Thursday, April 18, 2013

Strange and Terrible Week

What a very strange, sad and terrible week we are having.  First the horrible bombings in Boston, The Fertilizer Plant explosion in Texas, and forgive me, our ridiculous government spatting about background checks for those who buy guns.  I try not to be overly political on this blog, even though I am overly political in life.  But to see the faces of the parents of the children who were killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, after simple backgrounds checks were denied is devastating.  So many people have been killed, hurt and maimed this week, and it still doesn't come close to how many get killed each and every week in the United States by guns. Really when does all this craziness stop?  I don't want a gun and I hope I never do, but I certainly don't think we need to protect ourselves with military style assault weapons that can shoot 30 rounds in 5 seconds. I feel ashamed of the Senator's that voted this down, how they can sleep at night is beyond my comprehension.

If you are still with me I am off my ranting now and onto other things.

As you know Stitchy McFloss is having a doily CAL and KAL.  I held strong and steady for the CAL, not joining in.  But when I saw the KAL I flew out of my chair and started rummaging through my yarn stash.  After I smacked myself upside the head in an attempt to gain some sanity, and took a couple of deep breaths, I still could not get this pattern out of my head.  The Knit Flower Doily is a real beauty.  Even though I told myself not to, I printed off the pattern and placed it next to my computer where I could see it glaring at me.  Oh course Ms. Stitch, who is a very bad influence, kept pestering me in her very sweet way, and finally I succumbed.

I made this last weekend while watching the Boston Red Sox plummet my Rays. It helped me get through those two rough games, you can stop snickering now my sister Claudia who is a huge Red Sox fan.


This pattern requires size 10 thread and size 2 double pointed needles.  I knew that was not going to happen here at my house so I looked for yarn I thought I might like to use.  I ended up with Naturally Caron Country in Renaissance Rose.


This doily took about 100 yards of yarn.  Had I known that it would take so little I would have made it with another yarn, maybe in a cream colored cotton.  The original doily is approximate 8 inches across, mine is close to 15.  I used size 8 double pointed needles. 


It was a fun experience and I am glad I joined in.  I will not be making another one anytime soon, I have way too many other projects on my mind, but I am keeping the pattern close by in case the doily bug bites me again.


 My Gardenia's have been blooming for the last two weeks, much earlier in the season than I am used to.  They usually bloom the first week in May and are here until Mother's Day.  Gracie, I believe these are your favorites, so these are for you.  They smell divine!


As the news has been so grim lately I wanted a bit of color to play with.  I made this whirly twirly ruffle crochet scarf with some Misty Alpaca Pima Cotton Silk yarn I had on hand.  I Chained 167 stitches with a size J hook, Double crocheted 3 rows and then went around the outside of the scarf placing 3 double crochet stitches in each stitch from the previous row.  On the ends I placed 5 double crochet stitches in the stitch from the previous row, to make it a bit more whirly twirly.

Easy peasy and a fun project to play with.  This scarf took 200 yards of yarn.  So I am now up to 17 completed projects for the year with a total of 6,820 yards of yarn used so far. 

How is your week going?

31 comments:

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Wow Meredith have your hands been busy! Love the doily and the whirly twirly scarf! You have been a whirl wind.
It has been a crazy sad and madden week and it's still sad and crazy and will be for sometime, I have to say. I don't know what this world is doing, there are some crazy insane people here and I'm really scared for all our young people, we better shape up or it's not going to be fit for next generations. I'm done but could go on and on.
I do love all your makings, great job, xoRobin

* said...

Love the Doily, haven't knitted a Doily before, can't figure out how you do it on 2 DPNs, how does that work...I guess I'll have to look at the pattern...I like the scarf too, really pretty colour.

I will freely admit I know nothing about politics, but when I heard on the radio today about the disagreements, I didn't quite get it.

cockney blonde said...

Very sad news from over your side of the water. We've been thinking of you over here, x

Deb said...

It has indeed been a traumatic week, I have shed a great many tears!
I am with you 100%, it was sad news yesterday after the vote. I don't understand what the problem would be, if you are one of the good guys what do you have to hide?
I love that doily, it is so neat!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

The doily is awesome, I knew you'd make it look beautiful, everything you make is awesome.

Love the scarf, so pretty and love the color, too.

Awww your boys look so adorable with Max. So sweet.

Hugs and blessings always

the Bad Girl

andamento said...

Lovely makes, the doily looks most impressive.
I can't understand why people think guns are a good idea these days.

kathyinozarks said...

Hi Meredith, I love your doily-especially the pattern, and I like the larger size too and I just love these types of scarves-they look like so much fun to wear.
crazy here in my world still-discovered today that my printer also got fried along with my computer and the weather has not been nice here at all, still in allot of pain in my lower back-hoping that improves soon as it has been week-have a great weekend Kathy

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Meredith..I love your doily.. I have several in my house and have realized some my dil gave me were knitted. I'm also amazed at the vote not to pass that just strengthens background checks. It was just a baby step. sigh

Gracie Saylor said...

THANK YOU for the gardenias, Meredith :) They smell heavenly~~~~~through my computer screen~~~~~~~ahhhhh.

Your current stitching projects are a beautiful addition to the world!

xx,
Gracie


Tanna said...

That doily is just beautiful, Meredith!! That Vicki... she is contagious with that crochet and her enthusiasm! blessings ~ tanna

Tanna said...

Just had to go check out that knitted doily pattern.... had to add it to my list of future projects, too. ;)

Betsy said...

