Emptyknitster

The buzz finally reached Montana a few weeks ago... The second edition of The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt has been published. I just  received my book in the mail. This edition has been updated and many new sketches have been added. While knitting on my current projects, I've been studying the book. It has reinforced some techniques I've been using but I've revised a few others.  I would suggest this book for any serious knitter who is want to improve their skills. It is a very interesting read. This will have an honored place on the coffee table, just an easy reach away in the evening.

The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, yet echoes on in sweet, soulful refrains. For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains. Author: Unknown Katherine Hovgaard Cook of Manchester March 2, 1943 to Feb. 28, 2012 Our beloved Kitty peacefully passed away in her home on February 28 in Manchester after a 7-year-long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born Katherine Ellen Ballard to Fred and Merab Ballard. Known as Kitty or Kit, she spent her entire life in Manchester. She loved life, her family, and had countless friends. She was an active member of the Children's Hospital Guild, devoted years to the Board of Directors of Helpline, and was past president of the Commodears of the Port Orchard Yacht Club. She and her husband Dick hosted the Manchester Sailing Regatta for over ten years. Kitty served as Manchester's much loved postmas...

  The kiddos at school have said and done some things that have made me chuckle this year: 1. I was wearing my Born oxfords one day at school. They aren't the height of fashion or even close, but they are comfortable shoes for someone who's on their feet all day. Tristan, one of my third graders, walked up to me, looked down at my shoes and said, "My grandpa has shoes just like those." ("Kids," I thought.) "Oh," I said. "No, I mean JUST like them." Out the door he trotted, and to the store I went! When I told the young salesclerk why I was there buying new shoes, she was slightly offended. "Since I'm on my feet all day at work I wear them!"  Just saying, from the mouths of babes - it's a bitch getting old honey! 2. Shortly after Christmas a parent came into a fellow teacher's classroom. Unaware that he was interrupting a math class he wished everyone in the class a Happy New Year and hoped that all w...

Even though I've been under the weather, I've finished some more socks. Knitting always soothes the savage beast - or sick teacher! Pattern: "No Pattern" Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Clover Colors Needle size: Size 2 Pattern: "No Pattern" Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Cascade Colors Needle size:Sixe 2 My thinking on sock knitting has totally changed. These "No Pattern" vanilla socks are the perfect emergency knitting project. I carry an in progress pair with me everywhere. My dentist, doctor, and beautician are all used to seeing me knittinng on a pair in the waiting room. I try never to be late for my appointments but really dislike having to wait to be seen for MY appointment, so knitting until I can be seen is a great solution. Now, I'm always glad to finish a pair of socks and happy to start another.

Even with several inches of snow on the ground, a pair of Tom Turkeys were eagerly awaiting the sunrise and the start of spring!  "Okay son, Montana law states: No hunting for chicks until official sunrise - that's precisely 7:13 am!" I'm sure the good old boys prefer to scrape their wings along in the dirt to intimidate the other males. This morning as I went to work I could hear them scraping their wings along the top of the frozen snow. A guy will do anything to get the gal.

Today is the 100th birthday of Girls Scouts. I was a Girl Scout for six years. Five of the years Mom was our scout leader. The troop would gather at our house each Tuesday. Dues were a dime and treat duty was rotated from one girl to the next. Mom was wonderful with all the Girl Scouts who over the years became my best friends. They loved Mom and thought she was the greatest. Once the troop learned to knit squares that were to become a baby blanket for charity. The yarn was in pale yellow and mint green to signify the Scouting colors. I'm not sure the blanket ended up donated or even finished. I remember Mom painstakingly trying to piece the strangely angled pieces together for several afternoons. Often the group would get together in the summer time informally. We loved being together, having fun together.  In this photo the group was together playing dress up and acting out a drama one summer afternoon. Tina Smith, the next door neighbor had provided us with the "...

The last few weeks I've been working on this years sock stash. I've finished four pair of socks that will probably keep my handmade sock assortment intact for another year. In fact, I threw the last store bought socks (except athletic) away.  I bought the yarnand planned to take it all with me on vacation. There was enough yarn for three pair, sure that would certainly suffice, especially when I'm the one that has said loud and clear at the yarn shop, "You might as well knit a sweater for as much work as a pair of socks are." I used the “No Pattern Socks” from The Knit Girllls. But from the top down this time. I love this pattern because it is so easy and since I was traveling I didn’t want to have anything unnecessary - like a pattern- with me. As I finished the first pair I realized I'd bought themed yarn! I present to you my vacation in socks... HAWAII Sand Socks: Pattern: "No Pattern Socks" Yarn: Paton Stretch Sock Yarn, 41% cot...

"Did you have a favorite toy?' Before I started school my mother made my two brothers and I a stuffed animal. Mrs. Ivers, a lady that lived two houses down from us (when we lived on the beach) had a pattern for a Teddy Bear. Mrs. Ivers went to the Salvation Army and bought coats, then cut the bears out using the fur lining. Probably my bear was made with material from the same source. When the bear was completed Mom made sure that we understood that the bear was for ALL THREE of us. Teddy It soon became a problem for me - the little brothers just threw him in the toybox! I can remember crying at night until Mom or Dad found Teddy and placed him next to me in bed. HE WAS MINE THROUGH AND THROUGH! For a long time I thought that if anything bad was about to happen to me at night (a burglar or a fire in the house perhaps) Teddy would become REAL and save me! I slept with Teddy for years and years, long after I should have. In my teen years I could prop him right under my ...