The Twelve Days of Christmas

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A partridge in a Pear Tree." -English Christmas Carol

The blog has been silent all fall, but I have been anything but inattentive. I have been working on a holiday surprise for all my loyal readers & knitters.

The twelve days in the song are the twelve days starting Christmas day, or in some traditions, the day after Christmas (December 26) (Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day, as being the feast day of St. Stephen Protomartyr) to the day before Epiphany, or the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6, or the Twelfth Day). Twelfth Night is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking."^[3]

Although the specific origins of the chant are not known, it possibly began as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a sweet.^[1] This is how the game is offered up in its earliest known printed version, in the children's book Mirth without Mischief (c. 1780) published in England, which 100 years later Lady Gomme, a collector of folktales and rhymes, described playing every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.^[2]

The song apparently is older than the printed version, though it is not known how much older. Textual evidence indicates that the song was not English in origin, but French, though it is considered an English carol. Three French versions of the song are known. If the "partridge in a pear tree" of the English version is to be taken literally, then it seems as if the chant comes from France, since the red-legged (or French) partridge, which perches in trees more frequently than the native common (or grey) partridge, was not successfully introduced into England until about 1770.^[1][2]

The song was imported to the United States in 1910 by Emily Brown, of the Downer Teacher's College in Milwaukee, WI, who had encountered the song in an English music store sometime before. She needed the song for the school Christmas pageant, an annual extravaganza that she was known for organizing.^{[citation needed]}

I know traditionally, the 12 days begin on Christmas day, but I am jumping the gun and running the promotion before Christmas. ( I figure after Christmas I will be too tired.)

For the next twelve days, there will be a special post on the blog, with free patterns, promotions, contests, & giveaways.

So check back every day until Christmas for a little holiday cheer and fun, from me to you!

Today's special is a free pattern.

WAFFLING
A deeply textured infinity scarf

Size: 10 inches wide by 54 inches long Materials: 4 skeins Malabrigo Twist (or 600 yds. heavy worsted) Size 10 (US) needles (or to obtain gauge) Cable needle, spare needle & yarn needle for grafting Gauge: 5 st = 1 inch

You can wear it in a long loop, or wound twice around the neck for a cozier feel.

The pattern is available for free download on the sidebar or on Ravelry.

I know you were really jonesing for the partridge, but this will just have to do!

Come back tomorrow for another surprise...

Westemnet

Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde
þat heo mano arer his þruc ne deores
on meagorinc deorcas, belu

An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing the sorrowing minstrels in Meduseld
That noble cousin who always held me dear

Now is held in darkness, enclosed…

Eowyn's Lament

When I got this lovely ball of Isager Bomulin, it was a challenge to find a pattern that showed it off to its best advantage. The yarn is slightly bumpy, due to the wrap of the 2 strands: one linen & one cotton. The linen is natural beige; the cotton is white. So there is a slight marl to the yarn as well.

Complicated lace patterns got lost in the yarn. The yarn was too fine for cablework. Knit/purl and slip stitch patterns weren't the answer either.

Then I found this nifty little yarn-over pattern in my Barbara Walkers. It couldn't be simpler. If you can knit, purl, yarn-over, knit 2 together, & slip, slip knit, you're all set.

The pattern is slightly textural and evolves into this dainty hourglass pattern. It is open & airy & light & quick & easy peasy - everything a summer scarf should be.

In my humble opinion...

As to the name, I wanted something that played off of the casual, slightly rustic feel of the scarf.

Westemnet was the westernmost grasslands of Rohan beyond Entwash that spread until the rivers Isen, marking the western part of the land of the Mark.

The most important of Rohan’s settlements and fortifications lay to the south of the Westemnet, where the White Mountains rose up from the plain. Helm’s Deep was among these, and to the south-east was the seat of the Lords of the Mark, Edoras itself.

Emnet means “plain” in Rohirric.

WESTEMNET

The Lord of the Rings Collection

Materials:
3 balls Isager Bomulin (color: natural) or 525 yards other fingering weight yarn
size 3 (US) needles

Size: 10 by 64 inches
Gauge: not important

Written & charted directions.
Suitable for the beginning lace knitter.

