All Finished!

This past week I’ve accomplished much. Here are my feats in no particular order: I helped a friend line my Quinn Cabled Bag (see above), finished my Blueberry Waffle Socks, experienced a Jimmy Buffet concert, celebrated my oldest daughter's 22nd birthday, launched my baby at Michigan State University, and attended meetings and got my classroom ready for 145 sixth graders. I also think I might have prepared a meal as there is a pasta salad in our giant red Tupperware bowl that looks haphazardly thrown together. Since only I use Big Red and the salad is mediocre, I’m thinking it’s my handiwork. Anyway, I’m pretty tired even after sneaking in an afternoon nap today but was too excited not to blog.

My Blueberry Waffle Socks were finished a few days ago, but I just got around to snapping a few pictures today. Since the pattern calls for DK weight yarn and I used 4-ply sock yarn, I really only used the 4 row waffle stitch pattern and winged the rest. You can link to my Ravelry page to see details if you’re interested. The yarn, Sausalito, is divine. A little splity when knitting but so soft and squishy. Squishy, adjective, used to describe divine sock yarn.

First time ever I tried not to match my stripes. They ended up pretty close anyway.

When I say I experienced a Jimmy Buffet concert, it’s because Jimmy Buffet really is an experience. We started tailgating in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin at around 1:00 for an evening concert. There was much debauchery for entertainment, none of which I participated in, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching. The actual concert was great, especially since I knew all but one song. Here’s a picture of our group. Our friend turned 40 on the day of the concert, which added to the fun.

See how well-behaved we were?

Last but not least, we moved our youngest into Phillips Hall at Michigan State University. Her closet, or rather dorm room, is 10 x 13, and she shares it with a roommate. Anyway, she was so excited to have an actual key of her own to her own place. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a successful launch. So hard to sit back and hope you’ve taught your kids everything they need to be successful, independent adults. On that thought, I'll sign off with a few move-in day pictures. Thanks for reading. ~ Christina

Arriving at the dorm.

All moved in and so grown up!

Waving goodbye. Sniff. Yep, I shed a few tears.

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

A Mountain Coca Bag for Me

After dusting myself off from my recent gauge disaster, remember the giant sock (?), I decided to whip up a little after Christmas present for me. I have a library book checked out that’s due next week. Stay with me, I'll get to the knitting. Anyway, I’m loving this book! It combines color work folk designs from the Andes Mountains and history - two of my passions. 

So, I paged through the book and decided on the chuspa cordillera, which translates into "mountain coca bag." Chilean workers use these bags to carry coca leaves in the mountains; I’m thinking cell phone, id, and credit card. For some reason I decided on a project in which gauge is not important. Hmm….  I spent a couple of hours knitting, lightly blocked it by steaming, and trimmed it with twisted cords, which I've never made before. (Gotta love the tutorials on You Tube.) Ella Rae classic wool is the perfect yarn for this project. It knits up great and is nice and sturdy.

I decided to turn the bag into a wristlet, which I’ve wanted for a while but never seem to buy. I love the results! Now, I just need to go somewhere to use it... 

Adios,

Christina