Knitting in January

While in Waco, I made a bit of progress on a new project with a pattern from Ysolda Teague:  the Scroll Lace Scarf.  Hand dyed yarn from KnittingRose, a 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon for stability, KnittingRose dyes beautifully.

Because I was listening to Aunt Mary and stories from her college years in the 1940's at Hardin Simmons in Abilene, Texas, it was easier to knit a sock in the round than to follow a lace chart.  So the socks below were begun, using Knit Picks yarn in a fingering weight.  I'm going to complete an afterthought heel.  The pattern is again from Ravelry, and is from LaLa found here.

Aunt Mary thought it was fascinating that the yarn was self striping.  She had never heard of that aspect of knitting.  For a video showing how to complete an afterthought heel,  go here.

One quick story from Aunt Mary, who has a dry sense of humor and kept me giggling. Wish I could quote her, but the gist of the story was this, with apologies to my male cousins Mark and David.

First born Cindy, a good student, industrious and courteous and kind to a fault, was a pleasure to teach.  One of her teachers took Mary aside and told Mary that she should write a book about how to rear children since Mary was both a preacher's wife and an excellent mother.  Mary's other two younger children, boys, were a real handful in school.  Mary said after the boys got into school, not a single teacher EVER again asked her to write a parents' handbook. 

Now this shawl by Rose Beck, available on Ravelry and found here, was finished on January 1, 2012.  I really like the stitch definition, and the yarn from Quince and Company was a dream to hold and knit. It is my first project finished in the new year, regardless that it was begun in 2011.

(close up for stitch definition and pattern)

January continues, and I am knitting in color after all that olive green wool.  What are you knitting or crocheting, sewing, painting or cooking?

Back from Waco

Aunt Mary, my mother's sister, and her handsome son David

Brother Chuck, moi and Aunt Mary

SIL Karen

Cousin David and Aunt Mary in her new leggings

Great niece and nephew, DIL Martha and Dad's wife Pat

Rosemary around the swimming pool at Aunt Mary's in every direction.

After I had just gotten on the road, leaving Waco and Aunt Mary to drive to Austin for visits with more family, my Aunt Mary had a mild stroke.  She is recovering well.  I was so glad to see her and visit with her for a week prior to this unfortunate occurrence (she is 87).  Got home last night to cold weather in Colorado.

Pigs Can't Fly, but Goats?

This from The Daily Mail:

We all know pigs can’t fly — but last month we learned that goats can climb trees. Because water sources were scarce, these billies climbed up to chew on a 17ft argan tree’s tough berries. But don’t expect British goats to follow in their footsteps, as these Tamri types in Morocco have two toes that spread out to help them climb, plus soft soles for grip.

I'll be in Texas for ten days, so will not be posting for a while. In the meantime,

Best Wishes for a Happy New 2012 Year!