rekindled...

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.-- Albert Schweitzer Thank you Elaine for the exceptionally wonderful gift, I am so pleased to now own this Porom. you have rekindled my inner and outer spirit... the hat is so cosy and warm the Sublime yarn is a luxury...soft and totally squishy... and you are so generous to send me some of my very own... being the yarnsnob that you are... I expect only the best ;-) your knitting is impeccable... and your taste in choosing buttons..well,it matches my own and thank you for sharing the gift of friendship. the vest is complete,ribbons added and ready for wrapping, I changed the front a little..I did a panel of double crochet,instead of picking up stitches to form the front bands,and it worked perfectly ... I have to confess a little secret...I abhor picking up stitches to form these bands. What about you? Oh,and Erin ...the swap is in the bag...and on it's way... Thank you all for your well wishes...I have an MRI on Monday. I need my arm to hold out for Christmas!

well,the nerve...

Well,the nerve... the nerve of my nerve to start acting up now... when there is so much to do, so much to finish,stopping me cold in my tracks...

I was moving along quite nicely on this Christmas gift, an adorable girly vest ...

using some stash yarn ,in a color called conker...a rusty red,perfect for this season,

when a stiff neck...turned sour...and a pinched nerve took over.

so,instead I blocked (finally) my mohair scarf...a simple 2 x2 ribbed combined with stockinette for some added interest,but again,I would have to say,

the nerve of Classic Elite to discontinue the colors I needed in this yarn

I instead combined two similar shades in this long, 105" to be exact,scarf...

and wrapped and wrapped my neck in this luxurious silk and wool and mohair. If you can stand a few hairs on your lips while knitting,then run and buy some mohair...any kind...Rowan has some wonderful types...or you could go with the Habu

as I have,but I'll have to be content just looking at it for awhile...

and be happy with the snow soup!

And Happy Thanksgiving to all...I have much to be thankful for...

enjoy your time with your family and loved ones.

compartments...

Compartmentalize: To separate into distinct parts, categories, or compartments... that is what I did today... moved things here and there.. sorted them out... everything in a perfectly orderly place... this helps me clear the way to create...to knit...or to make these... another needleroll,another huswife ,this one a little different than the others, this one made with mostly wools,some cottons,velvet and buttons... with compartments. I like to work with wool... knitting or sewing,making rugs. nothing compares to the richness of wool,the texture,the depth of colors, the ease of workmanship.

this one made for someone who loves flowers, who loves to garden, who loves the richness of the earth,someone who also works with wool... this one is for you,Lucy ... enjoy... and I promise there is some wooly goodness coming from the needles, next time.

just tweed

TWEED: a rough woolen fabric;

Sheep thrive in the hills and bogs of Donegal,

and indigenous plants such as blackberries,fuchsia and moss provide the dyes;

Magee of Donegal, located in Ulster, is the most famous tweed manufacturer in Ireland.

TWEEDY: given to wearing tweeds.

TWEEDLEDEE and TWEEDLEDUM: oh,well...

It's made from Debbie Bliss Chunky Donegal Tweed ,and has the most interesting flecks of fuschia, and blackberry and moss colors throughout.

This is my Drop collared cabled jacket- the pattern from Debbie Bliss.

This yarn was originally destined to become something else, as a matter of fact,it was 1/2 into becoming Debbie Bliss' Kilcar. I was having doubts whether I wanted to finish that particular pattern...so it slept in my knitting bag for almost 1 year,that is,until I saw this and said "yes"; it is the one.

the ripping began and the needles came out, ebony needles... and with the black tweed,

I began my journey into the land of moss stitch once more...

this time with cables added,for a bit of interest.

Black is hard to work with,hard to see,when using dark,ebony needles,but I persisted...

and now I have a sweater I truly love.It fits well,has a nice swing,but not too baggy.

And I just happened to have the perfect buttons...

(thanks again Alison )...

you see,I have been busy...I made these mitts also...a Rowan pattern from Martin Storey

winter gifts ...made from RCY silk wool DK in limewash...and again I am in love.

call me a TWEEDY...

and these knits will be my tweedle dee and twedle dum...

I will be wearing them together...a lot!

for fun

Okay,I did this shot just for fun,and the hat...well,it's for fun,too! it's my own design,made to go with the little pinafore dress I just made... I need to tweak a few things,before I print the pattern.A reverse stockinette,this was done flat,only because I didn't have the circulars I needed. I want to do it in the round,and maybe change the earflaps a little. All in all,I like it and it matches the dress perfectly...now I need to purchase those rolled cuff jeans! I used Berroco ultra alpaca... in a shade called couscous... should be soft and warm. last week I received a beautiful gift from Claudia a beautiful enameled ring box with the most beautiful pewter bottom perfect for any tiny treasure...thank you! and the swap gift is knit...and will soon be sent. my sweater is blocking,and I promise there is more progress on this... I just have to work in all the gifts,too...how are you doing on yours?