Log Cabins and Crocodiles

For a while, I'll keep the suspense about the log cabins and crocodiles.  I can't believe how long it is since I've posted here.  Here's an update:
1.  The Prairie Gardens Cardigan pattern is up for sale on Ravelry.  That was an incredible amount of work, and in spite of testing and tech-editing, a couple of gremlins have crept into the pattern, and I've made several updates.  The problem is two-fold:  in writing it to  PDF, some of the chart symbols went wonky, but they were fine in the original word document--and the tech editors had copies of the word document.  Then in another set of charts that I hand-drew, it appears that in the wee hours I don't know how to count, so I had the charts start on the wrong stitch.  Fingers and needles crossed.  Have sold quite a few patterns.  One of the buyers is re-doing it in other shades, it is turning out beautifully.

2. I sent off Level 2 of the Master Knitter Program today.  I don't expect it back until early in the New Year, since it has to be mailed around to 3 people for adjudication and then back to me.  One of the projects was an Argyle Sock:  we were not allowed to seam the leg:

Another project was a vest.  I had made a cardigan of this pattern many years ago, and since I am a bit wider now, decided to make it a bit longer.  I regret that, but it's OK.  When it comes back, I will take off the armbands and add some long sleeves with a surprise element at the cuff.

 

I completed a Log Cabin Blanket , which was quickly snatched up by DD2--but that's OK because there is one in the works for each of the kids.  I am addicted to these.
It was so well-received on Ravelry, with lots of questions about construction and joining, so I'm taking step-by-step photos of a block and making a tutorial pattern, which I will offer for free on Ravelry.

Here's step 1 of the process:

I

I fell in love with the Crocodile Stitch Boots, and decided that I would make all my girls (4 daughters and 3 granddaughters) each a pair.  Then I added my sister to the list.  These are finished so far (sorry about the blurry photos).
Brown for my sister (delivered).

Black for DGD 3:

Hot pink with bling for DGD 4:

 Some really ugly ones where I really misjudged the color combo:  likely for charity.

 Denim ones for DD2:

This week we went to Wainwright to visit Kubota Man's sister who had come up from Ontario to spend time with her daughter and grandkids.  Two of the grandkids had birthdays this week, so I made them these Crocodile Stitch Boots Children's Sizes
For the 5-year old boy:

And the 8-year old girl:

Their 12-year old sister really liked them  so I will make a pair for her and send them up.  The list has now grown from 7 pairs to 12 pairs.  These are great stash busters.

What's up next?  Some work in the greenhouse, seed orders by end of Month.
Trying to finish off a lot of WIP's (works in progress, or unfinished knitting projects).
More Log Cabin Blankets.  These are made of acrylic leftovers from years of my, my sister's, and my mom's knitting.  But for those bits that aren't long enough for Log Cabin blankets, there will be some Granny Square Blankets, too.  I'm loving this one with denim joining color:

After Mom died, I made up my mind to do volunteer work at the Long Term care center.  The need is so great.  This first involved undergoing a criminal check.  Mostly I've been going on "field trips" with residents on the Handi-bus.  What stories some of these old folks can tell.  And during those outings I feel I'm with Mom and at the same time I miss her greatly.  In September we had a family reunion/Bday party in honor of Mom.  This was organized by some grandchildren, and will become an annual affair.

Add that to my Thursday afternoon volunteer work at school, teaching Religion, and I barely have time for housework or any of those other things.  I truly believe unwashed windows make the house stronger.

Oh, yes, I hear my ripening tomatoes calling me to freeze them, too.  (Tomorrow morning's job).

Till next time:  Mirror Mirror on the wall, I am my Mother after all.

We all Need a Tree!

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. 

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. 

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. 

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. 

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. 

'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.

So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home, and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.' 

'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.' 

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. 

We all Need a Tree!

Tech-Editors are Life Savers

I'm thrilled that the draft of my sideways-knit Fair Isle sweater is done.  I'm too tired to figure out how to flip the photo around.  It loaded right-side up everywhere else, so I don't know what's up.  So since it's a sideways sweater it's appropriate.

