It's Not Hot in Lake Country Now

Now the heat wave is past and I am working big time on JJ Jacket. I had to frog the first sleeve as it was way to deep. I didn't realize that until I sewed up the underarm (I know, I am a no sew knitter but JJ has minimal sewing and it is done on the garter stitch edge, just on the underarm, that is pretty easy. Otherwise it would be necessary to work every other row on the sleeve as a purl row). No point in positing another picture until it is done, that will be by Wednesday, I promise, Deb. In the meantime during the heat wave I worked on a smaller project (well actually two projects). Above is a size 4 pullover version of the Jr. J. Just for the fun of it. The other one is another Baby Compass, I am still not completely happy with the writting of it so I will continue to make samples until I am.

By Wednesday JJ will be done, pictures posted and out of my face. I do love it and look forward to seeing it in a pattern published by Cabin Fever. MommaBearKnits on and on even in the sweltering heat.

It is HOT in Lake Country

Christmas Cactus hanging in my back yard. Beautiful eh! That's it, too hot to even post. I still have the sticks in my hands but just doing small, cool, projects.

Progress Report for JJ Jacket

I am getting there. Yestday it was 30 degrees celsius/86 Fahrenheit with a humidity level that would make it feel 10 degrees higher, not a good day to work with heavy 100% wool. So, I took a little break, wound up another skein and knit baby socks. This morning I got up and am right back at it. It is cool in the house this morning so progress will be made.

It is a hip length jacket with a side split for comfort while sitting in the car or walking the Bugle Beagle in the winter time. The sleeve is deep which will work well with heavier winter layered clothing. Trying it on yesterday was hot!!!!! I do love the look and hope it will be successful to the knitters of the world.

MommaBearKnits on into the night and early in the morning!!!

I'm Dry and I'm Beautiful

No words necessary. I am beautiful.

Swallowtail Lace Shawl ! ! ! ! ! !

I have enjoyed this project sooooooo much that I could not put it down. It has been blocked and as I write this post it is drying out in the fresh air under the gazebo. I must say thanks again to Deb, she came out and helped me with the first shawl last week and kindly loaned me her blocking wires while she is on holiday. I will buy a blocking kit because, for sure, I love the lace and will knit more.

The yarn is Zauberball from Germany. I adore way the colour shows up on the finished project. It is very rich looking. I have to admit, though, that I guess I cheated a bit, I wish to express my apology to Evelyn Clark, but I put little shiny beads in place of the "nupps". Next time I promise I will work the nupps. I was just trying to give the shawl a little different look. This is my second pattern by E. Clark and she has me hooked, her patterns are sooooooooo well done and easy to follow. Having the rows written and charted suits me just fine. I am not really a charted knitter but I am working on it.

Deb, I have not forgotten the JJ Jacket. The left side and the left sleeve is finished. I Just have to do the right side and sleeve and it will be done. Heavy wool yarn, is hot to knit in August in Canada, so I needed a little break, Swallowtail Shawl, what a break!!!!!!!!

Until next time MommaBearKnits on into the night.

Updates

Awwwwwww! I am so relaxed. The blocking process is very stressful for a fine lace work of art that I am. But now it is all worth it. I am soft, and await my chance to wrap my arms around the lady that I was knit for. Life will be good for me. MommaBear Knit me from an Evelyn Clark Design called "Heartland Lace Shawl" and she adores me and enjoyed every minute of the process.

Now summer has come to Lake country big time. In MommaBear's back yard there is a weird collection of hanging plants. This one has introduced Goldfish into the mix.

I also have a very productive Christmas Cactus who loves to hang out with the other hanging plants in Mommabear's back yard. I guess Christmas will come in August this year. This crazy cactus blooms continuously all year. I love it. Until next time-----

MOMMABEARKNITS in self patterning yarn too.

Thanks Deb!

Thanks Deb. You came to my house and look what happened. The shawl is great. I cannot wait for it to dry. In this case a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

MommaBear loves the look of the blocked shawl and is eager to get the next one done. Oh, I am still stroking, loving, and slipping the string over my sticks, JJ is coming along great.

MommaBearKnits in ever colour of the rainbow -----

MOMMABEARKNITS

Lace Addiction! I Guess!

