tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15247487894637270812011-11-27T19:19:12.243-05:00A place to gather my thoughts and observations, miscellaneous knicks and knacks and a little bit of bric-a-brac; and from time to time, a whine or two. The blog doesn't reflect the truth about my current life: I rarely disconnect from my knitting needles long enough to write anything meaningful about knitting, but check back from time to time ...cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-87859998061732550772010-11-23T10:20:00.002-05:002010-11-23T10:28:55.329-05:00

... and I'm not very good with all of the html gizmos and other things. But after sweating through slow internet service and a basic cut-and-paste lesson, I've managed to add a widget that will allow my readers to make a contribution to this year's Red Kettle Campaign. You see, I've become a die-hard "avoid the malls and traffic at any cost" kind of shopper, and the biggest cost in my on-line

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-66335094134749400132010-10-04T20:02:00.000-04:002010-10-04T20:02:02.189-04:00

If you are not yet a member of www.ravelry.com, take a minute to join. If you thought it was going to be another one of those here-today-gone-tomorrow great ideas, look how far the site has come since it launched in 2007. Not the same numbers as www.facebook.com, but just the right size to have something for every fiber crafter: Quick stats - October 2010

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-84331200246129158972010-09-26T11:02:00.000-04:002010-09-26T11:02:35.929-04:00

This is not an advertisement for MimKnits; her knitting sensibility is amazing and her patterns speak for themselves. However, her latest endeavor is a revolution and a revelation in craft books in general.How many times have you wanted to use a pattern from a beautiful book, then struggled to make a working photocopy without damaging the binding to flatten the pages onto the copier? If you

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-87570417946914929032010-09-16T23:32:00.000-04:002010-09-16T23:32:13.478-04:00

Indian Cross Stitch « The Walker Treasury ProjectTake a minute to look at the beautiful new swatch posted at The Walker Treasury Project. I've always loved the look of this stitch (looks complicated, but it isn't); and although I've swatched it two or three times, I've never committed to a larger project. BlueZamia makes it look easy, and in this case, particularly beautiful: an homage to the

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-69054356189667370302010-06-17T21:28:00.000-04:002010-06-17T21:28:35.649-04:00

Unified Command for the BP Oil Spill Volunteer InfoIf you've wanted to know what you can do to help with clean up and recovery efforts following this mis-named oil spill (it was a blowout, continues to be a blowout and will always be a blowout until it is encased in a concrete sarcophagus or safely channeled through the relief wells) ... click the link above to connect to official sites for

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-9257520678470026002010-05-15T08:01:00.001-04:002010-05-15T08:03:01.984-04:00

Weather is going to be perfect today for a trip to mifiberfiesta

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-21990000995478629572010-04-01T08:33:00.003-04:002010-04-01T08:50:49.655-04:00

Sometimes I'll "splurge" on a skein or two of a luxury fiber, just so I can say that I've tried it. And, I'll confess, I even have a stash or two of some rather pricey yarns that are waiting to become an ultimate cardigan or a stunning shawl. In the spirit of recessionistas everywhere, though, I do try to resist temptation to "taste" a new yarn just because it's new. However, that delightful

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-52734794945814003962010-03-23T23:08:00.001-04:002010-03-23T23:08:40.534-04:00

Progress Michigan | Don't Sacrifice Michigan’s Health for Partisan PoliticsPosted using ShareThis

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-49363661268872252342009-12-12T20:09:00.003-05:002009-12-12T21:22:37.550-05:00

You've probably made some special purchases to donate to a local food bank for the holidays ... many school projects, libraries, service clubs and others organize a special display asking for "holiday dinner" items. If you've made a holiday donation already, thank you. Whether your donation is for a large holiday dinner at the community center or for baskets donated to individuals and families,

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-1510670053397675662009-08-19T20:04:00.005-04:002009-08-19T20:35:13.393-04:00

Too many people around here act as if the economy imploded suddenly just before last year's election, or they seem to believe that the meltdown was caused by/is exacerbated by the current crop of elected officials in our Nation's or our State's capitals. And they want instant fixes of problems that have been building up for years. As a news junky, I've been watching the crisis as it was born,

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-31179201037122346082009-06-28T17:33:00.003-04:002009-06-28T17:41:46.069-04:00

I really really like www.knitmeter.com to count how many miles of yarn I have used; I wish it would add a feature that would allow me to count the six ends of yarn I had to weave in for each of eight mug rugs; or maybe a time tracker that would show that it took me more than two hours to get a decent cable cast-on and joined first round of a particular hat. That is, for some reason a particular

