Finally Friday. Knitting.

10 pattern rows completed

Y'all know my fondness for crocheting baby sweaters, hats and booties. They're generally quick, easy projects. Many of the patterns I use are available for free on Ravelry.com. I've purchased a few patterns from there and also from Etsy because they were just so dang cute!

Recently I purchased two separate crochet patterns for both a girl's sweater and a boy's cardigan. Absolutely adorable! But the instructions are too much like work, so I set them aside and went on another search. In my haste, I neglected to restrict the results to "crochet" and all these cute little sweaters magically showed up on the computer screen. Most of the ones I liked were knitted.

Found a really cute free pattern from Red Heart (the yarn folks). It's called "Star Bright Baby Cardigan". The pattern is very simple and relatively short. A good project for someone getting back into knitting after a lengthy absence.

Even though I've been knitting since grade school, I had to go to YouTube to watch "how to" knitting videos. Found some really good videos by "iknitwithcatfur". I refreshed my memory of how to knit and even learned how to cast on by knitting. Here's a link to that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fSWKZrcbTI

Where's the pattern?

I set to work making the Star Bright Baby Cardigan, but the pattern didn't look right about ten rows into the project. Back to youTube and re-learned the proper way to "yarn over". *sheesh* Started the project over using the correct weight of yarn to obtain gauge.

Confession time:
The first attempt at the sweater pattern was WAY off gauge because I "assumed" the baby yarn was a heavier weight. Yup - didn't read the label.

Although it's standard practice to knit a swatch and check gauge before you begin a project, I don't normally swatch. My gauge is usually spot-on and the few times it hasn't been correct the project has usually just begun and not much time has been lost.

I measured the stitch and row length about the same time the "pattern" problem became obvious. Because only ten rows were complete, the project was re-started using the correct weight of yarn.

With about ten rows completed, the pattern is looking much better (those "holes" are yarn-overs).

Knitting may be pretty, but crocheting is fast. I'm impatient to see the finished product! Will post photos of the finished sweater.

Y'all have a great weekend!

Thankful Tuesday.

Electric heating pads with auto-off features.

Artwork that simply needs a coat of varnish to be finished.

Dandelions bravely poking their faces above the newly mown grass.

Leaf buds on the apple trees.

Old television shows that take us back in time where life was lived at a slower pace.

Old movies with their painted backdrops. New movies with computer enhanced graphics.

Jango.com - internet music.

Watching construction equipment work.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Life is grand -- enjoy it!

Sunday - A Typical Day of Rest.

These photos were taken along near a local short-cut. Untraveled dirt roads are very restful.
A reminder to my fellow outdoors-people (is that what they call it these days?)

• Remember to tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back. Fully charged cell phone. 
• Always carry emergency supplies. 
• Water and a high energy snack are imperative.
• Emergency poncho.
• Whistle.
• Compass - learn how to read it if you don't already know. 
• TP - in plastic bag.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Bug spray. The ticks are supposed to be bad this year, so you'll probably want something with high DEET content. Or if you know of a good organic - please let me know. It has to be something that works.

If you're in NW PA, BEWARE OF BEARS! Especially this time of year. It's best to stick to populated areas until they've finished waking up.


Some photos of yesterday's physical therapy.

This was taken at the half-way point of our walk. Perfect place for a water break!

It's not a bench, but close enough for the likes of me. Full of woodpecker holes. A very nice straight piece of lumber.

You can see one of the uprooted trees in the background from that high wind we had two winters ago.

We call this one the Whale Rock. It juts it's nose out proudly and has a weathered hole right where you'd imagine an eye socket.

It's HUGE. and has it's own little micro-climate. Hence the thick, barnacle-like moss on it's underbelly.

Isn't it neat how the textures and colors of the moss on the forest floor differ depending on sun exposure and the mineral content of the soil?

The whale rock is on the North side of the mountain, this tree is on the East and basks in the sunlight for the better part of the day.

The first spring beauty detected. Pretty, dainty little flower with pink stripes on a white background. in it's bed of fallen leaves.

With the rains of the past week, the ferns have started to rejuvinate.

