Peek-A-Boo! Here I Am!

I know, I know, it's been EONS since I've updated this poor blog.

To be honest, ever since I moved out west, I seem to have lost my knitting mojo. I'll knit a little bit - a few rows, part of something - and put it down because I just don't feel like knitting. I know some day I'll get it back. It still calls to me from time to time, and I do have yarn and needles...and items on the go.

I've started something new, though.

About eleven years ago, I took a painting class for about a year. I had to quit because I had enrolled in university and since I wouldn't be working while going to classes, I had to give up the painting class. I always promised myself that when I started working and bringing in some money, I would take another one because I enjoyed painting and found it relaxing.

I've been looking around here for classes, but haven't found anything - other than enrolling in one at the local college. I'm basically a beginner and I think (though I'd have to check it out) this class is more for people who have some artistic ability - which I lack at the moment.

A week or so ago, I was surfing Pinterest and somehow happened upon a website which offers online tutorial type classes. I signed up for a couple (you have access 24/7) and ordered a few supplies. I'm waiting for the brushes and markers needed for these classes to come in before I really sit down and practice.

One of the classes is on lettering - a form of calligraphy that uses brush markers instead of pen and ink. I watched the first couple of lessons (which are done by video) to get an idea of what she does. It looks so cool and neat, and I can't wait to get my brush markers so I can start practicing!

The other class is on drop flowers (I think that's what it's called...it's escaping my mind at the moment). It's watercolour - which I really like the looks of - and you make the flowers and then "drop" paint into the wet center, which results in a darker colour. After you finish painting, you outline it in black. They look so cool!

I guess when scrolling through Pinterest, what led me to this website was looking at various art journal and Scripture journal pages people have made. I've always thought those (or most of them) looked amazing and I always wished that I could do that. So, I decided that if I ever want to learn something I would need to try it and practice it. Otherwise I'll spend the rest of my life wishing I could do that sort of thing, and regretting not having tried it.

Here are a couple of my first samples. This first one I was more or less just practicing trying to get a background and using more of the paint on the dry paper around the edges, then wetting the middle and adding some yellow and blending the paint in. I don't think it quite worked out the way I had envisioned it, but I kind of like it anyway...even though the orange ended up overpowering the yellow.  I also normally don't gravitate towards these two colours (I'm more of a cool colour sort of girl), so I wanted to try using something I normally wouldn't.

For the drawing and writing, I just started with pencil and then traced over with a black gel pen. As I've said, I can't really draw. I have to look at something and then try to "copy" it...which is what I did here. I think it turned out OK. I definitely need more practice with my drawing as well.  For the verse, I saw it on a photo over on Pinterest (it isn't credited to any particular author, so I have no idea where the quote comes from, or who said it) and liked it so I used it. This is not a quote from me. I would give proper credit if someone knows who said this.



First attempt at drop flowers



The next photo is my first attempt at the drop flowers. I don't have the brushes that are recommended for this course yet (they're on the way and I should get them this week), so I was just working with what I have on hand.

The painting is somewhat on the small side, but I zoomed in so it looks much bigger than it really is.  I painted the flowers, dropped the colour in, did the stems and leaves, and added the middles (I used watercolour paint, but it didn't really work out right, and I don't have a white paint marker yet to add white dots to the middle to help it pop out, but I will add them when my order comes in). After I let it dry, I used my black gel pen to outline it. 

I actually did another couple of samples like this one, but I thought this first one turned out to look the best out of the three. So that's the one that got photographed.  I think it turned out pretty good.

So, as I continue practicing my drawing and painting (I also want to learn to do other watercolour painting - not just these pretty drop flowers), I will hopefully remember to share them here and document my progress.

And hopefully, the knitting mojo will kick in again and I will be able to add photos of those items as well!

Would love to hear what you think of my first attempts at the painting (don't be mean and cruel, though). Leave a note in the comments!

What have you been working on lately?

Something To Keep Little Feet Warm



Size 2-4 socks

 I've had these finished for a few weeks now, but just never got around to posting a pic.

I used the flash in the picture, so the colours don't like quite right. They are deeper and darker in "real life".

