theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Hi, folks!  For the last couple of years I have participated in the Progressive East End Project (PEEP).  It is sponsored by a few of the eastern yarn shops in the Twin Cities, one of which is The Yarnery.  I love to support The Yarnery so I jumped in when the preorder was announced.  You don’t really know what you are getting into, but what the heck!?

The yarn this year consists of a full skein of dark green sock yarn and a 6-color (very) mini-skein set.  The project is a hat and mittens, though I will make mine into mitts.  Two clues for the hat have already dropped. This Thursday and next will see the release of the mittens.

I warned you — here is my hat!!

The stitch is supposed to look like faux entrelac but I think it looks more like a hounds tooth check.  It has a real retro vibe and turned out well, I think.  And not my usually color choice, so that made it fun!

The challenge was the single row stripes — what to do about the jog?  Patty Lyons posted about this very issue on MDK, so I tried it.  It was a fail.  Not at the position where you join the new stripe color (which isn’t at the beg of the round), but rather AT the BOR!  Very noticeable jog.  The solution was to either slip stitch #1 as to purl WYIB on the next row, or do what I did:

Work Patty Lyons method in CC. Knit one rnd MC.

Stitch #1 of 2nd rnd of MC:
Lift CC st from rnd below onto lefthand needle in front of MC st on needle. Knit these 2 sts tog with MC.

It was a success.  This picture shows the BOR:

Here the 1st stitch of the round is marked with a pin:

I think that’s pretty good!  I’m happy with it.  Can’t wait to see the mitts!!

Augusta made the mistake – er – showed her curiosity about our banner photo: where was it taken?  We discussed this years ago in this post, which I have chosen to re-post because I don’t have a new post! 🙂

From Both of a Us — A Postcard from Italy
January, 2012

We have received many comments over the years about our banner photo, such as: Where was it taken? Or, who are those gorgeous babes — they couldn’t possibly be you. Or, when on earth was that taken??!! You’re so old. We are always touched by your interest!

But never so moved as when we received this lovely photo from Helen, taken with beautiful daughter Susanne at her side:

Channeling The Rainey Sisters

Helen found herself at the very spot of our banner photo (on the walk to Piazzale Michelangelo), and tried to explain to husband Steve and Susanne why she wanted this particular photo — because of The Rainey Sister’s blog! Steve accommodated and the rest is history. What a wonderful way to revisit this magical place in Florence, Italy. Thank you, Helen and family!!

PS from Susan to Anne, who asked why we were in Italy at such a tender age: Sally was studying in France. Our grandmother wanted me to be able to see Europe as well, so she funded my trip. All she asked in return was that we go to Venice and take some pictures for her, which of course we did. We travelled through France and Italy — on a complete shoestring. I have never gotten back to Italy, though Sally has. I cherish those memories and that is why I was so struck by the kindness of Helen sharing her picture with us!

I recently did a test knit for Hudson + West Co in their yarn Forge.  The hat pattern, Asthore, is part of their STUNNING fall launch.  I’ve never seen so many gorgeous cabled sweaters!

I decided to use my famous tubular twisted rib cast on (how can it be famous if no one knows about it!?!).  Someone suggested I write it up for a magazine article, so I will let you know!

Anyway. I proceeded to the main chart. The chart key was on a different page. I glanced at it, but did not read it carefully. So, I didn’t realize that the gray squares were purl sts, I thought they were “no stitch” place holders!! After several unsuccessful attempts, I read the key! Novel idea. Things went swimmingly until I got to the end of the row. I had cast on 4 extra sts! Argh!!  KNITTERS CANNOT COUNT!!  I “creatively” decreased them away, while retaining the flow of twisted rib into the pattern. 8-(

My other issue was needle size. I am a tight knitter, so I did my usual and automatically went up a needle size, esp given the robust nature of the yarn. Mistake. Huge. As is my hat: HUGE. I did a very light felt when blocking, but it is a really big hat.

I knit the second hat with different yarn (Cascade 220 Superwash, color Parsnip) and the correct needles. It’s much smaller as you can see!

The pattern is easy to remember after a few repeats, esp if you have the right stitch count!

Health update on The Rainey Sisters: I finished my radiation treatments last week and Surly started hers yesterday (she has to do 5, I did 20).  We are doing great.  That can’t be said about our 89-1/2 year old dad!

Last Wednesday at about midnight, he fell and broke his hip.  He laid there for 7 hours until it was light enough for him to see his phone!!  He called a neighbor who swooped in like a hero and called 911 and helped him.  He had surgery on Thursday afternoon and they sent him HOME on Saturday!  My brother (Barry) and I had quickly driven down there (to Omaha) Friday, but had no expectation that he would go directly home that soon.  Typically, people go to a rehab unit for a week or two.  Needless to say, we were in a scramble to get him in-home care!!  We had driven my husband’s van so Saint Barry couldn’t just stay down there.  There are medicare staff coming in once a week and we arranged round-the-clock caregivers until Barry gets back.  So many people have to deal with elderly parents and I guess it’s our turn.  Dad is super independent and wants to stay in his home (his log castle).  He is in really good shape for his age, which has amazed all of his nurses.

That’s the latest!!  One crisis after another! 😉