Thursday, December 31, 2009

My first pair of knitted socks!


Well, here they are...

They are pretty close in size..although one is a bit tighter than the other. Perhaps a knitting journal would be a great idea. Just a small notebook to keep in my knitting basket to write down what size needles I used, etc.

And as for blogging during Christmas break!! Ha Ha Ha! With all 5 kids home we have been ice skating, sledding, celebrating Christmas at church and at home,hosting a princess party with T-shirts and a trip to see The Princess and the Frog, baking and eating cookies, caroling, sleeping in, reading, and, of course shoveling snow.

A few more parities and then back to life as we know it!!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Monday, December 21, 2009

I Remembered my Other Sock Concern!

As I was knitting my 2nd sock I had two concerns. One was that I would not have enough yarn to finish sock #2. The second concern was that sock #2 would be the same size as sock #1.

Because this is a silk/wool blended yarn it is a bit stiff, and will be until it is washed (hand washed) a few times. My daughter tried on sock #1 and stretched it quite a bit in the process. So, when I was comparing the two socks side by side it was hard to judge because one had been stretched and one had not. Here they are now...


Since it is now Christmas break, it will probably be lunch time before I see kid #2. Once she awakes I will have her try them on and see how close they really do match!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I'm going to make it!


When I began sock #2 I was worried about having enough yarn to make this sock the same size as sock #1. I was hoping it would not come out short because I ran out of yarn. That is a tricky thing about socks, there is a level of trust you need to put into your skein of yarn. If it says it is enough for 2 socks it probably is!

I am making great progress on the sock. I have just rounded the heal and I'm thinking the yarn will last to the end of the toe!


Kid #2 will not have mismatched socks.

Monday, December 14, 2009

We found the Sock!


Thank goodness for Saturday morning cleaning routines!! The sock was in kid #2's room. Had I not insisted on the once a week cleaning out of stuff, laundry, and assorted other things that just seem to pile up, we may have never found the sock.

So, it did reappear!! And thanks to an invitation to watch the Vikings at someone else's house I had time to sit and start sock #2! Yeah!!

My two concerns are that I have enough yarn to make the second sock the same size as the first sock, and now I can't remember the other concern!! Must not be so concerning!

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Case of the Missing Sock!


OK, so I am ready to start sock number 2. Here is the picture from earlier this week when kid #2 pointed out to me that one sock does not work well for her feet!

After taking the picture I proceeded to the computer to post the entry about creating sock number 2. After the picture we are not sure what kid #2 did with the sock! I wanted to use it as a guide for the length of the ribbing at the top, and when to start the heel. But, the sock it gone!!


This weekends knitting project is still up in the air. Once she returns from school we play the "go back to where you were" game in hopes of finding the sock. Otherwise, I'm sure I will come up with something else to knit until it shows up!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Time for another sock

Wow! What a bonus. It is a snow day for all my kids! I am remembering sitting around the radio as a kid waiting for that familiar voice on WCCO to read through the list alphabetically, hoping he would call our school. Today we just went to our schools website to get the notice. Not quite the same anticipation building exercise as listing to WCCO, but exciting just the same.

Since it is a pancake morning, pajama wearing day, I get some extra time to knit!

My #2 kid has been waiting and waiting for sock number 2 in her new pair of socks. She is even willing to just wear one! This is not a good idea so, today is her lucky day!!



Since, I have done this once before rather recently my hope is that this sock will come together much more quickly than sock #1.

Monday, December 7, 2009

A Knitted Hat for a Guy I know

The hat I knit for my friends new little baby was so easy to do that I thought I would try to knit a hat for my husband using the same pattern. I just used a bigger yarn and bigger needles. Then I thought I would get creative and continue the ribbing, the knit 2 purl 2, all the way to the top of the hat. This brilliant idea went well until it was time to decrease for the top of the hat. Because of the K2 P2 pattern the decreasing was a bit messy. I did rip it out once and am now on creative try number 2 for the decrease. Here is what it looks like now....

I used one of my home made stitch markers to mark the beginning of my row when knitting in the round:)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Cute Baby Hat

Here it is!! The baby hat for my friends baby that will be arriving any day! Yeah, I got it done before the baby arrives.

One of my favorite things about this hat is that the finishing is so simple. All I had to do was sew up the small seam from where I started the join for the "knitting in the round" and tuck in the tail at the top of the hat.


So, after a quick sew of the seam and a tuck in of the tail on top, the hat is complete!


