Queen Bee Knits

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

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.

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.

“I believe in hope. I believe in ‘Believe’.”

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

I don’t know about you but I love the show Ted Lasso. I am not a sports buff nor a sports fan, if I’m honest, but I loved the show and it must be because it’s the coach who’s a coach against all odds. And Coach Lasso says the damndest things! (The title quote is one of his and a favorite!)

Yesterday was a busy day at our house. I spent several hours at my desk writing most of a newsletter for the yarn shop where I work and making calls and catching up on emails for the board that I sit on. I also made a couple of calls to find out why nobody had returned my calls last week or several months ago. Does it bother you that the service industry, at least in part, seems to have lost its ability to return calls? This is what we used to call “customer service” and I’ve noticed that lots of organizations simply don’t know how to provide it.

My first call was to my doctor’s office. I had left a message last week Tuesday to get a prescription changed so I don’t have to refill it every 30 days. AND I wanted to know what the office protocol is when test results come back into the office – do they call patients with results or should patients be on their online records portal? When I called, the person answering the phone looked and said that I’d left a message about tests results. Well, sort of and no. I told her that I wanted to know what their protocol was and that I’d had three tests over the course of the last six months or so (don’t worry, I’m fine, they’re just normal stuff – allergy test, mammogram and follow-up blood) and was not called. She said a letter was sent out and read it to me. I suspect the letter was sent out AFTER I called last week but time will tell. After speaking to the office manager, too, I feel like nothing will change and the “healthcare home” that I am looking for is not there. My assigned practitioner doesn’t seem able or willing to make those calls and I will have to follow myself on the portal. Others love the portals but I like a good old fashioned phone call. It’s a way to build a relationship with the person who is watching over my health and as I age it becomes more and more important.

Next I called an insurance broker who I had reached out to before year-end and we were slow getting her photos of our property but my hubby sent photos in December. Since then, crickets. So, yesterday I reached out to her, too. Wouldn’t you think she’d want some new business? Doesn’t that mean some additional money for her? Good grief! Why do I have to do the work?

(update: I have spoken to the insurance broker and it seems that our town records are incorrect online. I’ve spoken to someone in the Assessor’s office who has changed the record to indicate that the house was rebuilt in 2015 rather than renovated and emailed me a copy of the record for the insurance company. BUT there is still about a half-dozen mistakes on the card: siding materials, insulation, it says we have a fireplace (we don’t) and it says it’s a seasonal residence (it’s not). The Assessor is only in his Belgrade office one day a month … what are the chances that this is addressed in a timely manner? Can you see me cracking my skull against my desk?)

AND when I get frustrated and the point of this diatribe is that I baked my frustration away. I had been cleaning out some of my old photos that don’t need to be kept on my phone and came across a screenshot of a recipe for “Ted Lasso Shortbread”. If you watch the show, you’ll know that Ted brings the boss lady shortbread in the morning in a little pink box. My hubby loves shortbread and I have never made it for him but I always buy some for his Christmas stocking. I decided yesterday that it was the day to give it a shot. Simple as pie instructions (maybe simpler than pie, actually) and only five ingredients. I tossed it all into the food processor and when it was mixed up, I pressed it into an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper beneath. Baked it for a bit and …. OMG! This stuff is so yummy that I like it, too!

I thought I’d share the recipe and tell you what I did a little bit differently. I did not cut them before I baked them – they crumbled apart and it was a mess. I baked them for 35 minutes and then cut them when they were just out of the oven. I then returned them to the oven to finish baking. I used Turbinado sugar sprinkled on top. Next time, I may use my edible flowers with a bit less sugar sprinkled on top. We both taste-tested them and they were good when they were warm but they were even better this morning with my coffee.

Ted Lasso Shortbread by Chouquette Kitchen

I took a quick walk around the yard looking for signs of spring yesterday when the temps were more favorable for such a thing. I did find a few signs. Some of my tulip bulbs have survived another winter and there are daffodils coming up, too. Yay! The wind off the lake is still really cold, though, and we may be getting a bit of snow later this week. Stay strong little flowers-to-be!

