Queen Bee Knits

Knitting, Living, Loving, Baking, Tips, Tools and Idle Chatter

FO Wednesday? Ha! Ha!

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

Can you see something is different this morning? LOL. We have a boat next door and it’s not supposed to be there. It must have broken free of its mooring yesterday when the lake was super rough. We had lots of wind and white-tipped waves splashing up onto our dock and the shore, too. The sailboat was there when I got home from work yesterday and my hubby had been over to check it out and found out that it was untethered and yet stuck somehow. Without going “swimming” there was nothing more he could do about it but he was concerned, and rightly so, that it would free itself again and could run into our dock and/or our neighbor’s dock. I called the game warden and my friend who has connection the Christian camp next door and our neighbor on the other side just to pick peoples’ brains … what does one do when a boat is loose? Long story short, it turnedt out that the owner knew the boat was loose, came out in a motor boat to check on it last night before dark and then came and got it this morning. He headed across the lake and south which makes sense. Godspeed!

You guys! I have been a finishing machine! I finished two more projects yesterday!!! I am excited to report that I have finished the Vanilla Sweater for my college roommate and it’s been blocked and is drying. I hope she’ll love it. I am a little bit nervous knitting for other people who are at a distance because I am not SURE of the fit. Little kids are one thing … adults are another. And each of us likes sweaters to fit a certain way. Well, we shall see. When it’s dry, I have to add the label and then clip the ends that are already woven in and then I’ll send it off.

What I like most about this sweater pattern is the ease with which it’s knitted and I have to be honest, I love the wooly wool. I used Rauma Finull again this time in a heathered lavender and it’s a wonderful yarn to knit with. I love that it is wooly and I can spit-splice it when I come to the end of a ball. There are so few ends to weave in at the end. I had to bind off the collar twice; I was a bit too aggressive in the first one, apparently, because it was quite tight despite the larger needle size.

Vanilla Sweater off the needles – pre-blocking

I also finished my Escher socks. Yay! I was ready for these and I have to tell you that they are far from perfect. Far. From. Perfect. Here’s the deal … I wanted to knit these socks on short circular needles but I didn’t have the right size needle when I started so I started with DPNs and knit most of the first sock on them. After I found the right size 9″ circular needles, I started the second sock with them … and oh, boy! What a difference in the gauge/size of the socks. I wasn’t sure the second sock would even fit on my foot but it does. So, last night I finished both forethought heels. Not my favorite heel. Sorry not sorry. I still love me a heel flap and gusset. This heel seems too shallow? I have a knitter who says she knits more rounds before the decreases and that may make it deep enough to make me happier. AND because the gauge is slightly different, the leg of the socks seems a bit different, too. Once they’re dry, I’ll try them on again and measure to see if it’s me or the socks.

They’re very pretty and they have HUGE holes on each side of the heel. I am sure there is a way to “fix” this but I feel like it shouldn’t be there in the first place. Grr. I blocked the socks before I fixed this mess and I’ll fix them when they dry. I have four big old holes to fix. Ugh. Well, they’ll be fine. And they’re finished. Next socks I have planned with my new yarn from Quebec City’s Biscotte … or I may just knit a simple pair. I haven’t really decided.

Still in WIP form … I am still working on the Hansel Hap Half. I have reached the border edging and it’ll take me a bit to get that done and finished and blocked but not too long. It’s a long edge to add a border to. I am still quite pleased with this shawl and I am eager to wear it. What makes me happy about this shawl is that none of it was purchased … it was all stashed. Bits and bobs of yarn that I have purchased over the years now turned into a shawl. Yay!

I think I’ve knitted five “bumps” on the edge and I have a lot more to go. It’s just a bunch of increases and decreases, simple enough but it does take a little bit of attention to stay on track. I think once it’s blocked, it’ll be a good sized shawl and may be the one that lives in my studio for those times I need a little bit of warmth.

I am going to cast on my daughter’s cardigan and a baby sweater for a friend’s daughter (she’s my eldest daughter’s best friend from high school) who is adopting a baby girl around the end of the month. I found the perfect colorway with the mother’s name on it. I knew that I needed to bring it home when I saw this! But on this note, I’m going to go knit for a bit and listen to a podcast. It’s my day off and I’ve not knitted yet … and it’s nearly 5pm! Yikes! Back to work tomorrow.

Gone knitting!

Another Rainy Day

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

I went out this morning to take my “photo of the day” when there was a loon just sitting out in the lake … and just as I snapped this photo, it dove and it was too damp and chilly to wait for it to pop up again. Today is a good day for loons. Rainy and gray and damp but a well filler (we live on a well and are already in drought conditions) so I won’t complain … I have given myself permission, after a few crazy busy weeks, to do “nothing”. That generally means doing only what I feel like doing which today may be hanging in my atelier watching something on TV and knitting. I have another two weeks before life returns to “normal” (the boss is out of town for a month, adding to all of our work routines) and I need to stay healthy to keep up with the pace. I’m not usually at the store three or more days a week. None of us are. But when she leaves, it’s either we step up or … I’m not sure what would happen because we always step up.

This is the principal at Maine Arts Academy yesterday letting some of the artists/students add some bling to his face paint. This school, where I’m happily a volunteer and board member, is wonderful. I love being associated with it and truly believe it to be an example for public schools everywhere. Yesterday we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Maine Arts Academy with a brunch, awards, performances, and heart. It’s been a year in the making but the event went off without a hitch and it was fantastic from start to finish. I think I can speak for all of us that we are so glad to have it in the rear view mirror – all we have left is a review and thank you notes.