The yearn is Patons Kroy Socks (stripes) in the "Mulberry Stripes" colourway. I was unsure at first if I would like this colour combination (well, at least with the brown thrown into the mix), but I think they look quite nice.

The stripes don't match up - they are fraternal twins, but that's OK too. I just hope whoever gets them doesn't mind! I will be adding these to my collection of knits that will go on the church mitten tree at Christmas.

I've started in on another pair of socks (same pattern and size). I'm only on the first sock yet, and I'm just about to start on the heel flap. I haven't really been in the knitting mood much, but from time to time I will knit a couple of rows. I've been feeling like knitting something else though - not sure what though. I've thought of doing yet another hat, but haven't started it. Thought using larger needles and bigger yarn would be nice after working on the socks.

I've also been thinking about knitting a shawl, but to be honest, that scares me. It would be small yarn again and lace - which I wouldn't be able to work on in front of the TV (which is where I tend to do most of my knitting). I've marked a few patterns on Ravelry that I'd like to try, so maybe I'll at least attempt it. I was thinking of making a shawl as a gift, and of course, one for me. I'd also be scared that I wouldn't get it finished for a long time. I don't know. I see so many beautiful shawls on Ravelry and on blogs, and I would like to try one...maybe I should just bite the bullet and start one and see how it goes.

What are you currently working on? Let me know in the comments!

Knitting With Julia Roberts

Saw this on Facebook (via Knit Picks) and just had to share!

Head Coverings

I was getting tired of writing "Hats" or "More Hats" for titles, so I switched it up a little and went with Head Coverings...because that's what hats are!

The one on the right is the same pattern I used for one in the previous post - the Vyridia Fair Isle Hat. I switched the colours around so that pink was the main colour and used the navy for the pattern.

When I finished that hat Saturday night, I still had yarn left over for both colours and decided to make a third hat. This one is just a simple navy and pink striped hat with both colours used in the pompom. For both hats I cast on 80 stitches and used a 4.5mm circular needle (switching to DPNs when it got smaller near the crown (from decreasing).

I still have some of each colour left, but not enough for a hat. Might be enough to add a few rows to a multi-coloured hat. I should look up my left over Astra yarn and see if there if the colours would work together. I don't think I have a lot of this yarn though, and I don't want to buy any more yarn until I use up more of my stash...and besides, I need to save my money since I'm not getting a lot of work.

I don't know what I'll work on next. This seems to be the year of the hat for me, but I want to work at something else as well. I've got lots of patterns queued up in Ravelry, so I might check that and see if anything speaks to me. 

Some of the things I might work on are:

socks (children's)
baby blanket
baby sweater
more hats ;o)
mittens
stuffed toys

It's hard to say what I'll work on next. I think I might start a pair of children's socks, as I had thought while working on my first Vyridia Fair Isle hat that I would do the socks next. I guess you'll have to tune in to the next post to see what the chosen next project turned out to be!

What do you have planned to knit in the future?

More Knitting & Crocheting

In my last post, I showed you a photo of the baby blanket (and wash cloths and bibs) I had made for my friend, Colleen, in Australia.

She has since received the package, and I'm happy to report that she loved the blanket (though she didn't mention anything about the bibs and wash cloths) and said that anyone who sees it loves it as well! That made me feel good!

Since then, I've finished some more items. As you can see in the photo to the left, there are three hats (knitted) and two wash cloths (crocheted). The link for the washcloths is in the previous post.

The hat in the middle was actually finished when I had done the previous post, as was one of the wash cloths, but I forgot to take a photo of it and mention it in the blog.

The hat to the left is the Vyridia Fair Isle Hat by Tina Edgar. The link to the Ravelry pattern can be found here. This is a very easy and quick knit, and I will definitely be making it again, only I will reverse the colours. In the hat I made, I used Patons Astra in navy (main colour) and dark pink. I'll use the pink as the main colour in the next one.

The other two hats used Bernat Mosaic, but I have thrown out the ballband so I don't remember the colourway.

What have you been working on lately?

