theraineysisters knitting and so much more

The holidays are finally wrapping up.  Wow.  What a December it has been!  We held a family gathering at our house last night – the final chapter in this year’s festivities (we aren’t much for New Year’s Eve).  Anyway, the flu depleted our numbers somewhat, but it was really fun.  I have been sick for over two weeks, and the whole city has fallen victim!

I made a mobius for a family friend and gave it to her last evening.  She loved it and it looked great.  I used my usual Easy Missoni Style Long Mobius Cowl pattern, with a little edge to it.  I cast on 100 sts in a baby alpaca/bamboo blend held double with Kidsilk Haze.  I started out on sz 10.5 needles for the main cowl.  When I ran low of baby alpaca/bamboo, I switched needles to a sz 7 and using only the KSH, knit into BOTH loops of yarn to double my stitch count.  I worked a few knit rows and then did a picot bind off.  I pressed the edge and steamed the cowl to open it up a bit.  Voila!

The light edge gave it a delicate look.  Holding the Kidsilk Haze with the other yarn allowed me to knit it on much bigger needles and speed through the project.

I am now going to roll up some yarn and start something new.  I have also made a couple of infinity scarves in BULKY yarn and sparkles for my daughter and me – though I think she has designs on mine!!  Yes, my younger daughter asked me to knit her something…!!

Our newlyweds!!  Long had never heard of The Grinch, so we watched the original animated version — what’s not to love??

Long and Laura’s First Christmas

Sally may have a picture of her newlyweds to share — they are spending the holiday together in DC.

Knitting has totally been on the back burner, but will return soon! 🙂

It has been a whirlwind of a week, filled with lots of family activities.  Here is hoping that yours is wonderful!!

With Best Wishes for the Holiday Season
Susan and Sally Rainey
The Rainey Sisters

Thank you for the wonderful congratulatory words about both my daughter’s wedding AND our anniversary.  John and I went out to dinner and enjoyed a lovely evening!

Is it too late to make something small and cute?  I thought I would mention a fun little gift to make for the knitters in your lives.  These cute ornaments are made from small amounts of lace- and sockweight yarn from your stash.  The Emergency Yarn Ornament is a fun way to connect to your knitting peeps.  I made about 28 of these this year and enjoyed making them very much.

Clear glass or plastic balls are available at craft stores.  The little paper slip says, “In case of knitting emergency, Break Glass!!”  There are miniature skeins of yarn and mini-knitting needles made from toothpicks inside.

On a completely different note.  If you enjoy knitting hats and, like Bartholomew Cubbins, have too many for the heads in your immediate circle, Hats for the Homeless is accepting donations well into the winter season.

Hats knit by the lovely and generous Elizabeth D!!

Are you ready for the holidays yet?  Me neither… 🙁

Who are those youngsters in the ginormous glasses?

Thirty years ago on December 18, this happy looking couple tied the knot.  Still in love and together after all these years!  At our daughter’s wedding, sister Surly asked the DJ to play “our song” – the song that my friend Elaine sang as I walked into the ceremony (can you can share youtube videos without ads?).

John, you still make me laugh, you still surprise me, and there is no one else that I could picture myself with. Let’s try for 50!!

A special friend sent me a few nice pictures:

Laura

Long and Laura — Newlyweds!

These are from a cell phone, so I hope that the professional ones look even better!

My lovely daughter is now married.  We had a magical day that I will never forget.  I would love to share a picture or two with you, but I don’t have any.  Really.  With all the cameras and phones going all night long, you would think someone would have a decent picture!  We did have two professional photographers floating around so I am hoping they will come through for me!!

Thank you for all of your well wishes.  I will spare you the details of the two flat tires and the dress that did not fit!!  I want only to remember the warm feelings of the day shared with family, friends, and my new family.

I am taking a break from the sweat shop -er- the festivities to provide an update.  Remember when I said I was going to make a bolero like this for my daughter’s wedding?

Well.  I tried a prototype and it was an abysmal failure.  I was going to give it another go when I had a brainstorm.  Would the seamstress doing the alterations on Laura’s dress make the bolero for us and if so, what would she charge?

The answers:  yes and NOTHING!!

I am serious.  She said she would “throw it in!”  Well, you can imagine the nano second it took for me to decide what to do.  I figured the worse case scenario would be that it would not turn out, but we would still be out nothing.  We already knew mine would not turn out!

So, today I went to pick up the dress and bolero.  The bridesmaids are also wearing boleros that Laura liked so much, she bought one for herself.  She took said bolero to the seamstress for sizing purposes.  Here is the result:

It is identical!  It looks exactly like the shrugs the bridesmaids will be wearing, in the same fabric as her wedding dress.  Like we planned it all along!  Nothing like that ever happens to me.  I feel like I won the lottery!

Back to the sweat shop festivities…

Sally and I will be off line for a few days.  My daughter’s wedding is this coming Saturday and it is amazing how much there is to do.  Like clean my house.  Ugh.  Double ugh.  We will connect next week!!

We me luck 🙂 !