mom sleeps here...and crochet knit slippers

Asleep on my pillow and blanket, waiting for me to come home from work

I have today and tomorrow off, now - to try to continue to get over this cold. Esme still won't keep her blankets on at night *growl*... I might have to make her a sleeping bag type thing. Her sleepers still fit, but she finds them hard to unzip, pull down and pull back up. Last year it wasn't an issue, but happily she has learned to use the potty by herself this year.

I was working more on our queen size quilt last night. It has quite a bit of the way to go - but two sides are bound, the batting is in and half of another side is bound as well. Then I'll need to do some internal line sewing to keep the batting from moving around and give it a good wash before we can use it. It is made of scraps and a cut up sheet for the backing and lots of canvas and heavyweight upholstery fabric for the top. I made it a few years ago but never put the two halves together. In other crafting - I've made a new pair of crochet slippers to wear around the house. It is such an easy pattern I've written it up below for the curious and adventurous.

I have a bid on Ebay for some vintage circus animals. I hope to win it for Esme's
Christmas gift. 'The animals are coming.' ;) We are thankful for her having so few wants as was illustrated during our grocery run today - kids screaming from one side of the store to the other while ours plays 'drums' on the chicken noodle soup cans and the orange juice and is just disappointed but understanding that we will not go look at the toys. We know that can change at any moment... but are thankful for it as it is now. I hope we won't have to go out and do a lot until Friday now...


Crocheted slippers with knit tops:
what to need: "large" crochet hook, size L or so. 2 balls of wool or acrylic yarn, about 1 full skein and one half skein. One set (4 or 5) of size 3 double pointed knitting needles. I have women's size 10 feet.. so you may get out with much less yarn investment ;)

Join a circle of about 10 stitches and crochet an oval round as large as the heel of your foot. To crochet an oval, enter in your increases mostly on the two ends, while crocheting straight on the sides. When the oval is as large as your heel stop and start crocheting back and forth across one side of the oval making increases only in the center of the top of the oval. This will produce a 'fan' out which will create the ball of the sole of the foot. If you wish the slippers to be 'handed' increase more on one side than the other as you approach the toes - and use your foot as a guide to achieve the proper shaping. Don't shortchange yourself - add a bit extra because the stretch in crochet is not as much as in knitting. You should have a shape like this when you are finished.


sole on left, shown 'non' handed, can be right or left
slipper shown from side as well, with joining 'strap' shown between black dots

Once you have a sole, use a needle and thread to close the center of the oval up good with yarn stitches. Then, crochet all around the edge of the entire sole. Crochet up about an inch or so to make the body of the slipper, which is a 'bowl' for your foot to sit inside. Next, we will make the top of the foot.

See the black circles on the drawing, about halfway up the sole on either side, a little back towards the heel side. As you are crocheting around the edge, stop at one of these dots. Now we will straight chain 6 to 10 stitches. Use your foot as a guide to know how big to make this chain, as it will stretch to the other black dot and make the top of your slipper.

Once you have made this chain and joined to the other side, you will no longer be working on the 'heel side' for a while. Stitch around the top of the foot and spiral inwards reducing stitches on the 'toes' area of the foot but trying to keep the chain you just made about the same size for a few rounds - and then reducing finally in a spiral circle all the way to the center. This is a lot easier than it sounds in text. Don't worry about it being 'tight' to your foot yet, as we will add a little bit of knitting for that!

You might want to make a few rounds of crochet all around the edge of the strap and the heel just to get a little more height on it. Then, it is time to break out the double pointed knitting needles. See the ridged striped red area in the drawing? Cast on all of the stitches you can across the strap and all of the heel. Knit a rib by increasing both a knit and a purl stitch (forward and backwards) into every crochet stitch you have picked up. This will double the stitches but the dpns are so much smaller it will even out. Knit this rib pattern up about 2 inches and bind off in a rib bind (k1, p1 as you bind). It will be a great slipper that hugs to your foot but isn't terribly tight!


The actual finished product
I've been using them since they were finished, so there is a lot of cat hair there already...

