Home of the StitchingNut

Getting your Stash under control ...

2012-01-09T19:03:00.001-05:00

Stashbuster Knits
Tips, Tricks & 21 Beautiful Projects for Using Your Favorite Leftover Yarn
by Melissa Leapman

The title alone tells you what kind of a book you’re getting involved with here. Dealing with the knitter's stash. Oh yes, the "stash" is always something to consider when you knit and what knitter doesn’t have boxes, baskets and/or bags of left-over yarn from previous glorious projects? Of course the question is "What to do with all that yarn?" The yarn is too good to throw away of course, but there comes a time when every knitter realizes that something has to be done to make room for more. After all, the intent is to be organized and not let the stash be hindered by the lack of space as the orphan balls of yarn start to take over a room or even the whole house. As much as we love our yarn we need to do something wth it right?

Melissa Leapman has the answers and gives some very good advise on how to get it all together and organized in a working manner so you can have access to what you have and make a plan on how to incorporate it all into a knitted project. Yet it also doesn’t have to look like it was made from left-over scraps. She then gives you 21 projects as a jumping off point to choose from and start you on your way to using up all those scraps taking over your house.

When I first got this book I grabbed two beautiful skeins of wool from my stash to knit the Urban Knitster Slouch Hat on page 109 just to see how well written or understandable Melissa’s patterns might be. Well, I not only loved knitting the hat and wearing it afterward, but I also loved how the pattern was organized and easy to follow from start to finish. She even gives samples of how the hat might look in alternative colorways from variegated to a solid color. Nice to see it before you begin.

There are a number of projects in this book that I know for sure that I want to knit and love the many tips & tricks scattered throughout the book in notes within each project, but the most invaluable part of this book is in the beginning. I’m referring to the "How to get it all together and sort it" section of the book. Melissa recommends sorting by weight first and then color families. She tells us how to do this and even gives us a couple of charts to go by for us knitters who find this one of the hardest things to do without a ball band. A problem for many of those left-over balls of yarn. But don’t fear, Melissa has helpful charts also. She even includes a chart on how to get the weight you need by combining two or three other weights of yarn. Even picking out the correct color combinations can be daunting. But Melissa gives you all the information you need to be successful. I hardly have to stress how invaluable it is to know how to plan the color combinations. Oh how I love this potential in this book. Melissa explains it and breaks it all down to where anybody will have success by following her advise.

I know I'll be referring to this books for many other projects as well. Even just for the color combination secion alone. So now I'm going to take Melissa's suggestion of shopping from my Stash and making use of this wonderful book while knitting a dent into my own yarn collection. But first I need to pull all those hidden balls out into the open and find out just what I have. Thanks for the inspiration, Melissa!

The Urban Knitster Soucy Hat came from this book and it's now one of my favorites.

But now I have to get back to my knitting. Catch ya later knitsters!!

A New Year ... and more knitting ahead of me in 2012.

2012-01-02T07:53:00.002-05:00

Well I hope everyone had some nice memorable holiday cheer last year. A happy new year is ahead of us now along with ... yup, more knitting of course. First I'll just give you the update on what I finished for Christmas gifts in 2011. Of course I got a pair of fingerless mitts done for my DH. So he won't get cold hands while he reads the Kindle I got for him for his big Christmas gift this year. [he gave me a Touch Kindle so I could be read to with text-t0-speech while I knit.]

And I also completed the fingerless mitts for my dear daughter [DD] who knew they would be a little late getting to her. Oh ya, there's a story behind these

Hourglass Mitts by Anastasia Blaes.

I love the way they work so well being worn over a pair of leather gloves too. Keeps you hands extra worm on those very cold days.

But I did say there was a story behind them didn't I? Okay, I'll admit to not always being the perfect knitting machine that I seem to be at times. Dare I say that I don't believe in being "perfect" anyway? Well the pattern for this traveling stitch design comes with a 60 row chart. That's sixty rows mind you. So I knit up the right hand without a hitch and was on my way to completing the left hand up to a few days before we were to go up to New Hampshire to see the kids for our Christmas get-together. I'm on row 59 late into the evenin' and I'm determined to get 'em done & have them on the blocking board before going to bed. They may still be damp when we leave for NH in a couple of days but that's okay, they can dry in their new home. All I have to do after this last row is the 4 garter stitch boarder and then the thumb ... the Thumb. There was NO HOLE for the thumb. I forgot to do the gusset and hold off the stitches for the thumb. Where was I suppose to do this? Well way back on row 17. That's right; row seventeen.

I've knit over 40 pairs of fingerless gloves and mittens in the past few years and never once did I forget to do the gusset for the thumb. Now someone made a very good suggestion of using EZ's afterthought thumb. BUT, I had already done the right hand correctly and the left had to match because it was a gift right. So yup, I frogged back to row 17.

It's all in the process isn't it? So I'm over it now. And I'll never forget the gusset again!

One last pair of fingerless mitts for a gift went to the munchkin, JD because she wondered where her's were. [inspite of the fact she was the only one who got a sweater] At least she loves my knitting right? Well she's only 5 1/2 and I needed to "size up her hands" I told her. So I had her measure her's with mine to give me an idea of how small to make her mitts.

And they seem to fit her perfectly.

So now I can knit for myself! And with that in mind I went crazy casting on ...

but I also completed a couple of hats and a pair of mitts for myself by Christmas.

Urban Knitster Slouch Hat by Melissa Leapman. It's in her new book; Stashbuster Knits. A fantastic book by the way!

Autumn in Garrison by Kate Gagnon Osborn

And a revised version of Susie's Reading Mitts.

I used Aslan Trends Invernal in both of the last two knits. Lovely yarn to work with BTW.

And now I'm on to the many other projects that just suddenly jumped onto the needles before I knew it. OCKD or Startitis?

And next week I'll tell you about ....

So little time and so much knitting to do!

Christmas is around the corner ...

2011-12-20T07:21:00.001-05:00

Believe it or not I've finished with the Christmas gift knitting, but I've been busy with knitting for myself as well of course and wrapping, mailing and giving out gifts in person. So until I get my completed knitting pictures are put together ... here's some pictures of one family gathering with some of the grandchildren two weekends ago.

JD wearing her sweater that Grammy knit.

And showing us their dance steps while dinner was cooking.

Fingerless gifts for most everybody this year while the youngest above got the sweater. Goodness, it barely fits! I knit for a size 8 yr old and she's only 5 1/2 yrs old. She wondered "Where's my mitts?" So of course I knit her a pair when I got home.

Three of the girls loved their mitts of course ...

So now it's a matter of waiting until Saint Nick is here.

But wait ... I also got a beautiful gift from my Georgia friend that I must show you.

Front and back ... just so cute and USEFUL!

And I love the card I received from family in Florida ...

Have a Merry Christmas, one and All!!

Don't Stop Now ...

2011-12-05T09:26:00.001-05:00

Another Beanstalk Wristwarmers ...

and if you're not comfortable with DPN's and still want some fingerless mitts try this super easy pattern called Irish Hiking Armwarmers ...

Hey I love knitting these so much I've already cast on for some more.

How many more can I get done before Christmas?

Warm Hands will give you a warm ...

2011-12-02T16:07:00.000-05:00

heart and fingers. Really.

Honestly, unless it's way below zero when you have your hands covered in wool or alpaca the warmth will extend into your fingers. Even if they're not completely covered. Such as when you wear Fingerless Mitts, Wristwarmers, or Armwarmers ... or whatever you might know them to be called. I for one; absolutely LOVE them! I wear them all through the Fall, Winter and Spring. And if it's cold inside they get slipped on rather than putting up the heat and burning the oil. Yup, warm hands will help to make me warm all over.

Completed more Chtistmas gifts ...

Beanstalks
by Jo Bangles
from Jo-Bangles Ravelry Downloads

And more than one pair of Manly Fingerless Mitts. Two in the pattern:

Men's Fingerless Mitts by Kathy North from Piece by Piece and Intercostal Mitts by Joseph Reinert from Zephyr's Patterns. One for a 13 year old grandson and the other two for college age grandsons. Now I need to make a pair for the DH. He has his eye on some blue yarn. Navy blue.

And then there are a few that I'm still working on ...

I'm trying to use up the left-over also for wristwarmers ...

and there's still time to knit a few Owly Bookmarks ...

Waste not want not, right?

I'm a Knitting Machine!

2011-11-15T13:06:00.002-05:00

The on-going supply of fingerless mitts for Christmas gifts continue ...

Men's Fingerless Mitts

Christmas Reading Mitts

Only 4 more pair to go and I've just cast on today for the next pair. Another pair of Susie's Reading Mitts and then back to the Men's Fingerless Mitts. Two more grandsons to go and of course I still need to take inventory to see where I stand and if I've forgotten anyone.

Maybe I'll knit one more pair for myself too. Why not, huh?

Keeping my hands warm by ...

2011-11-12T07:10:00.003-05:00

continuing to knit up fingerless gloves/mitts handwarmers.

Not for me but for Christmas gifts. But ... I do want a few for myself so bad. Yes, I'll get a pair in there once I've finest with the gift knitting.

And this was an interesting pattern to work on too. You can purchase it on Ravelry. They're called the Chalice Cable Handwarmers.

As for today ... this very moment, I'm preparing for another Crochet class at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn ... in case you'd like to join me the class is called "How to Handle the Hot Stuff" ... and here's a sample:

A great way to use up the left-over stash and make useful items and "hostess" or Holiday gifts. This one is the Hot Grip and is a free download pattern. We're covering a few things in the "hot stuff" category. Tips and tricks demonstrations included.

Have fun using up the scraps!!

I'm a Retro kind of gal ...

2011-11-07T08:46:00.001-05:00

And my purchases might also tell you that I have only one other subject on my mind most of the time.