Beautiful doily pattern. I really enjoy crocheting them but have never tried a knitted one. Maybe that will be on my to-do list too. The scarf is lovely too. I can almost smell the gardenias here in Spokane.
Blessings,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

Just amazing how much you can get done in one week my dear friend. I also have had a terrible and sad week with much more than what they have been showing on tv. But I'm trying to stay positive and look at the good things we have in our lives and how grateful I'm for everything I have.
I do agree with you on the political side, but I'm trying to not get angry at what I cannot change this week. Way too many things happening. I'm hoping fora calm weekend to put our lives back to a routine.
I love gardenias also, thy are very popular in Brazil... They smell soooooo good. And what a cute scarf. You are so talented. :) have a great weekend my dear friend.

Babajeza said...

I'm worried about the United States in general and I fear that the whole huge country is going down. But on the other side I believe in the creativity of the Americans and that everything will get better eventually. However, when I read about the bombing in Bosten I thought that this is very bad and could to the wrong actions, like more security checks due to paranoia, new wars, more guns, And after that the terrible accident in Texas, which might have its reasons in the low economy and no money for maintaining facilities. I'm only guessing. The voting in the senat yesterday was also in our news. It's unbelievable how powerful the gun lobby is and how weak the politicians. However, there were a lot of people interviewed and they all were devastated about the fact. I so hope this affects the next elections.
I'm glad you share political thoughts now and then because it helps to believe that things in the States could change for the better.

Unknown said...

I agree with you about the guns. What is the problem with a background check if you have nothing to hide! And I also think that gun shows should do background checks on anyone wanting to buy a gun! I saw a program where someone went undercover and bought 8 guns at least in 45 minutes. No questions at all. I mean what do you shoot at with 30 rounds in 5 seconds.
I loeve the doily and scarf and those are two of my favorite colors. The doily looks complicated! But then I don't knit or crochet. I just can't get the hang of controling the yarn wrapped around my fingers. Complete klutz when it comes to that! I will never get over how talented you are with knitting needles and crochet hooks! Have a great day

Hanne said...

Just found your blog :) looking forward getting to know you :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Meredith, you have been busy creating beautiful projects which is a good thing to do with things are crazy. I don't get much of what is decided by the government these days. Very disturbing when decisions are made based on control and greed rather than what is best for the people. There are things that are not allowed in other countries and yet in the States, we tend to tinker and modify for the sake of sales and money. The cost of an education, health care and the decisions made in the food industry are appalling to say the least. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

Ana Figueira said...

I love the knitted doily! It never even occur to me that you could knit a doily! I love your whirly twirly crochet scarf too, the color is beautiful!
And you're absolutely right about guns, not everyone should be allowed to own a gun, and there should be a way to check this - the background checks seam very reasonable to me, I can't even think of any valid arguments against it!

Sentimentally Me said...

Good MOrning!

Love the pink knitted doily!

SO you know I am with Claudia on the baseball thing . . . :)

Oh Lord, don't get me started on the politics. Once I get going, I can't stop!

Have a wonderful weekend my friend!

xo P

Handmade and off-centered said...

Wow your like a crochet machine! Great job on both the doily and the scarf....green is ALWAYS a good pick :)

Hope you have a better week then this last one.

Hugs, Birgitta

Red said...

It never ceases to amaze me how many projects you get done!! You're remarkable!

Bridget said...

Meredith, I am 100% (and more if I could be) with you about guns. And if one more person tells me about their Second Amendment rights, I shall use my First Amendment rights to comment ...

What a lovely post - the doily, the gardenias, the scarf, everything - made it seem like a nice spring day, even though it's very overcast here.

Have a great weekend!

RURAL said...

Wow, how on earth do you crocheters, and knitters turn out these amazing projects? And still have time to blog?

Lovely, and that scarf is delish.

Jen

RURAL said...

Wow, how on earth do you crocheters, and knitters turn out these amazing projects? And still have time to blog?

Lovely, and that scarf is delish.

Jen

Kris said...

I don't like to speak of politics either on my blog, or in public for that matter, but I totally agree with you!!!
Love the doily. Love the whirly twirly scarf.
Hugs,
Kris

kathy b said...

Mere

We heard of the death of a friend and are so sad for the family . Our Friend ANn's husband Ted, died of colon cancer on the 11th. Ann is far away in Texas and we know they are devestated. THey have tremendous faith and I hope it is sustaining them

We had some flooding in our basement, but only an inch of rainwater and its all fine. We never finished the basement so It is just a matter of bleach and mop and bleach and mop some more.

YOUR doily is amazing!!!!! I love it.

I hate guns.

Mrs. Micawber said...

The doily is lovely ... such a soft rose colour. I can't imagine knitting one on size 2 needles. (You might as well use toothpicks!) :)

A sad and strange week indeed.

Ladybird Diaries said...

What beautiful projects you have been working on!
M x

Toni said...

Beautiful doily!

I'm totally with you on the guns thing. I live in a state that is BIG on guns, and the vigilante mentality scares me far more than the idea of terrorists. Background checks and waiting periods only make sense, but I'm afraid sense has left our political arena in the interest of special interest money.

Rose Red said...

I'm sorry it's been such a terrible week for you all there (and indeed around the world, we all feel your pain).

I'm so with you on the gun thing. I hope your politicians show some guts soon against the gun lobby.

Pammy Sue said...

I love your doily! How did I miss this post? I haven't been blog-reading and commenting as much as I like to recently.