I'm Late

"Talk does not cook rice."

-- Chinese proverb

My Blog Anniversary was Feb. 12...

I have not been as present as I wanted on this blog because life kept getting in the way...but I never totally gave up either.

I have come to realize that my life may always be like this and I want to make sure I have time to do the things I enjoy and be with the people I really care about.

I'm always knitting or crocheting because to me it is like breathing...I need to keep busy creating or I may just fade away.

I have learned so much over this past year. I feel I have really grown as a knitter. My goal for this year is to get my patterns up on payloadz and work on my Master Knitter degree....and learn a whole bunch more.

I'm experimenting with knitting with beads right now...the important thing is I'm having fun.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me. So many of you are such dear friends. When I read your blogs or see you have posted on mine it gives me joy. One day I hope we can get together and sit and knit together and share our lives and stories.

Bright blessings to you all,

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

P.S. The pic is from snapshirts.com - they take words from your blog and make a jpeg that you can use anywhere or you can get shirts or other things made up at their site.

I've Been Tagged

In catching up on my blogs I realized that I was tagged by chezchelle to tell six weird things about me. I'm not tagging anyone since most people have done this already...but if you want to play then feel free. :)

1. I hate having a dirty sink. As I sit here right now away from home typing I am thinking of my dirty sink. I ponder if I will have time to wash them in between going home, chipping ice and picking up my son to take to the LYS...do you think I could go home on my lunch hour and do it?

2. I dream about knitting. I frequently have dreams where I will be knitting and drop a stitch or something. I even take it a bit further as I will mentally go through a pattern I've memorized to relax in meditation. If only those rows counted!

3. I love paranormal romance. My bookshelves can attest to this. I write stories about it. It is kind of an obsession of mine. I'm blessed with a very understanding (and most times a very encouraging) DH. ;)

4. I love Pokemon. I really, really do! Pikachu is my favorite while Bulbasaur will always hold a dear place in my heart since he was my very first...and we made it all the way to the Indigo plateau together.

5. I collect sugar packets. I have them from all over the world since I was about five. Everywhere I go I stuff two in my purse and friends always bring them to me so I have quite a huge collection.

6. I've always wanted a llama. Even before I started hardcore knitting I wanted a llama. I was told I was zoned for only one and I thought the little guy would get lonely so I have not acted on this dream of mine. I do frequently buy alpaca yarn...and my sis got me a miniature llama which I just adore.

I know that there are scads of weirder things but I didn't want to give you TMI. :)

Happy crafting and remember the wierd stuff is what makes us all individuals!

Ruinwen
:)

Chock Full of Flowers Choker

Here is another design just approved by the LYS. It is a simple crocheted beaded choker with three flowers.

And...I made the pattern as I went so I actually am ahead of the game...

Anyway...I've been feeling awful about Ms. Ewe all day. I mean I can see her as I type and feel as if I left her down. I was at the shop today and one of the most talented people I know confessed to me hating the loop stitch so much she sewed in loops after knitting. Let's just say I feel tons better about hating that loop stitch now. Tomorrow when I work at the shop I'm going to bring Ms. Ewe and see if I can finish all the fleece. I want to get her done...really.

I have one more promised design to get done before I can return to fair, charity and maybe some knitting for me...

There's still a lot left to this month...maybe I can knock out a few goals too.

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Basking in the Sun

Dragon scarf

Here is DH's dragon scarf. It was fun to make and I think it turned out nice. He likes it which is really what matters.

I was thinking of a dragon hoodie for a kid with spikes down the back of it....but I need to finish some other projects that are due first.

Ruinwen
:)

Scarf for my Sis

My sister's scarf all dropped and airy as a feather.  I love the colors and the fun I had making this scarf!

Drop Stitch Scarf

I made this one for my sis for Val's Day and she really liked it.

This is a drop-stitch scarf that you drop every other row at the end and since it is made with wonderful sproingy (technical term) yarn, then it magically grows to twice its length.

I'm going to make another one with the yarn I Kool-Aide dyed a while ago. Also, sock yarn would work fab.

Ruinwen
:)

Meet Sheep

I purchased three Morehouse Farm kits and I really enjoyed everyone one of them. This is the Sheep Sampler scarf. You can't tell from the picture but there is basketweave stitch, bobbles and then seed stitch up and down the little guys back. My son picked out the eye color.

He loves him and says that sheep's favorite food is pizza with milk.

Ms. Ewe who is not happy with me is bleating softly. :(

Ruinwen
:)

Until Further Notice…Stash Only

For a while, we need to cut back on spending and I want to do my part so I will not buy any yarn until after Fair in May…and then only if I need it.

I mean really I do have enough to last the year through…it’s not like I’m really being deprived of anything. It might even give me a chance to make some of the stuff that I’ve been putting on the back burner…wouldn’t that be nice?

The LYS gives me yarn for proto-type designing classes so there are no worries there either. I’ll be okay folks. Really. :)

Happy Crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Our internet is down for the time being. So forgive me if I don’t post to the blogs as often or have no pictures up. :(

Happy Candlemas / Imbolic / Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow for the first time since 1999. So that means an early spring!

