Monday, February 23, 2015

Snow snow go away.....

I've been working away on Rams and Yowes.  There are 2 1/2 rows of sheep showing up now.


If you look closely at the right edge, you can see the some of the steek stitches -- they look a bit like a checkerboard.  Once I'm done with the middle of this blanket, which is worked in the round (it's a tube), I will cut the steek stitches to make a flat piece.  Yup.  Sounds scary, right?  I think so too!

I started another Boxy sweater, but this time in worsted weight.  With the fingering weight yarn, it felt like I wasn't getting anywhere.  I found this yarn in my stash -- Valley Yarns Stockbridge -- from a shopping trip to WEBS a few years ago.  I was so happy to find it!


I'm actually farther along than this by now, but I haven't taken another pic of it yet.

I am slowly adding stars to my EPP quilt.


This is the bottom left corner.

A few of you asked to see me model my Walking Tour Scarf once it dried.  This is as close as you're getting.  lol!


I am amazed and pleased to find that once the scarf was blocked, it came out to almost exactly the stated dimensions.  Nice discovery!  I have the feeling that I should stick to Shetland wool when I do color work.  It works so nicely for color work!  The scarf is in Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift, which seems to be much more available in the US.  Rams and Yowes uses Jamieson and Smith Jumper Weight Shetland wool, which is much more readily available in the UK.

We've had another storm or two this past week.  The storm on Wednesday/Thursday was light, fluffy, sparkly snow.  So strange!


And the snow Saturday into Sunday -- well it was snow.


Luckily our snow blower, which was broken for the big storms of January, is fixed and the father type took care of all the clean up -- what a luxury not to have to shovel!!  Father type took the above picture too.

Mia has been hibernating so much on the heating duct, I've started to feel like I'm missing her!  This is a rare sight now.


Ah well.  I'll know it's spring when Mia starts to sleep somewhere besides the heating duct!

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week!


35 comments:

Vickie said...

Your blanket looks great and sounds fascinating. I do not get it. But I know you will show us later.
Keep warm. I see you in your fleece. ;) Me too!

Vera said...

Yikes! I'd be scared to cut the blanket. Looks great though. Love the color of your new sweater start. I almost started a cowl this weekend...but thankfully ran out of time (I do NOT need another project - lol).

sheravery said...

Margaret,
Those steek stitches are pretty scary, right? I am making a sweater (Dale pattern), and it incorporates the same method. Norwegian patterns are 'notorious' for that. I have a Norwegian friend who lobbied for me to take the plunge and assures me all will end well :>) ! Time will tell.
I absolutely love, love, love your star quilt. It is amazing!!

-Sherry-

Cari said...

Love, love, love your Rams !! I'm so excited to watch the 'steeking' part. I've read all about it but I've ever tried it. The pattern is awesome.

Sweet Mia is one smart kitty !!

Stay warm !!

Dawn said...

Beautiful knitting. Fun to know you are using the scarf. The tumbling blocks between the stars are coming together!
Happy stitching!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Your scarf and quilt are just beautiful. We had a second ice storm on Friday--Yuck! And because the temps are so low it is not thawing! I'm like Mia I'm ready for spring

Melissa said...

Oh, I like the sheepies! Just in time for the Year of the Ram! lol. You do such amazing knitting!

I hope the weather warms up for you guys soon!

Evelyne said...

Beautiful blanket with the Rams.
The scarf is amazing!!!! i love the bright colours of the scarf, it is amazing!!!

Great knitting week and stay warm.
Evelyne

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh Margaret, I'm in love with your knitting! That scarf will always be a favorite and those sheep are just too cute for words. Have a good week!

Angie said...

I love your colorful scarf! Are those kitty tracks in the snow? Mia has the right idea....cuddle up and wait for Spring:) Have a great week!

Angie said...

I love your colorful scarf! Are those kitty tracks in the snow? Mia has the right idea....cuddle up and wait for Spring:) Have a great week!

Carol said...

How wonderful your scarf looks, Margaret! I'm so glad the size was just what you hoped for... And your new sweater start is so pretty, too.

How lucky you are to have a snowblower... I suggested that we buy one back in the fall and my husband said we wouldn't need it this winter. HA!! I'll bet he's sorry now after shoveling the driveway four times on Saturday :) It has to be over soon, doesn't it??

Ruth said...

