To Canada and back

The proof is in the pictures......and the new words and phrases I learned. 

I had the best "holiday" of my entire life....in Victoria, Canada.  Oh for sure, eh.  I know that that’s an Eastern Canadian thing but I couldn’t help myself!  I loved to say that!

Sitting on the Clipper for 2 hours and 45 minutes, I was able to finish single crocheting around my Wild Rose Scallop Doily (sz 30 thread and US 10 hook).  The ship docked and my feet were on solid ground in Victoria.  I looked around for a short time when my friend, Julie, greeted me with the brightest pink cap on her head.  She seemed as happy to see me as I was to see her.  I met Julie, who gives the best FREE advise on the care of an aging loved one (just click on her name), many years ago at an antique circular sock-knitting machine retreat in Lacey, WA.  We hit it right off and she has asked me many times when I was coming for a visit.  Once I mentioned I didn't have a passport.  "Well, get one!" was Julie's response.  So I did.  Finally.

After I met Robert, Peter and Veronica and Arban, I remember eating the best tasting food....EVER!  I could go on and on about THAT!

So my friend Julie, well…used to be my friend……  You see, she did a sneaky thing and surprised me with these lovely ladies who wanted to meet the KnackfulKnitter from Washington.  I can no longer say I have never had a person pull a surprise on me. 

These ladies are all very talented….  From Left to Right, there’s Marilyn, no longer my friend…Julie, Catherine, Dela and Gayle.  We had show and tell with our knitting projects, talked about weaving and Tunisian crochet and even had Julie wait on us.  

Like I said, I had the best holiday of my entire life!

My Jennifer Doily....

....is 9 1/2" wide from point to point.

I knitted her in two days using sz 30 cotton thread and US sz 000 needles.  The pattern can be found in "Knitted Heirloom Lace III" by Gloria Penning. 

Lace, in all manner, is beautiful.  Even if we think we cannot do it, we try....and then we have a masterpiece like the Jennifer Doily.  It's just keeping track of where you are in the pattern.....just knits, yo's, k2tog's, ssk's'/SKP.........that's all.  It's actually easier than knitting a sweater because this doesn't have to fit you.  :o)

Summer Queen Stole - clue 1 finished.....

....in 2 days!  Is that quick, you ask?  Here's the math:  Crochet cast-on 237 stitches and knit 40 rounds.  All the even numbered rounds were plain knit and I'm a little lazy about turning my work around so I knit back backwards.  Besides, I like to look at the right side....where I can see if I missed (or added) a yarn over (yo).  When I knit lace, that's where I "might" mess up.  Hmmm, how do I know that?  ;o)

I am going to get busy knitting on clue 2 tonight because Birgit is going to release clue 3 very soon!  She is quite the designer.  I'm very impressed with her work.

It's not too late to do some lace knitting of your own.  Come join the KAL fun at Knitting-Delight!!

Summer Queen KAL...

...at Knitting-Delight is definitely a delight!  Most of the chat is in German but the KAL is in your choice of English, German, Italian and French.

This is my swatch.  Yes, I said swatch....the one thing most knitters do not want to do.  It is a must in order for things to fit properly.
My swatch measured 19x23cm (7.5"x9") using 2/18 JagerSpun Zephyr and US sz 9 needles.
I think my swatch is a bit too big.  What do you think?

What I love about this, so far....is that I learned a new technique/stitch.  Very interesting.  If you want to REALLY challenge yourself, join the KAL!

I'm in a spiral...

...and knitting round and round until I knit it big enough to fit inside an Oval Doily of Christine Duchrow. 

Using sz 30 thread and US sz 1 needles, this doily is knit from the outside to the middle.  Stop.  Start the spiral from the center (as in the picture) to the middle.  Stop.  Then marry the two together.

I look forward to posting the completed doily.  It's been quite a challenge since I know only a little written German.  Ha!  I would have to pick the most complicated pattern from her three volumes.

New Growth and Chocolate Chip Cookies

I crocheted a Tulip Doily

This pattern link can be found at Doily-Of-The-Month.  It's the May 2011 Member's Choice.  We all get a bunch to vote on every month and that is the one most of us wanted to crochet.
I just now noticed that this doily grew to be 20" in diameter! 
The materials I used were sz 10 Royale Crochet Thread in Cream and a US sz 8 hook.

So, I was looking at it and thought maybe it could use some color.  Maybe purple tulips with green leaves?  Does anyone else have an opinion?  I'd love to hear!

Give-Away winner is.....

......#7!  Pam D, from Oklahoma, won my scarf!  I will be e-mailing her to get her address.

Thank you to all who entered to win this gorgeous Maaema Scarf designed by Denise of LostCityKnits!

NOTE:  If you ever find yourself wondering what to do with your aging loved one, you will not be steered wrong when you look into the FREE website ArtfulCare.com.  Not only do you get the information you need, you get Julie.  She is there, in between helping friends and family with their aging loved ones, to help you.  I am so glad I met Julie and I know you will be, too.

Sometimes......and the Give-Away reminder

Sometimes you're the windshield....Sometimes you're the bug

Sometimes you are just TOO cute!  (My moms pup)

It's not too late to enter!!!!  A name will be randomly drawn for the great Give-Away of a hand knit scarf of silk and wool tomorrow morning.  It's light and airy and will look great on anyone.  Click HERE!!!!

National Peace Officers Memorial Week........

......starts today.
My first husband, James Michael Young, was killed-in-the-line-of-duty in 1983.  I remember him every day.  I am reminded of all the other officers who died, every year.  There is a website called ODMP that I became a member of....when I became a widow.

Please take the time to remember those fallen officers, today, yesterday and tomorrow.

On a more uplifting note!  The Give-Away is still going!  Please visit this post today!!!!  Who wouldn't want to be the winner?!!!

You know it's Spring when.......

Yes, that flower really is BLUE!  Most of the flower pictures I took were at a Master Gardner's House......Lucky Me!
If you haven't yet, don't forget to check out the very simple rules for my GIVE-AWAY.  No monies involved...absolutely FREE!  It's here!!!

The Knackfulknitter GIVE-AWAY begins now!

Remember the Maaema Scarf I test-knit for Denise?  (You can read more about it here.)

Well, I think so highly of it AND of ArtfulCare.com, that I'm willing to give it away with a random drawing to all who participate.  The lucky winner will receive a lovely scarf. 

At ArfulCare.com there is something for everyone. You or someone you know will learn practical tips to assist in the care-giving journey with an aging loved one. The original artwork is precious, too. 

Here are The (very simple) Rules:

1. Go to ArtfulCare.com, read as many pages as possible, and leave a comment on the Contact Us page for Julie at ArtfulCare.com, not on this blog post.

2. In your comment, you must include your name in a recognizable form; for example, Mary P or Mary in WA. You must use your valid email address. 

3. In your comment, please include an answer to at least one of the questions on the Contact Us page. 

4. Share the website with at least 1 friend or family member. 

5. Comments must be in by Tuesday, May 24th, at 5:00 am, PDT.  I’ll draw early Tuesday morning and let you know the winner!

The give-away is open to all, no matter where you are in the world, but I must mention:  Knackfulknitter – and all subsidiaries thereof – is not responsible for customs fees or delivery failure due to postal difficulties. International mail will be shipped the most economical way possible.

Keep watching for the Give-Away!!!

Still teasing........but it'll be here soon enough!

Love,

Maria

I've been hit by the Give-Away bug!

Yes, the bug found me and bit me!

I will be hosting a give-away with the details coming soon!