Happy New Year! A Finished Christmas Sweater

 

Hello Everyone, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last posted.  I hope you had a wonderful Holiday, whatever you celebrate.  We have enjoyed a mild winter so far…no snow except for a little bit before Winter hit.

Good news, I finished my latest sweater.  It’s another Carbeth; I used stash yarn.  I ran out of wool, (twice,) so I knit in some self patterning acrylic I had leftover from a pair of slippers.  I crocheted them ten years ago…it felt satisfying to use up the yarn.  What do you think?

Carbeth is designed to be a short, cropped sweater, but I decided to make this one long and cozy.  It covers my bum.  The yarn was from a farm and it had no label, so I wasn’t sure how much I had.  It was given to me by a lady in my knitting group.  She bought it decades ago, in the 1980’s.  It sounds strange, but I feel like the yarn is happy and appreciative to finally be used and worn.  

How are you?  Did you have a nice Christmas?  

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Almost Done Knitting a Sweater I Started in 2018

 

I finally took this sweater out of my knitting bag, laid it out,  reread the pattern, untangled  the yarn, and began to finish it.  I had originally extended the length, then realized that I wouldn’t have enough yarn to finish the shoulders and neck. So, I frogged it back and balled that yarn to finish the project.  Too bad I procrastinated for so many years, but the yarn and needles were patiently waiting.   The wool is Cascade Heritage.  A lady in my old knitting group gave it to me.  She said that she wasn’t going to use it.  She had it in a storage bin for decades.  We are still in touch, and have a phone date set for tomorrow.

The pattern of this sweater is called Carbeth.  It’s the third one I have made.  I love the design, it knits up quickly, and it’s a sweater I wear nearly every day in the winter.  I have made it with three different types of yarn, so they all look and feel different,

My Nicole Shawl is coming along, but my count is off by two stitches.  I made an appointment with my knitting teacher to see what I am doing wrong on one of the lace rows.  It will be a relief to clean up the stitch count and get back on track.  It is exciting and inspiring to be knitting clothes  again.  

Are you getting ready for winter?  

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Got Lots of Darning Done Today

 

This afternoon I found some matching sock yarn and darned a pair of gloves that I had knit on dpn's  seven years ago. I also stitched up a hole and a run in my mom's convertible fingerless glove/mittens that I inherited.  I can't tell you how good it feels to have those tasks done!  I haden't worn either pair all winter, and had even guiltily  bought two new pair of gloves to replace them.  Nothing beats hand knits, though. (especially when you have made them yourself.)  I love the warmth ad coziness of wool.  Plus, the fit is perfect, because they are custom made for my long fingers.  I even found my pink darning egg, which I had misplaced in a project bag, rather than leaving it in my knitting bag.  It's an antique, and it makes all the difference when mending socks and gloves.  Phew!

I finally picked up my Carbeth sweater that I want to finish, and have  gotten attached to it again.  I hadn't been in the mood to craft at all for months.  I started with a simple crocheted dishcloth, and that got me back in the rhythm and swing of knitting and crocheting.  The sweater is made of 100% Peruvian wool, and it feels divine!

How are you doing?  Are you making anything special these days?

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Knitting Socks During the Lockdown

I finished the socks today.  Phew!  It was so satisfying to get something done.  I plan to send them to a woman in Pennsylvania.  She is the founder of the dance studio, Steps on Broadway.  I posted a photo of them on Facebook, and she complimented me.  "Wow! Some socks," she wrote.  I taught at Steps when I was in my twenties.  It was a highlight in my dance teaching career.  It's a spectacular studio.  This is the first time they have had to close in forty years.

I planted some celery that I re-rooted in the window sill.  It has sprouted tiny leaves and stalks, so I hope that it gets healthy and strong in the soil.  I saw an earthworm as I was covering it with mulch.  That's an encouraging sign.

What are you doing to stay sane during this time?  Have you been cooking, baking, or knitting?  I am practicing yoga in the evenings to calm down.  Reading all of the death tolls makes me feel sick to my stomach.  I have to force myself to shift my focus and stay positive.  I made an appointment with an agent to buy Long Term Care Insurance.  It's seems even more important now.  Are your affairs in order?

