Leaving a Void

I'm a busy person. I don't mean necessarily that I have a lot to do, but rather that I do a lot. I fill voids.

I work full time. This takes me away from my true calling - yarn - about 50 hours a week. My household is simple, just my husband and I, two dogs and four chickens. Not a large home, not a lot of laundry, little need for complex gourmet meals... simple, and yet, I stuff my life full. You rarely catch me simply sitting quietly, breathing. Nope. If I have time to sit, I have time to work on a pattern, knit, film, practice yoga, dye yarn, write, cook, read, check email/form responses/forum posts/weather... whatever. And sometimes, two or more of these activities as once. This past weekend I edited my podcast while dyeing yarn and knitting a shawl, simultaneously.

While I find comfort in "busy" because I'm "achieving" or "completing" or "fulfilling," it's not healthy. I recognize this. The billboards are all there. Headaches, body aches, sleeplessness, forgetfulness, belief I finished things I only thought about doing...etc.

But filling voids does just apply to my daily and work routines. It applies to my art as well. I struggle to leave negative space or simplicity whether in my knitting patterns or yarns. If there's a field of stockinette, surely there is room for a cable, stripe or bit of lace.  And yarn? Well, if white is showing, I must not be done.

Are you nodding? Does this sound like you? You aren't alone.

I know voids are healthy and necessary. Yup. I have even put mechanisms in place to build in voids. I started to practice yoga again, but often there's an excuse not to do it. And I'm plotting yarns with more "voids" but I'm struggling and feel like embracing voids should be easier than this. It should be natural. Like breathing. A habit even.

So I'm going to make a "mini-habit" of it. My BREATHING habit.

Making a new habit, even a mini one, isn't easy either. It take commitment and practice. Implementation is incidental if not for repetition. I need a trigger; something that forces me to stop and take time for myself. But what?

I recently stumbled on "Modern Mindfulness - How to Be More Relaxed, Focused, and Kind While Living in a Fast, Digital, Always-On World" by Rohan Gunatillake. To be honest, I haven't read it all. I haven't given it the time it deserves, but the premise hits home and one of the meditations the book suggests to help make you be present and in the moment is Stop Signs.

Brilliant! I commute. I run into MANY stop signs each day. This I can do. I'm going to actively take that marathon red light at the corner and turn that into "me time." I'm going to turn inside, breathe, and simply observe while under that mandatory 70 second stop (yes, really I counted, feels like an hour!) I'm going to pay attention to the feeling of my breathe, the weather, the color of the vehicles around me, while releasing judgement and negative thoughts.

And then, I'm going to go home and dye every inch of that yarn in every color I can think of, because self improvement is a continual work in progress ;)

Knit Up and Dye Episode 79 - Definitions

I share a little about my design process, talking about gauge, how I found the right stitch definition and drape for my latest design and the edits I'll be making as I move forward with its development. Reminders for the Design Along, Ornament Exchange and Knit Together Community Mixer.

Knit Up & Dye

Host: Jessica L'Heureux

Ravelry: jesseknits
Ravelry Group: Knit Up & Dye Podcast
Instagram: dyemonkeyyarns
Blog: www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
Email: jesse@dyemonkeyyarns.com
Etsy: http://dyemonkeyyarns.etsy.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/knitupanddye

Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at www.boblog111.com

Give some podcaster love to:

Scott & John @ Sweet Tea No Shade
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLVrcYgv-67UsT7tcVv-0sg

Lee-Ann @ Southern Colonial Dyeworks
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GJuPQ78_XMEhdvwMdfKoA

Daniel & Patrick @ Daniel & Patrick Craziness!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc3HgYHDerurptDN3s2aQMw/videos

Online Events!

Design Along!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group.
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on any of the "Design Along" threads.
Deadline is September 1st

Two Prizes – Voted Favorite and Random Drawing

Pack One:
Pink Drawstring Bag by Faye Jones
Yarn: “Robins Egg” courtesy of Rosalee Millet of Yarn Matrix
www.yarnmatrix.etsy.com
Stitch Markers from Neetsey’s Porch
www.neetseysporch.etsy.com
Coca Cola Progress Keeper courtesy of Capi @ The Yarn and I
www.theyarnandi.etsy.com
Collection of Silk Road Socks Hunter Hammersen Coloring Postcards gifted from Jenna

Pack Two:
Blue Floral Zip Bag by Faye Jones
Yarn: ”Party in the Pot” courtesy of Rosalee Millet of Yarn Matrix
www.yarnmatrix.etsy.com
Stitch Markers from Neetsey’s Porch
www.neetseysporch.etsy.com
Namaste Hand & Elephant courtesy of Capi’s Mom Marsha @ The Yarn and I
www.theyarnandi.etsy.com
Pattern of Choice courtesy of Carmen Nuland of A Simple Homestead Designs
https://www.ravelry.com/stores/asimplehomestead-designs 32 designs to choose from!


