Sheep to Shawl Knitting for the LAMB

Fiat Mart

2012-01-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

Chicagolands Best!

Great groceries at a great price!

The store is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. All the merchandise is donated to the store and all the profits go to Fiat Missionaries. You can get more information about the store and this Ministry by calling 773.443.7355.

Fiat Mart Missionaries is located at 2208 Glacier Ct. Algonquin (Lake/Cook and Algonquin Rds.) and is a non-profit, Christian organization whose purpose is to feed the hungry and under-resourced in Chicagoland and Rockford. Proceeds (your donations) from their store go to support this effort.

ISABELLA DOUBLE LOOP INFINITY SCARF COWL

2012-01-09T22:26:00.001-08:00

ISABELLA DOUBLE LOOP INFINITY SCARF COWL
WITH

MATCHING FLOWER HEADBAND/EARWARMERS

Child size Infinity Scarf with matching Flower Headband/Earwarmers. (Shown
is 4T)
This scarf is perfect for our active little ones- no beginning and no
end, which means no falling off while running amuck. Wrap them twice for extra
warmth in soft knits. For earwarmers, just add width to the headband! Or make
both!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/isabella-double-loop-infinity-scarf-cowl-with-matching-flower-headband-earwarmer

Book Review: NATURE'S WRAPTURE Contemporary Knitted Shawls

2012-01-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Book Review: NATURE'S WRAPTURE Contemporary Knitted Shawls

In Nature's Wrapture, designer Sheryl Thies presents a collection of 20 captivating wraps, shawls and scarves that were inspired by the shapes, textures, colors, and patterns found in nature. She offers such a wide variety that every knitter is sure to find something that fits her style from flattering styles ranging from casual accessories to elegant evening wear. The patterns display basic shapes and plenty of variety--ideal for confident beginners as well as experienced knitters! The patterns are easy to follow. Each pattern has complete information for the skill level, finished measurements, suggested yarns, gauge, stitch patterns, general instructions and finishing.

Like you would expect from the title, this is a book inspired by nature, with names like; Orchids, Milky Way, snowdrift, Sandy Beach, Waterfall, Flames, to name a few.The pictures–which you know are important to me– are just beautiful photos in this book! They show you just how the shawls are going to look when finished, and I really like the fact that they show the shawls being worn, OR delicately draped over an object.

These designs have just enough interesting techniques to keep meinterested and then I can relax and enjoy knitting. Nature's Wrapture is the first shawl book I have seen that has patterns that are of the skill level that I need. I love the fact that there are patterns from the beginner level to intermediate so that even the most timid knitter has an opportunity to make something beautiful. The instructions for the patterns are written out so that you do not have to rely on charts. These are not your grandmother's shawls, but contemporary styled wearable wraps without being over the top.

My favorites and are Sandy Beach and Fall Colors, both beginner/easy projects, and one of which will be my next on my needles!

CONS: Only problem is choosing what to start next. A lot of patterns for the price.

Happy Knitting!

Mary Ann Hoth http://www.ravelry.com/stores/mary-ann-hoth-designs/manage

Great Find! Circular Knitting Holder!

2011-12-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

FREE Random Stripe Generator

2011-11-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Random Stripe GeneratorAfter hours of laying out the yarn for my next striped knitted project, I stumbled across this.....a random stripe generator which does all the work for you! Technology is great! Use this generator when knitting patterns for sweaters, scarves, blankets, etc. It'll give you an idea of what the finished project will look like, but it still leaves some unpredictability to the stripe pattern.Try it out by entering your colors and desired stripe widths!

http://www.biscuitsandjam.com/stripe_maker.php

Happy Knitting!Mary Ann Hoth

Copycat Paula Bianco Double Loop Infinity Scarf!

2011-11-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

Copycat Paula Bianco Double Loop Infinity Scarf

Wrap yourself in warmth and comfort with this lush Double Loop Infinity Scarf. It is a beautiful holiday color called, "wine" by Red Heart Soft Yarn. It’s perfect for every day!

Pattern can be purchased here for only $2.50

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/copycat-designer-double-loop-infinity-scarf

Let It Snow Christmas Tree Scarf!

2011-11-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Let It Snow Christmas Tree Scarf!

Pattern found here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/let-it-snow-christmas-tree-scarf

SUPER EASY HOLIDAY KNITTING!

2011-11-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy Christmas elf the last few days! I am going for fast, fun and easy projects this year! My goal is to actually knit for more people then I ever have before. I have made lots of presents for everyone over the years and I have been picky about who gets my knitting. But I have to say that I am having a blast knitting small things, even more multiples of the same thing, and being done in 4 hours. Can you say "instant gratification"? ! ? !

This is the first of my Christmas knitting!! YAY! I am not behind yet!!