I have been having a challenging knitting week. It seems like everything I knit I un-knit. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m inattentive or what but I’ve been making all the silly mistakes. Knitting sure can humble you.

I’m working my way down the foot of my Escher sock #2. Somewhere along the line, I changed from using DPNs to a nine-inch circular needle and guess what? The gauge of the sock has also changed. So, having completed the same number of pattern repeats, I am still an inch shy of where the toe decreases should go. (The circumference is a bit narrower, too.) I like the fabric of the second sock better so I am going to finish it to be the correct foot length and I probably have enough yarn to make a third sock if I need to. I am also going to go ahead and knit the heel of the first sock (probably before finishing the second sock’s foot) and see how it fits. When they say that it makes a difference what needles you use, they’re so right! I certainly know better but I really did want to try the 9″ circs and when I happened to be at a yarn shop that had one, I jumped. Oh well.

I’ve also been working (and reworking) on my Hansel Hap. I stopped paying attention somewhere along the line and worked well past a row that needed to be a “lace” row and it would have affected the pattern had I ignored it and gone on. So, I frogged back a few rows and then re-knit. At the same time, I ran out of one colorway that I was using … most of the way across the second row … and had to adjust that, too. I tried to just change colors but that didn’t work and I ended up frogging back and changing the colorway entirely. Thank goodness the pattern is somewhat flexible with the color order. I am one row from doing the edge border and then it will be done … just in time for summer?

I’ve also been working on my roommate’s Vanilla Sweater and have finished the body and started the second sleeve. I was waiting for her measurement specifications before finishing the lengths of the sleeves and the body but now I’m on the way. I added a couple of extra rows of seed stitch to the split hem in hopes that it won’t roll up like mine does. The color is really lovely and the yarn is so wonderful to work with. I love working with wooly wool and spit-splicing the yarn so there are not too many ends to weave in at the end. This should be finished in the next week or so and blocked and sent off to Connecticut.

I’ve finished the two little purple crowns for my granddaughter and her little friend, Madeline. They’ll be sent off to NYC this week (or if I can figure out a way to get down there, I’ll carry them down.) I’ve also finished a gnome MKAL (mystery knit along). Sarah Schira is brilliant and I always enjoy her gnome patterns. This one is no exception. I am collecting quite a few of her patterns and have knitted a bunch including one in worsted weight so he’s HUGE! I have several that I have never knitted and this reminds me to knit more of them. Maybe I need to collect them all from my atelier and take them outside some day to photograph! Anyway, this one was another fun knit and I do love her – her name is Gneddy, according to the designer. I finally went out and bought a big bag of the poly pellets to weigh their little bodies down so they don’t tip over. I have put beans in before but I’m worried that the organic origin of beans may be problematic over the years. Isn’t she cute?

The day lilies are about six-inches tall now and the forsythia bush is still waiting to bloom. I did a little walk around the yard to see how it was going and the perennials are coming back and greening up. I discovered that our forsythia has sprouted a second plant that we’ll dig out and move after they bloom. They should bloom soon. Meanwhile, the Maple trees have popped and the leaves are opening. Spring is here in Maine and we are so grateful for longer days. (The full moon the other night sure did throw off my sleep! It was a powerful moon, big and bright, it lit up the whole inside of our bedroom!)

The windows need washing (again!)

Gone knitting.

WIP Wednesday

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

It’s been a busy week and it’s not over yet! I am missing the sun this morning and the “energy” that comes with it but I’m trying to make it a good day. We had our coffee indoors this morning; between the lack of sun, wind and lower temps it was too cool to sit outside. BUT as you’ll see, our dock is in and summer can begin whenever it would like to!

I’ve been working away at finishing a few little projects and working on some bigger ones, too. My Hansel Hap Half has been languishing in its project bag untouched while I get the Vanilla Sweater for my college roomie finished. I’ll start with the Vanilla Sweater.

I’ve completed the first sleeve and have picked up where I left off at the bottom of the body. I have split the hem and am working my way down the back half. I’ll knit a couple of extra rows so it doesn’t flip up like mine does. One day I may even go back and add a couple of rows to mine. Stay tuned.

I’ve been participating in the Mystery KAL Beary Cozy Gnome by Sarah Schira and we have received the final clue. I was a little bit behind and hope to catch up today but my volunteer job with Maine Arts Academy is taking a bit of extra time this week because we have our tenth anniversary celebration on Saturday. Regardless, I’m doing some knitting and this is so close! I won’t post any photos today so I don’t spoil the mystery part. Stay tuned.

I’ve also been working on my Escher Socks by Summer Lee. I love this pattern and the socks are going to be gorgeous! I am now past the heel on the second sock. I worked on this sock and the gnome all day yesterday (well, as I had time).

The socks absolutely will not match and that’s ok with me. I just started working the second sock where the first sock left off. I think they’ll be even more fun this way. Not everything has to be matchy matchy.