The self patterning yarn just adds to the cuteness (is that a word?) of the hat. The color possibilities are endless.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Knitted Baby Hat

A friend of mine is going to have baby #6 very soon! I am making a baby hat for the little one to wear this winter. The self patterning sock yarn is so adorable for a baby hat.

I decided to use double pointed needles.The first step was to cast on all the stitches onto one needle. Then I knit a few rows on one needle.The double pointed needles are a bit intimidating, but that has not stopped me before. I feel a bit awkward knitting with them, but I am sure the comfort and confidence will follow soon. Also, the thought of not having to sew a seam is a great relief to me. Sewing a seam is not one of my strong points. Case in point...I still have to sew the sleeves onto the coral sweater I have been working on. I finished knitting it about a month ago and it is still sitting in my knitting basket just waiting to be sewn.

Next was to split the stitches evenly onto three needles. This just left a very small bit of sewing to do at the end. The tricky part here is to join the stitches without creating a twist in the row. I carefully lined up the stitches and started to knit "in the round".

Then I knit the hat to the top, following the pattern carefully.

I am getting better at reading knitting patterns, but WOW, the can be so cryptic. I feel like there is a secret code, and I didn't get a decoder ring.

Anyway, enough self pity, I can read this pattern and the hat is going to look great!




Monday, November 30, 2009

Kid #4 Conquers Knitting over Thanksgiving Weekend

These two items, a scarf and a hot pad, were created by my 8 year old over Thanksgiving weekend.

My mom taught her to knit this summer. She has made a few scarves for her American Doll, however, when she dug into my recently added "ribbon yarn" and found some size 15 needles, she was unstoppable!

The heavy yarn and the larger needles were all she needed to whip up a scarf in one sitting. She decided to give it to her Grandy as a gift for Thanksgiving. At 10:00 pm she wanted to start a gift for her Papa. Nope, stop until the morning please! This was so hard for her. I think she could have knit all night!

So on Thanksgiving morning she completed the hot pad for Papa. The whole process of casting on, knitting, and casting off was much more manageable with this yarn. And the look of satisfaction on her face for a job well done was priceless!

The larger, stiffer yarn gave her the opportunity to practice keeping the same amount of stitches on the needle for each row. If the count was off it was easy for her, and me, to figure out how to resolve the issue.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I knit a sock!


Over the weekend I was able to finish my sock!

I'm still not sure how I know I will have enough for sock number 2, but onward and upward is the only way to go!!

The sock went much faster than I though it would. The whole project was a bit overwhelming, somehow socks just seemed more daunting to knit than they really are! I am getting better at reading patterns, but still need the call to mom once in a while to decode the pattern.

I want to make a baby hat for a friend having baby #6 soon. I just love the self patterning yarn for a cute baby hat. I have some left from the hat and booties I made for my cute little neighbor A, who is already 6 weeks old!!




Tuesday, November 17, 2009

More Weavers Guild of Minnesota

There was so much to see and the Weavers Guild of Minnesota I just had to take one more post to do it justice.

There were many members on hand and they all enthusiastically recommended the TRY IT classes. They are "One-day classes for beginners or the curious". The TRY IT classes cover Dyeing, Beginning Floor Loom, Rag Weaving, Frame Loom, Tapestry, Off Loom, and spinning.

Really, if you ever have had any curiosity about weaving, etc. this would be a great place to TRY IT. The variety of works that I saw were incredible, which leads to me to believe that the Weavers Guild of Minnesota is great place to get creative. No cookie cutter thinking here!

You can explore for yourself at www. weaversguildmn.org.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

A Visit to the Weavers Guild of Minnesota


I had a great time exploring the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. They did have the promised 50 exhibitors. What a great variety of craft. There were many weavings, knitted items, and more.


I also spent a few moments talking with Frances Iverson who wrote a book called The Weaving Adventures of Edgar and Rita. It is a great children's story about Edgar the dog and Rita. After going on their outdoor adventures they return home, bringing the colors of nature into the weavings created by Rita.


Then I went to explore the rest of building. There is an awesome library, a weaving room for classes, a small shop that sells threads for weaving, books, and supplies. Also, they have a great gift shop with really unique knitted, woven, and beaded/jewelry.


Once again I had a "learning about me" moment. I found a great pair of clay bead earrings. They were calling my name and yet I chose to go home and see if I decided later I just had to have them. In the next room was the "bargain bin" of yarn and I had no compulsion to stop. I found some great treasures...



