Thursday, January 31, 2008

Have a Heart... AND our 3rd Annual Super Bowl Sale



It's time for the Red Dress Pin again. The national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. Yes, that's right. I'm at it again. I have some more Red Dress Tack Pins to give away. How do you get one? Just like last year - when you place an order, write in the comments section Red Dress Pin. So while supplies last, they're going out the door.

The Red Dress Pin is a symbol for heart disease which is the #1 killer of American women. What better month to promote - February! So wear red.

Super Bowl Sunday Sale - Wow, The Yarn Grove's 3rd annual Super Bowl Sunday Sale. The sale is broken into quarters - 2 hours each - and begins at 2:00pm EST. From 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm, 8-10pm different items are on sale each quarter. It is a lot of fun! So stop by.

Today is the last day for my blog contest which if you donate to or visit A Place to Bark and Meow, please email me or leave a comment. You can donate by clicking on the "badge" on my sidebar here. You will be entered in to the drawing tomorrow for a great skein of Pagewood Farms newest yarn - Glacier bay - and a set of Hiya Hiya needles. For all the news about it, see my post of January 17th!

SOTsII - Secret of the Stole. Let's talk about it for just a minute. Clue #2 is already out but as of Monday night, I had ripped it all out again. But Tuesday night - it just clicked. I get it! I really get it! I understand lace knitting now. And boy do I love it. Not much to show but as soon as I am done with Clue 1 - I'll be showing you my FO.


Anyone else out there ever ripped out their lace knitting - say 7 times?

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Do Just One Thing

I got a cool Page-a-day calendar for 75% off at Barnes and Noble this weekend. Its called "Do Just One Thing" by Danny Seo and its tips and ideas for living green. I really like the idea from January 16th-

"If a pile of old woolen scarves is weighing you down, recycle them into a cozy blankey perfect for curling up in. Simply pin the scarves together in a pattern you like and take them to a local dry cleaner for sewing (or sew it yourself if you're handy). For a few dollars, they'll finish off the blanket for you. Got lots of scarves? Make an extra one for the car to keep passengers warm too."

I think that is such a cute idea, and imagine how you could build on it- using old scarves for the binding of a quilt, the strap of a bag, a headband, boot cuffs, coin purse...endless possibilities!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Warm and Fuzzy


Hi gals! (and guys?)


I hope you are all warm and toasty. Its a bitter 25 degrees here, which is unheard of in Alabama!! Lucky for me, I finished this cape from Twinkle's Big City Knits last night at knitting club, and its keeping me nice and cozy today. I used Lion Brand Wool Ease thick and quick.


I already started another sweater from Twinkle and I'm hoping to finish it before her 2nd book comes out on February 5th!!!!!! I can't wait!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Second Sock etc


I am working on a pair of toe up socks from Woolly Boully in her Meanie - Beneath the Cherry Tree colorway. If you have never knit with Jenny's yarns, you are truly missing a real experience. This yarn is so soft and incredible to knit.

I always start one sock on 2 circs - then when I move to dpns I immediately cast on the other sock. If I don't do this, I know me and chances are the other sock will not get knit! If you are having issues with Second Sock Syndrome, try casting on for the second one before you finish the first. Most likely you're like me and have another set of same size needles in your stash. It will require you seperating the skein into 2 equal balls but that is easy enough to do too! Just remember which direction the winding is going.

Also OTN is the Secret of the Stole II. Several of my friends at Noble Knitters are also doing this and since I sometimes have issues reading charts, I thought I would do it with them. Clue 1 is out and I am working on it. Of course this was after 3 false starts for me. Yep, ripped it right out 3 times! Now I think I have the rhythm and I am truly having fun with this lace! Of course, we'll see when Clue 2 comes out this weekend.

New in to The Yarn Grove: Monica Knits patterns. Monica is a talented knit designer and we are starting to carry some of her designs. They are fun!

Also brand new: Pagewood Farms new Glacier Bay sock yarn. It is a super tight twist fingering weight and comes in lots of glorious colors. It also weighs in at a hefty 5.5 oz!

Thanks so much for all your emails and comments regarding A Place to Bark and Meow (my post dated Jan 17, 2008). Remember if you donate OR visit Bernie's blog, send me an email at JaneATtheyarngrove.com or leave a comment. Drawing for the delicious and new Pagewood Farm Glacier Bay yarn and Hiya Hiya DPNs is February 1st.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Earth Angel - Bernie (and a contest!)


