tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30540502658334825412024-03-17T23:03:43.682-04:00Knit Read PrayFree Knitting Patterns (linked to Ravelry)Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-45666007786848166042018-07-06T09:39:00.001-04:002018-07-06T09:40:00.006-04:00I'm Back! Back in the Blogging Groove<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>[If you don't get the title, here's the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdvc5AmrzlM" target="_blank"> song</a> for reference.]</i></div>
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When I started this blog, Ginny Sheller's <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/category/yarn-along" target="_blank">Yarn Along</a> was a weekly thing, and podcasting for me was a monthly thing. Ginny shut down the Yarn Along because she found it was more work than joy, the same reason I haven't written a blog post since March or recorded a podcast since last September.</div>
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Life is busy. Free time is scarce. When free time appears, I admit, I'd rather make than talk about making, read than talk about reading. </div>
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So why write a blog post now? Completely by accident, I discovered that Ginny Sheller revived Yarn Along on a monthly basis. Genius! I loved discovering new crafty bloggers (and craft projects) through Yarn Along as well as cheering along project progress on blogs I regularly visited via her link exchange. I also admit I enjoyed sharing my current projects and reads with other like minded bloggers and missed that exchange.</div>
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[Insert happy dance here!]</div>
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In another coincidence, Kristen of the <a href="https://www.yarngasmpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Yarngasm podcast </a>recently started <a href="https://www.strangebrewcreative.com/" target="_blank">blogging</a> (again if I understand her correctly). I watch her podcast on occasion; she records weekly, and her podcasts can become repetitive as she talks about the same projects. I recognize podcasting supports her business so understand the schedule, but that does mean I take breaks from her channel. However, her new blog is fresh fun, and a great way to follow her newest projects.</div>
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After squealing like a teenager when Kristin talked (and blogged) about Stephen West's <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smock-it-2" target="_blank">Smock It!</a> pattern then realizing I have the perfect yarn in stash to cast it on RIGHT NOW, I started think about my own small patch on the internet and how little love it's gotten lately.</div>
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INTERMISSION</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI7QxO7gpzsOFN7VbAGcG2Q3L6FxxzJv6Sxi_75CjiiaF0VyxfMxAKkdKMjw58eb7GBgA3jrCIbrlZusFdOB3cFMspSLuPDqtjp-SQmSOq15lJz1yc2Gnte1TI8ky2Pe7E3nxnKTw4wM/s1600/Screenshot+2018-07-06+at+9.32.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="500" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI7QxO7gpzsOFN7VbAGcG2Q3L6FxxzJv6Sxi_75CjiiaF0VyxfMxAKkdKMjw58eb7GBgA3jrCIbrlZusFdOB3cFMspSLuPDqtjp-SQmSOq15lJz1yc2Gnte1TI8ky2Pe7E3nxnKTw4wM/s320/Screenshot+2018-07-06+at+9.32.06+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen West & I on my first visit to Rhinebeck in 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So here I am writing my first blog post in quite a while. It's summer vacation, so I've time for to make and talk about making, read and talk about reading. I also think a monthly schedule a low key approach to keeping up with the blog once I return to the classroom in September. Who knows, I might branch out and blog a bit about my teaching practice!</span></div>
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I'll close this post with a pic of the yarn I plan to use for Smock It!, skeins I gathered over the course of the year with a different patterns in mind but none I was thrilled to start until now:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ_Yni52yqnPjgqUdhmXVCntnTGLwrWA-UR3l7NpGyE_xVErYMIGc2VCUppe-BrFsjIrLvCd55cOS_4OVxPRaINIl_Bnx-7Xf9mE45kVdmGkYVybHlvLEn4RYUws1uTBMJZ7b764w7cY/s1600/Screenshot+2018-07-06+at+9.17.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ_Yni52yqnPjgqUdhmXVCntnTGLwrWA-UR3l7NpGyE_xVErYMIGc2VCUppe-BrFsjIrLvCd55cOS_4OVxPRaINIl_Bnx-7Xf9mE45kVdmGkYVybHlvLEn4RYUws1uTBMJZ7b764w7cY/s320/Screenshot+2018-07-06+at+9.17.31+AM.png" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right, "Wick" from Yarnbrary, what I call<br />
"Tea Cozy" from Amanda Makes Yarn, and<br />
"Dahlia Garden" from WIP Yarns (all on Etsy).</td></tr>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-28020802355617078732018-03-14T07:26:00.000-04:002018-03-15T11:52:54.326-04:00Harmony Blanket KAL: The Shamrock & the TrinityThis week, I've teamed up with Marie from <a href="http://undergroundcrafter.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Underground Crafter</a>, Pia from <a href="http://stitchesnscraps.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Stitches ‘N’ Scraps</a>, Joanita from <a href="http://www.creativecrochetworkshop.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Creative Crochet Workshop</a>, and 9 other knitting designers in the Harmony Blanket KAL. What's the Harmony Blanket KAL? Every Thursday from January through November 2018, we’ll share a free 6” square pattern for a total of 48 free patterns. Join them together to make your own Harmony Blanket or knit them separately to learn new stitches!<br />
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Lion Brand generously provided us with yarn for this KAL, so all of the patterns are knit with Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, a medium (worsted, #4) weight 100% acrylic yarn. This is the first time I've knit with Vanna's Choice, and I found it a perfect yarn for this type of project. I chose Kelly Green because everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn99MLhahGuF2NM55bHXt6r7nvt3-yKpuq31GB_vZG7ZWeE6J3c1c_2k403vRBdQNH40TXBAuprG_-38ax3rkK4CIqTRTaikSo9q-DDmqI-6wJy-I8jOPvTZ0ZwOfWFD2cLwx2qGh-Qw/s1600/harmonykalmain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn99MLhahGuF2NM55bHXt6r7nvt3-yKpuq31GB_vZG7ZWeE6J3c1c_2k403vRBdQNH40TXBAuprG_-38ax3rkK4CIqTRTaikSo9q-DDmqI-6wJy-I8jOPvTZ0ZwOfWFD2cLwx2qGh-Qw/s320/harmonykalmain.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My square uses the Trinity stitch. I chose this stitch in honor of St. Patrick who used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Legend says that St. Patrick asked, "Is this one leaf or 3?" The answer: a shamrock is both one leaf and three just like God is both God and the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAt417fGfLVCK7KRrq0HcIiSBZbtmq7_m8NPh0-B6rEPVa1p8pcY_4lOol06tPTOBSwgaR1d0S86pZWQSCmy1-SiL9bzjxGJcgSkVcBS4QXWrb8sgw7RVrBfubYm2PL5YzDcOECOSgPNM/s1600/harmonykal1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAt417fGfLVCK7KRrq0HcIiSBZbtmq7_m8NPh0-B6rEPVa1p8pcY_4lOol06tPTOBSwgaR1d0S86pZWQSCmy1-SiL9bzjxGJcgSkVcBS4QXWrb8sgw7RVrBfubYm2PL5YzDcOECOSgPNM/s320/harmonykal1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you like this stitch, I use a version of it in my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-winter-cowl" target="_blank">Aspen Winter Cowl pattern</a>.<br />
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<i>Note</i>: To (K1, P1, K1) in one stitch, knit a stitch, purl the same stitch, then knit again through the back loop.<br />
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<strong>Harmony Blanket Square #11: The Trinity Stitch</strong><br />
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Using Size 9 needles, cast on 32 stitches.<br />
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<b>Border:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Row 1: Knit to the last stitch, P1<br />
Rows 2 - 4: Slip 1 knitwise, K to last stitch, P1<br />
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<b>Trinity Stitch Body</b><br />
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pm = place marker (I found this useful to keep track of the border stitches.)<br />
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Row 1: (WS) Slip 1 knitwise, K3, pm, P to end, pm, K3, P1<br />
Row 2: (RS) Slip 1 knitwise, K3, (K1, P1, K1) all in the same stitch, P3tog, repeat trinity stitch pattern until the last 4 stitches, K3, P1<br />
Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise, K3, P to end, K3, P1<br />
Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise, K3, P3tog, (K1, P1, K1) all in the same stitch, repeat trinity stitch pattern until last 4 stitches, K3, P1<br />
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Repeat rows 1 - 4 seven times<br />
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Repeat row 1 once more<br />
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<b>Border</b>:<br />
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Repeat border Rows 1 - 4<br />
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Bind off<br />
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If you decide to knit my square, the other squares in the KAL, and/or the blanket, share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects! You can tag your projects and posts with #KALCorner on all social media. If you knit my square, please tag with #KRPHarmony. There's a <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/underground-crafter/topics/3717436" target="_blank">ravelry thread</a> for the KAL in the Underground Crafter group. The entire Harmony Blanket KAL schedule can be found <a href="http://undergroundcrafter.com/blog/2018/01/04/harmony-blanket-knit-a-long/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Stay tuned to my second contribution to this KAL in August!<br />
<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-39139804725169773612018-03-09T07:26:00.000-05:002018-03-09T07:26:30.716-05:00Land of the Midnight Sun ShawlI thought I'd give my knitting a little love this week! At the beginning of the year, Tanya (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bzmama/?hl=en" target="_blank">@bzmama</a> on Instagram) released a new shawl pattern that really caught my eye called <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/land-of-the-midnight-sun-shawl" target="_blank">Land of the Midnight Sun</a>. The navy blue against the cream tweed? Classic and gorgeous. I've knit a few of her shawl patterns so I knew this one would be a well written, interesting pattern that I could take with me and knit on the go.<br />
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What I didn't realize when I first saw that picture is that the cream tweed is Red Heart! I wrote an entire blog post about how surprised I was that she used it <i>and</i> how lovely it was to knit with once I got over my yarn prejudice. I paid $7 for two skeins with 260 yards each! For someone who has way to much yarn and is trying not to add to her stash (and deplete her bank account), these 2 skeins were a great option. I used some Plymouth wool tweed worsted yarn I had left over from another project for the blue and green stripes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDYuOOnZqn_Bqo7DYntjXA2ZJs4bXUqUN7U_tMKIeSVvhPm9wFrbOjAlugcWw_NgVEbBIAfhJvLXXOS7ryXp0WJDeb7kkJLn0UNQo4bNYVR4FOwgxq8v21mQpPJzaFGKsryOhx0B30_I/s1600/shawl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDYuOOnZqn_Bqo7DYntjXA2ZJs4bXUqUN7U_tMKIeSVvhPm9wFrbOjAlugcWw_NgVEbBIAfhJvLXXOS7ryXp0WJDeb7kkJLn0UNQo4bNYVR4FOwgxq8v21mQpPJzaFGKsryOhx0B30_I/s320/shawl1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seriously, even with the pattern purchase, this entire shawl cost me a little over $10 since I used accent yarn from stash!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-Iq5MVIxwznToBwuIhkYtqvwggK89zAkOoah18tJENohYa5No6CADvfIkI-ck4fqPwT5s5KbNI3cByLhoUxdd9Ude_vaQDnk79-kJ5eBifG7gD0W9tXM7wbQDsu3adE-EQdP4orYKME/s1600/shawl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-Iq5MVIxwznToBwuIhkYtqvwggK89zAkOoah18tJENohYa5No6CADvfIkI-ck4fqPwT5s5KbNI3cByLhoUxdd9Ude_vaQDnk79-kJ5eBifG7gD0W9tXM7wbQDsu3adE-EQdP4orYKME/s320/shawl2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this shawl on my "stitching chair"!</td></tr>
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I did use a size 8 needle (the pattern calls for size 7) and added an additional repeat of the top section because I like a larger shawl. The main stripes are very easy to memorize and adding an additional repeat just takes some very simple math. A super customizable pattern!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWGrYaMS85PyHs1F9fWFbZtsodge1n64_-TAZ5xidCILBW8dt4SU8NylTivv2X-sRiNM-fVa2vViJ7FumVHW3UDZEV_BfrlxDLiv2u_EpL9CnYaoMwyeLuAWSFa1GqPNxmjE5qXDAmSA/s1600/shawl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWGrYaMS85PyHs1F9fWFbZtsodge1n64_-TAZ5xidCILBW8dt4SU8NylTivv2X-sRiNM-fVa2vViJ7FumVHW3UDZEV_BfrlxDLiv2u_EpL9CnYaoMwyeLuAWSFa1GqPNxmjE5qXDAmSA/s320/shawl3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shawl also likes to chill on my old futon with my Basquiat pillow.</td></tr>
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I knit this entire shawl in under two weeks in the evenings; it could probably be done in a few days if you live somewhere that gets big snow storms or you have a free weekend. If you are a "confident beginner", this shawl pattern (and many of Tanya's other patterns) are a perfect way to work on those skills. If you can knit, purl and yarn over, and are ready to try to make one left and right (you can do it), check out this pattern!Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-87075031178391077952018-02-09T12:34:00.000-05:002018-02-14T12:08:29.915-05:00How to Dye Fabric with Coffee & Tea<br />
There's a lot of buzz about fabric dying with coffee and tea on flosstube lately. I love flosstube; I've learned some wonderful techniques and been introduced to some gorgeous patterns by the stitchers brave enough to post those videos. I even discovered <i>Sampler & Antique Embroidery </i>magazine on <a href="http://www.nicolesneedlework.com/" target="_blank">Nicole's Needlework</a> and bought her copy on Stash Unload!<br />
