Tales From The Organizer

Phew! Organizing “takes it’s toll and the soul outta you” to quote lyricist Richard Stilgoe. But the task is done.

Well, it’s done if you count keeping the acrylic in a plastic shopping bag and shoved between the file drawers and the wall. Turns out that my reference library is not impressive at all. Most everything I need is accessed via a video online or is a pattern that I keep electronically – having paid and downloaded or secured legitimately via free postings for personal use.

Now, I will confess that I often save downloaded patterns with a file name that is not the exact title of the pattern. Usually I’ll tag on a word such as “cardi” or “sox” or even the name of a suitable person to the file name. That seems to make it easier to search for the drive for patterns rather than scrolling through a long list and randomly opening files to see if it is what I’m seeking.

Sure, one might recall that “Hey Teach” is a short sleeve sweater. But then again, if one has not had a caffeine surge, one might need to see that extra word “ME” added to the file name.

The organizing did uncover this lovely thing, which when yarns are clipped and woven, seams closed and felting occurs will turn into a sack suitable for holding a beverage bottle.







Due to actually cleaning out the file drawers that I use for storage, there was room to file away some of the stash. One drawer for cotton, one for fancy/special stuff, one for the wool and one for blends. At least that is the general scheme. Mostly it works. The sock stash is not in a drawer. Neither is the acrylic that is earmarked for certain projects (like lap robes for seniors).

For the most part, I can find what I’m looking for within thirty seconds. But, as you can probably tell, I don’t keep very much on hand.

It works for me.

Unstrung By A Bird

Bert has really done it this time! Did he say "Ribbit" when he frogged the working sample? Silly me thought that he would never attack something warm and looking like a green bird cousin. What was I thinking - leaving that beak alone with temptation?!

Well, maybe he thought he was preening and wanted to share the joy. Who knows what goes on in that little bird brain? (and I say that in only the nicest of possible meanings as said bird is now sitting on my desk and uttering Hello over and over while hitting the phone)

I am thinking of teaching Bert to TINK. If he wants to be involved with knitting and thinks I have made a mistake, the least he can do is treat it with respect and bring me back a few stitches.

Frogging is for major repair work. As in rows and rows and humongous snafu. Not a few stitches.

As you can see, this will only take about 90 seconds and a crochet hook to repair. Working sample will be back on the needles and I can recount the stitches and the repeat. I think the pattern was working out when last I saw it whole and unblemished by That Bird.


At least, upon noting my disgust with his latest escapade, Bert did turn away and hang his head in shame.

Sentimental Knitting Journey

Gonna take a sentimental journey
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories.....

Memories of knitting long ago. One reason to be truly enamored by all things yarn - spun, knit, crochet, woven - is that everything old is still wonderful! Witness this family treasure that I am honored to own. Knit by my mother's sister-in-law over 40 years ago. She was the only person in our extended family who knit.

"We crochet," was the way Mama explained it to me. As though somehow Aunt Lydia did not quite fit in the family because she used two sticks, and we only use one hook. Please know that at the time I was probably about ten - maybe twelve years old. We crochet. Got it. Francois family tradition. Crochet. Only crochet.

I clearly remember when I broke the family tradition of hooking (oh, get your thinking out of that gutter). It was a knit hat. Ribbed and knit flat then sewn. A festive white and bright orange. It was a grand experiment that almost got me demoted in the family because I flirted with the knitting arts. Oh, the shame of a daughter gone to the other side. Mon Dieu!

Isn't Aunt Lydia's cardigan beautiful? Time can't diminish the look, fashion trends return, and once again a Francois is wearing this beautiful red knit at during the holiday season.

Sentimental journey........To renew old memories.

Yo, Yo, Yo for Ho, Ho, Ho

Well, it is not gonna be your traditional holiday green, but the Rusted Diamond sweater is almost done. As in only eight inches, give or take, of the second sleeve left to knit. Around and around and around. Knit stitches. Nothin' but knit stitches with an occasional (and thus quite thrilling) SSK or k2tog. Over and over and over. Ad infinitum. Ad nausium.

Decided not to add in any diamonds on the sleeve because that would detract from the surprise side detail I thought up all on my own. Because this is done (just as the original Rusted Root from Zephyr Style) in the round, there are no side seams specified or faked. But I did add in one little bit of "ooooh" factor where the side seams would normally sit. Does this make me a designer?