Mine is coming in with 2 balls, but I have added 15% to the yardage estimate to allow for differences in knitting styles.

Hope you enjoy the free pattern as much as I did, knitting it up. Now I'm just waiting on that second ball.

Patterns on the sidebar and Ravelry - you know what to do...

Simple Gift

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Sometimes we get so caught up in all the hustle & bustle of the holidays, that we forget to breathe. We have alist a mile long of gifts to buy & parties to attend, & cookies to bake. And don't even get me started on the subject of Christmas knitting!

We forget to stop & smell the poinsettias...

I had a lovely retreat over the Thanksgiving holiday, spending a few quiet days in our cottage in the north woods of Michigan with my husband and parents. No kids. No grandkids. No pets. No crowds of shoppers. Just us and some much needed breathing space.

So what did I do with all this leisure time? I played aggravation, watched old movies, and knit on something mindless. Something easy. Something...simple.

SIMPLE GIFT

Materials:
3 skeins Malabrigo Worsted (model in Pearl)
Or equivalent yardage other worsted weight yarn
size 9 (US) needles Gauge: not important


DIRECTIONS

Using size 9 needles, cast on 57 st (or any multiple of 4 plus 1 st).

Rows 1, 3 & 5: p2, k1, * p3, k1; rep from * to last 2 st, p2
Rows 2 & 4: k2 tog, yo, p1, *yo, sk2p, yo. P1; rep from * to last 2 st, yo, skp
Row 6: k2, p1, *k3, p1; rep from * to last 2 st, k2

Repeat these six rows until desired length, ending last repeat with row 4. Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Soak & Block to desired dimensions. (Mine is 18 by 78 inches) Cut 12 inch lengths of yarn & knot 4 strands in each hole at end of scarf.

And it's reversible!

This may well be one of my favorite FOs - quick, easy, softer than soft, warm enough to guard against the bleak mid winter, stylish enough to toss on for a nice accent to my winter cardigans.

Sometimes what we need is right in front of us. Just keep it simple...

Time Warp

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!

- Rocky Horror Picture Show

Again I must apologize for being an indifferent blogger. I have also been a sporadic plurker and a casual Ravelry ignorer - embarrassed look - sheesh!

But it is really not my fault, you see...

I have been ambushed by a time warp.

I returned from North Carolina at the end of September, rested, ready to begin my fall knitting projects, eager to get Argonath out, and with an additional skein of yarn I had Unique Sheep dye for Lothlorien.

And I realized that, while Argonath only needs one repeat and the end panel test knit (piece of cake) Lothlorien was going to require knitting the entire kit & caboodle. Cuz just the kit without the caboodle wouldn't test all of the pattern. besides, who wants a kit without a caboodle. It just wouldn't be proper...

So I cast on for Lothlorien and along the way, she morphed from a stole to a shawl to her final form as a cape.

TA-DA!

I finished her up last week and she is into the test knitting process. Now I can time warp back to Argonath, which is the next release in the Fellowship Series. Argonath heads into testing this week, but, because of its repetitive nature, will be out in a couple weeks.

My test knitter for Galadriel's Mirror was also caught in a time warp, as work demands, home renovation, & illness set her back on her heels temporarily. But I remain hopeful, GM will see market by the end of the month.

Another thing adding to the time warp factor, is the fast approaching holidays with their attendant knitting. I try to get a few free patterns out in November as my gift to y'all. Things that aren't too complicated or knit in a looser gauge so you can make gifts.

Today, in the spirit of this post, because it jumps to the left, & looks like the warp of a woven object, I present...

TIME WARP

This little 4 st, 4 row slip stitch pattern has become my favorite discovery this autumn. The yarn is Berroco Jasper in Mohica Blue, a very affordable and widely available self striping single ply worsted. It gives a closely knit fabric that feels and looks woven. No need to block. No curling. No fancy stitches, beyond knitting, purling, & slipping. Just perfection.

