Vera's Crafty Blog

Picture Pages--Ramona Ruth

2009-11-15T05:05:34-05:00

Ramona Ruth Baby Sweater.

I first saw this lovely sweater (Ravelry link), and I had to knit it for somebody's baby. Top down and seamless always sells me, and it's a fabulous use of the embarrassing amount of sock yarn I have.

Here she is, armless. I think that Dream in Color Smooshy in Giant Peach is perfect for this top.

One arm...

And the other...

What a difference blocking makes! This sweater is almost shockingly easy, and the lace always impresses.

Here's another one in progress. This time with Dyed Jems Merino Sock. Not a good photo of how pretty the colors really is.

The colors are somewhat better in this photo. I just need to take the short time to get the sleeves done. Been more than a little nervous that I will run out of yarn...

Magic Loop is the way to go for sleeves.

I'm thinking of yet another sweater too.

Next: Earth Baby Hat (Ravelry link)

Picture Pages--Rib-A-Roni

2009-11-14T23:57:02-05:00

Never Gonna Give You Up!

I've been away from this blog, but not away from the computer--Twitter and Facebook, mostly. Still blogging is something I don't want to give up despite the recent evidence to the contrary.

Here's what I've been up to. I hope to do a blog post a day on a particular project until I catch up.

Rib-A-Roni Hats

Rib-A-Roni Hats! The pattern is a total win. It's so easy, uses worsted weight yarn, comes in five sizes (from baby to adult), and the crown decreases are nicely done.

For Baby Brooks (due 12/2009)...In Berroco Comfort. Having fun with the colors. Love working with this yarn!

For Baby Caleb (born 10/2009)...

For my nephew Donovan. I'm pleased with how much he likes the hats.

See how cool the decreases for the crown are?

For Patrick... This one is in Crystal Palace Merino 5. Sweet yarn!

Next: Ramona Ruth baby sweater

Four by Four and More

2009-08-02T13:46:31-04:00

Caps for Quads

My friend and fellow knitsib, Lisa, is expecting quads. She's in in her 29th week and in the hospital for observation and will mostly likely remain there until the babies are born. I'm glad that she is close enough so I can drop by on my way home from the LYS.

I enjoy our chats about knitting, Dlisted, the NFL, and the military. She is currently in the Air Force, and I used to be.

Inspired by the colors for the baby's nursery, I decided to knit some caps for the two girls and two boys.

The pattern is the Cabled Baby Hats by Julie Hentz. I made these before, and they are crazy quick and easy. I have other knitter friends who are expecting, so I will make more. There's an earflap version too.

I love using Berroco Comfort for baby items. It's nice to work with, very reasonably priced, has lots of nice colors, and is machine washable and dryer safe.

Lady In Waiting

The next thing I'd like to get on the needles is the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole. I've been wanting to knit this for years, and just never got around to it. It's going to be a KAL at my LYS, and Lisa(the same Lisa as above) gave me 10 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, color 248.

Hello Birthday!

I got this from my knitsib, Pam, for my birthday.

It's a HK lunch bag. which I'll use for knitting, some bubblegum hand shop, and a HK toothbrush with HK all decked out in her best Western finery. So cute.

Thanks Pam!

Friends Indeed

I'm naturally introverted and reticent about making friends. In addition, I have a bad tendency to not reach out to people when I need them, and I'm almost always surprised when I realize that someone actually likes me.

Since today is Friendship Day, I just wanted to say how I'm grateful for all my knit/crochetsibs, my blogger, Twitter, Plurk, and facebook friends as well as my friends that I've known for years and years.

It means a lot to me. Thanks to all of you for being part of my world!

So-delightful, So-lovely, Solo!

2009-07-29T20:12:35-04:00

I finished my Solo Tank at a restaurant in Cheraw, South Carolina on Saturday during a meetup with some of my high school classmates, and I just had to try it on.

It's not the best photo of the tank top, but it fits well, and I'm really pleased with it.

I also had a great time meeting up with my old schoolmates. The big reunion (#30) is next year.

Here's a better photo of the Solo Tank. It was windy, so that's why the v-neck is curled on the right side.

I'm always frightened of seaming. Who wants to waste all that knitting with sloppy construction, but (Knit Clips+reference book-fear)x patience= a good job.

She's almost all done here. I just needed to knit the attached i-cord around the second armhole, and weave in some ends.

I finished it just in time for my birthday which was Sunday. In addition to the mini-reunion, I got to see some family and watch the end of a very exciting Tour de France.

My brother Greg and me at church Sunday.

I had a wonderful time hanging out with him and my sister-in-law, Margaret. Today is their 3rd wedding anniversary.

Happy Anniversary guys!

Going Solo

2009-07-18T09:37:37-04:00

I Love TdF Saturdays!

I'm taking it easy today, watching the Tour de France and knitting on my latest project the SoloTank.

The armholes are shapes and I'm working on the neckline. So far, so good. Hopefully, I can get the knitting all done this weekend and start putting her together although I always have seaming drama.

Goodbye Marianne!

One of the things that have been a blessing for me with my knitting and crocheting is the people that I've met (both on line and IRL). I'm an introvert by nature, and it's difficult for me to make connections with others. My needlework has helped me bring something to the table.