Here it is:

Can you tell what it is made from?

Knitting Needle Chocker/Necklace and Bracelets, as well as old buttons made into Charms can be found for sale at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, MA. (I was there yesterday to teach a class and could I seriously walk away without buying something like this?)

But how cool is that necklace & button, huh?

Manly sized handwarmers completed.

2011-11-05T19:05:00.000-04:00

Another Christmas gift finished and others are clicking away on the needles hopefully to be completed in time ... the Manly Handwarmers pattern from Hugs for Your Head

They are even large on my sweet husband but they were made for a son in law with very large hands. My DH kind of hinted that he'd like a pair also but I know he has a pair somewhere in his drawers. I'll have to look for 'em. Men can't seem to find anything right in front of their noses. But I love this pattern so much I think I'll make them also for my other son in law but with a regular knit2, purl 1 ribbing in either black or gray. And yes, I'll get around to making a pair the DH. Navy blue maybe.

Ya, navy blue for the ole sailor!

Clickity, click, click, click ...

2011-11-03T08:01:00.001-04:00

It's been one of those kind of weeks.

Starting with the New England Nor'easter last Saturday I stayed at home with my knitting most of the time working on the Christmas gifts.

Completed;

Handwarmers fit for a young man.

And finally finished the sweater for the 5 year old granddaughter which I had started last JULY.

And yes I'm still knitting more gifts only cast on the needles this week ...
(don't ask me about the others waiting around for me to finish, okay?)

A shawl and more fingerless (handwarmer) gloves/mitts...

Seems like it never ends doesn't it? ... clickity, click, click, click.

Who's on my Christmas List?

2011-10-27T10:33:00.003-04:00

Friends and Family of course ... but not everybody wants knitted items. Sometimes I'm told that and other times I notice the recipent has never been seen wearing what I knit. At least not by me. Some probably just don't want to hurt my feelings. Or maybe they don't wear hats or don't wear mittens. And sometimes I listen! Other times I hope to maybe make something that ONE person really, really WOULD like. I just love to knit so I always say, "If you don't like it ... it won't hurt my feelings if you give it back or tell me you would like another color." Honestly, I would rather donate it to someone in need if you don't want it. But as you see, I still have plenty to knit for ...

This is the year; handwarmers ... fingerless mitts ... wrist warmers ... flip top mittens.

I really want to knit for myself right now also. Those gray ones maybe? In another color?? And I really want a sweater or vest or ... maybe a hat for myself. I'm constently distracted as you see.

I swatched (don't snicker, I really do swatch once in awhile but only if it's to be worn & needs to fit right) for a sweater or vest or something like that ...

And yes, I cast on before stopping myself and refocusing on the Christmas gift knitting again.

I did knit at least one scarf in the bunch. (BTW, all patterns above are listed on my Ravelry page)

That's only because the one receiving it ASKED for a red scarf. You know what ... she's getting wrist warmers to go with it too because she obviously ... LOVES my knitting.

Ah ha!!

I haven't deserted you Blogger, honestly!

2011-10-16T12:12:00.012-04:00

I've just been very busy working on my Christmas knitting, as well as a donation and completing something for myself that I had started ... like a year ago already.

Yup, this hat is for me. It was on the needles for a year (maybe longer), lanquishing away ... but now it's done and I'm so happy I finally got back to it and finishing it before it was totally forgotten. But that's one of the great things about Ravelry ... it doesn't really let me totally forget what I've started. It wasn't a difficult knit either ... it's just that other things distracted me from finishing it.

But this next hat (also from Twisted Woolly Toppers by Woolly Wormhead) only took me a couple of days. It's to be donated as a Cemo Hat for a friend's daughter. I knit faster when it's for someone else I think.

Then of course there's all the fingerless gloves and mittens that I'm still working on. The Christmas gifts!

The one without the picots is for a grandson and the other will be in various color combinations for the grand daughters. Also more of these to have their pictures taken or to come off the needles. Like these Flip Top Mitts I just finished today ...

Heaven knows that Christmas is just around the corner. And there's just too many to knit for. I think I should have taken a poll on who would like to be taken OFF my knitting list. Mmmmm?

But we all know ...

I have a problem!!

It's always exciting to win a BLUE ribbon!!

2011-10-04T15:23:00.002-04:00

I decided to enter something into the Topsfield Fair this year. This time a shawl.
My "Waiting for Earl Waves in the Square Shawl". The pattern name is: Waves in the Square.

I loved it so much in the orange Madelinetosh light yarn that I used that I saved it for the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, MA. Now I can wear it just in time for the month of October right? I have a knitting party to go to on the 30th and I know I can at least wear it to that.

And I'm happy to announce that I won a Blue Ribbon ...

It was all folded up so a couple of the Fair Volunteers asked if they could open it up to see it.

Maybe I'll enter something again next year. Maybe even two or three things.

I also loved spending the day seeing all the sights at the fair ...

I just love the smells and sounds of a good fair and this one was no exception even though it was a small one. Small compared to the ones I use to go to in New Hampshire anyway.

In the pink ...

2011-09-24T13:18:00.002-04:00

I knit a lot of shawls, wraps and ponchos as you probably know by now if you've been here before. I know it's a lot and I've been asked many time if I knew how many I had, but I've refused to count them. And I thought I was doing pretty good with using a variety of colors too. Until that is, I stacked most of my lace shawls together to get of better view of what colors I've used already and what might be missing and deciding what color to do next. Am I a PINK person? Really??

This doesn't even count the two shawls I have missing from this stack. One is on display at my Local Yarn Store (Seed Stitch Fine Yarn) and it's also PINK. And one that I had already pulled out of my shawl drawer stash to give away as a Christmas gift and quess what ... yup, it's also PINK. Now there's 3 here in the picture as you see. So why do I think I've been changing up the color I use in my shawls? WAIT, I have one at the Topsfield Fair awaiting the judging to be done and that one is ...

ORANGE.

October 3rd is when I find out if I've gotten any kind of a ribbon.

Would be nice if it's a BLUE ribbon!

Little things add up ...

2011-09-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

First it's a trivet and then it's a pot holder ...

Grandma's Potholder

But that's only a prototype. I had to make an bigger and better one right? So I made this one ...

One with a little more imbellishment. But could I stop there? Oh no, there are lots more to do with those crochet hooks. And plenty of left-over yarn to use up. Waste not; want not. That's right ... they're all crocheted too. I don't know what's gotten into me. So I decided to do another 3-dimensional trivet. Another hot pad ...

I've got to keep this one for my tea pot. I might even make a few for Christmas gifts though. And about those shawls that have taken over my life lately ... Well I finished one for my Mom too.

Blocked and put away for Christmas. If it looks familar it's because it's the Stacy Shawl pattern from the book "Wendy Knits Lace". I love that book and especially this shawl.

But then I also love the simple shawl by Stephen West called the Boneyard Shawl. I finished this one 2 days ago and before you give me high praise for being a really fast knitter ... let me explain that I've been working on this all Summer. It was my "go to" project when I needed something simple to relax with or to knit on while talking to friends.

I wore it yesterday and love this one as much as the others too. So that's the picture story of my knitting life lately ... with crochet stepping in now and then.

(All details for all the above projects can be found on my Ravelry page)

Go ahead and make something!

Busting the Stash ...

2011-09-15T09:27:00.000-04:00

A reversible flower hot pad ... a trivet for setting hot stuff on like a tea pot to protect your table!

I'll be crocheting up more with either cotton or wool or whatever I have stashed away leftover from past projects. Having trouble figuring out how to do it? How about coming to my workshop at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in November or December. (dates to be determined)

Bust that Scrap Stash!!

Summer dreams produce lovely shaws for the Winter.

2011-09-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

Another Madelinetosh luxurious creation. This time I used Madelinetosh Pashmina. I love that yarn so much! In fact, I have loved any Madelinetosh yarn I've used so far and I can see that there's more to try. Oh my goodness! Thankfully, they'll be even more to pick from down at my favorite LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem.

I had to knit another Summer Mystery Shawlette by Wendy D. Johnson. Only this time I wanted it to be shawl size. So I cast on 96 more stitches with the colorway Forest and here is my creation ...

I call it Summer Dream Shawl and you can see more pictures on Ravelry.
It felt so good to put on that I had to wear it going out to my DH's birthday dinner at a fine restaurant.

It suited the occasion wonderfully!

New England marine life display

2011-09-06T14:26:00.000-04:00

A community art project at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn has volunteers contributing to their display.

I just brought an Octopus down for the display. A few other things of mine are there also, but a number of knitters both young and mature have contributed some really neat stuff. See if you can recognize what are in our New England waters.

That's the general picture ... how about some closeups, huh?

Even that tire was knitted. Cool huh? And I love my Octopus ...

And I think HE loves the tire ~ !!

Intarsia?

2011-09-01T09:46:00.000-04:00

A knitter friend told me how she solved the MP3/ipod cord tangle problem. Use one of those yarn bobbins you have on hand but never use. Great idea don't you think? Problem solved.

My knitter friends are so smart. Of course I put her idea to use on my new Ipod ...

I wouldn't have thought of this on my own.

Hurricane knitting

2011-08-30T08:17:00.003-04:00

Just cast on a quick project with a new yarn (Blue Sky Alpacas Techno). I need to get busy on Christmas knitting anyway and what better time is there to start ... when you're "shut-in" during a storm. Yet I'm happy to say, "Good night, Irene."

So here it is! The pattern is from Wendy Knits Lace and called Rhossili Beach Watch Cap by Wendy D. Johnson.

Winter weather warm!

Can't have too much lace or too many shawls!

2011-08-25T14:41:00.003-04:00

I finished another shawlette. Another design by Wendy D. Johnson. It's her Summer Mystery Shawlette ... so I called it "Summer Dreaming Shawlette. Check it out, it's a free pattern.

