http://www.ablossomknits.com/ . . . the life and times of a flower in bloom . . . en Copyright 2011 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:29:47 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tinseltown ribbon yarn, the video instructions can be found below. The picture makes the yarn look pink but it is actually a nice red. I'm hoping she likes it!

]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2011/12/ruffle_scarf.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2011/12/ruffle_scarf.html accessories scarves Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:29:47 -0500 Wow, I really haven't updated here in a l-o-n-g time. Are any of you still out there?? If so, I'll do some posts again . . . let me know. http://www.ablossomknits.com/2010/09/has_it_been_a_whole_year.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2010/09/has_it_been_a_whole_year.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:21:04 -0500 Sorry I haven't updated in ages. So much has happened . . and my knitting has been moving along slowly. I bought my first house!!!! I'm so excited! It's taking some time to come together . . arranging and painting and fixing . . *sigh* . . I feel like it will never be done. But it's mine! :D I'll post soon some pics of things I'm working on. I hope you are all well and knitting your little/big hearts out. *hugs* http://www.ablossomknits.com/2010/03/still_around.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2010/03/still_around.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:39:19 -0500 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Knitting took a back seat during all of this time, but just recently I've picked up my needles again to try and get back in the swing. I've also purchased some roving and drop spindles - I've always wanted to learn how to spin. I'll post some pics this weekend for you to all see.]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/07/my_dad_part_2.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/07/my_dad_part_2.html Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:41:19 -0500 My father has been in the hospital since March 14th. It doesn't look like he's going to make it. We're going to try to get a second opinion, but the first team of doctors have given us very little hope of him pulling through - a 5% chance. Right now my life is hitting rock bottom (yet again) and my knitting has been put aside. I keep wondering when my 20+ year streak of bad luck will end. I don't know what I will do without my dad. http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/04/my_dad.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/04/my_dad.html Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:03:33 -0500 Hey guys . . sorry . . I haven't posted in a while and there's really no excuse. I've been really busy - I'm back to school part-time and taking a few classes to boost the current job/career skills I have and it's taking all of my spare time. Knitting has been a little at a time. I'm still working on my Grampy's Irish Hiking Scarf. I'll take some pics and post tomorrow! I hope everyone is having a great time knitting! http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/02/still_alive.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2009/02/still_alive.html Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:16:20 -0500 V E R S A T I L I T Y I am very impressed. I know I will have to add this to the Ravelry queue for sure!]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/oh_wow.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/oh_wow.html patterns ravelry Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:50:43 -0500 ]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/follow_the_race.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/follow_the_race.html Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:12:54 -0500 Irish Hiking Scarf for my Grampy for Christmas that I've been wanting to do ever since I started knitting about 2 years ago. I'm using Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Cognac. However, my skein is much "browner" than the rose-pinks I'm seeing. I'm also using new Rosewood needles I bought at Fiber Art, Inc. It's my first time doing cables - mainly in preparation for my next huge project . . . the Londonderry Rose Coat from Nicky Epstein's new book Knitting on Top of the World. Roz has already ordered the Rowan Scottish Tweed I need for it . . . 19 balls of the main color and about 6 individual balls for the roses. I'm so excited!! Before I get started on that one though, I have a cute little sweater top that I'm starting this weekend. It's from the Mirasol Project. The project is on this page and it's the third picture (the ecru one that buttons just at the top). I'm using #406 Tangerine and altering the pattern just a bit. For one, I'm lengthening the sleeves to the elbow and adding a row of the pattern stitch. Also, adding seed/moss stitch to the sleeve and bottom edges. I think it will be really pretty! Aside from all of the knitting . . I'm doing much better. Today is the beginning of newness. I've decided to put it all behind me and turn my back on the past. The only way I will be able to get out of this mindset is to do things differently. Up until now . . for the past few months . . I've been emotionally and mentally consumed by my "situation." So much so that physically I've suffered too. So, last night I decided that enough was enough. I can't waste any more time on someone who has moved on and does not wish to have me in their life any longer . . not only just the things he's done to me over the years. My life is my own and I only have me to make it what I want. And now I have the complete freedom to do whatever I want. It feels good! I'm sure I will still have my lonely days . . but when those days come, I have to realize that it's being lonely - NOT that I'm missing him - that's making me feel that way. So . . what's the new knitting bandwagon item that everyone's doing this season? I haven't been able to put my finger on it and I've been out of the loop here for a while. Can you guys fill me in?]