tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47965303850744216042024-03-13T14:14:18.626-07:00MollyandOllieMollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-34287347260746511822011-07-01T10:49:00.000-07:002011-07-01T10:49:16.282-07:00Friday, Funday, FunkdayOh Friday! I remember years ago when you were a welcome sign of the pleasures to come. Now, you're just another day. Another day to do laundry, run errands, argue with the two year old about the benefits of a nap (NOTE: I don't actually argue, I tell him to sleep well and close the door. He then chooses to argue at the top of his lungs until he falls asleep out of utter exhaustion.) and then go to work after all that. Bleh. Not nearly as exciting as the end of the work week used to be.<br />
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Today, however, we tried something new. Normally on a Friday, we can't go to the pool because I have to work and nap time usually goes to late to go to the pool after. Seeing how our local pool does not open until noon, we don't have much choice. Well, today Oliver and I decided that that was ridiculous, and that we just wanted to go swimming. So, we had a little lunch and headed over for a pre-nap swim! What an awesome idea!! And the nap time ritual argument was a LOT shorter today. Maybe, maybe, maybe, we have a new thing to help make Fridays more exciting!<br />
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For now, feeling better, I'm off to do some more of that endless laundry! Happy Friday, Happy Canada Day, Happy 4th of July people!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-54210292749529647792011-06-27T20:26:00.000-07:002011-06-27T20:26:17.304-07:00Powerful Preparation Installment #1When I was pregnant with Sir Oliver, preparation was so easy and relaxed. I was so immersed in my pregnancy, so in tune with my baby, so ready and excited to have birth pangs, so ready to be a mom. I had no fear. I had a birth team of stars all ready to be with me for a gently wonderful home birth. We even did a belly mold! I was READY!<br />
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Then, a week before my due date I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. My midwives had to break the news that we would have to go to the hospital for the birth and that I was being induced on my due date. I did some crazy heavy grieving that weekend. And then, we regrouped, replanned, and got ready.<br />
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I went into the hospital and was induced at 3 in the morning on Wednesday, February 25. I had Oliver via Cesarean on Saturday, February 28 at 10 pm. Yup, a long ride of Pitocin, epidural, etc. Not at all what we planned, but gentle (I know, oxymoron), unrushed, and caaaaalm. Oliver and I were both calm and it was all good. Of course, he was non-responsive at first and they rushed him off to NICU for two days. That was when I lost my cool. It was NOT fun.<br />
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Thankfully, the nurses at the hospital were fabulous and after my two hours of recovery, those fantastic ladies wheeled my bed-gurney into the NICU. They moved furniture so that I could see my sweet baby and I got to hold him right away. Two days later I got to nurse him for the first time and on Tuesday, we got him all to ourselves in the room. I finally put a do-not-disturb on the door so that we could all be alone.<br />
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And then, on Wednesday, a whole week after we went into the hospital, we took our little, tiny, sweet baby home. It was the beginning of what has been an amazing, challenging, completely unhinging two years.<br />
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Now, I'm pregnant again, and it's different this time. Come back next time and we'll talk about some of those differences.Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-14570682618067727542011-06-21T09:46:00.000-07:002011-06-21T09:46:16.796-07:00Giveaway winner!Hi there all you webonites! I'm very pleased to announce that Miss Stephanie is the winner of my first giveaway!! Congratulations Stephanie and thank you so much for keeping an eye on my little blog! You can email me your soap choices and I'll get them out to you super fast! Don't worry all you other peeps, I'll do another giveaway! It's so fun! Happy day everyone!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-23662746135857730992011-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:07:31.738-07:00Work in Progress Wednesday #1I've been stalking all the folks who participate in <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/2011/06/work-in-progress-wednesday-45.html">WIP Wednesday</a> for a while now and figured I'd finally post alongside them all today. Partly 'cause works in progress is my middle name, and partly because my current project is giving me major ajiduh (spelling Katie? I spelled it phonetically). My sister uses this word often to describe a situation that is stressing her out. And yes, this sweater is a bit stressful even though I am also loving the challenge it's giving me.<br />
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I'm working on Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket and it is not easy! I mean, it's not exactly hard, but boy do you have to pay attention! Here's my progress so far:<br />
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I've started twice, and ripped out 1 and 1/2 rows so far. Buuuuut, I think I might have the hang of it now. While I love her conversational style, Ms Elizabeth is not super detail oriented in this one, so there are little things you just have to figure out on your own. It's actually awesome in the sense that you get an idea of how she thinks about her pattern making. And, I'm really happy with the corners I managed to create here. <br />
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I'm not sure where these corners will be on the finished project but they look pretty good so far! I am also loving the yarn I am using! While Oliver and Dave and I were in Maine and Canada a few weeks ago I got to go to a lovely yarn store in Belfast, Maine. <a href="http://www.heavenlysocksyarns.com/">Heavenly Socks Yarns</a>, is small but packed with great stuff and I found this lovely hemp blend yarn called Hempathy. I love love love this rich red and can't wait to see it on the new baby! I also love that it will be a lightweight layering sweater that won't be too bulky for those sweet new arms.<br />
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Oh, and for all you handmade soap lovers out there...Check out my first giveaway! Just leave a little commentyomenty if you're not a follower already and you'll be entered to win 2 bars of your choice of my latest soaps!! You can find it all <a href="http://mollyandollie.blogspot.com/2011/06/musings-and-my-first-giveaway.html">here!</a>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-58656063130049365002011-06-14T04:37:00.000-07:002011-06-14T11:00:41.333-07:00Musings and My First Giveaway!!!It's early for me to be up and functional. And by functional I mean on the computer "working". It was prompted by Miss Kimberly's (of chezsucrechez fame) morning email praising a photo and correcting an awful spelling error on my etsy site. Thank goodness she caught it! I HATE spelling errors. Particularly glaring ones that are so right in your face you really should have seen it! This was one of those by the way. I had spelled Mojito-Mohito. My sister Jessie will read that with shock I'm sure. Well, anyway, that prompted this lovely burst of productivity and I'm riding the wave with some level of joy. It will be interesting to see if I can keep it up AFTER Oliver has woken up.<br />
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Mohito is now spelled Mojito and speaking of etsy, zip on over and check out all the <a href="http://www.mollyandollie.etsy.com/">new soaps</a>. They are finally all listed! Hooray!! And in honor of me reaching a goal this week (listing them and writing a blog post, and it's only Tuesday) I will be sending two bars of their choice to one of my sweet followers. If you are already following the blog, do NOTHING!! If you are one of the silent stalkers here and would like to perchance receive some soap then you just have to follow the blog! EDIT: If you are a silent stalker and enjoy silently stalking and do not want to follow a blog but would like to receive some soap...by all means leave some lovely comment below and I'll include ya...kind of along the lines of no-purchase-necessary and all that! I'll do the random drawing on....randomly picked....Tuesday of next week. Tuesday being the first anniversary of me putting this up. Get following people! Oh, and while I love fawning and empty praise, this is not necessary for winning as it will all be random. Sorry siblings, I know this shameless pandering has worked in the past, but this time, forget it!!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-20328644698767512412011-06-07T12:56:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:04:38.938-07:00Rub a Dub Dub It's TIme for the TUB!!!I love making soap. Lots and lots of soap. I haven't bought soap in three years. I love that too. The best part of making soap is that I get to do it with my friend <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliansFarm?ref=ss_profile">Lelayna</a>. She is sooooo amazing! She raises her own lovely sheep, spins their wool and makes up the funkiest little items with her handspun yarns. She is also a wonderful doula and is training to be a midwife. Best of all, she is my friend! Truly a blessing in my life.<br />