I stayed up way too late last night to finish my socks. AND, I got them done. Phew. I like them well enough but I probably won’t choose to knit with this particular yarn again. I don’t love the base (and it’s already pilling a little bit.) But they’re done. I also took a bunch of time to work on the Vanilla Sweater and have gotten the sleeves divided and am heading down the body of the pullover now. And with that progress, I need to cast on another pair of socks and another sweater project: my daughter’s wrap cardigan.

I’ve also signed up for a shawl KAL with the Wooly Thistle yarn shop which is in New Hampshire. (And will be a weekend road trip soon!) I haven’t decided which shawl I’m going to knit but I’m thinking I’d like to knit Gudrun Johnson’s Hansel Hap (Half Hap). I have a sweater’s worth of Jamieson’s jumper weight in a neutral beige-y color and tons of little balls of Jamieson’s or J&S which are interchangeable and that may work. I’m already behind on this project, of course, but I really am trying to make myself finish up some older WIPs before starting new ones. I also think I know which socks I’m going to knit next. I have a student who’s knitted the Escher Socks with a ball of cream solid fingering and a ball of Crazy Zauberball. I happen to have both in my stash! She also knit the Sunny Side UP socks and I have plenty of stashed yarn for those, too. So, with that in mind, away I go!

Gone knitting.

Hello, SUNday!

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

This photo is from yesterday although this morning looked very similar – I was just too lazy to get out of bed in time to take a photo. So, this one will have to suffice. Today we have a gorgeous blue bird sky and I am loving the sunshine! Sunrise is happening way down to the “left of center” again as the days lengthen and the air warms just a little bit. My bulbs are starting to dare to peek out; we are all unsure of whether winter is really done or just planning another April Fools Day prank. Time will tell.

We had a great day yesterday after a very busy week (again!) We went to the No Kings rally in Waterville, Maine where about 1,000 like-minded people who care about our democracy gathered to voice our concerns about where our government is taking this country … fewer rights for women, less healthcare, a war in Iran that wasn’t approved by congress, education dollars stripped from schools, prices of homes, gas, groceries going up while jobs seem to be going down. As an older person, I can’t stay home any longer. It was time for me to take the time and make the effort to be seen and heard. My hubby took a photo of me in my red hat and with my sign – made in part because my granddaughter loves Mary Poppins right now and it takes place in the era of suffragettes when women were not allowed to vote. And a sign that a friend sent to me from her rally in Pennsylvania, I think. We were thanking our lucky stars that the sun was shining because when the wind blew it was cold!

After the rally, I took off in one direction and my hubby took off in another. He went home and I went to Augusta to the spring concert at Maine Arts Academy where the Junior High and High School choirs and the High School Strings Ensemble put on a fabulous show. The performances were all based on a hope theme. Several students read original poetry and many songs were sung. It was a great way to end a very good day.

I’ve been working away on several knitting projects and planning a workshop at the store in mid-April. I wrote a newsletter for the yarn shop last week and will write one or two more before I hang up my newsletter writing days. I have too many other fun things that I want to spend my time on and maybe someone will pick up the account and continue or not. I also have plans with at least one of my friends at work to knit the next gnome KAL so I’ve been pulling out my yarn scraps in preparation for some gnome knitting. (There are so many I want to knit!) This year it’s a Beary Cozy Gnome and the first clue is April 15!

On Friday I worked almost exclusively on my socks. It’s time to make a commitment to them and get them off the needles. I got the leg finished, knitted the heel flap and turned the heel and started to decrease the gusset stitches … I’m now down to my original number of stitches and am knitting the foot … phew! That’s a lot of stitches! I hope to get them finished this week and cast on another pair. One of my students is knitting through Summer Lee’s sock books and I love the one she’s making with a Crazy Zauberball and a ball of cream colored yarn … I have both in my stash. Next socks? Time will tell.