Dedicated To Krissy

My best friend gave me heck this past Sunday for not updating this knitting blog for awhile, so Krissy, this post is dedicated to you!

Ok, so since the time of my last post, I have been busy making some baby items for a friend's first baby. She had the baby a couple of weeks ago, but I've just been slow in finishing things up and mailing it off.

I wanted to make a baby blanket, so I started crocheting (my favourite way of doing baby blankets) a giant granny square blanket in yellow and green. It looked fine (I need to photograph it and post it to show you), but I thought afterwards that I'd like something a little different than that.  So, I proceeded to do another one, also with yellow and green. At the time I she was still pregnant and I didn't know what she was having, so I wanted to play it safe with the colour choice.  Unfortunately, that blanket didn't turn out.

Oh, I should mention that I had also started knitting a blanket first (pictured a post or so ago...the one with the book in it), but I somehow ended up knitting it backwards - don't ask me how that happened! I figured it would have taken too long for me to start knitting a new one with this particular yarn as it was a light worsted weight. The yarn I chose for the other blankets was a lot thicker, and was easier to work up.

Above is a photo of the completed blanket I finished crocheting using Bernat Baby Bubbles yarn (from my stash, and I haven't seen it on shelves for awhile so I don't know if it's even available anymore), in the Pretty Bubbles colourway. I used a 5.5mm hook. The pattern is pretty easy and uses double crochet for the entire blanket.

I also decided to knit up a few bibs (to the left) using the Grandmother's Favourite Baby Bib pattern (on Ravelry). It's pretty  much the dishcloth pattern and then you bind off until there are five stitches left, and then do the strap. Very easy!

The bib in the middle (yellow one) is made with Cotton Tots, and the other two are made with Bernat Cotton that's used for dishcloths.


The last pattern (below) I made was the Oh So Soft Baby Washcloths found on Ravelry as well. These were made with Cottontots, and is done in crochet. Again, this is a very easy pattern and crochets up quickly!

I'll try to get a photo up soon of the granny square blanket I mentioned earlier. Aside from all these baby items I've been working on, I haven't done much else in knitting. I do have another bib on the needles, and I'll make more of those as well. These will go with the items I make for the mitten tree at church.

Ok, well, that's all for now. Happy knitting!

Yarn Along Wednesday

So I finally remembered to do a post for the Yarn Along (after visiting Kelly's blog).

The link to yarn along can be found by clicking HERE.

The book in the photo is called 90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper. I haven't actually started reading this book just yet, but I will be in the next couple of days.

This book is "a true story of death and life". Don was on his way home from a conference for pastors when he was in a serious car accident - his car was crushed by a semi truck! Medical personnel declared that he died instantly. While he was dead, he "experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music."

Here's part of what the back of the book says:

"Ninety minutes after the wreck, while a minister prayed for him, Piper miraculously returned to life on earth with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. His faith in God was severely tested as he faced an uncertain and grueling recovery. Now he shares his life-changing story with you."

Don Piper spoke at the Christian university here last fall, as well as at a local church. My BFF was in the audience at the university and said it was an awesome talk. She said Mr. Piper focused more on what happened before and after his heavenly experience, and chose to not focus on Heaven. I had friends who heard him speak at the church, and they were in awe. The book actually belongs to my BFF, and she has read it and enjoyed it. I'm really looking forward to reading this - will try to let you know how it is!

As for the knitting, I'm working on a baby blanket for a friend who is expecting her first baby this month. I need to get cracking on it, as I'm not even 1/3 of the way through! The pattern I'm using is on the yarn label, so there is no real name for it. I'm using Bernat Baby Coordinates yarn in the "natural" colourway.  The pattern is easy - 4 rows repeated for the entire blanket. The pattern is knit on the first and third rows, the second row is purled, and the fourth is knit. No doubt I'll have better photos of the finished product posted on here at a later date!

Well, must go work on the blanket now. Happy knitting!

Plain Jane Vanilla

Are you surprised? I've knit 3 more hats since the last post!

First off, let me say (again) that this picture was taken using the flash because it's kind of a dark and dreary day today. We're getting rain, instead of snow...but that's a story for another time.

