Knitting Projects Await Me

In January, my favorite knitting shop has it's annual sale with 20% off all in-stock yarn.  This year, I took advantage of the sale to stock up on my supply. In addition to having a little stash of "craft money" ready, I was blessed to receive a gift certificate to this very shop for Christmas from a dear friend.  Yes!

While in my mind I was dreaming of all kinds of new projects I'd love to knit, I was worried that I didn't have the skill set yet to carry them off.  After talking with the staff at the knitting store ( I love these people, they are so very helpful), I think this Spring I'm going to take a "class" and make a felted purse while I sit in the store and have ready hands to help.  I think it will be my birthday gift to myself.

This year, I decided that I should really make some blankets for two little girls I know.  You see thus far I've made six blankets and only one of those actually stayed in our house. The rest were all gifts.  How I wish those first two blankets I made (oh, they were bad) I could take back and remake, but thankfully since they were both baby gifts they probably were destroyed by spit up anyway! 

I decided that Miss M and Miss A really need their own blankets.  I'm using patterns I've done before.  That way they should be easy and faster to make.  Miss M is getting a basketweave blanket and Miss A is getting the Blythe Blanket pattern I used this spring for a baby blanket.  Each girl is getting her blanket in her favorite colors and I've promised I'll have them done by their birthdays.  Lord willing!

For my final project, I picked up some great woolly yarn in hopes of making an everlasting scarf.  I have this great pattern that mimics a Gap scarf sold this year.  The problem is that it's a 1purl / 1 knit pattern and the fact that I knit Continental style and purl English throw style makes it very complicated to switch back and forth between the two styles.  I'm hoping that my mother in law can teach me how to purl the "right " way this March.  Sadly, my muscles and brain are slow learners ( just watch me at the gym and you'll know it's true) so I don't know if I can.

Fall Crafting and Craziness is in the Air

I'm so behind in my blogging lately. I'd love to say it's because I've been on an exotic vacation or secluded away somewhere writing a book, but reality is that September gets me every year.  Without a doubt, it's the most hectic time of the year for our family.  Every event is up and running and between Open Houses at schools, athletic games, and meetings for scouts and Bible studies, we are never home.  Last week, there was one evening in which we had six events from three in the afternoon until eight thirty at night with only two drivers and three children.  We had to make a spreadsheet to figure out who went where with who!

Of course, I say every September that it's going to get better, but then again it comes around and hits me like a ton a brinks.  Add to the picture the fact that with Mr. C playing football, he's not home until six fifteen most nights and twice a week we have events starting at that exact same time.  Can you say dinner in shifts?  Last Friday night, we were finally home together for dinner at the same time so I made homemade Chicken and Dumplings courtesy of Boomama and they were "slap your momma" good as she would say!  Everyone loved them!

In addition to cleaning out closets and rearranging drawers of late, I've gotten the crafting bug and have been itching to make a few new things for myself and for gifts. I'm desperate to make a new wreath for my front door and have some great "fall" fabrics that I think will really pop.  After a trip to my favorite knitting shop, I also have some fabulous yarn to make a gift that for a special event this winter.  Yeah!

While I've yet to get very far with either of the craft items yet, it brings me great joy to know that they are standing ready for me to dig in.  I have deadlines in my mind for both so if I don't want to pull all nighters, I better get started.

Before I start feeling sorry for myself, I should say that while my calendar has been crazy busy lately I've also been able to have a few "fun dates" with my husband, my father, and friends.  P and I snuck out one day to see the movie "The Help" and loved every minute of our matinee.  My dad and I had a walk down memory lane at one of my grandfather's favorite burger joints that "fly boys" frequent and loved remembering how much he enjoyed this hole in the wall that has now become a fabulous family diner.  Just wish my grandpa could have been there to shared the fries with us.

I've also been able to grab a few fun lunch dates/coffee dates with friends and have really enjoyed some sweet fellowship and fun shopping trips.  Next week it's lunch out with my mom, maybe even a little "shopping" on the side.  Girl time is so worth it!

I'll never complain about the newness of September and the start of my mom's Bible study groups. This sweet time with other women studying God's word makes all the crazy hectic days of the month worth the chaos.