Don't worry, I am still working on J Jacket. So far I have completed more than 3/4 of the left side panel. But--------- I just could not resist the two balls of Zauberball that were sitting in full view. I had already chosen the pattern "Swallowtail Lace Shawl" by Evelyn Clark, it was printed off and sitting on my desk. I just had to start it. The yarn has a very nice feel as it flows between my fingers and over my sticks. It will have to take a back seat to J Jacket though. I will work on the shawl in the mornings and the jacket in the afternoons and evenings. I cannot, I will not, let lace take over my life. Oh yeah, I am playing around in my head the concept of a girl's wrap cardigan with lace, oh my Gawd, I am hooked. The picture looks big but it is actually only about 6 inches of work done-----a long way to go.
Until next time MOMMABEARKNITS boy does she knit and she loves it. Deb and I will be blocking the white shawl that I just completed, it is a gift for a very special person.

Progress with JJ

JJ is taking shape. The buttons are just pinned on for effect and to see the layout of the collar. I will purchase buttons that reach out and grab me when the jacket is finished.

At first there was some concern re: the size and lay of the collar but as the side ridges are worked the collar has more support from the body. See the difference in the left and right side of the collar with the right side still to be worked. (Right side of the jacket not the right side of the picture, confusing?)

I really like the way it lays, whether buttoned all the way up and over, kind of like a deep rolled, very warm, collar or with the top three buttons open it lays off on the shoulder and I think it will be flattering and will accent the garment worn under the jacket.

Since my post yesterday I have been knitting more and am now about 1/2 way through the 5th skein. "Anybody want to do the #'s now." Right now I am just knitting JJ and of course some other small projects that I need to cool my lap in this heat. JJ is wool and it is getting big and it is hot, like a beautiful winter blanket.

Until next time MommaBearKnits

Pictures Boring ---- Stats Interesting (I hope)

O.K. I believe that my visitors are really getting bored with the weird pictures of the JJ Progress. So, just for fun I went to my beloved spreadsheet program and played around with #'s, this may scare you!!!!

I have completed 4 skeins of Briggs & Little Heritage Wool. (well almost, there is a small ball still hanging, very small)


4 skeins means that I have worked 784 m/860yds of yarn


That means that I have travelled .78km/.48miles over my sticks with my string.

That is 2,580 feet or 30,960 inches or 78,638.4 cm. over the same sticks with the same string.

I am now working on the side panel and have completed 16 ridges worked over 244 sts.

Now listen to this: The collar contains 7,192 sts; the neckband 918 sts; the two front panels 4240 X 2 sts; the back panel 7,808 sts and so far the side panel 9,272 sts for a grand total of 33,670 sts so far. Don't let these number scare you, it is all the simple garter stitch and is a great TV watching project. And as we all know, Knitting is very relaxing, be careful don't fall asleep with the sticks in your hands.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these numbers.

If you have a question, please leave a comment.

I will keep everyone updated with the project when the next skein is wound up, knitted, stroked and loved by MommaBearKnitting.

Progress Report for Adult JJ

I am making great progress --- I think.

I have finished the two front panels, and the centre back panel. I have picked up the stitches to work both of the sides and have completed a few ridges on each side. I have a long way to go, lot of knitting but I really like the collar and look forward to the finished JJ Jacket. The pattern does not instruct a knitter to work both sides at once but I am trying to get a feel for the fit before finishing the #'s. It is still a design under construction and Cabin Fever will have it out there for all you knitters before you know it.

Today, it is raining in Lake Country and it is forecast to be cloudy and rainy for the next five days.

Where-oh-Where is the sunshine for the Sunshine City.

MommaBearKnits in the sun, rain, hail, snow.

Whatever the season MBK's

And The Beat (Knit) Goes On!!!!

First of all I must have socks in progress. These are more children's sizes, a little bigger but still using up my left over sock yarn, mixing up the colours; self-patterning mixed with solid colours.

Addicted to socks, I am, I am!

When Deb and I were in Huntsville on Monday we walked in and there on a table, just sort of sitting there was this display of awesome yarn. It is called Zauberball made in Germany. It is fine sock yarn. I carried different colours around with me the whole time I was there. Finally, made the decision. I must have it!!!!


I purchased two balls, hopefully, that will be enough to complete another Evelyn Clarke shawl. It came home and I placed it in my hanging garden and photographed it.









I just had to play with it one more time before setting it aside until another large project is finished.

Guess what that project is --------










First on my list now is the Adult JJ. It will be a little more stylish than the Baby J and the Jr. J with a nice rolled collar. The idea is that this version of the design will serve more as a jacket that a cardigan and will be a great fall and early winter coat. The collar can be buttoned up and rolled over for warmth or left laying off onto the shoulder for a nice look.




I have completed the collar, two front panels and 1/4 of the centre back panel. It is a lot of knitting in garter stitch but I look forward to the finished project. Deb and I are both working on this version and it will definitely be available as a Cabin Fever Pattern by September.



Until next time, keep up the beat ---------




MommaBearKnits non-stop.