A Christmas Table Runner

Here we are into November already! Now that the Halloween craze has passed us by, there is no excuse for knitting up gifts for all those on our Christmas lists.

Here is a pattern for a very pretty table runner. I always use a cotton yarn for anything for the kitchen; cotton washes easily and is very durable. Even rugs and curtains can be done up in mercerized cotton yarn; especially with all the color choices, you just can't go wrong!

I have given these away for gifts and have one, and very soon, another for my own kitchen. I tried several other patterns of my own, but could never come up with a runner that looked as nice as this one. Amy Stender does a really nice job with this pattern!

Later this week, look for my original pattern for a pretty neck scarf. The yarn is a dusky repeating pattern, and it knits up quickly.

In the coming weeks, look for more Christmas postings, as there is always something to be knitting while watching all those holiday movies on TCM!

Can It Be . .

Imagine had John Lennon lived to be 70!

October Ornaments

I took Piper for a walk down the road this afternoon in search of some mail. Instead, I got junk. The day is incredibly beautiful; the leaves are at peak in the small trees, with the large scenic trees still to turn. The sky is sapphire blue, there wasn't a car in sight, and little red dragonflies followed us all the way down and all the way back. How they love the sun's warmth!

The picture above is of the meetinghouse in Jaffrey NH taken in October of 2004. The colors of New England are like no place else. Not even here in northeast PA.

Autumn comes on us so quickly! Even though the sun is at a lower angle, it makes for delightful patterns on walls and floors, that you just don't see in summer. You know Christmas is coming closer day by day.

So here is a link to the pattern I used for a new Christmas Afghan I'm knitting. Use any worsted weight yarn, and size 8 needles. Simply repeat Rows 1 - 48 for your desired length. Then end with the same border you started with and bind off. I am doing five sections, 3 green and 2 red, or 2 green and 3 red, I haven't decided which yet! Either way it will be very festive.

Knitting Placemats, Victorian Style

Victorian houses have always fascinated me. I love the look of them; the etched, fancy filigree, the high ceilings within, and the pitched gabled roofs without. Rooms seem to have eccentric touches, such as dumbwaiters, or ornate built-in shelves. There are pocket doors, and heating grilles on the floors. Then there are always the back stairs from the kitchen or a secret door or passage out of the library.

Looking into the interior designs of Victorian houses, and you see ornate, strong colors. Throw rugs, large tasseled pillows, and brightly colored rooms only accentuate the more pronounced settees, and over-sized armoires and buffets. There is nothing small or simple about a Victorian home; the frillier the better, it seems.

That is why this placemat seems so appropriate. Not that I live in such a house. I would love to. Yet, certain design elements can be incorporated into any style home, and these Victorian placemats just go perfectly on anyone's kitchen table. Or in the dining room, if you prefer!

Use cotton yarn. The placemat is knit in two pieces; the main pattern, and the borders. You will knit two borders.

Main Pattern:

Approx. 11 x 16

Cast on 71 stitches.

Rows 1 & 3: (WS) Purl.

Row 2: K1, * yo, k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1; rep from *.

Row 4: P1, * k1, yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1, p1; rep from *.

Row 5 & 7: K1, *p9, k1; rep from *.

Row 6: P1, *k2, yo, k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from *.

Row 8: P1, *k3, yo, sl1, k2tog., psso, yo, k3, p1, rep from *.

Repeat Rows 1-8, 8 times. Bind off.

Border: (Make 2)

Cast on 10 sts.

Set up row: Knit.

Row 1: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k2, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (11 sts).

Row 2: K4, p1, k2, yo, p2tog, k2.

Row 3: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k3, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (12 sts)

Row 4: K4, p1, k3, yo, p2tog, k2.

Row 5: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k4, yo twice, k2tog, k2 (13 sts)

Row 6: K4, p1, k4, yo p2tog, k2.

Row 7: Sl1, k1, yo, p2tog, k9.

Row 8: BO 3, k5, yo, p2tog, k2 (10 sts)

Knit 9 "points" then Rows 1-4.

