busy bees - posted by Melissa

Flood's Flock 2017

Don't we look gooooood!?!

I screen grabbed everyone's latest progress photo from Instagram.  I'm going to try and do this periodically, especially if you guys are going to be so good about posting pictures!  I love to see where everyone is at and hear how excited you all are to be knitting together.  Andrea is bottom center - I don't see that she has an IG account so I'll always add her from her blog posts.  The only person missing is Morgen... she has yet to post anywhere (I even checked Ravelry) so I used a placeholder center square until she pops up somewhere to say hello!

update: Morgen surfaced and has taken her place at center square!!

Okay, I have 100 picots done and 267 left, so now that a little business is done, I'm off to knit my last day of vacation away until I'm hopefully done casting on!

Happy New Year everyone and thanks so much to each of you for making it something to look forward to.  You guys are the best!

Melissa

p.s. blog posts are always welcome from anyone that wants to write as well as post pictures - IG is great, but the blog is an easier format for words, if you're someone who likes to use them ; )

9th Annual New Year Knitalong ~ posted by Melissa

It's here! Time to gather supplies and count the minutes...

Kelli and I were together when we chose our pick for this year's knitalong.  It was an instant 'this is the one!' from both of us when we saw Lily Go's design from Wool People 9.

Here is Anisos:

(photos used with permission from Brooklyn Tweed)

This is the perfect choice for a kal - there are five (5!!) different size options, from a small shawlette to a lovely piece large enough to wrap yourself up in.  It has an unusual shape as well, so it's going to be a learning experience for Kelli and I.  There's always something new to learn so that was definitely a selling point for me when deciding on this design.

The pattern is available on Ravelry and also directly from Brooklyn Tweed's website:

(link to purchase Anisos from brooklyntweed.com here)

As far as the business end of the kal:

We cast on New Years Day (not a minute before) but other than that, there are no rules.  There is no deadline, we go at our own pace (this is supposed to be fun!), you may blog with us (details below) or just follow along in the comments section.  We encourage you to tackle new things and are here to help each other along the way if needed. 

I think that's everything.  If you would like to join us January 1st, send me a message on Ravelry (twoknitwit) with your email address and I'll add you to the blog as an author.  You'll have blogging privileges and will be able to post and share pictures as we go.

For newbies that want to blog with us, here is a link to a page that Kelly Lightbeam created for us with exactly what will happen when you send me your email address:

The Ins and Outs of Guest Blogging link

I hope we have a good turnout this year.  The blog has been fairly quiet for the last year but it's starting to come to life again and I'm excited to reconnect with some of our annual knitting friends...and maybe a few new ones!

Finally, just to get this party started - here is my yarn choice for my Anisos.  I'll be making the largest size because, yo that's how I roll ... heheheh : )

I hope everyone is as excited about this as Kelli and I are.

Happy Sunday, all!

~ Melissa

Groovin' - posted by Melissa

Alright, kids. Trying hard to get back with social media and blogging.  You can find me on instagram now - thought it might be a good way to at least do quick posts when I can't find the time to blog.

After spending a good chunk of last week with Kelli and some long lost knitting friends, my creative juices are flowing.  Lots of fun stuff coming up as soon as I finish an enormous wedding gift.

I'm sooooo close!

Anyway - if you're on instagram, come find me, please!

Here's a link - see you soon!

- Melissa

blue mood - Melissa

Hello!

 

I'm soooo close to finishing this enormous undertaking ... my first knitting project in over a year, really, that I will finish in a timely fashion.  I start the lace border tonight and will try to get a few pictures this weekend as it starts coming off the needles.

 

And while that is happening I'll be trying to decide what to knit next. 

It will be blue.

I think... : )

 

 

 











 

Let's Get Caught Up! ~ posted by Melissa

My Stonecrop!  Slowly making progress, although the knitting goes rather quickly when I actually find time to work on her.  It's a lovely intuitive pattern and I've loved every stitch...even the ones I've had to redo...hehe!  Mistakes are so easy to see and quick to fix if you don't get too far away from them before you notice (note to self...sneak a gander more often...mistakes do happen!!).

I'm making the longer version and my yarn is Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 'Hayloft'.  I was so unsure about this yarn when I wound it as it came apart pretty easily more than once, but the knitting, oh the knitting.  It has not broken once and I do love its rustic feel and tweediness.  I will use it again and try to be more gentle when caking it next time.

My project can be found here on Ravelry and I'll start getting some notes up soon.  My to-do list has gotten out of control these days and knitting 'chores' keep ending up on the bottom rung.

