Finished the Hats

I finally finished knitting the hats for the family Christmas "Dirty Santa" gift giving. And am I ever sick of knitting hats!! I thought I needed nine, but counted again and realized I only needed eight. That's great because I don't think I could have knit another hat.

Also made a hat called Moochie for Chloe to match her new snow suit. The only problem is she takes off any hat put on her head immediately. Should be an interesting winter for her mom and dad. What's that famous quote? "A parent's revenge is grandchildren. :)

I have now started knitting some monsters for Christmas gifts. I think they will knit up very quickly. Will post photos when completed.

Hedgie needs a baby

I taught my niece Kelli to knit and then took her to a yarn shop in Grand Blanc. She fell in love with the knitted hedgehogs they had on display. She signed up for a knitting class so she could learn from a true professional knitter and then be able to make herself a hedgehog. Alas, it wasn't that easy!! She studied the pattern and decided she definitely wasn't ready to make Hedgie. Kelli gave me the pattern and I told her I would make it for a Christmas present. But don't you think Hedgie really needs a baby hedgehog or two. She was definitely easy to knit, but you did need some knitting experience. I think everyone in my family will want one!!

Finished Objects

Well, Chloe didn't turn out too badly. Her head is big, but you don't notice it as much with the hair on. I hope to make more dresses for her wardrobe. The Quincy hat was a "wash". It is really big. I washed it, hoping it  would shrink some, but I think it got even bigger.
Also, have been busy making hats for Christmas gifts. My plan is to make nine, one for each male guest at our family Christmas get together. Then, we will do something like a Dutch Auction (or Dirty Santa) where you don't end up with the original gift you were given. If I am really ambitious, I will make scarves for the women and play the same game. We'll see, Christmas is still a long way off though.

Also, completed the Clover scarf. This is a scarf made from two colors. They gray part is wound around your neck and the pink sections will hang down. It was a pretty easy and quick scarf to make. Am currently working on my first shawl. It is also going quickly. Will post a photo when I have finished.

Seriously??

I have been working on Chloe, the doll on the front cover that goes along with Spud the sheep. The two brown blobs on the right are what I have knitted so far. The large brown blob is the body and the smaller brown blob is the head. Seriously?? Look how big the head is compared to the body. I do have to cover the top with hair, but am I going to have a doll that will tip over because her head is so big???? We'll see! I decided while knitting Chloe that I needed to also be working on something pretty. So I started (and finished) the Quincy hat. I loved knitting the hat because you knit an I-Cord on each side. I've never done that before. The yarn is beautiful and soft. But, alas, I don't like the hat. It's sort of big. Supposedly a man can wear this hat as well. I know Ron would never wear it! I guess I will just have to give it to the Coat Giveaway program at our church. My projects this week will be to: 1. Finish the Chloe doll 2. Continue to work on the Chicory scarf I started (again because I needed to work on something besides brown blobs!).

A Tribute

I would like to write a post in tribute to my mother who passed away one year ago this week. My love of knitting and creating in general I have realized this past year was passed down to me from my mother. This past year I have remembered that my mom was always doing something creative. She was always trying out a new "craft" of some kind, whether it involved ribbon, yarn, or even making a new recipe. Over the years I also have done many different types of crafts: cross-stitching, basket-weaving, scrapbooking, making books, knitting, baking, etc. (Yes, I consider baking crafty, especially when trying out new recipes). Now that I am knitting almost exclusively, it helps me to remember my mom. Everytime I pick up my needles to work on a project, I can remember my mom teaching me how to knit when I was a child. She always made me undo my knitting when we discovered a mistake. I hated that and everytime I have to do it today I can still hear her saying, "If you are going to do it, you have to do it right."

Another thing my mother passed down to me is my love of vintage items and antiques. The photo above shows my newest interest: vintage potholders. Yes, I am now collecting old potholders!! I saw an idea in a magazine showing these displayed on a wall. I already had four vintage potholders and purchased two more at an antique store in Cheyboygan, Michigan, while on vacation. The blue/orange potholder on the right was given to me from a woman I walk with a few times a week. She said it was from the 1920's. Luckily, these will be a fairly inexpensive thing to collect. My mom loved antiques and was always going to antique auctions and stores. So happily, I have many daily reminders of my mom. Thanks mom for teaching me to be creative.

I finished Jerry the Musical Monkey from Rebeccan Danger's Knitted Monsters patterns in time for Chloe's

birthday party on Sunday. She loved it and reached for it as soon as she saw it. He was very easy to make. I had intended to make one for each child at the party, but I found out there would be 9 children!! I do think I will make 2 more though for my niece Jordan and nephew Ethan to give as Christmas gifts.