January seemed to go by so fast. Here is what I got done.

JANUARY GOALS
* work on sheep - never got to
* work on clapotis for Bridget - I'm on the length repeats now *yeah*
* Finish dishcloth - finished both
* finish intermediate class in crochet - never got to
* start a simple tank top to go with shrug - started and writing up pattern as I go
* start poncho for Spring Fair - never got to

Okay so I could do a little better...I've been working on a scarf for my son for Valentine's Day that looks like a sheep and it is almost done. I have something else that is *top secret* until after Valentine's Day...

FEBRUARY GOALS
* Keep on working on Bridget's clapotis - I try and do at least 2 rows a night, usually more
* Finish both Valentine's Day gifts
* Start that poncho for Fair
* Finish blanket for Fair
* Keep working on tank for LYS
* Do another pattern repeat on QOH shawl

We all know that I get sidetracked...like this month I went crazy with that afghan pattern and still have one on the hooks...I also fell in love with some Schaffer yarn (lambswool) and started on the Queen of Hearts shawl that I've been wanting to make. This is the yarn I earned for classes and could never afford otherwise...I'm in love with the whole project. It will be more of a cape in the end...and I will look like little red riding hood...but who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

I digress...

May the blessings of the season bring you creativity, inspiration and the sweet bliss of crafting.

Ruinwen
:)

Diagonal Baby Blanket

Here is my diagonal baby blanket. It is crocheted starting at the edge and you increase two blocks each row and then decrease two blocks each row. It is 3' X 3' and made of Patons chunky, angora, and Zarone.

We are trying to get people interested at the LYS in making blankets for the new hospice center that opened up here in town. I am sending this blanket to the shop to show how nice this pattern crochets up. I actually really enjoyed making it too! I am making another one for Spring Fair.

Hope everyone is surviving the cold...and the week...

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Dishcloth Swap

I wanted to thank Von, Denise, Teyla, Indigo and Sue for the beautiful dishcloths! Teyla and Indigo yours are on the way. Each one of these is so different and special in its own right. Thank you for letting me be a part of this swap!

In my last post, Kathy wrote that she wanted to know where I got the pattern for the reversible cable scarf...After grueling over technique and such I'm proud to say, I made it myself, and if you or anyone else would like a copy I'd be more then happy to share it with you if you send me an e-mail request. One of these days I'll have PDF links but not yet...sorry.

Ruinwen
:)

Reversible Cable Shawl / Scarf

Yeah. I finished a project before class! I even have the pattern done. I really had fun making this. I want to make it in something drapey and have it be more shawl-like but c'est le vie. This is Cascade 220.

So far I have not been a very good blogger...I really keep trying but I just can't get up before 6 am...I don't know why I suddenly need so much sleep.

In fact, I seem behind in everything...I haven't even opened Christmas cards up yet. :(

DECEMBER GOALS
• Finish shrug - done - pattern is done too
• Finish penguin - done - recipient liked it, said he had character
• Finish sheep - not done - my son has given me 'til Imbolic
• Work on crochet class I, II, III - 1 is totally done and I've taught it once
• Write up shrug pattern - see above
• Work up reversible cable class - done - that's why I'm posting

Since Jan is already a good way in, I'll be easy on myself.

JANUARY GOALS
* work on sheep
* work on clapotis for Bridget
* Finish dishcloth (this pattern is giving me all kinds of trouble - but I really want to figure it out and get it to Indigo)
* finish intermediate class in crochet
* start a simple tank top to go with shrug
* start poncho for Spring Fair

I didn't do too bad in Dec all things considered.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend. Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Happy Holidays!

I realize I've been late with everything this year so forgive the lateness of my wishes. I'm sorry that things have been so hectic I have barely looked at your blogs in so long...I plan on catching up when I wake up on New Year's Day.








So here is a shrug I've made out of ribbon for the shop. The Vixen is not the easiest to work with because of the cord that holds everything together. But I do like the fact it lends itself into being more tube-like then flat. This is easy as pie and a snap to do. I will make another one later in feather and fan for Spring.









This is a poncho that I made for Yule. You YO, K2, YO in the two corners on every other row and it increases beautifully. I used Patons and Cascade ribbon and I really liked the way this came out.

























Here is shawl I made in EL Silky Wool and Cascade ribbon for my MIL. It is classic Red Hat style and I really enjoyed making it. The pattern is in Lavish Lace and I will be making it again.








I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday season! And....Indigo - thank you for the beautiful dishcloth. I ran out of cotton but yours will be on its way soon.

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

See Penguins Do Live In My Fridge

Welcome, Pablo the Penguin to my menagerie of animal critters. He was really hard to make. Most every part of him confounded me since the directions were not the best and took three knitters to figure them out. But that aside, I did the best I could and I think he is cute. I just hope my sister likes him.