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</div><div>SO, back in April, we decided it was time to make more soap! I hired a babysitter this time since I wanted the chance to make LOTS, and we got to work.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Oliver wanted to help while he waited for his babysitter so we gave him the non-soapmaking gloves so he could "work".</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Then we got the oils, and the scale, and water, and the bowls, and the pots and the essential oils, and the molds together...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKCN8MdhitQ/Te6AmJRI2vI/AAAAAAAAAKU/W6InnGPAfC0/s1600/DSCN2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKCN8MdhitQ/Te6AmJRI2vI/AAAAAAAAAKU/W6InnGPAfC0/s320/DSCN2437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>...and mixed and smelled, and talked, and laughed, and documented, and experimented...</div><div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pouring into the molds. I line each with waxed paper so the soap don't stick. Lala hates this part so I always do the lining:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mixing until trace (kind of like making whipped cream) and you can see more oils melting in the other pot</td></tr>
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</div><div>...and wrapped up our baby soaps in their lovely pile of blankets to set...</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV-SfXV1UiQ/Te6AnsqDLuI/AAAAAAAAAKk/mCQMcMkgXF4/s1600/DSCN2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV-SfXV1UiQ/Te6AnsqDLuI/AAAAAAAAAKk/mCQMcMkgXF4/s320/DSCN2447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cold process soap sits in its molds wrapped up like this to "incubate" overnight</td></tr>
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</div><div>...and then cut, and cut, and cut, until we had piles and piles of soap!</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOJzbv9owdU/Te6AoKLPSPI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Kc1502jBo64/s1600/DSCN2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOJzbv9owdU/Te6AoKLPSPI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Kc1502jBo64/s320/DSCN2450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Rose in Bloom" soap with added almond oil this time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOrv-iJL2SE/Te6AokSr9MI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Dg_QwuP0_cs/s1600/DSCN2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOrv-iJL2SE/Te6AokSr9MI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Dg_QwuP0_cs/s320/DSCN2452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Mohito soap, Lavender, lemongrass and ginger, and rose all ready to cure for 30 days</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>All in all, over two days we made about 25 different soaps. Hooray!!!<br />
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</div><div>and now, today, I've finally started listing my concoctions on <a href="http://mollyandollie.etsy.com/">etsy</a> to make them available to the world!</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-16667060040644090922011-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:002011-05-20T11:02:43.701-07:00Baby Pants, Baby Legwarmer, Baby Mitts....Theme?Hello all! I'm so so so so happy to have opened my box of inspiration again this week! My brother Daniel's girlfriend, Allison, has been here visiting and she has inspired me to start knitting again! I know, you wonder; she hasn't been knitting? Well, no, I haven't. I haven't knit, I haven't blogged, I haven't cleaned (much). I've been otherwise engaged growing the lungs, heart, kidneys, and bones of our new baby! Yup, I'm pregnant again! We are overjoyed and Oliver is very excited about the baby in Mommy's belly.<br />
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But, as the morning sickness (or afternoon sickness in my case) slowly begins to recede, the knitting needles have found their way out again and I've started knitting baby things. Baby legwarmers which got me started. These are all knit super quick with a simple rib at the bottom and top and your basic stockinette all the way up. Easy and fast!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-OQrzh4E4A/TdaqVKSo_KI/AAAAAAAAAKE/FPDpkjB95iU/s1600/P1000691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-OQrzh4E4A/TdaqVKSo_KI/AAAAAAAAAKE/FPDpkjB95iU/s320/P1000691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I found a pattern for legwarmers and little fingerless mitts that I just had to have. You can find that <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=10544220">here</a>. I'm loving making my first ever pair of mitts and enjoying the fact that they are teeny tiny (e.g., they knit up fast!). Sorry, when it came time to take the pics, the mitt was nowhere to be found. Hmmm, methinks that pregnancy head strikes again.<br />
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And last, but not least, during this unbelievably rainy week of inspiration, I've started knitting wool diaper covers for the new babe. For those that don't know, when you cloth diaper, one of the ways to keep the stuff from leaking out and getting on you is to use wool covers. And one of the nicest ways to do that, is to make (or buy) wool pants. Then you have adorable pants that are doubly functional! Here's Oliver in some longies I made for him out of upcycled sweaters. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4aei-B4dPk/TdargL3jgmI/AAAAAAAAAKM/xM0xo9UGSXM/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4aei-B4dPk/TdargL3jgmI/AAAAAAAAAKM/xM0xo9UGSXM/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I scoured the internet for longie patterns and finally settled on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granola-pants-longies--shorties">this one</a> that I found on Ravelry. I LOVE this pattern! Short rows and strategic increases make for a nice puffy butt that will fit perfectly over a little cloth diapered hiney! She also gives lots of options and directions for different cuff styles and a cotton version for those that want the look but don't cloth diaper, or for babies that can't wear wool. I'm going to raid my stash this morning for some more wool to start a second pair once Miss Allison wakes up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JibXEF0bhDE/Tdaqbb89kGI/AAAAAAAAAKI/xMvaZvERD-o/s1600/P1000695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JibXEF0bhDE/Tdaqbb89kGI/AAAAAAAAAKI/xMvaZvERD-o/s320/P1000695.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Happy Fridaying folkses! Have a great weekend, and if you have a moment, go check out the other artistes at <a href="http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2011/05/fiber-arts-friday-spinning-knitting-and.html">Wisdom Begins in Wonder's Fiber Arts Friday!</a>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-16980457796481763282011-05-02T17:56:00.000-07:002011-05-02T17:56:30.565-07:00Women, Mamas, You Rock!!Saturday marked an auspicious occasion here in our little corner of the world. My friends Tracy Beaky and Laura Scappatici hosted the first ever Mamas Make it Happen Day of Inspiration at Twin Ponds Healing Center. Let me say, it was fabulous! These two happenin' mamas created a wonderful, inspirational day which we all got to share in and enjoy. It was amazing!<br />
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I got to host my first knitting workshop and had eight lovely women join me to learn to knit, or work on a work in progress. What fun! We only had an hour so it was fast! Can you believe that ALL the newbies were casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off that fast? They were incredible! And one of those lovely ladies was knitting for the rest of the day and made a teeny little scarf. Then she promptly cast on to start a little dishcloth...how completely gratifying for the teacher! Another participant brought her work that she was stumped on and I helped her fix it...What an honor to be asked for help! And yet another got so excited when she learned to yarn over that she was almost in tears feeling like she had made an enormous jump in her skill level...Well she did, and it was fabulous to watch it happen! And to hear them say things like 'wow, this is easy!' and "I did it!" was just joyous to extremes! I thank each and every one of those ladies for a wonderful experience.<br />
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Speaking of teaching, this was a nice way to remind myself how much I like teaching. I forget that even though I had difficulty fitting into the school system, that teaching itself was rewarding and fun most of the time. It was so nice to spend a little time with a whole other piece of myself!<br />
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Check out the fabulous mamas of Mamas Make It Happen at their <a href="http://www.mamasmakeithappen.com/">website!</a>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-61719541735908843672011-04-13T03:06:00.000-07:002011-04-13T03:06:24.525-07:00With all my good intentionsGood intentions are just that, good intentions. And in the world of blogging, selling, business running, good intentions mean squat. Ok, now that I have properly chastised myself, or at least indicated that chastising might be in order, we can move on to other things.<br />