On Thursday we had a special delivery at work. Our work friend, Bette, had her husband deliver the best surprise ever!!!! Chickens knitted for us! Aren’t they wonderful? Carol and I were so surprised and thrilled with this particularly wonderful, generous addition to our collections. Such fun.

I’ve also been working away on my college roommate’s Vanilla Sweater. I’m getting close to separating the sleeves from the body of the pullover so right now it’s just a mess of stitches crammed on a circular needle that probably could be a little bit longer but as soon as the sleeve stitches come off, it’ll be just right again. I’m using Rauma Finull Garn again for this project because I really like the warmth of the wooly wool and sport/dk weight of the yarn. The one that I made for me is perfect to wear indoors. Worsted weight sweaters are really too warm for me these days. I love the colorway she chose, too. As soon as the body is separated, I’ll cast on the sweater for my younger daughter, too. So much knitting and not enough time. LOL

I have so many plans for future knits. I had bought a couple of hanks of Emma’s Yarn in a deep teal-y blue for a shawl that I ended up frogging because the garter stitch was too boring. I loved the elegant look of the shawl but at that moment in time, it wasn’t something I was getting any joy out of so I frogged it and I’m going to use it to knit a tee. I have two options I’m considering. I have some black linen (or linen cotton blend) yarn with which I want to make a tee or a sleeveless top. Again, there are a couple that I’m considering for this project, too. The Broadgate Tabbard needs to be on my needles. I have some gorgeous green linen for that and it’s a perfect spring color. It does take some brain power and will be a knit it at home in my little bubble project … at least in the beginning.

In early April I’m heading to Quebec City with a knitting friend. The main purpose of our trip is to meet Arne and Carlos which will be happening on the 9th. We have tickets to an event with them at the Frontenac. We’ll be touring the Frontenac earlier that day and will wander the city as well, dining and shopping. We’ll be visiting the yarn shop that is hosting the event on our way out of the city after the event. I’m excited to see another Canadian city and they say it’s a little bit like visiting Europe. I want to bring an A&C project with me and it may end up being my wall hanging that I did with them during the pandemic. I’ve not shared it here for a long time (if ever) … it hangs above the tv on my studio wall and I love it. Despite the hardships that were caused by the pandemic and the daily trauma of deaths and isolation, the wall hanging reminds me that people can be kind and caring and that community is so important. My knitting community kept me sane! You can see my wall hanging on my Ravelry project page.

So, dear readers (wordpress says there are 106 of you subscribed), with that I’m going to close and wish you well in every stitch!

Gone knitting.

WIP Wednesday … another FO with a few mistakes

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

Today’s been a really pretty day and I’ve had only one meeting which means lots of time to knit and to do a bit more planning for the workshop I’m having in April at the (yarn) shop where I work. It’s been almost a year since I’ve done one … life is so wonderfully busy and I count my blessings every day.

Before my meeting I worked on my second sock for a little bit. I’ve put them aside for several days and it’s time to get them off my needles. I’ll be focusing on them and the sweater I’m knitting for my college roommate for the next few days. I’ve neglected the sweater for a couple of days while I finished Noah the Horse (click for the magic link). Anywhooooo …

Two-Color Brioche is a different colorwork stitch. Two colors of yarn are used to make a super squishy thick fabric that almost looks like it’s got horizontal stripes. And it’s reversible (if done right.) Brioche is two rounds combining to make a double fabric. A pattern of slipped stitches with a yarn over “shawl” and then a knitted or purled stitch, knitting the former round’s shawl stitch and it’s slipped partner as one. The main color (white in my sample) is the more prominent colorway. The first brioche round is made by knitting the slipped stitch and it’s shawl and then with the yarn forward, slipping the next stitch and making a yarn over “shawl”. The following round is worked with the the contrast color and slipping the stitch with the yarn over and to the front and then purling the paired slipped/shawl stitches as one. The stitches and their shawls are always counted as one stitch. The pattern that I’m going to recommend to my students is Easy Brioche Hat for Beginners … two colors of worsted weight yarn and the pattern I followed for my sample OR Beginner Brioche Slouch hat with two DK weight yarns.

