STONECROP:: GUEST POST BY TRACEY~ CLOVER

Slowly, but surely my Stonecrop is
growing. I am now beginning the
seventh repeat, leaving only two more to
go before I can begin the top border. I
had planned to knit twelve repeats, but
this is a Christmas gift for my sister who
is a little on the short side ;) [ I'm two inches
taller] and I don't want it to be too long.
I am already trying to decide what color
I want to knit for myself.

today's his birthday ~ Melissa





Dozer is eight today!  We are so lucky to have him ~ we always laugh that we got lucky finding him.  It was a spur of the minute decision to get a second dog and we pulled up Craig's List and he had just been posted ~ top of the page ~ and I immediately said...he's the one!!!  Jason tortured me for an hour or so by looking further to see what other mutts were being put up for adoption, but eventually decided I was right.  :)

 

We're also lucky that the owner had decided to give him away ~ Dozer was from an 'oops litter' (a neighbor's black lab mix had gotten loose and had a fling with Dozer's mama...a purebred Springer Spaniel).  He was one of thirteen puppies (!!) and the Spaniel's family had let his twelve siblings go to other families but had kept Dozer for themselves...and then decided that a third dog and a new baby didn't really mix.  Sometimes timing really is everything.  They let him go and we needed him and he's brought us much joy ever since.  So happiest of birthdays, Stinky Pinkerton!

 

I finally finished the third pair of socks that I started in December.  I love the yarn and the pattern ( ravelry notes here ) ~ my first pair of self-striping and they were so much fun to knit.  My Girasole has been set aside for the last two weeks while I let my hands rest.  It's gotten so heavy and I was spending too much time on it and eventually I had to take a break.  I'm back to work on it this weekend, though!  It's been really hard to not pick it back up since it's been thrilling to knit but the time out was productive and now I'm ready to finish her up.  Have a great Friday!



 joining Liesl at Buckalooview for her monthly sock challenge

Change of Heart - Guestblogger Maria

Just a quick post to let you all know that I quit Stonecrop and will now be knitting Ludlow instead. Knitting from charts is just a bit too much for me at the moment and I am feeling more comfortable with written patterns, also my yarn did not show up the pattern very well.
Here's to new beginnings!

Indecision ~ Guest Blogger Sue

To say I am indecisive, is putting it mildly. I was so thrilled when Melissa and Kelli announced the Floods Flock KAL! What a great idea! Yet, for someone like me, who has trouble making a choice, it can be agonizing.

Initially, I decided to knit Stonecrop. I hastily ordered some Loft in Sweatshirt from Loop, in Philadelphia. Great customer service, by the way. It was at my door in two days!  I wound the yarn and cast on with the zeal and glee that comes from a new project. But after knitting the bottom border, I wasn't thrilled with the fabric I was getting. Maybe I just like my lace to be a little lighter. Love the yarn, love the pattern, just not what my needles were producing. So, I stalled a little.

Then, Kelli posted her gorgeous Ludlow!! I was in love! I had originally thought that was the pattern I wanted to make, but had chosen Stonecrop since I love lace.  So, I ripped out what I had done, and immediately cast on for Ludlow! It's just the kind of knit I need right now. Back and forth, soothing knitting. I will also admit, I was not thrilled with having to keep track of two charts at once with Stonecrop. Probably for a time when my mind is not so scattered.

Absolutely loving this project so far! Also love all the other projects I have seen so far!

Girasole shawl - guest blogger Lesley

I am SO late to the party!  I have good reasons, but more about that later.

I'm working on the shawl version of Girasole, using Huckleberry Knits merino/yak/silk blend in the Browncoat colorway.  It's a very lively tonal brown - not "flat" at all.  It's a little redder in the picture than in real life.

I've just finished chart D, and I'm halfway through the first repeat of chart E.  The pattern is really easy to follow, and the repeats are simple to remember as you go around.  As Melissa mentioned in an earlier post, at this size, she's getting hard to photograph!  Here's one side of the shawl:

I can hardly wait to start the edging and start "freeing" the shawl from the needles!  I have a long way to go, though - I'm just past the halfway point.  Last night was the first time I had noticed how long the rounds are getting - and they'll be getting even longer.  What a fun, fun project!  :~D

But, you know, one project is never enough.  I was so impressed with Andrea's, Kelli's, and Shari's Ludlows at knitting last week that I decided to pick up some added "motivation" to finish Girasole.  Once she's done, I'll be casting on for Ludlow in Rowan Felted Tweed.  I'm thinking size 7s ought to do.  I'll start swatching there, at any rate.

