Iris' Knit n Things

Meet Baxter, he's a puppy mill rescue. Was a stud for over 6 years. This guy is the most stoic Yorkie I have ever met. Now that I've retired in September, he has been keeping me company. Baxter enjoys riding in the basket on my bike. We can't wait until the family park is completed, as it will soon have a Dog Park as well as other great features. I've had him for a year now. He's a really sweet dog.       I am new to retirement, and I'll have to say, the first few weeks, it took some getting used to. The feeling that I can do whatever I want with my time, was really empowering. After a month, I started doing some volunteering in my community. I found this used bike, which was brand new for only $45. I've installed a basket and now Baxter sits inside and rides around with me.  I've started some projects around the house. Like repairing my deck, which needed painting and some of the wooden planks replaced.  Brioche stitch is now my new passion.   It...

This Summer I had a visit from my granddaughter. She is so much fun to have around, so full of life and so very mischievous. She is a little like her mother but does not have a single shy bone in her body, even though she loves to say she is. I've been missing her dearly since she has returned home. Forgetting how much energy it takes to entertain a six-year-old. I must admit that after she left, I was quite exhausted. In this picture we both had our hair done, and I was so ready to take a nap. Even so, I had a great time and truly miss my little ladybug. I've not knit as much as I would have liked, currently, just trying to complete some projects I've started some time ago. A vest in silk, a cardigan, in a soft alpaca, Moreno blend, and a Shawl, using Knit Picks, Alpaca Cloud. For the shawl, I am using the EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl, which was free on Raverly. This will be my first-round shawl, I image you would fold it in half in order to wrap around your shoulders. I ...

 I will be participating in this year’s West Knits, MKAL. This is the yarn I will be using. Looking forward to starting this mystery project. We know it’s going to be a shawl, and Steve West , always has the most interesting patterns, you’ll never get bored knitting anything he creates, the man is very talented. The yarn I’ll be using is by Twisted Ambition, sweet sock, in La vie bohemian, and Amber, and some burnt orange mohair that I found in my stash, which I'll plan to blend in somewhere along the pattern to give the shawl some texture.  

 I started a knit along online and it was for a huge, over 900 stitches, shawl. I had random balls of yarns I wanted to use up, so unfortunately, don’t really remember the brands names. I do know that it’s Moreno, alpacas and wool blends. Here’s the results.  I love how it looks like a stain glass in the middle portion.  This was really a special Shawl for me. It will forever reminded me of this time of deep changes and adapting to the world and this pandemic.  

Off to work. I rather knit a sweater. Happy Monday!  

 Another pattern from Cookie.  I just had a little skein of yarn, decided to make these shorter than the pattern’s instructions.  I have no red socks and it’s my favorite color.  These are so cute and perfect for keeping my toes warm. 

This was a project from WestKnits.  The yarn was a finger weight, in which I have dyed in a berry wine, and indigo blue. The yarn is alpaca wool from a local farmer. 

The year of CHANGE  ! This has been a year that is truly testing us. I say is, because it’s not over, and thus far, not giving us a break, with all the current events, and it being an Election year as well. You have to truly give thanks to stress relievers, such as, knitting or any other hobbies that help distract for a couple of hours, from the serious stuff around us.  Here’s what I’ve been doing to help me relax. I have started a garden, and it has been such a joy. Not only do I get many fresh vegetables, I get to share with friends. I tie dye shirts! This was so much fun!