Sheep and Fiber Festival!

A short trip to Waynesburg, PA to their Sheep and Fiber Festival. It was a small festival but really beautiful and quaint in a very old town. The main street closed for the festivities. We watched sheep shearing, dog herding, sheep to shawl contests, and toured the various vendors. I didn't buy any yarn this time. I have so many projects to finish I refuse to buy any more yarn until something gets completed. I really was impressed with how clean this old town is and how beautiful the old buildings are. Rylie is shown here meeting an alpaca that appeared to be very friendly.

Sheep to Shawl Day At Pricketts Fort!

This old fort has been around since the pioneers were settling in West Virginia. It is Sheep to Shawl Day. We watched as the sheep got sheared, the wool processed and woven with an ancient loom into a shawl. Rylie was amazed that this is where the yarn comes from that Mamaw works with. We were shown how the yarn gets it natural colors and how to dye with plants like indigo and goldenrod. This Fort was built to protect the settlers when under attack. They would gather into this small fort and stay until it was safe to return home.

Pricketts Fort

Click on the photo and use the Slideshow option for best effect! Enjoy!

Evan Modeling his Baby Surprise Jacket

This pattern fit Evan perfectly across his chest but was way too long for him. I need to see how to tweak the pattern not to come out so long in length. Has anyone else had this problem?

Pittsburgh Knitting Festival

 

The 3rd annual Knitting and Crochet Festival was loads of fun. I saved up my lunch money and splurged on beautiful alpaca and silk lace yarn. I also bought some 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn that practically screams to become matching hat and scarf. I really enjoyed meeting the people and learning from them. Knitters are indeed good people to know. I did stop by the Knitting Warm Up Lounge and started a square for the homeless and battered women. All the squares donated by knitters will be attached into blankets for these special people. That was probably the best part of the day.

EZ Baby Surprise Jacket Done!

I took a break from the Aran cables and whipped up EZ's surprise Baby Jacket for my grandson, Evan. It was knitted all in one piece using bits of scrap yarn (Caron soft), size 3 Knit Pics circular needles, and, with a couple of folds and two seams, it was done. This pic is before blocking and buttons, so it may look a little rough. I can tell you that this sweater is pretty easy but you have to get your counts right from the first row. I actually knitted this twice because I had my counts off by a stitch in the first row and when I reached the end, I was really off.

Bill's Aran Sweater

I finished the back of Bill's Sweater. The cables start swirling in your head if you knit too much at one time. My husband, Bill , is of Irish ancestry and has always wanted a hand knit Irish Cabled Sweater. Well, this is my progress so far. It is not blocked yet as I am waiting for my blocking board to arrive. I think before I start on the front, I'll take a break and knit up one of EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket for my new grandson. Check my main blog link for pics of my beautiful grandkids!

My Attempt at Domino Knitting

Modular knitting is something I just had to try. It makes very sturdy items and is just perfect for the pot holders I have made with Cotton Yarn. I did like the idea of not having to sew the seams, but rather knitted them as I went along. The piece once knitted was done and ready to use. I'm sure you will recognize the yarn as bits of left over from Rylie's fall sweater.

Fall Sweater for Rylie

This really looks better worn by Rylie. It's a quick knit on large needles with varigated cotton yarn. Very washable. It's hard to see the pockets and the daisy buttons. I will try to get Rylie to model this so you can get a better look

This is a quick scarf knitted in the new fun eyelash yarn. I used two skeins of blue/green yarn (my favorite color) and just knitted in simple garter stitch. I used size 15 needles and only ten stitches per row. Total time was about 2 hours of knitting. I just knit until the yarn was gone. They tell me it's the latest style! Very easy!!!!!

Toothbrush Rag Basket

My first attempt at toothbrush rag construction. I tore up an old sheet into strips and knotted them in a braided look. This is an ancient folk art used by our ancestors who wasted nothing. When the clothes were made into quilts, and when the quilts became torn and ragged, the strips were then made into rugs, chair pads, baskets, etc. It goes really fast once I got the hang of it. I think I'll try an oval bath rug next time.


Heres a link that gives you an idea of the rag knotting technique. http://www.medidit.com/Bellarug/Rtoth.htm

Socks and Cable Afghan Finished!

The socks were knit on #1 double point bamboo knitting needles. I used Patons sock yarn. The pattern was free from the Patons site. It took about a 50gm ball per sock. I plan to try self striping yarn next time.








The cable afghan started out as a poncho. The pattern was an Aran pattern from the Canadian Living Website. I finished the two piece poncho and found it was too big and way too warm to wear. I ended up joining the two pieces and it became an afghan for the couch.


If you happen to notice a problem with a couple of the cable twists, then you are indeed right. I must say that the Amish tradition of intentionally placing a mistake in all of their works to remind them to remain humble before the Lord could apply here, (if it were true). I like this explanation. I just wish I had done it intentionally. Just another whoops unfortunately.


It still makes a great warm afghan. Rylie would call it Mamaw's happy little accident!

Baby Sweater Finished!

Finally! This is my adaptation of an old 1936 Coats and Clark pattern. I can never follow a pattern without changing it with my own design. The sweater is being modeled by Rylie's doll Lula.

Ear Flap Hat

I was watching a movie called "Proof" with Gwynetth Paltrow and saw her wearing a neat ear flap hat. I tried to mirror the design into a hat for my granddaughter,Rylie, using size 8 double point needles. To make the straps I used a knitting spool and finishing the design with a crocheted edging. The hat is a little big for her but that means I can wear it, too!