And now a bit of business.  There are eight of us knitting Stonecrop.  So far we've only heard from Will, Kelli and myself.  Here's a list of all knitalongers (is that a word...well now it is!) with their Ravelry handles if you'd like to find each other on our favorite knitting site:

Me (Melissa) - twoknitwit

Kelli - oneknitwit

Will - WillyG

Andrea - aksaxton

Sue - purl3

Olivia - thishandmadelife

Gemma - gemma

Jenny - jenniferaguilar

If I've forgotten anyone, please speak up and I'll add you to the list!  Don't forget, when I sent you the invite it gave you all blogging privileges...please drop in and say hi when you get a chance and share your progress and materials and photos...don't forget the photos!

Guess that's it for now.  Hope everyone is enjoying this Jared Flood pattern as much as I am.  And yes, Kelli, I know you've already finished and thank you for waiting to post for a bit so the newbies don't get frightened and decide not to play anymore : )

Happy Sunday, all!

Melissa

the best friends - posted by Melissa

Good morning! Thought I'd share this gorgeous (GORGEOUS!!) handspun, handwoven scarf that Jeff of '....and a few boys, too' made HIMSELF and gave to me when he and Will (the other boy of '....and a few boys, too') came to visit last June.

 

I am so lucky.

 

Here's a link to their post of our day if you'd like to revisit:

 

link here - you should look : )

 

Here's a link to my post of our adventures:

 

link here - you should look : )

 

I'll get some better pictures of this lovely neck warmer posted, as well as my Stonecrop, as soon as I edit them.  Can't wait to share!

 

Have a great day, everyone!

 

Melissa

WE IN - posted by The Girls

GO HAWKS

good morning - posted by Melissa

 

Enjoying a cup of coffee with Kelli this morning : )

 

Post coming tomorrow with knitalong progress and a final list of participants so y'all can find each other on Ravelry.  Can't wait to see more progress photos from everyone!  Thanks, Will, for getting the guest blogging rolling.  Stunning work as always!!

 

More tomorrow!

Melissa

New Years Eve - posted by Melissa

“The artist is always beginning. Any work of art which is not a beginning, an invention, a discovery is of little worth.” 
― Ezra Pound

Spent part of the day with our knit group & was finally able to give this lovely person her 50th birthday gift.  Recognize???  It's SPIRE!!  My 2014 New Years project is finally done 2 years later and doesn't it look fantastic on Kelli?!

Looking forward to casting on Stonecrop with you all tomorrow!  Have a wonderful evening...the fun begins tomorrow!

Happy New Year!  Melissa

Annual New Year Knitalong - posted by Melissa

Hiya, knitting peeps!

Gonna reel it back in this year. Last year was out of control with too many people and too many different projects and not many of us finished so back to what works best! One design and a common goal and I bet we can do better!

Kelli & I chose another Jared Flood lace ... because of course, what would a Girls in Sheep Clothing kal be without him? Seriously. He's our fearless leader, although unbeknownst to him!

This year's choice, an Orenburg style lace rectangular scarf ~ Stonecrop :

(all photos used with permission from Brooklyn Tweed)

This should be fun ~ most of the lace edging is incorporated as you go, with only the top-border being knitted on at the end. It can be made in 2 different sizes so you can choose your favorite.

Pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry or directly from Brooklyn Tweed's website  - link here.

We'll cast on together January 1st, so everyone has 2 weeks to gather materials. Let me know on Ravelry if you're interested (you can send me a pm here) & I'll get your info so I can add you as an author on the blog. Remember, this is a no rule kal. No deadlines and knit at your own pace. 

Let's get this party started!

Melissa

I Cry for Paris - Melissa

I have no words for what is happening in Paris tonight.

 My heart goes out to everyone there and for what they're experiencing.

I revisit this piece every time something like this happens...which is all too often. It helps me find perspective when I feel like there is no hope left for humanity.

I hope it helps you if you feel hopeless.

'The Good Outnumber You And We Always Will'

(written by Patton Oswalt after the Boston Marathon bombings)

Sunday Funny - posted by Melissa

Welcome November - posted by Melissa

Got in a quick walk at Big Gulch before the next wave of rain hit this morning.

The woods smell so good this time of year.

Fall hikes are the best.

Homemade cheddar cornbread muffins just out of the oven, football on TV (GO HAWKS!) and my Girasole almost done....maybe today if I buckle down!!

Happy autumn, happy Sunday, happy knitting, happy November!

