It's a Wrap!!

...and just like that...I'm finished with my third and final preemie hat!

After making the first one I decided that I'd make one for each of my (near) full-term babies God blessed me with.  It was a lot of fun and once I got the hang of all those needles in my hand, it was a breeze!

With every stitch I prayed for the preemie and family who would receive it.  Prayed for health, contentment, happiness, hope, strength, peace--no matter what.

It's it just the cutest little thing??  I hope to do this again...soon!

Preemie Hat #2--DONE!

UPDATE: PHOTOS BELOW

Last night I knitted a second preemie hat following my own pattern (smile) and finished it within 2 hours! YAY!  (must get photos of it to share...will do that later today!)  I used size 8 needles and a chunkier yarn to speed up the process.  Planning to do one more by the weekend.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!!

Projects & Lessons

For Christmas I gave handmade gifts.  One of the gifts I gave, to a friend's daughter, was a coupon for some knitting lessons (along with knitting needles and a skein of yarn).  I've been looking for some easy projects to start her on, as she's learning and come across the book, Kids' Easy Knitting Projects by Peg Blanchette.

Along with step by step 'how to get started' information and images, there are several nice little projects to make as one learns and practices knitting and purling.  I'm making plans to start as early as this Thursday but at least by next Thursday.  I've never taught knitting, but, I'm a teacher that knits. lol. Hopefully this will work to my benefit (and those who are learning from me--my daughter and her friend).

My people gave me two new knitting books as gifts.  I'm guessing that my children are going to want some of these matching hats and gloves...and perhaps the hubby wants some socks??  I've NEVER tried my hand at socks, so I'll have to make plans for making a pair.  I've already looked through and read the directions and they do seem easy....we'll see!

I'm also planning to finish my daughter's patchwork quilt for her bed.  I finished the patchwork part a month or so before she was born....I knew I wouldn't have the time once she arrived.  But now she's almost 5 (shhhhh!) and I think I ought to finish it.  I have plans for a quilt for my son's bed as well.  I've been saving old jeans/denim outfits to make a denim and fleece rag quilt.  I'm hoping to have it done by next Winter.

In looking through my fabric I've decided that I MUST make a few sun dresses this year and a pair or two of overalls for each of my kids.  I was able to do this a few years ago...when I only had one.  They all LOVE the outdoors and being covered in earth.  Having overalls on made clean-up, of her, easier.  I may try my hand at Fall/Winter coats again.  I completed a really nice on for The Boy, but never finished the one for my oldest girl.

My grandmother received a Latch Hook rug to complete for Christmas and asked me if I'd do it for her.  Of course I agreed, since this will give my a chance to teach my oldest.  Yet another project to tackle.

Then I'd like to complete some bags for myself and others, made from recycled sweaters.  I've started one already and need to complete it (they were supposed to be for holiday gifts...but things didn't go as I had hoped).  Here's a photo of the one that's almost done.  I'm thinking I'll fill the handles with polyfill to give them a bit more shape.  I'm also considering putting a flower or something on it to brighten it up...what do you think?

Working with my hands is something that I've learned I NEED to be happy, content, fulfilled.  So, I'm taking things slow, but hope to complete each of these things, plus a few more, before the end of this year.  What things have you got in the works?

Happy New Year!!

I hope that the new year has greeting each of you with warmth (for those in cold places) and hope!!

It didn't start as I had thought it would.  We took an impromtu trip after Christmas and didn't get back until after New Years!  My hope was to have this blog start off the new year with a fresh look.  I had also hoped that my house would be in the same condition (fresh and new)! But alas! lol.

I did complete one of the scarves I showed you. Here it is to the left. Now to mail it to its new owner.  I think it turned out nice!  It's a seed stitch, K1, P1 on an odd number of stitches.

Since being on "holiday" I've started, or rather, re-started another scarf (see below completed scarf).  I can't remember when I originally started it.  But from looking at the pattern, it's from my beginning stages when I was experimenting more than actually following a pattern.  I spent Saturday morning pulling it out and restarted it.  It's a soft grey yarn and am doing the same seed stitch pattern on this one as well.

I've decided that for this New Year, I'm going to complete the project I've started or roll them back into a ball and re-start something new (i.e. more enjoyable to knit!)!

Once again, I have hopes of sewing clothes, complete quilts, finishing handbags, etc.  I'm once again excited about the possibilities to create and work with my hands.  I hope to be a bit more consistent this year...only time will tell! ;-)

Works in Progress

I'm writing today, here, not because there is anyone in particular who is following this blog (I haven't been active here in quite some time) but so that when I look back I'll be able to see just what was going on with me and what I have been doing!

Surprisingly enough, despite all that has been going on in my life, I've found a bit of time to knit.  Now, I have not finished projects (smile) but I do have a few that I'm working between in times when I have both hands free!

Take a look:

 Seed stitch on wool ease

 

 Seed stitch on the 'like suede' yarn

 

Two-strand/yarn scarf

I've also been teaching my oldest daughter to knit.  She recently turned 7 and I promised her that when she was 7, I'd teach her to knit.  She's working on the 'knit' stitch, and doing very well!

I'm also working on a few holiday gifts and pulled out/dusted off my sewing machine to assist me in the venture. In the event that one of my family members/dear friends just happens to check this blog, I'll refrain from sharing pictures or any description of these projects, as I'd like them to be pleasantly surprised when they receive them! (hint, hint!)

I also have a few other ambitious projects I'd like to complete before Christmas as well.  Since we've been doing handmade gifts in our immediate family for the past 7 years, I've been trying to come up with what I'll give my children and husband this year.  I think I've posted photos of last year's gifts--oh, wait, that was two years ago now.  (Shaking head--time is really moving!)  I'll have to post photos of last year's gifts.  DH and I found some less than perfect bookshelves and rebuilt them and painted them for the kids last year.

Anyway, I'm wanting to make some skirts for my 4 yo daughter--she LOVES being in dresses/skirts.  I'm also thinking that I'd like to make something like this (see photo below) to hang over both girls' beds.  Now to think of something for the boy.  Perhaps something to hold/hang his ever growing dinosaur collection.  Hmph...need more thinking time.  Oh! he has been asking for a "King Hat" (a crown) so perhaps I'll make one of those!  We'll see.

I've also been spending a good deal of time blogging on my other blog: Home-Grown Love.  I am giving myself permission to take care of myself in all the necessary ways.  So, with that in mind, I hope to share something at least once a week here...starting in the new year to help me get back in the habit of crafting--making things with my hands!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!