Spring has sprung?

As suggested, winter doesn't seem to want to give up it's hold on us just yet. The last couple of days have been frigid due to gusting winds, roads covered in black ice.

With that said, the next pattern in my series will be a cowl, worked in 2 colors and in the round. Just enough to get through the last burst of cold before spring takes hold around Memorial Day. Photos and links to follow. This pattern will be written and have a couple of tutorial photos in it. I also designed it so there is no real top or bottom, just pull it over your head and go.

I give you gratuitus photos of my 3 dogs joining me in a snow shoe jaunt. They love this time of year, new smells coming around.

Always in My Heart donation totals

So here are the screen shots from the purchases of the pattern and the donation shot. 7 patterns were sold; after PayPal took their cut I was able to donate $38.94.

Hopefully we can raise more! Please let friends and family members know!
ETA: I just realized the screen shots are not showing up. I will figure out the bugs and fix this...

Woolish

As most of my friends and readers of this blog know, I've become partial to SWTC yarns for my self and for designing. I was first introduced to Tofutsies when a call for toe-up knitters was put out on Ravelry. And with that, a wonderful friendship and collaboration was born. Jonelle has been a great inspiration for me as a designer. My second big feat came working with her and Kat on Socks A La Carte: Colorwork. If you have ever emailed SWTC for help, I am one of the voices that replies.
I have fallen in love with all of the yarns and spinning fibers available. Saphira is a wonderful single ply wool. Hand dyed and soft. As I've said before, Tofutsies has always been my go to for socks since it was introduced to me. I could go on and on but...

I've found a new love. YarnZone now has a worsted weight yarn called Woolish. Single ply and squishy, like my Saphira. Shhh, I know I'm cheating. And it's ok, really. The colors are deep and rich. The yarn just begs to be snuggled and loved. The drape is beautiful. I really can't say enough about it.

The jewel tones are just that. Luxurious through and through. 50g/100m. 1.76oz/109yd. $6.50 per ball. Have I said I'm in love?

Going through YarnZone's website is dangerous. There are great deals on SWTC yarns, their own lines of yarns, and even things from the land down under. Melissa is a master at dying yarns, I have a couple of skeins she's done and the greens are amazing. I'm such a sucker for cool colors.

 

I realize this may sound like a commercial, but I am a firm believer that when I find a yarn I let people know my opinions about it. I don't look down on yarn because of it's fiber content. When I make afghans, I use acrylic. I have a thriving mitten business where I work and I use an acrylic/wool blend. I know enough about non-crafters and what happens when those beautiful, expensive yarns are tossed into the washing machine. I even know knitters who have accidently done it. I firmly believe all fibers have a place in our crafting world.

 

I also have strong feelings about how companies treat people. LYS's are slowly going away due to online sales; shameless plug here though. Pins and Needles in Farmington Maine. Lovely shop with wonderful owners. Stop in and tell her Caryn sent you. But I digress.

So far ordering online the only problems I've had is the color not matching what is on the monitor. But we all seem to have that problem no matter where we order from.

With all of that said, the service that I've been provided through YarnZone has been wonderful. In my series of patterns that are coming out this year, I will be using several of YarnZone's products mixed in with some of my old favorites from SWTC. And you can get both at amazing prices in one spot.

 

March's pattern will feature Woolish and Syn. More to come on that as the date gets closer. As with Always in My Heart, I will be adding in a coupon code for YarnZone.

 

Stay warm everyone. Even though we didn't get hammered with snow here in my neck of the woods, it's still frigid here. Hopefully my next post will include pictures from snow shoeing. If the wind ever dies down...

 



Pattern Release Day!!!

The full pattern is now available! I'm so proud of these socks.
It was hard to pull these together at the end. I lost my memory stick with all the photos on it. We have had blizzards and scheduling conflicts. I wanted to have my daughter model these instead of using sock blockers or a cup to display them. We got them just right-another blizzard tomorrow!
I will be updating this post with photos from PayPal to prove funds are going to the ACS at the end of each month. Although the original inspiration was because my father had cancer, researching ribbon colors made me realize that these socks could be made for any cause. I would love to see those projects as well and hear the stories. And don't forget, there is a special offer from YarnZone.com!
There also is a group and forum on Ravelry -  http://www.ravelry.com/groups/terrapin-creations. Come join us!

Pattern purchase link: 

Follow this link to the page dedicated to loved ones the pattern was purchased to honor:

Memory Board

Always in My Heart

I've published the pattern with gauge, yarn and a special coupon code to YarnZone.com on Ravelry. You can also buy using this link:



On February 1, 2015 the complete pattern will be published and you will receive an update to download the pattern. On that day the KAL begins as well.
The reason I've pre-published this is so people can get their yarn, make sure they get gauge and have needles ready for the 1st.

