Irish Eyes

For a few months I have been working on a knitting project. In class, on the train and all around the Denver Metro area.  A white blanket/throw. A two panel blanket with three sets of cables and two sets of honey comb cable stitch.
Using a free pattern from Caron International for a baby blanket because I loved the pattern I am using for a throw in my library (green, white, orange and black color pallet).

This blanket uses these more complicated stitches in addition to knowing how to knit and purl.   

C2F = Knit 2nd stitch on needle, then knit first stitch, slide both stitches off needle at same time.

C4B = Slide 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle.

C4F = Slide 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle.

This pattern isn't too difficult and it took me only two months of on and off knitting to finish. It is good to note that I do not use the standard American style of knitting I use the European style known as continental style which is at least twice as fast, but can be difficult for beginners especially for purling (I learned to knit from an elder German woman).

BLANKET
Cast On 226 stitches.
Border
Row 1 (Right Side): K5, place marker (pm), *k1, p1; repeat from * to last 5 sts, pm , k5.
Row 2:  P1, [k1, p1] twice, slip marker (sm), *k1, p1; repeat from * to marker, sm, p1, [k1, p1] twice.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until border measures 1"/2.5cm, ending with a WrongSide row.



PATTERN STITCHES
Cable Panel A (over 40 sts)
Row 1 (RS): P3, *C4F, [k2, p3] twice; repeat from * once, C4F, k2, p3.
Row 2:(WS) K3, *(p6, k3, p2, k3) 2 times, p6, k3.
Row 3(RS): P3, *k2, C4B, p3, C2F, p3; repeat from * once, k2, C4B, p3.
Row 4(WS): Repeat Row 2.
Repeat Rows 1–4 for Cable Panel A.
Cable Panel B (over 48 sts)
Row 1 (RS): [C4F, C4B] 6 times.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: [C4B, C4F] 6 times.
Rows 6–8: Repeat Rows 2–4.
Repeat Rows 1–8 for Cable Panel B.

NOTES
1. Blanket contains five panels:  3 of Cable Panel A (40 sts) and 2 of Cable Panel B (48 sts), with 5 border sts at each edge, for a total of 226 sts in each row.  Panels alternate:  A, B, A, B, A.
2. Markers are used to separate the borders and cable patterns. Slip markers as you come to them


Body Pattern
Row 1 (Set Up): K5, sm, [work Row 1 of Cable Panel A, pm, work Row 1 of Cable Panel B, pm] twice, work Row 1 of Cable Panel A, sm, k5.
Row 2 and all WS rows: P1, [k1, p1] twice, sm, [work Row 2 of Cable Panel A, sm, work Row 2 of Cable Panel B, sm} twice, work Row 2 of Cable Panel A, sm, p1, [k1, p1] twice.
Row 3:  K5, sm, [work Row 3 of Cable Panel A, sm, work Row 3 of Cable Panel B, sm] twice, work Row 3 of Cable Panel A, sm, k5.
Row 5: K5, sm, [work Row 1 of Cable Panel A, pm, work Row 5 of Cable Panel B, pm] twice, work Row 1 of Cable Panel A, sm, k5.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
Repeat Rows 1–8, slipping markers as you come to them, until blanket measures approximately 39"/99cm from beg, ending with Row 8. 
Border:
Work border same as beginning border. 
BO loosely. 

FINISHING
Using yarn needle, weave in yarn ends.  

To see a diagram visit Caron International 

Missing the Farm

Sr. Photo by Melissa Olson

Annabelle's first saddle (she still has her baby fuzz)

As of late I have found myself missing and longing for a horse companion. In addition to the fresh air and open skies of country living.

 In high school I was home schooled and had more free time on my hands then an average high school student. In Freshman year my parents bought me a yearling filly named Annabelle.

I worked with her in 4-h and really bonded with her. Shared with her the readings of Thoreau, Milton, Sinclair and Lewis. Lounged in the field head on her belly (dangerous I know but I am still alive). Goosed as I walk through the fields because I haven't given attention to her.

Annie's birthday was March 17th St. Patrick's Day (2 year picture)

  Our family ended up with five horses. We have a sign that really captures the essence of horse ownership, "Horses are like potato chips. You can't have just one." There is truth in this.

It has been 2 years now since I sold my 5year old and I miss her desperately. What I miss the most is the elated feeling of utter freedom atop a galloping horse. There is a special fulfillment to have a horse who is so connected to you that it can feel every pressure, every move, whether you have sat back or forward, can be calmed just by your calm and nuzzles you for attention just because it loves you.

