Amknitty International

Just 10 stitches......

2012-01-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

Hey Knitters - Happy 2012!

I'm still here - just seem to have lost my knitting mojo a bit lately. I don't feel much like 'being creative' - don't get me wrong - I still love looking at projects other knitters have made and I still keep adding them to my list of things to make, I just don't get around to knitting them.

I've always been a 'process' knitter! It's the knitting I love - less so the finished items - so when I saw the 10 stitch blanket on Ravelry HERE it was love at first sight!

So here is mine so far:-

I'm using my sock yarn scraps but double stranded which helps mute some of the wilder stripey effects somewhat. There's no plan - when one little ball ends I just start on another. Some of the colours may clash a bit but overall it has a cosy, tweedy loveliness about it.

I'll keep going until I have used up all my scraps then I''ll just have to knit more socks so I can keep adding to it. At the moment it's about a square metre so there's a way to go before it's a usable size :0)

I'm Lovin' it !

FFS!

2011-11-24T07:59:00.000-06:00

No - not what you think I mean! - I mean I Finally Finished Something!

Recently my work/life balance has had a severe case of vertigo and I just can't seem to get any knitting done so I'm happy to report that I actually finished something, even if it is a small, child sized something!

It's a cute little cabled hoodie with some lovely soft yarn bought in the US, there's just a hint of sparkle so it's nice for this time of year too.

Made for a dear friends little girl, it has a frilled (bell or tulip I think) pleated hem instead of the usual rib and it's finished with sweet ladybird buttons.

Happy with this one, hope she likes it :0)

Happy knitting y'all xx

A Weeks worth of socks.....

2011-08-04T09:55:00.000-06:00

...............That's not how long it took me to knit them ( I wish) but 7 pairs completed and being delivered this evening as part of an 'order' I have to do for a friend (with a yarn shop, not a lot of feet)

Don't they look nice?

and here's some more 'Nutkin' socks done in super stripey yarn. Haven't found a yarn I don't like knit up in this pattern yet!

Current project, some knee high, lacy, plain cream coloured ladies socks. Nightmare! I'm now on the fifth try with them. If I was knitting them for me they'd have been frogged and forgotten long ago!

Happy Knittin'
xx

My latest favorite sock pattern........

2011-06-26T15:04:00.000-06:00

.............is this one (and it's very easy too.) This pattern has worked well with different types of handpainted yarn, now I'm keen to see some done with super stripey yarn :0)

Peacock Socks

Oh, and did you spot my little 'Handmade' charms that I sew into each sock, I love them!

Charming :0)

See, told you I was knitting! Having a little trouble with knitted Pineapple leaves at the moment, I'm now on my 4th version and they're looking better. Hopefully my next post will be the finished Pineapple.

Happy Knitting xx

Look what I got today.....

2011-06-17T14:52:00.000-06:00

Thank You 'Mum'

http://mumssimplylivingblogat.blogspot.com

If only I had the time................

2011-06-17T06:49:00.000-06:00

Look at this WOW

Still Here, Still Knitting....

2011-06-09T09:46:00.000-06:00

Just having a little problem finding enough time to blog lately. Much of the house remodelling is now complete so hopefully normal service will be resumed shortly.

My new plan is to blog at least ONE knitting project a month from now on (you will notice that I didn't commit to a finished project!)

One WIP that's a secret at the moment then next up - A Pineapple Teacosy for a blogging friend.

I hope you're still knitting and that all your tangles are little ones.

Linda xx

Goodbye 2010.....................

2010-12-30T17:23:00.000-06:00

........ it doesn't rate as one of my better years for so many reasons, however, I have knit (and crocheted) my way through it all and it is true, Knitting does keep you sane.

I have completed lots of projects, many of which I have sadly neglected to blog about and the last couple of months were taken up completely by sock knitting to fulfill Christmas orders. Unfortunately I didn't get them all done on time as Father in Laws were completed at 8.30pm on Christmas day and Hubby finally got his first ever pair of hand knit socks yesterday afternoon.

In order to start 2011 with some degree of optimism I have mulled for some time over a BIG project, and inspired by my dear friend Kelly and her lovely Tech Square Afghan, I have settled on The Great American Aran Afghan as my challenge. The pattern book arrived a few days before Christmas and I have perused blogs, Ravelry and Google images ever since.

Today I ordered yarn, lots of yarn.......and settled on a completely different set of colours to what I had planned or even imagined, the lure of a lambswool/silk blend was too much to resist and I look forward to a large delivery of yarn sometime next week. I may have to artfully arrange my choice and just post a photograph when it arrives. In the meantime I leave you with one of my favourite pictures of the completed afghan and my best wishes to you all for the coming New Year.

May all your tinks be little ones.........

A Weird Beard....Do You Know This man?

2010-10-09T13:28:00.000-06:00

.................Actually, some of my friends will recognise DH, featured here modelling my version of 'The Beard Hat'

A few weeks ago a friend of mine, the Hypno God, from Texas sent me a picture via Facebook of a 'cool' hat (his words not mine) he had found whilst browsing. As Texas isn't known for it's cold weather I don't think he wanted one unless it was for one of his trips to Alaska where his lovely wife comes from.

Anyway, as you know I like a challenge - The hat part was of course quite straightforward but my first beard could only be described as SCARY, the shape and size was fine but the colour was just so wrong. I had chosen a sort of beige/taupe colour but this made DH look so much like Hannibal Lecter it was unnerving.

Time for plan B - a quick visit to the head of the Knitterati in her Yarnery this afternoon scored me a full ball of Patons Tundra in the best beard colour ever (Bless You Carol, I don't know how I would manage without you), a few minor adjustments made to my scribbled pattern to allow for a thicker yarn, slightly late dinner and here you go:-

Now this is COOL with a great big C.

Hope it makes you smile, it's certainly given us a chuckle or two.

Thanks of course to DH for a wonderful modelling job :0)

Fully S'ockupied..............

2010-10-07T08:01:00.000-06:00

..............with these little beauties for a couple of weeks but now they're finished I'm itching to get on to other things. There was a brief moment where I thought the hourglass afghan would make a reappearance, however this seems to have been a passing ailment and plans are afoot for other things.