BO.

Make 2 or 4, if you like. White is a very classic Victorian color; yet any cotton yarn will do.

Enjoy!

Learning Lace and other Secrets

I do have a few pictures to share with you. They aren't the best, but they get the point across.

A simple yarnover "yo" looks like this:

All you are doing is draw the yarn over the needle and then knit the next stitch on your left needle. You will then have one additional stitch on your right needle, but it will be loose and not look like the other stitches. That's good! That's what you want.

From the purl side, your yarnover looks like this:

The 'yarnover' stitch is still on the left needle. Note how loose it looks. New knitters have a tendency to let this "stitch" slide off the needles because it looks wrong. Don't do it! Purl it into place. From there on it will be anchored to the needle, just like your 'regular' stitches.

The picture below shows how you knit a "ssk" or slip-slip-knit stitch. First you slip two stitches from your left needle onto your right needle, one at a time as if you are knitting them. Then take the tip of your left needle and insert into those two stitches as noted below. Bring your yarn around as you normally would to knit, and knit these two stitches together.

This creates a left-slanting decrease.

To do what is called a "psso", understand that this term is used in conjunction with other actions, such as "sl 1" or "k2tog". Pictured below I am sliding a stitch from the left needle onto the right needle. Then I will knit the next two stitches together.

This final picture shows me doing a "psso" or passing the slipped stitch over the one stitch which I created from knitting two together. Again, doing a "psso" will give you a left-slanting decrease in your work.

When you knit-two-together, (k2tog) you get a right-slanting decrease in your work. When knitting lace or open-weave designs, these slants become important to your designs. They are so easy to do, but look terrifically difficult, so don't tell anyone! It's just another knitting secret!

Practice these simple lace stitches and then try out the 'feather and fan' stitch to create a scarf or practice block. It's all about keeping track of your rows, and doing exactly what each row says to do. Don't always try to keep track of your stitches, because when increasing and decreasing in a pattern, you don't always have the exact stitch number you cast on with, and that can be confusing. So if, for example, you cast on 47 stitches and in Row 12 you now have 53 stitches, that is probably exactly what the pattern is calling for. So, don't get nervous if it seems wrong. As long as you follow each row carefully, your pattern will work out! Another secret!

Late Summer Longings

One more week until Labor Day! Out on the roads are lots of yellow school buses, whether practicing their runs or doing road tests, I don't know, yet there they are! They blend in with the goldenrod and ferns which are beginning to grow sere and lighten to a pale yellow.



Driving past the high schoool, there is the football team out practicing on the front grass, and everyone slows down to watch them. Next week or in two weeks, their season will be underway!



Last week I knitted a baby blanket for a co-worker's great-granddaughter. It was easy and quick and looks wonderful! So pretty in pink. Here's a picture, and next week I will post the pattern.

In this month's newsletter, I made mention of working a "yo" stitch. I will also post this picture, along with what a "ssk", and "psso" look like. Look for these no later than this coming weekend!

You know, the weekend before Labor Day! As always, enjoy your knitting and I am also looking to post Christmas patterns as fast as I find them!

Deep in Summer

Piper, (my husband Bob says we should have named her Pudgy, funny) and I walk most mornings down our gravel road to another connecting gravel road where homes are far from the road, either up hills or hidden by trees. Vales of ferns dot empty woods; empty of houses that is, and humans. Wildlife abounds, as I see almost daily.

Wild turkeys preening and parading their feathers, shy momma deer with their white-dotted babies growing bigger every day, frogs, turtles, squirrels, dragonflies, hummingbirds, warblers, robins, crows, woodpeckers, chipmunks, grasshoppers, spiders, crickets, eagles, hawks, to name a few, and even this guy crossing under my car a few days ago. The picture is a bit blurred, but he really is a snail, slugging along at a snails pace! About half an hour after I took this picture, I went out to check on where the snail was, and he was gone into the grass beside my house. Invisible to me!

