Emptyknitster

Last week I put the tablecloth on the table for Thanksgiving dinner. I crocheted it several years ago when I thought that knitting in the summer was "a crazy thing to do" because wool was just to hot to handle in the middle of a Montana summer. Now I know - just crank up the air conditioning baby! The project had originated when Karen, our now retired school secretary, gave me two boxes of cotton thread that she had found at an estate sale.The previous owner had intended to make a bedspread, and started a small bit of what was obviously to be a big project. (I will someday complete her pieces - possibly into a table runner.)  I have the receipt for this purchase in a safe place - just wish I could remember where. The boxes of thread were bought for under $30 in the mid 1940’s at the leading department store in Billings, Hart Albin. So, although the tablecloth is less than 10 years old, the cotton thread that it was crocheted with is 60 years old and there is plenty of th...

In October I wrote about the Weavers, a family in my husband's ancestry. ( Were my inlaws outlaws ?) Last Friday I was excited to see that I had received a comment to this post: C. Wilson said... This blog is very interesting to come across. Henry Weaver was the first husband of my great-great grandfather's older sister, Lucretia McCutchan. I have a photo of Henry, Lucretia and Adelbert (their son that was named after who is being called Adel and Dell in a lot of the articles). That photo was taken probably just a few months before the vigilante attack took place,  Henry, Lucretia and Adelbert Weaver and I have a picture of just Henry Weaver as well. Henry had a daughter that was born not long before he was killed - her name was Henrietta. Let me know if you'd like to see the photos.  PS- They'll eventually be posted in my genealogy and history blog.  ( journey back in time genealogy ) This was such an exciting post, internet is so great! This in...

Roving turned into yarn right before my eyes! It was a bit of a surprise not to begin spinning perfect yarn. All the years I've been knitting allows me to know exactly the yarn I want to use. Shouldn't I be able to spin it instantly? For a while I thought the yarn would only be used for a pillow for Nikko!   When Rosalinda arrived at the house, I vowed all yarn produced would be knit into items. Quickly I learned to order 8 ounces of roving or braid. It isn't easy to find something to knit when you have less than 200 yards of yarn! Thanks to Ravelry, I found two patterns for the new spun yarn. Monkey Mitts Fingerless Mitts by Alisa Bluesunflower Needle size: US 6 MY handspun yarn: 80 yards of Marl, just a bit of Ivory and Red Miss Sadie's Scarflette by Sara Kay MY handspun yarn: less than 130 yards Needle Size: 13 I thought this garter stitch cowl pattern would "cover up the yarn's flaws" but I think the stockinette stitch in the mitts made a b...

At the beginning of their visit the grandkiddos went into town to get snowboots for the North Dakota winter that is sure to be arriving. While driving home they made their parents promise that was the only time they would have to leave Gramma and Grandpa's house. (Tiger calls it "Montana") You might wonder what they did for the next 5 days out in the country but they were very happy, busy children. One afternoon was warm enough for lunch in the playhouse resulting in a "Store Sale" (Turkey feathers $1), another afternoon was spent doing Melty Beads, Sadie made the Christmas napkin holders we will be using in a few weeks. Tiger loves the Legos, hot chocolate was a hit, the DS was often hidden away... tooling leather with Grandpa... sometimes a little reluctantly! And Grandma's favorite...decorating the house for Christmas!! Thank you so much for your help Sadie Lou Who and Tiger!!

The NorDak family arrived and The Tiger loves his new stripes ... Look, turkeys! PLEASE, Gramma can I chase the turkeys? Does The Tiger think he has to bring home the Thanksgiving dinner?

I haven't been able to get enough of these little shawlettes. They are an easy knit that you can multi task while creating. The first two were a combination of several different patterns but this one was a true Multnomah.  Pattern:Multnomah Yarn: Bits of sockyarn, and Red Heart Heart & Sole 2 skeins (75% wool 25% nylon) Needle size: US 5

When I find a fun knit I seem to just keep knitting it agan and again! The kerchief is just one of those knits. The second shawlette is complete and I have a third just about done, then I need to get back to the last Christmas sweater of the year! Pattern: A little of this and little of that - Multnomah, Silk Kerchief, Milk Run Shawl Yarn: leftover sock yarn, and Red Heart Heart and Sole, Ivory Needles: US 5