As usual, I love it all. Hmmm.... I wonder if I could boiler plate a comment for you -- something along the lines of "Amazing, wonderful, beautiful... causing much envy ... how do you manage to get all this done... " etc.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Mia looks as though she has her warm winter coat at the moment. So much snow over with you just now, let's hope for a thaw very soon. Your scarf is so very pretty, enjoy wearing it.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

All your knitting projects look so warm! It's freezing in my office. The stars are coming out - tomorrow :-).

Mia's got the right idea! Or is she going for a mini-Mia shower?

That snow looks perfect for snow cream -- yummmmmm! Stay warm.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Your knitting skills are amazing. I am in total awe.
What a fun pic of Mia.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Mary Ann said...

Beautiful knitting--I really like the color of the new sweater you have started!!

llknbillburg said...

OMGosh! I love those sheep!! And your scarf is just beautiful. I know what you mean about the cat sleeping in only the warmest places. I have too and you would think they would figure out that the warmest place is snuggled next to each other!!! Laura

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What gorgeous projects you do! The blanket looks lovely! I too am in total awe of your talent! The scarf is amazing and that quilt... swoon....

Stay warm, Margaret. We too are in the deep freeze although we've not had nearly the snow you folks have. I think there's about 14" on the ground right now. I'm ready for Spring, too!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Love the color of your Boxy Sweater. I'm knitting a baby sweater in fingering weight - can't imagine how slow going it must be for an adult sweater. The scarf came out great and I love the hat! Who doesn't love sheep?!

Mia will definitely be your indicator when spring is coming. So glad your snow blower is fixed. Shoveling had to be a serious downer.

Steek?! Yikes!

Susan said...

Love the blanket!! The scarf looks fabulous as do the stars. I think you need a few more weeks of winter to get these knitting projects done😄

Karen said...

Your knitting and quilting is so lovely. And I love the scarf! Looks like it's coming in handy up there :-)

Linda said...

The scarf is so pretty Margaret. Your quilt is gorgeous. Love the snow pic.

Linda

Merry Wind Farm said...

Hi, Margaret, your knitting is amazing! I'd be scared to death to cut that apart, but I know you know what you're doing :) We have about 6 inches of snow, which really wouldn't be too bad without the bitterly cold temps! Poor little cold Mia :) You might have to get her a heated bed!
Melinda

Anonymous said...

great work on the scarf, looks great.
That is a lot of snow.

Beth said...

Love the last photo of Mia. Cats are SO helpful aren't they? You are right tobe knitting scarves and such with your wintery weather! I am sure it has gotten old by now.

Mugwump Woolies said...

Sheep! I love your sheep blanket...the color choices are wonderful! Your scarf is a work of art. Is it staying around your neck or going around some lucky recipient's neck? The teal wool is yummy. Stay warm...it can't last much longer!
Robyn

Roberta said...

Margaret you amaze me with how much you accomplish. Love the ram blanket (I am a sheep lover and collector) your scarf is stunning what a great accomplishment.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I love the sheep! The snow looks fun too! Aw, sweet little Mia!

valerie said...

Ooooo...look at the sheep! Love, love, Love! Cutting stitches sounds scary though. You are super brave, Margaret! I think your scarf looks incredibly warm and cozy! I like seeing your stars and how all the neutrals in between have a little bit of design. Stay warm...I can't imagine so much snow. The BF is in Chicago right now and it's snowing there. I won't mention the weather here. ;-)

Marie said...

I'll second the Snow, snow go away! I have had enough, especially since I am unable to ski this year.

steek stitches? I am a novice knitter, maybe that's why I have never heard of such a thing. I'll google it and learn more. :-)

Your completed scarf is beautiful.

Mia is so cute.

Annette-California said...

Your scarf is so beautiful Margaret! And love the new one your knitting - the sheep look so warm. Your knitting skills are just incredible.
And your stars quilt is just perfection! Sweet Mia knows where it's most warm - lol!
love Annette

Melanie said...

Love the 'ewes'! I've always wanted to do that blanket or hat pattern. (I think I might even have purchased it? Maybe?) The steeking does scare me a bit. Never done one of those. Kate has great instructions on them though. I'm sure it will be fine. :)

Anonymous said...

Once, I would've insisted that nothing could be finer than your cross stitch work ... but your knitting is just incredible! My heavens, you have a lot of talent! The Rams and Yowes is stunning, and your walking scarf is really a masterpiece.