New Addiction

What have I been up to lately, that has been keeping me from blogging? Would that be knitting? NO! Crocheting or spinning perhaps? NO! Plurking even? NO! My latest addiction is a free browser game called Molehill Empire!

This game brings out the virtual gardener in me. You can create your own garden, earn points to advance to different levels and trade your produce with others according to what the market demands. You don't need nimble fingers to blast opponents or meet a time limit, so this game operates at my pace or your pace if you give it a try. I hope you too will come by and check out http://www.molehillempire.com/ !

Friends

When I became disabled, I moved back to my home town so that my family could help me, but I don't want to bug them too much. Since I have trouble walking, I have to depend on others to get out and go places. So, sometimes I feel a little isolated or trapped. Because of this, my online friends are probably more special to me than they know. I cherish my friends and the laughter they bring into my life.

Sometimes friends can surprise you too. I mean really surprise you. One friend, who insists on remaining anonymous, did that in a big way this week. She sent me a gift box....OF YARN!...and oh, what yarn it is. I was so overwhelmed by her generosity that I told her that I was going to send it back to her, to which she replied with threats to my well being and destruction of my walker. She also said that we would look quite foolish sending the package back and forth and back and forth, etc. The following pictures are of the yarn that she sent.

Yup, that last one is Wollmeise! Can you believe this ? I know I am still in shock. I keep cradling it and petting it. I have never felt such a beautiful yarn in my life. She also picked the most perfect colorway she could have for me! I think it will ultimately become a Clapotis Scarf, once I am able to stop cuddling it and then take my pointy sticks to it.

Well, now I have a problem, don't I. How do I properly thank her for this incredible act of kindness and generosity? Unfortunately, I cannot afford to thank her in kind, but I must find a meaningful thank you, because my words just seem so inadequate. This is going to take some thought.

House Warming Gift

My Mom has a new house. My amazing and talented siblings built it for her. They didn't just pay for it, they built it with the help of several family members and friends! I am in awe of how quickly they got it built and how wonderful it looks.

A few weeks ago she was able to move into the house and has been trying to settle in ever since. She has been busy unpacking, shopping for new items and taking furniture and appliance deliveries.

I gave her a house warming gift that consisted of knitted dish cloths, knitted hanging towels, and crocheted doilies in a basket. I won't bore you with dish cloth and towel pictures, but I will share pictures of the doilies I made.This one is Park Avenue, designed by Patricia Kristoffersen and the pattern can be found in "Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies"This one is Pineapple Passion, also by Patricia Kristoffersen in "Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies"

Lastly, this one is Sunflower Bloom, and is also by Patricia Kristoffersen in "Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies"

Traffic Cones

I originally made these up as a joke gift for my brother to set on his office desk and indicate an impending paper avalanche or projects that were in danger. Only after the fact, did it occur to me that they would be great for children to use with toy cars and trucks. I like the traditional bright orange, but these are a great, quick way to use up any of your yarn scraps.

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn scraps
U.S. size 5 dpns
Tapestry needle
Polyester fiber fill

Cone: Cast-on 6 stitches and divide them on 3 dpns.
Knit 2 rounds even.
*K1, m1, knit to end of needle, repeat on each needle
Knit 2 rounds even**
Repeat from * to ** until there are 24 stitches total.
Bind off leaving a long tail to sew with.
Weave in the beginning end.

Base: Cast-on 14 stitches.
Knit in garter stitch until length of the square equals the width and bind off. Weave in ends.

Assembly: Stuff the cone with fiberfill, but not so firmly that it starts to bulge the cone. Center the cone on the bottom square and using the long tail, sew the cone to the square and weave in the end. You may want to pin the cone in place to keep it centered while you sew. I didn't.

Notes
1. I used a couple of dpns to knit the bottom too, so I didn't need another set of needles.
2. You could use any weight scrap yarn to make this, but adjust the needles to make sure you are getting a firm (tight) knit fabric, so that the stuffing doesn't poke through.
3. This pattern has not been tested, so please notify me if you find any errors. Thank you!

Has it really been that long?

Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since my last post. I apologize for neglecting my blog. It's not that I haven't been producing any new projects, it's just that I haven't really felt like I had anything to say. Well, I'm still not sure I have anything to say, but I know that I need to get some project pictures taken and posted before I give the projects away.

It is evening time here in Maine, so I will be taking pictures in the morning, hopefully with the sunshine helping out. I promise a post tomorrow with photos and pattern details tomorrow. Until then, have a wonderful evening and a good night!