The hat in the middle was made with leftover purple yarn from one of the purple hats I made previously (shown a couple of posts ago). The hat on the left and right was made from the same skein of Bernat Mosaic in the Ninja colourway. This yarn reminded me a little of Noro Kuryeon, where there are pieces of the strand that weren't tightly spun.

I didn't mind using this yarn, but there were a couple of times when I was casting on where the yarn pulled apart because it wasn't spun in that particular area. The second hat I had cast on 90 stitches and decided that it would be too loose. I unraveled the yarn to cast on 80 stitches instead. As I was unravelling, I got to a spot that had one of those areas that isn't spun (I know there is a name for that, but I can't think of it), and it pulled apart on me. Thankfully, it didn't waste much yarn.  Aside from that, I didn't mind this yarn.

Since the picture was taken, I added a pompom to the hat with the rolled brim (the one on the right). My mom expressed an interest in it to use when she goes out to shovel the walk (and no, she doesn't do this much, but when I'm sick or my back is acting up, she will shovel; otherwise I shovel the walk. We have someone plow out our driveway, so neither of us has to shovel the driveway, thankfully). Previously she would use a hood from a coat, but she didn't like it as it was too big and came down around her face too much (when it was tied). So, I told her if she wanted the hat she could have it. She tried it on and thought it looked OK but thought maybe it should have a pompom so it wouldn't look so flat on her head.

I'm debating on what to knit next, but I think it might be...surprise!!!....another hat. I just find they knit up quickly and I don't have to pay too much attention to the knitting - it's mindless really. I might do up some more kids socks or a scarf soon though...no promises though, LOL!

Do you have a favourite hat pattern to knit or crochet?

Little Swags Hat

Little Swags Hat

I did it! I created my own hat pattern...well, one of two.

This is the first one I finished. I knit up the white one first a little while back, and just finished the pink and white one today.

The white hat is quite large and loose on my head. I suppose someone with a bigger head, or lots of hair would be able to use it. I was following another hat pattern for sizing and for the yarn I used (Bernat Satin), I probably should have either used smaller needles or knit less rows.

The pink and white one fits my head better as I made adjustments from the white one. I knit less rows, and with the decreasing I started with a different number of stitches at the beginning.

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like the way the white swags were going to look with the pink background, but as I continued knitting and finished, it grew on me and I think I like it. So, this hat can be knit in a solid colour, or two colours.

Close up of the Little Swags Hat

The stitch pattern I used is from "400 Knitting Stitches" fro mPotter Craft. It's called the Stamen Stitch, and is on page 142. It was written for using two needles, so I had to play with it a bit to rework it for circular needles. It took a few times because, quite frankly, I'm not all that great at those sorts of things (or creating patterns). I can't look at a pattern and immediately know what to do or how to change it.

I did enjoy coming up with this, and figuring out how to make the adjustments. The pattern itself is very easy, and doesn't take too long to make.

I've decided to post the pattern here on my blog, for anyone wishing to make the hat. I don't have sizes for kids, but I'm sure a more experienced knitter will know what to do to adjust for that. I'm more than willing to accept help in that sort of thing...though really, I'm sure if you just use the sizing for other patterns (kind of like what I did for this one), it would work out OK.

Also, if you try this pattern, I would love to hear back if there are any errors, etc. Also, if you use different yarns you will probably have to adjust the amount to cast on, etc. I created this pattern using ther Bernat Satin, and have not tested it in other brands or thicknesses.


Edited to add needle sizes in the pattern.
I would also love to see any hats you make, so please feel free to leave a link in the comments so I can see. So, without further ado, here is the pattern for the hat:

Little Swags

Cast on 90 stitches with smaller needles (4mm)


Knit 10 rows of K2, P2 ribbing

Switch to larger needles (5mm) and follow the stitch pattern:

Stitch Pattern:

Row 1: K all stitches using MC

Row 2: sl 1 purlwise with yarn in front, P1; repeat around

Row 3: K all stitches using MC

Row 4: P1, sl 1 plurwise with yarn in front; repeat around


Continue the above stitch pattern for 40 rows

Row 41: K2, K2tog around. There should be about 68 stitches left.

