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This new way of charting was highlighted in a post from Knitting Daily today.  I think I may be better able to get the hang of charts if they are shown to me this way.  I think this is feather and fan.   Have you seen this way of depicting charts?  What do you think?  (my attempt to record instructions was a complete funny failure …. even when I spoke very very slowly I couldn't knit as fast as I talked) I gave it four good attempts Stitch map for Feather and Fan   Because of the winter discontent swap I have this very fun Knitpicks yarn; I'm knitting a simple shawl and I'm having a good time with just two rows to repeat.  If you are tired of snow, just try calling it white rain, that's my coined word.  Expecting more whiterain tomorrow round these parts…. What are you knitting during the Olympics? Are you following a chart? 

Carol made this pretty shawl for her daughter. It was her daughters birthday and she had lamented that her mom had never knitting anything for her.  Now she has! This is a pretty yarn that has little bluish highlights mixed into it.  I'm ready for the Olympics, are you? Rooting for Gracie Gold, and Zach's doubles tennis partner: Brian Hansen (speed skater.)  Brian is a great guy.  Zach and Brian went to high school together and were on the Tennis doubles team one year until Brian broke his arm.  Brian medaled in the last Olympics as an underdog.  We wish him all the best in Russia.   Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post to enter my Valentine Blog contest. 

It's time for a contest to celebrate 10 years of this blog.   We'll be celebrating all year!  Special Thanks to Irisheyes Lynn who originally informed me of BLOGS - and to Al who used to contribute once in while too.  Thanks to Lynnette at 3 Bags Full for letting me post many images of her yarn studio.  Thanks to Katherine who has posted images for the blog when my computer was down. and Thanks to you for reading and commenting. You teach me so very much.  If you would like to win this extra long flax neck or shoulder wrap from Enchanted Designs Etsy shop in Valentine hearts,  you must take the test below.  All test takers are included in the raffle.  I picked this prize because I need neck/shoulder care when I knit for long periods.  You must leave a comment on this post and only this post by Valentines Day to enter the contest.  You don't have to actually list answers unless you wi...

  My Winter of Discontent swap box arrived yesterday.  Two pretty colorful soft skeins of Knitpicks yarn arrived from Kris in Michigan.  Brownie mix to warm the tummy and Manhunt by Janet E.  were included as well.  I am thrilled.  I just finished The Art Of Pausing by Judith Valente.  It is a spiritual book to be read a bit at a time.  My friend Eileen gave it to me.  It is subtitled: meditations for the overworked and overwhelmed. It is a very quiet read.  I'm ready for Manhunt!  Here is another shot of my headband.   I can't always promise or deliver fancy pantsy knit ups, but this one is just plain fun.   I have an idea.  I lose my place in complicated patterns with many rows.  Garden Gem by Sabine Riefler involves 28 plus rows to make a shawl.  This pattern was included in my swap box.  I'm going to record the rows out loud in my smart phone. TH...

  The sled hill nearby is somewhat obstructed by the playground equipment.  You can see a line of parents at the bottom of the hill.  I had to stop by there Saturday to see all the kids having fun sledding down the hill.   Ouch, I can still feel the sting of that spray of snow in my face.  Still, we had fun as youngsters sledding didn't we?  The near crashes were exciting and the squeals were  part of the fun.  Need a headband?   Cast on 30 stitches in sock yarn, on size 3 needles  Knit in garter stitch for 15 inches.  Don't bind off the stitches.  Instead, take a needle and pass it through the  stitches pulling taught to bunch.  Run a similar line on the cast on edge of stitches and pull taught.  Bring the two scrunched edges together.   Crochet a small band and link the two ends inside the band. Call me Aunt Jemima, but it is warm and snuggly.  N...

  Miles and miles of garter stitch.  In Budgie (Parakeet) named yarn that was a gift.  It is a Wandering Cat yarn that Ellen sent to me.  The yarn has some give to it which I love.  It is so good to look at colors when my world is Winter white.  I have noticed the sun is setting later in the afternoon - We are talking after 5pm.    \ We have more snow.  Fireman says about 4 new inches fell.  Freshly fallen snow is so lovely.   If only I could sled again…but I don't dare test my back or my knitting arms for that matter… We are month into the New Year and I haven't kitchenered yet. 11 months to go.  Happy Year of the Horse.  We were going to have rice with our dinner this week, but there were bugs in the rice….ewwwwww.  Completely grossed me out.  I think I itched all night. 

Miss Pie loves Da Bird.  She cries for me to take it down from the shelf and make it fly.  This is our second replacement feather.  She amuses herself with this toy over and over again.   Who says cats are not playful, interactive and a busy part of a home?   This is the inside of Harpoon Willy's Bar.  The ceiling has a big boat with a lady swimmer under it.  Amusing huh? As for knitting, I tested a pattern for a blog friend this week.  I cannot show it to you, but it will be well liked. I'm not used to using so many stitch markers, but at least I'm not knitting them INto the yarn anymore.  That was not amusing.  I also knitted a bit on another project I cannot show you. Trust me, there's been knitting.   If you loved Seinfeld and need a winter boost,  look up Jerry Seinfeld's  Comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com It is an online show and Zach introduced me to it yesterday.  It made me lau...