black & silver hat

One of the projects I wanted to loom was the basic hat pattern from the book, Knitting Wheel Fashions.
It looked more like a beret style hat, and I just loved it. I had to improvise on the yarn, so this hat didn't turn out exactly like the one in the pattern. I couldn't find the Red Heart Fiesta Black/Gold. I think I can order this yarn online, so I may redo the hat using this specific yarn. I made this black and silver hat on the green KK loom using Caron Simply Soft black and Caron Glimmer black. I made a brim first and then used a stitch called the double wrap. I used a pom-pom maker called the Doodle-Loom to create my first pom-pom.

Looming through the Psalms
"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." Psalm 9:1

completed mesh bag

I took the mesh bag project off the loom the other day and then added the chain crocheted drawstring and handles. I turned this bag into a backpack. It will be great as a summer tote for towels and other lakeside items. I would say beach items, but we don't have any beaches where I live. This flat bottom bag has been such a fun project. It was made on the yellow loom using Peaches & Creme cotton yarn in Potpourri. The instructions can be found at the Yahoo LoomClass site.

Looming through the Psalms
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3,4

papaya-limelight mock crochet hat

I finally finished my Papaya-Limelight mock crochet hat. It was done on CinDWood Crafts 51-peg 1/2" gauge round loom using Caron Simply Soft Brites in Limelight and Papaya. The first 5 rows are done using the purl stitch. The Papaya-colored section of the hat was done using the mock crochet stitch. The download for the stitch can be found here.
For the last 5 rows I used the flat "U" stitch and then gathered the top.

Looming through the Psalms
"O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." Psalm 7:9,10

more puppy pics

Well, we picked up our little Chi boy on 5/3/06 right after our Zion's trip. Here are some more photos. We named him Ace. He turned 9 weeks old on Mother's Day. He's so much fun, but a lot of work too as you can imagine!

His first night

Ace's checkerboard pattern

More pics to enjoy

Mother's Day - 9 weeks old

our new boy

Emmett & Checkers

Our new Chihuahua boy is on the right! The breeders call him Checkers because he has a checkerboard pattern on his back. It was love at first sight when we saw him for the first time yesterday. He is soooo adorable, and we can't wait to take him home.

projects off and on the loom

What a difference a gauge makes. The flower dishcloth on the right was made on Cindy's combo loom regular 1/2" gauge, and the same pattern was used for the yellow dishcloth on the left made on a fine gauge rake from markmanfarm.com. The pattern for the spring flower dishcloth can be found at www.knitchat.com.

I still need to complete my mesh bag. All I need to do is a few more rows of the single mesh stitch, 3 rows of 2 over 2, cast off using the crochet method, whip stitch the i-cords into place, and my bag will be complete.

blog fog

So here is my blog fog. Cool, huh. I first saw this on a friend's blog, who saw it on her dad's blog who saw it at snap shirts where you can do your own blog fog and order a t-shirt too. I like some of the words that my blog fog produced like mountain, miracle, mystery, and weaving wife. Try it and see how yours turns out.

analyze that

This is my handwritten pangram. A pangram is a sentence that contains all the letters of the alphabet, the most famous being, "the quick brown fox" sentence. I was to write this sentence out, take a photo of it, sign it, and post it on my blog. I'm not sure what happens next, but I think a handwriting specialist may be visiting my blog to analyze it. I saw this on Isela's purling sprite's blog who saw it at Mim's blog, who saw it here.
The next step is to add a comment over at Logtar's blog that I posted this handwriting meme at my blog.

a hat for joseph

Joseph has been very patient waiting for his new hat. Weeks ago I made some scrunchies for his sisters, and the hat I made for him on the red loom was too small. He's been waiting ever since for a new one. I presented this hat to him today, and he was so excited to receive it finally.
It was knitted on the green KK loom using the University of Michigan colors, blue and gold. The gold brim was done in the garter stitch.

"Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love." Psalm 6:4

delivery from a loomy place

I'm so excited. My 12" fine gauge dishcloth rake and Markman Farm loom tools I ordered from aloomyplace.com arrived today! Yet, another project is looming overhead. I just used the bee balm Penny sent with this order to bring out the beauty of the cherry wood on this rake. It's gorgeous! I love this bee balm so much I'll have to order more of the Cedar Eucalyptus/Lavender balm from Lynn at Markman Farm.
I can't wait to get started on my heart dishcloths. I'm going to do the flower dishcloth from the Spring KAL in a solid color this time.

mesh bag progress

Click on image to enlarge.

The mesh bag is coming along nicely. The flat bottom has been completed. After knitting 5 rows of 1 over 1, you start the modified mock crochet stitch. This is a lovely stitch and will move along quickly. If you are interested in making this project, join the Yahoo Loom Class and then go to the files section. The pattern is listed here for members.

signs of spring

Because of the altitude we live at, our spring comes when blossoms are falling off the trees in most places. It is always such a treat to drive down the canyon from our mountain home and see the signs of spring in the big city. Salt Lake is alive with spring with her blossoms, warmth, and bright flowers. Yes, this season of newness was blossoming all over.
I was really looking forward to this trip today because I had a unique opportunity to meet with a very special person I've been corresponding with online. Suz is a volunteer loom instructor who started the second loom class assignment at our Yahoo Loom Class Group. The assignment is for a mesh bag. Now, if anyone knows much about me they know that I love bags, so I got right on this assignment. Last night Suz told me to cast on 15 pegs on the yellow loom and knit a flat panel of 29 rows, and then we would meet in the morning so she could show me how to do the flat bottom for this bag. Wow, what a treat, one-on-one tutoring from one of the looming pros! It can't get much better than that. What a luxury because most of what I have learned so far has been self-taught instruction through reading, Isela's videos, internet loom patterns, and much trial and error. I have not taken a class, so no one has actually shown me what to do.

So here is the beginning of the mesh bag I started last night. When I was knitting the rows, something clicked, and I realized that in order to make the flat bottom I bet I was going to have to stretch this panel and place the end and side loops on the empty pegs. I was right.

I made one of the I-cord handles with this new gadget I bought last week called the Wonder Knitter. I have made the I-cords on the blue loom, and I got a kick out of making it with this cool gadget. It's faster than the loom and fun. I got a little carried away, and I think it may be too long.
So, here we are, Suz and me at the SLC library coffee shop. I'm on the right displaying what the flat bottom looks like after you stretch the loops onto the empty pegs. Suz also showed me other time saving tips and looming tricks of the trade.
By the way, libraries certainly have changed over the years. This new library is an incredible glass atrium building housing shops like The Salt Lake City Roasting Company and The English Garden, kid-friendly spaces, art galleries, museum and all kinds of nooks and crannies. Definitely a place you could spend all day in.

crack open those books!

Besides loom knitting, working as an instructional aide, and family responsibilities, I'm also a student. I'm enrolled in an online Early Childhood Education program. I've neglected my studies for this new-found hobby, but I need to get motivated to complete what I started. Only 5 more classes and I graduate with a degree! Cheer me on. I need the encouragement.

boa scarf

This boa scarf was knit on a regular 1/2" gauge 12" oval panel combo loom. I used Bernat Boa Emu and Isela's scarf pattern. What's nice about this size boa is that it can also be used as a belt.
This scarf went to one of the teachers at the school I work at.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

sunday brunch

We went to a place called Cisero's on Main. They had a buffet style breakfast and omelets made to order. Yum. Did they have to place those incredible peanut butter cookies at the front of the buffet, and why was it I joined Weight Watchers two days before Easter?Omelets made to order.

My daughter, Alex.