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Easy Lotion Bar Recipe

Some of you expressed interest in the lotion bars that I made the other day.  Here is the recipe that I use.  It's a simplified version of one that I found online.  It only uses three ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax.

Smoky Beeswax Scented Lotion Bars
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup shea butter
2/3 cup grated beeswax or beeswax pastilles

Combine ingredients and heat over low heat in a heavy saucepan or double boiler.  Quickly pour into soap molds.  You can also use recycled margarine tubs or gelato containers.  Leave in molds four hours or overnight.  Freeze for a few hours to allow them to pop out of the molds easily.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!  I buy my beeswax at a local honey farm. 

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100 Sales on Etsy

Today I mailed out a soap order that marked my 100th sale on Etsy.  I am very pleased about that; I never anticipated it.  I started my Etsy shop after having my hips replaced.  I had no idea if I would find any customers, and if it would continue.  At least it gave me a focus while I was healing.  I decided to add my hand knits and crocheted items, as well.  It's become a very enjoyable mail order business.  I adore my customers.  

The last three orders this week have been for cameo soaps.  I am busily making some more for my stash.  I whipped up a batch of Coconut Dream soap several days ago.  My neighbor requested it, because it lathers nicely in the hard water.  It has a 20% superfat, and only uses a few ingredients.   

I have been working through my paperwork and clutter.  As I get older, it is more of a challenge to stay organized.  If I'm not careful, I can become careless and messy.  With a small cottage, things look out of control very quickly if they are not put away in their place.  I am also writing daily lists in my datebook.  It helps me to remember what I'm doing and to not get distracted.  

My intuition nudged me yesterday to buy a couple of new things, instead of always focusing on used and older items.  I bought a bright red plaid pair of Ralph Lauren pajamas and a knee length, snug, taupe knit skirt.  It will be perfect to wear over leggings with my snow boots.  That way I won't feel so exposed.   Leggings are a bit tight and clingy to wear when you are 55.  January is a great time to buy clothing.  Things are always on sale after Christmas.

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Creamy Coconut Oil Soap Recipe

24 ounces coconut oil
3.5 ounces lye
9 ounces distilled water or rainwater

Melt coconut oil over low heat or in microwave. Add lye to water, mixing carefully and thoroughly. Be sure to follow all safety precautions for when working with lye. Let the oil and water cool for twenty minutes.

Stick blend the oil and lye water together. Once it reaches trace, pour into molds. Cover and let set. This soap hardens very quickly. It is ready to unmold in a matter of hours.

Let bars cure for six to eight weeks before using.  They will be very hard and long lasting. They work well with detailed molds.

If adding fragrance, use .8 ounce. For coloring, I used 1/2 tsp. of  rose Brazilian clay.  


This recipe has 20% superfat.  It's an excellent bar for hard water. 

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We Admitted We Were Powerless Over Yarn

Yesterday I wrote about the sticker shock I experienced when I bought a muffin for $4.50 at a cafe in Ojai. That  is nothing compared to what I paid for this yarn, (also from Ojai.)  I won't even tell you what it cost. I signed up for a class to learn a new shoulder shaping technique that uses German short rows. I saw a photo of The Stockholm Sweater by Petite Knit online. I had to have that sweater. I just was mesmerized by the quality of the Isager yarn. It has a sheen. The design of the sweater is simple, pure, and classy.  It's Danish. I was able to buy the English translation on Ravelry..

Like Carbeth, the yarn is held doubled for this pattern. The bad news about that is that you need a lot more yarn than if you were using a single strand. It really makes a beautiful fabric, though.  A size XS takes eight skeins of yarn. I was given a 10% discount, since I signed up for the class. In California, that will take care of the sales tax.

I am still staying in budget. I normally only knit from my stash, or use gift cards that my brother gives me on my birthday and Christmas to buy yarn. The way I'm rationalizing this purchase is that I haven't spent much money on clothes.  I wear what I have for years, and much of what I wear are items that I've knit. They last for decades. Shoes seem to last me a long time, too. I buy good quality clogs, boots, and sandals. I usually find them for half price at T.J. Maxx, and then I get them repaired when they need it.  

