{Feeling Pampered with Silk/Wool Cap from Blogger Friend}

Oh my, on Christmas Eve, I was for the last time out of the house and than a very bad flu floored me literally.

Did not even notice that 2015 ended... it went past me.

Only on my Dad's 95th Birthday I managed to be up in the late morning and call him in The Netherlands.

From than on I improved, but did not want to be out in the nippy, windy weather as the warm temperatures from Christmas had suddenly dropped, even getting some night frost.

What a surprise when on Thursday, January 7, the mail delivered a parcel from France.

A sweet hand knitted gift from Anett from the blog: Faden Stille whom I follow since 2010. We have become virtual friends!

Friday, January 8, I did join Pieter for Rotary lunch and afterwards I did wear my silk/wool cap for taking a walk. Wearing of course my coat as well!

Spunky girl looks fluffy during the cold weather.
Me, showing off my crows feet from a great smile...!

Driveway is still damp and the weather dreary looking...

But our Verbena continues blooming inside the fiber glass window boxes from Flower Framers of Cincinnati!

Enjoying my Chanel boots; bought from tip money for consulting work in California!

You can read more about that here: {My Favorite Boots}

My silk/cashmere Jodphurs from Bergdorf Goodman 1994 still fit me perfectly and I love wearing them in winter time.

Matching cables in my Escada silk/cashmere sweater from December 26, 1993 - actually my very first Outlet score bought at Potomac Mills in Prince William, VA. We were traveling by car to the funeral of our Jewish friend in Delaware when we stopped at this Mall for lunch.

Thanks a lot Anett for so much WARMTH!

It warms the heart and the ears on a nippy winter's day...

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{Mom's Hand Knitted Bedspread as Window Display}

Before my Mom came to visit us for the very first time here in the USA, she had the honor of having her Hand Knitted Bedspread as Window Display. Of course this was the shop where she had bought all the knitting yarn. I've always loved that leaf pattern, as a matter of fact I do have a favorite sweater  with leaves. See link below this post...

Here Mom stands proudly in front of the shop's window where her hand knitted bedspread is being displayed.

Funny to look at this photo as at present, I am the same age as Mom was here in 1987...

Not that long ago, Mom decided to start using this bedspread again...

Here it is on their queen size bed and I made this photo on February 21, before going to see Mom again during her dialysis in The Netherlands.
Strange for being for a brief moment on the other side of the ocean... seeing the photos they keep from me in their bedroom (to the right hanging and small one standing).

Four days later, the big ocean would once more be in-between my Parents and me.

This is such a lovely design!
A better view of those knitted squares with leaf pattern in the center.

Don't you also love this leaf pattern with ajour edges?

Mom for sure is smiling down from heaven, with so many views of her fabulous knitting!

Views on my Pinterest page (just click it)
~

Click on photo to enlarge...
Here follows an English version:

Size: 130 X 240 CM.

MATERIAL needed: Synthetic wool 2700 gr of natural colour; 5 double-pointed knitting needles 3mm

SQUARE PATTERN: follow the chart

The work is done in rounds on 4 needles. We show you in the chart a quarter of a square; each pattern must therefore be repeated 4 times in each round.

Cast on 8 stitches, placing 2 stitches on each of the 4 needles.

Follow the chart for the odd numbered rounds.

Knit every even-numbered round, (2^nd, 4^th, 6^th etc.) working the 1^st stitch of each repeat in twisted knit stitch.

Work rounds 1-48, then purl 2 rounds. Cast off.

Knit 45 squares in total.

TRIANGLES: Cast on 7 stitches. Work back and forth across the rows. Work the odd-numbered rows from the chart, beginning each row with an edge stitch, then working the pattern 2 times and ending with a knit stitch and an edge stitch. Purl the even-numbered rows, working twisted purl stitch into the twisted knit stitches.

Knit 22 triangles in total.

EDGING: Cast on 9 stitches. Round 1: Knit 1, * increase 1, Knit 2 together in twisted knit stitch, repeat from * 3 times.

Round 2 and all even-numbered rounds: Knit 1, increase 1, knit to end.

Round 3: Knit 2, then repat from * as in round 1. Continue thus until there are 16 stitches.

Next even round: Work as for round 2.

Next odd round: Cast off 7 stitches, knit to end. Continue to repeat from round 1 until the work measures 7.5 m. Cast off.

FINISHING: Pin out the squares and triangles, cover with a damp cloth, press lightly and leave to dry.

Join together on wrong side with backstitch. Begin at lower edge by sewing 3 squares in-between 4 triangles, then add 4 and 3 squares alternately to end. Sew 4 triangles at the other end and 7 triangles along each side. When all squares and triangles have been joined together, sew on the border neatly.

