Five steps forward, four steps back.

I am starting off the new year with startitis . . . . Here's a recap of what is currently on the needles, hooks, loom, knitting machines--you get the idea:

Tentaculum is my riding in the van project. Each time we're out, I get a bit more done on it. It has been growing really, really slowly. The other day, I took a look at other people's projects, just because. And I noticed something was different about mine. At first I thought it was because I was using sock yarn, but no, others were using it too. Then, I looked at the pattern (which I hadn't bothered to look at for a while--it is a wonderfully easy repeat to remember--right.) Somehow I have knit, purl, knit in the three yarnover increases, instead of knit, purl; knit, purl; knit, purl in the increases. Three less increases every four rows--no wonder it's not growing! So, the scarf's in timeout while I decide whether or not to rip back.

The Cherry Pie pattern caught my eye as I was browsing through Ravelry's hot pad patterns. It started out fine, but now it's misbehaving. I'm pretty sure I added an extra stitch (maybe more than one,) so I have to rip it too.

 

Knowing my crochet could use some improvement, I've joined a monthly crochet along at The French Knot (my LYS--that's local yarn shop for those who aren't into this lingo.) Two blocks a month--how hard could it be? Right. I probably spent an hour picking yarn and colors (I brought along a sofa pillow to pick out colors--crazy me.) I ended up selecting Jeannee (a cotton/acrylic) since they had a lot of colors. I got close, but, this morning as I look at them, I'm not really happy with the peachy colors--no peach whatsoever in the sofa. I may have to regroup. This is my start on Winter Burst. I'm supposed to get two squares done each month. January will be over soon. But, I think I'll rip this out and do the whole center in rose, then use bits of the other colors on the square's edge.



I bought a Loop-De-Loom over the holidays. (Actually, I bought four. One for a friend's birthday, and three for me--they hook together to get wider fabric, so. . . .) I've done two things so far, as I learn. Love the first one--a mug rug! So, I put two looms together and made a bigger rug. Love the size of it! However, I didn't pay attention when I selected the yarns. They looked the same. Sigh. Not only are they not the same dye lot, they aren't even the same yarn brand! It's very obvious in the right light. So. Another candidate for ripping, or, gently pulling apart and retying fringes to make two pieces, or sew decorative piece down the center to make it less obvious. I don't know. It's in timeout.

 

I sense a theme here. Lots of things started. But not really any progress. And, couple groups I'm in at Ravelry ( I love Ravelry,) have helped me create goals for the year--they are Christmas Monthly Make Ahead and Thrifty Knitters Sock Club. I've got a pattern picked out for a the make ahead, and the sock club has posted the Jan/Feb pattern choices. And, I am looking at hot pad patterns to make some for Julie to match her dishclothes. And, I want to make a Hoosier Hat on the bulky knitting machine (it's for Ed--would be nice to finish before winter's over.) So, a lot of fiber things going on around here!

Annual Letter

December 2014

Dear Online Family and Friends,

As another year winds to a close, we want you to know we're thinking about you and wishing you everything good in the coming year. It's been a stressful year for us. We were very sad to lose Dwayne to a medication error, lose a neighbor to the flu, and have friends in intensive care for heart and lung related-problems. Ken and I are fighting some kind of bug right now, but this summer he was fine, since he paced himself with R&R breaks from construction on our apartment (inside the airplane hangar.) I've been fine, too, with the exception of a digestive problem I had back in April, which kept me from going home to Indiana for family visiting and machine knitting fun.

David and Julie have settled into their new place, complete with cows, goats, and chickens (fresh eggs, yay!) Julie recently hired on with a local casino's personnel department. Their daughter, Jennifer's, family is doing great, and we'll see even more of them next year when she moves to Ft. Walton Beach, Fl, as part of a military reassignment. More good news: Dave and Julie's son, DJ, is engaged to Stephanie McCloud. They plan to marry next June. Jordan, Dave and Julie's youngest daughter, has made some positive changes in her life and now lives here and works for a local bank. Dwayne's son, Mikael, is doing really well with his web business. We're so proud of everything he's accomplished. We saw Robert and his wife, Barbara, and their children, Trenton and Joshua, at Dave and Julie's when Dwayne died. It's always a surprise how fast the grandchildren grow up.

