Kringle seems to have a particular fondless for this cloth. Unfortunately, it was destined to travel to my exhange pal, Sue!
SAY GOODBYE! Time to let go, Kringle!
Should I send this photo to STUFF ON MY CAT?
BETTER GET BUSY!!!
Husband's sweater in the bag. Back portion is done. Need to cast on for the fronts-sleeves-bands. Most likely this will become the March birthday gift!
Sometimes friends provide that little bit of inspiration needed to motivate me to post!
And sometimes those friends need to be, (AHEM!) immortalized..0.jpg)
For your Halloween viewing pleasure, please allow me to present, my dear friend, Pinky!
Well, I'm thinking that the scarf is handknit, but I'm certain the socks are not.
BAD, PINKY, BAD, BAD GIRL!
PINKY MUST LEARN TO KNIT OR PERISH!
In my opinion, the skirt could be knit with Art Yarn Regal Silk, color #115, pink and look quite lovely.
As for a head piece alternative, please note that I have been vowing to knit the following for several years and my son is terrified that I will someday wear this in public to humiliate him!
I think this a "must have" for those days when you need a little something extra to perk up your professional image!
Thanks to both www.Knitty.com and "Cashew" for keeping the smiles coming!
Girl, you are just too camp!
MEMORIES OF KNITTING DAYS GONE BY....
This was an attempt to knit a feather and fan baby blanket last year with DK weight yarn, no pattern and in the heat of summer! I got this far, off the needles it came, and a photo op before it's demise. It turned into a simple pinwheel blanket instead. Knitting is soooo forgiving!
I received many kind and supportive responses to the moaning and groaning featured on my previous blog-SO MUCH SO that I went and purchased more yarn for more projects!
Seriously, once the Yarn Room is finished I will be donating a very large portion of my yarn acquisition to my church Knitting Ministry because it will be put to good use there!
I'm happy to report that my family room has room for my family again!
Found a lovely new yarn shop called Knitwitz and So Much More in Hellertown, Pa. owned and operated by a lovely lady named Donna.
AND IT'S OPENED ON MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!
She's got a great assortment of yarns, all very current, with great colorways, from Berocco, Brown Sheep, and Peaches and Cream, to name just a few. Very shopper-friendly atmoshere. This shop is a real find! I'm a-going back!
THREE MORE WEEKS UNTIL STITCHES!
Knitting A Purposeful Life.....
The summer has been officially over for a few weeks now, and I am caught up in the mad frenzy of cleaning, organizing, disgarding, and knitting, but not necessarily in that order.
I am in the process of moving my immense, yet glorious, yarn stash out of the t.v. room and basement into an upstairs small, spare bedroom. Problems lay with the issues of "immense' verses "small". There is minimal closet and dresser space. I am contemplating various storage options. I must make this work somehow.
The motivation for this massive undertaking was the observation that my family room was beginning to resemble:
1. My local yarn store.
2. A crowded and messy workshop.
I was feeling claustrophobic.....
This has caused me to reflect on my knitting life, and reach a conclusion:
THE FIRST STEP IS ADMITTING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!
In an effort to prevent an inevitable family intervention, I decided the time had come to take measures to contain, manage and resolve this little problem of mine. Let's relocate the stash!
It has turned into one major project!
Taking yarn inventory has forced me to face the fact that I have accumulated over the course of 8 years colossal amounts of yarn!!!
I've gotten re-acquainted with little fiberfriends I hadn't seen in years and had long forgotten about. "Hello Koigu"! "How ya doin', Noro"? "What's up, Bartlets?"
Yarn purchased with specific projects in mind, waiting patiently for years for that magic moment to occur when it is whisked away on golden needles to be created into beautiful gifts for my loved ones! There are many, many of these groups with the stash.
Others bought as single, precious, lonely oddballs, perfectly suited as a hat or combined with other orphans to form some small item for an emergency baby gift..
Yarn that was "On Sale', discontinued, or designated for charity knitting projects.
Yarns purchased in abundance for the latest KAL.
Can we say "ballband dishcloth?" The Lily people should feature my picture on their Sugar and Cream cotton labels.
Let's not even get into the novelty scarf knitting craze that isn't winding down as far as I can see, despite the indrustry trend reports!
I think you get the picture.
What the heck was I thinking?
Is this yet another example of gross consumerism? Or, perhaps the signs of serious mental illness? Am I a hoarder, in need of the false sense of security that having yarn somehow provides? A serious collector of fiber? A woman with an obsession? A Material Girl?
