The Wild Turkey Visit -- not the kind you drink

Here is the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we have wild turkeys. They often hang out at our house because we don't have dogs. (No one is barking at them).

We have curious kitties trying to figure out what these big birdies are. Wookie and Omi will chatter at birds in the bird feeder, but they seem oddly silent while watching this gigantic sparrows. 

Wookie decides to keep quiet and just watch.

Turkeys will often perch in the trees. This is right outside our deck. 

(In fact, it is taken from inside the house.

By the way, a group of wild turkeys is called a rafter.

Omi is watching very carefully.

I am in my kitchen taking this from the window.

This turkey is about 10 feet from me.

Also, turkeys can fly, but only for short distances, 

usually just to get into a tree.

We counted 15 birds in this rafter of turkeys.

Fighting the Cold Weather by Omi and Wookie

Mommy, I'm cold.

 

Don't worry, I'll keep you warm.

That's better.

My Alaska Hat - Trees and Snow

I love this pattern. I used yarn from my stash including a Red Heart Symphony. I don't think it is available any more but it was perfect for this project. It is fluffy and a bit fuzzy, so it looks like snow.  This fuzz even floats over on the trees to make it seems there is snow on the branches. I just love how it turned out. 

The pattern is by Camille Descoteaux and it is worth paying for the pattern. It is also very fun to knit even if you are new to stranding. I made it in about two days. Go for it.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6

Twisting Hat

I took a break from my Lorne hats (see post of February 17) and made a Hoarfrost Hat by Alena Matevitch. This is a free pattern on Ravelry and I included the link. It is a real hoot to knit and not as difficult as it looks. It uses twisted stitches and cables to make the design pop out. 

So take a chance and make this extraordinary hat.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hoarfrost-hat-3 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hoarfrost-hat-3 

Oh Deer!

 

I live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just south of Denver. Just below the large window in our living room is a valley where no one can ever build. My husband is an architect/builder, so it is a beautiful, modern house taking full advantage of the view. But one of the best parts is we are surrounded by wildlife. 

There isn't a day that goes by when we don't see deer. Since we don't have a dog (only cats), the deer hang out in our yard all year. 

They will even come up to the front door to greet us.

But I never get tired of my valley.

The Sandie Fingerless - Free pattern

 

This is a very soft novelty yarn I purchased several years ago. I was happy to see it still available online since the yarn store where I purchased it is long closed. It is a little tricky to work with though. You have to be sure to knit through the thread holding the fluff on. It is very easy to knit some of the fluff instead. The other hard part is that it is very difficult to frog --  just a warning.

Sandie Fingerless Gloves

 

MATERIALS
1 skein Sirdar Snowflake Ultra light Chunky

(100% Polyester; 125m/137yds) 50g
Size US 5 (3.75mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 8 stitches per 2 inches.

Two sizes: Medium (Large). Both left and right hands are made the same.

 

Cast on 30 (34) sts. Place marker and join.

Purl one round.

Work in stockinette (knit every round) for 4½” (5½”).

Thumb hole: Turn your work. Slip first stitch as if to purl. Purl around to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Knit to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Purl to the gap.

Repeat the last two rows until the gap is 2” (Total work is 6½” (7½”)

Knit to the gap but do not turn. Knit over the gap and continue to work in stockinette (knit every round) for 2½” (3½”) or the desired length.

Purl one round. 

Bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Weave in end.

 

More of the Lorne Hat - Free Pattern

Sometimes when I like a pattern, I will knit it to death. That seems to be the issue with the Lorne hat. I named this hat after my son Lorne even though he doesn't need a hat. He lives in Los Angeles so a very warm hat is unnecessary most of the time. He still wears one every now and then. However, he has several hats already. 

It is a free pattern, but you have to go back to the post on January 17 for the pattern. As of that time, I had made the Lorne hat in maroon, cobalt blue, gray, and burnt orange.  As of today, I have made the hat in hot pink, teal, denim blue and lime green. I still have a couple more hats on needles with variegated yarn to see how they look. I'm going to have to move on to another pattern one of these days.