Stargazer Tee errata!

I was very excited that my Stargazer Tee design went live this month. It's one of my favorites!

I received an e-mail this morning tho' that pointed out that the chart had errors. My charts and keys get entered into the publishers' programs so there's a lot of room for errors. It's certainly amazing work that they do and I'm surprised that errors so seldom happen. My head starts to spin after a few hours doing my own charts! So I'm going to add the chart and key here for anyone who needs it. Hopefully the word will get out and all will have a chart that is free from error. If you want me to send you the chart and key via email, my e-mail is bengel@telus.net

Here's some more corrections for "The Stargazer Tee" It had a rough ride to publication! There is a strange seemingly random string of stitch counts for the shoulder on the front. I'm posting this correct passage

Front
Place Front 108 (120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192) sts from holder back onto larger needle. Attach yarn. With RS facing, work armhole BO and Armhole Shaping same as Back, and, at the same time when piece measures 19 (19.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23.5, 24.5)", on a RS row start to Begin Neck Shaping, below.

Begin Neck Shaping
Work to center 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20) sts, attach another ball of yarn, bind off center 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20) sts, complete row. Work both sides at once. Bind off 2 sts at each neck edge every row 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) times. Dec 1 st at each neck edge, every other row 7 (8, 9, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11) times. Continue in St st until piece measures 23 (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.5, 30.5)" from CO. 21 (23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 33, 36) sts each side. Work BO Shoulder Shaping (at shoulder edge) to correspond with Back. 21(23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 33, 36) sts each shoulder.

Where do socks come from?

I was knitting in the hall at my son's school, it's thankfully the kind of school that you can do that sort of thing. I was making socks and was at the point where there were many needles! I add extra when I'm doing the heel flap. This little guy came up to me with a look of absolute awe and asked what I was doing with all those needles! When I told him that I was making socks, he was even more amazed! "You can MAKE socks!!". Yup I can. My mother made socks, my cousins and sister make socks. Even if they don't make socks, every one I can think of has at least received hand made socks. Imagine, there are people out there who have never thought of where their socks come from! I mean, if all the sock factories suddenly went down, we sock knitters would be rock stars! Actually I find it kind of liberating and empowering to be able to make socks and other woolies. It's really cool to have a need that you can fill yourself. Honestly I've taken it a little over the edge with the DIY. I make my own laundry detergent, scouring powder, air freshener, bug spray, bread, buns and last night I actually made home made deodorant. At first I think is was about saving a bit of coin. Then it became more about knowing what is in the products that I use. Somewhere along the line, after it became second nature to just whip things up, it became empowering! There are so many awesome videos, patterns and recipes that we have instant access to. It seems that nothing is impossible! I think spinning will have to be my next DIY skill. I have the spinning wheel and the fiber...I just have to figure out how to DIY myself more time!!

In case anyone would like to know, here's how I make some stuff. It doesn't take as much time as going to the store to buy it does!

Scouring Powder:

1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Regular Kitchen Salt
About 10 or 15 drops of whatever essential oil you like. I use Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. Tea Tree is a natural antibacterial, so is salt! So there really is no need for bleachy, chemical cleaners.

Air Freshener:
1 Cup Distilled Water (truthfully, I just use tap water)
1/2 Cup Rubbing Alcohol (apparently Vodka works well...but that sort of blow the whole cost savings out the window)
10 - 15 drop of essential oil. I really like Lavender and Bergamot. At Christmas time I used Clove and Cinnamon Oil.
I spray this on carpets and curtains before I vacuum. I'm not sure that I would trust it on really fine fabrics...actually I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't. It works just like fabric fresheners that I've used and it's not stained anything that I've used it on. Of course...even my couch is machine washable...so my experience might not be the best to call on!

Bug Spray for plants:
Just make the Air Freshener, add a teaspoon of olive oil, a teeny blop of dishsoap and 5 drops of Clove oil, 5 drops of cinnamon oil. I use it to control fungus gnats, spider mites and other fungal infections and powdery mildew on my orchids and violets. Again...No chemicals!