Unfortunately being a premed student and moving across country doesn't allow much time for horse training. So I did the best thing for her sold her to a girl just coming on high school who would have time and the knack for finishing up.

Just a note to those of you who want a horse while it is fulfilling and fun. It is hard work and early mornings, time and energy, at time grueling and tedious. This is just my ode to my beloved Annabelle and my reminiscing on past times and first loves. But now I have a much closer companion who I love in a completely different way who I know share thoughts on great authors, far less dangerous to lay in a field with, still gooses me, plus my husband doesn't need training (well not a lot at least).

Here is a brief glance at my horses: 

Sugar shaking off after a roll

Lazy summer day even Annie looks sleepy

Every one wants an apple

Horsey love Amigo and Rosy

Sugar trying to get apples

Late summer Sugar and Annie

Good News/Bad News

Its the end of May and I don't know about many of you but for me this means graduations, birthdays, wedding, showers and BBQ invites coming in gobs to my mail box. For all of you Congratulations, good job, Praise the Lord, Happy Birthday, ect. But for me especially closing on our house this week it means stress and lots of it! At this point is more of the anticipation of stress than the happening itself. However it will turn out well I'm sure.

On top of this fluster of fun I had a framed painting fall on my head and give me a concussion which I just went to the hospital for. I am instructed to 'take it easy' bad news for moving. But that means more time to do my knitting. A few months ago I started an Irish Eyes Blanket  with a cross stitch and an eyelet stitch. I'm about 3/4 done and just need to sit down and do it. Which is good news.

Beach Party Birthday

I've been very busy with finals week coming up, birthday's galore. So fun my friend had a mad hatter tea birthday party (I'll have to get photos from her.) I am also helping a friend plan a party for her 10 year old daughter. The theme California Girls Beach Party (not the Katie Perry version.) I've been getting some inspiration not only from Pinterest but also from an awesome party theme on Paisley Petal Events and her Beach Barbie Party which is full of amazing ideas. However I have a lot stricter budget constraints and so I am doing many DIY decor, favors and food. Good to note these are not the actual party photos.

Something I really loved and wanted to incorporate was the surfboards but I don't have the tools to make wooden ones, at least accessible to me at the moment (if you recall all my stuff is in storage until May 21st). So I improvised. Using cardboard cut outs and paper mache and some paint I'm making full size surf boards. However in ever sunny Colorado I decided to rain this week and I have to get these done by Saturday (yes I have a week). In addition I'm going to use butcher paper and paint a board walk mural with iconic California surfer memorabilia like VW buses and surfboards on cars, should be fun.

Also to incorporate that boardwalk I bought bulk candy and put them in glass wear to give that old fashion feel. For each girl I got fun colored nail polish and the classic cola flavored lip balm. I used hand painted mini surfboards to label a personalized goodie bag for each girl. With all that we have plastic wine and martini glasses the girls can decorate and take home as well as flip flops. I'm also going to make a small bag of fudge for each girl. I know I must sound crazy but really its not so bad, there is no chance I'm standing over a hot stove to make candy (not until Christmas that is.)

I'm going to use a recipe my friend taught me last Christmas. We call it five minute fudge:

• One can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups of chocolate chips

1.  Line a 9"x13" baking dish with aluminum foil leave 3-4 inches on either side. This allows the fudge to come out of your pan so you can divide it and serve it.
2. Combine ingredients in a glass microwave safe bowl (please don't microwave plastic)
3. Microwave mixture on one minute intervals. Mix every minute until chocolate melts. Takes about 2-3 minutes
4. Pour mixture into pan 
5. Put in fridge or freezer until solid. Takes about 30min in the freezer. It can also be covered and left out over night the cold helps quicken the process. 
6. Pull out the aluminum foil the fudge will come with. Remove the foil and cut the fudge. You will look like an expert its really delicious and rich.

The thing about this fudge though is that you can change it. Use butterscotch, peanut butter, white chocolate, mint, anything that comes in a chip form and melt it down and combine. My favorite is butterscotch and chocolate (I use half and half). And add other things like marshmallows, nuts, whatever fits your fancy. The other day I made butterscotch chocolate fudge with slivered almonds it was fantastic and gone already otherwise.

 I used a Sizzex to create the birthday banner sign that will go above the gift/favor table I'm planning.

Cut out the surfboard and paint both sides 

Add designs wavy lines fun shapes ect.

Kitty "helping"

Using a letter print off on the computer I traced them with a pen leaving an imprint I then filled in with paint

Paper Lanterns

Using a hot glue gun and coffee filters