My Favorite Stitch Markers

Stitch markers. They are a necessary part of knitting and crochet, used to identify the beginning of a round, places of increase or decrease etc.
No matter how tightly they are joined, the more usual split ring or jump ring connectors on beaded stitch markers eventually catch in the fiber of the yarn. It is especially bad with fluffy yarns like mohair blends, but even the smoothest yarn has caught in them. No matter how beautiful they look I have learned to avoid such markers.

And then there is the dangle syndrome. Such markers made with beads usually dangle on one side or the other of the knitting, and I need to flip them back and forth and avoid knitting them into the stitches.

 I was reduced to using small gaskets from the plumbing section of  Home Depot. Useful, but not very pretty. My knitting deserves better.

Last year I received a small packet of Entrelac stitch markers from the Loopy Ewe as part of their yarn club. I fell head over heels with these things, but when I went to the site to order more, they had none left. So using the designer's name, I did an intensive internet search. I found an (empty) Etsy shop. So I did an even MORE intensive internet search and found a website created by the designer where she is still selling her markers; Meowingdog.net.

After ordering from her a few times, I can solidly say Ana has fantastic customer service, and every one of her stitch markers is made with a high level of detail and finished to perfection.

What do I like so much about them? Ana's markers are different from those I have seen before. No jump rings or split ring wires premade from a jewelry supply store for her. She cuts her very own wire and the connection is buried deep inside a beautiful bead. (My favorites are the faceted Swarovski crystals). Even her wires are special. I recently received an order of markers made with rainbow-colored wire adorned with clear quartz beads. Wow, they are so beautiful!

Ana has also invented markers useful for attaching right to your project, by forming wire into shapes based on the Greek Alphabet. The coils are close enough together that you can slip them over a strand of yarn and they will remain there until you remove them. This purpose is usually served by plastic safety-pin shaped markers in fairly horrid colors. I love Ana's elegant copper and other colored wire creations so much better. The simplicity of the design and the meticulously curved forms make them works of art.

Her markers are sold individually, making it easy to mix and match a set all your own. Prices range from 75 cents to $1.75. Materials include copper, niobium, semiprecious stones, glass beads, star-shaped beads and more.

Yes, I could use a loop of scrap yarn or twisted bread tie or any number of other things to simply mark my place when knitting or crocheting,  but the things I make are special and they deserve the best. Adding Ana's creations to my almost-daily crafting adds another layer of pleasure to my work, and I deserve that, too. :-}

(photo above is from Ana's site, of the rainbow-quartz markers)

Happy Yarn Dancing, Kaleidoscope Shawl is DONE!!!!

Finally, the last tech editing and adjustments to prose have been finished on my newest pattern and it is ready for purchase at Ravelry!!!!

HERE

Now perhaps a nap, then on to some book reviews and the next pattern!

Irene

All my thoughts are with my friends in Irene's path, so soon after the earthquake.
Be safe!!!

Recipe

Visit the farmer's market, pick out produce both of you can eat, and both of you enjoy. This week we came home with Hungarian sweet peppers, a very mild chili pepper and some green onions. Add handmade basil pasta to the basket, throw in a handful of fresh herbs from the Amish stand (pick up some banana chips and fresh fruit for dessert). Get home and cook a small amount of flavorful meat (or not, whichever you prefer). Throw in the freshly sliced veggies, (including the asparagus in the fridge) cook just until done and taste the flavors of summer.  Even though tomatoes are GORGEOUS right now, I can't eat them (citric acid) and although I love summer squash, Oscar is not so hot for it. I did pick up some cukes to make some summer salad (all for me, Os doesn't like cukes either) and he bought some beautiful plums to take to school with him. Our farmer's market is special. They take WIC coupons and have a table there for folks that need it to sign up for food stamps. I really appreciate that the state is promoting not just inexpensive food, but really wonderful and healthy food.