I finished the hat for my workshop sample … and to help me remember how to knit 2-color brioche. I don’t knit a lot of it and I needed a refresher. I have made a couple of “mistakes” or mis-stitches but over all, I’m happy with it – the pattern and the knitter. I am choosing to present the sample to the class with the reminder that even as the teacher, I still make mistakes and mis-stitches. I have no idea how I missed them, but I did. It’s all good – it just isn’t reversible. And it may be the medium size but it fits on my giant noggin. (You can see the two mistake stitches … likely that I missed a “shawl” (yarn over) somewhere, somehow. Can you see me shrugging my shoulders. It’s all good. And I will re-do it in good time. Luckily there is enough yarn left over for a second hat (I think. I need to weigh it to be sure.)

I’ve used my ChiaoGoo shorties two days in a row to finish both this hat and Noah the Horse. I’ve not used them a lot because I didn’t think I liked the super short needle tips, in particular. However, I have discovered that I like them when a sixteen inch needle is too long. I was happy to have them both times and I’m now thinking that the next pair of socks that I knit will be made on shorties! Why not try something new?

This evening I’ll be pulling out the Vanilla Sweater for my college roommate and getting going on it. I’m using Rauma Finull Garn which is the same yarn that the sweater was designed with and I love knitting with it – it’s reasonably priced, 100% wool, blooms like crazy when it’s blocked, and comes in a bunch of great colors. She chose a really lovely heathered lavender colorway.

The snow is melting in the sunshine. This morning I took my photograph a little bit late and it is starting to feel like coffee on the porch season. I can hardly wait.

Gone knitting.

Monday, Monday

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

Whew! All day yesterday it snowed. Tiny flakes for an entire day … and left us with about 4 inches of snow. Hopefully the last of the season. You won’t hear me complaining, though, because the snow means that we’ll have water in our well this year. I’m so grateful to have the snow because it means we’ve had a winter and spring will come (even though it’s technically spring already.)

Yesterday was the perfect excuse to spend the day in my atelier knitting! And, for the most part, that’s what I did. I wrote a newsletter for the store (work) in the early morning and had breakfast with my hubby but the rest of the day was dedicated to being in my studio – catching up with calendar details, bill paying, flight booking and knitting.

I spent the majority of the day working on these little (and I mean little) overalls. These are part of a gift that I’m knitting for a very special person and glad that I am nearing completion. Today the overalls are blocked and drying, pocket and all. I’ll begin (and hope to finish) a little shirt to go under them today. Once this project is done, I’ll start another one. I just haven’t decided if I want to finish another UFO or start a new one. You’ll find out when I do!

I also started a sample hat in brioche stitch that I am considering for a workshop at the store. I spoke to the boss about it on Saturday and she’s good with me doing it (and just about anything.) I had a very successful stranded colorwork workshop and she’d really like me to repeat that but I’d rather do something different and I think a 2-hour, one time workshop based on a technique like Brioche will be a good one. This particular hat is a 2-color brioche but the technique is basically the same whether it’s one- or two-color.

Two-Color Brioche hat for a future workshop

My Friday morning class is interested in doing the colorwork cup cosy that I taught in the other workshop so I will offer it to them and will maybe do it again one day but … it’s time to learn something new, right? I’m knitting for the first time with Malabrigo Worsted and it’s lovely to work with and very soft. I’m not sure how the hat will fit me but it’s really meant to be a sample for the workshop and the store, too. Hats are such a manageable project and a good palate cleanser, too.