My son, Mike, and his children, Nick and Tiffiney, are doing good. Mike's found another job in the RV industry that has a shorter commute. Always a consideration when the weather gets as bad as it does in northern Indiana. It was fabulous to spend time with them, and Mike's friend, Jenny, and her two sons, RJ and Charley, earlier this month. It was an impromptu trip, made when we finally had the time after shutting down the Arkansas place for the winter.

Speaking of the Arkansas place, here are a couple pictures. Ken did a lot of framing this summer. The place will be ready for electric, plumbing, etc. when we return there next spring. The picture on the bottom shows some large trees being removed that were threatening the hangar.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with love and good things always!

Ken and Joni  

Merry Christmas! 2013

We hope all has gone well for you and yours this year. Our health has been good—my biggest complaint is not being able to see well despite a new Rx (suspect a cataract)—so, we are making dents in the never-ending amount of things to do around here.

In Arkansas, Ken finished the hangar doors, poured concrete in front of it, and made a fabulous number sign for the property.

He was busy here in Biloxi as well, installing a new automatic gate, getting the tractors running, and preparing his workshop for building cabinetry next year. I nestled at home (only one trip to Arkansas) and spent lots of money—the largest amounts on a new curio cabinet for heirlooms and a 55” TV over the fireplace. I did some knitting and, to challenge myself, I learned a new craft—tatting.

Our family has grown! Ken's son David's daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Paul, have a new baby girl, Chloe Nacole, and her sister, Madison, is delighted to help care for her. Dave has a job here in Biloxi now, and he and Julie are building a new home. Also, my brother, Ed, married Tina Hart, so we have a new sister-in-law!

Here's hoping all goes well for you in 2014!

Love, Ken and Joni

Wow--nearly two years away from the blog. Past time to check in again. I'm working on the knitting corner of the office. I have the Brother KE-100 motor stand with the Brother Punchcard Bulky on it, and my Brother 970 stored on a nearby shelf for easy moving back to the stand. Anyone know if it hurts to store a ribber bed wrong-side up? I have the 970's ribber on top of its main bed--takes a lot less room that way. . . .

The first day of . . . .

Today marks my day 1 of 11 minutes on fiber related projects. There's been some knitting done, and a lot of reorganizing; I've just not been blogging it. My minutes today have been spent reading about a charity effort, and designing a bag for it. The plan is to knit/weave the bottom for strength, then mesh knit the sides, and have a drawstring inside a hem at the top. I may vertical weave on the sides for even more strength, but the deadline may prohibit that. We'll see how it goes.

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It's a start . . . .

Sample to get sizing for the fingerless glove fingers--too funny to say that! At least I knit something today!

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Whew, I Hope it's True

There's an old saying, "The more you do, the more you can do." Right now, I've so much going on, I'm really counting on that saying working for me!

I've started the Facebook album for Ken's dad. Very challenging to get some photos to look good online. The ones framed with glass fronts have a lot of glare (turning off the flash helped.) I didn't want to mess with taking things out of frames, especially when the photos look so good in their frames!

I haven't knit in the last few days, so I have nothing to relay, except my discovery of three more empty bins I can use to store the yarn stash and a book I'm resisting digging into, because I'll get nothing done:

Can't spend very long blogging today. We've a desk to move, and I'm to meet my son, Michael, online around noon.

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Hmmm, Yesterday's picture

Well, I decided to start today's blog while I wait for Ken to finish his business at VJ's (an auto parts dealer,) and lo and behold, a picture I sent to blogger the other day from the Droid, and could not find when I went to blog from the PC, has magically appeared--lol. I had saved it as a draft (well, it and two others,) and only one was there when I looked for the drafts. Magic I tell you, it's all magic!

Not so magical is my lack of knitting. No tube of little fingers for the "fingerless" gloves yet. Shouldn't they be called fingertipless? Well, naming aside, my machine knitting efforts yesterday were limited to buying 50 quart clear containers to sort the yarn stash into, (well, part of it--I'm pretty sure the three bins will not hold more than a fraction of it--however, they will get some of it out of bags and into view.) No more promises of results! I've decide they stress me, so I will just mention my plans and activity. That should help me focus.