As if my hips aren't spreading enough on their own, I decided to draw attention to them with bright shining white.

Yarn over! Simple eyelets with two stitches between. Yo! Yo! Yo! for Ho! Ho! Ho!

This extremely nonfunctional detail does require that that a marker, pattern placed at the under arm, be carried along row by boring row until it is time to put in the YOs. What row to begin - - any where you want based upon your own body, of course. I, as confessed, placed these quite low down so as to emphasize my holiday hips.

And, if you look carefully, you'll note that the YO eyelets continue through the ribbing at sweater's end.

I-cord to match the diamonds weaves and dangles like trimming on a tree. But I can also vision ribbon woven through for a more delicate look. Of course given that this sweater is cotton, it would need to be gross grain. Had the sweater been done of silk, a lovely gossamer would be quite elegant.

And here we admire the final product.

Woven and dangling

Ready for my hips

Maybe the casual observer will be drawn to the unique detail and fail to notice how far apart the two sides actually are.

Maybe the casual observer will fail to notice how far apart my two sides are.

Maybe........

Maybe.................

Maybe..........................

Warm and Beautiful - It's done

The Collinette throw is totally done. It is perfect. Definitely worth blowing the budget on this one.

The single crochet edge. Hides a lot of sin.

On the bed. I love the way it perks up the gold color scheme. Yep, looks like a bedroom from the south. Cherry spool posts and all. But hey, at least the lamps are electrified!And it even looks wonderful in the living room.

Praise for Acrylic

Sing a song of thanks for acrylic! Join in the chorus - - hit the harmony. Acrylic is totally awesome. Now I know that some of you don't like the feel of the stuff. Go ahead and look it up here. It doesn't even sound like something you want in your hands for hours and hours and hours.

But the same can be said of wool. Every knitter and crocheter knows someone who is allergic and just can't stand to have wool in the hands let alone on the actual body. Can you imagine getting the hives when you come within a whiff of merino? How sad would that be? And then I know a few who eschew cotton. Too harsh; sucks the moisture from the skin; wears out the hand - - no stretch you know. Well, I ask you now, where would a good Granny's dishcloth be if we didn't use cotton? No where! That's where!

Ahh, but acrylic. Baby spittle doesn't harm it, picnics can't mess it up, and childhood memories would be eaten away if acrylic yarn had not entered the local dime store.

Behold:

Twenty-five years old and still a beautiful skirt of poinsettia for the tree. (and no holes or fading!)

Twenty-five years old and still ready for the Man in Red

Be thankful for acrylic. Join in the song. If you can't take the lead with a solo, sing harmony and blend in the background. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Blogging Is Not My Whole Life

Some weeks are just too busy for adding to the Blog. This is surely one of them. I got off kilter early on with meetings.

First there was a strategic planning committee meeting and I missed it. More on that later. Then there was a budget and finance committee meeting. I really have to prep and focus for those. It is not my strong point, so I try to go into b&f with just the right level of caffeine, my files at hand, and a pen for notes.

Let's not forget the Riverside Knitting Guild meeting. After all, it was the third Tuesday. Our tip this time was on utilizing the Russian join. I truly enjoy simple ten minute tips and hints. Even when it is something I already have in the repertoire, it is useful to brush up on these things.

Second, there was surgery. My oldest daughter had a little problem. So there was driving an hour to meet her for the pre-op meeting and make sure we were on the same game plan as the surgeon. (That little excursion is why I missed the strategic planning committee meeting.) Then there was getting to the hospital early, prepping for the surgery and then the waiting. And waiting. I'll spare the details, but do know that her man friend was forced to sit in public view and hold the knitting while I frogged. It's hard to count to "2" when every footstep could signal the surgeon coming to give the news. But now it is over, she is past the hardest part, released from the hospital and firmly bedded down in my guest room trying to stay awake long enough to watch stupid movies. Chicken broth and jello - yum, yum.

Third, there is the boutique. Brockton Arcade here in Riverside, where Knit 'n Stitch holds a prime corner spot, is the location. We set up at 8:30 this morning.

There was a lovely young woman setting up her birdhouse decor items.

Riverside Knitting Guild was selling tickets for the afghan raffle. See how beautiful it is! Those are President Sue's pillows for sale.

I can't believe Sue would sell the flag coverlet. But she put a price on it and there it was - ready for a proud American to purchase.

