Fun with Fiber

Blogless Sandy has been enabling my spinning by giving me fiber. The mosaic shows 3 types of animal fiber...maybe a local sheep or just a mystery, some Corriedale, and some llama sheering from the zoo.

She also gave me some natural Wookiee colored cotton from Guatemala. The differed stages represented are bolls with seeds, cotton with seeds removed, combed cotton fiber and a small amount spun up on a Tahkli spindle. I'm not a very experienced spinner so the short staple is quite a challenge to spin. There is also the learning curve of using the Tahkli. I have some cards on order to give this a try.


Meanwhile my FO for Friday is Basketweave Vest (by Beatrice Smith). It still needs buttons and blocking, but the knitting is done, and the ends are all woven in. The discontinued Rowanspun DK was a pleasure to work with. It's not a very strong yarn, but I had no unplanned breakage along the way, and the resulting fabric is very light and elastic. A very nice yarn. I have 5 more skeins. Hmmmm?

I'm giving lace another chance and have cast on Adamas Shawl in Cascade Heritage. I hope the nylon in it does not hinder the blocking. See I'm thinking positive and I beginning with the end in mind:)

My new TV was installed so now I can knit again in my more comfortable chair. Unfortunately the amplifier decided to give up and suffers from "amp block". I will have to watch without the home theater until a replacement is found.

I need a mindless project to take to knit night. I know better then to take the lace and I want to ensure success!

I have not updated the shop for awhile. There is one new dp needle storage roll in Amy Butler Clematis Turquoise. The one bag I made was mad at me and the interfacing refused to fuse properly and the bottom seam decided to pucker. I just hate when that happens. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact this cold took a week to turn the corner, but I'm rethinking the design anyway.

I end this post with a photo of the inside of the state capitol building. I learned some things about it on the Architectural tour. It was finished the year I graduated from high school. It's design represents the Hawaiian Islands. There is a pool for the ocean, columns to represent the volcanic mountains and of course the blue sky.

Finish it or Frog It Friday

My Beaverslide came!

I see Totoros!!! Speaking of Totoros, thoughtful Chris took a photo of the this Totoro tree at Honolulu Hale for me.

Finished Objects


Pattern: Fischschwanz by Diana Harrison
Yarn: Lorna's Laces, colorway envy

This pattern is written in German. Here is the 8 stitch pattern (Fischschwanzmuster) in English.

Row 1: YO, K2 , Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, K2 ,YO, K1 , YO, K2, Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, K2 , YO, K1
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K1 , YO, K1 , Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, K1 , YO, K3, YO, K1 , Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, K1 , YO, K2
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K2 , YO, Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, YO, K5, YO, Slip 1 K2tog pass slip stitch over, YO, K3
Row 6: Knit
For pattern. - Repeat 6 rows.

As I struggled to translate even the pattern stitch, I used the 8 stitch sock pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch, casting on 64 stitches and knitting 1.5 inches of K1P1 ribbing for my small woman's sock. I did my first eye of partridge heel and there was an acceptable amount of pooling. The Lorna's Laces was a joy to knit with. I drew it in the lucky number at the Christmas dinner. Lucky me!



Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade Venezia in red

The yarn is wonderful to knit with. . The silk gives it a bit of a shine and softness. It is less sproingy then pure wool, but the pattern holds it shape well. I usually do not like to knit the same pattern twice but I have started a 3rd hat at the request of a friend in Knit Picks Andean Silk in Pitch, but alas 96 yards is not enough. The alpaca/wool/merino blend holding up well with nice cables. It is bit splitty to knit, but recovers well. Unless I can come up with another skein, this hat is doomed for the frog pond. I'm not desperate enough to order one from Knit Picks as they charge too much for shipping to Hawaii.

My friend finished a little less then half of her 100 miles...a *mere* 47.3 miles. After falling 3 times running over roots, in the mud up and down hill in the dark, she stopped at 3:30 am. When I picked her up she was covered in mud! Luckily she had not suffered any serious injury. Apparently limping, blisters and loosing toenails is normal!

