Episode 59: Goodbye to 2020

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.

I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 59:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  

WIPs:
Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Took the heel setup out and am just going to do an afterthought heel.
Blueberry Waffle socks no longer for Brian.  Heel doesn't fit over his foot, even with a 72 stitch count.  Maybe for his dad?

Walk on the Moon going in fits and starts, although there's plenty of dog hair knitted in.  Did a cool little no turn, work right side row twice thing.

Stalking:  patterns that use Advent mini skeins

Acquisitions - $120 gift card at Ewe & Me, so shopping in the new year is on!

Spinning Projects -

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects -  PPQG learning how to do things via Zoom.  I volunteered to do Membership again this year.  Hoping somebody wants to help out.  Hoping we can meet in person again.

Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week. 
Earth, Wind, Fire and Time - top, with borders, complete, back pieced, need to find a longarmer and pick quilting design.

Hexis - am I done with one block?  started flower hexis in small batches.

Doing the APQ UFO Challenge for 2021 in hopes of finishing off things that have been languishing for YEARS.
Looking to purchase a new sewing machine.  My Viking Interlude 435 is 16 years old and I'm jealous of my mom's with all the bells and whistles.  Want something with more throat space, but under $2000.  No embroidery, just quilting.  Top of list is a Janome.

On Paper:

Visited my MIL at a crop retreat and had so much fun.  It inspired me to go through my scrapbooking and card making supplies.  I sorted and organized, and made sure everything had it's own place.  Had so much fun organizing I went through some of my knitting things and sorted them out too.  Sorted shelves of books and magazines.  Bag for Goodwill when I can.

Decided to make Christmas cards this year.  I haven't sent out cards in years, and this year I decided to make them, too.  Joy in the process.

In the Garden: n/a

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic:  
Watching/Listening: Vlogmas from some of my favorite podcasts; Stitching the High Notes, Corner of Craft, Stranded, Suburban Stitcher.  Board games with family - Sequence and Rummikube.

I was #1 seed going into winners bracket in Fantasy Football, and got knocked out immediately.  Josh Allen is continuing to play well and it's just so good to see someone from my school doing well.  You know, not from the SEC.  

Craftsy membership for ridiculous price.  Do it.

Purchased New Year's Eve dinner from local restaurant.  Have sparking wine chilling and will be in bed by 9.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 56: Same As It's Always Been

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 56:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  

Prayer Shawl #5 in Lion Brand Homespun on K hook.

WIPs:
1898 Hat with modifications for Brian.  Doing a Latvian braid and plaid pattern, but he requested "ear flaps."

Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Stalled out on the heel.  Cat Bordhi's Sweet Tomato Heel.

Summer Sanctuary I picked it up again.

Walk on the Moon that I started for Nashville trip.  Yarn is a dream.  

Charity Hat #2.  Using donated bulky yarn that's just sooooo smooshy.  Improvising Breckle pattern for the top, designed by my friend Shilo.

Dragon No. 34 by Shibui Knits. Ready to cast on.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Hedgehog Fibers alpaca boucle and Smooshy for a cowl.

Spinning Projects - A wool, silk plied together to clean up singles that have been sitting around forever.  Bled like a head wound when soaking, and I know I dyed at least the silk.
Braid from 100th Sheep in Violet Headed Hummingbird that I've divided in thirds.  Singles are spun, now on to the plying.  Traditional 3-ply.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week.
Quilting workshop in Feb with MJ Kinman about quilting gems, facets, and light.  Intend to finish block I made and use for quilting practice.

Beading more stitch markers, shamrocks and koalas.  Thanks to BeadCrumbsHawaii for the pattern.

In the Garden:  

In the Beeyard - 

Off Topic:  Croatia is OFF!  Other than cancelled trip and hubby working from home, life is pretty much same as it's always been.  A few more board games, pulled out the puzzles.  we've been sitting around the fire pit in the evenings when the weather is nice.  More of those nights, although it's forecast to snow on Sunday.  Been sleeping a bit more, but surprisingly depression hasn't worsened.
Watching/Listening: Lincoln Rhymes: Hunt for the Bone Collector.  Zooming with the knit ladies.  Not the best, but getting to see the ones who've moved away is nice.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 50: A New Year

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 50:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  n/a

WIPs:
Christmas stripey socks.  Using my precious Gynx yarn in the Naughty or Nice color way.