But, the days are slow in late July, for we truly are deep in summer. Everything is lush and green, with no indication of rot, or shrivel. The only thing that is changed is now it's dark at 8:30 instead of 9:00 or later. And mornings are not as bright at 5 a.m.; in fact, they're downright dark! The seasons have their seasons, and so it goes.

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

In my July newsletter, there is an article about an introduction to lace knitting. My favorite knitting. You can create pretty, lacy things, such as this christening blanket.

Looks a lot like the real thing, Queen Anne's lace. Right now, they are in abundance all over the place, and will be until the first hard frost. Here are my third set of placemats, which I knitted in Sugar n Cream Hot Green. A very pretty color. I used 2 skeins, and size 5 needles. This picture is not as nice as I'd like, but when you knit your own, you'll see how nice they really are! The pattern follows.

Hot Green Diamond Placemats

for the border:

Row1: Sl 1, k4, p4, k3, (main pattern), k3, p4, k5.

Row 2: Sl 1, k1, p10, (main pattern), p10, k2.

Alternate these 2 rows for the entire pattern. I will refer to these as B12 (border 12).

Main Pattern:

CO 97 sts.

Row 1: (RS) B12, p1, k1, p1, *(k3, p1) twice, k1, p1; rep from * to end, B12.

Row 2: B12, p1, k1, *p3, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1; rep from * end p1, B12.

Row 3: B12, k4, *(p1, k1) twice, p1, k5; rep from * to end last rep k4, B12.

Row 4: B12, p3, *(k1, p1) 3 times, k1, p3; rep from * to end, B12.

Row 5: Rep row 3.

Row 6: Rep row 2.

Row 7: Rep row 1.

Row 8: B12, p1, k1, p1, *k1, p5, (k1, p1) twice; rep from * to end, B12.

Row 9: B12, (p1, k1) twice, * p1, k3, (p1, k1) 3 times; rep from * end last rep (p1 k1) twice,

p1, B12.

Row 10: Rep row 8.

Repeat Rows 1- 10 until placemat measures approx. 12" from cast on edge. Bind off and weave in all stitches. Block.

I love making placemats, dishcloths, scarves, afghans, and curtains, to give as Christmas gifts. Now is the time to start thinking about that!

Sunday is August.

It's the dog days. Time to rest up!

Summertime

Finally figuring out how to go forward with my online sites. Sometimes things take time to muse through; and I'm glad I waited, because this way is the best way.

It has been hot here in northeastern PA; too hot for June. I'll take it though; when I think on those endless winter months, which start in November and go right through April sometimes; Nature seems to be playing cruel tricks on us. It's nice to walk down the gravel roads with doing nothing more than spraying on a little bug spray; no gloves, no coat, no scarf, no hoping you don't fall on your head on the ice. Winter's are no picnic around here.

So, I just keep busy. Like this little hummingbird here; looking to sweeten its day.

Sitting for just a few seconds, then flying away, then coming back to do it all over again. All day, every day. The birds have their work, and we have ours.

I love creating new things to use around the house. Below is a pattern for a Gingham Placemat, which I did up in Sugar N Cream Country Red. All you need are 2 regular skeins and a size 4 or 5 needle.

Border Stitches *: Row 1: Sl 1, k4, p4, k3, last 12 stitches are k3, p4, k5.
Row 2: Sl 1, k1, p10, last 12 stitches are p10, k2.
Repeat these 2 rows for the entire pattern.

*These stitches will be referred to as B12, in the Main Pattern.

Main Pattern: CO 89 sts.
Purl first 4 rows.
Row 1: B12, *(K1, p1) 4x, k1, p5; rep from * to last 9 sts,
(k1, p1) 4x, k1, B12.
Row 2: B12, (K1,p1) 4x, k1, * k6 (p1, k1) 4x,; rep from * to end,
B12.
Row 3 to 5: Repeat rows 1 and 2 once more, then row 1 again.
Row 6: B12, P9, * (p1, k1) 2x, p10; rep from * to end, B12.
Row 7: B12, *K9, (p1, k1) 2x, p1; rep from * to last 9 sts, k9, B12.
Rows 8 to 15: Repeat rows 6 and 7 four more times.
Row 16: Repeat row 6.