I was going to make a cowl with 2 skeins, but loved it so much I went back and purchased 12 more skeins for a large wrap. I think it looks like the colors of the sea & shore (I call it my "Surf N Turf - giggle)

I am letting the yarn do all the work, not even bothering to match up the skeins' differing start places on the color run.

I'm making mine 24 inches wide by 72 inches long - that takes 14 skeins. If you want, you can easily make it shorter or narrower. Just think in multiples of 4 plus 2 for the stitch count and multiples of 4 for the rows.

The pattern results in the slipped stitches migrating to the left on a diagonal line. So easy & cool.

It's just a jump to the left...

So... here are the directions:

Using size 11 needles, cast on 126 st (or any multiple of 4 plus 2 st).

Row 1: *k2, slip 2 w/ yarn in front; rep from * to last 2 st, k2
Row 2: p1, *slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p2; rep from * to last st, p1
Row 3: *slip 2 w/ yarn in front, k2; rep from * to last 2 st, slip 2 w/ yarn in front
Row 4: p3, *slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p2; rep from * to last 3 st, slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p1

Repeat these four rows until desired length & bind off.

That's all there is to it - easy, huh?

If you want to make a cowl, simply join after cast on & work in the round. In this case, your 2nd & 4th rows will be:

Row 2: k3, slip 2 w/ yarn in front; rep from * to last st, k1
Row 4: k1, *slip 2 w/ yarn in front, k2; rep from * to last 3 st, k3

Make a scarf, make a cowl, make place mats or a table runner. Whatever you make, you won;t be disappointed.

Let's do the Time Warp again....

and again...

and again...

and again...

You know you want to...

Weathertop

We escape along the Great Road
Strider,my friends and I, Frodo
The Black Riders follow, just five of their lot.
If only we'll meet Gandalf on Weathertop.

Through Midgewater Marshes and trecherous bogs
And Neckerbreekers squeeking through the cold, gloomy fog
Off in the distance, our eyes are caught
By leaps of lightening on Weathertop.

Many days on the road have left us thin
But to joke we look like wraiths seems far too grim.
We turn towards Amon Sul now long crumbled with rot
Where the watchtower was burned on old Weathertop

We climb up the hill with hope of finding Gandalf
But tracks in the dust tell us he was off.
Down the Great Road, our hearts are distraught,
Five Black Riders race towards old Weathertop.

"We've a fortnight to go to reach Rivendale,"
Says Strider, "There's nowhere safe between here and there.
So sit your backs to the fire on guard for the plot.
For a battle begins tonight on Weathertop."

Then over the dell, I see a shadow rise.
Three, then five dark figures, wraiths in moonlight
Terror ensnares us, Sam speeds to my side.
I hear The Ring calling...me to hide.

I reach in my pocket and grip it tight.
My mind goes blind to warnings. Ah, but to hide.
I slip the ring on, unleashing my hell
As the pale king's knife stabs me and I'm quelled.

In the morning, I wake whispering, "O', where's the pale king?"
To my companions joy I live and still clutch The Ring.
My body is weak, but our journey unstopped.
As we make our escape from old Weathertop.

- words and music Marc Gunn

It's free pattern time!

When I saw Rowan's Revive, a recycled blend of silk, cotton, & viscose, I was immediately struck by how much it looked like rock.The recycling does the same thing that geological forces do: merges many colors into one mottled color.

I began to get ideas (always a dangerous proposition). I wanted a little throw away scarf to toss on over my summer tanks and under my jean jacket - something vaguely organic looking.


After a little experimentation, I cam up with a nifty little reversible pattern that you can whip up in a weekend or so.



Only two balls yields a 60 inch long drape of stony goodness. Just right for a gift or a quick & easy vacation project.

Materials:
2 (2 1/2) balls Rowan Revive (137 yds each) or equivalent yardage other DK yarn.
size 6 (US) needles
Size: 6 inches wide by 60 (75) inches long
Gauge: 4 st = 1 inch

DIRECTIONS

Cast On 34 st.

