Posted in knitting, tagged Creativity, knitting, Napier Hawkes Bay New Zealand, Travel, Wool Winery on June 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »
When PJ and her husband Marty travel they always take great photos….here are two that are particularly special for us knitters! (This particular photo takes me back to when I visited my relatives in Napier in the early 1990’s. Could it really be that long ago?) Thank you for sharing PJ!!
PJ says this last week or so…..
Taken just for you in February 2010. Never too late!
PJ
Store Front – Ireland 2012
Posted in knitting, MaggiKnits, tagged Creativity, knitting, MaggiKnits, The O'Doyle Wrap on May 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »
We had way too much fun at Thursday knitting…Debbie and I were over the top comparing our wraps…..the O’Doyle Wrap designed by Maggi Jackson of MaggiKnits. We each put our knitting “stamp” on our designs. Debbie added decorative pieces under her buttons….she inadvertently changed the line up of her pieces before seaming…it works! I changed the collar to seed stitch rather than the loops. Debbie and I have more in process to share re: MaggiKnits designs. The end result is so fun…along the knitting path we always make change….because we are knitters and that is what we do!
Posted in knitting on May 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »
A whole week plus has passed since I completed the O’Dolan Wrap (design by MaggiKnits). I did show/model the garment with Skein Lane knitting groups but I had to get over shell shock from this photo that truly showed that I need to hit the road for more exercise before I shared the joy. I’ve adjusted…and now I share the joy with all of you!
This was a fun knit and completed relatively quick. From the moment I put it on, I knew that this is a garment that I will wear a lot. It not only fits perfectly but it feels good on the body! I am really excited about this!
Note that I have knit this wonderful design with my own trademark stamp…I rarely knit a pattern exactly as presented. So…what did I do differently? The pattern calls for the striped area to be tartan design which means the knitted stripes would be intersected with embroidered stripes. I dress simply to say the least…and the tartan (while beautiful) was too much for me. I made yet one more change…the collar called for a loop knit stitch design…beautiful and yet another feature too much for me. I changed the collar to seed stitch that matches the bottom edges. I love my rendition of Maggi’s vision.
I have photos to share here about the progress points in this project as well as Debbie’s progress in her project. She is knitting the O’Dolan Wrap in the colorway of Red/Black and she is following the pattern design. She will look lovely in the original design.
Debbie’s 1st 3 pieces.
The layout of this work in process…and my trusty iPad
Notice my iPad in one of the photos. As many of you have already discovered for yourselves, I have found the iPad to be such an invaluable tool. I have patterns, books, patterns, and more books at my immediate view. I am now building my own personal library in iBooks.
If you would like to knit this design it retails for $119 at Skein Lane. I haven’t listed it on the online store yet…for now you can contact Skein Lane directly at skeinlane@aol.com.
Posted in knitting, tagged Interweave Knits, Laurel Yarn, Marty's Afghan, Spidery Tank on May 9, 2013| 1 Comment »
Susanne – Spidery Tank
Last Saturday when I was getting ready for the morning knitting workshop, I couldn’t quite get happy with my look for the day. It was hot and I really wanted a knitted tank to drop over my cami. I have a couple tops on the needles but not ready for my wearing.
Susanne arrives for our walk before knitting wearing just the look that I was coveting. This lovely piece was inspired by Interweave Knits Spidery Tank pattern featured in the Summer 2009 issue. I’ve become quite enthralled with digital media on my iPad….so I downloaded the magazine today….amazingly enough I did not have that magazine in my knitting library. Susanne used Shaefer’s Laurel….a cotton that so many of us have enjoyed.
An aside….Cheryl has retired and closed her yarn business. This lovely yarn will be gone from the market. Some of us from Saturday morning group were possessed recently (imagine that) … we ordered some Laurel. Of course, I got some because it is one of my favorite yarns to knit particularly since I love knitting with cottons that produce great results. I knit Marty’s Afghan from Laurel which I so enjoyed the knitting and the finished afghan.
Back to Susanne…isn’t this a fun look and perfect for those hot days?! Here’s a close-up of the pattern!