Off the Knitting Needles: Basketweave Blanket

I've finally finished my Basketweave Blanket.  I started knitting this blanket back in February and while I was making great progress this winter it became the project, I kept putting on the back burner. I made numerous washcloths for gifts, a baby blanket for Mikey, and a few other projects too.

Considering it was a project I was making for myself, I wasn't in a real rush.  I loved the yarn I used, the pattern is easy, and makes for a beautiful completed project.  I think this is a pattern I will use again and, while my own blanket is full of mistakes, I think it's something I could do mistake free for a gift. 

I finished the project by blocking.  It is the same exact process I used for the baby blanket.  Because there was a sizable border on the blanket, there wasn't much rolling on the sides, but I loved the soft finished feel of the blanket after it had been washed and laid flat.

I'm making progress in my knitting.  I still have a long way to go before I tackle those complicated patterns and multiple needles but I'm happy that now I have a "go to" pattern.  Who knows, maybe you'll be seeing a blanket in this pattern soon for a future wedding I'm invited to?

Mikey's Blanket Finished

Mikey loves his new blanket!  His mother sent me this photo a few days ago and it made me smile.  What an adorable boy. 

After tons of advice from knitters, blogs, and my favorite knitting shop, I finally decided to Block the Blanket.  I wasn't thrilled with how the sides rolled up and, while I knew my friend would love it rolled or straight, I wanted it to be perfect. 

Here's how I blocked the blanket:

1. Got the blanket wet, with a spray bottle of water. Not soaked, just damp
2. Rolled wet blanket in a clean white towel to ring out excess water
3. Laid out the blanket on another clean and dry white towel.  Thankfully, the blanket was small and it all fit on one towel.  I put this in a corner of our bedroom that was clean, freshly vacuumed and away from foot traffic.
4. Measured the blanket before and figured out how much I wanted to stretch the blanket.  My goal was to get it a little bigger without compromising the design.
5. Stretched the blanket and remeasured
6. Used quilting pins to secure the blanket to the towel.
7. Let the blanket "block" until it was completely dry (two days)

I was thrilled with the final outcome.  Not only did the sides lay flat, the blanket was softer and felt more finished.  I loved this pattern and plan to use it again for either a baby blanket or for a family snuggle blanket.  I might try the real pattern and make it in blocks.

What a joy it was to send this off to Mikey, a much loved baby!

On the Knitting Needles: Blythe Blanket Almost Done

I'm almost done with the Blythe Baby blanket.  Its off the needles, but now I'm debating how much work I want to do to finish this project.  The blanket is adorable and I loved everything about the pattern, the yarn, and how cute it looks on both sides.  I should take a picture of the back as well.
Amazingly, I didn't really mess up. There are a few blemishes where the yarn was slightly frayed or knotted and I just went ahead and knitted with it instead of cutting and starting over.  I know a professional would have cut, but I was too nervous.

The blanket measures 30 by 30 so perfect for a snuggle blanket for a baby. 

My dilemma is that the edges roll a little.  Both the top/bottom and the sides roll in a little since there is no real edge to the pattern.  My knitting shop wants me to "block" the blanket, with wool wash and pinning to a board to train the yarn not to roll.  It's not something I've ever done, and I'm nervous that the blanket won't be the soft and cuddly lovey it is now if I mess with it.

I've also been told I could crochet around the outside and create a border.  Great idea, except I don't know how to crochet.  I've ruled out fringe on the outside as I think it would distract from the adorable pattern, and be a chocking hazard for the baby.

What to do?  I'm not sure.  I'm leaning towards nothing.  Just wrapping the blanket up and shipping it to my friend.  I don't want her to feel like it has to look perfect every time that little Mikey uses the blanket.  I want her to wash it and feel like he can spit up on it and drool over it without worry. 

We will see which part of "me" wins out the perfectionist who has to follow the rules and blocks it because I'm suppose to or the I just want to shower this baby with love and get this blanket in his cute little hands today.

Let me know your thoughts?  To Block or Not to Block that is the Question.

On the Knitting Needles: Baby Blanket Noro Design

I've started my most difficult Knitting project to date. Three years into my knitting adventure and I'm trying a pattern that involves more than just Knit and Purl. My favorite knitting shop talked me into tackling this project, and while at first I was beyond nervous, I now love this pattern.

