A boy & a hat

The Boy has been begging me to make him something for awhile now. Although I have made him a couple of things, since he's been a 'big boy' I have not.

Well, here is the lovely knit hat I was able to whip up in a couple of days.  NOW he says it's too itchy.  Go figure.  It's cute, anyway.  I do have plans to make him something in the pattern in something other than wool.

On My Needles

I know you're dying to know, right?!
LOL.

Well, I'm almost finished with the first leg of a set of legwarmers for my sweetie-pie.
Aren't they cute?  She picked out the yarn.  It's her gift for the holidays this year.

Wrist Warmers

So I've completed (all but the weaving in of ends) my first pair of fingerless gloves.  This is the first pattern that I've done with a slot for the thumb (found pattern on Ravelry).  In the previous pairs I've only left a hole for my thumb to slide out of.  I an tickled with them.  They don't remember match though.  I tweeked the pattern as I made the second one.  So it fits my hand a bit better and it longer.  Also did the thumb portion a bit neater.  You know how the second one is usually better than the first? lol.  Well, I my frog the first one...I may knot.  Now that I know what I'm doing I will definitely be making more.  My girls have already put in their requests.

What do you think?

Yarn!

Since I'm visiting family in NC presently, I couldn't remain here and NOT visit that lovely yarn store.  I lucked out as I went on the day they were celebrating their 2nd anniversary/birthday and were holding an AWESOME sale.  I was only planning to get ONE skein--the one I should have gotten that last time I was there.  It's 100% Baby Alpaca in orange--I got the white one last time.  I also got another skein of the Jarbo Duo in a bright red mix and then a Berroco Sundaw skein which was on sale--it reminds me of someone's locs.

I have plans for each of them.  Going back to get them wound and to get a second skein of the bright red mix.  My Winter Solstice Gifts will be underway soon!

Here's a peek at what's on my needles currently.  I found a free pattern on Ralvery.com called a Stitch Sampler Shawl.  I've had this yarn for a few years now, was initially going to make a poncho for myself.  Well, I'm know a third of the way finished.  This shot only shows about half the width of it.  It's on circular needles.

What wonderful things are your creating?  Do share!

What's NOT on my Needles?

I usually see posts about "What's ON your Needles?"  When I browse crafting/knitting/crocheting sites, this is a frequent question.

Well, I've been taking time [in this blazing heat] to knit.  Yep. Knitting.  I'm determined to complete my started projects BEFORE starting new ones (and boy do I have some new ones I want to start on)!

So here's the completion to a winter set for me:

(I made the scarf previously--it was crocheted.)

So, what's NOT on your needles?? (or in your sewing machine?)

New Book

My favorite cousin & best friend sent us a new knitting book. It was sent with my eldest in mind.  I've been teaching her to knit and this book will give us another project to take on.  It's for knitting dolls with all their clothes & accessories.  My girls can't wait to get started on one, or two or three!

Thanks Emilie!!

On My Needles

So I'm working on a matching hat for the scarf I just crocheted.  Yep, I'm knitting it... :D
Making pretty good progress!

Update: Preemie Hat

Ok. So I made it almost to the end with this cute little hat.  Well, until things got all messed up.  I doubled checked the pattern but things weren't adding up (or decreasing to the # of stitches required/stated) as the pattern said they should.  My cute little pattern started looking totally a mess.  I got very frustrated.  Some bad words were uttered.  I frogged the entire thing!!

Yes.  It's the perfectionist in me.  And I'm desperately trying to recover from all of that. 

Anyway.  Today is a new day.  I am beginning again.

Will share status again.  Hope your projects are going smoothly! :D

Progress::Preemie Hat

So after purchasing a new circular needle I found out that it was still too long.  So, I've had to use four needles.  Once I got over the "oh my! how will this work?" feeling--which only took one round, I settled into it and am really enjoying this.  I'm excited about how it's turning out and can't wait to knit myself some socks or wrist warmers or gloves (something that requires knitting in the round)!

  

  

 

I think it's coming along nicely.  I'm hoping to be finished by tomorrow--if all goes as planned! :D

Knitting for a Cause Part 2

Well, I made it out to pick up some new yarn. I sat up and made balls of both the skeins I got.  I'm loving the softness and the color(s) of both.  I even treated myself to some new needles (as if I need more...shhhh don't tell the hubs).

I've looked through a few patterns and settled on a basic ribbed hat by Carissa Knits.  I need something simple to start with.  I'm also going to use circular needles instead of double-pointed ones.  They still scare me.  I really want to make some socks this year so I think I'll try them out on something that doesn't have a deadline! :D Hopefully I'll get it done by the weekend.  I'll keep you posted!

