tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65103139641646560102024-03-08T19:42:55.790-05:00xoxo, AmyAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-71409115816849564922011-01-25T16:18:00.001-05:002011-01-25T16:18:48.158-05:00Nordic Surprise?<p>Over the summer, I went yarn shopping with my indulgent husband. He wanted me to knit him up a pair of socks. I hadn’t knit socks at the time, but I was going to learn. I had him pick out the yarn. He picked out this blue self-striping, variegated yarn that formed an almost Nordic design. I wasn’t thrilled with the yarn, but my husband wears the socks at least once a week. So, I guess he loves them. (That’s all that matters, right?)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TT8-NeYCwoI/AAAAAAAABQ0/lDFFC4GH-1A/s1600-h/HPIM2356_medium2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM2356_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM2356_medium2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TT8-N7MwnBI/AAAAAAAABQ4/cJggL35x8SU/HPIM2356_medium2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="185"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> Ps. I’m sorry I’ve been a lack luster blogger. I have just been super busy. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-65287352432374191942010-12-10T14:57:00.000-05:002010-12-10T14:57:00.852-05:00Christmas Knitting<p>I am (as I believe I have mentioned) an ambitious knitter. I decided about a month into my knitting that I was going to knit everyone* something for Christmas. I made my mom a <a href="http://xoxoamyb.blogspot.com/2010/10/purple-and-lace.html" target="_blank">wonderful lace scarf</a>. I made my grandmother in law a <a href="http://xoxoamyb.blogspot.com/2010/09/sandsea.html" target="_blank">wonderful scarf</a>. I made my most of my other family (mother in law [who I feel I need to add is getting something else as well], close cousins and aunts/uncles, married friends) all a set of dishcloths with a nice thing of dish soap. I made my cousin Natasha who is having a <a href="http://xoxoamyb.blogspot.com/2010/09/sunny-happy-baby.html" target="_blank">baby a bib</a>. I also learned most of my new knitterly skills by doing so. I would test new stitch patterns on dishcloths. So, during these past 10 months I have been learning and gifting.</p> <p>So, I have left a few people out and I wanted to share those two with you now!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TP_ke_gr7YI/AAAAAAAABQU/ImYxYHqZSAo/s1600-h/HPIM2365_medium2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM2365_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM2365_medium2" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TP_kfH_c3mI/AAAAAAAABQY/LBUaLQIplGs/HPIM2365_medium2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a> </p> <p> My cousin Courtney has a beautiful little girl. She is barely 18 months old, but she is precious and sweet. I had decided I wanted to make her mittens. Then, Courtney hinted that she would love a grey scarf for her daughter. I made the scarf (Ruffle Fluff pattern on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruffle-fluff-scarf" target="_blank">rav</a>). During the process of this scarf I learned how to do a 3 needle bind off. Awesome. Then, over the holiday weekend I decided to try my hand at mittens. So, I cast on from the Knit Simple Workshops magazine the basic mitten pattern. It worked up relatively fast and I was able to do them in a weekend. I decided to hand stitch on them a “K” and a snowflake. Then I added a creamy white ribbon bow to the scarf and then tied the two mittens together with the same ribbon. They are not perfect, but the little girl in question is growing so fast that by next winter they will be lost or not fit. I understood that when I made them, but enjoyed learning the new techniques. </p> <p>Knitting for children is really fun and fast I have found. I don’t have children, but I like knitting for other kids for the time being. Eventually, I will probably have babies to knit for, but at the present I am content to knit for other children.</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM2224" border="0" alt="HPIM2224" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TP_kfpTUbAI/AAAAAAAABQc/g-2MAZ3-5pQ/HPIM2224_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></p> <p>The other present that I knitted up was for my sister in law. I know these self striping socks look pretty boring. However, I am extremely proud of them as they are my first pair of socks. I was super proud of how they turned out. They are pretty much fabulous. The yarn got much softer when I hand washed them in Kokobura wash. They were a simple knit 2, purl 2 rib cuff/leg and then simple knit stitch the rest of the way. They are super pretty with no holes in the gusset! I tried them on and they fit like a glove. They are lovely. (Her favorite color is green in case you wondered. The yarn is from Knit picks.)