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-49176222170202215052009-06-24T06:29:00.009-04:002009-07-08T22:00:18.267-04:00

The second occasion of World Wide Knit In Public Day (http://www.wwkipday.com) that is. Well, I sort of KIP'd as we were house guests at a friend's home. Next year, I'll be more out there with my KIP as it will be the third weekend in June, a date that works better for our family.For some reason my tweenage daughter has become enamored of llamas, and since she was so patient all weekend with

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-38775281097208137522009-06-14T09:16:00.003-04:002009-06-14T09:50:45.673-04:00

In case you hadn't heard of 'Knit in Public Day', follow the link at the title to learn more about it. Personally, I love to KIP, but have not had the opportunity to participate in an organized KIP event. The second weekend in June, when most of us in the northern hemisphere have the potential for pleasant weather, would seem ideal for a knit-in at the park, on the town square, at a sidewalk cafe

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-46721801579854858572009-06-08T19:48:00.004-04:002009-06-27T10:30:49.532-04:00

... and at least one other Raveler has knitted my pattern for Soda Can Sox! Of course, I'm not quite famous, but at least I know that someone else out there in the knitting world knows I'm here!Truly an eventful year for me ... at least in the internet department of knitting.

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-53644950631579333352009-05-07T15:58:00.006-04:002009-06-27T10:32:44.554-04:00

I wanted to make can cozies using a particular yarn that I adore: Peaches & Creme worsted weight cotton in the Pink Lemonade colorway. To match the cocktail cozies I remember from the 1950s, the new cozy has to fit snugly on the can and absorb condensation from an ice-cold beverage; it also has to protect the coffee table from wet rings, and has to move from place to place as folks mingle. I had

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-2316167548131719942009-04-07T07:28:00.007-04:002009-06-27T10:34:35.441-04:00

I've been knitting kitchen goodies all winter long ... no-brainer, self-styled patterns and color combinations because I spend a lot of time waiting in the car, waiting at dance class, waiting for the phone to ring. Although most of these little knits are based on the principal of grandma's favorite dishcloth, I basically make them up as I go along. For those who have been asking, here is a

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-71063512000248721342009-02-28T19:10:00.008-05:002009-02-28T19:49:05.710-05:00

When I was invited to become a member of Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/), I chose the user name "cedarstrings", to describe my location and my new fascination with the pointy-stick thing. Since then, I've been seeking a way to identify myself, without resorting to cutesie stock clip art, and I've wanted the guitar and violin people who stumble across my blog to know right away that I'm not

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-76143516641590976002008-09-14T08:20:00.005-04:002008-09-14T09:10:08.917-04:00

This colony of bald-faced hornets managed to build its nest practically overnight ... about 150' from my front door. I'm glad that my daughter is back in school; happy that she is occupied with other activities most days until it's too dark to go outside for exploration. I've warned the lawn-mowing crew and tied bright yellow ribbons around the drip line of the tree. My garden guru and other

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-19524947426131040182008-08-18T16:53:00.001-04:002008-09-21T15:38:20.068-04:00

Dish Rag Tag - Sweet Sixteen

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-27673065659676591032008-07-29T21:12:00.003-04:002008-09-13T21:34:41.504-04:00

I only have time for a brief brief entry ... I've been busy without much time for knitting, but I want to take a minute to share the results of my most recent KIP's: "Scrubbing Bubbles". The original "Bubbles" was created by Susan Mrenna at http://knitalittlestore.blogspot.com/2008/03/bubbles.html; a great little pattern that just cries out for individualization. Substituting nylon yarn meant for

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-13244521331376673572008-06-19T05:59:00.011-04:002008-08-23T23:19:33.745-04:00

When I resumed knitting late last year (after a 24 year layoff), my assignment was to make an afghan for my mom's new couch. Well, after at least ten different swatches, I still didn't come up with the right color/texture/whatever that would have been exactly right. So I took the pile of several yarns, found this wonderful pattern for at http://www.knitlist.com/: http://www.knitlist.com/01gift/

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-91590389268086165772008-06-13T21:55:00.005-04:002008-06-13T22:17:37.660-04:00

It's a good thing I'm not superstitious or I would have waited until morning. But I'm so pumped over these Tawashi Blossoms that I just can't contain myself. Unbelievably quick to knit and very cleverly designed, even though my flower beds washed away I'll still have flowers! I'm sure the folks at Ravelry are going to get fed up with my Tawashi projects, but this is so much fun I can't contain

