Lilfe's Journey

You can compare life's journey to the weather. For some there is sunshine most of the time with patches of overcast. Then there is the shower that does not last too long and brings no damage but inconvenience. But then we get into the heavy thunder storms with lighting that strikes the ground that puts fear in you as they are so unpredictable as the weather itself is. And we can't forget the tornadoes, hurricanes and such much more. (friend from Germany would use 'such much' it became a habit for me so no I didn't write that wrong)

With the economic downturn it is like a lot of us were swooped up in a tornado and we were tossed around like salad in a bowl. Back and forth with unpredictable results as that lighting that strikes the ground. Now a tornado is very interesting because it could gather all that is in its path from one area and leave another area completely alone. That is what has been happening with layoffs and cutbacks in recent years. Some were affected and others were not just slightly missed. And still people are in fear that it could happen to them.

Well, that is what has happened to me. At first it was a shower because losing my job was like a blessing, I hated my job and all that came with it. But after a while of seeing how hard it was finding a job and trying to take care of bills and other essentials became hard. And I know unfortunately I have lots of company out there that truly understands. And trying to do something with my crafts to support me in this economic downturn was not working.

I had to switch my attention away from my blog and other things and onto the project of finding work. The hurricane did its damage and the weather has changed to a rain storm. But slowly picking up the pieces can be slow and taxing on the mind. It is called STRESS. Even my passion has suffered but I intend to get that drive back this year. The rain is still present but I am getting used to it enough to use that umbrella to shield me enough to keep going.

I want sunshine again. I want flowers blooming again. And I feel this is the year that will give me that.

What about you? Tomorrow is a new day and a new year. What will you do with it?

Squares For This Week

Well I only have two squares for this week. Hold off on Square 58 and I will have to do my fixing of the pattern. But we are sliding into home base with only three more squares to go. I hope to meet by the middle of July to be able to at least show you how to seam the blanket together. Again, it doesn't matter if you are not finished by then as long as you have two squares that you could seam to get the feel of how it is done. We don't even want to mention that word that starts with a "W" - you give up guessing? Of course I am talking about WINTER! So you have several months before that happens and you can contiue to work on your squares as you seam the ones that are completed. So here is Square 59 and 60. Have fun.

(Square 59) Staggered Interrupted Rib

Co 24

K 3 rows

Row 1: k5, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k5

Row 2: k3, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k3

Rows 3 & 4: k across row

Row 5: k3, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k3

Row 6: k5, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k5

Rows 7 & 8: k across row

Repeat Rows 1 – 8 for pattern to 5 ½”

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

  (Square 60) Little Fountain Pattern

Co 23

K 3 rows

Row 1: k4, *yo, k3, yo, k1, rep from * to last four sts, k3

Row 2: k 3, p across to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k5, sl1, k2tog, psso, *k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, rep from * to last six sts, 5

Row 4: k3, p across to last three sts, k3

Rep these 4 rows to 5 ½” (note: Be careful of your measuring. Check measurement after the 8th repeat of Rows 1 – 4. You should be at the point that by repeating Row 1 once more you will be at 5 ½”. Knit the next 3 rows starting on the wrong side to balance the design)

Bind off, weave in ends

Almost At The Finish Line

[IMPORTANT Side Note: If you have started Square 50 you will see that the rows are not correct. I have updated the post with the corrections. I have also taken out a line on Square 52 so that has also been updated in that post.] What a project this has been. I enjoyed going through the different pattern stitches and techniques myself. If it wasn't for my class I wouldn't have taken the time out to do this. And as you expressed it, you have also been experiencing the wide world of knitting and of what can be done through this square project. I'm glad that you also feel it has been a learning experience.

Here are Squares 56 and 57 coming down to the wire. Don't worry if you are not completed with all of your squares by the time we get together to seam them. You can bring what you have and learn how to seam and as some will be arranging their squares (including me)you can see what can be done when you are ready.

Keep the fun flowing and the learning juices going.