Anyway, this yarn is made of mohair and silk, and it is absolutely dreamy. I am so enjoying working with it. It's really soft and luxurious. It reminds me of Belgian chocolate. It's made in Italy. I always am drawn to the Italian yarns. They are outstanding.   

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Cabled Llama Socks

Knitting in the sunshine, out on the porch, with a cup of Christmas coffee

Today I started working on a pair of green cabled socks. I'm using some Llama Una yarn that I had in my stash. I purchased it last Christmas with a gift card from my brother. I had never knit socks out of worsted weight yarn until today. I absolutely love it!

I love my new cable needles and case

I received this sweet gift from a lady in my knitting group. It's a crocheted towel holder for dish towels, but I am using it to hold my curved cable needles. I needed a case for them, and am just wild about these colors. They speak to me.

Here come the cables! It's fun to watch them unfold.  My mother gave me those fairies.

The cable pattern on these is very simple. I love the effect. So often in art, less is more. You can find the  pattern here.  It's called Caron Cozy Knit Cabin Socks. Aren't the tweed ones  pretty?  There is also a video tutorial on the site that is very helpful. They come in all sorts of sizes, for children through adults. Who wants to make them with me?

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Rebatched Soap In The Crockpot

Last night I decided to make a batch of hot processed soap. It had been quite a while since I had made soap this way. I lost my confidence after having a loaf go crumbly the last time I tried it. The sea salt and sugar that I added didn't dissolve. It was a 100% coconut oil soap recipe. I think that may have been part of the problem, too high a percentage of hard oils.  I decided to use a recipe using olive oil, so I did a simple one with coconut oil, olive oil, distilled water, sodium hydroxide, and cranberry fragrance oil.

Things started out pretty well. I had purchased a used crockpot at The Church of Hope Thrift Shop down the street. It was marked at $5.00, and I got it at 50% off. This was my first time trying hot processed soap in a crockpot. I plan to use it  for  soapmaking only.

I watched the soap batter transform through the clear lid. It went through the different stages: bubbling up, looking like vaseline,  and moving into the applesauce stage. I tried working at a higher temperature this time. I melted the oils in the crockpot, and added the lye water right away, rather than letting it cool. I mixed in a tsp. of sugar that I had combined with a T of distilled water. It caused some clumps in the lye water, which made me nervous. I strained the lye water as I poured it into the crockpot.

After about 45 minutes, I added cranberry chutney fragrance oil and a tsp. of red Brazilian clay mixed into a T of distilled water. I heated the water before combining them. To my dismay, the soap started to separate. When I put it in the mold, the loaf looked like it was sitting in oil. I got a familiar feeling of dread and failure.

I placed it in the freezer, and took a hot bath. I removed it afterward, sliced  the oily soaps and cut them up into quarters. I put them back into the crockpot, and did a rebatch. The soap started to come together, and it looked much better. I mixed it together and pressed it into my silicone loaf mold.

This morning I removed it and sliced it into pieces. They smell divine, and I really am happy with the peachy shade of pink from the natural clay. I used a bar this morning in the shower, and fell in love. I had forgotten that rebatched soap is my absolute favorite to use. It's so mild. The lather is wonderful and bubbly. I have been finding several reasons to happily wash my hands.

These will make really nice Christmas gifts for  my friends, knitting ladies, and neighbors.  They are more simple and country looking than the molded cold processed soaps that I usually make. I like how old fashioned they seem and  feel.  They remind me of farmhouse soaps that women my grandmother's age made in  the fifties.  

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Sending Out Soaps For Christmas

Yesterday I received an order in my Etsy shop. It was from a dancer  friend who now lives in Pennsylvania. She wanted ten soaps; she plans to give them as Christmas gifts. This morning I wrapped each of them  in bubble wrap. taped it carefully, and then stuffed them inside small muslin drawstring bags. I wrote out the vintage Santa labels by hand , and wrapped and secured them around the soaps. After that, I printed out the packing slip and shipping label. I really enjoy getting holiday packages ready to ship.

