How Many More Days Till Christmas???

Right now I am on a roll.....atleast I think so. Working my fingers to the bone, I am quickly trying to wrap up all of those projects that have been sitting around since August waiting for Christmas to roll around and become gifts. Of course I put them off till the last second, but it does feel good to finally be getting projects done rather than just starting more and more projects each day. One of the many projects being the very cute stuffed elephant you see above that is for my niece. A wonderful project that I found on Ravelry, made with Lion Brand Thick and Chunky. It's almost sad to end a project, after spending so much time and effort in creating a beautiful object only to have it done. I think that is why I feel better giving most of what I make away. I know they are going to good homes, yes it sounds like each project has a life of it's own in my mind, where people can enjoy them so I can feel better about moving on to other projects in hopes to make more people happy. That's the one thing about knitting, it's not something that could ever be done to make someone sad or upset. Granted I do have my moments when I miss a stitch, or realize I just made two sleeves of a sweater that aren't even close to matching, but it's a learning experience and it's knowing that I know how to fix these things that help get you through the irritation. So as I keep working away, the days keeping ending, getting closer and closer to Christmas and the day I get to see many enjoy the things I have enjoyed making.

A Stash With A Mind Of It's Own

First let me put this picture in perspective. This is a very tiny portion of my stash that has slowly formed a mind of it's own. I have started to find yarn in my piles that I forgot I purchased some time ago. That's got to tell you something. Why not plan atleast 5 projects ahead of time? Well, when you already have 10 projects going that gets you in trouble very quickly. So at what point do you stop and tell yourself to not walk into a yarn shop, or at the very least don't look at a knitting website that you can purchase from for atleast a month? I probably am not the one to ask at the moment but I say if you have the room.....stash it for a rainy day. There could be worse things in the world to have an addiction for. The way I see it is you have the addiction for the beautiful yarns and projects then to sit and knit is the therapy. With all of that it's still cheaper than paying for a therapist, and you can do it in your pj's at two o'clock in the morning if you want to.

When Life Throws a Curve Ball...

Ever since I graduated from high school and moved on to college I never seemed to find the right fit for what I wanted to do "when I grew up". Even up to a month ago the plan was to keep on pushing through college until I got my teaching degree....which would be a very long time from now. Then life took a sudden turn. When I was young I always thought it would be so cool to have a bakery. To make beautiful cakes, or create pastries that make people's mouth water the second they walk through the door. Being that the economy is what it is at the moment, the bakery gig isn't quite as profitable as I would like so I looked for something close to it when something kinda fell in my lap. Suddenly I was going through applications and was being interviewed and now I will be a student at Western Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu school in beautiful Portland starting in July. Let me tell you right now.....I am so excited that I could jump out of my skin. I will be getting another associates in culinary arts to become a chef. Now it's not the pastry artist that I have dreamed of....but so much more. Now to think that I will be moving away, especially since I have lived in the same area all of my life!! I might not know what to do with myself. So the countdown begins....

Oregon State Socks!!! Civil War Weekend!!!

So....if you are a Oregon Duck fan....move on to a different page. This is not the page for you. My husband came to me last week and asked for a pair of socks since his feet were freezing (our house can get so cold so layers are a necessity). Being that this was the first time he had ever really asked for me to knit him anything I was shocked. So I found a pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple "Men's Heavy Weight Boot Sock # 998" then changed the pattern slightly to have stripes at the top and orange heels and toes. Finally I decided to put a big orange "O" on each of the socks. Now I must be completely honest. I hate the "O" part and have threatened my husband's life if he even thinks of leaving the house in these things. They are doing their job by keeping his little toes warm but I do have to giggle when I see them on him. Oh well.....with each thing you knit you learn new things then move on (learning when to never do certain things ever again). Now that I look at the picture it kind of looks like his feet have mouths that are open, waiting to be fed. Civil War this weekend!!! Go Beavs!!!

I Love Getting Mail!

I am a eBay junkie. There....I finally admitted it. I search randomly throughout eBay looking for crazy things, that all in all I really don't need but kinda want. Well today, the coolest things I have ever bought on eBay arrived from England. Knitting patterns of Gromit and Shaun the Sheep from the Wallace and Gromit series. Ever since I saw the movie "Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and saw Gromit knitting in the car while waiting for Wallace I have been hooked. I can't wait to get started on these!! I might even have to keep them for myself! Now if I could just find a pattern for Wallace.....

Looped Preemie Hat

The Looped Preemie Hat Pattern

This cute little preemie hat is adjustable for various sizes all by rolling up the brim. The yarn stripes as you work your way up to the top little loop to finish it off.
Perfect for a charity!