We had a nice walk at Ala Moana Beach Park the next day and saw a turtle.



She flew off the next morning and is back to work and planning a ski trip this weekend. Whew!

I did my wimpy little walk around the block and took some photos.
(click to make the photo larger)






The jabong (citrus maxiums or Pomelo) are ripening all over the neighborhood. The household has lined them on the wall free for the taking! I didn't take any as my dad has a tree full. I did liberate the Macadamia nuts from the side walk where I believe they are in the public domain.

I stayed home from two knitting engagements to day as I have a sorethroat and feel contagious. My TV is officially bonkers now and everyone is fuzzy and orange, so I watched Netflix on my computer (Enchanted, Fido)and little TV (Black Book).

Saturday

Friday passed with nothing frogged or finished. I thought on it though. Second Fishscale sock has progressed to the heel and Basketweave vest back has only 20% to go.

Nothing like visitors to inspired a flurry of housekeeping. A friend I haven't seen for 31 years came into town to run the HURT. Apparently she is one of those select nuts who runs 100 miles for fun. She was the first person I met when I moved to Lexington, Ky and was so kind to me, allowing me to stay with her while I found a place of my own. It was wonderful to see her again and catch up before dropping her off at 5:30 this am for her race. I don't see her again until Sunday night! Yes, you read right! She runs all night and two days!!!! This is no wimpy run either. A storm passed by yesterday with winds and rains, so the 5-20 mile loops-rain forest run through roots, crumbly steep trails in the dark, has slick mud to boot. Join me in wishing her well!

My stash has been enhanced two skeins of a the wonderfully soft Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky. This is the danger of knitting in a yarn store. I envision some really big cabled hat with this yarn.








Blogless Sandy came up with this really great idea for blocking using the Multi-purpose Reversible Foam Mats. These can be locked together in any size and put on a table instead of the floor, thus saving one's back. They are foam so pins can be poked in it.

I have acquired two bales of cotton from the knittybird. They were used in a display where she works. Thanks knittybird! Now to figure out what to do with this massive amount of cotton. If you live on Oahu and can meet somewhere to pick some up, holler if you want some. It has a pretty short fiber length and I have no combs. Yikes now I'm obsessing on cotton combs (I guess they are finer then wool combs) and a Tahki spindle.

Have great weekend!

Finish or Frog It Friday

I've joined the fun of Finish It or Frog It Friday. This is the brainchild of the Majorknitter. As I'm am a self proclaimed serial knitter, I was doubtful this was a group for me, but I was able to seek out, frog and re-purpose 5 projects. Try it! (It doesn't really have to be Friday...Friday is just a day to contemplate forgotten UFOs that need frogging.

One is the pink Malabrigo chunky. I really wanted to try out cosymakes Pixie Hood and I have just the pink flower for it.

More hats and leaves

I knit at Aloha Yarns Thursday with Kim, Tia and Sandy. I got a wonderful set of blocking wires made by the talented (and blogless) Sandy and her husband from some aluminum wires and PVC pipe. I borrowed some a while back from Opal and I must say they made such a difference when blocking Feather and Fan Shawl.

Namea of Aloha Yarn is such a friendly warm person, and she carries some very tempting yarns!

This month for me so far has been about knitting for others. I sent three leaves to the The TikkunTree Project, "A community art project: growing peace stitch by stitch". I also made two more for me. One is Paton's DK crepe picked up in the thrift store, and smaller one, left-over Koigu on size 1 needles. Totoro loves these leaves.




I sent off 2 helmetliners and one beanie to Citizen Sam. I hate the thought of our American men freezing in Afghanistan.

I also knit 5 hats from my left over Lamb's Pride. 4 of them are from the free pattern by Fiona. I will be sending these to Warm Woolies.



Now that these are done, I have no excuse not to turn the heel on Fish Scale sock number one or continue knitting on Basketweave Vest.

BTW, despite fallen weepy meringue, the coconut cream pie was a hit and is now all gone!

