December 29, 2009

Twoonie bargoonie



What, you may ask, was I doing shopping this time of the year? Well, not for Boxing Week specials! I was looking for scrap yarns for future projects. There weren't anything interesting but I did find this fabulous hand-knitted shawl for $2! (I am calling it a shawl because of the yarn used.) I have to consult Valerie about this.

Someone had put in a lot of hours making this. The person who was pricing it at Value Village obviously didn't recognize that. And neither was the person who gave it away!

Well, that trip sure made my day!

December 17, 2009

Craft distractions

Plunging into an online gardening course can be easily done but it isn't much fun sitting in front of the computer all the time. I can't multitask, for one thing. (Snacking & sipping tea are not tasks.) So, this fall I had attempted several projects while I sit with Bob flip through the channels. (Oh, OK. We do follow "The Mentalist", "Heartbeat", "The Midsommer murders", the occasional NCIS and CSI.)

Crochet: I haven't picked up a crochet hook for years! Here is the triangular "prayer shawl" I took with me during the fall Halifax trip.


This is a rectangular "prayer shawl" that I started in Halifax and almost finished crocheting it while on the train heading home.






Knit: aside from knitting socks, this is a major knitting project (seen here while it was being blocked). The pattern was borrowed from Valerie. It is called "Lake of the Woods" but I couldn't find a suitable lake color (when Valerie & I shopped in one of the LYS.) It is a capelet which keeps me warm & cozy. I have used it several times for different holiday luncheons & suppers.






This is my first cabled hat I've ever knitted just for me! The color is "Bordeaux" but this photo shows more pink. I love the challenge of cable stitches but at the same time the repetition is ideal when one is watching TV.

Of course, I am continually looking for easy patterns to use up my existing years worth of yarn collection - mostly leftovers from different projects. For example, I found some cotton yarn the other day so, I am experimenting with circular knitted dishcloths...Oh, so many things to do..so little time!

About Me

Enjoying retirement, embracing challenges, and living simply