Do you want to be a Christmas elf along with me? Looking for some easy, stress free Holiday knitting? How about a knitted cowl? Cowls are quite popular right now, especially a chunky ribbed cowl that can be pulled up to cover the face!

What you need:

Approximately 185 yards of semi bulky yarn

US 13 needles circular needles

Cast on 64 stitches - join in the round. (use s stitch marker)

Begin working 4x4 ribbing, until desired length.

I choose 11" for the length.

You can block, but I did not.

Happy Knitting!

Mary Ann

Stitch Markers Give-A-Way Contest ends Oct 30th

2011-10-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Learn about stitch markers and a chance to win a set of 6 handmade stitch
markers!
Read my article and enter to win!
Contest ends Oct 30th at midnight. Winner announced Oct 31st.

http://thingscrafty.com

Wrist Rest Support When Using Your Mouse

2011-10-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

Stylish Wrist Rest, designed to provide comfort and support while using your mouse!

Fold in half for more support!

Use chunky yarn on larger needles for even more support!

Depending on your yarn weight and needles you can make these any size.

Instructions on finding the perfect size included in Pattern.

Pattern found here for only $2.50

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wrist-rest-support-while-using-your-mouse

Once Upon A Time Baby Blanket

2011-10-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

This lace baby blanket is so elegant and easy for any beginner who wants to try their hand at knitting lace.

Pattern can be purchased for $2.50 here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/once-upon-a-time-peek-a-boo-baby-blanket

Katie Holmes Scarf - Who What Wear?

2011-10-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

I just designed this scaf after seeing Katie Holmes wearing this one while out on a stroll!

Scarves are one again, all in the rage this Fall with celebrities. They are everywhere! Speaking of scarves, Katie Holmes quite often wears a scarf while out taking a walk. Here she is being photographed wearing a beautiful waterfall scarf that would go great with any outfit. In this picture she dressed up a pair of jeans and trench coat with this gorgeous scarf.

To replicate this scarf took some time but I think, I figured it out. This scarf knits up fast, is easy for any beginner with a 4 pattern repeat.

This will not only look great around your neck, but what a wonderful Christmas gift idea!

This pattern can be purchased on Ravelry for only $2.50

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/katie-holmes-scarf---who-what-wear

Happy Knitting!

Baby Blanket

2011-10-03T10:17:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite baby blanket patterns! I wanted to add a ripple to the Old Shale, or Feather & Fan pattern. VOILA! I found the perfect pattern! You can purchase the pattern at Oat Couture. The pattern is called Ripple Beret & Scarf. Cast on 150 sts and follow pattern until desired length! Happy Knitting!

My First Design on Ravelry!

2011-10-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Designing your first pattern is exciting but also scary? Will anyone like my work? When are you officially a desinger? When you post your first design with a pattern or when some actually purchases your pattern? Suffice to say, I am now offically...a designer! YAY

Pattern is up on Ravelry titled, Diana - The People's Princess Shawl and people are purchasing my pattern! I am humbled.

You can purchase the pattern here for only $2.50

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diana-the-peoples-princess

A New Design

2011-09-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

EASY SIDEWAYS SCARF

2011-09-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

Easy Sideways Scarf

What to do with your leftover yarn? This Sideways Scarf can be knitted up quickly with either contrasting yarns or yarns of similiar colors! Any leftover yarn the size of a tennis ball. Gauge is not critical. Length without tassels 62" Width 4 3/4"
Yards: 425 - 500
Needles: US Size 13

Cast on 200 stitches
Knit 4 rows with one yarn than switch to another yarn. Repeat until your width is 4 3/4"
Bind off
Add tassels approximately 7" length

Fit For A Princess Shawl

2011-09-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging lately because most of the Summer was spent being a test designer for the Princess Kate Shawl. This shawl was all the buzz on Ravelry and designers scrambled to be the first to get their pattern out. I was chosen by one designer to be a "tester" along with about 10 other girls. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work! In the end....I am happy with my shawl!

Testing Shawl

2011-05-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Are We There Yet?

2011-05-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

It finally feels like Spring! Perfect knitting weather...definitely. Yesterday I found myself with an almost completed project for a birthday gift. I started it at Easter (thinking I would easily be finished by now). I had my own Knit-A-Thon for 2 days.

When the birthday girl came over - I was 4 rows short of finishing! Before handing her the bag of goodies, I told her she needed to leave one gift here, as it was not (head hung in shame) completed.

Today, it is off the needles, blocked and will be around her neck as soon as I see her.

Fingerless Gloves for Spring!

2011-04-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

My hubby is a knitting widower. There are many gems in Margaret Stove’s book but my favorite is her acknowledgment of her husband’s patience. “He doesn’t even get to wear much of what I knit as compensation”, she says. I love how authors can bond with you so you know you are not alone!