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Well, kinda.<br />
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I've been invisible for days, a week, how long has it been? And I do feel a little bad about it. Not so much because I think that anyone is out there waiting with bated breath to read my blog (yet. It will happen dagnabit), but more because I started this with good intentions to write at least once a week, post patterns monthly etc. So I've decided that I need to revisit my new year's intentions which you can read about in their original form <a href="http://mollyandollie.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-resolutions-molly-style.html">here</a> and after they were edited the first time, <a href="http://mollyandollie.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-intentions-resolutions.html">here</a>.<br />
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My tendency towards procrastination has reared it's ugly head. I don't hate procrastination necessarily, I just understand that it has a time and a place when it is appropriate to use. Unfortunately, it doesn't EVER follow the rules. So, things fall by the wayside, laziness takes over, sleep becomes paramount, oh right, that was how it happened before Oliver. Now I can say that I've decided to spend more time with my son and that all those other things I'm involved with have to take a second seat to him. Umm. Right. Lies. All lies.<br />
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That whole new year's intention about balance? Not happening right now. Problem? Heck no! Half the battle is understanding one's weaknesses and revisiting them to do little checkups and revisions. Balance is certainly one of my weaknesses. I get so enthusiastic about things that I get involved in too much and then can't manage it all. Then I throw my hands up and say, "Forget it! I'm not doing anything!". That's where I've landed right now. I can't say that I'm clear on how the balance that I had created will be restored, but it will, now that I'm aware that it's not happening right now!<br />
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Part of the unbalanced procrastination phase has been a halt in the production of things. Any things. The pattern I was to have posted for March? Not done. Problem? Heck no! The front of the Oliver vest is almost done as I did finally pick it up again this weekend. Fabulous! One project almost complete and that pattern will be posted soooooon! I think I'll take this check in as one that is on its way to being resolved! Whew.<br />
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Ok, last check in. Body care. Weight Watchers? Half a check. Exercise? Half a check. Daily vitamins, thyroid medicine? FULL AWESOME CHECK!! Boy. I think I gets some props on this one! Not bad. I think that I've maintained this one better than the others. Good. Ending on an up note:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9cLz0MlaH4/TaV1EKhC7EI/AAAAAAAAAJw/-CHEpZEODbU/s1600/IMG_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9cLz0MlaH4/TaV1EKhC7EI/AAAAAAAAAJw/-CHEpZEODbU/s320/IMG_0188.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-32000876149698015702011-03-31T10:14:00.000-07:002011-03-31T10:14:44.662-07:00Knitting and Crochet Week Day Four - Where are they now?<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="goog_135496401"></span><span id="goog_135496402"></span></strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AphZGtZxLo/TZSyhEEoG1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/IS7Jlprt-D8/s1600/5468768915_3f251a520c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AphZGtZxLo/TZSyhEEoG1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/IS7Jlprt-D8/s320/5468768915_3f251a520c_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Day Four: 31st March. Where are they now?</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Whatever happened to your __________?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.<br />
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Ok, before I even begin telling my little project story, you should all go check out <a href="http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/knitting-and-crochet-blog-week-day-4.html">Wisdom Begins in Wonder's </a>story for today. It's a moving tribute to her dad and the power that an item we've made can still have.<br />
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Alrighty. Well, this topic is going to force me to admit that most of the things I've made have gone somewhere into the ether. Well, not exactly. Mostly, until I started my etsy shop and subsequently, this blog, I never really took pictures and can barely remember all the things I've made, much less know where they are now! Plus, I have this weird thing where I forget stuff. Yup, whole events are just gone...weird. So, this feeds into some difficulty with today's topic. So I think I will take a slightly different approach and tell you about making my first project after re-learning to knit.<br />
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I bought some basic yellow yarn. Bright, happy, sunshiny. Just what I needed for my purposes. I was going to quit smoking. Successfully. This time. Mmmhmmm. Yup.<br />
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I started a rib knit scarf with my happy yarn and got down to business. I took that project everywhere! To class, to the bar, to the coffee shop. Everywhere. I knit when I wanted a cigarette, I knit when I could have cared less about a cigarette. I finished that scarf (two or three skeins later) in a matter of 2 or 3 days. I then immediately proceeded to make a hat (well I hadn't gotten through my cravings yet!). I knit that flat because I hadn't learned about knitting in the round yet and sewed it together. It was enormous! Way too big for my head. I think I hadn't learned about gauge yet either!<br />
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The funny thing is, that after all that work and angst, I never really wore either one of them. I think (key word think) that my friend Kara adopted one or both of them. Now Kara moved alot after that so where they are now is anyone's guess. I hope that wherever they are, they are keeping someone warm and giving them the courage to do something as difficult for them as quitting smoking was for me. Maybe one of my silent blog stalkers will have some insight into where these little guys ended up?<br />
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</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-61167984402747734732011-03-30T09:59:00.000-07:002011-03-30T09:59:36.297-07:00Tidy mind, tidy stitches - Day 3 of the Knit Crochet Blog week<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Day Three: 30th March. Tidy mind, tidy stitches.</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Yeah, anyone who knows me, knows that organization is not my strong suit. Case in point, my mother, who is visiting, just took my african violets to water as I had completely forgotten to take care of them this week. Now, I did just post a little post the other day about <a href="http://mollyandollie.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-is-time-for-renew-and-refresh.html">organizing my craft space.</a> You can see my before and after photos there.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
I love to think of my disorganization as being organized in its own way, but after I cleaned up my work space, I was kind of shocked to realize that I really had no idea what yarns I had anymore. I had the wools in with the cottons, silks with bulky blends. Unfinished projects with bags of roving. Ridiculous! <br />
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So I now have a loose organizational system at work. We'll see how well it works in action as time goes on, but for now, I at least have an idea of what I have and where it is. So I basically have organized my yarn by type at this point, or use for that matter. All the boxes are stored under the eaves in my little attic work room like this (Can you tell I need more boxes for the fabric?).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGZyyhh18o0/TZNfDfl-0cI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/fcT1hnsn3WY/s1600/DSCN2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGZyyhh18o0/TZNfDfl-0cI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/fcT1hnsn3WY/s320/DSCN2421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here's yarn box 1:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tW017OqxCUo/TZNfEjRmUKI/AAAAAAAAAJc/q-HKFiXbTeE/s1600/DSCN2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tW017OqxCUo/TZNfEjRmUKI/AAAAAAAAAJc/q-HKFiXbTeE/s320/DSCN2426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These are my designated yarns. Yarns I have purchased for particular projects or that are really special but I haven't decided what to use them for. The beige yarn is for a circular cardigan that was featured in Vogue Knits one months over a year ago. The lavendar and chocolate is a Debby Bliss silk that I had to have and have yet to use. Oh, my homespuns are kept here too, cause they're super special too!<br />
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Yarn Box 2:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnffs-PvxDg/TZNfFNQMYwI/AAAAAAAAAJk/rlML3Z43Uhk/s1600/DSCN2428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnffs-PvxDg/TZNfFNQMYwI/AAAAAAAAAJk/rlML3Z43Uhk/s320/DSCN2428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My plant based fibers! Organic cottons (and not so organic), bamboos, hemps. Try combining the hemp and cotton for an awesome exfoliating yet soft washcloth!<br />