</p> <p>With all that said (!!) I have finished up all of my Christmas knitting! It’s not even mid-December yet and all my Christmas knitting is done. However, next year… I think I won’t knit so many gifts. It was fun and helped me learn a ton about knitting, but you know… it’s time to knit for me!</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="1">*Not literally everyone, but the people that we buy gifts for instead. I exempted the teenage boys, I would knit couple’s gifts, current knitters (this means you, Jen), and I would not knit for anyone I deemed unworthy. (Read people who I knew would not appreciate the gift, the thought, time or effort expended that made this gift worth more than a gift card.)</font></p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-35302703059780208402010-12-07T10:32:00.001-05:002010-12-07T10:32:46.795-05:00Knitting Bad A**<p>I have project stories I could share. I need to tell you about the socks I knit my sister in law or the mittens I knit my baby cousin. However, I really want to tell you about something else. I want to tell you about how knitting makes me feel. </p> <p>When I started knitting I wasn’t sure I could do it or that I would like. However, it became clear that I loved knitting. It wasn’t just that I loved it or that I was good at it (I really feel like I am doing pretty good!). It made me feel like a competent human being. Sure, I can whip up 3 meals before 9 am. Yes, I am good at being a wife. But I feel I would be a terrible mother. I am not good with kids at all. I can cook and bake like a champ, but I am terrible at laundry and cleaning. (Not to mention I hate doing it.) I know I have talents and things I can do. I wish I were a better writer. I wish I was smarter. I wish I could sing. When I think of all the things I am terrible at, I get a bit down. </p> <p>HOWEVER, when I knit I feel pretty much like a goddess. I am good at knitting. I like doing it. I find it fun and challenging. I adore the process, the monotony. When I knit I feel like a person who can achieve anything. I can take on the world. I am like Sarah (from Chuck). I can do anything I want! It’s in this moment when I feel like I can be or do anything I want. </p> <p>It’s nice to find something that make you feel that way. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-38099693695812982742010-11-23T17:37:00.000-05:002010-11-23T17:37:00.463-05:00Knitting in Historical Terms<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TOwYHUtYQ7I/AAAAAAAABP8/NWjXdxoN7Vw/s1600-h/HPIM2338_medium2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM2338_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM2338_medium2" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TOwYHyJGFlI/AAAAAAAABQA/4KD_mN9-k-M/HPIM2338_medium2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a> My husband, who I love dearly, doesn’t wear scarves. So, when I started knitting he declared he wanted socks, mittens (shark mittens), a hat, and a sweater. Nothing easy peasy for him. So, him being a history major I started looking for him a pattern for a hat that he would like. I must have presented him with 40 patterns before I hit upon this historical pattern. Immediately he said yes. </p> <p>The beanie in question is the WWII Watch Cap. He loved it. It didn’t look too incredibly difficult even if it was my first hat. I did a gauge swatch. Was nowhere close to gauge. I had to go up THREE needle sizes to get gauge. I cast on.</p> <p>I finished the project in a week with probably only 3 hours of knitting time. He immediately put it on. I took it off him and washed it up. It got softer and floppier (Knit picks wool I have noticed gets noticeably softer when washed.). However, he puts it on all the time. He loves it. He also picked the color. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-3822657797584513232010-11-09T08:15:00.000-05:002010-11-09T10:15:43.116-05:00Mira strikes back<p>This weekend I was confidently knitting along on my first mitered square for my sock yarn blanket. Well, it was going along well. I felt like it was turning out pretty. I started a bookmark for my sister in law. All was going well both small projects were almost done. </p> <p>Then I noticed the square wasn’t really square. More bell shaped. I poo-pooed the whole thing off because it was my first one and I was SURE I could block it and it would be perfect. So, I kept knitting, bound off, washed and blocked it. It still looked more bell shaped. I blew it off as my first one. I kept knitting the bookmark.