Start decreases as following, with all decreases done on knitted rows:

1. K9, K2tog; repeat around. There will be extra stitches at the end, just knit those.

2. Follow Row 2 of the stitch pattern

3. K8, K2tog; repeat around. Again, there will be extra stitches at the end to knit

4. Follow Row 4 of the stitch pattern

Continue in this manner, decreasing one more stitch on each knitted row, making sure to follow the pattern with row 2 & 4 alternating. Do this until there are about 12 stitches left; snip yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

Honeycomb Hat

I finally finished the purple hat I was working on (see previous post). It's not difficult, but the particular stitch I did took longer for me to work at. It's an easy stitch, but for some reason I was just slow at knitting it.


The picture isn't the best, and I had to use the flash on the camera. I've adjusted the photo some in Photo Shop Elements, but the colour of yarn in the photo is pretty close to the actual colour.

Honeycomb Hat



As previously mentioned, I used Patons Classic Merino in Royal Purple. The needles were 5.0 mm circs. In all honesty, I don't really know what the sizing would be, other than to say the hat doesn't fit my head - and I don't think my head is big...maybe average sized.  I suppose this hat could fit an older child, I don't really know. I'll have to take this with me to church on Sunday and get my BFF's daughter (who is a month away from being 11 years old), and see if it fits her.

I got a gift certificate to Chapters for Christmas, and used it to buy the book "400 knitting stitches, A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns" by Potter Craft. The stitch for my Honeycomb Hat is found in there.  I haven't typed up the pattern yet, and in all honesty it's probably not the best pattern. I just sort of made it up as I went along.

For starters, the number of stitches I cast on may not have been the correct amount, as there "left overs" as I began my decreasing rows for the crown. For example, if I was decreasing 8 stitches and then knitting 2 together, I might end up with 5 stitches left over. I would just knit those with no decreases. I don't know if that made a difference or anything, but it may have been camoflauged because they were done only every other row (in between patterned rows). Hopefully the way I worded it makes sense. At any rate, by the time I got to k4, k2tog, I was OK with the number of stitches matching up to the decreasing.



Close-up of Pattern

 I've never created my own hat pattern before, so I took some measurements from another "established" pattern. I cast on what I thought would be the right amount (I wanted to make it a little larger than the other hats I made, so I cast on more than those ones (but not by much). The type of decrease I used was the same as in the other pattern, but I didn't know how many to start decreasing with. I think it turned out OK in the end though, but maybe if someone else looks at the pattern (when I get it posted), she might be able to tell and help make proper adjustments - even if it's just casting on a different amount of stitches instead of what I used.

I'm going to attempt to make another hat of the other pattern I mentioned in a previous post and see if it works out again as well. It's a quicker knit so it shouldn't take me too long to knit up another one. I'm going to try it using two colours and see how that looks. I'll post pics when I get the other one done, and possible share the pattern as well.

Until then, happy knitting!

Yarn Along

I just discovered this "along", and thought I would take part. Ginny, over at Small Things is hosting the yarn along, and you still have time to take part as well. Click the title of her blog to check it out. She's offering a skein of yarn as a prize!

So, for the yarn along, we have to post a photo of our current knitting project and book that we are reading. Here is mine:

The knitting project is a hat I am currently working on (designing it myself...or attempting to). I'm using Patons Classic Wool Merino in the Royal Purple colourway. I hope, if it turns out (might have to do another one just to make sure the pattern works) I just may share the pattern.

The book I'm currently reading, as you can see, is Someone to Blame by C. S. Lakin. Click the name of the book to read a review.

Scroll down for the first post I made today, showcasing my latest knitted FOs I've made since the beginning of 2011.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I've been AWOL since before New Year's. The reason is because of problems with an outlet that wasn't working (which the computer and router were plugged into), and my laptop hard drive decided to die on me.

So, since I didn't have computer access for awhile (about a month), I was busy catching up on my knitting! All photos on this post are of items completed since January 1st.