Actually, I have another mitred shawl already on the go, this will go on hold for a couple of nights though while I fulfil a promise of a winter hat, if it works out OK I'm hoping it will be the first of many.

Watch this space :0)

One of my favourite blogs......

2010-09-25T12:33:00.000-06:00

..............and now with prizes.
Regardless of whether you enter or not you should grab a coffee and browse around A Lovely Thing , You'll find much to inspire and admire.
Have fun :0)

Yarn Bombing...................

2010-09-23T12:49:00.000-06:00

............This is just a quick little post to tell you about my first real yarn bombing. My dear friend Carol decided to brighten up her shed/workshop/yarn store with a little yarn bombing. When I arrived to help out there was already knitted bunting fluttering in the breeze!

   We have so far cover 2 of the 4 support pillars for the porch roof and as the afternoon progressed the list of areas to be 'bombed' got longer....and longer....and longer!

   I have to say if you ever get the chance to do this then you should, we laughed until we cried and that is the best therapy for whatever is ailing you. We have much more to do and I'll put a photograph on when we've completed some more.

   I Can't wait :0)

Keeping Sockupied......

2010-09-19T14:11:00.000-06:00

Imagine for a minute......a (non knitting) friend visits and after a while admires the knitting she has spied on your needles......she flatters you by admiring your handiwork, she shows interest in your sock yarn stash and finally you cave in and say you'll knit her a pair. But then she can't choose 1 yarn for herself and finally settles on 2 pairs, then of course she has friends who would LOVE some for Christmas............

I love socks, I love knitting socks and I love the yarn in my stash so will someone please explain why knitting to order is such a chore.............

It's not all bad though as I'm now desperate to get the hourglass afghan out of it's hiding place and finish it.

Lately, I've been looking at the 'Great American Afghan' and am much taken. Similar to the Tech Square Afghan that my dearest friend Kelly made such a wonderful example of. I may have to get a copy of this one.

Just have to finish these **** socks and the hourglass first...............

What is Stash?......A Special Report

2010-07-28T05:54:00.000-06:00

Warning: Compulsive Yarn Buyers should probably exercise caution when reading the following special report.

We all talk about our stash, but what exactly do we mean by that ? During the last few months we have had a period of 'fiscal constraint' as the Government would call it, or just 'things are a bit tight' as us normal mortals would say. The situation is (hopefully) temporary and truthfully, hasn't been that bad. It's true to say that my stash has played an important roll in my being able to cope without feeling too much pain.

Some of you readers may be horrified to learn that I haven't actually bought any yarn for months now and yet I haven't had to stop knitting or crocheting, in fact I haven't even slowed down much, thanks to the stash.

So my stash may be a little depleted but it's still fairly healthy, it is however now slightly more organised and definitely falls in to several categories, so here's how I now describe stash:

LEVEL 1 - Fabulous, beautiful yarn, bought or received as a gift and with no clear purpose. It sits there just being lovely and waiting for the perfect project to come along. It doesn't matter really if said project doesn't appear for several years, I'm just happy that it's there and that I own it.

LEVEL 2 - Lovely Yarn purchased with a clear project in mind and just waiting to be started at no particular time in the future.

LEVEL 3 - Similar to level 2 but the project in mind just wasn't as I expected, didn't look right, was too hard or all of the above. It now awaits a different project to inspire it's use.

LEVEL 4 - Yarn that, at the time was just too good to miss

LEVEL 5 - OMG, what was I thinking when I bought this. (A have quite a bit level 5 yarn, including novelty yarns and some really rather nasty colours)

finally,

LEVEL 6 - Everything else, including bits left over from other projects (I rarely throw away anything over 12" long ) odd balls, and some stuff that I swear was left by aliens, I've no idea where it came from.

Missing from the above list is of course SOCK YARN, everyone knows that it doesn't count in stash and in any case I'm lucky to have enough to last in, and out, of this recession and probably well into the next ice age.

So there's my Stash report. Alongside some gifts, being made with yarn from levels 2 & 3, I have been getting creative with much of the lower level stash. This has included, erm....., shall we just say 'several' rugs.

This week I have using smaller scraps on these market bags. They have come out quite nicely, I have refined the technique slightly from the first one and can now make one in a couple of hours. Handles also came from my 'stash' trunk and linings are re purposed curtains (and a little denim).

They have cost nothing but a little time and more importantly, I enjoyed making them.

So there it is, still being creative and with minimal costs. Please don't get me wrong, I'll get back to buying yarn when I can, but in the meantime I'm quite happy with my frugal finished objects.

Happy Knitting :0)

Market Bag 1

Market Bag 2

Market Bag 3

More (or less) Monkey Business........

2010-07-20T13:15:00.000-06:00

Here's my tiny sock Monkey, inspired by an amigurumi crochet version seen whilst browsing. Mine is much bigger at 3.5 inches top to toe but cute nevertheless. I won't be making too many of these though as it took almost as long as my 'regular' sized one.

Work is now continuing on an 'anatomically' correct sock monkey - that's the actual sock that will be anatomically correct, not necessarily the monkey of course. So, it should have a proper 'heel' butt and articulated legs. We shall see.......................

Monkey Business............

2010-07-19T09:17:00.000-06:00

I have posted a free pattern for my Sock Yarn Sock Monkey. It should be available by clicking on the link on the Sock Monkey page. I hope it works, it's the first time I've tried this but if it's successful I'll add a few more as I write them up. These are a great way to use up those sock yarn scraps.

A generally quiet time on the knitting front lately, I haven't been lazy, I have completed lots of crochet projects, including several more of the 'stash buster' rugs. I am however hooked on these little monkey's now and will be making more while I think of what to start next.

Knit For Freedom.........

2010-07-10T11:52:00.000-06:00

Knit & Natter

www.Knitterati.com

*The Secret Society of Knitters*

Keeping The Art Of Hand Knitting Alive

You are cordially invited to come along on

Wednesday July 14^th 2010 10-4

BASTILLE DAY

and

KNIT FOR FREEDOM

Liberty * Equality * Sisterhood

HEADS MAY ROLL if you miss this one off opportunity to join the Red Cap Knitathon.