I have two finished little purple crowns that will be sent to NYC as soon as they’re dry. AND I have finished the new store sample for Mothers Day. Both were interesting “challenges”. The shop sample is the Pressed Flowers Kerchief made in a yarn that we “found” in the shop, in kits that haven’t sold. We thought if we could come up with a cute pattern they might sell in smaller kits. This is the pattern of our choice and it’s adorable and a fun knit. If I had my druthers, I’d have made it a little bit bigger but the thing about sample knitting is that you have to follow the pattern directions. Period. No playing with it. So, this is the kerchief knitted to the pattern specifications and it’s a small kerchief. 30 inches long and about 9 inches deep. Big enough to wrap around your head or your neck. The yarn is very soft and it was a fun, quick knit. I am guessing that you could knit two of them from the two hanks of yarn. There’s a lot left over. Maybe to be sure, you could reverse the colors – I keep meaning to weigh the kerchief and the left-over yarn but my husband took the kitchen scale back to the kitchen. Horrors. 🙂

The crown are another laughable story where I initially looked at the shop sample and assumed that the crown was knitted from the band out. I started knitting and the directions were “wrong” immediately. What was actually wrong was my assumption. The crown is knitted from the pointy bits down to the band. I should know by now that when I assume things or think I know what I’m doing is when I make my best mistakes. Anyway, I have managed to finish two purple crowns and they’re blocked and drying. And I am humbled once again.

The plants around the house are starting to pop their heads up out of the soil. I love this time of year! My bulbs are bulb-ing and the bleeding heart and day lilies are growing so fast you can almost watch them grow. We’ve (the royal we) been out raking leaves out of the gardens and trimming back the bushes and trees. We’ve also had some fun birds at the feeder – yesterday I was watching the Hairy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and a few others who never leave. The Chickadee’s call will forever be a sound of Maine to take with me. The loons are back, and little Mayflies, too.

Gone knitting.

Ahhhh! Hello, Sunday!

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

What a beautiful sunny morning we are having! It’s been quite a long work week and I appreciate the sunshine and empty schedule today. My hubby asked what I wanted to do over our coffee this morning and my response was, “nothing”. I have been on the go all week and I just want to hang at home and get myself caught up. Thought I’d come here this morning to tell you what I’ve been up to as most of it is yarn related.

Monday I had a beautiful day at home and baked for the first time in awhile. We were out of my homemade granola (hubby often takes it to work with some yogurt for his second breakfast) and I had some bran flakes cereal in the pantry that I wanted to use up so I baked some bran muffins with blueberries. They’re yummy. Hubby’s been a happy man this week. I was at work on Tuesday and on Wednesday I did the house work – changed our bed, did the laundry, ordered and picked up groceries, cleaned the kitchen and made soup for dinner. One of my knitting buddies came over to knit but we ended up sitting and yakking until she had to run to her exercise class and I had to run to pick up the groceries. It was a good day, though.

I have spent the last three days at the store working and teaching and by yesterday afternoon, Carol and I were “done” (cooked, pooped, drained … the list goes on!) Yesterday was Local Yarn Shop day, our Saturday knitting group was in the shop, and I was teaching a Brioche Workshop in the morning so it was a busy day at the store. I had a great group of 13 women who learned a new technique – Brioche knitting. I wish I’d had another hour for them but it went well and most of the class really honed in on their new skill.

After the workshop I had a brief but sweet lunch with one of my students who I know from high school. We reconnected last year when she came to my workshop. What a surprise! It was really fun to chat in person and get (sort of) caught up on the years between high school and yesterday. We will need to meet up more than once a year to really catch up and we have so many things in common! And then it was back to work for the rest of the day. So, you can understand that today is a day for “nothing” for me … I maybe should say that I will do only what I want to do, on my own schedule. And today will include knitting … I have already had some coffee on the porch with yarn in my hands but the wind kicked up and sent me inside.

I’ve been working on several projects and making a little bit of progress on each of them. This morning I was working on my “poor” Escher socks that have been ignored for a bit. I’m trying nine-inch circular needles for the first (second?) time and I think I finally have the hang of it. What I do like is that I don’t have to be concerned about changing from needle to needle on DPNs which really helps me with the tension, especially at the small circumference. It’ll be very interesting to compare the first sock knit on DPNs to the second sock knit with the nine-inch circ. I am using my ChiaoGoo Shorties set for one of the first times. So far, so good. The Escher socks need to get finished so I can knit another pair of socks with my new Biscotte yarn! 🙂

I have finished one purple crown and begun a second for my granddaughter and her friend. That is quite another funny story and maybe I’ll write about it another day. The pattern is free on Ravelry, Elegant Crown, and I’m knitting in Plymouth Encore worsted. It takes little or no time to knit these up and I think the girls are going to love them.

Next up is the new sample I’m knitting for the store. It’s called the Pressed Flowers Kerchief and is another free Ravelry pattern. We had several shawl kits that were not selling, even on sale, and we thought we could separate the yarn and find another something to knit with it. The yarn is a cashmere blend and we found this cute little kerchief and I’m knitting a sample in hopes that the yarn will sell in its new iteration for Mother’s Day, maybe. The pattern is very potato chippy and the yarn is delicious so it’s an easy one to choose when I sit to knit. The kerchief is small enough, too, not to feel like a burden to knit when I have a lot of projects on the needles. I’ve rounded the corner (so to speak) and am working my way through the second half of the project. I’ll block it and have it in the store next week. Fingers crossed.

Still on the needles and getting marginally closer to the finish line is the Vanilla Sweater that I’m making for my college roommate. I’ve finished one sleeve and have started to finish the body of the sweater now that we’ve settled on the length that she wants. I’ve just split the hem and if I really concentrate, I should be able to get this sweater finished soon. As an aside, My Vanilla sweater tends to roll up on the front and I don’t want that to happen to hers so I’ll do an extra round or two on the hem before binding off. I’m so close!