Row 1 (RS): k2, *p5, k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 2 st. k2
Rows 2 & 3 (WS): k2, *p5, k2, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to last 2 st. k2
Rows 4 & 5 (WS): k2, *p5, k1, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to last 2 st. k2
Row 6 (WS): k2, *p5, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last 2 st. k2

Repeat these 6 rows until out of yarn or desired length. Bind off. Lightly steam press to reduce drawing in. Weave ends in and wear with pride.




And that's all there is to it. I think I'll go finish mine now.

Enjoy getting stoned! lol

Christmas in the Country

At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.

I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.

I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm a person with love.

I believe with Italian children that La Befana is not an ugly doll but a good fairy who will gladden the heart of all.

I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.

I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will lessen hostility among adults.

I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.

I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through the sky and fill the earth with joy.

I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.

I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St.Stephen's Day will erase sorrow.

I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from a church tower will strengthen humankind.

I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log will create warmth in human souls.

I believe with American children that the sending of Christmas cards will build friendships.

I believe with all children that there will be peace on earth.

Daniel Roselle

I was on line this morning when I came across this wonderful Credo. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas in the country, but I just loved it so much, it made its way onto the top of this post anyway!

Thank you for your many generous offers to help me spread the scarf/cowl pattern I shared yesterday. I'll be writing up the pattern asap and will email it out to all of you who have agreed to test knit.

*****************

Every year on the 27th we pack up our winter coats and our galoshes, our presents & our packages, some warm socks and a good book to snuggle up by the fire with...

And turn both our car and our hearts northward, towards Leland, Michigan.

Those of you who have been reading for a while, know that my grandparents built a home on the lake there during the war. You know my father & step-mother, my sister and her family make their homes in this quiet pastoral corner of the state. You know DH & I are eagerly awaiting January 8th when we close the deal on our own little corner of paradise - 9 wooded acres on a ridge overlooking the lake. You know how much I love it there.

And now, those who are new to this blog know it also.

I was raised a city girl, but was lucky enough each summer to spend glorious weeks at a time, enjoying what the country has to offer. The peace and quiet, the simple evenings spent playing cards, the quiet afternoons reading or knitting on the porch, the Sunday night community sings.

I am blessed beyond belief to have this place in my family, in my heart. And every summer I make my way to the little cemetery on the point where my grandparents are buried and say a simple "thank you."

This last summer, I took Conner for the first time. He is 5th generation and I hope he will come to love it as much as I do. As much as his father does.

So when I needed a name for my latest free cowl design, my heart reached out to the windy snowy reaches of the land where we will eventually came to ground and make our home. I pictured putting on this warm and comfy neckwarmer under my jeans jacket and heading out for a winter hike through the snow.

What else could I name it but Christmas in the Country?

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY COWL

size: 6 in. tall by 22 in. around
materials: dk weight yarn MC: 85 yds. CC1: 75 yds. CC2: 33 yds. model done in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light: MC: steel cut oats CC1: redwood mix CC2: fern Size 5 (US) 24 in. circular needles
gauge: 5 ½ st. = 1 in.

Here is a shot of the back of the cowl, showing the stranding.

You will have a little jog at the beginning of each round, but just put it to the back of the cowl and no one will be the wiser.

DIRECTIONS

Notes: This cowl is knit in Fair isle style by stranding the three different colors across the back of your work. For an excellent tutorial in this method, go here.

With CC1, cast on 154 stitches. Join, taking care not to twist stitches. Place marker at beginning and work in round.

Rounds 1-4: With MC, K1, P1; rep to end of round. You may carry CC1 loosely up back of cowl or may choose to cut cast on yarn and begin anew on round 5.

Round 5: Begin Chart, working in stockinette stitch.. Work right to left in 14 stitch repeats, carrying unused colors loosely across back.

When you have completed all 36 rows of chart, repeat rounds 1 through 4. Join in CC1 and bind off loosely in rib. Weave ends in.

Pattern is also available as a free Ravelry download.

It is my heartfelt hope this holiday season that you will enjoy Christmas in the Country as much as I do...

From my house to yours, blessings & happy knitting always!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: A 30-something femme createrix Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Energy Crisis

"Energy and persistence alter all things."