I could photograph Le Stash, but I am too ashamed to have an official record of my vice.
I cannot fathom the $ amount I've invested in my craft. Nor do I want to.
Catholic Guilt leads me to question how the money spent on yarn could have served a more practical purpose. I wanted only to bring happiness to others.
SIGH!
One last thought about my yarn issues.
Stitches East is one month away.
And, yes, I am going.
Be afraid. Be very afraid....
I still am hooked on the ballband dish cloth pattern as you can see from my latest additional to our family's waaaarshcloth collection. And yes-we do us our waaaaarshcloths. They are working cloths in our house, you betcha! I've got more stockpiled.
"Why"?, you ask?
Because I signed up for the Mason-Dixon Waaarshcloth Exchange, that's why!!!
Must get my cloth in the mail tomorrow for my new knitting pal, Jen, over at Purse Ho.
Ya just gotta love somebody named Purse Ho!
Hi Jen!
^ ^
[=*.*=]
I, myself, am known to be a Yarn Ho, and there are many of us, I am told!
Finishing up some bibs and a baby sweater, plus need to knit several more baby things as got 4 baby showers before February! And, I've got Christmas knitting for family and friends to boot! More on that at a later date.
The ladies at church and I each knitted six 6 inch squares which I sewed together as a baby blanket. We raffled our community blanket to raise money for ProLife. Great job, ladies! My humble squares are the lavender ones. I have fun with our Knitting Ministry on Tuesday nights. Working on a log cabin blankie now. Want to knit hats for the shelter with the odd balls of LionBrand homespun donated to our group.
Do you ever feel as if you never get anything accomplished?
Sometimes I think I am doing lots of knitting and have very little to show for all that time and energy spent. But, when I look at my photos I am reminded that I actually do have a body of finished handknits, many knit as gifts, and some made just for me!
Here are a few examples:
This was the famous sockie book marker project of 2005 for my Mother-in-law's gift giving needs. They were knit with all kinds of different scraps of yarn I had hoarded. I loved knitting them, but 10 pairs-WHOA! Yes, I really must love my M-I-L!
I think it's out of my system now, so don't ask!
This is the delightful Turtleneck shrug pattern by Teva Durham from Scarf Style. Must rework the neck as it is a scosh too snug across the collar bones for my comfort. I knit this with Aplaca Grande, on sizes 10's to 11's, having adjusted pattern for gauge issues. Switching to larger needles along the sleeve made it taper nicely along the arm. Unfortunately, I in no way resemble the lovely model in the book when I slip this on. But, SO WHAT! My knitting makes me beautiful!!!! HaHa!
I love my Poncho! Is this the front?
Or is this? I wear it either way, depending on my many moods.
I've been thing about adding a little roll or funnel neck....
OPINIONS WELCOME! PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS!
AAAAH! My corkscrew scarf. You haven't lived until you've bound off 1600 stitches!!!!
This the lovely Betty Blue wearing my Tiara and Matrix collar in a Sandstone colorway. Very easy and quick. Clipped with a pin over coat collar or turtleneck. Nice alternative to a long scarf. I collect heads. Just bought one yesterday at local shop. It has reddish brown hair and brown eyes, just like me. Will knit her a hat soon, I think.
I figured this out on my own sometime around Valentines day this year. Sugar and Cream cotton has a warm spot in my heart!
Hey, I got my LionBrand cataloque in the mail yesterday and it was loaded with great patterns. Their own, and by two old Bags, Fiber trends, to name a few. Patterns were knit with various LB yarns, and looked quite nice for the price! I'm getting knitting ideas for my stash!
Meanwhile, my husband's Christmas sweater grows slowly up the back.
Since camo is big this year again for the kids, and since I have a good supply of Bernat Camoflauge yarn stock piled, I'm thinking about a quick project like house socks or a knitted tie for my son, as well as the traditional G.I. wardrobe for his Joes, to put in his stocking again this year.
I haven't forgotten my knitting buds! I'm just not saying nothin'.
My lips are Kitchnered!
This is a corner in my yard which serves as the setting for The Patriotic Dishcloth.
The beloved French Market Bag, free pattern at knitty.com
It really is very sturdy and holds lots of stuff. Took it to The Knit and Crochet Show, and it held all my purchases nicely!
Goodies from the lovely Louise, all the way from Bath, U.K. My One Skein Pal is the best! Just look at those colors in that yarn!