Ornament Exchange!

Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Ornament Exchange" for details and registration OR Visit www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
and click on "Ornament Exchange" to register.
Registration is open until September 1st. Open to U.S. only - $7.00 participation fee

Knit Pals Community Mixer!

Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast and click on "Knit Pals Community Mixer"
Registration CLOSES August 24th.

Please join this fantastic, loving, supportive community.
We'd love to have you.

Contact Unwound to reserve your spot at the brunch and/or your class space!!

See you next time!

Where does inspiration come from? Sometimes, irritation.

Where does inspiration come from? That is one of the most commonly asked questions of anyone producing craft or art. And the answer is almost always some version of "everywhere". This past week, my inspiration came from someone else's art... in an unlikely form... and advertisement jingle. But not just any jingle. Nope. A nagging, torture-some earworm of a jingle.

Do you remember? (If you are like me and catch earworms easily, you may want to stop here.) It was 1988 and California was apparently overrun with Blue's singing raisins. The California Raisin Advisory Board (yes, this exists) paid Buddy Miles to sing Marvin Gaye's classic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" to help save California from its apparent raisin crisis and drive America's millions to munch away on this dehydrated delight.  This campaign was so successful, it launched these cartoon depictions to such vaulted heights as to make cartoons and even movies.

In my house, we are Roku watchers. We enjoy the myriad of free B-Movie streaming channels Roku affords us. Recently, one of these channels managed to get a hold of one of these classic raisin ads. (Insert tortured B-Movie actress scream here.)  

Three days. That freaking song was stuck in my head three whole days. I seriously though I was going to need to be medicated.

But good did come from it. With raisins on the brain, I created a new colorway. "Raisin the Bar" is available for your own fruity enjoyment now in my Etsy shop, with more on the drying rack just waiting to be listed.

Just don't tell me you "heard it through the grapevine".

Spring 2013!

It's been a long time since I posted an update - sorry.  What have we been doing?  Nothing too exciting, which is why there haven't been many updates.

We gave Chica a hair cut - that's always amusing.  Poor thing.  Doesn't even look like the same dog.

We made some changes to the garden this year.  The first major change being the re-working of the potato boxes.  We simply haven't had much success with them, so we deconstructed the boxes and used the materials to make two more raised beds with built in centered trellises.  We will be using them this year for peas, and will be able to rotate different crops into them in future years.  Each box gives us roughly another 7 square feet of garden.

Secondly, this year, for the first time, we are doing planned staggered plantings.  What does that mean?  That means we are putting in a row of beans every two weeks, staggering the peas every two weeks, and likewise, lettuce and cucumbers.  The idea being that we will spread the yield out over a longer harvest period rather than having 9000 cucumbers all in one week.  All of our past staggered plantings were entirely unplanned panicked re-seedings based on plant loss because a certain dog would break into the garden and either eat everything or have a grand time digging.  We won't name names.

Finally, we've made changes to the watering system - mainly out of necessity as there were many parts that needed replacing due to a certain dog eating the sprayers. Yes, the same one that ate the plants and dug in the beds.  This year John devised a system with a central distribution hub with controlled flow and no sprayers.  The idea is to reduce Haley's attraction to the garden and to reduce overspray and keep the water bill down as we expect to have to water longer to combat the drought conditions.  

With the severe drought continuing, we are losing trees and bushes, so we're having to remove things.  We lost our Pear and Cherry trees.  We've determined that we are not fruit tree people and we need to stick to what we are successful with - tomatoes and carrots.  Neither of us is upset about losing our junipers, however it is a lot of work, and we end up with large brush piles that we are banned from burning.  Generally, we let them dry and then use the materials as kindling in the woodstove all winter.  The dogs also gain hours of entertainment deconstructing our piles and scattering branches back all over the yard.  Stupid wood chucks.

With the gardening season comes motorcycle season.  John has already been on several long rides.  Yesterday we went on our first ride of the year together.  John took me East of Albuquerque to the town of Madrid, about 100 miles round trip.  The weather was perfect.  It was great to get out again.

I've been maintaining an active teaching schedule at the yarn store through the Spring, however I'll be taking a break from it over the Summer.  I want to regroup and develop some new class offerings for Fall and Winter.  I'm actively designing and will be releasing a collection of sock patterns next month.  This has been a fun project for me.  John has been wonderfully helpful, not only as my photographer, but as my design editor as well.  He has a great eye for elements and layout and lets me bounce ideas off him.  He couldn't be more supportive, and I couldn't be more thankful.  I'm seriously considering branching into producing a line of project bags as well as a line of hand-painted yarns.  My downtime from teaching over the Summer will give me more time to weight these options.  I also have plans to produce another pattern collection in time for a Fall release, but we will see how much canning season impacts that as we generally start making salsa in August, about the time I'll have to knit samples for photography.

