Good Hair Hat - a lesson in brioche stitch

This summer I designed a simple brioche stitch hat and posted on my blog. Since I had several friends talking about wanting to learn the brioche stitch. I finally decided it was time to write up the instructions for knitting this stitch. I've put the pattern and instructions up on Ravelry and it is now available for everyone to give this simple, airy stitch a try.

Good Hair Hat pattern

New Year's Revolutions

Every year people rush to make New Year's Resolutions and about a week after they totally forget about them until the next year and feel they are a failure if they don't meet all resolutions. I decided this year would be the year I make resolutions I can follow through on. 2011 will be the year ALL resolutions are met. So here is my list:

1. I will knit at least 1 sock this year.
2. I will buy at least 10 skeins of yarn.
3. I will attend my knitting group at least 3 times this year ( this would be the group that meets 2-3 times a month).
4. I will eat at least one meal a day.
5. I will go to work with a smile on my face at least once in 2011.
6. I will cuddle with Chief and Bert at least once a day.
7. I will read at least one book.
8. I will meet up with my friends for dinner.
9. I will mow the lawn at least once this year.
10. I will enjoy the small things in life and not have to look for big changes to know I am a happy person.

Christmas Wish

Growing up Christmas was a huge thing. We waited till the Sears and JC Penney catalogs showed up and studied the pages many times picking out the toys that would be written on our Christmas list. One year Mouse Trap was on the list, another year Barbie's theater. One of my favorite years was getting my first 2 wheel bike. I came odwn the hall and around the corner into the living room. There parked in front of the tree was a shiny new turquoise Schwin bike. I loved that bike. It took me all over the neighborhood and gave me the freedom that kids seek.

Our family gathering on Christmas was also a huge thing. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and more were all brought together to celebrate. After the meal the "women folk" would clean up the dishes while the men took a nap in front of the TV. As kids we waited with great expectation because about 4pm a miracle would happen every year. Santa stopped by the house on his way back to the north pole to visit with us and drop off a few more gifts. Can you imagine! Santa actually stopped by to see us. It was thrilling! Before we could get the presents, we had to perform for him. You had to sing, read a poem, play the piano or some other performance for Santa and the rest of the family. It was such a special time.

After Santa left, the kids would pass out the presents under the tree to everyone. Piles grew in front of each person and once the last present was passed out we would take turns - starting with the youngest - opening presents. Each person opened their present showed it to everyone then the next youngest would open a present. There was always an arguement with the adults as to who was actually older but always with laughter and joy. When the presents were all opened it was time for supper. The day ended with very tired but happy children and adults packing up presents to return to their own homes.

Those were the good old days. Now, we have grown and Santa no longer comes to visit us. We will all get together and enjoy the day with family - my aunt and uncle, the cousins and cousin's children. The grandparents and others of the next generation are no longer with us but stories of Christmas past will be told. At some point we will tell the story of Russell, the little boy who lived next door to my aunt, seeing Santa and rushing into the house to meet him. This year will be a quieter year because we've had a few deaths recently. We are a family that loves Christmas and loves the chance to get together and share. Yup, it will be quieter but filled with love and family.

I have a Christmas wish for all of you - that you will take time to enjoy family and friends, share stories and find the joy and excitement of the season that we had as children.

Topic of the Day

If you live in Minnesota (the lower half) or parts of the country near us there is only one topic of discussion today - snow. Shoveling snow. Getting stuck in snow. Remember the last blizzard when..... You get the idea. We become stuck on the topic of snow and can't get out of it. It's our battleground and some of us survive, some don't.

So here's my story about today's snow.
Yesterday at work I decided to check out a few web sites and look for a snow thrower. I haven't had one since becoming an adult and I'l really tired of shoveling. When I saw the weather report I decided this was the year to get one. Sears reported a wait of 10-20 days for their models. That just wouldn't get me through this blizzard. Another home store had a model that was big enough to deal with what we were getting but not so big I couldn't handle it. They had 21 in stock. That was at 5pm.

6pm - I got to the store after dealing with rush hour and when I walked in the store 3 throwers were waiting in line to be checked out. When I talked to the clerk and he checked - they were down to 11. 10 of this model were sold in one hour. Glad I didn't wait! I got it home after a stop to get gas for it and waited for the snow.

This morning 10am - I got on line and checked for the fun of it. All 21 throwers were sold and they were out of stock of several other models. Really glad I didn't wait!

4pm - I waited till 4pm to clear the driveway so I'd only have to do it once. My new snow thrower (still waiting for a name) is wonderful. The snow was up to the top of the front end (21" high). It cleared out the driveway nice and pretty.

6:30pm - My friends were having our annual party tonight at 7pm and I only had to go a couple miles away. I headed out with my treat I was sharing, a shovel (just in case) extra mittens, etc. I was ready to go. My street wasn't ready. The plows haven't been through yet and after getting stuck in my street right outside my driveway 3 times I finally gave up.