The first photo of 5 hats are a variety of patterns. The blue hat with pompom and the pink hat beside it were pretty much the same pattern (adapted from a child's hat pattern using the measurements from one pattern), the third hat on the top row is another Fixie Hat, and the two on the bottom are the same hat ("54") in two different sizes. After I finished the green one, I wondered why it was so small. I realized after looking over the pattern, I had used 4mm needles instead of the required 5mm. The blue hat is using 5mm needles and is adult sized.

The second photo is the pattern (the Two Colour Infant Hat) I used the measurements from for the hats mentioned above (the blue pompom and the pink). I made a hat using this pattern the Christmas before last (for the church mitten tree). I love this pattern - easy and quick to make! I decided to add a pompom on the blue/black hat, and used both colours of yarn for it. I must admit that I'm not the best at making pompoms, but then I'm just learning. They turned out OK, but I'm sure they'll get better with practice.

These two hats, to the left, are creations of my own, based on the hat above. I admit the patterns aren't all that great or interesting, but I was mostly just playing around.

I used a bright blue and navy Paton's Astra yarn for these two hats, and sized 4mm circs.

I think I'd like to try to come up with some interesting patterns to make hats like these - better designs than the ones in the photo, but that probably won't happen for awhile. I think I need to be in the mood for that. For now, I'll probably stick to patterns/designs I find online.

Though I've mostly been knitting hats (I have another one I created that I have to test again before posting the photo and possibly pattern, and a second pattern I'm working on, and will probably do another testing for that as well), I also managed to get a couple pair of kids socks knit.

These will probably fit a 2 year old, maybe a 3 or 4 year old...not totally sure. The green pair of socks was made with some sock yarn in my stash. I lost the band for it, and all I remember was that I had won it in a contest a few years ago. It was nice to work with, and I have enough left that I might be able to get another pair the same size made with it - either that or a pair or two of baby socks.

The other pair of socks (same size as the green ones) was made with some Patons Kroy Socks Stripes yarn that I got on sale not too long ago. The colourway is mexicala stripes, and I must say I like the colours used! I would never have though of putting orange and pink and purple together, but I think they look great. I'm not sure if I have enough left for a pair of baby socks, but I might be able to get one baby sock made that could be used as an ornament on the Christmas tree next year. For now, that left over yarn will probably just stay in my stash. I've been thinking of making one of those mitred sock yarn blankets, but that would take a long time to make so I don't know if it's something that will get done just yet. Hard to say.

Well, that's all the knitting I've done for now. As I mentioned above, I've got a couple of other "in progress" hats that I'm working on and hope to post about soon. I also may or may not have patterns to go with them! Maybe if someone is interested in the pattern, I may post it. We'll see.

What have you been up to with your knitting?

More Hats

 For the last couple of weeks, I have been busy working on a few more baby hats to add to the church's mitten tree. I took the previous items I had made last week and added it to the items that were already put on/under the tree. Actually, there are two trees and a manger. I'll try to take a picture of it to post at a later date.

The pattern I used for the hats posted here is the Fixie Hat (this is a free Ravelry download).  I really enjoyed knitting these hats! They are very quick and easy to make. The one to the right was made using left over yarn from my Newfoundland mittens, and took only a day to finish - though I wasn't knitting at every single minute of the day.

The hats to the left were also made this week. The one on the right was made last weekend, though I only worked on it very little Saturday evening and finished it up Sunday afternoon while visiting with my BFF. The hat on the left took longer as I only worked on it off and on throughout the week (i.e. a few rows here and there). I finished it up this afternoon. 

The yarn I used for the two hats on the left is Bernat Satin in the Luxury Ombre (left) and Empress (right) colourways. The needle size was US 8 (which I think is 5 mm), though I probably should have gone with the US 7 (4.5 mm) recommended in the pattern. To be honest, I don't think I have 4.5 mm straight needles...though I might and just can't find them. I don't think they turned out too badly with the size I did use though, particularly for the hat in the first picture.