In loving memory of Frederick Copeland Sr. June 7, 1944-December 22, 2010

YarnZone

I know some of you are directed here because of the email from YarnZone and I just wanted to say Hi and Welcome!
I've designed for SWTC for a few years and also am one of the voices you hear from via email when there are questions on patterns-especially the Origami Heel from the Socks A La Carte series.
One of my all time favorite sock yarn has been Tofutsies. The colors are perfect for the first pattern in this series-Always in my Heart. As explained in an earlier post, it is very near and dear to me as I designed it after my father passed away. I looked online to see the different awareness ribbons for cancers and there are a lot! Thankfully, Tofutsies comes in most of those colors. If your loved one has a multiple diagnosis as my dad did, I'm sure you can find a color to honor them.
Specs for the sock:
Toe up with lace and cables. 9.5 sts/12 rows to the inch on US #1. The pattern link will be available this weekend here and via Ravelry. In working with Kitrina, there will be a coupon code included in the pattern for YarnZone.

Great News!

Great news! The creativity has begun to flow and I’ve been designing again!  I will be releasing 6 new patterns bi-monthly beginning February 1, 2015.

The patterns are all accessories, and there are pieces that are knitted, crocheted and even one that is a combination of the two! You will have the option to purchase patterns either individually or as the set. I hope that this fabulous collection will inspire.... and I will be standing by to encourage and answer questions.

I am also partnering with YarnZone.com. All of the yarns used to design the patterns are either SWTC or YarnZone yarns, and range from fingering weight to worsted. There will be a special promo code included with each pattern for you to use at checkout on the YarnZone website.

All patterns designed are special to me, but the very first one is extraordinarily so.

I designed these socks when my father passed away in 2010 using Tofutsies from SWTC. Since he was a cancer survivor, all proceeds from this pattern sale only will be donated to the American Cancer Society (after PayPal gets their cut). If you have anyone that you want this donated in their name, PLEASE message me or leave it on my blog thread. I will be doing a special post with the names that are provided to me.

If participants want a KAL/CAL, I am more than happy to have threads started on Ravelry or answer any questions asked on my blog. I will be moderating both and will be available to assist in any way.

I’m very excited and can’t wait to see all of the finished projects. 

On January 15, 2015 I will be posting the pattern link here and on Ravelry, pre-purchasing the Always in My Heart pattern will ensure you have all supplies necessary to start this incredible sock on February 1st. 

I look forward to creating with you in the new year. 

Winter yummies

There's something about being in the colder climates and having soup frequently. It's like an instant hug for your insides and brings back childhood memories. Beef stew, fish chowder, tomato soup...the list goes on and on.
One of my co-workers brought in a cauliflower bisque for lunch one day. She was raving about how good it was, and it smelled wonderful. So I asked her for the recipe and made my first batch. This time I added curry to it. Another friend added fish to it for her version of fish chowder. I'm imagining so many things to do with this. It is so flexible and a great base for other ingredients. I think next time I may add bacon.
Almost vegetarian and easy to make. All you need is a blender at the end. You could use either a hand or full sized one. Just as long as you can it pureed and creamy without lumps.
All you need is:

1 small onion
3 cloves of garlic (more or less depending on your personal preference)
1-2 Tbsp butter (I use the unsalted kind. Again, your preference as to how much)
4 cups chicken stock
1 head cauliflower
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 oz chedder cheese (I use white)
Salt and pepper to taste

Sautee onion in melted butter until translucent. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds. Add stock and cut up cauliflower. Simmer until caulilflower is mush. Trust me on this. Add heavy cream and cheese. Stir together until cheese is melted. Transfer to blender, approximately 3 cups at a time. Using the highest setting, run until smooth.

I added the curry at the same time as the cauliflower so it could infuse in. I'm looking forward to trying different seasonings in this. Currently this and pumpkin soup seem to be the lunches of choice for my daughter and I.

The weather is up and down, and as the winter settles in for the long haul here in Maine, I've also been working on hats, mittens and gloves that are destined to be Christmas presents. I can't wait to work on some stuff for me, especially to spin some. My poor neglected wheel. I can't even make eye contact with her right now.

I have some exciting news coming soon, so stay posted for that. Just as a teaser-6 new patterns.

Since that is pending, I will be posting more when I have exciting news. Most of my days are spent either at work or just doing fox and geese mittens. Same old same old. Not really post worthy, especially since there is already one on these mittens.

