Yarn Along, Knit, Pray, Love

This Knit Along will not have many words.  I burned my hand Monday (it isn't to bad), typing is slow and knitting is impossible.  But I really wanted to share with you some projects I have been working on.

I started a shawl for Kelly, you can see it in the basket.  I just love the comment Kelly left on Lydia's blog , when Lydia received her shawl two weeks ago.   Kelly said, " The picture of you wearing it says so much... it looks as though your Mom sent you a HUG!!!".  What a beautiful thought!  From now on, I'll always think of this when I knit shawls, I'm knitting hugs!  Hers is Pequito,, in Shine worsted, colorway Currant.  I love the color, a rich deep red violet color with brown undertones, similar to maroon.  The yarn is velvety with a soft sheen and drapes beautifully.   

The pale blue project is The Lighthouse Keeper's Wife.  It is knitted very loosely with  Wool of the Andes in Clarity, a very pale aqua blue.  While perusing the designer's blog last Friday, I came upon this post, and than this one.  Sunday was a good day for me to knit and pray in the quiet of my room.  I knitted the three little hats above, and today I sent them off with a loving note for each mama.  Two of them are knitted in Shine and the other, the aqua one, is Simply Cotton..   The pattern is Simple Baby Cap 2, from Itty-Bitty Hats, by Susan B. Anderson.  Today is the last day to send hats to Knit, Pray, Love, but I urge you to watch the video, it is very touching.  Just a little note though; in no way do I consider these women as my enemies.  We are all God's children, therefore they are my sisters.  I am very thankful to have been able to pray for three mothers and their babies, and show my loving care.  I will continue to pray for them and their families.  

CURE Knit Pray Love from CURE Video on Vimeo.

I am reading A Call for a Deeper Love, The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.  This book was gifted to me by our OCDS president on the occasion of my definitive promises, last July.  It consisted mostly of the letters of Blessed Zelie Martin, St Therese' mother.  She was a remarkable women of faith, and quite an inspiration to me.  


And what about the boots?  These are Lydia's, she forgot them when she left for Belmont the Spring semester.  I sent them to her today along with the movie "There Be Dragons".  What a powerful movie!   Highly recommended by everyone here.  When I told Lydia about it, she planned a movie night this weekend with Raphael and their friends.  


Well this wasn't that short.  I guess my hand is much better.  Not quite enough to knit, but soon I hope.  

Yarn Along, February First

I can't believe it's been almost six months since my last post!  A Yarn Along seems like a good way to get myself back into blogging.

I took this picture this morning, before I finished Laurence's Robin Hood  sweater.  This was an old UFO (UnFinished Object) I started last year.  It's a good thing I got it off the needles, because he almost outgrew it.  When I picked it up again a few weeks ago, it was sleeveless and hood less.  I had to add a few inches to the sleeves and a few increases to the hood.  I used Wool of the Andes in Forest Heather for the body and sleeves, and Swish in Merlot Heather for the trims and the hood.  Swish, a machine washable merino,  is wonderfully soft around the face.

Here is Laurence reading a favorite Moomintroll book.  We had some old, old well loved tattered copies of the Moominland books, that I replaced with nice crisp ones last Fall.  As I type he is still engrossed in his reading, wearing his sweater despite the fact that it is nearly seventy degrees outside. 

I am reading St Theresa of Avila, The Book of Her Foundations, a study guide by Marc Foley OCD, in preparation for the OCDS class (Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites) I will be facilitating this Saturday.   A kind member of our community let be borrow her copy.  Hopefully, this month I'll be able to purchase the Third Volume of Theresa Collected Works that includes her poetry as well as The Book of Her Foundations.

I have knitted dozens of things since my last Yarn Along.  One day I'll update my Ravelry page, but this is a project that would take quite some time.  Maybe, I should try to start with my most recent projects.  That is, if I remembered to take some pictures before giving them away.   Just today I sent Lydia a box with her Terra Shawl, only to realized later that I had no picture of it.  I am sure she will, and if she post it on her blog, I'll send a link to it.

Pictured with the book is my Peery Flooers.  I just had to show it to you, although I knitted it in November.  Actually, it only took me a few days to make it, this pattern is so addictive.  I used Palette, the color combinations could be endless, I would knit a dozen different ones if I had time.

You probably have notice that I knit almost exclusively with Knit Picks yarn.  Just in case you wondered, here are my reasons.  First I love their yarn.  I am sure I would love many other brands, but Knit Picks is affordable (a very important factor here) and dependable.  It is easy for me to keep up with what is new and I have a nice stash of my favorites.  It is a one stop shopping with free shipping over $50.  Frankly, I do not want to spend more time searching for yarn than knitting with it.  This is how I keep my knitting purchases simple.  It works for me, I am happy with it.

Happy knitting and reading!  It's good to be back.

Hat tip to Lydia.

And also as Lydia reminds us...