Spidery Tank – back view
Posted in knitting, tagged knitting, random acts of kindness, Rebozo Shawl, Silky Wool on May 6, 2013| 1 Comment »
Some of you may recall that for several years I have modeled garments that I’ve knit in the Home Economics Club of Contra College’s Annual Fashion Show. Last June I modeled three garments….and arrived home with two. The item that did not return with me was the Rebozo Stole that I knit in Sandy’s memory. This stole was extraordinarily special to me….I helped Sandy pick out the yarn for this project and it was still in her “to-do” stash when her health took a turn for the worst..and she passed away with several of us by her bedside. I knit this stole with such fond memories. I was so proud to model it….I loved it and I loved the memories behind it.
I knew as soon as I got home at the end of the day that the stole was missing. I was so annoyed with myself thinking that I must have dropped it in my haste to get back to the day job. I called the Center where the show was…no there was no stole. I was possessed and drove the 10 miles back to the Center to look for myself. It wasn’t there. For these many months past I’ve often had the “missing stole dismay” pass by me. How could have I lost the stole…how could I left it behind…did I?
Yesterday Lucille of the Home Ec group called wanting to set up a time to meet…we chose 5 pm today. She came with a gift offered because the Club felt so bad about my stole. What I learned today is that I did leave it at the Center and it was seen after I left….but it did disappear later in the day. This random act of kindness from this wonderful group is because they felt bad for me that I left something precious to me behind. Their gift is heartfelt….I am so grateful for their thoughtfulness. It’s been on my mind to purchase the same yarn to knit the stole again. I loved it then and now it would be an extra special memory.
Diane and I wearing our Rebozo’s in 2009
Posted in knitting on April 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »
I learned of Sally’s passing yesterday…I remember Sally with such warm thoughts. I haven’t seen her since Skein Lane store front closed…but so often before that. She was a regular at our knitting workshops and events. I so enjoyed reading about Sally’s life….while we often know a lot about people whose paths we cross…I realize that there is always so much more to know.
I so enjoyed knowing Sally!
Sally Ann Belshe Resident of Moraga Sally passed away peacefully on March 23 from complications of heart disease. She was born in 1943 to Clarence and Trudy Hamberlin of El Cerrito, California. A woman of many talents, Sally began her career as an elementary school teacher in Richmond after finishing her BA in Education from San Francisco State University in 1965. She was crowned “Miss San Francisco” in 1962. She owned and operated a successful business, “Stained Glass by Sally” for many years before beginning a career as a nurse. She earned her RN degree in 1986 followed by a MS in Cardiovascular Nursing in 1991 with a 4.0 GPA from UCSF. Sally was an educator, an artist, a nurse, a model, an avid golfer, a cherished Mother, and true friend to all who met her. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Bob, her brother James Hamberlin, children Michael, Marie Cottman (Don), Robert Jr. (Randi), and Diana McDonald (Kerry), and nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her twin brother, William Hamberlin, and her parents. Throughout her life, Sally was passionate about education, health, and the well-being of others. After nursing for several years, she continued work as a nurse educator with a focus on patient outcomes and quality health care. In retirement, Sally enjoyed golf and art, and she was a prolific painter, knitter, and jewelry maker. Her family, friends, and doctors have long been inspired by her strength, positive spirit, and keen sense of humor. She will be dearly missed. Friends are invited to a Memorial Celebration at 2:30 pm on April 17th at Mira Vista Golf and Country Club in El Cerrito (7901 Cutting Blvd). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the American Heart Association or to the John Muir Hospital Foundation.
Posted in knitting, tagged Jersey Boys, knitting, Lefty O'Doul's, sweater coat on April 11, 2013| 2 Comments »
Two posts in one day….what is the world coming to?
Want to share the photos of the lovely knit sweater coat that my sister Betty and I saw yesterday. We had just come from seeing Jersey Boys at the Curran Theatre and we were wining and dining at Lefty O’Doul’s on Geary Street. As a woman walked by our table we couldn’t help but notice her sweater coat. We had a chance to talk with her and snap a photo.
