ButterflyKnitter

Knitting, Spinning and Kitten....

2011-07-04T09:53:00.001-04:00

I am back, yes it has been a while - I have been spending time cleaning and sprucing up the outside and the inside of our home. The inside to me is a constant process because I love to paint! I cannot paint a picture for the life of me or even draw - not even a stick figure - but I can paint walls till no tomorrow and I love it. I have been in my home for 10 years and have painted the whole house over 3 times already and some already their 4th time - and still painting. Love the fresh smell and new color - I love color and I love a new look - maybe too much ! Good thing hubby doesn't mind - he comes home and never knows what color a room will be. Works for me.
Another thing that has been keeping me busy is this little guy:

This is Junior - He is 8 weeks old now - it all started when my daughter went to the APF (animal protective foundation) and picked up a gorgeous kitten - his name is Jasper - and he is adorable - playful and full of personality - I just love him. I was jealous and two weeks later had to come home with my little one - of course he was 6 weeks old when he came home with us - neutered and has his shots - but boy was he tiny. I could hold him in the palm of my hand. He was so quiet and not playful at all. Then two weeks went by and now he is into all his toys and playing and just loves to cuddle - I think that is his favorite thing to do. He purrs forever and ever. Sweet little boy.
Here is a picture of my daughters kitten - he is now 4 months old - I really think he is a Bengal tiger mix cat - the vet thinks so as well.

Is he not gorgeous! Here he is 3 months old.

Okay so now on to some fibery goodness: I have been spinning some coopworth fiber that I purchased last year. It is a pound of fiber . I split the batch in half and dyed in two different dye baths. One with more black in it and the other a little lighter - , black, yellow and a purplish color - then I put each batch in a separate bag- carded them with my hand carders (doing this as I go) and spun a ply of each batch and then plied them together.
Here is the photo of the before and after dye process:

The top photo shows the original Coopworth off the sheep and the bottom shows the darker of the dye baths. This is 8 oz in this bowl.

Here is the fiber all spun up and plied. The Larger skein has 160 yards, and the smaller skein is 75 yards , it is between a sport weight and dk weight yarn

I was unsure how the yellow would do in this skein but I actually like the way it turned out.! Now to keep on spinning and plying. I have a way to go!

Yesterday our family spent the day in Saratoga NY just walking around and looking at all the little shops .

One of the indoor mini malls has a new soap shop with hand made soaps. Just opened two weeks ago. What a nice surprise - someday I will make my own but for now this is what I purchased at McGillycuddy's

So on the left is Complexion Oatmeal, the middle is Lavender Vanilla Oatmeal

on the right is Tea Tree Dermal.

All good for the skin. Cannot wait to try these.

The large Celtic round soap is Rosemary Mint made with Schoharie County Milk Soap. Smells divine!

Next up went to Common Threads - yarn shop in Saratoga. I have not been to the shop in a long time. I went straight to the section where the sock yarn is and found this:

Malabrigo

I just adore this yarn , I have to say it is one of my favorites to work with. I have a pair of socks on the needle right now from a previous skein I purchased that is a darker green colorway . So soft and cushy.

I plan to make something very pretty with this yarn. A shawl or something - this really needs to be shown off - I love making socks but I think this deserves a better showing! I love green and the golden rod color and all the orange (which is brighter in person) and all the different shadings of color makes this a fantastic colorway!

Wish I could take a better photo of this . I tried several times and this was the best I could get. It has 440 yards and if my shawl is larger then I will add a yarn to it that I had spun myself for the edging that should compliment this yarn nicely.

Now for the car ride I brought along a small project. Sat evening I started an Ipod cosy for my husband. I purchased an Ipod for him last November as one of his anniversary gifts (we have been married 22 years) He actually didn't use it for a long time and recently started using it and doesn't know why he hasn't used it before. He loves it! One thing though - he has no case for it and I noticed the back with a few scratches on it. Cannot have that. So I looked on Ravelry and found a pattern that would work great.

I finished it last night - quick and easy

I used some leftover yarn I had from a previous pair of socks. It is Opal sock yarn Southwestern #3706

I love Opal yarn - soft yet sturdy.

As you can see there is a place for the Ipod and then a section for the headphones. I really like this simple but practical design. It is a free pattern and I love the way you do a three needle bind off after finishing the case then leaving the stitches on to work back and forth to do the pocket for the headphones and then sew it up the sides . Very cool!

Well, I hope I filled the long void with all these photos and happenings ! I should try not to be a stranger to my own blog. Life happens and we follow the path it takes us sometimes .

I sure do hope I can have more people who will "Follow" me .

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day - enjoy your life with your family and friends. Don't take them or life for granted!

Happy Feet and then not so happy ..

2011-05-20T07:41:00.000-04:00

As mentioned in the previous post - I finished two out of the four pairs of socks that were in different stages of knitting.
The first pair - are "Plain Vanilla Socks" - originally I used size 2.5 circular needles so that I could try making them on one circular needles and see how I liked them and how quick they were compared to dpn's (double pointed needles) which happen to be my favorite. I don't know what it is but I love dpn's.
As I finished the socks on the circular - my gauge was off - sock was huge - casted on 64 stitches and knitting in plain stockinette stitch - created a wide - fabric
It took me a year but I finally ripped the whole thing out as I really love the yarn. I picked up my 2.25 dpn and casted on 64 stitches, ended up decreases down the foot to 60 stitches which was a much better fit for me. I tend to think I have fat feet - maybe I really do not. I do have a size 8 foot though - but I like a snug sock.
So without further ado:

Plain Vanilla Socks - using Regia - Kaffe Fassett - design line

Here you can see the heel - I picked up two extra stitches to prevent holes and it worked - I really like how there are no holes in the side - great technique - these are pre-blocking.
I have since blocked these and they are so cushy - really love this yarn.