Starting at the top, at 12:00. is two great skeins of my favorite hat yarn, Lopi. Then at 3:00 we have the purple glow in the dark yarn. Kid #5 is so excited for me to make her a hat that will glow!! And at 8:00 is some yarn that was intriguing to me, although I am not sure what I will do with it. It immediately brought me back to being an 8 year old in the 70's, with two pony tails, one above each ear, and wrapped with ribbons. This yarn is that ribbon. Did any else sport the yarn ribbons as a kid?

Friday, November 13, 2009

35th Annual Weavers Guild of Minnesota Fiber Fair

Today I am making time to go to the 35th Annual Weavers Guild of Minnesta Fiber Fair. That is a long name for an event. I am not sure what to expect. It says there will be over 50 fiber artist. Perhaps I can find out what exactly a fiber artist is...am I one? Not sure!

I should have a lot to report upon my return!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

My first knitted Sock..Almost


Here is my first sock masterpiece. I carefully picked out an unusual yarn, this one is from Japan, and spent $20.00 on them! Yes, I want them to last and feel great! I think I am becoming a yarn snob. I'll have to try the $6.00 yarns next to compare the comfort level.


So, back to the sock. I knit the ribbing, knit down to the gusset (heel) and went to my mom for help to decifer the pattern. We spent a lovely morning chatting and decifering and I made it completely around the heel as you can see, It was at this piont I realized that I would not have enough yarn to complete sock number 2.
Not wanting to spend another $20.00 for sock number 2 I decided that I had spent some great quaility time with mom, had great hands on practice making the heel, and then ripped out all my work. Now I am back to creating the ribbing in a smaller size. Once the socks are done I will determine whose feet will be perfect for the new socks.


Friday, November 6, 2009

It is finished!!


I did it! I managed to keep the remainder of the Prayer Shawl away from the dog.

Once I casted off I realized I probably could have made it even skinnier and thus longer. But really, February is coming and W needs this more that I need perfection!

I really wish there was a touch feature on my blog. This yarn is so soft. It feels like a soft, fluffy flannel.

OK, off to girls weekend. I have yarn for socks (yes I started them, but after getting half way done with the heel I realized I will not have enough yarn for two socks, and the yarn was $20.00, and I'm not paying $40.00 for a first pair of socks, and...more for another day) and yarn for dish cloths. My sister M will help me make the pretty edges.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Prayer Shawl Part 3

This weekend I restarted the prayer shawl. Since my goal is to give my friend a soft "blankie" to hold on to while she is pregnant, I am glad the baby is not due until February. It's coming W really it is!!

I went from 63 to 48 stitches. Hoping this would make more of a rectangle than a square shape. Then I started to K3, P3, K3, P3 (knit 3, purl 3). This has been a great project for gaining confidence in my knitting speed!
Then somehow, when I wasn't looking the dog got my knitting and tangled the ball of yarn terribly!!


My sweat Corgi puppy Stella looks peaceful here, but...but oh does she love the feel of yarn in her mouth!!








Here is the mess, piled up. I just couldn't take it. After a weekend of knitting a making great progress I was not up for untangling the yarn.
So, I went in search of supplies for a pair of socks...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Organizing my Junk Drawer

Well, I found it!!

Here is my Judging Evaluation Form from my Minnesota State Fair scarf entry.

How did I find it? Well, I had to call my website hosting company and was told ahead of time that the wait would be approximately 8 minutes. Thank you www.godaddy.com for being honest!

I thought, "well this will be boring", as I stood in my kitchen where all the dishes were done, the dishwasher was cleaned out and it was not yet time to start dinner. So, I remembered what Kathy, my favorite organizer person taught me...in 8 minutes of focused time I could have a clean drawer, or purse, or use your imagination here...

So, as I took out all the items in my kitchen junk drawer I found my Judging Evaluation. I also took a huge stack of old school papers and filled the recycling basket. Kathy has tons of great organization ideas, you can get more information at her website... www.projectpartnerservices.com.

My score was 90 out of 100. I received Very Good on General Appearance, Color and Design, Construction/Workmanship, and Level of Difficulty. I forgot to sew in one of the ends of yarn, thus the "ends should be better hidden" comment. And I received at Good rating for the Choice and handling of Finishing category. Apparently my cast off was too tight!

