Fair Isle Christmas Hat 08

Here is my fairest, latest Fair Isle Style Hat. It is also known as color stranding technique. It is my own design, with the help of Some charts from different areas and the template from Ruth Sorensen. I am very proud of this hat.
It is done with Karabella Aurora 8 , one of the merino yarns that I fancy a lot to make this kind of hat as it is very soft. The White is Encore with 75 % Acrylic and 25% wool, which is perfect for around the forehead and if it gets dirty , it is easy to clean.
Back side view which shows all the different kinds of graphs and let me tell you I had to improvise at the end. I actually did a double decrease every other row and I liked the way it looks at the end, which was finished with a Kitchener stitch closure.
He is looking at you babe and wishing you a Happy Thanks Giving, thanks for stopping by!

A Cottony Christmas

A Cottony Christmas was made on a whim, meaning that it was an afterthought not in wool. This crown is a snowflake, real snowflakes are six points. The Crown has a Tapestry Crochet style as this will make it warmer, taking into consideration that is cotton and that is Kitchen Type Cotton.

The Pom Pom is a bit asymmetrical and it looks like a great crazy snowflake very cool if you ask me.
There are 3 tc trees around the bottom of the hat, then a green surface sc and the termination of the hat is done with a Reverse sc in red. This yarn was rough on the hands, but once it is made, it is soft. IT will wash nicely and dry with no problems. Part of this hat is recycled yarn from other hats I had before. In this economy you need to reuse anything that still looks good, can you tell which yarn is the recycled yarn?
The hat was made using two kinds of hooks F and G, sc and dc and tc only on the little trees
Thanks for Stopping by!

Christmas in Cotton, some WIP

The first picture as you can tell is some Tapestry Crochet , I had to redo the sides as I was lazy and did not chart the sides and went ad lib. The snowflakes on the side looked like Space Invaders, remember those? SO I decided to do something else that you will get to see sometime in the next few days. This is made in Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton, it is not the softest of yarns to crochet with, but it feels nice. I will not be overheating when I wear this hat inside or outside either. Being Tapestry Crochet on the crown gives it extra density. So this is one of my WIP in Crochet!

The Second picture is my Garterlac scarf, garter titch entrelac scarf. Even though we were taught how to knit and purl backwards, this particular piece does not require tat skill because is in garter stitch. This is a lovely project and I am learning so much with it. I am glad that I am at the second skein of the project I hope I get to finish it before the Thanksgiving Holiday!
So nothing much, just peace and love. Everyone have a great week and I shall be back in a day or two. Thanks for stopping by!

The Frugality Meme

No matter what the economy is like I am not a big spender. Don't take me wrong I have my priorities right, my yarn is first the I eat lol! Kidding I am not, I save my money for good stuff, I don't need much and I enjoy making my scarves, sweaters , gloves, socks and hats, do you know you can actually make knitted or crocheted towels? Well it may not be cost effective to make a towel, but you get the idea. So if you want to share what do you do to be frugal join the voluntary meme. I saw this at Riohna's Blog HERE. She makes her own pies!

Things that I do to save money.

1. Buy a Subway foot long for $ 5.00 and split it in two. You get two meals for $2.50 each. You can do the same thing with any food item that is too big for one meal, here in USA there are plenty believe me.

2. I sometimes recycle items I crochet or knit and make something else.

3 I buy a Monthly Transport Pass, it saves money!

4. I try to buy the foods that are on sale, specially if it is what I usually eat.

5. I buy in Bulk when possible and use coupons.

6. I drink Coffee at home and take coffee with me almost all the time!

7. I try not to waste water, or paper!

8. I buy some of my clothes second hand and on sale!

9. I buy good quality shoes and on sale! Good quality shoes will last you longer.

10. I follow the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition to a T.

11. Rule of Acquisition 141 only fools pay retail!

12. Get the Rules of Acquisition for better profit!

13. Never take more than you need and never give more than you have!

The economy is not too good this year, my Christmas presents are always very personal and never anything extravagant. I leave the extravangt gifts for myself lol! I don't spend much money, I believe giving is simple and a box of chocolates will be a great gift for me. A nice crochet hook, some yarn or some nice needles are great gifts for me. Books are great gifts for me as well. I do spend money in good groceries and in good entertainment. Go an stimulate the economy with real money, try not to use credit. I learned a long time ago, If I can not pay it in 12 months it better be a house.

