Knit Therapy

I'm a bit under the weather---at least it's a gray and rainy day. I've prescribed TLC, knit therapy, hot soup, and Netflix for myself.

The Beads Go On

This Schaefer yarn is gorgeous, 100% cotton, the colors are vibrant---intense and supersaturated, and the glossy mercerized finish stood up beautifully to the process of sliding the beads onto the strand, which can cause severe wear on some yarns. I haven't knitted with it yet, but the yarn doesn't look as if splitting will be a problem. The yarn is smooth and crisp to the touch, but I'm expecting some softening with wear and time. I can't wait to start knitting late this afternoon, and perhaps I can post my progress tomorrow. Here are three more beautiful colors from Ewe Need Yarn.

The size 6 Matte Charcoal Seed Beads I chose to go with the yarn are pictured above. Seed beads are tiny pieces of glass cane that have been heated until they are smooth. Available in hundreds of colors and many finishes, they are sized by number, the higher the number, the smaller the bead. Japanese seed beads are generally recognized as being the best. Fusion Beads ,located in Seattle, offered free standard shipping (no minimum order); and my beads arrived in just a week. Included in the package was a free gift for a new customer :-)

It was a nail biter, but they won, and their fans are thrilled that the Saints are Super Bowl bound. You can show your support by knitting this Black & Gold Fleur d'Lis using mosaic knitting, a technique in which one one color is carried per row and contrasting colors are slipped. Reply to the blog for more info.

Geaux Saints!

Bless You Boys! Whatever happens today, it has been a great season, and a lot of fun. Finish strong. At our house we'll be watching, and my knitting will keep stress in check and my hands out of the snacks.

Knitting With Beads

Many of the generous knitting designers that sell their patterns on Ravelry have pledged a percentage of their sales to Haitian relief. Ravelry has grouped these patterns here. The pattern for the Undulating Waves Scarf is one of those listed; this beautiful scarf uses Schaefer Susan handpainted cotton and #6 beads. I will host a mini class on Knitting With Beads if any of you want to join me in making this scarf. I ordered my yarn from Ewe Need Yarn and my #6 Miyuki beads from Fusion Beads (I ordered 6 pkgs). Please purchase the Susan Undulating Waves Scarf from Ravelry (the wool Heather Undulating Waves Scarf knits to a different gauge). The class fee will be $10.00 and the entire amount will be donated to Episcopal Relief for Haiti. Let me know if you are interested. The pattern for the French Press Slippers is also available at the same link. If the link doesn't work for you, just go to Ravelry. ">

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Don't you like this photo of a Louisiana winter scene.? I've enjoyed being able to see the birds more easily now that so many of the trees have shed their leaves.

I've been having computer problems, three defective modems later I'm finally back on line, ready to get back to blogging.

The twelve days of Christmas are my favorite part of the season, beginning with an afternoon church service, followed by all the wonderful happy chaos of family, food, and laughter and ending with Katy's birthday celebration. She is twelve, and still a joy. Over the past few years, it has been my custom to spend December 26th in my red robe and slippers, sipping coffee or tea, knitting, reading, napping.... All this cold weather is conducive to indoor activities, and I have been in cocoon mode, content to let Hugh run the errands (he seems to suffer from cabin fever much more frequently than I).

I thought this Soft Rib Rib Sweater would be perfect to wear while curled up with a good book or knitting; it could also double as a bed jacket! A quick knit on large needles, it is a free pattern from the Lion Brand web site.
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90464AD.html?r=1