</p> <p>Now, here’s the catch. I knitted the bookmark on size 2 needles and the square on size 3’s. Or so I thought. </p> <p>I went to start a Christmas patterned dishcloth for my Gran and I searched desperately for my size 3’s. I was sure I had put them back in their home. I was sure. Except I only had 1 size 3 and a size 2. </p> <p>*Click* The light came on. I went to the bookmark (which also looked odd, but again I thought blocking would help) and picked up the needles. Look Ma! One of the needles was a size 3 and the other was a size 2! I had knit both projects with different size needles. </p> <p>And then, I heard the faint laughter of Mira in my head. </p> <p>So, I ripped back the bookmark. There was no hope for the bell shaped square, but that would be okay. It was still my first one. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-1784402390495634492010-10-28T08:15:00.001-04:002010-10-28T10:18:11.425-04:00Purple and Lace<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TMmFosJhgJI/AAAAAAAABPg/0FjZjNyl05E/s1600-h/HPIM2228_medium2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="HPIM2228_medium2" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TMmFqqTV6PI/AAAAAAAABPk/fFz6YiekuXU/HPIM2228_medium2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="HPIM2228_medium2" width="240" /></a>I made this scarf for my mom for Christmas. I picked up this wonderful Manos silk blend yarn from a local yarn store a few weeks after I had started knitting. It was my first purchase of yarn that cost that much. I bought 2 skeins for the scarf, but only ended up using one. I had the pattern picked out to go with the yarn soon after I bought it. It was the Branching Out pattern from Knitty. <br />
I wasn’t quite advanced enough to do the pattern right away and so it got put on the back burner until recently. I loved the pattern. Knitting it up was challenging and fun. The lace pattern turned out beautiful. The yarn once washed and blocked was even softer than it was while knitting with it.<br />
I also wanted to share a word about knitting with Manos yarn. I love the softness of the yarn. It’s like knitting with clouds. It conforms, waits patiently if you drop a stitch, and looks delicious when knitted. It’s also a fair trade yarn. So, it’s worth the price. Go to your yarn store and pick some up. You won’t regret it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-22959135612069001392010-10-26T16:04:00.001-04:002010-10-26T16:04:58.926-04:00SAFF<p>Last weekend I lost my SAFF virginity and it was awesome!! I don’t really want to chronicle the day with a blow by blow. I started this post like that and thought it sounded trite. I just want to say that I learned a few lessons about myself and yarn and knitting during this trip.</p> <p>1. If you aren’t dressed, make sure your door is locked. </p> <p>2. If you see $40 cashmere, silk, and baby merino yarn: buy more! </p> <p>3. If you shop together you will buy yarn in the same colors.</p> <p>4. Angora bunnies are like petting air.</p> <p>5. Sheep and my allergies aren’t friends.</p> <p>6. Miss Babs and the Knit Witch are the shizzle.</p> <p>7. Sleep is overrated.</p> <p> </p> <p>I bought some Knit Witch Esoterica yarn (the cashmere, silk, merino I mentioned) in the perfect buttery pumpkin. Then, I bought 3 skeins from Miss Babs. I recommend it highly. Especially the Esoterica. Just sayin’. </p> <p>PS. I also got some swank buttons and soap. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-26826877851611379712010-10-06T08:44:00.000-04:002010-10-06T08:44:00.232-04:00The Knitting Gods aka Mira<p>I love knitting (duh!) and I read last night in <i>Free Range Knitter</i> about knitter confidence. I like to think that I have a healthy dose of that. But I also know the sorrows of getting penisy. There are moments when you proudly exclaim that you have knitted up something wonderful and beautiful and … what the HECK is that?!?! <p>It’s the tummy flopping moment when you realize that you have messed up 5 rows back and Helen Keller could see this mistake coming from a mile away. So, you have no choice to rip back. Now, admittedly this usually happens with a lace piece that has so many yarn overs and decreases that you can’t rip back and you spend about twice as long tinking back. <p>I call this the knitting gods. The knitting gods are not jealous. They want you to knit well. They even want you to create masterpieces of knits and purls and yarn overs. They want you to succeed. However, the knitting gods hate it when you get all penisy. They want you to be humble. They would like you to nod demurely, looking up through your eyelashes like a proper coquette when someone compliments your knitting. They do not want you to make a huge fuss. (Which of course being human, vain, and self-proud, we do… and do so often.) <p>Knitting is a feat. It is a test of your will over the yarns sometimes. On occasion it is so much work that one row of 31 stitches confounds you so that you feel as if you have just completed a sprint after each row. Each row feels like a victory. (I’m looking at you <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html">Branching Out</a> scarf!) You can’t help but to finish and exclaim: AHA! I have defeated you. I have knit you with expensive silk and wool. I have made you beautiful. I am one heckuva Knitter!!! But the knitting gods hate that and thus when you go to count to 31…. There are only 28 stitches! How did you get 28??!?! That’s when you know you are getting penisy and the gods are forcing you to tink back to the first 4 stitches. <p>Now, all bets are off after you have bound off, weaved the ends in, hand washed and blocked the piece. Then, you can get knitting penisy. Just don’t hold your work near a candle or anything sharp when you do. <p> </p> <p>Ps. I call my knitting goddess Mira. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-34207341738341890482010-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:002010-10-04T13:02:00.276-04:00Yarn is for Lovers<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKoIXjjvALI/AAAAAAAABPQ/V0UZmzbd9Qc/s1600-h/HPIM3591%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="HPIM3591" border="0" alt="HPIM3591" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKoIX0xWiAI/AAAAAAAABPU/er-v2GPPE7o/HPIM3591_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a></p> <p>I’ll openly admit I don’t need new yarn. I have been knitting for several months now and I have a stash that is worthy of a seasoned knitter. I do have a ton of cotton yarn (Christmas presents… really) that needs to be knit up. I have sock yarn for socks I haven’t gotten around to yet. (I’m just knitting my first pair.) I have nice yarns that are longing to be something beautiful. Heck, I adore Manos and I have 2 skeins that I am JUST starting to use. So, why am I buying more? Because I knit and I want my friends to knit and my friend needed yarn. <p>So, we decided to buckle up and do a group order from knitpicks that we could each have some yarn without having to spend $50 each. I have to admit this is one of Jen’s smarter ideas. I can’t actually take the credit for the genius of this one. I’d love to, but I’d be lying and Jen can read this. I digress. <p>So, of course since I was the one placing the order for the six of us (yes, it is pretty awesome that I work with 6 knitters) that I should probably buy something. <p>My husband wants the WWII watch cap and mittens. Well, I have Blue Sky alpaca for the mittens. So, I picked up some wonderful complimentary yarn for that. And then I saw this sock yarn. I’m not sure why a grown woman who is nearing 30 needs socks knit from teal, pink, and violet yarn… but darn it… I do!! <p>I need My Little Pony colored socks. I really do. I mean… don’t you?</p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-74123406261048821932010-09-30T08:36:00.000-04:002010-09-30T08:36:01.070-04:00Sand/Sea<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrIZs6UdI/AAAAAAAABO0/cimOB196Jp8/s1600-h/HPIM3553_medium2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Close Up" border="0" alt="Close Up" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrIycaBaI/AAAAAAAABO4/tqsjSn1unMU/HPIM3553_medium2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="140"></a> I am an ambitious knitter. I started knitting in January and immediately decided I wanted to knit all of my family something for Christmas. It didn’t have to be much, but something. I decided on dishcloths for those that would use them, a scarf for my mom and the Mister’s grandma, something for my cousins’ babies, socks for my sister in law, and it wouldn’t be that hard… right?!?! <p>Well, to be honest, it hasn’t been too bad. I’m almost done knitting up the dishcloths in various designs. I’ve knitted up the perfect baby bib. I’m finishing my sister in law’s second sock as I write this (well, not right now since typing and knitting are not complementary tasks). I have very few Christmas projects left on my plate. It’s going well. <p>Where I got nervous was with the scarf for my Grandma in Law. The Mister chose a lovely yarn (Manos del Uruguay in Adobe) in soft blues, navy, black, suede brown, and rich cream. I chose a nice pattern to complement the colors. I decided to knit a “My So Called Scarf” for her. It would be my first of that pattern. I liked the look of the stitches. I liked the way the colors came through on the stitch pattern. I loved the denseness of the fabric. However, I didn’t love the repetition of the pattern. I also didn’t like the needles I was knitting on (apparently, since when I switched needles I zoomed along). So, I started the blasted thing in January and it was almost October and that darn thing was still only a foot long. So I decided to buckle down and just knit up the thing. <p>When I finally got the scarf to the right length (about 5 feet, since she wanted a shorter scarf), I decided to add fringe to the ends to help keep the rolling at a minimum. This was the first time I’ve added fringe to a scarf. It’s really easy. I washed and blocked it. And it was lovely. A pain in the butt to knit, but lovely at any rate! <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrJFXQU8I/AAAAAAAABO8/grZ9PKsgRD4/s1600-h/HPIM3549_medium2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="My so called plant?" border="0" alt="My so called plant?" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrJW9MANI/AAAAAAAABPA/M9vnY_r2ZGE/HPIM3549_medium2_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrJ-_6bDI/AAAAAAAABPE/E8d-Tqh0C1c/s1600-h/HPIM2300_medium2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Eek! early September!!" border="0" alt="Eek! early September!!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrKHhCn4I/AAAAAAAABPI/Oyy8uKePbyY/HPIM2300_medium2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="The Mister" border="0" alt="The Mister" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKNrKRMhNTI/AAAAAAAABPM/f2JYc4p1RdY/HPIM3557%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="204"></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>*The second picture with the project on the needles was in early September! The third is modeled by the Mister. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-52574444021687180562010-09-28T08:18:00.000-04:002010-09-28T11:21:07.711-04:00Sunny Happy Baby<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH2g9gQcI/AAAAAAAABOc/423FnQphGYw/s1600-h/HPIM3572_medium2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3572_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM3572_medium2" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH21rHprI/AAAAAAAABOg/XvdZzU2esFs/HPIM3572_medium2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a> It seems like life flows in predictable stages. When we first moved to NC, the mister and I attended wedding after wedding. We probably went to 50 weddings and we still have 2 to go to this within the month. But there has been a shift, now we get calls almost daily it seems like from a friend or family member who is pregnant. There is a rash of pregnancy going around. (I keep avoiding drinking the same water these girls are drinking.) New babies mean knitting small tiny things. I am pretty excited about this adventure. Admittedly, I won’t be knitting for all the people that are having children like bunnies. I am selective about who I knit for in general.* <p>All that aside, I will knit for my cousin Natasha who recently found out she is pregnant. She is so newly pregnant, she doesn’t know the gender of her little one yet. So, I am content to knit brightly colored baby things for her. (I don’t like to knit in “baby” colors or in “baby” yarn. Or acrylic in general.) <p>Having never, knit for a baby before I thought I would start with something completely simple. I turned to the girls of Mason Dixon knitting and made their version of the baby bib. It was a simple garter stitch pattern. It could be spiced up in any number of ways. So, I cast on merrily in a beautiful, happy cotton yarn in yellows and oranges. I loved the way the yarn was pooling. I loved the neat, tidy rows. <p>As I was knitting those tidy rows, I started to contemplate what I should adorn the bib with. (A wise knitter friend [who is also a mother of a toddler I might add] advised me to not adorn it too much, snaps are better, and to make it big.) So, I decided to do a quartet of small bright yellow vintage buttons on the bottom corner. I made the bib larger than the pattern called for and alas I didn’t add snaps. Buttonholes are much easier to knit and at the moment I pretty much suck at sewing. The overall effect was a precious, happy, cheery bib for her wee one on the way. <p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH3T2-wII/AAAAAAAABOk/oBtqZNjXFSE/s1600-h/HPIM3567_medium2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3567_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM3567_medium2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH33sE0gI/AAAAAAAABOo/eHJ4Xnk8FW8/HPIM3567_medium2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH4XLUVUI/AAAAAAAABOs/iefgmECCjO0/s1600-h/HPIM3582_medium2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3582_medium2" border="0" alt="HPIM3582_medium2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/TKIH4qfP-xI/AAAAAAAABOw/y7DYgbcD2RM/HPIM3582_medium2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179"></a></p> <p> <p>*(I won’t knit for other knitters. I won’t knit for people who won’t appreciate the sentiment and time I have put into a project. I won’t knit for people I don’t know who aren’t paying me out the bum. I won’t knit for people who are so picky that they drive me up the wall or people with bad taste.) Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-78007547563206444642010-02-25T06:13:00.000-05:002010-02-25T09:13:50.999-05:00WKC (late)<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFjdTh1GI/AAAAAAAABLU/jP00ATH1lUQ/s1600-h/HPIM3524%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="HPIM3524" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="240" alt="HPIM3524" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFjuifLMI/AAAAAAAABLY/0N7TH9BD0vM/HPIM3524_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" align="left" border="0" /></a> <p>Over the weekend, I finished my first scarf. Admittedly, it was 41 inches long (but that was like 410 rows). It was for baby Kinsley. I wanted to make it bright happy colors, but also pretty girly since most of her clothes have pink in it. Her momma loved it more than she did. But she’s 8 months old. </p> <p>I also finished two dishrags! It takes me only about 2 hours to make a dishrag, so I like those kinds of projects. </p> <p>At knitting club last night, I learned how to purl. So, I officially know the two stitched to knitting now. Purling is the complete opposite of what you would expect. It’s awkward to do at first, but it was okay. I am going to practice with it some more over the weekend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFkgQXvVI/AAAAAAAABLc/iDCyjc-c1h0/s1600-h/HPIM3662%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="HPIM3662" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="179" alt="HPIM3662" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFk2M259I/AAAAAAAABLg/a2-IGxicbhQ/HPIM3662_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFlG08oPI/AAAAAAAABLk/blRDuwAprLA/s1600-h/HPIM3525%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="HPIM3525" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="179" alt="HPIM3525" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFlnFz0vI/AAAAAAAABLo/m3sD1BNfYjE/HPIM3525_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I also bought some new yarn. It’s the most wonderful mix of superfine merino wool and silk. It’s lovely dyed and so soft and wonderful. I am using it for a project for my mom (that hasn’t been started yet). I can’t wait to see what it looks like all knitted up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFl-yukyI/AAAAAAAABLs/ViahU3foDoM/s1600-h/HPIM3538%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="HPIM3538" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="179" alt="HPIM3538" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFlzKztRI/AAAAAAAABLw/RFBcXIQoSjk/HPIM3538_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I also meant to ask my knitting sensei if we could knit, something simple like this picture I found on Home Sweet Home or Chasing Pavements (see my sidebar for links). I think this would be fun to make a few of these for a friend who is getting married. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFmtjs2KI/AAAAAAAABL0/iN3QrKbMrlE/s1600-h/0212_heart01_rect540%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="0212_heart01_rect540" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="149" alt="0212_heart01_rect540" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S4aFnWbpE1I/AAAAAAAABL4/TQCc-ObkOY8/0212_heart01_rect540_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a>   </p> <p> </p> <p>So, what are you knitting?</p> <p>*all other photos are author’s own collection.</p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-65697628323338926572010-02-17T06:57:00.000-05:002010-02-17T06:57:01.895-05:00WKC (Wednesday Knitting Club)<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3nRbx8Vk-I/AAAAAAAABK4/hZzC8lxrARw/s1600-h/HPIM3624%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3624" border="0" alt="HPIM3624" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3nRcR8HM3I/AAAAAAAABK8/DzDjS-hbvsQ/HPIM3624_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="131" /></a> Tonight is Wednesday Knitting Club. I am pretty excited. I am going to finish up my first project ever and my first dish rag. Last knitting club, Jennifer taught me how to do a yarn over and how to increase. We are going to learn how to decrease next and hopefully, I can finish this up fast enough so that she can show me how to bind off! </p> <p>I really want to learn to purl next. I am pretty sure I could knit my way through anything if I knew how to purl. I have gotten really good at knitting. I’m not afraid of frogging anymore. I have dropped and picked up stitches. I have stopped and started all over. I have progressed from cheap yarn, to merino wool. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3nRd4afUTI/AAAAAAAABLA/KE3MkngDQoU/s1600-h/HPIM3648%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3648" border="0" alt="HPIM3648" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3nReYcR6II/AAAAAAAABLE/lZ_3_swil58/HPIM3648_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p> I have also been working pretty hard on this sweet scarf for my cousin (a sweet little almost 1 year old darling). I have about 30 inches left to go. Then, Ms. Kinsley will be able to wear her new scarf. I really love working on this one.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have also found out that I have a signed copy of Yarn Harlot by Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee. I was pretty excited when I discovered my second hand book in brand new condition was signed and I paid a whole $2 for it.