*

Well just in case Santa is Listening I want a spinning wheel called the Hitchhiker (mini, roadbug model)http://www.themerlintree.com/the_merlin_tree009.htm or the other choice is Louet Victoria (S-96) or Kromski Sonata, two of them won't hurt, but the Hitch Hiker has great reviews.

*

Well my friends keep on keeping on and remember to have fun, life is very short and then you have more days behind you than days ahead, yep I may be feeling the fact that in two years I will be 50 years of age, half a century. Well there is more to write this week, I shall talk to you later. Keep the economy sound and do not get into debt for gift giving, it is not worth it on the long run!

Entrelac and the Way of the Warrior

This is my Entrelac Swatch. Do you know you can make entrelac in knitting and in Crochet? Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured diamond pattern. While the end result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric, the actual material comprises interconnected squares on two different orientations.You betcha! Unlike many textured knitting techniques, Entrelac allows for colorwork as well. Though single-color entrelac is the norm, it is often used to create colored patterns. The use of variegated yarn with long color repeats for entrelac has become commonplace, since careful use can create distinct squares of color with only one yarn. Entrelac can be knit flat (back-and-forth) or in the round for a cylinder, as for the hat at right. However, unlike typical round knitting, the knitting is turned after a full round of squares so the next set is knitted in the opposite direction. Entrelac crochet is a wonderful way to create stunning designs in multiple colors. Since the color changes are made at the end of every row, it is quick and easy to learn and use. Start with the basics and keep in mind you are actually making one row of diamond shapes and when you add color it will be made in between your previous row of diamonds, triangles and squares. A self Striping yarn will add lots of fun to your piece whether it is crochet or knit!

Here you see some of the guys, the guy Standing up is Michael, we call him Wonder Mike, he was the Drop Spindle teacher. I took the class of Entrelac and Drop Spindle. I learned to Spin yarn woohoo! A spindle (sometimes called a drop spindle) is a wooden spike weighted at one end with a circular whorl; it may have an optional hook at either end of the spike. It is used for spinning wool and other fibers into thread. Spindles or parts of them have been found in archaeological sites; they may represent one of the earliest pieces of technology available to humankind.

*
Modern spindles are typically available in high-whorl or low-whorl types. In a high-whorl spindle, the whorl sits very close to the top of the shaft, which is anywhere from 15-45cm long. A hook is placed on the top of the shaft to secure the developing yarn, and the newly-spun yarn is wound around the shaft underneath the whorl. In a low-whorl spindle, the whorl sits near the bottom of the shaft. The newly spun yarn is wound around the shaft just above the whorl. If there is a hook at the upper end of the shaft, the yarn is spiral-wound up the shaft and caught in the hook; if there is no hook at the top, then the yarn is spiral-wound up the shaft and secured with a half hitch (or more, for slippery fibers) at the top. Some low whorl spindles are notched at the top of the shaft to keep the half hitch secured, although this is not necessary. An alternate method of securing the yarn involves passing it down over the edge of the whorl, around the bottom end of the shaft, and back up over the whorl to be secured with a half hitch at the top of the shaft.
*
Other forms of spindles include supported spindles, such as the large Navajo spindle and the tiny cotton-spinning tahkli. The spinning wheel is also used for the same purpose.

This was part of the loot, some were prizes and some were gifts, but all of the items were donated by lots of people and companies. Men are Knitting and Men are Spinning and men are having a great time sharing.


