MESSAGE IN THE WIND

I went to the Lexington Coffee Hour this morning.

I was awake very early (5 AM), so I had spare time to kill before 9 AM: so, I decided to cruise my Pinterest Page to see if I could find a Spring-themed pattern grid for a kitchen towel I was wanting to design when I got back home.

I found two patterns; and worked out grid dimensions before hopping in the car and jetting off. I settled on the hummingbird pattern for today’s towel 😊

I'm such a mess-cat; thankfully the marker inks came off with soap and water.

The gathering was enjoyable. 

Several topics were touched on.

Some topics were studiously avoided (like politics); if brought up by anyone (not always me 😉), a brief reply was given, and the topic was changed. No one wanted to get angry today about a political nonsense.

Rabbit trails were entertained on occasion – two stuck out today: the timeframe for the opening of the Astoria-Meglar Bridge … one person said 1967: I said it had to be earlier than that because Bob was the second person to drive across (he was 16 at that time) it when it was opened to the public; and he graduated in 1967, a few weeks before his 18^th birthday. Everyone (except me) grabbed their phones and spoke to the animated siri investigator, to get the actual date – the smug ones wanted to make sure I knew I was wrong. I was right 😊

The other thing was brought up after a comment led to someone else breaking out in a Monkees song (obviously I have connected with weirdos like myself 😉); and speculation of surviving Monkees. It was assumed they are all dead now. Everyone was wrong: Mickey Dolenz is still alive and kicking.

The Monkees – ‘Daydream Believer’ song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvqeSJlgaNk)

The Monkees – ‘Valleri’ song. This one made me laugh because no one can pronounce my Name, so they call me Valerie: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZJy1RYz3U)

Mikey Dolenz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKRG7DNpwI)

I drove home from Lexington via the Hazel Dell road, and Delameter road. There is a crack across the road – with a bit of a slip breakage – on Coal Creek.

I also heard on the radio that the obamanite Supreme Court pick will be seated. Being seated is NOT a win; being seated is a political move, that is actually an illegitimate move. So, I turned the radio off. I couldn’t listen to ketaji brown’s racist acceptance speech; and biden’s whiney monotone makes my stomach turn.

Even though it’s obvious America is rapidly spiraling into the depths of Hell, it’s still surprising to me to realize the continuing depths of break with reality politicians and their devotees have slid.

Like I said many times before … politics in this new America, that is not recognizable … is depressing. And angering. I avoid depressing situations/circumstances; and I’m tired of always hovering on the cusp of angry.

Parking at home, the river winds were really kicking up; and raindrops were starting to fall.

Blossom blizzard; actual snow predicted over weekend.

Garden area weeding was not going to be happening.

The message on the wind is that snow will fall by Monday: I put the faucet cover back over the outside faucet.

So, while the wind outside was gustily blowing, and raindrops were slapping the window panes, I watched an old western movie; and got busy designing the kitchen towel I could already see finished in my mind’s eye 😉

Sad day for America will stretch into decades of unrest and chaos ...

Standing firm on my 2022 promise to myself.

Wind chimes are dancing in the rain: Bob liked wind chimes – his chimes still hang from the front porch support beam. I always smile when I hear them dancing.

Hummingbird image finished.

I’ll finish the towel tomorrow; it’s 1:45 AM, and I’m beat.

MOD FLYING GEESE Kitchen Towel

This kitchen towel is also designed with a textured insert at the hemline – but this insert is not so stiff, as yesterday’s design was; today’s insert is a more fluid contrast.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/mod-mallards-kitchen-towel-set.html)

I designed this towel with a flying geese motif. My home is located in the midst of a duck and geese migration field, so the quacking, honking, and wing flapping is directly overhead three fourths of the year … I like it 😊

Finished MOD Flying Geese Kitchen Towel. Cotton yarn.

Cotton yarn in 3 colors (MC = Pebble Beach Ombre; CC1 = Cream; & CC2 = Blue Jeans)

# 10-1/2 knitting needles

#J/10 crochet hook

With MC, CO 73 sts; P 1 row, K 4 rows stockinette stitch. EO MC.

Row 1: Attach CC1, and k, working into the back of each st across row.

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Rpt row 1.

Row 4: Rpt row 2.

Repeat rows 3 & 4 until there are 24 rows total; drop CC1 and attach MC

Twisted Stitch insert

Continue in st. st. with MC for a total of 61 rows from beginning.

Begin Towel Topper decrease as follows: P 2 – P 3 tog across row to last 2 sts: end P 2 sts. EO MC

Change from knitting needles to crochet hook and attach CC1. work in sc as follows: dec 1 st EA end until 8 sts remain.

Sc for 13 rows.

Sl st x5; ch 6 and sl st in same sp; sl at to end. Turn.

Dc x12 in chain loop; add a decorative trim of choice around button-hole-loop.