It was very quick ... yah, I know it was. So I highly recommend it to even a beginner. I cast on for another using sport weight and with 2 more sets of 48 stitches cast-on it'll also be larger and more "shawl" size. If there's enough interest I will give a workshope at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in January on this one. It's knit from the bottom up!

And while my new shawlette was blocking, I whipped up a flu-flu ruffled scarf.

The color is called White Silver and it does have a rather Holiday glow about it.

Well I'm getting back to my knitting. Lot's of knitting on the needles already. But ...
No time to stop now, there's a hurricane headed this way!

Baby needs a Monkey too!

2011-08-16T19:32:00.002-04:00

Needed to use up some of the left-over yarn from the Slip Stitch Baby Blanket. And since the new Mom is decorating the baby's room in a jungle theme I knew there would be monkeys in his jungle. But this is not just another Monkey ... this is a New Sock Monkey.

And the book, That Darn Yarn will be included with the gift!

Could you resist a New Sock Monkey?

Yes ... Another shawl!!

2011-08-16T10:06:00.002-04:00

I can't resist a really nice yarn or a really nice shawl pattern ...

This pattern is the Stacy Shawl by Wendy D. Johnson from her new book "Wendy Knits Lace." It's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to either new lace knitters or experienced ones. I already have the book because the publisher asked me to write a review. I first knit a couple of projects so I can get the feel of the way the patterns are written. In this case, I am very very happy with all aspects of this book. I'm working on the review now and I'm giving Wendy high marks on this one. There's at least a half dozen more knits in this book I want to do!

This shawlette was a pleasure to knit and only took 6 days including the day & a half to do the knitted on boarder. Another day to block ... and I'm "In Love" once again.

Just look at the detail. Of course, I had a lovely yarn to work with too ... Dream in Color Everlasting.

The next picture shows a closer likeness to what this color looks like in person ...

From the same book, I also knit up the lace cowl that is easy enough for a beginner lace knitter to do ... and came out so lovely using the Madeline Tosh DK yarn.

So what's next ... more lace?? You bet!!

Baby needs a blanket ... Updated

2011-08-02T07:06:00.009-04:00

Modification made ...

Note: a few days after blocking the baby blanket the boarder started to curl again so I did a crochet crab stitch edge. I like it better and it gives the edge a little more weight.

A Slip Stitch Baby Blanket

Pattern:

Slip Stitch Blanket by Linda Medina Craft
Needle size used: US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yarn:
Cascade Yarns Pacific

How much?
3 skeins = 639.0 yards (584.3m)

Colorway: beige

and 1 skein each:
Yellow

Orange

Turquoise

Purchased at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts

I was worried about the curling in the border at the beginning but DON’t worry, it does block out in the end. Although, the borders aren’t as nice & thick as the rest of the blanket so if I do this one again I think I’d double up on the yarn for the border and just drop the extra strand when continuing on the body of the blanket, reattach for the end borders.

It felt like it was taking me FOREVER to finish this blanket but it was very easy and has a nice feel to it.

Okay, I'm just an "Instant Gratification" kind of person and anything that takes more than 2 weeks to knit doesn't fall in that catagory of "instant".

But happy!

My Seaweed on the Beach is finished ...

2011-07-18T13:35:00.005-04:00

It's a shawlette rather than a full size shawl because I used fingering weight yarn instead of lace weight and didn't change the size of the needle because I wanted the shawlette size and fingered this is how I could do it. Then I discovered that I loved this pattern called StellaLuna so much, I've decided I want to make it full size in a lace weight yarn as well. Can't say I repeat too many patterns more than once but on occasion I come across one that I will (such as the Budding Shawlette and the Boneyard).

Of course the yarn I used for the Seaweed has something to do with how much I love this little shawl ...

Something about the color appeals to me as well ... hence the name,
Seaweed on the Beach. And that's with a smile on my face ...

Knitting with seaweed ...

2011-07-05T10:09:00.007-04:00

The beads are pale blue ... like water droplets. The yarn is the color of sun bleached seaweed on the beach. It might be the Stella Luna pattern but I think I'll call it ...

"Seaweed on the Beach". Why I might even take it down to the beach with me today.

That's right ... take it with me and get a little sand in it!!

Has it been a week already? Two??

2011-06-28T13:02:00.006-04:00

My how time flies when you're knitting up a storm or doing ... yard work!

Now that Summer is here if it isn't raining I'm mowing the lawn, edging, weeding, and trimming evergreens and hedges. It's never ending ...BUT, I do get some knitting in there. Even a little crochet!

So I finished a Red, White and Blue Garland for Seed Stitch's Fourth of July window display. I have it here in my living room before I took it down to Courtney.
They're crocheted and the details on Ravelry.

I also went to the baby shower and brought the gift I showed you last time. The Mom was delighted! Her reaction was well worth all the work put into it. But of course, us knitters love giving away our stuff anyway don't we? I know I do.

Her Mother-in-law told me that at this point the mother-to-be was trying to hold back the tears and said to her "Oh my, this is something really special."

This baby will probably get more knitty gifts from me I bet.

And then I finished the month up with another shawl ...

Once again you should be on Ravelry and that's where you'll find the knitting details.

I'm still not quite sure if I'll keep it or give it as a gift.

But there's plenty of time for me to decide.

And now that I see these pictures ... I see I really need a haircut!

A Nautical Theme for a baby ...

2011-06-13T11:48:00.005-04:00

Finished and ready for a baby shower.

I tried to use every bit of the yarn up that I could. Not my original plan but I just kept adding to it. So of course there has to be booties.

A hat of course.

And before you ask about the book ... well the guests invited to the shower had been asked to each bring a book since the Mom is a school teacher and believes in reading to children every day. (which I agree with) So we're starting her out with her baby's first books. Of course I looked for something about knitting!!

Yes, there's a sweater ...

With buttons that go with the nautical theme ...

You see, Mom & Dad don't want to know if their baby is a boy or girl until after he/she is born. So they're decorating in Navy blue and Pink whales since they live only a few streets from the ocean. I love pink whales!

Here's the blanket that started it all ...

No you're not seeing things either. There's a little more pink left over to make a toy ...

A pink whale!!

What a fun set it was to knit.

I used Cascade Ultra Pima for the yarn and all the details are on my Ravelry pages if you want to know what patterns I used.

Now I'm on to other things ...

Another shawl anyone??

And the magic has happened ...

2011-06-01T16:09:00.005-04:00

my spaghetti knitting has turned into a Summit Summer Wrap.

Here are the pertinent details ...

Name: Summit Summer Wrap

Pattern : Summit by Mandie Harrington

Needle: US 4 - 3.5 mm

Yarn: Lion Brand LB 1878
In my Stash: 2045.0 yards in stash on a Spool skein

How much used? 0.5 skeins = 1022.5 yards (935.0m)

Colorway: natural white

Purchased at: Amazon.com

Started April 14 2011

Completed May 31 2011
Measurement: 29” x 68”

No modifications were made except I did do 17 repeats of the right + left curves instead of 13 sets.

It was worth the long wait of a month and a half. Oh ya, it wasn't difficult but a lot of faithful daily knitting went into it. But from the moment I picked this up from the blocking board I was ...

"In Love".

I am so ready ....

2011-05-31T13:06:00.006-04:00

to rest my feet after a busy Memorial Day Weekend.

Believe me, my youngest grand daughter, JD kept me on my feet most of the time.

And of course she was a big help with my garden.

But now I am really ...

ready to put the spaghetti on the blocking board!

Now which shawl should I finish next?

Building Blocks for Baby ...

2011-05-20T10:53:00.005-04:00

In Blanket form.

Using Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton. Such light, soft, cool yarn!!

Now that the squares are knit it's time to block. And if I can get this done soon, maybe I'll also get one shawl done for the month of May. The spaghetti I'm knitting comes to mind. But I'm only half way done and it needs to be at least 64" long.

We'll see. Another baby gift to cast on soon also. But I need SOCKS!!!

Just not enough time in a day wouldn't you say?

Did you know about this drawing below?

2011-05-12T11:31:00.000-04:00

From AllFreeKnitting:

Enter to win a Ch'i Recycled Silk Ribbon Kimono Jacket Kit
at
http://www.allfreeknitting.com/sweeps/chi-recycled-silk-ribbon-kimono-jacket-kit-s-l

I want all of my friends to enter!

I think I have Spring Fever!

2011-05-11T13:23:00.000-04:00

The past couple of weeks I've been working around my own front and back yard cleaning up, planting, mulching and mowing ...

Then I spent Mother's Day Weekend in New Hampshire and did a lot of walking and taking pictures just for "Artistic Inspiration" in the countryside. In a little place this side of Heaven ...

On Mother's Day morning I hated to say goodbye to my favorite daughter & the family.

But we're already looking forward to our next trip up North. Soon, very soon I hope.

So getting back after that wonderfully relaxing down-time with nature, I'm now back to knitting spaghetti ....

And seriously;

Life is Good!!

Spring flowers from my garden ...

2011-04-28T10:01:00.009-04:00

are popping up everywhere!!

Close ups are in order ...

(New Pediboo Sock Yarn by Frog Tree Yarns)

Does this mean the StitchingNut is finally restocking her sock drawer?

Question of the day ...

2011-04-25T19:12:00.004-04:00

If you keep knitting spaghetti,

will you continue to loose weight?

We'll see!

How many WIPs can be on the needles ...

2011-04-22T08:04:00.004-04:00

before I get lost in a sea of string and knitting bags?