I used two colors of wool that were left over from a while back. They are KnitPicks highland worsted weight. I was trying to conserve yarn so I stopped somewhere in the top of the foot to make sure I had enough for the other one - and finished up in the other color after doing the knit edging.

A few more finished objects...

Two knit baby hats and a sewn pair of pants.
I used the size 3-6 mo. pink pair of pants from the flea market finds to make a pattern for some elastic-waisted cotton pants for Bazooka. This pair is a little smaller than the original, but I'll make a few larger pairs as well. I tried a few variations on baby hat patterns I found online. I liked the pattern for the pink hat much better than the green.

Pink hat: Size 6 DPN knitting needles and 'Simply Soft' yarn.
CO 66, split between needles and join to knit in the round.
Knit one row of garter stitch.
K5, P1 for 9 to 10 centimeters - then begin to decrease (row of K4, P2tog / row of K3, P2tog) etc decreasing the number of knit stitches until you reach a total P2tog row (Knit zero, purl 2 together) - break off long tail and draw yarn through all loops pulling tight and firmly secure ends of yarn.

Pogo says: Get em' Daddy!

Click to Enlarge
I nearly fell over laughing after getting this series of pictures. Pogo jumped up into Mark's lap while he was playing Grand Theft Auto and, as a chase ensued, seemed to be saying 'Get em' Daddy!'


I finally got to the point where the circular needle fits!
There were twelve double-pointed needles before switching over.

Oh, and yes, I did go with the red stripe ;o) thanks Susan!

Mark's mother's rose bush bloomed

Chris Made Me Do It

All I have to say for myself is 'Chris made me do it.'


Kelba was the only one who fit.


MDK bib and small scrubbie dishcloth from the extra yarn.

I've cast on for my Morning Glory kneesocks as well, but it will be a while before they are photogenic.

We went to the flea market to sell yesterday morning, and made out pretty good. We were selling our bulk spices and also some computer surplus.


We are selling Ginger, Garlic, Paprika, Oregano and a Peppercorn Mix on Ebay and at our flea market booth.
I also picked up a few copies of the old magazine Workbasket from a vendor, and some Organic Gardening mags as well. The Workbaskets have some good knitting patterns including socks, a lace top and mittens.

Yarn Came!

The yarn for my knee socks came! It is Morning Glory 'Sock Memories' from KnitPicks. Obsidian Kitten had used that yarn for hers, so I decided to give this colorway a try. I also bought some KnitPicks Essential to try - and some extra Palette for the Circular shawl and for the heels and toes on these knee socks. All of the yarns I bought were wool (Essential is 25% nylon) and fingering-weight... there's a trend there ;o)


The MDK project in progress, and the new sock yarn.

Puck and Pogo play near the house skeleton.
Pogo has really taken her 'place among the pack' here. Almost all of the dogs are playing with her, and Mouse was even seen to kindly roll her around and teach her some pouncing lessons this morning.

Survey: IF you enjoy green vegetables, of any kind, which ones do you like and how prepared?

Maybe I'm a bit strange, but I like brussel sprouts (the crunchy, just barely cooked all the way through kind, not the mushy ones) and steamed broccoli. I eat both of those on occasion, if the proper mood hits me.

Resident Swatch Tester

Click picture to enlarge

Pogo: This thing feels like my kitty mommy's tongue on one side!

Pogo found out she really likes the reverse-stockinette side of my swatch. She blissed out rubbing against it. Between that and discovering how long my hair is now when it is down - she has had a wonderful day. However, last night she tipped over an iced tea glass and nearly scared the life out of herself.

We attempted to go to a 'spring craft fair' in Paris, TN today - but it wasn't much more than a garage sale with high-priced items. So we rented some movies and came back home.

I'm working on a project from MDK and eating lemon pudding. I think the package notice that was in our mailbox on Saturday means my sock yarn is waiting to be picked up at the post office! *cross fingers* yay!

Knit, Bloom, Mew

Started adding coloured rows onto the circular shawl.
Ordered some yarn and the Stitch n' Bitch book to make some knee high socks! Thanks Shannah, for the pointer and for showing me your Irish Nacho socks too!