Yarn Along; One To Eyre finished another one started

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

                                                                                 from Ginny's blog Small Things

I finished my City Tweed To Eyre.  It is beautiful!  Lydia tried it on and it looked so pretty on her, I just had to cast one for her too.  I have plenty of Wool of the Andes in Sapphire Heather that looks lovely on her.

As for my other To Eyre, I am waiting for more yarn to come; hopefully by the end of the week.  I thought I would have enough with one skein, but now I see that I will need more.  Since the yarn is hand painted, I want to see if it will match the new skein before I knit any further.  

I am reading The Way to Perfection by St Theresa of Avila, along with Secular Discarded Carmelite all over the world, as we prepare for the 500th anniversary of her birth in 2015.   This Sunday will be a very special day, as I will be making my Definitive Promises.  

I am not drinking as much tea as I do during cooler months but I still drink at least a cup a day.  In the picture above is my cup of Angel's Dreams tea with a splash of Honey Bear milk.  You are probably wondering, what on earth is Honey Bear milk?  Honey Bear is our newest Nubian Goat nanny.  We just bought her Sunday along with a young, four-month-old male.  And no, we will not call her Honey Bear like her previous owner did.  Lydia and I decided to call her Tasha, in memory of Tasha Tudor, who after all is the reason we own Nubian Goats.  I read in Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts that Tasha, when breeding goats, seemed to strive for shades of brown, similar to the coloration and markings of deer.  Just look at our sweet new goat. Isn't she just perfect?  

Lydia is knitting a Scalene scarf in Giant Peach Imagination, and Conch Palette, it is nestled in the little basket.  She made some delicious gingerbread from The Tasha Tudor's Cookbook, perfect with a glass of cold milk from our sweet Tasha.

I pulled out some books by our beloved Tasha Tudor as well as some of Patricia Polacco's books.  Caleb, our new baby goat, looks like he jumped right out of G is for Goat.

To redeem myself for posting pictures of goats in a Yarn Along post let me show you what else this goat lady had for sale.  And no, I did buy any, but oh the temptation!  

Yarn Along, Two To Eyre and Hats for Japan

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

                                                                                 from Ginny's blog Small Things


It's been a while since my last Knit Along, certainly not because I haven't been knitting, but because I haven't been blogging.  There is a time for everything, and right now it doesn't seem to be a time for very much blogging, and that's OK.  I will not include in this post everything I have been knitting since my last entry, not even everything I am knitting right now.  I am rather passionate about knitting and my project baskets are a clear evidence. 

When I saw Elizabeth's To Eyre I knew this was a shawl I wanted to knit for myself.  It is an easy project that doesn't require too much concentration.  It is base on a shawl worn by Jane Eyre in the newest adaptation of the novel.  Lydia and I can't wait to see it when it comes out on DVD.  After a few false starts with yarn from my stash, I was happy with my choice; a soft washable merino yarn in a lovely berry color call Wine Tasting.  I had to make adjustments for the yarn weight (fingering) and I am using smaller needles.  I am still working on figuring out how much more rows I would like on the shoulder before I start the back.  It is light and has a lovely drape.  But after seeing a picture on Ravelry (that I can't find anymore) of the actual shawl in the movie, I longed for a more earthy one.  I had eight balls of DK City Tweed in Jacquard that just begged to be cast on for this shawl.  The deep bluish green color shine like a jewel, and the alpaca and merino blend is soft and luxurious.  I am using it double and it is giving me a nice thick fabric that will relax nicely after a soak in warm soapy water. 

The three hats are for Japan.  I knitted them this weekend and sent them to Ginny Monday.  I hope she received them in time.  I used some Lamb's Pride I bought long ago from our local yarn store before they closed.  The tassels were made using Wool of the Andes.  The Lamb's Pride hurts my fingers, Wool of the Andes is much softer.

A knitter's Home Companion is a delightful comfort book for knitters.  Even the book itself is comforting, with its soft almost velvety cover.  It is dotted with charming watercolor illustrations by the author, a few recipes and a handful of patterns.  She makes me smile and I feel like I am listening to the chatting of a kindred spirit knitting friend.  I did made a washcloth from the book in Dishie.  I love it!

I might not be reading a lot right now, but it's certainly not the case for Ava.  I choose the picture below because she is actually looking (she did turned the book around) at a book that I bought for her father, Gabriel when he was a year older than she is.  I Am a Little Pony brings back sweet memories!  

Yarn Along (February 9, 2011)

Our computer crashed last week!  I am hoping that this Yarn Along post will get me back into blogging a little more regularly.  I want to participate again, like Lydia, to Ann's Multitudes on Mondays.  And now that I have Elizabeth's book Small Steps for Catholic Moms it motivates me join her monthly Small Steps Together. 

This week on my needles is a secret present for tomorrow's birthday girl.  I will post pictures after her party, Saturday.  Of course I am always working on more than one project and I couldn't wait to cast on this dreamy Midwinter Chroma fingering.  I wanted something fairly simple, lacy and feminine.   I choose Twilight from A Fine Fleece, a pattern easily memorized so that I can knit while praying or teaching.  