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Yes, I've gone full in on the cross stitch.</div>
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A few weekends ago I had a free afternoon and the weather was terrible. I recently discovered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxXA6Dc6jRU" target="_blank">Priscilla & Chelsea</a> on flosstube and decided to follow their tutorial on dying with coffee and tea. (I've since come across <a href="https://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/2009/01/baking-and-basting-fabric.html" target="_blank">Vonna's Baked and Basted tutorial</a> - I think what I did is a combo of both.) I'd already purchased some cheap 14 point Aida from Walmart - not that I ever use fancy fabric, my eyes can barely do 18 count Aida, but since I had no idea how this experiment would work out, I thought I'd try it with little investment.</div>
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I saved some leftover coffee from the pots we brewed the day before (we drink a LOT of coffee in my house) and had some English Breakfast tea bags available. Here's my setup before dying in my very old kitchen:</div>
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I wet the cloth before I put it in the dye pot mainly because that's how you do when you dye yarn. I added 5 tea bags, about 3 cups of leftover coffee (with espresso which turned my fabric darker than expected so be forewarned if you, like me, love strong coffee), and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee. </div>
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After 30 minutes, I took the fabric out and laid it on parchment on a cookie sheet all scrunched up. </div>
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I put it in the oven for 30 minutes at 200F. I did check it a few times but didn't realize that the underside would get darker than the top. After I took it out of the oven, I discovered I had some pooling of coffee that made some really dark spots that almost looked like burn marks.</div>
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So I dipped the fabric back in the bath (glad I saved it) which removed all the mottling and the spots although it did make the fabric darker. I then put the fabric back in the oven and left it in for 20 minutes.</div>
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Much better.</div>
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The fabric was slightly damp when it came out of the oven and very wrinkled. I decided to iron it before hanging it to completely dry. This didn't seem to affect the color, and I got the worst of the wrinkles out.</div>
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I'm using this fabric with <a href="https://www.123stitch.com/item/Little-House-Needleworks-First-Corinthians-Cross-Stitch-Pattern/15-1034" target="_blank">Little House Needleworks <i>First Corinthians</i> </a>and Classic Colorworks threads. This is my first experience with "fancy thread", and it looks great on this fabric! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5epNsZ2o29de-d94GjkswMeaABT5GCGPVFAOKcgwyZKAbbJjzwyFqgWQ90jjv1nuXde0O4a0XgU0FsjBV5PZJ1SzNF42ORLV6VvGeS0BB6oEl3cauvwq4P21MvRlOpEbram_Z9aPDE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+11.20.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5epNsZ2o29de-d94GjkswMeaABT5GCGPVFAOKcgwyZKAbbJjzwyFqgWQ90jjv1nuXde0O4a0XgU0FsjBV5PZJ1SzNF42ORLV6VvGeS0BB6oEl3cauvwq4P21MvRlOpEbram_Z9aPDE/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+11.20.33+AM.png" width="317" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhtkOUWj21h5jdF8uL-zs5lQ3o53CB-AeYCvyBmONY4zjO5cTnbxhUBwTmhVpKl6eHqc_xHlDZuRtqgiB3UA84LwIBujLVZtde5yFODBX4C5UVc4QOiPhUwwkHj8zrFZpIX6lA8zZXzI/s1600/house.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1136" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhtkOUWj21h5jdF8uL-zs5lQ3o53CB-AeYCvyBmONY4zjO5cTnbxhUBwTmhVpKl6eHqc_xHlDZuRtqgiB3UA84LwIBujLVZtde5yFODBX4C5UVc4QOiPhUwwkHj8zrFZpIX6lA8zZXzI/s320/house.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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One bit of disappointment with that fancy floss: my Nutmeggie was NOT what is pictured on the pattern. The color is supposed to be a variegated plum, but this skein had a lot of peach in it. Here's what the Classic Colorworks thread looked like for me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcGI8yAPsVOc5O4lDcR4AmFaL0NAhU07Xko6K6zf0xUfoDEJROpDeEFpInYhRhXsHZtC5Cgjm349r3dDMQ6jA9omh9tunj36Wa7hRMyVvaUZ_PDrvD4HPLRCp660RnNzBUpm7rhKJ8uo/s1600/badthread.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcGI8yAPsVOc5O4lDcR4AmFaL0NAhU07Xko6K6zf0xUfoDEJROpDeEFpInYhRhXsHZtC5Cgjm349r3dDMQ6jA9omh9tunj36Wa7hRMyVvaUZ_PDrvD4HPLRCp660RnNzBUpm7rhKJ8uo/s320/badthread.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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123Stitch was very nice about refunding my money for that color. Customer service even checked their other skeins and they were all like that. Nell from the Little Yellow House Crafts talked about this on her podcast recently, and now I'm hesitant to order any more fancy floss online. I have another LHN pattern that uses silks that I can only get online, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get that floss. If any readers have suggestions or have had a similar experience, please let me know in the comments!</div>
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In the picture above, I switched to DMC and now my door looks lovely.</div>
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I also completed this quick stitch from <a href="http://theprimitivehare.blogspot.com/2012/02/freebie-valentine-link-ok.html" target="_blank">The Primitive Hare</a> (it's free!) using DMC I had in stash on some 14 count Fiddler's Cloth Aida I dyed in the same way:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5BHqCZKSClLUJoBGNNs_DDNNsPzNyPVqzLkAdQHSYivjswHyB23kJny4shWpBtgJM-zAARXIY8YYl5pV9v-DX3VSQRt0EmTl5EOYqDQmSt7tswse5_0L53Pjx3FFbAgHLTKr4J-HZ_0/s1600/valentine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5BHqCZKSClLUJoBGNNs_DDNNsPzNyPVqzLkAdQHSYivjswHyB23kJny4shWpBtgJM-zAARXIY8YYl5pV9v-DX3VSQRt0EmTl5EOYqDQmSt7tswse5_0L53Pjx3FFbAgHLTKr4J-HZ_0/s320/valentine.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been working on the LHN design quite a bit this month, especially during the "Off the Grid Friday Party". If you aren't a part of that event, go over to Facebook and search for that group. Lots of great stitchers and flosstubers participate - f you join us, say high during the next Friday party!</div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-48188876313923828422018-02-08T13:55:00.001-05:002018-02-08T13:55:22.137-05:00Cross Stitch Crazy!In my last post, I mentioned that I've neglected my knitting in favor of cross stitch. If you'd asked me back in October when I was floating on the post-Rhinebeck high if I'd ever put aside my knitting, I would've responded strongly and definitively.<br />
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No!<br />
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But then I went to the flea market.<br />
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Spring, summer, and fall find my family at flea markets and estate sales. My daughter has an etsy shop where she sells her finds after she cleans and fixes them up. It's been a nice bit of income for her since she is a perennial student now working on her Ph.D. The rest of us just like looking, and my ex's dog Tipton likes the attention. Here he is actively anticipating the fun of the flea:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJyJG9Jv_WSgtah6_HD6_4NEV9XNcoh6eS4jx7pKSu1n7yHxF5eBwUSWt1Yd9SSCnV7JrSLJmRmKgt3fzuBxrCab4kfLOmHqnwXgJ6rUg7VWRZC4yGp0MnA4W6mo1G_nOC8zDcBZ2Ow/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+8.56.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1078" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJyJG9Jv_WSgtah6_HD6_4NEV9XNcoh6eS4jx7pKSu1n7yHxF5eBwUSWt1Yd9SSCnV7JrSLJmRmKgt3fzuBxrCab4kfLOmHqnwXgJ6rUg7VWRZC4yGp0MnA4W6mo1G_nOC8zDcBZ2Ow/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+8.56.43+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a stretch of nice weather in early November, so the family set out to a local flea market. I made my daughter promise not to let me purchase anything Christmas; I have more than enough Christmas decor and am trying to scale back.<br />
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Needless to say, I broke my rule. I found a stamped cross stitch linen towel kit with poinsettias on them. I haven't done stamped cross stitch since I was a kid, and the last cross stitch project I attempted was just too much for my eyes and the q-snaps too heavy for my wrists. I still have some plastic hoops I used back in the 90s and figured I could try those with these towels. After all, the kit was $1!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U2bGPWMFNKohXoCNUKYApnZL_JV-9MMyNJH9dQC_4G1bmT1n_jO0gK0r7dl78-KHsypCExgxbc3LFXtJM5PRX9QtitF5eN6YQvWjly-BmDxs7fg3_CUm6I3OWZ-vZhvYgStriWA4og8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.00.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1056" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U2bGPWMFNKohXoCNUKYApnZL_JV-9MMyNJH9dQC_4G1bmT1n_jO0gK0r7dl78-KHsypCExgxbc3LFXtJM5PRX9QtitF5eN6YQvWjly-BmDxs7fg3_CUm6I3OWZ-vZhvYgStriWA4og8/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.00.58+AM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
I started these in mid-November and finished them Thanksgiving weekend. I don't like how you can see my threads on the back (I've never been particularly neat about anchoring my threads) so I bought some fabric to line them with. Of course, I have yet to do that; it's a good summer vacation project for this teacher!<br />
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Here's what they look like finished. That gold thread is torturous to stitch with - so glad it was just used for those accents!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyCuok_THZoR2GlgJF9eO7RrwcVQD5aF2RFkpsiLWwSgVMgMPr2SNLiuk1RjoUAgP720H_4Yxt7jQocGPkO6L5U4jUtPZfHs2poOTm4fNtZ-KHMOnE7NoBkpw_Ybbiepr1-ueYDLNd70/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.03.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1070" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyCuok_THZoR2GlgJF9eO7RrwcVQD5aF2RFkpsiLWwSgVMgMPr2SNLiuk1RjoUAgP720H_4Yxt7jQocGPkO6L5U4jUtPZfHs2poOTm4fNtZ-KHMOnE7NoBkpw_Ybbiepr1-ueYDLNd70/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.03.23+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Since completing those towels, I managed to stitch the Heart and Hand Santa from 2002 in December (love his flag) and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/98684658/primitive-cross-stitch-pattern-little?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">The March Sisters by Primitive Hare</a> in January:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhFWG0jxrJlOp3vG31_SvCSPzPyirIQ18IR5hYgtHhdAh2CUW3Vh4xERCubhroFQnUjQjttDuPtpD5Gb0Vd226ljYSYW0fEgqc6USgQyDxF5krBs4pfeER18wp_qPlhl3ncKwzdCTvps/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.04.42+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1070" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhFWG0jxrJlOp3vG31_SvCSPzPyirIQ18IR5hYgtHhdAh2CUW3Vh4xERCubhroFQnUjQjttDuPtpD5Gb0Vd226ljYSYW0fEgqc6USgQyDxF5krBs4pfeER18wp_qPlhl3ncKwzdCTvps/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.04.42+AM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEnJtosoZhyphenhyphenrmzNliv305g6VOgh2KTDWlAbpFPP4X4c5x4sZeMNELJ5Wq2gVt3KHgNkLDyHALv7LlWBgcPe45KzB14LHPLTijw_xtni38Mnke_12IKakWFXwVtmUXgK8yfclSZcpjIEE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.06.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEnJtosoZhyphenhyphenrmzNliv305g6VOgh2KTDWlAbpFPP4X4c5x4sZeMNELJ5Wq2gVt3KHgNkLDyHALv7LlWBgcPe45KzB14LHPLTijw_xtni38Mnke_12IKakWFXwVtmUXgK8yfclSZcpjIEE/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-30+at+9.06.08+AM.png" width="313" /></a></div>
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I even attempted the "coffee tea dye" process that's all over flosstube these days. I'll share my experiences with cheap Aida and leftover espresso in my next blog post!<br />
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Do you cross stitch and knit? How do you balance your projects? Do you sometimes prefer one to the other? Let me know in the comments!<br />
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<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-7464418252715902872018-01-29T13:53:00.000-05:002018-01-29T18:38:34.114-05:00In Praise of Red HeartI realize that I probably lost a significant number of readers with that title. If Red Heart was a high school girl, she'd be from the wrong side of the tracks (albeit she'd embrace who she is). Mean girls (i.e. members of certain Facebook groups) regularly shun her and fiber shame those who befriend her.<br />
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Confession: I'm a secret mean fiber girl.<br />
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By that I mean I've defended knitters for using Red Heart, but I've stayed far far away when choosing yarn for my own projects based on that rep. It never softens up, it squeaks on the needles, it's rough against the skin! No thanks.<br />
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Then Tanya (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bzmama/?hl=en" target="_blank">@bzmama</a> on Instagram) released her <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/land-of-the-midnight-sun-shawl" target="_blank">Land of the Midnight Sun Shawl</a> last month. The official photo is beautiful:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiszKgm4uASeiWkVbxSHNmml8-ukuso3Zfxf5f4to6NivNo6DuX7ZajfXbuguK9cSS7JKyA7UxOLNJvFkNLjT_sdvIErMMcNOPUtMTCArokIv2xOd4q3dKGytJMaEVQyKeF-Lg1st7yg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-29+at+1.28.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="846" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiszKgm4uASeiWkVbxSHNmml8-ukuso3Zfxf5f4to6NivNo6DuX7ZajfXbuguK9cSS7JKyA7UxOLNJvFkNLjT_sdvIErMMcNOPUtMTCArokIv2xOd4q3dKGytJMaEVQyKeF-Lg1st7yg/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-29+at+1.28.16+PM.png" width="298" /></a></div>