Next up are the socks I made with yarn I won in a give away - it was hand dyed and 100% wool - not washable and no nylon but I wanted to make the infamous "Monkey" socks - this journey started like 2 or more years ago - but I picked them up and finished them

I made sure I worked on these with attention - came out perfect - but as I did soak them in the Eucalan wash and let them air dry - I did throw these two pairs in the dryer to fluff and finish drying - Big Mistake!!! These Monkeys felted - I was so upset with myself - I usually knit socks that can be washed - with sock yarn - but I thought I would remember these would felt - guess what - I didn't remember - I was so annoyed - so now these will fit someone with a size 6 or 6.5 shoe size - ugh
I guess I will have to make more Monkeys.....
till then.
have a sweet , wonderful weekend and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Time is so precious!
Enjoy every moment.

So Proud....

2011-05-16T07:23:00.000-04:00

I have been super busy the past month or so..
and this is why:

My daughter was in our local newspaper - she graduated friday 5/13/11 from Ellis School of Nursing in Schenectady, NY - her hat is being adjusted by her best friend / also her maid of honor in her wedding back in December. I am so proud of her as she has had a tough time getting through this last rotation of nursing school - but she did it and I am so so so proud of her.
She has an interview this morning at Albany Medical Center - Albany , NY for the pediatric unit. Her wish is to end up in the nicu .
She will take her boards in July. I am one proud mama - can you tell.

I have been knitting - really - I have - :) - I decided to take on smaller projects through all this - so I went back and found four pair of socks in all different stages of the knit process - I finished one pair and am on the toe of the second sock of the second pair - make sense? ? ha
I will share those with you tomorrow
Please , just share in my joy for now
Thank you so much for your patience and for listening !

PurlSoho Loot

2011-03-31T12:05:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday I took a train from Upstate NY to meet my daughter and her husband who were already in NYC for the weekend - We had an awesome time, visited the Bodies Museum which was totally amazing and will definitely go again . My daughter is in nursing school and will be graduating in May and taking her Boards - her goal as an RN is to work in pedes in a local hospital . Quite proud of her.

Onto the real deal of visiting the city - yes I wanted to be with my kids but planning a trip to Purl/Soho was an absolute must! So I had it all mapped out and how to get there and everything from the Museum. It was so crowded down in the city on Saturday (I should have known) So much to do that by the time we actually arrived it was 15 minutes to closing time. Ugh! Good thing I knew what I wanted. It is a small shop but packed with such goodness I couldn't even begin to describe it.

My daughter walked away with a yard of "Innocent Crush" by Anna Maria Horner - Westminster Fabrics
a bit expensive but she fell in love with it and wants me to make an apron out of it for her. So pretty!

Here is the little card I walked away with from the counter:

If one has never visited their webpage or their shop - One must! I have no affiliation with them whatsoever except that I am a happy customer.
This is what I walked away with:

Sashiko Anyone???

A couple of Sashiko panels to work on - never done this before but I have done hand quilting and embroidery and cross stitch and love the look of Sashiko - so I am willing to play with this and make them into pillows for my bed. Someday! Hopefully soon. Maybe a nice summer project. I have all the threads and special needles that help make this project a success

The threads on the left will be for my birds and flowers and the two medium blues on the right will be for the design on the right in the above photo. I am not a blue person - I prefer green but I think it will be a nice change and the color blue in person is so pretty. Hard to depict in the photo the true color.

Anyone else enjoy doing Sashiko - any suggestions or comments ?? Please post :)

Thanks for coming and visiting me at my blog.

Rose Hill Plantation = Finished!!

2011-03-15T12:10:00.000-04:00

I am happy to say that I worked out the chart for 2010 and stitched it all up this morning! Quite easy !

I am super happy

I am super happy with the way this turned out! The fabric is just a little darker than what the photo shows and it is hand dyed linen - 32 count -

It really did not take long to stitch up. I had started it back in Sept 2010 - ran out of one of the specialty threads and when I went to pick it up the shop was out of it. Then I finally picked up the thread and didn't have the time. Now that my daughter has been married three months I figured it was high time to focus on this project and get it completed. So glad I did! I already picked out the frame from the LNS - now all I need to do is give this a good pressing - - using a towel on the back side of the stitched piece and no water in the iron as there are dyed threads in the work and I don't want it to bleed - patience will get me through the pressing . Hopefully by Friday I can bring it down to the LNS to have it framed - . Cannot wait to show you the final piece.

Next up: I started the LHN "Love One Another" - moving quickly - quite cute -

Isn't he sweet???? - Since there is no back stitching , I was afraid the little lions face wouldn't show up but it does - soft and sweet. Cannot wait to work on the lamb - (sheep) since I am using Wisper - for the soft wooly look! Stay tuned!

Also started a HUGE - project - it is a freebie I found on the web - by HAED called "Dreaming" - will post a photo as soon as I put some stitches in it. I also have all kitted up another freebie by HAED - called "Stolen" - done in mostly blacks / greys / . I have the notion of changing the pointy ears so it is more human - I am not into elves - or things of that nature - to each his own :)

Cross Stitch Update and Stash

2011-03-11T16:23:00.000-05:00

Hello again,
Yes I have been busy but I have caught up on my "Rose Hill Plantation" piece by LHN -
I had to graph out the chart so that I can put "Smith Hill Plantation" - and I still need to graph out the chart for 2010 which is the year my daughter got married - Dec 2010 - she went from a Jones to a Smith now! Gotta love it.

