Finally, A Chart....

I found a little pattern on Ravelry this summer that I fell in love with.  It's called "Half Lotus Bunting".  I found it very challenging to figure out but I worked at it until I did.  I had mentioned in my Ravelry notes that I wanted to chart it for future reference.  Since then, I've gotten quite a few email and Ravelry messages, blog comments, and Instagram requests for the chart.  Seems that others are having trouble with the original pattern as well.

I got another message via Ravelry today and the sender was very frustrated at all of her failed attempts to figure out the pattern and asked when the chart might be available.  That finally got me to stop putting it off.  I grabbed some yarn, a hook, a pad of paper and pens, and my laptop to re-figure, re-write, and chart the pattern.

It was a lot of work!  But, so worth it because I'm thrilled to try to help others make this adorable bunting.  And, I'm sure I'll be happy I took the time to chart and re-write it when I decide to make another one.

I sure hope the designer doesn't mind that I did this.  I love her pattern and so appreciate that she shared it for free on Ravelry.  I just wanted to make it easier to follow and try to help others with it.

Here's a reminder of what this bunting looks like and the ones I've made...

This one is made with crochet thread and I added little tassels.

I love how it turned out.  I think I'll be putting it on one of my little Christmas trees.

This is one I made for my daughter.  It's made with Sugar 'n Cream yarn.

She loves it and so do her roommates.  That makes me so happy!  :-)

I made this one with Sugar 'n Cream and Handicrafter Cotton in Fall colors.

I love how it looks on my mantel!

Here it is....the chart.  It's my very first one.  They're not easy!  So, apologies for how it's a bit "wonky".  I hope it works and helps though.

I also took a photo of each finished row to help it all make sense.

Row 1

Row 2

Row 3

Row 4

Row 5

Row 6

Row 7

The re-write/revision may not be exactly as the designer designed it but it's the best I could figure.  If anyone has any questions or notices anything that needs to be fixed or changed, please let me know.  Here's the re-write...

Chain 9

1.       7 tc in 5^th chain from hook, sl st in beginning chain – 9 tc posts

2.      Ch 3, turn, dc between first two stitches in previous row, *2 dc between each post of first row (repeat from * across), end row with 2 dc in last space – 8 pairs of 2 dc

3.       Ch 3, turn, dc in first dc and between next two stitches, *ch 4, skip 2 dc, sc in next space between stitches (repeat from * across), ch 4, dc in space between last two dc pair, dc in next to last dc and dc in third chain – 6 chain loops

4.       Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sc in each of the next 2 dc, sc in first chain loop, *ch 5, sc in next chain loop (repeat from *across), sc in each of the last two dc and third chain (3 dc) – 5 chain loops

5.       Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, sc in each of next 3 sc, *ch 5, sc in next chain loop (repeat from * across), ch 5, sc in last four sc – 6 chain loops

6.      Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc and in each of next 3 sc, 3 sc in first chain loop, ch 6, *sc in next chain loop, ch 6 (repeat from * across), 3 sc in last loop, sc in each of last 4 sc – 5 chain loops

7.       Ch 1, sc in each of next 7 sc, *7 dc in next chain loop, dc in next sc (*2 times), 3 dc in third loop/center loop, ch 4, sc in fourth ch from hook, 3 dc in same/center loop, *dc in next sc, 7 dc in next chain loop (*2 times), sc in last 7 sc

8.       Ch 1 (for corner) and finish with single crochet stitches spaced evenly across the top.

9.      Give your bunting panels a nice finishing touch by gently stretching each one into shape and blocking with a steam iron.

10.   Connect panels together by making a chain (the length is up to you); single crochet across the top of first panel; chain (your choice of how many) between panels; continue for desired number of panels; end with another chain.  If you use thicker yarn (i.e. worsted), it looks great to turn and single crochet in the second chain from the hook and all the way back across the bunting.  It makes the string a little thicker.        Enjoy!  

Here's another photo of the chart with the key to the symbols...

The chart and re-write/revision can also be found on my Ravelry project page.

Kitty Cuteness

Penelope is just so darn cute that I just can't stop taking pictures of her!

Here's a few of the newest ones...

She's always anxious to go to bed and patiently waits until she knows we're about to go upstairs.  Then, she races up and waits for us on the bed.  Sometimes she stays on the bed as we remove the comforter and pillow shams.  Here she is last night...looking like she was thinking, "come on, mom, hurry up, you're late for bed!"

