On Vacation

I'm leaving today for my vacation in celebration of my 50 th birthday. I will be attending a Woman's Wellness Retreat in Ontario 2 hours north of Toronto.

You can check out the location at

THIRTEEN MOONS

With no internet and minimal cell phone access, it should be a true GETAWAY.

Of course, there are 2 yarn shops in Peterborough nearby that I will visit !!

The workshops at Thirteen Moons will be lead by

Laila Ghattas of

AZIZA HEALING ADVENTURES

Dye Your Own Yarn Workshop

At the recent Lake Farm Park Wool Fest in Kirtland, Ohio

I took a Dye Your Own Yarn Workshop.

I came prepared with 3 skeins of my own yarn

100% Wool Worsted from Knit Picks ready to dye.

The 3 skeins of my own should be enough to make a

felted bag and I can't wait to get started!!

We used Country Classics acid dyes which are available from
Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm.

Ellen, herself, was scheduled to teach this class, but unfortanately she was ill and could not make it. A local fiber artist filled in and it was very enjoyable.

We dyed soft roving (I'll have to learn to spin it next!), and a silk scarf.

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Revealed

Spring Felted Bag Exchange

Thank you, Deb, in Springfield, Mass

for this beautiful felted bag which arrived just in time for my birthday !!

I received this lovely lined hand embellished buttonhole bag from Deb...

and the Ball Band bag I made from Monica Knits,

(see September, 2006 entry)

was sent to KRIS in

Goffstown, New Hampshire with enough yarn (1 skein Cascade 220 and 1 skein Noro Kureyon) and some of my homemade stitch markers to make a bag of her own.

Secret Pal 10 Revealed

Thank you,

LIA

from the Blueberry Capital in New Jersey,

for making my birthday even more special !!

I received my
Secret Pal 10 REVEAL package just in time for my birthday !!

4 skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino to hand dye myself, luscsious Classic Elite La Gran Mohair, fun notepads which I can never have enough of, Cream Melt Burner from Elegant Choices with candles for aromatherapy,

and a set of her handmade stitchmarkers which can be found at her etsy shop....

"LadyBug Creations"

************************************************************************************

My assortment of Secret Pal treasures over the last few months went to

PATTY in Minnesota

highlights included Opal sock yarn, Koigu, a beany bag turtle (she collects turtles), the book "Knit Two Together" signed by the author and a "Share the Care" totebag which Patty says she's been using everyday for work !!

Thank you secret pals for a wonderful exchange !!

Today is my Birthday !!

July 10 - the big 50

and what a celebration at last night's NorthCoast Knitting Guild meeting !!

Andrea brought me these lovely flowers

Dental school classmate from 20 years ago and fellow knitter,

Marilyn, came in from Youngstown

Mo suprised me with 2 skeins of Regia Silk Color, size 1 double pointeds,

Nancy Bush's book

"Folk Socks" and an adorable hand made certificate for me to receive

sock knitting lessons.

My sister treated us with 4 different kinds of homemade cookies and this special plate for everyone to sign from

OUR NAME IS MUD

My wonderful secret pal, Michelle, from the International Scarf Exchange sent me 3 skeins of my favorite yarn, Noro Kureyon, in a NEW COLOR.

Thank you MICHELLE !!

Now it's off to the

Ladies and Gentleman Spa at Legacy Village

with my middle daughter (the other 2 are away at overnight summer camp programs) and then a delicious dinner with my sister

and my lovely middle daughter (almost 16 years old)

at

SUSHI ROCK

Thank you to everyone for making my birthday special and memorable !!

Cleveland Indians Stitch N Pitch

What a blast !!!

Stitch N Pitch Cleveland Indians

baseball game last week.

Beautiful summer night, great goodie bag,

a visit from Slider

and

we won the game !!

GOODIE BAG:

Clover Size 19 straight needles 16 " long

Canvas Project Bag

Boye Crochet Hook

Needlepoint canvas

Trendsetter Yarns "Fatigues" one skein

Free patterns from local shops

Cross Stitch Sampler booklet

All about "Clover" needles booklet

Knitter's Travel Guide Book 2006 published by
DirectionPress

right here in my town, Solon, Ohio !!

Wool Fest "Best in the Show"

My version of the Hyphen - Boy Modular Felted bag won

BEST IN THE SHOW

at the Lake Farm Park Wool Fest being held this weekend in Kirtland, Ohio.

I also took a

Blue Ribbon First Place

in the Mixed Media category since my bag is a combination of knitting and felting.

In addition to $15.00 vouchers to use at the Wool Fest market, I also received a gift basket full of wonderful goodies from the Lake Farm Park gift shop.

I am thrilled !!!

SP 10 Contest My Yarn Stash

SP 10 Hostess has asked us to post our YARN STASH.......

Cherry Tree Hill, Cascade Fixation, Patons sock yarn, leftovers !

Stitch Marker - Yarn Swap

Thank you BERNIE for your wonderful assortment of goodies sent all the way from England !!


Fridge Magnet, Eskimo Wool (Garnstudio), Felted Mini Sock,
Handmade Stitch Markers,

Hand Sewn Pouch for Bits'n'bobs, Highlighter pens, and a
Scented Sachet.