All I have to do is finish the flower in the lower right hand box at the bottom and to graph and stitch 2010 in the upper right. I went to my local cross stitch shop and picked out the frame - it is gorgeous - it has roses carved out in it - cannot wait to have this framed - It is a surprise - my daughter has no idea I am making this and she never ever checks blogs . Not even mine :) That is good I suppose! I am really happy with this piece!

While at the shop I picked up a few things : My next project will be "Love One Another" also by LHN
This will be done on 28 -ct Cashel linen - in natural - which I purchased today along with DMC 3865 which is winter white and Wisper - which will give the sheep a wooly look and feel. Excited about that! I love sheep!

Here are two new charts I picked up as well

I couldn't figure out how to rotate the photo - if anyone knows - please tell me :) Thanks in advance
Anyway this is Just Nan - Bluebird Alphabet = and I purchased the two specialty threads that was needed - I just love greens - this is greens and blues.

OOoops! Here it is again - turned sideways - cannot figure out how to change that...bummer.
these are really cute charts by LizzieKate - I fell in love with this one as it has a retro feel to it with that mushroom - sweet!

I sure do hope you have a great weekend - I will be spending the day in Newburgh, NY at an all day Bible Assembly - cannot wait!

Lily's Quilts: Moda Bake Shop and a Giveaway

2011-02-15T20:32:00.000-05:00

Lily's Quilts: Moda Bake Shop and a Giveaway

amy a la mode

2011-02-11T20:13:00.000-05:00

amy a la mode

Check out this blog - and enter to win awesome fabric by the 2/28/11

Vintage...

2011-02-09T14:41:00.004-05:00

I have had this awesome quilt top that a friend of mine gave me back in the fall - it is a 1930's quilt top that was given to her grandmother and her grandmother has had it in her possession for fifty years plus - she never did anything with it - I was shocked she would give it to me ( I am friends with her grandmother as well) - She said since you like to quilt that I would appreciate it and could have it. Wow!
I had it appraised and it is worth about $100 as is without being quilted - it is all hand pieced and the pattern is called "Hummingbird Pattern" - Quilted it would be worth $500 or more - but I love it so much I am keeping it.
I had the appraiser who is also an avid hand quilter come back and show me how to quilt it and how it would have been done to match its time - larger quilt stitches and 1/4" away from seam - so that is what I am doing.
I am using wool batting which is a dream to quilt with and I am loving every second I can work on it. I am using quilt quality muslin on the back.

Here it is:
It took me a week to hand baste the quilt. One of the issues I had to deal with is that some of the blocks were not flat - so no matter what I did I could only baste it the best I could - that is the human aspect of hand quilting - love the fact that I am continuing on with what someone started oh so long ago - this quilt was appraised at the 30's - I am tickled! I have such a warm feeling and sheer delight that comes over me every time I just look at it! Handling it is awesome - has such a cozy feeling to it especially with the wool batting - nice loft! Please slick on the photos to really appreciate it:

Just wanted to give you an idea of the different prints included in this quilt. I am not a fan of yellow but I love it in this quilt and the white is refreshing . There were no holes in this quilt at all - a few fingerprint stains which I tried to get out with a special cleaner from the quilt shop. It didn't fully remove it but it is so light , it is hard to see it.

Now to keep with the vintage theme - this is a fat quarter piece of vintage sheeting that was sent to me along with a pincushion . I just adore this fabric and now I have started my own collection of vintage sheets and pillowcases to make a quilt.

So many photos to share I have been so busy - but will work on updated this blog more often. I have a new computer and trying to get used to how to upload photos from my phone to the blog. It is easy , I just keep forgetting what I need to click on.

In reading news - I am trying to read Romeo and Juliet - never ever read it - time to catch up ! Also an interesting historical book - "A Midwife's Tale" I am in for some good reads I think!

Please do leave comments :) Love them!

Awesome Fabric Give A Way

2011-01-29T08:18:00.000-05:00

Come join the fun if you love to sew or quilt. Alamodefabric is having an awesome giveaway. Go quickly it ends Monday 1/31/11

Best Wishes to you all!

Rhinebeck Stash...

2010-11-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

I know you are all probably in shock. Well, its been crazy busy at my house as I have a daughter planning a December wedding and so it goes with all the details of a bridal shower, fittings, decorations, you name it. The shower is this Saturday and I have yet to get started on making the food.

So, I happen to have the day off and I am catching up on some necessary phone calls to make and arrangements for my car to have an oil change and whatever else it may need. I do a lot of travelling with my job - my car needs to be in good shape.

I finally am here to share with you some of the purchases I made at the Rhinebeck NY Sheep and Wool Festival For the first time, hubby came with me and my two boys who are 15 and 14 , they really love it . Hubby actually was in no rush to leave (as I was afraid he would be before I was ready) and even said on the drive home that he looks forward to it next year. Is it possible they had a better time than I did??? No! but I was so pleased to see everyone enjoying themselves. It is truly a fun family event!

First purchase here

This is so pretty and so soft! It is Peruvian Alpaca in white , I purchased 3 skeins and this is a vender who actually lives and works about 20 min from my home. "A Touch of Twist" in Pattersonville, NY - great couple and fantastic fibery stuff to play with. This is a 2-ply yarn sport weight. 334 yds per skein.

