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.