Wyoming Breezes

closeup of three hanging kitchen towels March 2019 Once I finished two  hanging kitchen towels for Marilyn , I began knitting more towels with my cotton yarn stash, and it seems that I cannot stop. One towel quickly led to five towels, and I'll probably continue knitting the towels and put them in the finished project box for future gifting. The pattern ( Leftover Dishtowel ) produces a nicely textured fabric, and it makes for ideal TV knitting and a perfect gift for neighbors, family, or friends.

March 2019 The socks are mismatched and wild, but I love them. Ribbed Cuff socks (64 sts) Needles : US size 2 Yarn : Zauberball Crazy (color #1564)

sewing blocks for Tail Feathers quilt March 2019 Even though my interest in sewing has been diminished in recent weeks, I am slowly creating the units to complete the Tail Feathers blocks. I usually make one block and tape it to the wall by my machine, so I reduce the chances of sewing the pieces together incorrectly. As of Sunday afternoon, the pieced corners for ten of the required blocks are finished. The pins on the completed block are marking the direction that I need to press the seams.

Sockhead Cowl March 2019 Knitting from the stash continues - this time a skein of Cascade 150 Prints (75% super wash merino and 25% nylon). Who knows why I purchased this skein of dark yarn, but it's being knit into a Sockhead Cowl and will be donated next winter to a local shelter. The yarn has a nice spring to it and is a delight to knit. The bonus: the label states it is a 150 gram skein, but when I weighed it, it was actually 155 grams, which will result in a longer cowl. I have several other dark-colored skeins that I'll knit into scarves, etc. for the shelter.

kitchen towel March 2019 I seem to have found my knitting mojo, and I am working to reduce my yarn stash. I have no idea where I purchased this super size (4 oz.) of Sugar and Cream, but it will make a nice hanging kitchen towel. The cotton stash is now contained in ONE basket. If I can manage that with the sock yarn, I will be a happy knitter.

fabric cut and ready to sew March 2019 February 2018, Judy M. donated fabrics to make Quilts of Valor (QOV). I've been hanging on to the Fat Quarters (FQ) until I found a pattern that I liked. Last month, Karin H. posted a quilt she made for a young man who is battling leukemia - Chris' Quilt . using the Tail Feathers pattern. I loved the pattern and knew it would make a wonderful QOV and would be perfect for Judy's FQs. I ordered the Tail Feathers pattern and pressed the FQs. Then my sewing mojo took flight to parts unknown. The fabrics patiently waited on the top of the pressing board until yesterday when I cut the pieces and prepared a kit for the lap quilt size - 60.5 x 72.5 inches. The pattern includes sizes for Crib, Lap, Twin, and Queen sizes. Now, I need to turn on my sewing machine and get busy making the units and blocks for this QOV before my sewing mojo decides to go on another extended vacation.

March 2019 Once I finish the gusset (indicated by the removable marker), I know I'm on the home stretch. This sock should be finished by the end of the week. Even though, they are knit from the same ball of Zauberball Crazy yarn, these socks are mismatched, yet colorful and fun.

knit cowl March 2019 Several years ago when I was knitting Oddball Baby Blankets, one of the other knitters sent me a skein of speciality yarn - 50% Yak down and 50% Cormo. I've been saving the yarn for something special, but recently I decided it was time to use the skein. I used the Simple yet Effective pattern by Tin Can Knits (Ravelry link). Since I had only 150 yards of yarn, I cast on for the close-fitting cowl. The pattern calls for 200 yards of DK weight yarn, so my cowl is three inches shorter in height. The cast on edge is shown on the right and flips over naturally, so the photo doesn't show that the cowl is nearly seven inches high. I altered the bind off section (shown at left) because I was running short of yarn. This edge lays flat and does not flip. If I knit the pattern again, I will shorten the first stockinette section on the cast on edge to seven rows instead of the required 12 between the garter ridges. My finished cowl is 20 inches in circumf...

Ivinson Memorial Hospital lobby March 2019 I found another delightful bronze sculpture of two children ( earlier one can be seen here ), and even though I haven't found any information about the artist, I would bet the two sculptures were created by the same person.  I wish it was possible to see all sides of the piece but one side faces the staircase and a stone "garden" It's impossible not to smile when you see the delight the children show as they interact with the pigeons.  The three boxes for the sculpture's base indicate these are homing pigeons. Update: thanks to Paula the Quilter for identifying the artist and the name of this sculpture. George Lundeen created this sculpture, named, "New Friends"

It's difficult to refuse a request for a replacement item when it is accompanied by photographic evidence that the knit item has been used - a lot. I told Marilyn I would knit one if I could find the pattern. I made about ten of these hanging towels for family members the summer we gathered at Breezy Point for a family reunion in 2006. It looks like the cotton yarn held up to hard use for several years. replacement kitchen towel March 2019 Pattern : Leftover Dishtowel by Stephanie C. Haberman              free pattern  (Ravelry link) Yarn :  body of the towel is one ball of Sugar and Cream cotton yarn            top portion is approx. a third of a ball of Sugar and Cream Needles : US size 8

Misawa AFB Misawa, Japan March 1980

Weighted blankets are currently popular and are being touted as improving the quality of sleep; but in my opinion this is not a new idea. I remember sleeping under several heavy wool quilts when I was growing up, and to this day, I prefer to have one or more quilts on the bed. I also sleep better when I have a folded quilt at the foot of the bed. The weight of the bedding keeps me from tossing and turning; thus, providing a better night's sleep. What are your thoughts about weighted blankets?

trimming off the excess backing fabric March 2019 I trimmed the excess backing fabric and batting from the three Quilts of Valor I received in the mail last week and then sewed the previously prepared binding and label on the backside of the quilts. attaching the binding to a Quilt of Valor March 2019 It was my plan to finish the binding on Saturday since it snowed most of the day, but my motivation flagged. It will not take long to finish the quilts and launder them, so hopefully, I'll be able to do that this week.

one finished and one started March 2019 Saturday evening, I finished one of the Zauberball Crazy socks. As you can see by the beginning of the second sock, it will probably not even come close to matching the first sock. It's the mystery of the striping that makes knitting with Zauberball fun. Would it bother you to wear mismatched socks?