Progress on Mr. Darcy's Scarf

Good morning, friends!  It's Saturday, and OH what much laundry and cleaning that has to be done. 

Just thought I would followup on this scarf that I learned the lesson about when knitting a stockinette with only one knit stitch border.  I have also recently bought a handheld garment steamer, a Shark, and I think this will help with the uncurling as well. I plan to lightly steam and then pin to block when I finish.

I've actually seen good results when I store it  by rolling it up flat at night. I haven't worked on it in several days because on work days, I'm exhausted when I get home. But here is my progress.

We have a large leather sofa, so you can gauge the size by that.

I'm a little more than half way done.

This is for a tall man, Mr. Darcy so I'm using 3 whole thick skeins of the Bernat.

Although this is a blurry picture, you can see where I changed from stockinette to garter.

Th color is most truest in this pic. The yarn is not really soft, but not hard either. It's pretty thick so I'm using my wood straights.

colorway is Denim Jeans

using 3 balls/skeins

So, I'm at a standstill until I can get some things done today, I have planned out. I'm doing some really early, early early Spring cleaning. I'm donating alot of stuff because I just feel a cluttered environment is too stressful. I also have committed myself to the local domestic violence shelter in many ways and one is donation of things I don't use or have too many of, so it can be given to someone else who has less.

It'a REALLY windy day here in the North Georgia mountains. I can hear the wind whistling around the corners of the house. My chimes are very active right now. 

I enjoyed a good fire in the woodstove last night and makes me forget the raining and cold outside!

Miss Abbie is cuddled in her "day bed" and taking a morning nap. And I am writing this morning and sipping coffee with Bailey's Red Velvet Cake creamer and sugar.

Have a great Saturday. Tune in tomorrow for a Valentine design. I hope you like it. It's simple and would look great in a redwork design!

Jennifer

The Christmas Project I Kept Myself

So.

 At Christmas, and then 2 days the following week, actually New Years Day, I knitted up this scarf.

 I cast on alot of stitches and this made a wide scarf,  bordering on a wrap.

I went to knit group, actually the last night knit group from the local yarn shop and 2 large skeins of yarn had to come home with me.  This happens when I go into a yarn shop.

I was working on finishing a shawl, a scarf, a scarfette, and a men's scarf for my hubbie's birthday and so I had finished all but the January birthday scarf.

In between I had a good time when I cast on for this simple garter stitch on Christmas Eve at my parents' house with good conversation while I knitted.

This was a really quick knit.

 It really came handy on the morning here when it was 6 degrees right after Jan 1. This scarf is the softest and is soooooo warm!

I'm drawn to pinks, fushia's ad teal colors. I have a teal heavy coat that I wear it with.

It is quite long at about 65 inches and it has great drape, with a heavy softeness that just wraps up so cozy.

Yup, thats a pic of Mr. Fox in the background and I'm diligently now trying to finish up his belated gift. I will show you those pics later. He really likes the colors of his scarf. 

But this one.  Yes, this one I knit for myself.

I've found with cross stitch, I almost always keep my samplers when finished for the house.

With knitting, I'm always giving it away as gifties.

I don't know why that is. However, I picked out this yarn for myself and I busied my hands during the holidays to finish it. 

This is the yarn I used.

Universal Yarn. I love the motto here!

I have already tossed the label and the name of the colorway is Lucky something....I just remember Lucky as the first word. Sorry for forgetting that.  Maybe Lucky Pink or Lucky Cottage???

I used number 17 needles. Very chunky.

Totally functional.

Totally pretty,

and totally fast and mindless knitting.

Just what I needed when visiting to catch up on alot of conversation.

Sometimes, I think in all our stitching and knitting, we have to remember to treat ourselves too.

When you craft, do you keep, or giveaway more of your finishes?

Abbie's New Knit Shawl and a Teal Lacy Keyhole Scarf finished

This week at the homestead started with being sick with a really bad respiratory virus, waking up with a sore throat and swollen tonsils and then since then fever and head cold. My energy was zapped but hopefully on the way to getting better little by little.

I designed and knitted a little Abbie shawl this week:

I didn't go by any pattern. I just winged it and came up with this idea. Turned out sweet.

 

For these cool 60 degree morning and evenings, it's just right.

watching the sun come up and over the mountains with some fog this morning...................

sleeping in .....means to 7am. :)

 

She sends her love to all!

 

 

 

And she LOVES her some Mr. Darcy too. :)


With the same yarn, came forth this scarfette, the Lacy Keyhole Scarf for a dear friend.

The designer is Stephanie Japel and her patterns can be found on Ravelry. This particular one though is not for sale individually but through Craftsy.com class called Knit Lab. It's one of the first Knit Lab classes. She still offers this online and it's great for beginners and those who want to start learning lace knitting. I highly recommend it. I took this class online and it's still available to me now since last December. The class materials and homeroom with about 8 hours of knitting lessons are easy to play and then play again.

The yarn I chose for this scarf is above on the tag. This is knitted in two sections and then combined. The friend I knit this for picked out the color TEAL, so I got this for her with Fall coming up here.