Repeat this pattern 4 times more, then purl 4 rows and bind off.

What could be easier, and they look so fabulous on your kitchen table!

If you don't like that pattern, and what's not to like, here's another.

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

This is a Diamond Lace Placemat.

I used Sugar n Cream Hot Green yarn, 2 skeins.
Size 4 or 5 needle.
I used the same Border Pattern as for the Gingham Placemat.

CO 97 sts.

K1, P1, for the first 4 rows. (Seed St. border)
Row 1: B12, K1, yo, *k3tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2tog, B12.
Row 2 and all WS rows: B12, Purl, B12.
Row 3: B12, K1, k2tog, * yo, k11, yo, sk2po; rep from * to end, ending ssk, k1, B12.
Row 5: B12, K2, *(yo, ssk), 2x, k5, (k2tog, yo)2x, k1; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 7: B12, K2, *k1, (yo, ssk)2x, k3, (k2tog, yo)2x, k2; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 9: B12, K2, *k2, (yo, ssk)2x, k1, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k3; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 11: B12, K2, * k3, yo, ssk, yo, sk2po, yo, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 13: B12, K2, * k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5: rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 15: B12, K2, * k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 17: B12, K2, * k4, yo, ssk, yo k3tog, yo k5; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 19: B12, K2, * K5, yo, sk2po, yo, k6; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 21: B12, K2, *k2, (k2tog, yo)2x, k1, (yo, ssk)2x, k3; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 23: B12, K2, * k1, (ktog, yo)2x, k3, (yo, ssk)2x, k2; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 25: B12, K2, *(k2tog, yo)2x, k5, (yo, ssk)2x, k1; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 27: B12, K1, k2tog, * yo, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, yo, sk2po; rep from * ending ssk, k1, B12.
Row 29: B12, K2, * yo, ssk, k9, ktog, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 31: B12, K2, * k1, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 32: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-32 once more, then Rows 1-16.
K1, P1, for 4 rows, BO all stitches.

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

Here is a dishcloth pattern that is as cute as a button! I call it the Daisy Dishcloth.




I used Peaches N Cream Daisy Ombre and a size 4 needle.
All you need is one skein.

CO on 38 sts.

C8P: Sl4 sts to cable ndl in front, p4 from left needle, then p4 from cn.
C8K: Sl4 sts to cable ndl in front, k4 from left needle, then k4 from cn.

Knit first 4 rows.
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11: *(yo, k2tog)4x, k8; rep from * to end.
Rows 2 & 4: Purl.
Row 6: *C8P, p8; rep from * to end.
Rows 8 & 10: Purl.
Rows 12, 14, 16, 18, & 20: *(p2tog, yo)4x, p8; rep from * to end.
Rows 13 & 15: Knit.
Row 17: *C8K, K8; rep from to end.
Rows 19 & 21: Knit.
Row 22: Same as Row 12.
Repeat Rows 1-22 once more, then rows 1- 10.
Knit 4 rows, and BO all stitches.


There's nothing like knitting and seeing something to show for it when you're all finished.

With these patterns, you can't miss.

Sometimes life hands you icing. The least you should do is put it on a cupcake.

Of Terriers and Tudors

So in honor of the Scottish terrier winning the Westminster Dog Show Tuesday night here is my Snazzy Dog Collar. Piper loves to wear hers occasionly; and it looks positively stunning against her white fur. Although, her white fur is more like a vanilla-white fur; because when she is outside in the snow the colors are very different. The snow is white, as white as white can get, I guess. Dazzling white, we'll call it.

Seriously, it's time for a doggie-diet! And there's Piper looking very disinterested as if to say, "get this thing off of me!" I used a Fun Fur for this one, in the color of your choosing. This pattern is nothing more than an I-cord, which is very easy to make.