Anyhoo... that's the news from Green Bin Farm.  What's new with you?

Gardening, Riding and Knitting into Spring

Not many pictures to share, so you'll just have to read.

Weather here has been funky to say the least.  We started seedlings indoors, with the exception of peas, onions and three types of carrots which we direct sowed.  Peas are doing great and we eagerly anticipate eating them.  We've had to construct a trellis for them already and they are beginning to climb.

We put the seedlings out Friday to begin hardening for planting, but John is thinking we need to bring them in tonight as evening temperatures are still dipping too low.  Thusly, our tomato plants are dismally small still.

The lettuce we were growing indoors has bolted to seed, so we'll be starting a new batch soon.  We should have foreseen this and started one already... but hey, we haven't been eating much lettuce lately.  The indoor broccoli continues to grow well, but then again, we have never done broccoli before, so we aren't too sure what to expect.

Haley has been giving John fits all Spring since we put the cherry and pear trees in.  Seems she likes to dig for the root ball.  I thought John was going to do her in a couple of times.  Finally caught Chica helping her with the excavation, so now both girls are on watch.  We are still avidly trying to train away this behavior.  So far the cherry tree is growing well, despite the root disturbances.  The pear tree continues to struggle, even with weekly "Root Stim" treatments.

I ride my motorcycle to work on less windy days - which sadly hasn't been as often as I'd like - to save money on gas.  The wind has been unbelievable.  I still contend this is the birthplace of tornadoes.  John and I went for a ride Sunday - 320 miles up to Sipapu Ski Resort / Tres Ritos area and back.  Winds were so awful on the return trip, my bike was gusting all over the place.  I'm still recovering.  It was fun, but exhausting.

I've been knitting like a mad woman.  I designed a new shawl pattern this month, as well as a market bag pattern that I've already made available on Ravelry for free download.  I have a class coming up in June - Knit Research & Rescue - which I'm very excited to teach.  I've also recently started spinning my own yarn.  I put all my "fiber" news on my knitting blog: JesseKnits  Feel free to drop in and discover how obsessed I really am.

Breaking Free From Hibernation

So what have we done all winter?  Nothing too exciting.  Lots of knitting, reading and waiting for the return of good weather.

I've spent a large junk of winter knitting.  January was dedicated only to finishing projects meant for me, as I often knit for everyone but myself.  February I focused on my pattern design work and managed to release three new designs.  I also tinkered around with some new techniques - I learned to dye wool with KoolAid and did some felting.  March was also a good month for learning new techniques, including lace work, and seeking ways to further improve my craft.  I'm looking at taking the Master Knitter Certification course, and hopefully continue on to the Teacher Certification.  April 2nd I secured my first teaching gig down at the local yarn store.  Details are on my knitting blog - which sadly, I'm better at keeping up to date.

John also spent a good chunk of time knitting.  One day he up and decided to learn.  In two short hours I had him casting on, knitting, purling, working as the row below, and even cabling.  He is a natural.  He has since completed a shower soap bag, worked in the round on double pointed needles, complete with yarn overs and an i-cord drawstring (see pic above).  Currently he's working on a squid. Yes, a squid.  Complete with a mullet.  John is recreating Rusty, a cartoon character from one of our favorite guilty pleasures "Squid Billies" (he's the 4th squid from the left).  The show is a riot and John's recreation of Rusty is fantastic.  He has plans to do the major cast.

March 6th we planted broccoli, spinach and lettuce in tubs in the house.  All are coming up nicely.  Lettuce will be ready for harvest beginning in another week.

March 19th we sourced our seeds and potato starters and planted Raspberries, a Semi-Dwarf Cherry Tree and a Bartlett Pear in our continuing effort to become more self-sufficient in our food.  Haley totally doesn't understand the garden yet, and honestly I'm afraid of the day she figures out there is food in there.  She is a devil.  She loves to dig.  When we planted the trees we fenced them in with leftover plastic fencing from a couple of years back.  Within a couple days she had shredded the fencing and John had to replace it with chicken wire.  She got a solid scolding.  She's dug around the fence a little since, but nothing like the damage she initially did.  For the most part now she is focused on the compost bin.  We will need to modify that again to keep her out.  She's done major damage to a couple of other trees, jumping and tugging.  I think she does it more chasing birds than for any interest in the tree itself.  We are absolutely amazed at the damage she did to the rosebush - more so due to the volume of huge thorns and lack of damage to Haley than anything.  She looks all sweet and innocent, but you turn your back and she becomes one rough tough non-stop destruction tool.