Meandering

I keep expecting things to change, and they do, but within ever-narrowing parameters.
I keep hoping the times when my mind is sharp and able to do math the same way twice will last long enough to finish the edits on the Kaleidoscape pattern, or to shine up the rough drafts on the reviews, but it hasn't made it there yet in recent time. Writing like this on the blog is relatively easy. I just use whatever words float to the surface. It is a different matter entirely when pursuing specific descriptors to the bottom of the silty pool my mind becomes when I am ill. That is an exercise in frustration. I suppose it gives my writing an unusual flair, some days an abundance of trite phrases, some days odd pairings. (I have been re-reading the Amelia Peabody series, which tends to provide a vocabulary approximately 100 years out of date.)
Still, I try and write, and once in a while the words I want are on the surface for the reviews, too but it goes slowly. I had a relapse yesterday, the same headache/intestinal trouble/weakness trifecta as happened last week. One of the peculiarities of my immune system is that the bug that comes to visit seems to have a two-way door, like a doggie flap all it's own making it possible for it to come back in and stir up the symptoms again just when I think I am close to recovered.
Re-reading this it sounds like I am whining, I don't really feel as depressed as this sounds. I am happy, mostly, especially since I've stopped expecting the clear days and just nab them as they come by.
The past 10 days or so have been spent knitting hats for charity from my partial skeins of yarn, messing around wasting time on the computer, and watching tv.  Oh, and napping. Perhaps yesterday was the last gasp and the recovery will continue and last this time. I am feeling much better, especially considering I only got 4 solid hours of sleep. (that nap thing gave me about 12 hours the previous night).If I still feel better I will get out of the house by visiting the farmer's market with Oscar. I love the fresh produce this time of year, and there is the chance of running into old friends. I haven't been out of the house for more than a week again, a very bad idea.

Old News But Too Good Not to Share

My Favorite (so far) bit of yarn graffiti

I have no information about where or by whom this was done, but I love it! If I had the energy and time, I would consider doing something like this to one of my own trees. And if I had smaller trees.

Since this post a friend on Ravelry has found the tree! It is in Hungary! Details Here

Ten Years

Today is Oscar and my tenth year wedding anniversary. They have been the best ten years of my life.
Sometimes it feels like we have known each other forever, sometimes it seems like only the beginning. We haven't decided how to celebrate yet. Oscar has Tuesdays off from school, so we plan to do something special tomorrow. Perhaps a picnic?

Gift Ideas for Those Who Have Everything

I came across an interesting website ad while perusing Oscar's motorcycle magazine. It is a site that sells (among other things) aroma therapy with scents that comfort those of a motor-head frame of mind.

If only it was a real ad.... Instead a link takes you to Victory Motorcycle's website. I KNOW Oscar would love to get one of those for Yule. Maybe next year?
In the meantime, I had a fun time perusing the other ads in this particular marketing effort:

Tuesday was a good day

Oscar's former employer contested his unemployment benefits once. Then when the State of Michigan upheld Oscar's rights, they challenged them again, this time asking for a hearing on the matter before a judge. That hearing was yesterday. Comcast didn't bother to show up. The file the judge had stated Comcast was trying to claim Oscar left voluntarily. yeah. right.  Anyway, because Comcast didn't show up the judge dismissed the case, and Oscar's unemployment benefits are still active.

Afterward we made a quick stop at the farmer's market, this time I got to hug Janet, another old pal from PTD Productions. I wasn't ready to go home, as the brief trip to the market was the first time I'd left the house for more than three weeks. Not good. So we grabbed a camera and headed out to see the countryside. I took a few shots here and there (and made a video to practice editing) then we stopped at Coleman's market to pick up some fruit, peppers and a few bunches of gladiolus. It was lovely.

Jali hat

One of the ways I learn my craft is by knitting patterns by other people. I have been interested in Barbara Walker's invention and exploration of something she calls Mosaic Knitting. Mostly I have worked objects in that technique flat, knitting back and forth. I wanted to work something in the round, and the most recent issue of Cast On magazine had a lovely hat pattern I thought would provide experience and inspiration. I was able to complete it in three days, and have some up with several ideas using other charts in the same technique that I hope to explore this fall and winter. This hat will be for LynnH, as the colors are those she especially likes.

Buddha Kitty Also Likes Knits

Happy Lammas

Lammas is a celebration of harvest, particularly grains. Around this time in Michigan you can spot golden fields with recent hair-cuts. The silica in the stems creates an almost metallic shine, causing the fields to resemble textured gold. Five to ten years ago I likely would have celebrated Lammas by baking a loaf or three of homemade bread. These days (until we move to a home with fully-accessible kitchen) I will likely celebrate in a more simple manner, perhaps baking something already made for us. There are some stellar turnovers in the freezer with all-natural ingredients that will be good.  Celebration occurs more from the heart than from what is in the hand, after all. Image from 123rf