Knitting for a Cause

My dearest childhood friend send me an email this morning.  Her sweet daughter, Grace, has a birthday this month--she'll be four.  After getting over the fact that our children are truly growing up, she reminded me that Grace was a preemie.  I remember that time, of praying and hoping.  My friend was blessed to be able to bring her sweet baby girl home after three weeks in the NICU.  She has always promised herself that because of all the love and support of the nurses and doctors there that help her through a very tough time she'd give back each year around Grace's birthday.  Unfortunately, that hasn't happened--until now!  She's ask me (along with her other friends) to join her in knitting some preemie boy & girl hats for others who are going through this now.

I am so in!!  I'll be wading through my stash for some super soft yarn, look through the pattern she shared in the email, right now I'm checking out the patterns on Carissa's blog--Carissa Knits (or online--Ravelry specifically) and get started.  I'm going to make two.  One for a girl.  One for a boy. 

Have you knitting (crocheted, quilted, sewed, crafted) for a cause before?  Which one(s)?  What better way to share a gift of love and time.  I'll post photos of my finished pieces.  I'm very excited!!

Knitting Lessons

Today I am beginning my 6-weeks of giving knitting lessons.  It was one of the gifts I gave for the holidays--part of my 'handmade' gift giving! (smile)  At the present moment, I'm feeling very confident.  This is primarily because I will be teaching my daughter and one of her friends.  I've made a few copies of written directions and some pictures so they can practice between lessons.  I've already given them both a set of the Lion Brand children's knitting needles and a skein of yarn.  I am hoping that my instruction will be clear and easy to understand.  I'm also hoping that things will go smoothly and we'll have a lot of fun!

Since I came from an education background, I'm feeling like I need to jot down a lesson plans so I can make sure we cover all the basics (and I mean basics) over the next 6 weeks.  Today will be the 'boring' lesson--we'll go on and get that out of the way.  I'll talk about needles and equipment, types and textures of yarn (I have an example of most all of them and will take my Knitting Bible to show them the two I don't).  Then we'll roll their skein into ball and learn/practice casting on.  I think that will be enough for today's lesson.  I'm also planning to bring several of my knitting books for them to simply look through and see just what kinds of things they'll eventually be able to do.  We will also plan their first project.  I'm thinking I'll suggest they each make a dishcloth or wash cloth.

My dh, who is an educator as well, has a student who has been asking me to teach him to knit as well.  But he's such a busy guy--being a senior and all. :-)  He finally has some time available, so we're planning to get together this afternoon.  I don't want to make him feel childish or girlie, so I'm going through my stash to find him a pair of needles (instead of giving him a set of the children's needles) and some yarn a bit more masculine.  He seems to have the confidence to do it and we've already had the conversation about boys/men knitting!  Perhaps I need to write down a list of sites that he can search online on his own to see other men and get more ideas.  Yeah. I think that will be a good idea.  Well, let me get to it then!

Wish me well!
Have a great day!!

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!!

Projects!!!

So right now I've been going through books and magazines again deciding upon my next big project and a few small ones. I've started another scarf and since I've completed by 9 month in the making blanket for my son, I think I want to start another long project. We'll see!

I made the girls hats and scarves again this year. I wanted to do some mittens, but those haven't appeared yet. Knitting with more than two needles is a bit scary, so I'll wait a bit more before I try.

Three Christmas' ago, Melvin and I decided that we would make the gifts we give as to cut down on all the expense of the holiday as well as make the gifts more special and meaningful. This past Christmas (2007) I made a reversible tablecloth and matching seat covers for the girls' table. It was patchwork and turned out lovely! You'll have to take a look at the pictures. I want to make some napkins for my table and a few place mats. I'm thinking of embroidering them and even allowing Jaya to help with that. She's five now and I think it's time for her little hands to learn to sew!

I've made my son a fleece coat/jacket and am planning to make one for Jaya. Kari is swimming in coats for now. I do want to make something special for her. She loves to color orange so I'm looking for some really nice orange yarn. I'm thinking that I'll knit her a poncho.

So, these are just some of my hopes for this new year! I'll keep you up-to-date with how things a taking shape!

My First 'Meetup'

Last night I attended my first knitting meetup with some seasoned knitters in Virginia Highlands (Atlanta Intown Knitters). The organizer, Kim Nickels, hosted it at her yarn store, Knitch. I had never been in a yarn store! Yes, I've been in plenty of stores with yarn--but never a yarn store. Let me tell you, the yarn in this place is unbelievably WONDERFUL!!! The colors, textures, everything--simply wonderful. The yarn that is sold in other stores is basically crap in comparison to all the luxury yarns in this place!!!! Plus you can have yarn spun. In addition, the shop's atmosphere is prefect for sitting with friends and knitting!

I met a wonderful group of knitters and am looking forward to my new "mental" break on Thursday evenings! (Thanks dear for holding it down with the kids!)