See the spinning wheels, I want one of those, because you can fold them and put away without much fuzz. Two of the guys were continuously spinning one on a drop spindle and the other one on the machine, mind you these machines are manual, so no electricity. Let's see what happens in the next year or so, If I can save some money for one!
This was our last day and the weather was fabulous. I think we can do this every Fall, every year. I am up for it. This place was fantastic and the men were great company, lots to learn and lots to share. It was nice to finally put a person to a profile online together and be able to share. I do have my favorites among the bunch. Creative men are great Men to be around, the Way of the Warrior! Thanks for stopping by!

Gryffindor Philosopher's Hat

If you Click on the Title it will Take you to Carol's Ventura Tapestry Crochet Website and the Article where some of my work is featured. To have me featured on her site for my Tapestry Crochet is an honor . Carol Teaches Tapestry Crochet and has books on the Subject which I find interesting. I will be purchasing one sometime in the next few months because I believe she has a lot to offer as a Teacher. I do read her blog and look at her works lots of time . Sometimes we get inspired by looking at some one's work. Go and pay her a visit and check her books out, if you are interested in Tapestry Crochet she is a great Teacher as you can see some of her videos at You Tube Tapestry Crochet Channel and Visit her website HERE.

I am featured HERE on her website, what an honor!

People are always amazed at my hats. There amazement is greater when they realized they have been crocheted. My hats are Intricate work, I did not learn the Craft from Anyone, I just allowed myself to express my creativity. I always say the Yarn has a Story to tell me, I sometimes have to interview the yarn, sometimes I don't believe what it tells me, sometimes the yarn does not like how I express my interpretation. To make a long story short. A Tapestry Crochet Hat may be done in a day or it may take weeks, when you are doing it in a free form.Here you see the Back of the hat, but what do you think about the upper section that I used Front Post tc, I had some help from my Friend Asplund, I asked him if it looked better every other FP or Each FP, the result is what you see.

This is a side view of the hat, it will be in better form once it is blocked. Sometime tonight I will block the hat and allow it to take a better shape. This hat is made with Knit Picks 1 skein of Andean Silk and 1.5 Peruvian Highland Wool! Colorways mustard for the yellow and Holly Berry for the burgundy. It is Crocheted almost entirely with an F hook 3.75 mm. About 10 rows of G hook use, 4mm lol! When I want to make headway I use the bigger hook to create bulk and length. I am going to show it to some of my Monday Knitting Group fellows, before I block it. We meet at Cafe Trieste on the Corner of Market Street and Gough, San Francisco. The Top of this hat is amazing to me, it is done completely with FPdc, it is very thick, very lovely to the touch. Thanks for stopping by!

Men 's Knitting West Coast 08 Retreat

What successful event, there were about 20 something men from all over the world, but mostly from the US West Coast gathered at Point Bonita for a Knitting Retreat on the West Coast. I will say that this was such an event that I can tell you went beyond my Expectations. WE got great Sponsors and due to the Work of our Friend Wonder Mike. Our Sponsors , our teachers were fantastic . WE have lots of giveaways thanks to our sponsors like Skacel from http://www.skacelknitting.com/ , http://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com/ , http://www.briarrosefibers.net/ , Susie from http://toknitperchancetodream.net/ (Great Sock Yarn) , http://articlepract.com/ , http://www.stashyarn.com/ , http://www.wildgeesefibres.com/ , http://www.yarnnerd.com/ , http://www.shelridge.com/ , http://oceanwindknits.ca/ , http://www.tactilefiberarts.com/, Ed Lingengfetter (spindles), knottynaomi from ryono creations also at http://etsy.com/ Patterns donated by Jared Flood, Skacell, Adrian Bizilia (http://helloyarn.com/ ) , hansigurumi from at the http://etsy.com/ , Barb Brown at Wild Geese Designs. Without our sponsors things would have been different and not as successful as they were. Our teachers were fantastic in their sharing of knowledge and patiently guiding us.

I also want to thank our Teachers Ivar Twined Knitting, Freeform Knitting Kyle Williams , Brian (From Skacel) Entrelac, short rows, knitting backwards, Mosaic Knitting by Harry , Magic Loop by David. Drop Spindling by Michael W. We had an E-Zine Brain Storming session with Darrel.

I personally want to thank Everyone including Michael W and Stephen and the bunch of guys who came to the Retreat to have a great time. So much Yarn so little time!