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Yarn Box 3:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yausWCFRRr0/TZNfE7_Q93I/AAAAAAAAAJg/eUhvtFr3Hf0/s1600/DSCN2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yausWCFRRr0/TZNfE7_Q93I/AAAAAAAAAJg/eUhvtFr3Hf0/s320/DSCN2427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My wools. My merinos, sock yarns, blends, ohhh so silky wonderful wools. These are the ones I use for wool. Not for felting, these are the specialty ones or just plain blends like the Lion Brand Quick and Easy on top. My Malabrigos are in here for quick access (love them). I love this box. The mix of fibers and textures are great to bury your arms in!<br />
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And box number 4:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX_KHSNjyOs/TZNfFn8n8QI/AAAAAAAAAJo/8aa2xy_xxj4/s1600/DSCN2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX_KHSNjyOs/TZNfFn8n8QI/AAAAAAAAAJo/8aa2xy_xxj4/s320/DSCN2429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the workhorse box. The Cascade 220's and other basic wools great for felting or color work. Easy to access and I love the colors in this one!<br />
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There are other boxes, but these are my favorites. I love pulling them out and just luxuriating in the wealth of having all this yarn to choose from!<br />
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</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-56926208736657550972011-03-29T18:01:00.000-07:002011-03-29T18:01:58.816-07:00Day Two of Knitting and Crochet Blog Week: Skill + 1UP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPJXFb4y_7U/TZIHfOib7hI/AAAAAAAAAI0/eKzl8K5Yr6k/s1600/5468779575_497d5cf977_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPJXFb4y_7U/TZIHfOib7hI/AAAAAAAAAI0/eKzl8K5Yr6k/s640/5468779575_497d5cf977_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Day Two: 29th March. Skill + 1UP</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">I've always thought of myself as an adventurous knitter. After I re-taught myself to knit a number of years ago (in a then unsuccessful bid to quit smoking, since successful), I began to go through interesting patterns that required me to use a new skill. I learned how to twist knit, lace knit, knit in the round, knit in 3D, felt, cable, the list could go on. Since then, I've used these techniques in my own designs as well as in new patterns that I've had a go at.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Now, with that said, when I look back at the last year, I am amazed at how lacking in new skills it is. Not that it is completely bereft. I did learn to shape a triangle shawl with increases on this lovely number:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BGeBXYSaTg/TZJ2HNeyODI/AAAAAAAAAI4/XkGlWGRIdrQ/s1600/IMG_2394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BGeBXYSaTg/TZJ2HNeyODI/AAAAAAAAAI4/XkGlWGRIdrQ/s320/IMG_2394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah">Multnomah Shawl by Kate Flagg</a>, so beautiful and easy to knit up. It was also my first journey into the world of sock yarn knitting. There's a new skill for ya. Learning to use a new yarn is almost a new skill I suppose. Feeling it run through your fingers, watching the drape develop as you knit it up. Yup, that's a 1UP fer sure!<br />
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I also had a lovely time playing with color knitting this year. While I loved using the sock yarn, I also wanted to experiment with chunky yarns and so bought 5 skeins of Lamb's Pride Bulky to play with while I was visiting with my mom in Maine. I created 5 different hats with various combinations and using stranding techniques. Here's a couple of them:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArjTGAzvBjQ/TZJ4FsSjRgI/AAAAAAAAAI8/E5zIa572MoE/s1600/il_fullxfull.192200007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArjTGAzvBjQ/TZJ4FsSjRgI/AAAAAAAAAI8/E5zIa572MoE/s320/il_fullxfull.192200007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAy4LvrnxXo/TZJ4F314wuI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Frl6_4fxKG4/s1600/il_570xN.192202920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAy4LvrnxXo/TZJ4F314wuI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Frl6_4fxKG4/s320/il_570xN.192202920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A super fun project and really fun to play with one yarn over a few similar but different projects. And certainly a 1UP in terms of color usage skill level.<br />
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It's fun actually to look back over these and to see that yes, I did learn some new things this year. But did these grow my craft? And if not, then how has my craft grown this year if not necessarily in technique? <br />
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Crafting has transformed from a hobby that I did here and there to keep my hands busy, make me smile, and just have the joy of creating things, to something that is part of my daily thoughts and planning as well as a small business. That's a pretty large growth curve. On a small level, there's things that have changed as a direct result of this transition. Things like my attention to detail and finishing have improved as I can't stand to send something out that has shoddy craftsmanship. And I've delved into new colors and textures as well and that has expanded my experience and creative thoughts.<br />
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But with all that, the growth that most interests me is the internal growth that I've experienced. I've discovered that I can stick with something for longer than a moment. I can create beautiful things. I have good ideas. I am a good knitter! These little things add up to one big 1UP!! And it's one that fills me up with joy and pride and wonder at the power of ME!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv6MES0J4Xg/TZKAwORJ4dI/AAAAAAAAAJI/ySlNK-zqe8k/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv6MES0J4Xg/TZKAwORJ4dI/AAAAAAAAAJI/ySlNK-zqe8k/s320/IMG_0611.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQWV2a39-GM/TZKA1d94ZZI/AAAAAAAAAJM/gFDHsDqSYis/s1600/IMG_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQWV2a39-GM/TZKA1d94ZZI/AAAAAAAAAJM/gFDHsDqSYis/s320/IMG_0612.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Not a bad 1UP for the year huh? I'll take it.<br />
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</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-66176765440056107112011-03-28T13:15:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:05:19.213-07:00Knitting and Crochet Blog Week - Day 1 - A Tale of Two Yarns<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oh2EDwrrYbM/TZErnrYNQII/AAAAAAAAAIw/beIIfJ7NSUw/s1600/5468779575_497d5cf977_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oh2EDwrrYbM/TZErnrYNQII/AAAAAAAAAIw/beIIfJ7NSUw/s320/5468779575_497d5cf977_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Lucky Lucky me! I follow some really great blogs out there and what to my wandering eye did appear?? No not 8 tiny reindeer, but rather lots of ladies talking about the fiber they use from those reindeer (or their relatives)! All this week is the 2nd Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week and I am jumping into the fray to play!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Apparently, we get a lovely little prompt for each day to play with and here is day one's:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Day One: 28th March. A Tale of Two Yarns.</strong><br />
Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Well as you know, if you've read many of my posts, I love fibers! Give me your wool, your cotton, your silky blends! I will find a home for just about any yarn in some project somewhere along the line. My favorites tend to be yarns that are soft and malleable after being knitted up, but still hold a shape. Yup, sometimes the two work beautifully and sometimes, not so much.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">My true favorite, go-to yarn has got to be Blue Sky Alpaca's Organic Dyed Cotton (or undyed if I want a natural). It has a lovely hand, is easy to work with, comes in fabulous colors and really works well for a wide variety of projects. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKvqDRLkTaA/TZDlepSgmbI/AAAAAAAAAIg/WSqSxtws8Uo/s1600/DSCN1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKvqDRLkTaA/TZDlepSgmbI/AAAAAAAAAIg/WSqSxtws8Uo/s320/DSCN1837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">From basic hats,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUzYOuShhQo/TZDluyarl1I/AAAAAAAAAIk/0JvV0_oniQE/s1600/DSCN2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUzYOuShhQo/TZDluyarl1I/AAAAAAAAAIk/0JvV0_oniQE/s320/DSCN2092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">To functional washcloths...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkMvF7LGaEY/TZDozyjhP2I/AAAAAAAAAIo/KOlfCp_pTsA/s1600/il_fullxfull.161894067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkMvF7LGaEY/TZDozyjhP2I/AAAAAAAAAIo/KOlfCp_pTsA/s320/il_fullxfull.161894067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">To sweet little lambys, this yarn has been a staple of mine for years now.