Today I need to get a few tasks done around the house … bake up a batch of banana bread (in muffin form) to use up the overripe bananas and the laundry is overflowing once again. While the hubby digs us out, hopefully for the last time, I’ll be in the kitchen. I may also roast a bunch of veggies for lunches this week. I love roasted veggies with some couscous or soba noodles for lunch – hot or cold depending on the day. Tomorrow I’m back to meetings and preparation for a big event at Maine Arts Academy in early May … my role as board chair is nearly over and it’ll be fun to hand the reins to another board member and become “past chair!”

Gone knitting.

Phew!

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

What a day! I “lost” my keys this morning after locking the door of my house. I didn’t know it and I went to work. I got to work and didn’t have any keys to get in. Searched my purse, my knitting bag, the car … and had to race back home where they were on the driveway. So, I opened the store a little bit late and the day did improve. I always like being in the store. I like the customers and the yarn (duh!)

It’s late and I wanted to just update you on my WIPs. I’ve been trying like crazy to finish the things I’ve already started. Geez, it’s hard. All I really want to do it cast on new things. LOL. Early this week I worked on Noah the Horse. I had all of his parts finished except the legs. It took one night to get them done and two days (or part of days) to get the pieces seamed and stuffed and assembled. I’m pretty pleased with the job I did. Now it’s time to knit his clothes and he’ll be ready to send to his new home. Last night I got one leg of his overalls knitted. I’ll work on the rest of his overalls tomorrow during class.

Tonight I’m knitting away on my socks. I’ve got another one to make but I’m making progress on the first one. This is a new pattern for me and I chose to trust the pattern (most of the time this is what I tell my students but I’ve knitted so many socks, I was hesitant to believe this pattern that wanted me to cast on 72 stitches for my size foot. Normally, I’d cast on 64 or 60 depending on the needle size. Anyway, I cast on 72 and that’s been taking a lot of time and it’s a lot of stitches! Tonight I had gotten far enough to try it on and it’s going to fit. Albeit with a little less negative ease than I usually have when I knit socks. It’s all good.

And one more WIP and one FO.

I cast on a second Vanilla Sweater for my college room mate in Rauma Garn Finull. I had to wait for the yarn to come back into stock and jumped as soon as I got the email. She chose a pretty heathered lavender colorway and I’ve cast on. I love knitting with this wool and my sweater is one of my favorites! I hope she’ll love hers, too.

I got to cast on the Vanilla sweater because I finished my Thistle on the Moor vest. I really like it – in fact, I like it so much that I sewed on the Queen Bee Knits label the other day and then put it on over the shirt that I was wearing because I needed another layer. It fits perfectly. I think I’ll wear it to work tomorrow.I used Berroco Lanas Light for the first time and I really liked the yarn and it has softened up a bunch after blocking. The pattern was fun with just enough lace up the front to keep it interesting and a lot of stockinette so that I could knit and watch TV at the same time.

When I finish the horse I’ll cast on the sweater for my daughter. BUT first I finish! I’m getting so close! One more WIP will be turning into a FO after overalls and a t-shirt.

Gone knitting.

Home Again, Home Again

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

Not a particularly beautiful welcome home weather-wise but it was so good to sleep in my own bed despite my snoring partner. LOL. I had a wonderful family visit in New York City, got to spend time with all of my kids and their significant others; the dogs, too! Nothing feeds this mama’s soul more than spending time with my adult children – they’re really terrific people and I’m so proud to be their mother! And now I’m home and this is a three-day work week for me as it’s my Saturday to work so I’m trying to get myself cleaned up and organized but also save some of my energy for the end of the week.

While I was gone, I finished my Thistle on the Moor vest. I am so pleased with the finished project! I knit this vest in Berroco Lanas Light, a sport weight 100% wool yarn with really great yardage (383 yards to 100 grams). I used only two balls for the fourth size thus making this project very affordable at $23.00. I will have to wear this to work on Thursday to try it out! The vest pre-blocking had some really wonky stitches but it’s gorgeous after blocking and it feels gloriously soft for a 100% wool that’s neither super wash nor merino!