Woolly Hats will be donated to the British & International Sailors Society

All Materials Provided .

Feel Free to knit a hat anytime between now and the end of September , and bring your own knitting project along on 14^th if you prefer .

Bring some French Bread & Cheese to share , I will provide the strawberries & cream and usual refreshments throughout the day .

LIMITED PLACES –please phone /email to let me know numbers by Mon.12^th

My prayer is for a world so safe and abundant….

Where all who love to knit are FREE to knit….

Where all have the resources they need to knit….

And no strife or war can touch anyone who wants to knit

Madame Defarge and her Guillotine Gals have been banned again this year .

How To Grow Toe Up Socks

2010-06-09T12:45:00.000-06:00

Just above this post and below the Pink box you should find the page with the Beta sock instructions. Please let me know if these are easier to follow than written instructions. If this method is successful I'll 'do' the whole sock in this way.

Looking forward to your comments, Happy Knitting :0)

How To Grow Toe Up Socks

2010-06-09T10:12:00.000-06:00

Since I started knitting socks, many years ago, my technique has been tweaked and refined until I hardly think about the construction of a sock now. This had to change somewhat when I was asked to show how to do it - I'm not a teacher, in fact I find it quite difficult to explain some techniques, however some of the ladies I showed are now far better sock knitters than me so it gives me some hope that my instructions are not completely useless.

Rather than write pages of instruction I've done a series of photographs that I hope will show the simple techniques I use for my socks.

These should appear over the next few evenings and can be followed either as a sequence or in isolation. I hope they are easy to follow, please let me know.

Thanks

It's a fine line........

2010-04-02T09:45:00.000-06:00

.......between genius and madness! I have often thought this applies so well to the late, great, Elizabeth Zimmermann. Don't get me wrong here, I think she walked the genius side of the line but if you've ever knit the baby surprise jacket, well, you have to wonder about someone that could even dream that up.

I've knit a few of them and they always amaze me. A few years ago I knit the Adult version, it was a task (as I'm no string bean) but I did the calculation from the instructions, and please note here, I said instructions not pattern, as there is no pattern as such. Anyway, I did the calculation, and knit and knit and knit for about 3 weeks. It fit perfectly and although I'd only used cheap yarns it was fabulous, and I gave it away before I'd even taken a photograph (actually I may be able to borrow it back to photo)

It was worsted weight and started with about 300 stitches cast on!

So I think I am about to embark on a journey on the madness side of that same line.....I have redone the calculations for the Adult surprise jacket using up all my sock yarn bits and last night I cast on a mere 742 stitches, and that has to be madness by anyones definition. I hope I live to finish it :0)

Happy Easter!

Yarn Twirler....

2010-03-31T08:02:00.000-06:00

The best knitting gadget:
Now available online here for knitters and yarn lovers in the US.

A Sock knitters Dream.......

2010-02-24T09:41:00.001-06:00

From Knitters Dream website;
Website can be found here

I Love them :0)

Bits & Bobs

2010-02-23T15:35:00.002-06:00

So, today I wasted much valuable knitting time messing about with the settings for this blog but thought it was time for a shiny new look. Some finished objects to report, 2 pairs of fingerless gloves, both gifted and some pedicure socks, to me they seemed a bit pointless but the recipient seemed happy. This was all I could fit in while we has visitors here!

The Kia Kia got frogged, am awaiting 'plan B' to come to mind there, but I have picked up the cabled hoodie again Hopefully to finish before the weather warms up although there doesn't seem to be much of a chance of that here in a very un-springlike Texas at the moment.

I must finish 2 pairs of socks and the hoodie before starting any of the HUGE list of projects I want to make next. More gloves, an Irish fishing creel bag and a felted bucket bag are on the list, as well as some cotton socks and some more lacy socks.

Must knit more........

See you later Alligator........

2010-02-04T11:45:00.003-06:00

Oh Dear, things have slowed down a little here, not because I haven't been knitting, I have, but because I have broken my number 1 knitting rule - The one that says don't start anything new until you've finished your current project.

Those that know me know I have, for the last several years knit one thing at a time. It works for me. I get stuff finished in fairly good time and move on to the next thing. Since the new year started I have started more projects than I have finished and it's bugging me so it's now time to clear the needles.

This is finished:

my 'stash busting' excercise with completion of the blue rug, sorry there's no photo yet, this will come later.
His 'n' Hers Alligator scarves done
Saturday Socks finally done. (Saturday socks because we knit Saturday nights while hubbies do their musical thing at Crystals Patio & Grille, Coldspring, TX) and finally the DK socks knit up in a day, very gratifying.

Lastly, in my quest to use up sock yarn scraps I have been toying (pun intended) with sock monkeys. This one was my first - my pattern still needs tweaking a little yet to get the proportions right but he is kind of cute.

Projects to complete:

Lets twist again cabled hoodie
Kia Kia circular vest

Saturday socks don't count in the same way that sock yarn doesn't count as stash! (the latest are pink)

Off to knit now........... :0)

More rugs, cat baskets & a wrap.............

2010-01-13T15:30:00.003-06:00

........have been completed this week.

Another crochet rug for, this one for YD, several cat baskets and 1 yarn bowl all completed from the continuing 'stash bust'. Also, the entrelac lacy wrap, made from more of the King Cole Mirage.This yarn works particularly well for this project.

Next up:

Finish Alligator scarf #1, start #2.
Start the cabled hoodie, this time for me.
Finish the 'restaurant socks' note to self: go back to 2 sets of needles, stop punishing yourself.
Make 2 more stash rugs

As you can see, still have more planned projects than time to make them :0)

I am not a yarn snob.......

2010-01-07T14:07:00.002-06:00

...............which means my stash of 'leftovers' includes a mighty amount of acrylic yarn in all kinds of colours. Most of the yarns were from a job lot of 'pink & blue' that I got from ebay plus leftovers from several crochet afghans. I really needed to declutter my workspace but can not throw yarn away, yes, even the cheap and cheerful.