One of my favorite people has just adopted a baby boy and I wanted to make a keepsake baby blanket for Baby Michael. His adoring mother was once under my babysitting care and now is a young woman I not only love to pieces, but admire for her strength, courage and faith. Hearing that N & N were adopting a baby boy was probably the best phone call I've had all year, maybe even in my life! This special little boy is so wanted, and his blessed parents will be a true gift to him.

Needless to say the pressure was on to knit something extra special. My only requirement was that I have it completed before the little guy goes off to Kindergarten. In reality, I'm hoping that the hours I'm logging at the ball field and soccer field this spring/summer will mean I'll have a completed blanket to send off before fall. A girl can dream.

The pattern is from Noro Design and it's called the Blythe Blanket. While you can make the blanket in squares, I'm actually just making a 30 by 30 blanket all in one piece. I'm using 134 stitches on a circular size 5 needle. I'm loving the yarn, it's soft but still easy to use, and holds its shape so nicely.

Here's the challenging part: I'm using two different colors of yarn at the same time. That means there is a light blue and a dark blue hanging off the needles at all times. The pattern makes it look like I'm knitting on top of the base color, but you actually use only one color at a time.

Slip stitch has even made it in my vocabulary and I now understand how to slip a stitch. I'm so thankful the knitting experts explained that it's not just a drop stitch, I actually slip(skip knitting/purling) that one stitch. The pattern is beautiful and now that I've figured it out it's even a portable project.

Just ask M's softball team parents, as I've now knitted in gloves (brr is was cold this weekend) and gotten quite a few rows completed. Considering that I had to "restart" the project once already due to an error, I'm grateful that I'm almost able to start the second skeins of yarn.

I'm so excited to work on this project and can't wait until Mikey's Mom wraps her sweet boy up into this little blanket. Love it.

Making Progress

My blanket is coming along. It's starting to look more like a blanket and less like a scarf or washcloth. I'm loving the pattern, but it's something I have to concentrate on while knitting. This is not something you can do when you are tired.

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The Super Bowl was an excellent time to get a few rows done. A few snow days thrown in helped too. I'm hoping to have it completed by April 1st. It's a eight skein project and I'm about to start my fourth soon.

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I love the yarn I'm using for this project; Berroco Comfort Chunky in bulk weight. It's a soft yarn that does not pull or scratch and I think it will be great to snuggle under. Of course, first I need to finish.

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It's fun to see the blanket taking shape and I can't wait to have a project to keep just for myself.

Can't wait to take this to knitting group tomorrow and get a few more rows off the needles!

On the Knitting Needles: New Project and Helpful Ideas from an Expert

January means the start of new projects. This winter, I've decided to tackle Knitting an afghan for us. While I've made two baby blankets (given away) and one graduation blanket that went off to college with L, I've never made a "big project" just for me to keep.
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With perfect timing, my favorite Knitting Shops is having their annual sale of 20% off everything. Too good of a deal to pass up. In fact, I think I might go back next week to stock up my "stash" of yarn for some other projects I've got stirring in my head.

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The pattern I'm using I found on a free knitting pattern website and uses just the purl and knit stitches. It's called the Reversible Square in a Square pattern and is very similar to the basket weave pattern I've used for scarfs.

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As a bonus, my salesperson at the Yarn Shop gave me some excellent ideas to make the project easier and the finishing more precise.

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1. Use Circular Needles instead of Straight. With 134 stitches cast on and the size 40 X 50 finished , my shoulders will get a lot less stress with circular needles as I won't be moving my whole arm to knit. I'll be making shorter moves with just my wrist. Hello Circular Needles.

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2. When I go to change skeins of yarn, do it right before the ribbing. The pattern calls for K4 on both sides so if I switch right before I knit four the "bump" will not be noticeable. No ends trying to stick out on the edge, it will be perfect.

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3. Write my pattern out on index cards, one row at a time. Because the pattern is a 40 row pattern that repeats don't try to look at a big sheet of paper to find the exact row you are knitting; flip through a set of index cards bound together. That way, I just open to row 4 and know exactly what to do. With my row counter on the end, I should be able to take this project anywhere and know exactly what row I'm on and what I need to "do"

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4. Use one size smaller needles to start the project and then to finish the project. My pattern called for size 9 to start with size 10 for the remainder of the project. It did not, however, tell me to do that when I finish and bind off. She recommended that I use 9's to start and then for the last six rows of knit I use 9 again to bring the project back to shape.

