Hemlock Update

It's not done yet, but I had to share how beautiful this bind-off is on the Hemlock Ring Blanket.

Pretty time-consuming, but the perfect ending to this amazing pattern.

It's pretty cold here for a few days, high 20's last night!! Time to sit by the fire (with my foot up!) and stay warm with all this wool in my lap as I finish....not a bad way to spend the afternoon!

Interruption

Well, one never knows what's in store from one day 'til the next. Little did I know last Wednesday morning that within the week I would be sporting footwear reminiscent of Herman Munster's weighty boots. (Remember the TV show?) Thankfully, the boot is only on the right foot due to a graceful fall last Wednesday. My right fibula is broken and will take about 4-6 weeks to heal. In the meantime, I am temporarily confined to the couch. I plan to get back to work next week for some short days. I am frustrated to have this unexpected "vacation" but it has been really been comforting to have so many wonderful friends and family members come to my aid. Many thanks to you all for helping me get through this little challenge. The extra "down time" has given me a little chance to enjoy some knitting. The infamous Hemlock Ring Blanket is within 3 rows of being finished. I'm anxious to work on some other projects and , as always, can't wait to cast on something new during this healing process. I will get some pictures posted soon.

January Knitting

January is great for warming up by the fire and knitting while it's cold and dreary outside. One of my New Year's goals is to learn to knit in the "continental" style, which for some is much faster than the "English" method. The continental style consists of holding the working yarn in one's left hand and allowing it to be "picked up" by the right hand needle. I have heard that continental stitchers are called "pickers". I learned and have always knit using the English method where the working yarn is held in the right hand and "thrown" or looped around the right hand needle. More time-consuming because of all the hand/arm movement. Well, I decided a few nights ago while doing a "row" on the Hemlock Ring Blanket (circular round of about 500 stitches - near the end), that this was the perfect time to make myself learn this technique. Repetition of 500 stitches in one round should either spell success or failure! Well, with the help of You tube videos and LOTS of practice, I think I have it! I'm not ready for the speed knitting competition yet, but I can do it at least as fast as I was in the English method. This is very exciting to me, in hopes that I can make more projects in 2009 than in 2008. Click here to watch the video on the speed knitter!" The Hemlock Ring Blanket is within 15 rounds of being completed! It is a growing GIGANTIC mushroom! My first goal for the month is to finish this project. Then at some point I want to get back into the Koigu Jacket that has been sitting for quite awhile. The colors in it are really beautiful and I just need to pick it back up! What you see here is the right front of the jacket. I am modifying it to make it smaller than the one pictured in the link.

I have some other projects planned when time allows: I'd like to make another 3-button wrap in a heavier yarn like Twinkle Chunky.

I'd like to make another Baby Surprise Jacket in white or ecru.

I'd like to make the Block Blankie (scroll down the page) by Corrina Ferguson in Muensch Big Baby Multi.

Sometime soon I also need to get started on a bedskirt for my blue guest bedroom. Fabric is in hand. I just need a long weekend to take the plunge.

Philip picked this beautiful camellia this morning, High Fragrance. It has a very sweet fragrance - reminds me of a lily. Enjoy!!

Dixieland Jazz

Jammin' with the band! On the last Sunday afternoon of the month Dixieland Jazz is on tap at the Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island. Many of our familly members were around yesterday to hear my dad perform with the Port Royal Sound Dixieland Jazz Band. Led by my dad's buddy and mentor Steve Rich, the musicians entertained us with familiar tunes like 12th Street Rag, DarkTown Strutters Ball, and When the Saints Go Marching In!!! Daddy's love of music and playing the horn is something we've watched (and heard) for a long time. He is always striving to improve his skills. We are all inspired by his pursuit of his dreams!!Here are a few pictures from the Jazz Corner!! Thanks to ALL the talented musicians for an entertaining Sunday afternoon!!! We're proud of you, Dad!!

"Man if you have to ask what it is, you'll never know." Louis Armstrong on jazz

Dad and his friend Steve Rich.

Christmas 2008

" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke

We celebrated the birth of Jesus with much family togetherness and Christmas Eve mass at St. Anthony's in Ridgeland. I am very thankful for all the blessings that we share. I am also thankful that we celebrate the season by getting in touch with those friends and family members who we may not visit with very often. All the cards and remembrances are very special.

We started our holiday festivities with dinner and gifts with the Thomas family at Aunt Brenda's.Tucker roasted a wonderful pork tenderloin and Brenda added all the fixins'. I think Philip, jr. enjoyed the macaroni the most!

Michael likes the toy truck!

Sarah is smiling just thinking about Santa!

Philip caught GaGa under the mistletoe

. . . Brenda's tree is beautiful!!!

We went to mass after Brenda's, then went to Mom and Dad's to visit with my family. I forgot to take pictures, but we enjoyed a little more good food and libation before going home to get ready for Santa.

Christmas morning! Philip is excited to get some camellia books.

Ashley zips up !

Philip in his new jacket!

Mom and Dad are excited that there was NOT a puppy in that BIG box!! Ashley, David, and Philip are having a little fun!

David is checking out the stockings!!

We enjoyed a little brunch after gifts and stockings were opened. Amanda came to visit Philip on Christmas afternoon. We all went down to Mike and Jean's to enjoy another feast. Smoked turkey....yum! yum!! It's a good thing this only happens once a year! I already know what the New Year's Resolutions will be.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas . . .

We've had so much fun decorating the house for the holidays. I decided to go with traditional Christmas red and green colors with pine garland outside.

"Deck the halls . . ."

". . . let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!"

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree . . ."

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care . . ."

(There are not lights in this swag, the red balls are reflecting the light.)

Mantle decorations - courtesy of Ashley!!! Thanks, Ash!

" . . . four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, . . ."

A special note of thanks to Aunt Cathy Hightower for the beautiful hand-knit stockings that she has made for everyone in our family. They are so special to each of us. I hope I can learn her trade secrets and carry on the tradition.

I also want to share Philip's latest camellia bloom Tama Americana which is an early bloomer. It is unique with its rose-splashed white petals.

Merry Christmas to one and all!!!

Noro Rocks!!!

Some of my favorite yarns are those made by Noro. This name is synonymous with beautiful hand-dyed fiber that is bursting with color. My most recent project with this yarn is the "Striped Noro Scarf" by Jared Flood. See post of 4/30/2007.

I'm using Noro Kureyon in colorways 233, 220, and 40. It is a simple 1x1 rib pattern with color change every 2 rows. It is coming along very quickly and should be done in time for a Christmas gift.

I was hugely inspired by seeing these on Yarn Harlot and Brooklyn Tweed. Working on this has been pretty addicting. It is hard to put down with those colors changing all the time.

The first project I undertook using Noro was a modification of Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole by Kathleen Power Johnson. It is in the book Scarf Style. The most intriquing part of this project was learning how to do entrelac. It was a mindbender at first, but became much easier after a few repeats. This is one of my favorite scarves!

Ashley liked this scarf and I did a repeat in a different colorway.

Ashley took a few nice pictures of her scarf. You can see how interesting the color changes are! Last, but not least, is the Circle Vest by Elaine Eskesen. This pattern is in Silk Knits. I used Noro Silk Garden for this project in colorway 264. This pattern was really mesmerizing and a lot of fun to watch evolve.

Here is the vest being blocked.

I love working with colorful yarn. I hope this post will inspire someone to get some Noro and cast on one of these fun projects .