Queen Bee Knits

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

Just Say NO!

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I am saying “no” to Black Friday again this year.

Homemade Laundry Soap

N. made a new batch of laundry soap and I had a lovely chat on FaceTime with daughter in Chicago and brother in California. Now, my plan is to have a little left-over turkey for lunch and then sit and knit in my atelier.

I may even decide to cast on a sweater. I have two different yarns that are itching to be sweaters. (They will not be itchy sweaters though!)

So, take that big box retailers and hoards of badly behaving shoppers. The Queen Bee is at peace with saying NO!

Gone knitting!

And they’re D. O. N. E.!

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

Three projects hit the finished projects file today. It feels good.

My daughter in Chicago asked me to make her a cowl in a dark gray, chunky yarn. I found her a lovely gray bulky merino and alpaca blend (Knit Picks Cadena) in the Kestrel colorway. The pattern wants three skeins of yarn and knits up really quickly. Of course, it’s bulky yarn! I think she’s going to love it. And it didn’t break the bank. The pattern, free on Ravelry, is the GAP-tastic Cowl. Knitting it is super simple and no seams. You cast on a bazillion stitches but it’s a short knit! It can be worn singly or wrapped double. A fun cowl – and one that I was honored to knit at her request. (She’d seen a bulky cowl in a store and thought that since it’s my business, knitting, she’d ask me to make her one!)

Gaptastic Cowl in Knit Picks Cadena, Kestrel

The seed stitch fabric is just lovely … and it feels nice and soft with the addition of the alpaca fiber.

Next, I finished her headband.

The pattern that I used was a cabled headband, “Green Forest”. I love the seed stitch (matches the GAP-tastic cowl) and the cables. I normally would make a cabled pattern with plain yarn as the alpaca sort of softens or makes the pattern less visible but I wanted to use this yarn! So, I did. And I’m pleased at the success. I think she’s going to love wearing the headband in Chicago this fall and winter! OK, maybe fall. I added a second button hole so that she can tighten up the headband if the alpaca yarn stretches a little bit. And I made her headband 32 repeats of the 4-row pattern. I think I will have to make another one for my sister-in-law in Massachusetts.

Green Forest cabled headband

Last, but not least, is the sample dish cloth that I made to teach a new bunch of knitters at work. Or at least my boss! She wants to learn to knit because she wants to knit dishcloths! I think it will be a riot and a half teaching my wonderful boss. And an added bonus will be if any of the other staff choose to join us! It has also given me a great idea for Christmas gifts for my co-workers! But, suffice it to say, it’s a secret for now!

Basic (easy) Dish Cloth

I know I haven’t been blogging much since I started working and I haven’t really been knitting that much either. Life has taken on a different turn for now and I am quite satisfied by the way it’s going. I love my job and the people that I am working with. It’s already November! A couple of weeks and we have a long weekend for Thanksgiving and then before we know it, we’ll have several weeks off for Christmas! Before we know it, I’ll be heading back to Maine for the summer.

I’d rather be knitting … in Maine any day! Can’t wait to be on my summer porch!

Gone knitting!

Deady Bear

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This summer my friend Beverly gave me the yarn and pattern to make a Deady Bear for her son-in-law. Sure, I said! I can knit it for you … and I finished it today. Yay, me!

The pattern is really quite simple to follow. It’s in the book Son of Stitch ‘n’ Bitch by Debbie Stoller. The pattern is by Arwyn Yarwood-Hoeppner. I had all the yarn in the colors as described in the pattern. If there is one comment about the yarn, I would say that it is somewhat “splitty” but very adequate. I had way too much yarn. I wondered on more than one occasion if I was supposed to knit with the yarn doubled throughout the pattern. But there is no mention of doing so. So, on I went with a single strand.

I only had a few anxious seconds on the muzzle of my bear where it appears that there is no Row 15. Not sure if it was mis-numbered or if I totally missed something. Either could be true! Regardless, I decided to just knit on and finish the sucker … and I did. All day today to “get ‘er done”! Photographed and now I just have to pack it up and send it to Maine where I hope it will be loved and cherished.

Overall, the pattern is very clear and easy to follow. A good beginner project for someone who wants to try to knit something other than scarves or hats. The pieces are knit mostly flat and then seamed. I am not a huge fan of seaming but it was easy to zip up the seams on this little guy (or gal?)

