Goddess of the Rainbow

Presenting Iris, a roomy, comfortable, and very structured-looking pair of socks.

lovely design by Rebecca aka Stitch-Sculptor. She uses a long repeat of twisted and cabled stitches. Though the patterns are written for medium sized feet girth, it is very accommodating to people with small feet with minor adjustment.

I tested out the 64-stitch version, 2-at-a-time, Magic loop with Addi Turbo 47″ circular needles. It’s heavenly.

I must say, this nice pattern is quite addictive Charts are very easy to read, cable turns are logical. The resting row between them is nice.

The fleege heel is wonderful alternative to short-row for comfort and perfect fitting. With small modification, this seamless textured design fits my feet snugly, just the way I like them

It would go really fast if I wasn’t proof-reading both chart and line-by-line instructions and a couple of ripping back. To knit another pair now with all the clarity, it would take me about 10 hours. I am adding it to the holiday-knit list

MODIFICATION:
1) I used smaller needles (2.0 mm) than recommended 2.5 mm mainly because of my petite feet (woman’s 5.5-6.)
2) Instead of increasing gusset stitches to 69, I did 52 stitches and it was perfect.
3) 2 more rounds of cuff (2″ in length)
4) Knitted 2 twist-knit stitches together in sole and instep on *last Round 22 repeat* to set up for 1×1 ribbed bind-off.
5) Replaced Sewn Bind-Off with Italian Bind-Off (tutorial here) for tidier/cleaner finish, my preference for ribbed borders.

6) Measurement: 9″ Foot Length/Heel-to-Cuff; 2″ Cuff

Yarn is Araucania Itata Solid Medium Blue (2004)–leftover from Mitaines Danseuse Fair Isle Mittens. Next pair, I’d use 1.5 to 1.75 mm needles for toe through heel turn, cuff, and solid-color yarn…2.0mm for leg section (Chart C.) The intricate cable details will show off cleaner and crispier. For longer leg, I would up needle size for second repeat of Chart C…may use 2.25 mm needles.

Rebecca’s twisted stitches and cables have a logical beginning that flows seamlessly into the foot/leg and terminates in a stunning and appropriate conclusion. You may see more of her published designs here.

Did ya know? Next project I’m castin’ on will make #51 finished knit of my 52in52-2011 Challenge!? 26348 yards, not counting unfinished projects. Will I stop knitting after that? That’s a million-dollar question!

Have a fabulous weekend…Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

Think like a Child

You’re never too old for fun. Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable

Before the summer ends, do something you liked to do as a child.

Go to the park

Play a game of Uno, double dutch, or Bananagram.

Play hide and go seek,

race and let loose.

Forget about who might be watching.

The pair of cabled socks I’ve been working the last two days are done. I’ll share more details and photos tomorrow when I get to the valley.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

A wiz of a wiz

Follow the Yellow Brick Road…There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…Oh, Auntie Em, Auntie Em…and Toto, too!

On this very night in 1939, theatre goers first saw the magical The Wizard of Oz in a gala premiere. The first movie to use the combination of black and white and color film starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Bert Lahr as both Cowardly Lion and Zeke; Ray Bolger as Scarecrow and Hunk; and Jack Haley as both Tin Woodsman and Hickory. Originally, Buddy Ebsen was in the role of the Tin Man; but he became ill and had to leave the production before its completion. Did you know the paint they used on Tin Man made Buddy Ebsen deathly ill and put him in the hospital?! Buddy was thus replaced by Ray Bolger.

Oh, I’m off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. I hear he is a wiz of a wiz, if ever a wiz there was…

What a day would be without seeing old friend in her lovely new home…a quick stop at the farmer’s market…and a little knitting

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

One Dish

…I’ve always wanted to create is a yellow curry. The mildest and the smoothest in my opinion. The yellow color comes from Indian curry powder or turmeric depending on the recipe you use. Popular with the veggi-nazi crowd. Our fall/winter one-pot-wonder stable. Everyone’s favorite, at least at my house.

As such, I have trawled the internet on many occasions in order to make my own spice mix. I endeavor to recreate my own. Now be prepared to fall in love, to be mesmerized, to be swept off your feet…this may be love at first bite

INGREDIENTS
2 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1 Ginger, 1/2″ slice, finely chopped
1 Lemon Grass Stem, finely chopped
1 t Coriander Seeds
2 t Vegetable or Olive Oil
2 t Thai Red Curry Paste, the spicy part
1/2 t ground Turmeric
1 can Coconut Milk
2-3 Yukon Gold Potatoes, cut into 1″ cubes
1/2 C Vegetable or Chicken Stock
7 ounces Baby Spinach Leaves
Optional: Chicken, beef, shrimp, or halibut

DIRECTION
1. Crush coriander seeds, garlic, and lemon grass in a mortar with pestle until they form a smooth paste.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet. Stir in the spice paste and stir fry for 30 seconds. Now add the red curry paste, turmeric, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil.
3. Add potatoes, stock, and/or meat. Return to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes.
4. Stir in spinach and simmer until the leaves are wilted.

Keep it light on the vegetable stock if you don’t want the dish too soupy. Make sure you cut those potatoes into small pieces so they will cook all the way and not forever. Yellow curry is usually made with potatoes and onions. At times, I would toss in thinly sliced carrots.

My knitting is moving at a much slower pace due to proofreading/editing–both in chart and written form–at the same time…correcting errors…

If I didn’t have to sleep, can you imagine how much knitting I could get done?! That was my first thought when I read Twilight…those vampire people. Hopefully, this pair will be done tomorrow so I may cast on another.

Happy crafting…cooking…eating…and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

Life Treasure

At the beginning of the year, I chose the word flourish. I was going to FLOURISH (and rule the world!)…err…something like that.

The battle of wills and hopes has been bloody. The drive to succeed, to learn, to know, to do–while applaudable–is not doable (for me.) It’s making me crazy and I do NOT like crazy.

So today, I take a chill pill. I acknowledge, I can’t do it all. I won’t do it all. And I’ll do what I can when I can.

I am putting another thing to the side. Life is precious and time with my family is important and often scarce. I’m taking a step back and focus on activities that will have everyone interacting in a fun way.

Life is too short to overlook the simple things that will most likely create life-long memories for my kids.

These past few days have been a treasure of a lifetime.

Excellent walk,

Sparkling clear water,

Quiet mornings and evenings, warm sun with cool breezes

living

loving,

laughing

plenty of laughs have made for a lasting memory.

The summer months go by fast, too fast. Yet, it warmed my heart to see that everyone is on the same page today…

And I even squeezed in a little knitting time.

Life is simply good!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

Riding out the Summer

You should move next door to me!

We could do so much good in this corner of the world.

I am doing a pretty good job of loving Central Oregon right now.

A big part of that has to do with all the family summer fun we have been enjoying.

There are still plenty of to-do’s on my family summer fun list…

more camping and take the kids to a baseball game, fly-fishing, paddle-boarding,

geo-caching/letterboxing…a few splash pads to still visit this summer.

I am amazed at how much time the older teen and I have spent outside together this summer.

It’s safe to say her outlook in life…not ideally perfect…but improving

There is still plenty of family summer fun to be had, scorching heat or not.

Enjoy the summer sunshine, my friend!

Here is a glimpse of my next project on the needles, two-at-a-time

Knit On…wished I were at Portland Bridge Pedal today :0(

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)