We continue to have new orchid blossoms open! It is amazing!

A new addition - we were given her at the flea market in Huntingdon this morning. We had talked about the possibility of getting a kitten last week, when they 'sold out' before we found them. She had a fuzzier calico sister that was very jumpy, and a sweet little orange brother.

She doesn't have a name yet. Any suggestions? She is very sweet and remarkably good natured and calm, considering the number of dogs here. However, she is also active, playing and exploring the house tentatively. She has met half the gang without incident and is currently fast asleep in my lap having kitten dreams. Mouse grumbled at me and stalked away as if to say 'I was just getting you trained as my human, and now you bring this kitten in? *grumble grumble*' Kelba guarded her in the car while we were in WalMart, so she thinks it is her kitten to watch over when we aren't paying attention to her, maybe.

Sleeping

Very sweet stripes and markings.

Sweet Delight - gauging knit

Click to Enlarge
The colours are starting to stripe vertically!
I'm swatching. Everyone can fall over now in pretend shock. I never swatch. See what I mean, though, about this yarn being a little 'gappy' on a size 7 needle? I hope after I wash the swatch it will tighten up a little.

The facts: On a size 7 needle this yarn, Baby Bee Sweet Delight (wrap) has 5 stitches to the inch and 7 rows to the inch. That is with my knitting, which has loosened up a little - but my knitting used to be terribly tight. Metal needles aren't as bad for 'tight knitting' as bamboo, but that could be a personal quirk.

The fabric, although it is a little gappy, is very soft and light - with a nice drape. I can see why some people were using this for adult and children's clothing, as well as blankets. The colours are striping vertically, but last time I swatched (the one that was ripped out) I didn't notice that. Maybe I hit a 'magic number' in the width. There are 55 stitches on my needle.

You can also see the circular shawl peeking out at the top of the picture -- it is creeping slowly. I've been working on the swatch the last few days, bit by bit, at my computer. Once it reaches ten inches by ten inches - it goes in the washing machine for what luck will have with it ;o)

Link for Later: Knee Socks toe-up. Not sure if I want to try toe ups yet.. but I need a pair of knee highs!

Project Spectrum Yarn

Baby Bee Sweet Delight yarn in 'carousel' colorway

Project Spectrum for April is all about pink, yellow and green. Does this yarn count? We went to Jackson yesterday and I stocked up on some size 1 and 2 dpns* and two skeins of this new yarn. The colours are so bright and the yarn is so soft! I have a plan semi-worked out for what to do with it -- but the circular shawl will still take up most of my time. I tend to pore over yarn catalogs and look at everything - but not buy until I have a good idea what to make with it. This is one reason my stash is still so so small, even after a few months.

About this new yarn - the label says it reccommends a size 10 knitting needle. A size 10! This yarn is just barely thinner (yes, thinner) than average sportweight, imho. I knit up a small swatch with it on size 7 needles and it was loose and gappy enough to make me not want even think about size 10. I'm guessing a size 4 or 5 needle will actuallly satisfy my idea of knitted fabric. However, if it shrinks or fulls a lot when it is washed -- maybe the size 7 would be better? Has anyone worked with (and washed) this yarn before?

I tore out my swatch -- maybe I should reknit it and try washing it with the next load of laundry.

*The size 1 and 2 dpns are to use with the purple and brown yarn in my 'stash' - the same yarn as the circular shawl, in case I have white left over from there I can make some socks etc... After all - I really do enjoy working with the Palette and the small needles, even if it does take forever to finish a project ;)

Other knitters and what they're doing with this yarn:
White Violet used a size 3 needle to make this 12-18 mo. old little girl's dress.
Jan used this yarn doubled to make Baby hat and bootee sets - with a size 7 circular needle.
Alpaca Rose used this yarn to make an afghan - but no word on what needle size, looks like at least 5 to 7.
PearlKnitPurl made a beautiful red camisole out of this yarn - in a small needle size, doesn't say which size.