My latest project has been knitting fingerless gloves; properly called, “gauntletes”. Why would I be knitting these in the Spring? Answer: it’s so cold and I need to keep my hands warm and my fingers free so I can still do important things, like knit!

Ohh La La

2011-04-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today, along with 2 friends, I made my first trip to The Fold, in Marengo, IL. It was a great day!

BUT.... I had a little yarn accident in the store. It was the classic kind: I tripped over some yarn, fell down and on my way to the floor, the credit card I was holding in my hand swiped right the way through the credit card machine.

SO....

This is what I had to take home. Look at the colors! YUM! I have some specific patterns for them, but I may keep my imagination brewing.

WHAT????

2011-04-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

What????

Wow! I just blinked and April is almost gone. I'm not sure how it happens that when we're young life seems to move along so slowly and then, when we get older, it just seems to fly past in the blink of an eye. All I know is that is exactly what seems to be happening!

I have been working on another prayer shawl for a sweet friend. I had to keep it a secret just in case she reads my blog! It turned out really, really nice (at least to my eye), and she loved it! YAY!

You can find the pattern free on Ravelry....Azzu's Shawl by Emma Fassio!

Close Does Not Cut It

2011-03-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

March is usually a fickled month; rainy andstormy, but snowing out there right now. The funny thing about blogging less is that the knitting in progress gets lost in the shuffle and it seems like finished knits just appear out of the blue! I started an afghan but...Note to self: close enough does NOT cut it when you are casting on 170... stitches. or really ever. I ripped, but remeasured my gauge , and I reworked the numbers of the pattern for my actual gauge, not my imaginary gauge. :(

I think I'll just grab two skeins of yarn and make myself a scarf instead.

Knitting Superstitions

2011-02-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

Knitting Superstitions

I was surprised to hear that "knitting on stage" was bad luck. I never heard of this one, so I had to look into it. Yes, there are several websites that insist that knitting on stage, or near the stage, or to the side of the stage, is bad luck – even at rehearsals!However, some sources state that it is only a pro...blem if the knitting is done by an actor or actress, so I guess that means it’s OK for the audience to bring their knitting.

The most often suggested origin of the superstition is that pointy needles could rip a costume, or a needle on the floor could be stepped on by someone and cause them to fall.

“Bad luck may befall a knitter who leaves a project unfinished.” Well, this one pretty much puts me in the doghouse right there.

Catching Up!

2011-02-20T11:56:00.001-08:00

Well, I guess I haven’t sat down to post in several months. My, my, where has the time gone? I have been knitting up a storm making scarves, hats and blankets for my grandchildren. Now it's time to knit something more adult! Tada! A shawlette!

Tag You’re Knit!

2010-09-21T12:13:00.000-07:00

I spent the month of August in a frenzy of gift-knitting. This was part of the reason for my hiatus from blogging. I felt I couldn't blog these projects for fear of giving away the secret. Not that most of the recipients read my blog, but one never knows!

Two more blankets made it off the knitting needles this past week, one just in time for a Baby Shower! I am still working on a third blanket, but I am finally trying a new pattern on this third one. It is hard to find patterns that I really am in love with for baby blankets.

Getting Side Tracked!

2010-09-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

I actually managed to get a little knitting done. I'm making a baby blanket as a gift, which has a deadline of September. So I certainly hope I get my knitting mojo back ASAP!! Otherwise, I shudder to think that I will have to do like everyone else and ... buy a gift!
Lately, I've been falling back on a easy patterns that I've worked before.

But then I get sidetracked again and to amuse myself, I’ve been looking on Raverly at their Ugh Section. For those of you who are not familiar with Ravelry, it's basically a gallery of projects gone horribly wrong. One of the biggest complaint seems to be lack of detail on finishing. I learned one thing for sure: felting seems to go horribly wrong at least half the time. No matter how much experience the person has with felting. Beware. Very ware.

It's Just Right

2010-08-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to knit a flowing, lightweight ribbon scarf for myself but never got around to it. While raiding my yarn stash collection, I found 2 beautiful balls of Lion Brand (discontinued) trellis ribbon yarn! Why did they discontinue this fabulous yarn? Now the scarf project was suddenly a priority. I vaguely remembered how to do this. I did an Internet search (good thinking on my part). I found a simple pattern using size 17 needles and I went into the zone….the yarn zone. As Goldilocks would say, “This one is neither too hot nor too cold. It’s just right.”

What Do You Knit In The Heat?