Next up:

Amazing merino/silk lace yarn from Skaska Designs - this is the woman who wrote the books on Russian lace shawls - she is fantastic. Loved chatting with her. She has an awesome shawl coming out in Jan 2011 in the Piecework Magazine - cannot wait. Anyway - this yarn is so pretty - in person - shading is a little off in the photo but the sheen on this yarn is amazing - It is 18/2 lace weight and 1285 yards.

Next:

This is 4 oz of 70% Suri Alpaca / 30% merino in a light plum color - from Flaggy Meadow Fiber Works
Soft, cannot wait to spin this up. I am still looking to purchase a Turkish spindle - hoping to maybe use this fiber to try the Turkish spindle out with. If not, I will be spinning it on my Russian Supported Spindle.

I also purchased some home made soaps, hand softening creams, and lots of food , naturally. What a great day we had.

Next up I want to share with you a pair of mittens I made:

I made these mittens from some sport weight acrylic/wool yarn I had on hand and that little ball there is all I had left. Worked out perfectly. These are the "Susies Reading Mitts" on Ravelry a free pattern. They are so cute and fun to make - I did the smallest size and they fit my adult working hands perfectly.
I actually made these for a young girl who works at my local Dunkin Donuts. - one day she commented on another pair of fingerless gloves I had made - and she said Oh I want those gloves!!!! - so I went home and made these for her. When I presented them to her she couldn't believe it - she was in shock that someone would even do that. Two days later - she made me accept my coffee on her dime - she absolutely loves her mitts! These are a light grey color - I was not sure what color she liked but figured these would go with anything. Now I want a pair! :)

Sheep and Wool Festival

2010-10-14T16:01:00.000-04:00

No photos today :( but, hubby decided he would go with me and the boys to Rhinebeck, NY - every third weekend in October - there is a Sheep and Wool festival being held - I didn't go last year and we are going this Saturday. I cannot wait. Supposed to be a beautiful fall day. Not looking for anything in particular but hope I do get my hands on a Bossie spindle, and a turkish drop spindle. Of course some fiber to spin, looking out for some pretty gray wool / wool blend yarn for a sweater. Ok , so maybe iI do have a few things on my mind, looking forward to a fun day with my family.
Rhinebeck - check it out!
I will share some photos when I get back!

I know it is not Monday....

2010-09-03T09:54:00.000-04:00

Hello. I realize I was supposed to post on Monday - yup..somehow the week got away from me and it is now Friday. I do have a reason, really I do! I started back to work with a new schedule - so it takes me a week or two to get used to the new routine. During the summer work slows down and I am basically not working - so no schedule , no routine - not really - so I have been feeling very tired...
So now I decided to take a few pictures with my new Verizon Incredible phone and see if it would be easier to post pictures from my phone rather than my camera. For some reason when I use my camera, I have to save it to a disk first, then upload pictures from the disk to here - too many steps , I think.
So without further ado: here we go:

Before we headed down to the Cape, we took a day and went to Boston, my favorite shop there is Windsor Buttons - so many neat crafty things there - but I go for their yarn - cool hand dyed yarns , cool awesome top of the line yarns , wool, sock yarn - you name it. So hubby purchased this for me

This is Dream in Color SMOOSHY - yum - this is the first time I have ever owned a skein of this yarn and it is heavenly - I knew exactly what sock pattern I was going to use and they are for me!!! Yeah. This is 4 oz, 450 yards of goodness - color is Shiny Moss. I just love green - so organic - natural.

Here it is all wound up:

I cannot even begin to tell you the gorgeous colors that flow through this yarn - I was not sure how it would knit up but it is very soft and squooshy - (is that even a word)

I am using a free pattern from Ravelry If you haven't joined - go ahead, so much to explore - it is free! Free!
Oh yeah, I got carried away - it is a free pattern - Spring Forward socks from Knitty 2008 - another awesome site for knitters, lot of tips too!

This pattern starts off with about 10 rounds of K1 tbl (through the back loop) , P1, then starts the pattern repeat - lacy and quite easy pattern to memorize - I got through one - 24 row repeat and am now on the second repeat - I am using size 1 - 2.25 dpn (double pointed needles) - I tried to use 4 and knit with the fifth but this is way to fiddly for me - I prefer to knit using 3 needles and knit with the fourth one. I move along much quicker and less frustration with me having to push the extra needle out of my way - these are shorter length needles than the standard 7" size you can buy.

There you go: Cross stitch update on Monday and a new adventure for me : soap making!
stay tuned.

Back From Vacation...

2010-08-26T06:39:00.000-04:00

Just posting a note that our family is back from Cape Cod.
We left last week Monday for Boston for the day , took a ride on the Duck Tour - such fun! Learned a lot about the history of MA - in that area. Then left for Cape Cod , first off to offer Bible Studies to those in that area - then a few days vacationing - on the beach - gorgeous - white sand beaches - I wish we could have stayed another day - . Came home on Friday , did laundry for two days - !
Then Monday night I was struck instantly with head pain - all on my forehead and top of my head , it wouldn't go away no matter what I did , I have never experienced pain like this before! The pain was so unbearable I finally went in to the Dr - 8:30 am didn't leave till 1pm - they did blood work testing for Lyme - they did CScan make sure nothing was happening in my brain - (Clear) :) - finally concluded that the migraines I get 3 times a year on the right side of my head (hormonal Migraines) - are changing and for the worse - Great I thought! So finally after years of asking for meds for the migraine they finally prescribed me some - I took one went to bed and woke up feeling Fantastic!
Haven't done much needlework at all! But will post some photos of progress I made on my X-St soon -
I was able to knit up a few wash cloths for my daughter - came out quite nice - and trying to finish up a second sock I started for my daughter long ago.
Other news is that I go back to work at the college - starting on Tuesday so my free time is limited - lots and lots - my one day off is Monday - so you may see my postings on Mondays -
Thanks,
Have a Super Day

Rose Hill Plantation Update and More...