For Christmas I was given a 15mm crochet hook as a gift and my limited crochet experience taught me that a regular sized hook 'eats' yarn, much more so than knitting, so this monster should munch it's way through a measurable amount of stash quite quickly. So, here's my first rug! measuring approximately 4' x 5' and made with 6 strands of worsted weight yarn. Worked in single crochet it has taken probably just less than 10 hours in total and it looks pretty good. It's quite thick and heavy but should be hard wearing and machine washable.

It's construction has had little impact on the (rather large) stash so I'm just off to start another. Happy New Year!

Merry Knitting and Happy New Year

2009-12-28T12:19:00.004-06:00

Hello,

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and is looking forward to new and exciting knitting (and crochet) projects in the new year. As usual the run up to Christmas was busy with gift making, none of which I remembered to photograph. There were more sewing than knitting projects going on here as I made tote bags for all my friends, these were made in fabrics that reflected their personalities or hobbies so there were several 'knitting' themed bags made as well as Elvis, dog biscuits, recipes and flower themes to name a few.

I did do some sparkly socks for YD and have been working on a cabled hoodie for my niece. Happily, I can report that this was completed this morning and will be rushed off to England very shortly.

I think that one of my resolutions should be remembering to photograph and blog my finished projects.

So I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

The Poncho is finished.....

2009-10-28T09:38:00.002-06:00

.....despite the problems (described in the last post) and the fact that the border was knit in the round with just about 400 stitches on my circular needle, this meant I had no idea what the finished thing looked like until I had cast off.

I added a knitted on i-cord edge around the neck and the bottom edge, this alone took me almost 2 evenings of knitting.

So to summarise, the project took 3 weeks to complete (2 of knitting and 1 of frogging), consists of 1 ball of Aran in terracotta (400g) and less than 2 balls of Adriafil Peru (200g balls) orange/blue colourway.

In your dreams......

2009-10-16T01:12:00.002-06:00

After the mitred shawls I decided that a Poncho version was in order, something less 'drapy' and nicely cosy for winter. Yarn was purchased, I even found a pattern exactly fitting the bill (I say pattern but it was more a set of vague instructions, that's OK, I can do vague instructions myself) and last Sunday I cast on, did a few rows, frogged it, cast on again, did the same, cast on again and finally got past row 5 by converting a knit row to a purl row one stitch at a time. Great you might think, I did! I knit the yoke in the round then started the mitres. On Tuesday morning I finished the mitred squares around the front and could finally lay it flat. Well, it looked a little, shall we say small, but I was in that place where you just convince yourself all is well.

I left it spread out on the sofa all morning, sneaking little looks as I passed and mentally trying to convince myself it was fine, why I was sure it looked bigger each time I glanced at it. I was obviously delusional as I finally, gingerly put it over my head and took a peek in the mirror. It looked much like a hippy nuns wimple, more of a large collar than a yoke. I could hear those frogs a calling....Rip-it Rip-it Rip-it...and so, after many, increasingly more desperate thoughts on how to avoid the dreaded frogging I could put it off no longer and out came various needles and stitch holders. 2 days knitting undone in about 20 minutes.

I had had a few problems getting the mitres to line up, as I say the pattern is somewhat vague and mine just wasn't right. Anyway, I cast on again, managing this time to avoid the earlier stupid mistakes and knit the yoke with lots more stitches, not only a bigger yoke but giving me extra stitches to make bigger mitred squares, and it looks great, well apart from those mitres again, 2 of which still seem to 'go the wrong way'

I can't spread out the knitting as there's a mighty amount of stitches all squeezed together on 1 big circular needle, so I add another needle to halve the stitches, and with a few rubber bands to stop the whole thing exploding I can lay it out, it's still bloody wrong! and I can't for the life of me work out why, I try graph paper, cut out paper squares and my Mum in Law, and they all say that it can't be done. I'm satisfied that

a) patterns are sometimes wrong

b) It looks fine and that as long as there is symmetry it doesn't matter

c) It still looks lovely so I can carry on with my plan, (completely shutting out those little voices that are saying "but it's not right yet")

So last night I completed another square.....

And so to the title of this post, I woke this morning very very early and with something of a start, I instantly and without any doubt knew that my WIP had gone wrong, but weirdly I also knew exactly how to fix it......the knitters brain is obviously a powerful thing!

Now I just have to Rip-it Rip-it Rip-it.....................

Funky winter hat.....

2009-10-11T04:37:00.002-06:00

for Claire, knitted with an odd ball from the stash. Not much to report really, did another cabled hat for Finley and this one for Claire. I am resisting the final Aran jacket for several reasons, I don't much care for the yarn and it is almost identical in colour to my bamboo needles so it won't make for an easy knit......I really must get it done and have promised myself a lovely poncho as my reward.

Happy Knitting Ladies

2009-10-07T09:31:00.002-06:00

A quick post of Baby projects for Finley, project #1 Cabled Coat and #2 Aran patterned sweater and Hat, 1 more Aran project to go then onto some grown up stuff.....

A nice afternoon with the Knitterati today but sadly my last for a while as we're back to Texas soon, so I'm now looking forward to seeing the ladies at Kingwood Yarn it - Darn it for their November meeting.

Happy knitting :0)

Fall Shawl.....

2009-09-27T06:15:00.002-06:00

Another 'Mitre Shawl' but this time in shades of red. King Cole Mirage shade 870 (With the fringe this shawl takes about 1100 yards of yarn) I have two more shades yet to do this shawl but am having to do a couple of Aran baby coats before I can start another......

Happy Knitting Ladies :0)

Pumpkin Patch....

2009-09-18T02:16:00.002-06:00

Grandma made three pumpkin hats, for Finley and his friends,

They're very cute for little heads, just made from odds and ends,

But "Grandma I have three friends, I needed just one more"

So Grandma got her needles out, and made not three but four.

Mitre Shawl......