With a size 10 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together CO 4 sts.
* Do not turn. Slide sts to opposite end of needle. Take yarn across the back of those sts and
k4; rep from * until collar measures desired length to fit comfortably around your dog's neck.
Add an additional 1" comfort level. Bind off until 1 st is remaining.
Transfer to a crochet hook and chain 8; sl st into same st as beginning chain; bind off. Trim and
sew a button for fun!

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

Lately I've been reading a book entitled " The Children of Henry VIII", you remember, that fat, let-me-run-through-my-father's-money, basically do-nothing King of England in the 1500's.
The second ruler of the House of Tudor. The least effective of them all, but the one everybody remembers. Sound familiar?

Anyway, once Henry's teenage son, Edward, died a horrible death due to tuberculosis and probably poisoning, that instead of Edward's older sister Mary coming to the throne, it was "arranged" that Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister Mary, would ascend to the English throne, through much back-door, late-night, skullduggery, not to mention murder, intrigue, and cloak and dagger maneuvers. Just your typical everyday royal finagling. Kind of like Congress in 2010.

Naturally, all of this intrigue was taken care of by Edward's right-hand man; the one who had his uncles imprisoned and executed on all kinds of trumped-up charges, just so he, Northumberland, aka John Dudley, could virtually take over at the royal helm. And for quite some time, he did just that. A man of no integrity, no moral fiber, just a wanton regard for power at its highest and best, if there be such a thing. Working relentlessly behind the scenes for his benefit and his family's enrichment. Kind of like Congress in 2010.

He had Jane Grey declared Queen, but alas, it was to be for a mere nine days. The country knew who was the rightful heir to the throne, namely, Mary, oldest of Henry VIII's children. They loved her, supported her, and stood behind her. Northumberland had even married his youngest son to Jane Grey in an attempt to gain total control over the royal throne. It looked as if it could work; but Northumberland's 15 minutes of fame were over in a hurry. His road to fame drove him straight to being executed.

All that intrigue, all that daily laboring and working towards, . . . what? Glory? Fame? To be King of England? It didn't work then, it won't work now. His time on this earth ran out; just as all of us will find out someday. For centuries, this intriguer, this deadly schemer has been dead, of no more use to the human race. Pompousness is such a lesson in futility.

I saw that for myself last night. I work in a very nice restaurant where now and then there are parties or showers or celebrations that I help out with. It's terribly hard work, but I like it, because it's honest, and staight-forward, and at the end of the day, I can truly say, I work hard for my money.

It was a meeting of so-called business and professional women. They might be better inclined calling themselves, "bitches incorporated." These sort, truly give women a bad name. The entire evening was dedicated to a richly engrossed "me fest", if you will. When one wasn't talking up herself, another one took her place. And on and on we went. They even touched on how earth-shatteringly important they all were to different charities, both local and international, that the world just hasn't been able to do without!

Most of all, I was struck with the preening, above all else. Birds of a feather, surely stick together, and this bunch were made for one another! Through it all, my colleague and I worked hard to bring in plates, and bring out plates, and cater to all their little needs, without the "madam's" having to move a muscle or get up from their esteemed seats. And at the end of the night, not one of them offered a "thank you" or left a small token of their appreciation on the tables. Total depravity, total self-centeredness. Total lunancy.

A lot like America in 2010. Something better give.

Is it Spring yet?

I am NOT a fan of Winter. Unless you count sitting in front of a roaring fireplace, teacup in hand, with my knitting in my lap and a good book close by. That I like! All this snow and ice and freezing winds in my face, that can go. Now. Even yesterday. I always say the warm weather is better; even if it is broiling hot, you can always get cooler. But in Winter, there is never getting warm enough.

Now this is a not-too-good picture of a pocket scarf. It is very easy to make and just something else to keep you warm! Nothing like it in these months, I say!