I can't wait to hear from you.

September 11 2001-2014

13 years ago our whole outlook on the world changed. I got a phone call from my best friend to turn to a news channel-any one because it really didn’t matter. A plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At the time it was thought to be accidental. And then the 2^nd plane hit, in came the news about the Pentagon being hit and a 4^th plane missing with the speculation it was aimed for the White House.

I sat there stunned and numb. Should I get my daughter from school? At 4, she wouldn’t understand. My 3 year old son certainly didn’t understand why he wasn’t watching Blue’s Clues. We lived in such a remote town in western Maine surely there wasn’t any threats to us. Disbelief and horror overtook me watching desperate souls jumping from the towers. The unthinkable happened-they fell. The lost 4^th plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

During the days, weeks and months that followed the country came together with a renewed determination that we stand with each other. I was able to travel to Ground Zero. There was reverence, sorrow, support, prayers and love for everyone lost.

There are no words to describe the appreciation I feel toward our first responders and their families. They run into the dangers. Even knowing that these buildings were unstable, they gave the ultimate sacrifice to attempt to save people they didn’t know. To the silent heroes of Flight 93 who gave their lives to make sure that our nation’s capital was not attacked. We know the stories of the innocent civilians and military personnel that were in the buildings and perished.

In the midst of our world’s chaos on this day, we come together as a country again to mourn the losses and to celebrate the heroes. Survivors are interviewed, we are updated on babies that were born on that day and we ask each other if they remember what they were doing the day our country changed. We were united in common goals. To find survivors and to bring home those who had perished. To offer up prayers for the souls lost. Street vendors stayed to make sure essential personnel were fed. Restaurants delivered meals. Clothing, personal care items were donated and given out. On this day we remember our solidarity.

And then that feeling of togetherness fades. We go back to fighting over politics. Conspiracy theorists begin again on why the US was hit. And it saddens me. I know other countries deal with terrorism on a constant basis. I know we have the threat of world war. I know we have civil unrest over racial divides. But I also know that when we join together in a common goal, this country is capable of greatness. That is what I take away on this day-the admiration and the hope we can join together again to help our fellow man not only in the face of horror, but also in everyday moments. That we all CAN get along. I know that there will always be terrorism. Not everyone will be able to get along. But there is always hope. So thank you to first responders, nurses, doctors, military personnel and volunteers who give of themselves to help their fellow man. Thank you to the everyday heroes that go unnoticed but continue to do.

Things to ponder

It amazes me how quickly time flies. I had thought I posted more recently, but I now see I haven't. I also realized how long it actually is since I've seen friends.

~Take time to send a quick email, Facebook note or even something by snail mail to let people know you're still thinking of them. They DO understand the hustle of everyday life, and the fact that most of us don't have the money to travel.

~Take time for you. Even if it's 5 minutes of reading. Just take that moment to refocus and breathe, especially after a hectic day.

~Always hug your specical people and tell them you love them. They know you do, but it's also nice to hear it.

~Learn something new to keep your brain and fingers mobile. As knitters we seem to get into a rut with techniques. I hate the holes wrapping and turning leaves when working short rows, so I avoid them. Recently I've taught myself "German Short Rows". Amazing to use and no holes! I'm designing a shawl right now in a wonderful new yarn to be debuted by South West Trading Company, and it features these rows. I love it. While doing stockingette stitch:
On knit side, bring yarn to front. Slip first stitch as if to purl. Bring working yarn to the back by looping it over the right needle. Knit the next stitch normally. You will have a funny looking stitch with both legs pulled over the right needle. When working the "funny stitch", just knit or purl it as normal, making sure to go through the legs.
On purl side, yarn to front. Slip first stitch as if to purl. Bring working yarn around as if it's a yarn over, purl next stitch normally.
When working garter stitch, the only difference is that you slip the first stitch purlwise, bring yarn over right needle to the back, and knit on.
I've also discovered how to cast on for ribbing, although that is a bit trickier.

On the cooking front, it's harvest season here. I'm baking a lot of zucchini bread. Thankfully it freezes well. I'm also going to try out relish.

Pictures to follow.

Happy Mother's Day!

I guess the title says it all.  I want to wish all of the mothers out there a day filled with love and laughter with your children.

Wow!

Ok, so logging on made me realize it's been over a year since I've been here.  And so much has happened in that year.  A couple of the hardest have been becoming single again and losing my beloved furbabies to a house fire.  Thankfully no one was home at the time, but this has been a very trying year.
I am making an attempt to be online more, and this entry is the start of that.  Healing is a slow process, but we seem to be doing ok.
We've moved back to the area I grew up in, and I've finally become employed at 2 places I know I'll have fun working at.  No more overnights unless absolutely necessary, and I think part of the guilt of leaving my kids home alone all night was a big part of me not allowing myself to heal.
The next step is getting a dog, hopefully another pug or puggle.  I need animals in my life, it's just the type of person I am.
So, here's to healing and one day at a time.

