STLLA and LUNAC Wishing You a Merry Kwanzikkah and Harley New Year!

It's Christmas Eve, and for many, it will be a time for celebration, good food, wine glasses tinkling,good company, laughter and cheer.
For DH and me, it will be a time of reflection, of look-backs on the business, and life in general.

Things I started, and actually finished:

Almost to the day, I finished the Agatha Cardi. Once I realized it was going to be too small, I nearly ripped it out! The gauge was perfect, it was the yarn that made it seem smaller. Paton's Encore Tweed has just enough bounce to give it a nice mesh, and kept its shape nicely after blocking
When DD20 saw it, she had to have it, so my work was not a huge loss. In fact, it fits her perfectly and she loves it!!!



DD20 is ready for her night out with her Fiance, for a Christmas get-together at his sister's house.



For Christmas this year, I made fudge for all my family and friends, and also found this cute FREE PATTER at Red Heart Yarn's website.
Yarn Basket Ornaments


I've got into reading Kindle e-books in the evenings. Really nice on my Xoom, in that I can read while DH is sleeping, and not have to have a light on and disturb him.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the Kindle edition, with the old photos, etc. The characters were very likable, even believable with their peculiarities. I was a little disappointed by the abrupt ending, but I suppose it was my inner desire for the book to go on and on and on....
A keeper, I will read this again!
View all my reviews

The weather has been very mild this season, not enough snow to even feel like Winter yet. The bikes are parked in the garage, under their covers, and with the milder temps in the low 40's, it's hard not to want to go out for a short ride around the 'hood.

DH got me a new Harley-Davidson vest for Christmas this year; I LOVE IT! Then today when we were at Frank's, Liz at the liquor store said she had a pair of chaps that would fit me perfectly. WHOOT! With those, I actually could go out and not freeze my bum off!!!

For me, it's all about the ride, staying safe and coming home with the usual silly-ass grin on my face. While multi-tasking is a big part of the ride, I can usually manage a fleeting glance here and there along the way while keeping my face sunny side up.

I didn't want to forget to mention the GatorSkin top I got late last Summer. It's 3x's warmer than wool, and is perfect for those chilly 50's days!

The backside ain't too shabby, if I do say so...


The Sisters, Garage Mates


Igor wishes everyone would come over for Christmas, so he can has lots'o People to play with!!!!



“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
― Marcel Proust

KNIT PATTERN REVIEWS : Maddy Laine Flatter Me Vest

Looking for an easy pullover vest, with smooth drape? This may be your answer!

maddy laine leaflet 164 - Flatter Me Vest

The clean lines of this simple vest are not only easy to knit but also comfortably stylish. Decorative loop decreases on the raglan shoulder add a smart finishing touch to this subtly shaped garment. In sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL (finished bust 35.5, 39.25, 43.25, 47, 51"; finished length 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 25.75, 26"), it uses 765, 800, 900, 950, 1025 yards of chunky weight (20 st/4") yarn. The designer notes that her sample was knit using elann.com Peruvian Highland Chunky - works out to just 11, 11, 12, 13, 14 balls of Highland Chunky. At $2.48 a ball, plus $4.35 for the leaflet, (plus S & H)  that's around $40 for this project.

I'm noticing I'm trending raglan garments, (current WIP's include the Agatha Cardigan). Practice makes perfect!

Agatha Cardi, to the 5th Power

I have decided my "lucky number" is 5. Why, you ask? Because it appears I must redo e-ver-y single thing I start, 5 times, to get it right. BAH! Whoever came up with the saying "third time's the charm" was a twit~

 It's either that or pattern writers automatically assume that everyone must understand it if it says less. Simple, right?

Not so, for me. I have to think, and re-think things over and over, until the concept either jells, or simply slides through the cracks in my skull and pools at the base of my neck.

I finally managed to cast on the body of Agatha. YAY, me!

Here's the end-result of 5 reedoo's over a 2 day period.

The arrow  marks the center back seam (Kitchener join) of the 2-part lace panel that the body is cast on to and worked. The 5x1 rib branches show the increases at the sleeve caps. It was only after I got this far into the increases, that it began to take shape, literally, and then it made sense.

The pattern is more obvious as seen on this, the Right Side. The person who is modeling the Agatha is in fact, wearing it Wrong Side out. The beauty of this pattern is, it's REVERSIBLE!

The Green Bay Packers won 21-14 over the Chicago Bears last night! Sunday, Feb. 6, we go to the SUPER BOWL!! WOOT!!

Steady as she knits..

The Agatha right front panel is moving along. Well, I should say I'm moving along with it; as one fellow Knitter said, I may have found the rhythm, and it's going faster now, with fewer rip-backs...

Agatha close-up of a 2-pattern repeat

Agatha right front panel

 I found 4 new books today, am excited to get them! The felted purses looked interesting, especially after my first attempt at felting, back in Nov. during a knitting suarez over at Kellie's house. I'm linking to some Amazon listings,  while they are still available. In no particular order, it clogs up my blog a bit, but hopes it will help someone find a copy they might like.

The Variety Book of Crochet (No. 10)

It was a fair morning, the temp was around 29  F., (wind chill 11 F.) so I opted for a walk with the neighbor, just a couple miles. It felt good to get out again, to inhale the brisk morning air, to feel the tingle work it's magic in my nasal cavities. I woke up at 4:00am to a clogged face, and soon realized I was in the midst of an allergy attack. I had messed with the cat's bedding the night before, and although I made sure to wash afterward, it was already too late. By mid-morning, I was in a full-blown sneeze attack which came and went sporadically then hung around until late evening. I'm not liking this one bit, and will have to wash the cat's blanket at some point, but for now, I'll stay away from it. It's not bothering Miss Pepper, so I'll leave well enough alone, for now.

DD19 brought me home a container of Tom and Jerry Mix (recipe); they make it in her bakery! YUMS!

Miss Pepper misses Summer and being outside, as much as I do...

Igor is having a riot in the snow~

Knitting Instructional Video - How To Do a Russian Join

Jeanne from Jimmy Beans Wool demonstrates How To Do a Russian Join while Knitting. Jimmy Beans Wool is your LYS... online!

I'm going to use this technique on my Agatha Cardigan pattern I just purchased. It's one-piece reversible construction looks really exciting. I'm thinking I'll use Plymouth Encore Tweed, Grey Heather T781. I purchased it from Ben Franklin Crafts a while back, not quite sure what I was going to use it for, but this might work out great for a mid-weight sweater, after I've re-calculated the gauge.

Agatha Cardigan

Agatha Cardigan closeup

Agatha Cardigan

DD19 just called to tell me they canceled the get-together at 2 Seasons Bowling Alley, too foggy tonight, making driving hazardous. I'm glad she decided not to go, but now I have these batches of FUDGE I was going to gift. OFUDGE! now I will have to eat it all or see if I can freeze it for later.

I am thinking of trying these gloves for Winter Hands; they sound perfect for moisturizing and protecting from dryness. Check back for reviews.

Peacel, Light and Love~ knit warm and stay happy!

Our Winter Solstice Tree