8pm - yes, I was out there well over an hour getting my car unstuck from the street. I gave up and came in the house to cuddle with the cats, watch TV and eat dill,fresh veggies pizza squares. No party for me tonight. I checked with my friends and our party was cancelled. First time in 30 years.

So, that's my snow story. Tomorrow is another day and all I know is there will be knitting and I'm sure there will be a plow in the street to block my driveway. It's winter in Minnesota and it's gonna be a long one! And I will survive.

Alive but busy

I don't have much to say except: life is busy.
I have a computer that is trying hard to die permanently so I'm looking for a new one.

Things are happening at work causing many changes and so extra mental effort that doesn't wear me out but makes sitting around at night doing nothing a really nice thing.

I finished the Tree of Life afghan but need to work in the ends before I photograph it.

I have parties and gatherings over the next couple weeks that mean making treats, and getting ready for the parties.

I have plumbing that needs attention (drat!) and no time to call a plumber to get it fixed. Fortunately, its an inconvenient things and not something I need to fix to have the house function.

So much more is going on but - I don't need to bore you. I only wanted to post something since its been a long time and I wanted to say -I'm here, I'm fine and I'm getting ready for the holidays!

Enjoy your December with all the celebrations and when I have some knitting to post - I'll be back....

Knitting + Food + Goats + Friends= a Great Time

I'm a little slow in posting this but - a couple weekends ago my local knitting group headed out of town to Lanesboro, MN and the Cottage House Inn. We spent Friday afternoon to Sunday morning thinking about nothing but knitting and friendship. It's something all groups should do at some point and we plan on making it a regular event.

The people at the Inn were wonderful. They gave us the meeting room to camp out in for no additional cost. This room had tables to sit at and several comfy places to sit - couches and chairs. It also included a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, sink, and several plug ins for crock pots on a counter. We took advantage of all these things.

We didn't plan any meals but all brought food. The shocking thing about this was - it was probably the healthiest retreat I've ever been to. Fresh fruit and veg, salads, yummy soup and meat dishes. Everything was wonderful.

After staying up way too late Friday night (past midnight) we all headed to our rooms and planned to meet for breakfast at the local Pastry Shop cafe. Again the food was great. They had Vegetable scrams that were a ton of fresh vegetables with scrambled eggs and homemade toast and grapes. All for $4.00. You gotta love small town cafes!

Back at the Inn we sat around and knit. Early afternoon some of us headed over to the local Mohair Goat farm to pet the goats and buy some yarn. Austin's Mohair's is a fun place just outside Harmony, MN. The whole farm is purple which made PurpleKathy (one of our group) very happy.

There was a purple shop, a purple barn, purple fences, purple everywhere. Inside we met Ada. What a character! She is the Old Goat Lady and worth the trip just to meet her. Many things in the shop are made from yarn from her goats by local ladies. Ada helps ladies around the area who have ended up in welfare and can't make ends meet.

There's also mohair yarn to buy. Yup - there's purple yarn with PurpleKathy (note the purple turtleneck and sweatshirt) zooming in on it -some did go home with her.



The other side of the shop had items from the local ladies and other fiber goodies.

Once we made our purchases we headed out to the barn to say HI to the local critters.

These guys looked pretty tired and the one of the left reminded me of Lee Marvin in the movie "Cat Ballou. OK I admit that's a pretty old reference but- there's a famous scene where he's on his horse drunk leaning against the side of the building. Ya gotta give me this one!

This cute little guy loved getting pet, especially his horns. I never noticed before but goat horns are warm and they have the silliest grin on their faces.

Meanwhile - we headed back to the Inn and got back to some serious knitting....

and eating with knitting.......

Our final morning we headed back to the Pastry Shop cafe and had their Sunday morning special - Spinach, Swiss Cheese, and Ham stuffed Crepes. Huge serving, tasted great and only $5. Then back to the Inn and home.

This was the weekend after my Dad's funeral and was such a great way to get back into things and start a new life. I suddenly don't have any parents to have to look after. There won't be any calls from a nurse telling me I need to head over to the hospital or Dad needs some special care item. I spent the entire weekend just enjoying my friends and not worrying about anything. It will take time to get used to this but I know Mom & Dad would be happy I'm able to do things now.

Knitted Accessories

For the past year I've been working on and off on accessories patterns. Each set is a different technique - lace, garter stitch, etc. My original plan was to write them up as a booklet with 6 different sets. Lately I've been thinking about a different plan.

Every year people talk about planning for Christmas or talk about wishing they planned their knitting better. Lots of people do a sock a month clubs type thing but I got to thinking - why not an accessory a month group. Each month would be a different technique and accessory or set. People could knit these for Christmas presents or just because it's fun. Besides - we can all use a variety of accessories for ourselves depending on which outfit we're wearing.

So - what do you think? Would you be interested in a Ravelry group with a different original accessory pattern each month and different techniques? One month might be garter stitch scarf and mittens, another month lace hat and fingerless gloves, another month mitered square slippers, etc.

Let me know what you think by posting in comments and if I get interest I'll plan on starting a group in January. (I'm checking a few other places as well)