This coming week will be a little less work and a little more volunteering. We have a big 10th Anniversary celebration at Maine Arts Academy on Saturday so we have several committee meetings set up and I have a meeting with the CEO, in addition to being at the event on Saturday morning. Add my normal work days in at the store and it will be another full week. I’ll write about the event next week but after it’s over, it’ll be “smooth sailing” into the summer.

We are busy cleaning up our gardens, the perennials are starting to peek their heads out of the ground and the bulbs are coming up. At least the daffodils are crocus are … I’m still waiting for the tulips. Last summer the kids all helped to repaint our guest cottage (it’s gorgeous to look at now) and we will be planting up in front of it this year. It still needs some interior work and then a good cleaning and we will be able to use it and/or rent it this summer. Hopefully it’ll rent by word of mouth and we’ll see how we like having people here. It’s a sweet space (if it was insulated and heated, I’d make it my studio!) that we lived in for seven months with our (then) three dogs while we built the house. I loved living there!

Gone knitting!

Sunday. A Day to Rest

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

It’s rainy and gray today and I am utterly grateful for the opportunity to rest after a busy week (and ahead of another busy week!) We have put the hummingbird feeders out because we’ve heard that there are hummers in Maine. We hope ours will be here soon and don’t want to miss out on attracting them as they provide hundreds of hours of entertainment to us as we sit on our porch. After their long trip north, they’ll need lots of nourishment and our flowers, needless to say, aren’t blooming yet.

I’ve been busy at work; it was my Saturday to work this week. I’ve had a bunch of Maine Arts Academy meetings and a board meeting this week and I’m planning a workshop at the store for next Saturday. It’s also LYS Day next Saturday so I’ll be working and getting ready for it this week with “the girls” (LOL).

I’ve joined the Beary Cozy Gnome Mystery KAL which started on April 15th. I’m doing the KAL with my friend/co-worker Carol and we cast on at the shop together on Thursday. Mystery piece #1 was an early i-cord bobble which was interesting and challenging but Sarah, the designer, is so adept at providing videos and clear, concise directions, so Carol and I got through that. I don’t want to spoil the mystery part of the KAL so I’ll send you to my Ravelry project page to see the “parts” that we’ve done thus far. Piece #2 was two i-cord “arms” and piece #3 was a mystery pocket. Very clever, indeed. I’m looking forward to the third clue on Tuesday.

I’ve been working along on my three projects. Working to get them finished because I’m ready to cast on something new (of course, LOL). Here’s the update:

Vanilla Sweater in Rauma Finull Garn is coming along. My college roommate has given me measurements for the length of her pullover and the length she wants for her sleeves. While I was waiting for the measurements, I measured mine as a guide and made some suggestions. I’ll make the body 13″ total with a few more rounds of the border stitches so it doesn’t roll like mine does and the sleeves will be 15-16″ total. I’m getting very close. I’ve completed the sleeve decreases so I just need to knit to the desired length less one inch and then knit the ribbing. I’ll finish the body next and then do the last sleeve. Collar last and then block and off it’ll go. I hope she loves hers as much as I love mine.

Hansel Hap Half is also moving right along. I am loving the colors I chose which makes me happy. The Hansel Hap Half comes in three sizes and I’m making the medium sized one (that’s what I had enough MC yarn for … or I thought I had) and the size seems like it’ll be a good one, too. I really look forward to putting this shawl around my shoulders on a crisp spring morning or evening. I don’t have far to go before the lace edge border.

And last but not least, the Escher socks are coming along. I have found a 9″ circular US2 needle and am working on them, trying to decide if I love them or hate them. There are good and bad to both the circs and the DPNs and I’m not sure which needles I prefer … Yet. I’ve gotten to the colorwork leg on the second sock and would love to get to the heel this weekend. I hope I have time but I’m not going to stress myself out. Next weekend will be ok too. They’re really pretty, though. I sure do hope they’ll fit when they’re done. I have to knit the heel to try them on and I decided to knit both heels when the socks are finished. That may have been a mistake – but time will tell.

I tried some grown up press on nails this week. I tried the Impress brand from Walgreens, a french manicure look. I had no trouble applying them … well, one or two may not have been perfectly placed but they’re ok. If I hold them at arms length, they look pretty good. BUT they’re pushing back on my cuticles and that’s not comfortable and I can’t scratch my head. I think I’ll be taking them off this weekend. Maybe I’ll do it again for an event like the MeAA 10 Year Celebration on May 2 when I have to speak.

Geez, my hands are starting to look their age! Anyway, they’re fun but not what I think I want to have all the time. I like my plain old short nails for daily use.

I’m reading Theo Of Golden by Allen Levi and I am really sad to be nearing the end. I think I have another chapter, maybe two, to read. It’s a lovely story about art and giving and receiving and seeing and being seen. It really is a heartwarming story about welcoming a stranger and how he changes the lives of others by listening and encouraging. I highly recommend!

One of my students made S’mores Brownies and brought some to class on Friday. I think I need to make a batch today for my hubby. He’s out of everything sweet and granola, too. Lucky that my friends bring sweet treats to knit with me and think of him. It may be a blueberry muffin day, too. We’ll see how much energy I have … or it may be tomorrow. Ha! Ha!

Gone knitting.

WIP Wednesday (and no FOs)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

It’s the dreaded “tax day” today in the US. Ours are done and dusted and it’s a huge relief to get it off my to-do list every year. I totally stress about it every year (and we have a pretty simple tax return.) Today’s weather is damp and gray. We had more rain yesterday afternoon and I am welcoming every single drop as a prescription against wildfires. We heard about a wildfire in Naples, FL (my hubby’s hometown) on the news last night and I texted dear friends who we believed to be too close to the fire and we were right. They’ve got their bags packed and by the door in case they’re told to evacuate. This is a photo from their deck … the smoke from that fire is way too close.