Thistle on the Moor Vest on the blocking mat

I have also made a couple of purchases while I was away (or just before I left). I bought a sweater worth of Rauma Garn Finull in a beautiful heathered lavender for my second Vanilla Sweater by Corrine Tomlinson. This time it’s for my college roommate. I am excited to knit another version of this sweater and I love the colorway she chose.

I also ordered a total splurge yarn from Tribe Life Yarns in the UK. It’s a hand-dyed Art Yarns silk mohair with which I’ll be making a pullover that their Millie designed and it was free with the purchase of the yarn. The yarn was incredibly expensive, even for me, a self-proclaimed yarn snob, but I hope it’ll be a gorgeous sweater and a joy to wear. And I loved their packaging! The yarn is a creamy-white, blue, and shades of brown, beige, gray-ish and almost peachy. It’s quite different from any sweaters that I already have and if it’s really wonderful, I may have to buy some more! Oops.

I have ordered a new pouch to keep my bullet journal planner/calendar in, too. It hasn’t arrived yet but I hope it will be a favorite “tool” going forward. It’s by Soolla and appears to be a good weight of canvas with lots of outside and inside pockets where I can keep my pens, etc. A good way to carry those essentials that I need when I use my bullet journal. (And I never like to be without it!)

Last night I worked on my Frabjous Fibers socks again. I’ve turned the heel and completed the gusset decreases so I’ve just got to finish the foot and toe of the first sock and then get the second one started. I was pretty tired after my drive from CT to ME yesterday so I didn’t stay up late. I’ve got a bunch of chores to get done today and I’ll work on the socks and get the Vanilla Sweater cast on. I will be knitting a sweater for my daughter, too, this week. She’s asked for (and I’ve swatched for) Levitate Wrap by My Favorite Things. I’m excited to get started on another couple of sweaters.

I got home to some very dry plants and my Clivia up in my studio was covered in white mealy bugs. I gave it a good wash with some diluted soap and have done a shallow dive into how to treat mealy bugs on my Clivia plant … looks like I need an insecticide and some antibacterial dish soap so I’ll be back at it again today. Meanwhile, three of my four orchids are blooming and they’re being soaked in the kitchen sink because it’s been awhile! I’d best wrap this up and get back to it.

Gone knitting.

March. Already?!

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

February certainly flew by! This morning I woke up at 8:00 o’clock when my alarm went off … I could probably have slept longer. We were exhausted when we got home yesterday late afternoon. We got up in Denver just prior to 2:00am for our 5am flight – come to find this …

TSA in Denver International Airport doesn’t open until 3am but they suggest you get to the airport two hours before you are scheduled to board your flight. Our boarding time was 4:45. We got to the airport at 2:30 and not a thing was open. Ugh! AND TSA Pre-check doesn’t open until 4! Needless to say, we were among the first people to go through “standard” security. (And all of this was without coffee!) Once we were at our gate (after waiting for the trains to get running) we could only get coffee from a vending machine. What an opportunity missed – someone could have a small food cart with coffee and pastries or muffins or something and make a decent living! And the airlines could do a better job of communicating with customers on those early morning flights, too.

We started off a week ago with an overnight in Portland, Maine. Thankful we decided to drive down to Portland the night before our flight because overnight snow would have made the drive challenging. We took off after a de-ice around 5:30am and flew from Portland,ME to Baltimore, MD to Austin, TX to Reno, NV. Visited with my cousins and aunt and uncle who live there. My aunt is experiencing short-term memory loss and that was difficult to see. We’re going to have to do the travel so we can visit at least once a year. She is like my second mother to me and grandmother to my kids and it’s important to me that I keep the connection with her. On Sunday we toured the place where my aunt and uncle are living and then went out to Virginia City where the gold rush created the town way back when. There are original buildings and a lot of history there. In the right season there are gun fights in the streets and people dress in period clothes. We saw a couple of wild horses on a hillside on our way down the mountain. They also live in my cousins’ neighborhood! We had a big family dinner on Sunday night with my aunt and uncle, their two sons (my cousins) and their spouses and three of the five grandkids (my first cousins once removed?) It was fantastic to see them all and I look forward to going out again … and hope to be able to stay a bit longer next time! Getting to Reno was quite a challenge from Portland, ME. I’ll try from Boston next time. And we thoroughly enjoyed our visits to our western family!

