Housekeeping

"Perhaps all artists were, in a sense, housewives: tenders of the earth household."

- Erica Jong

I am a lousy housekeeper.

No ifs, ands or buts. I would rather be creating something new, than maintaining something old.

My house is a pit, my lacework impeccable - sigh...

Which is why it has taken me this long to put my house in order.

Now that all of the patterns in the Fellowship of the Ring series (first of the Lord of the Rings Collection) are out, I have compiled them into both a comprehensive E-book of all 13 patterns (including Evenstar) for $60. This is a $12 savings over purchasing them individually.

I have also separated them into three"mini-collections" of four patterns each.

Wee Wonders $18

four small accessory patterns

Bag End, Goldberry, Rivindell, & Bombadil

Traveling Togs $22

four cabled patterns

Argonath, Dwarrowdelf, Lothlorien, & Strider

Elven Delicacies $25

four lace patterns

Evenstar, Galadriel's Mirror, Legolas, & Mithril

This way, those of you who love lace, or cables, or small projects can purchase a selection that includes only your favorites and still take advantage of a reduced price.

You can purchase here on the sidebar, or on Ravelry's website. Either way, you will download through Ravelry, so can keep the patterns in your library if you so desire.

You do NOT have to be a member of Ravelry to use their download provider.

I have also made another page that features the Fellowship Patterns.

*****

Now, anybody do windows?

Galadriel's Mirror Errata

Written Directions for row 77 should read:

Row 77 (WS): k3, (k1, p1tbl) seven times, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, (p1tbl, k1) twelve times, k2, p2, k1, p2, k3, (p1tbl, k1) seven times, p1tbl, (k1, p1tbl) seven times, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, (p1tbl, k1) twelve times, k2, p2, k1, p2, k3, (p1tbl, k1) seven times, k3

Chart is correct

Clarity

Knowledge, without common sense, says Lee, is folly; without method, it is waste; without kindness, it is fanaticism; without religion, it is death. But with common sense, it is wisdom with method, it is power; with clarity, it is beneficence; with religion, it is virtue, and life, and peace.

-Austin Farrar

Apparently, my software is a Reader's Digest sort of condensed version. Incomplete directions in the Galadriel's Mirror key for bobbles & wrapped stitches could use a little clarification.

Bobbles are 5 stitch bobbles. K5 in stitch by either:

• k,p,k,p,k or...
• k front & back twice, k1

Turn & knit 5 back on wrong side
Turn & knit 5 on right side
Turn & k2tog, k1, k2tog
Turn & sk2p

Wrapped stitches are knit either before or after wrapping (both ways work)

Sorry for the confusion - new version of old software...

Galadriel's Mirror

An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië

For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars, from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow; and out of a grey country darkness lies

Well, this one has been a long time coming, hasn't she? I just hope she was worth the wait!

This pattern is not included in the Fellowship of the Ring subscription as I found the right pattern after putting the collection up for sale. Subscribers will get a $2 discount code, just as they did with Rivindell & Goldberry.

GALADRIEL’S MIRROR $8

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING COLLECTION
from the needles of Susan Pandorf


Size: 70 inches wide at top; 32 inches long at center
Materials: 3 skeins String Theory Blue Stocking
(color: Alexandrite) or 1260 yds fingering weight yarn
size 4 (US) circular needles or to obtain gauge
medium crochet hook (for edging)
Gauge (blocked): 6 st = 1 inch
charted pattern - experienced level

A symmetrical (mirrored) smocked pattern composed of twisted stitches and bobbles is reminiscent of Elvish runes. This central pattern opens up into an intricate section of diamonds & leaves, before the lacy border repeats the runic pattern in openwork. this border increases in number of stitches, giving the shawl its lovely ruffled lower edge.

The pattern is charted, due to its complexity, but written directions will be available upon request. Caveat emptor: they go on for many pages

I recommend using a fingering weight yarn rather than laceweight, as this will best show off the textured nature of the stitch pattern. It also provides a little extra warmth for the chill winter winds we all know are coming.

I used String Theory's Bluestocking - a lovely BFL blend in Alexandrite. I love how the other colors shimmer within the blue just like visions under the surface of Galadriel's mirror. This pattern is best suited to a shaded solid yarn. Another good option would be Dream in Color. They have many wonderful blue options. Just try to stay away from anything too variegated as you want the pattern to shine through.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. I have wanted to do a pattern based upon this concept form the very beginning of the conception of the series. It is such a beautiful, mystical scene, yet one that holds such power as well. We do not always see what we want, when we gaze into our futures. We often see challenges, as Frodo did.

What will you see, when gazing into Galadriel's mirror?

May the blessings to come and the promise of future joys outweigh the challenges and sorrows sure to be there as well...

Ba-a-a-d Blogger

"A little neglect may breed great mischief."
- Benjamin Franklin

My goodness, it has been a long time since I have talked to y'all! I am so sorry to have been MIA for the last month.

We had a lovely vacation and an eventful labor day weekend, becoming grandparents for a second time. I hope you have been enjoying your summer as well.