Etched Rio Wrap for mom. Using Plymouth yarns Estilo, and it's really lovely.

Prayer Shawl #4.  Unknown green acrylic yarn.  Crocheting this time.

Stalking:  Stranded color work hats.

Acquisitions - Project bag

Spinning Projects - some undyed alpaca roving on the Lendrum.  Silk mawatas on spindle dad made me.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Made quite a few project bags, mostly Christmas fabrics.  At least one will be a present for gift swap.  Sewed in thread catcher and I LOVE it.
Worked with my mom to make quilt for my sister.  Love how it turned out and it's already out for quilting.

Organizing my fabrics by type/color.  About halfway through.  Yes, I know I'm a nerd.

In the Garden: n/a

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic: Needed some down time after the holidays.  Trying to return to/establish routine because I believe in "begin as you mean to continue."  Not into resolutions because I feel it just sets me up for failure, and everyday is a new day to start something, but I do feel like this is a good time to reflect on past year, look forward to future.
Watching/Listening:  Football season is almost over, it's down to the playoffs.  Nicole of Hue Loco.  I love her attitude of helping/enabling others to expand their crafting.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 46: Bye Bye Budget

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 46:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  

Pigskin Party Kickoff Socks in Biscotte yarn.  Used a slipped stitch pattern to meet the September interception rules. 

Aunt Maggie's Cowl designed by Shilo Weir.  Super secret test knit that's now available on Ravelry.

WIPs:
Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  On the sleeves! Doing both concurrently.

Prayer shawl for church. Don't put much time into it, need to finish it up.

Turning Vanilla socks into patterned socks, then back to vanilla.

Stalking:  color way combos

Acquisitions - sock yarn, fiber from Salida, Gynx sock yarn

Spinning Projects - blending board from Howard Brush Works (Daisy Fiber Co), neapolitan fiber, alpaca fiber

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - n/a

In the Garden: n/a

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic:  BatterUp KAL with In A Sknit, Pigskin Party KAL with Down Cellar Studio. Got sucked into doing the 2018 Stephen West MKAL.  I THINK (?) I have my yarns picked out, but I haven't knitted a swatch yet.
Started ordering meals from Hello Fresh.  So for so good, we're enjoying cooking together.  Healthier portion sizes might help us.
Watching/Listening:  

Thanks for watching!

Episode 42: Catching Up With Life

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 42:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  n/a

WIPs:
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. How can these not be done yet?

Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Have finished with the body decreases and about to point where pattern continues for all sizes.

Mix #34 cowl (dragon scale cowl) with my Maiden Hair and Bambu 7 held together.  Ended up casting on 10 extra stitches (I think) because I cast on at porch knitting.  Not sure if I like the fabric with these yarns held together, so haven't put much time into it.  Frog it?

Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Ended up ripping back to where heel finished and picking up pattern again.  Doing the extra wraps this time.

Stalking:  n/a

Acquisitions -  just a little fabric, bought by the pound

Spinning Projects - hand dyed silk mawatas on a spindle made by my dad.  Really need to soften up my hands, but the gardening season is conspiring against me.  Supported spindle.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle, 
Black and White Crazy Circle quilts, finished two tops while my mom was here.  Need to figure out how to make the first one into a king size quilt.  The fabric yardage isn't cooperating.  Then I pulled out another WIP and my mom and I started back up on it.  Remember why I loved it to begin with, and can't believe I've been hiding this fabric away for so many years.

In the Garden: The yard work commences.  Vines are trellised, perennials are trimmed up, weeds slowly being pulled.  Haven't planted the garden due to weeds.  

In the Beeyard - I've stuck with keeping the bees at Homestake Nursery, because when I went to pick up equipment I'd left there, they had made me a road right up to my bees between all the compost and dirt piles.  Change in that status.  I set up two hives, and my bee packages arrived in mid May.  I ordered Carniolan queens, and they were marked.  I left them for two days, then released the queens.  I can't describe the happiness I felt watching those pretty little queens marching down into the hive.  I did put some feeders on them, but haven't been consistent about refilling them.  I am slightly reassured by seeing honeybees on my catmint, but don't know if they are mine or not.  First batch of brood should hatch in about a week.  A definite difference between the two hives, and a bit spotty, but I saw both queens.