I got a cute card to send the step-mom, who's in a nursing home these days. Her birthday is in two weeks. I plan a Facebook tribute for Ken's dad, if I can get to the old albums. His dad's birthday was June 11. It's looking like my birthday will be at Winfield (the airpark where we're building our hangar/apartment.) So, lots of fun this month!

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Grrr-I'll figure it out!

The blog to Facebook is still a wip (work in progress.) It appears I have to create the blog, reset the import in Facebook, then share it. How completely and totally not cool! I'm also working on the Android to blog thing. Keeps the old brain cells busy, busy. I saved a draft blog with a flower picture (actually, I thought I'd saved several, but only one is there now,) and if I have my copy/paste done right, you should see a picture of my portulaca!

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Never did get anything knit on Bulky yesterday, but enjoyed quality time with grandkids who say they're changing jobs and moving! I'm just over-the-top proud of them and very, very happy for them. They're not moving too far, so I'm cool with that too. Since the project for the Bulky is for granddaughter-in-law's sister, (and they are same size,) I did get to check on glove length, fit, design, which I think qualifies as time spent towards machine knitting!

Today's plan is to knit fingers for the gloves and start the back of the hand. I'm approaching it like the socks one knits the top, then toe, then bottom and back, so it's top of glove, separately make finger pieces (very short ones all knit as one long tube with ravel cord separating the pieces,) knit back of glove, attaching as I go (from the elbow down to fingers,) then graft on all the little fingers and it's done. A bit of a hybrid process, with the tops hand knit, and the rest on the machine.

The living room continues to look like we're the ones moving, so I shall have to discuss how to find the time to work on that, with all the other things we're doing!

Busy day

Whew, lots going on today. Went to breakfast with my baby (we each get half off military discount Mondays at Beau Rivage.) Hurried home to meet the dryer repair guy--oh, didn't I mention the dryer going kthunka, kthunka? Well, he found an unidentified part inside it (no, not inside where the clothes go--that would have been embarrassing!--it was in the guts of the thing.) No clue, just decided to press on with it and hope for the best. At least it's quiet and he'll fix it under warranty if it misbehaves again.

I moved my Brother Bulky to a spot where I can use it (yay!) Then I thought, you know, I know (beyond all shadows of doubt) that when I went to replace the very flat sponge bars (they hold the needles down,) that I had bought the wrong bar for it and had left it and the ribber bar setting on top in disgust. I purchase the materials to make the darn things, but life interfered with that. So, I'm looking at these things today, and I think, you know, I rarely use the end needles, I'll just use them anyway. Well, I put them in and darned it they didn't fit just right!? Guess I'll be knitting later today!!

So, even though it's not over yet, I'm calling this a good day. Eating homemade pizza and watermelon for lunch helped the day's rating, too!

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Two Steps Back

From the looks of the living room, one could assume I had made no progress on the office, however, such is not the case. I emptied two shelves in the knitting closet of the office, and they now hold the Studio 500 (I'm sure that's its weight--that is one seriously heavy machine!) and the Knitten Kitten. The plan is that the shelves will all have only equipment, and the stash will slowly emerge from its many cubbies and nooks and crannies (you get the idea,) and be put where it can be worked into my many ideas for gifts this year.

I would have gotten more done, but I spent a part of the day with an ice pack on an ankle bite from what I'm sure was the spider's relatives' hit man. I'm telling you, that spider had to have his own gang--he was that self-assured as he sauntered in the back door. The Dyson is still exiled to the porch with his remains. More later--actually, more tomorrow, because it won't be much time until later is tomorrow!

Testing Phone and Hopeful Return to the Blog

Today's effort is to blog from the phone. (This is the second attempt, so bear with me here.) A bit tedious, and I have forgotten many of my old tried and true computer tricks, like always save (or at least copy) as I go. I have to admit I don't know how to do those tricks on the Android, so, there's a learning curve going on at the same time.