Recipe:

Home-made Cream of Chicken soup (not condensed)

---

Pan-cook one skinless boneless chicken breast with a little water, some olive oil, garlic(minced or good garlic powder), pepper and salt until cooked all the way through. Cut up chicken in pan. Add just enough water to cover chicken, and maybe a little more oil. Let come to a low boil and cook for several minutes more.

Turn off the heat to the burner! Strain off all the juice into a cup and save it. Put the cooked chicken in a bowl and keep warm.

Toss a few tablespoons of white flour into the bottom of your pan and add the juice back slowly, stirring to make a roux. Mix well - then slowly add just enough milk to make a soup consistency. Slowly warm the mixture again to a slow boil and add back the saved chicken meat. Add extra spices or seasonings and serve hot.

**Not a low-calorie dish ;o) I used whole milk in my soup. If you don't like the taste of the olive oil, use canola or vegetable oil - you don't need much, about 1 to 1.5 tbsp oil total. Soup serves 2.

Here and There

The needle for the circular shawl came in the mail. I still have a little ways to go before it will fit.

A new bird softie.
We went to the flea market and sold some things. It was a warm, busy day! There were turkeys, peacocks, puppies, goats, rabbits, chickens and even kittens! We only got to see one of the kittens, though - as they were already given away. We spent a little and made a little - to come out just about even. Then we saw a working lathe machine and had to buy that as well. Hopefully we will get to test it out soon and see what can be made with it :) The weatherman says we will be getting 20 and 30 degree temperatures this week with storms. I'm glad we didn't plant more in the garden last week!

A treasure from the past:


illustration from the book 'Three to Get Ready'
Written by Betty Boeghold and illustrated by Mary Chalmers
This was one of my favourite books as a little girl. The story is beautiful and sweet, with the pictures sticking in my head even as an adult. I found a copy of it available on Ebay and ordered it :)

Three little kittens, George, Ginger and Gigi, each get lessons about different 'growing up' things - being 'ornery', selfish, reckless etc.. and Momma cat is there to help them learn their lesson without making the world seem too big and scary. The picture above is about when all three kittens get a ball for their 'three-month birthday' and Gigi the calico takes George's ball. She won't give it back, but she can't play with two balls at once, either. She has to sit and guard both balls while the other two decide to play with Ginger's ball, which makes her very sad and sorry she was so selfish.


Momma cat comforting Gigi after she has said she is sorry.

And some real kitty antics:

Yeller, the outside boy cat.

He says he has a rough life.

Mouse doesn't agree...

Flash Your Stash (and WIPs) for April

I saw on Chris' blog that Elspeth at KniTV was having a contest for 'WIP it out' and had mentioned April 1st is Flash Your Stash Day.

Well, here is my stash. Remember I moved in January so this isn't much, but it's everything! All of my currently not-in-use needles and yarn are in the above picture.

WIPs: (and the rest of my needles)


WIP #1: Green Booties


WIP #2: Wool Circular Shawl
The shawl hasn't advanced since the last picture I took of it.
The special needle for it is yet to come in the mail.

Very shocking - I only have two knitting Works in Progress! The pair of green booties for the flea market and the circular wool shawl. There has just been too much going on! Sewing and drawing takes up some of that time, as well. I need to sew a few more items to take to the flea market next Tuesday - so have to set aside some time this weekend for that.


This purple bunny is for a friend who was sad.
He's a little crooked, but gives good hugs.
I should make a few more of him ;o)


New artwork - March 29th, 2007
Note on the Art: The blue and green flowing thing (coming from the figure's mouth and over the rabbit's eyes) is a symbol for 'song / breath / speech.' It does mean 'song' in this instance. It represents the chant song my grandmother sang to me when I was a little girl.

Renovations Complete, mostly...

The work we did for the data center reconfiguration is almost finished - and most of our services are back up and running. I expected it to be longer. It could have been, if more things broke in the moving process. It was a tough day and a half - and quick, considering how big the job was!

I was busy in a crafty way, as well.


Easter basket tag balls or squeeze toys

More 'low-calorie chocolate rabbits' knit up.
Rabbit squeeze-ball (SOLD)

Practice making little shoes!
I'll probably give these away, or pack them away for 'later.' There are a few things about the pattern that need to be perfected, including my technique. I had forgotten how hard it is to make good looking I-cord with fingering yarn!