Off Topic:  The parents visited for almost two weeks.  I got my bed fixed!  Lots of quilting with my mom, and I took her to knit group with me.  Board games and cards.  Sequence is the new favorite, as I don't think we had enough attention the night we tried Anomia (recommended by Amy Beth).
Are you doing Stash Dash with the Knit Girllls?
Watching/Listening:  Midsomer Murders courtesy of my parents.  Thanks guys.  Spin Control by aJoyfulGirl.  Shilo has moved here to COS and has joined our knit group!  I've listened to her for several years off and on.  Her server crashed and she was down for awhile, so you might need to resubscribe to the RSS feed.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 41: Sunburns and Sneezes

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 41:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  n/a

WIPs:
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. 

Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Had a change in shade from one skein to the other, so now I'm feathering in the new skeins.

Prayer shawl for church.

Celestarium by Audrey Nickels.  Using a local yarn from Spruce Dragon called Twinkle in the Midnight Blue II color way.  Using different colored beads for the different magnitudes of the stars.  Started before the eclipse last year, and it's kind of been on hiatus since it's a knit I have to pay attention to.  Currently just over halfway through the F charts, which puts me at 66% done with 576 stitches/round, although it feels like more.

Stalking:  blending boards, Mix #34 cowl (dragon scale cowl)

Acquisitions -  Tricked out Ewe, Hand Maiden Maiden Hair yarn.  Black watch plaid waxed canvas project bag by tanneicasey on Etsty.

Spinning Projects - fiber swap with Spinners with Altitude was a success.  Christy brought her blending board and let us all play around making some rolags.  There wasn't a bad one in the bunch.  Alpaca on a spindle.  Green merino singles.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle, 16 blocks for March were sewn together, basted, quilted, and binding sewn on.  Sent fabric scraps to another podcaster, and she gifted me a pattern in my queue.  Thanks Jennie!

In the Garden: Finally warmed up enough for me to spin outside.  Promptly got a sunburn.  Still need to do yard work.

In the Beeyard - I've been slowly cleaning up my equipment.  Looking for a new location.

Off Topic:  Allergies are the bane of my existence. Research for trip to Croatia.  Run for the roses is only a few weeks away.
BatterUpKAL with InASknit.  Splash Pad Party KAL with Boston Jen of Down Cellar Studio.
Watching/Listening:  The X-Files in advance of the reboot.  The Truth Is Out There!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 40: It's Been 17 Days Since My Last Podcast

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 40:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  

WIPs:
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. 

Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Had a change in shade from one skein to the other, so now I'm feathering in the new skeins.

Prayer shawl for church.

Celestarium by Audrey Nickels.  Using a local yarn from Spruce Dragon called Twinkle in the Midnight Blue II color way.  Using different colored beads for the different magnitudes of the stars.  Started before the eclipse last year, and it's kind of been on hiatus since it's a knit I have to pay attention to.  Currently halfway through the F charts, which puts me at 64.6% done with 576 stitches/round, although it feels like more.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions -  what else? fabric!

Spinning Projects - plyed my Broncos BFL and gave it a soak.  Split out 2 oz of soy silk fiber for a swap Spinners with Altitude is doing on the 28th.  Alpaca on a spindle. In a plying mood.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle, catching up slowly.  Finished the 16 blocks for March, need to sew together and finish.  Compiling scraps to send to another podcaster, and having trouble limiting what to send due to weight/postage.

In the Garden: And . . . it's still snowing.  The wind blew so hard last week it knocked a fence panel and several other boards down.  Rhubarb is up and growing.

In the Beeyard - I've been slowly cleaning up my equipment.

Off Topic:  Willow went to the groomers and it promptly snowed.
BatterUpKAL with InASknit.  Splash Pad Party KAL with Boston Jen of Down Cellar Studio.
Watching/Listening:  Path to the Draft.  

Thanks for watching!