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I've neglected my knitting for a few months now in favor of cross stitch, but this pattern brought me back. I love the cream tweed sections with the contrasting navy blue, so immediately checked out the pattern on Ravelry.<br />
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Red Heart? Really?<br />
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Yes, really. That cream yarn is Red Heart Fleck, 100% acrylic and a pleasure to knit with. I started the shawl yesterday and haven't looked at my cross stitch since. My progress as of lunch today:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkyaXMA1Iryj5AZSYp_SQRJ14e85d-rxuRpHVmMRwwXxy-vsn70lAnBml91wKFXXtabcbMO2QtHPI-BMJPHZmLKyOzuib2tCg6d3QV0kGPoHEfb-oCS-r9ngVcwtN1OxOmP2wwCw8wAM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-29+at+1.31.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1056" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkyaXMA1Iryj5AZSYp_SQRJ14e85d-rxuRpHVmMRwwXxy-vsn70lAnBml91wKFXXtabcbMO2QtHPI-BMJPHZmLKyOzuib2tCg6d3QV0kGPoHEfb-oCS-r9ngVcwtN1OxOmP2wwCw8wAM/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-29+at+1.31.59+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This pattern knits up quickly, mostly stockinette with the contrasting rows knit with eyelets (yarnovers) then knit on the wrong side to create a ridge of purls. Just enough to mix it up a bit but not so much that you can't knit this while on cafeteria duty with 300 teenagers!<br />
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You can definitely use leftover yarn from another project for the contrasting color. I plan to use green yarn of the same brand (Plymouth Yarn Tweed Worsted) for the later rows since I don't have a lot of the blue. The pattern is that versatile and really easy to memorize!<br />
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I'll post my finished shawl when it's complete. Let me know in the comments if you give this pattern a try, and if you do, please use the Red Heart. Like me, you may change your mean fiber girl ways!<br />
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<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-8419631226844082142017-12-31T12:58:00.001-05:002017-12-31T13:07:10.525-05:00The Best of 2017Every year I do a "best of" blog post, and 2017 is no different! In this post, I'd like to share with you my top 5 books read this year and my top 5 patterns knit this year. Keep in mind, they may not have been published this year; 2017 is the year I discovered them.<br />
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<h4>
Top 5 Books I read in 2017</h4>
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My number one favorite book of 2017 was <i>So Big</i> by Edna Ferber! If you haven't listened to the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/09/season-2-episode-6-book-chat-edna-ferber.html#.WkVoMdWnFD8" target="_blank">last episode of the podcas</a>t and you're interested in this book, please do! Interesting fact, quite a few new listeners downloaded that podcast in December, and I'm not sure why, but I <i>am </i>thrilled that so many people are interested in Ferber. While her stories may not be as enlightened as those written in the 21st century, for a woman writing in the early 20th century about racism and sexism, Ferber is refreshing discovery!</div>
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My other favorites in no particular order are:</div>
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1. <i>The Fortress of Solitude</i> by Jonathan Letham (reviewed in the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/02/caring-cowl-progress-boy-grows-in.html#.WkVlZtWnFD9" target="_blank">February episode</a> of the podcast)<br />
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2. <i>Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth Century Europe </i>by Sarah Gristwood (reviewed in <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/02/season-2-episode-2-girl-power.html#.WkVl_NWnFD9" target="_blank">Season 2 Episode 2</a> of the podcast)<br />
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3. <i>Thornhill</i> by Pam Smy: A novel that is very similar in structure to <i>The Invention of Hugo Cabret,</i> part prose, part illustrated novel. Smy's work follows separate stories of two girls, one in the present and one in 1982, that converge in the story of just what happened at Thornhill Institute. This is <i>not </i>a children's story even though the publisher places the age range at 10 - 14. This book deals some very troubling issues including suicide; I wouldn't give this to a teenager younger than 16, and I would definitely discuss the book with them after they read it. That said, it is a great psychological thriller for adults told in a very unique way!<br />
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4. <i>The Book Jumper</i> by Mechthild Gläser (reviewed in <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/07/season-2-episode-5-pitbulls-paranormal.html#.WkVn29WnFD9" target="_blank">Season 2 Episode 5 </a>of the podcast)<br />
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<h4>
Top 5 Patterns I Knit in 2017</h4>
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My absolute favorite pattern from 2017 was the Gigi cardigan by Devin Ventre. I made this out of the Jacob sheep wool from my family's sheep farm and wore it to Rhinebeck this year. The pattern is knit top down with short raglan sleeves and a generous cut to hide what the designer and I call our "mom belly". This pattern is very well written and suitable for someone who hasn't knit many sweaters (this was my second one ever). </div>
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Here's a picture me in the cardigan with the fantastic group of knitters I go to Rhinebeck with each year:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGdm7G2GciugVDsQddWwr8aXbq-ngEtIJK31LO0Ehb5rpBgvoTChb3bQZsFjTleiJF_n23IW9ouXYawlq-H_grdQ8E1Ocv35BVVq-ZwHtNBil2j5vxJjarq_Z9IbMVeVNLftI4kCAYK0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+12.51.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGdm7G2GciugVDsQddWwr8aXbq-ngEtIJK31LO0Ehb5rpBgvoTChb3bQZsFjTleiJF_n23IW9ouXYawlq-H_grdQ8E1Ocv35BVVq-ZwHtNBil2j5vxJjarq_Z9IbMVeVNLftI4kCAYK0/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+12.51.15+PM.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andeekf/?hl=en" target="_blank">@andeekf</a></td></tr>
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My other favorites in no particular order are:</div>
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1. <i><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-octopus-hat" target="_blank">Classic Octopus Hat</a></i> by Molly Kent knit in Pembroke worsted in the colorway Copper Agate and Cascade 220 in the color Pacific. Still have no idea why octopuses, but I love this hat now that it is ridiculously cold in the northeast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmV1j6uNZqsFgnfHo9pqu7zL9ZSql8FCnnedQdXvNg3LfjyAUpPp7OEwdGjyDGDGKwitUQ9Nlo6iOwKc7SXdUShro1c0LeoZDX3eKI0ZLApJJsebd72TxUhpdn51QI5kdaQumPQa5ZsU/s1600/octopusnewsletter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmV1j6uNZqsFgnfHo9pqu7zL9ZSql8FCnnedQdXvNg3LfjyAUpPp7OEwdGjyDGDGKwitUQ9Nlo6iOwKc7SXdUShro1c0LeoZDX3eKI0ZLApJJsebd72TxUhpdn51QI5kdaQumPQa5ZsU/s320/octopusnewsletter.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caring-cowl--fundraiser-for-red-cross" target="_blank"><i>Caring Cowl</i> </a>by Alexis Winslow knit in Bernat Dimensions yarn, a big box acrylic yarn in lots of shades of pink that I am also wearing quite a bit this winter. This yarn mimics handspun in that it's thick and thin but in a uniform way since it's a machine made yarn. I love this yarn in this pattern - so squishy and warm and bright pink! Here's a classroom selfie:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzl4tFWQid3a8-FiXei0DRzDv9fyDGUwcVax9zZGyIPzntFE5pHrrIGZLe9jt0NWW1pjyfK4f2OsxtQgQ5v1CIQx3cnt47n_En0lf__qeNOn1pgPYR6UZnLhsuilu5EY7GEGDEBwmJkI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+12.57.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1070" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzl4tFWQid3a8-FiXei0DRzDv9fyDGUwcVax9zZGyIPzntFE5pHrrIGZLe9jt0NWW1pjyfK4f2OsxtQgQ5v1CIQx3cnt47n_En0lf__qeNOn1pgPYR6UZnLhsuilu5EY7GEGDEBwmJkI/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+12.57.35+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. My <i><a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/02/one-nation-under-god-hat-pattern.html#.WkVsZtWnFD9" target="_blank">One Nation, Under God</a> </i>hat pattern inspired and created for my principal. It's a free pattern; details and the pattern can be found <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/02/one-nation-under-god-hat-pattern.html#.WkVq6NWnFD9" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7LfAxKmxBEsZeROrYgxhyphenhyphenz9XmRcsFnT2FEuLxx3vKFO1H8AKPpjOkW7SnJ_vVGnYP5VEJhu6MKl3bnY1zFdVZilo1JwkSkNxmxB4KpAcAJIDRsgcO5rRZYHOx2GuvZ6dq7eWDUQWNqM/s1600/onenationpic2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7LfAxKmxBEsZeROrYgxhyphenhyphenz9XmRcsFnT2FEuLxx3vKFO1H8AKPpjOkW7SnJ_vVGnYP5VEJhu6MKl3bnY1zFdVZilo1JwkSkNxmxB4KpAcAJIDRsgcO5rRZYHOx2GuvZ6dq7eWDUQWNqM/s320/onenationpic2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. <i><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/north-country-mitts" target="_blank">North Country Mitts</a> </i>by Andrea Mowry knit in yarn from the Wooliers indigo dye kit. I wrote about my experience dying this yarn on the blog and recently knit the yarn into these very simple mitts. The chevron pattern created with purl stitches makes for a unique look, and I used about 80 yards of the yarn to make them. I bought a 9" size 7 circular needle to make these and <i>love it</i>! While I use dpns on many patterns, I find them fiddly and will probably poke my eye out with one someday, so these small circulars are a treat! I also didn't get any "ladders" using them although I've started using 4 dpns rather than 3 when I do go that route, and my laddering has been drastically reduced.</div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-49740294030672382072017-09-18T08:24:00.000-04:002017-09-18T08:24:02.237-04:00Using Up My Stash with the Greta VestOver the summer, I decided to update my stash spreadsheet. I know I can put my stash on Ravelry, but I'm an old school girl who likes to make spreadsheets then "visualize my data".<br />
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It's a gift or a curse, not sure which.<br />
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After completing said spreadsheet, I realized I have a <i>lot</i> of yarn. Like 75 separate line entries of yarn. I'm not at the point where I want to recognize that I may have a problem, but I am ready to put a hold on any more yarn purchases.<br />
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So, yea, I'm going to New York Sheep & Wool again this year. Might not buy quite as much yarn as I have in the past which gives me an excuse to stand in line at Jennie the Potter!<br />
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But I digress.<br />
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If you've been following the blog, I'm almost finished with the Gigi sweater for Rhinebeck out of Jacob sheep yarn from my family's farm that I had in stash. I also discovered during my stash dive that I had 5 balls of I Love This Wool by Hobby Lobby in terra cotta burried at the bottom of my largest yarn bin. (Yes, there are multiple bins.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvfrAWvkTGVNcZjS5cCpqfa-gIEgQOFbqTRwEnqsNa_rArfsuaFEELoH_G1qYedBffECG5m5jZp21kdNLKuGtfMS2UnkGoEQM0rhrPHfsZyshqyYcJTaqTT70JBIMQylhJ2-M5aFaFIY/s1600/ILoveThisWoolSkein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvfrAWvkTGVNcZjS5cCpqfa-gIEgQOFbqTRwEnqsNa_rArfsuaFEELoH_G1qYedBffECG5m5jZp21kdNLKuGtfMS2UnkGoEQM0rhrPHfsZyshqyYcJTaqTT70JBIMQylhJ2-M5aFaFIY/s320/ILoveThisWoolSkein.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know, I know, shopping at Hobby Lobby can be controversial, but I bought this yarn a number of years ago while visiting my parents in Texas when Hobby Lobby was closing out this brand (a real shame, it's a very nice acrylic/wool blend). Trust me, many a summer afternoon has been spent in a Plano, Texas, Michael's, Joann's, or Hobby Lobby with my Mom and daughter wallowing in all the crafty possibilities!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsApn7MBGfu-lPFZga7KSgZQhN2N7YzWtozFZzexbkQGnTyE8rKPXOIIbsLsCpU5sGEujoZzEgX8buqGOzRRX9uBmjcZofo9g9HEeUXrEkm7EDl9sZkw71rUrqlgJyQWCAtJi2PQwaFQ/s1600/GretaPattern.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsApn7MBGfu-lPFZga7KSgZQhN2N7YzWtozFZzexbkQGnTyE8rKPXOIIbsLsCpU5sGEujoZzEgX8buqGOzRRX9uBmjcZofo9g9HEeUXrEkm7EDl9sZkw71rUrqlgJyQWCAtJi2PQwaFQ/s320/GretaPattern.png" width="214" /></a></div>
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While I didn't have enough for a sweater, I did a quick search on Ravelry, and found I had enough for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/greta-12" target="_blank">Greta</a> (above), a cardigan vest pattern by Christina Wall. Like a good knitter, I swatched and found that the I Love This Wool yarn blocked to a perfect gauge for this pattern using the suggested size 9 US needle size.<br />
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This pattern also has a lot of garter and stockinette stitch, good old mindless knitting for a teacher facing the shock of back to school brain.<br />