Project info

Name: Crocodile Shawl

Pattern : Crocodile Stitch Triangle Shawl by Bonita Patterns

Craft: Crochet

Needle and yarn

Hook: 4.0 mm (G)
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors

How much? 1 skeins = 437.0 yards (399.6m)

Colorway: 5639 brown

Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball

How much? 2 skeins = 918.0 yards (839.4m)

Colorway: 1874 warm Fall colors

Project info

Name: Pacific Waves on the Atlantic Shawl

Pattern : Pacific Waves Shawl by Danielle Miner

Craft: Knit

Needle and yarn

Needle: US 8 - 5.0 mm
Yarn: Elann Sonata (solid)

How much? 9 skeins = 1035.0 yards (946.4m)

Colorway: 2147 sky blue

Project info

Name: Summer Summit Wrap

Pattern : Summit by Mandie Harrington

Craft: Knit

Needle and yarn

Needle: US 4 - 3.5 mm
Yarn: Lion Brand LB 1878

How much? .5 spool = 1022.5 yards (935.0m)

Colorway: natural white

And that's ONLY the shawls in progress.

Dare I tell you about any more?? Another Day maybe.

Spring Fever ...

2011-04-13T14:02:00.006-04:00

It's in the air!

I have finished the Budding Easter Shawl that I taught in a lace knitting class I gave. The same little shawl I've knit a couple of times now.

Here are the shawl facts ...

Shawl #5 (total so far this year: 2011)

Name: Easter Budding Shawl

Pattern: Budding Shawlette by Joyce (YuLian) Yu

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade Heritage sock yarn (I used every bit and ran out 2 rows before finish, so I used a few yards of Heritage solid Pink to finish last row & bind off.) Also used clear crystal beads and ran out of those so finished up with the last row of stems in olive green. But I doubt you would notice without me telling you. Ha.

Yardage used: 1 skein = 437.0 yards (399.6m) plus a few yards more of pink to finish.

Started: March 20, 2011
Finished: April 10, 2011

Finished Size: 60” wide x 29” long

Modifications: none

My Project Page: Stitchingnut’s Budding Easter Shawl

Such a pleasure to get the compliments when I wear it of course ...

And you can hardly tell the edge is in a different yarn can you? Or at least it looks like I did it on purpose. Which I did because I was too lazy to rip back and end with one less pattern repeat.

I'm always trying to stay one step ahead of my knitting flubs! BTW, after taking those pictures I couldn't take the wind and my windblown-fly-away hair anymore. So I went out and got a haircut. A whole new Do!!

Now maybe I can knit outside without my hair getting into my eyes!

It's done and it Fits!

2011-03-31T15:54:00.004-04:00

Yahhooooo!! My Drape Neck Summer Top actually fits.

And I'm so happy about that. The projects info is on Ravelry here. The pattern is from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2011.

Now what should I do next? Another sweater or finished one of the many projects I've already started.

Ah yes, I confess I'm itching to "cast-on."

When you thought I couldn't get any Dorkier

2011-03-30T20:14:00.008-04:00

I make some eyeglass holders for myself.

But why not right? I can never find ones that I really like. I mean really really like AND have the desire to spend the kind of money they're asking for them. I tried going without when a cheap pair would break. Far sighted people will appreciate how I feel, but trust me it's such a pain to not have my glasses on hand when I need them for reading. Annoying to have to hunt for them in my handbag too. And I can read nothing without my glasses. So why not make my own eyeglass holder? Beads and supplies purchased at the Boston Bead Company on Front Street in Salem.

Yup, I think I will make my own.

Heck, I think I'll make a few so I can change with the colors or my mood.

The knitting never stops for long here.

2011-03-26T20:37:00.006-04:00

I started teaching a class last Sunday on knitting a lace shawl with beads... called "The Budding Shawlette". And I'm knitting one along with my 7 students.

I'm calling mine The Easter Budding Shawl because I intend to wear it for Easter. I'm also nearing the end to the blue sweater. The body is blocking now and then I just have the collar and sleeve caps. I'm itching to get it done.

And speaking of knitting with yarn. Yup, that's what we use in our craft. And we're always either looking for it or being hypnotized by something new and different. So check out the blog A Yarn Tale.

Now isn't that the craziest wrapper?

Can a wrapper entice me to buy the yarn? Am I that easy??
[BTW, I don't expect you to answer that]

... [But somehow I think you will. Ahuh ahuh.]

When I get up at 3:00 am ...

2011-03-20T08:38:00.003-04:00

What else is there to do?

Of course, I can always keep knitting in my sleep!

Watching the flowers grow ...

2011-03-18T14:18:00.006-04:00

while I knit. And there just isn't anything else to say about that. Except ...

It would be nice if the knitting gods surprise me when I'm done (this is the back) and this sweater will FIT!

The lure of a yarn crawl ...

2011-03-15T09:14:00.026-04:00

can be over-powering for a Yarn addict like myself. Only buy from two stores I say to myself. Unless I see something I really need of course. But don't buy from every store, I repeat over and over.

And can I stick to that plan?

Well the 2nd annual North Shore Yarn Crawl was this past weekend. A beautiful weekend it was too. All of my knitting and crocheting friends were looking forward to it ... well the enthusiastic yarn shoppers like myself were anyways. A few stronger women stated, "I'm not going this year because I want to save the money for ... " Well that's her mantra, the StitchingNut is going. The crawl is only once a year after all. Right?

So the first store I go to is in Marblehead, MA ... called Yarn Over Marblehead. A very cute little store with a very nice proprietor. Of course she had something I wanted. NORO Silk Garden. And just the project on display that I also had the pattern already at home for. AND she was offering a 20% discount for buying during the yarn crawl. Just how could I say, "no thank you"? ...

Actually, I'm glad I didn't because I not only cast on the next morning for the Sursa Shawl Wrap by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton from Noro: Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Book 2. But but I also cast off on Sunday while sitting at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn before the end of the crawl.

See ...

But I didn't stop there. After making my 1st purchase I then went over to Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem where the organizer of the crawl resides and of course I made a second purchase.[Everbody knows how much I love Courtney & SSFY right? I practically live here!] Yes, it's 16 balls of Rowan All Season Cotton but I clearly intend to knit myself a Summer sweater.

I even cast-on by Saturday night while the Yarn Crawl was still in progress. I figure I better justify all this yarn purchasing since I have an embarrassing amount of yarn in my Stash already. And I did finish Sursa on Sunday ... and I'm truly planning to finish this sweater before the warm weather arrives. I think. I am loving it so far ... so I intend to keep on knitting on it. Honestly, would I lie??

But only if the allure of my other purchases don't overwhelm me ...

From a new store Creative Yarns in Beverly (they just opened 2 days before and have a lot of potential) a supply of knitting markers. (yes, I always NEED 'em) and then to

Yarn in the Farms in Beverly where I found the most luscious yarn called Everlasting by Dream in Color. I also learned a couple of really interesting cast-on tips from the Farms which I have committed to memory and will definitely use. A very fascinating little store!

I promise to use it ... for an interesting shawl maybe. The Springtime Bandit comes to mind in fact. **Here's a picture on Ravelry of the Bandit done in this same yarn, different color.**

The next stop was at the famous Coveted Yarn in Gloucester. Of course I found a yarn that just couldn't be left behind. And while I waited in the parking lot to keep from being overcome from the yarn fumes in the over-abundantly stocked store for my other two "yarn-addict" friends, I met other knitters and crocheters. Such a cheery lot! Always willing to part with their money for more yarn. I certainly can't blame them considering my find of lovely Heather Schaeffer Yarn in the colorway called Eleanor Roosevelt ...

Does it help to know that I got it on discount too?

Of course we had to stop at Cranberry Fiber Arts in S. Hamilton. And the lure of the yarn didn't stop. I was just absolutely taken over by this yarn and the pattern to go with it for a beautiful Wrap with the most gorgeous drape I've ever felt ...

Oooooo, am I going to have the stamina to complete such a large Garter Stitch project with 8 balls of lace weight Silky Alpaca????

I better if I want to justify this purchase huh?

Well last but not least, we only made it to one more store before we had to call-it-a-day and we all collapsed from exhaustion.

And that store was the Village Stitchery in Topsfield. Where I only purchase a sock yarn that's I've never tried, but I did learn a 3 needle bind-off trick that I can't wait to try. And I really do need to make myself some new socks for next Winter. What better time to do it than over the Summer, right?

I might be poorer, but I'm happy!

[And in 3 days I haven't even been able to remove my Yarn Crawl Shawl!!]

If I wear the colors of Spring ...

2011-03-09T13:47:00.005-05:00

will Spring get here faster?

Just go from a scarf to a spring wrap right?

So that's what I'm going for ... An early Spring!

Will it work?

The details for this "Through the Flowers" Wrap is posted on my Ravelry page ... here

I even might consider putting in some "Come-On-Spring" dance steps too!

Crochet anyone?

2011-03-08T14:44:00.005-05:00

On an edge or boarder? Trimming in crochet is fun when it's in color.

Or do you need something even more inspiring in order to crochet? Like the crocodile stitch. What a fun shawl this is going to make. I love it already!

Yah, and the chocolate did it for me too!!

A quicky wrap to warm my shoulders for Spring!

2011-03-06T18:15:00.004-05:00

Name: Shoulder Slouch
Pattern: The Slouch by Caddy Melville Ledbetter
Yarn: Tahki Stacy Charles Big Smile
Yardage used: 3.5 skeins = 297.5 yards (272.0m)
Started: February 27, 2011
Finished: March 6, 2011
Finished Size: 46” around x 12.5” long
Modifications: none
My Project Page: StitchingNut’s Shoulder Slouch

Just something to knit while watching TV ...

and to quickly throw over my shoulder on a cool day.

Will the spell of bright colors bring on Spring weather?

2011-03-04T09:25:00.003-05:00

On an extremely cold day, I crocheted for Spring ... so I call these my
"Bring-it-on Spring" Fingerless Mitts.