I wanted to take a minute to talk a bit about Bernie Berlin. A lot of you may recognize the name. She also authored the book: Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap. Bernie runs a rescue shelter called "A Place to Bark and Meow" and I have talked about her numerous times on my blog. In fact, my request for Christmas this past year, in lieu of a gift for me, was a donation to Bernie's rescue efforts. Several members of my family complied with my request: Chris, Cheryl, Stephanie, Cindy, donated money and beds (see photo of one of the new beds!) to Bernie's rescue. Bernie has been doing animal rescue for 8 years and needs our help. Read on for my contest too! Here are excerpts of her email she sent out:

(start)

I am writing to you, in hopes you will help me make a difference...
As many of you know, I have been doing animal rescue for now, 8 years.
We have grown over the years from helping 10 to 25 a year to now for "2007" over 400 animals. Never had I planned to walk this road for so many years and finally come to the realization that this is going to be a part of my life for a long time to come.


Just recently, we have been given a HUGE opportunity. The first is a matching grant from the "Zoline Foundation". Any donations made to "A Place to Bark" via the badge link will be matched up to $25,000.00 until June 1st, 2007.

In addition to the matching grant we are currently in a contest called "America's Giving Challenge" all donations made, will be counted and if we have the most individual donations by January 31st, 2007, we will win a $50,000.00 grant. If this happens we can build our much needed shelter.


Now, the EXCITING NEWS IS: We are in the top ten!!!
http://www.sixdegrees.org/Top.aspx But we can get knocked out of the running, if we don't keep going!!
We need to be in the top 4 to win the grant money.

We all have a voice, something the animals I help don't. They depend on us to care for them . In the past two years my program has saved over 700 animals.

I've put it out to the Universe that this is something that I have dedicated my life to and will continue to do so and also continue to do my art in tandem:)

What I am asking of you, is if you can to make a $10.00 donation to increase our chances of winning 50k grant money. Please help me to spread the word.

We are all powerful individuals, who can create change if we put our hearts and minds to it. If you don't feel comfortable spreading the word, that is fine too, no pressure.
I have to exhaust all my resources for my cause..

If you donate, you will receive a receipt immediately, all donations are tax deductible.
I am a registered 501(c)3 with non profit status. Whether we win or not we still will receive the matching grant. Please help spread the word, we so want to make our vision a reality.There is also a video of our current kennels here if you click on the link that is on the badge. I Thank you for your time and truly appreciate any help you can give..

In rescuing dogs,
I lost my mind,
But I found my soul.
Author Unknown
(end)

I have put the donation badge on my sidebar here or you can click on the link to her blog. Even if you cannot donate at this time, please take a minute to go to her blog (there is a slight hesitation when you click on the link to her blog) and read about her and her critters. Warning: some cases are very hard to read but thank you Bernie. She truly is, in my eyes, an Earth Angel.


My Contest: Skein of the brand new Pagewood Farms Glacier Bay 3-ply Sock yarn (tight twist - comparable to Jitterbug) in the Bird of Paradise colorway (deep greens, teals) and one set of Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel 6" DPNS - size 1. What do you have to do? Leave a comment here or email me at janeATtheyarngrove.com to let me know if you make a donation to Bernie or just visit her blog. It's all about awareness.
Drawing will be on February 1,2008.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

One Sheep, Two Sheep, Pink Sheep, Blue Sheep??





How CUTE is this baby sweater?? I think I'm going to make this for my friend, Rebecca's baby. She's due on May 16. We were supposed to find out the sex on January 8th, but the baby had his/her little legs crossed, so we have to wait until February 4th!!!! Come on baby...I need to know if I'm shopping for pink or blue!


Just for fun, we performed the ring test, which swung back a forth, predicting a girl. But then, we looked at the Chinese birth chart, which predicted a boy! Rebecca's Mom feels very strongly that its a boy, but the heartbeat was fast- like a girl's usually is. I guess we'll just be surprised!


I've been knitting up a storm lately, but I don't know how to work Chris's new camera yet, so I haven't taken pictures. I will, I promise! I'm making a super cute shrug from Fitted Knits, and a cool scarf using the faggoting stitch that Anne from Norcross recommended. It looks awesome!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

It's my new Baby Hat...



Here is the new little hat (left) - knit from the unraveled hat that was mine (right) when I was a wee one. 50+ years ago. I just knit a simple roll edge hat and placed a pom pom on the top so as to not waste any of the yarn I salveged. The yarn has a good bit of angora in it and is supersoft. It is a newborn size and someone someday will pose for a photo in it. Right kids? That someone would be called a grandchild. Right kids? I can't hear ya'll ! Well anyway, it will be saved for that time.

