Off the Needles ... Multnomah

I recently completed the Multnoman shawette and if you like it you can get the pattern here at Hello Knitty for free. I used a  3.25mm bamboo circular needle.  The yarn was by Scheepjeswol Invicta colours of browns, beige and green.

It was a simple pattern to knit, in fact the lower part of the pattern consists of 4 rows which are repeated.  I've done this pattern is other items such as a baby sweater for my granddaughter.  I was looking back to see if I could link to the post but found out I never did blog about that little sweater!  I'll have to remedy that soon.
The multnomah knitted up quickly but I was a bit disappointed in the size of it when finished.  I wish it had been a bit longer.  Now I could remedy that by undoing my cast off row and adding a few more rows of the pattern.  Or I could froggy stitch it all and redo it on larger needles.  Perhaps that will be a winter project.  Or perhaps I'll just get used to it and enjoy it. Have you ever completed a project that you weren't entirely satisified with?

Bug Bookmarker

With the weather on the change you might be spending more time reading or maybe you are making some quick and easy Christmas gifts.

This little bookmark is a great little thing to make and it won't slip out when you pack your book in your bag or carry it from room to room.   I just happened to have some ladybug material in my stash so called it a bug bookmark, but of course you can use any material that you have.

You need a strip of material, 30-32 cm. long and 9-10 cm. wide.  This will make a bookmarker that will fit a paperback sized book or one slightly bigger.  You also need a button that co-ordinates with your material and a mid size hair elasitc1.  Fold the material in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew a seam around the edges.  Leave one end open so you can turn the material right sides out. 2.  Once the material is facing right way out, top stitch around all the edges, folding in the edge you left open.3. Fold one end of the strip over the hair elastic and sew in place.4.  Sew a bug button on the other end.
The colouring of this button did not come out right as the flash of the camera changed it.Mark your place in the book by stretching the elastic to go over the button.  

 This bookmark won't slip or fall out of your book.  I added a cute little tag as I plan to make some more and give them as gifts.

For a regular sized library book I used fabric that was about 45 cm. long.  You can make these any length you wise, just by measuring around your book and adding a bit more for seam allowance. I've been reading a series of books by Laura Childs called The Tea Shop Mysteries.
Enjoy your reading.  Thanks for visiting today.

Seed Gathering

It is time to collect seeds from my garden. I always have an abundance and love to share them with my gardening friends thus creating Friendship Gardens.
Saving seeds and seedpods will give you many seeds to plant in your garden next year. Trading seeds with other gardeners provides you with new plants for the cost of a postage stamp.

Although plants need to be dead headed to ensure continual bloom through the season you can always leave the odd flower to develop into a seedpod. At the end of the season I leave all the flowers to dry out and produce seedpods.  Be sure all seeds are dry before you package them - especially if you are using the mini plastic zip lock bags. Store seeds in a cool location over the winter. Some seeds need to be stored in the refridgerator before germination.
My filing system comprises a 4 quart basket and recycled envelopes. I open my mail on the edge of the envelope and then it can be re-used again. Print the plant name on each envelope and file alphabetically. This makes it easier to find certain types of seeds when it gets to be planting time.  This might not be the prettiest way to store seeds, but it sure works for me. Over the winter this container can be stored down the basement in the cold storage room or in a cool garage (not one where the temperature drops below zero as you don't want those seeds freezing).

But if you really have an over abundance of seeds and you aren't giving any away you can always put the seeds on your bird feeder and see what feathered friends stop by for a snack. For those of you new to seed gathering I have a series of posts with the label Sow then Grow and it will help you identify where to find the seeds, the seedpods, seedlings and seeds of various plants.I do get a lot of requests for my seeds, but unfortunately I can only send to other Canadian gardeners because of postal restrictions.
So get out there and gather seeds and share with your fellow gardeners. What seeds are you gathering and how do you store them?