</p> <p>Anyway, adventures in knitting as always continues!</p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-38706598630731567092010-02-08T12:56:00.001-05:002010-02-08T12:56:20.706-05:00Off to Florida<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3BQQMxEOrI/AAAAAAAABKk/5b92U0uWeyg/s1600-h/HPIM3624%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="HPIM3624" border="0" alt="HPIM3624" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S3BQQ-g37jI/AAAAAAAABKo/aR2kTfcoG7M/HPIM3624_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="179" /></a> <p> This week I am heading to Florida for a conference for work. I’m a little freaked out. It’s my first business trip. It’s also my first trip truly alone.  It’s scary and exciting at the same time. I’ll be preparing for that and probably won’t be around. I know I haven’t been keeping a good schedule anyway. </p> <p>But I thought I would share a knitting project I am working on. It’s a dish rag. Doesn’t it look so happy? I think washing dishes with it would be super happy instead of dreary. </p> <p>I have rather a few knitting projects going on. I am working on 3 scarves. </p> <p></p> <p>I’m super excited to be heading away from the rain and dreariness that is happening in the mountains now and spend a few days on the beach in the warm and sun, soak up some wonderful vitamin D. Perhaps, it can pull me out of sinking sand of blah moods. </p> <p>I also need to finish up my application to grad school. *cringe* It’s coming together. It’s coming slowly, but it is coming together. </p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-90829669414161951572010-01-20T20:09:00.000-05:002010-01-20T20:10:33.894-05:00Knitting<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S1epbikl40I/AAAAAAAABIU/APSWcMrDFLQ/s1600-h/Picture2%5B4%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture2" border="0" alt="Picture2" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S1epewaOyLI/AAAAAAAABIY/KCfRJPtvwj0/Picture2_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> I have been knitting almost every night. I have gotten a foot done on my first scarf so far. It’s not perfect, but it is pretty and it is something I have made with my own two hands… that is useful. I am plan to give it to my sister in law for a just because gift. I got the prettiest green yarn they had.  </p> <p>I really want to buy super soft yarn next. I want get super soft baby fine yarn and knit a blankie to cuddle with on cold days. I think I could do it. I also want to get some new needles and a nice knitting bag to keep my projects in. I'm getting obsessed with knitting. It’s so relaxing and super fun. </p> <p>I really am inspired by knitting images, and wonderful projects and knitting books. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S1ephKWJYyI/AAAAAAAABIc/3UuO8lqZK_U/s1600-h/tumblr_kw9yb2LAPk1qzsth0o1_500%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="tumblr_kw9yb2LAPk1qzsth0o1_500" border="0" alt="tumblr_kw9yb2LAPk1qzsth0o1_500" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S1epiJ9DM4I/AAAAAAAABIg/Ra7Skl4tElE/tumblr_kw9yb2LAPk1qzsth0o1_500_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>*<font size="1">I can’t remember where I got the image of the kitten with yarn, but I bet it was </font><a href="http://citified.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><font size="1">this is glamorous</font></a><font size="1">.  The bottom image via <a href="http://sweethomestyle.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">home sweet home</a>. </font></p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510313964164656010.post-47125791316251648942010-01-05T06:45:00.000-05:002010-01-05T06:45:00.842-05:00Knitting<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S0J-o80j99I/AAAAAAAABDk/oDpRVt4vTK0/s1600-h/MPj04277910000%5B1%5D%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="MPj04277910000[1]" border="0" alt="MPj04277910000[1]" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6PM_bk9ipdM/S0J-r4VlQ2I/AAAAAAAABDo/RjlkvAkIhIE/MPj04277910000%5B1%5D_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="161" /></a>Tomorrow, I learn how to knit. I’m pretty excited. I went to pick up a shiny pair of knitting needles and some yarn. My first project? A scarf. I know it’s cliché, but you have to start somewhere.  As we walked through the store to get needles and yarn, Jonathon kept laughing and saying I was cute. Apparently, I was like a kid who had too much candy. I am just really excited to be learning something completely new. So, Wednesday’s at 5 pm I’ll meet with my knitting group and we will knit and teach each other things and learn things. Mostly, I’ll be learning things right now. </p> <p>xoxo,</p> <p>Amy</p> Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681681887365228264noreply@blogger.com0