I’m sending them thoughts for strong winds and lots of rain to protect their beautiful home. And I”m feeling incredibly grateful for our safety today.

I just wanted to update my progress on my WIPs since it’s Wednesday and all. LOL. Over the weekend and earlier this week, I’ve been working away on my three WIPs. I am committed to getting them finished in a reasonable time frame. I know I have a sweater to knit for my daughter and another one that I’ve committed as a donation to a silent auction at the Maine Arts Academy 10th Anniversary Celebration coming up on May 2. I also have a list of things I want to make … I will never be bored or lack a list of to-be-knitted items.

Yesterday I really worked away at my Vanilla Sweater for my college roommate. I believe I am close to being able to split the hem and finish the body. We chatted last night about lengths and she has measured a couple of sweaters she loves and I’ll knit a total of 13 inches for the length including the hem. Sleeves will be 15-16″. Now I can finish! It’s exciting when I get to this point and this sweater is so great for knitting while socializing because there’s really nothing to count. It’s just knit, knit, knit. Wonderful. And don’t you love the newest point protectors/stitch stoppers that I found at Les Laines Biscotte in Quebec City? A unicorn and Piglet! I’ve officially flipped for these little tools.

I also worked on my Hansel Hap Half and I have to say I am loving this pattern, It uses just enough brain power to pull me in completely and yet it’s not difficult. I’ve used all of the tools available for me – stitch markers at each lace pattern repeat on the border and spit splicing ten or so stitches before the end of the row before the color change (although I seldom remember this before I finish the row!) I am very happy with my color palette, too. If I had my druthers, I’d probably just work on this because it’s very satisfying right now. BUT …

I also have my Escher Socks (here showing you the inside). I’ve finished the first sock to the toe but I’m saving the heel and will knit both heels when I have finished both socks. I started the second sock and got the ribbing done. I’ve decided to try using a 9″ circular needle and I grabbed a US2 9″ circ by Knit Pro because we were out of the Chiao Goo at the store. I didn’t like it at all because the “circle” was just a little bit too tight. I bought a Chiao Goo US1 (oops meant to get a US2) in Quebec and I compared the two needles before I returned the Knit Pro …

Knit Pro 9″ circular vs. Chiao Goo 9″ circular

As you can see, there is a reason why! The Knit Pro tip is quite a bit longer when you’re considering the 9″ circle is finite. So, I’ll wait for the 9″ Chiao Goo to come in before moving along (or knit with my DPNs until then.) Anyway, the socks are quite pretty and I am excited to get them moving along so I can wear them and so I can start another pair.

In other news, my son broke his ankle/leg playing soccer this past weekend. He said he heard a pop and had a goose egg on his ankle, just above the ankle bone, almost immediately. He went to the doctor on Monday and it’s fractured so he’s off his feet and the soccer pitch for a bit. He’s lucky to have Doctor Gus always at his side.

It’s going to be a busy day today so I’ll sign off here. Hope tax day treats you well. Wishing you peace!

Gone knitting.

Monday Update

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

What a difference a day makes! We are experiencing a warmer but very gray, dismal, rainy day. I haven’t even stepped foot outside to take a photo but you can see what I see out of my atelier window … gray, gray, and more gray. So, I’ve spent some extra time drinking coffee with my hubby and have vacuumed the second floor very thoroughly and washed another sweater (two since I returned from Canada.) It’s definitely time to get the well-worn and loved woolens cleaned up and stored away. I also may have eaten a small bag of Mary’s Popcorn … sirop d’erable et pacanes (maple syrup and pecans) which is delicious! Thank goodness I didn’t buy a bigger bag!

This afternoon I’ll go out and run some errands, wash my. car and fill up the tank in preparation for a busy next few weeks. My boss is off again, this time to Florida for April break with her grandchildren we think. I’ll have some extra days at work and have my Two-Color Brioche workshop to run on the 25th. I’ve signed up for a few Tuesdays so I can pay myself back for the Canada trip (worth every penny spent!)

I wanted to update those of you who care about my WIPs. I have been knitting and am having fun with the projects currently on the needles and adding to the projects to be knit. LOL

Yesterday morning I worked on my Escher Socks by Summer Lee. I’m working with two yarns, one is a natural shade that I bought (I may have said this before) when I thought I was going to dye yarn. Ha! NOT! It’s Cloudborn Fibers Merino Superwash Sock Twist in Ecru. (467 yards/100 grams and 80% superwash merino, 20% polyamide.) The color-changing yarn is a Crazy Zauberball, I think, in the Garden Party colorway. I think. I don’t have the ball band/tag and found this in my stashed yarn. I “copied” the colorway from my student/friend Kelly because hers were so gorgeous and I knew I had the gradient yarn and a white yarn in my stash. I really am trying to use up some of my stashed yarns! Anyway, I have gotten to the toe of the first sock as of yesterday late morning and hope to get sock #2 on the needles today. The remainder of the toe won’t take long nor will the forethought heel. (The red needle is marking where the heel will go.) I took a pair of Knit Pro US 2 nine inch circular needles from the store to try on the sock last week and I didn’t love them. I can see that the colorwork moves more smoothly on the circs and I don’t have any pause like when I go from one DPN to another BUT the tips on this pair seems a bit too long. I picked up a pair of nine inch Chiao Goo circs at Les Laines Biscotte but I got a US 1 and I need a US 2. I’ll return the Knit Pros and pick up a Chiao Goo and give them a try when I get to the store this afternoon.