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">Now, another yarn that I have had less luck with, (at least for my most typical knit projects) has been Noro's worsted. Now, these guys make a gorgeously colored yarn! It is also AWESOME for felting! I, unfortunately, have found that felting is just not really my love. So, I decided to play with some Noro with a pattern idea I had for little wool pants for Oliver based on a vintage pattern I had found in some old magazine. The Noro knit up beautifully, and the pants looked cute, but they were a little rough and I had to felt them a little before they were soft enough to wear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PqmfNGJNTI/TZDryzSuCWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/tPvMInihL-Y/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PqmfNGJNTI/TZDryzSuCWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/tPvMInihL-Y/s320/IMG_3482.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">This is a terrible picture, but you can see the two colorways I used (reversible hahaha). Super cute, but not quite what I wanted. I think more than anything, I learned about where I like and dislike to use this yarn. Yes for decorative, No for wearing close to the skin. More evidence for taking the time to really find a yarn that suits my purposes!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 2px;">What are your favorite yarns??</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-30826612230860757662011-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:002011-03-27T11:27:21.040-07:00Spring is time for renew and refreshWith my renewed sense of energy last week I tackled one the most satisfying projects for me. It's not necessarily my favorite, in fact it is so far from that, that it is almost ironic that I find it satisfying and pleasurable at the same time. What, you may ask, could possibly be both overwhelming, yucky, and not liked, and at the same time be kinda fun, and totally satisfying? Yup, you guessed it, cleaning!<br />
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</div><div>Now, I'm not talking about cleaning the bathroom and mopping floors. I don't think I have ever thought those tasks were fun (although loud Sheryl Crow really helps). I'm referring to the cleaning of my studio/sewing room. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I have been unable to find my inspiration and I would get knocked out by the mess up there. So on Friday, when I was looking for my Fiber Arts Friday project, I found it. Cleaning up the space in which I create!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's what it looked like before I started:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsvR1r0TxfM/TY9_E1Gx_OI/AAAAAAAAAH0/bxxkVE0TJ50/s1600/DSCN2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsvR1r0TxfM/TY9_E1Gx_OI/AAAAAAAAAH0/bxxkVE0TJ50/s320/DSCN2387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Massage table up from Thursday night session, poncho project strewn over the available seating...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECH8yTyQMfE/TY9_FJxMZJI/AAAAAAAAAH4/I1Fo51Gl3tE/s1600/DSCN2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECH8yTyQMfE/TY9_FJxMZJI/AAAAAAAAAH4/I1Fo51Gl3tE/s320/DSCN2388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A sewing table you can barely see (which is a shame 'cause it's pretty)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0lsqZzCIYY/TY9_F0hv5TI/AAAAAAAAAH8/NKySSXqNq98/s1600/DSCN2389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0lsqZzCIYY/TY9_F0hv5TI/AAAAAAAAAH8/NKySSXqNq98/s320/DSCN2389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQb1erLJsSk/TY9_GQPreSI/AAAAAAAAAIA/L7_GCTf-FP0/s1600/DSCN2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQb1erLJsSk/TY9_GQPreSI/AAAAAAAAAIA/L7_GCTf-FP0/s320/DSCN2390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And a generally ridiculous amount of detritus strewn about where it should not be.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Ugh.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Project first involved taking my growing fabric stash and getting it under control. I made cardboard holders and wrapped the fabric on them...so pretty!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-88QuxJ-4/TY9_3KGE8pI/AAAAAAAAAIE/mpG_vZkPWPo/s1600/DSCN2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-88QuxJ-4/TY9_3KGE8pI/AAAAAAAAAIE/mpG_vZkPWPo/s320/DSCN2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then I sort of cleaned up the little shelves and found a home for the fabric to live...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4X80zXFNGg/TY-ArQtHFvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/jw9GiPSG_2k/s1600/DSCN2402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4X80zXFNGg/TY-ArQtHFvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/jw9GiPSG_2k/s320/DSCN2402.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>It's hard to tell, because it's still chock full, but these are actually very organized now. I need some more little boxes to store supplies in now.<br />
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So after that was done, I tackled the sewing table:<br />
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And then the dormer:<br />
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The poncho project even found a little home until next week when it's finished (I hope).<br />
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Ahhhhh, sweet relief! Work well worth the effort. I'm already feeling the fruits of my labors as I quickly get working on the finishing of these ponchos. Can't wait to see them on the little ladies!</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-14948491440570988852011-03-23T18:43:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:45:02.331-07:00Muffin Making with My MuffinIt's been one hell of a week since I last posted. I have been feeling the season of now-it's-spring oh wait no now-it's-not. Motivation has escaped me and my projects have lapsed. No problem. I've allowed the lapse, and tried to be sensitive to whatever it is that my body and spirit are asking for in the moment. It's led to some interesting thoughts about what I'm working on. Buuut, since those thoughts aren't complete yet I'll spare you the blabbing.<br />
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</div><div>So while all of that has been going on inside of Molly, Ollie has been feeling his two year old oats. He is adamant that "Oliver do it" for 99.9% of the activities in which we engage in a day. So, time to carry breakfast to the table? "Oliver do it." Time to go to dance class and get our shoes on? "Oliver do it." (Note: he can't do it without help which is unacceptable). Time to put peanut butter on the bread? "Oliver do it." You get the idea. Much of the time, this is all said in a demanding, very loud, very upset voice. So we spend a lot of our day making sure that he is feeling capable and 'big guyish'.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So today, in a super mom moment (they don't happen very often), when cranky-no-nap-2-year-old was about to lose his marbles I turned it around with one simple activity. Banana Muffins!!!! (I appologize for some of pictures, they were taken with my Iphone and aren't super great)</div><div><br />
</div><div>So first we had to mash the bananas:</div><div><br />
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He did this by himself with a fork and his fingers while I mixed the dry ingredients and melted the coconut oil.<br />
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and stirred the bananas...<br />
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Then we added the eggs and oil and mixed and mixed and mixed...<br />
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He took care of putting all the little cups in the muffin pans and then I filled them. He even handed me the full pans to put in the oven.<br />
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Gorgeous muffins!!<br />
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And the joy of getting to pick one...<br />
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And voila! Delicious!!<br />
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He even took some papers and the small muffin pan and made lots and lots of muffins all by himself!<br />
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Super fun, Super messy, Super mom, Super Two Year Old!!!!!!!<br />
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PS These are sweetener free muffins that actually taste great. The recipe is from a cookbook called Wholesome Sugarfree cooking by Ray and Malinda Yutzy. Some of the recipes call for honey, stevia, molasses, and some like this one called for nothing. Since Oliver loves muffins, these are a tasty way to let him have them without all the sugar. Oh, they also have raisins, oatmeal, and are made with whole wheat flour...can't even stand it! Next time I'll add a little pineapple for a little tang and extra sweet. Mmmmm, better get baking!</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-45061025523207958022011-03-15T10:42:00.000-07:002011-03-15T10:42:15.397-07:00At Long Last the Loom is Loomable!!Yup, loomable. I made it up all by myself! And it's true! My loom is finally up and running! I can't even begin to tell you how exciting it is to be playing with this new tool. As you have probably gathered from reading previous posts, I really love working with fibers. Knitting, sewing, spinning, I just love it! I've done some handweaving in the past and have also enjoyed that. Like everything I make, I don't keep much of it for myself, but here's one piece I did keep because I loved it so much:<br />