2010-07-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

Facecloths for my grandchildren & Spa-cloths for my girlfriends! These are the best for summer knitting. Small. Lightweight -100% cotton. Extremely portable. I began working with cotton yarn a couple years ago and really loved the look and feel of it. I especially love Peaches N Creme to work with.
Summer is a time for knitting facecloths for me. They are a extremely portable project and can be whipped up from all of the scraps of cotton yarn that I have leftover from past projects. They give me an opportunity to play with pattern without being committed to a large project. Best of all, they are completely useful and make a fantastic gift. They are super absorbent, they exfoliate, all the while being very gentle.

Semi-Obsessive Knitting

2010-06-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

Another project off my needles! You guessed it! Another baby blanket for my grandson. My other 2 grandchildren spotted the new baby blanket asked me to knit one for each of them. I asked, “Do you want big blankets for you beds?” “NO, Nana, we want blankies so we can hold them when we go to sleep!” “I want green” shouted my grandson with enthusiasm. “I want pink!” said my granddaughter.

So in a moment of insanity when I had 8 zillion other things to do, I decided to do this right away. Problem solved. I admit that I’ve been knitting a little obsessively over the last few days. I mean, yes, I knit at least a little bit just about every day of my life. But I have occasional spurts of frenzied knitting that get close to the edge of out of control.

But I think it’s because….. It's been a while since I enjoyed a project this much. I don't know if it is the yarn, or the pattern, or the love I feel for my grandchildren whom I am knitting it for. I imagine it is a combination of all of those things!

A few weeks ago, if you would have asked me if I would feel sad or a little let-down when one of the baby blankets were finished, I would have laughed to myself and thought “yeah, right.” But, thinking about it a little longer, the answer is “yes.”

Ah yes, to be a knitter!

2010-05-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Knitting is all that and a bag of chips! You’ll know what I’m talking about if you sit down with some knitters and watch their blurry needles do an Edward Scissorhands all over the place while a ball of yarn deteriorates before your eyes. All while comfortably relaxed while accelerated high speed knitting is going on in their hands. The knitted items today aren’t your grandmothers scarves: they are stylish! This may be hard for you to grasp, but it is not about the knitting all. Just ponder that for a moment. It may be one if the hardest things for you to grasp. If you talk to a cookbook collector, it’s all about the cookbooks. If you talk to a gym obsessed person , it’s about the tone an muscles. But if you talk to an avid knitter, or read one of their blogs, it could be about anything and everything, including knitting. There is always a story behind nearly every knitted piece. They’ll remember everyone they ever knitted for. They can describe the first thing they ever knitted, including the type of yarn, size needle used, and who they gave it to! They also have secretly kept their fist knitted item and if asked they show you with great pride, with all it’s mistakes. The first thing to understand is that everything can be knitted. I’ve seen cell phone covers, floor mats, dishcloths, facecloths…just about that anything that can be covered, held, worn, displayed, or played with is a knitting candidate. Give any knitter a couple skeins, two pointed objects…come back within the hour to claim your brand new handbag with matching socks! Ah yes, to be a knitter!

A Lifetime Guarantee

2010-04-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

I'm a thinking knitter with a rapidly growing knit-technique library. When I'm not knitting, I read knitting books and surf the Knit-er-verse looking for other ways people knit. I am finishing another baby blanket for my grandson...will post pictures soon!

All knitters are familiar with the obsession that sets in as an item nears completion. As we knit the final rows, heading for that bind-off, that last seam, everything falls to the wayside: eating, sleeping, personal hygiene, conscious thought. Time itself loses all meaning until whatever it is we’re working on is, at long last, off our needles.

You see, when I give someone a hand-knit item, it comes with the Sheep to Shawl Lifetime Guarantee which allows the recipient of said item to return it to me for repairs at any time during the life of the recipient.
Until recently, no one had taken me up on the lifetime guarantee. Either the items I knit are so awesome that they never fray or my recipients hate their items and they hide them in the closet (or they donate them all to the Goodwill).

Another Prayer Baby Blanket Made It Off My Needles!

2010-03-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

Another baby blanket made it off the knitting needles this past month. It is hard to find patterns that I really am in love with for baby blankets. I am always looking for new patterns and it seems that I have plenty of opportunities to knit prayer baby blankets!
I wanted to make this pretty deep pink one for my sweet niece who will be having a little girl any day now! I couldn’t wait to mail this off to her for the big day and hope that she will get lots of use out of it!

The blanket looks so beautiful and delicate! This is the world’s best pattern for a beginner in teaching how to do yarn overs! My favorite part about this blanket is the scalloped edging on it. I used 2 1/2 Skeins of Caron Simply Soft. The finished prayer baby blanket measured 33" X 33".

Here is the link for the free pattern! http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=50478220

Happy Knitting!

The Week of the Finished Objects

2010-03-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well in the last month its been all about baby knitting.