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/doing_well.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/11/doing_well.html Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:32:59 -0500 me . . but as it turns out, he didn't. Nevertheless . . . I am hoping to get back to my knitting. I have some yarn on special order for Laura Bryant's new Swing Jacket she just published. Right now the knitting I have on my needles is all from when I started with -him- in my life, so I'm having a hard time picking it up. It just brings back so many memories. I think that if I start something new and finish that . . . then it might be easier to pick up the other things and continue. I'm not sure though. My advice to anyone in a relationship that stays stuck and where someone demands that you be different in order to "make them happy" . . . GET OUT. I hope you are all well, knitting, and happy!]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/10/a_new_beginning.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/10/a_new_beginning.html Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:22:41 -0500 And the artistic view everyone seems to like: I have some more rows on my Hypoteneuse: Last but not least, I've started the Noni Urban Adventure Bag, using Malabrigo worsted in Dusty Olive: So, as you can see . . I have been very, very busy. I can't seem to find the little bookmarks I made at my craft day I mentioned in my last post. I have them somewhere around here and when I find them, I'll make sure to take a pic cuz they're super cute! I've swatched (yet again *sigh*) for the Fletcher Coat - Noro. However, every single time I swatch it seems that it's never the same - radically. The first time I swatched I decided to use US10. The second time I did, we were thinking US8. Now . . Roz is thinking US6!! UGH! I've swatched down to a US5 and the yarn (Noro Kochoran) is just too thick for that diameter needle. It's hard on the hands and not enjoyable to knit. So, I think I may insist on staying at US6. I am assuming that the downward progression in needle size is due to my loosening up quite a bit as I continue gaining knitting experience. The US10 was about a year ago and I was still super tight. What a difference a year makes! Also, another girl at the shop just finished making a coat and Roz was keeping that in mind and how the yarn drapes, etc. So, even though the pattern may call for a larger needle size, the smaller one actually makes a nicer knit fabric. We're just going to have to alter the pattern significantly to account for the change in needle size. With all of this . . . I think I'm going to sign off and keep knitting. I also think I may get another new Lucy Neatby DVD. :D

OH WAIT!!! Here's some new pictures of Mistie and Max. Max is just getting SO big!!! I want him to stay little. *pout* (He's still pouncing on Mistie often.) MISTIE It's hard to believe he's 16. He just had some kidney tests this past week and they all came back that his levels were decreasing . . which means that the Calcitriol that he's been taking and some extra potassium are working!!! MAX My little man. Isn't he getting so big?!?!?! ]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/08/shes_alive.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/08/shes_alive.html Max Mistie shawls Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:40:01 -0500 I'm getting all ready for my craft party today with the ladies . . I can't wait!! I wound my Malabrigo Dusty Rose for starting the Noni Urban handbag that is all the rage at my LYS right now. It should be an easy knit and give me that kickstart to getting back into the swing of things. I did swatch for my Fletcher coat yesterday too and Roz has me down to US6! It will be my first garment EVER and I'm getting the butterflies just thinking about it. *lol* I have some Loopy Ewe coming so there will be pictures within the next few days. Stay tuned for more updates! I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend and doing a lot of knitting/crocheting/weaving/spinning . . etc. :D http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/07/partay.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/07/partay.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:35:51 -0500 something to post here soon . . I promise!]]> http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/07/the_dry_spell.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/07/the_dry_spell.html Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:56:21 -0500 He leaves this Thursday. http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/06/almost_goodbye.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/06/almost_goodbye.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:10:53 -0500 Well, everything's still falling out underneath me. He has now disappeared to somewhere unknown, does not return calls or emails, and his stuff is still here. I did manage to get an email from him this morning though telling me he'll be back "in a week or two" to get all of his things. I never thought that this would be my life. It's complete hell being here in "our" apartment . . with no family or friends anywhere. I'm all alone and feeling very down and depressed. And no . . I haven't been able to even consider knitting. I'm wondering if I should just shut down this blog. http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/06/status_quo.html http://www.ablossomknits.com/2008/06/status_quo.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:48:53 -0500