PRAIRIE BOOTS

Loved the look of these knitted up in the local knit store via a Coco Knits pattern.

I knew I had some bulky Malabrigo wool yarn in my stash,

so at least 3-4 years ago I started on these and wasn't enjoying the pattern.

It was a bit difficult to follow,

 so after being half done with the first one, 

I put it away and forgot about it.

This January I ran into it while looking for projects to finish up.  

So I pulled it out, 

spent a lot of time trying to figure out in the pattern where I was,

and plowed thru.

The pattern wasn't as bad as I remembered and they sure turned out cute.

I had my husband cut some leather soles and punch a few holes,

and I found a couple of buttons to accessorize with 

and Woo Hoo,

they are done!

They will be a Xmas present for a favorite person in my life. 

ON A 2 DAY POSTING ROLL, ha ha!

Even though I'm rarely present on my blog anymore,

I've been busy cranking out knit projects that I started but never finished.

I'm trying hard not to allow myself to start something new

till I finish long forgotten projects which is incredibly hard for me.

This shawl was started many months ago to learn some new knitting tricks.

Fading contrasting colors, pointy scalloped edges,

 plus more lace work then I usually do.

I can't tell you how many times I messed up the pattern and had to frog back before I could move forward again.

It was so good for my brain.

Above is a picture of how I block my pieces with tons of sharp pins

and a special squishy board after I soak/wash the finished piece.

This locks in all the loose ends as well 

as stretches out the work to show off the stitch pattern.

After removing pins it's pretty much holding it's shape.

This is a kit I found on a new site to me called Ranching Traditions Fiber

located in Montana.

The kits comes with a lovely skein of wool yarn (you pick the color).

It's called Roots in the Valley and the pattern is housed in the sweetest booklet.  

It also comes with a wooden shawl pin

 that I can't seem to find anymore.  Ugg!

However,

I didn't use the yarn because I wanted to use up some of my handspun stash.

I thought I had enough yardage to finish the shawl

 but sadly ran out 3/4 of the way thru.

But I love challenges like this.  

It forces me to think outside the box.

I had some leftover Malabrigo Worsted which was about the same diameter

so I ripped out a couple of inches and faded it in.

Again more frogging!!

The fading was trickier then I've done before 

because the colors contrasted so much,

 and I had to cheat and go back after I finished the piece

 and weave in some more lines to help it fade more smoothly.

The beige handspun is wool with some small pieces of silk spun 

to bring in a touch of color.

I recently gifted it to a dear long lost cousin that I just reconnected with,

 and am asking for her to send a pix of her wearing it.

Hopefully coming tomorrow in an email.

And here she is, 

my lovely cousin Susan wearing the shawl.

I think it looks perfect on her and am so very happy I gifted it to her.

Susan is from my father's side of the family 

and lives with her family outside of Salt Lake City.

I haven't seen her or her mother Georgie Lou since my mother's funeral in 2013.

It's been way too long!

I'm so glad she reached out to me and came to visit.

Susan and her twin Karen are such lovely gentle souls.

Now it's up to me to pay all of them a visit.

So Utah,

here I come.

STILL HERE AND LOOKING BACK

My mom in 1940ish

I was recently gifted the most beautiful pix of my dear mother.

There was no date,

 but I'm guessing she was probably in her late 20's or early 30's here. 

Perhaps around the time she met my father??

Lovely.

Wish I would have been able to post it closer to mother's day.