2009-09-12T06:36:00.003-06:00

I have really enjoyed knitting this, the pattern was easy, the yarn was inexpensive and the finished item looks much better than I had hoped for. The pattern was designed for a totally different yarn, unfortunately, this yarn was way over my budget so I substituted this King Cole Mirage Yarn (shade 868) 50% wool/50% acrylic blend. This is a lighter weight yarn than the suggested one but I think it works just as well.(it took a little over 3 x 100g balls) The finished item was slightly smaller than I wanted so I did a twisted fringe bind off. I couldn't find any instruction for this anywhere on the web, lots of crochet versions, no Knitted versions, so I tweaked about some and the results were rather good. If you want basic instructions please email me but I plan on refining this technique and will publish the full instructions soon.

Happy knitting

ABC Baby Afghan #2

2009-09-12T05:56:00.004-06:00

Here's the second Baby ABC Afghan, the colour is called 'Koala Bear' I had a little drama with this one as I thought I had finished it only to find I had 2 'O's (several expletives later) I frogged half of it and redid it. It's now ready to be gifted to another baby who was born last week. I just have 1 more to do, in the same yarn, for Grandbaby Finley.

Easy as ABC......

2009-08-17T04:19:00.003-06:00

This is the first of 3 ABC's baby afghans. This one is 100% pure 'eco' cotton and it took me a fraction over a week to make. The next two will be in a more practical colour (Koala Bear) and in an easy care yarn.

The darker photograph , taken with no flash better illustrates the 'popcorn' stitch of the letters and border.

Happy Knitting (& hooking)

All things blocked and beautiful......

2009-08-11T07:13:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks, Grandbaby Finley arrived early but safely on August 1st, he is just perfect. Mom recovering well after a difficult couple of months but every day she is looking better.

Also, I finished my cashmere wrap. I chose this as I needed something that required more concentration and it was ideal. It's now been blocked, a few subtle little beads were added to weight the ends and it is rather nice. It is now packed up and shipped off to my friend as a small thank you for her support over the last few months.

I am now doing a little crochet for a change. It's a baby ABC's blanket in 100% cotton and it's going well, I have plans to make another one for a friends Grandbaby due to arrive shortly.

happy knitting.

Still waiting.......

2009-07-31T01:56:00.002-06:00

For my Grandbaby to arrive, in the meantime I have some Cashmere lace on my needles. I decided I needed a project requiring a little more concentration this last few weeks. Since the picture was taken the lace has grown somewhat, it now requires just 4 more pattern repeats and finishing before the magical blocking stage. I will post a picture of the finished project as soon as I can.

Happy Knitting.....

Knitted Desserts.....

2009-06-21T03:23:00.003-06:00

Have only done a couple more of the PomPom scarves this week (my knitting time has been seriously eaten away by my discovery of Facebook this week, but my friends are worth it!)

Anyway, while taking a few snaps to post here I rolled the scarves and it struck me how much they look like those really fancy desserts you see in nice bakery shops. Have I finally invented the absolutely calorie free 'cakes' I may try adding a ribbon and some candles just to see how one looks. Anyone for Chocolate & Raspberry or Coffee & Belgian Chocolate Cake?

Words fail me.....

2009-06-15T09:03:00.002-06:00

I had a little yarn moment on Saturday. I'm not usually one for novelty yarns but this feels divine. Had to buy some (4 Balls) knit it (when I got home Saturday) and show it off (now).

Yes it's a scarf, but such a lovely scarf, I wish I could describe how it feels but I can't so here's what it is really......It's a knitted Hug......and all my friends will be getting this one for Christmas this year.

First things first........

2009-06-15T08:52:00.003-06:00

Finished the 'Teddy Bear' suit for Peanut, hope I get to cuddle him in this as it feels lovely. Pattern number Sirdar 1774 knit in the recommended yarn, Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake shade 634. Took a little less than the pattern suggested (just over 5 balls) so have enough left to knit a matching Teddy Bear. Yarn was awkward initially until I changed to some dark wood travel needles, this made it easier visually as the contrast between yarn colour and bamboo needles was almost zero. Luckily I had some sock yarn in an almost identical colour and used this to make up. I think it would be almost impossible to sew it up with the snuggly yarn. Finished results were worth the effort and I'm sure it will look better with Peanut filling it.

All in One & Hat for Peanut

2009-06-03T10:21:00.001-06:00

Another finished item today. This one came so close to being a UFO because I stopped and did the socks and washcloths so didn't want to restart it (I only had 1 full sleeve and a half sleeve to do). I am so glad I did finish as it's very cute and snuggly. The yarn is Baby Bee 'camo' from the Hobby Lobby and the pattern was adapted from Chic Knits for Stylish Babies. I may well do some mittens and socks to go with this at a later date.

A nice afternoon spent with the Knitterati today too, some inspiring projects going on there.

Happy Knitting xx

Wash Cloth Week

2009-06-02T08:57:00.002-06:00

This weeks production includes this selection of washcloths for baby F. Also, finally finished knitting on the All-in-One and just have to set in the sleeves and seam the legs. On the needles is a matching hat but am keen to finish as I am doing the cuddly 'Teddy' suit next.

Happy knitting xxx

Gosh..has it been that long

2009-05-23T14:08:00.003-06:00

Just finished, 'A Box of Socks' a gift for someone having a little boy soon...........

Life has taken many twists and turns over the last couple of years but through it all I have kept on knitting. Hopefully as things settle to a more even keel here I will start blogging again.

I can't possibly list all my projects but will give some of them a mention over the coming months.

Looking forward to being in touch with old friends again soon.

Still here and still knitting

2008-06-08T12:17:00.002-06:00

I am still here and still knitting. Unfortunately, I don't seem to get time to photograph finished items and blog about them at the moment. In the last 6 weeks I have completed 4 pairs of socks and finished the waistcoat that I had neglected for a while.
At the moment I am doing the clapotis with some lovely hand painted sock yarn, however, I don't think it's going to be a very generous size. That said I will finish and then block it. If it's good I'll probably do another one and make it bigger. I have some lovely lace weight cashmere and am pondering using that although I worry it may be a bit fragile for the ladder parts. Any ideas fellow knitters?
Hope the sun keeps shining for a bit.