Knowing which size to use for sending boxes can be tricky. In this case, the medium size flat rate box was the best deal. Sometimes I also use the Regional Box A size.  Small business owners in America can order special Priority Mail boxes in different sizes online through the US Postal Service. They are free of charge, and can be delivered to your business or home. I keep a stash with my packing supplies. I also recycle bubble wrap, newspaper, and popcorn, as long as it's clean.

After sending off that order, I had another waiting for me when I got home. This one is for six bars of soap. The customer is  a lady who plays bridge with my father. She gives them as gifts to her friends at the bridge club.  She's a very kind and friendly person. It's fun to connect with people annually and be part of their traditions. Each December, I always wish that I had made more soap. I plan to whip up a few batches this week to store for the future.

At this time of year, the hard work that I've done over the summer starts to pay off handsomely. There are oranges to pick, pumpkins and squash to harvest, and soaps to mail to customers, family,  and friends. It inspires me to continue to sow seeds for the future.  Do you plan to mail many packages this year?

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Knitting Teeny Tiny Socks From Winwick Mum

I have always wanted to knit these adorable miniature socks. They look difficult, so I was a bit intimidated. I decided to try Winwick Mum's pattern. It's listed under her patterns and printables.  She has fabulous tutorials, and explains everything so clearly.

I was pleased to discover that they are a quick and fairly easy knit! I was thrilled with how my leftover sock yarn turned out with this pattern. The little stripes are just adorable. They work perfectly for the size. I bought this yarn years ago and made a pair of alpaca gloves with it. I also knit a pair of small socks for one of my adult ballet students. She used to take care of my chicken for me, when I was out of town.

I'm also working on another pair of adult size socks. This is Winwick Mum's pattern for Easy Lace Socks.  The cable cast on give it a nice, stretchy edge.  I had the yarn in my stash. It was part of a grab bag of unknown colors by Austermann that I bought several years ago, online. I love it! I should be finishing up my sweater, but  have been distracted by socks. They are so addictive. It's fun to make the Christmas items now, too. It's really gotten me in the mood.

How is your knitting or crocheting going? Are you making any gifts this year? 

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Christmas Crafts

 
I finished a couple sets of the Christmas pot holders. They still need to be blocked and listed on Etsy. They are so easy to crochet. I plan to use the leftover yarn to make a few simple drawstring soap bags that double as washcloths. I like having something easy to work on when I'm in a group.  The bag below is a yarn holder for a center pull ball of yarn. The pattern is called Handy Dandy Sock Yarn Bags. It's listed under with her free patterns, under Crochet. 

I have been busy filling Etsy orders. I need to print up some more Christmas labels for my soaps.

The mauve lace curtains arrived! I am very pleased with them. They look so old fashioned, and fit in beautifully with the vintage furniture and antiques. My mom would approve. They let the sunlight stream in, yet provide privacy during the day.  I will need to find something to put over them in the evenings. For now, I'm using the old balloon shades. They are a bit tattered, but I mended them. My German Shepherd, Carlie, had ripped through them during an anxiety attack. She used to be so frightened of storms. She would literally climb the walls. (and try to jump out of windows.) She finally settled on crouching in the bathtub. I miss her.

After hearing the news of my friend Kate's death, I felt like I was moving through mud.  I've been making an effort to cook quick, healthy meals. Last night that was pan fried filet mignon, (bought on sale,) brussells sprouts, and baked potatoes. Because of the grief,  the smallest tasks seemed to take so much effort. Today is much easier.  I have been writing about her, and that is helping. I even sat and watched a few psychic and medium shows on Youtube. It sounds funny, but it was comforting. I hope you are doing well. 

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Crocheting Christmas Pot Holders

The other day I picked up some red, green, and variegated Christmas yarn at Walmart. It's their kitchen cotton in worsted weight. I was there buying soap supplies. I make these hand crocheted pot holders every year as gifts. My family and neighbors love them. They are an easy and quick project. The pattern is here on my blog somewhere. I will have to find it and post a link.

Today I had my toilet fixed. It hadn't been flushing properly. The plumber said that the water level was low, and that the flapper was damaged from the hard water. He rebuilt the toilet for me, and did a beautiful job.  It's  working perfectly now. The suction is amazing.  It is such a load off of my mind to have it flushing properly again. I love home maintenance. It's so rewarding.