I have started working on the doll named "Chloe" that goes along with Spud the sheep (see previous post). Also, because I needed something simple to work on while I have my garage sale this week, I started the "Quincy" hat. It is all knit to begin with, so I can work on it between customers.

FO's (Finished Objects)

Hurrah! I have some finished objects to show. I finally finished the pair of socks I started on June 6th. Yeah!! The pattern is called Spiral Galaxy and is from the Socks a la Carte book. I also finished Chloe's sweater vest in time for her first birthday party this Sunday. It is called "In Threes" and it was a very quick knit. I made it in four days. I love the little pink elephant buttons that I sewed on. The third thing I have finished is the felted diaper bag for when Lynn gets pregnant. Still working on the baby afghan, making about one square per week. Right now I am working on a knitted toy monkey I decided at the last minute to make for Chloe's birthday. Then I will make two dishclothes for a birthday luncheon I am going to for a walking buddy.

Knitting ADHD!!

I have many projects in the works right now (WIPs). I start one, then start another, and then another. I think the problem is that I was working on a hooded pullover for Chloe and wasn't seeing progress. So I started other projects that would knit up faster. As you can see by the photo above, I have several UFOs right now (Unfinshed objects).

I started the multi-colored hooded pullover for Chloe's 1st birthday on August 1st. I am making a size 18 months. I realized it was going to be too big for her, so I started the pink sweater. It is sized 12-18 months, so I think she can wear it this fall and winter. I made one sock from my new sock book, Socks a la Carte, and have the second one to start and finish. I also started making squares for a patchwork baby afghan. I'm hoping by the time I finish, Lynn will be pregnant and it will be already for the baby shower. I also started a red scarf from Charm yarn. It is very simple and something I can work on when I don't want to think too much. I also have completed a felted diaper bag for the hopefully soon to be held baby shower.

In the other picture you can see some beautiful skeins of sock yarn. There is enough to make 5 pairs of socks, in addition to the one I have to finish from Socks a la Carte. Again, I really don't have time to work. I decided to spend one hour each day this summer knitting during the morning. (I usually only knit when I sit down to watch TV in the evening.) So far I have only been able to do that 3 times and it is already July 11th!! While I knit I listen to the Never Not Knitting podcasts on the I-pad. It is inspiring to listen to and makes me want to knit even more. Hopefully I will be back soon with photos of completed projects!

I've been busy!! These two projects are made from Berocco Alpaca Yarn. They are so soft and I can't wait until next winter to wear them for warmth. The Shawl Collared Cowl was so fast and easy to knit. I would like to make more in other colors or for gifts. The hat was made from leftover yarn. It doesn't fit so great and I don't really like it all that much. Maybe I will donate it to our Coat Drive at church.

I finished the socks I was having issues with and am anxious to start my next pair. I checked out a great book from the library called Socks a la Carte. I have earmarked a few patterns to try.

I also started on Spud from the Spud and Chloe book by Susan B. Anderson. I hope to make all the farm animals in the book and of course, the doll named Chloe.

Well, I finished all of the items from my last post EXCEPT the socks. The one project I really wanted to get finished and wear. I hit a snag with them and instead of trying to figure it out, I started a new project. I made this Smocked Slouch by Knitterella. It was so easy and the Plucky Primo Worsted Yarn knitted up into a very soft and cushy hat. After finishing the Smocked Slouch I started the Shawl Collared Cowl by Never Not Knitting. I may have to go to Heritage Yarns in Lake Orion for help with my socks if I can't figure it out myself. Socks are very intimidating to me. Had a great Easter and the kids enjoyed the Pookies I made for them. Ethan wants me to make him a baby one like the one I made for Chloe.

Easter Cuties

Finally finished the "Pookies for Jordan, Ethan and Chloe Grace's Easter basket. They were very easy to knit and are stuffed with fiberfill and dried navy beans. This makes them feel "squishy".

Easter Centerpiece

Here are the bunnies I knitted for my Easter centerpiece this year. They were quick and easy to knit and I think they are adorable!!