John's got the bikes about ready to go.  He needs to get the shock rebuilt on his dirtbike, but may be delaying that project for now.  The need to get out and play is overwhelming.  The weather has been tricky.  We did have one deep freeze this year that killed off trees and shrubs.  We'll be addressing that once we kick back into our farming activities.  For now we are waiting to see the extent of recovery if any, and holding off for the last frost.  Until then, some days are gorgeous - we've already seen 85 degrees, and some are dismal - hardly breaking 45 degrees.  We've taken Haley on her first hike - only took a couple miles to get the hang of her harness.  John's been taking his mountain bike out in the afternoons after work.  I've even taken to going for walks during my lunch break.

April 2nd I joined one of my knit groups on a field trip to the local Alpaca farm, and discovered which wool I'm allergic to.  I've always had a problem with wool, and really stuck close to acrylic to avoid discomfort, but now I know definitively it is Alpaca that I'm allergic to, and need only to avoid yarns and blends.  It's a shame really.  Alpaca is amazingly soft and the animals themselves are delightful.  There will eventually be more on my knitting blog about the trip if you are interested in pictures.

Soon we will be breaking out of hibernation.  I look forward to summer and motorcycling again.  It's just a matter of waiting out the high winds and sand storms now as temperatures continue to climb.

Example of True Love - A Poem

John says I stifle his creativity.
He says he doesn't pull spider or rubber snake pranks on me because he loves me,
And he knows what would happen if he did.

He's very sweet...

Yet I don't understand how this same "stifling" doesn't affect his need to be

"Electrocuted" from time to time.

Cookie A Day - My business

Since leaving work in the "real world" my business has been growing in leaps and bounds. I've got several new clients and projects that I'm really excited about.

Currently I'm working with:

Anna Faunce - Mainly Rugs
We are reworking her site, moving it from a templated/generated, hard to market system to a whole new look with easier ordering operations. If you are looking for area rugs, this is a great place to start. Site is expected to go live mid-August.

Shelly Gaddis - Elegant Mommy
This is a brand new project. Shelly is working to start an online maternity resale company. She did a ton of research before coming to me, and I'm very proud to say she chose me to develop her site. The code is being developed now for the backend store operations, but the general look and feel are in place.

Jim Fortune - Art-Carnage.com
This is a fun site where artists can submit digital images of their work and it gets "commodified" for sale. The digitiallized art is then available for purchase on products ranging from notecards and blank journals to BBQ aprons and dog t-shirts, and the cleverly named S.A.S.S. (Starving Artist Support System) shop becomes another source of income for the artist. All are welcome to participate!

Judith James - Your Destiny Life Coach
We moved her existing site to new hosting and are working to improve it's traffic.

Judith James - Women's Empowerment Resources
This site is a directory of women owned businesses that specifically work to provide services to women and help them to empower their own lives. It is currently in the launching stages, but we expect the directory to begin filling up quickly. It is open to worldwide participation, and we have translation links on every page. All are invited to participate!

I also have so many other customers I continue to work with, who have been wonderfully loyal and supportive. Thank you R&W Engraving, Maternity Fair / Baby Furniture Fair, Sussex Foot & Ankle, Energy Pulse, Oganov.com, The Friendly Fish, Leiter Enterprises, Caroline's Pet Connections, and so many others for your continued business!

I've recently updated the Cookie A Day site with a new look and complete list of clients/sites I'm actively working with. Feel free to drop by and take a look.

Summer in Rio Rancho

Summer is finally hitting Rio Rancho. Tomorrow we are expecting to hit 90. I love it - sunny almost everyday, nice breezes and great views. The pepper plants are producing little baby chilis, we have tomatoes forming, and all attempts at cucumbers and basil have failed. We've planted yet more cucumber seeds - if this set fails, I'm going to the farmers market, buying pickling cucumbers and leaving them in the pots for John to find.

John took this photo with the digital camera just out back on the patio. It was an incredibly vibrant double rainbow in an otherwise dark sky. The rainbow was so bright it looked fake. Truly an amazing sight.

John and I spend afternoons and weekend mornings in the front garden on the swing. I've filled the garden with succulents, cactuses, Johnny Jump-Ups, 3 different variations of Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Strawberry plants and much more. It's really turned into the oasis I'd dreamt of. My silly little collection of bird houses and feeders hang from the large center tree as do my mirror suncatchers and a small set of chimes. Breezes come in, hummingbirds visit my feeders, and otherwise you'd never know you were within throwing range of 3 Wal-Marts. It's a great place to just let the day fall away. The dogs come out and hang out in th garden with us regarless of whether its coffee Sunday morning or beer Friday night.

We've purchased two more adirondack chairs for the back patio and replaced a broken backboard on one of the exisiting ones. I need to paint a protective coat on the new ones. They could use a little sanding too. The original ones need sanding too, as well as a fresh coat of paint. I envision painting them in Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) styling but I question my ability to convert what is in my head to painted furniture.