Use any worsted weight or combination thereof.
Finished size approx. 7" x 64"
6 oz. of your favorite color
Size 10 needles

Special abbreviations
Wyf = with yarn in front of work
Wyb = with yarn in back of work
pwise = slip as if purling

Scarf
Cast on 25 sts.
Row 1: P3, (k3, p1) 4 times; k3; wyf sl last 3 sts pwise.
Row 2: (RS) K3, (p3, k1) 4 times; p3; wyb sl last 3 sts pwise.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until work measures desired length; bind off.
Weave in all ends.

Pocket (make 2)
Cast on 19 sts.
Row 1: K1, p17, k1.
Row 2: (RS) Knit.
Row 3-23: Rep Rows 1 and 2 ending with a Row 1.
Row 24: (RS) *K1, p1; rep from * across; end k1.
Row 25: *P1, k1; rep from * across; end p1.
Row 26: Rep Row 24.
Row 27: Rep Row 25.
Bind off in pat.

Steam block all pieces and let dry. Sew pockets in place at end of Scarf. Finish off with fringe or pom-poms or leave as is.
In any event, wear and enjoy!

In the meantime, I'll be cozy and warm, waiting for Spring.

Baby Pullover

Hug Me Pullover
(a pattern from Bernat.com)

SIZES
To fit chest measurement12 mos 18 ins [45.5 cm]
18 mos 19 ins [48 cm]
2 yrs 21 ins [53.5 cm]
4 yrs 23 ins [58.5 cm]

Finished chest12 mos 21½ ins [54.5 cm]
18 mos 22 ins [56 cm]
2 yrs 24 ins [61 cm]
4 yrs 25½ ins [65 cm]


GAUGE19 sts and 25 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

MATERIALSBernat® Handicrafter Cotton(50 g / 1.75 oz/73 m/80 yds) or
Bernat® Satin (100 g / 3.5 oz/149 m/163 yds)
Size 12 mos (18 mos-2 yrs-4 yrs)
Main Color (MC) (Mint)210 (230-240-350) m
OR 230 (250-265-380) yds Contrast A (White)210 (230-244-350) m
OR230 (250-265-380) yds

Size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
2 st holders.
4 buttons.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Approx = Approximately.
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
P2tog = Purl next 2 stitches together.
P2togtbl = Purl next 2 stitches through back loops.
Pat = Pattern.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
RS = Right side.
Rem = Remaining.
Rep = Repeat.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
Sl1P = Slip next stitch purlwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
Tog = Together.
WS = Wrong side.
Yfwd = Yarn forward.

INSTRUCTIONS The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written in parentheses. ( ).

BACK **With MC, cast on 45 (47-51-55) sts.
Knit 5 rows, noting that 1st row is WS and inc 6 sts evenly across last row. 51 (53-57-61) sts.
With A, work 2 rows in stocking st. With MC, work 2 rows in stocking st. **Rep last 4 rows of Stripe Pat until work from beg measures 12 (13-14- 15) ins [30.5 (33-35.5-38) cm], ending
with 2 rows of A.
Break A.

Shoulders: With MC, K15 (16-17- 17). Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
Knit 5 rows.
Cast off knitwise.
With RS of work facing, slip next 21 (21-23-27) sts onto a st holder.
Join MC to rem sts and knit to end of row.
Knit 4 rows.
Cast off knitwise.

FRONT Work from ** to ** as given for Back.
Rep last 4 rows of Stripe Pat until work from beg measures 10 (11-11½- 12½) ins [25.5 (28-29-32) cm], ending with a purl row.