Oddly, I was working away on the socks and one of my Chiao Goo DPNs rolled off the desk and I have looked all over the area and can’t find it. It has simply vanished. I even called for my hubby to have a look and he didn’t find it either. I fully expected it to be picked up and crunched by my vaccuum today … nope. Can you see me shrugging my shoulders? I don’t have a clue where it is. It can’t have gone far!

Another project I was working on yesterday is the Vanilla Sweater for my college roommate. I am knitting this one in Rauma Garn Finull in a heathered lavender. It’s a really pretty color. I’ve gotten almost to the ribbing for the body on this one. I plan to knit the ribbing a bit longer than the ribbing on my Vanilla Sweater because mine is apt to roll up and I’m not fond of that attribute. I certainly don’t want my friend’s sweater to do the same. I hope to get that ribbing finished today and get one of the sleeves picked up. This sweater pattern is so well written and I am enjoying the “brainless” stockinette stitching which is great for riding in the car and knitting in public.

Vanilla Sweater by Corrine in Rauma Finull Garn

One more active project on the needles. My Hansel Hap Half by Gudrun Johnson. I am knitting this with stashed Jamieson’s of Shetland and Jamieson & Smith jumper weight wool. I have quite a collection of colors collected over the past decade from taking the Year of Techniques, Boost Your Knitting and Confident Knitting (all a year of learning new techniques) with Jen Arnall-Culliford. Because she is based in the UK, I bought all of the yarn packs that went with the classes and much of it was Shetland wool. Anywhoo … I am working my way along with the half-hap size, or a triangular shawl. I was nearly done with the garter stitch triangle of the main shawl and ran out of my main color. I had decided that I would use another different but similar color for the spots in the edging where the pattern calls for the main color so I just popped it in for the last few rows where you’re getting ready to add the edging. It looks like a stripe. That’s fine. And then the real fun started: stripes of color. I’ve got a few stripes done. (I did have to frog back the work I did while chatting in the lounge at the hotel because even though it was relatively simple, I botched the count somewhere. It was only a few rows.)

Hansel Hap (Half) by Gudrun Johnson in Shetland Wool

I’m loving this! What looks like black is actually the darkest of blues and I’ve chosen shades of blue and a creamy white as the other colors. The teal blue shown is the “pop” of color. Fun!

While I am thinking of it, if you don’t own or haven’t read A Year of Techniques or its sibling books, they are worth every single penny spent to find them. I found the projects quite wonderful and have made quite a few and Jen’s tutorials are also fabulous. While their business is closed, you can still find the books used or in some UK-based yarn shops or online. I found a couple of patterns in these books that I have made several times and some that I still plan to make again. I’ve posted about the baby blanket Little Tern here and I made one back in 2017 as well. They’re both in my Ravelry projects page. Check the books out if you want to improve your knitting techniques! They’re three of my most cherished reference books.

Gone knitting.

Home Again – Quebec City Trip

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

While I was away the ice went out and the loons returned. What a glorious morning it is when we can once again hear the loons calling! This morning was that morning. “Our” loon pair was out in front of the house letting us know that they’re back. And since they were out front, we got the chair cushions out of winter storage so we could have some coffee on the porch (with blankets) just to spend a few minutes out in advance of the warmer weather.

My trip to Quebec City was everything I hoped it would be. Knitting friend and student, Rudy, and I had tickets to see Arne & Carlos at the Chateau Frontenac on Thursday evening. We made a girts trip out of it and drove up to Quebec City on Wednesday. Rudy has been there before and was a wonderful “tour guide” leading me on the best wanders around town, some great restaurants and more. We stayed at the Hotel du Vieux-Quebec which was exceptional. My room was comfortable and modern with historic details. We spent some down-time in the lounge by the fireplace knitting when we weren’t out and about. The art in the hotel was exceptional and there were a couple of pieces that I would buy for my house. The staff were very friendly and welcoming (as were all the people we me along our way.) Each room has a coffee maker and a tea kettle, a small refrigerator and a full bath with a towel warmer! Everything is labeled in French and some with English translations and it was just a short walk up hill to the shops.

We wandered shops in the Quartier du Petite Champlain where the streets were cobblestones and many of the buildings original (old!) We had some cheese for a snack and a maple “lollipop” made just for us. We went up to the Chateau Frontenac on the Funicular, an automated tram that climbs the steep (STEEP) hill up to the Chateau, and wandered around the shops between there and our hotel.

I highly recommend a ride UP the Funicular! We had our Wednesday dinner at Hortus, connected to our hotel. It’s a farm to table-style restaurant and we had a lovely meal with dessert, too! As we were waiting for our food, we saw Arne and Carlos for the first time – walking by on the sidewalk on their way to dinner. We nearly flew out of our seats to go speak with them … but thought better of it. (Later Arne said we should have come out to say hello. Bummer that we didn’t but oh, well!)