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I started the body portion this week, and my Greta is knitting up quickly. Could I possibly have TWO sweaters finished by Rhinebeck? Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but you never know! I do recommend this pattern especially if you, like me, need to knit from stash and don't have a large quantity of one type of yarn to make a sweater.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgKcUTbsPff8huZHY3Vk2rCzmu53SdV8ofTSYvReyMJ5iRPfmNrE6C-a2sha9giGWjtSOCfis8Lpeud1t57MZfZqbR9HAXcI7D9UkiwpezZsUi2ILCaFgH1HvCkbU-Ccq4U6wHSR5rIU/s1600/GretaStart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgKcUTbsPff8huZHY3Vk2rCzmu53SdV8ofTSYvReyMJ5iRPfmNrE6C-a2sha9giGWjtSOCfis8Lpeud1t57MZfZqbR9HAXcI7D9UkiwpezZsUi2ILCaFgH1HvCkbU-Ccq4U6wHSR5rIU/s320/GretaStart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm looking forward to wearing this fall color next month ... and clearing a place in my stash for a few new purchases at New York Sheep & Wool!Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-67676524493616696182017-09-11T08:32:00.000-04:002017-09-11T08:32:02.733-04:00Dottie Angel Frock for Short Round Mom BodiesLast summer, it seemed like the <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-pattern-1080-misses-dress-or-tunic/1080.html" target="_blank">Dottie Angel Frock pattern</a> was <i>everywhere</i>. All the knitting podcasters and bloggers were suddenly sewing, and this was their go-to pattern. There were sew-alongs, tutorials, Instagram posts, a host of Dottie Angels populating the internet!<br />
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So, of course, I wanted a Dottie Angel frock.<br />
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I made quite a few of my own clothes in high school and college after my mother taught me to sew. She made most of my and my sister's clothes when we were kids, mainly to save money, but also because my mom is really good at sewing! In fact, she used to make clothes for Barbie in her basement sewing "room" to sell at local craft fairs to raise money for our Christmas presents.<br />
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Mom even made my wedding gown in a very 1980s peach complete with puffy Princess Di sleeves.<br />
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So the thought of making the Dottie Angel Frock wasn't especially daunting for me, but I just ran out of time last summer to make it. At the start of this summer vacation, I began binge watching seasons of <i>Project Runway</i> which prompted a real desire to "make it work" with that Dottie Angel pattern. I wasn't sure the dress version of the pattern would be particularly flattering on me, so I opted for the blouse version that hits mid hip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUr4j6sTRpBpOTK-_dSxwsf6V5qTYoYJvYx5UVQ7OSAjlMU1PLSD6FkgKlDpGxvQwHIGQNHCag_EnlYN5bigZuCvKwnv98ud0PKCYgY230pY2QNiwU7w64BSQG4rTbM4lds3kW_fA6zOg/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUr4j6sTRpBpOTK-_dSxwsf6V5qTYoYJvYx5UVQ7OSAjlMU1PLSD6FkgKlDpGxvQwHIGQNHCag_EnlYN5bigZuCvKwnv98ud0PKCYgY230pY2QNiwU7w64BSQG4rTbM4lds3kW_fA6zOg/s320/pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the <i>Project Runway </i>contestants make a version of their pattern in muslin before they create a garment, so I decided I would do that too. I <i>cannot recommend this enough</i> if you decide to make this pattern and are short (5' 1" on a good day), round (aka "mom-shaped"), and / or are over the age of 25.<br />
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The first sign that I don't have a model's body came when I made the tie-backs. The placement of these ties not only hit me mid-bust but no matter what the placement, they were not the least bit flattering. I'd prefer not to look like the world's oldest pregnant lady.<br />
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After ditching the tie-backs, I tried my first French seams on the sides which went very well until I tried the garment on. Too tight in the bust, huge sleeve holes, hem at my knees.<br />
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Mom to the rescue! While visiting my Mom with my daughter in early July, we got into a discussion about sewing. Sarah (my daughter) asked Mom about alterations, and Mom had lots of good advice! One was to raise a garment at the shoulders if the fit in the length was off. She was so right! I moved my shoulder seams down approximately 2" and voila! Bust fit great and the sleeves were spot on.<br />
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I also wasn't fond of the contrasting pockets, so I followed <a href="http://sewpsychd.blogspot.com/2015/09/dottie-angel-frock-tips-and-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this option</a> and made pockets of the same material as the frock (which in my case was the shirt version).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77gBkJ_uyBiQrAInz42oL_eisK9K-zMx1pK270JfdJA4dJubG6bBaGK2gAR4OKjmmK-KgZ8ayg3t7uIYtovtYEPQHvqgu2ZAXHEwnCfA0xZN-ykmMNXYEFSWrW9woFaxtxpCiJfd9iXY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-10+at+12.47.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77gBkJ_uyBiQrAInz42oL_eisK9K-zMx1pK270JfdJA4dJubG6bBaGK2gAR4OKjmmK-KgZ8ayg3t7uIYtovtYEPQHvqgu2ZAXHEwnCfA0xZN-ykmMNXYEFSWrW9woFaxtxpCiJfd9iXY/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-09-10+at+12.47.18+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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After those adjustments, the pattern when pretty well although all that seam binding and basting got a bit tedious. The neckline, the shoulders, and sleeves are all finished with binding tape which is very neat, and I'm sure will guarantee a longer lasting garment, but I did miss the days of sewing a straight seem and at most taking the pinking sheers to a seam to prevent unraveling!<br />
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Finally the hem! So tempted to do a traditional foldover hem, but decided to stick with the pattern and use the seam binding. This took WAY too long what with basting it twice, trying to sew on the right side and not catching all of the binding, then sewing on the wrong side and still having a bit of trouble with that. The only time I had to get out my seam ripper was on that hem!<br />
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If I make another one, and I think I will in a light wool for fall, I'm making a foldover hem. What took me 3+ hours will take less than 1/2 hour with this approach, and it will most likely be neater than the hem I ended up with on this version.<br />
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Have you made the Dottie Angel Frock? Did it work out for you as written or did you have to come up with some "hacks" as I did? Please share your experiences (and any questions and feedback) in the comments below!<br />
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<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-69699396731085066792017-09-04T10:40:00.000-04:002017-09-05T04:54:55.733-04:00A Tale of a Cardigan CollarAbout a year after I started knitting, I decided to knit myself a cardigan. I love cardigans and felt ready to tackle something beyond a cowl or shawl.<br />
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I was not ready.<br />
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The pattern was wrong for my body type, the yarn was wrong for the pattern, I really didn't understand the importance of blocking... so many problems with that cardigan.<br />
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I hated it as soon as I finished it, and never knit another garment again. Until this summer.<br />
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I like to tackle either a complicated project like stranded knitting or a larger project during summer vacation but had a hard time finding one that inspired me as the school year ended. As luck would have it, a number of knitters I follow on Instagram posted starts for Rhinebeck sweaters about that time. I'm going to Rhinebeck! It's chilly at Rhinebeck (at least in the morning).<br />
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This year would be different. This year, I would knit that mythical beast, a Rhinebeck sweater.<br />
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With nothing but the desire to knit a top down cardigan - a woman's gotta know her limitations, and I know I have to check fit as I go - I began my search on Ravelry. Lots of searching and thinking about the perfect pattern followed as I lay awake in bed each night listening to the crickets tell me summer was rushing by. (Could also have been the crickets in my gecko's cage... but I digress.)<br />
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I don't know if the crickets had anything to do with it, but I came upon the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gigi-16" target="_blank">Gigi cardigan</a> by Devin Ventre in early July and mentioned it in the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/07/season-2-episode-5-pitbulls-paranormal.html#.Wa1k6K2ZN3k" target="_blank">last podcast</a>. A short sleeved cardigan, the pattern was not only perfect for my mom shaped body, it used worsted weight yarn and the sample was knit in what looked like farm yarn.<br />
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Checking my stash, I discovered I had just enough Jacob sheep yarn from my family's farm left to knit this cardigan! I cast it on and went gangbusters until mid-August when I hit the collar.<br />
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I loved the collar design. I tried over and over for FOUR days to get that collar to work. This is a paid pattern so I won't go in to detail, but the collar is knit vertically by picking up a stitch at the collar for each row. My collar looked wonky every time. Here's what the collar looks like on the Ravelry pattern page:<br />
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So I decided I'd pick up a row of stitches along the collar and do a purl collar horizontally. The sleeves are purled; I thought the collar would pick up that detail. It did, but it also curled like crazy. Rip rip rip! Day five wasted.<br />
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The next morning while out on my walk with Kimi, I realized a garter collar would look very similar to the one originally called for. (You'd be surprised how many problems I solve on my walks with Kimi.) That afternoon, Kimi and I settled in for the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEd7fBuvyY0&t=2s" target="_blank">Fruity Knitting podcast</a> episode with Ysolda Teague (coincidentally the designer of that cardigan I knit so long ago).<br />
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It worked! The collar stood up the way the pattern designer intended, and it looked far from wonky. I did do an icord border on each side following <a href="https://theknittingspace.com/knit-tidy-garter-stitch-edges/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> so I had a clean edge. Here's what the collar looks like now (pre-blocked).<br />
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With the collar conquered, I just have the sleeves to kni5 and will post again after I finish and block the cardigan!<br />
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Have you altered a pattern in the past (knit or sewn)? I admit, I usually follow a pattern pretty closely, so I'm interested in what others do when creating garments. I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments!Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-54055611444210675602017-07-27T12:53:00.002-04:002017-07-27T12:53:43.854-04:00Recipe: Homemade Dog Biscuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many of you know I recently adopted a rescue named Kimi. A 4 year old pit bull mix, she came with lots of history and health problems. I've worked on both since she came home with me and my son at the beginning of May, and she's doing incredibly well both physically and socially.<br />
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One of the first things I had to address was I'll call "digestive issues", but every dog parent (or any parent for that matter) knows what I mean. I tried a number of different foods to help her digestion and one of the best was baked organic jewel yams from Whole Foods.<br />
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Three things about those jewel yams: they are actually a form of sweet potato, rank "<a href="https://m.albertsorganics.com/qr/organic-jewel-yams?b=1" target="_blank">number one in the nutrition of all vegetables"</a>, and they are only slightly more expensive than regular sweet potatoes at the chain grocery store. (Remember, I'm a public school teacher; I shop in Whole Foods as a treat or for specific items I can't find at ShopRite, so don't be put off by the purveyor.)<br />
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Jewel yams are also much creamier than regular sweet potatoes, and Kimi loves them. That got me thinking about how I could incorporate them into a portable, healthy treat I could use as a reward and let visitors give her when she was appropriately social. We also have many play dates with her BFF, Tipton, and who doesn't want to bring treats to their BFF?<br />
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I came up with this recipe by taking various ingredients from a number of recipes on the internet and in magazines, so my version may not be a new approach to some readers. However, it's the one Kimi and Tipton love, and it's easy to make!<br />
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<h4>
Kimi's Jewel Biscuits</h4>
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<b>1 average size jewel yam</b> microwaved to softness (takes about 8 minutes in my microwave on high)</div>
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<b>2 large eggs</b></div>
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<b>1/4 cup natural peanut butter</b> (I used Skippy creamy)</div>
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<b>1/2 cup regular oats</b> (I used these because I had them - instant may work too)</div>
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<b>3 Tbsp. wheat germ</b> (Whole Foods brand but only because that's the only place that carried wheat germ in my town)</div>
