A-Knittin' and A-Thinkin'

It's the very beginning of the worst weather here - today we have a high of (almost) 9 degrees, tomorrow is forecast for *2*.... got the house as cozied up as is possible for an old drafty house, and am knitting as fast as I can manage for the shelter. Here's what I've got so far -

The mittens to match the multicolor helmet are on the needles now. All of this is quick stuff - the balaclavas take me the longest, about 3 evenings each - and I found all the patterns on "Ravelry". The yarns are whatever is in my stash...

And in the depths of cold cold winter, an old granny's thoughts turn to (of course!) redecorating the kitchen. I've been wishy-washing over various choices - easy to get -vs- what I really want! - but this picture snagged somewhere on the internet has made up my feeble little mind -

Isn't it beautiful? Got a start, my sink cupboard is amazingly like this, once we remove the "remuddling" of stainless sink, flat white paint, and blah modern beige formica....

And of course "research and development" into the next Practical Blackwork pattern is ongoing - here's hoping the Etsy store is up and running soon after the New Year! Here you see my crack team of design advisors in their afternoon meeting -

Rough job, eh? They're pointing me toward something Italianate for PB's "M".....

For The Feast of the Nativity-Merry Christmas!

To all who read these words, a most blessed Feast of the Nativity, and the blessings of the Light on all your celebrations...

I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.

The Angels sing!
The Archangels blend their voices in harmony!
The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise!
The Seraphim exalt His Glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below, and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised....

(from St. John Chrysostom's Homily on the Nativity, 4th cent. AD - to read the rest go to www.abbasmoses.com/stjohnnativity.html )

Happy Solstice!

And Yule, and every other celebration of midwinter I can't recall this late at night!

May the Light shine upon you and bring you all blessings and warmth through the season!

Knittingknittingknitting

While I contemplate shiny new blackwork patterns, I'm knitting - specifially, I'm off on a helmet-liner (or balaclava) jag. Done 3 so far off the free pattern from Lion Brand yarn ://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90383AD.html

(on the second one, I changed it up a bit by short-rowing the top instead of binding off/seaming) and another from what I think is a Paton pattern - found on Ravelry, search for "balaclava" or "helmet liner". Worked in wool of specified color, these can be donated to our troops-

http://www.packagesfromhome.org/

knitted in color and stash-busting, can be donated to local charities to help people in your area through the long, cold winter. These are taking me about 3-4 evenings in front of the TV, and I knit pretty slowly; I've gotten just short of 3 from one skein of Lion Brand's "Fisherman" virgin wool (400+yards). (There are only 3 in the picture because Himself has taken one "wooly" to add to his gear at the firs station - another use!)

So if you're looking for something to have in hand, and you're not buying and stitching Practical Blackwork patterns... ;-D

Since I live in the Far Wildernesse, I "sent away" for my LB yarn. This had the added bonus of a Shiny New Box for the Clowder - here we see Junior G-man

(AKA "Quality Control" over on practicalblackwork.com) triumphant, as the first owner of same, surrounded by envious kinfolk...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

- is next, and alleluiah, I have An Idea... hopefully something to show in a few days, if I can pry my poor little brain away from that stupid Facebook game!!!

There's also a new sampler idea fluttering around, but that will probably take a little longer...

Where has the year gone? Hard to believe only 2 weeks left to Nativity, but thank goodness the year is turning soon. Darkness at 4 in the afternoon gets old pretty quick, I can tell you!

But meanwhile, in our continuing photo series on "How To Spend A Snowy Afternoon" -

Come Shoppin'!

Excuse the bad photo, but I'm happy to announce that the entire Practical Blackwork line (to date) is ready to come home with you - come have a browse

at http://www.practicalblackwork.com/!

If you've stitched something from PB, including the freebie patterns, please send us a photo for the "under construction" Gallery pages...

If you're attending Kris Kinder in Calontir, check out PB patterns in person at "Scrap Ends" in Merchant's Row!

And since there hasn't been one in awhile, How Cocoa And Buds Spend A Snowy Afternoon -