In both photos, the colours aren't exact as I had to use the flash. Also in the first photo, you can see a little of the tail that I hadn't sewed in when I took the photo. I only noticed it after, but thankfully it was before I took them to church.

I think I'll work at my thrummed mittens next. I haven't worked on them since I started them as I was wanting to get some items knit up for the mitten tree. Now that I have, I can continue with the thrumming, and hopefully my experience with them will be a good one!

What are you currently working on?

Strawberry Smoothie

I know I said in my previous post that I was going to work on some thrummed mittens. Well, I did cast on and began to work on the cuff, but I felt guilty.

I've had this scarf on the needles for some time (probably since the beginning of this year, or spring at the latest), and thought that I should really finish it up before this winter came and went.

The pattern is the One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka "The Yarn Harlot". The yarn I used was Lamb's Pride from the Brown Sheep Company, in the Strawberry Smoothie colourway (at least I think that is the colourway according to their website...I lost the band some time ago so I can't say for sure, but it does look like what they show for that colourway). I just used one skein, so it's not an overly long scarf, but should be fine. Also, I haven't blocked it yet, so it will probably gain some length then.

I've made this particular scarf two or three times before, and enjoy knitting it. It is VERY easy to make, and is basically mindless knitting. It's also a quick knit - well, quick if you don't put it down and wait for long periods of time before picking it up again! I know I'll make this pattern again at some point because of the easiness and the quickness for knitting it (hmm, does that last sentence even make sense? I "quickness" even a word?).

I am putting this scarf with the other items I'm putting on the church's Mitten Tree this Christmas. It should be going up soon, though I'm not sure when. I was looking at the items I've made this year, and there isn't much to donate - 2 scarves, 1 baby hat, and 3 pairs of baby/toddler socks. I suppose every little bit helps, though. Maybe I'll try to quickly make a pair of kids mittens, or couple pairs of baby mittens to add to the pile - or maybe another baby hat.

At any rate, I haven't really been doing any knitting lately (let alone this year) because I haven't been in the mood I guess. Hopefully that will change and it will pick up - especially with the colder weather and snow we'll get this winter. That might be what I need to get me going. We did have a little snow a couple weekends ago, and it did stick around for awhile. Today, however, it's gone - melted from some warm temperatures and a little rain. According to the weather forcast the day before yesterday, they are calling for more snow this coming week (though that could change of course).

Ok, I think I'll end this post here and go choose the yarn and pattern for the next child or baby item to make so I can add to the donation pile!

What's on your needles?

Get Thrummed!



When I grow up, I want to be thrummed!



Ok, so I've been bad and haven't done much knitting. I did start a shawl (a simple garter stitch) that I'm thinking of giving to one of the elderly ladies at church - that is if I get it finished before winter is over! I forgot to take a photo of it when I had the camera out a bit ago. I don't have much done on it though, so it would be pretty boring.

Remember in one of my earlier posts I had mentioned that I wanted to knit a pair of thrummed mittens? Well, the other day I made my way to an LYS and bought some yarn & fibre to start said pair of mittens (see photo to the right).

I bought 2 bags of the fibre - the emerald green (or is it kelly green?), and some saphire coloured blue. The yarn you see in the photo (with a pretty piece of green fibre to look like a bow) is Lett-Lopi. I've never used this kind of yarn before, so I hope it's a good one.

As you can see, I've just started the mittens - one row knitted so far. I'm not sure if these will be for me or if I'll gift them or donate them. I picked the green fibre just in case I decided to keep my first ever pair of thrummed mittens that I made. That way, they'd go with the new red winter coat I bought about a month ago.

Well, I'm in the knitting mood - I'm anxious to get thrumming! I'll try to post some photos along the way, unless I get them finished before pulling the camera out. Until then, happy knitting!



Hats Off To You!



Preemie Hat

 I had this little hat on the needles for awhile. I was just waiting to get DPNs in the proper size. As it is, the ones I did get were the next size up because I couldn't get the right size. I don't think it affected the pattern or size too much though. I tried to knit tighter, so I think that helped a bit.

The picture's not great, but I don't have anything to put a hat on for a good photo. For this one, I had my mom stick her hand inside and hold hit up that way. I also had to use the flash, so the colours are a little lighter than what the yarn actually is.

