Braids, Parties, and Stoles

The bits and pieces of my Quinn Cabled Bag

I learned a new skill today: how to braid with 4 strands. The bag I’m making calls for a 4-strand, braided, i-cord strap. So... I did what every knitter does when faced with a skill she (or he) doesn’t know how to do yet: I surfed YouTube. How did people craft before YouTube? Never mind. That was a rhetorical question. Anyway, my Quinn bag and strap are completed and just need a Eucalan bath and finishing touches, like lining. The Quinn Cabled Bag by Yvonne Kao is a free pattern. You can link to pattern details here: Ravelry.

4 strands of i-cord before and during braiding.

Oh and here’s a link to the video on braiding 4 strands: YouTube. The video is very clear and easy to understand. Plus the narrator has a cute accent. 

This past Saturday, we threw a successful graduation party for my youngest, Shelby. It was successful in that the weather was perfect, the rented tables and chairs showed up on time, we had plenty of food and drink, the couture cupcakes were a hit, and most importantly we got to visit with family and friends.

Shelby - the happy graduate

Make your own nacho bar: a big hit!

Lemon raspberry mini cupcakes. Yum!

Did I mention she's going to Michigan State?

Lastly, I inherited a mink stole from my great aunt, Charlotte. It’s gorgeous and in perfect condition. Her initials are even embroidered inside and there’s a cell phone pocket. Okay, I’m fairly certain that originally the pocket was not intended for a cell phone. Then again, maybe, just maybe, Aunt Charlotte was a visionary.

Aunt Margaret and me modeling our gorgeous furs!

Happy summer to you. Thanks for reading! ~ Christina

Projects!

Well I recently finished the most adorable thing I’ve knit so far. I made a blanket buddy for my dear friend’s first baby who will be born on Friday. A blanket buddy is part blanket and part stuffed animal. I’ve never made anything stuffed before. Likewise, I have never assembled stuffed parts or embroidered. The project also gave me the opportunity to play with intarsia (a technique for knitting with colors for you non-knitters). I think it turned out great and stretched my skills as a knitter. Though I did sew the ears on upside down. So, the project also helped me grow in my practice of humility. Knitting does have a way of humbling a person. Click here for pattern info. All this adorableness from a $3 pattern. Can't wait to give it to baby CJ!

Check out that stellar arm attachment and the ear seams!

For my next trick, or project, I began a cabled purse and am almost halfway finished. One tip about cabling - check your work after each cabled round or row, so if you, ahem, cable the wrong way you catch it right away. I only had to rip 3 rounds so far - not too bad. “Rip” - a knitting term involving pulling a project off the needles and unraveling. My family doesn’t like the color. They say it’s “old lady pink,” whatever that is. I didn’t realize colors had ages, so call me an “old lady,” but I love this shade of pink. The yarn is called Remix by Berroco. It’s been great to knit with. This is a free pattern. You can get info here: Ravelry.

The actual color is a little less salmon-y. I was getting fancy with Instagram (see below).

I also recently finished a book titled “Forgotten Country” by Catherine Chung. It  was a journey for me in both history and family relationships. The book is rich in Korean history and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about both. The book also inspired me to reflect upon the complex nuances of family relationships. Oftentimes, family interactions are shaped by role expectations established early in life, but, people evolve and change. And, then factor in misconceptions and misunderstandings - a sticky web indeed. Right. Back to the book. Although I enjoyed learning about Korean history and culture, I did not feel connected to the main character, Janie. She was flat and lacked personality. Her sister Hannah was also difficult to feel invested in, but I did relate to her more than Janie. Oddly, I felt most invested in their father, a complex and unconventionally conventional man. I liked the book but did not love it. If you are interested in the non-Western world and enjoy reading about family relationships, I'd say give it a go.

Finally, I’m preparing for my youngest daughter’s graduation open house this Saturday. Tables and chairs are ordered. The flower beds are weeded, sort of, and need a fresh layer of bark. We just need to finalize the cupcake flavors, buy the food, pray for a gorgeous rain-free day, and deep clean the house just in case...

Oh and before I go, I’m also now on Instagram thanks to said daughter. You can follow me as christinapurls. Hope all of your projects are going well. Do share details. Thanks for reading. ~ Christina

Yep, Spent St. Patrick’s Day Afternoon at the Beach!