Related link:
Italian Crochet Terms and U.S. Crochet Terms | translation for being able to understand the above pattern.
{ME, Turning 20 on December 3!} | previous post with my knitted leaf pattern sweater

Mariette on Google+

{My Hand Knitted Irish Aran Men's Vest}

At the time that husband Pieter still needed to travel frequently to Canada for Campbell Soup, I did hand knit this Irish Aran Mens's Vest for him from a Burda magazine. That kept him nicely warm. Here in Georgia, it hardly ever is being worn but on Sunday, January 12, we went for a walk and Pieter wore it.

Knitted in Phildar wool in Rustique Naturelle... with wooden buttons.

Knitted from the Dutch Burda Breien en Haken 365 patroon 101

Did knit this from a German description however, since the enclosed pattern got lost...

Here you see husband Pieter, wearing my hand knitted Irish Aran Vest and also his Bailey Trilby Tweed - Wool Fedora Hat from Hatcountry's Italian collection.

Blue winter sky made for a perfect walk...

this is the back part of the Vest with raglan sleeves.

Detail of the cable knitting...

Ribcord jeans are from the Outlet by Ermenegildo Zegna.

Rubber boots are French +Le Chameau  

Okay, let's walk on...

On January 13, 1985, I proudly show my just finished Irish Aran Men's Vest to my Dublin Mama 'Alice' and to my Thai-American friend Somai.

This photo is taken at our previous Dublin home...

This heavy vest I did knit in 11 days; just in time for a winter trip into Canada for Pieter!

Have you done any Irish Aran pattern?

Related articles:
{My Hand Knitted Linen Top} | previous post by me
{My Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Vest} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater}| previous post by me

{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{My Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern}

It is about time that I show you my Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern. Most bloggers know that it takes time for styling things and it's even harder for items you have to wear! The weather at home had been quite dark and dreary so we thought we take all those pieces with us in the car to Florida - to the SUNSHINE STATE.

Well yeah, SUNSHINE behind those gray clouds...

Here we are again on September 19, at the Hyatt House Miami Airport, our favorite home away from home.

Never mind, their botanical garden is still great for making photos!

So here is my hand knitted (yes, by ME!) shawl from Swiss Lang Yarns in a 100% taupe silk, which  I had obtained from New York by the box, wholesale. 

Closeup of the Peacock Pattern in Silk

As a matter of fact, I did three of these silk shawls. One was a gift for a dear friend in Australia and one I donated to "THREADS OF LIFE: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S TEXTILE ART" from the Georgia State University. You can read more from my LinkedIn profile.

Knitted after this Anna Burda pattern.

The skirt is my own sewing creation in a matching tropical wool from Britex Fabrics, San Francisco with silk lining from Britex Notions.

Shoes are Charles Jourdan from the Outlet.

Pantyhose are +Wolford from the Outlet

Bag is from Chanel from I Magnin, San Francisco.

Cotton peplum shirt is by Escada from the Outlet.

Gold Cameo brooch is a gift from Pieter, bought in Eindhoven, The Netherlands as an estate piece at a jewelry store.

Cane I used only because the model in the Anna Burda held one...

Watch is a Rado from Switzerland; tax free.

Pearl Majolica earrings are from Singapore airport; tax free.

Pearl bracelet by Majolica is from Neiman Marcus at Oahu in Hawaii.

When shopping frugally at Outlets and tax free, one can afford some little luxuries... 

Closing my eyes... dreaming of SUNSHINE.

That's a FULL size 4 or European 34

Related links:
Rose lace pattern with rippled diamond edging | blog by Astrid from Sweden with lace knitting shawl
GEBREIDESJAALS | blog by Mieke who is a Dutch artist in fine lace shawl knitting
Faden Stille | blog by Anett who is German artist in lace knitting, living in France
Träumereien Angel Smile | blog by Brigitte from Germany who does also lace knitting
Bergzauber stricken | blog by Marlies from Switzerland showing a knitted silk lace shawl

Britex Fabrics

Britex Notions

Mariette on Google+

{My Hand Knitted Linen Top}

For summer, nothing feels better on our skin than LINEN. I have hand knitted this khaki colored linen top and LOVE wearing it. So it did come into the suitcase with us to Florida. These photos are from September 19, and are taken inside the gardens of the Hyatt House Miami Airport. One of our favorite Hyatt hotels that feels like home with its suite concept and fully equiped kitchen. 

Wearing my hand knitted linen top here with my Escada khaki shorts and Escada Sport sandals.

As accessories I wore my tiger eye necklace and bracelet (not visible in photo).

We had three days of rain in Miami, so everything looked rather damp.

The accent on the back... which I did alter.

I went for a boat neck design instead.

More in detail...

This was on the day before we departed to central Florida, on our way home...

Do you love to wear linen in summer?

Related articles:

{My Hand Knitted Vest} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater} | previous post by me, wearing brooch

{Guilloché Enamel Brooches, Thimble and Rose Box} | previous post by me showing brooch
{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+

{Hand Knitted Easter Gift from Sister-In-Law}

The sweetest gifts are often those that are hand made. We call it here in the USA; Labor of Love. My sister-in-law, Elly Van den Munckhof did knit for me six cute egg warmers. A set of Easter Chickens for placing over a boiled egg. For years already, both of us don't eat eggs but I do use them over some special egg shaped Easter candles. Have a look...