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I left the store with my bag of gorgeous yarn and a bundle of great suggestions to make this project the smoothest yet. Now if you wonder where I am this winter, just imagine me sitting in my family room with the fireplace roaring (it's gas, but I imagine the crackle) sitting in my chair knitting away.

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Perfection.

Knitting Lesson Take Two

I had the privilege of having a one hour private lesson at one of my most favorite knitting shops last week. It was my second time having one and I can honesty say this is such a great way to "learn" more about knitting. While I know a little about knitting, just enough to do some things, I am still at the beginning of the knitting learning curve.
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My hope was that by sitting down with a knitting "expert," I could go through all my questions, have her show me a little about patterns and yarns, and teach me a few new stitches. No stress about keeping up with others in a class or trying out a new project to learn a technique. This was just a casual sit down with the teacher and me. Whatever I wanted to learn I could.

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It was a such a fun time. The teacher was a hip vibrant 60 year old who had lost her husband 20 years ago and decided to dedicate her life to learning "new things" and teaching others along the way. She was so kind and calm with me, answering my questions, and watching me knit as I tried new things.

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She had such a fabulous way about her and made me feel very comfortable even when it took a little longer than it should have on a few things. What I loved most was when I explained to her that somehow I have learned two different ways of knitting. I knit Continental style, which is how my mother-in-law taught me and I purl English style which is how they showed me one day at the knitting shop.

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We spent maybe 15 minutes trying to "reteach" me how to purl Continental style to no avail. Finally, realizing that my muscles have memorized the other way. I'm quicker, more consistent on tension, and have a greater ease when I switch it up to purl English style then trying to do Continental. We both decided, why bother trying to throw out my technique when it's working. I don't have the time or patience to relearn and it's not necessary.

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What I did learn new is fun. It will allow me to finally make a felted purse and read the pattern without fear. I can knit two together, I can increase and decrease, and I can begin to knit on double pointed needles. All things that before last week, I had no concept and, now after a week of "practicing," I feel confident and ready to tackle in a bigger project.

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It was fun to try new things and continue the knowledge that my mother-in-law taught me two summers ago. It inspired me to maybe tackle a few "new things" that I've been toying with in my head.

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Next on my list: I might take up sewing again. I'm on the lookout for the book Bend the Rules Sewing. I've seen on other blogs that tried this book and taught themselves to sew. I learned as a teenager and then took it up again when my oldest was a baby, but have since set it aside for "other things" like parenting, scrapbooking, knitting etc.

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With Miss A in school next year, maybe I'll have the time to reinvest in sewing. I can already dream up new throw pillows and fun little decorating ideas for our home.

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Who knows what "other" new things I might try!

I Survived Teaching Knitting to Girl Scouts

"Knitting bags" ready for Girl Scout Lessons

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In through the door.

Up over the back.

Peek thru the window

Out jumps Jack.

Mothers should not be allowed to get sick. There should be a magic pill they give you after you deliver your first child that fends off any illness for life (or at least until all the kids are out of the house). I've been battling a bad cold for the past few days so between feeling like my head might explode and my throat must be on fire, I've also heard the fabulous sounds of knitting needles clinking and stitches being counted.

I "taught" my Girl Scout troop to knit on Monday. Really, I taught them a catchy poem (see above), gave them a bag with needles, yarn and instructions, and then, after watching a video on a big screen about Continental Knitting, set them free.

Each Bag Contained a Pair of Bamboo Needles and Yarn- I cast on 24 stitches and did two rows to get them started.

Which meant my mother and I helped, ripped off, cast on again and started over, and tried to teach them to knit a dishcloth. Thank goodness my mother was able to come as 16 girls quickly outnumber you. She is a former Girl Scout leader (mine) so she understands.

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By the end of the day, about 1/2 the girls seemed to be "getting" it and the other 1/2 were struggling. Only one cried in frustration. Next week, we'll try again at my house instead of at the library at school so it will be just a few of the girls who really want to learn. In two more weeks, my mother is bringing in reinforcements for me. A few of her girlfriends who knit are coming to help me for our final class. Thank you Mom!