One of those people that has made my Saturday trips to the LYS so pleasant has been Marianne. This week, she left Charleston for Tampa, and last Saturday, some of us got together at Social to say goodbye.

Marianne, Me, and Connie

Knit and Purl Tats! That's how we roll!

Hanging with the Knitsibs: Suzanne, Pam, Marianne, Connie. Jean and Sarah in the back.

More Knitsibs, Sara, Beth , Gloria, and Tina

All together now!

It's only been a few days, and I miss her already, but Tampa isn't that far from Charleston, and there's always facebook.

Goodbye and good luck!

Me & My Noro Sock Afghan

2009-07-12T09:25:44-04:00

Getting it Done

I started this afghan in February, finished the squares in March, and started sewing them together last week while watching one of my favorite sporting events, The Tour de France.

I'm so in awe of what these elite cyclists can do, and I'm nearly giddy about this particular Tour.

I joined the Tour de France KAL on Ravelry (Ravelry link). I'm on the Garmin-Slipstream team, and I'm going for the King of the Mountains, polka dot jersey, trying to get some UFO's completed.

Go Argyle!

Here I am yesterday at the LYS putting the finishing touches on her.

I just finished her while watching Stage 9 of the Tour. I'm very pleased with how she turned out. She is so nice and light crocheted in the sock yarns. Yes, I talked smack about the Noro Sock Yarn, and I don't take it back, but the colors are so fab.

I like how the border turned out. Not too much--just right--although I didn't count stitches and pretty much fudged around the corners.

More details on my Ravelry project page. BTW, if you are a knitter, crocheter, or spinner, you need to be on Ravelry. Do not pass go, no $200. Just join!

The Next Stage...

Here's the next project to finish. Solo by Chris Bylsma.

The back..

Working on the front during Spoleto.

Almost ready to shape the armholes on the front.

I started this project in May, and have set it aside for awhile. Really would like to have it done for my birthday at the end of the month.

Human Nature

2009-06-28T16:55:16-04:00

If They Say Why, Why...

When I got home Thursday evening, I sat down as usual to the computer and started on Twitter. I expected to read tweets about Farrah Fawcett, since I had heard of her passing earlier in the day.

Instead, I read that Michael Jackson was dead.

WTF! This must be some mean-spirited internet hoax that needs to stop.

I first read a report on TMZ--Not believing that...

Then, the New York Post--A rag...

When I saw the LA Times report and the crawl on CNN, I felt numbness and the uncomfortable sting of tears. Could this be true?

My reaction surprised me. I'm not one of those people, who weep over celebrities they never met, but I guess, in this case, I am.

Tell 'Em That It's Human Nature...

I fell in love with the Jackson 5 upon hearing ABC. As a child, I remember dancing around my apartment while listening to them on WABC-AM. I couldn't wait for the latest issue of Right On! magazine, so I could put another poster on my wall. Their music made me feel so good, and they were all so cute.

When they were on Soul Train, it was an EVENT. I remember my mother and her friends calling each other to remind them to tune in. Keep in mind that in the pre-VCR days that if you missed a performance, you were totally SOL.

Here they are performing Dancing Machine.

Awesome! I wanted to dance like that. And OMG, Jermaine was so fine!

Blame it on the Boogie is on of my favorite songs and videos by the Jacksons.

I love this song and video so much because Michael conveys the unmitigated joy of music and dance so much better than anything that I can imagine putting together.

Also, MJ's vest and belt are too hot. I need more glitter in my life.

Blame it on the boogie should be my life's tagline.

Rock with You was my favorite song in my senior year of high school.

His Motown 25 performance was one of the most remarkable things on television--ever. We talked about it for weeks after.

Michael becomes iconic at 3:44.

I saw MJ in concert in 1987. It was during the tour for Bad in Atlanta. MJ rocked the stage for over two hours to a diverse crowd. He was amazing.

As we rode back on the MARTA, we sang Michael Jackson songs in unison. It was magical.

Why, Why Does He Do Me That Way?

Soon after, Michael morphed into Wacko Jacko, the celebrity, more in the news for plastic surgeries, bizarre antics, and inappropriate, possibly criminal, behavior with children than music.

I didn't bother with his last few albums, and went into premature mourning for the sweet little brown boy with the Afro and the flat button nose.

His death brought into sharp relief how much his music means to me. He was part of MY generation, a massively talented genius who lost his way.

It doesn't matter that I didn't know him personally or how ugly that the aftermath is going to be.

What matters most is that he helped connect a little projects girl with the music in her heart and the dance in her feet.

For that, I'm forever deeply grateful.

Thank you Michael and rest in peace.

Human Nature (My favorite MJ song)
[1st Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Night-Time
The City Winks A Sleepless Eye
Hear Her Voice
Shake My Window
Sweet Seducing Sighs

[2nd Verse]
Get Me Out
Into The Night-Time
Four Walls Won't Hold Me Tonight
If This Town
Is Just An Apple
Then Let Me Take A Bite

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way

[3rd Verse]
Reaching Out
To Touch A Stranger
Electric Eyes Are Ev'rywhere
See That Girl
She Knows I'm Watching
She Likes The Way I Stare

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way
I Like Lovin' This Way

[4th Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Morning
The City's Heart Begins To Beat
Reaching Out
I Touch Her Shoulder
I'm Dreaming Of The Street

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way