And this is finished after weaving in the ends and putting together. This pattern is so cool because it teaches many things in one scarfette and depending on the yarn and needle size, it can look so amazingly different but still feminine. This class taught me how to make buttons holes in knitting and I hope this winter I learn how to knit a sweater.

I've made several of these now and actually there are a couple left at the Etsy shop for Feathersinthenest on Etsy. Check it out if you are looking for homemade gifts for early Christmas shopping.

This particular one is going in a gift box for a very dear friend. I know she will like this shade of teal for Fall.

The next homestead project is trying to get over this sinusitis and get a cake cooked for tomorrow evening. Tomorrow is the 20th of the month and we have made it a tradition to have a cake once a month in celebration of our anniversary date! I haven't broke that tradition. I'm thinking that I might try to make a Hummingbird Cake if I can get into town for some of the ingredients.

Hope you have a beautiful rest of the day and keep those needles moving!

Jennifer

Serious Serial Starting Stitching Saturday

I'm still cleaning/moving stash and trying to organize in some fashion: therefore, I find so many things I would like to stitch. Now. Exactly at this moment. So my time in cleaning stops in 5 minute increments to run around seeking to pull threads and linen and needles to work on them. Not much overall done but, it's another serial start. Then my day  is gone from the distraction of a new start.

The weather is day 6 of rain, several days of hard rain where driving was hard to do. Today, it seems the sun is struggling through the drizzling rain to come out to show us it's still there, but then the rain continues and I wonder if I should send a bird out for an olive branch. Perhaps a Bluebird?

To lift the rainy mood, I found a Blackbird Design sampler pattern gifted to me by Jennifer Holcombe a couple of years ago. She is the sweetest. She also made a button box for me that is always nearby and reminds me there are truly some special sweet stitchers in this world.

The design is  Bluebird--Reward of Merit pincushion. I'm stitching on 30 ct R & R linen in Gardner's (something, I can't read the rest of the label)? and using the CC SILK Belle Soie floss in Blue Lagoon she also sent with it. Bluebirds are cheerful to me and for such a rainy week----need one!

So starting with the border here.

 

I love the rich, blue colorway in silk. I can't afford silk threads regularly or even at all right now, so it's so refreshing to revisit this and stitch with it.

 

 

This hoop I've had for years, came from The Scarlett Letter. I think they still have those wooden ones and  have thoroughly enjoyed the oblong one for samplers. I looked up this name of R & R linen and couldn't find it anymore, so maybe it's retired, dunno.........

Speaking of Dunn, this linen I found in my stash from Karyn Dunn, Ma TeaKettle that she kindly gifted me a couple of years ago as well. She was so generous in giving me many, many linens that are neatly tucked away for my stash eye candy and for samplers!

 

And though my whole life turned upside down 2 years ago, there are sweet memories of the stitchers that are special to me still in my heart. I will say I learned many life lessons with my stitcher friends that year, but kept moving forward with the strength that I had.

 

 

Jennifer H. even put a mother-of-pearl thread keep heart, linen included with this sampler pattern all in the mail one day.

I hope to get some progress on this one. Even finish it!!!! soon. I want to thank all of you for the past 4 years of friendships. I appreciate those who chose to stay on my journey in life even through struggles and those who didn't for whatever reason so I could learn lessons from it.

So this weekend, I will be working on this little sampler in Blue Lagoon, hoping for blue skies to appear once again.

 Rain, Rain, go away,
 come back another day.
 If not, I'll stitch a bluebird to stay

I have vivid memories of my mama holding my hand at the back double doors looking out at the rain inside and singing this song when I was only 3 or 4 years old. Even now in long days of rain, I think about it and I'm almost a half a century old!!

The other news on the stitchy side is a side knitting project, I'm calling it The Walton.
The name is because I only mindlessly stitch 16 inch squares during the Waltons show every week night. It's when Mr Darcy, Abbie and me cuddle on the sofa and never tire of a new episode.

I had this rich, Caron Simply Soft in a jewel tone of teal and it is so soft!

I'm using Addie turbo circulars 8/ 24 in. I still haven't decided if I will do each block a different basic stitch pattern to piece together for a big blanket or garter all of it? I just don't know. I'm wingin' it.

 

I may mix this with Autumn Maize in Caron Simply Soft as it's a muted light gold color. These skeins hold over 300 yards, just can't be beat and Joanne's has them on sale this week for just 2 bucks.

 

I also haven't decided if I will stitch this as a throw or a coverlet for a bed. Now that would take a long time and many episodes of The Waltons!

 

There's always something brewing here with needles.

 Methinks it's time though for baking for the Mr.

His work group loved my Peach Cobbler muffins at a meeting and I think I started sumfin'. :0

 

Don't forget to visit the Etsy shop of Feathersinthenest. This is the last day for 25% off this week. Orders for this will be good until midnight. Mailed out on Monday.

 

I hope you all had a great Independence Day celebration. Happy Birthday America!

 

Jennifer

 

 

Twisted Tuesday--new knitting project and old/new cross stitch pattern

The foot is getting much better, thankfully! Woke up last night with it hurting but wrapping it during the day helps a bunch. Mr. Darcy's sweet love helps too. 

