Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Stitch Along: Week 48

Hello there!  Not much to report here....I finished the little thumbless mitts, so I'll post those on Friday...other than that, really haven't worked on much, just a few rows here and there.  We have rain today and for the next couple of days, woke up feeling no pain...first time in months...didn't last long...tonight I ache everywhere...we'll see how tomorrow is....

So do you have anything to post...link on up...



Monday, November 28, 2016

A Nazi Legacy: What Our Fathers Did

So I have Netflix for at least a month...I signed up for the free trial so I could watch Gilmore Girls....but I have been searching around for other things to watch...watched Stranger Things, caught up on seasons 4 and 5 of Longmire, among a few movies.  Tonight I was hunting for Poldark (so not easy to find certain shows, if you have any hints on that)  Never found Poldark, but ran across this documentary.

I have read and watched a lot of things about the Holocaust, mainly from the Jewish point of view.  I have no family connection to it, that I know of (although my grandfather did fight).  It's just a part of history that has always interested me.

This documentary was fascinating.  Three men are involved:  Philippe Sands, a British human rights lawyer of Jewish descent, who lost the majority of his family to the Holocaust, Niklas Frank, the son of "The Butcher of Poland," and Horst von Wachter, the son of another high ranking German official.

Obviously, Mr. Sands is very emotional, at times...especially at the site of the massacre of his family and the ruins of the family's synagogue.  Mr. Frank wrote a book denouncing his father that caused some controversy in Germany.  Mr. von Wachter, on the other hand, refuses to link his father to the thousands of murders that happened under his leadership.

I felt sorry for Mr. von Wachter, the other two kept trying to push him to acknowledge who his father really was, but he resisted.  Mr. Frank went so far as to say that he thinks Horst is a Nazi and that this was the end of their friendship.  These men are in the 70's and have known each other since they were children.

Mr. Frank, although saying at one point he had a happy childhood, was very bitter towards both of his parents.  He didn't seem to have had any sort of happy, healthy relationship with them and credits his nurse with anything that is good within him....

Mr. von Wachter had a happy childhood.  His parents loved each other and their children.  It is hard for him to reconcile who he knew as his father and who is the monster in history.  Plus his father is still considered to be a hero in some circles (some Ukrainians and present-day Nazis)

Mr. Frank's father was caught and tried at Nuremberg and hanged.  Mr. von Wachter's was not...he went into hiding and died in 1949.  This gives Horst the excuse that he was never found guilty. 

When they were at the burnt out synogague, Horst stated that he refuses to get stuck in the past and saw the synogague as what it could become in the future.  I understand why it is so hard for him to admit who his father was, but that denial can also be dangerous. 

So interesting to see how our personal experiences (their childhoods) can influence how we see things, watch it if you can...



Sunday, November 27, 2016

A Year of Projects: Week 48

I have to really thank ReneeAnne at Confessions of a Yarn Addict, because I'd never know what week I was on without her!  I skipped a week again! I don't remember why...maybe because I really had nothing new to report....This week I have finished another hat...I posted about it on Friday.  Today, I think I'm going to work on those tiny mittens for my friend's daughter...also bought another one of these...I have the puppy, the giraffe, the bear and now the lamb!

I went into NYC on Friday...my district provides a bus every year..we just have to donate an unwrapped toy....for the second year I took my yarny BFF with me...she wanted to go to Brooklyn General Store, as she follows them on Instagram.  I had been there a couple years ago....I didn't buy anything there (but it was where I bought my first Zauberball on the previous visit).  It's a great store with some awesome yarn and the atmosphere is fun, very rustic...but I just kept looking and then putting the yarn back, as I had something like it at home!  She bought a book.  But we did visit Woolyn, also in Brooklyn and I did purchase several things there, as they carried lots of local yarn and they had a kit I was looking to buy.....I'll post them on Saturday...I didn't take any pictures!  But it was a great store!  They've only been open for three months.

I also visited my local yarn shop for Small Business Saturday...and did some shopping!

