Earthtones Girl

Not Much To Look At

October 3, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

For those of you who were wondering, yes I’m still alive and yes this is still a functioning blog, there just hasn’t been much knitting going on. Whole lot of livin’ but not much knittin’. Since I showed you the cowl in my last post I haven’t even touched it. Sad, I know but I’m just so distracted these days I can’t focus on anything for more than a few minutes.

I was able to finish these. There was only suppose to be one that I used for a sock class I was teaching but it felt so good and cozy on my foot I knit it’s mate. The best part is, they stay on. I was actually surprised by that. I was expecting to “walk out” of them.

Pattern: 60 st. stockinette sock. Knit the cuff for about 10-15 rounds(k2p2 rib). Slip stitch heel, knit down to the toe, decrease to 20 sts, graft toe…can’t get any simpler.

Yarn: Mt. Colors, Bearfoot. Rosehip colorway.

Amount: Less than 1/2 a skein

Needles: #1, 2 circulars

A simple, quick knit that makes you feel like you’re accomplishing something. We love those projects.

I’m also knitting (for about a minute every other day) on this cardigan. In my wildest dreams I’ll have it done by the NY Sheep and Wool festival on 10/18-19. Yeah…right….but I can dream. It will probably be too warm to wear it anyway but just in case….

As you can see it’s garter stitch, I’m thinking. drop shoulder style, 8 to 9 inch deep armhole, garter stitch graft for the shoulder seam, pick up stitches around the armhole and knit down on the sleeves. Maybe a double breasted front, Maybe a hood…we’ll see.

I have 2 movies from Netflix, Juno and Atonement…I’ve seen them both but that’s just the kind of “background” noise I like. A great movie I can listen to and glance at while knitting something that my hands can do on their own. Let’s see how much I can get done.

Posted in NYS sheep and Wool, Socks | 3 Comments »

Multi Purpose Message (Including Knitting)

September 22, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

First off, thanks so much for all the wonderful birthday wishes. It was a fabulous day!!

I’m very happy to say that our cousin in Texas is alive and well and her house is still standing. She and we have no idea how that is possible but it is. There is damage of course but it’s there.

My SIL is doing very well and seems to have made relative peace with her decision about her wedding. I think when a person knows in their heart that their making the right choice even if it is a hard one there is relief. And she is definitely relieved. Sad but relieved.

And guess what… the Yorkies have been adopted. I got an email from their foster mom a few mornings ago and she was getting ready to drop them off at their new home.

Last but not least…Fall is here yall!!! And a very happy one to everyone. This is my absolute favorite time of the year as you will see over the next couple of months with lots of foliage shots. I’m apologizing in advance. Now I say we welcome it with a little knitting, which I feel I’ve been neglecting lately. Here’s my Tapestry Cowl, so far. Just a little something to look at.

I can’t stress enough how awesome this project is. Double Knitting is not a fast technique but the results are so worth the effort.

Isn’t that cast on the purtiest thing you’ve ever seen…

The temperature is dropping…time to get this one done and around my neck.

Posted in Double Knitting, Tapestry Cowl, koigu | 7 Comments »

On This Day

September 18, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

38 years ago a woman who loves warm, rich earthy colors was born. Not only does she love earthy colors, but she’s learned to cherish the simple, sweet things about life. Where her heart lies is in family (my hubby and pups in particular), friends, yarn and food (not always in that order). Today is my birthday and I’ve been given the best life has to offer. I am peaceful, grateful and abundantly happy.

My mum dropped these off for me this morning with an awesome card singing The Banana Song (I think that’s the title, by Harry Belafonte). I love you parents.

A total stranger gave me these and though they are not related to this day at all I just had to post them because they gorgeous. My mum, sister and I were in Trader Joe, chatting and shopping and she (the store manager) over heard an exchange of good news and gave these to us. Can you say sweet? I think that’s why they look even more beautiful to me.

Last night, after coming home from a rather intense day/evening at work. Chris and the puppies met me at the door, with in a few minutes Chris had my favorite movie (How to Make An American Quilt) on TV (he saw that it was coming on while “channel surfing” and wanted to surprise me then watched it with me, that was the best part), and to relieve the remaining stress that this wonderful welcome home did not extinguish I baked.

When in doubt, bake.

When in need of comfort, bake.

When your knitting fails you, you just can’t focus and your soul craves nurturing, bake.