Sew button in place and weave in loose ends.

With CC2, embroider flying geese motifs across cream insert at hemline.

Flying Geese design grid; positioned outline.

Embroidered goose motif.

MOD DENIM & TULIP KITCHEN TOWEL

I glanced out my window the other day and noticed my tulips have broken soil 😊

So, I designed this new kitchen towel to pair with an older Easter Egg Dishcloth I made a while ago. I made the dishcloth on the fly one afternoon, so there is no pattern.

When designing my new kitchen towel pattern, I thumbed through one of my knitting patterns books, and added an insert border of a nice tulip designed pattern with a French origin. The original pattern is plain with an unusual textured effect … but I like color, so I used colored scrap yarn to highlight the tulip blossom effect – and used a duplicate stitch to highlight the ‘stems’ of the pattern 😊

Snow is in the forecast … but Spring is in my thoughts.

I think my towel turned out rather nice; and it looks good paired with the dishcloth ;-)

MOD Knit Denim & Tulip Cotton Dish Towel

Cotton yarn in 4 colors of choice (I used Denim, Ecru, & scraps of Hot Pink and Green)

# 10-1/2 knitting needles

#J/10 crochet hook

With Denim, CO 73 sts & P 1 row for hem.

Work 4 rows of stockinette stitch.

Drop denim, and attack ecru.

Tulip Pattern:

Row 1: Repeat the following procedure: *K 1 in back, K 2* across row.

Row 2: Repeat the following procedure: *P 2, P 1 in back* across row.

Row 3: Rpt the first row.

Row 4: Rpt the second row.

Row 5 (stems foundation row): Repeat the following procedure: *K 1 in back, P 1, K 1 in back* across row.

Row 6: Repeat the following procedure: *P 1 in back, K 1, P 1 in back* across row.

Row 7: Rpt the fifth row.

Row 8: Rpt the sixth row.

Row 9 (tulip blossoms foundation row): If you wish colored blossoms, attach pink yarn for the P sts, and keep to ecru for the K sts – carrying yarn in back as with all jacquard patterns. If you do not wish a colored pattern, just stick to the textured pattern plain. Repeat the following procedure: *P 2, K 1 in back* across row.

Yarns carried in back of work.

Row 10: Repeat the following procedure: *P 1 in back, K 2* across row.

Row 11: Rpt the ninth row.

Row 12: Rpt the tenth row.

Tulip Pattern using contrast colored yarn.

You should have 16 rows total from hem forward.

Duplicate stitch tulip 'stems'.

Drop ecru (or all yarns); and attach denim. Continue in st. st. until you have reached a total of 61 rows from the beginning of total work.

Work the towel topper decrease row as follows: P 2 – P 3 tog across row to last 2 sts: end P 2 sts: 27 sts on needle.

Change from knitting needles to crochet hook and work in sc as follows: dec 1 st EA end until 8 sts remain.

Sc for 13 rows.

Sl st x5; ch 6 and sl st in same sp; sl at to end. Turn.

Dc x12 in chain loop; EO.

Add a decorative trim edging to the button loop of your choice.

Sew button in place and weave in loose ends.

DENIM & TULIPS ~ MOD Kitchen Towel

The other day, it was the idea of my planned Spring garden.

Today, it was the idea on kitchen towel deigns.

I need some more kitchen towels for my modest castle, so while I ran into town this morning to mail off my garden seeds order at the P.O., I decided to stop at Joann’s for some cotton yarn. I bought enough yarn to knit up several towel sets (dishrag in the mix, too 😉).

I want to knit up Spring/Summer themed towel sets: I found several colors I like:

Kitchen towel set colors: 14 skeins ... 1 Denim is in use.

After the skeins were tallied and ready to be paid for, the cashier asked, “Would you like a paper bag?”

We are in the monsoon season here in the PNW, with snow in the forecast, so I said, “I prefer plastic”.

She said, “We don’t have plastic – plastic has been phased out. Each paper bag will cost you 8 cents.”

I asked, “So, there is no alternative to the paper bag?”

She said, “No – but …” and she waved her hand behind her head to the fancy, spendy, brand name fabric totes hung on the pegboard behind her, “you can buy one of these bags and reuse it. But you may not bring a bag from home to use.”

This was an old-fashioned shafting.

I just looked at her, while mentally counting to ten.

Then I said, “So, you are asking me if I want a paper bag to carry my yarn out of this store in … knowing full well that there is no alternative; then you flatly state I will be charged an 8-cent fee. Why bother asking?”

She said, “Well, it will show up on your receipt. I don’t want you to be surprised.”

I said, “The only thing that kinda surprises me anymore is that people think it’s okay to shaft someone if they ask permission to do so – with, or without my permission, they will do it anyway. Removing all alternatives; then asking if it’s okay in a passive-aggressive way, does not make it okay.”

I mean: the nerve!

I didn’t shout.