Now, about those "reasons" I mentioned earlier!  TPTB at my apartment community decided that last week was the perfect time to put new carpet in my apartment.  So, I had to pack all of my things up to be moved out while the carpet was installed.  All the "fun" of moving, without moving.  The new carpet is lower maintenance and a better color, but not very comfortable underfoot.  I see rugs in my future!

After the installation on Friday, I got to spend the weekend turning this...

...into this. (Notice Girasole ready for her close-up on the sofa!)  And that's just the stitching room.

I filled up the car twice with things for Goodwill, and I've already started setting aside knitting goodies for the silent auction at this year's retreat.  Did I mention all the "fun" of moving?   :~P

That was followed by a work conference in Portland on Monday and Tuesday.  No pictures, but believe me, I'm doing you a favor in that omission!

Then the Apartment Dieties descended again yesterday with new appliances!  I have a new range/oven, refrigerator, and washer/dryer.  The washer/dryer stack has a higher capacity than my old one, and the range has two (yes, TWO) large burners, instead of one.  (If you've ever tried to cook Thanksgiving Dinner on an apartment range, you know what a big deal this is!)

I'm looking forward to taking next week off and getting in some much-needed knitting time!  Hopefully there won't be any more major events at home while I'm off.  Getting new things is very nice, but I need a break.

Ashby reboot - guest blogger Juliann

 

I decided to switch yarn for my Ashby.  I love the charcoal but it was too dark.  My eyes were getting very tired from straining to see the pattern no matter how many lights I turned on.

I switched to another Berocco, Ultra Alpaca, in a washed denim color and the knitting is going much faster.  I am on my second B chart (out of 5) but best of all, with this lighter color, I can actually knit while we watch TV in the evening.   I am using a cable needle for the two stitch cables and I am feeling very confident now.  Love learning something new!

Stonecrop Shawl ~ Guest Blogger Karen

I've knit the main chart three times through and finally I'm used to the pattern.  There are only a few places where I check and recheck the chart and my knitting but most of the time I'm happily knitting away enjoying the progress.  The cashmere is wonderful to knit with and I find the garter stitch lace delightful......as in.....no purling.  I'm not against purling and do like to purl but the not purling adds a bit of decadence to the knitting :)

Ravelry notes here.

Morgen's Machair Stonecrop - guest blogger Morgen

Greetings all!

I am a bit late to the blogging party, but I did start my Stonecrop on the first.  I did the lower border and then set it aside to finish up my Fir Cone Wrap (Churchmouse pattern, linked here) of which I have about 30 yards left, then to attach the upper border and block.  The Fir Cone Wrap I have done in Jamieson's Ultra.  I had never worked with Ultra before; lovely stuff it is!

I keep looking at my Stonecrop and doubting my judgement on the needle size.  I went down a size as I usually do because I like my lace to be a little tighter, but then I keep second-guessing myself.  I've been picking up the border I've already done and looking at it, stretching it and then deciding I am quite happy with it as it is.  I have gotten very little knitting done in the past week, but my guys are both gone this weekend to an archery tournament so I will have plenty of time to myself  and will be able to make some headway.  I'll post again after a repeat or two.

Wishing you all a warm cup of cocoa and relaxing knitting!

**My yarn is some of that Scottish Designer's Hebridean 2-ply in the colorway Machair which is Gaelic for a low-lying grassy plain on the northwest coastlines of Ireland and Scotland and the Hebrides.

fog ~ Melissa

 

A much needed day off and woke with a headache and the sniffles.  Good excuse to hunker down and do nothing.  Well, nothing but knit and watch the fog over Puget Sound, listen to the ferry bleat it's warning as it travels from Mukilteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island and back again, and warm myself with some good strong coffee.  Not a bad way to start a four day weekend, even if I'm not feeling 100%.

 

 

Progress has been a little slower now that the long holiday break is over and I'm back to work but my Girasole grows a bit more every day...and gets that much harder to photograph.