When he wrote up the invoice, he gave me a 10% discount. I was a little sad that I look like a senior at age 54, but really appreciated the 10% off of the bill. That saved me $25.00! I am determined to be happy and grateful about getting older. I think trying to look young is a waste of energy. I need to start getting used to being seen as a senior citizen. It's wild...everyone looks so young to me now. It's an interesting shift in perception. How do you feel about getting older and becoming, (or being,) a senior?  

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Made Some Green Christmas Soaps Today

soap batter

I made a batch of Shea Butter Goat's Milk Soap this afternoon.  I used green mica to color it; I'm really pleased with the result. It will be exciting to cut and unmold (unmould) these soaps in a few days.  This was my first time using the mica for coloring. I normally use Brazilian clays for swirls and accents. I like how the milk soaps turn out with color. They have a pastel hue. It's subtle and  pretty.

fir tree soaps

My Etsy shop  usually gets pretty active this time of year, so I am busy making soaps for the holiday season. I plan to make several more batches this month. I need to start printing out extra labels, too. I've got a huge box full of small muslin drawstring bags that I ordered last year. I also have several blocks of shea butter in the fridge. It's nice to have plenty of supplies. I'm glad that I invested in all that I needed last year.  

I have been making an effort to try new things and vary my diet lately. If I watch the news or read about people who are arguing, it makes me feel depressed. Even the dance publications have gotten very political. I decided to get grounded in the home, for peace of mind.  I tend to gravitate toward the familiar. I made hash browns for lunch, which I hadn't done in ages. I'd forgotten how delicious they are. Now that the weather is getting cooler I can start cooking and baking some traditional favorites. It's funny how just a small change in what we are doing, creatively, can lift our spirits.  Can't wait to see how these soaps turn out! It's funny how just a bit of color changes the whole vibe. I used Energy fragrance on this batch. It's a fresh, fruity,  jasmine scent. Everyone seems to love it.

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A Heavenly Gift of Lavender

I received a large envelope filled with lavender sachets yesterday. Anita, (who comments here regularly,) mailed me a generous amount from her garden. I have them in all of my drawers now. The mailbox was filled with the scent. It is divine and intoxicating!

I finished the picot hem on the Baby Eyelet Cardi today. The little details make such a difference. This one has kind of a scalloped look to the edging.  Tomorrow I will start working on the sleeves. I plan to do them on dpn's.

I've been planning and researching an upcoming trip. I've really got the travel bug, I think it's my age.  I enjoy thinking about and taking short jaunts around California. There are so many places that I still want to see: Yosemite, San Diego, Mammoth...

Making travel arrangements from home is so convenient now. You can arrange for your flight or train, print out your boarding pass, and reserve your hotel room online. It's like being your own travel agent. My latest journeys  have been to see friends. (and shows with people that I knew when I was performing.) It's always a treat to get together and reconnect. . Some of these relationships go back thirty years.  The memories warm my heart.

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A Little White Baby Sweater With Eyelets

A few days ago I started working on another newborn sweater. It's very sweet. It has a v-neck, and several rows of eyelets. It's another  free pattern. Here is the link to the blog. It's called the Baby Eyelet Cardi. I've been enjoying the pattern. It's pleasant and meditative.

 
I love making baby clothes, because they knit up so quickly. It's exciting to see things get finished in such a short time. I plan to make some booties to match this, since I will have plenty of leftover yarn. It was given to me by a lady in my knitting group. There is something so fresh and innocent about white. It will suit either a baby boy or girl.

Yesterday  I picked from my stash  this lovely skein  that I bought myself for my birthday last October. I had planned to make another Lost In Time shawl with it. It's perfect for the hot weather. I think I will knit a shawl instead of crocheting one. I love the colors. It's a mixture of cotton and acrylic. I find that I wear shawls over sundresses for several months of the year. Now that it's getting to be so hot, I will switch over to a cotton blend. Most of the shawls that I have made are  a combination of wool and silk. One is alpaca. I'm becoming one of those shawl ladies. They are really fabulous as you get older. They cover all the right places...