I'm blessed that John allows me to do my wacky painting and decorating. I've recently painted a new mailbox for the house - the old one was small and falling off its post. My new mailbox is large enough for magazines to lay flat on the bottom, and bright enough to eliminate confusion about which driveway is ours.

Sam and I put our handprints on the back end of the mailbox and dated it. I've UV protected the whole thing to prevent fade. It will be interesting to see how much just his hand will have grown by the end of the summer.

Sam is growing so fast. Kindergarten is over and he's got a summer booked full of trips and vacations. John had him on the 50 riding around in the back yard a week ago. He loved it. John let him control the throttle for a while - Sam drives like his mom - all or nothing.

Afterward, we padded up my helmet to fit Sam and John took him for a short ride around the neighborhood on the back of the XR. Sam did great - he held on tight the whole ride and didn't shift around except to look around. He looked so small on the back of that big dual sport. Sam loved it. I can't wait to get a bike and be able to take him out on rides with us.

I've left my job at the cement plant. My businesses were begining to suffer from lack of attention and I'm back to working them full time. I've determined it's time to put everything into my companies and stop messing around with unfulfilling positions in the public. Yes, working for someone else has its benefits, but in the end, I'm doing what makes me happy - I think that is the biggest benefit any job could offer.

I'm still actively saving for a motorcycle. More than likely I'll adjust my wishlist and purchase a used bike rather than getting a loan. I'd rather own it outright and crash it, then total something that's not paid for yet.

Knitting Socks

It's a new year and I'm still knitting away. Thought you might enjoy seeing some of my finished works.... well - almost. The three on the right are hoping I'll reach down behind the dryer and find them friends. The reality is, I need to stop trying new patterns and finish some sets.

Left to Right: Jess's Striped Socks - 100% mercerized cotton, Jess's Varigated Socks - varigated acrylic, Sam's Flame Socks - Lion Brand Microspun 100% acrylic, Jess's Magic Socks - Lion Brand SuperWash Wool Magic Stripe, and finally Jess's Beaded Rib Socks - Lion Brand Microspun 100% acrylic.

The GREAT BIG WONDERFUL basket pictured on the left was one of my Christmas gifts from John. I LOVE it. It's perfect for all my yarns, and is within arms reach when I sit on the sofa knitting.

I've created another "pattern book" similar to the one I'm making for my other knit projects, but exclusively for socks. I made pre-printed pages with spaces to document all measurements, yarn yardage & type, gauge, needles, stitch counts for the various parts of the sock, and of course the pattern name and recipient. There is also space for a yarn sample, notes, and a grid for pattern stick charting. I have a small sock diagram for additional design notes, and to color in with any patterns I design. There is space for a photo of the completed socks. I bound it all with a comb binding (ahh, office products can craft!) and viola! Now I just flip to the sock I want more of and knit away - or grab a skein, needles, and a pencil and design away!

It's so great to have socks that finally fit my big paddle feet!

Making Ornaments with Sam

On Wednesdays, Sam has a short day at school, so when Sam got home today, we started to make Christmas ornaments. My favorite project is clothespin reindeer.

This is a fun project I remember doing in school when I was just a little older than Sam.

For each reindeer, you need 4 clothespins. You saw the legs off one pin.

Monday night, I had Sam paint clothespins brown, and we left them to dry.

Of course, they got painted a little too heavily and they stuck to the newspaper. We didn't have time to work on them Tuesday night.

Today, we pulled them off the newspaper and touched up the paint. Then we glued the pins together.

Once the pins were glued together, we glued on googly-eyes. The googly-eyes take extra patience because they are so small.

Finally we glued red pompoms on for noses.

Sam liked the idea that they all got to "pretend" to be Rudolph.

I love the googly-eyes.

Latest Beading: Ice Princess Beaded Choker

I just finished this piece and posted it for sale on Etsy. (Click on the picture for an enlarged view.) I thought you'd enjoy seeing a beaded piece for once... it's been a while since I completed a beaded project; I've been so enthralled with knitting.

I recently discovered some new polymer clay techniques, and I've learned some new design tricks, so I'm planning a new set of focal beads which may be sold individually or incorporated into new works.

I also hope to find some time to do some more lampwork (glass bead making) but I think I'd better reduce the doggie population in the house before I go firing up the gas torch. (Nothing like the smell of burning dog fur to ruin your day!)

Vintage Style Keyhole Scarf Pattern

This pattern is perfect for both kids and adults, as it prevents having to tie knots and long ends that can get stuck on ski lifts or trees when sledding. Put this on under your jacket and you have both warmth and safety.

I found this at: http://alison.knitsmiths.us/pattern_beginners_scarves.html
All patterns and images © Alison Hanseland are shared here for individual personal use only.

