Yarn & Needles, Thread & Hook

It's morning here in a cold Illinois and time for coffee and computer.

 

As you see in the photo I've been doing filet crochet.  Doing the crochet is simple double crochet stitches but one must determine before beginning the exact number of stitches to chain and have a plan for the open and closed spaces.  It's a mathematical thing and I have a little booklet that explains how and I used graph paper to mark the design.  When I first started I thought it sounded like it would be frustrating but it actually wasn't that difficult.  I like doing filet crochet and have a few more projects planned to do this year.  I like using thicker thread for this one.

 

 

 

This is my current knitting project.  I bought the yarn at least a year ago and began knitting.  I was unhappy with my knitting and could not accept it.  Nothing was even, it was a sorry looking thing to me so I quit temporarily.

 

Four color versions of the wrap

 

The newly re-started knitting

I am using Paint Box wool yarn in a variety of colors.  The colors are deeper than they appear in the photo, I suppose from the camera flash.  I am funny about disliking to use circular needles so anytime I can manage to knit with straight needles, I will, and I've squeezed this section onto them.  When I must use the circulars I will.  I just don't like the way they feel.  Silly, I know.

 

New books:

I've been interested in some other reading material and haven't found time to start on these yet but they are on my to-be-read list.

Three of my grandchildren made valentines for me while I was visiting.  They all love to use stickers and drawing.  What is better than hand-made art from grandkids.

 

 

Yesterday afternoon my neighbor and dear friend came to visit. 

Malalai

 

Malalai was born in Afghanistan, educated as an M.D. and practiced in Bulgaria for a number of years, then moved to Illinois a few months after I moved here.  We are next-door neighbors and have developed a close friendship.  She has shared so much about life in those countries with me.  I am so thankful for her friendship.

 

 

Since my post of yesterday, I have done further checking into Blogger and the issues I've been experiencing. I found that if I wish to make any changes to my template, I have had to start from scratch. I learned this by trial and error and had to make template changes more than once to discover what works and what doesn't. I had to select a template, then make any modifications I wish BEFORE clicking on save to blog; once it is saved, Blogger doesn't save any new changes, at least it won't do it for me. Anyway, I have found a suitable look that I like well enough for now.

I have learned also that when I am leaving comments on blogs and the person attempts a reply, their messages are bouncing back to them as "failed" and I have no idea why.  I have checked all my Google and Blogger Settings and email information and cannot locate where the trouble might be.  If you wish to contact me, please find my email address at the top of the page under the "Contact" tab.  I hope to locate and repair the glitch and will keep trying. 

 

The sun is brightly shining but supposedly we are to see some snow falling today.  Sounds like a good day for the fireplace and some needlework, perhaps one of the above projects or some hand applique on the log cabin quilt which has been idle for way too long.  But first I do have some housework that needs attention.  I'll say bye-bye for now and get busy.

 

Thanks for your visit.  Have a wonderful day & evening.

 

 

Edit:  Hubby says the snow isn't to start until late tonight.  But I can still curl up by the fire and knit if I want to.   <grin>