 Sheepjies Whirl looks like a lot of fun to use. I am looking forward to watching the colors change as I knit. This shade is called Slice O' Cherry Pie.  It's a tough decision sometimes, whether to knit or crochet... 

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More Baby Booties

I finished another pair of baby booties yesterday. This was my first attempt at knitting them. They match the Five Hour Baby Sweater. Today I worked on the bonnet. It's almost done. I love knitting these small baby projects. They are challenging for my mind, yet still entertaining and easy. The end result is very rewarding. I sent a photograph to the woman who gave me the yarn. She was pleased, and thanked me for sharing.

For the past few days, my back has been threatening to spasm. I'm not sure why. It's been years since I've had this sensation. It must have been the three hundred and eighteen spinal flexes that I did the other night while practicing Kundalini Yoga. Fortunately, it hasn't shifted into a full blown spasm. Hopefully  it will release and relax.

The garden is looking lovely. Sitting near the flowers always relaxes me. I had a neighbor over for coffee this morning. We enjoyed the birds and cottage garden atmosphere. The zucchini plants should be producing well very soon. It's been extremely hot here, but we are still comfortable. I just love our shady porch. Walking Lula after the sun goes down has been  enjoyable, too. How are your flowers doing?
  
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Pastel Baby Booties

After finishing the crocheted stroller blanket for my friend's grandson, I decided to whip up a pair of matching baby booties. I love the variegated yarn, and thought it would look cute with a lavender chained tie. I had that yarn in my stash, as well.  This was my first time making booties. I found a simple pattern on the Paton's website. They are very quick and easy. It reminded me of making adult slippers, but in a miniature size. These will fit a baby who is six months to a year.

Here is  a closer shot of them. I packed them up and sent them off with the blanket and socks this afternoon. It felt so good to get everything in the mail. I can't wait to see a photo of the baby in them! He isn't due until October.

I made a batch of Rosemary Olive Oil Soap for Pink Cottage Soaps. This is part of an order that's going to New York. I had a problem with a partial gel and tunneling in my last batch, so this time I popped the loaf right into the freezer. I like the look of this soap recipe when it's sliced. You can see the flecks of dried rosemary in the pieces that way.  I'll post photos tomorrow, once it's cut.  I'm enjoying using this silicone mold (mould) that I bought on Brambleberry.  I worried when I bought it that I wouldn't get much use out of it. I was wrong. It's very well made, and I love it for the swirled colorful soaps, and those made with dried  herbs.

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Finished the Baby Blanket and Had the Septic Tank Pumped

I finished the baby blanket this afternoon. It's so soft and sweet. I love the color. You can find the pattern here. I just love it! I am excited to mail it to my friend. I may crochet him a pair of baby booties, as well. They look pretty easy and quick.

I love the variegated shell border. I had the solid blue yarn in my stash, but bought the variegated yarn to make it special. I love the Easter egg pastels next to the robin's egg blue. I think my friend will be very pleased. She does a lot of babysitting for her grandson. Her daughter is a nurse, and  works long hours.

I had my septic tank pumped today. I had to hire a separate person with a camera to locate the tank. It was an expensive ordeal, but very worth it. Unfortunately, the camera person tried to overcharge me. I did some research on line, and showed him my calculations. Although he agreed to drop the price, and refunded me $700.00, I still was overcharged $600.00. It's unfortunate that some repairman will take advantage of a homeowner who is a female. I had called several companies, and they weren't responding.

In retrospect, I should have listened to my intuition, and insisted on a detailed, written estimate. He was acting like there were problems with two other tanks, and that wasn't true. 

I did a lot of research on line, and found out that I had taken excellent care of my septic tank. The problems the man with the camera was describing were fictitious. I didn't have any of the signs that would indicate they were true. The tank was clean and dry, and the water level was normal. He told me that the tank was full of water, and acted like it was an emergency. It turns out it is supposed to be full of water. The men draining the tank gave me an honest assessment. 
 
It was another lesson in home ownership. It's so important to do your due diligence. Fortunately, the tank is now emptied, and I have a new cap with a riser. It's easily accessible. It feels so good to have it done. I am so glad that I had that emergency fund. Next time I will schedule this with my other repairs. It should be fine for at least another five years.       

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