You can see more pictures at my Flickr Account HERE . Thanks for stopping by!

MWK Retreat West Coast and more

Well to start I will be spending some time with other men on the West Coast Men Knitting Retreat that will be hosted at the Point Bonita YMCA. This is going to be a lot of fun!

*

"Are you a knitter or a spinner who happens to be a guy? Would you like to meet other guys who share your passion for the fiber arts? Would you like to learn more about knitting and spinning techniques from othercrafty guys?"

*

This will be the place for you, there will be crochet as well. As a good crafter it is good to know both sides of the fence meaning Knitting and Crochet, there are plenty of sub-divisions within the crafts to keep you busy for years to come, add a bit of spinning and you can be in your house and never come out lol!

*

Democracy and Justice for all. I am not a Republican, nor Am I a Democrat, and I am definitely not an Independent. I am a Citizen of the United States of America that votes his mind. Sometimes it seems that the USA is behind times, yet we forget that we are a very young Nation.

*

Why people don't want health care for all? Is it wrong to want a basic necessity in life ? Is it socialist? Maybe I can label it that way, but I rather say it is nice to know that I won't go bankrupt, hungry or lose my house because I became ill or one of my family members became ill. Maybe if we take the Health Care program from the Representatives and Senators and President and give them a basic minimum wage, I bet you that they will appreciate life a bit more and what is to be earning minimum wage and relate to people like us, but that will never happen, and that will not be socialism will it? Let them try to pay rent, eat and have a health plan with minimum wage!

*

I believe that this country has been smacked in the face with the worst economy that I can remember in my lifetime, who is to blame? I really don't care, I want it fixed! The politics became so negative and some candidates became people they were not, some trying to instill fear into people, trying to say things that were not completely true, just look at the North Carolina Mrs. Dole, saying someone was godless, does that matter when running for office whether you believe in God or not? That is the kind of thing that most people got tired of hearing. People don't like to be intimidated and have name calling even from people from their own party. I think we need to have at least 4 or 5 different parties, but Ralph Nader calling Obama Uncle Tom, wow, that was so racist and stupid, it took the cake for me!

*

I am going to close this with an optimistic look in art fibers and Democracy, Life Will be better from this moment on, believe that and concentrate of becoming a Great Nation once more, just for our own sake. We shall thrive as individuals and as a Nation, we can reach for the stars and become a different planet. Animals will be treated humanely before we eat them, that will make a difference, people should never mistreat animals. If this means that we won't eat as much meat as before, so be it. The prices can not be higher than the ones for Organic Beef and Free Range Eggs, I get it maybe people will start buying those because it is cheaper and a new economy will be born. Optimism and Reality hand in hand, let's get our nation out of the dependency of Any oil.

*

I am only waiting for the Vulcans to land on Cape Canaveral real soon! Utopia Planitia Shipyards. The Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, or Utopia Planitia Shipyards, is a key Starfleet vessel construction and design facility in the 24th century. It is partly positioned in synchronous orbit 16,625 kilometers above the Utopia Planitia region on Mars, including the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yard's planetary construction facilities. , What about terraforming Mars and Venus who knows. Maybe we will find Tholian Silk and life will be different when we have Food Replication technology! Let's eliminate hunger, poverty and disease from the planet, may the Gods of Kobol bless our new journey. I want a better future.

*

On April 5, 2063 at 11:15 AM local time, Cochrane made Earth's first warp flight, playing Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" during blast-off and dedicating the first flight to Alcubierre and Obousy, early pioneers of warp physics.[1] The Phoenix's warp signature is detected by a Vulcan survey ship, the T'Plana Hath, which then makes peaceful first contact with humans, including Cochrane, at the Phoenix's launch site.[1] In the Mirror Universe, rather than reciprocating the Vulcans' peaceful greeting, Cochrane and the other humans kill the Vulcans and loot their ship. Maybe I will be alive to see something like this happen! Receive my love everyone, QaplaH! Thanks for stopping by.