Mohair

This can be a touchy category of yarn.  Most of the mohairs I've run across are the ones that leave you feeling like you've rolled in fiberglass.  I really never touched a mohair I liked, even blended as in Brown Sheep's yarns.  Admit it, you've been there.  A yarn labeled "kid mohair".  Everyone you've spoken to love it.  It's this fluff attached to a nylon binder that underwhelms and leaves you literally scratching, fluff flying everywhere and the patience of a saint required when you need to frog back.  So with all this negative review of the stuff, why on earth am I writing up a blog entry?

Enter in Colinton Australian Angoras.  I'm currently knitting up a White Lotus Stole in their 3000 Ultrafine Laceweight.  And it's like no mohair I've ever touched before.  No itchies at all, no blobs of fluff shedding off the stole.  I had to rip back-slowly because of past experiences-and it didn't catch on the fluff.  This is a sturdy, 2 ply laceweight yarn that's smooth and 100% kid mohair.  No nylon binders in sight, no bouclé curls.  And the colorway is a wonderful deep golden color called honey. 

The stoles and shawls come in these great kits called Tucker Boxes.  Everything you need comes in the box, except for the knitting needles, steel crochet hook and blocking materials.  You even get samples of Unicorn Fiber Wash solutions. 

The pattern itself is designed by Jackie E.S. of Heartstrings FiberArts.  It’s well written, easily memorized, and knits up quick. 

I’m super excited about this opportunity.  And I’ve borrowed a picture of the yarn from Colinton, just because my camera seems not to do the yarn justice.  When the shawl is less of a blob with beads I’ll post pictures of it.

The Next Generation

I'm not sure if I've ever really said how I became a sock knitter here.
I walked into A.C. Moore on a day they were having a knitting group there. One of the ladies was working on a loom, and another was working on a sock. I asked her if sock knitting was difficult, and got the snarkiest "No" I've ever heard from a knitter. I vowed to learn, and haven't looked back since.
Which brings me to the point behind this post. Last Friday I was at my LYS with a friend who needed sock yarn to make her DH a pair. There was a young woman and her mother, and they seemed a bit overwhelmed. The shop owner was busy, so I offered to help them. Turns out the daughter was working on her first pair of socks and was stuck at the heel, and was considering putting them aside and starting an easier pattern. She was from Wisconsin (I also gently pointed her in the direction of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen) and the shop owner there had given her a pattern that was confusing, but had kindly highlighted most of the instructions for her size. We plopped down on the couch, and with her mother taking notes we worked our way through the dutch heel instructions. I gave them my email address in case there were any more problems, but I doubt there will be. She seems to be a natural, she had done the heel flap and leg correctly, great sized stitches, a born knitter! I then went about my business, and the young lady walked up to me with money, saying thank you. When I told her to keep the money, her mother came around the corner, they were both astounded.
As I told them, I was so happy to see someone her age picking up this wonderful craft. Helping someone to understand it, to me, is its own payment.

Skullie Mitten Pattern Available!

Yup, you can now purchase the pattern online.  So many people love articles of clothing with skulls on them, this is one more way to show them off.  Mitten pattern has charts and is knitted using the fair isle technique.  Only $6.00, you can use any kind of worsted weight yarn.  Make sure you share any pictures of the finished mittens!

 

House keeping

Which is something I'm truly bad at.  On this blog it means that I'm trying to put in new pages and share all the places where my original designs are available.  Currently I only have the things done for South West Trading Company.  There will be another page to purchase my original self published designs, and one that will list the books I have patterns in or have done sample knitting for.  There will probably also be a page for my handspun, as that still goes on in the background at Chez Terrapin.  I would post more, but a lot of it would read as still working on that mystery project, more pug pics!
Jonelle handed off 2 sweaters to Rick Santorum with 2 more on the way.  I really have myself to blame for missing the deadline.  I knew in my head that I had to move it, but if I don't like an element, I have to rip it out.  Then I came  down with the mother of all headcolds, and completely lost a day to sleep.
Oh, and as a side note, there will be a spot to order some of my jalapeno jelly.  Next batch I'm adding habanero as requested by his hubbiness.  And yes, I know there's a little squiggle over the N, but I can't figure it out.
Feel free to leave a comment or a link to pics of things you've made from my patterns.  That could be a page all by itself!  I'm sure at the moment it would be mostly the Hunting Socks pattern!

