Easy Peasy Knitting

Finally one of my "secret" knitting projects can be shown.   This is the shawl I whipped up for a friend who lost her mother.   The minute I heard, I knew that I would knit her a shawl.   This friend is a knitter from New England.   She understands the healing power of wool.   

A quick trip to the Sew & Quilt [and yarn] Shop, a couple of hanks of  Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky  and I was good to go.   The first time I finished it, it was too small.   I ripped it out and re-knit it on bigger needles.   The new size was good but boring.   Another trip to S&Q  some knitting, some ripping,  more knitting & a little crochet and I had a border I liked.   She loved it.   I am so glad.

The pattern itself was so simple as to not merit a "real" pattern.   

So here it is, easy peasy:

I used three hanks of Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky & US11 needles, but this pattern would work with any yarn.   Just remember to change your needle size to match your yarn.

Cast on 7 stitches

Row 1:   Knit front & back, knit to the last stitch, knit front & back.

Repeat row 1 (increasing in the first and last stitch) until you are happy with the size.   Remember to leave yourself enough yarn to cast off. 

Cast off using Judny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off

PIck-up stitches along sides and bottom

Now, you have two choices, 

knit two rows and end with a picot bind-off

or you can do what I did:

using a corresponding crochet hook, crochet two rows and end with a picot edging.

Weave your ends & you are done.   I did not block it, but if the bottom curls, you may want to.

I started the first one at dinner on Thursday and finished it at dinner that Saturday.   The second took longer, but mostly because I had less attention to give it.   Even then, it only took a week.

Peace, Love, & Knitting

Kylie & Simba

Today was just one of those days.   By that I mean one of those lovely days that feed your soul.   I spent all day knitting with a human friend and snuggling with canine friends.   A comfy seat, good company, the sounds of a waterfall, and warmth, literally and figuratively.  Everyday should be this nice.

Reveal: Serenity Bag

I may not have gotten my knitting act together for Sunday but I did get my new Sunday knitting bag done in time.   To recap, I found this tote bag at Marshall's last week for $5 with the intention of embroidering over the word Serenity.   After agonizing over what color thread to use, I got started.

Once I got going, though, I decided that rather than using one color, I would stitch them each in a different color.   I am so, so happy with the way it turned out.   The last Serenity was stitched late Friday night after which I stayed up long enough to move my church stuff (knitting, a note pad, and a file folder for each of the committees or focus groups that I am involved with).   It all fit beautifully (including my netbook).

It really is a little project but one with which I am very pleased.

Serenity Granted

While running an errand up at Jax Beach this morning I took the opportunity to stop in at my favorite Marshall's (this one just seems to get nicer stuff than some of the others and there is a Home Goods right next door).   While roaming about, looking for a pretty cosmetic case to help organize my knitting bag, I came across this jute tote.   I love all of these beautiful, positive words, but, for obvious reasons, am especially taken with "Serenity".

Once home with my treasure, T1 (who has a very good eye for color) helped me pick a contrasting but serene color so that I can embroider my word.   I am already planning to move my "church" knitting into this bag.   It seems like a perfect fit.

And the dust settles...

There once was a Christmas post that was brilliant in it's form and elocution right up until the Google deities ate it.  Now it is all gone.  I will give this another try but, be warned, I am not in nearly so good as mood as I was while typing it the first time.

Christmas here at Chez Serenity was simply wonderful.   It started Friday night when we had my brother & SIL over for a full eat until you burst holiday dinner.    It was one of those evenings when everything goes just right.   My back has been bothering me again, so I took a supervisory roll in the guest prep (i.e. cleaning & cooking).   I have to say that hubby and the boys really stepped up.   The house looked great and dinner was scrumptious.    I am impressed, pleased, & proud of my guys.

Christmas Day was a lovely, comfy, cozy, day.   We got up early to open presents (I got the boys up at 6am!  How is that for role reversal?).   We spent the day, playing with our new toys (Hubby & the boys got Kindles.  I got a new camera), watching Dr. Who, eating leftovers, and hanging out in our PJ’s.  

The ritual opening of presents was a blast.   Hubby & sons were thrilled to receive Kindles (I got mine last year).   My favorite part was watching my boys open their presents.   T1, who since he was little, shakes & smells his presents before announcing that they must be Legos, was stunned and pleased when he realized that for the first time in a long time, his Santa present actually was Legos (In my family only those who believe receive.  Consequently, we never admit to not believing).   Then, when T2 began crowing in delight at his new Kindle, T1 dropped what he was opening to search for the right size box, so that he could confirm that he got one too.   It was just too sweet watching my big guys momentarily revisit to their little guy days.   Actually the most fun item was sent to T1 by the ex.   It was a flying monkey (ala Wizard of Oz).   You shoot it from your fingers like a sling shot while it screams monkey noises.   What a hoot!   I think I played with it more than the boys did.

Hubby is somewhat less effusive than the boys and I (he is, after all, Scottish and a bit reserved) but he assures me that he loved his presents and enjoyed watching me “shriek” with delight at mine.

I can not remember when I have gotten so many perfect presents on a single holiday.   Nothing I received will be returned/exchanged.   Hubby got me a DKNY handbag & wallet that I had petted while we were Xmas shopping.   He went back one night after work so I never saw it coming and was thrilled with my surprise.   I was also shocked to get the Cannon PowerShot that was on my Xmas list.   That and a new sewing machine were my hoped for bit ticket items.   There were no sewing machine size boxes under the tree and T2 had said something that made me think I was not going to get the camera.   Imagine my delighted surprise when I unwrapped it after all.   I spent the rest of the day taking pictures of our tree, hubby and the boys.   Also, under the tree were earrings and a pendent from the Southern Christmas show (turns out there was not really a like for the men’s room), and the cutest goofy sheep from a local artist (“That’s okay honey.  I will wait for the man to wrap your mom’s gift.   You go chat with Jamie”), a lovely dolphin painting (created just for me by a family friend), and the sweetest angel tote bag courtesy of friend, Robin.    Again, I say, I LOVED every last one of my Christmas presents.

May all of your holidays bring you peace, love, & joy.

To the one I love....

Happy Birthday, my love.   Today you are 18 years old.   How can you, my first baby, be standing right here on the cusp of adulthood.    On the one hand, I am so excited and proud for you.   On the other, I am feeling a bit nostalgic for my baby, my big boy, my little man.   I feel unprepared, despite the fact that I spent the last 18 years happily preparing you for this.   I want to give you a hug and send you on your way to take the world by storm.    I want to hug you tight and beg you to never leave.    I am so proud of the fact that you are much better prepared for your pending adulthood than I am.   Protecting and preparing you has been such a big part of who I am – it’s hard to redefine myself and accept that my job will someday be done.    Here is a scary thought for you: will my job ever be done?   Will I ever not feel the need to remind you to be safe and healthy?     Will I ever not want to drop a kiss on your head as I walk by?   It seems unlikely.

Being your mother has been one of the greatest joys of my life.   From the moment you were born, you were mine, and nothing would ever change how I feel about you.   It has been a joy to watch you mature into a generous, kind, & loving young man.  I love talking to you, and am continually impressed by how your mind works.   I am so proud of the man that you are becoming.   Your dedication to fairness and balance give me hope for the future.  May life continue to bring you strength, wisdom, and opportunities.   May you be blessed with lots of love (given & received), good health, & the success you desire.

(((Love You)))

 Mom