Garter Stitch Picushion

The pincushion that I had been using was too small and so small that it kept tipping over, so I decided to try and knit one that was bigger and more stable. This one is about 4 inches in diameter and the weight of it makes it have good stability. You know, I like it. If I had some wool yarn, I would have used it...but, since this was just something I just tried I used what I had available at this time. Wool yarn could be used for the next one. I started it last evening and finished it, this evening. It is all done in garter stitch and on size #1 knitting needles. I used Vanna White yarn and then casted on 3o stitches and used my judgement on how long to make it. Keeping into consideration that it was going to be rolled, so it has to be long. My completed knitted piece was about 18-20 inches long. I folded it lengthwise in thirds....tacking it in place to hold it in place. I then rolled up the long folded piece { like a cinnamon roll or a snail shell }, tacking it in place to hold the "roll" in place till I had it completely tacked and held in place where it looked the best I could do...and then trimmed off the yarn ends and put the straight pins in it. With all the nice yarns out there, a person could make some real a real awesome pincushions!

Starry, Starry Night

We woke up to blowing snow and a temperature of only 1o degress. The wind blew all day and tonight was Starry, Starry Night.
Starry, Starry Night is an annual Christmas Celebration in Grand Marais where gift shops or any business that decides to be open the night after Thankgiving. We thought for sure people would not be venturing out on such a night....but, human spirit and the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Grand Marais...it was a great success! People are tough in The Upper Pennisula....I was happy to see that "spunk and spirit" is still in it's people! This snapshot of our red and gold decorated little Christmas tree glowed so pretty with red lights, in the night.

Little Handknit Hat

You may not have much yarn on hand to make something something big, perhaps you could make a little hat like this, though. It would make a cute gift for a little girl's doll. I used just straight size 2 knitting needles, also for the ribbing. ....using smaller amounts of yarn. I casted on the amount of stitches that I thought would be a good amount and started decreasing at the crown when it seemed long enough. I then drew the yarn through the remaining stitches and fastened off.

Prancer?

When what to my wondering eyes should appear , but a minature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, with a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.~ Clement Clarke Moore
Twas the Night Before Christmas....such an enendearing story about Santa and his eight reindeer!
That reminds me, I still have a little Twas' The Night Before Christmas book with all the illustrations by Holly Hobbie. My nephew, Brad when he was just a toddler would love to look at the pictures and hear the story about Santa.

Colorful Holiday Bundles

Above are just a few of the colorful knitted dishcloths that Dorothy has handknit. We bundled, and tied them with either red or green glitter ribbon...and then added a green homespun tag for Christmas. These really are the best dishcloths! We got this great pattern from my sister, Nancy. My mom sold many of these holday sets at the Christmas craft show we in this past weekend.

Natural Pinecones

These waxed pinecones make cute natural table setting markers for your holiday table. The pinecones were dipped in cranberry scented wax, and then a tag made from green cardstock was tied to each pinecone with a natural cord. The edges of the tag were distressed with green Distress Ink. A name can be written on the tag to mark a person's place at the dinner table. Later, they can also be kept in a basket for starting fires in your fireplace. Really kind of sweet!

Shake a Turkey Tail Feather

Early this morning I found this feather laying under one of our big pine trees. It had to be from the wild turkey that visits the area quite often. It can be found scratching the ground and looking for whatever turkeys are looking for. { Seeds and what not } Turkeys are huge birds!
I know that the turkey is a hen, she must have " shook a tail feather" and left this handsome feather. How fitting.... so close to Thankgiving. Thank you!