RIBBED KEYHOLE SCARF

Measurements:approx. 8" wide and 26" long (note: ribbing will usually cinch in making the scarf skinnier)

Instructions:Cast on 38 st. (26 stitches with bulky yarn).

Row 1: Work in 2x2 ribbing across the row, starting with K2 and ending with K2.

Row 2: Continue ribbing by working stitches as they appear, beginning with P2 and ending with P2.

Repeat the last two rows for 22".

Make opening: Work ribbing for first 12 stitches, bind off 14 stitches, continue ribbing over remaining 12 stitches (with bulky yarn, work ribbing for 8 stitches, bind off 10, continue ribbing over remaining 8 stitches).

Next row: Work ribbing for first 12 stitches, cast on 14 new stitches over the gap, join to stitches on other side of the gap and continue ribbing (with bulky yarn, work ribbing for 8 stitches, cast on 10 new stitches over the gap, join to stitches on other side of the gap and continue ribbing).

Continue working in rib across all stitches for 4 more inches.

Bind off stitches in rib (if the stitch is a knit stitch, knit it; if it's a purl stitch, purl it; pull stitches over one other as usual).

Weave in ends.

Wrap around neck, push one end through hole on other end and see how stylish warm can be!

Etsy.com - Version 2 Now Up

Etsy has just upgraded their website, improving store function, shopping carts, imaging and more. There are some really creative and wonderful products here. Be sure to check out my favorites when you visit - I've bookmarked some of my favorite sellers and products from soap to just plain bizarre!

New in my store:

Elfish Stocking Cap - 39" LONG!!!

The colors are simply wild - not your traditional Christmas red & green!

Hooded Child's Poncho

I saw this pattern and wished I'd had it for Sam when he was smaller. Real easy on/off without having to wiggle little arms down tight sleeves.

I've already thought up a million variations for this one that I can't wait to try.

Knitting can be one of the most relaxing, yet productive activities. I love knitting in front of the TV on Sunday evenings. John and I watch our favorite shows and I produce fun items like this, with very little effort.

Letting Go of the Patterns and Designing My Own

I've done a lot of knitting lately, and therefore, am actually getting not only a lot faster, but definitely braver. Most recently, I made Friendship Scarf (pictured in previous blog) using two alternating colors every stitch with a fairly complicated furry yarn, without a pattern. I also finished a pair of socks for myself - with a pattern to remind me how the process goes.

I joined a newsgroup of sock knitters, and am learning lots of techniques from them and the websites they link to. I've gotten so used to turning the heel, now I look forward to it. I've even made little footy socks for myself simply to have another opportunity to turn heels without working long bodies.

Now I'm making hats without patterns. Once you get the gist of shaping... You can do anything! On the top left is my latest pattern, Peppermint Candy Twist. This was a lot of fun... I just made it up as I went along. I also documented my work so that I can recreate the pattern, and distribute it (maybe even sell it!)

On the bottom right is Snow Lantern. I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarns simply because I'm a control freak and prefer to know exactly what color is going to land where, but I'm learning to "release" and this was a neat project to use variegated yarns on. I took a standard, plain hat, graphed out a snowflake-like design and I think it came out really cute.

John suggested I make another one similar to this but with carousel horses going around the design band. I'm not big on horses, but the colorful challenge the idea presents is growing on me. I'm thinking I'll have to graph out the entire band and follow my chart stitch by stitch. It seems a little daunting, but I've done it before in beads, why would this be any harder?

I've made a scrapbook of all my knitting projects, complete with pictures of the finished product and the pattern for each. Its a fun (and beautiful, if I may say so myself) way for me to keep all my favorite knitting projects in one place, and perhaps a wonderful family heirloom to pass on one day.

If anyone has any homemade knit items on their wish list for Christmas, I'm doing holiday knitting now. Post to this article and let me know. Be sure to tell me if you have any specific colors in mind, material (cotton, wool, acrylic), and I'll need measurements. I wish I had time to make everyone a sweater, but I don't... so contact Santa for anything other than socks, mittens, hats, scarfs, mug cozies and headbands.

We are riding less, burning brush to clean weeds out of the yard, and roasting chilis on the grill. I'm very focused on building up foods in the freezer (chilis, lasagna, whole chickens, etc.) to both save money and to reduce last minute trips to the grocery. John is focused on the paperwork and processes involved in buying the house.

Oh, and one last thing... Yes, it gets cold in New Mexico. We've had a number of nights in the low 30's. Colorado is just to our North and we've already had some of the major snowstorms that buried them drift South to our higher elevation areas. John took a motorcycle ride two weeks ago and encountered a lot of snow.

Knitting Fool

These days, I'm a knitting fool. I'm working hard to rebuild my website design company, but with anything, it takes time. Clients need time to think about who to choose, then they need time to gather their information, then you put up the design, and they need time to review it. Once all the little changes are made, you invoice the client, and they take their time to pay. Therefore, I knit during all these "times" and sell my handicrafts online at Etsy.com to suppliment my income.

