Knitting Passion

Off to a bit of a relaxed start today - I’ve taken the next few days off work to celebrate my anniversary. Today hubby and I have been married 38 years! Yeah, I’m amazed, too.

This morning I finished two more squares for the Hokie blankets -

Click photo to see larger version and other shots

You actually see three there - one of the white ones is the “moose” square. The black and the other white show an Alaska shadow (? it’s not really an outline, but you get the idea) and the letters AK. I hope to do a white and black from Ohio as well as that is my birthplace and where some of my family still lives.

Hubby and I are headed to Homer, Alaska tomorrow to spend the night and take in some of the Shorebird Festival activities. I will work on the Ohio squares while we are driving. (well, I will if he is driving, huh?)

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So, I finished a smaller moose square - it is just a titch bigger than the requested 8 inches. I am going to send it anyway, as I said, because of the Alaskan love with which it was made.

Next on my list are an Alaska square to go along with the moose.

I’m also hoping to do an Ohio square. That one is for my birth state of Ohio. I’ll do it in honor of my Aunt who still lives there.

Check it out - the squares are coming in!

Settling in to the routine of my new job - same agency, different position. Lots to do to catch up and get things up to snuff so they can run smoothly. It’s going to take some time, but it will get done - eventually.

Have a wonderul hump day, everyone.

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they’re not just for Christmas, you know.

So - who is on your knitting gift list? No, I don’t mean, who are you knitting for - not asking about who is going to receive your latest creation . . .

but, who is the knitter on your list who deserves a gift, eh? You know the one - she/he knit you that great pair of socks or that perfect sweater or the cutest scarf?

yeah - that one.

Mother’s day is Sunday - probably a bit close for comfort to get something to her/him in time, but there are always other special days . . . birthdays, anniversaries, just because you’re you days. So, what’s to get that perfect knitter?

hmmmm?

Check out the knitty stores - I especially like the Chicks with Sticks Rock foo-fer-all. Cute.

And, if you’re a little short on cash to purchase some of the fancy-dancy sock blockers - how about this innovative little idea? (But you know, THESE are way too cute - wonder where they can be purchased?)

And, of course - there is always that most welcome gift - a gift certificate to your favorite knitter’s favorite yarn store.

What better way to make sure you get something nice knitted just for you?

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Still working on squares for the Virginia Tech blankets. This turned out too big, so I am trying again with smaller needles - the width on the new one is correct, but I won’t know about the length until it is finished. I may send it regardless of the size, just because to me it says Camai from Alaska. (Camai - pronounced CHA-MY - is a native word for hello)

click for larger version

I will use this larger piece in an afghan. It’ll most likely be purple and white - befitting of the PurpleMoose, right? Right.

Pattern for the knitted moose here.

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Finished the white square while watching ER’s wedding. That big fuzzy yarn made it go quickly, but sure was tiring to work with. It’s not blocked yet - just off the needles.

Now, the black one I should get finished tomorrow - it is finer yarn and will take several more rows to get to the desired 8 inches. It’s probably about 3/4 of the way done - and check out that dropped stitch! Well, it doesn’t look too bad because the pattern has yarn overs and it is right in that spot - just one more yarn over, huh?

I should be able to get at least one more black square off that skein of yarn. Then I’ll see what else I have in the stash.

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So, I have black yarn - and some white funky yarn. I took a hint I found somewhere (you know how it is - click a link here - click a link there - pretty soon you are SOMEwhere!) and cast on from both balls of yarn onto a circular needle. That way I can finish two in pretty much the same time it would take me to do one.

Found a square pattern (again - SOMEwhere) and for the life of me can’t find it again - but I printed it out. It’s originally for square dish cloths, but seems to work fine with this yarn for the 8 inch squares.

The white is bulky, so will take fewer stitches.

The black is 4-ply and will take more stitches. How much fun to play with it.

Click for larger photos.

The pattern is done on a diagonal - simple knit, yarn over, etc. stitch pattern.

So, I’ll finish these and hopefully a few more and get them sent off in a week or so. (deadline is May 31st.)

If you want to help - check out the original story at Mosaic Yarns. Interestingly enough, our bigger town newspaper (neighboring town to the far north) ran a story in its Two Sticks column today. (way down at the bottom)

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I’ve never used a knitting machine of any type - let alone, THIS type:

thanks, Lessa, (she’s here, too) for showing me how to do such a thing as embedding a video. I’m all sorts of smarter, now, huh?

How much fun is that? Someone is quite good/bored/awesome? Dunno - you pick an adjective.

And - for your knitting and/or joining pleasure - here’s a brand new knitting forum.

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Here’s a tangible way all knitters and crocheters can help heal the Hokie spirit:

Knit an 8 inch square (or crochet) of the softest yarn you have in Hokie colors: maroon, burnt orange, white or black.

Send them to:
Mosaic Yarn Shop
880 University City Blvd.
Blacksburg, VA 24060

read the whole story and spread the word.

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