My friend Lisa was a bit late in arriving and I did not get photos of her soap and lotion line. The big joke with Lisa is that after 3 or 4 years of loudly claiming she would never knit a washcloth - ever - what's the point - what a waste - - - - she is know producing washcloths like a knitting maniac. Turns out that people who like goat's milk soap also like organic cotton washcloths. What a concept!!

Of course I unpacked and then tried to set up - so it looked messy for a while. Eventually, I got all organized and pretty. You can't see it in this photo, but a nice coat rack was used to hold purses and make the whole area really look like a boutique.

Also helped Mitch out by watching over his sales while he went to his real paying job. Cool necklaces! Each and every one a 'gem'

The boutique runs all day Saturday as well. What kind of mother am I? I'm leaving the precious girl all stitched up and in the care of a father and a man friend who will likely spend the day munching and grunting at football. Oh, yeah. Now I remember. . . . . . .

Men who are not capable of pampering and caring are not real men.

Beary Good Dress

I've spent the end of the week getting ready for next week. My daughter will be having surgery and that means switching some standing appointments. Now, it might seem a little thing, but I had to bump up the pedi by 4 days. I always use that hour to either read or knit.

This time the project was to continue on the little red & white Bear Dress for the guild's Precious Pals involvement.

It is my own simple pattern:

BEARY GOOD DRESS
© 2008 François Stewart Designs, Lenora François Stewart

Materials:
• Worsted weight yarn such as Plymouth Encore
• Size #7 (4.5mm) Double Pointed Needles

CO 80 stitches and divide evenly over 4 DPNs (20 stitches each needle) Work in the round.

Round 1 purl (80 stitches)
Round 2 knit
Repeat Round 2 until piece measures 3 inches

Decrease Round 1 (k6, k2tog) 10 times (70 stitches)
Next Round k70 Decrease
Round 3 (k4, k2tog) 5 times, k5, (k4, k2tog) 5 times, k5 (60 stitches)
Next Round k60
Rearrange stitches on 2 needles (30 stitches on each needle)

Front: WS p2, k2 across (30 stitches)
RS k2, p2 across
Continue in ribbing as established until front measures 3 inches.
Bind off very loosely in pattern

Back: WS attach yarn and work as for front

Sew front to back at bind off edges (4 or 5 stitches) to make shoulders. Weave in ends.

NOTE: Have fun with your design choices. Insert stripes in the skirt or ribbed top. Try a simple eyelet pattern above the hem (round 3 or 4 is a great spot) or make the top and skirt from coordinating yarns.

© 2008 François Stewart Designs, Lenora François Stewart

Not Exactly Slacking Off

The only slacking off of late has been on the blogging. In the last four days:

1. the DH's plain vanilla blue socks came off the needles. Complete and of equal size! Yeah. No photo - not enough time.
2. the Diamond Inset kinda Rusted Root increased by an additional 6 inches. Practically ready to move the sleeves to waste yarn. No photo - not enough time.
3. the Collinette throw reached a solid 50% completion and remains snuggly, gorgeous, and a tactile dream. No photo - not enough time.
4. a new dress hit the needles! No, I'm not that ambitious. This is a Beary Good Dress that will clothe a Precious Pal for the guild's group donation next October. As in October 2009. No photo - not enough time.

And today I'm off to 3 days of meetings. National Board meeting, thinking, planning, deciding and all around brain function for hours at a stretch. It is mentally exhausting so the little bear dress will travel with me.

Daddy taught me that when exhaustion hits, it is often exhaustion for the current task at hand. Switch gears and go do something totally different and the "AHA!" moment is that you are not in a state of exhaustion for the new task. Thus, Daddy could return from a full day of work, change clothes and head outside to mow the grass. Different task - no exhaustion. Time for a photo.



Well, maybe there is time to offer this.....
It is a Berry Good Dress. If you are interested in the pattern PM me on Ravelry - I'm Stewlf.

Mitered Madness

A good time was had by all! Isn't that the right saying? The Patchwork knitting workshop with Joyce Renee Wyatt was wonderful.

Joyce claims to be Los Angeles born. Well, maybe so. But that accent is pure south. At one point during the day, Joyce was holding forth on how she translates knit into crochet - and vice versa. She is bi-yarn you know. In talking about how to deal with the crochet slip stitch and picking up for the next mitered piece, she was so specific on which loop to work so that there was a line on the right side of the fabric.