Hello, I'm back!

2008-03-15T19:25:00.002-06:00

Just to let everyone know I'm still here and still knitting. I have far too many things completed to take photographs, I've given loads away anyway, but I'll try to compose a list of completed items since last summer soon.

And Finally - WIP - the picture

2007-07-09T09:36:00.000-06:00

Following the tech problems here today this is probably the most disjointed blog around, to find out the story behind these pics please look at todays earlier posts.

And other stories - the pictures

2007-07-09T09:28:00.001-06:00

Having a few tech problems here today!

Blocked Socks - the picture

2007-07-09T09:24:00.000-06:00

Block that Sock and other stories - the words

2007-07-09T08:53:00.000-06:00

Well, I have to admit that this is the first pair of socks I have ever blocked properly and it DOES make a difference. If you were giving socks as a gift try blocking them, it just makes them look so much neater and more professional (in my opinion anyway) Here endeth todays 1st lesson.

A simple pattern done in Trekking (I love Trekking, always knits up nicely and washes like a dream) I really like these.

So, here's a question - have you found the perfect 'thingy' to do a job it wasn't designed for. Let's have a contest -
My entry is something to do with one of those handheld gaming devices, like Nintendo or Gameboy I think, anyway, it cost me $3.45 in Big Lots in Conroe. It has loads of great pockets and is ideal to keep all my circular needles in (well the sock ones anyway) It holds, stitch markers, tape measures (2) pen, darning needles, scissors, stitch holders and some post it notes and it's only about 7" x 5"
I've had this since april and can't believe that a) my stuff is still tidy and b) I haven't lost anything since then!

I'm really pleased with my find - please share yours!

Finally my WIP in the basket - pretty yarn from sockpixie.com - looks almost edible!

Third time lucky......?

2007-07-01T08:54:00.000-06:00

Have tried twice already today but the power keeps going off!
Anyway, if there's anyone out there who can tell me where June went I'd be grateful, I didn't manage a single blog and it's not like I haven't done any knitting.

My throw is up to about 104,000 stitches, it's getting a bit warm under there now, I'll do a bit now and again but think it will be a really useful autumn project.

I did a nice pair of jitterbug socks for YD who put them on the minute I had finished binding off and I haven't seen them since! I had hoped to get a good picture as I bought some nice new sock blockers.

I did my first ever lace thingy, I say thingy because it's not really big enough for a shawl and I only had one skein of yarn. On the whole I am quite pleased, it took me a while to work from a chart as I've always been a pattern person and I made quite a few mistakes at the beginning, on the plus side I'm much quicker at finding and correcting them now.

I have rather rashly promised YD a cashmere stole to wear to her graduation ball in September. I'm having some laceweight cashmere dyed at Hipknits and am almost sure I have chosen the pattern. While I'm waiting for this I'm doing some more socks with Trekking in shades of blue.

Keep on knitting!

Here's the Photographs

2007-05-31T10:08:00.001-06:00

Complete with a close up shot, I wish I could describe the feel of these Merino socks - Magic for the feet.

Merino and Texas Longhorns all complete and ready to go

2007-05-31T09:55:00.000-06:00

After a little burst of 'must finish these' my fundraising ebay socks and my Texas Longhorn socks are done.
The Merino ones are particularly lovely, the yarn was beautiful to knit with and it was one of my favourite patterns. I have 2 more skeins of this yarn in different colours and depending on if they raise a fair amount on eBay for the North Liberty County volunteer fire department, I'll probably do the same ones again.
The Longhorn socks are Lorna's Laces Yarn, Texas Longhorn colourway and are destined to be worn by me every time I wear my Longhorn Crocs.
Happy Knitting Folks!

78,798 stitches so far!

2007-05-29T03:09:00.000-06:00

Usually, I have only one project on the go at any one time, however, my system has gone slightly awry somewhere and I find myself with several UFO's

Project 1. Lovely twisted cable Merino socks, destined for auction on eBay, (fundraising for North Liberty County VFD) just need casting off now so should be finished soon, hopefully tonight.

Project 2. Lorna's Laces 'Texas Longhorns' colourway, half a sock to go so again should be completed this week sometime. These are for ME

Project 3. My 'oddments' throw. While away I bought another Yarn Harlot book, in this she described an excellent way to use up leftover yarn. One big circular needle, simple garter stitch, knit a row in one yarn, change yarn, knit another row, leave a tail at each end to knot into fringe.

As 99% of my leftover yarn is sock yarn (and I have a LOT) I opted for a 3mm circular bamboo needle, mine's 100cm long. I cast on until I got really fed up, then started knitting.

After about 10 rows I decided to do the maths so I started by counting how many sticthes I had cast on - 571 - yes, I know it's a strange sort of number but it's a strange sort of throw!

I knot my fringe every six rows - just to stop everything getting too tangled, it also keeps the edges nice and straight as well as telling me the number of completed rows. So just for fun, here's the numbers:

571 stitches per row

138 rows completed

78,798 stitches knit so far

The overall width (based on my tension) 80"

Length knitted so far 10"

Enjoyment level 10 out of 10 - so far!

Easy to do while watching TV and the changing colours across the width and length mean it's still keeping me amused. At the moment I'm toying with the idea of a 'MILLION STITCH THROW' so the big questions are - Will I weaken and cast off before that? and will it take me the next 20 years to complete?

My Meme

2007-05-17T09:12:00.000-06:00

I have taken the list that is appearing everywhere on blogs at the moment and done my version. Please be aware that unlike some places some of the items on the list are actually not legal where I live and some just infringe local bye-laws a bit. I also think some should be compulsory.
My version:
Bold – Been there, done that, or am still doing it!
Regular – It’s on my list,
Italics – either never OR never again.