She's a very snuggly girl but only with me.  She won't snuggle with anyone else in the family, no matter how hard they try.  She sleeps right next to me every night and has her own pillow that I put next to me for her to lay on.  Since it's started getting chilly at night, she's started to snuggle under the blankets.  She sometimes even puts her head on my shoulder or my pillow.  It's really hard to get a picture of her doing this because I have to do it with one hand on my phone, it's kind of dark, and she gets annoyed when she notices that I'm taking pictures...again.  But, I got one this morning!...

Since the weather has cooled, I'm back to knitting on this never ending blanket.  It works great because it's long enough to keep me warm...and, Penelope too.  ;-)

Does anyone reading this use PhotoGrid to size your photos before posting in Instagram?  Just yesterday the photos started having "PhotoGrid" on the corner.  That's kind of annoying!  Do you know how to prevent that?  Or, do you know of any other editing/re-sizing apps that won't do that?

Lovely Leftovers

My recent weaving project left me with lots of left over yarn.  When I realized how badly I'd calculated and how much was left, my mind quickly started brainstorming about what I could do with it.  The idea of a doily popped up and it seemed like the perfect use for this yarn.

I started crocheting one this morning and I'm loving the results...

I'm using a size "E" crochet hook and the "Summer Splendor" pattern that's free on Ravelry.

I love it when I find a project/pattern that's a perfect match for stash yarn!

Friday!

Whooosh!  Another week has flown by!  How is it that they're going by so quickly?!  Is the world spinning faster?  I wish the days would slow down!  I'm trying to get stuff done here!

This week was a bit more productive in that I finished my weaving project.  And, I've started to get back to exercising everyday.  It's just walking with a little running here and there but it's a big deal that I'm getting back to it.  I was doing great earlier this year but fell off the fitness wagon months ago.  I haven't been all that enthused about getting back to it.  The heat had a lot to do with it.  It's VERY nice that the weather is cooling down now!  Mornings have been in the 50's and that's much more comfortable than 80's.  Especially when the sun is shining.

I snapped a couple pictures on my walk this morning.  I think it's interesting that these trees are covered in little yellow flowers when the calendar says it's Fall.  Looks a lot more like Spring to me!

Another accomplishment for this week isn't quite complete but what I've done so far feels really good!  I've been going through absolutely everything in my craft studio.  I'm getting rid of things (donating, trash and recycling) and organizing.  I'm finding so much more space!  I love that!

I also accomplished something I've been putting off...a dentist appointment.  Ugh!  I had all my old fillings replaced earlier this year and thought I was good to go and wouldn't need the dentist except for cleanings for quite a while.  Wrong!  During our June/July road trip some of my bottom teeth all of a sudden became very sensitive to cold and sometimes chewing.  The dentist checked it out and couldn't find anything wrong.  We decided to give it some time and use Sensodyne toothpaste. It's not any better and I've been putting off calling for months.  I just don't like going to the dentist!  The only  thing he found this time is that the nerves under two teeth look  inflamed.  So, I've been instructed to take Advil every six hours for three days.  He said it often fixes the problem.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  If that doesn't work I'll need to go back and get a "medicated filling" to try to calm the nerve.  If that doesn't work...root canal!  Ugh!   But, hey....going this week was an accomplishment!  Right?!  :-/

Ok....I need to get off the computer and back to work!  I want this day to be productive.

Have an awesome weekend!

Off the Loom

The weaving project I've been working on this week is off the loom!

After I was finished weaving and before taking it off the loom I added a hem stitch.

I love the results!

 I thought a hem stitch would be a good choice because of the limited amount of yarn I had. It made it so I didn't have to take length from the dish towel to fold it over and sew hems.  I was hoping that would help give me enough yarn to have a nice size dish towel.

However, I severely mis-guessed on the length of my warp.  I really should take time to figure out how to calculate and then actually use the math needed to do it right.  But, I hate math!  I've gotten by fine on all of my previous projects...until now.  Did I mention how much I hate math?!

I got this little....um...place mat?...cloth?...???...instead.  It's 14" long (not counting the fringe) x 16" wide.  I do love how the yarn and colors wove up though.  It feels really nice and looks good.

I ended up with at least a third of the yarn left over...maybe even closer to half!