- Melissa

soaring - posted by Melissa

"Soar, eat ether, see what has never been seen; depart, be lost,
But climb.” 

-Edna St. Vincent Millay (Wine From These Grapes)

This man floats by my house on occasion, flying with the eagles.

I wish I was fearless.  I would love to experience this.

- Melissa

Not a Knitting Post - by Melissa

Nothing to do with crafting but....

In Seahawk news - if you are one of the many people who took what TMZ said as fact minutes after Fred Jackson's car accident yesterday...

Preliminary report last night from the Renton Police Department:

(most importantly - note in the last paragraph - TMZ reports are false per the police)

Which was followed up today by the final report on the matter:

It's amazing to me how instantaneously things can be skewed and distorted, nationally broadcast as such and taken as fact by all who read.  One of our football players had an accident.  He's okay, in case anyone is wondering.

Off my soapbox.  Carry on.

GO HAWKS!

Melissa

(Edited to add: if you'd like to read something that Fred Jackson wrote and learn a little about him, as well as his relationship with Marshawn Lynch, you might come away feeling a little (lot) differently about both of them. Role models or not, they are people with lives that matter.)
Link below:
'My Toughest Road Trip' - Fred Jackson (from The Players' Tribune)

bliss - posted by Melissa

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

- A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

There is nothing quite so lovely as a knitted on edging.

Let's get reacquainted, old friend.

Melissa

I just might have the mojo back... - Melissa

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

- L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Husky football, a belly full of hearty soup, a warm cup of coffee and a puddle of knitting (yes, girls and boys, KNITTING!) on my lap.

It's a good evening : )

-Melissa

fog filled friday - posted by Melissa

Spent a misty, foggy day at the beach, walking the shoreline & breathing in the salty sea air.

It was a good day.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

- Melissa

It's Been Many Moons ... posted by Melissa

A quick post to say hello and I've missed you all.  Life's been hectic and we're collectively holding our breath with hopes that the two year health crisis is finally past us.  We should know soon.  Until then, I'm celebrating a gorgeous end to a busy summer, a welcoming hug to an autumn of reconnecting with friends and family, and the amazing, glorious harvest super blood moon eclipse we were privileged to witness yesterday evening.

Hope this finds you and yours happy, healthy and doing the things that bring smiles to your faces.

- Melissa

From the other side of things - by Will !!!

Whew! Vacation can take a bit of recovering! Here are a few more photos from our visit with Mel and Kelli, though I think Mel summed it up quite beautifully. The day was a bit surreal, and a wonderful way to end our vacation in the Pacific Northwest.

 We started our day by taking the ferry. This was a thrilling moment, for we had just received word of the SCOTUS decision legalizing gay marriage across the entire nation. I decided then and there that my goal at Churchmouse would be to find something celebratory and perhaps a bit out of my usual color palette.

By the way, for those who were wondering, green is well within my usual color palette.

We took the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island ... 

I had been waiting for years to get here! At last! 

The joyous occasion was made all the better by meeting dear knittterly friends in person for the first time. How cool is that???

Some people are camera-shy, so we had to be creative in our approach. Thanks to Mel for scheming up a way to get the mister in the shot. Mission accomplished!

I found something that fit the bill for "rainbow," and we left to grab some lunch.

I told you green is in my color palette. And now, so is rainbow.

I had some salmon mac-n-cheese that was uh-maz-ing. (Thanks for the recommendation, Kelli!)

 This was the other part of the trip that I had been anticipating for years...pie from the Blackbird Bakery. Thanks to everyone for humoring me :)  There was actually only one type offered, as it is not a dedicated pie shop. Apparently, pie is a thing in the Pacific Northwest. This was pie experience number four on our trip, and the only one that wasn't a self-declared pie shop. I was more than willing to make the exception.

Now that I had checked off my bucket list items (and then some), I was able to relax a bit and enjoy the rest of the day together, snapping pictures to take the day home with me.


We drove off the Island until we reached Port Gamble, home of The Artful Ewe. We relaxed and soaked in the beautiful weather. I was only slightly disappointed that we weren't getting the dreary clouds and rain that I had expected. Actually, it was as if Mount Rainier came out to join the festivities.

Eventually, the afternoon wound to a close and we ferried back to the mainland. The ride afforded several luxuries, including a lovely wall map to help me narrate our journey!

It also lent some beautiful views of the mountains.

Now that I am back, I've been sifting through hundreds of photos and knitting up a sort of tube scarf. I love how it's turning out, and the memories it carries with it. I hope we can do it again someday!