I spent over 60 hours on the pattern, not counting the creation of the original pattern and knitting the prototype sweater.  Now I have 2 very competent knitting friends reviewing the pattern before it is test-knit.  It will be for sale up on Ravelry under the name of Prairie Gardens Cardigan.

Amble over to My Green Thumb Side and check what's going on in the garden.

Till next time:  There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. (Anaïs Nin)

Everyone is a Graduate--Some Food for Thought

This speech was to a class of graduates but I feel the advice is valid for each and every person.  So I am declaring all of us graduates of a sort.  We graduate each day from some events that teach us life lessons, and, hopefully, regardless of age, wake up each morning with eager faces, looking into the future.  I have always felt that self-centeredness is the root of all evils, both personal, and on every level of existence: in families, schools, communities, governments--any situations where human interaction and interdependence exists.  I also know that the happiest people are those who appear not to be ego-centric.  So I wanted to share this speech with you.

George Saunders Advice to Graduates


Till next time:  this post is my thought for the day.

Let's Declare a National Holiday

I know this should be on my green thumb side, the garden blog, but this special day is so important to me, that I decided to post it here. 

My favorite day of the year--it should be made a national holiday:  First Feed of Fried Green Tomatoes Day, which just happens--this year--to coincide with First Feed of New Potatoes Day. 
First I found just the right 2 tomatoes:

Then I sliced them and seasoned them.

Then I fried them in a butter and canola oil mix and just before serving--a teeny drop of maple syrup on each one.

And the 2-3 bite new baby potatoes, and 7 fresh cucumbers as well as some ripe tomatoes:

Bring on the fireworks!!!


 Till next time:  The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. (Flora Whittemore)

It's Quiet on the Knitting Front

It's quiet in the knitting department.  I'm working on a log cabin blanket all out of bits and bobs of leftover mystery yarns (all acrylic).  My Master Knitter is taking a hiatus, because the projects need full attention.  I've been dabbling at the pattern of my fair isle style sweater so I can finally publish it.
We're getting a new furnace and AC, so I had to do a lot of re-arranging in the downstairs storage and rumpus room, so the plumber can get in and out.
Add mowing, and endless weeding, and I know where the time goes.
The greenhouse closed at the end of June, and it's mostly cleaned out.  The weeds have grown back in the flower beds.

What's mostly been keeping me busy is illustrated on My Green Thumb side.

Till next time:  Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. (Janet Lane)

Pooh, Pooh ( well, not Pooh, but Tigger)

Someone on Ravelry was having difficulty with this pattern, and since I had made Tigger about 10 years ago, and having no memory of difficulties with it, (evidenced by no notes on the pattern) I crocheted along with her.  There were a lot of difficulties, even for me, but I'm an analytical person so I was able to cruise through flawlessly (in other words, fudge it--yes, I meant FUDGE).  Kubota Man was quite enamored with Tigger, and suggested I make a few sets of all four characters to put away for those future grandkids and great-grandies.  I'll take that under advisement.  One good thing--Tigger took a lot of yarn and just over one 1-lb bag of stuffing (Next time I'll stuff the body a bit less so one bag will be just right).  So the stash would be reduced.  I had yarn bought for 2 sets way back 10 years ago.

It's raining again I am sooo (not) disappointed about not being able to go outside to pull weeds. 

I've finally decided (after some more requests for the pattern on Ravelry) to work on the pattern for my Prairie Gardens Cardigan.  I want one made sideways like Hillswick Lumber (this is a Ravelry Link, sorry  non-Rav readers).  So on Saturday I ordered the yarn from Jamieson & Smith in the Shetlands.  I filled in the order, and pressed the final "submit" button and was about to go to my e-mail for the confirmation, when the phone rang--my credit card fraud division was inquiring if that transaction was legitimate--love my credit card company.  The order was sent this morning, so I can fondle new yarn in about 2 weeks. ☺☺☺

Till next time:  Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you land among the stars.  (Les Brown)