Then I had a thought. A serious thought. A true Homer Simpson "D'oh" moment.
I have been working on for a month and finally finished the body on the intended baby blanket. This is going to be a gift for a very special Mommy-To-Be. And it will need to be blocked. I don't want this to be an heirloom piece that will never be used. What was I thinking!! The fact that it was lace will not be suited for a new mother who will barely have time to launder anything! So I ripped it all out (frogging) and will save this lace for another project. I substituted the lace for a soft yarn that can easily be washed in the washing machine and dryer friendly. I'm off to clean something (see, dear hubby, I don't just blog all day), then I'm going to cast on for another baby blanket!

Easy Peasy Blocking!

2010-03-05T21:32:00.000-08:00

Easy peasy blocking project to keep it from curling. Blocking is the key here. I’ll explain my favorite way of blocking below, but your preferred method should work just as well.To block, I use the “steam ” button on my iron. Lay the project out and flatten as much as possible by hand. If you like, pin the edges out flat. Place a towel over your project. Pass the iron slowing over the surface, hitting the steam button repeatedly as you go. Do not touch the iron directly to the towel. I typically don’t pin the project down, but use my hand to flatten and smooth as I go. Allow your to dry and cool before moving.

Finding The Time

2010-02-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

Every knitting article I see assures me that I have all the time I need to make handmade gifts for friends and family. I believe them every time... forgetting into factor things like, oh... Cleaning the house, Bible Studies, grocery shopping, making meals…etc.

I have three, no, four projects on needles right now. That beats out the number of books I'm reading at the same time. I try to keep my projects simple, since I do walk away and can forget what the stitch pattern was, which row of the pattern I was on, etc.

Of my four projects, I must finish them by the middle of March. I had myself convinced that it would take no time at all! I've now started it four times, and I'm am so delusional about the easy factor.

With much luck, we are getting some more snow! I'll be trapped inside with my needles and the yarn, and we'll work out some kind of truce!

Murphy's Law

2010-02-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

Knitting patterns start with the presumption that I will follow every direction to a “T”, which I do. Experience teaches me that nothing is ever perfect. No matter the skill level, I will eventually make some mistakes. Darn!

I have discovered that there is some perverse law of nature (Murphy's Law) that dictates a large amount of my mistakes will go entirely unnoticed in the making, yet they will become glaring blunders right about the time I think I am done.

Painfully, I do not relish the thought of unraveling most of my knitted work! But when binding off and looking at my so called masterpiece for inspection....I feel my hearts sink, thinking is it really time for frogging?

Two baby blankets have been frogged and I must begin again!

I will post photos of finished blankets!

Tie-Dyed Knitting Needles

2010-01-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, so here's the deal.

I have been wholly kidnapped by the knitting community!

I am powerless to resist - Ravelry has been stealing my time, constant yarn stash runs and suddenly all I can think about is yarn, shawls, cowls, baby blankets, new patterns, sheep and fiber!

Perhaps it's the beginning of a new obsession, I mean seriously, who could live without these tie-dyed knitting needles by KnitPro?

Elves In The Attic

2010-01-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

How come some people seem to have cute little elves inhabiting their attics, churning out the most fabulous things? So far, they have not visited my attic.

A confession... I struggle to complete just one pair of socks. I am a sock failure. I hope that the new knitters don't get discouraged, especially when they try things like socks. It's all part of the learning process... which is why I have so much stash.

So to cheer myself up, I knit small things along with big things so that I always feel that I am getting something done.

Anyway, last night I thought I heard noises in my attic....oh please....oh please.... be the elves that knit socks! It was like Christmas Eve and I could hardly sleep!

In the morning I ran up into the attic and I had to rub my eyes to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me! Sure enough, the sock elves had the last laugh.....they knitted up...just for me....virtual socks!

I Finished Something!

2010-01-12T09:07:00.000-08:00

I had many failed attempts with scarf patterns and I spent hours upon hours looking for a new pattern for a prayer scarf. Sometimes it just seems like it will never come together. Sigh!

It all started recently when I cleaned out my stash. That meant ripping out failed projects, including a couple scarves near completion, rewinding the yarn, packing it all in clear zipper bags for another day. I lined up all my small projects so I can "go shopping" in my stash when I want to pick up something quick and fun. All this organizing clears my head and helps me start fresh with some new projects.

I made the narrow version of the ripple scarf. The pattern intrigued me, or to be more honest, stumped me in the beginning. I finished something…yeah me!

Try this at home

2010-01-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!
~~Don't~~ try this at home! What does yarn and Kool-Aid have in common? Creativity comes in many forms. My friend stumbled upon her creativity in an unconventional way. Wool...check. Food Coloring....check. Kool-Aid...check.Water...check.Vinegar...check. Microwave...check.