 

I've got loads of knitting time this weekend so maybe I can get to the edging in the next few days?  We shall see :)

 

I'm not in any hurry.  I've already decided I may make another of these blankets for a gift this year, just to have the opportunity to knit it again.  I'm loving the Peace Fleece and the pattern and especially all the companionship during this knitalong.  It's been so much fun already and we've just barely started!

 

That's it for today.  Don't forget to get any last minute gnome names submitted ~ Kelly will be closing the voting down shortly!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Melissa

Knitting Ludlow - guest blogger WillyG

Knitting with great yarn is so satisfying.

It's a good thing, because this pattern is a bit of a stretch for me. It's not difficult, but it does require that I look at my work a lot more than multitasking permits. So much for movie knitting. (This project may actually help me live my dream of simpler living by reducing stimulation and slowing things down a bit.)

What has been trickiest is following the directions. I was using the written pattern to feed me directions stitch by stitch, but when I attended knit group I quickly realized I needed another strategy that would be more intuitive; after all, the pattern is not complicated. The front is not so difficult once the pattern is established; looking at the unfolding stitches reveals what comes next, and is easy to compare to the charts for a visual reference point. But the wrong side of the fabric presents more of a challenge, especially early in the diamonds section. My solution is to use a technique I had honed during the border of my recent Leaves of Grass border - to knit backwards, keeping the Right Side facing me the entire time, so that I could read the stitches more easily. It enabled me to keep knitting while listening and chatting with the new women that showed up this week. I still won't be able to look away much, but I don't have to be counting in my head on those wrong side rows.

Now that I have that figured out, all is right with the world. I am relishing knitting with Loft and feeling the fabric it creates.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post. Here's to happy and healthy knitting on your projects!

Gnome thy name and gnome it well...By guest blogger Kelly Lightbeam

It has come to my attention that our unofficial mascot needs a gnome de plume! Please leave any name ideas for him in the comments until Friday at 3:00 pm cst.  There will be a separate post for voting.

Whoever has the winning entry will be bringing gnome the bacon, with a special prize to be sent by yours truly.  Good luck, and have fun everyone!

Stonecrop progress - Guestblogger Maria

I am happy to be a part of this KAL. I cast on Stonecrop over the weekend and yesterday I finished the bottom border and started the main part, until my cat decided that I had knitted enough for the day.

Two steps backwards and One step forward ~ guest blogger Steph

Oh man! The easiest thing about the last 4 days has been knitting and even then I have needed to take a bit of a mulligan. First let me start by saying I'm okay, I am on the tail-end of a flu (101.8 anyone?) that knocked me flat on my ass(I hope I can write this, if not feel free to edit away Melissa:).

So I am in catch up mode, I finally picked up knitting last night, my personal theory is that they doctor shouldn't take your temperature, but just ask you if you have lost any desire to knit. I feel like the biggest slacker ever because in between launching my blog (literally a day after) this is what happened to me. I also have had really mixed feelings about posting anything at all, because I didn't want to seek any attention for myself.

In the end I decided that it was best to explain why I had only made it through 2 repeats of Chart B  in my Ashby.... It has been way easier the second time around, but I have noticed one or 2 mistakes that I have made which I am trying to let go.. I think it is a knitter's prerogative right. You take out the ones that drive you up the wall, but leave the ones that at a bit of character.

I can't wait till this is done not because it is time consuming but because I have admired it for a long time.

 So since it is a new day its time to get this thing done:) (Kelli and Mel doesn't this look familiar?).

First Week of Stonecrop ~ guest blogger Karen

I have been diligently knitting away on this gorgeous pattern.  I'm having trouble seeing the dark blue yarn and only knit by day.  Since I've completed the main chart section once, I'm feeling more comfortable with the pattern and the charts.

I dread if I drop a stitch.....So far I've been lucky and I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

silent sunday ~ Melissa

 

at the 20% completion point...8 more skeins to go







MY "FLUD-LOW" HATCHING - guest blogger Andrea

I just wanted to add a couple of pictures of my slowly "hatching" Fludlow.  I took down Christmas yesterday and finished it up today.  We had guests drop in (x 2) last night.  Today I've vowed to get my books bills in order before the week starts and since it is the new year.  I've had little time to really get up a full head of steam on this.  It's making me crazy.  Here are a couple of pictures to show the loveliness of the pattern/yarn. 