Afghan – In sock yarn, on the needles as we ‘speak’
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire – does this mean fixing the fence? If so I have been there and done that
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down – Not for me
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn – I know a man who has a camel!
Mittens: cuff up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting - entirely by accident
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting) – may be illegal, will have to check
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting – lovely merino socks going on ebay next week to raise funds for a Texas VFD
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting - Illegal
Continental knitting – most definitely illegal here
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book – can’t compete with the yarn harlot but her thoughts are my thoughts
Participate in an exchange
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca – got some in my stash ready to go
Fair isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…) see my blog! They all looked the same
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns -
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit – funniest thing I ever saw
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks – only for the brave this one
Knitting art – It’s all art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously – against the law where I live
Fulling/felting – like heavy duty washing
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags – Probably need to get rid of some of these
Knitting with beads
Swatching – Also illegal around here
Long Tail CO
Entrelac Knitting
purling backwards ???????? Probably illegal here
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere – when I’m rich
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn – Also illegal
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting – my first attempt at BSJ
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/arm-warmers – does anyone knit coolers – for those of us with hot flushes
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Rug – never again
knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting – sounds like it should be illegal – what is it?
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
knitting with dog/cat hair – If you want to try this get a Labrador, they make another dogs worth every 3 days!
Hair accessories
Knitting in public – In airports and on planes all the time

What have you learned to do that has marked a definite change in your knitting life?

Well I’ve learned from the internet that I shouldn’t be ashamed of my stash! That a lot of people have one.

I'm back in the UK, wetter but cooler

2007-05-17T08:04:00.000-06:00

Well, we're back from Texas and the jetlag has all but gone. I will post photographs of knitting done in the next few days now I'm back to my broadband connection. I did try in TX but have the worlds worst dial up connection and lost the will to live trying to upload just one picture.

Had to hit the 'Oh give it up it's a waste of time' key I'm afraid.

Quite a bit to report so check back for my news soon please. In the meantime please enjoy this picture of our daily visitor. 'Albert' as we named him usually arrived mid morning and hung around until late afternoon, mostly just sunning himself.

Well I thought he was cute, wouldn't want to meet his mum and dad though!

Tofutsies Trickery

2007-04-13T21:16:00.000-06:00

OK, I only used the tofutsies yarn, so the heel and toes 'striped' differently as you would expect with short rows, but look carefully at the 2nd pic and you'll see - after I did the heels and started the legs the spiral effect went the opposite way! Why would it do that?

The knitting continued in the same direction, OK, I used yarn in the heel, but surely the spiral should have just shifted round a little, not gone the opposite way.

If you can explain this phenomenon so I can understand it I would be very grateful!

Maybe I have discovered a new law of knitting physics.

Hello from Texas!

2007-04-13T20:57:00.000-06:00

Hello to all blog readers!

After a 1 and a bit sock journey we arrived safely in Texas. This post has no pics but that doesn't mean I haven't done any knitting.

My Texas spring socks are finished, and very nice too! also, I have knit 2 mini socks for the mini sock blocker keychains I bought off the internet. I also had a nice parcel waiting at the post office of 3 skeins of beautiful merino to add to the stash.

I also purchased a cone of Peaches & Cream cotton from Walmart for under $7, intending to do a couple of washcloths as seen in Mason Dixon, however, my copy is in the UK so I guessed it and am now half way through a hand towel! Ooops
Hopefully I'll get pictures of some of these posted in the next few days.

In addition to this I got myself a great coffee mug & T shirt from Cafe Press, I read about them on a blog and had a little look, then accidentally purchased them as well. They arrived today and very nice too, can't wait to wear the KnitBitch T shirt out in public.

Totally Tofutsies!

2007-04-06T11:21:00.000-06:00

The Easter socks for YD are complete. My apologies for a photo heavy blog here but a strange thing happened knitting these. Can you spot it?

I have also included a close up of the colours and my first ever 'live model' with socks'n'crocs.

I am just starting the toes for my next 'mile high' socks as we're off to Texas on monday so a good portion of these will be done on the flight from Amsterdam to Houston, about 10 hours flying but I will doze a little as well!

Hope you all have a lovely Easter and enjoy the fine spring weather forecast for the UK.

Easter Socks #1

2007-03-30T06:53:00.000-06:00

Finished the Easter socks for ED, hope she's happy with them, given my whole sock yarn stash to choose from, and there are some beauties, I was surprised she chose this one. It isn't one of my faves but came in a 'job lot' I got some time ago. YD on the other hand has opted for my one ball of Tofutsies, I tried scowling, frowning and all the usual general grumpiness, but this was the one. I have started them, it feels lovely knit but is a slippery little beggar to get used to. Also, rather than random stripes I'm getting a sort of spiral effect. Watch out for the photo next week.

Spent a nice hour choosing hand dyed from ebay.com this morning, it should be waiting for me when we arrive in Texas on Easter Monday. Hopefully I'll be blogging from there but we have a 'slowband' connection only so don't expect large pics!

Baby Surprise Jacket - Finished

2007-03-27T09:37:00.000-06:00

After the initial struggle with the pattern I have completed the Baby surprise Jacket. I fully expect my next effort to turn out better now I know what to expect (and when to expect it!). However, I am pleased with it and it will be gifted to my, as yet unborn, honorary Texan Grandson!

I used Twilleys 'Freedom Spirit' shade 505, and it took a little over 2 x 50g balls to complete.

This was my 1st adventure with Elizabeth Zimmermann, I'm sure there will be more, but can't help wondering about the person who knit a really odd shape then thought, 'Oh yes, it's exactly the right shape to make a baby jacket' Is it genius or madness?

Incidentally, after casting off and before sewing the 2 seams I did as suggested on the pattern and gave it to my Mum-In-Law (not a knitter - but years of dressmaking skills) and no, she couldn't make it look like a baby jacket!

So, half of a sock for ED and a pair for YD to go before I leave for Texas! (YD changed her mind and has opted for my tofutsies yarn for her next pair so I may get the jitterbug for myself.