Over all 90 out of 100 is pretty impressive to me. It was a great experience to go through and would recommend it to anyone thinking about entering something in their state fair.

As for the scarf, I gave it to my mother-in-law for a birthday present in October. She is often chilly and I am sure she will wear it inside and outside her home this winter!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Thank you to Three Kittens Needle Arts!


Today was the day to sew the front of the coral sweater to the back at the shoulders. And then also attach the sleeves. I can do this, I thought!!



Well, in my ignorance I turned the sweater inside out, matched up the front and back edges and started to sew. Much like one would do when sewing a dress or shirt using a sewing machine. I stitched away, turned the sweater right side out to see the results and it was not pretty!. So, I undid the stitches, turned the sweater inside out, lined up the front and back edges and started to sew. Once again, not so good. Didn't someone say the definition of insanity was doing the sames steps and expecting different results?


In my quest to continue enjoying my upgraded sanity level (since all 5 kids are now back in school) I decided to ask an expert.


A local knitting shop offers free knitting help every afternoon. How nice is that?


I put my project into my cute knitting basket and drove to the store. The freedom of having an idea occur to me and being able to implement it in the following moment is still new to me. I took a deep breath and was able to savor the moment!


I drove to Three Kittens Needle Arts in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. http://www.3kittensneedlearts.com/


It must have been quite obvious that I needed help as I walked into the store with my project basket. The ladies asked if I needed help, and quickly decided Laura was the "seam expert".

Laura came out from the back room and assessed the seam. It was such an "outside the box" experience for me. First she put the edges together with the sweater right side out. Then she proceeded to show me how to stitch the seam and make it look like another row of the knitting. It is almost seamless! I felt like I was learning top secret information from one of the best.


She also took the time to show me how to do the sleeves when I was ready to attach them.

The "it's all who you know". Or in my case, knowing who to ask really is true.

Thank you to all the ladies at Three Kittens Needle Arts!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

New Beginnings

Today I started again on the prayer shawl. This should be it... I went from 63 stitches to 48. This seems like a better width and I will get the length I am looking for.

Next, since I am soooo close finishing the coral sweater I thought I had better get my next project lined up.

One thing to do is make a super cute self patterning hat for my friend's new baby. The baby isn't going to arrive until early December and I have the yarn, and needles for that project.


I am going to use the same yarn I used for the booties I made for my new little neighbor...

The baby hat is going to wait for another day.

I have decided to try a pair of socks, but where to begin?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Prayer Shawl Part 2

Well, after knitting through almost all of my large ball of yarn I realized that the prayer shawl was looking more like a lap blanket. It was too wide and the yarn shortage was an issue. Do I drive all the way back to the Yarn Garage, www.yarngarage.com (my favorite Rosemount, MN yarn shop), or do I rip out my work, and restart with less stitches?

Here is what I ended up doing...



I ripped it out. Kids #1,2,4 & 5 were very sad about the whole situation. Much sadder than me. They knew I had put in a lot of time and were sorry to see it go. "Oh, mom!". Kid #3 trusted my judgment and and knew that what had to be done, had to be done.

OK, confession here, the main reason I ripped it out and was glad for an excuse of low yarn was pure pride! The first 5 rows were not exactly the K3 P3 (knit 3 purl 3) pattern that I was attempting to follow. The mistakes were glaring.

Since this is a gift for a friend I am glad to rip it out and begin again...tomorrow.

Monday, October 19, 2009

The Coral Sweater Next Chapter

Progress is good on the coral sweater I am making for kid #4.



I have finished the back, except for the middle stitches waiting on a holder to become part of the neck. I finished the left side all the way up to the shoulder. I have the middle front also waiting on a holder to become part of the neck. Next is to take the left side up to the shoulder.

Then figure out the neck!! One step at a time is what I am doing now.

Monday, October 12, 2009

A Prayer Shawl


Here is the beginnings of a prayer shawl for a friend of mine. I picked a very soft yarn with a flowing pattern. My friend W just found out she is pregnant with baby number 8! She is a bit overwhelmed. So, to me this prayer shawl is a special place she can hide and pray for strength! W you are a very strong woman and will do great!! I hope to finish this in the next few weeks.

This project is great after my bootie adventure!

It is very relaxing to work the simple pattern and not have to check and count very often. And, the yarn is so chunky that a "mistake" here and there really won't show.

I found the simple pattern at http://www.shawlministry.com/instructions.html.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Baby Booties for AS


Welcome new neighbor AS!! You are so cute! and now you have some new booties to wear.

