Knitting on Beavertail

A perfect day to spend at my favorite place.   Clear blue sky, clear blue sea and a delicious salty breeze.   Of course,  the best part of the day was having the view practically all to ourselves.   A little knitting, a little picnic and a lot of happy! 

I am blessed.

Final project of 2011

 
All my “UFO’s” are complete for this year.  The last was these wonderfully warm (both in fiber and in color) socks that I actually made for myself.   After official inspection by my knitting/quilting kitty, they are ready to wear.  Just in time too.  The weather forecast is finally calling for some cold weather.  We’ve been lucky enough to have had less than wintery weather this year. 

                                                                     

Wishing you all a great year of knitting, quilting and creativity.

Happy 2012

New “yarn”

I’ve recently gotten hooked on a new kind of yarn.  It’s made out of old t-shirts.  I love anything that is repurposed.  there are several web sites that show how to make the yarn and what to make with it.  I’ve made quite a few hot pads for holiday gifts.    It takes about one t-shirt per hot pad.  They’ve been a big hit.  They work up in an hour or so.   I’ve seen patterns for crochet bowls/baskets.  That’ll be the next project…once I’ve collected enough old t-shirts.  Probably will need at least 3 shirts for a basket with lid.

   

Knitting in the Courtyard

I finally took some pics of our courtyard, as I spent a leisurely Saturday afternoon knitting and listening to the splashing of my little water fountain. 

 

 
 There was just enough of a gentle breeze to listen to the music of the wind chimes too.  It was perfect.  

    I started knitting a slouch hat for our, soon to be, co-ed.  She picked out the yarn ( a very soft and shimmery polyester – easy to wash- that feels remarkably like cashmere!)  I found the pattern on Ravelry ( by Designer Diedre).  It’s called “Leaves on a Lazy Day Tam”.  I love the name.  Check  it on on Ravelry.  Their picture is far better than mine, as the black yarn doesn’t photograph well.

I’ve also been doing quite a bit of quilting.  That’s for my next post.   My sewing room happens to be the coolest room in the house so have been spending some time there on these hot summer days.   We’re trying to be “green” and only turn the AC on when it’s too uncomfortable.  So far we’ve managed nicely.

Back to reality

This week was back to work, after 3 months of recovery from surgery.  I must say, it is taking some getting used to.  I truly miss my
knitting time

and quilting time.

I had too easily become accustomed to being in "retirement" mode.  My DH now has the house back to himself as he is already retired.  I say that with tongue in cheek as he has retired from one job and become full time in another....that of constant handyman.  He continues to find so many projects around the house that need "fixin".  I would give anything to have his energy.  All my projects require sitting in one spot.  Soon summer will be here and I'll be off from work again, sitting in one spot or another, 

knitting at the beach,

(yes that's Eleanor, a woman after my own heart!)

quilting on the porch,

 reading in the courtyard,

 ....well you see the pattern here I'm sure. 

How Now Blue Cowl

I love the way this came out.  It was quick and easy.  Finished it in a couple of days while watching TV with DH.  I got the pattern from one of the Langworthy Library Knitters.  I also found it on another blog when I Googled it.   The original pattern’s instruction were to block when complete, but I liked the way the bottom was wavy, so I left it unblocked.  Click on the pic for the link to the original pattern.  The yarn I used was cotton/silk blend and has a wonderful drape and feel.  I plan on making a few for gifts to add to my stash.

Oodles of Caps

 

The Caps for Good project is complete.  My church knitting group at Blessed Kateri dropped off all our hats to Eneri Knits in Exeter for shipment to the a central collection center.  I did truly enjoy using up all my leftover yarns for such a very special cause. 

 

We’re now working on prayer shawls, lap afghans, monk cloths, etc., for donation to area nursing homes.  I’m thinking of making lap quilts as a way of working down my fabric stash.  They too work up quickly and are another way to jump start my creative juices.  I’m still working on my promise quilt, but it really seems to be going fast.

The best news was I was able to get back to the Langworthy Library Knitting Circle.   I truly missed my friends  their stories and projects.  I feel renewed!!  Of course, now I’ve got more ideas for more knitting projects. 

Another “Promise Quilt” Completed

“Going Places”

This “Promise Quilt” took longer to finish than usual due to holiday projects that needed to be done in time for gift giving, not to mention the limit access I had to my sewing studio while I was in the wheel chair.  As you can see in the next picture, it got the seal of approval by my quilt  “inspector”!