This is Fruit and Oat Bread from the book below. I’ve had this little gem of book for years and forgot about this recipe. It’s all dried fruit soaked in apple juice, then mixed with oats and wheat flour….YUM!!!!

What a perfect end to my 37th year and sweet start for my 38th.

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

My List

September 12, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

What a week it’s been at casa de ETG. The life plate is super full but I think with a little pray, time and patience all will be well. There have also been good things but I’ll save that for another day.

1. As IKE steam rolls toward Texas, all I can do is pray for my husband’s cousin and family that live there. They actually live in Houston but I don’t know that anyone, anywhere in Texas will not be in harm’s way. We love you cousin and we are thinking about you.

2. After many weeks of thinking, crying, worrying, stressing and just plain ol’ feeling like crap my dear sister in law has decided to postpone her wedding. Two weeks from today we were suppose to be getting on a plane to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to celebrate but instead we are now comforting. It was absolutely the right decision to make but that didn’t make it any less painful. Only time will heal this.

3. This one is a spill over from #2 but it still makes the list. Now that the wedding is off there will be alot of undoing to do. Flights have to cancelled, caterers called, no more flowers and what to do with the wedding dress. No, you’re right none of these things are directly my problem but knowing you have to be there to listen, comfort and find just the right words…

4. I’m not sure if this one should be on the list but it’s on my mind. Yesterday, 9/11 was hard day for many people. It was a day of reflection, remembrance and pain. I wanted to write something deep and moving but nothing came. 7 years ago I walked 200 blocks to get home and would have walked another 200 if it would have undone what was done. But nothing could have or can ever undo it. I hope you all got through the day and remembered how precious it all is.

Not to many things on the list but there are still “things” and they feel big. I hope everyone has a great weekend, spends time with family and enjoys the simple things. It is raining here, the apartment is quiet and I’m going to go get a cup of tea…

Hope this puts a smile on someone’s face.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Craving Fall

September 7, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

First off, thanks so much for the wonderful comments and praise for New Zealand it was really touching. And now I’m totally motivated to knit another sweater.

Since the east coast simply refuses to cool off and foliage still hasn’t started to change, I thought I would just go out and find my own Fall. Not only did I find it but I can wrap myself up in it whenever I want and I plan to. Meet my new sweater…

Your basic, garden variety garter stitch cardigan (the perfect, light, change of season sweater) maybe with a hood. Depends on if I have enough yarn. Yes, I know I have a bit of a tract record with hoods but I might find success this time. Why stop trying. I’m using Weaver’s Wool by Mountain Colors in the colorway Yellowstone.

About 4 years ago, B.B. (before blog) I made a drop shoulder, V-neck sweater with a seed stitch border on the hem and cuffs. It was a feable attempt at design that I WAS excited about, wore for about 1 year/season then ripped out. I loved the yarn but hated the sweater. So here’s take 2…

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Arriving At The Finish Line

September 5, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

There isn’t a whole lot to say except it’s done. I enjoyed every stitch but I’m glad it over. Everyone is glad it’s over. I haven’t even blocked it yet but couldn’t wait another minute to show it to you.

There’s the original below made by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I think after mine is blocked it will fit even better. The sleeves on mine a just a bit wonky but again…it’s amazing what a little blocking can fix.

Sorry the edges are blurry. We’d sent my damaged camera back to Canon for repair but it’s still not up to 100%. But the sweater looks pretty good…

I love the fit, the color, especially the color and all that shaping. Just look at it.

The photo session didn’t last too long since it’s sweater hater weather outside. It was over 90 degrees here today…..I gotta get this thing off.

Oh, before I forget. Finally count on balls of yarn….15!!! Yes, 15. Same size, same gauge, etc. It is very possible I miscounted, some balls got sucked into the black hole of knitting where inches, lost needles and stitch markers reside. I don’t have an answer nor can I offer an educated guess. The original took 10. Chalk this up to one of life’s great mysteries.

Posted in New Zealand Pullover, Ravelympics 2008, Sweaters | 9 Comments »

Everyone Needs A Home Especially…

September 3, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

My dear friend Heather came to me today asking for help to find a loving home for these two sweeties. I will post flyers, leave messages on some Ravelry boards but I thought this was the most direct way to “introduce them to you”. Heather is currently fostering them but most find them a home as soon as possible. So please read on and meet Nana and Gizmo. The following was written by Heather.

These adorable Yorkshire Terriers are Nana & Gizmo and they are looking for a new home.