(Square 56) Double Cables

Co 30

K3 rows

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: k3, p8, k8, p8, k3

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: k11, p8, k11

Row 9: k3, p8, C2B (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle – this gives you a right twist), C2F (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle – this gives you a left twist), p8, k3 Repeat Rows 2 – 9 for 2 more repeats. Repeat Rows 2 – 8 once more For the next three rows: k11, p8, k11

(Notice: This is a different ending) Bind off in pattern the same as the last three rows (meaning bind off in the k11, p8, k11) weave in ends

(Square 57) Rib and straight knit 2

Co 26

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, (k1, p1); rep across row to last three sts, k3

Row 2 & 3: k across row

Repeat Rows 1 – 3 until 5 ½”

(note: because of the nature of this stitch just end square with 2 rows of knit instead of 3 rows)

Bind off and weave in ends

Winding Down With Our Squares Project

Well we are coming close to home stretch with our squares. I am giving you numbers 53, 54 and 55. We will soon be planning our reunion day in the park to start putting the blanket together. If you have any questions you know what to do. Have fun.

Oh, for square 52 the cast on should be 29 not 27. I needed to add a couple of stitches for the measurement so change that.

(Square 53) Squares 1

Co 25

K 3 rows

Row 1, 3 and 4: k all sts

Row 2: k3, p3, *k1, p3*, rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 for pattern until 5 ½” (I did 9 ridge rows and then I was 5 ½” but this also includes the 10th ridge row and this is where you will do 2 more knit rows which will equal to 4 knit rows then bind off. There are times when you have to change the pattern some to get the results of the pattern stitch and also your measurement.)

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 54) Granite Relief Stitch

Co 28

K 3 rows

Row 1: knit across row

Row 2: k3, *k 2sts tog* (decreasing across row); rep from * to * across row to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *in each st, k 2 sts (once in front strand, once in back strand) (increasing in each stitch across row)*; rep from * to * across row to last three sts, k3

Row 4: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Continue Rows 1 – 4 until 5 ½”

K3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 55) ZigZag

Co 25

K 3 rows

Row 1 (RS): k across row

Row 2 and all wrong side rows: k6, p 5, k3, p5, k6

Row 3: k3, p3, k1, k2tog, yfwd, k2, p3, k1, k2tog, yfwd, k2, p3, k3

Row 5: k3, p3, k2tog, yfwd, k3, p3, k2tog, yfwd, k3, p3, k3

Row 7: k3, p3, k5, p3, k5, p3, k3

Row 9: k3, p3, k2, yfwd, skp (slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over the knit 1), k 1, p3, k2, yfwd, skp (slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over the knit 1), k 1, p3,k3

Row 11: k3, p3, k3, yfwd, skp, p3, k3, yfwd, skp, p3, k3

Repeat rows 1 – 12 (Remember that row 12 is on the wrong side so you are repeating Row 2) once and this will complete two repeats, then repeat rows 1 – 6 for ½ of the design because if you did the whole repeat of 12 rows it would be over the 5 ½”.

Next row k across row (this is the right side)

On wrong side row start the K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

The Big Five O

No I am not talking about the old TV show if you remember that show or your age if you are at that point in time, but where we are with our squares. We are on Square 50 - 52. If anything comes up that isn't clear or a question write me a comment at the end of this post. Have fun learning.

(Square 50) Lacy Leaf Pattern

Co 26

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 twice more to equal 6 rows in stockenette stitch

Row 7: k7, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k5, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 8 and all wrong side rows: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Row 10: k7, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k4, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 12: k7, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k3, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 14: k7: k2tog, k5, yo, k1, yo, k2, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 16: k7, k2tog, k4, yo, k3, yo, k1, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 18: k7, k2tog, k3, yo, k5, yo, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Repeat Rows 7 – 18 once more

Next row: k across row

Next row: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat the last two rows once more

Next row: k across row putting the next row on the wrong side

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 51) Little Arrow Stitch

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1 (RS): k4, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, k4

Row 2: k3, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p1, k3

Row 3: k4, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1, k4

Row 4: k3, p1, k1, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 to 5 ½”

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 52) Staircase cables

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, p6, K4, p1, k1, p1, cable 2 right (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle), p6, k3

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: k3, work rest of stitches as they appear to the last three sts, k3.

Row 3: k3, p6, cable 2 left (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle – this gives you a left twist), p1, k1, p1, k4, p6, k3

Repeat rows 1 – 4 to 5 ½” (approx. 9 cable twists)

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

Plastic Bags - Another Usage

We all can play a part in recycling. I try to recycle newspaper, papers and cardboard, bottles and plastic bags. But wait! There is something else you can do with your plastic bags. Did you know that you can be even more creative and make a bag that is both durable and rain resistant. Yes, that was my contribution to the overwhelming usage of plastic bags.