I have an idea for something I can use it for though.

I tried and tried to get a photo that would accurately show off the pretty, warm, fall colors.  But, no matter what I did or where I took the photo, it just didn't work.  It's very pretty in person though.

My wonderful assistant that "helped" me with this project is seeing it all the way to the end.  She's sitting here, right next to me, as I write this blog post.  What would I do without her?!

Weaving!

I have a great little LeClerc floor loom that sits patiently waiting...and waiting...and waiting for me to use it.  I bet it's in shock right now because I actually am using it again!  I measured out some warp last week for a dish towel and finished warping yesterday.

I have a weaving assistant!  She supervised last week from behind the loom.  Yesterday, as I finished up, Penelope jumped up on my lap and looked up at me as if to ask what I was doing...

Then, she did a close up inspection to make sure I did it right...

Then, I started weaving!  Wooot!  It's so fun!  Why don't I do this more often?!

I'm just doing a simple plain weave for this dish towel project.  I love seeing how multi-colored yarn works up.  And, so far, this is looking great!  I have a busy day ahead but I hope to find some time to work on it today.  There's only enough yarn for one towel.  So, it should work up pretty quickly.

Happy Tuesday!

Woooosh! There went another week!

Wow!  Ya'll have been busy!  I've been trying to catch up on my blog reading and commenting and ya'll have been blogging, knitting, stitching, re-modeling, traveling, and doing all kinds of great stuff!  I'm amazed at all the great posts I saw this morning.  Unfortunately, the feed stopped working and wouldn't load anymore.  I'll try again this afternoon and see if I can catch up on some more.

I, on the other hand...feel like I've been spinning my wheels and can't seem to get much accomplished at all.  I've been so busy but my to-do list seems to keep growing faster than I can even start to catch up.  And, there seems to be little that's worthy of a blog post.  I keep hoping each week that things will turn around and I'll start to feel like I'm accomplishing things, catching up, and getting back to regular blogging.  In the meantime, here's a little snippet of last week...

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted this on Instagram.  It was Monday morning and I needed coffee badly!  The caption was, "Monday morning must have...please work your magic".  Luckily, it did and the day improved.  This Monday seems to be starting out better.

Exercise?!  Hah!  It's a good idea and I've been trying to get back to it.  I've been feeling more like Penelope on this subject though.  I like her way of using the treadmill!...

These aren't much of an accomplishment but they are some things I started and finished last week...two Kumihimo cords.  They're fun, easy and I can do it while I watch TV in the evening and don't feel like doing anymore that day.  And, it feels like an accomplishment...even though it's small.  This one is made with cotton yarn from my stash.  It's over two yards long.  I'm not sure what I'll do with it but it'll be great in the trim stash or for wrapping a gift someday.

My daughter made one in these colors and it was so pretty that I made one too.

Just used some leftovers from my yarn stash.  I love these colors together.

I measured out some yarn last week and started warping my loom for a kitchen towel.  Yup, one kitchen towel.  I really goofed when I read the yardage on the yarn label and may not even have enough for one.  But, I'm trying.  I even went to their store to get more but they'd sold out at the fiber festival.  I learned my lesson...read more carefully and ask questions!  I posted this on Instagram...Penelope was supervising...

I love that little girl so much!  She's extra snuggly lately since the weather started cooling down.  She loves to sleep next to me every night and now she's starting to snuggle under the covers.  In fact, she often stays in bed for a while after I get up.  And, sometimes, she even goes back to bed and has figured out how to cover herself up.  So cute!

We picked up our daughter yesterday at her condo and drove to Pasadena for the day.  She attended a harp workshop/class lead by a famous and amazing harpist named, Deborah Henson-Conant.  Hubby and I went for coffee while she was there and I did a little knitting.  The weather was perfect!

A couple hours later, we picked our daughter up, drove around and looked at some of the magnificent homes in Pasadena, and went out for dinner.  Then, we went back to the house the workshop had been held for an in-home Deborah Henson-Conant concert.  Well, actually, it was in the backyard, under trees and little lights, and only about 50 other guests.  It was great!  Deborah's amazing, talented, unique, and inspiring!

