the unveiling

Our never-ending yard project is complete at least for now!
This is how our yard looked at the beginning. A complete transformation has taken place. The last project remaining was the deck. Remember the ugly red paint and the damaged wood?
Well, this is how it turned out after the Deck Doctor arrived! It's like I had a new deck installed. The redwood is absolutely gorgeous!

The Deck Doctor comes to the rescue!

Here is a photo of the whole crew at work. Several sanders were used at the same time. This is what the redwood looks like from years of weathering. It's amazing to see the transformation and the beauty of the wood after it is sanded. This was the first time I had actually seen the reds and blondes of the wood since we bought our home. The deck had never been kept up with by the original owners, so the wood was always grey.Here's another view of the deck and completed landscaping.

My rock garden.

The plants have lost their flowers since I planted them, but they will be in bloom next spring and summer. I planted Flox, Irish Moss, Lemon Thyme, and Ice plants. Eventually the plants will spread and grow in between the rocks.
My husband built these flagstone steps for me. I think they turned out pretty cool.
A great place to loom! My works in progress include a dishcloth and prayer shawl.

long-tail cast on

Let's try doing the long-tail cast on together.

1. Wrap your yarn two times around your loom. This will give you the "tail."

2. Make a slip knot at the top of the tail.

3. Place the slip knot on your starting peg.
4. Now take the yarn (working) coming from the skein.

5. E-wrap the peg to the right with the working yarn. Lay the long "tail" above the wrap and pull the wrap over the long tail (knit off).


6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you reach the last peg. You are now ready to begin knitting your first row using your working yarn.

new Markman 18" RG adjustable rake

Yesterday I received my 18" RG (5/8") adjustable rake from Markman Farm. I planned on using this rake to make prayer shawls. I wanted a loom that would be versatile and not specifically designed just for prayer shawls. The loom has to have at least 60 pegs in order to make the shawls, so I decided on this 18" RG adjustable rake.

The product list stated 52 pegs for this adjustable rake, and with the additional 4-peg end pieces, I would have my 60 pegs. Wrong! I didn't calculate that once you removed the 2-peg end pieces and placed the 4-peg end pieces on, you would only have 56 pegs, not 60. What to do?

Well, my lightbulb moment came at 2:00 a.m. last night. What if I combined both end pieces giving me an additional 12 pegs. I took the longest hex bolt and put it through both pieces. It would work. Only thing is the end of the hex bolt didn't come through to the other side. I needed a longer hex bolt.

Do they make them longer? Sure they do, and they have them at Home Depot! I bought two 5 1/2 " hex bolts and some extra wing nuts. They worked! They're the perfect length, and I have my 60 pegs. Now I can keep my "baby", and we'll have very happy looming days together.

The End

2 more dishcloths

I seem to have caught some kind of dishcloth fever. This one is the Three Crosses Cloth originally created by Rhonda K. White ©copyright 3/20/05 and converted by Linda Perata ©copyright 7/06. I loomed this cloth on Lynn Markman's FG 3/8" adustable double rake using 100% cotton yarn and the new knit stitch. If you would like the converted pattern for this dishcloth, just leave a comment and I will email it to you.This cloth is called the Ripple Dishcloth found at Loomin Cat's Haven. I love the ripple pattern in this particular cloth. I loomed this also on Lynn Markman's FG adjustable double rake. The pattern looks lovely in a variegated yarn. I used Peaches & Creme 100% cotton yarn in "gumdrop."

What's unique about an adjustable double rake is that you can loom two dishcloths or projects at once. If you get bored with one, you can always start on the other.
I love this rake. The wood is gorgeous and I like using the open-top pegs.

Looming Through the Psalms
"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5,6

pawprint dishcloth

Knitted Paw Print Cloth
©3/05 by Rhonda K. White

Used by permission from Ronda K. White
Pattern converted to the loom Copyright © 6/06 by Linda Perata

This pattern was done on the loom using Isela's knit stitch and purl.

Materials used: 100% cotton yarn, ¼” fine gauge dishcloth rake, crochet hook for binding off, and yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Cast on 36 stitches

1: Purl
2: Knit
3: Purl
4: Knit
5: p3, k30, p3
6: knit across
7: p3, k30, p3
8: knit across
9: p3, k13, p4, k13, p3
10: knit across
11: p3, k11, p8, k11, p3
12: knit across
13: p3, k9, p12, k9, p3
14: knit across
15: p3, k9, p12, k9, p3
16: knit across
17, 19, 21 & 23: p3, k8, p14, k8, p3
18, 20, 22, 24: knit across
25: p3, k9, p12, k9, p3
26: knit across
27: p3, k10, p10, k10, p3
28: knit across
29: p3, k5, p3, k3, p8, k3, p3, k5, p3
30: knit across
31: p3, k4, p5, k3, p6, k3, p5, k4, p3
32: knit across
33: p3, k3, p6, k4, p4, k4, p6, k3, p3
34: knit across
35: p3, k3, p5, k14, p5, k3, p3
36: knit across
37: p3, k3, p4, k3, p3, k4, p3, k3, p4, k3, p3
38: knit across
39: p3, k4, p2, k3, p5, k2, p5, k3, p2, k4, p3
40: knit across
41 & 43: p3, k9, p5, k2, p5, k9, p3
42 & 44: knit across
45: p3, k9, p4, k4, p4, k9, p3
46: knit across
47: p3, k10, p2, k6, p2, k10, p3
48: knit across
49: p3, k30, p3
50: knit across
51: p3, k30, p3
52: knit across
53: p3, k30, p3
54: knit across
55: purl across
56: knit across
57: purl across
Bind off loosely with crochet method using one chain stitch in between.

