Emptyknitster

This weekend has been windy and chilly. Years ago, when we lived closer to town I would plant my flowers on Mother's Day. Now that we live on the highest point in Yellowstone County there is a two week delay. I did dig in the dirt a little, and plant a pot of grass on the deck for the kitties to sit in. After last summer's gigantic mucking out of the house it just needs a little "spiffing up." I decided to get the cleaning underway before school is out. I cleaned the kitchen, cupboards, pantry, walls and floor this yesterday. Yes, one room complete! I have every intention of cleaning the living, dining, and family rooms next weekend... we’ll see. It would be a great jump start to the summer. I also had some time for knitting. I finished the last pair of socks that I'll be doing for awhile. I need to be starting the Christmas sweaters for the kiddos soon. Pattern: Donna's Easy Socks Yarn: Kroy, (Because I used Kroy yarn, I needed to be very careful. ...

Over a year ago I knit a sweater for a dear friend's new babe. That little guy is growing like a weed and the sweater now fits!  What a cute little guy. He was at the house last month, settled right in and thought I'd make a pretty good gramma!

My great-grandfather owned a store in Virden, Illinois called G. P. Cheney and Co.. He moved his family to St Louis and ran a store for a short period of time before finally moving Lyons, Colorado in the late1880's. In Lyons he owned and operated a quarry. Tonight I did a little snooping on the internet and really scored!  Grandfather and his family lived in Noland Precinct, Boulder Co. Colorado. My great-grandfather is listed as a stone dealer and Grandfather and his brother operated the quarry according to the 1900 Census. I began searching quarries in the area and added my grandfather's name. The search took me to a section at Denver Public Library filled with photos of quarries and miners that worked there. The very first photo is one of a group of men. The photo is entitled Noland Colorado Band, 1892.  (Correct names + correct area + correct occupation + correct era = MY Grandfather!!)  There, in the front row is my grandfather and his older brother! ...

Two teachers in the knitting class I taught in March are inspired. At an early morning faculty meeting one of the new knitters showed me a magazine photo of beautifully cables fingerless gloves. She wanted to know if she could possibly aspire to knitting the gloves. Hmmm... I remembered recently seeing a very nice pair of reading gloves at my blog friend Andrea's . No cables but something that a couple of new knitters would be able to conquer.  At Easter the California Dreamin' Gurl said she'd like a pair, but she wanted them knit a little longer.  I quickly started the pair on mitts, "Just to see if they were a go for the new knitters."  I finally finished the mitts today and think that the pattern is a hit, easy to follow and easy to modify. Pattern: Susie's Reading Mitts Yarn: Less than a skein of Plymouth Yarn Galway, Colornep Colorway: Gray Needles: US size 5 Also, during the Easter visit Chloe told me her favorite book is The Secret Garden . It ...

This morning we were honored with the presence of an Olympic athlete. Joan Benoit was the first gold medal winner in the woman's marathon at Los Angeles in 1984. Joan Benoit told the students about how life has changed for girls in school. When she went to school there were no sports activities for girls and she had to wear a dress everyday except for "Field Day". This brought back memories for me. I too, had the same rules. The only “sports” that girls could participate in were dance or cheerleading. It wasn't until the year after I graduated high school in cold Montana girls were allowed to wear long pants to school – and never shorts.  She spoke to the kiddos about finding what you are passionate about, setting goals, and then persevering. I sat listening and I realized how I’m going through this process right now as a grownup. I’m beginning to look toward retirement and lately I’ve been thinking about some new goals. I 'm pleased that the goals I’ve been...

Last week I was delighted to hear - a fourth grade teacher at our school was having a G-I-R-L! Knitting for little girls is so much fun! My little gals aren't quiet so tiny anymore and lately all the babies at work have been boys. I immediately started planning:  Pattern: Summer Chills Cardigan Yarn: Cascade Pacifica, 40% Superwash Merino Wool/60% Acrylic Color: Baby Pink   I had been admiring this pattern for some time and I've just been waiting for the announcement of the arrival of a little girl. The babe in the pattern photo looks just darling! The sweater is knit in cotton yarn however, and I don't like knitting with cotton. It's not easy to knit and I don't feel like cotton is as durable as other yarns. Besides the baby is due in late August (hot, hot, hot, in Montana) and she will quickly need some warmth for the chilly fall days. Also, I don't know if this new little momma has an understanding of yarn and the care that each type of yarn may need so...

Wild Purl's is a great yarn shop to buy yarn, needles, and patterns. BUT most importantly, Wild Purl's is a place where everybody knows your name ! Making your way in the world today Takes everything you've got; Taking a break from all your worries Sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? All those night when you've got no lights, The check is in the mail; And your little angel Hung the cat up by it's tail; And your third fiance didn't show; Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, And they're always glad you came; You want to be where you can see, Our troubles are all the same; You want to be where everybody knows your name. Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead; The morning's looking bright; And your shrink ran off to Europe, And didn't even write; And your husband wants to be a girl; Be glad there's one place in the world Where everybody knows your name, And they're always gla...