Oh Wow! Exactly as my mama taught me over 40 years ago. I just had to open my mouth and tell Joyce that her crochet style was exactly like I learned in Louisiana and I questioned her belief that she is Los Angeles pure. Turns out that her mother was raised in Bunkie, Louisiana! Bunkie is only about 40 miles north of my beloved hometown of Eunice, La. We are practically related, in that way that only true southerners understand.

"Where yo' mama from?"

But don't go thinking this makes Joyce Renee Wyatt to be a Cajun. Everyone knows that if you come from north of Turkey Creek, you are bordering on being Red Neck. Which brings me to Joyce's hillarious story of rooming with Lily on "the cruise" and discovering that everyone - no matter your heritage nor your skin shade - must use sun block all over. Let's just say that Joyce had to wonder why her mother never told her that sunburn happens!

Oh. And we knit. We looked at the sweater that is featured in Great Garter Stitch. Not the blanket on the cover, but the triangle sweater inside. Joyce talked about how she creates via the fudge and smudge method but then has to get real exact when writing for publication.

Got a hole when you picked up for the next mitered piece? No problem - add a stitch and decrease it out on the next row. Fudge and smudge. I bet her mama taught her to think like that. It's a southern thing.

So this piece on the right is not going to have anything circular. That's just the needles making it look that way. The black part will be another 'L' shaped piece once it is finished. I only got this far before we started talking crochet . . . .and fiddling with hook sizes to get drape in fabric . . . . and looking at samples . . . . .and playing . . . . .and learning.

Yep, a good time was had by all.

Homework is Due

Today is the day. My homework is due. I'm off to a 6 hour workshop taught by Joyce Wyatt. We are doing patchwork knitting.

The homework instructions call for worsted on size 10. Well, what a shock when I could not find my 10s. Found 10 1/2 circulars and the 9s are currently busy. The 8 circulars were available. So it was decision time. Go up just a bit or way down. HMM. Tough call.

So I did both. You can compare the swatches for your self. I thought there would be a bit more difference in the two given that there are two needle sizes between the swatches.

I'm thinking that for the class the looser patch will be best. Much easier to pick up stitches along the side. As you would expect the patch done on the 10 1/2 is floppier. Well, as floppy as possible when you are made of worsted weight and only 3.25 inches along the side. (as always, click the photos to enlarge)

But I like the results of the 8's better. Stitches are more uniform right off the needles and it just looks better to me.

The real question - - - What will Joyce think?


Oh, managed to get a little laundry done this week.

Day of Progress

It has been a wonderful day of progress. Well, actually a night and a day. Last night was a quiet evening of alone time for knitting. Salad, Guinness and yarn. Friends, life just does not get much better than that! Made outstanding progress on the Colinette throw. See:(Don't worry about me. I never attempt a lace chart under the Guinness influence.)

I'm only 16 rows from being half way done. What does that equal? Maybe one-third. It feels like pure luxury. It is working up so fast and fun. All of my resolve to strictly follow the directions has gone out of the open window. (it was 95 hot degrees here today). I have slightly 'adjusted' yarn sequencing keeping the exact same number of rows as instructed. And occasionally switched a stockinette section with a garter section. Surely it will all work out by the end.

Today I went to my old knitting group for catching up. So much fun to see everyone again. Even with the lagniappe lunch, the progress on the DH plain vanilla socks was remarkable. Definitely will be finished by the time he returns from the next trip.

Bert enjoyed his freedom time before I left for the day. Mostly he just wanted peanuts and the joy of flight. We discourage sleeping on the furniture, lest a stray cat or dog wander by - he gladly went back into his cage so I could have my day of progress on the socks.

I returned home to a marvelous blog post gift from the Glampyre Knits gal Stefanie Japel. She has posted her Lace Panel Tunic. It is a dream, so check it out.

Felted to the Finish Line

Four and a half hours of measuring, cutting, sewing, ripping, re-sewing and sore fingertips. And now I get to jump up and down with glee. You first saw the messenger bag ready for felting in this post.

My process for felting has an extra step. Boiling water in the washing machine. This was such a huge project that it took two kettles of actual boiling water for the magic to occur. Our hot water heater is set just hot enough for bathing and clean dishes. This is how it is set. Just two clicks past Warm. Thus, the shot of boiling water any time there is a felting project.