Wow, what a weekend here in West Michigan. Carpe Diem! Beach weather Saturday and Sunday - and it looks like more is on the way. Spent St. Patrick’s Day afternoon at the beach. Definitely a first for me in my, ahem, 40-ish years of living here.

Here’s a picture of feet - mine and a friend’s at the beach yesterday.

Here’s me dipping my toes in the Big Lake. Yes, it was cold!

Here’s a picture of the beach scene in Grand Haven St. Patrick's Day afternoon.

Some brave, for lack of a better word, souls were even swimming. Gotta love teenagers! After an afternoon at the beach and a brief stop at a local watering hole, I spent a lovely evening star-gazing with a new app, SkyView, in flip flops in my backyard. In March! Have to keep typing that because it is beyond belief. Sorry, no pictures of the constellations. Could be my iphone camera or it’s operator, (probably the latter) but the pictures were black with a few dots. Nothing to blog about, oh wait, I just did.

Oh, and about my knitting. I finished a pair of socks for my Aunt Karel. The pattern is called Windjammer Socks by Jennifer Tepper Heverly. Found the pattern in a book I checked out of the library called The Knitter's Book of Wool. The pattern was pretty fun. My first chevron experience, and I love to knit cables. This pattern has both. You can click here for more pattern information. Just have to soak the socks in Eucalan to soften them up. And, of course go out to dinner to gift them :)

Here’s a picture of Aunt Karel’s socks modeled by my daughter, Shelby.

Finally, I’ve been reading Russian Lit again. I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy this genre. First, it’s challenging so I can’t let my mind wander. And, it’s Russian so it’s filled with the rich history and unique nuances that are Russia. I love that Russian authors are so blunt - never hesitating to call a buffoon a buffoon. Almost forgot to mention that I’m reading Dr. Zhivago. I’m about 37% of the way through, according to my Kindle. Spent a few hours in the sunshine with this book collecting tan lines. Yes, tan lines! In March! Sorry, am I overdoing the March weather thing?

Anyway, I’m always in the market for a good book, so I’d love to hear about the pages you’re perusing. As always, thanks for reading! ~ Christina

Springing Ahead

Ah, the weekend we lose an hour of sleep for some reason I have long forgotten but I’m sure made sense to some number of bureaucrats at some point in time. Last year I learned that Russia has cancelled Daylight Savings Time because, among other reasons, it confused the cows with respect to milking. Just a little something to think about.

I missed a week of posting and so will catch you up on what I’ve been up to. I have found a new yoga studio and have fallen back in love with the practice. Oh, how I’ve missed the balance, the peace, challenging my body, the connection to the Earth, interacting with other people who practice yoga, feeling strong physically, etc. I could go on and on and on but will spare you. Anyway, very happy to be back.

I also attended a conference for a couple of days on using technology in the classroom. I gleaned many new ideas I can’t wait to try out on my unsuspecting 6th grade students, who I have missed and am looking forward to seeing tomorrow! I enjoyed spending time with colleagues outside of school too, something I don’t get to do very often. While wandering through the exhibition booths and shamelessly indulging in the free chocolate, I had time to take a picture with Sparty. And, since Michigan State won today, and I have a Spartan daughter, here’s the picture...

Here's a picture of Sparty and me

Finally, I've made HUGE progress on a pair of socks for my Aunt Karel. This is the project that I’m knitting using yarn from my grandmother who passed away last Fall. I found a great pattern with cables and chevrons so ditched making up my own pattern, for now. Anyway, the pattern is called Windjammer. You can link to pattern information via Ravelry here. It’s another pattern I’m knitting using a library book.

Here’s a picture of the first sock. 

I just need to finish up the foot on the second sock, another 50 rounds or so, plus or minus. The best part of the project will be giving them to my aunt, as that will involve going out to dinner.

So, I have been springing - into losing an hour of sleep, into getting back in shape, into sharpening my teaching skills, and into finishing a project. I would love to hear what you’re springing into knitting or otherwise.  As always, thanks for reading! ~ Christina

Always On My Mind

Sorry Willie Nelson you’re not on my mind - family is. This week my mom, a couple of aunts, and my grandmas in particular. I finished up my mom’s mittens by soaking them in my favorite softening formula: Eucalan and Aveda’s Smooth Infusion hair conditioner. I just fill one of those little pink tubs you get at hospitals with warm water, a teaspoon of Eucalan, and pump of conditioner. I swish the mixture around while the tub is filling then add my knitting. I soak for 30 minutes or so, then rinse lightly, just enough to remove any clumps of conditioner that didn't dissolve. If only life’s rough edges could be softened with wool wash and salon hair conditioner, sigh. Enough philosophizing, back to blabbing, I mean blogging.