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<b>2 cups whole wheat flour </b>(I used Gold brand from Walmart - figured that would balance out the Whole Foods purchases!)</div>
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</div>
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2. Using an electric mixer, mix together cooked yam, eggs, and peanut butter until creamy.</div>
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3. Crush oats in a blender until the consistency of grainy flour.</div>
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4. Add oats and wheat germ to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.</div>
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5. Add 1 cup flour to batter and mix thoroughly.</div>
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6. Add remaining cup of flour gradually (I mixed a 1/2 cup then another 1/2 cup.)</div>
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7. Flour a surface and a rolling pin. (I also lightly floured the dough.) Roll out dough until roughly 1/4" thick but not more than 1/2" thick.</div>
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8. Use a dog biscuit cookie cutter to make biscuits. (I got mine at Joann Fabrics.) Place biscuits on greased cookie sheet. (Spray oil is fine.)</div>
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9. Bake for 30 minutes.</div>
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10. Remove from oven, cool, and enjoy!<br />
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Store in a Tupperware-like container but don't worry if the cookies get softer; dogs don't seem to mind! Also, your house will smell good after you bake these "cookies". My son had a friend over while I was baking; when he walked in, he immediately asked what smelled so good!<br />
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Please let me and Kimi know if you try this recipe - I'm sure your furry friend will love them as much as she does! If you have any other healthy ingredients you've baked in dog biscuits or any you'd like to suggest, please let us know that as well.</div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-6377902046010966882017-07-24T11:05:00.000-04:002017-07-24T11:07:13.025-04:00Classic Octopus Hat GiveawayIf you've listened to the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/07/season-2-episode-5-pitbulls-paranormal.html#.WXYMu9UrJD8" target="_blank">last episode</a> of the podcast, you'll know that one of my projects on the needles was the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-octopus-hat" target="_blank">Classic Octopus Hat</a> by Molly Kent. My version is knit in the Pembroke worsted base from <a href="https://www.loveknitting.com/us/the-yarn-collective-yarn?gclid=CjwKCAjwtdbLBRALEiwAm8pA5XRSy009EfXU5e9BlrEXT1EIlNXXZdbvXk3qvzK4LyjhiBsOpRozYxoC7AIQAvD_BwE&country=US&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=91000153&utm_term=+yarn%20+collective" target="_blank">The Yarn Collective</a> in the colorway Copper Agate, a gift from the lovely folks at loveknitting.com. I finished and blocked the hat this past weekend and even added my very first pom pom!<br />
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I made a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Quaere/classic-octopus-hat-3" target="_blank">modified version</a> by Raveler Quaere that turns the original beanie pattern into a slouchy hat. This version is great; the only change I would make if I knit it again is to do more knit rows in between the decrease rows at the end. The hat isn't as slouchy as I like (I love slouchy), and has a rather square top. That's why I added the pom pom - I'm normally not a pom pom person, but I think this makes the hat! I used this pom pom tutorial, and my pom pom turned out great on the first try.<br />
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As noted in the photo above, I'm giving away both yarn colors as well as the pattern for this hat. Loveknitting.com donated the yarn, and I will gift the pattern to the lucky winner. So how do you win?</center>
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<ul>
<li>- Sign up for my newsletter (top right) if you haven't already done so.</li>
<li>- Comment on this post or the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/07/season-2-episode-5-pitbulls-paranormal.html#.WXYMV9UrJD8" target="_blank">podcast post</a></li>
<li>- Follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lgesin/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
<li>- Like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BW5Y0WsFjyM/?taken-by=lgesin" target="_blank">my post </a>on Instagram about the giveaway</li>
<li>- Repost my Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BW5Y0WsFjyM/?taken-by=lgesin" target="_blank">post</a></li>
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Lots of ways to win! I'll announce the winner on the next podcast, most likely early August. Good luck and happy summer knitting (with wool of course)!</center>
Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-19442240891748515282017-05-29T10:04:00.000-04:002017-05-30T08:34:29.096-04:00Sheeps and Shawls<h4>
Cross-stitch</h4>
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I don't believe I've done any cross-stitch since spring break. However, this past weekend, I had to wait for workmen to come to my house (so many workmen over the last month), so I decided to finish a project I started in February. "Spring Sheepies" by Michelle Lutzen can be found in the Spring 2016 issue of <i>Cross-stitch & Needlework</i> magazine; it's perfect for spring, for knitters... for knitters who cross-stitch in spring!</div>
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The pattern comes with finishing instructions for making a box display which I intend to try this summer. I made the August cottage by Country Cottage Needleworks for my daughter for her birthday last year, and it's still languishing in my craft dresser because framing is SO expensive! These sheep will be my learning project so that I can finish her piece in time for her birthday this August.</div>
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Knitting</h4>
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I blocked my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-prayer-shawl-2" target="_blank">Lacy Prayer Shawl</a> in Takhi Cora Handpaints and love it! As I mentioned in this post, the yarn came from two different dye lots and had been languishing in stash for at least 4 if not 5 years. I'm so glad I finally found a pattern for it, and since it's for me, I don't mind that parts of the shawl are pinker and others are greener. It's all spring colors to me! (My daughter borrowed my dress form so final "glamour" short to come!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV1BbLM0cXYyLyw1Xh6o8US3C9Oycnv_hcCFuLrbl6yTAH-_vodulhOcyCI2n_oRtR04n3UB1Dx7bZKNN0ybKi_KTv3bWuQQsMx_9alPRyY7A4WAVEK2tZeA1TlVKdzxFQLVWhjX7HcA/s1600/prayershawl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV1BbLM0cXYyLyw1Xh6o8US3C9Oycnv_hcCFuLrbl6yTAH-_vodulhOcyCI2n_oRtR04n3UB1Dx7bZKNN0ybKi_KTv3bWuQQsMx_9alPRyY7A4WAVEK2tZeA1TlVKdzxFQLVWhjX7HcA/s320/prayershawl.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also worked on my YOLO shawl over the long weekend and made it to the mock cable border. The percentage method used it this pattern is so simple yet so brilliant! The directions state that you should knit 45% of the yarn before starting the border, and I came with 2 grams of that weight at the switchover. </div>
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I need to find more patterns like this! Here's what the start of the border looks like:</div>
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I'd really like to finish this before it gets hot here at the Jersey Shore since it's knit in a mohair/merino blend, and I am not one to turn on the air conditioning until it's truly unbearable. A blog reader emailed me after reading <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/05/yolo-in-moscow.html#.WSq_FHeZN3k" target="_blank">my post</a> about this pattern last week, and she's planning to try it. If anyone else gives YOLO a go, please let me know via email or in the comments!</div>
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<i>Most Tuesdays I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. Please join us by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i></div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-83339508646864611752017-05-23T09:04:00.000-04:002017-05-23T09:08:17.147-04:00YOLO in Moscow<h4>
Knitting</h4>
While life has yet to settle down (see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BUUuLLrFXy1/?taken-by=lgesin&hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram posts</a> about our new family member, Kimmy), I started knitting a shawl pattern based on percentages called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yolo-shawl" target="_blank">YOLO</a>. As a high school teacher, I've heard that term many more times than any person ever should, but I like the reasoning of designer Susan Ashcroft:<br />
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a simple knitting trick to make little mock cables without a cable needle - just YO (yarn over) and LO (lift over)</blockquote>
This pattern takes the weight of all the yarn then uses 45% for the stockinette upper part and 55% of the yarn for the mock cable border. Genius! When one knits with pricey yarn, one would like to use up the skein yet I always seem to have yards leftover, never enough for another pattern! (At least I never run short of yarn.) I bought a small scale for this project; we'll see how it goes.<br />
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I came across<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/PattiAnnieB/yolo-shawl" target="_blank"> this version</a> by Raveler PattiAnnieB in yellow gradient yarn and immediately thought the fingering wool yarn I bought last fall from Maple Creek Farms in the colorway Wheat Fields would be perfect:<br />
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With a few very hot exceptions, it's been cooler than normal here at the Jersey Shore, so knitting this sunny mohair/merino blend has been a pleasure this month!<br />
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Reading</h4>
Without a lot of time to read recently, it took me longer than usual to make it through <i>A Gentleman in Moscow</i> by Amor Towles. Perfect for my hectic current life, this book starts off with a very basic premise then remains a rather quiet book until the very end.<br />
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Count Alexander Rostov returns (yes returns) to Russia from Paris after the fall and execution of the Tsar. He manages to get his beloved grandmother to safety in Paris but remains behind in Moscow in a luxury suite at the Metropol hotel with quite a few of his family's possessions. On June 22, 1922, the Count is declared a Former Person and sentenced to life confined within the walls of the hotel. He is spared a death sentence based on a poem he published about a decade before that was more revolutionary than aristocratic.<br />
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Pay attention to that poem...<br />
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Originally sporting some serious mustaches (an early hipster one might say), the Count is forced to have them shaved after an irate customer at the barber cuts one off. This removal sparks a conversation with a young girl named Nina who introduces the Count to what goes on behind the scenes at the hotel as well as many of the Bolshevik assemblies that take place in it's ballrooms.<br />
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Nina eventually grows up, marries, and has a child, Sofia. Sofia's father is arrested and banished to Siberia. Nina wants to follow him but cannot take a 5 year old child, so she leaves Sofia with the Count as what everyone believes is a temporary measure.<br />
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It is not.<br />
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Sofia grows up as a Russian Eloise while the Count becomes head waiter at the illustrious restaurant within the Metropol. Characters come and go, plans are made... and the end falls together perfectly. I enjoyed this book with its unusual premise and quiet yet moving story. Events happen outside the Metropol hotel but the hotel and its inhabitants power on. The movie <i>Casablanca</i> plays a part in the later pages and if you liked that movie, I'm certain you will enjoy <i>A Gentleman in Moscow!</i><br />
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<i>Most Tuesdays I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. Please join us by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i><br />
<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-25549430779847179292017-05-15T07:25:00.000-04:002017-05-15T07:26:34.120-04:00Yarn Dyeing with IndigoI don't know why, but when the weather gets really bad on a Saturday, I immediately think about dyeing yarn. Maybe because I know I'll have the entire afternoon to play with color or maybe because I like to dye bright colors which cheer me up in dreary weather. Whatever the reason, this past Saturday when it was cold and rainy and very uninviting outside, I decided to try the <a href="http://www.thewooliers.com/item/indigo-dye-kit" target="_blank">Indigo Dye Kit</a> kindly gifted to me by <a href="http://www.thewooliers.com/" target="_blank">The Wooliers</a> after I interviewed them on the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2016/11/episode-11-interview-with-wooliers.html#.WRhc_neZN3k" target="_blank">podcast</a>.<br />