Thursday we had breakfast at a crepes restaurant – savory for me and dessert for Rudy! They were delicious. And then we did some wandering around the shops near our hotel. We took a historical tour of the Chateau Frontenac area that afternoon and it was very interesting. The guide was wonderful; a perfect mix of history, comedy, and acting. We had a late lunch/early dinner at Bello near the Chateau. They serve wonderful Italian food. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and then headed on to the Chateau where the main attraction was happening. Arne and Carlos were sponsored by Boutique de Tricot, Les Laines Biscotte in the new part of the city. (More on our visit there later) We arrived early and were among the first registered and were milling in the ballroom (salle de balle) when out walked Arne and Carlos. Arne walked right into our “circle” winding a ball of blue yarn and picked up the conversation. It was thrilling to stand and chat with one of my knitting heroes. Carlos came over a bit later and also joined the group for a little bit before their talk. They talked for an hour about their creative endeavors and what inspires them, their home (that Arne bought without consulting Carlos and without any electric or heat), their gardens and their travel. It was inspiring listening to them.

We didn’t win any of the drawings but we felt like winners just being there! After the talk, Arne and Carlos autographed their newest book and put up with us all wanting photos with them. Hey, there’s no proof without photos!

I’d heard that they were warm and kind and welcoming and they were exactly that! Carlos was wearing his (now) famous denim shirt that Arne got the security tag off of (they talked about it on their youtube channel) and they were simple delightful to meet. I need to go on one of their trips now to allow me to spend a little more time with them. (I’ll be saving my pennies!) We also met some lovely women and men who traveled to Quebec to meet “the guys”. The Canadians, no matter what province they’re from, are so lovely to visit with!

And we have arrived at Friday already and time to head home. Rudy ordered us breakfast to be delivered to our room on Friday morning to allow us time to pack up and relax a bit. Imagine my surprise when I opened my door at 6:30am to see this …

Breakfast was beautifully presented in a rattan picnic basket with a red and white checked cloth and included orange juice, yogurt, cheddar cheese, honey (from the hotel’s rooftop bees) and two items from a patisserie – a perfect croissant and a fruit and cheese danish. I will tell you that it was my first idea to eat one and bring one home but I ate them both. LOL. And the yogurt. We met around 8 in the lounge for some knitting near my favorite piece of art there until the three shops that we wanted to stop at to buy a few gifts to bring home.

We ran out at 10am to the Atelier Les Trois Corbeaux for some glass pieces that were made right there in the store. Needless to say, it was plenty warm there with a forge in the building! On to the shoe store for a gift for Rudy and then to Mary’s Popcorn. Yes, we did bring popcorn home and it is something worth mention – if you’re there, buy it! The small size isn’t big enough. Trust me.

And then we were off to the yarn shop! The store space is large and open and well organized. I always love to see what different shops carry and what is different and how they organize their yarns. It was so much fun! La Laine Biscotte carries their own line of yarn, too. It was difficult to not buy more … I controlled myself.

I chose a hank of Arne & Carlos’ new sock yarn for my hubby’s socks, a couple of Biscotte sock yarns to make myself a pair of socks and enough charcoal gray Felted Tweed for another Easy Folded Poncho (or similar). I also bought the commemorative canvas bag. Of course! You can also see my autographed copy of the new ornaments book. I may have to knit a couple just because I have more of the yarn that matches my hand-knit Christmas items that ALL happen to be Arne and Carlos’ designs.

Our drive home was peppered with us saying “I can’t believe we met Arne & Carlos”! And how thrilled we were to get up there to meet them. It was a marvelous trip and we will have fun sharing our experience with the Friday morning knitters at Yardgoods Yarn.

I did get a little bit of knitting done. I’ve worked on the body of the Vanilla Sweater in lavender for my college roommate. I’m getting almost to the bottom of the body. And I’ve worked on my Shawl KAL project, the Hansel Hap Half. I made a little mistake in the first couple of rows in the setup for the border so I frogged back and reknit it last night. It’s much better now. I’m not sure where I made the mistake but I was probably talking too much. I’ve run out of the MC and am finishing the center triangle with a “stripe” of a close colorway that presents as more brown than gray. But it’s ok – I think it will look like another stripe in the shawl. It’s for me and I’ve blessed the project as it uses up some of my stashed J&S jumper weight wool. I have a few hats or a colorwork sweater or two still in my stash. I have no photos of said knitting, however. I’ll update again after I settle back in at home. It was delightful to find some crocus blooming in the yard when I got home.

Gone knititng.

A Case of the Mondays

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

And here we are at Monday again! I took three photos this morning and had to pick just one for the first post photo … this was the last one I took. I turned to go inside with my photo of the day and saw the moon reflected in the water and then saw it up in the tree. It reminds me what it’s like to have the open water back on a calm morning. I am always sad to see the ice go out but I’m happy to have the open water back. One of our lakeside neighbors (across the lake and north of us) posted a photo of a boat on the water yesterday. They must have put the boat in in Oakland because Sidney is still iced in. I’ll bet there are loons somewhere on the lake, too. Just not by us.

I was up on the later side last night recording a lullaby for my granddaughter and knitting, of course, after a day of sewing. I decided to uncover my sewing machine after several months of inactivity and I’m glad I did. The spongey/foam disc on the thread spindle had completely disintegrated and I had a little mess to clean up. While cleaning that little mess, I cleaned the whole cabinet/table, too. Good to go for another bit. I was inspired by Kate at the Last Homely House YouTube channel and then, also, by one of my Friday afternoon knitters, to make a patchwork pouch. I have lots of fabric and thought I could cut up some bee-themed fabric pre-cuts that I have and make said pouch. And that I did.

