Finished the basket

Getting ready to lash the rim, this is the first time using zip ties to hold it. Much easier than clothespins!

Here is the finished basket. You can find the pattern here. While it was drying, I pinched it together in the center, so it would be narrower, and not so round. Didn't tighten the weavers enough and it bowed out quite a bit. Mine turned out shorter than the pattern,due to using narrower reed than what it calls for, but I used what was on hand and am happy with it. Also skipped the filler pieces in the bottom of the basket, someday will have to learn how to do that.....

What I bought today

Wasn't going to look at these yet, but while grocery shopping was drawn in anyway and they came home with me. I am never successful starting seeds in the house. Forget to water, cats get into them, not enough light, I could go on. So will just plant them June 1st and hope for the best. Cosmos usually do well here, they had two different types, and the morning glories will be planted under the mountain ash and lilac bush, using them as supports. Saw that in Green Bay over the summer at the Botanical Garden and wanted to try it here. Also want to try growing them in a hanging basket near our back porch,cascading down by the back steps.

Wondering how the poppies, new primrose plants and other perennials are doing under their snow cover? Will finish up a basket tonight, and post a picture when it dries. Got the pattern from a very nice basketweaving site, also in my blogroll. Click here to go check it out.

Miniature African violet

Here is a picture of this plant's second blooming. It's a miniature violet, and has grown quite a bit since the first photo I took awhile back. Will post another picture when it's fully in bloom. Have a bit of cabin fever right now, and the flowers from the violets are always a welcome bit of color when the garden is still months away.

Here is a way to compare the size, it is probably not going to get much bigger than this.

Weaving event

Check this link out for information on a midwest weaving conference in Michigan during the summer of 2011.

Sweater update

Have finished the front and back shaping and the shoulders. Haven't been accomplishing a lot recently, but that is changing. Every little bit of progress is encouraging, and this sweater started out as a can't put it down, can't get it out of my head one that lost it's momentum. Should be done within the next few days, though and then he needs another knitted hat.
Here is a closeup of the shoulder seam. Couldn't get the hang of kitchener st on purl sts, so just cast off knit/purl and sewed the seams. Am anxious to get this done while Matthew can still wear it.
Here is the first sleeve. Decided to go ahead and knit them flat instead of casting on and knitting in the round. I don't mind seaming, or weaving in ends. Finally was able to catch the color, the second and third photo are pretty close to the real color. The only thing different was to change the setting for close up, and not have the kitchen light on.

A fleece blanket

This was a Christmas gift for my husband, who wanted a longer throw for our couch. I put his ham call numbers on it at work, then sewed it together here at home. It is reversible, gray and navy, with royal blue thread for the embroidery, and think it was melco block font.

It has been awhile since the sewing machine has been used for anything other than mending and sewing rag strips together for rugs. I used to enjoy making footie pajamas, doll clothes and dresses for my daughters, and am thinking about making some things for Matthew.

Haven't made much progress on any of the projects around here, added some links and a few blogs to the lists, and was happy to find a Facebook badge. Have been spending too much time on Facebook, but it is fun to look for people and play games. Feel free to add me as a friend if you are on there.

Baby sweater update

Here is the progress on the Trellis baby sweater. Click on the name to see the pattern. It has been an enjoyable knit. So far knitting all three pieces at once has worked out well. Even binding off for the arms wasn't a problem, am looking forward to trying the sleeves in the round and reversing the shaping. Done in the six month size, and should still fit Matthew if finished soon. Am debating whether to kitchener the shoulder seams, or just sew them when it gets to that point. Wondering how difficult it is to graft the knit and purl sts? Anyone have any suggestions for online directions on how to go about it?