Knitting for public awareness

Jonelle from www.soysilk.com had a great idea. Rick Santorum wears knitted vests. What a wonderful way to bring hand knitting into the public eye then for us to band together and make him some. No matter what your political affiliation, this is a way to get our work seen nationally.
Contact Jonelle at jonelle@soysilk.com, or join us on Ravelry-www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-for-rick.

9/11

Thank you to the firefighters, police officers and Port Authority officials who sacrificed their lives to try to save the innocents in these awful attacks. May you rest in peace with the knowledge that you did everything humanly possible to save lives that awful day. Your bravery will never be forgotten.
Thank you everyday for being the ones who run into the emergencies that everyone else runs away from. And shame on every politician who looks to cut the budgets of the police, firefighters and EMTs who pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.

Cmon Irene

Yeah, I know the song is Come on Eileen, but hey, it fits. I had to share this video because this hits the mass hysteria media whips people into nowadays. Its good to be informed and prepared, and I'm glad to see officials learned SOMETHING from Katrina, but really? This
was hyped for over a week. Whenever we in the Northeast turned on any news station, it was all about Irene. And then it slammed Vermont, not even taking the track through Maine it was forecasted to take. Keeping
my friends & family in the path of devistation in my thoughts for a speedy clean-up.

Anywho, while the "tropical storm" dumped rain on us, we enjoyed our first tomato from the garden. DH made a wonderful snack.
Simple Bruschetta:
1 lg heirloom tomato
1 pkg mozzarella cheese
2-3 tsp olive oil
2-3 tsp balsamic vinegar
Crushed red pepper
Black pepper
Oregano
Salt
Pesto (or fresh basil, chopped and fresh crushed garlic)
Kalameta olives (we didn't have any this time, but they would have
been yummo on this)

Toast points, crackers, or anything else you may want to stack the
tomato and cheese on.

Slice the tomato, cut the cheese into pieces the same size or smaller than the tomato. Place tomato and cheese on a plate, sprinkle the dry ingredients over the top. Pour balsamic vinegar and olive oil on top. You may need more or less of them, depending on how much tomato and cheese you have. Allow to sit as long as you can, it lets the flavors blend nicely. Also, if you include any type of italian ham or danish ham, it can be considered an antipasto appetizer.
Enjoy!
ETA: For some reason, I can't get the video to load. I'll work on it more, but may just need to share the link when I find out where it's posted. I got it via a friend on Facebook.

Lucky

Now a days, a little luck on your side is a good thing. And, as we're having a bad day at work or with the kids, it's always good to remind ourselves there's a lot to be positive about.

My DH is a hard working guy who loves his family and our gardens. He's a painter and a musician, and has been very supportive of my blossoming knitting career. As a matter of fact, he gave me the gentle push into knitting that hasn led to this point. I'd been a crocheter, and admiring his mother's knitting. I'd dabbled in it some, but never felt that it fit. For Christmas 2002, he gave me a gift certificate to buy some good yarn (the $9.00 per skein kind) to do a sweater I'd been admiring in a Berroco pattern book. Plain stockinette stitch with garter edges, an oversized sweater done on size 13 needles. And when I got lost on the sleeve shaping, I called Berroco, and the designer herself called me back to walk me through it. And I haven't looked back since.

Fast forward a few years. SWTC put out a call for knitters that knew how to do toe-up socks on their Ravelry forum. I replied, and was sent yarn and the pattern. 4 more socks followed, all for the gallery in Socks A La Carte 2, and I've chronicled other items I've done for them in this blog. Last spring, Jonelle emailed me about some colorwork sock ideas, and the collaberation that became Socks A La Carte 3 was begun. And this book has finally made it to bookshelves, and I've included pix of some of the socks I knit for the book. The fair isle braid is my own design, and Persimmon I did in collaboration with Jonelle. Dad was able to see 3 of the socks for the book, Skullie, Steppin' Up, and Persimmon as I designed them. As much as I wish he had lived to see this finished, he did see my name in Socks 2, and he was so very proud.
I've also designed other patterns for them, and so far have been published in Knit 'N Style, with another design coming soon.

Why am I telling you this? I was lucky enough to be married to a man that indulged me and began me on the road to one of my passions. He also started me spinning, but thats for a later date.

I was lucky to be chosen by Jonelle, and to have kept her confidence in me. She's allowed me to spread my designer wings, much like a mother bird, watching and giving wonderful advice along the way.

And I'm lucky to have friends that know knitting isn't just for grandmothers anymore.