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?

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

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!