I love the fact that the bee won this time!

The bee … needs eyes. Just sayin’.

Gone knitting!

What’s on the Queen Bee’s Needles

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

So, I have a few projects that I’m working on. One that I am putting aside for a bit …

Deady Bear – pudgy little belly!

I have the Deady Bear who just needs some arms and finishing work. I bought the new bag of fiber fill this past weekend and I’m ready to rock and roll and get him finished up and mailed to Maine.

Rita Scarf

Rita’s scarf is getting longer and longer. I am loving the feather and fan pattern with the variegate blue yarn. I think it will be a lovely and well-recieved gift … I sure do love the recipient! She gave me my big brother. The least I can do for her is to make her a pretty scarf!

Noro Shawl

I’m also working on a triangle shawl which I believe will be worn as a scarf in a cold(er) city that the one in which I live! I am making this in a Noro sock yarn (fingering weight) that I am absolutely loving knitting with. The colorway is a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!! It’s going to be beautiful and I am going to want to keep it!

Fingerless Mitts – colorwork is my nemesis?

The fingerless mitts that I have started and frogged once already are staying in my new knitting bag for the week. Well, I think it will be in my bag for a week … unless I change my mind!

I have to check out a Dr. Who scarf … may be another gift for the holidays. We’ll see what kind of time and yarn that takes! 🙂

Gone knitting!

Deady Bear Progress!

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

Un-stuffed

I’m making this crazy bear for a friend. I’ve knitted an owl before and I love it. This, I’m not sure about yet. There have been several “softies” that I have been tempted to knit (and this one is not necessarily on the list!)

The pattern is “Deady Bear” by Arwyn Yarwood-Hoeppner is in the book Son of Stitch ‘n’ Bitch: 45 projects to knit and crochet for men. While it requires a bunch of yarn colors, the yarn is not super expensive. I’m knitting with the Nature Spun Sportweight yarn by Brown Sheep in the colors that were listed in the pattern. You could knit this bear in any sport-weight yarn, however, and in any colors that please your eyes.

I’m enjoying the process (as I do with almost all projects) and now that he’s stuffed and starting to take shape, it’s even more fun – partly because I’m almost finished and partly because, once again, I’ve tried something that I wouldn’t normally have tried and I can do it! Yay me!

Stuffed

Gone knitting.

Foiled … or Frogged Again!

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

One side in process … double strand worsted weight yarn on size 6 US needles!

This summer I started knitting the most wonderful bag. My Friday Knitting teacher had one that I absolutely loved and, of course, I needed one, too! So, I bought the yarn they suggested and started knitting.

The pattern is called the “Just So Bag” by Andrea Babb and calls for Rowan Pure Wool Aran (Superwash). It was suggested to me that we could use Lambs Pride Worsted in its place. I wish I had been thinking about that – because the mohair in the Lambs Pride yarn makes it fuzzy. Duh! (And the worsted is a little bit heavier weight than the aran.)

The first parts to be knitted are knit with double strands of worsted weight wool. On fairly small needles. Hard on your hands! But I got them all done. And they look good!

But the lace ends of the bag (one needs to knit two) … another story all together! Ugh!

The lace end … 2nd or 3rd attempt! See the fuzz?

Today I frogged the lace end (I’ve only started one … and started and started again) for the third or fourth time. Ugh! I really need a bigger chart and I really need less fuzzy yarn. When you’re knitting lace (even if it’s worsted weight yarn) it really needs to be smooth so that the stitches are visible. These are somewhat blurred (and I helped by dropping a stitch that I could not recover.) Because of the mohair blended in, it’s very difficult to read my stitches and makes repairing a dropped stitch, or any other mistake (yes, I do make mistakes!) much more complicated than if it were plain wool. (Which is why the pattern calls for wool, BTW, and not a wool blend.)

So, I will start again but not until I have knitted something cute that I want to knit … something relatively simple. Maybe the cute pair of striped fingerless mitts that I’ve been seeing. Or the felted slippers (I only bought the pattern ages ago!) Or the little sweater for Faye for Christmas. Or the headband for Libet. So many choices that I may have to just go have an adult beverage and a swim and call it a day! Tomorrow is Monday after all and I am back to work! This job has sure cut into my knitting time! 🙂

Gone …. well, maybe I’ll be knitting.