Then we jetted off to Denver, CO to see our youngest and her family which includes our now 6-month-old grandson, Mac. Boy has he changed since we were there in September! He’s now a smiling, laughing, engaging happy boy and we loved spending time with the kids. We got to celebrate Amy’s 33rd birthday and Mac’s half birthday on Tuesday with carrot cake. I had an interesting time with elevation this trip, both in Reno and in Denver, but stayed well-hydrated and tried to get some good rest at night.

I brought knitting with me, of course, and did do some knitting on the way out. I have been working on my Thistle on the Moor vest and my second Ranunculus and I had a pair of vanilla socks. I’ve gotten most of the leg of the socks finished but I’m concerned they’re going to be too big.

I’m knitting Summer Lee’s I’m So Basic Socks in a sock set of Frabjous Fiber’s Mary Ann in a white/cream speckled main color with a teal cuff, heel, toe accent color. I like the hand of the yarn but the pattern told me to cast on 72 stitches for a 9″ foot circumference and I fear they’ll be too big – I always cast on 64 stitches for my socks on a US1. I’m going to put them on my leg and see how it fits before I go any further.

I worked on my Thistle on the Moor vest on the way out and I’m almost 2/3 done with the lace design repeats on the front. The rest of the vest is really simple stockinette stitch so it was good travel knitting. I am enjoying the Berroco Lanas Light yarn. It’s 100% wool but it’s not scratchy! I think it will bloom really nicely when I block it, too.

And I worked on my second Ranunculus. This one I’m knitting with Berroco Dulce in the gray colorway. It’s got a cotton core with alpaca fluff and the core has bits of peach and blue and maybe other colors but it’s very subtle. This version will likely be a more wintery version as compared to the silk one I made first. I’m not sure about how the yarn will hold up and I always feel like I have a bit of fluff in my eye but it’s very soft fabric and I’ve made good progress. I’ve gotten past the yoke and am working on the raglan increases and almost to where I will separate the sleeves. I have a very limited amount of yarn but I think it’ll be enough for at least 3/4 length sleeves. Time will tell.

I haven’t taken any photos of my knitting other than this one … taken while the baby was at his 6-month check up (getting four vaccines!) and the old folks and the dog enjoyed some time in the fresh air and sunshine. The weather was glorious but there’s no snow in Denver. I’m concerned for what that means for the summertime … this has been the least snowy winter in the last 40 years.

Today is for laundry and unpacking and settling back in. We are already missing the Reno and Colorado crew and can’t wait to get back out there. In the meantime, we have a week of “normalcy” and then I’m off to help my daughter with the granddaughter while her dad heads out to Las Vegas for work and mom is working, too! I’m looking forward to seeing the NYC family for a bit! My son-in-law was supposed to be going to Israel for a week, too. That’ may be cancelled because of the new war our government has entered into. Either way, I have to figure out if I want to drive my car, take the bus or train. So many options.

Gone knittng.

Swatching … for the Levitate Wrap

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Queen Bee Knits

My mother had a Clivia plant when she was alive. When I saw one at the garden center, I had to buy it. I’ve kept it in my atelier, apart from my other plants, because it was covered in that white sticky buggy germy stuff and I didn’t want it to spread. I’ve bathed it a couple of times after spraying it down with water mixed with a little bit of castille soap and that seems to have helped. All of this love and care has finally paid off with a beautiful orange bloom! I’m thrilled.