I’ve already got the newest “Promise Quilt” ready to go.  It’ll be called “Spread Your Wings”.  The fabric, once chosen, usually  “speaks” to me and lets me know it’s name.  Hopefully it won’t take as long as this one did.  I’ve got a few others on deck waiting to come to life.  I may have to actually give up some knitting time (OH NO!!!!!) to get these quilting projects done.   So much to do…..so little time.  What will I do when I actually have to go back to work.  I really don’t have time to work.  But, alas, I have to go back in order to make money to support my habit!

Snow Day !

The weatherman was right about this one.  We sure did get a lot of snow…well over a foot.  Closer to 16”.  While my DH and his assistant are pushing the mounds of snow around, creating huge snow banks along the walkway and driveway, I remain in the house, not much use to them at all.  However, it is the perfect atmosphere for knitting.  I’m currently still in “baby hat” mode.  It’s a great way to clean out all the orphan half skeins I keep finding in my stash.

They stitch up so quick.  I can usually make a couple a day.  

Cast Off

Well, the cast is finally off and I'm in a "boot".  Still in the wheelchair, but therapy should begin next week, so I'll be introduced to crutches.  I can't wait to be more mobile.  The only good thing about this long recuperation has been all the knitting I've been getting done.  Here are a few of the finished projects.

This  neckwarmer was made with some sock yarn I received for Christmas.  There was only one skein of only 192 yards, so there wasn't enough to make a pair of socks.  So this was what I came up with.  I made my own pattern as I went along.  Looks great as a headband or earwarmer as well.  Maybe it looks so good because of my model (my dear granddaughter).

Neckwarmer pattern:

Materials needed:

Size 6/ 16 in. circular needles

One skein sock yarn (I used Plymouth Yarn's Happy Feet 192 yds.)

Cast on 108 stitches

Row 1:  K2, P2 ribbing

Row 2 & 3:  Repeat row 1

Row 4: Knit

Continue row 4 until piece measures 7 inches

Last three rows: repeat rows 1-3.

Bind Off

I crocheted two rows of scalloping on both ends just to give it a little character. 

The endless scarf below was a real quick project.  My fellow knitting buddy, Kim, told me about this pattern she found on Knit Picks.  She was knitting it one day when she came over for a knitting visit.
I used some very inexpensive yarn sold at a local Job Lot and it really came out better than I expected.  I used the whole skein (7 oz.).   I also used a different size needle than the pattern called for, at Kim's suggestion.  She used size 13, so I did too.  The results were perfect.  I like the shorter look better than the longer one. 

                          

Click here for the link to the pattern.

The last project I wanted to mention was Baby Hats.  Another knitting buddy of mine, Selma, recently forwarded me an e-mail about a local knit shop owner who was participating in program called "Caps for Good Campaign".  For some reason this project really struck  me.  I've been knitting baby hats for local hospitals for some time, as have several other knitters in the area.  However, the need for caps for the baby's in these developing countries seems urgently needed.   As a result, I am focusing on making hats for this cause at the moment.   In case you're interested, click here for more info.

Thinking Ahead

 Christmas was so nice this year.  All the gifts were finished, wrapped and   given in time.  Everyone  truly loved and appreciated every handmade treasure.  The hats, the socks, the mitts, the dishcloths, etc. not to mention the quilted goodies, all made with love and no stress.  The key to no stress was to start early.  So, this week I will be organizing my thoughts and planning what to get started for next year.  My inventory of completed projects is depleted expect for one pair of socks, which is already spoken for….a special gift for a wonderful surgeon who reconstructed my ankle.  They’ll be delivered next week when my cast is removed.  Can’t wait!!!

There's a difference between real time and knitting time

Over the weekend I decided I would try a new pattern I found on the internet. There are actually several variations of this baby sweater, but they are all called the 5 hour sweater. ( If you google this you'll see what I mean.) Well, I am now about 7 hours into this thing and only half way done. I did find a few errors in the pattern I'm using, and it is toddler size as opposed to infant size, but still.....

I do like how it will looks. It has a very interesting yoke pattern.

And it's as easy as pie!

Maybe I shouldn't be knitting while I'm watching football...especially when my beloved Patriots are having a bad day!

Just time

I can't believe how beautiful it is out today. Wish it was like this all year round. And to sweeten the pot, I've got the day off. No school....primary election day. What a country!! Think I'll just sew and knit the day away. My creative juices are running and I need to let them lead me where they want to go. Love it when there are no obligations, no chores, no errands....just time!!!