FYI - Yarn bowl by Jennie the Potter

Sitting on a bed of  Laminaria

Now, for some cool trivia I stumbled upon.  I got to thinking about punnery regarding this flock thing and have read some information about flocking (it's mighty interesting stuff).  This is the coolest thing I've learned so far:

A V formation (sometimes called a skein) is the symmetric V-shaped flight formation of flights of geese, ducks, and other migratory birds.

A SKEIN! Who knew! Happy knitting.

happy Saturday ~ Melissa

 

I was going to say 'good morning' but that part of the day seems to have passed already!  So, instead I'll just say 'happy Saturday' and ask how the knitting is going.  I'm nearing the end of Chart C on my Girasole and as always, the bulk of a circular knit gets harder and harder to photograph.  I had to knit three circulars into my throw to get it to just barely lay flat enough for a picture.  You know how that is if you've ever knit a round shawl ~ pretty soon your imagination and trust in your knitting needs to take over since you won't see the full fruits of your labor until it's completely finished and off your needles.  I love that suspense!

 

Excited to hear from the rest of you who haven't yet commented on this post

so please don't forget to take a minute and do that (Jody, Emily, Karen and Erin are the only people yet to do so I think).

 

That's it for today ~ just a quicky update and wishes for a good weekend to you all.  Happy knitting!

Melissa



Bo needs to count her sheep ~ Melissa

link to my Girasole here

 

Good morning!  I feel a bit like Miss Peep today and want to gather the flock together for a head count, please!  This knitalong is our largest by far ~ very exciting ~ and since I do the behind the scenes managing I'd like to take a poll and see where we're all at as far as project choice and who has chosen to blog / who would just like to use the comment section.  I believe as of this morning there are nineteen knitters participating and fifteen of us are blogging.  So, here's what I would love from each of you (I promise ~ it won't take you away from your knitting for more than a minute or two!).  If all of us could please comment to this post with the following:

 

name / pattern choice / blog or just comment

 

I would really appreciate it.  I need to keep the bloggers to a manageable number for me ~ I don't know what that is but I'm thinking no more than twenty total?  Once we reach that number, blogging rights for the knitalong will close to any latecomers but new flock members are still welcome to play along using the comment section.  We will never turn anyone away from joining us, but as for the blogging...holy smokes, I'm flabbergasted as to how many folks have jumped on board this year!

 

And one final bit of housekeeping : if those of you who have a ravelry project opened for this kal could add the tag 2015floodsflock I would love it!  Makes it easy to find everyone in one spot ~ just click on your tag in your project and everyone will appear together on the screen for easy viewing ~ sound good?  Thanks again!

happy days are here again ~ Melissa

What a great way to start the New Year!  My favorite people are knitting with us and the sun is shining.  A fresh start to the new calendar and I have high hopes for a much better go of it this time 'round.

 

I've completed Chart A on my Girasole!  So deceiving...it's a whopping 10 rounds but it's enough to imagine what the rest of my blanket will look like when I'm finished.  What do you think?

 

 

I chose the Peace Fleece 'lily pad' colorway in hopes that it would compliment the Shelter 'sap' colorway in the Quill blanket I knit for my husband.  So similar!  Now we'll have coordinating throws to snuggle under! ( blogged here / ravelry notes here )

 

 

I love the two together :)

 

I've already enjoyed a few chuckles this morning reading your beginning posts and I'm looking forward to more laughter as the days go by!

 

 

Happy New Year and happy knitting!

(ps ~ everyone remember to tag your Ravelry project page with 2015floodsflock ~ thanks so much!!)

Melissa



happy new year! ~ guest blogger Juliann

I did a bit of knitting for gauge swatches while we watched a movie and sipped champagne last night.  We are not really New Year's Eve people so there was no staying up until midnight to cast on for me.
This morning, I sat down with my coffee and the Ashby pattern and read through the very detailed instructions again.  This is my first Flood pattern although I have a number of his patterns in my favorites on Ravelry.  I do believe this one will stretch my knitting skills which is wonderful.
I am happy to be here with you all.  I jumped over after seeing Karen's post about the KAL and found that Melissa had just been to Tolt Yarn and Wool - probably very close to the time I was there this week.
I am actually off to Seattle today to visit my parents and then will get down to the business of casting on this afternoon.  BTW - my yarn is Berroco Vintage which I actually bought last year to knit a Brooklyn Tweed sweater that never made it past the the bottom band.