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This was woven on a frame loom with copper wire, stained glass, and fishing line.<br />
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I think this was the last weaving I did actually. Which means I haven't woven in about eight years. That's a long time. It's funny how that doesn't surprise me, nor does it bother me. When I look back at the last eight years they've been full of experimentation and delicious experiences that have all led to where I am now and what I'm doing. I mean, eight years ago I was teaching and working on finishing my masters and starting my doctoral work! Weaving, and crafting in general, wasn't even remotely in the kitchen, much less on the back burner. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here, now.<br />
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Whew, ok, enough rambling along the shores of the memory sea (memory lane is so small and limited you know, memory sea seems to be more vast)...<br />
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About four years ago, I found a floor loom on Craig's List. It was one of those ridiculous moments where you say to yourself, "Self, we have not the money for such a thing." And then your other self pops up and says, "Yeah, but when else are you going to find a loom for 125 bucks?" And then you call your husband and say, "Dear husband, I've found this wonderful fantastic loom for very cheap. We shouldn't really do this right now, but what do you think?"<br />
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As you might guess, dear husband was all for it (I just made him sound much more enthusiastic than I think he actually was. I think he probably said something to the effect of "Well, if you think it's a good idea...") Needless to say, that was all I needed to hear and I was off for a 40 minute drive to pick it up. It didn't fit in my car and so the fabulous people I was buying it from brought it home for me in their pickup truck. With gas I think I paid about 150 dollars. Crazy.<br />
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What's crazier is that she has been in our basement ever since because I have no idea how to use her! So this past weekend, Patrick came over and helped me dismantle her and move her to our attic room which is where I sew etc. Here she is in her new home:<br />
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Patrick had nice things to say and we dusted her off and got her in basic working order.<br />
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There was already a warp so we left that on so that I could play with the weaving for a while. I have to buy some supplies and then he'll come back to teach me how to warp it and get a real project started.<br />
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Here's the heddles. They are a little uneven yet but we will be replacing the ties and getting them more balanced next time.<br />
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This might be my favorite part. That wheel is a heavy cast iron thing and this is what holds the warp I haven't used yet on it.<br />
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And the treadles (because you tread on them) that lower the heddles to develop the pattern.<br />
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My homemade cardboard shuttle :)<br />
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And my first experiments with weaving. It's easy, fun, and kind of intuitive once I started to play. You can see where the original warper made some errors, but since this is just a sampler so to speak I could care less. I've ordered a book of four harness loom patterns and can't wait to play with that a bit. In the meantime, it's just fun and exciting to finally get to play with my new friend.<br />
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PS She needs a name! Any ideas?Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-52232913527518086702011-03-11T12:41:00.000-08:002011-03-11T12:41:46.189-08:00Spinning again for Fiber Arts Friday!Yup, you read the title correctly! I got out the spinning wheel again this week! I haven't spun in a number of months though I can't tell you why not. I have no idea! It might have something to do with all of the other projects I've put on my plate this winter, but it is truly hard to believe.<br />
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I love spinning. I'm still a novice, but I love the idea of creating a stunning yarn for that amazing project that is yet to be designed. I also love sitting at the wheel, hearing it's creaks and whirs as it spins round and round.<br />
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I love the feeling in my leg as I treadle up and down, listening to the rhythm and trying to maintain a uniform speed. I love the way I have to pay attention to my body to make sure that my posture is supporting me and so that I don't hurt my back as I spin for long periods of time (though most days, I'm only partially successful!). <br />
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Those tiny movements in my back make me feel so connected. And then the feeling of the fiber slipping through my fingers (on a good day) is so magical as I watch it twist in to something beautiful (hopefully without too many crazy spots). <br />
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I actually was starting to teach myself to spin "over the top" with this mohair/silk blend that I bought last weekend. It was a lot easier than I thought and though the yarn was pretty crazy looking with it's overtwists and slubs, I'm well on my way to learning to spin with this slippery concoction!<br />
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I'm sure I'll have some more pictures to share when I've set the twists on the two bobbins I spun up this week! In the meantime, check out more of the fabulous fiber artists on Fiber Arts Friday over at <a href="http://www.wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/">Wisdom Begins in Wonder!!</a>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-68346336795982716532011-03-09T12:32:00.000-08:002011-03-09T14:03:05.432-08:00Celebrating Boys Clint Eastwood StyleI have been avidly following the "Celebrate the Boy" over at <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/celebrate-boy-part-2.html">MADE</a> for the past couple of weeks, and let me tell you, these ladies have some AWESOME ideas!! You should definitely check them out! I decided that since my little Oliver is often the inspiration for a myriad of projects that I would post my own 'ode to the boy'!<br />
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I've been making some little girl ponchos (no photos yet) and I desperately wanted one for Oliver. Dave suggested that I model it after Clint Eastwood's poncho in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"<br />
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Well, I've got my own little version now!! I added a little hood and snaps at the sides for practicality and warmth, but we kept the fringe for fun and fabulousness!<br />
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I love the little bulldogs and the upside down woofs! I also like the cozy fleece I chose to use for this one. Oh, that's Hayden not Oliver by the way! My measurements were off so it was too small for my guy.<br />
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Sweet boy! Those eyes just kill me! Love the little red peeping out from under the hood.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think he was more into having Oliver's Thomas than modeling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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An overall hit! Next time, I'm going to try it in wool for a really grown up effect.<br />
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Happy Celebration of the Boy!!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-38147380779624108082011-03-07T12:58:00.000-08:002011-03-08T05:11:01.842-08:00Swirly Hat Pattern for Your Knitting Pleasure!I have been dreaming of a hat like this for a while now. I wanted the swirly feeling of a soft serve ice cream cone, in a hat. I think I've gotten pretty close with this little number!<br />
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My friend Kathleen ordered this and it's knit with Spud and Chloe worsted, washable, wool and organic cotton. I LOVED working with this yarn!!! It has a lovely weight and doesn't have that wierd stretchy, rubbery feeling that some of the washable wools I've used have had. Maybe it's the cotton? I don't know, but I really like it and have added it to my list of favorite go-to yarns!<br />
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Kathleen had specified orange, blue, and green but "no wimpy pastels" and I think these hues did the trick perfectly. Spud and Chloe have some lovely colors to play with! I used their "Moonlight," "Turtle," and "Firecracker," and other than the rollup brim which was knit in "Moonlight," I used all three yarns for every row. This was not easy and I had my fabulous husband video tape me showing you how I handled all that craziness so that if you've not done much colorwork (like me) it might get you started with less frustration than I experienced (I started this over, twice). You can find that video <a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bzy5hGlcs6RhMzU5ZDI0ZDUtMGIyOS00ZTk3LWI5OWQtYmVjNmNmOTBmNTJk&hl=en">here</a>.<br />
