Not Another . . .

Project?!  Yeah, I started another project.  Is that wrong?  Oh, I wasn't supposed to do that? What's that? I already have too much on my plate?  I know; I know.

Beginnings of Pinwheel Blanket

But I couldn't resist because:
a) the project is for charity
b) I'm using yarn that's already in my stash for a pattern that's quite easy on the brain (it's a pinwheel blanket designed by Genia Planck.  Check out Ravelry for umpteenth versions and variations)
b) its part of a KAL 

I'm already part of Bernat's CAL, so why start a KAL?  Well, happy to say its a KAL with my new knitting group.  You heard right!  I found a newly started knitting club--or rather one of its members found me--on Ravelry--and invited me to join (thank you Allison!).  My first meeting was fun; it's great to spend time with similarly craft-minded individuals.  Hurray for knitting groups!! :D

Laundry Love

I know: who truly loves laundry?  But its a necessary evil.  However, there is one thing 'bout laundry that I do love: hanging my clothes outside in the sunshine.  There's nothing like putting on a clean shirt that's dried outdoors: smells like sunshine and fresh air.

My Lovely Clothesline

Once the nice weather arrives, I use my clothesline as much as possible (and nice weather is notoriously short-lived in Nova Scotia).  The weather is not always cooperative, but this has been a good year thus far. 

Sadly there is one item that seriously impedes my joy: the ubiquitious grocery bag.

The Grocery Bag

The grocery bag holds my clothes pins.  I use the wooden ones (memories of childhood).  I never leave the bag outside.  Why?  One word: earwigs (ewww and double ewwww.  If you've never met an earwig, then consider yourself lucky).  Despite leaving my bag indoors, it eventually falls apart.  So I decided to make a clothes pin bag. 

Thank heavens for Ravelry where one can easily search for free patterns (there's a link some where on my sidebar).  Seriously, you can find everything from nice to naughty and everything in-between.

Check out this pretty bag from Sukigirl (who kindly gave permission for the use of her photo).  You can check out her blog for more crochet stuff.

Sukigirl's Lovely Clothes Pin Bag
(photo used with permission)

Isn't it pretty?  And ingenious: a bag with a hole that hangs from a sewn-in clothes hanger.  You can find the pattern for the clothesline bag here. 

Sukigirl also includes the patterns for the cute wee clothes on her bag. You can find the patterns for the wee clothes here.  My only other problem is whether to use Bernat's Cottontots or Handicrafter Cotton (as I've got both in my stash).

Decisions, decisions . . .

New Project

So I cast on for a new project: socks for me!  It's been so long since I've made socks, that the 2.25mm dpn's feel like uncooked spaghetti strands in my hands!  With regular use, my hands should get used to the smaller sized needles.

I'm using Bernat Sox.  While I liked the colour in the ball, not sure I'm lovin' it in a sock.  What do you think about the colours?

Guess I'll have to reserve judgement till I've gotten further into the sock.  After all, the colour changes can vary from the cuff to the main leg. 

The pattern is a ladies' vintage ribbed sock from Vogue Knitting's Ultimate Sock Book.  I've made the child's version a couple of times (remember these socks and these ones--the latter is a Rav link).  I really like the ribbing.  I think it makes for a better fit. 

These socks represent a "first" of sorts.  I don't think I've ever made a pair of socks for myself.  Wonder how long it will take me?  The one good thing about my feet is that they've stopped growing.  Once I've found a pattern that works, the rest will be easier.

Happy knitting!

Feels LIke Heaven . . .

Whilst my toddlers napped away, I cast on for the Fern Lace Scarf.  The original pattern had 56 stitches in lace weight.  It would be nice to make it a little more wider, but I don't have much yarn.  I'd rather have a long narrow scarf than a wide short one, so I only cast on 28 stitches (24 stiches for one pattern repeat with 2 stitches worth of garter edging on either side).  I hope it reaches a decent length.  The skein is only 175m.  Wonder how much length that will give me?

I must confess that the alpaca-silk-merino blend is yummy--so incredibly soft (heaven help us if I get addicted to this stuff!) And I absolutely love the warmth of the hand-crafted birch needles.

It feels like heaven ;)

Another One . . .

Finished!  Oh joy!

I was quite the happy knitter today, needles busily clicking away as I finished my "secret project" for the Bernat blog and then proceeded to finish another gift.  Oh yeah, Super Acrylic-Girl!  Rock on!

That just leaves ONE item on my Christmas gift list: fern and waves scarf. Thankfully that is already half way to completion (I think I've got about 30 plus inches done already.  Gotta check my Rav project list).  So I'm gonna go ahead and cast on something for me. 

Remember my little special stash from here?  Finally gonna start that silk-merino-alpaca scarf using a free pattern on Ravelry called Fern Lace Scarf (Rav link).  The original pattern used lace-weight, but it should still work with a heavier weight yarn;  I just have to cast-on fewer stitches (I'm thinking somewhere between 24-30 stitches). 

Heck, I might even cast on for that pair of socks too . . . . oh the excitement! :D

Welcome to the Wonderful World Wide Web!

I'm here! I did it! I've created my own blog. My thoughts and words will join the vast cacophony of cyberspace--and of course, I'll expound upon my knitterly exploits (as tentative and unsure as they might be).

:)