Happy clicking Y'all

Just a Quickie

2007-03-21T17:58:00.000-06:00

Well, as a break from socks I have finally started some 'baby stuff' for my friend who is going to become a grandma in June. As this will be a Texas baby, newborn size is probably inappropriate so I decided it had to be for at least a 6 month old baby (when even Texas is a little cooler) and it had to be the famed 'Baby surprise Jacket' by Elizabeth Zimmerman. The pattern arrived yesterday and I cast on last night, today I frogged the whole thing and spent 2 hours with a calculator and a spreadsheet and actually wrote the pattern out again line for line. I have now re-knit (is that a real word?) all the yarn I frogged plus a bit more. It's looking better, tidy, neat, decreases in a straight line, and, nothing like a baby jacket........................To Be Continued...........

Trekking Socks completed last night

2007-03-14T05:07:00.000-06:00

I finished the Trekking socks last night, I love the colours and the yarn was really nice to knit. I used a garter rib and just for variety did a picot cast off as the rib will hold the sock up nicely.

Onto Easter socks for ED tonight. I love starting new socks!!!!!!

Gift socks for youngest daughter (YD)

2007-03-13T02:57:00.000-06:00

Just managed to take a picture of these before they are whisked away again. Done in hand dyed Trekking in 'Grape' by P2Tog they were a gift for YD. I keep trying to get her to knit a pair - she is still resisting.

Texas 'Pearl' not Purl

2007-03-12T10:18:00.000-06:00

Pearl is my 18 year old Mini. She has just had a facelift (welding and other 'mens type things') and a really cool new paint job, including the Texas flag artfully draped on the boot and bonnet, or hood and trunk if you are not English. All work was done by my hubby and a fine job he did too, so big thanks and love to him. Hope you love her as much as I do.

Finished this weekend

2007-03-12T04:34:00.000-06:00

This weekend I decided to do the 'scrappy' hat featured on several blogs. I used 2 balls of Noro silk garden and had just enough to make a little tassel for the top. This was a gift for ED (eldest daughter) as she loves hats.

ED was very pleased with it, unfortunately we had our warmest weekend of the year and she wasn't able to wear it! being England she'll probably get plenty of chances yet before spring arrives properly.

I also visited Carol at Knitterati on Saturday and although I'm hardly short of yarn I added to my stash. 2 skeins of Artesano Hummingbird (been wanting to try this for a while) and some Colinette 'Jitterbug'

The green is for socks for YD (youngest daughter) to wear with her new green crocs. Will just have to knit faster to complete promised Easter projects.

So I have to finish my Trekking socks and complete 2 gift pairs in the next few weeks.

Finally, we got 'Pearl' my 18 year old Mini back on the road last week after her facelift. Will have to post pics of her with her new Texas paint job here soon.

Mile High Socks

2007-03-06T09:07:00.000-06:00

These are my 'Mile High Socks'

The red ones were Amsterdam - Houston, the pink ones were the return trip. To be honest I didn't actually knit the whole pair each time. I had done both toes before flying each time but did knit the bulk of the socks during the flights. They were left on the needles for finishing and binding off when the jet lag had worn off.

Thanks to KLM and Addi bamboo needles

I did catch the attention of a little girl on the return flight to the UK. I honestly don't think she had ever seen knitting before as she was mesmerised by the whole process. Next flight I will have some small plastic needles and a bit of DK or chunky with me. Just in case I can find a willing student.

My First Socks

2007-03-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hello again,

I know this is all a bit back to front but these were the socks that set me off and therefore they deserve a mention. They are far from perfect, they are a bit too big, I had little holes at the corner of the heel flap (a bit of judicious darning solved that) and the bind offs are dreadful, one is too loose, the other too tight! Apart from all that they're perfect and I love them.

I have evolved into a short row toe and heel person, I'm just not keen on the look of the flap heel, but sooner or later I will try another type, it's just that I find them so easy to do, I don't even refer to the pattern any more. This is a major advance for me.

Also, I never do a knitted bind off now, I'm not sure what the technique is that I use (found it on the Internet somewhere) but I do it with a darning needle and it always produces a lovely stretchy top but one that isn't too 'curly'

The finished socks

2007-03-06T06:18:00.000-06:00

These are the socks I finished on Sunday night. I am pleased with the way they turned out and they were quite simple as well as knitting up quickly.

The look slightly different to the ones in the pattern but I think that's just because mine are toe up.

The socks are done!

2007-03-05T17:14:00.000-06:00

Hello all,
The socks from my previous post are now complete and I will hopefully upload the pictures this week. I have done the toes on a new pair using trekking this time, it's looking lovely although I have used a different pattern to the one I wanted to do.
I,ve also had a request for a pair from my eldest daughter for a pair of 'welly' socks so they will probably be my next project.
Keep the needles clicking!

My Current Socks

2007-03-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

I use 2 circulars, addi turbos are my favourites, and I prefer to knit toe up. I read about doing both socks at the same time on 2 circulars, having tried it unsuccessfully several times and getting it right just the once I prefer to do this:

Knit the toe on 1 set of circulars and the 2nd toe on another set,

Work one foot to heel position, then the other

Knit each heel,

Knit each leg,

Knit each top and there you go, a complete pair with no second sock syndrome.

It may sound a bit weird but it works for me.

These are my current socks and I'll be finishing the foot and starting the heels tonight.

Hello and Welcome to Amknitty International

2007-03-01T07:35:00.000-06:00

I have been reading the knitting blogs for a few months now and thought it was about time I had a go myself.

Having got back to knitting after a long break I consider myself a 'born again knitter', it's my mother-in-law that I have to thank for this. As a non-knitter she was struggling with a project which she asked me to sort out, as soon as I had the needles in my hands I got the strangest feeling, I had got to knit again.
A quick foray under the spare bed for my boxes of needles and wool and I was away, firstly with felted bags, until I couldn't give them away any more, everyone I knew got one!

Then, whilst talking to my friend Carol, who has a fantastic yarnery and who is passionate about knitting (visit her at www.knitterati.com) she innocently mentioned SOCKS - well that was it!

I have been socking it ever since! I will hopefully post pictures here in the next few days of my finished socks, some have been knit here in the UK, some in Texas and thanks to the magic of bamboo needles some are even my 'mile high socks' knit while travelling between the two.

I'll also be really brave and post a picture of my sock wool stash.

I am addicted to it, but not afraid to admit it.