- Benjamin Franklin

Feeling sluggish this evening - don't know why - maybe it's adrenalin let down after several VERY busy days. Today was catch up day on the Sunflower farm.

Laundry, closet cleaning for a trip to Goodwill, tackling the kitchen of doom...

Things tend to slide around here when there's a release date around.

And don't even TALK to me about Christmas! No decorations up, barely any gifts purchased. I am really behind this year. I have however, baked cookies and started knitting some presents which cannot be shown here.

Speaking of which, another of yours should be ready by the end of the week.

Now that Spruce is out, I have been devoting my knitting time to this

Yes, it's another free Xmas Cowl pattern: this time in colorwork. I am well past the midpoint in the design and back to using only 2 colors at a time with no pesky long carries to twist and tangle the yarn. The rest should go pretty smoothly. And it's DK weight so it goes quickly.

Missed the deadline for submission to the Spring/Summer issue of Knitty - darn it! It is today. I could have finished my pattern, but realized I didn't have time to adequately photograph it. If only I had the idea sooner - sigh!

But things continue to roll along. I really want to make a splash with the design so will be contacting a lot of you to test knit in January. Maybe if I can get a number of projects on the Rav boards quickly, I can make an impression.

I'll share pics of that project later this week.

Other exciting news looms in the New Year. A new website over on Wordpress with a real store!

Long overdue, I know...

Didn't realize quite how bad it really is until I heard Lime & Violet's most recent podcast. They went on and on about my designs and it was obvious they were on line at the time because they kept saying things like, "Down there, at the bottom of the sidebar" and "I know it's here somewhere!"

The segment about me lasted a good ten minutes and probably would have been half that, had my blog been easier to navigate. Y'all have been very patient with me.

I know I should have something inspirational to say, but my energy crisis has gotten the better of me this evening, Maybe tomorrow...

After all, in the words of the immortal Scarlett O' Hara, "Tomorrow is another day!"

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Lois poohknits. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

New Tricks

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."

Thomas Paine

It would appear that it is a brave new world, folks. I have so been enjoying your comments. Not because of the ego massage, mind you. I find that part a little embarrassing. But because I feel so connected to everybody.

When you work from home like I do, it is easy to wonder if there is anybody out there.

I know it is my own fault; I get busy and forget to put myself out there. If you don't respond to people, they begin to feel they are throwing their remarks into a bottomless pit from which nothing ever emerges...sort of like the WIPs at the back of the drawer; the bottom of the queue,

You know the ones - the ones marked on Ravelry with the snooze button.

Anyhoo...

Was checking to see how people got to my little website yesterday and discovered some, as the divine Martha would say, "good" things.

One is Knitting Pattern Central which sent over 300 people to my doorstep just by putting Stonehenge & Comely on their site. Amazing patterns - all free - now that's what I call public service!

Another is this site: p/hop, which stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. They raise money for Doctors Without Borders. Designers donate patterns free and the patterns are used to solicit donations. I have emailed them to inquire about donating a pattern. Good work!

The last is one I may live to regret. I found Miss Violet talking about Chrysanthemum on Plurk, which is a twitter type thing - or so I presume - have never tweeted in my life.

Anyway...I had to talk back, right?

So I registered - gulp!

Now I have a profile and a friend list and am expected to post my every errant random thoughts.

Do you guys have any idea just how many random thoughts I have in a day?

Brrrrrr....scary....I'm just sayin'...

If you want to be my friend, although it escapes me why anyone would be remotely interested, go here

Seems like there was something else I needed to share...

Hmmm...

What could it be????

OH YEAH! yesterday' s winner is (dramatize drumroll) Alex Debra! Email me and let me know what pattern you want.

And comment again today everyone, if you want to win. Share what great places on line that you have run across recently...

See? You CAN teach an old dog knitter new tricks!

I'm having so much fun...FA LA LA LA LA - LA LA-LA-LA...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Alex Debra. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Two-fer

"Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two."
-Buddha

I know, I know...I said one a week...but this time of year time is of the essence. And since the second pattern was finished up so quickly - a couple hours folks, seriously! - I decided to give you both this week.

