Just for a laugh ...

Let's knit!

The K Factor - Knitting!
and
The K Factor - Knitting 2


And there's a contest at my LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn ...

working on my entry now. For an Easter egg and basket Hunt!

Now what do you suppose I'll make? Egg or Basket or Both? Knit or Felt? And do I have enough time to get it/them done? After all ... there's a Yarn Crawl as well.

Hey, I'm knitting as fast as I can ....

The New Scarf ...

I've finished up two more Neck warmers ... otherwise known as Cowls aren't they? Well I've always thought of them to be one and the same. I love scarfs and have knit plenty for myself and gave away many as gifts too. But it's funny that I haven't seen any of the recipients wear 'em. Didn't you like your scarf? I knit it just for you. Maybe it was the color choice. Or maybe you just don't like to wear scarves? Please don't tell me you lost it the first time you even wore it.

Well this year is the year of the Cowls. The Neckwarmers. The NEW Scarf ....



So I just finished two more to throw into the 2010 Christmas Basket





Instead of wrapping everything ... I'm going to let each person who WANTs a knit item to pick out the one of their choice. And to make it fair, I'll have everyone draw a number to see who picks first and who goes next, etc. But of course, if there's only one or two recipients who even want a home knit gift this year ... well all the more for ones who do want them right? Do my grandchildren, daughter, step-daughters or sister-in-laws even want one?

Any suggestions on how to figure that one out??



Sad but maybe it's a case where the kids are tired of my knits. Sigh. Or should I get them one of Mason Dixon's new books. You know the one right?





But what am I going to do with all my knitting?

When a major project if finished ...

I should wear it somewhere to celebrate. Let's see ... there's a birthday party to attend with a class on Hooking Rugs with Amy from Lincoln Farms.

What shall I wear?



Oh yah, my Erika Poncho, pattern from Rowan Classic Winter Solace using Rowan's Alpaca Cotton is DONE.

The party was a blast and hooking lessons was fun!

I not only LOVE the Poncho ...



I just feel so D*m cute wearing it!

Just another scarf ...

Project info

Name: Braided Scarf with Spud & Chloe

Pattern Braided by Susan B. Anderson

Needle and yarn

Needles:

US 13 / 9.0 mm

US 17 / 12.75 mm

Yarn:

Spud & Chloë Outer

How much?

3 skeins = 180.0 yards (164.6m)

Colorway Soapstone #7200

Purchased at:

Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts

And warm enough to walk about town even on the coldest days!

Other than knitting ...

There's a Festival in Salem to attend with my SIL.



And I didn't even take my knitting bag with me. Really!

I crochet as well ...

as knit. Although, I use to feel like a crocheter is the "poor" cousin of the knitters. Yet I still loved to crochet. I'm obsessed with knitting but my first love is crochet. After all, I crocheted for over 40 years.



I want to share this wonderful article I read today. Very inspirational and even contains some of my own beliefs as I was growing up such as; "Every dream begins with the decision to try to accomplish it. If you believe you can, you can." I thought of my great grandmother Brown when I read it. I spent many hours visiting with her when I was a child. I thought she was fascinating. I loved the stories she told of her own childhood. And of course I loved her crochet!



After every crochet class I teach now; I no longer feel like a "poor" cousin. I now feel like the "rich" Aunt sharing my love of Fiber Art.

And teaching a skill that will last forever.

Freshing our crafting skills ...

by taking a class in making Dorset Buttons.

Went to a class at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn and fell in love these buttons. It's our way of going Green and using up bit and bubbles of left-over yarn and floss. Most of us hate throwing anything way, but eventually we need something to do with it before our spouse (or family) throw us out. That's a personal dilemma for me anyway.
[hear the laughing in the background?]

So here's something to make with our little bits & pieces of left over yarn. And I'm all for using up every little bit. That's why I also needle felt pieces of wool. Even the bits I cut off of my projects. Anyway; the whole class enjoyed something "new" to do with our time and abundant skills. Here we are "perfecting our new found skill."

With the instructor; Jules Means.

And the class was full.

 

 

This is what I came up with below ...

Oh I must do more ... needle felt on some maybe?

If it's burtally cold outside ...

just knit a lapafghan.



I started one 2 days ago. It's called "The Tree of Life" by Nicky Epstein. Pattern is free on Lion Brand's website. I hate to tare myself away from it to work on anything else. Including the Blog.



But I did finish a couple of blocks that are going to be mailed out to someone else putting together a gift. Can't tell you who it is because it's a surprise to the recipient of the blanket.