Neck shaping: Next row: (RS). With appropriate color, K17 (18-19-19).
Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
Next row: P2tog. Purl to end of row. 16 (17-18-18) sts.
Next row: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. 15 (16-17-17) sts.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures 12 (13-14-15) ins [30.5 (33-35.5-38) cm], ending with 2 rows of A. Break A.
Place marker at end of last row.
With MC, knit 3 rows.
Next row: (WS). (buttonhole row). K3. yfwd. K2tog. K4 (4-5-5). yfwd. K2tog. K4 (5-5-5).
Knit 1 row.
Cast off knitwise.
With RS facing, slip next 17 (17-19-23) sts onto a st holder. Join appropriate color to rem sts and knit to end of row.
Next row: Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl. 16 (17-18-18) sts.
Next row: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of row. 15 (16-17-17) sts.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures 12 (13-14-15) ins [30.5 (33-35.5-38) cm], ending with 2 rows of A.
Break A.
Place marker at end of last row.With MC, knit 3 rows.
Next row: (WS). (buttonhole row). K4 (5-5-5). K2tog. yfwd. K4 (4-5-5). K2tog. yfwd. K3.
Knit 1 row.
Cast off knitwise.

SLEEVES With MC, cast on 23 (25-27-30) sts.
Knit 5 rows, noting that 1st row is WS and inc 3 (3-3-4) sts evenly across last row. 26 (28-30-34) sts.
Work in Stripe Pat as given for Back, inc 1 st each end of needle on next and every following alt row to 38 (40-56- 56) sts, then every following 4th row to 48 (52-62-66) sts.
Cont even until work from beg measures 7 (7½-8-8½) ins [18 (19- 20.5-21.5) cm], ending with a purl row. Cast off knitwise.

FINISHING Pin garment pieces to measurements.
Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Back Neckband: With RS of work facing and MC, pick up and knit 3 sts down right back neck edge. K21 (21-23-27) from back st holder. Pick up and knit 3 sts up left back neck edge. Knit 1 row. Cast off knitwise.
Front Neckband: With RS of work facing and MC, pick up and knit 11 sts down left front neck edge. K17 (17-19-23) from front st holder. Pick up and knit 11 sts up right front neck edge. Knit 1 row.
Cast off knitwise.
Pin shoulders tog, overlapping Front over Back. Place marker along side edge of Front and Back 7 (7½-7½-8) ins [18 (19-19-20.5) cm] up from cast on edge.
Sew Sleeves between markers.
Sew side and sleeve seams.
Sew buttons at shoulders to correspond to buttonholes.

Fantasia . . and NOT on a theme by Thomas Tallis

"One of the peculiar sins of the twentieth century which we`ve developed to a very high level is the sin of credulity. It has been said that when human beings stop believing in God they believe in nothing. The truth is much worse: they believe in anything. "

Malcolm Muggeridge could have added the first decade of the 21st century to his quote, had he lived so long.

In between my knee throbbing from a fall on the icy downhill on Springbrook Ct. this morning while walking Piper, I have a few things to say:

I don't know what it's going to take to wake this country up; maybe 30% unemployment and decent people living in tents or the streets, but, something better click in the minds of the mindless, and quickly!

There is an atheist in the White House. I won't say he's President, because he is not my president; you have to earn my respect for what it is you do, and he is a disgrace and a liar! Surrounded by rogues, just like the Chicago-based thugs he grew up with, he is trying to destroy the United States of America! Not "fundamentally change" it, not tweak it, not fix it. Destroy it! And everything that it stands for, because he hates this country, because atheists, who have no God but themselves, want only power and more power. He wishes to see this country become a land of rich and poor and nothing in between, because that takes away from the 'vision' he has for America. You know the vision; him as king of the world.

Meanwhile, we play with our tech gadgets, kinda like Nero fiddled while Rome burned. We leer shamelessly at celebrities and "actors" as if we need them in order to get enough oxygen for our day! Them and their idiotic ranting; their ignorant ways, their filthy lives!

I just needed to get that down "on paper", if you will, so when all is said and done, you know where I stand. Because I do stand for something. For no abortions, because killing babies is NOT healthcare; for no gay marriage, because two women or two men CANNOT marry one another, it is against natural law; for the idea that free speech means being courageous not politically correct. I won't fall for anything, because it's sugar-coated, soaked in rhetoric-swizzled dribble, and made to look so confusing that I turn my eyes away. Not me! Not ever.

And everything that white house does with its right hand, I'll be watching the left. Because that's where the real action will be. Mark my works, this day, Friday, January 15, 2010.