Large ferns were sometimes used as foundation plants on the northern side of a home. Even today, they lend a certain grace to the landscape.

While these have the look of "Adder's Tongue" from afar, I'm not convinced. The leaves don't appear to be spotted.

A second guess would be false solomon's seal - which should be sprouting soon - but the leaves don't have the typical ovoid shape nor requisite prominent lobes.

Unless you're a fast learner, it can take years to learn to identify flowers by their leaves.  Years well spent, though - right? 

The green certainly is a welcome sight to see. Doesn't matter if you like Winter or not. The change of seasons is always beautiful.

To me this says "Goodbye Winter; Hello Spring".

The sun is shining. Another beautiful day.

Enjoy it as best you can, folks! One of the last things Momma told me was "These are the good old days". Sometimes song lyrics get it right.

For my love: You made my heart beat fast then and you still do today. Five years of laughter, tears, and friendship. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Throwback Thursday

Hard to believe this was taken a year ago today.

His favorite place for a soak on a hot summer day and mine for a leisurely stroll.

Thankful Tuesday on a Wednesday (a day late and a dollar short)

Spring flooding

Today I'm thankful for slip on shoes.

Rocking chairs with rocking ottomans.

Central air heating. Natural Gas.

Cats wagging their tails while watching finches at the feeder.

Sunshine after rain.

Hot coffee.

Fresh bread.

People who love me and check up on me.

Washers and dryers -- although I DO enjoy the fresh smell of clothes dried outside on a line.

Birdsong.

... and all the other ordinary joys that make up our days.

These are the good old days.

Sunday – A typical day of rest. 10 April 2016.

Snow Day – 9 April 2016

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Most times you choose between the two – wonderin', wonderin' if you have made it.” From the song Sweet Seasons, as sung by Carole King.

Today my best friend is getting married. Actually, she's renewing her vows. Hard to believe they've been together twenty years. She read me her vows. Can't wait to hear his vows. They're downstate and it's a very small wedding for their immediate families. Then they're taking a mini-vacation in N.O. where they're also celebrating a school reunion. At least, it won't be snowing down there.

I've been a stranger to this blog for a long, long time.

Have had lots going on in my personal life that took precedence. 

Because of recent events, I haven't painted anything in a long time and don't see that happening anytime soon.

I have been able to crochet a little and have worked on some baby sweaters.

My favorite is THIS ONE.  I love Drops creations, but the patterns leave something to be desired. I brought it into a text document and edited it to something my brain could follow. I posted a link to the size I''m working on (12-18 months) in my Ravelry Project page. Here is a link if you want to give it a try: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Hope4TheBest/sweet-shells-jacket. 

Had to go down to a size C hook in order to get the gauge. Their Baby Merino must be fingering weight. I'm working with Bernat Baby Sport. Drops patterns are harder than the simple ones I usually make for market. I have been working on it a little at a time for the last six weeks. A few rows at a time. I messed up the last time I picked it up and worked 6-7 rows before I noticed that I missed part of the pattern. NOTICEABLY - as you can see in the inset detail photo. Haven't had the heart to pick it up again because I know I have to rip it back.

Posts on here will be random until I get back into the routine of posting again. In the meantime, here's some more pictures of baby sweaters. The last six months of them. (Not very productive, eh? It's been a hard winter for many reasons.)

 A simple baby sweater with plain white button neck-closure. Size 6 months.

A sweater worked in that luxurious "Unforgettable" yarn by Red Heart. Size 3 months.

A "premie" sweater with a blue dragonfly button closure.

Worked in red Caron brand, Simply soft. This sweater is also size 6 months and in addition to the soft hand features three ladybug buttons.

 "Matinee Jacket" (designed by patternsforcrochet) worked in Unforgettable yarn. Size 12 months.

This pretty little shell jacket was crocheted using Baby Bernat. The pink flower buttons enhance the design, don't you think?  Size 3 months.

 This sweater is so popular on Ravelry, I just HAD to hook one. Size 12 months.

 This cute little collared sweater is a combination of several patterns. The green-over-orange 3-button closure sets it off quite nice. Size 6 months.

Y'all have a blessed day.