But these mitts just did't seem cheery enough or even bright enough for me.

So I dove into my sock stash and pulled out a sock yarn from Socks that Rock with the color name called: Sherbet.

And I could glow in the dark with these Bring-on-Spring Crochet Fingerless Mitts.

The"wishing for Spring to arrive" is everywhere!

2011-02-28T12:37:00.010-05:00

Even behind the skeins at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn.

Do you believe it might be filling the corners of my house as well?

Like this color from my Lotorp On-the-Go Bag flowing onto my floor?

Was there any doubt?

I'm in the mood for Spring!

2011-02-21T15:45:00.005-05:00

And I'm taking a short break from my knitting by crocheting.

Just took me eight hours to come up with some splashes of color for Spring using Saucy Sport Cotton by Reynolds. You can use any brand of mercerized cotton for this though. Saucy is what I had on hand.

Just a little something for Courtney down at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn to put up and help conjure up some magic in order to bring in the Spring season a little faster. After all, nothing says Spring like a bunch of color right? Since most of us are now sick of snow and this is the Witch City, I felt I needed to pull out a little spell from my bag of yarn tricks. (Oh ... I think I might have outed myself as to possibly being a Salem Witch.)

Do you think it will work??

Lace is in the air and it's made with ...

2011-02-18T17:18:00.005-05:00

Cashmere. Jade Sapphire Silk/Cashmere to be exact. And it's oh so sweet!!

The shawl is called Queen Anne's Lace.

You can find all the details on Ravelry!

But I've got more knitting to do kids and must keep this short and sweet too.

Catch ya later!

I'm around ...

2011-02-14T16:33:00.008-05:00

I just haven't had the time to sit down and write lately. I guess that's because I've been either knitting or crocheting of course! It sure hasn't been because of housework that needs to be done.

I finished one project shown here ...

Little Hearts Garland for Seed Stitch Fine Yarn store display for Valentine's Day ... the picture was taken in my living room but it's now hanging on display at the store.

These were completed but I have a load of projects in the works. Working on all of them off and on. So here's just a peak ...

Now that's just a couple. Sure there's more. But the "BIG one" below took up most of my time. I just can't show it to you yet because I have to "block it" ... TOMORROW.

But I wanted to send you all a "Happy Valentine's Day" wish from both DH and me, the StitchingNut ...

P.S. He's even wearing the vest I knit for him a few years ago.

What a sweetheart kind of guy!!

Don't even think about it. Just dive in!

2011-01-25T14:54:00.004-05:00

Have you ever done that?

You see a beautiful knitted item and say to yourself, "I have to make that!" And once you say that out loud, you can't think of anything else until you purchase the yarn and then cast on and then ... "Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?"

Well even though this

#22 Graphic Wrap by Brandon Mably from Vogue Knitting, Winter 2010/11 was much more than I anticipated I am so glad I ...

# 1. Knit it, # 2. Finished it.

And if it keeps snowing like it has this Winter ...

I may not be taking it off until Spring!!

Just one more and then it's back to WIPs

2011-01-18T18:41:00.004-05:00

I've gotta be ready for this weather right?

It was just the fingerless mitts that I knit [details on Ravelry]. The scarf was crocheted a long time ago. But as you see the mitts go with it perfectly and also with this jacket.

Now it's time to get down to business and finish my Graphic Wrap for January.

Small projects sometime take over ...

2011-01-10T15:50:00.004-05:00

The knitting basket can seem to overflow with some of the instant gratification types this past week. One or two day projects just jump off the needles in between the major WIPs.

And something like these can be fun ...

To go along with this fun Holiday scarf ...

Of course I had to knit another pair ...

I think I'll give those to a friend for a Birthday gift and make another pair for me. Yarn already bought! Are they part of my Stash if I cast on right away? For all the details, check out my projects page on Ravelry.

But I did knit up a quick project also using yarn from my Stash ...

So what's next?

How about those projects already on the needles huh?

Or the many other MIAs stashed in my closets.

10 Shawls in 2010 is complete.

2011-01-01T13:26:00.006-05:00

I finished two of the shawls started last year just in time to be included and posted on the Ravelry Group. Only one shawl started last year didn't get done. But I did complete 21 shawls!!

[note: you need to be a Ravelry member in order to follow some of these links.]

BTW, this year it's called 11 Shawls in 2011 and I cast-on very early this morning for the 1st one for the new year. No moss going under my knitting needles so to speak, huh?

Here are the two for last year.

Project info

Name: Dragonfly Shawl

Pattern : Dragonfly Shawl by Kristin Omdahl

Craft: Crochet

Hook: 3.5 mm (E)

Yarn: DMC Senso Microfiber Cotton

How much?

6 skeins = 900.0 yards (823.0m)

Dragonfly will be perfect for my youngest sister who lives in Florida. Her eyes are the prettiest of blue and when she wears blue they look even more blue. I also think she would like the dragonfly design since she loves to garden. This means I have completed the first gift for next Christmas already!

And my last shawl? Here it is ...

Project info

Name: Boneyard Fall Garden Shawl

Pattern : Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West

Craft: Knitting

Needle: US 7 - 4.5 mm & US 5 - 3.75 mm

Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa Fancy Tempo

How much?

5 skeins = 570.0 yards (521.2m)
and
Yarn: Rowan Purelife Revive

How much?

1 skein = 137.0 yards (125.3m)

I made one modification by putting on a leaf fringe along the edge. The fringe pattern is from the book Knitting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein on pg. 118.

I've already decided that this one is for me. It's going to be a fun one to wear.
That's because it's an ego booster ... oh ya.

Not that I need my ego boosted or anything, but I do love the compliments.

My resolutions for 2011 have been decided!!

2010-12-31T07:21:00.013-05:00

So, here they are:

1. Finish WIPs (work in progress) that I already have on hand. This part of my resolution is a big deal, BTW ... I have over 32 projects in the WIP category. So ... I would like to finish at least one WIP each month of the new year. At the same time, if it's something I really didn't like because the yarn wasn't right for it or the gauge wasn't coming out right, I'll frog the project and reinstate the yarn into my stash for another project later or start over. I already know that "starting over" will happen on any sweater I started for myself because I intend to be a smaller size next Winter. I want it to fit right if I'm going to do all the work to finish it.

2. Organize my knitting needles and catalog them on Ravelry. I know I have more Interchangeable Sets, lace circular needles, dpn's and straight needles than any one person would ever want. But where are they all?

3. Take advantage of the aforementioned organizing bug! I plan to go through my stash and put together my works-in-progress projects (WIPs) so they're easy to finish. I'm going to put them in Ziploc bags with the patterns and needles, and I'm also going to make a list of which needles are in which WIP and keep it with my needles, just so I don't buy needles I don't need. While I'm at it, I'll also put upcoming projects (or yarn bought pacifically for a project) in bags with their patterns and include where they are on the Ravelry Stash inventory.

4. Knit 12 Shawls for the 11Shawls2011 group on Ravelry but at the same time this is what I plan to give for Christmas gifts next year to the women in my life that I give gifts to and didn't give a shawl to for Christmas this year. I made 21 shawls in 2010 so I know I can do this one. I plan to cast-on for my first one on New Years Day.

5. Mend my socks. That's right, I've got a whole basket full of socks with holes worn in them and they're otherwise too nice to just throw out. Of course they're my own knitted socks, so now it's time to do the repairs. It'll be like restocking my sock drawers with new socks for next Winter. I've been meaning to do this for some time now so it's about time I'm committed to do it. Maybe I'll even knit a couple of new pairs this Summer too!

(BTW, I have a bigger basket of sock repair than this now.)

I think that's enough to keep me busy.

Happy New Year!!

Do you love Lace but haven't tried it yet?

2010-12-24T09:07:00.006-05:00

Always wanted to but was afraid to begin? Have you tried it but failed to finish??

How about starting with a small shawl called the "Budding Shawlette"? It only uses one skein of fingering weight sock yarn (450 yds) so it's a small investment and you could even use some sock yarn right out of your Stash. I'm giving a class for intermediate knitters starting Sunday, January 16. This beautiful little shawl can be knit with or without beads. I'll show you how to add beads as you go too. It's easy!

Check Seed Stitch Fine Yarn's website for details such as time and cost. And then ask for a materials list when you sign up.

I used Cascade's Heritage Sock Yarn for this one.

You just need to know how to knit & purl. That's all really!!

Come join me at Seed Stitch Stitch Fine Yarn on 21 Front Street in Salem, MA.

If Mom wants it, she'll get me to make it!

2010-12-22T18:12:00.004-05:00

I sent my Mom a Stephen West designed shawl for Christmas ... the Colonnade Shawl.

And once she got it she called to thank me and tell me how cold it was down in Florida and it was just the thing she needed to help keep her keep warm even just a little bit. Except ...

She could use one in Turquoise or some blues. "Don't you like the color of the one I made for you?" I asked, while I kept thinking 'wasn't purple one of her favorite colors anymore?' "Oh yes," she said, "But I need a color to go with my other dresses that I have in blue or turquoise. Turquoise is my birthstone color you know. (insert violin strings here)"

Ooooooohhh, I see.

"And I also could use a pair of leg warmers in blues. It's really cold down here right now you know and once I get cold I can't warm up. I only have one pair of leg warmers you made for me a couple of years ago you know. So I sure could use another pair or two"

So what does she think I am?

A store?

A knitting machine??

Well ....

Only my Mom could talk me into doing this ...

four days later I finished ...

That's right, another Colonnade!!

And I do feel sorry for Mom now that I have arthritis also and feel the cold in my knees and hands although I have the advantage of being able to knit up my own sweaters or whatever else I want in wool, alpaca, cashmere or silk.

