japanese Crochet book, ISBN  #978-4-277-17207-3.  It's the hat on the cover.
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora
Hook:  3.5 mm for green hat, 4 mm for aqua hat
Mods:  My yarn was much heavier than the yarn used in the pattern, so I did fewer increases.  The pattern uses a crochet brim.  I picked up stitches and knit a twisted rib to make the hat fit a bit snugger.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have offered to test out my New Math.  I haven't responded to anyone yet because I want to read through all of your notes carefully.  A number of you have body types for which I am very curious to see how the formula works.

Things That Make Me Giddy

1. Buying new yarn.

Farmhouse Yarns, Fannie's Fingering, Colorway:  Harvest
Purchased at Purl Soho

Farmhouse Yarns, Fannie's Fingering, Colorway:  Old Roses
Also purchased at Purl Soho

    2.  Finding fabulous fabric for a new bag.

Just look at that pig, that rabbit, that beetle, THOSE SKULLS!  Love.
Both pieces from Purl Patchwork, of course.

    3.  Finishing a project more than a year in the making.



Pattern:  New Math Cardi, my own design using a formula I thought up to customize the sleeve and bust measurements.  Those of you who have been reading this blog for a long time and also posses exceptional memories, will remember that I started this last winter.

 

I am one of those girls whose measurements aren't "typical".   I am also a HUGE fan of top down sweaters, but the percentage method doesn't always work for me.  The idea behind this sweater is to separate these two numbers in the calculations.   Small chest, largish, peasant girl arms?  Customize it!  Large bust, willowy arms?  Customize it!   Buff, athletic body?  Customize it!  Here's where I need some help.  I am one of the peasant girl types and I only know that the formula works well for me.  I'd love to have a few willing knitters, with various body types try out my formula and see if things work out as well for them as they have for me.  It would be great to have some guys/people making sweaters for guys too.   The details of the sweater are up to you; cardigan, pullover, cropped, longish, neckline variations, body shaping, just like your typical topdown anything goes.  The formula involves simple algebra and I will write the instructions to walk you through the numbers.  If you are interested, send an e-mail to throughtheloops at gmail dot com.  Please put NEW MATH CARDI in the subject line.   Thanks.

Freebie: Burning Rings of Fire

Happy Spring, Equinox, Easter, Passover (a month or so early) or whatever you choose to observe.
Since I am a spring baby, this is my favorite time of the year.  In celebration of new beginnings, I've added the Burning Rings of Fire pattern to the sidebar.  I hope you enjoy it.

Burning Ring(s) of Fire

Worked from the top down on two circular needles.

Materials:
Two pairs US size 1 circular needles, 24 inch.
Spare DPN in US size 1 (or size to obtain gauge.)
Tapestry needle.

Yarn: Pigeonroof Studios Superwash Merino Sock (100% Superwash Merino), Colorway:  Pink Lady.  2 Skeins.

Gauge:  30 stitches = 4”(10cm) in stitch pattern

Finished Measurement: 8 (9)” (20 cm) circumference at leg and foot. 

A New Bonnet

Since Easter is so early this year, a girl needs a different sort of bonnet.

Perhaps something a little woolly that covers the ears will do the trick.  There are still some bitter winds to guard against here in Northern NJ.

I can never manage to get an entire hat out of a 50 gram ball of yarn.  This irritates me to no end.  I hate having to buy extra just for the last few rounds.  Besides, there was only one ball of the glorious green Berroco Pure Merino Nuance in the 50% off bin.  Luckily there are so many talented knitters to inspire me.  Scraps of yarn from the stash gave me that all important last inch to keep the ears warm.   

The colors of this hat have me thinking about fresh Spring grass, warm fertile earth ready for hopeful seeds, and brilliant sunny skies.  In the hat I see the potential of things to come.

And in the potential lost category:  boiled eggs - never to be chickens.  They are delicious though.

Ever since I was a kid, we've dyed brown eggs.  The rich saturated colors are not generally what one associates with Easter, but they are my preference over the saccharine sweetness of dyed white eggs.