Snowy, the grandcat, enjoyed helping while I sewed lining. It is so easy to plot the lining for rectangles. Don't laugh, but the bottom of the bag is a sturdy 1/8" thick wood length from the craft store. The front panel and both sides are reinforced with two thickness of plastic mesh canvas. There is no reinforcement on the back side, because I wanted some flexibility to curve around the hip.

First, I cut the wood and plastic guts and fit them inside the bag. When those were exactly right, then I cut the lining fabric with seam allowances. The planning and thinking and fiddling all worked out. I was so very pleased when the whole thing was finished that I actually took time to put away the sewing machine and pick up all the bits of thread and clean the mess.

Look carefully at the top photo of the completed messenger bag. Only one grommet on the flap shows. I've added a second and when my patience returns, a third grommet will go in. Pure decoration and no practical purpose. Sure does look good.

Knitters Everywhere You Look

Today I joined a few friends for good old fashioned social knitting. We met up at a local eatery for casual conversation and relaxing. With caffeine and sugar for fuel, we tried to sip, munch, talk and knit all at the same time. Isn't it wonderful that knitters are so good at multi-tasking?

Turns out that my server moonlights as a knitter. We had a lovely conversation about the blue ribbons she has won. She even triumphed in a speed knitting contest. How thrilling is that?

So we friends settled down and pulled out our current "public knitting" projects. For me, public knitting is something small and portable that does not require much attention. I am this far on the socks for which Bert selected the yarn:


Another sock knitter was there and working on these self patterning socks.

Socks in southern California make a lot of sense. Cool evenings mean that you can wear socks year round. Not at all like other things. Not at all like caps made with three strands of mohair. Oh no. Not at all like that.

Even though some folks do knit with three strands of mohair when it is over 90 degrees outside. See..........
When the hat in progress came out of the bag, our group increased in number. Suddenly we were visited by another coffee addict who also knits. She popped over from another table to check out the yarn and pattern and swap stories for a few minutes. Yep, knitting in public is magnetic. All the other yarn-a-holics come and confess - oops - they come and chat about what is on their needles.

We had one group member working on this scarf. The color is off in the photo. It is a soft lavender and quite beautiful. Only about twelve inches long at this point, but it will surely be a keeper when finished.

All in all it was a relaxing and festive two hours. We encouraged each other. We encouraged the restaurant staff. We encouraged the customers.

Maybe this is what life is all about. Maybe so.

Blew the Budget

Yep, I spent the whole yarn budget for the month in one fell swoop. Not that any of you have ever done that. Surely you have restraint and internal control. You probably understand how to pace yourself. You have learned the meaning of moderation.

Not me. Nope. Can't apologize for it either. Won't apologize is more the truth.

And I LOVE IT! As in the Love It kit from Colinette.

Sue at Knit 'n Stitch is quite the sales person. Stopped in for a lovely conversation. Just conversation and catching up. I was ready to walk out of the shop and then she just happened to tell me that "__(insert name of any knitter you admire)___ has such success with this yarn!" Well, talk about an invitation to break a Commandment or two. Thou shalt not covet. Thou shalt not drool. Thou shalt not have any other .... You get the drift.

So of course I blew the entire budget for the month and I still love it. Hand-dyed fibre. Three patterns. Personalized service. And maybe a little competition thrown in to boot. I love it. Stash, patterns and options all rolled into one bag of possibilities.

Planning to cast on for the Jacket, or Pullover or Throw - - who knows. Any guesses? Leave a comment.

Clearly keeping organized for the project will be a challenge for me. This one required making a yarn guide for staying on track. And if I am actually going to try to follow the pattern exactly, it is imperative to stay on track and use the supplied yarns as indicated. Failure to do so will surely result in not enough yarn for the recommended pattern repeats and then life would circle back around to blowing the budget on more yarn. Breaking commandments yet again. It is a vicious circle.

Look carefully past the yarn in the photo above and to the right. Are you wondering about the map in the background of the photo? That is a framed poster of the plantations of the Mississippi River from Natchez to New Orleans. It's a southern thing.
And a reminder to never forget that mankind is capable of inhumane actions.

Interested? It is still available and one source is here. Surely there are others.

Double Post Crochet Purse

The season has definitely changed. Even here in southern California the evenings are cool, the vista is crisp and pastel tints are being replaced with darker shades. Definitely time for a change in the wardrobe - including the bag de jour. That makes it a wonderful time to revisit a favorite of mine. Actually a design of my own.