I don't consider myself an experienced or accomplished knitter, but it's getting easier, faster, and I'm able to improvise more and more, modifying basic patterns to get new and unique looks and styles.

The pictures I've posted are some of my most recent creations. I think the "knotty jester" is just plain cute, but the watermelon in one of my favorites. It's really nothing more than a simple trick of colors, but the part I like most are the seeds. I created these "seed" buttons out of polymer clay, baked them, glazed them and then tied them onto the hat. It gives it a neat look and it's definitely a unique product.

Sometimes new designs come out of necessity - like my elf hat. The original pattern called for red & white stripes over the total length of the stocking cap, but I quickly discovered that the red yarn I was working with was in short supply, and my backup supply was a different dye-lot (i.e. didn't match). So... I improvised and came out with a cut little tri-color elf hat.

I've got millions more ideas. New ideas pop up seemingly with every stitch. I saw a pattern for a snowman hat - thinking I'll take a shot at that soon. Also found some cute crochet patterns I'd like to try - they work up so much faster than the knit ones.

I've started a blank book with pictures of each piece and the pattern I used to build it. So far its a really cool collection.

Necessity is the Mother of ... Re-Invention?

I made John a pair of socks. It was the first time I ever "turned a heel" that didn't involve an insult or the end of a date. At first, as I struggled along, I thought John was going to have to timeshare one sock between his feet. I figured I'd be so relieved to get a sock-like shape that I wouldn't bother with the second. Fear of having to make a second one that matched the first loomed over me. Actually, once I figured out how to read the pattern, knitting the socks really was quite easy, and the second done in a click!

So I decided I needed a pair of house socks. I went to the store and picked out a brightly colored "fuzzy- snuggy" yarn for my socks. Didn't think for a second there would be any problems with making another pair. WRONG. I bought a "thick" yarn for my socks, where his socks and pattern called for "worsted" weight yarn. Okay. I can handle this. Different gauge is required. I started to do the math to convert the pattern over to handle the yarn I'd purchased. About a half hour later, I had it all figured out, except for the part where I had to cast on and decrease in 1/4 stitches.

There had to be an easier way. There are millions of sock patterns out there. I got on the Internet and found a pattern that used the thicker yarn I had. Next problem - the pattern called for size 13 double pointed needles. I don't own any. And with good reason - you can only get them via special order, through the company that provides the free pattern that needs them. Really. Just try going to your average craft store and find double pointed size 13. I did. Everyone I asked about them either laughed, or looked shocked. Most didn't believe they exist. Sure they exist, if I want to pay $12, plus S&H online and wait a week. NOT ME.

So, Yes Martha Stewart fans, I MADE myself a set of size 13 double pointed needles. I bought a dowel (56 cents!) that was the same size (9mm), cut it, used a pencil sharpener to make points, sanded them with both fine and superfine grits, and polyurethaned them. (See my lovely supplies photo above.)

They are perfect! Now I have my yarn, a pattern, AND my own homemade needles. Talk about doing it yourself! Now I just have to get brave enough to translate yet another sock pattern.

Jack-o-Lantern Cap

100% Cotton Handknit Infant/Baby Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Hat/Cap Handknit

I just finished this one last night. I've posted him to northwind.etsy.com as I have had a couple of requests for this style.

I've decided to make all of my Jack-o-Lanterns unique - no two faces will be alike.

To make this one, I used graph paper and colored in a classic face design. His mouth is purposely lop-sided. I love this pattern, there are just so many options!

Ok, here's the basic pattern (This is for the original Fruit Cap design. I have altered it for the Jack-o-Lantern, et. al):

Use Size #7 DPN

Cast on 72 (80, 88) STS and K evenly for 18 (20, 22) rows.

To add Strawberry Seeds:

Row 1: K7 MC, K1 Green. Repeat to end of row

Row 2-4: K MC

Row 5: K3 MC, K1 Green, { K7, K1 Green } Repeat brackets to end, K remaining MC

Row 6-8: K MC

Repeat Rows 1-8 if extra length is needed.

When cap measures 4 1/2" (4 3/4", 5") and there are three solid rows of MC begin leaf pattern.

Top Leaves:

Row 1: K7 MC, K1 Green, repeat

Row 2: K5 MC, K3 Green, repeat

Row 3: K3 MC, K5 Green, repeat

Row 4: K1 MC, K7 Green, repeat

Row 5: K row Green

Row 6: K7 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 7: K6 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 8: K5 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 9: K4 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 10: K3 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 11: K2 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 12: K1 Green, K2TOG, repeat

Row 13: K2TOG, repeat

One ST should remain from each leaf. K these STS for 6 rows. K2TOG around and pull tail to shape stem. Secure tail.