It takes a lot of bags and I lost count as I got really into cutting up the strips. I will be making one for crochet so I will count the bags for that project and report back. I made the bag all in the round by using circular needles and it was fun to make. As I have mentioned in other posts, I like breaking up a task in smaller pieces so that I don't feel so overwhelmed. You can do the same with this project. As you come home with your plastic bags from shopping cut up the bags right away and you can start interlocking them together also. Before you know it you can be knitting creatively with your plastic and helping with the recycling at the same time.

You too can create one of these fabulous bags made out of plastic. Just do a search on the web for sites that show you how to cut the bags and put the strips together to make a ball of plastic yarn. It is that easy.

For me I wanted to put my own touches to the bag so I added a flower and made some I-cord straps alternating the two colors to make stripes and used buttons to attach them to the bag. Also, I crocheted the top edge which made it easier for me to make the loops for the straps to go through.

Try it you will like it. Have fun.

Up To Forty-Six Squares

We are more than half way to our 63 square blanket project - Yah! I am giving you Squares 47 - 49. If there are any questions or problems with the squares you can submit a comment at the end of this post. Enjoy.

(Square 47) Climbing Frame (another way to use cable twists)

Co 26

K3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k7, p2, k8, p2, k7

Row 3: k6, C2B, C2F, k6, C2B, C2F, k6

Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Rep these four rows to 5 ½” (Do nine repeats of the pattern which is four rows for each repeat. On the ninth repeat only do Rows 1 – 3 so that you will knit on the wrong side across the row which will count as 1 row of knit

Finish off with K 2 more rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 48) Staggered Eyelets (more practice with yarn over's to increase and knit two together for decreases)(note: variegated yarn can be used for this square)

Co 25

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *k2, k2tog, yo, rep from * to last 6 sts, k6

Row 4: k 3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k across row

Row 6: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 7: k3, *k2tog, yo, k2, rep from * to last 6 sts, k6

Row 8: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat these 8 rows for three more repeats which should be approx. 5 ½” (RS) k across row to get to wrong side row

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 49 ) Long and Short Stitch (knowing how to keep on track as you go back and forth from knits to purls to create a different rib affect)(note: variegated yarn can be used for this square)

(Note: This is a ribbing so it will not be 6” across but less. We will stretch this square to bring out the ribbing.)

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, *k1, p1*. Continue from * to * to the last three sts, k3

Row 2: k3, *p1, k1*. Continue from * to * to the last three sts, k3

Rows 3 & 4: Repeat Rows 5 and 6

Row 5: k3, k1, p1, k1, *p3, k1, p1, k1*. Rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 6: k3, p1, k1, p1, *k3, p1, k1, p1*. Rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 7 & 8: Rep Rows 5 & 6

Row 9: k across row

Row 10: k3, p across row, k3

Row 11 & 12: Rep Rows 9 & 10

Repeat Rows 1 – 12 for pattern to 5 1/2 “

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

Next Three Squares

These next three squares will help you further to insert the seed stitch in between stockinette stitch to change what would be a plain background into a stripe affect, practice more yarn over's and alternating the knit and purl stitches to form a design of diamonds. Have fun.

If there are any questions or problems type it in the comment box at the end of this post.

(Square 44) Garter Stitch Rib

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k3

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for pattern for 5 ½” ending on a right side row

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 45) Oblique Openwork Stitch

Co 24

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3 *k1, yfwd., sl 1, k1, psso, k1, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 2 and alt rows: k 3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *k2, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k2*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k3, *k3, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k1*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 7: Rep from row 1

Repeat these 8 rows for 5 ½” (note: complete a repeat before doing the last 3 rows of knit)

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 46) Diamond Within a Diamond

(Note: This square tests your concentration. You are so use to knitting the rows that you will automatically go back to knitting the stitches and creating a garter border. So without thinking you will go back to knitting that border or knitting where you need to be purling. Most of the square is purled so be careful.)