Here they are; that is four out of six. 

The Chickens to the right had a bad hair-day...

I've only given them a new felt crest and silk organdy graduating ribbons around their neck.

They held up really well.

Elly did make the eyes from a glass bead.

Nice Easter grouping... except that the weather was actually too dark to make decent photos...

A tiny bud vase with blooming Pelargonium from our Green House. 

Because we will have frost on Tuesday night, our potting plants are still inside!

Dark days with a mean and cold wind...

The lazy Chick on the yellow plate we got one year in the mail from our 'German son' and family.

The lacquered and hand polished laser cut brass Egg window decorations are fom Germany, Jech Kunstgewerbe.

FAKE Egg... it is a candle in a mini-terracotta pot with gold sparkle.

The top plate is from Blokker in The Netherlands where we bough them with my niece Maartje Van den Munckhof... Three out of four survived so far!

The tablecloth is all cotton Le Jacquard Français.

So what do you say about my Easter Chickens?

Related links:
{RARE ANTIQUE ROSE: JEANNE D'ARC (1818 FRANCE)} | previous post by me showing hand crocheted doily by Elly
{Our Garden's Winter Blooms for Christmas} | previous post by me showing hand crocheted doily by Elly
{Easter Season} | previous post by me showing the brass window decorations with link
{Our Organdy Beribboned, Porcelain and Brass Easter Eggs} | previous post by me showing the brass window decorations with link

Mariette on Google+

{My Hand Knitted Vest}

Since it is winter and we are wearing our woolen sweaters and such, I like to show you My Hand Knitted Vest. On January 20, I did wear it for the photo so you can see it on my blog...

Wearing my hand knitted vest with my English woolen tweed suit from Planet. 

Husband Pieter did buy this suit for me in London, many years ago when he was by himself and it still fits perfect!

The entire Planet suit.

Worn with a  Laurèl silk blouse and Escada shoes and +Wolford pantyhose, both from the Outlet at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York State. 

 There also is a Wolford Outlet at Orlando Premium Outlets at Vineland Ave. 

Also at Sawgrass Mills Outlets - 1700 Sawgrass Mills Circle -  33323 Sunrise, FL 

This classic tweed suit does have a dark brown velvet collar.

Jacket off and showing you my A-line skirt with the hand knitted vest...

Tiggy-Tiger girl sitting on the Wood Trail.

The vest has cables knit into the front and back. Also a mice tooth edging and knitted-in button holes.

Detail from the cables, two fine ones with a broad one in the center. You also can see the button holes and buttons with mice tooth edging all around vest. 

This is the back, with three of those cable rows knitted in.

Very practical it reads on the side, it was in the Anna Burda, February 1983.

Another classic pattern.

Click here on pink hyperlink: → Cable Vest for the Pdf.

Pattern is in Dutch but with some explaining and clear knitting example that will be easy to follow, also some translation of key words.

Do you love to knit cable patterns?

I know, there are two blog-ladies whom I admire for their knitting of sweaters and such: Anett from Fadenstille  and Marlies from Bergzauber stricken. Can't compete with them!

Related articles:
{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me
{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater}| previous post by me with brooch

{Guilloché Enamel Brooches, Thimble and Rose Box} | previous post by me

{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me
Wolford Fashion | FB Page

Mariette on Google+

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now}

Let me show you some incredibly STRONG Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now... No kidding, there is a lapse of almost 28 years between getting them off my knitting needles and wearing them NOW. Are you ready?

Yes, this is ME wearing my hand knitted leg warmers; hot off the needles in March of 1985...

What do you think? Pretty close or not...

Now, let's move!

Same legs, same leg warmers but almost 28 years later!

Victoria from the blog Slightly Shabby asked: "I would love if you could do more posts on your diet and exercise, you have such a great figure! I was always very slim but now, in my mid 40's, I find myself struggling."

♥

Okay, I will show you some of my exercise... my diet I will address later.

I did it then...

And now...

By the way, I need another hair cut!

Oh, wait... we will get going, I will show you next!

Just a bit more than only turning around...

Twenty eight years in-between; that's not bad for 60+ or?

Ready...?

All the way to the floor... Keep your legs stretched!

Yes, I can still do that...!

Hurts like hell but never mind.

That's right; swing those legs (both of them!) all the way, past your ears to the floor and hold for 20 minutes.

I'm kidding; you cannot breathe that way...

Oh Lordy... I will probably never get straightened up again!

Yeah, big deal then; when I was 28 years younger and a LOT more flexible.

Hope you enjoyed this Then and Now series.

Now be careful, don't imitate me immediately; you might have to check with your doctor first!

Related link:

{Our Rose Suite's Little Room} previous post by me where Victoria asked the above quoted question in the comments... 

Mariette on Google+