Materials:
Needles- Qty 4 Size 5 (3.75mm) Dbl pointed
Yarn-1 ball of Bernat Baby Jacquards (shown in Berries & Cream), or any other DK size yarn
Notions- 1 yarn needle

Pattern:
1. CO 48 sts
2. Divide between 3 needles
3. Rib 1x1 (K1, P1) for 1 inch
4. Knit 1 row, increasing 2 sts (1 stitch after 23rd and 47th stitches) (50 sts)
5. Knit 10 rounds
6. Round 12- *(K8, K2tog), *repeat 5 times (45 sts)
7. Knit 4 rounds
8. Round 17- *(K7, K2tog), *repeat 5 times (40 sts)
9. Knit 3 rounds
10. Round 21- *(K4, K2tog), *repeat 6 times, K2, K2tog (33sts)
11. Knit 2 rounds
12. Round 24- *(K3, K2tog), *repeat 6 times, K3 (28sts)
13. Knit 1 round
14. Round 26- K1*(K1, K2tog), *repeat 9 times (19sts)
15. Knit 1 round
16. Round 28- K1*(K2tog), *repeat 9 times (10 sts)
17. Round 29- *(K2tog), *repeat 5 times (5 sts)
18. Round 30- K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
19. Put all stitches on one needle
20. Knit 1 1/2in I-cord, pulling yarn through stitches when completed
21. Sew I-cord end to top of hat to create loop

The Christmas Presents and My Aching Fingers

I could do it. I could be proactive and have all of my knitting projects that have been classified as "Christmas Gifts" done by let's say....June. I could wrap them up and put them away until the 25th of December, in the mean time enjoying each day baking cookies and working on the other projects that have been classified as "Just for the heck of it". But I, as many people, have decided to wait till the last minute, in which I must juggle history essays, work, sociology tests, and computer assignments all while squeezing in the occasional stitch. As I look at the project that I have torn apart three times, just to make sure I get it right since it is a present, I think "Maybe it would be a good birthday present next year...or maybe Christmas 2009!". Pathetic is another word that comes to mind in this moment of weakness but that's a whole other problem. So why is it that we wait, and wait, and wait? Do we enjoy the pressure of being up at 5am on Christmas day, stitching together those last few pieces of an afghan? Or is it just life and the ability to get up to our necks in "stuff"? We are the only ones to blame in this situation (even though most of us are in denial about it). So in this moment of pure irritation in realizing that if I don't stay up till the crack of dawn to knit this project it may never get done....I look to those who have the right idea.

Just sit back, relax, even take a nap with a buddy, and know that everything will eventually work itself out.....whether you like it or not.

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Searching through one of my many knitting magazines, I found a small article about the newest way to block your projects. The Knitter's Block is a bag that carries multiple puzzle-like blocks that you lay out in the size of your project. The felt like blocks keep the project in place but there are also a small container of push pins if you ever have that project that just doesn't cooperate. Contained in the bag is also a soft piece of fabric, made of 100% Egyptian cotton can be used to either assist in drying the project or a barrier when you want to block by iron drying. There are two different sizes of Knitter's Block bags (the picture is of the smaller version), one small and one large. I recently used the Knitter's Block on one of my recent sweater projects and it was amazing the difference. I am so used to improvising when it comes to blocking. It was down to the point that I was using a large framed photo on top of the project to flatten it. Sounds weird? Well, you do what you have to....plus it worked! Anyway, the Knitter's Block is absolutely amazing and I would suggest it to any knitter. You can find the Knitter's Block at http://cocoknits.com/block/knittersblock.html

Star Jackets for Everyone!

One of my latest projects, a star jacket that I found in a older Noro book. Unfortunately the some of the yarn stated in the pattern was long discontinued so I substituted Lamb's Pride for the grey portions, and the stars are Noro Kureyon. Well, shortly after buying the Lamb's Pride color Silver Sliver I found out that it had been discontinued!! I was short 4 balls and no one in the area had any left. There seems to be something saying "Hey Lady....don't make this jacket!!", cause I couldn't be this lucky could I? After searching the Internet and running into other brick walls, I found a shop called Yarns By Design in Neenah, WI. Barb at the shop went out of her way to find me the right color. She even ordered the right color from a different shop and is going to ship it to me. It's people like Barb that remind me that there are wonderful people in the world, no matter how many horrible stories you hear on the news. Now, feeling much better about making this jacket. I had already had some apprehension to being with, being that this was the first larger project with fair aisle that I had done. It's actually not as bad as I had thought. With each passing project that comes out great I find myself with the inspiration to work on more projects with harder stitches or more color. The best part of knitting, the inspiration that comes with the passing time. If each aspect of our life had this much inspiration we might find ourselves enjoying life so much more, rather than focusing on things like the economic downfall and war across the water. Who needs a therapist when you have knitting?