2010-08-06T08:06:00.000-04:00

Oh what a great week this has been, I have been able to work on my LHN Rose Hill quite a bit since last Friday - in between here and there - and received both packages in the mail in the giveaways that I won. What a special treat these gifts were :)

First off I am going to share my LHN update:

So here is the update from last Friday 7/31 to Monday 8/2. I was able to finish most of the house , but ran out of the Crescent Colour "Dandelion Stem" - now mind you, if I didn't have to rip out the whole two smaller sections of the house on the right - I would have had enough thread to finish the left - but it was so worth it to have the stitches counted right and have my whole piece line up properly. This will be a gift to my daughter and I want it done right :)

The photo above shows what I have done since Wednesday 8/4 and Thursday 8/5 - in between doing laundry, cleaning house and working on a five minute presentation I have on a Bible topic - Which I spent all morning yesterday working on and now need to refine it and type it up.

I am so happy with this cross stitch piece - it has been fun and easy to work up - the whole bottom is done except for the wording as I want to add a different name to it - but I will finish it all up and add the name later - then frame it!

I have yet to buy the Crescent Colour that I need as the owner of the cross stitch shop went into the hospital to have surgery and she is only open Wed - Sat - and I just didn't have the time to run over there on Wed - she had her surgery yesterday. Most likely I will go into the shop on Wed of next week to pick some up - hopefully she has it in stock. When I originally purchased the thread two weeks ago she only had three on the rack. Hmmmmm! A half finished house is no fun!

Ok so now onto the goodies I received in two giveaways:

First I received a package from Bette :

As you can see she sent awesome magazines of the Cross Stitcher which I have never had myself and some Shepherd Bush designs - a few were of Christmas themes - which I do not participate in but can use ideas of the sheep and things on the Shepherd Bush stocking - Love Sheep! I do , I do , I do!

And those scissors - aren't they awesome! Never treated myself to a cute pair before!

Here is another photo:

A closer look at the scissors - not the greatest photo - but hopefully you get the idea!

Now for the second drawing I won from MyFirstBambina

What fantastic threads and cross stitch and embroidery stash to be had here :) I was delighted to open the cute Sunflower Book box (below in photo) to open up a treasure of layer after layer of fantastic fiber and fabric and projects to play with. Linen threads. Valdani (which I have never heard of) and the light green Clover thread - what fun!

and look at those fabrics - so soft and pretty - I don't know where to start! She too sent me an awesome pair of scissors - hmm , have I forgotten to post a photo of that??? I thought I had it in there - guess that will be for next time....

Have a great weekend!

Cross Stitching Stash

2010-07-30T09:38:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to share some charts I have picked up in the past few weeks. Two are Black Bird Designs Series Anniversaries of the Heart - I have Charts 4 and 5 out of 12 - one for each month - they are about 5 X 5 in design size - may do them all on one piece of linen once I get a few more charts.

This is Pink Hill Manor - chart 4

This is Farm House - Chart 5 They are so adorable - cute and fun!

Last but not least is my favorite designer as well LHN - Love One Another! I love sheep and the fact that God promises one day soon the animals will live in peace with one another along with humans. Isaiah.

Happy Stitching!

198 Yards of Heaven

2010-07-29T08:28:00.000-04:00

Here is the spun / plied yarn I dyed in the 'purples' colorway - now working its way into the 198 Yards of Heaven Shawl . A free pattern on Ravelry

Here is the fiber plied. I did not wash it to set the twist. I just knitted as it was. I quite liked it. Knitting with the lanolin still in the fiber made my hands so soft. A new experience for me. My daughter, who is 20 yrs old saw this fiber dyed and she loved it. So this may end up going to her knitted up as a shawl.

Here is the shawl. I am doing 3.5 repeats of the main section before working on the edging. I am onto the third repeat. The pattern calls for 2.5 repeats - but I have enough yarn and I want it to be bigger than a shoulder shawl. I am using size 8 needles

Here is a closeup of pattern : still hard to see but I am not a professional photographer by any means - ha

but I think once the shawl is blocked it will show up beautifully! If I do say so myself :)

On a second note: I have also started a cross stitch project - yes, I have my hands into all sorts of needlework.

This is LHN (little house needleworks) "Rose Hill Plantation"

I am using fabric I had in my stash so instead of 28 ct fabric I am using 32 ct fabric Belfast linen in Country Mocha - quite pretty. So this makes the design a little smaller and the need for me to use my Mag Eyes to help me locate where the stitch needs to go :) haha - over 40 now so need the extra help for my eyes but it allows me to continue to work on linen which I just love!

As you can see I just started this. But I will have you know that I had the door and the two windows on the right all stitched, till that is I went to put in the panes on the window there next to the door only to find out I was two rows short of the width - so I had to rip out both windows to make it right. It took a while but it was so worth it! I want everything to line up properly! Now I can stitch in peace ! Well, that is if I do not make any more major errors :) gotta love it!

Spinning Away

2010-07-27T11:47:00.000-04:00

I have been busy spinning the past few weeks and my most recent spin project was a pound or so of natural colored washed coopworth lamb fiber I purchased back in Jan 2008. I know as I wrote the date on the back of their business card when I received it. I divided it up and dyed them three different colors one shades of blue, the other shades of green and then this one - shades of purple

this fiber was so amazing to spin with , it still had lanolin in it even though it was washed and I washed it as well during the dye process. Love this stuff. I have most of it spun and plied in into a 2-ply dk weight / light worsted weight .