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Such a fun way to dye yarn!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tw-XpdiESgF_T91DdwvNKxa2VcDXd5JznfZ2EWkvyJWLTxfnQ_38oyWrge5mNxwt89HGvqXzq6K_Et_fDcRi7xpTr-DbdQFHPwmxjC0744I_kwA53QAhbaljTxshmpgcicFntVP3ZNA/s1600/wooliersjar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tw-XpdiESgF_T91DdwvNKxa2VcDXd5JznfZ2EWkvyJWLTxfnQ_38oyWrge5mNxwt89HGvqXzq6K_Et_fDcRi7xpTr-DbdQFHPwmxjC0744I_kwA53QAhbaljTxshmpgcicFntVP3ZNA/s320/wooliersjar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My go to way to dye is with a crockpot and either food coloring or Kool-aid, and if you've dyed yarn with either, you know you've questioned how those items are considered edible. This kit gave me a chance to try a natural dye in an almost fool proof way (if you read the directions before you start, definitely fool proof).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKr5BGPPZn0g5MD_lc5kjkifwYJTWW8ZvaP_ddvULvaIyP5ZLYUG6eN17Xxsm5fwYGXvsffomQBPhw81k5YuVZfxXXbI27OpIHSPxtuWelflJBLebLx2H1jXV3hY_1XuOMHxtcwy8_cs/s1600/woolierscontents.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKr5BGPPZn0g5MD_lc5kjkifwYJTWW8ZvaP_ddvULvaIyP5ZLYUG6eN17Xxsm5fwYGXvsffomQBPhw81k5YuVZfxXXbI27OpIHSPxtuWelflJBLebLx2H1jXV3hY_1XuOMHxtcwy8_cs/s320/woolierscontents.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kit comes with detailed instructions, 3 packets of pre-measured dye ingredients, a wooden stick to stir the yarn and dye, and 120 yards of wool (25% baby doll, 25% merino, 50% alpaca). Earlier experiences with alpaca had me wondering how bright this dye would be; alpaca tends to mute even the brightest of Kool-aid colors, but turns out, I had nothing to worry about.<br />
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After mixing the hot water and the ingredients, I left my jar to sit for an hour. Then I let it sit for another hour. My jar never got to the "translucent yellow/green" described in the directions, but I've created some mighty fine colors in the past by winging it, so I pushed that hank of yarn into the dye mix anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqA2kB-qt-byfeKsAMS-jzts0_skhdMjItIuJlxABiJiY0E6-f68HXLPwvQTJEF7057YiCi8u7mhNKo6SffkWwJ3fEw4PsGm99eM14f6SgUIlGQf8zAOrSEO8t3juKTiap9w8LsCvnu8/s1600/yarninjar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqA2kB-qt-byfeKsAMS-jzts0_skhdMjItIuJlxABiJiY0E6-f68HXLPwvQTJEF7057YiCi8u7mhNKo6SffkWwJ3fEw4PsGm99eM14f6SgUIlGQf8zAOrSEO8t3juKTiap9w8LsCvnu8/s320/yarninjar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The directions said let it sit for 5 minutes. I of course got involved with the new <i>Anne of Green Gables</i> series on Netflix so didn't come back to it for about 30 minutes. Super dark blue!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBkQJvco2se_1J0O2qqQClb7NbQ_GRvcUOgx-sxIBN_YQTRYIFNcnOgITe1qrSk7YloV8CCM9_e4gjyThtPJHe0cr7J6S6_XxLrhyOTO-SG6_q30QD8ciJtb5KUv9gze0lOGHpyZcMpc/s1600/wooliersyarnplate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBkQJvco2se_1J0O2qqQClb7NbQ_GRvcUOgx-sxIBN_YQTRYIFNcnOgITe1qrSk7YloV8CCM9_e4gjyThtPJHe0cr7J6S6_XxLrhyOTO-SG6_q30QD8ciJtb5KUv9gze0lOGHpyZcMpc/s320/wooliersyarnplate.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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After letting the yarn sit for awhile (ok more of <i>Anne</i>), I rinsed out the indigo. That took quite a bit of soaking which may be due to my water never turning that yellow/green, but once it was rinsed, I gave it a soak in, what else, Soak, and then wrung it out to dry.<br />
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The yarn dried overnight (and was of great interest to my new dog, Kimmy - I think the smell intrigued her), and I am IN LOVE with this yarn!!<br />
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I see this in a hat very soon... now to get some of The Wooliers natural yarn to go with it!<br />
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If you've never tried your hand a dyeing yarn, I highly recommend this as a first time experience. Very self contained in the jar, the directions are <i>very</i> detailed, and the result nothing more than spectacular! If you decide to give this kit a try, let me know!Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-7649207963368727482017-05-08T10:00:00.000-04:002017-05-08T10:00:55.280-04:00Paddy 2002 - 2017It is with a sad heart that I write this blog post about Paddy, my dog of 15 years. He passed away on April 27, 2017 and his loss hit our family hard. While I still knit and read while I grieved, I didn't have a blog post in me last week. I'm sure I will feel his loss for the rest of my life; he grew up with my children and was indeed my third child.<br />
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He was a big fan of a good chew bone:<br />
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He was also a good sport when his human siblings forced him to do things like listen to Fallout Boy:<br />
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His favorite spot to hang was the futon in the playroom even when the kids outgrew the playroom:</div>
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He also loved snow even though his Mom does not:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd108Rp_u5dYIaBO-hpQeEmUI0V58QwqwdkISwZv2JXHSHMt1mlKC97Vd-82HICd3tL-XH1srdJxc4BLjYoHZJ3Dd-04YxEdgQ6pgBO-9TQMohapsODCk7kmhx1l8wHi2VRkhmBYSG48/s1600/paddy4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd108Rp_u5dYIaBO-hpQeEmUI0V58QwqwdkISwZv2JXHSHMt1mlKC97Vd-82HICd3tL-XH1srdJxc4BLjYoHZJ3Dd-04YxEdgQ6pgBO-9TQMohapsODCk7kmhx1l8wHi2VRkhmBYSG48/s320/paddy4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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He was often at my feet when I knit or read (or stealing my chair when I was elsewhere). Paddy, you will be missed.</div>
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<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-13884966542758262312017-04-17T10:25:00.000-04:002017-04-17T17:57:33.208-04:00Spring Break Reading & CraftingSpring break came very late this year, and I think students, teachers, and parents all felt the effects of the long stretch of school days since the beginning of January. While my to do list was filled with both life and school tasks to catch up on, I put aside time each day to read and craft.<br />
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I am the much better for that!<br />
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<h4>
Knitting</h4>
I cast on some Tahki Cora Hand Paint yarn I have had in my stash for ages (and by ages, I mean 5+ years). The colors are very spring even though it was 80 degrees the day I started knitting with this wool and alpaca blend. I stumbled upon this simple <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-prayer-shawl-2" target="_blank">Lace Prayer Shawl</a> pattern by Renee Rico while searching for a lace pattern for some fingering weight yarn I wanted to knit up.<br />
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Obviously, I'm easily distracted while on spring break!<br />
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This pattern fit my needs perfectly: knit a lace pattern that's not too challenging (break after all) with yarn I have in stash in spring colors. I admit, I've had to rip back a few times when I've paid more attention to what's going on around me than the pattern, but it's easy to memorize and quick to correct. It's also rectangular rather than triangular so no pesky increases!<br />
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The yarn is from two dye lots which is noticeable if you look for it, but I think I'll keep this one for me. No regrets!<br />
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<h4>
Cross-Stitch</h4>
I don't cross-stitch every day, but when I do, I cover a lot of ground! This pattern is called <i>Spring Sheepies</i> from the Spring 2016 issue of <i>Cross-Stitch & Needlework </i>magazine. I stitched those cute sheep this week!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiao0J2iFDBWmPaEl0r_G5hL3ESsLj2bUoCXyxB-Ch2AGqh5kFXpLt2t-xRI7-7A2WZlUnuTGqknxpd8NIVRrTNNY0jEAZKvQs5Tt6EI48uNJ9mM7Lze1ky_nnfQ2HTfEXRT7d5tEhQh4/s1600/sheepborder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiao0J2iFDBWmPaEl0r_G5hL3ESsLj2bUoCXyxB-Ch2AGqh5kFXpLt2t-xRI7-7A2WZlUnuTGqknxpd8NIVRrTNNY0jEAZKvQs5Tt6EI48uNJ9mM7Lze1ky_nnfQ2HTfEXRT7d5tEhQh4/s320/sheepborder.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Reading</h4>
I requested <i>Britt-Marie Was Here </i>by Fredrik Bachman after I read a number of good reviews on Yarn Along posts. After finishing a long (and I do mean long) biography of Isabella of Castile, I started this book having no idea what to expect.<br />
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I love it!<br />
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This has to be a movie, and Francis McDormand must be Britt-Marie. I admit, she reminds me of my mother in many ways (although her cheating husband is nothing like my father). Britt-Marie likes things clean and orderly. Britt-Marie loves a good list. Britt-Marie needs a job and finds one in a dying town called Borg caring for a soon to close recreation center. (As a Star Trek fan, this name was ominous, but the author is Swedish and one assumes Borg is in Sweden.)<br />
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With the recreation center comes a tribe of misfit children, some young gansters, a shop owner called Somebody, and a kind and slightly awkward policeman named Sven who tries very hard to take Britt-Marie out on a date. On top of all that, Britt-Marie becomes the coach of the children's soccer team knowing nothing about soccer or, really, children.<br />
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She is, after all, as her husband says, "socially incompetent".<br />
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I'm reminded of Olive Kitteridge when reading about Britt-Marie so perhaps that's where my casting comes from. If you like a book with unusual characters, subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) comedy, a heroine who has more depth than most, and the best ending I've read in a long time, check out <i>Britt-Marie Was Here</i>.<br />
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<i>Every Tuesday, I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. Please join us by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i>Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-12662011019721426662017-04-04T04:53:00.000-04:002017-04-04T04:56:40.068-04:00#100dayprojectAs sad as I am that Ginny Sheller's Yarn Along has ended, I understand her decision and am treating this as an opportunity. Yarn Along provided structure for my new blog when I started a year ago as well as a new audience, but change is good, and this change came at just the right time!<br />
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The <a href="https://the100dayproject.org/what-is-the100dayproject-fbb4d1754a90" target="_blank">#100dayproject</a> starts today. What's this project, you ask? It's a challenge to do something creative for 100 days. Most participants do something with art or photography since an integral part of the challenge is posting daily on Instagram.<br />
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I am not an artist or a photographer.<br />
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But I am a cross stitcher! I recently returned to cross stitch after a very long hiatus. Pattern content has changed since the early 90s; babies, unicorns, and Holly Hobby have been replaced by cottages, buildings, and houses. Based on this new aesthetic, I've come up with a project that lends itself to my interests and talents.<br />
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I'm going to create an original cross stitch pattern based on the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead in my hometown of Wall, NJ. Every day on the way to work, I pass what is probably the only historical landmark in my town. In the 20 years I've lived here, I've never visited the museum or attended an event there.<br />
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I'm not even sure <i>why</i> it's a historical landmark.<br />
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At the start of the project, I plan to take a picture a day of the Homestead at various times of the day and analyze each with regard to a final image. For example, I need to remove the electrical wires and fire hydrant from the final image. Another issue: the only way to take a "head on" photo of the house is to stand in the middle of the cross street. That's a problem I've yet to solve!<br />
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This week, I'll start with photos like the one below and take a tour on Sunday when the museum is open.<br />
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If you'd like to follow my adventure, please check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lgesin/" target="_blank">my Instagram feed</a> and the hashtag #100daysofAllgorBarkalow! You'll also find a weekly update here on the blog.<br />
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<i>Are you participating in the #100dayproject? Are there any hashtags for this project that you recommend? If so, let me know in the comments!</i><br />
<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-1381992258009390192017-03-20T08:14:00.001-04:002017-03-22T09:49:09.789-04:00Lifestyle Contradictions: Knitting & Thug LifeDue to unforeseen adventures in home ownership, this month's podcast is delayed until next week. However, I do have a brief update on what I'm knitting and reading this week.<br />
<h4>
Knitting</h4>
<div>
I've started a new cowl design using yarn from a new indie dyer, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kfrankfiberarts" target="_blank">KFrankFiberArts</a>, who is Kate of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY-CV4Dwv8csDWkiwGixZeQ/videos" target="_blank">Kitchen Stitching</a> podcast. Kate kindly sent me a hank of her superwash merino silk sock yarn to use for this pattern in her colorway Linger. I wanted to create a cowl that works well in spring and early summer, and this yarn is the perfect weight! </div>
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I've incorporated a simple cable pattern that reminds me of small tea roses in a loose cowl that'll keep out the last of the spring chill or enthusiastic air conditioning. Tentatively titled "Lingering over Tea", I hope to publish this for Mother's Day and have it ready for test knitters by Easter.</div>