Completed Projects:
The Dork Socks (technically 2015) 12/31/15
Screw You Rainbows socks (1/6/16)
Quick Pink cowl (1/7/16)
Yoda (1/10/16)
Bulky Cowl (1/19/16)
Jacinta Capelet (2/28/16)        

Turtleneck Capelet #2 (3/31/16)      
Fortune's Shawlette (7/12/16) 
Irish Oak (6/19//16)    
 2 baby hats (7/27/16)  
Baby Rattle (8/4/16)   
Edgy Carol (8/7/16)
Plastic Bag Holder (8/14/16)  

Quick Cowl (10/2/16)  
Stopover (10/10/16)  
Raspberry Beret (10/14/16)
Glenn Lives (10/16/16)
Quick Pumpkin Hat (10/22/16)  
Reyna (10/23/16)  
Fun Circuits (11/8/16)
Skyping Beanie (11/11/16)
Christmas Skying (11/24/16)

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.
Tis the Season (11/10/13)
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14)
 
Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)    

Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15)    
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)    
Meandering Top (5/20/16)
Multnomah (8/21/16)
Warm Neck (8/2/16) 

Lucy Mitts 
Bulky Cowl
 
Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Johnny's Socks (Jan 2013)  
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016)
Live Long and Prosper (4/14/16)
Spring is in the Air (2/16/16)
Autumn Zombie  

Vermont Zaubers

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16)

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in 

 KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14)  
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  
Downton Abbey (1/4/15)
 
Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt 
 
Projects In Mind: Gifts/Charity: 
Hats for friend's babies (ongoing)
Hats for students (ongoing)
Kimberly Skye's tunic
Two Elsa doll/blanket things

Sweaters:
Test Pattern Sweater (in magazine)
Car Coat (in magazine)
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller
Wholehearted
West End Scarf  
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf 
Fraxinus 
Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette
Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
Bedford Springs Shawl
Brush Creek Cowlette  
Watershed  
Waterkant
The Brownstitch gradient
Leftie
Bigger on the Inside
Oeste  
Out of Gas  
Sweet Potato Twist  
Nefertem  
Falling Bobbins 
Danielle Shawl  
The Doodler
 
Hats and Mitts
Lace Kelly (soakbox)
Isabeau Mitts 
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching  
Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat   
Transitional Color Mitts
Almond Comfit
Lady Violet's Dinner Gauntlets  
Wurm  
Autumn in Garrison
Baa-ble Hat

Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks
Wizard of Oz socks
Black Widow's Socks
August Pocus
Waterkant 
Watermelon 
Monkey
Dalekamium 
Knit From Stash patterns
Dr. Who socks  
 
Bags:
Sarape Shopper

Friday, November 25, 2016

Black Friday Finishes

So I have two finishes this week, both hats, both the same pattern...

I made this hat for my nephew for school, in his school colors...
The red is actually much brighter....the pattern is Skyping Beanie by Halldora.  It's a free pattern...

I made his with a chunky yarn from WEBS called Valley Yarns....

Then I made this for me...
Same pattern, DK weight in "Oh Christmas Tree" from Andi's Pandies....I bought the pom pom at a store in Mass...I love this pattern!  So adaptable!

I'll be wearing this today in NYC, so if you want to pop onto my instagram feed, it'll pop up...we plan on hitting two yarn stores in Brooklyn....

Any other finishes out there?




Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

It made me laugh....I know there are controversies around this holiday...and especially this year with everything going on in North Dakota and the pipeline....it's not a big holiday in our house...it's just the Hubs and me...he does the cooking, I usually craft.....sometimes we go out to his parents for a bit, sometimes not....my Mom is in Florida, my brother and sisters do their own thing with their families and in-laws....

I'm not feeling well...not only am I still achey, putting those craft plans in jeopardy, but I've also had an upset stomach since yesterday afternoon...

But I do want to wish everyone a happy day...and I hope you are surrounded with lots of family, friends and food....

I have written this on Facebook and on Instagram this morning and I'll re-post it here:

"I am grateful for my students. Days can be long and frustrating, but never boring! I am grateful for the morning hug I receive from HB and her concern for my health. I am grateful for the afternoon hugs I receive from CR and HM. I am grateful that these three girls are from three different cultures, all speak two languages, with two of them learning a third. I am grateful that these students are our future. They are wonderful and kind and care about others. I am grateful that I get to teach to these remarkable little people and share in their growth."

I was feeling a lot of love for my students this morning....

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Stitch Along: Week 47

Hi folks!  I know it's later than I normally post...last night was a bad night and just was not feeling well...and I knew I'd be home early today...so here goes...hope y'all with me....