Re-homed

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

Re-homed

When you’re a knitter, occasionally your projects take on a life of their own.

This one sure did! I had intended it to be a Christmas gift but one of my college friends (who I adore and with whom I share lots of fond, fun, singing memories) loved it and asked if I would sell it to her. Well, after figuring out what it cost me to knit, I decided to send it to her with the hope that it will not only keep her neck warm but that it will also keep her heart warm.

I know it will look wonderful with her beautiful blue eyes!

I may not be knitting a whole bunch but I am so glad that she loves her new scarf!

Gone knitting.

I’ve Been YARNBOMBED!

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

We arrived home in Florida after a pretty dreadful three day drive from our favorite place in the world, Maine. The traffic was horrendous. The worst we’ve seen in seven summers. I’m not kidding!!! From Washington, DC to Florida, there was pretty much solid traffic and the rest areas were all full … and it was hot. HOT!

Our second night we stayed in a hotel in Richmond, VA. It was there that the biggest problem presented itself. The air conditioning in the truck broke. It would work for awhile, and then just stop blowing cool. And even when it was blowing cool, it was a feeble blowing … in order to get the air to circulate, the fan had to be on full blast. Loud. Not cool enough and then when it would stop, we had to open the windows. My little dogs, particularly my little girl, don’t tolerate heat well and they can overheat very quickly … so I was really worried that we’d have a serious problem … and only 6 hours to go! Ugh!

But after tears and panic and many calls to AAA and service stations all through the Carolinas, all of which are closed on Saturdays … unbelievable! … we just drove and made it home (relatively) unscathed.

And the unpacking began. I had made several trips back and forth lugging in our stuff when N asked me if I had seen my piano. My piano? What!? I was immediately worried and walked around the corner from the kitchen to find this …

I’ve been YARNBOMBED!

It made me cry!

I knew immediately that two of my friends were in on it – I can spot their work from a mile away (and one of them is the only person in the world who has a key to our house).Three of my friends created this surprise for me while we were away … and I am so honored. It is absolutely magnificent!

Here are some other pictures …

Cute little sheep!

This Makes Me Smile!

Cutest Bee Ever!

Curls hanging!

All the Legs are Different! (Two on the Piano and Four on the Bench!)

View From the Right Side!

Even the Pedals are Yarnbombed!

The Front

View From the top of the Bench!

An Amazing Work of Art!

Terri … the MasterMind!

Terri and Jackie! (Kelly was taking the photos.)

The Top … with Candlesticks.

Before and After!

So, there you have it. I’ve been yarnbombed.

This yarnbombed gift made all of the bother and drama seem OK … and I am never taking it off my piano! I love my friends! What a wonderful welcome home surprise!

Gone knitting!

The Most Wonderful Colorways

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

OK, so I am knitting another couple of squares for our “charity” project, a Lizard Ridge Afghan for Linda in our Friday knitting group. I’m knitting two more because I knit more quickly than Beverly does. Hmm. I’m thinking that she wanted me to knit them because she didn’t enjoy it! Right, Bev? LOL. Well, I have to admit that I do enjoy it and can get one finished in a couple of hours. An enjoyable quick project. And the yarn …

I adore the Noro colorways. I picked one ball for my original square that showed me that it was going to have greens and pinks (very 70’s preppy) and it knitted up into this …

Noro Kureyon
Color #95, Lot U

It’s gorgeous!

Today I’m knitting my second square and it’s knitting up like this …

Noro Kureyon
Color # 250 Lot F

And I have this one left to knit.

Noro Kureyon
Color # 284 Lot B

I wonder how it will knit up! It’s always a bit of a surprise!

It’s a pleasure to knit with this yarn and a wonder to watch as one more color or a different shade slips out of the ball. It may feel scratchy (it is wool) but in my experience it softens up as it’s worked. And the colors. Oh, the colors … they are exquisite. Thank you, Mr. Noro!

Gone knitting.

Ready-to-Felt

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

Ready for Felting

Along the same lines as “ready to wear” or, en Francais, “prêt à porter”, I have a ready to felt project!

I’ve finished the pair of scuffs to be felted for N. I chose a multicolored colorway in Cascade 220 and as the yarn is knit doubled, it’s a quick knit. The felting will wait until I get back to Florida because lake water in Maine is never warm enough for felting wool! And I’m not going to do the early settler thing and heat the water!

Gone knitting!