“No”, she says…..”I didn’t make it. My grandmother was from Czechoslovakia…she was a great knitter and crocheter…and she was a great cook. I learned to cook but didn’t learn to knit!”
This young woman was most generous and let me snap a couple of shots to share with you before she rejoined her friends/family for the evening performance of the Jersey Boys.
Posted in Friendship, knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting on April 11, 2013| 4 Comments »
Susanne and her gift of love – Moderne Blanket for her son and wife!
As some of us approach the end of our projects we find ourselves singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. This all started with Susanne’s Moderne Adult Afghan. This has been an ongoing project for a little more than a year….she has knit many other things and then comes back to afghan when she needs a “garter stitch fix. ” She is on the last stretch of 99 rows ….I think last report was that she had 49 more rows to go.
The O’Dolan Wrap design by MaggiKnits
Now I am nearing the end of a recently started project and find myself humming the refrain of 99 bottles….. My project is another MaggiKnit’s caplet/stole (the kit can be ordered through Skein Lane Studio). It is made up of 8 pieces that are sewn together and then “topped” with a collar. I am one quarter the way through the 8th piece…..I am thinking it will be on the assembly table soon for the joy of seaming. Debbie has also embarked on this project….and she is on her 4th piece. News flash….Debbie just told me has more done and will share tonight when we join to click our needles and tell tales!
I am having way too much fun with my iPad….what a great tool. I now store my working pattern in iBook…and can easily access my pattern at any time. What I love the best is that I can “blow the pattern up” and get right to the detail.
As with most patterns that I knit….I make change and make it more uniquely “mine”. In this case….lovely as though the tartan might be it’s just a bit too busy for me….so mine will striped….might add some embroidery. The finally unveiling for our (Susanne, Debbie, and mine) projects will be posted soon.
Posted in knitting, tagged cooking, oatmeal, recipe on April 5, 2013| 2 Comments »
This is the baked oatmeal dish mentioned in yesterday’s post….it has become one of my “staples”. Enjoy!
from The Simply Gourmet Diabetes Cookbook
Makes 8 servings
“For oatmeal fans who want more protein in their breakfast, adding milk and egg white does the trick, making it somewhat like bread pudding. Since baked oatmeal keeps for several days in the refrigerator, you can make a batch on the weekend and reheat it during the week when you want a quick breakfast.” Carolyn’s comment: it’s great!
Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 ¼ cps quick oats or 2 ¾ cps old fashioned rolled oats
½ cp firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp sale (optional)
3 1/3 cps skim milk
4 egg whites, slightly beaten, or ½ cp egg substitute
1 TBS vegetable oil
1 TBS vanilla
Syrup or yogurt optional
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square glass baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
Posted in knitting, tagged Birthdays, celebrations, hats, knitting, oatmeal on April 4, 2013| 1 Comment »
No…it wasn’t cold…this photo was taken last year!
We have much to celebrate (besides our love of knitting) in our knitting groups….it seems that we had several celebrations since Stitches. While some of us were dining out on the Friday night at Stitches we treated three of our gang for their birthdays – Karen K, Patricia and Sheri. Great food and drinks….and, of course, conversation.
March brought more birthdays to shout out about…..Cameron treated the Friday morning group to an afternoon bowling party. Oh what fun….and what interesting bowling scores for many of us.
The most recent was just last Saturday when we celebrated Katie’s (of the Saturday group) birthday. Food is always part of our celebrations….there was pineapple, strawberries, homemade macaroons, and my now “infamous” baked oatmeal. I discovered this recipe in a health cookbook a few years back and have served it several times. Imagine my pleasure when Shari S. said her husband enjoys it so much that it is the breakfast dish that he brings to a bi-monthly business breakfast meeting when it is his turn. This dish has become a staple at breakfast/brunch gatherings. The recipe is forthcoming…watch for next post!
Look what Diane made for Katie!
And all the while we keep on knitting….check out Maurie’s latest hat!
Her latest hat…more details to follow!
Skein Lane - IN THE LOOP 