While NOT doing housework and such at the homestead yesterday ((((sigh)))), I knitted up a small journal cover. There is a great pattern in a book called Simple Knitting: A complete how-to-knit workshop with 20 projects  by Erika Knight. This book is from Joanne's Fabrics store.

 I got it back a few months ago when I SO wanted to learn how to knit. Along with U tubes, both have been helpful.

page 75 is number 4 lesson Notebook. 

So this is the end result and should be fairly easy going now. I will get some leather tie and sew a button on. I plan to cut up some rough paper, probably from a grocery bag and punch holes in it to put in the binder.

Then I'll show pics later of it finished out. So far one small notebook done and the next working on it. I have a couple of people I would like to give these to for Valentines Day.

Using # 9 Bates aluminum needles with Lion's Brand Mixed Berries. It's really a pretty yarn but I have to say it's tweedy texture didn't really have any "give" to it and it split quite a bit.

Got to sew a button on it, get some leather string, find a grocery bag to cut up rough papers yet to go. I've also thought about using some lace instead, as this if for Valentines.

And on to the second one.

Knitting really has been enjoyable, productive and anxiety-reducing all in one.

Anybody heard of this sampler maker?    This is a package with DMC floss, and the 26 ct natural linen, and chart for a gorgeous sampler with one of my favorite Bible verses. I think it was put out in the 80's.

It's a band sampler.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

I don't know when I will start this but I just had to show you. I had not heard of this designer before. If you have or know of other patterns, let me know!

This pattern is very little to see. I will have to use magnifier to read it; however,

the address and name on the pattern is:

Words of Praise

2 Alexis Drive

Richmond, Virginia 23231

Whoever is the designer, did a great job and the work is so meaningful.THANK YOU!

The colors are PERFECT for our family room!

The natural, unbleached linen in 26 ct will be perfect for my vision as well.

Well, I guess I've started enough projects for who knows when to finish.

The Downton Abbey episode was so SAD this past Sunday night. Of all people, Sybil. {{{frown}}}

 We can't wait to see the next one though.

I haven't much progress to show on my spot sampler for DA but when the mood strikes I'll pick it up again.

Right now I have a bit of stitcher's ADD.

Seriously.

Is it the Winter time?

the variety of crafts we all have in stash?

Whatever it is, it keeps me going!

As the verse says~~Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Carry-on and stay strong!

Love to all,

Jennifer

More Progress on Knitting project and almost finishing up Christmas decor

So, yup, I've been a busy lady of late. Besides working hard in clinic, decorating for Christmas, addressing Christmas cards to send out, I have progressed with some more knitting of a scarf.

 

Mr. Darcy is liking this alot. It's lambswool with dark brown mainly and avocado green flecks intermittently.

 

I last posted this 2 days ago:

and I felt I was getting nowhere BUT when I look at the pic I can see alot of progress.

 

Kinda like life. Someone told me long time ago and I certainly find it to be true: we don't live in the past, but we certainly have to take a look in the back mirror to see how far we've come to where we are going. That defines success. For success is not how rich we are or our place in society, it's how far one has come from where they started in the first place.

 

I've found that knitting has a very relaxing effect on me. Wish I had more time.

The scarf is cast on 21 stitches. It's a chunky yarn and I'm knitting every row for basically learning.

I know that I will knit, purl, knit, purl, another one after this.

On days like today, I think I will get alot done. It's pouring rain, cold and all I want to do is drink coffee and knit and watch a Christmas movie!

However, we have soooooooooooo much to do on the basement level to get Mr. Darcy's office set up.

He has quite the massive Presidential desk that is going to look great. He has been working to help me get it into a better living space.

And this day marks Mr. Darcy and my first month anniversary!!!

 

I ordered this ornament for our first tree. It's a 7 ft slim fir. The ornie was ordered from Personalization.com which is a GREAT gift site. They have wonderful deals and make the most memorable gifts of all you can imagine.

This ornie has our date on it.

I still am adding more ornaments today. I don't think I've ever waited so late to get my decorating complete but it's definitely surrounded with love and Christmas day is going to be special.

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few gifts under the tree. I still have wrapping to do. Mr. Darcy is quick. He wrapped his right away......smart guy!!!

 

 

 

Abbie's mat came in too.........she is already enjoying her Christmas giftie. Now she has a placemat to enjoy some people food for supper sometimes.

 

She especially enjoys potatoes and corn, and ham of late. :P

 

She is so funny this year. This is the first time she really has noticed a Christmas tree as I didn't have one last year. Occasionally at night she will walk over and put her nose up to an ornament like a deer.

And also she, for some reason, likes to take her food morsel by morsel over to enjoy eating it on the tree skirt.

 

I'm listening to Fox news this morning and see 2 really big storms coming through the north and south; hence, bringing our strong rains all day.

Everybody stay safe out there in your travels.

I see alot of the airlines in the north have canceled many flights and they are calling for alot of snow and they are expecting a white Christmas there.

 

 Continuing on to finish decorating the tree,

Jennifer