Rest in Peace

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, my mother-in-law Mildred lost her battle with dementia. She was 92 years old.She no longer knew who I was, but she always knew my husband, her son, and her face always lit up when he came to visit. The last 7 months of her life were spent in a nursing home, but before that we cared for her in our home for 5 years and in her home for 1 1/2 years before that.

On the Needles, Snowy March 14, 2014

No spring-like weather here! This is what it looks like here today. We are more than ready for spring.

On the needles this week is a baby sweater and a pair of socks. The baby sweater is from an old Beehive for Bairns book and is knit with fingering weight baby yarn. The socks are heavy boot socks, knit with Briggs & Little yarn.

Baby Sweater

Boot Socks

I also finished a quilt. This one is for my mother-in-law. She is 92, and is now living in a nursing home and suffering from dementia. She no longer seems able to express emotion, so I didn't get a response when I gave it to her, but purple was always her favorite color, so I think she likes it.

Purple Stars Quilt

All wrapped up in her quilt

Please head on over to Patchwork Times and check out what everyone else has on their needles!

On the Needles, and other things....Feb. 28, 2014

My knitting mojo is slowly disappearing! Spring must be on its way....maybe? The only knitting I have done for the past few weeks is a few afghan strips. I am hoping to make a couple of afghans to donate to the nursing home where my mother-in-law lives. This one will obviously be for a lady.

Rippling Waves Afghan

For the manly afghan., I am also doing strips. I am going to alternate one solid color strip (color yet to be determined) with a strip made of random leftover yarn, all in manly colors. Hopefully it will look ok when finished.

Manly afghan

Linking up to Patchwork Times.

I have also been working on a quilt for my mother-in-law. Her favorite color is purple, so here is what I came up with.

We cooked a big ham the other night, and had a ton left over, so today was spent canning Spicy Black Bean Soup. 9 pints are finished, and another 7 quarts are still in the canner.

On The Needles, February 14, 2014

Nothing new on the needles this week. It's been a bit of a rough week. Our daughter had some routine surgery and ended up having to be rushed back into surgery a second time with internal bleeding. Happily, she is doing better and expecting to go home soon. Mother-in-law is in a nursing home and not doing well, either, so lots of stress on that end as well.
I am almost finished this sweater, just have to graft under one arm, and then make a hat to match.

Sweater for Hayden

I finished one sock. The photo makes it look blue, but it is actually shades of purple.

I managed to spend a little time sewing this week. I'm just working on some string blocks in shades of purple and pink.....a nice easy, mindless project.

String blocks

Linking up to Patchwork Times

On and Off the Needles, February 07, 2014

One small finish this week....a hat to match the owl sweater.

A couple of new starts....a new pair of socks

Yarn is Fortissima Mexiko

A sweater for Hayden. The pattern can be found HERE

Speaking of Hayden, we are looking after him for a few hours today, and he came bearing gifts. He brought us a painting, the first one he ever made all by himself. He is so proud!

Our grandson, Hayden

On the sewing front,I am still working on my Celtic Solstice quilt, but it is not progressing very fast. I did manage to get the borders on Easy Street, though, and it is ready to be quilted. 95" square....it is a monster!

Easy Street

Linking up to Patchwork Times. Have a look at what other knitters are creating.

On and Off the Needles, January 31, 2014

A couple of finishes this week. First up is the baby dress. This was meant to be knit only at my Monday night stitch group, but I got a bit excited to get it finished, so now I need a new Monday night project.

Baby Dress, size 6 months

I found enough buttons to finish my baby owlet sweater. I'm not overly fond of sewing on buttons, but all 32 of them are sewn on. Now I need to make a hat to go with the sweater, and that means more buttons!

Baby Owlet Sweater

I decided to knit some more on my mystery socks, thinking that maybe I would like them more as I progressed, but I still don't like them. I really think they will be heading to the frog pile. No sense knitting something that I'm not enjoying, and these just are not an enjoyable knit. Sorry socks.....it's not your fault that I don't like you......no hard feelings, OK!!!!!

Cuff

Heel

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times. Lots of knitting goodness to drool over!

On and Off the Needles, Jan.24, 2014

Here's what I've been working (and not working) on this week. My Dylan cardigan is on hold, not because I don't like it, but because I have decided to work on my entries for the Provincial Exhibition this summer. I know summer is a long way away, but once I start back to work the first of May my knitting time will be virtually non-existent. My mystery socks are also on hold, because I don't really care for the pattern that is appearing on the leg. It's just not my style. I did finish my mittens, though.

Plain Mittens

I also knit a sweater. This is the Baby Owlet Sweater. It is not blocked yet, and I still need to add the button eyes for the owls, but I am pleased. It is size 18 months to 24 months, and will be an entry in the  exhibition.

Baby Owlet Sweater

I am also knitting a pair of gloves, also  for the exhibition.

First glove is finished

That's all for this week. Stay tuned to see what the next week will have on my needles!
Linking up to Patchwork Times. Head on over there and get all kinds of knitting inspiration!