Home » Archives for tabitha » Page 23

Author: tabitha

Things I Never Thought I’d Hear Myself Say – Part 2

In the continuing saga of Things I Never Thought I’d Hear Myself Say, I offer you my latest adventures.

__________

Me: Son, why do you have a pie server in your bedroom?

SmallFry: I needed it to unscrew the back of the Geo-Genius.

__________

Me: Son, do you intend to have your math book upside down?

SmallFry: I can read upside down.

Me: Well, do you math then.

Moral of the Day: Some battles are not worth fighting.

__________

Me: Why is there a Dalek in that basket?

Princess Buttercup: He needed somewhere to sleep.

__________

And in further Dalek adventures.


Son:
EX-TER-MI-NATE, EX-TER-MI-NATE, EX-TER-MI-NATE…

Me: Son, why are you trying to Exterminate your sister?

__________

As we were leaving our car for Bible class

Me: Son, leave the whistle in the Jeep.

Son: It’s not a whistle, it is a survival kit.

Me: I am pretty sure you won’t need a survival kit in Bible class.


Falling for yarn

I have just discovered a new yarn that I adore so it is only fitting that I share it with you.


Valley Yarns Hadley

It is a delightful 50% silk/50% wool blend. There is enough silk to make it soft with a nice drape but not so much that it is too slippery to handle or so drapey it is shapeless. The wool provides just the right amount of crispness so it’s not overly drapey. The silk adds a lovely sheen without being overly shiny. It also adds a different dimension to the color. Really gives it depth.

The color is Copper. I was a little unsure of it because I was afraid it would be orange, if you know what I mean. But I wanted something a little unusual for this project. Something that said “autumn”. This yarn accomplished that. It is positively gorgeous. The photos don’t really reflect the true depth of color.

It knits like a dream. No splitting. It handled everything I threw at it, including double decreases and multiple ripping. It didn’t look frayed or get splitty after ripping. The yarn really set off the stitch pattern. The stitch pattern just pops. That probably doesn’t make sense if you don’t have the yarn on your needles but you will notice a difference in your stitch definition. This is especially surprising since I had knit the stitch pattern in so many yarns before I got to the Hadley. I haven’t found knots in it so far – and that one is a deal breaker for me. The yarn has been a real pleasure to knit. It compares favorably with Rowan Silk/Wool DK. It is a little less slippery and has just a bit more body than the Rowan. The worse thing I can say about the yarn is that it comes in 50 gram balls. I prefer 100 grams quantities. But is just one of those matters of preference. On the other hand, with the yardage of each ball at just over 100 yards (just under 100 meters) it makes it very easy to calculate how much yarn you need for a project. I can see more of Hadley in my future. I haven’t found a Valley Yarns product that has let me down. They produce fabulous yarns for the price.

I can’t wait to show you what I have been knitting with it but right now, it is top secret. So I will share you a shot of my favorite shrubbery instead.

My confederate rose is just coming into full bloom. It is really beautiful this year. Just hoping that the first frost doesn’t catch it before all the blooms open.

Conquering Time and Space with Knitting

Another of those designs that has been rattling around in my brain is complete. I needed a sock pattern for my husband that was manly but not as boring to knit as the plain socks he generally prefers (He’s an accountant, he can’t help it.). Since I didn’t want to stab my eyes out with my knitting needles before I finished knitting for his outrageously long feet, I had to come up with something a little more interesting to knit than stockinette. I found my inspiration while catching up on episodes of my favorite television show.

Time Lord Sock

Even a time traveler needs something to keep his feet warm in the cold depths of space.


The little rectangles reminded me of the windows of that mysterious blue call box he uses for travel.


The toe forms a spiraling vortex reminiscent of time and space, so naturally the pattern is named for my favorite doctor.


The modular look is well suited for the man in your life but not out of place in a more feminine color. The stitch pattern is bold enough to stand up to many variegated yarns. The slightly asymmetrical stitch pattern helps break up pooling. The cuff has enough stretch to comfortably fit a number of leg widths.


Construction is top down with a pointed vortex toe that doesn’t require the kitchener stitch and that fits narrower feet or long toes exceptionally well.


Pattern is available as a download through Ravelry or in print from my etsy store.


$5.00

add to cart

Coming soon: Arwen accessories

And They’re Off

I moderate the Homeschool Kids group on Ravelry. They have been anxiously awaiting Ravelympics 2010 and were wanting a project to prepare them, a training session of sorts. Charlene, my co-moderator, and I decided that it might be fun to do a long striped scarf, something similar to sports team scarves. This would give the kids something to knit as a sort of time trials for the Ravelympics and also give them a great project to use for team Ravatars.

Our Ravelympics Time Trials began at midnight. I wrote an easy scarf pattern for the occasion and Charlene wrote the crochet adaptation for the pattern.

Since everyone needs a little warmth every now and again, I thought you might like the pattern too. So here is a freebie just for you.

Easy Striped Scarf additional information

Download Easy Striped Scarf

So how did you spend Labor Day weekend?

I spent the weekend working on Design Month Part Deux. As promised, here is another of the designs I worked on in August. This pattern is a two color variation of Amber Waves. May I present to you

Purple Mountains Slipper Socks

These cozy slipper socks are just perfect for keeping tender toesies warm in the winter. Worsted weight yarn makes them thick, warm and sturdy – your could even wear them in place of shoes!


A quick and easy knit perfect for gift giving. Remember there are only 107 days left until Christmas. These two pair are knitted in school colors for some of my nieces.

Construction is top down, with standard heel flap and gusset, and decreased toe with grafted closure.

Several of testers tried color combinations with less contrast with beautiful while subtle results. Thank you again to all the pattern testers and editors. You have been great help.

The pattern is available as a download through Ravelry or in print version from my etsy store.


$3.00

add to cart

Next up in the pattern parade is something perfect for that man in your life.
Stay tuned!