I'm crazy about all kinds of stitching .................................. right now I'm into knitting and felting and knitting and crochet and knitting! Did I tell you I knit?
since that's what I worked on this past week for the most part. So I finished a crochet Market Bag. I call it my 'Market Bag Workshop' since I lead a Workshop on this pattern down at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn for the last two Sundays. The pattern is Provence Summer String Bag by Kathy North and adding a shoulder strap handle. Used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Baby Ombre yarn. It had been in my Stash for a very very long time. What's left will become wash/dish cloths.
Have Bag Will Travel!
Ready to be used by the lucky recipient ... which just might be one of my sisters.
I also finished something for myself. A little crochet silk hat. Love this little hat. Not really for warmth but for fun.
This time I started Stephen West's Herbivore Shawl on July 15 and finished it on the 19th. What? I must of knit this one in my sleep.
Take a look ...
And it stays right on the shoulders so nicely ...
The design is very cleaver and the yarn is to die for ... Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton & Silk Hand Paint which contains Cotton and Silk. Really nice combination for the Summer too.
I knit but I started out in life as a crocheter. Eight years ago I burned myself out crocheting nine (9) afghans for Christmas Gifts. So determined to get them all done in time, my hands just finally couldn't take it anymore. They needed a rest. And I needed a new challenge.
I knew a little about knitting so I learned how to knit sock and my obsession for knitting mushroomed from there. But ...
I have a sister allergic to wool so I think I'll be giving her this shawl for Christmas this year because it is 100% Cotton. She is also much more petite than I am and it will fit her much better. Much much better.
But I have plans to create another one using the same trellis pattern for me but as a wrap rather than a shawl. Different yarn perhaps but it'll still be crochet. And of course ...
I have two other shawls that I'm knitting as well.
When it comes to lace knitting you won't see anything more beautiful happen just by soaking your knitting in cool water and wool wash for 5 minutes.
But the real magic is in the blocking. What's blocking? Well once you gently squeeze out the water and roll it up in a towel to soak up more water ... you then lay it out on towels on a bed or a blocking board, stretch it out to size and pin it down in the appropriate areas and just let it dry.
This is knitting that you have just done on blind faith that it would bloom into something you and everyone else would really love. Something any person would love to receive as a gift ... if you're able to let it go that is.
So I've been working on a Jubilee Wrap since April and have finally finished it. I was knitting with the intention that it will be a Christmas gift for a very good friend. Now I can mention this only because she is 'computer illiterate' and will never see this post. [unless you tell her] [and I know you wouldn't do that now will you?]
And since she'll never see this post, I could change my mind about giving it away right? But would I? Well Christmas is still 5 months away and unless I hide it ...
But I did knit it with her in mind and her alone. So of course I'll give it to her. Yes of course! But don't hold me to it.
You want to see the finished wrap?
This is what you get when the magic is complete ...
But it looks good on me ... if I must say so myself.
I've made a few scarves for the Christmas basket along with an ascots and some neck warmers. I want everyone who picks their own gift to get what they like. Such as fingerless gloves VS mittens. Or hat VS headband. And they all can have a matching set of what they like: Hat & ascot, neckwarmer & fingerless gloves or mittens & scarf, etc. Mix & match.
So meet my latest creation from 60 Quick Knits: ruffled scarf by Cathy Carron that became an Ascot at the StitchingNut's house.
I did make one for him for last Christmas. But I feel it might be too small for him by next year.
So I made this one for him in mind ...
That's a real little pocket on the side with a red knit lining too. Neat huh?
But is this hat big enough? The foam head I have for blocking is a little smaller than my own head and my grandson is age 12. And then ... he might want something else knit for him this next Christmas anyway. Well I'm agonizing over it because he now lives in Virginia and I'm not sure if he even will need a wool hat there. I can't get a measurement either. Well I could ask his Dad to do it but ... I think I will call the grandson and ASK if he would like a hat or scarf or maybe even ...
fingerless gloves. I made a pair a few years ago and I'm sure he doesn't have those anymore.
But in the meantime another kid [boy or girl] might like this one from 60 Quick Knits. Of course!
Do you think a 12 year old boy would mind receiving a note in that pocket too?