The Magic Loop

After much debate I have started working on the magic loop socks that so many have talked about....but have been afraid to try. Is it hard? At first yes! While I have never tried the two needle method and went straight from double pointed to one continuous loop it was awkward to say the least. But once you get a couple rounds under your belt the rest is easy sailing. Granted....I have not finished them yet so my opinion might change slightly before I am done but I will have to say that seeing the two socks created at one time gives you a bit more determination to get them done. Working one sock at a time in the past, I have found that it will usually be at least 6 months before I do the other and create the pair. Doing the same thing that you just completed makes most cringe when as a knitter we are people that look forward to getting the project done and moving on to bigger and better things. Time will only tell how it goes but in the mean time...the magic loop continues.

Congratulations!

I would like to congratulate my mom, Linda Lou, on having the courage to pick up a knitting and crochet needles again! She even went to the knitting group in Bend with little knowledge of knitting and during the meeting picked it up again and was on her way to making a beautiful scarf. I hope she keeps it up cause I think she would continue to be great at it! She has also started crocheting again, which she just decided was more her thing. She finished her first purple scarf and it's beautiful.
Good job mom!

The Redmond Stitch n' B*tchers Have Arrived!

After much consideration, and some pushing by a few people, I decided to start a knitting group in my home town. While I love the group in the next town over....I keep finding it so hard to get over there while still trying to live my life of school and work. The ever rising costs of gas and the patience needed to get through traffic was enough to make it final. Now I am the only group member at this very moment but granted I have only started this 3 days ago on meetup.com and just put an announcement on craigslist.com last night. I do hope this works out because I would really like to knit along with others so much more than I am able to at this very moment but time is just not allowing it. We will see what happens. And if it doesn't work out?? I guess I can just always keep knitting along with myself and Tigger (the cat) who seems to enjoy sitting by me while I knit away on my many projects.

Missing the Butterflies

The cold has started to come and with each passing night I begin to see my beautiful flowers wilt. With the wilting flowers the butterflies that I enjoyed watching so much begin to dissappear, flying away to their winter homes hopefully somewhere warm. Waking up early in the morning to get ready to get to school only to find snow on the ground showed that I need to knit that much faster. The four sweaters that are all in the midst of being half way finished must be done soon I tell myself, cause if they aren't I'll just continue to put them off till the next winter. It's amazing how it sneaks up on you. It seemed like just yesterday that we were sitting on the deck on a humid summer night looking up at the brightly lit stars that illuminated the sky, hoping to see just one suddenly bolt across the deep midnight sky. Then I am suddenly sitting in a classroom, starting the school year once again. And now it's almost time for pumpkins and ghosts with little people running from door to door in hopes for mounds of candy. It's time to knit to stay warm and all I can think about it butterflies. Before we know it....there will be butterflies and we will be dreaming of snowflakes and sweaters.

The Swimming Lesson

We went to the coast recently and decided it was time to teach Lucy how to swim. At first she decided to taste the salt water (like you see in the photo) while Max (my husband) took her for a walk, and quickly decided that wasn't the best taste in the world. And soon thereafter she was running down the beach and attacking the waves. Every once in awhile she would be walking and suddenly take a step in a large tide pool and the shock on her face when she got herself out was priceless. The weather was perfect all weekend, 60-65 degrees and sunny. It's weeks like this that make me want to dig up everything and plant roots in Newport or even Depot Bay. It's just too beautiful to not want to be there everyday. Just thinking about starting a little knit shop in Depot Bay right on the boardwalk as you look out to see the never ending parade of humpback whales go by gives me goosebumps. Some day that will happen, some day.

My First Knit Pattern Design....

I was looking through the photos on my computer today and found this one. I am absolutely addicted to bags (especially new knitting bags). So after looking around for a new knitting bag to purchase I decided "That's it! I am designing my own!". After looking through countless knitting books to pull out the different things I wanted to see I ended up with this bag. I have always loved the look of the basketweave stitch pattern. Never having stitched an actual design into a pattern before I added the waves (and for all of those that know me.....I have always wanted to live on the beach). On the backside I added two long knitting needles into the bag to help strengthen it but also have a holder for the needles (plus it just looks cool). While I am not a seamstress by any sense of the word I attempted to line the inside of the bag with bright yellow and blue fabric. Well...there you go! I decided to sell it (since that is what I seem to do with everything I make at some point in time) and a wonderful person on eBay decided to call it their own. I hope they enjoy it because I enjoyed making it!