Here’s a picture of my mom’s cabled mittens. Isn't the color great? Click here for pattern and yarn info.

This weekend I was able to deliver both the mittens and the socks I made for one of my aunts. I borrowed a pair of footies from her this past summer and replaced them with a hand knit pair of socks. She says she got the better end of the deal. I enjoyed making them for her.

Here’s a picture of my aunt’s socks. Click here for pattern and yarn info.

My current project is a pair of socks for my only aunt on my dad’s side. I lost my grandma (her mom) this past Fall. I’m using my grandma's sock yarn to make the socks for my aunt. I’m also using this occasion to write my first sock pattern. I'm writing as I knit, so I’ll post the pattern as soon as I test it by knitting the second sock. I’m thinking of calling the pattern: “Grandma’s Slouchy Ribbed Socks.”

Here’s a picture of my first sock so far. Click here to follow my progress on Ravelry.

And, to complete the family circle, I picked up some goodies from my other grandma (my mom’s mom) this weekend. She passed away in 1992. I still miss her and think of her often. Among other things, she taught me to how blow bubbles with bubble gum, shop for dresses, make Christmas cookies, and respect my elders. My grandpa out-lived her by a number of years, and my mom and her sisters are finally cleaning out their home, which is sort of like stepping into a time machine. Having lived through the Great Depression and World War II, my grandparents saved everything! While I was delivering my homemade wares, my mom and aunts let me take a set of vintage sheets and some costume jewelry. The sheets bring back fond memories of staying the night, and they’ve been well-cared for so they’re in great condition. Although, if they’re now vintage and I slept in them, am I....? Never mind, let’s not go there! I’m excited to take apart the jewelry and create something crafty with it. My grandparents were the ultimate recyclers, meaning they reused everything from milk jug caps (cat toys), to Kleenex boxes (Barbie cars), to banana peels (garden), so I know they’d approve of my up-cycling the beads.  

Here’s a picture of my new to me goodies :)

I’d love to hear about your adventures with yarn, up-cycling, crafting, or otherwise. Please share and thanks for reading! Christina

Happiness Is... Beach Sand in the Car in February

Soaked up some vitamin D with my youngest daughter today at Lake Michigan’s beautiful shoreline. She's off to college in the fall, so when she asked if I'd go to the beach with her I jumped at the chance. Couldn't talk her into walking to the beach, but we easily could have. Still, I'll take what I can get of the sunshine, the beach, and a happy teenager. We laughed, walked the beach, and ended up with sand in the car. I am loving this non-winter Michigan winter!

Here’s a picture of my daughter: The Thinker. Mittens and scarf by yours truly. The hat, well...

Despite working a couple 13 hour days this week and being sick, I managed to finish up a couple of projects. I found buttons for my Noro Silk Garden Jenny Watson sweater and finished a pair of mittens for my mom.

Here’s a picture of my new buttons. Click here for pattern details: Ravelry.

Speaking of mittens, the mitten factory is closed! I’ve just finished my 6th pair of these cabled mittens for family and friends. This is a great pattern, however... 12 mittens later... you get the idea...

Here’s a picture of 3 pair of the mittens. For pattern details click here: Free Pattern.

The pattern calls for a chunky yarn that’s been discontinued and size 9 needles. I did some research on Ravelry and many knitters commented they ended up with massive mittens, so... I used Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed and size 7 or 8 needles, depending on the giftee. I have a small to medium size hand (size 6 ring on the ring finger) and size 7 needles makes a pair that fit me perfectly. Three skeins of yarn will get you 2 pair of mittens at roughly $15 a pair. 

Here's a picture of the yarn I used in purple. The color of the knitted mittens above is most true. See my Ravelry project page for specific colorways.

I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures of beautiful Lake Michigan at Grand Haven’s City Beach. Not sure I could ever live farther than walking distance from this Great Lake or an ocean.

If there was wonderful weather where you live today, I hope you had the chance to enjoy it :)  Thanks for reading ~ Christina