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-45713972869054354692008-06-11T21:37:00.003-04:002008-06-11T21:51:46.857-04:00

Tawashi Blossoms ... delightful pattern from Rhonda White at http://www.knittingknonsense.com/. Awesome little bit of no-brainer knitting to fill those minutes waiting in the car, at dance class, at swim class, etc. and use up those annoying bits of leftover acrylics. Thanks, Rhonda!And ... I finally found a use for all of those tiny skeins of nylon used by plastic canvas crafters ... exactly

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-40285890236773113372008-06-06T21:50:00.011-04:002008-08-23T23:18:38.990-04:00

Well, in spite of all my best efforts to find knitting time, life has demanded quite a bit of my presence over the past several days. I did manage to find the camera simultaneously with 10 spare minutes, though, to get fuzzy pictures of a couple of Finished Objects: Every Day Any Day is from a Yahoo KAL for mid-May; Palm Tree is Monthly Dishcloth KAL for June, 2008, another lovely pattern by Andi

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-69712138723014741212008-05-31T10:13:00.002-04:002008-05-31T10:25:00.639-04:00

For just a brief post. For some reason my life seems hectic ... a state of being brought about by a major major computer crash two weeks ago. Two things never happen to me: I've never lost anything in snail mail (either coming or going); and my computers never crash. Well, the cyberfairies must have wanted to bring me down a notch or two, because while debating whether to open a particular email,

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-5094046346614806592008-05-09T20:29:00.007-04:002008-06-04T08:56:55.762-04:00

Left FO: Wedding Bands (Yahoo Groups Monthly Dishcloth KAL, May 2008)FO on the Right: Coffeemaker (Yahoo Groups Shirley's Knitting Knook May 2008)When I was a knitter in my previous life, I never thought to keep a "knitting journal" or memorialize any of my creations. Occasionally somebody took a snapshot of one of the nieces wearing a sweater or hat that I knitted, but other than that, there is

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-45675019742114650222008-05-03T16:14:00.005-04:002008-05-03T16:30:21.930-04:00

For the first time since I discovered KAL (KnitALong) groups on Yahoo, I was actually able to start the KALs on the day they debuted. First up is Shirley's Knitting Knook (the Knook Knanny is in another time zone, so I am assured of a fresh day's assignment when I get up around 5:00 am); I've completed day 3 of a mystery cloth using size 6 US needles and Sugar 'n Creme worsted weight cotton in

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-83616432497593908032008-04-28T21:48:00.002-04:002008-04-28T21:53:37.096-04:00

April 2008 mid-month KAL from Shirley's Knitting Knook on Yahoo. This is a fun pattern based on multiple of 9; could be lots of fun in a wider format (i.e., placemat or baby blanket). Well written pattern, easy to follow a few rows at a time in the KAL format. Begun April 21, 2008; finished April 25, 2008.

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-69360099973281906812008-04-27T16:52:00.003-04:002008-04-27T22:45:31.666-04:00

Another FO to add to the blog and Ravelry: Dots within Stripes, a Monthly Dishcloth Group (Yahoo) Knit A Long (KAL). Slip stitch pattern in two colors, I have made a great cloth that will work nicely in the kitchen or in the bath. Size 7 needles with worsted weight cotton, cast on 40 stitches, produces a generous size cloth that scrubs without scratching on your casseroles and other precious

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-30420332930502281652008-04-27T07:50:00.002-04:002008-04-27T08:10:31.645-04:00

I've been a sahm since 1995; I still can't get used to the idea that weekends are no longer leisure time, or hobby time, or time for mom to pursue her own activities. I plunged into the world of blogging on Friday night, with two fourth grade girls happily engaged in the world of Webkins ... of course, that lasted less than an hour. Saturday morning dawned with a 9-year-old nose to toes in a

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-56387277355328172632008-04-25T10:14:00.002-04:002008-04-27T22:50:45.279-04:00

For more details on the baby blanket shown at right, check out my project page at http://www.ravelry.com/: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/cedarstrings/chloes-brothers-blanket.

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524748789463727081.post-60892961809877571522008-04-25T08:16:00.000-04:002008-04-25T08:20:34.893-04:00

Because I am old, I've been computer literate for longer than most folks ... even longer than many people my age, because I was lucky enough to work for one or two forward-looking employers ("you have to learn to run this thing, or we'll hire your replacement right out of high school"). But I've resisted the blogging side of life because of my intense protection of my privacy and security.However

cedarstringshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09893331931093100002noreply@blogger.com1