Thoughts about PIF and the Holidays -

Hi guys! Well, the response to my Pay It Forward was underwhelming to say the least. I have one person, RoLynn, who is going to participate with me, but I still have two openings left!

So, what does that mean? I can't knit or spin worth a flip and no one wants my handmade gifts? In my heart, I don't feel that way, so please say it ain't so - Joe! Or is everyone too busy to respond? Has Ravelry completely taken away all of the fun of blogging? I love Ravelry, but it's sad that this forum seems to be lagging now. I know, I know, there is only so much computer time (or there should be) but, it's still sad.

With all of that being said I will leave those two spots open until they are filled, if and when anyone else wants to participate in making other knitters/spinners/crocheters happy in their own way in the future.

On the knitting spinning front here at Chez Potere, all I can say is this guy:is seriously getting in my way of my leisurely pursuits! We did a lot of shopping yesterday, and then put up the tree. That Santa above is my absolute favorite ornament. I have my tree complete in Santa's and angels now, since we have moved to a smaller tree. Here are a couple more of my favorites:
I got this one in work exchange years, and years ago! And now to see the complete opposite version:
Isn't he fun?! I may have shown you guys this before, but here are Caryn and Bryan's stockings: One Angel:and one Santa:to prove to you that I have been knitting here are Caryn's sleeves:
I do believe the sweater will be finished next week! Yeah!

Paying It Forward

I found this on Jen's blog, and decided this is a really cool idea for the upcoming new year!


I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I know that there are a lot of you guys that read my blog, that don't have a blog because for some reason or another it is not something you want to do, this would be a great opportunity to go out there on blogger to start a blog. Believe me when I say that this is not all that hard, and if you only want to post one time a month you can do that too!

I know you all know that I love to knit, and spin. Depending on who signs up, I can see lots of great gift ideas in the next year. And let's face it, who doesn't love to receive a random, handmade gift? So leave me a comment if you would like to receive a suprise within the next year, and if you are willing to pay it forward.

Here is a taste of some of my spinning right now, this fiber is from Kid Hollow Farm in Virginia, and she doesn't sell directly from her site, per se, but I think the extra effort to get this fiber is worth it!
I am getting 41 wraps per inch, and let me tell you spinning from the fold is hard for me! I think I need some lessons, RoLynn? Ashley? Help?!

It doesn't look the same here now does it? I'm hoping navajo plying will bring the colors back!

I think that's it from this blogger I hope to be hearing from some of you soon!

Beginnings, Middles, and Ends -

Yeah, but I am going to start with the ends first - or in other words Finished Objects! Holy Cow! This is June typing here. . . anyway I got a couple of things finished, not big things, but every knitted object counts, right?!

Here we have two pairs of Fetching's - I was mistakenly calling them Knucks, which is another pattern all together -Doh! to me.

I really, really like this pattern, it's a really fast knit (one in an afternoon) but, I think the first pair, the red ones, are quite short. Which is good for typing and working, but for reading or just hanging out as my Mom does I thought they would be too short. So it was a ripping party again at chez June's . I added more rows after the knuckle cable (6 all together) then another cable and four more rows to bring them up to the first knuckle on your (Caryn's) hand. Caryn and Mom have approximately same hand. Here is another shot, using our hands as models. I'm sure you know, but my hands are the short stubby fingers and Caryn has the nice long fingers here!
Now we come to the middle, and everybody scream with me!

Dang it! One inch forward and three inches back is the way this sweater goes:
Can we all say rip?! This is the way I put in lifelines I guess. . . I use a much, much, much smaller needle then rip away:

And now you can see that yes, I did put it in straight on that row. The initial problem was that I was supposed to decrease on the neck edge and increase on the side edge. Well, I decreased on both as we were watching a movie, and I wasn't paying attention! Yah, simple stockinette, no problem. . . ?? You think? Ok, so I am now up to the armhole, but I got bored and wanted to start this before I have to go back to work tomorrow (gag me!):

Starting is the hardest part on these, don'tcha know! So, look at that center - see how big the circle is? It's huge! This one starts with a cast on of 24 stitches. It's crazy, but here it is:
Size 20 Manuella thread on size 2.0mm needles, up to row 9 - this is a Christmas present (or maybe birthday) for next year for my sister! I am debating on going down to 1.75 mm but, haven't decided yet. I'm thinking it looks ok, and I may just continue -

Hope you all had a Happy Turkey Day, can we say no more Turkey left at chez June's!? Yeah, three meals in a row and it's all gone! Well, I make Turkey pie for the last hurrah, and it's a great way to end it!