MAGPIE'S MUMBLINGS

A blog about my interests, which include fabric landscapes and various and assorted other artsy pursuits and sometimes known to contain mumblings of a random nature.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Some WIP's

 Today I don't have any finishes to show you but there are several projects that are being worked on somewhat simultaneously. 

First up, is a crocheted basket using the pattern/formula I linked to about a couple of posts ago. I'm working with three different yarns and it's already gobbled up one partial ball - woo hoo!  



Next up is a knitting project that has been lurking in my stash basket for nearly ten years.  When our #2 son and daughter-in-love moved out to BC they stopped at a yarn shop along the way and bought me a VERY expensive ball of muskox yarn (very very expensive yarn!) and I haven't been able to bring myself to actually USE it.  Fondling, yes....mustering the courage to knit with it was a whole 'nother story.  I would have the best of intentions but I never could quite find THE perfect pattern that would a) do it justice and b) suited my plain Jane knitting skills.  It's taken me ten years to decide that the pattern that came with the ball of yarn was perfect.  It's lace weight and isn't a fast knit by any means but oh how luxurious!  I first thought a scarf would be ideal but I would be so afraid I'd lose it so a cowl is a much better choice I think.  


The third project is, of course, the quiet book and here is the back cover.  I will save the front cover to show you until after Monday because I'm not supposed to reveal her name until she's born.  



Today's quote..."To be kind is more important than to be right.  Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens"

22 comments:

  1. The musk yarn project is a nice pattern. Prayers the package arrives in good order.
    The chicken link, the felt chickens will make nice ornaments.

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    1. The pattern is quite plain I suppose but it's the yarn that should be the star not what I knit with it. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I kept waiting all these years to find THE perfect pattern and it was sitting there all along.

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  2. I thin a cowl will be lovely, made from such an unusual yarn. I know you will post a picture here when it's finished.

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    1. Yes, I'll definitely share a photo when it's done. It's taking awhile to knit because the yarn is so fine.

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  3. Wow, that's almost the most expensive yarn on the planet. I'm not surprised, when you consider wrangling it off its original owner. Your cowl will be wonderful. Also incredibly warm. It keeps musk ox warm at who knows how many degrees below zero.

    I must look up Amy Genser, thanks for the link.

    I bet dollars to donuts both packages arrive. Probably in the same delivery.

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    1. It's certainly one of the most expensive - and not only that the price has nearly doubled since they bought mine 10 years ago. It's light as a cloud and I suspect it will be really warm.
      As for both packages arriving - I seriously doubt the first one will ever surface....suspect it went home with a postal employee before Christmas.

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  4. You do such beautiful work with yarns.

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    1. Thank you Joy - right now I'm happily using up stash making the basket and I have some more waiting to make another one.

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  5. Anonymous1:56 PM

    Hi Mary Anne, I too can share with you a tale of a good company. I ordered three different fabrics to frame my current quilted panel, and unfortunately one of the fabrics was out of stock (I had ordered a half metre). So I asked them that if I ordered a different fabric, but one metre of it - knowing it would cost more, and I would be happy to pay for it. The reply I received was that they would cover the cost of the extra half metre - and I received it yesterday. At no extra cost! Thoroughly recommend them - though they are in the UK.
    Val (UK)

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    1. Isn't it a nice change to run into places with excellent customer service. Not something that's necessarily the norm these days. Mind you, good customer service also should go along with being a nice customer too!

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  6. My oldest son Kurt has often said he would love to purchase some muskox yarn for me. I tell him it is way to expensive. I might have to tell him to go ahead and get it for me, just so I can knit a toque, or perhaps fingerless mitts.

    God bless.

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    1. If he does, he'd better be prepared to part with a lot of money! Having said that, it's beautiful. I'm amazed at how light it is and yet I expect it will be very warm.

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  7. I obviously live under a rock, as I had no idea muskox yarn existed. Yours is beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished project. And what fun were all those chicken projects! Makes me wish I was a chicken person.

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    1. I'm not a chicken person either but I know a lot of people are. I know I was unaware of muskox yarn until the kids gave me this. I wonder how they 'harvest' it because I don't suppose a muskox would be very cooperative if you tried to comb it out.

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  8. I had to educate myself about that musk ox wool and found it very interesting. There's a good scrabble word to keep in the wings - qiviut. That ought to be a very soft and very warm cowl - can't wait to see it. Hope the package debacle gets ironed out. I have pinned that pincushion for future reference. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Musk ox yarn is very light and very soft. I think it's even lighter than any lace-weight yarns I've seen. And yes, a good work to use in Scrabble for sure!

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  9. What beautiful yarn and I am glad you have decided to make yourself something luxurious with it! The cowl will be perfect! Love that little crocheted basket too! Have a lovely day. Hugs Christine xx

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    1. I'm certainly not used to having such incredible yarn to work with - I'm more of an acrylic with maybe a little wool thrown in if I'm making felted slippers sort of person. Once I finish the cowl I'll likely have to force myself to wear it because I'm bound to be terrified I'll lose it!

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  10. The Muskox yarn sounds marvellous to knit with and wear. Your ears and head would be perfectly snug inside the cowl- better than a scarf.
    I like the back cover of the quiet book. Good to hear Canada Post sent another parcel.

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    1. It was lovely yarn to work with for sure - very fine though. Just to complicate things good ol' Canada Post managed to find the original parcel and it was delivered today - the very day the company shipped the replacement. We'll have to return the replacement when it arrives.

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  11. I love the yarn basket. Wonderful to be able to finish this gorgeous cowl. If not now…When? You are sneaky my friend…back page only so as not to show little’s name. Winter continues…stay warm and cozy.

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    1. Yes, I've come to realize that having a 'if not now, when' philosophy is a good thing!

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Thank you so much for leaving comments! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy life to talk to me. It's wonderful to know that someone is actually reading my mumblings and even more fun if I can connect with you and visit your blog.