So I've not crafted a lot because of pain...but have crafted some...here is my new hat in progress

It's "Oh Christmas Tree" by Andi's Pandis....I got the pompom on a yarn crawl.....and I can't wait to finish this!  Hoping it's done for Friday NYC trip...I also wound some Gilmore Girls inspired yarn for Friday's trip...

So how about you?  what's up in you neck of the woods?




Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Stitch Along: Week 46

Good evening...I just accidentally deleted two comments....I'm sorry....face*palm......

So nothing for me this week, yeah there has been a little crafting, but not enough to mention....so just throwing that link up for others who may have something to share.....



Sunday, November 13, 2016

A Year of Projects: Week 46

And looky there, I skipped a week again!  I had a pretty bad flareup and wasn't crafting for many days, so I had nothing new to add...since then, I've finished two projects and started another.

I finished the Fun Circuits cowl, you can read about it here.  I also finished my nephew's Skyping Beanie....I need to stop by and give it to him today, as he is going back to school.  I loved the yarn I used for it...Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky...it is WEBS house yarn (like a house wine).  I just hope the red doesn't run!  I don't have a picture of it right now and it's dark here, so I'll post one on Friday for the Wrap-Up....here's an "in Progress" picture

This week is parent/teacher conferences...so three half days and one really long day! And then, Friday, when we will all be walking zombies...

The other project I started was the Lucy thumbless mitts....very tiny work!

I have been trying to quiet the castitis I am having, so casting on smaller projects, I did start a cowl on big, bulky yarn with big needles, but it's not going as fast I would like......I do want to finish a few more WIPs before the end of the year....

I think that is it for me right now, as it is still dark and I can't take any pictures at the moment...but I do post progress pics on Instagram, if you follow me...

Completed Projects:
The Dork Socks (technically 2015) 12/31/15
Screw You Rainbows socks (1/6/16)
Quick Pink cowl (1/7/16)
Yoda (1/10/16)
Bulky Cowl (1/19/16)
Jacinta Capelet (2/28/16)   
 
 
 

Turtleneck Capelet #2 (3/31/16)      
Fortune's Shawlette (7/12/16) 
Irish Oak (6/19//16)    
 2 baby hats (7/27/16)  
Baby Rattle (8/4/16)   
Edgy Carol (8/7/16)
Plastic Bag Holder (8/14/16)
 

Quick Cowl (10/2/16) Stopover (10/10/16) Raspberry Beret (10/14/16) Glenn Lives (10/16/16) Quick Pumpkin Hat (10/22/16) Reyna (10/23/16) Fun Circuits (11/8/16)
Skyping Beanie (11/11/16)

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.
Tis the Season (11/10/13)
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14)

 
Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)
 
 

Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15)    
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15) Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)    
Meandering Top (5/20/16)
Multnomah (8/21/16)

Warm Neck (8/2/16) 

Lucy Mitts 
Bulky Cowl
 
Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Johnny's Socks (Jan 2013)  
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016)
Live Long and Prosper (4/14/16)
Spring is in the Air (2/16/16)
Autumn Zombie 

Vermont Zaubers

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Light in Shadows (1/14/14)  

Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16)

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in 

 KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14)  
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  
Downton Abbey (1/4/15)
 
Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt 
 
Projects In Mind: Gifts/Charity: 
Hats for friend's babies (ongoing)
Hats for students (ongoing)
Kimberly Skye's tunic
Two Elsa doll/blanket things

Sweaters:
Test Pattern Sweater (in magazine)
Car Coat (in magazine)
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller
Wholehearted
West End Scarf  
Gathering Leaves
Alhambra
Petal Edge Scarf
Filippi Scarf 
Firefly Scarf 
Fraxinus 
Danube Cowl
Simple City
Fire and Ice
Leylines 
Holden Shawlette
Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
Bedford Springs Shawl
Brush Creek Cowlette  
Watershed  
Waterkant
The Brownstitch gradient
Leftie
Bigger on the Inside
Oeste  
Out of Gas  
Sweet Potato Twist  
Nefertem  
Falling Bobbins 
Danielle Shawl  
The Doodler
 
Hats and Mitts
Lace Kelly (soakbox)
Isabeau Mitts 
Hermione Hearts Ron
Nehalm Hat
Felicity
Stellar
Cabled Headband
Fetching  
Cayunga Hat and Mitts set
Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts
Evergreen Gloves
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat   
Transitional Color Mitts
Almond Comfit
Lady Violet's Dinner Gauntlets  
Wurm  
Autumn in Garrison
Baa-ble Hat

Socks:
Memento Mori
Rubus
Siren Socks
Savory Lace Socks
Autumn Flame
Firebird
Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars
Twin peaks
Wizard of Oz socks
Black Widow's Socks
August Pocus 
Waterkant 
Watermelon   
Monkey
Dalekamium   
Knit From Stash patterns
Dr. Who socks  
 

Bags:
Sarape Shopper

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Stash Acquisition Saturday

Yep...it's going to be a good one....