To increase the size of the hat on this pattern, always use multiples of 8 stitches in your cast on. Rows increase by mulitple of 2 and length with multiples of 1/4".

Pattern courtesy of Ann Norling (tm)

New Place to Sell Handcrafted Goods

eBay has become entirely too expensive for home crafters to sell their products, but fortunately there is another place now specifically for handcrafted goods with excellent rates. Please take a moment to check out my new store at northwind.etsy.com

My most recent Native American style necklaces, some altered art shadow boxes, and my infant fruit caps are currently listed. I hope to get more items listed soon!

"Stella" in Progress

Stella... she came to me one night late. I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep. It was hot, and although I was tired, sometimes sleep just doesn't come. I tried focusing on different things hoping my mind would stop working and start wandering me off to sleep, and then she appeared.

I'm sure at one time or another you've seen the t-shirts with either the incredibly eat-a-sandwich thin tanned bikini body or the larger-than-life muscle bound body builder on them. I remember seeing them often at the beaches in Maine, being used as cover-ups for the otherwise normal to plus-normal sized people with a sense of humor.

And so came Stella. In my vision she is wearing the bikini t-shirt over her otherwise horribly un-tanned and slightly overweight body. (I find the t-shirt image over exaggerates her size to almost obese.) Further, like any smart fair skinned beach goer, she wears a large brimmed hat decorated in the blooms of summer, and a pair of flip-flops.

I thought hard about her, memorizing the details so I could sketch her out after a good nights sleep, but she wouldn't let me. I crawled out of bed, crept through the house. I cut her primary shape out of a regular piece of copy paper, then sketched Stella out in all her glory. I felt great about it, and knew she would be a fun doll to make. Satisfied, I went back to bed.

Funny how cutting out her form and drawing on the details suddenly gave her a voice. I wasn't in bed much more than 20 minutes before I was back up. Stella demanded accessories. Ideas flew through my head. What did she need to go to the beach? A beach bag, towel, binoculars, radio, cell phone, folding beach chair, and umbrella all flew down on paper in wild beach colors. I jotted notes on construction (how does one make an umbrella out of beds in scale with a doll?) for each piece and what beads would work best. My enthusiasm grew. Now I could see her lugging all her beach bound affects. I went back to bed with beach accessories floating through my dreams.

In the morning I went straight to work. I cut out muslin in the shape of the pattern and stitched her together. But the basic pillow shape of Stella just didn't have enough personality or shape to her, so I set out to needle sculpt the little doll. I gave her a belly button, breasts, knees, ankles, and a butt. Each stitch seemed to excavate the true Stella within.

Next I used a pencil to lightly sketch the t-shirt onto the doll body - front and back. This gives me a guide for beading in the clothing. I also put great thought into the direction the stitches needed to go to give her flesh the most realistic look.

I wanted to dig into beading her immediately, but just didn't seem to have the right color bead for her flesh. I was torn between two ideas - either she was going to have an obvious sun burn, or she was going to be very pale (like I usually am!) Pale won out and I found the perfect color at my favorite seed bead store - The Beaded Iris.

Once back at home, I dug in ferociously. I started with her legs. The needle sculpting worked like a dream as a base for the beads, emphasizing the fleshy folds of the back of her knees and thighs.

I jumped to the bikini whenever I tired of the legs, making sure to use the most desirable brown-bronze color for the bikini-girl's body. The fushia pink with lime green pokka-dot bikini seemed the perfect style.

When my time is limited in the evenings, or whenever I don't feel like I'm making progress, I work on the accessories. First was the beach bag - lime green with bright blue stripes, two handles, and a flower clasp. It's a fully working miniature, which at some point I imagine will contain her cell phone.

I found myself modeling her beach towel after a towel I remember having when I was younger - striped colors of the sunset - red, orange, rosy peach and fushia.

I like the idea of using wild colors for each of the accessories, making sure nothing quite matches, much like the pile of junk I used to drag to the beach. It just wouldn't be real if she had matching accessories - it would be too "Barbie", and Stella is soooo not Barbie.

Realizing the 3-dimensioning of the doll vs. my sketch, I realized her own bathing suit will show below the t-shirt. I'm still toying with the style of that. I'm quite sure it will be navy and may even have a ruffle of sorts.

Of course, by now I had repeatedly scrounged through my beads trying to find just the right face for Stella. Nothing. I contacted a favorite polymer clay face beader I had bought from many times before - Linda Clink. I had discovered her on eBay a couple of years back and I truly love her work. Together, via email, she and I found the perfect design for Stella's face. (If you are interested in making dolls or using faces for scrapbooking, I highly recommend looking for "Linsart" at eBay!) She made the face bead for me. It arrived today. I couldn't be happier!

And that is Stella's progress to date. I'm off to bead, but I'll be posting more progress shots as I go.