Episode 58: COVID-19 Sucks

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 58:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Summer Sanctuary is finished.  Ends woven, washed and blocked.

Charity Hat #2.  Child or small woman.

WIPs:
Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Took the heel setup out and am just going to do an afterthought heel.
Blueberry Waffle socks for Brian.  Using Lollipop Yarn self-striping in Blue My Mind.  Love it, but wound in ball so can only knit one at a time.
Prayer Shawl #6 is on the hook.

Walk on the Moon started the third color.  Rows are getting looooong.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Hue Loco Fall 2018 colors.  Still looking for Moss.  Kit for a Bronco's hat, saving for the DCS Pigskin Party.

Spinning Projects -

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects -  One quilt guild holding meetings, the other one not.  
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week. 
Face masks for the family.  Trying different patterns.

Beading more stitch markers.  Fall tree, fruit.

In the Garden:  perennials from High Country Gardens were hit and miss, still have areas to fill in.  Reminding people that it's xeriscape, NOT xeriscape.  Didn't pick hops this year, but they did do well.  Planted strawberries and some herbs, and didn't get to harvest all the basil before the 1st freeze.  Yes, we had snow in mid September. Fires in Colorado have left smoky skies for the last month so it's hard to work in the yard right now.  I've been watching some online courses through the CSU Extension Master Gardeners program and really enjoyed it.

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic:  
Watching/Listening: Brian's been riding his new bike almost every week.  After 3 years, I finally replaced my battery and got my bike running.  Love the feeling of accomplishment (capable) of doing the work myself.  Depression is a sneaky bitch though, because I cried on my first ride and can't believe I've let this go for so long.  Have enjoyed watching football again and of course I'm doing Fantasy Football.  Josh Allen is making me points.  Go WYO! 

Thanks for watching!

Episode 57: Pinky and the Brain

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 57:  

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.

Summer Sanctuary is on the border band.  Might be shorter than I thought.

Walk on the Moon About ready to start the third color.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Fabric for face masks

Spinning Projects -Braid from 100th Sheep in Violet Headed Hummingbird that I 3-plied.  About 398 yds.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week.  Borders on the red/green quilt.
Face masks for the family.  Using pattern from Frontline Masks.
Hand piecing EPP hexis. Long term project.

Beading more stitch markers, paw prints and badgers.

In the Garden:  Spring cleanup done.  First round of weeds pulled, but it's like Pinky and the Brain.  Ordered new perennials from High Country Gardens that should come this week.  Fill in with plants from Harding Nursery.  Harvested rhubarb twice already.

In the Beeyard - I think I caught a swarm???  Girls are building comb and making honey, but there is no brood, larvae, eggs, or queen sighting.  No clue.  They aren't robbing it out, it was empty.  Now there's honey.  So confused!

Off Topic:  Tired of this pandemic crap.
Watching/Listening: Itchy Boots about a woman riding an adventure bike around the world.  Soooooo, Brian bought a new bike!  It's a Honda Africa Twin DCT and it's pretty neat.  Off-road here we come!

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 55: Catching Up

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 55:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Syncopation Socks.   Socks for Brian.

Quick Ombre Hat in Merino/Alpaca for Brian or his dad.  This thing is WARM.  Knit up so quick.

2019 Christmas Socks for me.  Yarn by Holly Press Fibers in Christmas Blizzard.  Knitting for the Stranded Dyeworks Festive Sock-a-long.

Magical Thinking by Casapinka.  Love it. Yarn, pattern, stitches.  I made the large size, but I could have even made it bigger and been happy.

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

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

Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  She asked and how could I say no?

Stalking:  winter hats

Acquisitions - sock yarn because the nieces have made requests

Spinning Projects - "A Cornfield" art batt from Spinning Mermaid Fibers.  Plied the singles with coordinating threads.  
Dark brown alpaca, undyed unknown fiber, trying to clear off my bobbins.
Blue singles plied together

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Project bags for some friends.
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week.
Beading more stitch markers, winter and holiday themes.