These pictured below are not new Christmas ornaments.

But I did finished them 3 days later and put them in a box with the shawl.

Now I'm REALLY done knitting for Christmas!
[This Christmas as least.]

And then it was snow ...

2010-12-18T10:20:00.008-05:00

Do you need an instantly gratifying knitted gift to make & give by this Christmas?

Try this one. Yarn: 2 skeins of Gnocchi [purchased at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn]

Cast on 8 stitches using the 'e' cast on method. Then knit every stitch in the yarn between the puff balls until the scarf is as long as you want it or the yarn is almost gone. On the next to last row before cast off row, k1, make 1 to end, then bind off. This will prevent a tight bind off due to nature of the Gnocchi.

Here it is ... the only snow I've seen so far this year:

Total knitting time: 3 hours!

Now that is "Instant Knitting Gratification"!!

I love the faces ...

2010-12-15T18:19:00.011-05:00

of those who love wearing what I knit.

So my DH and I went up to New Hampshire last Saturday to spend the day, pass out knitted gifts and enjoy the smiles.

Okay a couple of them got in there more than once. But those smiles were just so darn cute I just couldn't pick out the picture I liked the most. And I love ALL of those smiles!!

Including this couple ... even though he isn't wearing his knit socks in the picture, he wears them to bed.

It's a little wrapped up ...

2010-12-04T14:27:00.004-05:00

Presenting the Pimpelliese by Christine Ebers. I used Noro King yarn purchased at
Seed Stitch Fine Yarn for this.

Should have taken 2 skeins but for some odd reason it took a fraction of a third skein to finish the last 3 inches, even though the first skein completed the first half and a few rows into the decrease for the second half and I had to decrease a little faster (extra rows of decrease) to get the correct width as well. So why did it take more yarn? A mystery.

Ah well, I need to find something to make with the rest of the skein. (??? but what?)

At least I've got it all wrapped up ...

For me!

And I love wearing it!!

Can you tell?

Help me pick ...

2010-11-28T08:49:00.006-05:00

Beads.

I'm knitting the Budding Shawlette (a free pattern on Ravelry) by Joyce (YuLian) Yu again but this time with Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn and some beads.

But I have a problem.

Which color should I use? I had asked some friends before I started for their opinion and the majority said the clear crystal. (I was partial to the green myself) So I decided on the clear crystal and once I started I wasn't so sure I like all that bright 'sparkle' look. It just didn't seem like 'me'. So I put a few rows of the green in for a comparison. They run along the flower bud stems. See the green in the rows below the needle cord?

What you do think?

(that is the real color of the yarn BTW; a pea yellow ... I know it's odd but I really like it!)

I do like the green ... BUT then I would have to go back to the beginning and start over. Would it be worth the extra effort? Or is the crystal your pick and I'm just 'nuts'??

Which color would you pick?

What do YOU think I should do?? (I really do want your opinion, really I do.)

Watching our tax dollars at work ...

2010-11-24T12:48:00.005-05:00

while I knit. Hear those needles click away. Knit, knit, knit.

I have plenty of knitting going on ...
... just nothing to show for it at the moment.

Should have finished work to display next week.

Honesty. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

p.s. "Hi" to my new found friend from my hometown Milford, NH. It's a small world!

Did you ever see this?

2010-11-13T10:47:00.002-05:00

What??

You don't knit?? What about crochet?

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Nailed 'Em - Radical Knitting

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

March to Keep Fear Alive

Radical!

Last Christmas gift made for this year ...

2010-11-11T12:19:00.005-05:00

Honestly. This is it! Anymore knitting or crocheting will be for Me, me, me ...

But this one is for my best friend in Georgia. She sews and collects pincushions. So I had to knit one for her. But this is the last one. Honestly.

Project info

Pattern : Fleur de Lis & Cearnog Pincushions by Tammy Eigeman Thompson

Needle:US 0 - 2.0 mm

Yarn: Rowan Scottish Tweed 4 Ply
Alteration: I knit a bobble button instead of using a real one so a pin won't get damaged by accident (which could happen with a hard surface like a pewter button.)

I like it ... so that means I knit one for me too right?

Christmas 2010 ... Am I done yet?

2010-11-09T10:23:00.009-05:00

This is a little more than half of my Christmas Gift Stash. Consisting of; 4 shawls, 2 hats, mittens, ascot, shopping bag, 2 scarves, 2 headbands, 2 neckless knit wear and 8 neck warmers. Knitted through out the year. Maybe one or two left over from last year. (maybe) But most from various patterns in books, on the web, or magazines.

And then there's the other half of the Christmas Gift Stash all knit from the most recent Cascade 60 Quick Knits. I finished a total of 20 projects from this book. [plus more yarn waiting to be cast-on for next year -- YES, I intend to knit more from this fabulous book] So now I'm ready for this Christmas. Other than wrapping and posting some of these out to other States for family and friends that is.

Okay, I'm wrong ... I have two more on the needles. A pincushion and a pair of beaded fingerless gloves. Now ... if only the other half dozen projects recently cast on don't distract me to0 much I'll be all set for Christmas this year. Early!

Bring it on Knitting Gods!!

Did you take my Beginner Crochet class?

2010-11-03T12:39:00.005-04:00

You know the one with the Aran Sampler Scarf? Or maybe you learned to crochet from someone else but want to venture out and learn more. You feel like crocheting more than just a scarf don't you? In more than one color too.

We've got just the class for you ...

Starting this Sunday 1:30-3:30 November 7, 14 & 21 at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn;

"Want to advance your crochet skill? Take Crochet Motifs with Rhonda."

Check with Seed Stitch Fine Yarn, Salem, MA for details.

I hope you can join us!

What to do, what to do ...

2010-10-31T07:56:00.002-04:00

plans are askew; paint oven door, lay down bark mulch, mow front lawn, walk downtown to see what's going on at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn & the Haunted Happenings, get back home to make dinner and then pass out the candy to witches & goblins. But ... I also want to crochet or knit. Not enough time in the day.

So what do I do?

Looks like knitting but it's NOT ...

2010-10-30T10:13:00.003-04:00

Tunisian Crochet.

If you're a Senior crocheter like I am you know this Tunisian Crochet is based on the old Afghan Stitch. So it's not as new as it sounds. But something different is being done with it. Turning it into wearable fabric is one. And even the stitch can be altered to look different as this Tunisian Lace Scarf is ... the pattern is:

Tara's Tunisian Scarf

by Ellen Gormley

from Interweave Crochet, Accessories 2010

Looks like knitted lace don't you think? Once you get the rhythm going it's relaxing to do this one needle project. It's small so you don't even need a special needle other than a crochet hook without a finger rest on it.

Only one modification and that is one extra stitch. I chained 15 instead of 14 and put one extra plain stitch at the end so that the left side matched the right side better. I also made this scarf long enough to wrap around my neck twice to give it more of a Cowl effect.

Came out really nice using Misti Alpaca Cotton Silk yarn. The cotton makes it soft and the silk gives it some warmth. Best of all .... the colors will go with everything!

Now what more can you ask out of a little scarf, huh?

Instant gratification here!

2010-10-26T15:06:00.006-04:00

One knit and One crochet ... both in One week!!!

Knit Pattern:

Lacy Baktus by Terhi Montonen

Yarn used

Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton & Silk

It got a little boring to knit but the yarn is so nice it's wonderful to wear wrapped around the neck. Kind of like wearing it like it's a Cowl, I think. And I love the color mix!

Crochet Pattern: Beatrice's Scarf

Interweave Crochet, Accessories 2010 magazine.

Okay ... I do crochet fast and this was done in only two days. The yarn used is one of my favorites; Spud & Chloë Sweater.

And would you want to make a guess as to how many projects I've cast on since this scarf came off the blocking board last night? Go ahead and guess how many, knit or crochet and what kind of project.

No cheating allowed by looking on Ravelry ...

Seems like only yesterday ...

2010-10-21T14:43:00.004-04:00

that I gave you an update on what I've been making.

Oh ya, it was only yesterday wasn't it? But what I didn't show you is what has really been taking over my life the last few weeks. A good "take over" honestly. Well better than the work I've been doing in my flower bed. I've been getting two front flower beds cleaned up for the Winter and ready for the Spring show with bulbs and that sure feels more like a "take over" at the moment. But, you know how I've been loving shawls lately right? Well that hasn't changed ...

Here's the most satisfying knit I've done in a long long time. A love has developed and I call it "Waiting for Earl Waves in the Square Shawl". I loved knitting it the whole time but fell in LOVE when I took it off the blocking board and put it on. I usually love the knitting process much more than the final out come. Well I like the outcome on most of my knitting but what I mean is I have fallen in LOVE.

Take a look for yourself ...

And the pictures don't even do it justice. The yarn is gorgeous! Here are the details ...

Project info

Name: Waiting for Earl Waves in the Square Shawl

Pattern : Waves in the Square Shawl by Sivia Harding

Needle and yarn

Needle

US 5 - 3.75 mm

Yarn: madelinetosh tosh merino light

How much? 3 skeins = 1320.0 yards (1207.0m)

Colorway: Citrus

Purchased at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts

I made one modification. And that is I cast on using a provisional cast on and went back to pick up the stitches to knit a few more garter stitch rows and cast off with picots and beads so that it matched the bottom edge. See below.

Now I just hope I don't look too much like a big fat orange pumpkin.

Although, how appropriate for Salem, MA is that, huh?

Did I forget to show you my new hat?

2010-10-20T13:29:00.003-04:00

I knit this hat so fast I forgot to post about it didn't I? WELL ... I don't understand how I did that. Yes, this hat is for me and I've already bought more yarn to make another one. No really, I'm not kidding with ya.

Details below ...