I'll call him Walter

Preop DX: Hippo
Postop DX: Rhino
Surgical procedure: Rhinoplasty
Surgeon: Acornbud
Anesthesia: local, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, size 6 DPs
Blood loss: 10 cc
Pt. left OR in excellent condition
Followup: Routine

The Heartbreak of Meringue

Good thing I took these pictures when my Coconut Cream Pie came right out of the oven, because when I went back later the meringue had separated from the edge and it was all weepy.

So why? The rule I knew about and tried to follow was: Seal the meringue all the way to the edge. Believe me, I tried very hard to follow this. Maybe the culprit is one of these other rules.

1. Do not make meringue on a humid day. Well if this is true, I will never be able to make it as it is always humid here. And beside, my sister's meringue was perfect when she made it here in my kitchen and I'm using her recipe!
2. Add the sugar slowly and make sure it all dissolves. Hmm, I may have been too afraid to over beat the egg whites. Must come from making butter while whipping cream. I wonder if there is a YouTube video on what makes a soft or stiff/glossy peak?
3. Filling must be hot when the meringue is put on. I took my filling off the stove while I made the meringue. Was it too cool? Sunset Magazine tries to explain this bubble theory in an article I read here.
4. Ma-rang weeps 'cus Pa-rang ran off with another sweetie-pie. I read this one on a google search and I think it's bogus.

Addenda: 5. Egg whites must be at room temp.

The recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, the "Meredith" edition.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! New Years is a big holiday here in Hawaii. The whole state goes wild with the fireworks. My neighborhood was lit up with aerials of all colors. The bombs lit up the sky with a lightning like flash and burst with a very loud sound. No sleeping early for me.

I ate my mochi soup and black beans to start off the New Year. This is the 4th year I made my own mochi in my mochi machine and I can say it is getting easier. I just haven't gotten very good at getting the beans inside. Anyway, my family and I like them in the ozoni soup and toasted. I toasted this one, and even though it made a face at me, I ate it anyway.



I found this cute baby hat pattern and the plan is to use up the Lamb's Pride stash to knit hats for charity. I'm not sure if Lamb's Pride is the best for a baby, but that's what the recipe calls for.

Speaking of hats. I finally got a better picture of Habitat. My lovely niece looks great in anything she puts on!






























Hawaii has had quite a bit of rain lately. Today the sun was out and the beach was beautiful. Nuuanu Stream, behind my folk's house was full and muddy. All the rain makes for very happy plants:)
I noticed my mom has planted many of her pointsettias in the garden and this year they bloomed quite nicely next to the pink torch ginger.



My friend blogless Kathy, who is in to feng shui said it was going to be a hard year for rabbits (that's me born in a rabbit year) so I should have a blue rhino in my corner for support. The power of suggestion drove me to obsess on having a blue rhino, a knitted one at that, and so I knit this one. Number 2 son pointed out that this indeed is a blue hippo and not a blue rhino. I guess I don't get any points for that. The only rhino pattern I can find is in World of Toys. I could swear I own that book, but where is it? I think hippos are cuter then rhino. Perhaps I should just knit him a horn or two.


The ancient cat Lovey was a little suspicious of the blue interloper in her little basket. My folks have tried all kinds of nicer baskets but she prefers this one. She never looks that comfortable in it, imo.

knittybird and I went to see Twilight. It followed the book pretty well. It was fun if not a bit mushy. Not yer Underworld/30 Days of Night kind of vamps.

Rather long post with FOs

Yesterday there was thunder and lightening and the island had an island wide power outage. It was so dark. Luckily I found the crank flashlight and Kaiser flashlight and had bought a million candles when I was contemplating retirement as I thought candles would help me improve my mood. I even found the matches and batteries! The flashlight was given to all the providers at the last luncheon I attended in honor of one of our past presidents who had died of Parkinson's. His son told a touching story about his father's love of flashlights and how his dad always made sure he and all the children had a flashlight by their beside so they could find their way out in the dark.
My Hello Kitty radio which is always on the verge of going to Goodwill, came in handy again!
I was in the middle of making dinner when the power went out so we finished dinner on the grill and went to bed early. Power is almost completely restored to the whole island as I write this this evening.