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As you can see from the picture above, I'm also back to cross stitching. This design was in the Spring 2016 issue of <i>Cross-Stitch and Needlework Magazine</i>. I can't resist a pattern with sheep - they will appear on those hills. I still have to concentrate much more on stitching than I do on knitting so I don't have as much time to stitch, but when I do, I enjoy it so much! I learned when I was a child and forgot how relaxing and rewarding this hobby can be.<br />
<h4>
Reading</h4>
<div>
I just started a young adult novel that seems to be <i>everywhere</i>. <i>The Hate U Give</i> by Angie Thomas gets its name from the first part of the words that make up the acronym Thug Life. Urban Dictionary explains Thug Life this way:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c353c;">A word evolved by the late Tupac Shakur. Commonly mistaken for a Criminal. Thug Life is the opposite of someone having all he needs to succeed. Thug life is when you have nothing, and succeed, when you have overcome all obstacles to reach your aim.</span></span></blockquote>
I'm about a third of the way in to the book. The main character, Starr, witnesses the police shooting of her childhood friend Khalid. Complicating the issue (and that's a complicated issue), is the fact that Starr attends a predominantly white private school but lives in Garden Heights, a predominantly black neighborhood. She is living the definition of thug life as are her family members.<br />
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Add that to the fact that this is the second childhood friend Starr's see die, and you have a very difficult but important read. In just the part I've read, characters keep referring to people becoming hashtags and losing their privacy and individuality in their role as victim. I'm sure we've all read those hashtags; how chilling to read a story that humanizes those victims and the people who love them. You can't scroll by or change the channel while reading this book.<br />
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A student of mine just finished this, and when I told her I'd picked it up from the libary this week, she told me I had to read it "right now". While I have yet to finish the book, I have a feeling I'm going to be back telling all of you to go read this "right now" too!<br />
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<i>Every Tuesday, I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. Please join us by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i><br />
<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-38924435144208709592017-03-14T10:37:00.004-04:002017-03-27T11:28:03.713-04:00Flock of Seagulls Pattern & Fierce Biblical Women<h4>
Knitting</h4>
This week, I released another original pattern, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flock-of-seagulls-cowl" target="_blank"><i>Flock of Seagulls</i> <i>Cowl</i></a>. While I recognize that those of us that are a certain age now have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpfWORQWhU" target="_blank">certain song</a> playing in our head (and I'm sorry that it will now be there for hours!), the simple cable stitch in the main part of this cowl reminds me of seagulls in flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqkBnRlCDQ_0TTAT5utbdHR5D3FD9PdpgAU1F6E_5j3vlgZ1ozedhBP5ZS4lv8UsWlmoM5Qd8lknU__cpfbUVNZp7MHxp3Do7R0c97eizLZXzzuUeM53GyfYuFGlSlGHydZz6z2rZD94/s1600/flockentirecowl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqkBnRlCDQ_0TTAT5utbdHR5D3FD9PdpgAU1F6E_5j3vlgZ1ozedhBP5ZS4lv8UsWlmoM5Qd8lknU__cpfbUVNZp7MHxp3Do7R0c97eizLZXzzuUeM53GyfYuFGlSlGHydZz6z2rZD94/s320/flockentirecowl.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi2pIl6byBJXTZgBwVO_iN4CW0Q5O8va3JbVAd6bpffTZ8gvXFvd_8pqnPAEG8buY80q-MAzWP9g6mOti4c04UWUbyLl7xp3n2J5xjRqU1TE8A2DlqYZcxZcd56nxFj8XdwZZju20xt4/s1600/flockcloseup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi2pIl6byBJXTZgBwVO_iN4CW0Q5O8va3JbVAd6bpffTZ8gvXFvd_8pqnPAEG8buY80q-MAzWP9g6mOti4c04UWUbyLl7xp3n2J5xjRqU1TE8A2DlqYZcxZcd56nxFj8XdwZZju20xt4/s320/flockcloseup.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Those little bird stitches require a simple cable stitch every fourth row, but don't be put off! If you've never knit cables (or rarely knit cables), this might be a good pattern for practice. I rarely knit cables but loved this stitch so much, I gave it a go. This makes the pattern just interesting enough without being so complicated you can't do a little Netflix and knit while working on it!<br />
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I knit this in MadelineTosh DK in the colors Cove and Antler. Yarn with a good drape in a DK weight is perfect for this pattern. The lighter weight works well for spring when it's cool in the morning and evening but warms up during the day. (As I write this, it's snowing like crazy out my window, but I have faith that spring is coming!).<br />
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The pattern in available on Ravelry for $1.99. The proceeds from all my pattern sales go to support my podcast.<br />
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<h4>
Reading</h4>
I recently finished <i>Fierce: Women of the Bible and Their Stories of Violence, Mercy, Bravery, Wisdom, Sex, and Salvation </i>by Alice Connor<i>.</i> Not for those easily offended by curse words and feminist views (although the only f word in the book is feminist), these essays take a strong look at Biblical women both in context and as their stories relate to modern culture. While I admit that I thought more than once, "Can a Pastor say that?", I'm so glad she did! As someone who struggles to align the social views I believe are true in my heart with the experiences of people 2000 years ago in the Bible, Pastor Alice's book went a long way to showing me that protest and equality can go hand in hand with acceptance and mercy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippjW6ZhJA4yH54OXlznZ24XcSi7Rqv4afqkOsriKX9p-FTLMO5O1iZ_rrsN2PzkeLTfYCkXYWQt6sdDwI9g603Jw1xYTEbel8TBRLTyQCCtuwG2BXkzKb0OmyJWPR0HC0mbbKeJ9vSI4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+9.59.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippjW6ZhJA4yH54OXlznZ24XcSi7Rqv4afqkOsriKX9p-FTLMO5O1iZ_rrsN2PzkeLTfYCkXYWQt6sdDwI9g603Jw1xYTEbel8TBRLTyQCCtuwG2BXkzKb0OmyJWPR0HC0mbbKeJ9vSI4/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-03-10+at+9.59.36+AM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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If you, like me, wonder if we've "come a long way, baby" or are still fighting the same fight as women and other minorities fought all those years ago, this book is for you! Pastor Alice is the first author who successfully connected the actions and struggles of Biblical women to modern women for me without forcing me to consider any compromise to my social consciousness. Definitely biblical feminism at its finest!<br />
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<i>Every Tuesday, I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. On Wednesdays, I participate in the Yarn Along on <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/" target="_blank">Ginny Sheller's blog</a>. Please join us either by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i>Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-89306323741897401342017-03-07T07:28:00.001-05:002017-03-07T15:54:00.695-05:00Caron Cakes Shawl & an Affair of the Heart<h4>
Knitting</h4>
My name is Laura, and I'm a Caron Cakes addict. I don't think I'm alone, however (please say I'm not). I've been incredibly busy lately and wanted a fun but mindless knit for weekday evenings. Caron Cakes are certainly fun - when you're getting bored with a color, it changes (much like the weather these days).<br />
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This time, I chose Pistachio because I knew I'd be wearing it in March. Ravelry came to the rescue with a simple yet lovely free pattern called the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/latte-scarf" target="_blank">Latte Scarf</a>. I hope to have this done for St. Patrick's Day!<br />
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I'm also running a flash sale on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-winter-cowl" target="_blank">Aspen Winter Cowl</a> pattern because March came in like a lion here at the Jersey Shore. From now until March 12th, you can get this pattern for 99 cents with the coupon code MARCHLION. A handle link is in the sidebar at the left!<br />
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Reading</h4>
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What if Humbert Humbert was accused of murdering Lolita in a book written by Elmore Leonard?</div>
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That's my description of <i>The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair </i>by Joel Dicker. Released in 2014 to quite a bit of fanfare, the book's sales didn't reach expectations here in the States. I've seen copies on discount racks in Barnes & Nobel since publication, but the book probably reached a new low when I found a copy for $1 at the dollar store.</div>
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Now I'm a person who loves to find a good book at a thrift store or in a bargain bin, and $1 isn't much of an investment. Also, on the day I found this copy, I was coming down with a cold and knew I was going to hibernate over the weekend. I wanted a book that would interest me but not require any effort on my part.</div>
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This was the book.</div>
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Harry Quebert, a writer in the mold of Norman Mailer, is accused of murder when the body of a 15 year old girl who went missing 33 years ago is found on his property in New Hampshire. A manuscript of Harry's masterpiece, <i>The Origin of Evil</i>, is found under the body with the inscription, "Goodbye, darling Nola". </div>
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Harry's protege, Marcus Goldman, arrives at Harry's beach house in New Hampshire right before the body is discovered complaining of writer's block. Goldman published a blockbuster the year before and has a second book due shortly for which he received a large advance but he's yet to write a word. When the body is found and Harry becomes the prime suspect, Goldman's publisher suggests that the investigation of this murder become the topic of Goldman's second book.</div>
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Marcus' investigation interspersed with Harry's advice on writing and flashbacks to the summer of 1975 and the murder make up the bulk of the book. At over 600 pages, it's still a fast read and a lot happens including a twist I did NOT see coming with about 100 pages to go. Originally written in French by a Swiss author who spent summers in New England, there's a lot of small town hi jinx and a little social climbing that provides some much needed humor in a mystery that basically involves the relationship between a 35 year old man and a 15 year old girl. </div>
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I really enjoyed this book, and the Lolita aspect is handled very well. There are some fun allusions - for example, Harry's lawyer is named Benjamin Roth (a not so subtle connection to Philip Roth), and Marcus' mother is every Jewish mother in the body of one New Jersey matron. While I can't say I agree with the fantastic reviews from foreign publications all over the cover and front pages, if you want a fun mystery with an unusual twist on a weekend you may not be feeling your best, this book's for you!</div>
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<i>Every Tuesday, I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. On Wednesdays, I participate in the Yarn Along on <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/" target="_blank">Ginny Sheller's blog</a>. Sometimes I post reviews at Cannonball Read. Please join us either by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i></div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-42975285542632607482017-02-27T11:59:00.001-05:002020-06-26T10:17:57.696-04:00One Nation, Under God Hat PatternThis week's blog post is slightly different; I have a free hat pattern I'd like to share with my readers and listeners. It's called the <i>One Nation, Under God</i> hat pattern.<br />
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<br />The title of this pattern comes from the Pledge of Allegiance. As many of you know, I'm a teacher, and teachers recite this with their students 180 days a year.<br />
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In my school, our principal recites the pledge over the PA most days. He also happened to mention how much he'd like one of my knitted hats earlier this year. (I made one for a teacher I was mentoring who wears it every day; I think my principal was slightly jealous since I've known him much longer than the new teacher!) When I asked about colors, he said he'd really (really) like a red, white, and blue one.<br />
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Challenge accepted!<br />
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I already had this yarn (it's the same yarn in different colors that I used for "that hat"). Two summers ago, I learned the fair isle technique and thought this was a good way to test my expertise. With good old graph paper at hand, I came up with my star pattern... and wouldn't you know, the number of stitches I decided to cast on was divisible by 13! Perfect since the colors I used reminded me of older flags I've seen in museums and in documentaries.<br />
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Since the United States is known as the Land of the Free, I'm offering this pattern for free on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-nation-under-god" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> where you can find more detail about yarn, supplies, etc. I look forward to seeing many versions of the pattern in the months to come!<br /><br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-66092595073307763672017-02-13T09:42:00.001-05:002017-02-13T09:42:07.898-05:00Galentine's Day & Race with a Capital R<h4>