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Finding Serenity in Chaos

This was the first weekend in so long that I went to bed on Sunday feeling a sense of harmony. That’s not to say the weekend didn’t have its ups and downs but I was able to meet them with grace and not kicking and screaming. And let me tell you it is a good feeling. :)

I’ve been so crazy as of late that I had forgotten how to let go. But (deep breath) I am remembering how to find serenity again amidst the chaos of life thanks to this weekend. Funny how something so normal and insignificant can make you feel whole again. So can rows upon rows of merino. Ah, merino…


This is the pinwheel blanket that I’ve wanted to finish but other things got in the way. Notice the picot edging. I have fallen in love with this edging. And I think it is a good part of why I feel so serene; silly as that may be.


Here is Mom’s new lap blanket with (you guessed it) more picot edging. This time I was going for a rolling edge and I really like it. I used SWT soy and EL silky wool. I have to make something else that I can put this edging on…

“Don’t look at me,” says the penguin.
“Not me either,” says the sheep.

Oh well…you both have to sleep sometime… (heh)








Okay, so I guess I need to update since this is a new month and all.

NOVEMBER GOALS

* Finish shrug – never got to
* Make another dishcloth - done
* Make a penguin – almost done
* Work on pinwheel blanket - done
* Work on sheep – never got to
* Make another lap blanket – done

I’m really not going to complain considering how crazy November was.

DECEMBER GOALS
• Finish shrug
• Finish penguin
• Finish sheep
• Work on crochet class I, II, III
• Write up shrug pattern
• Work up reversible cable class

I guess after seeing my goals you might have a question or two. I decided to teach crochet at the LYS and I’m making a blanket of stitches that you can make in three parts or two or whatever your desired skill level is. I have always crocheted in between my knitting so I think this provides a nice break for me.

Also because of some slander at another knitting shop about my ability as a teacher which I will not rant about since I am feeling so darn serene today…I have decided to go for my TKGA Master Knitter title. I know it will not be easy but knowing is half the battle (yo Joe) and I would rather be knowledgeable then fight someone who feels they have to demean others.


***Thank you for everyone's prayers and good thoughts. They mean so much to me!***

***I wanted to send Von, Sue, and Denise a special shout out. Thank you for the lovely dishcloths! I love them!***

***Also for all you gamers out there…may this serve as a warning…the Wii is so much fun that you will find it hard to put it down…if only I could knit with it!***

So whatever you celebrate (Chrismahannukwanzawalisolstice) I hope the seasons bring you serenity within the chaos that warms your heart and enriches your soul.

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

What Color is My Brain

I got this one off of http://plainjaneknits.blogspot.com

Sorry for the lack of knitting content lately. I had vertigo last week and not much got done. I hope to have some pics soon of everything to share.

This quiz result is so me that it is scary! :)

What Color is Your Brain?

BLUE:

At work or in school: I like to be with people, sharing with them, inspiring them, and helping them. I work and learn best when I can take into consideration people and the human element. I flourish in an atmosphere of cooperation.
With friends: I always look for perfect love. I am very romantic, and I enjoy doing thoughtful things for others. I am affectionate, supportive and a good listener.
With family: I like to be happy and loving. I am very sensitive to rejection from my family and to family conflicts. I really like to be well thought of and need frequent reassurance. I love intimate talks and warm feelings.
Take this quiz!








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What Kind of Flower Am I?

Brein (http://lansingerland.blogspot.com/) wanted us to take this quiz...so I did.

I am a Daffodil What Flower Are You?

Happy Samhain! :)

First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy Harvest, Happy New Year or Happy whatever you celebrate today.

Today I usually set goals for the coming year so I feel it is a good place to start…

OCTOBER GOALS

* Work on sheep – have 1st side done
* Finish nursing home lap blanket - done
* Work on pinwheel blanket (finish one ball) – worked as hard as I could but still have some to go on the ball – but the size is bigger than 80 inches of Denises!
* Make another dishcloth – never got to
* Finish shrug for LYS – never got to
* Finish one sleeve of the sweater – the sweater is done!

I’m not going to get upset at the stuff I didn’t get done. I was really sick last week and still am under the weather…

I’m happy with what I did get done and I really love my sweater. :)

NOVEMBER GOALS

* Finish shrug
* Make another dishcloth
* Make a penguin
* Work on pinwheel blanket
* Work on sheep
* Make another lap blanket

So there are my goals for this month. Hopefully, I will have a little more time to complete them.

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

I'm So Happy the Sweater Fits! :)

The happy sweater is done and I am in love! I love the color and it fits me perfectly. It would have been perfect for Fall Fest, which was my original intention...but I got hung up on the whole dpn thing. Thank goodness dpn's are no longer a problem! :)











I plan to make this sweater in my son's size next. It should take half the time this one did. I love the mindlessness of it! Sometimes you need a project like this and it really helped me de-stress after all the stuff with my Mom and Dad who continues to improve... :)







Widdershins is showing her amazement that I finished the sweater. Obsidian is winking at me because he knows that it is time to buy more yarn...which I did. I am working on a surprise project which I'm going to have to figure out before I will share...but if it works I will be ecstatic!

Happy crafting,

Ruinwen
:)