First up...

a unisex pattern that reminds me of old English stone walls, hence the name.

STONEHENGE

size: 6 in. tall by 20 in. around
materials:150 yds. worsted weight yarn
model done in Rowan Lima: peru
Size 8 (US) 24 in. round needles, stitch marker
gauge: 6 st = 1 in.

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 144 stitches. Join, taking care not to twist stitches. Place marker at beginning and work in round.

Purl 2 rounds.

Now work in sixteen round repeat as follows:

Rounds 1, 3, & 5: *K6, (K1tbl, P1) twice, K1tbl, K1; rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 2 & 4: *P6, (SL1, P1) three times; rep from * to end of round.
Round 6: *K6, (SL1, P1) twice, SL1, K1; rep from * to end of round.
Round 7: * (K1tbl, P1) twice, K1tbl, K1; rep from * to end of round.
Round 8: * (SL1, P1) twice, SL1, K1; rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 9, 11, & 13: *(K1tbl, P1) twice, K1tbl, K7; rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 10 & 12: *(SL1, P1) twice, SL1, P7; rep from * to end of round.
Round 14: *(SL1, P1) twice, SL1, K7; rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 15 & 16: As rounds 7 & 8.

Repeat 16 rounds four times (64 rounds of pattern / 66 rounds total.)

Purl 2 rounds.

Bind off loosely and weave ends in. Do not block.

K – knit
P-purl
Ktbl – knit through back loop
SL – slip stitch purlwise

Next?

You gotta LOVE this one! Only took a couple hours. the yarn is yummy and I can get at least two of them out of a single skein, maybe even three!

I googled synonyms for beauty and seriously considered naming her “Pulchritudenous!” LOL!

COMELY

size: 4½ in. tall by 18 in. around
materials: 75 yds. worsted weight yarn
model done in Madelinetosh worsted: lepidoptera
Size 6 (US) 24 in. round needles, cable needle, stitch marker
Gauge: cable = ¾ in.

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 99 stitches. Join, taking care not to twist stitches. Place marker at beginning and work in round.

Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: Purl.

Now work in twelve row repeat as follows:

Rounds 1 & 9: *Cable 4 right, P1, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, P1; rep from * to end of round.
Round 2 and all even rounds: *K4, P1, K5, P1; rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 3, 7, & 11: * K4, P1, YO, K1, SK2P, K1, YO, P1; rep from * to end of round.
Round 5: *K4, P1, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, P1; rep from * to end of round.

Repeat 12 rounds twice. On third repeat, end with round 9 ( 33 rounds of pattern / 35 rounds total.)

Round 36: Purl.
Round 37: Knit.

Bind off loosely and weave ends in.

K – knit
P-purl YO-yarnover SSK – slip, slip, knit
K2tog-knit 2 together
SK2P – slip 1, knit 2 tog, pass slipped stitches over.
Cable 4 right – place 2 stitches on cable needle and drop to back. Knit next 2 stitches, then stitches from cable needle

Turn your face to the sun, share the joy, & tell your friends.

I'll put another batch of Christmas cookies in the oven...

Everything Is Beautiful

"Everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night or a snow covered winter's day
Everybody's beautiful in their own way
Under God's heaven, the world's gonna find a way"

-Ray Stevens

I am a stubborn cuss. Once I get a hold of an idea, I hang onto it like a dog with a bone.

For two weeks now, I have had these ten gorgeous skeins of Colinette's Tagliatelle in my Saturday Stash Sale.

44) 5 skeins Colinette Tagliatelli - Dusk - $10 each
wool/nylon- hand wash - 150 yds. each
SOLD!


45) 5 skeins Colinette Tagliatelli - Charcoal - $10 each
wool/nylon- hand wash - 150 yds. each
SOLD!

And nobody wants them.

Never mind that they retail for $27. Never mind that the colors are lovely. Never mind that I once thought they were worthy of full price. Never mind that the dye is slightly transparent, resulting in a distinctly watercolor-like look, unique to this yarn.