The two books are very dear to my heart.  Ann's deeply moving  A Thousand Gifts is as Lydia says a must read!  Ann's poetic blog is a rich banquet of words and pictures, go ahead and feast on it, it will fill you with grace.  I read the first chapter while holding little Tobias on my chest... I ripping experience!

 I finally have in my hands my dear friend Elizabeth's book Small Steps for Catholic Moms.  The book itself is a treat to hold; it is velvety soft, reminding me of my gentle friend Elizabeth.  Inside are words of wisdom from the saints; a quote a day, a prayer to meditate on these words, and a simple suggested action to put it all in practice.  It is uncluttered, simple but profound.  Let me also mention Elizabeth's blog, she so generously shares her gifts with us.  I am forever thankful for her gentle presence in this world of harshness. 

Books and knitting always come with tea... it's a given here.  I am growing very fond of these two loose teas from the English Tea Store; Lady Londonderry, and Dorian Grey Blend.  With a little half and half it's one of life simple pleasure.

Yarn Along (January 26, 2011)

Another Yarn Along with Ginny and friends

My internet connection has been terrible all day, so this will be brief.  Blogger will not let me link either.  I'll try to link tomorrow. 

This week I made one mitten from my new Woodland Mittens kit from Knit Picks (sadly not available anymore).  I first intended to give these mittens to Lydia for her birthday in March, but I must knit rather tightly because this one fits Laurence!  That's OK, it will look very nice with his Robin Hood sweater (another unfinished project).  You can see it in the background.  The mitten is knitted with Palette.

At Laurence's request I made another pair of leggings.  I realized I made a mistake in my last Yarn Along, the pattern is from the book Weekend Knitting, by Melanie Falick. This rainbow Chroma yarn is called Prism.

 Lastly I worked on Ava's elephant.  This was actually a Christmas present!  I am hoping to have it done by the end of the week.  Pear the Elephant is knitted with Swish, a washable merino yarn form Knit Picks.  

I am reading and loving,  Divine Intimacy:  Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year, by Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen O. C. D.

Edited on 1/27/20011 to add links

Yarn Along (January 19, 2011)

Another Yarn Along with Ginny.

This week I knitted two hats for Tobias, one too small (he is wearing it in the pictures from my last post) and another one that hopefully will fit better.  The yarn for both is Bare Knit Picks Stroll.  The pattern for the first one was from the book itty-bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson.  The second one picture here is from Natural Nursery Knits, by Erika Knight.

I also have been knitting a few legwarmers.  They are very easy and quick to knit.  This week has been busy and my brain couldn't quite handle complicated patterns. They are all from the book Knitting at Home, by Leanne Prouse.  The first two pairs were sent to Lydia today, the last is one is for Dominique.  Maybe these will help soothe his growing pain (his legs often hurt at night).

 This first pair was knitted with Wool of the Andes in Pampas Heather. 

These are made with Knit Picks new Chroma yarn, a very lovely soft lofty yarn.  The colorway is New England, in worsted weight.

 For Dominique I picked Mesa.

Laurence is reading Farmer Boy!  I can't believe my youngest is now reading this beloved series.  I couldn't count how many times these books have been read here throughout the years.

Yarn Along (Jannuary, 12, 2011)

I am finally able to join Ginny's Yarn Along this week.  December was filled with knitting secrets for Christmas, therefore not a very good time to participate.  Although this is a birthday present I just finished today for Kelly, I can safely post it here since it is on its way to her house as I write this. 

The scarf is from the book Knitted Gifts, by Ann Budd.   The lace is a traditional Estonian pattern called piibelehtkiri (lily of the valley).  The yarn is Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn from Knit Picks in Springtime, just the right shades of green for this lovely pattern.  Kelly had commented on how she loved the color when I was working on Ivy, the little monster from my first Yarn Along post. 

Here it is still on the needles this morning.

Washed and blocked tonight.

Lydia started to read this beautifully illustrated version of Peter Pan to the youngest boys when she was home for the holidays.  She and Raphael went back to school last Sunday (sniff, sniff), so I will be taking over and finish the last seven chapters for them.

First Yarn Along

Ginny at Small Things is hosting a Yarn Along.  Since knitting and reading are my two favorite pastimes, I wanted to join in the fun of showing what I am currently working on.  Ivy is a Hooligan who is part of a trio of friendly monsters.  I am using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn in Springtime and Gypsy with Bare Stroll Fingering.  These mischief makers are really ornaments, but I decided to use them as stocking stuffer for my younger boys.  I think they will make cute little pocket pals during the holidays.

This advent I am reading Donkey Bells, Advent and Christmas Stories, Traditions and Meditations from Catherine Doherty foundress of Madonna House Apostolate, as well as A Child in Winter, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with Caryll Houselander.  Both are are wonderful!  Tomie DePaola's Country Angels Christmas is part of this week large stack of Christmas books we are enjoying as read aloud.  I am having so much fun sharing these for the first time with my granddaughter Maddie.