We'd seen Deborah on a PBS concert years ago.  She inspired my daughter with how the harp doesn't have to just fit into a classical box...that there are more possibilities.  Our daughter has been impressing us and others ever since with beautiful, unexpected, and amazing ways to use the harp.  Beyond classical to jazz, blues, Latin, rock, and other unique music.  Our daughter met Deborah and learned from her last summer at the harp conference we drove to in New Orleans.  Our daughter will be performing one of Deborah's pieces, "Baroque Flamenco", in her senior college recital this year.  And, she'll be competing with it in a concerto competition next month.  Exciting!

And, now, woosh!...it's Monday again!  My list has been started for the day and I'm sure it will grow.  But, I can cross blogging off my list for today.  Fingers crossed that it'll be a productive week and that I'll have much more to blog about very soon!

Have a wonderful week!

Fiber Fiesta

The annual Fiber Fiesta held in the northern San Diego County city of Vista was held last weekend.  It's a small fiber festival but one of the very few we have in Southern California.  I've been to it several times by myself but this year was extra special because my daughter went with me.  That made it a LOT more fun!  

We had a blast wandering through the weaving barn.  It's filled with looms and lots of them have projects on them.  This one was especially exciting.  Not only are the colors gorgeous...

...and the weaving is beautiful... 

...but, it's also a big dobby loom.  My dream loom!  I got to work on one of these years ago and I've wanted one ever since.  The pins on the wood bars create the pattern in the fabric and a new bar is advanced for each throw of weft thread/yarn.  It's fun and magical!  I love this kind of loom!

The barn is filled with looms...large ones, small ones, newer ones and very old ones.  We saw someone weaving on one from the 1800's.  I believe this one was from the 1930's.  I thought the handle on the beater bar was interesting.  I'd never seen that before.

One of the weavers told us about this old Jacquard loom the museum has inherited.  They're very excited about it and working hard to get it up and running.  It'll be the logo for their museum.  It's so tall that it almost reaches the rafters of the barn!  I couldn't get a picture of the whole thing as it was surrounded by other looms and things.  This is part of the top...

I peeked between some things to get a picture of the many threads running through it...

These red strips have holes punched in them and as they feed through the loom they control the pattern that will be created in the fabric...

The very long loop of those strips runs from the floor to the top of the loom and up into that part that's almost up to the rafters and then back down again...

Here's another picture of that top part from the other side...

Fascinating!

There was a table near one of the doorways/openings to the barn with some very nice ladies who were excited to show us how to do Kumihimo.  They had a basket filled with little kits with yarn already measured out and ready to share.  We were excited to learn.  Kumihimo is Japanese braiding and it's very easy and fun.  We caught on quickly and finished up our braided cords later that day and started some new ones.  I'll try to get some pictures of our cords for another post.

There were vendors/booths outside selling hand dyed yarn, tools, handmade clothing, etc.  We had a lot of fun shopping and could have come home with SO much stuff if the budget allowed.  We couldn't afford all the wonderful things we fell in love with but we still managed to spend a little too much on yarn.  So much for the yarn diet!

I got two beautiful skeins of yarn from my favorite dyer, Inner Yarn Zen.  I love this one!  The color is "Carmel Pumpkin Spice".  Just wait til I get started on a project so I can show the cool effect that's created with how she dyed it!  Yarn love!

There's just something about this one that literally makes my heart flutter when I look at it!  It's gorgeous!  Of course, all of these yarns are much more beautiful in person!

Newton's Yarn Country was there with their amazing yarn bargains.  I couldn't resist this time!  They sell huge skeins of yarn for six for $20.  Amazing!  I bought this cotton to make a kitchen towel.  Unfortunately, I read the tag wrong when I got it and I might not have enough.  I'm planning to play around with it today and see what I can figure out.

We got three skeins of this super soft cotton.  They said it works great for towels and just keeps getting softer and softer as it's used and washed.  I'm planning to use the red and cream for weaving kitchen towels.  My daughter is going to use the brown to knit a cowl or scarf.  

We got several other colors but they didn't photograph well to accurately show the colors.

The Fiber Fiesta is held at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum and it's always fun to walk around to see these magnificent old machines.  In fact, I think their annual show is this next weekend.  They actually start some of these up and drive them around at the show.  Amazing!

This might sound weird but I think this one is pretty!

There was a gem and rock show going on last weekend too.  And, the museum has classes throughout the year for various things including weaving and blacksmithing.  It's a little far away but I'm thinking of joining.  It's a wonderful place with lots of nice people and I love how it's preserving history.