Emptyknitster

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!

The little sweater I test knit turned out great! Other than the error when forming the yoke, the pattern knit without a hitch. This is a sweet little pattern that I will knit again for that special shower gift!

I received a note from Lucinda after posting my review on the book ,  60 Quick Baby Knits :  L ucinda writes... it's funny how I should come across your blog today. I am a novice knitter and am working on the seed stitch yolk cardi. Boy am I having trouble! I found the correction for the pattern for the yolk but I still don't understand how they get from 93 cast on stitches to 133. I'm not understanding k28 from holder.???? Can you help?   Dear Lucinda, The seed stitch yoke cardi on the cover is the very reason that I bought the book! I love one piece sweaters and the little yolk on this sweater is adorable.  The correction I found on the internet is:   PAGE 92: Next row (RS) K 18 (20, 23) sts, sl next 8 sts to holder for right underarm, k 28 (32, 38) sts from holder for right sleeve, k 41 (47, 51) sts for back, sl next 8 sts to holder for left underarm, k 28 (32, 38) sts from holder for left sleeve, k 18 (20, 23) sts - 133 (151, 173) sts. ...

When 60 Quick Knits , published by Cascade Yarns, arrived at my LYS the books flew out the door. We love to knit baby items and the charity knitters saw some real potential in the book. Personally, I'm always looking for a quick baby knit to give as a shower gift for coworkers and their new arrivals.  Then at our weekly gatherings I began to hear an under current about how this pattern was confusing or how another knitter had to "fudge" just a little to make it come together. I hadn't knit anything from the book but when my knitting friend Janet asked me to give a particular pattern a try I nodded and worked on it over the weekend so that I could give her a thumbs up or down.   In the end, the sweater worked out but I did see two problems with this individual pattern: 1. On page 22 inc row 2 , the pattern tells you what to do for that row but does not go one to tell you that you then need to knit the next row. (It does on the other rows of instructions and so ma...

Hubby and I enjoyed this salad last night served with marinated chicken breasts.  I made several changes because we live out in the country and I can't just drop everything and run to the store to pick up things we're out of. Also, because there are only two of us at home, I wanted a smaller amount.   Tunisian Couscous Salad     * MAKE-AHEAD     * VEGETARIAN    3 medium red bell peppers (I used one green pepper)    10 ounces instant couscous (about 1 1/2 cups) (I used 1 cup)    Salt    1/4 cup olive oil    1/4 cup fresh lemon juice    1 teaspoon ground cumin    Pinch of cayenne pepper    Freshly ground black pepper   1 pound ripe beefsteak tomatoes—peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 -inch dice   1 large seedless cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (I used a zucchini)   1/2 cup Moroccan or other small, oil-cured black olives, pitted and...

The sun is shining this morning, and tomorrow  hubby will be home. I need to do a little work outside and "spiffy up" the house so it looks like I've done something besides knit, eat what I want, watch what I want, and sleep while he was away! I did get another Christmas sweater done: Pattern: Children's Henley Top Down Pullover, by Knitting Pure and Simple Yarn: Cascade 220 Heather Colorway: Walnut Heather Amount: 4 skeins (NOT the 5 called for in the pattern) Needle size: US 7,  5 I have knit several patterns by this company and really like them, they are easy to follow and I have found no errors. I'm giving this a four sweater seal of approval! (Two more to be knit before Christmas.)

In the knitting world the buzz has been the lovely Princess Kate and her shawl... What a wonderfully modern Princess, picking up those last minute items for the Prince's dinner!   People have been trying to come up with a shawl pattern that will replicate the one HRH has on. I think this is close. Not cashmere - are you kidding, not for this Montana girl anyway.  The shawl is in a different color - I wanted to be able to wear it with anything . I’d never knit with the natural marl colorway but do love the natural, earthy color. This would be absolutely the best project for a car trip or a conference knit, even the pleats are easy once the pattern is set in the first row. This combines two of my favorite things, knitting and shopping!  Pattern: The Milk Run Shawl, by Cat Wong Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Colorway: Natural Marl Amount: 4 skeins Needle size: US 7 Hubby has been at Melita Island for the annual work session. I've been home, warm, dry, and knitting...

Rule number one: Don't get out of bed until 7:00 am. I was up at 5:30 this morning with a cup of coffee, my knitting, holding a cat, and watching The Knit Girllls. Oh my... Rule number two: First thing in the morning - exercise. I'm sitting on the couch blogging after two hours of knitting, drinking coffee and watching old episodes of The Knit Girls. Hmmmm, exercise can and will happen - later. Rule number three: Don't stress.  No judging ANYTHING! 8:00 am:  I realize that, Wow, udontcallmeles is my VBF Jo, and I'm l ala incarnate ("you don't call me les" and  lala are the hosts on The Knit Girllls) . Udontcallmeles loves intricate patterns, fitting the sweater s to individual bodies, and adding cables or whatever where ever she wants. She loves to have several projects going at one time. Udontcallmeles has a stash that never ends.   Lala (my twin) must have socks that are "matchy matchy" - the colorway on stripy yarns must line up.  She...

Just a quick photo of the happy little mother to be! It's a girl!