Here is the fiber on bobbins

Later I will post the pictures of it plied and the shawl I started with it.

Awesome Giveaway

2010-07-19T06:51:00.001-04:00

There is a fantastic giveaway at www.myfirstbambina.blogspot.com

Come and join the fun!

A Cross stitch blogiversary give a way

2010-03-02T07:19:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone - there is a blogiversary give away - not at my blog :) but at craftymoo - go on over and enter before Midnight 3/7/2010

www.craftymoo-sarah.blogspot.com -

Cross stitch contest

2010-01-18T08:01:00.000-05:00

go to www.calicoprairiegoods.blogspot.com to enter a LHN cross stitch contest before the end of this month
Hurry!!!! IT is awesome!

CrewelWool

2009-09-15T15:50:00.001-04:00

CrewelWool
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

I love all things needlework. I have been bitten by the love of embroidery and now with persian wool - Yeah! Click on photo to go to my flickr site and see other work I have done! I hope to be encouraged by what you have done as well.

Enjoy the View

2009-08-10T09:16:00.001-04:00

Raimus 10months 04
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Please come check out the flickr updates - new knitting, embroidery and yes pictures of me and my sister furbaby!
Enjoy!

Flickr Updates

2009-05-29T10:13:00.001-04:00

Raimus
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Hey! Mama knows it has been a long time coming. But guess what! She has added lots of new photos - including me - here at about 6.5 months old - well it has been a few months I know , cause I am now 9 months old. But hey, go take a look!

ModernSpiritSquaresQuilt06

2009-01-19T08:08:00.001-05:00

ModernSpiritSquaresQuilt06
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

I was off work for a month in Dec / Jan due to college being off for winter break. So I made 3 quilt tops - This one you see I started to quilt it is now all quilted and waiting on binding.
Please click on photo to go to my flickr account to see the other 17 / 18 photos of items I have been working on. Sewing, Quilting, Knitting.
Yes, I have been busy!!!!!
thanks for looking

97girl

2008-12-13T08:32:00.001-05:00

97girl
Originally uploaded by pjthlt

This is so cute! I will embroider this next. A pillow perhaps!

quilttop Closeup

2008-12-12T11:55:00.001-05:00

quilttop Closeup
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Come and see all the details. Click on photo and enter Flickr account.

Cabled Hat

2008-11-27T14:52:00.001-05:00

Cabled Hat
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Come to see what I have been doing on my Flickr account. Click on photo - winter hats, mittens, neckwarmers and meet our new puppy. Raimus!!!!
Here is a super quick and easy hat. Great for first time cabler. I used woolease yarn - easy care - size 8 needles (mens size) size 7 ladies . I would say. I would go down a size on ribbing - nice snug fit. If you so desire.
Pattern from KnitHead Hugger site.
www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt11.htm
Go make one - or several!!!!

Uploaded

I know you wanna! Rhinebec 2008

2008-11-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

I know you wanna!
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Come to Flickr - click on photo to see all the other photos from Rhinebeck, animals, fiber , stash and more!!!!

Come a little closer!!!! hahaha

London Beanies

2008-10-06T12:30:00.001-04:00

London Beanies
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

infamous London Beanies hat. I used Vanna's Choice yarn - since these are to be gifted to my BIL - and I figure he will throw them in the wash - frequently - he works outdoors - so having to think of the care and TLC of wool would be too much for him. :)
I used dark blue (photo is lighter than actual colors) and black. Size 7 needles - I have found the gauge to be off with this yarn - seems to be thicker than natural wool would be - Very quick and easy knit. Two hats , two nights! I knit till 6.5" on both hats then decreased with a plain row between the decrease rows.

Cosmicpluto Simple Shawl 01

2008-10-06T11:30:00.003-04:00

Cosmicpluto Simple Shawl 01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Simple yet effective shawl. Another view.

Cosmicpluto Simple Shawl 02

2008-10-06T11:30:00.001-04:00

Cosmicpluto Simple Shawl 02
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

is a Very quick! Simple Yet Effective shawl by www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/
She recently made another one in Noro - just gorgeous! Check it out.
I added some rows of crochet - to finish it off.
Used Lion Brand Jiffy yarn - 4 skeins.
Taupe color.
Gifted to a friend.

MP 3 Cosy

2008-10-06T11:29:00.003-04:00

MP 3 Cosy
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is an awesome pattern for the MP3 cosy. I actually took my MP 3 player out and put my Verizon Voyager phone in it - fits perfectly. So many of my friends compliment me on this cosy. Great item.
Pattern was free on Ravelry. I used some green wool yarn in my stash and the white is handspun merino.

One Row Scarf

2008-10-06T11:29:00.001-04:00

One Row Scarf
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

is the One Row Scarf by Stephanie - Yarn Harlot! Made this with Lily Chin yarn I purchased at WEBS - in MA - I used 3 of the four skeins I purchased. Very soft! Took me a while to finish it - I used size 8 needles - and only worked on it while at Dr.'s offices or waiting in the car. Great pattern! Gifted to a friend.
Pattern is here:
www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handsp...

Uploaded by butterflyjones03 on 6 Oct 08, 7.55AM PDT.

Rib & Ruffles Scarf 01

2008-10-06T11:28:00.003-04:00

Rib & Ruffles Scarf 01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is another shot of the scarf. Very soft. Now I need one

Rib & Ruffles Scarf 02

2008-10-06T11:28:00.001-04:00

Rib & Ruffles Scarf 02
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

This Scarf was so much fun to work on . Soft and squishy. This is the Misti Chunky Ribs and Ruffles Scarf pattern. I omitted the ruffles part. Free pattern. www.mistialpaca.com
I used Plymouth Encore yarn 2 skeins 0 in soft white (off white) and size 10.5 needles. I knit this till it was my height 5.5" - soaked and blocked. For my daughter.