Above all though, my own daughter "caught the knitting bug" she's been working on her project a little every night and once again in the morning before school. She's getting it. She counts her stitches each row. Sometimes there is an additional one thrown in and we get rid of it the next time and her stitches are a little tight, but in reality, she's light years ahead of me when I learned two years ago and decades younger so I'm thinking that she'll surpass my skills sooner rather than later!

M's project thus far. Looking good.

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I told M yesterday that if she's the only one who picks up knitting as a hobby from all of this work it will be worth it. I'm not sure I would have had the patience to just teach her alone. Somehow the pressure of the group made me more comfortable.

Her mother, grandmother and bestemor will be so proud of her finished project that we might have to frame it. This morning, as we were heading out the door to school, I tried to rush her up and her response to me was priceless: " just a minute mom, I've just got two more stitches to do."

Guess this cold I have really isn't so bad. At least my ears are clear and I can hear those wonderful words flow out of her mouth.

On My Knitting Neddles: Basketweave Scarf

For this first day of Fall, I thought I'd show off my newest knitting project which I started a few weeks back. However, with the hustle and bustle of school starting and all that, I've only just got back into it again over these past few days.

It's a Basketweave Scarf from Knitting Daily. I get their email updates and while most of the projects and suggestions are over my head, this one caught my eye. I love that you have to knit and purl to make it so beautiful. The finished rows look so much more complicated then they are. Trust me it's easy!

This past weekend, when my in-laws were in town, I tried to relearn how to purl stitch in the Continental fashion. No such luck. I'm a confused knitter I guess. I learned knitting from my MIL in Continental fashion and the folks at my favorite knitting shop taught me to purl English Style. Sounds like something out of the War of the Roses, but makes sense if you knit
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However, it works for me. I'm getting so much better at keeping the stitches in a consistent tension and I am not dropping so many. Who knows maybe by 2012, I might be able to do that Felt Purse Project I so much want to do.

Until then, I'm loving my basket weave pattern. The yarn is 100% merino wool and feels yummy, the color is deep and rich and "fallish" and the pattern is so adorable. Who you ask am I making this project for? I don't know. Maybe me!

In Knitting: Pride Cometh Before the Fall

I've discovered this weekend that pride comes before the fall in knitting as in life. You see I thought that my newly acquired skill (6 months old) of knitting was going pretty well.

In the past few months, I've made 3 scarfs that I've ripped up or otherwise made into doll scarfs. The practice ones. 4 scarfs for nieces for Christmas gifts. One for each daughter. Two for good friends for Christmas and one I made in just 3 days for our children's piano teacher. I also made two baby blankets. One already being used and one on the ready for a baby coming any day.

Not bad for a non-crafty person whose knitting teacher lives 500 plus miles away.

However, after my goof yesterday, I now will never put a picture of my skill on the Internet or send it across the country. I will not share until the project is off the needles and the yarn put away. I now know that it is a recipe for disaster to "brag" on my new skill prior to completion.

A few months ago, I posted a picture of my first baby blanket. I was a few rows into the start. I was feeling confident, boastful really. I said how much fun I was having with circular needles. and how easy they were to work with. How 122 stitches was easy to count with stitch counters.

Two days after that, I had to rip the whole project apart and start over. I was into the blanket to far to let the slip go. I had last my count. I had started knitting backwards. I then tried to pull the stitches off and start over on the next row. Impossible to do with 122 stitches! Too many to keep them straight. My neighbor told me the truth. You'll have to start over. No, I thought, but she was right. Weeks later, the blanket was complete, a few mistakes hidden within, but done and not too shabby. Unfortunately for me, I did not learn my lesson.

Last week, I went to my favorite knitting shop. They have a sale in January with 20% off everything. I wanted to make a scarf for my husband in Texas colors (burnt orange and white), a baby blanket for American Girl Doll Ruthie, our newest family member, and then I asked about a hat for my son. I told them I'm a newbie. They gave me confidence and set of 5 double pointed needles.

