FO: Abulón Cowl / 30

November 30, 2017February 8, 2019 Vicki9 Comments

There's an FO!

Ravelry Project Page: Abulón Cowl
Pattern: Abulón by Isabell Kraemer from the Stillness Collection
Yarn: Make.Do Realize Sport
Needles: 5 US
Start to Finish: October 28-November 19, 2017
Mods: I knit as written except FLAT (because LONG STRAIGHT NEEDLES), then mattress stitched the seams. I bound off so that some of the contrasting edge showed (also, if I remember correctly, I think I ran out of the multi-colored yarn and had to improvise the ending).

I'm fiddling with it a bit in that first photo because it's just a bit bigger/drapier than I like my cowls to be.

So my photographer (thanks Kate!) & I tried a different arrangement. I'm not sure I like this, either, it looks like a bib or something… maybe it needs a pin. I need to play around!

One thing you can't argue about is the beauty of that stitch pattern; combined with an eye-catching backing layer, it is next-level!

By the way, I first noticed that stitch pattern, sans background, in Melanie Berg's Open Waters Shawl and Cowl, published in Making No. 2 / Fauna. I am going to knit that shawl someday! Gorgeous!!

Anyway, I toyed with the idea of casting on another of these cowls with fewer repeats, but there's too much other stuff happening right now. One more look…

And that wraps up another NaBloPoMo! It's been a fun month blogging and reading. Thanks for being part of it all!

Ch-Ch-Ch-CHANGES!! Progress Report / 29

November 29, 2017February 8, 2019 Vicki10 Comments

It's been almost two weeks since the remodeling project got underway, and a week today since the shop was closed!

Since then, the Coffee Camper has been set up right outside, and it sure is adorable.

Offerings & hours are very limited, and there's no place to sit (it's chilly, besides), but the tavern owner next door has opened his doors wide and welcomes the morning kaffeeklatsch!

I my little city!

The plumbers have been first on the scene, arriving as I stop each morning for my tea; the lights have been on and I snapped a few photos.

Yesterday:

This morning:

The two new bathrooms are at back right, and the doors (leaning on the wall toward the front yesterday) installed. There's a hole in the wall to the left of the window in back for the relocated air conditioner. The new kitchen area is being framed in & dry-walled, and the space between the new bathrooms & kitchen will be a dedicated kids' nook. The cement block has all been plastered over, and looks fantastic!

There is so much more to come: tiling, decorative plastering, painting, casework, ceiling & lighting!! Keep your fingers crossed and good juju flowing for a fabulous on-budget finish in little more than a week!

Also, it's UNRAVELED WEDNESDAY!

Joining Kat & friends again this week…

Another Sleepy Kitten will be on the needles before long, but currently…

I am all about the Freak Flags!! I am currently on Flag #8. Potato chip knitting… super fun and I can't wait to deck out the reopened shop with them.

READING. If you can believe it:

Population 485 / Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time - pages. Even though I'm slow, slow, slow, I might be enjoying this book more than the first time.
Yellow Crocus - audio. I love this book, even though it seems like it's taking forever! I've less than an hour of listening time…

(Still)(Still) On Deck:

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - audio.

Knitting-Parcheesi · NaBloPoMo 2017 · Uncategorized

7-Year Itch / 28

November 28, 2017February 8, 2019 Vicki9 Comments

Happy 7th Birthday Parcheesi!

My annual thanks to Feral Knitter Janine Bajus for sharing this great pattern! It is available as a free Ravelry download, with a request/in exchange for a donation of any size to Heifer International.

BTW, today is a FANTASTIC DAY

to MAKE A DONATION

as it's GIVING TUESDAY

and EVERY GIFT IS MATCHED!

This blanket remains my favorite knitting project! It is used and cherished as much today as ever.

The itchy part? Well, I have recently been reading about the Fringe & Friends Logalong…

NaBloPoMo 2017

La Freak / 27

November 27, 2017February 8, 2019 Vicki9 Comments

I was taking photos of Freak Flags yesterday when I heard the geese and looked up…

…all (almost) TWO of them!

I am loving the textures!

The bucket o' yarn that I used for knitting Arrows was still handy, so I'm pulling from that (stash-busting!). I used my Embellish-Knit machine to make the I-cord tie, which worked out great. (That's one of the best investments ever… I also made a handy I-cord string for a pair of Jün's mittens.)

After a few hours of more-exciting-than-expected football knitting last night, I finished the second flag… and the third, and the fourth, and have begun the fifth! Potato chip knitting at its finest!!

Freak Flags is one of the patterns by Cecelia Campochiaro in Mason Dixon Field Guide No. 5: Sequences – all of the patterns are on my short list! So interesting. There are still a few copies of Sequences (and more!) available, now 15% off & $5 flat shipping — email me at makedotdo@gmail.com

NaBloPoMo 2017 · Uncategorized

The Cray Continues / 25

November 25, 2017April 6, 2026 Vicki8 Comments

I wasn’t intending to post the play-by-play as I finished this sleepy little kitty…

…but here we are! I lengthened the dress and added eyes & mouth; nose & whiskers are still needed… looking for the perfect pink.

Meanwhile, Junah (along with Ali, Gin & I) attended his first open house at the local model railroad club. They have a pretty sweet set up in an old radio station — trains on two levels, and even movable bridges that allow them to run through all of the rooms.