I have done something I swore I wouldn't do. I have acquired a "stash" of yarn. Fortunately I do know what I want to do with each skein. I just have to find the time to knit up all the projects. For the next two weeks my projects are:

1. Finish Curly Q scarf for Jenni

2. Make two more "Pookies" for Chloe and Ethan's Easter gifts

3. Make Chloe Grace's May hat (a flower)

4. Finish my 3rd pair of socks

I also discovered a new yarn shop yesterday that is wonderful. It is called Crafty Lady Trio and is on Hall Road by the Lakeside Mall. They have a wonderful selection of yarn and a gazillion samples. I will definitely be going back!!

We're back from NYC and although I didn't get to all the yarn shops I wanted to, we had a great time. The Lion Brand Yarn shop and Purl SoHo, the two shops I really wanted to see, were rather disappointing. They didn't have a lot of samples and the stores just seemed so much more glamourous when you read their blogs. Strings Yarn shop on the Upper East Side was nice, but as the Upper East Side is an affluent area, the yarn was so expensive, the prices weren't even posted on the skeins. It was a nice store though and there were several knitters gathered around a table talking about projects and yarn. Knitty City on the Upper West Side seemed like a true knitting shop. There were a gazillion samples and there were lots of people again gathered around two different tables discussing knitting.

One thing I learned at the Lion Brand Yarn shop is that JoAnns and Michaels do not carry all of the Lion Brand yarn lines. There were several lines in the shop I had never seen before. I guess I'll have to visit their website more often. I did buy some Amazing yarn to try another Batkus scarf. I also bought some organic cotton yarn for Chloe Grace's May hat. At Knitty City, sock yarn was on sale, so I bought enough yarn to make two more pairs. I guess I had better hurry up and finish the socks I am working on right now!!

Another Day Off!!!

Thanks to another day off school (someone let the air out of about 5o bus tires), I was able to get some serious knitting done. I am at the point now of starting the heels of the socks I am knitting. Tried to watch the video of how to do the heel tonight, but of course I have no idea how to start the *#*# thing. I have to wait for Ron to get home to show me how to do it (again).

I spent most of last week finishing up the Batkus scarf I started. It is a simple triangle scarf that is really great for using up leftover yarn. I used my Studio June yarn that I used for my scarf and hat. The scarf did not turn out as long as I would have liked. I thought about unraveling it and making a teddy bear out of the yarn. But I don't think there would be enough to do that either. So, I'll just keep the scarf and wear it tied around my neck sort of like a bandana. It is really warm.

Next project will be making a brother and mother rabbit to match the sister rabbit I made. I'm going to use them for my Easter dinner centerpiece. They knit up really fast so I am not worried about getting them done for Easter.

On a non-knitting post, I am very excited about my great find at Town Hall Antiques in Romeo today. I have admired these cannisters for about a year now and finally decided to purchase them. They are Purinton Pottery and were made around 1941. They match my kitchen perfectly and I love them. I also found another stringholder to add to my collection.

Okay, here's the little Cutie Patootie in her sweater. As I said, it just fits her right now. She won't wear it very many times. The pattern goes up to a size 6, so maybe I can make it again for her when she is older and will wear it longer.

Finished!!

I finally finished Chloe Grace's Easter sweater and hat. The hat of course is too big for her. The pattern sizes range from 0-6 months and then 6-12 months. When I make the larger size for her, it is too big. I may whip up a bunny hat this week that hopefully will fit her better. I had plans to make a matching jumper, but that is just not going to happen.

I started a Baktus scarf for myself and am also working on my socks. Can't wait to go to yarn shops in NYC and hopefully find some really cool sock yarn.

What A Blessing A Snow Day Is!!!

I LOVE snow days. Having Friday off enabled me to finish Lynn's Curly Q scarf. It is not as long as I thought it would be, but I think it will be okay.

Thanks to the previous Friday's snow day, I finished Chloe Grace's Easter sweater. I still have to block it and sew the buttons on. I finished knitting the matching hat and now have to knit the chicks that will go around it. I'll finish it all this week so we can take it down to her next weekend.

I went to a "Yarn Open House" on Saturday. It was for Plucky Yarn and was at the home of Melynda Benardi who is the designer for French Press Knits. I have made four pairs of the felted ballet slipper that she designed. After the open house I went to the Basketful of Yarn shop in Clarkston. It was a nice little shop with a good variety of yarn. Will definitely visit there more often.

SLOW GOING

I cannot believe how long this crazy, but really cute, Curly Q scarf is taking to knit. I thought it would go really fast because it is simply the garter stitch (all knit, no purl). I wanted to be finished with it before I start Chloe Grace's Easter hat on Thursday, but I'm not going to be done. Part of the problem is that I cast on my next pair of socks and I am trying out a new pattern on the leg. I wanted to see how that pattern was going to look, so I keep trying to get more rows done on them.