For my return to blogging, I give credit to a fellow machine knitter's faithful 11 minutes/day in 2011. They say copying is a sincere form of flattery, so I hope it is taken that way! I do also hope it will provide me an outlet for the pent up energy and emotions of coping since Mom's passing at the end of April. I have been mostly in denial and staying almost frantically busy, which for a while is sustainable, but not so good long term. So, perhaps blogging will help me retain some of the little sanity I cling to--although the spider epidsode this morning may have caused an observer to doubt I have any left. I confess, it was two vaccums I went after it with--I blocked it's escape with the vaccuum in the steam mop, and captured/killed it with the Dyson.

The office/knitting room has been in chaos for way too long, and a large part of its disorder is lurking in the livingroom. (The previous strategy was move it temporarily to the livingroom--while Ken was out of town, since that annoys him terribly--so I could easily and rapidly sort it back into the office. The plan was thwarted by the need to rapidly head for Indiana a month and a half ago, and it is now a sad reminder of that trip, so the order needs restored badly!) That, my friends, is today's mission. So, now that I've provided Ken with his oatmeal with raisin and FiberOne blueberry muffins with walnuts and have the bread in the machine for later, it's time to go to it!

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Happy Holidays!

Dear Family and Friends, December 15, 2010

As the year comes to a close, we hope it finds you happy and healthy. We've been reasonably lucky in those departments—Ken's cholesterol is a bit high, but he's got some new medicine we hope will do the trick (along with the diet, etc.) I figure you all must be losing weight, because I found around ten pounds this year—so stop it! (Just kidding—lose the extra away, as I plan to with my recurring new year's goal.) I spent most of January and February making trips to physical therapy trying to get a broken and sprained foot working again—it's fine now.

This year we welcomed Madison Elise Jenkins on January 21^st, (born to Jennifer and Paul—she's David and Julie's first grandchild—our first great!,) a new granddaughter-in-law, Vicky, who married Mike (Dwayne's son) on July 22^nd, and a new niece, Karma (my sister, Shelly's third grandchild) this fall. Sadly, we lost my friend Linda's Mom, Margaret (who was like a Mom for me as well,) Ken's Aunt Leona (his Mom's sister,) and Mary Ems' nephew, Larry.

We traveled a lot this year—mostly to and from our Arkansas place, which is shaping up nicely. Ken put in a concrete pad for our new-to-us bus, a concrete hangar floor with plumbing and wiring, and installed 25 of the 32 arches of the hangar building.

Three of the trips were for new tools or toys—a scissor lift in northern Illinois, a Coleman Truckster in Lincoln, Nebraska, and another LeSharo motorhome from West Palm Beach, Florida (Ken went by himself and nearly froze driving home in February because the heater was disconnected.) (Note to self: keep Ken off e-Bay.) It was great to see Ken's cousins, Myrna and Donna, on the Nebraska trip. As we traveled, I have improved my hand knitting, and made quite a few things this year. I still prefer to knit using my machines, but it will be next year before I can get them set up to get to easily.

We had a lovely time visiting with Vicky's Dad, Colin, and his friend, Caroline, in May, when we took them and Mike and Vicky to Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama. Every time I go there, I swear I'm going to get a season pass, it's so beautiful! Of course, we got to see them again and meet Vicky's sister at Mike and Vicky's absolutely beautiful wedding on the bayou.

Of course, there were quick visits to Montgomery, Alabama, to see David and Julie. We went in September, before Dave headed overseas for a year, and we just got home from a visit with Julie. Jordan, their youngest, is working and going to high school, and their son, DJ, is at college nearby. In addition to being a new Mom, Jennifer is Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, and her husband, Paul, has traded his Army job for a civilian one, and just left for a tour overseas.

I went to Indiana in April by myself for a machine knitting event in Peru. I met up with our RVing friend, Clara, in Monticello, Indiana, and stayed in a camping cabin at the White Oaks on the Lake campground. We had a great time. Throughout the year, we've spent time with our friends, Carl and Mary, who got married this summer. In Indiana again with Ken along, I saw my son, Mike, and Nick, Tiffiney, and Mom.