Knitting</h4>
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If you've read this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I love <i>Parks and Rec </i>so it should come as no surprise that I celebrate Galentine's Day:<br />
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For this year's Valentine's Day, I knit a version of the Caring Cowl in Bernat's Dimensions yarn. It's pink, it's squishy, it mimics thick and thin handspun, and all pattern proceeds go to the American Red Cross. What's not to love about this cowl?<br />
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There's a Caring Cowl Knitalong going on in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-read-pray-podcast" target="_blank">Ravelry group</a> through the end of February. Check out some of the completed projects for inspiration and then share yours for a chance to win one of two prizes!<br />
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Reading</h4>
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In the last blog post, I wrote about <i>The Fortress of Solitude </i>by Jonathan Lethem and likened the story to dropping Holden Caulfield into 1970s Brooklyn. This is true for the majority of the book. Sure, his parents move Dylan (the main character) to Gowanus during the last gasps of white flight where he is in turns treated well and badly by the black characters that surround him. He eventually makes his escape to an exclusive private college and then to the mostly white environs of Berkeley and the Bay Area.</div>
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It's a modernized Holden and his backstory until the last 80 or so pages. Then, the reader CANNOT IGNORE the fact that this book is about Race with a capital R. If it's a coming of age story, it's a dual tale: a white boy in the same circumstances as a black boy escapes his situation, leaving the black boy behind and in jail. In the same way <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> deals with identity, <i>Fortress</i> also deals with identity in it's most basic form: what do you look like, what do people see when they look at you, what assumptions do they make based on what they see.</div>
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Early in the story, Dylan finds a ring that bestows superpowers on the wearer depending on who they are and what point in their life they are in, a nice touch of magic realism... but wait! As a tween and teenager, Dylan, can only fly along the tree lines, never really leaving earth. Mingus (his black friend), is adept at flying until a strong wind blows him off the Brooklyn Bridge. Mingus is at home in his world until outside forces intervene; Dylan is not.</div>
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As adults, the ring makes Dylan invisible, and if your familiar with Ralph Ellison's <i>Invisible Ma</i>n, you'll know this twist is a take on that novel. Dylan's color makes him visible; only the ring can make him invisible. Mingus, on the other hand, is always invisible, a character almost always off stage in this story... until the very end.</div>
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Like I said in the last post, this book is beautifully written and the New York of the 70s authentic (I was there, trust me), but ultimately, this is a book that forces you, no matter what your color but especially if you are white, to face just how little progress we've really made in this country since that time regarding race. Read it especially if you are privileged and visible in our culture.<br />
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<i>On Tuesdays, I Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. </i><i>On Wednesdays, I participate in the Yarn Along on <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/" target="_blank">Ginny Sheller's blog</a>. Please join us either by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i></div>
Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-40273641898190666372017-02-05T12:57:00.000-05:002017-02-13T09:43:17.240-05:00Caring Cowl Progress & Boy Grows in Brooklyn<h4>
Knitting</h4>
A new semester started this past week at the high school where I teach. While I love the semester system, that first week is exhausting! I teach 3 different courses, Python, Java, and Web Design. This is the first time I've taught different programming languages at the same time.<br />
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(Fun Fact: The programming language Python got it's name from Monty Python's Flying Circus. The creator was binge watching while he came up with the language.)<br />
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It's weeks like this one just past that I really need knitting! I started my Caring Cowl for the Caring KAL currently running in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-read-pray-podcast" target="_blank">Ravelry group</a>. All proceeds from the sale of this pattern go to the American Red Cross. I saw on the news recently that the American Red Cross is very active right now assisting victims of the recent tornadoes in Alabama, so every little donation helps! </div>
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I'm using Bernat Dimensions yarn not so much for the thick/thin texture but for the colors. Perfect for February! I did alter the pattern somewhat by using a smaller needle - this yarn is knits up too loose with a larger needle - and making accommodation for the small needle size by casting on more stitches. I also started with a purl section because I didn't care for how the yarn curled with my first attempt. This yarn makes a nice scalloped edge most likely because it is machine made and the thick and thin sections are uniform. </div>
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I have another ball of this yarn and will probably use most of it. As much as I love real handspun, this yarn is much more affordable! Also, I think I'll knit this pattern in a standard bulky weight yarn too; it's a quick knit. Please consider joining the KAL in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-read-pray-podcast" target="_blank">KnitReadPray Ravelry </a>group!</div>
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Reading</h4>
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In the last blog post, I mentioned I had a hard time finding a followup to 2 really good books I read last month. After rejecting ever book in my library TBR pile, I started rummaging through the multiple TBR piles around my house. (Tell me I am not alone in that!) In stack #2, I found a copy of a book recommended to me by a student a few years ago for consideration for summer reading. I never got around to reading it because we selected other books, and it didn't appeal to me at the time.</div>
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Now? I love it. And by love it I mean <b>I LOVE IT</b>! <i>The Fortress of Solitude</i> by Jonathan Letham is the <i>The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay</i> with magic realism, but it's SO MUCH MORE. The story of Dylan Ebdus begins in 1970s Brooklyn, a white boy in a black neighborhood. Early on, his mother abandons the family, and he meets his neighbor, Mingus Rude, another motherless boy. The bulk of the book recounts Dylan's school years, his friendship with Mingus, and their adventures as Aeroman after Dylan is gifted a magic ring by a homeless man.</div>
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The writing is lyrical, poetic even, and the observations spot on. For example, Dylan observes that second grade is first grade just with math. I know! As Dylan moves from elementary school, to middle school, to testing in to Stuyvesant High School, the author's observations regarding the world of children, Tweens, and teens is painfully accurate. This is a coming of age story that places Holden Caulfield smack in the middle of Abe Beam's New York by way of Gowanus.<br />
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I just finished the "Underberg" section (the longest) and will write a complete review next week!<br />
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UPDATE: The second part of this book review can be found <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/02/galentines-day-race-with-capital-r.html#.WKHF43eZN3k" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<i>On Tuesdays, I Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. </i><i>On Wednesdays, I participate in the Yarn Along on <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/" target="_blank">Ginny Sheller's blog</a>. Please join us either by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i></div>
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Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054050265833482541.post-90405011277717235202017-01-30T09:11:00.000-05:002017-02-05T12:56:53.513-05:00A Flock of Spontaneous Combustion<i style="font-weight: normal;">If you're visiting from <a href="https://cannonballread.com/" target="_blank">Cannonball Read</a>, scroll down for my review of Spontaneous.</i><br />
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Knitting</h4>
Over the weekend, I finished my first test knit of a new cowl pattern I've called <i>Flock of Seagulls</i>. I knit the borders in sand stitch and the center is a cable knit that I think looks like a flock of seagulls taking off from the beach.<br />
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My LYS has an amazing sale every New Year's where everything in the store, including Madeline Tosh yarn, is 25% off. On New Year's Day I found the <i>perfect</i> yarn for this pattern in Cove (right) and Antler (left):<br />
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If you've read previous blog posts or listened to the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/01/season-2-episode-1-caring-sharing.html#.WIoTVneZN3k" target="_blank">latest podcast</a>, you'll know I'll be knitting another version of this pattern in Prado de Lana DK yarn that I picked up at Vogue Knitting Live. I plan to finish that by mid-February and will be looking for test knitters around that time. The pattern should be released in mid-March.<br />
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<h4>
Reading</h4>
Do you ever have a run of days where you just can't get in to any books in your TBR pile? That happened to me last week. I finished both <i>The Sun is Also a Star</i> by Nicole Soon and <i>Spontaneous</i> by Aaron Starmer and just couldn't find another book to make an awesome YA trifecta. Why you ask? The premise of <i>Spontaneous</i> is simple: high school seniors spontaneously combust in the oddest places like pre-calc and an SUV.<br />
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What could possibly follow THAT?<br />
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The first half of the book is a lot of fun - who will blow up next? The main character, Mara, is far from perfect and a possibly unreliable narrator. Dylan, her romantic interest, is odd in a Jesse Eisenberg sort of way which means he's quirky and endearing.<br />
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Mara's best friend Tess is a big part of the first part of the book but disappears for a large section towards the end which I don't think was explained very well. Mara and Tess pledge to be cool old ladies together at the beginning of the book then in the third half Tess disappears, tries to solve the problem of explosive students without sharing her activities with her BFF, abruptly reenters the plot, and then ... well, that would be a spoiler, wouldn't it?<br />
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If your unsatisfied and / or confused by the second half of the book and the ending, it may help to view the story as a metaphor for senior year in a US high school. After I lent this book to a student, we had a healthy conversation about that possibility. Both of us were more comfortable with Tess's actions and the book's conclusion after we talked it out from that perspective!<br />
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The book takes place in New Jersey, and I agree, our state is one where students could very well spontaneously combust. The author lives in Vermont, and I think he takes some liberties with NJ geography. Mara talks about riding her bike "down the shore" where I live quite a few times during the course of the book, but the action takes place the northwest part of the state. There's NO WAY a high school kid (or anyone for that matter) could ride a bike from that part of NJ to my part of NJ especially round trip in one day. The author also mentions "Rumson Road", a road very near where I live down the shore which the author places in Mara's home town.<br />
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Color me confused.<br />
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If you don't live in NJ and you're intrigued by the premise of this book, I suggest you give it a go. I read the opening paragraph in the <a href="http://www.knitreadpray.com/2017/01/season-2-episode-1-caring-sharing.html#.WIoTVneZN3k" target="_blank">latest podcast</a> so if you're on the fence, give this episode a listen and let me know what you think!<br />
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<i>On Tuesdays, I join Nicole at the <a href="http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keep Calm Craft On</a> link party. </i><i>On Wednesdays, I participate in the Yarn Along on <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/" target="_blank">Ginny Sheller's blog</a>. Please join us either by contributing a link to your fibery work in progress and current read and / or by checking out the posts to the link parties. You may find your next book or project waiting for you!</i><br />
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<br />Laura Gesinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314265521270423826noreply@blogger.com3