Emptyknitster

This weekend my creative juices were really flowing. I decided to try a new dyeing technique I'd read about, ice cube yarn dying. I froze concentrated grape, strawberry and apple-kiwi koolaid into ice cube trays. Then I placed the ice cubes on the moist yarn. I placed the yarn in a low temperature oven for about an hour. The results were horrid, blotchy yarn in dull purple, BRIGHT red and splotchy green. Today I used a technique called tonal dying in an attempt to over dye the  yarn. I used blueberry koolaid and placed the dry yarn into a pot to simmer. I like the result...

Every Christmas I have the blog entries printed into hard copies for the family. Somehow this Christmas my biggest fan didn't get his usual edition. When I was cleaning up Christmas wrap in the fiber room, there was The CaliforniaDreamingFamily's copy hidden under the mess! I didn't miss the opportunity to get it down to California last weekend when Bri was visiting. I was happy to get this photo of The Pirate. I see my fan club continues!

After a LONG winter, Friday brought spring not just on the calendar but also in the weather and my temperament! Friday I cleaned house like a maniac so the weekend could be "my own".  Saturday I did a little "junking." Years ago Mom and I used to do this every once in awhile but I really haven't done it since The Chick moved into her own place and needed a few things to round out the first apartment. ( black paint always coordinates everything! ) I found a frame and original painting dated 1966 of an aspen grove and teepee for $6 by someone I hope never rose to fame and fortune in the artistic world because... I did a DYI project for my fiber room.  I'm going to add a quote on the blackboard after the paint cures a few days. The blackboard paint was so fun and easy that after I made instant Chi Tea and Cappuccino I sprayed the lids and added the name of the contents and amount needed for a cup! Chi Tea 1 c. nonfat dry milk powder 1 c. powdered ...

I've been wanting to give baby tube socks a try. They take just a bit of leftover yarn and are a quick knit for a shower gift.... Pattern: My Own Yarn: Patons Kroy 4 Ply Colorway: Sporty Stripes Needle Size: US Size 1 Pattern: Cast on 20 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast On. Increase every other round until there are 40 stitches Knit 4 rounds Knit 2, Purl 2, to length desired Cast off loosely

Denali with her birth Mom Nine week old Denali on her arrival from Alaska Look who's 1 year old today! Our SadieLouWho and little Denali share the same birthday.  Sadie has brought this fact up several times throughout the year and so it was easy to remember Denali's first birthday!  No gifts for her today, hubby is away but truly every other day of the year would be a birthday if it consisted of only gifts - he continually showers her with presents.  I will admit to a neck-rub and a verse of "Happy Birthday" for her in honor of the day!

When visiting the NorDak Family last month, The Tiger asked me to help him get his socks on. They were the birthday socks I’d made him in the fall and man, oh, man, his feet had grown! So when I settled back home his name went to the top of the list for a new pair. The Tiger’s handknit socks are very important to him, he believes they are “Lucky Socks” bringing him luck on spelling test day. Not only are these socks lucky because Gramma knit them but because they are lucky shamrock green!  G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K    T-I-G-E-R!! Pattern: Stashbuster Spirals Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock, Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball Colorway: Moss, Cinnamon and Blue/Green Needle Size: US Size 1

Chico Hot Springs! Chico Hot Springs was originally visited by the Native Americans where they would soak in the warm waters. In 1900 a couple built a hotel, dining room and plunge pool. Later rooms were added for a hospital wing. Currently it is a popular weekend retreat for area families and provides a restful soak for tourists leaving The Park. Lucky for me I'd brought my knitting. There was an unfortunate accident in the pool involving a kiddo (no blood) and the pool was closed for the first half of our stay. Getting creative we headed for the Boiling River on the 45th parallel in Yellowstone Park. "A sign north of where the road crosses the Gardner River marks the 45th parallel of latitude. The 45th parallel is an imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Bathers must walk upstream about a half mile from the parking area to the place where the footpath reaches the river. This spot is also marked by large clouds of...