Project Info

Name: Minty Red Hot Hat
Pattern: Minty by Erica Jackofsky (Fiddle Knits)

Needle and yarn
Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm, US 8 - 5.0 mm
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes
How much?
2 skeins = 200.0 yards (182.9m)
Colorway: Red #2000, Dye lot 0866
Purchased at: Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts
Purchase date: September 30, 2010
Notes: Note on needle sizes: A cotton version uses sizes US 5 & 7. Merino/Alpaca version uses sizes US 6 & 8. So I used 6 & 8.

Now seriously ... how do I take a good picture of a hat on my own head?

Knitting Loves Crochet ...

2010-10-04T07:27:00.005-04:00

Project info

Name

Peek-a-Boo Pillow Cover

Pattern

Peek-a-Boo Pillow by Candi Jensen from Knitting Loves Crochet

Craft:

Crochet & Knitting

Made for

Needle and yarn

Hook

4.0 mm (G)
Needle

4.5 mm (6)

Yarn

Spud & Chloë Sweater

How much?

2 skeins = 320.0 yards (292.6m)

Colorway

Grape Jelly

Purchased at

Seed Stitch Fine Yarn, Salem, MA

Notes

Knitting DOES love Crochet!

One side is knitted and the other is crocheted.

Crochet Motifs:

Knit Moss Stitch:

What more could I ask for?

FINALLY ....

2010-10-01T10:20:00.008-04:00

A new crochet hook that the StitchingNut can LOVE!

Did I say "love"? Yup, I've been a strong advocate for the good ole Boye Crochet Hooks or Susan Bates which I've used for many years and even inherited from my grandmother a number of them. I've done a lot of crocheting so I know what I like and what works great for me ... and what doesn't work for my hands.

But after all these years my hands are telling me, "You're getting old and you better start treating us better or we're going to give out on you." "You'll be sorry for not paying attention." But I love my old crochet hooks!!

Well none of those other new designs that have come out in the past few years have worked for me or my style of crocheting until now ...

What will change my mine? Is there any new style that could possibly become my new favorite? No matter what the cost? [FAT chance, huh?]

Well I found them ...

Addi Swing Hooks by Skacel!

Finally, a crochet hook that really IS ergonomically correct. I hated their other style with ridges because they actually hurt my fingers. But ... my hands are confirming it; a wonderful new handle that I can really get a hold of and love like no other. I'm working on a quick project right now and I hope my LYS - Seed Stitch Fine Yarn will be carrying them soon. Courtney gave me one below to try out. Gave it a spin around a motif and ... yes, they cost more ... but my hands are saying it is well worth the extra money. Other "mature" crocheters like myself may feel the same way.

But, it just might also save a young crocheter from some of the hand issues I now have. So pick up one in the most common size that you use and give it a try. The Swing has an added bonus of being color coded too.

I think I want the whole set. Yes, I do!!!!

What else but another Shawl.

2010-09-25T12:42:00.002-04:00

Or should I say Shawlette? It is called ...

The Budding Shawlette by Joyce (YuLian) Yu

Before the magic of blocking:

After the magic happens:

It's smaller than it looks but perfect for keeping the shoulders & neck warm and serving as an accent piece. Could also be worn as a scarf since it's light and airy. And I love it!

Was thinking of giving it away the whole time I was knitting it, but alas ...

... can I really do that?

Scarves that double as shawls ...

2010-09-20T14:10:00.002-04:00

Will add something more to the wardrobe as well as keep your neck and shoulders warm. So why not knit a few to pull out when you need them, right?

My first one this week is light and airy. Supper soft of course and it really gives a collarless blouse another dimension, texture and style.

Pattern: Annis by Susanna IC

Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm and US 10 - 6.0 mm for cast-on only

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk/Cashmere 2-ply

How much used: 1 skeins = 400.0 yards (365.8m)

Measurement: 70” wide x 13” long

I love wearing this one ...

And look ... it has "Nupps"!

And since I knit on more than one thing at a time I also finished ...

Pattern: Saroyan by Liz Abinante.

Needle: US 9 - 5.5 mm

Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 4/8 - Cone

Colorway: Emerald

How much used: 0.5 cone = 560.0 yards (512.1m)

Modifications: did 9 /11/ 9 repeats for each section.

Measurements: 92” wide x 16” long

I love the leaf trim on the edge ...

Now shouldn't I get ready to go somewhere special tonight?

Why do I love shawls so much right now?

2010-09-10T15:25:00.004-04:00

Have you wondered, "Why has Rhonda gone crazy knitting so many shawls"? I bet you thought, "This confirms it; either she's gettting 'old' or she really is a 'nut'. Okay ... you might be right on both accounts.

Yes, I am nuts about shawls. And even I have wondered if it's because I am getting into my upper years now. I love wearing them beside the fact that I love the fast and simple knitting being done on them. Well, I've crocheted a few too ... But it's not just because I'm in my senior years now. No really ... stop the giggling you. I've thought about this and I know what the reason has been mostly ... well now I have a confession to make ... and it's about my weight. Now I really do know. Yes, I know I'm one of those overweight Americans. I now have decided to say it out loud. I'm in the realm of 'obese' even. So shawls are more wearable for me. BUT, I have joined Weight Watches only 2 weeks ago and have already lost 5 lbs. I know that's not a lot, but it's a start. And guess what ... a shawl will still fit me no matter how much weight I loose. Oh yes, I'm going to loose a lot more. I'm in the mind-set for it and I will do it. But, I don't want to knit wearable items and not be able to wear them 6 or 12 months from now. Shawls fit the bill!

Well gosh, I also love shawls for another reason. They are just so darn comfy. So stylish and NOT SO WARM that I would 'die' from the heat the way I do in sweaters. Yup, I have found that I just love the looks of them and the wearing part of it just makes me feel so good without being over heated and wishing I could remove it if it's not a cardigan. [Did I iron the blouse under my sweater? Am I even wearing a blouse under it?] A shawl can be just dropped from the shoulder.

So here's another shawl off the blocking board yesterday. Another Boneyard Shawl.

I call this one my Boneyard Summer Garden Shawl. You can find the details on my Ravelry page of course. The yarn is cotton for the cool but not real cold days of Summer.

I also made a few modifications. With the biggest one being the long single loop fringe you see here. You can see it on display at my LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn.

I'm off to start another shawl or two or ...

Okay, I have four on the needles right now.

I know, I know, I'm a ... stitchingNut.

The lure of knitted lace ...

2010-09-03T08:45:00.009-04:00

Is there joy in knitting lace? Will the process of working magic with yarn overs and ssk or k2tog to create what looks like a complex design or perhaps the end results after the blocking process is complete put a smile on your face? Is there a song in your heart when you knit lace? Perhaps the look on my face is the answer to those questions.

Does it call to you as it does me?

As you see, I just completed the largest shawl I've ever knit. It's called the Lotus Blossom by Dorothy Siemens and from Fiddlesticks Knitting. A beautiful well designed and written pattern.

Something for the Holidays ... for ME!

Of course part of the joy comes from the fact that I knit it for myself. A gift to the StitchingNut, I guess you could say. Oh how I love it. But the real enjoyment all started with the casting on and the process of knitting the lace. Seriously ... it really was.

It starts very small at the neckline and grows as you go with every other row increasing 4 more stitches. Although, I can't knit a project like this and visit with family or friends while I do it. It becomes all consuming. Each right side row became a row of concentration while the wrong side row was a few minutes of meditation or reflection. That's why I limited my time on Blogging or Facebook comments for the past few weeks. I was deeply involved ...

That's right ... involved with my knitting. As I finished each row and moved up my marker tape to the next row on the chart [there are 6 charts for this pattern] I got more excited each time.

The excitement to getting to the finish line was there but,
it was also in the details ...

The stems lead to the Lotus flower and petals at the bottom and the anticipation grew as I completed each one. It got so that I didn't want to do anything else. No housework kept me away for very long. No chore remained in my way. Dinner was quickly planned, cooked and eaten while the lure of lace called to me each day.

Until finally I got to the Cast Off ... and then I had to stop and practice on scrap yarn a new process I had never done before. The bobble ball cast off was a threat to the final results of this lace that called to me for 3 weeks. Was I going to be able to do it? Even though I had my doubts ... and I took ALL day to complete it ...

Whew, I succeeded!! I now have a lovely, soft, warm and glorious shawl for the Holidays.

Can you tell I'm pleased as punch with myself?

All I've got to say this week is ...

2010-08-25T09:56:00.004-04:00

I'm a stitching nut and all I want to do is KNIT!

This week it was a Ribbed Keyhole Scarf and Ribbed Fingerless Mitts from the Cascade 60 Quick Knit's book. I love 'em!

Not much to say when all I want to do is work on my knitting.
So now it's back to the 4 Shawls that's I'm working on.

That's right ... four!

Can't let my obsession go ...

2010-08-12T10:55:00.005-04:00

So another Shaw comes off the needles. It's lovely and warmer than you think. I wonder if I should give this one to my friend for Christmas instead of Jubilee? This one is called Traveling Woman and I used Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn for it. It took one week to knit and it kept my interest the whole time. Love the Teal!

I enjoyed knitting this one.

But now it's time to move on to another Boneyard Garden Path Shawl again. Would my friend prefer one of those? Especially if it has purple in it?

Oh dear, what a dilemma ...

I may never get around to knitting myself some new Winter socks.

Simplicity is good ...

2010-08-05T06:03:00.005-04:00

and I really need it once in awhile. I love complex patterns in both knit and crochet. I love the challenge to my mind or my skills and the feeling of accomplishment when it's done. But now and again I have to have simple knit or simple crochet projects on the needles to work on and give my mind a rest. Besides ... it's a time for reflecting or meditating while still keeping my hands busy. AND ... quite often the end result can be rather pleasant, stylish and even something fun to wear.

