Thursday, April 24, 2008

Bobby's Big Blankie, specs revealed.


Apparently the Bobby's Big Blankie was a hit with most of the folks dropping by last post, Thank you... Someone had asked me about the 'hits' on the blog, you know, after being 'Harlotted', and silly me, it just hadn't occurred to me to check the number before, when I actually did check and then recheck... well, it was over a thousand... closer to two... so the folks who came by and were brave enough to leave a comment, Thank you!

The pattern is Plymouth Yarn Design Studio #1063 for Boku yarn. This is what it looks like.

The yarn I used is Noro Big Kureyon, colourway #7, I started out with some in my stash then of course I needed more... found the rest of it on 50% and then 75% discount. I found 17 tags, although I'm thinking there were a couple more skeins than that... I have two more wound skeins and one not wound (and therefore not counted in the tags).

Mine ended up a bit larger, measuring 56" in length and 51" in width. I didn't do the mitred border either, I picked up along the sides first and used garter stitch, then picked up along the ends and used garter stitch, the ends having more rows.

My plans for the left over yarn... pillow covers. I've already knit one for a 14"square, just winging it, one side the mitred squares, the other side stockinette with garter borders. I had some shell buttons I used and they are seriously pretty with these colours. I have 2 18"square pillow forms that I'll knit covers for, but not anytime soon, those can wait.

Bobby really does love his blankie and he does appreciate all the time that went into the making of it.


I also made this little sweater for Gracie. Knitting Pure & Simple, children's neckdown cardigan #981. She and I made a trip to the lys last Fall, she saw this yarn and 'fell in love'... bright cheerful colours, it was on sale, how's a Grandma to refuse? Ok, there ARE things I refuse her, on a nearly daily basis... but this... this I couldn't... refuse.
The yarn.. It just says 'Andes' on it, 100% wool, NOT a superwash so it comes back to me for proper baths.
I made it a bit roomy, long in the sleeves and body length, you know how kids grow in the Summer... She's already gotten to wear it a few times and it should fit her fine next Fall and Winter.



This is a nice yarn, softens nicely after a good proper bath, the pattern Very Easy. She and I both love this little sweater. I have left over yarn with which I'll knit up a hat and pair of mittens, hopefully by next Autumn when she needs them.
I have tried to find a link for a good look at this yarn, Ravelers may have an easier time of it, Elizabeth Austen, Andes, this is colourway #11... Bubblegum Sunshine... snort.

I've also made a pair of socks for DIL Deidre, for her birthday... it hit me that I hadn't made her socks, ever. No photos. Camnesia. Addle brain. That's me. None of that reflects my love for this young woman, well, except knitting her the socks because we all know.... handknit socks=love.

Most of my time is being spent with yardwork, either here or at Mom's... between the rains and Gracie Days.

Avery turned 33 on the 21st (Monday this week), we had him here for the weekend, birthday gathering, dinner, and cake. Fun times.

I was going to include photos of some of the things growing in the yard but 'it's' just not going for it. Maybe next time.

Happy knitting to all and continue making good time.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Lucky Dude

Yesterday evening Bobby calls, (he's in DC, business) tells me he just had dinner and saw a Borders Book store and since he was needing a book to read he popped in, and hey... guess who's going to be here this evening?

Yep. To say there was some excitement on my part is a bit of an understatement. I actually talked him into 1) buying me a copy of the book 2) staying and listening to the talk and 3) getting that book signed.

What does he say? "I need to get a photo of the sock", yes, he HAS been listening....

Now, the Summer of 2006 I did get to meet Stephanie, in OKC and she's not been back since... she was kind and gracious to sign all my books. As you well know, she's had another book since then which the ever lovely Gretchen gifted me and I posted it off to Seattle, WA to the equally lovely Ms.K who in turn went to hear Stephanie, had her sign it, mailed it back to me...

Later last night I called him back, asked him how it went... he told me to check my email. I did.
Oh and hey, James, thank you for taking the photos...





He is one lucky dude.

He did say this... "it was kind of weird, all those women...(surely there were other men there besides Bobby and James?) and as soon as Stephanie showed up they all started knitting"

Weird? Nah, inexplicable perhaps? Only to the non-knitterly types.

He's a Very Good Sport, and yes, he does have handknit socks and he also has this....



Happy knitting to all and continue with the making good time.