Co 27

P 13 rows

Row 1 (RS): p9, k3, p3, k3, p9

Row 2 and all wrong side rows: p across row

Row 3: p8, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, p8

Row 5: p7, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p7

Row 7: p6, k3, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p6

Row 9: p5, k3, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k3, p5

Row 11: p4, k3, p2, k2, p5, k2, p2, k3, p4

Row 13: p5, k3, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k3, p5

Row 15: p6, k3, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p6

Row 17: P7, K3, P2, K3, P2, K3

Row 19: p8, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, p8

Row 21: p9, k3, p3, k3, p9

P 13 rows

Bind off in pattern (this means that you have been purling the stitches and that is your pattern stitch that you are ending with so you would bind off in purling)

Weave in ends

Sixty-Three Square Blanket Project

It has really been fun gathering and tweaking these knit and purl stitches for our 63 square blanket. You have also expressed your enjoyment with this special project. Doing this project, as I have been going through the different stitch pattern books, really showed me again how many stitch patterns there are that haven't been used. A lot of creating can still be done - YAH.

I currently gave you 40 squares during these weeks to work on. As I stated in class, I will be giving you at least three squares per week on Friday. We will continue into July and then meet to put our masterpieces together. I can't wait to see the end results of all your hard work.

As always if there are any problems please bring them to my attention. There is a Post A Comment box at the bottom of this post and you can type it in and I will see it. Have fun.

(Square 41) Gathered Stitch

Co 20 (using two needles to make a loose cast on - this means holding both knitting needles together and casting on then removing one after casting on number needed)

Rows 1 – 6: k across row

Row 7: (RS) k3, inc 1 k in each st, k3

Rows 8, 10, 12: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Rows 9 and 11: k across row Row 13: k3, *k2tog, rep from* to last three sts, k3

Rep rows 2 – 13 for two more repeats and repeat rows 2 – 6 once more

Bind off very loose, weave in ends

(Square 42) Diagonal Rib

(Note: Notice that when you are doing the rows the stitches shift over one. You are still doing k2, p2 but with row three it starts with only a k1 so that it shifts the stitches over one to create the diagonal and the row ends with only a k1 and not a k2 so be careful.)

Co 26 K 3 rows Row 1 (RS): k3, *k2, p2, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 2: same as row 1

Row 3: k3, *k1, p2, k1, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 4: k3, *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k3, *p2, k2, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 6: same as row 5 Row 7: k3, *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to last three sts, k3 Row 8: k3, *k1, p2, k1, rep from * to last three sts, k3 Rep these 8 rows for pattern to 5 ½” K 3 rows Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 43) Feathery Lace Stitch

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp(slip as if to knit, k1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch), k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3

Row 2: k3, p5, k3, p5, k3, p5, k3 Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 5 ½”

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

VogueKnitting Live - Second Time Around

Well another successful event has passed. Over 3,000 people came through the doors to shop at the Market Place, take classes, watch the fashion shows and take advantage of hob knobbing with other needle artists. The weather held up for us which was great. Saturday was better than Sunday. The wind was brutal on Sunday. The event was held at the Hilton Hotel and I walked from 42nd Street and 8th Avenue from the bus station to 52nd Street and 6th Avenue and my face was cold. But no snow and that was great.
There was a nice variety of vendors to choose from and a lot of anxious shoppers to see what they could buy for new projects or add to their stash of goodies. The fashion shows were fabulous. Trendsetters Yarns included designs with mitered squares and the colors and styles made you want to go get the yarn and start making one of them. I loved the details of the garments shown at the Vogue's fashion show. And guess what! Vogue is coming out with a Crochet Magazine this spring and they featured two items from the magazine. Look at the pictures below. The dress has great details.







With the other fashion shows that I got a chance to see, they had some beautiful items. I loved the sweaters, jackets and tops that the front was sort of plain but the back had the surprise of a beautiful inlay of design, so it made the garment pop. And the spring colors were great. There were other fashion shows that kept all eyes peered as to what was next.

As with any event they get better and better in time. This is only Vogue's second event and it went smoother than last year. In fact too smooth for me because last year as a volunteer I was running around here there and everywhere and I liked that. I had more time this year to walk around the Market Place and see the fashion shows which was nice also.