A Beatific New Year!

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Ps 90:12

I have been running across that phrase for the last week or so and wondering why. It's most appropriate for the New Year, as we look to a brand new year, unblemished, untried, uncertain. Yet, with God's hand we can walk safely in. It's all about trust, and only trust.

God must be quite incredible to put up with all of us! All our silly ways, our wiles and deceit; the things we do, and the things we fail to do. Our pseudo-control we "have"; over our children or our spouse, or our job or our friends or our family; we have no control! We only think we do.

And so each day goes by. It then becomes yesterday, and another day we have lived and can never get back or relive again. What did we do with it? The same things we did the day before yesterday, and the days before that? If so, then I hope those "things" are good things. Even if we can't see the good things. Because usually we don't see those things. We only see another day dawn, and the same-old, same-old in front of us.

But, our Lord sees differently. Precisely because He is God and does not see with our eyes, thanks be to God! (lol) We see nothing new, only the same old disturbances, the same old challenges, trials which never end, difficulties which go on and on.

What do we say? "Why is God doing this to me?" "Why, at my age, am I going through all of this, when life should be easier, more secure, more full of money?"
Says who? Who ever promised any of us a fools gold by the time we get to 60 years old? Where is it written that life gets easier, less stressful, that our days be less filled with tribulation and sorrow? That may be true, that may not be true. I am sure whoever we are, that we all have problems, some very close to home, some in our workplace, our churches, our businesses, our towns, wherever we find ourselves every day.

So, what to do? Pray. With all your heart. Endlessly, all day long. Here and there. Offer up. Always.
Because God hears. And because in a hundred years from now, He will still be listening to those invoking his kindness. But, we will be long gone. Dead for quite some time.
Dead to this life, yet, alive in the next.

"Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, 'Turn back, O children of men!'
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch
in the night. . . . . .
our years come to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are threescore and ten,
or even by reason of strength fourscore;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone and we fly away." Ps 90

Do not turn your back on God. Walk fully towards Him, and keep walking there all the days of your life. Only then will all of "this" make any sense at all!

Once in a Blue Moon . . . .

I am sitting here at my computer, while the wind blows. And huffs and puffs. And howls. And starts behind my house, behind the hill, off to the left, and slowly and stealthily, and horrendously, rip-roars down through the trees, slamming into the house, running over the roof, then continuing on to all the trees beyond. All day it's done this. Frigid. Frightful. Late December.

Come Thursday there will be a blue moon. In case you've forgotten, that's when we get two full moons in one month. And Thursday, December 31 is still December, and just makes it. I'm hoping the moon looks blue like this one does. Maybe by then, the wind will cease.

Blue is my favorite color. It's always been my favorite color; whichever shade or hue of blue you choose. It's just me. Just like my Victorian scarf or neck-warmer here. It's one of my very favorite things to knit. Put it in a dazzling box with some silver tissue paper and a beautiful ribbon and you have the best gift!

Size 4 needles.
CO 30 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Row 1 (RS): K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, K11, yo twice, K2.
Row 2: K2, (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) into "yo twice", P7, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end. Row 3: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, K3, SSK, K13.
Row 4: K2, P11, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 5: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, K3, SSK, K5, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, K2.
Row 6: K2, P16, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 7: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, K3, SSK, K17.
Row 8: K2, P15, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 9: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, K3, SSK, K3, (YO, K2tog) 6 times, K1.
Row 10: K2, P14, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 11: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2 K3, SSK, K15.
Row 12: K2, P13, K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 13: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2 K3, SSK, (YO, K2 tog) 6 times, yo, K2.
Row 14: K 19, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end
Row 15: K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, Knit to end.
Row 16: BO 6 sts., K12, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Knit rows 1 - 16 for 16 "points" or desired lengths.
Bind off.
Weave in the ends.

Let me know what you think!

In the meantime, I will be looking at the blue moon and thinking of all I have to be thankful for in the New Year.