Looming Through the Psalms
"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." Psalm 12:5,6

heart dishcloth

Click on photo to enlarge

What better way to say, "I love you," than to give a special person in your life a heart dishcloth. Penny of aloomyplace.com converted this pattern. Her website is no longer available, so I will post the pattern in this post. I did this one on Penny's 1/4" fine gauge rake using 100% cotton Sugar 'n Creme. Part way into looming this dishcloth, you can see where I switched to Isela's new knit stitch. I like this stitch much better than the flat "U" stitch. The new knit stitch looks more uniform like needle knitting. Isela's mini-movie of the stitch can be found here.

Looming dishcloths seems to be the craze lately, and I'm hooked as well. I just love watching the pattern appear as I'm looming. Cathy of Loomin Cat's Haven has been converting many needle-knit dishcloths over to the loom. Her husband also makes a dishcloth rake with a gauge that you can loom the perfect dishcloth on.

I converted the paw print pattern and it's in process right now. I'll post the pattern and photos soon. Lovely knitted dishcloths by Rhonda K. White copyright © can be converted and found at her website, KnittingKnonsense.

Thanks for visiting!

Single Heart Dish Cloth Loom Pattern

Supplies:
Worsted Weight Cotton
Loom Tool
Yarn Needle
Dish Cloth Rake

Cast on 35
Row 1: Knit across
Row 2: Purl across
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: Knit across
Row 6: Purl across
Row 7: Knit across
Row 8: P4, K27, P4
Row 9: Knit across
Row 10-19: Repeat Rows 8 & 9
Row 20: P4, K27, P4
Row 21: K17, P1, K17
Row 22: P4, K27, P4
Row 23: K16, P3, K16
Row 24: P4, K27, P4
Row 25: K15, P5, K15
Row 26: P4, K27, P4
Row 27: K14, P7, K14
Row 28: P4, K27, P4
Row 29: K13, P9, K13
Row 30: P4, K27, P4
Row 31: K12, P11, K12
Row 32: P4, K27, P4
Row 33: K12, P5, K1, P5, K12
Row 34: P4, K27, P4
Row 35: K13, P3, K3, P3, K13
Row 36: P4, K27, P4
Row 37: Knit across
Rows 38-47: Repeat Rows 8 & 9
Row 48: Purl across
Row 49: Knit across
Row 50: Purl across
Row 51: Knit across
Row 52: Purl across
Row 53: Knit across

Open bind off:
Cut your yarn leaving about a 20” tail. Thread a yarn needle with the tail and remove with open method.

Run the needle down through loop on peg 1, up through loop on peg 3, down through peg on loop 2, up through 4, down through 3, up through 5, down through 4…continue to end, finish and weave ends.

Looming Through the Psalms
"In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: Flee like a bird to your mountain." Psalm 11:1

one word about "me" - just one

One Word...meme

Seen over at sedulous Isela's and lovely Margene's, the One Word comment!

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me — it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

Ready, set, go!!

completed triangle shawl

Click on image for larger view

I completed the triangle shawl today. I think it turned out nicely. I used the pattern on Gail's blog. Gail used DA's prayer shawl loom in this pattern, but I don't have that particular loom, so I used the yellow KK loom. I e-wrapped single strand 1 over 1 using Red Heart Plush in Wine. I was surprised to see that the shawl knitted on the yellow KK loom turned out as large as it did.


This is what the shawl looked like before I added the 10" fringe. To make the fringe, measure a piece of cardboard the desired length of the fringe you'd like to add. Wrap the yarn around the cardboard as many times as will fit. Cut the yarn on one end of the cardboard.

Fold the fringe strands in half forming a loop and use a crochet hook to pull the loop through the edge of the garment. Pull the ends of the strand through the loop and tighten.

Looming through the Psalms
"Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless." Psalm 10:12

more yard news

Yesterday our hedges arrived. Lots of holes were dug. Have any of you seen the movie or read the book, Holes? Yep, that's what digging all those holes reminded me of! I wouldn't mind finding a treasure!

Here's my hubby using the tractor to bring the topsoil over to where we need it. I've never seen him on a tractor before.

Today, all the hedges were planted and the giant garden box filled with topsoil. It's coming together nicely. I can't wait to get my rock garden in.

on the loom and in the yard

I thought I'd try and learn how to loom a triangle shawl. I found a pattern with instructions that I really liked at this blog. This pattern teaches you how to increase and decrease, so it's a great learning tool. I'm doing this one on the yellow KK loom using Red Heart Plush in Wine. The yarn is giving this shawl an antique look, almost like it came out of granny's attic. I'm just about ready to start the decrease to shape the other side of the triangle. Hopefully it will turn out.

