Emptyknitster

Hubby and I decided to drive up to the top of the Beartooth Mountains Thursday. This is something we usually do at the annual opening of the highway on Memorial weekend. The Highway Department was right on schedule and opened the road Friday before Memorial Day but after a snowfall during the night it was closed the rest of the holiday weekend. We had forgotten about going until a comment was made on the local news about the amount of snow still on the mountain, we both looked at each other and off we went. Also, the "Annual First Fawn of the Season" Contest came to an end as we drove down the highway. Hubby stomped on the brakes when a new fawn hopped out of the tall grass and decided to run across the road. In confusion the fawn ran back and forth several times. I don't think it liked the feel of the pavement and was rather shaky before it finally headed back to where it's mom had left it - hopefully the fawn learned an important lesson and will stay where momma pl...

The NorDakPurl Gurl commented on yesterday's post: "Your newly knit blanket is in much better condition than the VERY much loved "bluie"!! I hope the next little one finds even half as much comfort it their blanket as your grandson found in his!" The Tiger truly loves his blanket - the second one since his birth. As a baby he had it with him for naps, nighttime and comfort. Once when he was visiting The Tiger became sick in the middle of the night, up chucking everywhere including Bluie. The NorDakPurl Gurl paniced because this had happened at home and caused quite a problem. The Tiger had insisted on sitting atop the washer and dryer (with a bucket in hand) while his friend Bluie was cleaned. An hour long process was made to seem much longer by having a tired momma standing in the basement with a sick baby in the middle of the night. However, being the ever resourceful Gramma that I am, I had recently finished another circular blanket. I quickly went ...

When I visited my first grandchild as a baby, she was often wrapped in a very interesting blanket. It had been knit for my son-in-law by a family friend, whom they fondly referred to as Aunt Tilly. I spent the next few years searching for the pattern to this circular blanket. I knew it was not Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi Shawl because it was NOT knit in the round, but in rows. You may think that you would never knit a circular shawl in rows but there is a reason to at least consider this pattern. If the blanket is knit in rows, it can be entirely knit in garter stitch - no purling! Personally, I don't care for a blanket or afghan pattern that has a "wrong" side. Knitting a blanket in garter stitch takes care of that problem. When the coming of the second grandchild was announced I went into overdrive trying to find Aunt Tilly's pattern but finally had to take the original blanket of my son-in-law's and stitch by stitch write down the instructions:...

I knit these slippers for my grandmother one Christmas and she loved them, I thought they were a great gift until my mom said she was afraid Gramma would slip in them. After that, although she asked for more, I never sent her any..... Now I've developed a much smaller version for the popular 18" dolls, enjoy! US size 5 needles This uses only a small amount of yarn… Cast on 16 stitches. Row 1:Knit across Row 2: Knit 4, Purl 1, Knit 6, Purl 1, Knit 4 Repeat these two rows 6 times more. K 1, P 1 across row Repeat 7 more rows Sew together, add pompom

My Dad worked in management for the railroad. His heart belonged to the Northern Pacific but eventually our stomachs were filled by the Burlington Northern along with a one way ticket around the Pacific Northwest. I had just finished my first year at the U of M when we pulled up stakes and move from Missoula, Montana, a place that I love dearly. This remains one of the last hippy holdouts in America and probably the world. A very unique place in the mountains. We had several great friends that we left behind, one of my favorite families lived two houses down from us. I babysat the kiddos so much that the youngest started calling me Momma. (I didn't babysit the kiddos for a few weeks until the little one got priorities straight in her little noodle) When we moved our family recieved a gift from this family, a large wooden bowl. It was intended for popcorn - evidently everyone in the neighborhood knew the large amount of popcorn that we consumed on a Sunday night when we'd g...

This week I'm spending time with my coworkers at a MBI Conference (Montana Behavior Intervention) in Bozeman, Montana. There are many changes in store for our district: new principal, new vice principal, the school joining the MBI group - meaning new guidelines for students and teachers. What an exciting and challenging time for all of us! Our Fearless Leaders: Mike and Don We arrived Sunday night beginning the conference bright and early Monday and continuing through Friday morning. Yesterday, after a full day of lecture, many in the group decided to take a short drive and hike to a local waterfall. It was the first full day of summer and very much needed. Even on the 21st of June snow can easily be found in Montana! Barb, Sharon, Stephanie (In back) Stephanie, Kim, Me, Don, Mike, Heather The wildflowers were blooming: Shooting stars  Beautiful scenery: ::  You're never to old for a good snowball fight! Leave it to a bunch of teachers to break The Number One Rul...

A couple of days ago I received  a letter by snail mail from Sadie Lou. Also enclosed was a book that she had written with the following dedication:  The letter included the following drawing, Sadie knows her Grandma well!  Today I received an email from the California Dreamin' Gurl: "The pirate sweater thing is beginning to be a bit of a problem with Cameron - it must have been 85 degrees today and the second graders all went to the park for a field trip and he still wouldn't take it off!  Looking back at the photos from this year he has been wearing it more or less non-stop since October!  He told me it makes him feel secure and reminds him of Gramma.  I'm pretty sure we need an intervention." The Pirate in his sweater "bowling" earlier this spring It's great to be appreciated by those you love!