I watched in amazement as a friend dyed handspun wool with Kool-Aid and food coloring, in the microwave with a water and vinegar bath. It worked! The colors were bright and vivid like new crayons in the box. And yes, they did smell really fruity!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say, thank you so much for visiting my blog! Really, it means a lot. I won't be back here until after the first of the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Cheers, Blessings and Happy Knitting!

Sigh

2009-12-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

Sigh....Well, ~~another week went by~~, month went by and not another FO....to show you! I'm not getting very far here. I almost finished a Ribs & Ruffle Scarf but managed to break the yarn while I was BO! Now I need to frog back to where I have an end long enough to weave in ~~and I just didn't feel like doing that today~~. My shawl is at the point where one row takes forever, so I'm sure I'll finish that ~~by next year~~ soon. In an effort to try to finish something this week, I started a washcloth with cotton yarn. Guess we'll see how that goes. To top off the whole ~~mess~~ week, I had an unexpected dentist appointment and now I'm sore.

Croaking

2009-12-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

I am ~~croaking~~ rejoicing here! "rip-it-rip-it" ~~Darn~~ WoooHooo....I finally finished my Bandana Scarf and I ~~dont like~~ love the results! Although it turned out ~~awful~~ lovely, I ~~know~~ think it will knit up better as a scarflette with the Noro Yarn instead. This is what I love about knitting. The knitter is the creator of the piece and if when the result is not to your liking....rip it out and begin again ~~and again and again and again.~~ I will post the end result....~~for now unless I rip it again!~~

Knitting Nightmare

2009-12-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

In the words of one of the ~~celebrity~~ ~~girls~~ ~~gone~~ ~~bad~~ greatest minds of our time, "Oops, I did it again!" I've only been knitting for 3 years and a repeated pattern keeps emerging and I am not talking about knitting patterns. I get caught by surprise that Christmas, the most ~~stressful~~ wonderful time in a knitter's life, is almost here! By June, I've made up a list of people I ~~need~~ want to make hand-knit gifts for. Then on December 4th, I ~~cry~~ sit back in a stupor and wonder how in the world I could let this happen again.

My family receives knitted items from me all year long...maybe they won't ~~want~~ expect another knitted gift from me for Christmas! So why do I feel this pressure to come up with an insane amount of knitted items to give as gifts in just 20 days? Maybe I should place balls of yarn in beautifully wrapped boxes under the tree. Each person will receive a note tucked in with the yarn on their intended gift for ~~this~~ next year! Problem solved!

My Knitting is Fighting!

2009-12-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

My knitting has been fighting me lately. I have not one or two but three projects that I can put in Time Out until they see the error of their ways while I knit happily away on something else! But ALL of my knitting is giving me fits, vying for my attention! I'm not sure what the problem is! The Noro yarn screamed the loudest and was throwing a tantrum like a 2 year old. I could either pull all my hair out OR pick up the Noro and start knitting. Guess who won?

Knitting Humor

2009-11-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Some knitting humor! I'm probably the only one who hasn't seen this yet but I thought I would share it!

Reclycling Sweaters for Yarn

2009-11-25T04:33:00.000-08:00

Here is what I do:

First you need to pick out a good sweater. Larger is better as it will lead more yarn of the same type and color. Try to stay away from cardigans because it’s just more seams to take out. Anything with lots of color changes is out. Pick something that is a natural fiber (cotton, wool, cashmere) and has minimal synthetics in it. It is really personal preference. Look for what would be easiest to unravel and what you would like to knit.
Start with a pull over, so you will start with the collar. Find the bind off edge. Don’t use scissors, it will make your life miserable in short and long run. As soon as you do it, you will realize that it is a huge mistake. It will give you all these little short tangled strands. Find the bind off edge. The yarn end will look like a little lump or a little end sticking out. It should be woven into the ribbing of the collar, go ahead and un-weave it and the bind off edge should come unraveled pretty easily.
From there, take out the seams in the following order:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinroach/2825788189/

The arms are pretty straight forward, same as the collar, find the bind off edge, un-weave the woven in end and wind it off. The sweater front and back are a little different. You will unbind the one shoulder, then the next, then the bottom of the neck edge.
If you have a ball winder, this is a great time to use it. Just slip the yarn end in and wind your yarn right up.

Good luck!

3 Projects to Finish

2009-11-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

I am glad knitting is easily transportable! I have only 3 projects to finish and then I should be off my "yarn diet" before Christmas! WooHoo!

My friend calls the feather & fan pattern "comfort food." Not me!! I've been working away at this shawl, two steps forward and four steps back ... or at least that's what it felt like at times. I am now getting into the rhythm and repetition of it.

I started making my grandson another blanket. I know... I just finished one for him and he is 1 month old. When is too many? 100?

