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.

DC Diva Scarf - Free Pattern

 

When my boys were in high school (they are both in their 30s now), they were very active in theater and band. As band and theater parents, we volunteered for all the activities including feeding the kids, selling tickets, ushering performances, driving kids around, raising money, creating and fixing costumes, etc., etc. One of the best parts was getting to know the other parents. 

After high school, our kids left for college, and then for careers in other areas of the country from New York to Los Angeles. They kept in touch through Facebook, but as their lives filled with other friends, they spent less time with each other. After a couple of years, my friend Linda decided we didn't need the kids to get us together, so five of us started meeting for dinner, movies, and theater performances. We discovered how much we loved each other and supported each other. So now, 15+ years later, we meet about every six weeks, including during Covid by Zoom. I don't know what I would do without these women! We started calling ourselves the DC Divas (DC for Douglas County, the name of the high school)

Every Christmas we have a small gift exchange. A couple of years ago, I made these scarves for the five of us. The colors were purple, red, blue, pink, and maroon. They loved them! The scarves are quick and easy. I am now offering the pattern for free so you can make them for your Diva Group. Scroll down for the pattern and to see a picture of the Divas!

DC Diva Scarf

 

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds). 
The skeins are long enough that you can make at least two scarves from each.
Size US 11 Needles

Yarn needle to weave in ends.

Gauge: Not really important

Size: As long as you want it!

 

Cast on 60 stitches.

Knit 6 rows (3 ridges on each side).

Begin pattern:

Row 1: K3, * ssk, k, yo*. Rep from * around to last 3 sts. K3.

Row 2: K3, P every stitch to last 3 sts. K3.

 

Continue these two rows for 72 inches or until you reach the desired length.  You can also make the scarf narrower by decreasing the number of stitches as long as it is divisible by 2.

Knit 6 rows.  Bind off very loosely.

Weave in ends.  Block aggressively. Lace easily stretches so you can make the scarf longer and wider.

L to R: Linda, Susan, Mo, Katy, me

Katarina Cloche Hat - Free Pattern

 Katarina Cloche Hat

This hat has a flared brim while the rest of the hat fits snugly over your head. It is knitted a bit longer than your head would need so it has a slouchy design. It is mainly knitting in the round with one row of purling for the fold line plus increases and decreases in the brim and crown. And the pattern is free! Enjoy.

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Purple (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds)

    (any fingering or sock yarn works well with this pattern too)
Size US 2.0 (2.5 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 2.0 (2.5 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

6 Stitch markers

Gauge: 16 stitches in pattern to 2”

Size: Fits most medium (22-23”) to large (23-25”) sized heads since pattern is very stretchy. To make a smaller (or larger size), reduce (or increase) the number of cast on stitches by numbers divisible by 2.

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 144 sts. Place marker and join.

Knit one row

Next Row: *K3, K in front and back of next stitch.* Continue to end of round (180 stitches).

Next Row: Knit 15 rounds.

Next Row: Purl one round (fold line)

Next Row: Knit 15 rounds.

Next Row: *K3, K2tog.* Continue to end of round (144 stitches).

Knit every round until the hat measures 10 inches from the fold line.

*Knit 24 stitches, place marker* five times. Knit 24 stitches.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: *SSK, Knit to 2 stitches before the next marker. K2tog, slip marker.*

Round 2: K all stitches.

Repeat these two rows until you have two stitches between each marker.

Break yarn. Thread yarn thread and draw through the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

Stitch up the Brim:

Fold up the brim along the fold line. Pin in place. Cut a long length of the yarn and thread needle. Stitch the brim to the body of the hat using a whip stitch. Do a tiny stitch on the body of the hat. Every few inches, stretch the brim to prevent the brim from getting too tight. Weave in the ends.

 

Mysterious Kitty Dimension

I am convinced that cats can move into other dimensions and that is why we sometimes cannot find them. 

Today, I couldn't find Wookie. I called her, shook the treats bags, looked in all her usual hiding places, opened closet doors, and she was nowhere. 

After 20 minutes, I was starting to get a little worried. Suddenly, she appeared in the middle of the living room. Just sitting there, staring at me like I'm the crazy one. She was not there a few minutes ago. I know she slipped into that other dimension where there are lots of other cats to play with, other than just our other cat, Omi. 

I have always believed that Wookie was a magic cat because she has healing powers. I don't know what other talents this tortie has.