Happy Birthday to My Favorite Knitter!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear MOM!

Happy Birthday to you!

What a great 1960's photo!! 

We have both changed so much over the last 40 years!

Thanks for teaching me how to knit! 

Thanks for being the always available phone helper. What a gift to describe knitting techniques over the phone!

Looking forward to many more projects!

I love you!

A Pair of Felt Clogs for me! Part 1

The girls boots (yes I will share the pre and post felting pictures once I figure out where they are!) look so comfy, I decided to make a pair of clogs for myself. Especially since I feel like I live in a snow globe! Really, is it supposed to snow EVERY day in winter?

First I selected my yarn and carefully wound the balls from the skeins. See how nice they look....

 Then along comes...Stella....apparently she had a blast while I was not in the living room....

...Because this is what I picked up off the floor when I returned to the living room!

 So, then I did this...some of the yarn was so twisted. It was easier to cut and then join (see a previous post about joining wool yarn)

 And then it was time to begin. Here is the first of my 4 soles. Each clog has a double sole so they will last a really long time.

 

And all of that took a really long time. Now on the the rest of the clogs!

I hope to be wearing them soon.

Now that's relaxing!!

My husband and I like to get away at least once a year without the kids.  So, months ago we made arrangements for each of our fabulous 5 to have a place to be for this past weekend. We usually wait until the last minute to make our accommodation arrangements to see what kind of a deal we can get:)

This weekend we struck gold. We found a lovely B&B in Red Wing, Minnesota called the Candlelight Inn. We found many B&B websites, but one stood out in our search for a great deal.They are running an awesome winter special with highly discounted rates on all of their beautiful rooms. We were in the Rose Garden room.

And what does this have to do with knitting? Well, actually two things.

First, imagine yourself in front of this fireplace with a new skein of yarn, needles ready to go, and a great pattern in front of you. Add a chilly winter day and a glass of wine:) I started on a prayer shawl for a family member and was able to get a lot done. Also, I had my husband, a great dinner and a romantic evening.

Second, I learned about Latvian mittens. At breakfast the topic of knitting came up (I'm getting good at sneaking this in just about any conversation) and Lynette, the Inn Keeper,  wanted to show me a project she is working on. She showed me a Latvian mitten she has almost completed. It was absolutely gorgeous, and so detailed. It looked like she used size 0 or 1 double pointed needles. The pattern was intricate and beautiful. I didn't know about Latvian mittens or the history behind them. The mittens mean much more than just a way to keep hands warm. I found a Latvian mitten pattern book and a link to a review ...

Latvian Mitten Pattern book 

Knitting a pair of Latvian mittens looks like a great thing to put on my Knitting Goals for 2011.

Thanks again to Zig and Lynette at the Candlelight Inn for a refreshing weekend. And did I mention the scrumptious 3 course breakfasts each morning? So much to be grateful for:)

Like Mother Like Daughter

I am so proud of Daughter #1. She has worked hard and completed a sweater for herself!

She used yarn from our stash. It originally came from a friend of my mothers. It went from a storage box to a favorite garment!

A great trick with wool yarn!

As I was completing boot #2 for kid #4 I ran out of yarn and had to switch to a new skein. The cool part is that I can do this without a bump or a hiccup in my work! I learned this from Maura at the Yarnery in St. Paul.

First the problem... I am working a double strand of wool yarn for the boot and have come to the end!

 Second, to connect the strands, start by fraying the ends of the yarn.

Third, place the ends in the palm of your hand and spit on them. You are welcome! for not giving you a close up of the actual spit!

 Next, roll the ends together with the spit. Just like when you rolled play dough between your hands and rolled it to make worms or snakes.

And now, to continue knitting the boot!

P.S. This trick only works with wool yarn.

More felted boots!

Kid #4 is anxiously awaiting her felted boots! Here is what I have so far...

Boot one only needs to have the seams sewn up! Boot two is just emerging through the sole stage. This boot pattern has you create the first sole, knit up the instep, and then up the leg. Then a second sole is created and added to the main boot to make it more durable. 

Once my girls try these out I'll update you all to let you know about the durability of the soles!

A knitted boot

I started to work on this adorable knitted boot/slipper for my kid #5. Once completed I am going to make another pair for her American Girl doll.

Once I stitch up the bottom and sew in the loose ends it's time to felt!

Hello washing machine:)