We lost a loved one....

I have taken a break from writing lately due to loosing one of our loved ones. Mickey was one of those cats that was just happy to next to you. He would come next to you and head butt you to let you know "Hey I am here and ready for some petting!!". My best memory was the one in the picture. For some reason he loved to hug the couch arm. He would spread himself out and take a nap and you couldn't help but laugh. He loved everyone and we loved him dearly. It's even hard to write this still, especially looking at the photo. Mickey has the most beautiful blue eyes and the most crooked tail! The day we picked him up at the Humane Society as a kitten we didn't even notice. We got him home and realized he had 3 breaks in his tail that had healed into the craziest tail ever! Even though he is gone, he will never be forgotten. We know he is up there with Snowball (who was his favorite friend) hanging out in a field of catnip. Mickey we love you and will miss you dearly.

Entrelac: The Completed Bag

Well, it is complete! While I was a little concerned at the beginning I quickly realized that it was actually quite easy. I added a couple changes....a longer strap and felted hinges on the side to hold the strap. One thing I would have to say is that I am not so fond of the colors but hey....I finished the bag! Woo Hoo!! I used Noro yarn, which is the most amazing yarn with the colors they have. It was so much fun to see each
row completed and to slowly see the checkerboard come together. I would challenge anyother knitter to try out entrelac if you haven't already. Even though I love the bag I have decided it is on it's way to the
Snowflake Boutique craft fair at the end of the year. Hopefully it makes
someone happy!

It's Time To Take On The Entrelac

I had always wondered why there wasn't a knitting group in town. This area is big enough where you would think that someone else has to be at home right now thinking the same thing....right?! Well, all I have to say it is about time. Today was meeting number one and I am officially hooked! While it is nice to just meet with others that had similar interests, it's always kind of fun to spy on what others are making. While some look to the most intricate of pieces, others just enjoy the basics and nothing more. It's amazing how there can be so many possibilities in a group of nine women. Now while it is great to chat with others while you drink a mocha, knitting away....there was a catch. Seeing the amazing yarns that created unique patterns and color schemes got my brain working.

Then we started talking about a knitting class that is coming up to learn how to do entrelac. Being the very impatient person that I am....I just couldn't wait to learn a new knitting technique. After taking Max out to lunch I quickly found myself at the local knitting store, drooling like usual. Would they mind if I just make myself a little area in the middle of the store, maybe pulled out my lunch mid day, and just knit? I swear I would let people walk around me, maybe even help them if I could on their project. I dare not ask..... I can wish though. Anyway, I found a great entrelac bag patter in Noro Kureyon and as soon as I got home I got to work. Knitting at every stop light on the way home was considered but quickly ruled out. So I took a pic of the first triangle before the battle wages on. I dare say this will be completed anytime soon but I'll just be happy to make it look somewhat close to the picture on the pattern. The best part....I may screw it up but thank god for felting (it's amazing how screw ups magically disappear). The needles are calling.

The First Stitch (Blog) is Always The Hardest

You spend countless hours time laying out a pattern. Ideas flow through your mind on what you want to do to make the project your own...a self creation that will make others ooohhh and awww or maybe even ask "Where did you buy that cause I need one!". So you finally gather up every piece (from the right yarn to the perfect needles) only to hope that it will complete the puzzle by the time you are done and then you take a deep breath before you start the first stitch. Let me just say right now that I took that same deep breath before I started this blog. I love that feeling, knowing that something truely original is about to happen and it is up to you to make it happen. Being fairly new to the knitting circle (I guess you could call me a "rookie" with only two years under my belt), I know I have to pay my dues by royally screwing up my fair share of patterns before learning enough to move up the ladder. But, there is always the backup plan when the stitches don't add up or look the way you saw them in your head.....just tell everyone you ment to do it. With all of the websites now a days I feel like I can get advice at the drop of a hat when I am trying to decide if it is even worth the time and effort to continue the battle. Other bloggers have been a huge help with not only knitting 101 but encouragement when you are considering turning your knitting needles into firewood. I look forward to the day that I can be that encouragement for someone else but in the mean time....my knitting needles are my therapist that is telling me right now to stop typing and get working! By the way, I would like to thank Tigger for his addition of the multiple lines of jibberish to this in which I quickly deleted on multiple instances while typing this. He has been addicted to my laptop since he was a kitten as you can see in the photo the day he came to our home (he is getting caught up on the latest news in this photo). It's just now he presses alot more buttons with his belly when it takes his 2 minute nap on my laptop.