I didn’t throw a fit.

But I was very firm in my annoyed response to the store’s political BS.

This is just the start of the political bullshit that will start snowballing, now that the obamanites feel smug, fat, and sassy.

They know people have to shop: they know it rains in the PNW 10 months out of a 12 month year (it’s that rainforest/ocean effect); they know you cannot carry 14 skeins of yarn, or a month’s worth of groceries to your car without purchases being bagged.

And anyone with a functioning brain cell knows that paper does not hold up in continual rainfall like plastic does.

But, as the self-absorbed “scientific-minded” obamanites have proven since 2009 – they don’t have any functioning brain cells; biden is a prime example.

So far, the grocery stores are still using plastic – and they have not been charging for their plastic bags (I grocery shopped at Winco and Safeway last week; and stopped at Walmart on the way home this morning) … but it is in the air that they will start charging for each bag in June. I figure I’ll be shafted for $5.00 every month, basically just because DC mandates it, and local governors can enforce it.

DC claims it is necessary – (no real reason why) – other than plastic bags are ‘not sanitary enough’.

But recycled paper bags are sanitary???? Who knows where the previous paper product used in the recycled paper bags came from … or what was in it/on it/around it?

The whole thing is ridiculous.

That said, I did start on my new kitchen towel set this afternoon.

MOD Tulip Kitchen Towel. Knit – ‘Denim’ cotton with contrast Tulip design hemline; Front.

MOD Tulip Kitchen Towel. Knit – cotton; Back.

I added duplicate stitch tulip 'stems'; Front.

I like it so far, and can’t wait to get it finished and in use in my castle kitchen 😊

MOD Arabic Cross Dish Towel

My store-bought dish towels are getting thread bare, and the fabric of the towels really never soaked up wetness of damp hands, so I decided to design my own cotton yarn towels. I am making my own designed towels with cotton yarn odds and ends since they are not for sale, but for personal use; this is a rather large towel that won't shrink much even when washed and dried in the dryer.

MOD Arabic Cross Kitchen Towel

The contrasting colors (CC) edging this towel are all the colors that make up the blended strands of the cotton yarn, ‘Candy Sprinkles’ used for the main body of my towel. This towel was designed with an old antique pattern on the towel ends. The pattern is called ‘Arabic Cross’.

Arabic Cross design …

To the best I can recall this is the pattern for my own designed towel:

************

Cotton yarns in colors of your choice (I used scraps of Mod Blue (CC), Bright Pink, Bright yellow, White, & Candy Sprinkles)

Size #J/10 crochet hook

Size #10-1/2 Knitting Needles

This towel was started with a single chain crochet foundation for firmer edge.

With yellow and crochet hook make a loose chain of 73. With knitting needle, pick up a stich in the back of each crochet chain: 73 sts.

Row 1: Purl

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5 instead of 9

Row 4: K 5; repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 5 instead of 9

Row 5: Repeat R 3

Row 6: Repeat R 4

Row 7: P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2 instead of 3

Row 8: K 2; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 2 instead of 3

Row 9: Repeat R 7

Row 10: Repeat R 8

Row 11: Repeat R 3

Row 12: Repeat R 4

Row 13: Repeat R 3

Row 14: Repeat R 4

Row 15; Purl

Row 16: Knit

Repeat Rows 1 & 2. Drop yellow and attack CC.

Knit 2 rows CC; drop CC and attach White.

Knit 2 rows White.

Continue with White & knit 1 row through back loops of each stitch across row. 73 sts.

Purl each stitch across row. 73 sts.

Repeat last 2 rows of White pattern for a total of 6 White rows.

Knit 2 rows White; drop White & attach CC.

Knit 2 rows CC; drop CC and attach Candy Sprinkles.

Knit 54 rows stockinette stitch; drop Candy Sprinkles & attach CC.

Knit 2 rows CC; drop CC and attach White.

Knit 2 rows White.

Continue with White & knit 1 row through back loops of each stitch across row. 73 sts.

Purl each stitch across row. 73 sts.

Repeat last 2 rows of White pattern for a total of 6 White rows.

Knit 2 rows White; drop White & attach CC.

Knit 2 rows CC; drop CC and attach Bright Pink.

Knit 2 rows Bright Pink.

Continue with Bright Pink- 

Row 1: Purl

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5 instead of 9

Row 4: K 5; repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 5 instead of 9

Row 5: Repeat R 3

Row 6: Repeat R 4

Row 7: P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2 instead of 3

Row 8: K 2; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 2 instead of 3

Row 9: Repeat R 7

Row 10: Repeat R 8

Row 11: Repeat R 3

Row 12: Repeat R 4

Row 13: Repeat R 3

Row 14: Repeat R 4

Row 15; Purl

Row 16: Knit

Knit 1 row.

End off towel by slip stitching across each stitch. Weave in all loose ends along towel sides.