They are sitting on the sidelines like the stag line at a high school dance.

And that got my dander up (weird saying - anybody know its etymology?)

If everything is beautiful in its own way, and I firmly believe that, then this forsaken yarn is also. I just need to find the right home for it.

Maybe, I thought, no one knows what to do with it.

Maybe, I thought, it just needs to be seen in the right light.

Maybe it needs a makeover.

And therein lay the challenge. And once I had it in my teeth, I worried it until I solved it.

Like I don't have any other projects to occupy my time - snort...

The kicker was when I realized the color of one of them would be perfect for my gray outfit.

See what I mean?


Now, this may be a case of no one wants something quite so much as when it is taken away from them.

Or it may be a case of nobody kicks my dog yarn, but me.

But I don't think so.


After a little fiddling, I settled on this fagotting stitch variation, done on 13 needles - fast, fast,fast...

And a 2 stitch, 2 row repeat - easy, easy, easy...

One skein makes a 12 by 60 in. scarf - cheap, cheap, cheap...

Does it get any better?

I don't think so...



So here's the deal. You email me at susanpandorf@comcast.net (DON'T JUST LEAVE IN THE COMMENTS. BLOGGER OFTEN DELETES YOUR EMAIL) and tell me you want the yarn for $10 plus $3.50 shipping and I'll invoice you through PayPal, and send you both the yarn and the free pattern for:

SUSAN'S TERRIFIC TURBO SCARF

Because everything is beautiful.

We just need to open our eyes to the possibilities.

Free Enterprise

"The basic rule of free enterprise: You must give in order to get."
-Scott Alexander

It seems my mental inkwell is running on empty these days. I struggle with finding the right words. This post had three other titles before I settled on this one, to whit:

• If It's Free, It's Fun
• Larger Than Life
• Carry On

It seems I know I need to post, but am not sure what to talk about. I am overdue for a "think" piece, but find myself returning time and again to the mute, but satisfying enterprise beneath my fingertips:

My knitting.

Some times we are eloquent, outspoken, social...

And sometimes we just want our solitude.

The great thing about knitting is, you can have it both ways.

You can join a KAL, participate in a swap, chatter away on Ravelry, hop down to your LYS or over to the bookstore for your knitting group.

Or you can sit silently, with none to keep you company, save your needles and length of string.

And still feel fulfilled, nourished, useful.

This enterprise of mine is yet a wee thing, barely a year old, yet it has given me so much joy.

You have given me so much joy.

It confounds me, when you thank me for sharing:

• my patterns
• my second hand yarn
• my thoughts

For it seems to me that I am the one who must thank you for sharing:

• your time
• your talent
• your appreciation

It seems an unequal transaction to me - like what I give is not nearly deserving of what I get. Yet, wonder of wonders, you seem to feel the same - like what you give is not nearly deserving of what you get.

Is this the definition of codependency? Or fellowship? Or both?

All I know is that it is my turn to give. It is always my turn to give.

For you have given me so much.

So for all of you out there who don't want to wait, here's the FREE directions for the Lime Scarf

LIME

Size: 12 in. wide by 64 in. long (unblocked)
Materials: 500 yds. Lenpur Linen or other DK weight yarn
Size 8 (US) needles
Gauge: 4 st = 1 in (stockinette)

Cast on 52 stitches. Work in ten row repeat as follows:

Rows 1 & 3: Purl
All wrong side (even) rows: Purl
Row 5 & 9: P2, *YO, K2 tog; rep from * to last 2 stitches. P2.
Row 7: P2, * K2tog, YO; rep from * to last 2 stitches. P2.

Repeat until desired length, ending with row 4.

Bind off.

P-purl
YO-yarnover
K2tog-knit 2 together

That's all there is to it. Will also post pattern on Ravelry for free download.

Bless you all for what you have given me. I am forever humbled and grateful.

Sugarplums

"And visions of sugarplums danced in their head..."
- Clement Clarke Moore

This year's free Christmas pattern showcases the beautiful saturated color and lovely deep texture of Malabrigo worsted yarn.