My Constant Companion Bag

2008-08-08T08:52:00.001-04:00

My Constant Companion Bag
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the beginnings of my constant companion bag. I am using Cascade 220 in a brown and orange. I used up two skeins of the brown already - doubled - once you get past the base the rest is quick. Just haven't had time to work on it - I will be doing a slip st pattern on the whole bag. Wait and see! I am using size 11 needles.

merinowashed

2008-08-08T08:51:00.001-04:00

merinowashed
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

I purchased 2 lbs of merino from a farm in CA - this stuff is gorgeous! I have washed some of it up in Dawn detergent and it is all dried and ready to be carded. I plan to do a 3-ply worsted weight. What to do with finished product - don't know.!!!
Just enjoying the process.

spunkyeclecticskeined01

2008-08-08T08:50:00.003-04:00

spunkyeclecticskeined01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the 8 oz of Dinosar all skeined after being soaked in a lavender wash.
One skein is different from all the rest as there was still some yarn left and so I had to wind it into a ball and ply on itself. It came out totally different . Colorway and the way it plied to itself. It is the one in the front of the photo - smallest skein

spunkyeclecticwashed01

2008-08-08T08:50:00.001-04:00

spunkyeclecticwashed01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is 8 oz of Dinosar by Spunky Eclectic. I loved spinning this up. It is between sport and dk weight . Have no idea what I will use it for. I am contemplating a 24" Rigid Heddle loom so maybe I will use it to weave a scarf! Time will tell.

Drops107-8

2008-05-07T07:48:00.001-04:00

Drops107-8
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Drops107-8
This is just gorgeous! I love the lacework on this and it works up very fast - I did all this in 2 nights, This is Garnstudio & Drops Designs.
Number 107-8 Spring/Summer 2008 all free patterns.
www.garnstudio.com
I am using Knitpicks Shine sport yarn in turquoise - so far I have used 3 skeins and I am up to the arm shaping - so maybe 4.5 skeins total. I am dong the Medium size on size 4 needles to get gauge.
In case you need to know - since I love details and have had a hard time with trying to get things to fit properly. I am size 40 bust and 37 waist - I have learned that I need to allow for negative ease on certain garments. I ususally make them huge - - I am also taking into account that this yarn has a little stretch to it . Previous top I made I had to redo two sizes smaller. So you can image - I was doing size 42" finished size and it was humungous! So do gauge swatch and figure in yarn type and ease (neg or positive) depending on garment fit.
Love it, I will be making another one in white!

GreenGable02

2008-05-07T07:47:00.001-04:00

GreenGable02
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

GreenGable02
Here is the top of the sweater so you can see the details of the neck. I like the way it lays on my neck. Not low not too high!

GreenGable01

2008-05-07T07:46:00.001-04:00

GreenGable01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

GreenGable01
Ok, I finished this in a week. What a great , mindless project and Fast !
I used 3 and 1/3 skein of LionBrand Cottonease (my first time using this) I found that this yarn is not super soft but has a softness to it. Not as soft as other yarns that have a sheen to it but enough. My hands didn't get dried out or anything. And I do tend to have dry hands. Again, the details. I made this a medium - I did the long tail cast-on as I cannot do the loop cast on - way to wonky for me and I didn't like the photos of others who had droopy necklines and low to boot. So I did the long tail and two rows of 2 X 2 rib. continued with pattern as written. I did the 5 decreases in the waist and then just above hips I did 5 increases back to original stitches. I knit till 14" as I don't want this 40 something lady to show her belly. Then did 6 rows 2 X 2 rib.
I finished the sleeves with 4 rounds of st st. and decreased one stitch on last round to have an even number to work with for 2 X 2 rib which again was 6 rows to match bottom of sweater ribbing.
I went back to neck and added one row of sc around neck , single crocheting 3 stitches and skipping one stitch, then sc in 3 and skip 1 - to bring neck in a little and it lays very nice! I am super happy with this one! I tried it on and it fits perfect! One happy person!
BTW I haven't blocked it yet so it looks weird in some places but once it is blocked it will be Great!

Uploaded by butterflyjones03 on 7 May 08, 4.33AM PDT.

MysterySweaterAlong-01

2008-02-15T10:40:00.003-05:00

MysterySweaterAlong-01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is part 1 (Left Front) of the Mystery Sweater along by Kerry on Ravelry
We are using Brown Sheep Lambs Pride- worsted wool - Mine is being knit in the color (Spice)
10 skeins on hand with size 10 needles
Fast , quick knit.

Spunky Eclectic Roving

2008-02-15T10:40:00.001-05:00

Spunky Eclectic Roving
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm!
This stuff is totally gorgeous - yummy fibery goodness. I cannot even describe it.
You must get some.
This is from Spunky Eclectic
I purchased 2 4-0z bundles of roving
BFL - soft and buttery smooth
I am starting to spin it up as we speak.
Really want to try the Andean plying technique - not sure -the 3-ply skein from the wheel . I am using the Ashford Traveller. Ready for a new one! Who says you can only have one.
You cannot!!

Raw shetland Fleece soaking

2008-02-15T10:39:00.003-05:00

Raw shetland Fleece soaking
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here we go with about 4- oz of shetland raw fleece in the rinse water to get soaked. Before adding kool-aid.
Pot is on the stove - heating up!