Democracy and the Works in Progress Nov 08

This are my Knitting Works In Progress, I do have some Crochet Work In Progress and another sock I need to do lol! I will be going to a Men's Knitting Retreat from the Men Who Knit West Coast Chapter, well is not that formal , but exciting.
Our Great Nation has taken a Turn, at almost 50 years of Age I have seen so many changes in the world around me maybe milestones. The Berlin wall falling, the dismantling of the Soviet Union, the First Black President in the history of our Great Nation. I look forward to great changes . I believe our American Spirit and the Democracy that our Republic stands for will be reborn around the World. I believe in change and I am so happy the Political Campaign is over.
*
The political campaign was disturbing at times as I went into Crocheting and Knitting groups on the Internet that had google ads. There is no place for Political ads on Crafts sites. I protested on both sites, I even considered closing my accounts, but that will be wrong as well,I just stayed away from the sites until the elections were over, and I will do so again in the future if I see ads that I do not are for. I do understand that the sites do not have control over the ads, but I do have control over what I see, so I can avoid those sites. There is a reason why I don't have ads on my blog, I want to make money like everyone else, but if I can not choose the content I rather not make money that way. I just wanted to express my opinion and I may have not been as delicate as I wanted to be, but I intended no offense. Believe me I have had the opportunity of having my own websites, they are expensive, so you either charge for membership or put ads and make it free, or you just find another way of making money. I will not compromise my personal values for nobody and for no amount of money. Thanks for stopping by!

November Tapestry, Knit WIP et more

This below is the Northwest Passage Hat, but I frogged it and will restart it sometime later in a different way. I will still use some 3 or four colors, but not in the way I was using them before, maybe it will call for bobbins, but carrying more than two strands of yarn is kind of messy and crazy, lol!

This is one of my Knitting WIP, it is the Taurean Antler Scarf is made with Knit Picks Super Swish wool , the colorway is Copper, lovely color. This is a vey nice pattern and if you want to learn the makings of cables and how they behave, this is a great pattern to do. I am doing cables without a cable needle, which I like a lot as it is one less needle to carry with you lol!

This is the Palermo Sun Tapestry Crochet WIP, but is a picture that can be replaced easily today, I will have a more advanced picture of this cap later on. Right now it lost the ruffle effect and it is waiting to reach the 21 inch mark, it is at 19 for now. I think in a day or two there will be a couple of new rows and very soon there will be a surface sc row.

Below you probably recognize the House Colors of the Gryffindors, it is a hat I just started and it is going to be lovely. I am really liking the texture and the shape this hat is taking!

It is almost election day, vote Yes on No and No on Yes, there have been two websites with political ads, one crochet that I got one of the owners upset because I expressed my dissatisfaction about political ads, she thought I was blaming her, I was not. She deleted my post saying it was not appropriate for the forums and I responded that is was not appropriate in the same way those ads were not appropriate, she did not like that. I rather stay away for a while. The other site is a Knitting site. The only fair way of posting political ads is to have both sides posted, otherwise it looks like you are taking sides. Well I will boycott both sites until next week and that way there will be no ads on my face about political stuff and no traffic from me. Go and vote what your heart and mind tells you to vote. Respect people that don't agree with you, but make your vote count. Thanks for stopping by!

Ravenclaw Philosopher's Hat

I decided to rename this hat , The Ravenclaw Philosopher's Hat. It is a combination of Tapestry Crochet , crochet cables and FPdc. If you want to know more about Tapestry Crochet from a teaching point of view you may want to visit the website TapestryCrochet.com

From far the bottom edge in the blue looks like a kitty cat! I used Knit Picks Andean Silk "Slate" and Knit Picks "Blue Ink" Wool of the Andes. I used a combination of F 3.75 mm and G 4.00 mm hooks. The reason behind this is to add texture to the hat.

The hat is very comfortable and it will be followed by a Griffindor Philosopher's Hat. One of the interesting stitches that I used on this hat was the Reverse Double Crochet, which I used to make the edging. It created a very interesting look and texture to the finishing of this hat.

Thanks for stopping by!