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Here's a few more shots of the hat (which is sized approximately for a 6 month old who isn't born yet so no pictures on that baby's sweet noggin yet).<br />
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Oh my goodness!! I love the stripeys!<br />
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Without further ado, <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bzy5hGlcs6RhYjY4Mjc3ODUtMTM2Yi00YTFiLTgyNzYtNzVjZTg0NTcwZjlm&hl=en">here's</a> your pattern! Have fun, and as always, feel free to ask for help or clarification!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-88071223847845596462011-02-28T04:31:00.000-08:002011-02-28T04:31:34.478-08:00Birthdays rock! (and other sides of the coin)Today is Oliver's birthday. He's two. Mommy is both excited and a little teary at the idea of her baby being two.<br />
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It's actually kind of funny to me that today I'm going to get all emotional about Oliver getting big. Just because it's his birthday. But what about all the days where he really is different and bigger and more grown up? Aren't those the days and the moments when I should be getting worked up? Trust me, I do. But birthdays are like that, kinda like New Years; they're a milestone which just screams emotion and reflection.<br />
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This weekend was full of fun, celebration, and watching our son being the essence of who he is in the midst of a party atmosphere. It started Saturday night as we prepared to hang out with Oliver's fellow two year olds on Sunday. Well, almost all of them, Cooper couldn't come this weekend, so we get to have another celebration next week! But, this week we got to hang with Maybelle and Owen so we had to make some presents for them. Thank goodness MomMom was here with the brilliant idea of making chain necklaces:<br />
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And helping with body painting! She said that it didn't take much to remember how to be silly. I couldn't agree more. Two year olds have a way of drawing you into their world of joy and amazement. Next time you're with one, go with it, it's fun!<br />
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Sunday morning, Oliver and Dada put together the new kitchen. This was a moment that mommy kinda got a little teary. Oliver actually used the allen wrench by himself. It was amazing to watch him think it through (just like his daddy) and then make his body do what he wanted. He's gonna be an engineer (just like his uncle and popop)<br />
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While putting it together was fun, playing with it was even better!<br />
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The necklaces were a hit! Thank goodness we thought to make an extra for Oliver!<br />
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Maybelle had made "TWO" headbands so the kids were really dressed up all fancy!<br />
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Cake...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then ending the day with dinner and Carol's hat which we insisted on wearing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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All in all, a great weekend. Today we get to open the presents from Nana and Popop, Grammy and Grampy, and Grammy Rose and Grampy Gordon. Happy Birthday OLIVER!!!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-43885509851948170202011-02-25T05:05:00.000-08:002011-02-25T05:35:41.154-08:00Fiber Arts Friday!!!I'm a stay-at-home mom, but Fridays are still super special. I get to go work at Mr. Food in the evening (all by myself!), and it means that tomorrow is family time, and the next day is family time!!! It's nice to anticipate.<br />
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I also love Fridays these days because it gives me an excuse to focus in on my fiber projects and think about them, and touch them, and love them up as I play with all the artists who participate in Fiber Arts Friday (Which you can find over at <a href="http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/fiber-arts-friday.html">Wisdom Begins in Wonder</a>). This is particularly enjoyable when I have not a motivation filled week or have been focusing on other projects! Today is one of those days so I am fully prepared to love up my knitting projects with a gentle love filled vengeance!<br />
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So, Dave helped me wake up this morning to a grey, wet day:<br />
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But, look! Warm cozy fire blazing away...<br />
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...and the projects awaiting! Note: this is my semi-nonfunctional storage system in the living room. I like to have my projects handy but have to keep them IN things to discourage boys and dogs from exploring. This is what I've been driven to :). Oh, and that gorgeous painting? My friend Amye Austin did that when we were in college. She's amazing huh? You can find her invitation and stationary design website <a href="http://www.austinannouncements.com/601.html">here</a>. It's under construction, but promises to be lovely!<br />
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Ok, back to Fibers! Now, I've set the scene, but we need to take one more thing into account before I toddle off to play! Where is Oliver???<br />
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Sweet boy. I love him. But, I'm also glad he's sleeping! So off to choose a snuggle up on the couch project to share my morning coffee with...And the winner is....<br />
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The little baby hat I'm having so much fun designing!! This is for my friend Kathleen who ordered it for a friend of hers who is having a baby. Her shower is in a few weeks and I need to have this done by next weekend when I will see Ms. Kathleen (hooray). I'm attempting to do three colors in vertical stripes wrapping around bebe's head into a little teeny tassel. We'll see how it goes. Carrying all that yarn around might be too bulky as I get more into the project. No Problem though! Starting over is quite common in my world and when I'm designing it's all good. I get to learn from each of my attempts and my planning gets better and better with each project. MMMMMMmmm. I love knitting.<br />
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Happy Fibering everyone!!Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-52094114269911546822011-02-24T19:33:00.000-08:002011-02-24T19:33:48.540-08:00Learning a new skill is soooo GREAT!I learned something new today!!! Yes, the Mollster has learned how to insert piping! For those of you who do not sew, piping is the little round trim you see sometimes along a seam that pops a little bit of color and pizazz on an item. You often see it on pillows and upholstery. It makes things look ultra finished and crisp. AND, I can now use it in my products!!<br />
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This is not a difficult technique, but I was quite nervous to try it. I am so pleased that other sewers have taken the time to post tutorials about little techniques like this that trip up and intimidate those of us who haven't tried them yet. I used one of the tutorials on the blog <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=15973">sewmamasew</a> today. Check out these ladies! They are amazing and give tons of sewing tips along with all sorts of other juicy goodness! I also referenced Lindsay over at <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/07/sew-basics-piping.html">cottagehome</a> for her tips on inserting piping. You really should look at the clothing she makes. Oh. My. Gorgeous!<br />
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What, you may ask, am I using piping on? Well, my lovely friend Jesse has this awesome baby carrier that is not available anywhere, that was given to her as a gift that someone had found in some thrift store somewhere. I am trying to create a version of it that is a little more versatile. I'm working on the first prototype and the piping is going along the seams of the green denim I'm using, to give it that finished bit of pop. Here's what I did today:<br />
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First I pinned! I really don't like to pin, but I've discovered that I really need to! And in the case of putting in piping, I just didn't even have a choice! This is the piping along the top edge of the pocket that will go on the back of this thing.<br />
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I attached the little "seamy liner" and.....<br />
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VOILA! Piping!<br />
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Looks pretty good I think!<br />
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Goodness, I love these colors together! So, the piping on the pocket is on! Oliver was done "resting" as I took this last photo so I couldn't do any more today. I can't wait to see how the whole thing looks!<br />