Take my Boneyard Garden Path Shawl for instants. You'll find all the details [yarn, needles, pattern, etc.] on my Ravelry page, but here are a few pictures.

See? So simply, yet so stylish and practical. Got a lot of wonderful meditation done on this one too. And the colors were a pleasure to see happening as I knit.

Even crochet can have meditative qualities. Especially if most of the time you're counting to 7. This one only took me 2 days to make. I couldn't believe it myself!

Once again you can check out the detailed information about my Sprout Shawl on Ravelry.

So now it's on to something more challenging ...

Crochet week complete ...

2010-07-29T11:16:00.004-04:00

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.

Chains Bucket Hat by Kristin Omdahl and I used Louisa Harding Mulberry for yarn.

Here's a look at all sides ...

Might be great to wear on one of those "bad hair days," huh?

Another Shawl? What's got into me??

2010-07-20T12:14:00.003-04:00

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.

My Herbivore is perfect for me!

How does my garden grow?

2010-07-15T15:50:00.004-04:00

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 still go back to crocheting now and then. After meeting the CGOA Fishnet Crocheters last month I was inspired to make something I loved with crochet. Beside a Market Bag that is. I used a yarn that reminded me of my garden, my second passion in life. And with a project called Scarlet Evening Shawl by Minchanka.by/julia from Minchanka.by. I created a shawl I call the Garden Trellis Shawlette.

I added some little seed beads to it as well.

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.

Did you doubt that?

Do you believe in magic?

2010-07-14T13:00:00.009-04:00

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?

Project info

Name

Jubilee Wrap

Pattern Jubilee by Norah Gaughan

Knitted

Modifications: One, I added loops of beads for a fringe.

Needle and yarn

Needle US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yarn

Cascade Yarns Heritage Solid

How much?

2 skeins = 874.0 yards (799.2m) [used most of it but had a handful ball left-over]

This is what you get when the magic is complete ...

But it looks good on me ... if I must say so myself.

Now I really must hide it away ...

before I change my mind!

The Scarf that wanted to be an Ascot ...

2010-07-06T18:11:00.005-04:00

Just because it wanted to be.

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.

Needle and yarn

Needle

US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yarn

Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers

How much?

1.25 skeins = 275.0 yards (251.5m)

Colorway: 7811 purple

With a Vintage Button.

And if I keep it the big question is ...
Can a girl have too many scarves to pick from?

Will my grandson like another hat?

2010-07-02T19:01:00.004-04:00

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?

From a young girl of course ... or maybe

his Grammy???

My head deserves a Hat also, right?

2010-06-29T12:09:00.007-04:00

And since I have a "hat-head" ... or a face that looks good with a hat [or so I'm told], I like most hats I knit but this one is one of my favorites.

Another one from 60 Quick Knits, would you believe? It's called the Tweed Watch Cap. Details on Ravelry. But you must know where to find it in the book by now. If you don't have the book ... you should!!

I think I'm going to keep this one for myself. Yup, I am!

And look at the top ...Love the twisted stitches and the way it decreases to a circle at the top.

What do YOU think?

A keeper right??

To brighten up a future Winter day ...

2010-06-27T08:33:00.010-04:00

I finished two more projects from the 60 Quick Knits.

A Textured Tam

I need mittens to go with the Hat too right?

So here are is the Basketweave Mittens.

A perfect fit and plenty of texture so who needs that bow. I'm leaving it off so that either mitten can go on either hand. And most people I know aren't "bow" people anyway.

Now I need to add it the my 60 Quick Knits Christmas inventory ...

Hey! Did I forget to tell you about these two hats?

Size large in red and size small in blue. Both are large on me but should be just right for my son in laws.

Now what should I knit next?
Oh ya, another hat, scarf or mittens.

My gift basket is over flowing ...

2010-06-20T08:19:00.008-04:00

But you can't have too many knit objects to pick from at Christmas time can you?

So here's two more ... a hat and a scarf.
Both are from the Cascade Yarns book 60 Quick Knits.

And both got a slight modification done to them. I added a few extra rows in the brim of garter stitches on the hat so the brim wouldn't roll up too much.

I then wanted to make the scarf a little more fun with an added interest to it so I added a tendril style fringe. What do you think?

Does it give it a little interest?

And I love the way the hat could go for either a boy or a girl. It looks much nicer in person than in picture too BTW.

But what I really hope is ... that they'll find a good home at Christmas time.

But if they don't get picked by one of the family perhaps they'll find their way into my own closet or ... maybe a friend?

Never thought wrapping up in a shawl ...

2010-06-16T14:01:00.008-04:00

could be so wonderful!

But I found out how wonderful it is when I finished this beautifully soft and cozy shawl called the Boneyard Shawl designed by Stephen West.

It's even nicer than you could imagine since I knit it with Rowan's Denim cotton yarn.

A yarn that's made to be machine washed and dried to fade like jeans. Yes, it shrinks a little but it maintains its soft cool feeling against your skin. Oooooo, it feels so good.

Just right for keeping air conditioning or a Summer's cool evening air off your shoulders.

Puts a smile on my face too.

What do you mean ... the simplest things can do that?

I promise to waste no yarn if I can help it.

2010-06-10T12:31:00.011-04:00

[a picture has been added below]

Remember the Green Market Bag?

Well I had over 3/4 of the last skein of yarn left ... so I put on my thinking cap and thought "what small necessary project can I make with this?"

Well ... I hate to carry both a market bag AND a handbag around when I'm shopping. Especially at the Farmers Market. So how about a change purse?

Here it is ...

All I have to do is now undo the knot and put the I-cord around the Market Bag handle and retie the knot inside the clutch. I can now carry my driver's license and some money for shopping. The pattern is the

Sundance Make Up Bag by Joëlle Meier Rioux from Classic Elite Yarns.

And best of all ... it used up every bit of the green yarn I had left over. Perfect!

[Clutch attached to the Provence Market Bag last night.]

BTW, this Kelly green is the true color. Love Kelly green!

Now it's time to get back to some bigger projects ...

There's never enough going on in my knitting bag is there?

A change of pace and another knit hat.

2010-06-09T09:20:00.006-04:00

I'm working on a few large projects at one time right now. Progressing slow but sure. But I did finish a hat for the Christmas Basket ...

Cable Brimmed Tam by Therese Chynoweth from the Cascade Yarns 60 Quick Knits book.
The yarn I used was also Cascade Yarns 220 Wool. Been loving this yarn lately in case you haven't noticed.

And it fits a real head too. Even a big one! See ...

I love the hat, especially since it's a Tam. Not the color so much ... because I'm just not a light blue person. But one of my granddaughters might like it. What do you think?

Into the Christmas Basket then.

Knitting in my sleep again ...

2010-06-02T20:41:00.012-04:00

But I did have time to go to a workshop at my LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn this past Saturday. It was a workshop with knitting designer Stephen West. Learned a lot ... in fact I look pretty darn serious in the pictures I'm caught in taken by photographer Sean Riley. [thanks for sending the pictures to me, Sean].

I can't imagine why I'm so serious looking tho.
Must have been hanging on to every word you think?

I did learn a lot from Stephen. And he inspired me to knit more of his shawl patterns. In fact the whole group seemed to be pretty interested in what Stephen had to say. I would call that a pretty successful workshop.

YES, I finished a design by him also. Called the Colonnade Shawl. It's for my Mom for next Christmas ... if I can resist keeping it for myself that is.

I'm pleased that I got it done since I had to frog the lace THREE [3] times before I got it correct. Whew!

But I love it and it's now put me in the mood to start another design by Stephen ...

Are you familiar with the Boneyard Shawl? It's a free download on Ravelry. Well this is just flying off my needles and I'm in love with this one too. Especially now that I've finished another gift from 60 Quick Knits from Cascade ...

Leaf-Lace Gauntlets by Jacqueline van Dillen. Only I call 'em Spring-Pink Gauntlets. The yarn is once again Cascade's Superwash Paints left over from another 60 Quick Knits. I can't let any good yarn go to waste now can I?

Have I got enough time in the day to cast on another from 60 Quick Knits? How many has that been so far??

Mmmmmm, I better get some sleep now ... I'll let you know later.

Going Green is easy ...

2010-05-26T15:01:00.005-04:00

when you create a Crochet Market Bag with me at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn.

I'll be doing a workshop Sundays, July 18 & 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn. Hope you join me.

There's even a group on Ravelry

that enjoy making Market Bags. I made this one with a Moebius style handle also by giving it one twist before slip stitching it to the other side. The twist actually helps in keeping it onto my shoulder and having it hang in a comfortable & pleasing way at my side. I also prefer shoulder straps to the clutch when I'm shopping at the Farmer's Market. Which is where these bags really come in handy.

Remember this one?

You'll be seeing me with one of these when the Farmer's Market opens up this Summer.

It really is easy being green!

"Instant gratification" ...

2010-05-22T17:07:00.002-04:00

is when you knit a hat!

It doesn't even take a whole skein of yarn when you use Cascade 220 Paints yarn. If you're curious about the pattern ... it's from 60 Quick Knits ... my all time favorite book of knitting patterns.

Today it is anyway!

Waste not; want not.

2010-05-16T13:49:00.013-04:00

We should use up every bit of yarn that we can shouldn't we? That's what my grandmother use to do. And since I'm a Capricorn it's a part of my nature to use everything anyway. Especially if it's beautiful, soft and nice to knit with. Such as Cascade's Superwash Paints.

So after I knit the Chain-Link Scarf,

I came up with a hat ...

The Pillbox Hat from the same Cascade book, 60 Quick Knits. And still I have more yarn left over.

So that means a pair of fingerless mitts right? I think maybe the Mock Cable from 60 Quick Knits would fit the bill.

Oh ya, they're perfect!