I looked for buttons for Chloe Grace's Easter sweater at JoAnns the other day. NOTHING. I will have to go to the Flint JoAnns on Saturday where they have more of a selection. How hard can it be to find purple buttons?????

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

The good news is that I finished Chloe Grace's Easter sweater. The bad news is that it fits her just right... right now. How will it fit at Easter? I toyed with the idea of making another one a size bigger. I have plenty of time. But, I have decided not to do that. I am just going to give it to her to wear to church in April. She shouldn't grow that much in the next few weeks, right? So, I will start the matching hat this week.

I also finished my second pair of socks and I love them so much that I cast on another pair today. Ron has fits when I have so many projects going on. I like to have the variety. That way if I get tired of one, I can just pick up a different project. So my WIP for this week are

1. Finish the Curly Q scarf for Lynn


2. Start the matching hat for Chloe Grace's Easter sweater


3. Work on my third pair of socks


4. Look for material to make a matching dress for the sweater, probably purple


5. Sew buttons on the sweater and block it.

Well, it's time to update my knitting status. I have been concentrating mainly on Chloe Grace's Easter sweater. This weekend I will be sure it fits her before I start the matching hat. I just have to sew the sleeve seams and graft the underarms. It is adorable and I think the colors could be considered for spring or even fall.

I am definitely planning on finishing the socks and the Curly Q scarf by next week. I think I must be a little "anal". I have a project list and now I have started making notes on a calendar of what point I want to be at on my projects by certain days. Oh well, at least if I don't make my deadlines, I am okay with it.

Well, I had two good nights of knitting this weekend. Last night I knitted the sleeves onto Chloe Grace's Easter sweater. I had never done this technique before. I'm thinking it's good to learn new techniques (hopefully it keeps my mind from getting too senile). The feet of the socks are up to 4" long. I have to knit about 3 more inches before I can start the toe decreases. I could knit for an hour on the socks and only get about 1/2" done. The yarn is so thin. I have set the Curly Q scarf aside for a while so I can concentrate on the sweater and socks. I guess it won't be done by this weekend when we have Ron's birthday get together.

I have created a "PROJECT LIST" that has about 25 items on it right now. See what I mean about needing to quit my job. Oh well, they will all get done or I may cross some off the list. Right now I have three WIP (works in progress).

1. I am working on a pair of socks from a sock video that teaches you how to do 2 socks at a time on 2 circular needles cuff down. The short row heel from this video was really easy to do. I think I will use this style whenever I make socks, and I do have the yarn to make at least two more pair.


2. I am also working on Chloe Grace's Easter sweater. It is going quite well, of course, because it is only a nine month size. I started the sweater on February 19th. Hope to be almost finished by the first week of March. I want to make an Easter hat, booties and perhaps a little dress or skirt to match the sweater.


3. The third project I am working on is a scarf. I hadn't planned to do a scarf, but when we all went to Frankenmuth on Sunday, Lynn found one she really liked at Rapunzel's Yarn Shop. I had her and Jenni pick out some yarn they liked. I really wanted to have them both finished when they come for Ron's birthday, but that probably won't happen. The pattern is called Rapunzel's Curly Q Scarf. The scarf curls as you knit it. Will post a photo when I am finished.

This is the first hat I made for Chloe Grace in October, 2010. When Mikel said,"Gee now you will have to make a turkey hat for her." I took up the challenge. He was kidding of course, but I have made a seasonal hat for her every month since then. I am only doing this for the first year.

I am beginning this blog for the purpose of documenting my projects, particularly knitting projects. I am rather obsessive about knitting right now and I love it!!!

I grew up learning and knowing how to knit. My mom taught me to knit and then I was in 4-H knitting classes. I still remember the first sweater I made for the Eastern Michigan State Fair. When I married and had Nathan and Mikel, I quit knitting for a very long time. About 2 years ago I read the book called The Friday Night Knitting Club. It inspired me to pick up my needles once again. Then with the birth of our first granddaughter, Chloe Grace, I really began to knit in earnest. I love making a new hat for her each month.

I have so many projects in mind. I have been known to say a lot lately, "I really need to quit my job to work on all the projects I want to do." Well, that probably won't happen. So this blog will simply be my place to write about the projects. Enjoy!

This is the first toy I made for Chloe Grace. It is a topsy-turvy doll. I found the pattern on the Lion Brand yarn website. It was definitely good practice for using dpns. Hope she loves it.