In the Garden:  

In the Beeyard - 

Off Topic:  Traveled to Vegas for a wedding.  Hosted the knit group Holiday party.  Phoenix for Christmas, Nashville just because, and Croatia is ON!  Bought a treadmill and have been cleaning out the basement.  We need our recycling to come every week vs every other.
Watching/Listening: Prodigal Son

Thanks for watching!

Episode 54: When Did Fall Happen?

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 54:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Agleam by Lisa Mutch for Camp Loopy August project.  Ended up buying and using a full 3rd skein and I like the size better.

WIPs:
Syncopation Socks.  Using Andromeda sock yarn in Smoke to make socks for Brian.

Magical Thinking by Casapinka.  Loving it. Yarn, pattern, stitches.
Stalking:  summer weight cardigans

Summer Sanctuary by Sarah Gresbach.  Cotton/linen blend by Cascade Yarns Hampton.

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

Acquisitions - Salida Fiber Festival haul

Spinning Projects - "A Cornfield" art batt from Spinning Mermaid Fibers.  Spun the singles and I'm going to ply with a coordinating thread.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 2 blocks for the Quilts for Valor BOM
Needle book I mentioned last time.  Workshop about the Mariner's Compass block.  Project bags for some friends.
Beading more stitch markers, still having fun, need to decide what to do with them.

In the Garden:  Had the tree professionally trimmed.  Can't believe it's already time for fall cleanup.

In the Beeyard - They went from alive to dead.  Pulled the equipment and getting all cleaned up.  Takes a lot more time than I think it will.  Made a solar wax melter and am cycling through the bucket of goop.

Off Topic:  Countertops fixed, tile picked, now just waiting on installer for backsplash.
Watching/Listening:  I Thought I Knew How, follows the Master Knitter program.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 53: Summer Time, and the Living is . . . Easy?

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 53:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Prayer Shawl #4.  Unknown green acrylic yarn.  Crocheted.

Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat by Sandi Rosner. This is my first fair isle project.  Blocking definitely helped the fit.

Expeditiously for Spring.  Loopy Ewe Space Camp June project.  Yarn is as gorgeous as the photo.

WIPs:
Syncopation Socks.  Using Andromeda sock yarn in Smoke to make socks for Brian.

Magical Thinking by Casapinka.  Loving it. Yarn, pattern, stitches.
Stalking:  summer weight cardigans

Summer Sanctuary by Sarah Gresbach.  Cotton/linen blend by Cascade Yarns Hampton.

Acquisitions - Estes Park Wool Market haul

Spinning Projects - Merino/silk blend I received as part of the holiday swap.  Yellow/blue/brown combo that I tried not to muddy.  About 306 yds.
Alpaca 2-ply

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects -
Finished binding on my pineapple table runner.  Sandwiched 2 other small projects ready for quilting.
Made a needle book and I love it.

In the Garden:  Snow storm on May 21st really took a toll on the tree.  Salvia, delphinium, catmint, penstemon are all blooming.  Clematis climbing, blooming, but looks off.

In the Beeyard - They're alive and working my flowers hard.

Off Topic:  finished repainting interior, new appliances (with issues), countertops.  Need to pick a backsplash we both like that will work.
Watching/Listening:  Crafty Hive podcast
Response to Ravelry's new gag order policy.

Thanks for watching!

Statement Regarding Ravelry's New Gag Order Policy

I try to keep politics out of my crafting, but recently Ravelry has made a statement I feel must be addressed.

"Support of the Trump administration is unambiguously and undeniably support for white supremacy."  - Ravelry administration

No.

You cannot make this a blanket statement.  It is NOT a fact.  Yes, there are prejudiced people who support President Trump, just as there are hateful people who don't.  Continue to ban hate speech as identified by the courts.  Supporting the democratically elected President DOES NOT make me a white supremacist.  Ravelry is promoting hate speech and prejudice by saying this.  They state they are not banning Republicans, but they are discriminating by putting a gag on our speech.  I am incredibly saddened and disappointed that Ravelry has become so politicized, because it is a useful crafting website.  Ravelry has now created a hostile environment for conservatives.

I will continue to use Ravelry, as it has the market cornered for the crafting community.  I hope they realize their knee jerk reaction to an isolated event was extreme and discriminated against other users, and recall their gag order policy accordingly.