Finished Helmet Liner

I meant to show this yesterday since 12/29/09 is the actual Helmet Liner Day; no I didn't knit it in one day. It was a simple and enjoyable knit though that I managed to do during the pre Christmas bustle.

It is knit with our natural colored Medium Grey worsted wt. on size 6 and 8 40 inch circulars. I knit almost everything now with the magic loop technique and the long needle was particularly helpful with this because you leave the size 6 in the ribbing stitches while you are knitting the head part in stockinette on size 8. Then you pick up the stitches around the face for another inch of ribbing, I went to a size 3 to pick up the stitches and then knit them with the size 6. It really fits nicely, snug enough to keep out the sand but not tight.

My Early Gift to Me...dyed yarn

Dyeing yarn is a stress reliever for me although it doesn't normally take me a whole month to do it. This is one of the 4 new hand dyed yarns I have made this past month. I call it Agate, the colors remind of the Lake Superior banded agates that are so pretty when they are polished. The other 3 colors also are my mind's image of semi precious stones - Amethyst, Jasper and Rubellite. With these posted I can now relax and enjoy this evening and Christmas Day with friends.

I pray all of you have a wonderful day and can enjoy it with your family or friends. If you aren't able to be "home" for Christmas, try to picture it in your mind and remember the reason for the season. Happy Birthday Jesus.

Helmet Liners for Soldiers

National Helmet Liner Day will be December 29, 2009, knitters and crocheters all over the United States will knit or crochet Helmet Liners for Soldiers.

This project began last April when Tarie Dillard-Williams owner of Yarn Heaven, a local yarn store in Arlington Texas, organized dozens of friends and customers to reach a goal of making 5,500 helmet liners. By November they had completed 3,000. After the recent announcement that 30,000 new troops will be deployed, Williams contacted local yarn stores across the US to help by distributing her free knit or crochet pattern and becoming a drop off location for the finished liners.

The free patterns have been critiqued by the military, the yarn must be 100% wool. Acceptable colors are Black, Grey, Brown, Dark Tan, Navy or Army Green.

Marr Haven Wool Farm will provide the free patterns and be a collection location for the finished helmet liners to send to the Arlington Tx. Group. The free patterns will be available at the Marr Haven shop, 772 39th St., Allegan Michigan 49010 beginning Friday the 18th. The patterns are also available with web links, for the knitting pattern or the crochet pattern.

Soldiers who have tried these designs say they are more comfortable and safer than the issued items. If you know a serviceman or woman, make one for them. You can also bring or mail them to Marr Haven, we will send them all to Tarie the end of January. You may send them direct to her shop at 1300 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76013

Allegan Spirit of Art

We had a great time last night at the Spirit of Art in Allegan. We exhibited a few handmade gift items at Baker Allegan Studio. Deb and Joe Leverence are great hosts and have created a wonderful art environment in this 100 year old building.

Michigan Winter Wonderland

I would post a picture but you can visualize a big, really big marshmallow and see it all. We have had blizzard warnings since the first of the week, it was supposed to start Tuesday eve and be over at 4pm today.... but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that she was on a time schedule.

We did get a little snow Tuesday am but that turned to rain, a little more snow on Wed. which put a nice layer of slush on all the drives and roads. Last night it started in ernest, the noon report said we had 8 inches of snow but it is now "lake effect" which is dry and blows all over. Visibility is about 1/4 mile. Why am I giving such detail? Those of you to the west of me have already experienced your first snowstorm of the season and those to the east are going through it with me. Just file this under misery loves company.

I do love snow and winter but would like to leave the winds out of it.

Allegan Spirit of Art

This coming Friday, Dec. 11 is the 2nd annual winter Art Hop for downtown Allegan. Over 34 artists will be exhibiting in 20 plus locations, my exhibit will be at the Baker Studios in the Mill District. Even more fun is possible this year with two horse drawn wagons, one will take shoppers to the various locations and the other will be giving a tour of the town.

Pastor Jim made more shawl pins from exotic woods that I will take Friday. He really surprised me with two single piece pins one topped with a bouncing lamb and the other with a lamb head, plus the 2 two piece pins shown here. Notice the little sheep on the top of the stick pin. They are great to wear on a sweater, too... ask me how I know this.

Fingerless Mitts - Great Gifts

Just finished the 5th pair of Fingerless Mitts. I am using the Kalamazoo Knits pattern, the rib design fits various hands so well, plus it is fast. I love wearing these and keep thinking of others who would enjoy them; a lady from church who reads much of her day and evening, a friend whose office is on the too cool side, another knitter, crocheter - even my husband knit a pair for himself.

We had our first snowfall beginning Thursday evening and have about 4 inches on the ground. We were lucky this time, the 'lake effect' went north of us, folks about 50 miles north have over 16 inches of snow. That first snowfall does wonders for invigorating the Christmas spirit.