This year I helped pack things up from the Market Place at day end on Sunday. We were running around and I enjoyed that. Ok call me crazy but it was fun to me. It was also sad to see all of the vendors packing up since the Market Place was not open on Monday. Classes were held all day focused on learning hopefully something new or improving on what you have some knowledge about.
There were a couple of new additions to this event. One was a yarn tasting section. Yes, you could go from table to table and there were balls of yarn from the different vendors and you could try them out to see if you liked working with them. I know that was one feature I liked when I went to the Lion Brand store in New York. They had a section against the wall when you came in where you could try their different yarns to get a taste and feel of how it would be to work with them. I think it is great because there is nothing worse (well there might be a few worse things) to buy yarn and start a project and say I don't like working with this yarn. So that was a great feature. And the yarn balls were in pottery bowls that if you wanted to purchase any of them the business information was on the bottom of each bowl. There were some beautiful pottery bowls. The other addition was more fashion shows, 12 in fact for the two days. What an array of new patterns to choose from. The ones I got to see were packed with excited people that were anxious to see what the designers came out with this year. It was an inspiration to want to knit more, learn more and to be able to do some of those more intricate designs.
People always think that there is nothing for the novice knitter in the VogueKnitting magazine. Well Vogue does from time to time have easier patterns and they showed a couple on the runway. So don't scratch off the VogueKnittng magazine all together if you are a beginner knitter. Look at it as a future endeavor and something to work towards. Look at the magazine and pick out a couple of patterns that you would like to work towards making. Put them on your bucket list.
There was also a panel I enjoyed of ones that are in the business. This was to help those that are interested in starting a business in the knitting arena. For me it was a reality check as to the fantasy of what you would like to do and the reality of what it is in real life. It was the reality of commitment, dedication, money needed, and sacrifices to be made. Yes, these are things that most businesses require as a check-off list of realities. But we still live in our dream worlds and we sometimes rush into doing something without, as they continued to point out, doing our needed research so as not to have to go through the pitfalls that could be avoided. I know it got me thinking since that was something I wanted to do. And one brought out that there is nothing wrong with having a regular 9 to 5 job and doing a side business.
I had fun and of course I always enjoy meeting other volunteers as we talk about what we are making and what was purchased from the market. For us volunteers, a special added treat was receiving Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably's new book on color. What beautiful designs are featured in that book. I think I will put one of those designs on my bucket list.
If you got to attend then I hope you enjoyed yourself either taking a class, shopping at the market place, or just watching fashion all around you to inspire you to enjoy your needleart even more.

It's 2012

It is another new year and it is already the sixth of the month. I feel goals are so important to set for the year. They could be daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and/or yearly goals. But setting some realistic goals is a must.

If you don't grab the time as it is passing you by it will be 2013 and you will say I haven't been able to accomplish a thing. I've made my goals and I hope that I can get through most of them. There will always be those things that we continue to struggle with. For me it is cooking. That's the key ingredient to support my body with what it needs so that I can stay healthy and be able to continue doing my needlearts. But as I fall I get up brush myself off and try again. I know since I don't like to cook it will continue to be a struggle for me. I'd rather sit knit and crochet even though I love to eat I don't like to prepare the food. I always said if I had money that would be the first thing to welcome into my life - a chief. So I continue to fight with that in hopes that this year I can go longer with eating healthier.

I love to look at the TV shows Chopped, Cake Wars, Iron Chief and some of the other cooking competitions. It just shows that we really could never say we are bored with food, we just have to explore what is out there. On those shows they truly explore some really interesting and strange combinations of food that we would never think go together. I sit there and say that would be great to make and I would love to try that. Then reality sets in and a little voice reminds me that I don't like to cook. Those are the 'wouldn't it be nice' thoughts.

I have to say I did pretty good last year but when it came down to my schedule changing I fell down. That goes with the exercising part also. During last year (that sounds so strange since we are only in the first week of the New Year) I did really well going to the park at least three to four times a week to walk. Then I started school and that was it for the walks. So I fell with that but it is time to get back up, brush myself off, and continue working on my health regiment.

It is good to reflect on last year as to what went right and what went wrong. It is not good to dwell on it for too long because you have to go forward with this year. So what about you? What are some of your goals for this year? Do you have a game plan or do you still have to plan your game strategy? The year just started so you have time. But just remember that time is slipping by so grab hold and place your stake in making this a successful year of reaching your goals.

Be safe and continue to have fun.