I’m starting a new project soon and I thought I’d take you on a ride with me through the process. My daughter wants a wrap sweater and she’s chosen the Levitate Wrap by My Favorite Things (Louise). It’s a boxy cardigan with wrap styling. The Ravelry description calls for a DK + lace (worsted) weight yarns held double. Libet wants a charcoal grey or deep burgundy. I sent her an initial choice and she picked the Patagonia Organic Merino yarn with which I’ll hold a lace weight silk/mohair. I started the process, while waiting for more mohair lace to come into the shop, by doing a gauge swatch.

Did you know that most designers add an additional 10% to their yarn requirements for swatching? Thank you Bristol Ivy for that informational nugget. (I think it was Bristol … it may have been Lori Versaci or Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. But I digress … this time, because I don’t have my daughter to measure, I want it to be the exact measurement so it fits her. I didn’t want to take any risks. (More on that later in this post.)

I made my swatch in stockinette stitch as called for in the pattern. I cast on enough stitches that the swatch should be more than four inches so that I can measure the stitches in the middle away from any rolling edges. I didn’t knit a full six inches to measure the rows … I got tired last night after a bit more than four inches and bound off.

I measured the swatch: 16 stitches per inch and 23 rows. Close but no cigar. BUT we’re not finished yet. I have to wet block the swatch to get the bestest closest measurement of what the fabric will be like at the very end after the garment is blocked.

To measure the stitches per inch blocked I stuck a straight pin in at 1″ and at 5″ and counted the rows of knitting between the pins. Exactly 15. And because I was lazy about knitting the rows, I counted the full number I knitted between cast on and bind off and it’s just over the 22 rows. So, I’m calling it perfect – 15 sts and 22 rows is 4″. I’m on gauge.

The next question is, do I like the fabric? When I hold it up to the light, it’s quite open but when it’s flat on a surface, it’s very gray. The drape is nice, I like it. The fabric is soft (thanks to the merino) and the silk/mohair will give it some strength and “fill in” the open spots for warmth. I am very satisfied with the fabric. Now it’s time to wait for the mohair to come in and make sure the lots match color. I can exchange 2 of the 3 balls that I own for six new ones so that there’s no color change in the sweater. I can hardly wait to begin!

Meanwhile, I cast on a new project for the interim.

I’ve wanted to knit the Thistle on the Moor Vest by Carolyn Holbrook. I saw this vest on the Wooly Thistle podcast and I really loved it. It also gives me a chance to knit with another new to me yarn – Lanas Light by Berroco is 100% wool blend of South American wools made in Peru. I’ve been wanting to find a project for this yarn. Wish granted.

I didn’t swatch for this vest for a couple of reasons. First because it’s for me and I can try it on as I go. Second because it starts at the back and then goes to the shoulders and it’s not a lot of time to get this done. I know it’s going to bloom because it’s 100% wool. So, when I measured the stitches once I had a decent amount of fabric, I got 21 stitches over four inches (they wanted 20 for pattern gauge). I’m ok going with 21 sts as I’m pretty sure the yarn will bloom and be 20 inches when blocked. I’m knitting the 4th size with two inches of ease but I can also add a few stitches to the body once I connect the underarms if I’m worried (and I can try it on as I go.)

Theoretically, I would swatch this vest differently than my daughter’s cardigan. Why? Because this vest is knitted in the round where as the cardi will be knit back and forth. To swatch for this, I’d cast on around 30 stitches and knit them then slide the stitches back to the other side, carry a long piece of yarn behind the knitted fabric and knit across again. The strand of yarn at the back has to be long enough so that the swatch will lie flat … so it can be measured. One of these days I’ll swatch in the round and post about it, too. I’ll be continuing to knit this one as is for now. I’m working down to the point where it’ll be joined in the round and then I’ll maybe steam block it to see how it behaves. Yes, I’ll write about it … better than continuing with no blocking if I’m concerned at all.

Gone knitting!