Not a lot of time this morning, but I wanted to share a few things with you.

First up is what I did on my summer vacation!

The next pattern in the FotR series is complete & awaiting an October release: the Bag End mushroom bag

This mosaic knitting rectangle, through the magic of folding & felting turned into...

this colorful tote bag! I have a lovely little mushroom charm on order to add to the bag, for a little extra punch.

I am teaching a class in mosaic knitting at the Unique Sheep retreat at the end of September, and so developed a couple smaller projects that I am calling "There" and "Back Again"

I turned my squares into an eyeglass case & a change purse, but the same techniques could be used for an ipod, cell phone, or laptop case.

before felting

and after

Galadriel's Mirror is crawling through test knit - the written directions for this one are a b&$%h! So voluminous, I am considering offering written directions "upon request" rather than in the body of the pattern. My test knitter has also been knitting this triangular shawl as a square tablecloth, by doubling the pattern. I will include both versions in the final pattern.

Last, but certainly not least, Argonath was frogged back & redesigned to make it wider - I think a cabled wrap should be capacious enough to snuggle up in and now she is heading out to test knitters next week, while I continue to work on the sample.

!!SATURDAY STASH SALE TOMORROW!!

Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Perseverance

"You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out, but you gotta suit up for them all."

- Satchel Paige

Life is all about keepin' goin' out here on the sunflower farm these days. Life with a toddler in residence is a challenge. Two steps forward, one step back.

Or (more accurately) two steps forward, take a half hour break for cat video browsing, two steps forward, become human jungle gym for grandson, two steps forward, explain where Grandpa is & why Grandma needs to work instead of play...

You got the picture yet?

Perseverance is key. Just keep on pluggin' away at it and eventually it gets done.

And speaking of done...

Galadriel's Mirror is finished - YAY!

Here is a shot of the lower border as it comes together in the center point.

It is hard to tell from these photos, but the border design features a triple leaf motif and the same twisted stitch pattern from earlier in the design, separated by the openwork and finished off with a crocheted loop bind off.

GM is in test knit right now; am hoping for an August release date.

Lots of other stuff goin' on right now:

Have been working on a free pattern for all of you, in the LOTR theme. This is Weathertop, a nifty little reversible scarf in Rowan's Revive recycled yarn. The yarn looks just like weathered stone. Will knit a bit more on it and release later this week.

Bombadil is ready to go - just waiting on my model so I can get a lovely head shot for the front of the pattern and then she will be whisked away into your hot little hands.


And my yarn for the Bag End felted tote bag arrived in today's mail. It is Anna's Yarn from Unique Sheep in (l. to r.) Golden Ale, Lager, Amber Ale, Machiatto, & Stout

I have been waiting breathlessly for this shipment, as I am teaching the mosaic knit bag class at their annual retreat in September. Should be a lot of fun!

While waiting, I did design work for one of the Two Towers patterns. This is Emyn Muil, a triangular scarf/shawlette) in Madelinetosh lace. (Please ignore the kitty derriere - squatter's rights!)
I was inspired by this photo of the endless rocky repetitive landscape Frodo & Sam first meet Gollum in.

The scarf is knit side to side and features a very repetitive pattern of overlapping peaks (just like its inspiration)

Guess that's about it for today. Short stuff should be here any moment, so better make this brief.

Reporting live from the toddler front lines...catch ya later!

The Second Time Around

Love is lovelier, the second time around
Just as wonderful, with both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Who can say, what brought us to this miracle we've found
There are those who'd bet
Love comes but once - and yet
I'm oh so glad we met
The second time around
- Kahn

I am six short rows from finishing Galadriel's Mirror - for the second time (almost). You see, I ran out of yarn the first time and had to go all the way back to the middle and take a repeat out before the zig-zaggy pattern change to the border. Yikes!

I have been pushing it along for the past week, wishing it was finished and barely keeping ahead of my fastest test knitter, who is loving the pattern thus far. In fact, she is so far ahead that she began working on a second GM, doubling the triangle, making a square tablecloth out of it in white cotton. No pics yet, but I will ask her to share when she gets a little further along.

The shawl has a real intricate look to it that I love, definitely different than most shawls, more substantial and done in fingering weight instead of lace-weight. The lacy bits are minimal until you get to the border and the twisted stitches really make the pattern pop.

I know it is hard to see, because she is all bunched up on the needles, but I can't wait to see her all stretched out - soonest...

This is another add on pattern, not included in the $45 subscription. Once again, I found the yarn & pattern after the sign ups were done. Once again, I will offer a $2 discount to subscribers, as I did with Rivindell & Goldberry

Two test knitters have finished the Bombadil Tam, so that pattern should be out to subscribers and available for individual purchase next week. As soon as it is ready, I will email it out to the fine folks at String Theory who are putting kits together with Caper Sock (which is what I used) One of my test knitters used Knitpicks with beautiful results.

I do want to make sure one of them was using the written directions (not just charts)before release. Pesky little suckers. Mind like a sieve - good thing I make notes...

