Friday, March 28, 2014

My Mother: 1934 - 2014

My Mother passed away this week.  She died as she lived, with great courage and grace.  The words of Proverbs 31: 10-31 describe her best:

"Who can find a noble woman? For her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and her food supplies never diminish.

She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and linen, and works willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants ship, she brings her merchandise from afar.

She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids.
She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vinyard.

She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out all night.

She stretches out her hands to the poor; yea, she stretches forth her arms to the needy.

The members of her household are not afraid of the cold; for all of them are clothed with scarlet.
She makes herself a covering of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the cities, when he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.

The ways of her household are above reproach, and she does not eat of the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband also praises her.  Many daughters have done well, but you have excelled them all.

Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who reverences the Lord shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gate."

My Mother is free from pain and fear; we who are left are hurting, but we will heal.




Friday, March 21, 2014

Nutmeg Dressed

Nutmeg is now cozily dressed in a raglan sweater and sweet jumper, both adapted from patterns from the Arne & Carlos book "Knitted Dolls."  Instructions on how to adapt the patterns to Fiona's Babes' Little Sister doll are on the left sidebar, under the picture of Babes Little Sister :-)

The sweater is knit in pale blush Berrocco Vintage yarn, and the jumper in Patons Classic Wool black and Berrocco Vintage magenta.  The colors are the same as her striped socks.

This was the first time I had attempted stranded colorwork, and now I'm hooked!  Gathering many books from the library for patterns and inspiration, among them:

Alice Starmore's "Charts for Color Knitting," and "Book of Fair Isle Knitting."
Arne & Carlos "55 Christmas Balls to Knit"
"Teach Yourself Visually Color Knitting."

The last book was not as helpful as I had hoped, but I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the Alice Starmore books!


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is my second doll from Fiona McDonald's free "Babes' Little Sister" pattern.  She is knit from Knit Picks Brava yarn in brindle, which is a wonderful, warm chestnut brown.  Her stripey legs are a combination of Paton's classic wool in black, and Berrocco Vintage in blush and magenta.  Her hair is a combination of two high mohair content yarns, which I really love for hair :-)

The Brava yarn worked up a slightly smaller doll than Bernat Super Value, but knitting is so forgiving that the outfits for Patience will fit Nutmeg.

I love this doll form; it is a simple, child-like body that knits quick and easy.  A bit of a nose bump on the face turns into a delightful button nose with a couple of easy needlesculpting stitches.




I'm going to knit Nutmeg a blush pink raglan sweater and black jumper from the Arne&Carlos book...something to go with her stripey legs :-)