Much goings on at The Yarn Grove and some new exciting yarn is arriving this week! Stay tuned for that. It is springy, sproingy, squishy and delightful! Remember my Jaywalker scarf? That's the yarn...

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Glitzy Glamour and all the Gals!



Want to see some real glitz? My friend, Pat knit this wrap, or as she calls it, this "white thingie", from Kraemer Sterling Silk & Silver. She used 2 skeins of White Veil and pulled a pattern from her stash that was from Morehouse Merino. She generously gave it to me to photograph - but first, our friend Ellen modeled for us. I believe Ellen has done some modeling in earlier years. I did not even have to prompt her to extend her arm! Thank you both!

I met my friends, Pat and Ellen from Noble Knitters. Every Wed. night, Noble Knitters meets at the Peachtree Corners Barnes & Noble. We have grown by many in less than a year. We chat, we laugh, we talk - (sometimes all at the same time) - we share, we fondle yarn ... and ... oh yeah we knit. I so enjoy each and every one of them and I love to look at all the new and old projects going on. It is inspiring.

Pat is our resident lace expert. She is our 'go to lace gal'. If it's lace you're stuck on - ask Pat. Need help on blocking lace? Ask Pat. So when she brought this finished wrap, a.k.a. "white thingie" last night, we were all fondling it. I was so pleased to see how the Kraemer Sterling Silk & Silver knit up. It has just the right amount of glitz ... for the glamour girl in all of us!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

iKnit


I finished the iPod sock for Orange Boy. He really loves it, and I'm glad, because the size 1's were torture! Girls, I'm just not cut out for socks! I started on a sweater from the book "Fitted Knits" on 13's and my fingers are starting to recover.
I've been browsing lace patterns for my next project- a wrap for the spring. I just haven't found the right one. I want it to be very open and loopy, but have a repeat of 4(ish) rows so I can memorize it. Oh, also it has to be on at least size 7's. :)
Please please help me!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Old into New!



I have decided to tackle my storage room(s) - one of the areas aka my side of the garage. I have decided that I do not need extra stuff any longer. Each item I touch is either Goodwill(GW), repack, trash or sell. Yesterday my hub and I took 3 huge boxes of 'stuff' to GW. Of course anything I think I can recycle, I do. Cheryl got a box full of old jewelry and I can't wait to see what it transforms into! Which brings me to the Wyler's Lemonaid Box I have seen for years in my mom's outdoor shed.

This particular box moved with her to my house well over a year ago. No markings on the box and since It wasn't taped down, I could peek into it and knew it held some of my old baby dresses and a pair of old baby shoes. At first I thought a couple of things in there could belong to my brother (we are less than 1 year apart). I knew the shoes were mine because I wore leg braces when I was an infant and these shoes had brace holes in them.

To tell you the truth, I have no sentimental ties to these dresses at all. (My kids baby stuff, now that's a different story). However, I brought them all inside to the sink and began a day long washing, soaking, rinsing and hanging to dry marathon. 2 items were completely eaten by moths (beautiful sweater) and were tossed. But there was a hat. This hat looked in perfect condition except it needed a good hand wash.


Yikes, when I pulled it out of the water it began to unravel. I hung it to dry - looked at it hanging for 2 days and decided I could maybe salvage enough yarn out it to 'reknit' a baby hat. And that is what I am doing. As for the dresses and other little outfits, there are now a couple of small holes in the pinafores but hey - they are over 50 years old!

I found a simple baby hat on Ravelry. I started the hat last night and I hope I have enough yarn to knit it. I feel sure this yarn I unraveled (some in very short lengths) has angora in it.

So I have started 2008 feeling liberated.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Happy New Yarn...err Year!


Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a great Holiday. I certainly did. Among many wonderful things, I got an Amy Butler bag, a Coach wristlet, Breakfast at Tiffany's (my FAVORITE movie) and a memory foam mattress topper. Everything you need for a fashionable, entertained, well-rested year!


I only knitted a few gifts this year. Pictured above is a scarf my friend and I made for our boss using J Knits yarn. My friend, Katie is a beginner, so we worked in a simple seed stitch and met in the middle. Our boss was so touched that wore her scarf for the rest of the afternoon. Nothing can compare with a handmade gift!


In other news, Spottie has begun her perscription weight loss program and will be weighing in very soon.


I'm currently working on an iPod sock for orange boy on...brace yourselves...size 1's! I'll be right back to the 15's as soon as I'm done.