So what loomer doesn't have at least three projects going on at once?

This yarn has my name on it. I just had to get it! I think I'll use it to make another triangle shawl if this first one turns out. I'd like to use a larger loom though. I should call this shawl the "Linda" shawl.

And for our never-ending yard project, a couple of friends came over and helped us install the retaining wall today. It was a little on the cool side, so it was a great day for working outside.

Thank God for friends who will lend a helping hand when you need it.

Bean enjoying the day.

The retaining wall is complete. We need to add the plants and topsoil. It's almost like I have a giant garden box now. I'd like to add a rock garden to this slope as well.

new looms and projects

Yay, my Markman Farm 18" fine gauge adjustable double rake arrived a couple of days ago. The rake is a gorgeous oak with open-top pegs. I ordered the extra end pieces for it too. I also ordered Lynn's 4 oz. Cedar Eucalyptus|Lavender bee balm I used to wax the loom. Now it has an incredible fragrance. Lynn's having a free shipping sale until the end of this month. I love this rake, and I've started a dishcloth I wrote a pattern for converting from needle knitting to the loom. It's my first experience in pattern writing, so we'll see how it turns out. Even though Lynn lists this rake as a fine gauge, the pegs aren't spaced quite as tight as my 1/4" fine gauge looms. These pegs are spaced 3/8" so my guess is that this rake is closer to a small gauge. I also ordered the small gauge Wonderloom from Decor Accents Inc., and can't wait to receive it.

I started another dishcloth the other day on my fine gauge dishcloth rake. These dishcloths provide the practice I need as far as learning new stitches, following a pattern, and working on my tension. I was using the flat "U" stitch, but what ends up happening is my stitches turn out incredibly tight no matter how loose I think I'm wrapping. I have a difficult time lifting these tight loops over the pegs. I found a video that Isela did for the knit stitch which is a similar technique as doing the purl stitch, only in reverse. That makes sense since the purl stitch is just the other side of the knit stitch. Anyway, I ended up switching to using the method Isela demonstrates in the video, and I love it. The stitches turn out much more uniform and helps me with the tension. At first it was taking me a lot longer to do, but I have found a rhythm with it and it's going much faster.You can see where I made the switch to the knit stitch on this project. Hopefully it won't be so obvious after I shrink the dishcloth. No worries, it's just practice, and the dishcloth will still work even with the imperfections.

This is what can happen if your stitches are too tight. The yarn broke! I was using DA's wood knitting tool that is really sharp and made for fine gauge looming and SNAP, the yarn broke in two. I had to start over. Such are the adventures in loom knitting.

never-ending yard project

I thought I'd post some "before" photos of our never-ending yard project that's been going on for almost a year now. It all started last August when our septic tank decided to back up on us. We had no idea where the septic tank was even after repeatedly asking the original home owner several times. Well, needless to say, it ended up being a major ordeal. We first had to call roto-rooter to "buy" us some time to make numerous phone calls to the appropriate people that could help us. After many phone calls, Roto-Rooter who "bought" us some time, an excavator who made a nice 8' x 15' trench, and the pumper who completed the job, we had a nice little mess in our yard. Since I always wanted a stone patio installed, I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to get my "dream yard." We had the patio installed last November just before winter showed up. I had no idea they had to make it so high. We also decided to have a white pergola installed since our yard has a perfect southern exposure with absolutely no shade. When spring arrived, we noticed that some of the bricks were disintegrating, so the whole patio had to be replaced! One thing has lead to another, so now we have to repair and refinish our deck and do landscaping. Hopefully, this won't take up the whole summer.
This is what some of our railing logs look like. This is the ugliest stain I have ever seen. It all has to be sanded off and the wood refinished.




Just look at all those spindles that have to be sanded! These are just on part of our deck. The railing also wraps around to the side.








Here is the raised patio that will have to be landscaped. We have to bring in around 14 yards of topsoil to finish filling the hole that sunk from the trench that was made. Sod will then have to be laid. We will use the remainder of the topsoil around the edge of the patio and plant hedges. I'm thinking of adding a rock garden as well.








This is the white pergola we had installed. I love it. It provides some shade for a very sunny backyard.








We also had the paver company install this spa pad for a future jacuzzi.







Another "before" photo of the stone patio.







Back to looming, I've been trying to convert some knitting stitches. I was experimenting with one on the loom today and created a swatch. This one is called a basket weave stitch. It would make a great stitch for an afghan.

my grandmother

Today I opened an email with an incredible surprise. My cousin's wife sent me this photo of my maternal grandmother, Josephine Scaramella. It was a very emotional experience to look upon my grandmother's face for the first time. It's like looking into a mirror image. I definitely see my sisters, Sandra and Lori, in her. I never met my grandmother because she died giving birth to a son over 70 years ago. What saddens my heart is that her premature death left 6 daughters and 2 sons without a mother. And I never got to know the love of a grandmother.