YUMMY !!!


The blue stitch markers have these little crochet covered beads that she made using embroidery thread/floss, a very small metal crochet hook and some plastic beads.
They are one of a kind.



THANK YOU BERNIE for another terrific exchange!!

World Wide Knit in Public Day 2007

That's me, Betsy and Mo

We had little time to Knit in Public because we were too busy

inside shopping !

Thank you to
River Colors in Lakewood, Ohio hosted our event.

We discoved the latest addition to the Cleveland Knitting Scene......

STITCH CLEVELAND

We also shopped at

Yarn Knit by Sue in Fairview Park

where everything is 40 % off for their Moving Sale !!

I picked up the book, "FELT FRENZY" by

Clevelanders, Heather Brack & Shannon Okey

I found 2 skeins of JJ's Montage Hand Painted Collection for a Lucy Bag,

Austermann Step yarn with Aloe Vera because it feels

so good,

Plymouth Encore Mega Colorspun to make the

Sarah James Adriafil Vest,

and Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn to make the

Garter Stitch Blanket on my

To - Do List.

Also picked up some Addi's --- it was great fun !!

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Update

I just received a package from my AWESOME partner in the

Spring Felted Bag Exchange.

Trekking Yarn in color Pastels and "Classic Socks" pattern booklet by

Yankee Knitter Designs.

She is inspiring me to try socks and I can't wait to knit with the Trekking,

something she knows I've been wanting !!

She also included an adorable set of sheep accessories: refrigerator magnet, note pad, and

a set of beautiful stitch markers that she made for me.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!

I can't wait to see the bag you're making for me.

I know it will be unique and special !!

International Scarf Exchange IV "Wrap Up"

International Scarf Exchange IV

grand finale...

My package arrived from Michelle in Ontario and I am just thrilled with the beautiful shawl she made for me.

In my favorite colors, made from the color Perwinkle

Hand Maiden Sea Silk hand dyed in Canada.

The pattern is Shetland Triangle Shawl from the book,
"Wrap Style" by
Interweave Press.

I also received a beautiful hand made shawl pin made in Nova Scotia,

Lavendar (my favorite) Eucalan Fabric Wash, and sheep tissues.

She accidentally revealed her name to me in an email and all this time I was sneaking peeks at "Michelle in Colorado Springs" blog thinking that was the scarf for me !! So, I was pleasantly surprised after all !!

Michelle is amazing, self taught and only been knitting for 2 years, WOW !!

Thank you Michelle !!

On the other end.......

My EDGAR Scarf from Knitty.com arrived safely for

HANNA in Finland.

Noro Ruffle Felted Bag Pattern

WALDEN KNITS NORO RUFFLE FELTED BAG

Here is the pattern for the bag that I taught at A Knitter's Fantasy.

MATERIALS

1 skein NORO Kureyon

small amount of 100% Wool Cascade 220

Size 9, 10 1/2 or 11 needles 24 " circular and double pointed same size

Row counter; Stitch marker; Tapestry needle.

Dimensions before felting: Dimensions after felting:

Bottom 5 " x 5 " Bottom 4" x 4"
Height 9" Height 6 1/2"
Width 9" Width 5 1/2"
Lenght of I cord strap 36 " Length of I cord strap 23"

BOTTOM OF BAG

Cast on 16 stitches. Knit every row 30 - 34 rows (17 ridges)

You should have a square or rectangular bottom.

Pick up and knit 16 stitches along the edge of your bag – you will be picking up a single loop of yarn at the end of each of the ridges. You should be at the beginning of cast on edge.

Pick up 16 stitches using the loops at the bottom of the cast on row.

Pick up and knit 16 stitches along the last edge of your bag.

Place a marker to denote beginning of rounds.

You should have 64 stitches.

If you have more or less, it doesn't matter.

Just make sure you have the same number of stitches on corresponding sides.

BODY OF BAG

Rounds 2-9: Knit.

Round 10 (decrease round): (K2tog, knit to two stitches before the next marker, SSK, slip marker) around. 56 stitches.

Rounds 11-19: Knit.

Round 20: Repeat decrease round. 48 stitches.

Rounds 21-29: Knit.

Round 30: Repeat decrease round. 40 stitches.

Rounds 31-33: Knit.

Round 34: Purl.

Round 35: Bind off in purl.

Doing the last rows and binding off in purl gives it a little more of a bump or

distinction at the top.

RUFFLE

With RS facing, along either long edge pick up 60 stitches -

pick up all around, your number of stitches may be different.

K in front and back of each stitch across – (it will be double whatever # you picked up)

120 stiches. K 7 rows. Bind Off.

I CORD HANDLES

Cast 4 stitches onto double pointed needles. Knit the first 3 rows,

then switch to I - CORD (don't turn, slide to end).

Knitting the first and last 3 rows gives you a flat end which is easier to sew onto the bag.

When your handle is long enough, knit the last 3 rows.

Bind Off.
Make 1 or 2 handles depending upon your preference.

Attach handle strap to the inside of the bag with the same yarn BEFORE felting.

FELT