Has this ever happened to you? You try to make something new and the first one really should be left as a practice one? My first attempt at a bootie is the one on the left. It seems to be a bit looser and rounder than the one on the right.

My pattern picture actually looks more like the one on the left. Oh well, the booties are complete and AS will know they are warm.

I made these on four double pointed needles. A bit tricky, but fun to make something in one piece. NO sewing pieces together!!! I do like that.

Tomorrow... the matching hat.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Coral Sweater

I know I mentioned the coral sweater earlier this year. As I reenter the knitting arena I am finding joy in having more than one project going at a time! It is always fun to start a new project, so why wait until one is completed before beginning another? Also, it is so gratifying to finish a project, so why not stagger the results! And finally, for those of us who get bored easily, more choices as to what to work on is great!

So, back to the coral sweater. I started the body by knitting in the round and went until I got to the part where some sleeves should be added. I decided this by trying the round body part directly on kid #4 who will be wearing the sweater soon. Then I knit 2 sleeves. Then I called my mom!!

She showed me what to do and now the back is complete. I just need to finish the front and attach the sleeves!

However, I have been side tracked by a neighbor who just had a baby. I just had to make my first pair of booties!

Friday, October 2, 2009

One persons overabundance is anothers treasure!

Today a friend invited me over to help her "unload" her "extra" yarn. I was the recipient of some beautiful colors and textures of yarn...


The beauty of this exchange is two fold. This yarn was once wanted, once had been part of a masterful plan. Over time, it became more of a burden, taking up space in a home and in a brain of someone who had grown and changed. It was time to get rid of it, and I was just the person receive it!

As I am just starting out again as a knitter, it is fun to receive yarn to use in all the projects being created in my mind. My girls are also wanted to learn to knit and create their own beautiful things. As beginners it can be difficult to spend a lot of money on supplies when one is not positive the project will be completed, or may turn out to be a practice piece.

Thank you M for a wonderful morning! I left your home with some great yarn, smiles of our great conversation, and a warm body from the tea you made for us.

I'm sure you will all see some new pieces from my new stockpile.

Next is how to store all this yarn, and keep it away from the puppy!












Thursday, October 1, 2009

Ta Daaaa!

Ta Daaaa...



Here is my scarf with the tag still on it. 1st Entry has been printed at the top of the tag.

Note to self...keep all documentation until it has been blogged about!!

I did receive a "report card" from the people at the judging booth. Out of 100 possible points I received 90. Which I was rather proud of!! I cannot show it to you because it is gone. Probably in the recycling pile in St. Paul somewhere.

The State Fair was a great adventure, and somehow I feel a bit more Minnesotan for having entered my scarf.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

I'm Back!!

I decided I did miss blogging! And I have news to share about my scarf. It really was displayed at the Minnesota State Fair!

More tomorrow...

Friday, August 28, 2009

Today is the big day!

Today I am going to the fair to see my scarf! and many other things.


I am excited to see the fair in full swing. My anticipation has been growing since I saw things in prep mode when I dropped off my scarf.

First I had to get past security...

Ok, that was easy.
Next I saw this sight!! Notice some of the swing chairs are missing!! I guess we can feel safe knowing they really do resecure the chairs each year.

And the saddest sight of all was this...NOT OPEN!



But today all will be well...




Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Scarf has been delivered!!

Wow! getting 5 kids ready for school has proved to be more time consuming that I remember! In the past 2 weeks we have had 4 hair cuts, one done by me, 5 dentist visits with no cavities, 2 ortho visits, one annual check up at the doctor with 2 shots, 3 trips to Target for school supplies, 2 trips for new shoes, and I am sure there is more!
So, here is my scarf story which was woven into all the flurry here at my house!



I finished knitting the scarf! It was a fun pattern, changing every row. Once in a while my marker on my pattern telling what row to do next would get moved...a kid, the cat, me? Thus, I have perfected the art of ripping many rows after discovering an error, and redoing them neatly!

Next I added the fring.



Then I blocked it. I had to dig out the ironing board in the basement! My 6 year old said, "Mom, what is that thing!"




And now here it is ready to take to the Creative Arts building. More on that tomorrow!



































































Wednesday, August 5, 2009

"Shshshshshsh I'm Counting!"

As a kid my mom did a lot of knitting, in fact, she still does.