They have been together since Gizmo was a puppy and while they give each other their space, they are very attached to one another.

Nana is 9-10 years old. She’s 10 pounds, had three healthy litters and she has been spayed. She is very sweet & loving and likes lots of belly rubs and attention. She’s great on walks, does her “business” outside, and she is really good with people and other dogs. She is currently taking drops for “dry eye” and it seems to be going very well so far: other than that, she is in perfect health!

Gizmo is 8 years old. He is 6 pounds, had three litters with Nana and has been fixed. He is also very loving and a real cutie! he’s got a lot of spunk but also likes to cuddle. He has some anxiety, moaning-like squeaky noises and some barking around other dogs, while on walks but he’s been getting better with every walk. He always does his “business” outside and quickly. He is totally healthy.

They have both been groomed and they both had check-ups where they were each given their bordetella, parvo/distemper and rabies shots as well as clean bills of health. Nana had an eye infection from neglect but it appears to be gone now and the only long-term affects may be dry-eye which would require drops in her eyes.

They are so incredibly loving and just need a stable home that loves them unconditionally. I would keep them myself but I have 3 dogs already and the inn is crowded! However I am only willing to give them to the “right” home - the “right” home might have other doges but probably no cats, is relatively quiet, has lots of love and even more stability. And most of all an appreciation for sweet dogs that have been tossed around a lot and need to see the kinder side of humans.

Neither of them are aggressive but some insecurities and anxieties are there, however they have gotten SO much better in the short time I’ve been fostering them…it’s amazing really! They love to sleep in bed and hang on the couch with me when I’m watching TV. They don’t have any destructive behavior and have been around all my stiff with no issues. I think they might have been abused because sometimes when I go to pet them from above they will flinch but what’s amazing is that they are never aggressive to me if that happens.

So really, it’s just two sweet dogs who need a home and lots of love and to stay together. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact me - Thanks for reading…

Heather: 917-769-8294 or heather.bellizzi@gmail.com

You can also email me or leave a comment here and either Heather or I will contact you. I also want to thank you for reading and hope someone out there has a big, soft couch with Nana & Gizmo’s names written all over it.

Posted in pet adoption | 2 Comments »

DK Made Easy & Beautiful

August 28, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

Have you seen this yet? As soon as a couple more of my WIPs are complete this baby is going on needles.

A perfect practice project for Double Knitting. The instructions are super clear and it even has videos to demo the technique. The pattern is here and inspirational blog is here. I’m ready for another challenge.

Posted in Double Knitting, Tapestry Cowl | Tagged Double Knitting, Tapestry Cowl | 1 Comment »

Back To Basics

August 27, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

While I wait for more yarn to finish New Zealand I thought I would finish these. I started them on the plane ride to camp in July. It was time to finish them don’t you think?

This is a toe up pattern which is a unusual for me not to mention the color. But it’s great isn’t it?

At one point, I just didn’t quite know where the pattern was going. It looked so big and wide but then it came together perfectly.

Pattern: Back To Basics (Knitty, Fall 2007)

Yarn: Cinnamon’s Dye Pot, colorway “Cherrywood”. 1 skein (It exactly line “Anne” by Schaefer

Needles: Addi #1 (2 circs)

Modifications: I absolutely hated using the “bind off in pattern” method so I changed the last 6 rows from a K2xP1 rib to K1xP1 rib then did a Tubular Bind off. Much better!!! (Sorry I don’t have close ups but I’m using a different camera and haven’t quite figured it all out yet.) You can see it a bit in that last picture.

Overall, if you want mindless but still entertaining, give this one a go.

Posted in Socks | 2 Comments »

Thankful

August 26, 2008 by earthtonesgirl

A big thank you to everyone for your support of my Olympic efforts and just think we get to do this all over again in 18 months. When I called SHP yesterday to tell them my sad story, Tami was floored that it took so much extra yarn. Neither of us has any idea what happened. But anyway the extra, extra yarn has been ordered and should arrive tomorrow. I’ll have pictures up as soon as it’s done.

My darling husband’s birthday was Sunday and it was amazing. Not only was he surprised by the party itself but by who attended. It was a great night. Though I don’t think I’ll be throwing another surprise party anytime soon. I’m so used to telling him everything that keeping this a secret and not letting it slip when talking to our friends and family was a bit stressful? Not to mention trying to run to the restaurant, the bakehouse, etc…Oh and knitting my sweater…

Told you I’d make it all up to you.