Shetland Fleece Kool-aid Dyeing

2008-02-15T10:39:00.001-05:00

Shetland Fleece Kool-aid Dyeing
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the fleece in the pot. I just shook the powder right onto the fleece.
I used - 1-pkg cherry - 1-lemon/lime - 1-orange.
I did add vinegar - glug, glug - then let it sit like 30-40 min before putting it in lavender rinse water.

Shetland fleece rinsing

2008-02-15T10:38:00.003-05:00

Shetland fleece rinsing
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is about 4 oz of shetland fleece from my l-lb bag I had - decided to try powder kool-aid dyeing - here it is in the lavender rinse. Then to lay it out to dry!

My precious fur babies!

2008-02-15T10:38:00.001-05:00

My precious fur babies!
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here are my wo dogs. I love them to pieces.
JoJo - 6.5 yrs old - our family adopted her from Shepherd Rescue when she was 15 months old - what a doll she is
Shepherd/hound mix Great dog.

Nikki - is 7 months old - adopted from Adirondack Save-A-Stray - rescued puppies from high kill shelters.
She was 8 weeks old and almost died - she was one of 12 pups who never got any food - she is a great dog. Just spayed two days ago so she is calm right now :)
She is black lab / pit mix - The rescue folks told me no way she was pit - but look at those eyes! I say she is - but she is a sweetie pie. No aggression at all. Very obedient. Still working on her laziness to go pee outside! Arrggggghhhhhhhh!

More Merino Carded fiber

2008-02-14T07:40:00.001-05:00

More Merino Carded fiber
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the beginings of my carding experience with the merino - not too shabby,

Merino Fleece Carded

2008-02-14T07:39:00.003-05:00

Merino Fleece Carded
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Well, this is my second experience carding fiber. I have Ashford Carders I purchased in Rhinebeck NY - at the Sheep and Wool Festival back in Nov 07. I finally was brave enough to use them. Let me tell you. Don't be scared. Just go for it! I carded 4 oz in less than 1.5 hours - Easy , peasy.

Merino Fleece Carded

2008-02-14T07:39:00.001-05:00

Merino Fleece Carded
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Merino Fleece Plied

2008-02-14T07:38:00.003-05:00

Merino Fleece Plied
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the merino fleece all plied up on the bobbin. It all fit onto one bobbin. Nice!

Merino on Noddy

2008-02-14T07:38:00.001-05:00

Merino on Noddy
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is my 4 oz of merino fleece all plied and wound on the noddy.
I ended up with 153.3 yds of sport weight. Not bad!

Merino Plied

2008-02-14T07:37:00.003-05:00

Merino Plied
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the merino fleece - that is all plied - soft , bouncy, and just plain gorgeous! Definately need more of this fibery goodness

Shetland Fleece

2008-02-14T07:37:00.001-05:00

Shetland Fleece
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the lb of shetland fleece I purchased in Rhinebeck, NY all cleaned and a tangled mess.
I learned my way through it.
See other photos

Shetland Fleece rolags

2008-02-14T07:36:00.003-05:00

Shetland Fleece rolags
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the shetland fleece carded into rolags. Quite a bit of noils in the beginning - as I went along I learned I needed to comb the hair not the teeth!
Arrgggggggghhhhhh! What a difference that made in how the fleece carded up

Shetland fleece singles

2008-02-14T07:36:00.001-05:00

Shetland fleece singles
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here we have the shetland fleece singles, spinning up.

Plied on Bobbin Shetland Fleece

2008-02-14T07:35:00.003-05:00

Plied on Bobbin Shetland Fleece
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the shetland fleece plied ont he bobbin.

Plied Shetland fleece

2008-02-14T07:35:00.001-05:00

Plied Shetland fleece
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

I purchased a lb of shetland fleece from Rhinebeck in 07 wanting to try my hand at my new hand carders.
I was not real happy with the stuff. Fought with it lots. It was supposedly already cleaned. Ok?? hmmm.
Well, it was not the greatest but I learned a lot from this experience.
As I went along I learned to allow the fiber to card and spin the way it wanted to and stop fighting with it.
I ended up with a semi-soft yarn. Worsted weight. It is ok - I will dye it, maybe a hat, who knows.

ChildsOvenMitt

2008-02-06T06:34:00.001-05:00

ChildsOvenMitt1
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

I really wanted to show this one.
I sat down and made these mitts for my boys - and one for adults as well. I used cotton batting - which is way better than the poly batting as it is warmer - next time I would use two layers of cotton batting on the front and back piece so that there are four cut out pieces of the batting. Other than that the pattern worked out great.
Pattern is free and can be found here: http://www.thelongestyear.typepad.com

Also there are other photos on my Flickr account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflyknitter/

Thanks for looking!

Heartbreakingly Cute!!

2008-02-06T06:30:00.001-05:00

100_0255_00
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the Heartbreakingly Cute Kimono from the Mason and Dixon knitting book.
I used some Sugar and Cream yarn that I purchased years ago - in Raspberry - Used 1/14 skein for the sweater. At this point it is done - just blocking right now. Will add a sheer brown ribbon to the sweater. Also made a hat to go with it. Will show it when all done.
Quick and easy to make and just adorable.
Gift item.

I'm Back!!!

2008-02-06T06:29:00.001-05:00

100_0257_00
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Well, it has been a long time I know. But new year, new photos and work to show.

Here are some Fetching Fingerless Gloves I made back in November 07

I used Patons Decor Yarn which has some wool in it and makes for a nice soft wearable piece - also washable.
Free pattern on http://www.knitty.com