White and Striped

I made one of my Lorne hats in white. Not a good idea. I spent more time picking little black kitty hairs out of the hat than I did knitting it. It's a pretty hat though. 

I also made the other hat in a self-striping sock yarn because I have given up on knitting socks for awhile.

I will be packing up most of these hats and taking them to the Gathering Place. It is a day shelter for women and children. I just cleaned out my closet of my working clothes and will bring those as well.

I am truly addicted to this pattern. I have several WIPs (Works in Progress) with this pattern, including a pink one and a purple one. I need to move onto another pattern but I just can't help it.

4th Largest Snow Storm?

This picture was taken about half way through the storm. It was the 4th most snow in our history. We were snowed in for only a day, which was a Sunday, and we were able to drive out of our subdivision with no trouble. The schools were already on spring break and many people were working from home anyway. 

Now really that big an impact.

Lavender Hat Just for Me!

This is is a sock yarn but I love the color and pattern so much, I have to put it on my head instead of my feet. I wanted it bigger so it doesn't crush my hair but still covers my ears. The pattern is a free pattern called the Lorne pattern. If you want the pattern, it is written out on the post for February 17, 2021. 

 

Knit to Keep Warm with a Free Pattern. Big Snow Coming.

 The prediction is somewhere between 1 and 3 feet of snow, starting tomorrow (March 11). The snowiest month in Colorado is actually March, so this is not unusually. In March of 2003, we had 3 feet of snow but my family was in New Orleans at the time and could only watch it on television in between trips to the French Quarter. We had three underage boys with us, so we went to hear the jazz. 

However, we are batting down the hatches for the next mega-storm: candles, flashlights, firewood, grocery run. We are set. I will post about the snow when it starts. 

Meanwhile, I have been knitting. This is a ball of yarn I found in my stash, and I loved the color.  I didn't use a pattern because it is very basic. Keep in mind, I have been knitting for over 60 years, so I often "just knit" instead of using a pattern. But I thought I would post the pattern here anywhere.

Materials:

Bulky yarn (I didn't use the whole skein so one should be enough.
Size 9 16"circular needle
Stitch marker
yarn needle

Using the long tail method, cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join being careful to not twist the stitches.

Knit 1, purl 1. Continue until the piece is 13 inches. 

Begin crown (changing to DPNs when needed): 

K1, p1, k2tog. Repeat for entire round.

Next row: k1, p1, k1. Repeat for entire round.

Next row. K2tog, k1.

Next row: K the entire row.

Next row. Remove marker. k2tog around until there are about 8 stitches left. Cut yarn. Using a yarn needles, gather the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

You can fold up about 4 inches. I did a whip stitch to keep the cuff in place but that it optional. 

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.