Let's start with the mail acquisitions....I received a package and thought it was my new LaLuRoe leggings...the Hubs was like, "No!  It's from another country!"  It was my first shipment in The Splendferous Blanket Club by Handmade by Kate and Mother of Purl. I saw this advertised awhile back and because both the Hubs and I are Roald Dahl fans I preordered the full six months!

Mr. Wonka by handmade by Kate and If You Want to View Paradise by Mother of Purl, both DK weight.  Now it's deciding on a blanket.  The Hubs has requested a zigzag...and I can't see me knitting one of those, so crochet it is!  It think I'm going to use one of Lucy from Attic24's patterns....

And then, of course, there was the Fiber Festival of New England....I did blog about it here

I bought this kit from a local farm vendor (sorry forgot name) It is to make thumbless mitts for little Lucy.  The yarn is from a sheep named Henry.

I went back to Barltett Yarns and got two more skeins for my next sweater, plus a contrast skein.  I'm thinking of making the Slopes Pullover or Revelry Sweater, both in the new issue of Knitscene...or Flax, but everyone has made that one, so may try one of the new ones....

Ihad a really hard time picking which self stripe to get from White Birch Fiber Arts,,,I went with Signs and Wonders...it's hard to tell, but it is a gradient self-stripe, the colors are purple, rose, orange and a limey yellow.....yum! I forgot to go back and purchase her back wall!
Same problem at Into the Whirled...it was so nice being able to get into the booth...she didn't have all of her colors, but there were enough...I picked up Madame Vastra.  She is a character from Doctor Who.  I ADORE the makeup for this species...the Silurians...they remind me just a bit of Sleestaks from Land of the Lost...a childhood favorite.
Image result for madame vastra

This is Arriderci, Bitches!  A Charlie (Supernatural) inspired yarn from Play At Life, although so not my colors...it is Charlie, another favorite.....

This was my last purchase...it matched my Stopover to perfection! And it is named "Unchained Melody" my wedding song...it was fate!

This was my first yarn purchase.  I just loved this color! From Longmeadow Farm, it's Cranberry Red..It's Lamb's wool and silk...

From Heather of Mad Color.....a rainbow on black...since I already have socks...think I;m going to make a cowl...the color stripes are really long.....It's called Darkside....

This is Abaddon from Llamas and Llattes....another Supernatural yarn...it came in a kit to make a hat beanie...

And from Dirty Water Dyeworks.....this is for The Joker and the Thief I have gotten other kits from her...I really think, she does the best teals out there...I adore her teal yarns...

And that was all on the yarny front...not too bad!  I also got a Madder Root bag, a piggy sponge holder and soap...always get soap
I also know that two of my clubs are on their way to me now...Mad Color's Supernatural club firs month!  Can't Wait!!!!!

This will probably be the last big update before the end of the year....I will be heading to Brooklyn General Store at the end of the month.....but unless something amazeballs comes across my feed, I won't be ordering much!

So I'll throw the link up if anyone else would like to join...









Friday, November 11, 2016

WrapUp Friday

Hello there my lovelies!  Today is Veteran's Day, so I am home.  I have one finish this week....

As I said before, this yarn sat near my computer for almost a year until it finally spoke to me.  And when it did, it said that it wasn't for me.  I had recently met Nelba Marquez-Greene, the mother of Ana Grace Greene.  Ana Grace was one of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I live about 45 minutes away.  Everyone in Connecticut was affected by that tragedy and, as a teacher, it was just unthinkable.  Nelba has turned her grief into something wonderful.  She has started the Ana Grace Project and their motto is Love Wins.  She truly believes if Adam Lanza had received the love and support he needed as a child, he would not have committed that horrendous act.  So our school district has partnered with the Ana Grace Project.