Last week I did something to Kid #1 that brought back a memory of my mother knitting. I was alone in the living room counting out stitches as I knit across a row. Kid #1 came into the room asking a question as she entered. I gently shshsh'd her and gave her a gentle "please come forward, but don't talk until I finish the row" look. I felt a bit rude for shshsing her, and yet if I stopped counting I would have spent a very long time reorienting myself in my pattern.

As I shshsh'd her memories of me entering a room where my mother was knitting and gently being shshsh'd as she finished her row came flowing back. It is a gentle art to be able to tell your child PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T TALK TO ME RIGHT NOW, I want to hear you, but can it wait until I finish the row? My mother was a master, and I now understand the great model she was to teach me to gently SHSHSHSH my children while knitting.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Yarn Garage


Wow!
I found my favorite knitting store in the Twin Cities so far.
The Yarn Garage in Rosemount, MN.
As someone who enjoys knitting, but is not yet very sophisticated in the craft, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and intimidated by walking into a yarn shop. I feel like everyone else there knows WAY more than I do!
When I walked into the Yarn Garage, I was met by a splash of colorful yarns flowing out of their floor to ceiling bins.
The yarn called out comfort, fun, and creativity. There was no overwhelmed, in the sense of "I don't belong here, I don't know enough about knitting to be comfortable even asking a question ."
Then as I proceeded into the store Steven, the store owner was trying on a vest that will be created at a future knitting class. He was modeling it for several friends and shoppers for their opinion. He asked for my opinion and included me in the group as
I made my way to the back of the store for the 50% off section.
In my quest to get my State Fair scarf started I wanted to find the ultimate yarn, and it was waiting for me on the sale shelves. I got this beautiful yarn for $2.00 a skein!
Steven expertly answered my questions and posed for a picture in his Rosemont shop. You can get more info at http://www.yargarage.com/.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Went Crazy With the Hats




Here are some of the hats I made on the trip, and by the pool!!



Some for the kids and some for the dolls...



Thursday, July 9, 2009

Knitting by the Pool




I still seem to be in vacation mode. Moving slowly and not getting back my sense of direction very quickly.



On our trip I made many many hats with the purple Lopi yarn I got for such a bargain at Herrschners.


Ahh, the pool! Thanks R&B&J&K&TJ for being such great hosts!




Sunday, July 5, 2009

Time to Get Serious

OK, we are back from vacation. Now it is time to get serious.

First, finish the prototype of the black horse. I know it is hard to see, but oh how I can learn from my mistakes.

Second, buy fun yarn for the real thing. My kid #5, who will be sporting the scarf once the fair is over wants purple. I, however, am hoping for something a bit closer to a REAL horse color.

Third, get started! August 16th will come fast.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Practice Makes Perfect, Part 3




Here come the sleeves. These I created myself. I added the cable running up the sleeve. Many times I had to back up and restart, but not nearly as many times as with the main body of the sweater.






One more to go...



Then we are ready for Part 4 where I connect the sleeves to the body of the sweater.


Practice Makes Perfect, Part 2




Ah, the joys of a few quite nights of knitting. I know that I must be overtaken by some odd need to create. It is June and I am knitting. However, I did have my furnace on last week!

The cables are a new thing for me. My mom created this pattern for the front of the sweater. I caught on quickly and like the look of the cables.


Like most things with knitting, once you have been shown how to do something, the mystery is removed and it becomes "a piece of cake".


I am now in the groove and need to pause to add some sleeves...










Practice Makes Perfect, Part 1





Well, in my quest to get a few more practice items in before the true beginning of my State Fair scarf I decided to knit a sweater for kid #4.



I will be working the body in the round. My favorite way to knit. Also, using my favorite bamboo needles.




The ribbing was quite a challenge! I had to rip it out 4 times! Good thing I had nice yarn that could withstand my struggles. Once I did not notice a gaping problem until I had happily knit 4 inches beyond it! How sad, but more practice makes perfect right?








A Prototype of the Scarf



Well I started on creating my pattern and it has been really exciting! I am testing it out with a black yarn because, well, that is what I had laying around in my craft closet.




So far I have a border in seed stitch, then garter stitch, and then the beginning of a pattern for a pony which is still in development. Thus, I only knit up to the hooves of the pony. I am trying to incorporate beads into the pattern as well. Obviously these beads are too big for this gauge of knitting. Good to know.





Hmmm, it is a bit difficult to see. Well, next update the additions will look great!