One of the fabulous ladies at the store cast on the 90 stitches and talked me through how it works. I came home and called my mother-in-law. She laughed, but was confident I could do it. I just needed to take it slow, send her the pattern, and she could walk me through it. So I did. I took a picture yesterday of the beginning, said it was good, and then fate took over.

I was driving in the car yesterday and knitting. Fear not, I was the passenger. I dropped a stitch at the crucial turn from needle to needle. I thought I had recovered. Hours later I saw the hole between the two needles a few stitches down. You don't want a hole in a hat.

I'm starting over again. I've watched the knitting help video three times, another You-Tube on double pointed needles, and read and re read the instructions.

Pride has taught me a valuable lesson. I'm still learning and need to take it slow. I shouldn't take projects "on the go" that need my attention. Finally, it's OK to start things over. It's OK to goof up and start all over again. I'm not perfect and that's OK too.

Just for kicks I've included pictures of a few of my finished projects. All off the needles and all in use today. Nothing in progress today, you'll have to wait for them to be done first. I'm no fool.

Knitting and Life Lessons 101

I took my first official knitting class the other day.

My mother in law taught me the basics this summer on vacation,. However, she lives 700 miles away so I can't show her my work in progress or ask questions mid stitch.

Boy did I have questions.

I opted to take a private lesson at a beautiful knitting store across town. I was slightly intimidated to enter this knitting world. With shelf upon shelf of yarn and projects on display right out of the pages of a Susan B Anderson book it all looked so perfect.

But now that I've been there I now know why knitters love these quaint little stores. There really is no comparison between them and the aisles at the hobby shop.

It's like walking into a friends's home. Warm, inviting and filled with beautiful things.

The yarn looks like perfect little birthday cakes, the comfy couches and fireplace just draw you into another world. I told my husband there may be no going back to the "fake yarn stores".

I was nervous going into this lesson. I've made two scarfs thus far.

Sorta.

Both with many many mistakes. The girls love them, but I knew they weren't up to par.

Let's just say when you cast on 30 stitches and end up just a few rows later with 45 you have a problem.

When my teacher asked to see what I've done I was a little timid.

I should not have worried. She didn't laugh or snicker. She showed me whatI was doing right and where I'd gone wrong. She gave me the great idea to turn my "scarf" into a little girl purse. To sew up the sides, add some ribbon and call it good. Not a wasted project after all, just a new way to turn my problems into good.

The yarn I'd been using was cheap, too complicated and the needles too big for beginners. I didn't have the best set up to get started. But, I had gotten the habit down, my fingers were understanding how to knit.

Now I know how to do it. Not all of it, but it's a start. We are taking it slow. I only know how to cast on, knit continental style and bind off. But with the right bamboo knitting needles, a little lesson on what to watch for and stitch markers to help me count I'm getting it.

So many things she told me make sense.

I've decided to make a new project. With the right tools, fantastic yarn and a little bit of courage.


It's a Purl Bee pattern I found on line; the Super Easy Baby Blanket. While it has 7 skeins of yarn you knit every row with one color until there are 20 "ridges" and then you switch colors. No changing mid stream.

The Yarn. It's scrumptious. It's soft and perfect for a baby blanket. The colors are just right for the special baby boy to-be I'm thinking of.

If I get stuck switching colors, I'll go ask for help. Free advise is given out they tell me and if I want I should join the knitting circle on Tuesday mornings where advise flows along with conversation. I'm going back for another lesson in a few weeks to learn how to purl.

While I walked into my lesson nervous and afraid of what she'd say of my project and skills, I left confident, excited and ready to tackle this new adventure one stitch at a time.

My knitting class taught me some Life Lessons:

* It's ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. You might even be able to turn that mistake into something beautiful for someone else.

* Often I don't have the right skills or tools for a job. Instead of giving up and throwing in the towel go find someone who does and ask them to show you how to do it right. Don't worry that I don't have it all figured out right away.

* I don't have to jump in all the way to enjoy the adventure. Right now I only know the basics (one stitch) but I'm still having fun. I can learn more later.

* Enjoy the moment. Casting on the new blanket and the feel of the yarn and needles was exciting. I don't need to worry yet about how it will look or if I can do it all. Just live in the moment.

These Life Lessons are just what I need on my journey of life. They remind me of a favorite verse in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.