In spite of the intermittent pouring rain today, my son tried out his new camera lens to document my recent projects.


I watched Firefly again and got inspired to make more Jayne Hats, this time the mini variety. I also can't stop humming the theme song...

Main Title Theme Written by: Joss Whedon
Performed by: Sonny Rhodes

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care, I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me
Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
There's no place I can be
Since I found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me...

Pattern: Jayne Cobb brooch by Eva MacDonald on craftster
Yarn: Lamb's Pride worsted
Needles: size 5 for smaller one, size 8 for larger one.
I am so sad Firefly never went on beyond Serenity.


That little blue Totoro is such a ham, but I think he just couldn't help nestling in the the cashmere!
Pattern: Palindrome by Kristin Bellehumeur
Yarn: 6ply 100% China Cashmere in coal, 3 skeins from Handknitting
Now I know why cashmere is such a luxury. It truly is not pokey at all! The pattern is remarkable as it is truly reversible. It was very easy and fast.

Opal lent me her blocking wires so I finally blocked feather and fan shawl. I love it and it is just the perfect size for me.

Here's a close up of the crocheted edge.

Another very clever pattern is the safed, veined leaf from the Tikkun Tree Project. It's a double knit leaf with veins. It fits perfectly on Take2!



Pattern: Habitat hat by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade Venezia, silk merino, one skein
Needles: size 8. smaller for the ribbing.

The photo did not come out too well. It is finished and drying now. The yarn is smooth and very soft with slight sheen and drape. I definitely will use it again. This pattern is well-written and satisfied my desire for cables.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Get ready for the New Year!

Happy Holidays!

From all of us to all of you:)

Gingersnaps, Sea Foam Green Gathered Scarf, FO

It's cookie time. I love these Gingersnaps from Marion Cunningham's
The Breakfast Cookbook. I will forever be grateful to chotda (creator of the Totoro cupcake!) for introducing me to this cookbook. The gingerbread recipe is awesome, too.



Pattern: Gathered Scarf
Yarn: Plymouth Bristol Buckingham, color way dark seafoam green (1042). The color is difficult to photograph, especially with the cloudy weather here.
Needles: size 2 and size 7

The pattern calls for size 4 and 7 needles, but I copied a scarf in the same yarn knit by another raveler. The intended recipient will be traveling to Boston in February (brr!) and no longer owns any cold weather clothing. I mentioned scarf and she said "itchy" so I picked this yarn hoping it would have no scratchies. It is very soft, so I'll just have to see. I was looking for jadeite green, her favorite color, but could only come with apple green, sage green and sea foam. So sea foam it is. Now I'm wondering if black would be more practical...hmmm. I do love the color, though.
This was a fun pattern to knit. Changing the needle size kept it just interesting enough even though it is just garter alternating with stockinette and some increases and decreases. Very clever.


The store has not been updated for awhile, as visiting family keep buying my stash and I have been working on some custom orders. And...it's cookie time!!! The waistline will suffer.

Winter in Hawaii means it's green in Koko Crater

But first the wips, as this is a craft blog. I have basketweave vest in a DK weight wool and gathered scarf in baby alpaca silk. These are both inching along and are attached to balls that never end. I feel the interest waning and the desire to cast on a sock or something colorful coming on. Only the scarf is a Christmas gift so I shall attempt to persevere.


Blogless Melody and I explored another surprising, hidden gem, the the Koko Crater Botanical Garden. It was one of those incredible lucky live Hawaii days! Koko Crater is on the dry side of the island, but the season's rains have greened it (and it's more famous neighbor Diamond Head) up. There are several gardens in this quiet peaceful place...plumeria garden with all bald trees, Mexico with amazing cacti, Hawaiian garden with some large Loulu palms, and Madagascar with some very alien looking specimens. For some reason I was under the impression there was only one Loulu palm left anywhere, so I was happy to see many large specimens of this native fan palm in this garden.





































Today I tried Pumpkin Scones. I used this recipe and I must say, they taste wonderful! (it's all about the butter)