The color is called velvet grapes, but it is really more of a deep plum than a grape purple.


I wanted something easy and quick with a short repeat and a textured stitch that had rounded shapes in it. You can make it a scarf or a wrap; you can make it fat as Santa's belly or thin as a candy cane. You can make it long as a winter's nap or short as an elf.



You can make it any way you want it. Yardage will vary accordingly

Sugarplums


Materials

Malabrigo worsted (yardage will vary)
Size 8 (US) needles

Cast on any multiple of six. (Mine is 60 stitches.)

Work 4 rows of K1, P1 rib.

Main Stitch Pattern

Row 1: K3, *P3, YO, S2KP, YO; rep from * to last three stitches, K3.
Row 2: K3, *P3, K3; rep from * to last three stitches, K3.
Row 3: K3, *YO, S2KP, YO, P3; rep from * to last three stitches, K3.
Row 4: K3, *K3, P3; rep from * to last three stitches, K3.

Repeat these four rows until scarf/wrap is desired length.

Work 4 rows of K1, P1 rib.

Bind off. Weave in ends. Soak and block if a flatter, more open appearance is desired. Remember, blocking will result in a larger finished product. Plan accordingly.

Pattern will also be available on Ravelry as a free download.

Merry Christmas to all
And to all a good night!

Late Bloomers

"As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.'
- Denis Waitley

Thank you all for your ongoing interest in Sunflower Designs. Your enthusiasm and passion is inspiring.

The Aperitifs Collection is flying off the shelves out of the laptop (we don't have shelves on the sunflower farm - way too organized for a chronic right-brainer like me.) I have the feeling there will be more than a few of these designs under the Christmas tree this year. Look for another release later this week...

A new friend on Ravelry has reminded me that we probably have a few latecomers who might benefit from a reiteration of the details of the Garden Variety Collection.

The Garden Variety Collection is a series of lace scarves/shawls inspired by the magnificent diversity we can find in our garden flowers,and the gorgeous colors of Handmaiden yarns. The patterns are designed for Sea Silk or Mini Maiden although other yarns of similar gauge can be (and have been) substituted successfully. Designs feature extensive crochet hook beading (optional) to enhance the lines of the patterns.

So far there have been four releases:

Crocus Pocus

Iris

Hydrangea

and
Zinnia

Sunflower was supposed to come out this month.



But factors such as repetitive stress injury, family illness, new grandchild, punishing pace, and size of the finished piece have combined to delay its release. Oh, c'mon now, don't cry; you know how that affects me...

Poinsettia will still come out in November as scheduled, in time for Christmas, and that pattern will be emailed free of charge to all who have purchased the four previously published patterns. Don't worry; Evelyn at Knitty Noddy and I have been keeping track of who orders what.

I have first pictures to share of the sample skeins that Jana at Handmaiden has dyed exclusively for Poinsettia.

Evelyn is shipping one of each to me today so I can decide between them. The main difference seems to be the relative amounts of red, gold, and green and the overall intensity of the colors. I will knit a bit with both and then decide which to use. What do you think? Which one do you like?

(Please keep in mind that this an informal non-binding survey.)

This yummy color of Sea Silk will be available (soon!) exclusively from Knitty Noddy.

So don't throw up your hands in despair.

Don't mope.

Don't cancel your subscriptions, tie up your loose ends, and jump out your window...

(Y'all can detect the heavy irony in my tone, can't you?)

Sunflower

and
Bougainvillea

will be released following Poinsettia.

Not exactly what I had planned, but real life got in the way. I hope that those of you who have been knitting the series will embrace these two "late bloomers" as a welcome break from the winter doldrums, even without the added bribe carrot of the free pattern.

Since the release schedule has changed, I am pushing back the retirement date of these patterns accordingly. They are still limited editions, but I will continue to offer the patterns for sale until March 2009. At that time, all seven patterns will be retired and I will begin production on the 2009 edition.

(Yeah. I know. I'm a glutton for punishment.)

I trust that all of my fans (Gosh, do i really have fans?) will understand the slight delay and accept my heartfelt apologies.

Blessings & happy knitting always!