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<span id="goog_1123501256"></span><span id="goog_1123501257"></span>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-84504771089131254252011-02-18T09:23:00.000-08:002011-02-18T09:41:33.508-08:00First Fiber Arts Friday!!Since I entered the world of blogging, I've been following some amazing ladies who get together in the blogisphere to talk fiber arts every Friday. Today, I saw the question "What are you waiting for?" and I just didn't have a good answer so here's my first contribution to the fabulous <a href="http://www.wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/">Fiber Arts Friday </a>extravaganza!:<br />
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</div><div>This week has been a whirlwind of kids, cloth, and fiber. Each project on the needles and in the sewing machine has had to take a backseat at some point during the week as some other project got some love and attention from yours truly. Here's a little glimpse of the needle work I've been playing with:</div><div><br />
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Here's the sweater that I've been working on for a while. You can read more about the pattern etc in <a href="http://mollyandollie.blogspot.com/2011/01/knitting-from-kit-cheat-or-treasure.html">this post</a>, but I'm making some progress. I've never knit an adult sweater before and I'm pretty excited about the prospect of having something of this magnitude in my closet!!<br />
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This is a sweater I knit for my friend Kathleen's baby Waylon James (rock star name!). It is FINALLY getting it's honey bee buttons, though as you can see, I go one on and then had to move on to something else. A note, the pattern for this sweater can be found in the book Natural Knits for Babies and Moms, by Louisa Harding.<br />
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I've started knitting up some samples for a little knitting workshop I'm doing at the <a href="http://www.mamasmakeithappen.com/">Mama's Make It Happen</a> event. Admittedly, this is not a priority right now. Ask me again in a month as the event get closer and I haven't quite finished them (lol).<br />
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A new favorite project, this little piece will eventually be a sweater vest for Oliver. My intent is to finish this and post the pattern for February's Celebrate the Boy event <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/celebrate-boy-part-2.html">here</a>.<br />
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</div><div>And last but not least, did you know that a gorgeous Merino scarf that you haven't woven ends in yet for no reason whatsoever, makes a GREAT pin cushion? No? Let me tell ya, awesome.</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-24019546494271827592011-02-17T20:06:00.000-08:002011-02-17T20:06:47.578-08:00When it rains it pours: The art of managing abundanceYeah, me talking about managing! It's an oxymoron when mentioning me and managing in the same sentence. But, I am the perfect person to talk about managing this kind of thing!<br />
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For me, there are so many aspects of abundance in my life right now. I have an abundance of ideas that are running through my head at a mile a minute at any given time of the day. I have an abundance of household chores that are awaiting my attention all the time. I have an abundance of yarn and fabric waiting to be turned into wonderful new things. I have an abundance of projects in the works giving little shout outs periodically to get my attention. And bestest of all I have an abundance of really wonderful blessings that pop out and smile at me at the most unexpected moments.<br />
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I know, I know, that sounds so touchy feelly, gooey, gross, but it's true. And it does call for some real management. This past week I've had two new orders, need to start (and finish) a baby gift, and really want to finish the vest I'm making for Oliver (and so I can post the new pattern). Not to mention some other lovely little surprises I have in store for you (Even a little simple sewing tutorial!). But in the middle of all that, I need to kiss my little boy, hug my husband, and notice that the funny squirrel in the backyard is precariously hanging from a branch upside down to get his share of the bird food in the feeder.<br />
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So, the tutorial will have to wait a couple of days, the baby gift will get done in the evenings, my orders will happen during naptime, and tomorrow, when the weather is supposed to be beautiful, I will take Oliver outside to play.Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796530385074421604.post-86471499371414674882011-02-13T19:52:00.000-08:002011-02-13T19:52:27.027-08:00January's Knitting Pattern for Your Knitting PleasureI just dropped off my latest hat to it's lucky recipient. A sweet little beret in a lovely burgandy red. I'll have to post the pictures later, as it was too dark to take them tonight. However, I really wanted to post this pattern quickly as it was January's pattern! So, here's the first beret I made so you can get a general idea, although this one was knit in a cotton:<br />
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I am supremely pleased to present the first of this year's patterns!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>January: Slouchy Beret</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><u>Materials:</u></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One skein Cascade 220 (worsted weight), or if you like the hat pictured in the greyish tone, use Lion Brand Organic Cotton</div><div style="text-align: left;">Size 7 Double Pointed Needles</div><div style="text-align: left;">Size 7 circular needles 16 inch</div><div style="text-align: left;">Size 6 circular needles 16 inch</div><div style="text-align: left;">darning needle</div><div style="text-align: left;">stitch marker</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><u>Gauge:</u></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">18 stitches and 24 rows equals 4 inches square</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><u>Instructions:</u></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
- Using your size 6 circulars, cast on 88 stitches.<br />
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- Place stitch marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the work.<br />
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- K2, P2 rib for one inch.<br />
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- Switch to Size 7 circular needles<br />
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- Next Row: *K2, M1 by lifting the running thread onto the left needle and knitting through the back loop, Repeat from star to end of round. End with 132 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
- Knit next 5 rounds<br />
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- Purl 4 rounds<br />
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- Knit 6 rounds<br />
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- Purl 4 rounds<br />
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- Knit 6 rounds</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Begin Decreasing as follows</i>:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P9, slip next two stitches as if to knit and then slide them back onto the left needle and purl them together (ssp), P2tog, P9. Repeat from star for a total of 12 decreases and ending with 120 stitches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Purl around</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P8, ssp, P2tog, P8. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 108 stitches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Purl around</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *K7, slip next two stitches as if to knit and then slide them back onto the left needle and knit them together (ssk), K2tog, K7. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 96 stitches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Knit around</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *K6, ssk, K2tog, K6. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 84 stitches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Knit around</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *K5,ssk,K2tog, K5. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 72 stitches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Knit around</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P4, ssp, P2tog, P4. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 60 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P3, ssp, P2tog, P3. repeat from star to end of round and end with 48 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P2, ssp, P2tog, P2. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 36 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P1, ssp, P2tog, P1. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 24 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *ssp, P2tog. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 12 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next round: *P2tog. Repeat from star to end of round and end with 6 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weave in ends and then enjoy your new hat!! And please, please, please, send pictures if you make this!!</div>Mollyandolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01192412117285972842noreply@blogger.com1