Another thing I am getting a second go at this week: having a toddler in the house. Son & grandson staying with us while in between houses. I had forgotten how busy a toddler is. He is a joy (as was Daddy) but into everything and curious about it all. I have already taught him Grandma lingo. He says, "hat, shawl, and wind ( as in yarn, not climate)."

And on the subject of second chances, tomorrow - July 24th - there WILL BE A STASH SALE! Lots of goodies from MadelineTosh, Tanis Fiber Arts, Sanguine Gryphon, Blue Moon, & Hand maiden.

Didn't get to do this last weekend as aforementioned toddler changed my plans for the day.

So c'mon back over here tomorrow afternoon and peruse the goodies. My sales are legendary - don't miss out!

And now, I am gonna tackle those six rows - hurry, hurry, hurry...

Holy as My Day Was Spent

Holy is the dish and drain
The soap and sink, the cup and plate
And the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile
Showerheads and good dry towels
And frying eggs sound like psalms
With a bit of salt measured in my palm
It’s all a part of a sacrament
As holy as a day is spent

Holy is the busy street
And cars that boom with passion’s beat
And the check out girl, Counting change
And the hands that shook my hands today
Hymns of geese fly overhead
And stretch their wings like their parents did
Blessed be the dog
That runs in her sleep
The catch that wild and elusive thing

Holy is a familiar room and the quiet moments in the afternoon
And folding sheets like folding hands
To pray as only laundry can
I’m letting go of all I fear
Like autumn leaves of earth and air
For summer came and summer went
As holy as a day is spent

Holy is the place I stand
To give whatever small good I can
The empty page, the open book
Redemption everywhere I look
Unknowingly we slow our pace
In the shade of unexpected grace
With grateful smiles and sad lament
As holy as a day is spent

And morning light sings “providence”
As holy as a day is spent

-Holy As A Day Is Spent
by Carrie Newcomer

This is one of my favorite songs. I was reminded of it this afternoon while toiling over the written directions for Galadrial's Mirror (and I do mean toil - you try writing 179 lines of code - yeesh!)


I was listening to Pandora internet radio while I worked and this song came up in my mix.

I first met Carrie when I was a student at Earlham School of Religion. She is a delightful individual with a very important message and a strong commitment to living her life with a great deal of personal integrity.

She is also a damn fine musician.

All too often we go about our daily business as if it bears no weight. We believe that our actions don't really matter, unless we are doing something out of the ordinary. We get up, we eat breakfast, we go to work, raise our kids, listen to our friends, make our houses into homes. We knit, or spin, or weave, or crochet.

And we forget that what we do matters.

It matters a great deal.

Every one of those things...every one of US...

is holy.

What a lovely message to receive on a stormy Thursday afternoon spent immersed in the minutia of long lines of detailed instruction.

So...

How was your day spent?

Random Acts of Knitting

In complex situations, we may rely too heavily on planning and forecasting and underestimate the importance of random factors in the environment. That reliance can also lead to delusions of control.

-Hillel J. Einhorn

My thoughts are scattered today - not good for a writer. I don't know if it is due to the heat which has suddenly struck hard at the midsection of our country, the many patterns I have in the pipeline at the moment, or the push-me-pull-you nature of balancing the demands on my time.

All I know is that I am having difficulty settling down to any one thing right now. I work on Evenstar's beaded border until my eyes and brain give out (which comes sooner on some days than on others) then pick up Dwarrowdelf to finish the second side. When that feels stale, I knit on Strider which is already in test knit and about 10 rows from sample completion.

When all else fails to interest, I work on another design which I have had in mind for Fellowship since it's inception, but had not finalized in time for the initial offering. This one is low on the priority list as it is not part of the original series, but I hope to have it ready for publication in August, just in time for you to complete it before the cold winds of winter strike again.

Evenstar's release has been pushed back from June 1st to the 4th (next Friday) in consideration of the holiday weekend and the many festivities surrounding it. I have learned (to our detriment) the consequences of premature release (now that sounds a lot racier than it should-lol) and want to make sure the final product is thoroughly proofed by several people since it has only been tested in its clue format.

Those errata are sneaky little suckers - they and their ugly cousins: the typos!

Now some random acts of knitting for your enjoyment...

close up shot of back panel of Dwarrowdelf showing the center graft & the pick up along the side edge (the diagonal line) with the side panels knit out from the back.

beauty shot of Dwarrowdelf on the artist's chair

!!SPOILER ALERT!!
Evenstar Pic ahead

Almost done with beaded border - next time you see her, she'll be blocked
so excited!!!


Galadriel's Mirror triangular shawl - mid-way through 3rd chart

close up of center back divide showing mirroring

close up of twisted stitch/bobbled lace pattern

Elven-ish motifs ripple out in mirror fashion from center of shawl before radiating out into an overlapping lattice with half round motifs on the edge. The yarn is the yummiest color - String Theory Blue Stocking in Alexandrite - a real joy to work with! I have almost used up the first skein, but have 2 more if I need them.

And I think that's about it for today. Not up to my usual standards, but as much as I can manage today. My knitting awaits...