The Post Modern Purse works great in solid cotton. The texture provided by the crochet post work is all that is needed to give subtle (OK maybe not so subtle) interest. Make it plain or embellish with ribbon. The choice is yours.

Post Modern Purse
Designed by Lenora François Stewart
copyright 2007

This modern and functional draw-string purse features front and back post double crochet panels. Scallop finishing and drapery cord closure add glamour making this lined purse perfect for day to evening.

Finished Measurements
Approximately 9” wide x 7” high x 3” deep (excluding handles)

Materials
• Butterfly Super 10 Mercerized Cotton light (dk) weight yarn (4.5 oz/250 yds/125g per skein) 2 skeins # 3429 merlot or equivalent substitution
• Size E/4/3.5mm crochet hook
• Wrights Home Collection 27” drapery tieback with tassel at each end
• 1/4 yd. lining fabric

Gauge
10 dc = 2 inches; 5 pattern rows = 2 inches

Special Stitches
fpdc (Front Post Double Crochet) yo (yarn over), insert hook from front to back and to front again around the vertical post (upright part) of next st, yo and draw yarn through, yo and complete dc.
bpdc (Back Post Double Crochet) yo (yarn over), reaching over top of piece and working on opposite side (right side) of work, insert hook from right to left around vertical post of next st, yo and draw yarn through, yo and complete dc.

Note
Front, bottom, and back are worked as one panel. Side gussets complete the purse shape.

Main Purse Panel
Chain 87
Row 1: dc in 4th chain from end and in each chain across, turn (85 sts)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc each st across, turn (85 sts).
Row 3: rep Row 2
Row 4: Ch 3, dc across in top loop only, turn (85 sts)
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next st, fpdc, [dc, fpdc] 16 times, 15 dc, fpdc, [dc, fpdc]16 times, 2 dc, turn. Note: The 15 dc will become the bottom of the purse
Row 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, bpdc, [dc bpdc] 16 times, 15 dc, bpdc [dc, bpdc] 16 times, 2 dc, turn.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5
Row 8: Repeat Row 6
Row 9: Repeat Row 5
Rows 10 – 16: Repeat Row 2
Rows 17 – 21: Repeat Rows 5 – 9
Row 22: Repeat Row 4
Rows 23 – 24: Repeat Row 2

Gusset
(Make 2)
Chain 37
Row 1: dc in 4th chain from end and in each chain across, turn (35 sts)
Rows 2 – 7: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc in each dc across (35 sts)

Lining
Using Main Purse Panel and side gussets as pattern, cut one panel, and 2 gussets from lining fabric adding seam allowances. With RS facing, sew lining pieces together. Fold top edge 1/2” to WS and stitch in place. Set aside.

Finishing Purse
Holding wrong sides together, sc bottom edge of gusset to first 35 dcs of Main Purse Panel, sc side of gusset to the 15 dcs of bottom of purse, then sc top of gusset to next 35 dcs. Repeat for 2nd gusset.

Work Scallop Edge along top of purse as follows:
Sl st in any corner and work *5 dc in next space, sc in next space * Repeat from * around opening.

Beginning at middle of one gusset insert one tassel end of drapery tie; weave through under scallop stitches skipping from center of one post work panel to the center of the next post work panel to form handle; continue around to middle of second gusset. Repeat with second tassel end for 2nd handle. Tie cord together so tassels hang on one gusset end.

Slip stitch lining to inside of purse below scallop edge.

Ahead of my time

I am ahead of my time. Yes, already moving quickly through the gift making rush for the end of the year. Mid-October and I am on a roll.

It is my privilege to chair a committee of amazing thinkers and workers. The organization we belong to focuses on doing for others; thus we don't make a big deal of gifting our volunteers. But how can a little cotton string be interpreted as doing too much for self?

Each of my committee members will receive a washcloth and soap as a reminder of all the work we have done to "clean up" some issues and wipe out old practices to let the new shine through. Using Cathy Waldie's Two Hearts as One Dishcloth pattern and Bernat's Organic Natural Cotton.

Three down and one to go. It was all going so smooth and fast. Then, Bert happened. Bert is a dwarf macaw who likes yarn. He often enjoys the end of the skein and decorates his cage with lovely abstract hangings. Today, Bert tried to get more than his fair share. He went straight for the ball and started to pull. At least he had the courtesy to pull from the center and not mess up too much.

Back to the cage for Bert.