I found the booties pattern in MagKnits, they are a version of 'Special Socks', the Cinderella version. I think they turned out a tiny bit small, 3 inches long, but not bad for trying out a new 'small things' pattern for the shop.

It was also something I could make with the needles and yarn I already had -- while I'm still searching around for where I want to buy a large circular needle from. Sadly, KnitPicks options only goes down to 4 in circular needles.. and the shawl is being knit on size three. So, a 47" size 3 circular needle sounds like my best bet.

UPDATE: Ordered a 47" size 3 Addi turbo needle from an online shop :o)

Blog Linky: You me, and a baby <-- a geek mom and proud of it.

Questions about Circulars...

Good questions! I'd like it to be 30 to 36 inches in diameter to end up with - which means over 100 inches in circumference. So - do I just keep going with dpns (seems to be working okay, stitches are tight) or do I use a circular needle? And, if circular, what size circular needle? I appreciate your insight!

It is so hot out today, comparitively! We planted a tray of tomatoes and peppers, and another tray full of geranium seeds. I hope to sell the geraniums at the flea market in May.

We went for a walk yesterday...


Miss I calls this a 'sarvis' tree -- take a look at who was visiting it!

This tree has a very sweet smell that can be smelled all the way from the doorstep! There were tiny honey bees swarming it as well, but they were too fast to catch on camera.

Progress on the Wool Circular Shawl

Happy Spring Everyone!
We've been busy around here :o) My November gift is going suprisingly well -- round things usually get 'ornery' on me after they are bigger than a sock ;o)

Size 3 needle, White 'Palette' Knitpicks yarn (100% wool)


It is almost 10 inches in diameter now.

I put a few rows on it every night.

We rented 'Eragon', 'Stranger than Fiction' and 'Blood Diamond' last night. CarrieK, I think you reccommended 'Stranger than Fiction'? Really great movie - although I fell asleep just before the end so will have to watch the end today.

Also - lots of work in the garden yesterday. It will be super-warm out today (77°) and we are also going to start some plants indoors in trays.

Here comes the weekend...

Taking it 'easy' this weekend -- hope the weather warms up for some garden work, though! It was nice and sunshiney out yesterday, but the wind was too cold to do much outside. Puck came through her surgery just fine -- she curled up in a ball on the couch for most of the day yesterday. She did scare us a little by going outside and disappearing for an hour after dark -- but one of the other dogs went out and retrieved her.

Kim at Knitten-kittens, I can't comment on your blog anymore :o( The number verification fails every time :o( Still reading though.


'Counsel from Fox' 03/15/2007 12 noon


I am making some progress on this wool 'shawl.'
It will be a gift for someone in November.

Mark took some more close-up pictures of the Singer that turned out wonderful. We were looking at how it actually worked. He also figured out the bobbin winder! The little kit of odds and ends the seller gave us had two different kinds of bobbins in it -- I was trying to use the winder with the wrong type.


The bobbin loop coming up.


The bobbin in its 'bullet-like' case.

Keeping busy with the Ebay store, knitting rabbits, working on my dream bag weaving... there is a lot going on here. My best friend from high school called last night and we had a good talk, also wished her a belated happy birthday from last week.

Flea Market finds (and some knitting does occurr)

We found a steal at the flea market - an antique Singer sewing machine for such a small price, we had to scoop it up. It seems to work, too! The one thing we are having difficulty with is winding a new bobbin -- the instructions are wadded up and falling apart -- and this bobbin winder seems different than many of the ones we are looking at on the Internet. It is a 27-4 Singer according to the manual. We looked up the serial number (beginning with 'B') on the Singer website and it says this particular machine was made in 1904. However, since it has been refurbished, it might contain parts of several different models -- we're just not sure.


I play with the bobbin winder some.

A close-up of the winder in question.


There were also very good-smelling strawberries at the flea market!


Some knitting does still occurr here...
A *secret mystery project* (No guessing!) started out of fine white wool.

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