I find sewing fun but way more brain power is used when sewing because it’s not intuitive to me. I made a bunch of mistakes along the way but I am completely satisfied with the end result. I have since added a bee-utiful ribbon to the top so I can tie it closed. But suffice it to say that the better part of the day was spent cutting squares (I cut the 5×5 inch pre-cuts into four) and then arranging and rearranging them into a pattern that I liked, sewing them together in strips and then sewing the strips together to make a 12×12 inch square of fabric. I sandwiched them together with a 12″ square of lining fabric and turned it right side out before stitching all the way around. (Kate didn’t do this and I don’t know if I would the next time but it’s good.) I hand quilted it next … and remembered how I like to stitch by hand. I have another project that’s been sitting in time out and maybe it’s time to resurrect it, too. I am so happy with the result and now I just have to figure out how I want to use it.

Once done with my pouch, I pulled out my Hansel Hap and got some knitting done. I am happy to report that I am at 154 stitches (I’ve added some of my favorite stitch markers to mark 50 stitches so the counting is easier as I grow this shawl.) I’m happy with the yarn and it’s a good project to pull out at the end of the day when my brain is tired. A few more rows and I will be able to start the border which will be even more fun and take a little more brain power (the Vanilla Sweater will then take on the late knitting role.)

I have added the third little ball of MC yarn with a spit splice so there are no ends to weave in at the end and it’s getting bigger for sure. I have a feeling this will become my atelier shawl for those times when I need a little something over my shoulders as I work.

The plumber has arrived this morning to repair the water intake system that broke about 8 weeks ago so the water has been turned off and we’ll likely be without it most of the day, So I was up and showered and dressed earlier than usual. A gift of a little bit more time to be up in my atelier to clean up a bit from yesterday’s adventure and maybe I’ll get a little bit of time to knit, too.

Oh! Here are the other two morning photos from this morning at 6am. The ice is so thin but the skating rink next door is still visible!

Gone knitting.

Easter Sunday

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

Happy Easter to those of your who celebrate. We are having a (very) quiet (too quiet?) day here today. It’s rather gloomy outside and expected to stay that way so no gardening but I know that I will be up in my atelier knitting and cleaning up a little bit, too. It’s a bit of a disaster up here after a busy week. I went to a dance recital yesterday afternoon at Maine Arts Academy and was impressed by the talent and the large crowd who came on the day before Easter. It was a pretty day yesterday and 51 degrees! Spring is coming.

The lake ice is thinning a lot and ice will no doubt be out very soon. Maybe by the time I get back from my trip to Quebec City? Maybe before. There are parts of the lake where the ice is already gone and we have some water at the edge of the lake. The big sheets of ice that cover the shoreline are gone. The ice has shrunken a lot and will start breaking up and moving north with the flow of the water soon. If I’m here, there will be a video.

I’ve been working away at my knitting but not as much as I might like because I have overdone it just a bit and I have to rest my left arm just a bit. I’m making good progress on my three active projects, though.

I’ve made it past the heel (it’s a forethought heel on my Escher socks which means a strand of yarn is knitted into the spot where the heel will go and then you knit over those in pattern and down to the toe.) I’m working my way down the foot now. I do enjoy the colorwork pattern! I’ve changed over to a 9″ circular needle by Knit Pro (formerly Knitters Pride) and I’m not a huge fan although I do like that I don’t have to switch needles like with DPNs. We didn’t have any Chiao Goo 9″ needles in a US 2 at the shop but I’ll try them when they’re restocked. Hopefully soon.

I’ve cast on a new shawl project for the Wooly Thistle’s Shawl KAL. I decided to knit the Hansel Hap Half mostly because I have the wool in my stash and I’m really working on using up some of what I have (and so I can order more?) I’m working this shawl in Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson’s jumper weight 100% Shetland wool. I’m loving it! The shawl is a simple garter stitch triangle and then the fun starts with the addition of a border in more of the main color (or in my case, slightly different color but close enough) and a super dark blue, a teal for a pop of color and a white. I’m really excited to get to the border and I’m about two thirds of the way there.

And because I’ve started the shawl, I’ve let the Vanilla Sweater get neglected just a little bit. I did work on it for a short while on Friday when I was teaching because it’s easy to put down when I need to. But, it’s easy to put down when it’s just stockinette stitch in the round for eleven or so inches because it’s not very exciting or challenging. But I will get it done! I’m eager to cast on my daughter’s wrap cardigan because I think that will be “more fun”. I haven’t even taken a more recent photo of the Vanilla Sweater but I’ve only made minimal progress.

I did bake! I found a box of bran flakes in our pantry cupboard as I was straightening the other day and so I went hunting for a bran muffin recipe so I could use them up. I found a recipe that made some tasty muffins that we both are enjoying this week. My hubby, in particular, loves to have a little something sweet with his coffee in the morning. They were another simple recipe and freeze beautifully (for two of us to eat a dozen muffins, they’ve got to be frozen or they’d be moldy.)

The plumbers are supposed to be here first thing tomorrow morning. (See my post here to get the background on this story.) I sure hope they come on time and get the job done right. Our bathroom rug was soaking wet yesterday morning because the water unit thingy was leaking again. Nothing better than wondering what you stepped in before your eyes were even open. So … the water will be turned off tomorrow for most of the day and I won’t be able to do laundry for my trip until Tuesday (I refuse to do laundry today.) Tuesday will be laundry day this week and that leaves today … I think I will sew a pouch a la Kate at the Last Lonely House. I just need to piece and quilt a square and then sew it together like an envelope. One of my knitting students had made one and brought it to class Friday and I was reminded that I loved the pouch. It’s a good project for today – and maybe it’ll make me sew more often?

Gone sewing.