Showing off the pedicure and the sandle sock. In my humble opinion, it was the perfect marriage between OPI and Trekking sock yarn!
Taking time for nourishment and knitting at the Knit and Crochet Show in July. New friends Marlene and Carolyn on the ends, with Jeanie, my knitting mentor, in the middle.
Where I sit to knit this summer. Ballband dishcloth and the Magic Pot Holder Loop Rug on the needles. Patterns found in Mason-Dixon Knitting book.
The Summer of the Dishcloth. Knitted, photographed, and given away already. New ones on needles. Ballband knitting mania!
And what are YOU knitting?
I started knitting this wrap several days BEFORE EASTER!! Yep- and it's about 18 inches long now......only46 more inches to go!
I'm working with Crystal Palace Kid Merino in 3 different pastel colors and Fizz Stardust in a beige gold yellow.
KNITTING FUTURE.....
This is the BUCKET O' SUGAR AND CREAM STASH I've lovingly collected over the past two years. Many colors to choose from and the collection keeps growing!!! Mason-Dixon Knitting is inspiring me to focus on knitting with what I have....we'll see if I can stick to the plan! And the plan is to make a heap of waaarshcloths and baby kimonos from M-D and also those cute little cupcakes from One Skein Knitting.
Check out the sites. I've posted my FO photos! There's so much creativity on display that i just love going back weekly and seeing what everyones been contributing!
KNITTING PAST....
These are MY Babes inspired by that fabulous Knitted Babes book. They were knit from my stash and newly purchased supplies. now I have enough fat quarters and felt to outfit an army of Babes!The plan was to donate them to my son's school for their chinese auction. He won them back for me..how sweet. Well, they're going to this year's church Christmas bazaar. Hopefully, the boomerang effect is thwarted this time! They were fun to knit, and I am having a hard time letting go!They are named Sally, Callie, and Ally. You do understand why they must go, don't you? When ya start naming them, there's a problem!!!!
Love my 2 U.K Pals from the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange! Looking foward to the August unveiling of who we all are...but it's sad too because it will end and it will be time to move along...sniff!
Would love to know what everyone thinks of the KALs for Mason-Dixon and One Skein. Drop me a comment and tell what you are knitting from the books!
All the calories were removed! KNITTER'S HONOR!
Many thanks to all the terrific people who make nursing such a wonderful profession!Lots of knitting on the needles this month.....
Here's the summer knitting treatment plan:
1. Finish mitered squares baby boy blanket by May 25!
2. Sew together 36 garter stitch squares for St. Joe's Knitting Ministry by June 10 in time for ProLife Garage Sale!
3. Cast on for ankle socks for me!
4. Finish and felt French Market bag-only have handles left to knit!
5. Finish Kid Merino shrug-it's no longer an Easter scarf!
6. Dye Paton's Classic wool sample with Wilton cake icing, Teal, knit up a coaster, and felt it for June 1st.
7. Begin SOMETHING with the gazillion balls of Sugar and cream cotton-
will find inspiration from the much loved Mason-Dixon knitting book!
8. Knit rug from the colossal yarn ball #1 son is constructing out of potholder loops.
9. Consider baby gift for co-worker due in January 2007.
Will post pictures when available-so happy knitting to all for now!
MUST HAVE A VERY BAD CASE OF SPRING FEVER!
So to end the fever I bought the book and signed up for the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange. Very much looking forward to the swap, and considering what I will knit from One Skein to send to my pal in August. Thinking of knitting a cupcake for my sister-in-law for Easter dinner as a lark! Would make a cute hostess gift, I think!
Go to www.oneskein.com and www.oneskein.blogspot.com to see what all the buzz is about. You even get to peek inside the book to see some of the offerings. It was well worth $19.95!
My favorites, beside the cupcakes, are Petal baby bib, tank top, baby bolero, garter mittens, felted bowls, OH, JUST GO BY THE BOOK ALREADY-IT'S TERRIFIC!
Also bought Nicki Epstein's Knitted Flowers. Each photo is a work of art.
And finally, I was completely charmed by the Mason-Dixon Knitting book, as it is chock full of folksie-gone-contemporary knitting ideas that will keep me busy this summer with the mountain of Sugar and cream cotton yarn I have collected.
ON THE NEEDLES:
kid merino Easter scarf
dish cloth baby blanket squares
french market basket
THINKING ABOUT CASTING ON FOR:
ankle socks with Trekking- free pattern to be found at
flower wash cloth from Weekend Knits with 1824 cotton
LONG TIME NO POST....