Amazing how much Mike's kids have changed in just the last year! They all grow up so fast!

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Ken and Joni Ems

Knitting update

Hey, A quick update--can't find some of my pictures though--boo. Anyway, I made another hooded scarf in gray for Vicky for her birthday.

Some of my lazy cats:
Just finished a hat for my son, Mike:

And my pattern for a hat for Ken:

A lot of homework here--the pattern is in Japanese. Took a while, but I think I've got the details worked out, just need to get knitting!

And, in the meantime, I have to sneak in slippers for Mike's kids, a pair in purple and a pair in blue, so I can mail them with the hat....

Merry Christmas!

My, the time is just flying. Hope you are having a great holiday! Ken's home, so I'm not knitting as much as usual, but I do have a few projects to share.This little keepsake bag I worked up quickly as a gift for Mikaila using my bulky knitting machine.

Here's a little hand knit headband I gave to my friend, Gloria, for Christmas.

And, here's the back of it!

This is a little hand knit cotton wash cloth I worked up in reversible cable stitch. I like that the fabric is the same on both sides.

Some machine knit slippers for Ken's birthday.

A cute pair of hand knit booties for a friend of Vicky's.

And last, but definitely took me some time, a hand knit hooded scarf. Vicky got the yarn for this pattern I've been wanting to knit up--and it turned out really nice.

Hood and pockets--what fun! The scarf was Vicky's present to her sister for Christmas. Vicky has promised me pictures of her sister wearing it when Vicky and Mike return from their visit to the UK this Christmas.

Well, I have to go now, but I enjoyed sharing these with you!

Shower gift

Been busy hand knitting for a change.


The set needs a hat--had to design it myself. Third time was charmed.



Well, the big day was yesterday, and the baby set (cardigan, hat, boots, and blanket) was a hit!
Couldn't share too much of it before now, as it would have spoiled the surprise.

What I've been up to

Hey! Lost about three weeks with the flu--but I have a few projects done despite that. This is the start of a soap-saver, that I robbed the knitting needles from for another project with a higher priority--lol:


I've added the last panel to the blanket aka shawl--I think I liked it better with the three panels as a shawl. Hopefully, some blocking will take out the puffiness and it can get it's binding (still need to put new needle in sewing machine, but have to find book to get right size in it.)


A crochet pattern I couldn't resist working up--a present for Mom's Christmas.

Here's a better picture of the test for placemats. All done on the knitting machine except for the sides, which are backwards single crochet.


Testing a pattern to work up for next month's baby shower (first great-granddaughter.) I am just loving, loving, loving this. It's a Ravelry free pattern called Pretty Baby Sweater, and it's living up to it's name so far.

Some half machine knit and half hand knit slippers I'm playing with. I like both versions, but I think the one on the left is a bit masculine, while the one on the right would be good feminine slipper.

Best for last! Made a pair of actual real slipper/socks by hand. I'm quite pleased with them, but they are a bit large for me, so Mom will get them.

That's more than enough for now--back to knitting Pretty Baby!

It's been almost a month

Got the camera bug this morning and am playing catch up with the blog--lol.


A few flowers surviving my neglect and the summer heat:


Working on a mate for



this baby boot:



Playing at the knitting machine. I'm liking this border I found when looking at blankets:

I'm thinking it would look good as place mats for a table setting.

Another playful time at the knitting machine. I like how it curls up, but I really should block it:



More work on the everlasting bagstopper--love the name. I got the casing for the top done on the knitting machine.


OOPS! Well, I tried to get it done--lol. I shouldn't knit with distractions. So, what happened was I started hanging stitches on the machine, and got pulled away. When I returned, I was like, let's get this thing done. Pushed back the "extra" needles and knit away. Hung the second side and discovered the extras weren't really extras, so some frogging is in order here. I put a garter ridge at the top of the casing by turning the work twice with the garter bar. I really like that. Next challenge--find the rest of the yarn to finish it--lol.

A peak out the front door:


Yay! Crepe Myrtle is blooming!


Lazy assistant--lol:


A stray we feed who looks amazingly like the assistant:



Kitchen window pretties:


Take care.