OHS Stocking Hat

Diane, our dear friend and OHS supporter has been at it again. I got this email from her the other day and I am sure you all will find it fun. Look real close to the picture.

"I love it, love the way it looks on, and had so much fun making it. Loosely based on this pattern and given a deep ribbed cuff and finished off with the OHS pattern.
http://knitting.about.com/od/hatpatterns/p/striped-hat.htm

I've been on a knitting kick since mailing this year's stockings and am zeroing in on twenty finished. A trick I'd like to share with other knitters is to keep a basket out with a few balls of yarn and some needles along with a pair of scissors and a yarn needle. Out of sight, out of mind. If everything is handy, it's easy to pick up in odd moments to knit a few rows w/o giving it a thought. I intend to keep mine out all year round and challenge myself to make as many as possible this year.

Diana"

Thanks Diana for your handy tip, and for being on a knitting frenzy. For those of you who want to join in the year round knitting, I've posted the stocking pattern again (see first picture). Remember, the link to our Yahoo page is to the right at the top of the blog page.


OPERATION HOLIDAY STOCKING
Worsted Weight YarnSize 7 Needles
Skill Level: Advanced BeginnerRating: Easy

Cast on 28 stitchesKnit 6 rows (garter stitch)Starting with right side, work 24 rows in Stockinette Stitch (SS)

Work short rows as follows:
Knit 18, turn
Purl 9, turn
Knit 10, turn
Purl 11, turn
Knit 12, turn
Purl 13, turn
Knit 14, turn
Purl 15, turn
Knit 16, turn
Purl 17, turn
Knit 18, turn
Purl 19, turn
Knit 20, turn
Purl 21, turn
Knit 22, turn
Purl 23, turn
Knit 24, turn
Purl 25, turn
Knit 26, turn
Purl 27, turn
Knit 28, turn
Purl one row even
Knit 6 rows even in Stockinette Stitch
Shape toe:
Row 1: *Knit 1, Knit 2 together, repeat from *, last stitch knit 1.
Row 2: *Purl 1, Purl 2 together, repeat from * , last stitch purl 1.
Row 3: Knit 2 together to end of row, with last stitch knit 1.
Row 4: Purl 2 together to end of row, with last stitch purl 1.
Cut yarn about 12 inches and draw through remaining stitches and fasten off.
Sew seam with 12 inches of yarn.

Happy knitting, and thanks all of you for your support.

TTFN

Sue
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Observations

I'm still around knitting, thinking and going through my usual daily routines. There have been several times I was going to post something but decided my blog didn't need to hear about my miffs and beefs about various observations. Then I got to thinking (trouble I know) that my blog is my blog and is for me to share. I do recognize it's never a good idea to jump on my blog when I'm in full steam, but best to wait a while. Here are some observations I've made and have totally (a) perplexed me, (b) angered me, or (c) astonished me.

The Barbie Doll Syndrome. It really exists. These are the 20 something ladies who wear the 3 inch stilleto heels (and don't know how to walk in them), long blonde hair, slender with no hips, but well endowed ("enhanced" like Barbie is a better word). Those suffering from BDS have no clue of what's going on around them. They aren't dumb (as some say blondes are), but this particular group of blondes are so full of themselves that they come across as dumb. They walk in front of you, bump into you, slam elevator doors in your face, let doors close in your face, and have no clue they are blocking a doorway because they are so engrossed in their text messaging. Ladies, think past yourself and take notice of the world around you. Other people DO exist.

The Cane Experience. Try using a cane for a couple of days and see how you are treated. I had an occasion to use one for three days and this is when I observed BDS. I also noticed that men do hold doors open for those with canes twice as many times as women. Younger women are least apt to hold a door open for you while you walk slowly through a doorway. Young men seem to make a point to chat while you take your time through a doorway. If you need to take an elevator, good luck. No one will hold the door open for you. You just need to plant yourself in front one of the elevators, and hope it eventually will be the one that opens up and then try to get in before you[re trampled. It's the damned "door close" button. People can't leave it alone.

Getter older isn't for sissies. That's all I'm going to say on that.

I'm working on two baby blankets and one pair of socks. The socks are for my commute to and from work and fit in my purse. One baby blanket involves using a chart so it's my knitting for weekends where I can set up the chart to follow while knitting. The second baby blanket is my knit in the dark if need to, or knit while watching television. You guessed it, garter stitch.

Well, I'm off to get my day started. Got some prep work to do for the garden this year.

TTFN

Sue

Recap

NOTE: I was asked the other day why I hadn't posted anything new on my blog since December 22nd. I guess I forgot to hit the "post" button.



In getting ready for 2010, I can't help but look back at 2009. It was a year of baby blankets and socks, cabbage worms, and good byes, and lots of love, friendship and fun.



I'm still working on the stained glass blanket I started. Two segments are done and I'm working on the third. It's warm so it's a winter project. There is a lot of love going into this blanket.

Susan and I got our heads together and knit a prayer shawl for Joyce, a breast cancer survivor. We each knit a half and Susan then grafted them together. Joyce continues to be healthy and doing well. We are grateful for the advances in medical treatment for breast cancer.
As part of the sock frenzy I started on, I did the Kool Aid socks. These are knit from the knitted piece of white fabric, and then dyed with Kool Aid. The texture is different because I was unraveling the knitted fabric while I was knitting the socks, but they are so comfy, and were fun to knit.

Our dear little A.J. left us this year and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We miss our old guy, but know he is in Heaven waiting for us.

The sock frenzy continued the whole year. Marlaina was the recepient of one pair. She fell in love with them while I was knitting them, they fit her like a glove, so for Christmas they were included with a book, needles and yarn for her to knit a pair.

Susan joined David and I on the gardening this past year. It was a bountiful year for us, mostly in the potatoes and onions crops. The cabbage and brussel sprouts were attacked by cabbage worms so we won't be planting those in the primary plot in 2010.

I finally reached my goal and donated a lock of hair for Locks of Love. It was a thrill for me to do this. I don't think I'll do it again. I confirmed I'm not a long hair person.

Baby Blanket No. 1 came out nicely, and Mom and baby were thrilled. So was I.

Baby Blanket No. 2 was another success all the way around. Little Juniper loves it.

Believe it or not I went to my 40th high school reunion. It was fun!

Baby Blanket No. 3 was the Brazilian Bears Blanket and I was very pleased with it.

Susan turned 60 so we had to have a big party for her. It was one of the best parties I have ever hosted or been to.

Baby Blanket No. 4 came out really nice as well, and is loved by little Nolan.

Operation Holiday Stockings was another success this year, with us sending out around 1100 stockings to troops primarily in Afghanistan.

I knit the Rachel socks and she now has warm feet.

The year ended with a lovely holiday season with family and friends.

I only knit two gifts this year for Christmas. The socks for Rachel, and a scarf for Matt. I decided I wasn't going to get all stressed out, and just enjoy the holidays (and the knitting).

Now that 2010 is here there will be more knitting, gardening and living. Happy 2010 everyone!

TTFN

Sue