I am half way finished with my scarf as gift of love to the girl with eating disorders. I pray this little scarf will bless her and that the color will pick up her spirits!

November

2009-11-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Today has been drizzly and overcast. I am actually enjoying the break from the sun, but it is reminding me of the months ahead of snow and rain. As much as I love the Fall, I do not like the rain.

I have had a lot of time to knit though as outdoor activities aren't happening in this weather! I am just about done with one of the scarves I am making for the young girls. The color is salmon and it is light and airy! I will have a picture soon!

Fall Foliage

2009-11-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

My favorite season has arrived! I love this time of year and the Fall foliage. Every autumn, nature puts on a brilliant show of color in my yard. From bright yellows to vibrant reds, the leaves transform, showing their rich and vibrant hues. I also get the urge to knit by a warm and cozy fireplace sipping on a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Knitting fever is in the air!

Scarves for Girls with Eating Disorders

2009-11-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

This year the Prayer Knitting Ministry is going to be knitting scarves as we pray for the girls with eating disorders. If anyone is interested participating here is the information:

Scarves for Girls with Eating Disorders

The goal of this project is to send hand knit scarves to girls aging 10-18 that will be spending their holiday in a Treatment Facility for Eating Disorders. These girls will be hundreds of miles away from home and their family and friends. The goal would be to send each of the girls in treatment during the holidays a handmade scarf to show each one of them how truly important they are! If you would like to help make a warm, cozy scarf to send I would greatly appreciate it. The scarves can be dropped off at the Wool and Company store in Geneva, IL anytime from now until December 18th. Thank you for all your help!

Baby Blanket Completed!

2009-11-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Baby blanket is now completed! It was quite an easy pattern of using garter stitches and changes from a large to a smaller needle every 7 rows! I am pleased with the end result. I hope my grandson will get many hours of enjoyment using it!

Baby Blanket

2009-11-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

I am almost finished with the baby blanket that I mentioned before for my grandson! Since I am still new to knitting, I had to come up with a cute pattern that didn't look like a washcloth (which I call Spa Face Clothes that I knit for friends and myself). I should not be blogging and surfing the internet and catching up with my family members and dear friends on Facebook.

So I am off to finish the baby blanket before my grandson learns to drive...okay, I am a drama Queen, he is only 18 days old! I will post a picture of it as soon as it's completed.

Alpaca

2009-11-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

I love the look, the feel, the colors and most of all, the way alpaca knits!
This yarn reminds me of Autumn....colorful leaves, crackling fires and spectacular sunsets! I'll knit something to keep me cozy as the air turns crisp outside.

Why I love Alpaca instead of Wool:
Alpaca is smoother than wool so your yarn will have less "itch" factor
Alpaca is a hollow or mostly hollow fiber,and is warmer for an equal weight
Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic
Alpaca is free from dander and lanolin which cause allergic reactions

Here is a free Scarf & Hat Pattern!
http://www.owning-alpaca.com/free-knit-scarf-pattern.html

UFO?

2009-10-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

I know I am still a newbie to the knitting world. I am slowly picking up knitting terms, it is like learning a new language or secret code where everyone knows what certain words mean except me. I often choose to just smile and nod my head pretending to know what they are talking about. For example, "Frogging" was used...I laughed while everyone else said, "OH NO!" All eyes turned on me with total disgust. OUCH! I apologized and had to tell them that I had no idea what "frogging" meant. Lesson learned....if you don't know the secret code of knitting talk, take your cue from other knitters first.

Some one left on my blog a new knitting term for me. UFO! ! Too embarrassed to ask my fellow knitters, for fear of looking like the new kid on the block, I searched the internet and found my answer on About.com Hopefully this will help other newbies!

By Sarah E. White, About.com

UFO Definition:

UFO is an acronym for unfinished object. It's more often seen as UFOs, because very few knitters have just one UFO sitting around!

UFOs are projects that have been abandoned in their unfinished state. They could be very close to done or barely started. The hope is usually that one day all those UFOs will get completed, perhaps by some helpful elf who comes to our homes and knits in the night.

Scarflette

2009-10-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

With all the wind another carpet of leaves are laid down in a rain of gold, orange and red covering every inch of my yard. In remembrance of what color my yard was just yesterday, I grabbed some green yarn and whipped up this little cutie! A Scarflette to keep me warm this chilly October!
I did not forget about my "yarn diet"....I know that I have uncompleted projects! Every knitter knows that there are days when you just want to make something and COMPLETE it!

Reversible Scarf

2009-10-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Reversible Scarf is soft, indulgent, durable, exquisite… and for all practicality - warmth and comfort for people in the Windy City! It is a traditional and ageless pattern and knit of light weight yet strong yarn! This is another pattern that will be in the book. It is easy for the novice knitter and will keep the accomplished knitter amused while knitting it up!