Thanks again to all who have given support, donations and kind words about Dr. G's Memory Vest.   Every effort has been appreciated beyond words.  As of this writing, we have raised $955 for Alzheimer's and dementia research.  Just a little push and we could reach the $1000 mark.  Another way that you can help is to link to the vest on your blog, add it to your Ravelry queue or favorite it on Ravelry.  Spread the word and help raise money for those who's mission it is to eradicate these devastating diseases.  Feel free to swipe the button in my sidebar and link to the Dr. G's post.

 

Happy Pi Day!

I wish I had a pie to show you.  But alas.  My mom is coming for a visit next week.  There will be pie then!  Mmmmmm.  Go over to Nova's you know you'll find pie there.

Thank you for your wonderful comments and e-mails about Dr. G's Memory Vest.  They really mean so much.
I couldn't resist showing you a few more photos from our walk/photo shoot. 

The photos in this post were taken by my son's good friend Nick, who joined us on our walk.  My intention was to take photos to document the vest, his was to get some fun photos of his buddy for a school project.

I love Nick's results!

My son was a lot more animated because Nick was there.   

All of us had a wonderful time.

Especially Tucker.  (This photo is not Nick's, but was taken by Bill, good friend, kind soul, artist, owner [along with Karen and Tucker] of the beautiful property where we took these photos.)

The pattern for Dr. G's is available to all who make a contribution to Alzheimer's and dementia research.  Details in yesterday's post.

Dr. G's is Finally Ready!

Thank you for your patience.  Dr. G's Memory Vest is finally ready!   

(Scroll down for instructions on how to donate.)

My father, “Dr. G”, was an intellectual force.  A respected microbiologist, the FDA would call on his expertise as they considered cases of drug safety.  He could identify rhododendron species and hybrids at a glance and give you the lineage for the latter from memory.  His recall of voices heard once or twice would astound my sisters and I.  When we were teenagers he could recognize Sting or Van Morrison’s voices despite his disdain for Rock and Roll.  As for his beloved classical music, his knowledge was encyclopedic.

We were told that the stronger the mind the longer an individual can hide the decline in their memory from their family and loved ones.  Perhaps that is why this brilliant man seemed to vanish so quickly.

As I’ve shared my father’s story I’ve learned how many other families are dealing with similar situations.  Few people are lucky enough not to have been touched by Alzheimer’s or dementia. For some it is a parent for others a spouse, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle.  Dr. G’s Memory Vest is my small way of trying to help.   

I have chosen to have the donations go to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation.  When my father passed away in September, this is one of the charities that my family chose for donations in his memory. 

The Fisher Center is the world's largest research team leading the battle against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. They fund over 85 scientists across the United States, with partnerships and collaborations in 17 other countries, all under the direction of Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard at The Rockefeller University in New York City.  Of every dollar raised, 94 cents goes directly to research programs.

THIS NEXT BIT IS IMPORTANT!!  PLEASE, PLEASE READ ALL OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

How to donate:  I have added a donation badge to my sidebar.  Just click on the "donate" button and you will be taken to a page where you may make your donation.

How to get your pattern:  Send an e-mail to throughtheloops at gmail dot com be sure to put "Dr. G's" in the subject line and tell me that you made a donation.  You don't have to tell me how much.  Donate the amount that you are comfortable with.  Once I receive your e-mail I will send the PDF file to you within 24 hours.  Please note that there is an option on the donation page to send an e-card.  You are welcome to do this, but if you do, be sure to also send an e-mail to the above address.  I don't want to take the chance of not having your correct e-mail when I send out the pattern.

The Specs

SIZES
XS [S, M, L, XL]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 36[40, 44, 48, 52] inches

MATERIALS
Classic Elite Skye Tweed [100% Wool, 110yd/100m per 50g ball]; color: #1221; 7[8,9,10,11] balls

US #6/4mm needles (or size to get gauge)
US #8/5mm needles (or size to get gauge)
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle
Cable needle

GAUGE
21 sts / 28 rows = 4 inches in cable stitch pattern using and larger needles

Thank you for all of your patience, support and encouragement on this project.
Thanks Karen and Bill for letting us take these photos on your magnificent property.  I still want to move in with you guys!