And last week I did finish up the samplers from the Yarn of the Month Club for January's samples.



My favorite was the BLACKSTONE TWEED BY BERROCO at the top of the pic.

I think I've posted everything. A lot of projects are on the needles and I even want to start more Seven Circle Scarves ...

This is becoming a sickness ...

you know I'm talking about knitting right?

What a fun neck warmer!

I intend to knit more ...

Pattern

sev[en]circle by Kirsten Johnstone



I used Mirasol Nuna Yarn  using a size 7 needle and made a few changes in construction but not enough for you to notice I'm sure. I think I'll knit these for next Christmas. Bet some teenage grandchildren might like one. I can even see a few beads going into 'em.

What do you think?

I'm talking less and knitting more ...

My Asymmetrical poncho
Details on Ravelry. This was one project that was hard to love until I finished it and blocked it. Now I love it!




And I'm still finding unfinished projects that I can re-purpose ...

After all ...

the Neck Warmer is the "new" Scarf, right?

Behind the skeins of an obsessed knitter ...

there is more going on than expected.



With a surprise on back ...



What are they?

How about a Knitting Bag Felted Zipper Pull?

Don't you just NEED one??

Today is my Birthday ...

and when I get a card like this from a good friend, I can't help but get up and celebrate.



I have my dancing shoes on and we're out the door tonight.

Bobby Awards ...

The 2nd Annual Bobby Awards has been posted.

To vote for the Bobby’s, check out the For The Love of Ravelry group in the group announcements section. There are different categories and some of those are hilarious. I nearly feel out of my chair with laughter when trying to vote for the Funniest Ravatar. Difficult to pick since they are all so good.

And I, the Stitchingnut was honored as one of the nominees for my Felt-Tea Farm Tea Cozy in The Best Personal Pattern Project category. There's some tough competition there too.

Check 'em out and place your votes. If you're not a member of Ravelry yet and you're a knitting or crocheter ...

You just don't know what you're missing if you don't join in.

Another year of knits ...

and my New Year Resolution.

Dare I make a resolution? Usually I make it something small and attainable. Like remembering to send everyone in the family a birthday card. I set up the plan and really do keep to it for the whole year. But ... when the year ends I go back to my ole ways. That's right, you'd be lucky to get a card of any kind from me now since I hardly write now that I've been online. If you don't have a computer, you're out of luck. I'll use my cell phone first and give you a call. But what kind of plan or New Year Resolution might I have this year?

Can you guess?

Well I've already implemented it. It's even a 2-parter. First, I plan to knit as much as possible from my STASH. This one will be the hardest to keep, but I have already knit a couple of things from the stash. I'll show you below. Second, I plan to finish at least half of what I've already have on needles. And if you look at my Ravelry Project page you would see that might be a pretty tall order.

Now if you only counted the WIPs take another look at what's in Hibernation. Yah, I know that's 30 projects right there Hibernating. But at least 2 can be frogged and a few were never even cast on. Only swatched. And while I'm organizing and pulling out those projects I'm also finding MIA's. Yup, I found 2 so far. They were scarves I started but never finished. Never even made it to the Ravelry Project list. But one is already finished into something else.

A Headband

It's already blocked and thrown into the 2010 Christmas Basket. I don't even remember what pattern it was being made from. I just remember it was a scarf and I didn't like the fact that it wasn't reversible and I don't like the back side as well as the front. But as a Headband it's perfect!

The other one I found ... it'll make a better Cowl than a scarf. So that may happen soon.

And what I have a knit from the STASH?


Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf [specs on Ravelry].



Burnished Leaves Cowl [specs on Ravelry]



Thermis Neck Warmer [specs on Ravelry]


All from yarn in my Stash and now in the 2010 Christmas Basket.

I wonder how long this knitting energy is going to last before ...

someone shoots me? [see ... I knew what you were thinking.]

Who Loves Your Knits ...

Grandchildren do of course right?




Big ones and little ones ...






Or do you think it's just because they love their grandparents so darn much and have been brought up to be polite and appreciate anything they get from the old folks.







Well the Moebius Scarf was in the "pick-which-one-you-want" basket and the granddaughter that didn't grab it 1st begged her sister to let her have it. "Grammy, tell her I need it more than she does." Oh you need it. That's makes all the difference. But her sister gave it to her with a smile anyway.

After all ...



they're sisters. [ages 19 & 13]

Even my DD quickly picked out the hat she wanted ....
[glad I anticipated that & tossed it into the basket].


[you have got to get your bangs cut, DD]

Isn't it fantastic when gift recipients love your knitting?