Size US 10.5 Needles
CO 26 Stitches (this scarf is 5 1/2 inches wide)
Row 1: K1 *K2, P1 repeat*, end K1
Repeat until desired length

Vintage Charm Bookmarks

2009-10-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

My latest adventure is designing and creating Vintage Charm Bookmarks!

How did this begin?

I was in Venice Florida with my fun-loving sister-in-laws, Debra & Kimberly, when they spotted darling bookmarks from Brighton with little charms dangling off the end! Each one called out our name but for $20 a piece we each opted to buy only one bookmark.

I love reading and love these bookmarks! Hmmmm....
How can I create timeless and unique one-of-a-kind bookmarks? Why yes, by using Vintage Jewelry! I am now selling my original designs for only $10. They are selling like hotcakes!

Joseph Scarf of Amazing Colors

2009-10-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

The scarf I created is called, "The Joseph Scarf of Amazing Colors"!

It is finally complete....I am sticking to my "yarn diet" and doing very well!

I designed this scarf to be a pattern in my book!

Yarn Diet

2009-10-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

De-Nile isn’t just a river in Africa!

As for the title, truth be told, I need to go on a yarn diet! It is time to admit without reservation that my yarn stash has taken on a life of it’s own! I have 4 unfinished projects, including a baby blanket for my new baby grandson whose arrival date is Oct.21st! (maybe he will be a little late so Nana can finish his blanket!)

To go on a yarn diet, I will have to make a few rules and exceptions. I will allow yarn for my birthday presents (notice the plural) and of course Christmas! I will not purchase any new yarn on my own until my 4 unfinished projects ARE finished! I will have to stay away from all yarn shops for fear of blowing my diet!

Hopefully within the next few months I will have lost some yarn weight!

Photo from: http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/2007/07/the-worlds-biggest-stash/

I've been writing!

2009-09-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting but I have been writing (hoping to get published) for most of the Summer!

Joseph Scarf

2009-09-26T10:21:00.001-07:00

My Joseph Scarf is almost finished! It is knitted horizontally! I loved choosing the colors and fibers and will post the finished item soon!

Here is a sneak peak.......................................

Homemade Chai Tea

2009-05-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

It' s a little dreary out today....sigh! Chai Tea is just what the doctor ordered!

Chai Tea

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tea bags of black tea
2 cups water
2 cups milk
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine spices, tea bags and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and stir well to combine. Turn off heat, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.
Remove tea bags, add milk, and heat through.
Add honey and vanilla, stir well to combine.
Ladle into tall mugs
Optional top with whipped cream.

I Don't Knit!

2009-05-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

I DON'T KNIT! These were the words I said, after 3 months of complete frustration trying to learn to knit on my own. My story.....

To be honest my hands don't knit, crochet, draw or sew! So you could have knocked me over with a feather when the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit impressed upon my soul to start a Prayer Knitting Ministry!

For 3 months I watched dvd's and read books on knitting. I was in uncharted waters! Knitting had it's own terminology, like it was a secret club that had coded messages. Dare I decode words like: Casting On, Binding Off, Yarn Over, Decrease, Garter Stitch, Increase and Pass Slipped Stitch Over! Try saying "Pass Slipped Stitch Over" three times fast!

My yarn shop experience was between Dorothy entering Oz and falling down the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland. I felt like a small child walking into an Old Fashioned Candy store for the first time! Yarns resembled fluffy cotton candy and creamy taffy! So many of the yarns looked like edible treats and they were calorie free!

A dear friend at church, through God's intervention, taught me how to knit!

As of March 2009, the Prayer knitting ministry has given over 100 shawls, scarves, blankets and prayer bears!

Ribs and Ruffles Scarf

2009-05-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

I adore the colors in this yarn! Kettled dyed Alpaca from a LYS in Vermont.
It is gorgeous, soft and warm! Can you tell I love it?

The free pattern is from from Misti Alpaca:
http://www.mistialpaca.com/downloads/ribs_ruffles_scarf.pdf

WHAT IS A PRAYER SHAWL KNITTING MINISTRY

2009-05-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry combines prayer, compassion and the love of knitting or crocheting into a powerful, prayerful ministry, which reaches out to those in need of comfort, support, illness, life transitions or challenges, as well as in celebration and joy.

Our ministry prays and asks God to reveal to us individually to whom the next shawl, scarf, lap or baby blanket or prayer bear is to be created and prayed for. Only God knows people's deepest needs and we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers and reveal specific Scripture verses for each recipient.

The intercessory prayers offered for a specific individual while knitting or crocheting has allowed people to witness God's love in a very tangible way, through the work of our hands and the prayers in our heart.

This ministry reaches out not only to our church family, but into our community, to believers and non believers.