On Tuesday we had a full day professional development with them.  There were two main speakers that talked about childhood trauma and the brain's reaction to it.  Most of it was pretty fascinating, although I do think a tad long.....anyway, I spent the workshop working on this...
I'm calling it "Fun Circuits."  Nelba told a story about Ana and how she would tell her mom, "not to let them suck her fun circuits dry." I have that on a bracelet now.

It started as a different pattern, but I just couldn't deal with reading a pattern this week, so I ripped it out and just did a simple color block cowl.
I presented it to Nelba at the end of the day.....and she posted about it yesterday on Facebook.

Have a wonderful weekend.







Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Fiber Festival of New England 2016

Hello folks!  This past weekend I headed out to the final wooly festival of the year in these parts.  This festival started seven years ago, so it's still in the "new"  category.  I think more people are finding out about it.  They have definitely gotten more vendors.

When we first got there, it was pretty empty.  It opens at 9:00, and there was a long line waiting to get in.  We decided to head to the last aisle and work our way back up to the front.



The first booth we puchased at was Madder Root and On the Round.  They are from Maine and I follow them both on Instagram.  I bought one of the Madder Root bags....the one with the allium flowers.  My friend, Maureen, also purchased a bag, don't remember if she got yarn.  The bags are great, made from a wonderful material and are spacious and stand up. 


Brown Bunny Pottery was next...the little piggy sponge holder came home with me!  I loved those penguin bowls!  I took a picture and let the Hubs decide on whether it was the chicken or the pig...at first, he thought I was asking if he wanted a chicken or pig...because the picture came through a bit delayed...hahaha!  We have talked about getting chickens and pigs, but not until we move.

So I walked by and said, "Crossroads Yarn? Is that Supernatural?"  Yes, it was !  I ended up with a kit for a beanie with the Abaddon yarn (the purple one in picture)

I didn't purchase from here, but loved these shawls pins...I just have a hard time keeping stick pins in my shawls...I've lost them before...
My favorite display!  I forgot to jot down the name of the vendor.....I believe it was a local farm.
Look at the Henry yarn!  I bought this little kit to make some thumbless mitts for little Lucy....
 Into the Whirled was there!  They haven't been there since the second year.  It was fabulous to be able to shop in their booth without constantly bumping into people...I was able to look at all the yarn I wanted!  Some Madame Vastra came home with me...

White Birch Fiber Arts...I've been a fan for years!  See that wall in the second picture?  That whole wall wanted to come home with me!  But I was good and only bought one single skein.....Lisa has the most amazing ways with the self-stripe.....
Picked up some Charlie-inspired (Supernatural) yarn.  Been thinking about it for awhile....I have a few of her other Supernatural inspired yarns....among others...like Gloaming, which I picked up at two separate fiber festivals, without realizing it!
So much pretty at A Hundred Ravens, but this year I resisted...as I haven't used any of the ones I have bought previously...but man, their mini-gradient sets are to die for!  I have two or maybe three sets already....

One of my favorite booths is always the Going Gnome booth...just so much fun! I loved that tiny caterpillar...yes, I have some of their kits...no, I haven't actually done any yet...
These were AMAZING!!!!!  They are Neysa Russo handmade felt tapestries.....just W.O.W!
This is "weeblackcatstudios" an insta-friend! She came up and introduced herself.....so glad she did...posting all those "selfies" paid off!
Dirty Water Dyeworks....yep..got the yarn for this!  Nope, haven't started the one I bought from her at Vermont Sheep and Wool....you just hush now!
Taking a break!  I was achey....

Playing around in Mary's booth....I spelled her so she could use the bathroom and grab something to eat....I mostly took selfies...hahaha....
This was outside Mary's booth...these ladies were hysterical trying to figure out how to pose to show off their hats! Baa-ble hit NEFF!!!!
Rav meet-up was a bit small...we had two more wander up after the picture, but there were only three of us there at the time....outside Heather's booth...MadColor!

Molly Girl yarn was there...I did pick up a skein of Unchained Melody...my wedding song and it matched my Stopover!

Burgis Brook alpacas....Claribelle really wanted some of the hay that Turo (I think) had...I always stop at their booth...Mark and Alisa are just great people...
Ran into my friend Jodi on the way out....didn't take a picture with Laura and her crew this year....

All in all, a very successful last hurrah of 2016....
I'll have more detail about the yarny goodness on Saturday.....also got some yarny goodness in the mail!

Oh, my favorite purchase?  My upcycled skirt!  I've been eyeing these for years!!!!!!!