The pattern I used was Preemie Hats for Charity by Carissa Knits.  I've used this pattern before - it's quick (because it's so small), and an easy knit.  There are about 4 different alternatives on this pattern print-out - Heart Version, Diamond Version, Striped Version, Ribbed Version. I followed the pattern for the Striped Version, except I kept using the same yearn and didn't alternate with another colour.

This hat will be going in with my other items for the mitten tree at church. I'll definitely be making more of these for the mitten tree. 

I've also been working on my scarf some. I had originally gotten 3 skeins of yarn for the scarf, but since it's made from wool, I think I might just use 2 and then block it to create some length. It's definitely going to need blocking, because the sides curl under. Hopefully it won't take too much longer to get the scarf finished, and blocked, and then get some photos of it up here.

What is your favourite item to knit/crochet/craft? Let me know in the comments!

Newfoundland Mittens - Completed!

Finished Newfoundland Mittens

So, for about the last week, I've only had the thumb on the second of the Newfoundland mittens to finish. Every single day I would think about knitting that thumb. Every single day I would pull my knitting bag out and keep in the living room, handy, for when I had the urge to knit. And hoping Tinker Belle wouldn't get into the yarn or pull out a mitten to play with. She loves wool!



This past week, however, I didn't knit. I wanted to knit. But, I just didn't have the energy to do so - even for something as small and simple as finishing the thumb of a second mitten. Something that wouldn't take too long to do.



Tinker Belle & the mittens



I've been tired all week. That's because school started up last week - well, nine days ago now - and I've been getting up at 6:00 every morning, just in case I get a call to teach that day (I want to be prepared so that I won't have to rush and try to shower, dry my hair, and get make-up on with minimal amounts of time. I can't do it. I'm not wired to do it. And that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it). Typically in the run of the day I end up needing (yes, needing) a nap; and those naps can end up being two or two and a half hours! Already today, I've been up close to four hours, and I am dragging and need to go back to bed - and I will at some point.

Last night, while I watched the season premier of Survivor (only the second season I've every watched) with my mom, I pulled out the mittens, the pattern, the required yarn, scissors and tapestry needle, and I knit that thumb. And I finished that thumb! The mittens are now completed!

I used Patons Canadiana yarn in black (main colour) and...well, I'm not sure of the other colour as the wrapper seems to have been discarded. Anyway, that second colour is a nice jewel toned shade, with blue, green, purple, pink repeated. I went to the Patons website to see if I could find it, but didn't see it shown.  The pattern for these Newfoundland Mittens was very easy and quite quick to knit. I enjoyed the time spent knitting these, and will more than likely make more pairs in the future. The Ravelry link for them can be found here.


I really love how these turned out!

With the Patons yarn, I think I used 4.0mm needles (really need to measure them again so that I'll know), and the result was a nice snug fit. I adjusted the thumb a little by picking up stitches to total 22 (including the 7 that were on the holder), knit four rows, then decreased to 18 stitches and finished the thumb.

Up next? I'm not totally sure. I was thinking more mittens (for a child this time), or socks (again for a child - or even more baby/toddler socks). I was also thinking I should finish the scarf I'd started earlier this year, which will no doubt be for me know since I somehow managed to lose my favourite scarf I'd worn for a couple of winters (the one my Scarf Exchange Pal knit for me). I really have no idea where it went to. I had it at school one day in the spring when it was still cold, put it in my bag and by the time I got home, it was missing. I think it must have fallen out - either that or one of the kids stole it. I hate to say that, but with this particular school (a middle school), it's quite possible. So, I will need a new scarf to wear this winter. The pattern is easy, so if I stick to it and not lose my knitting mojo again, I should have it finished in no time. It's already half (or a little more than half) finished.

I'd love for you to leave me a comment and let me know what you are currently working on, or your most recent finished item. Feel free to leave a link to your blog so I can check out your FOs!

Things I Want To Make

I want to make thrummed mittens! I have thought about this type of mitten for a long while, and never felt like I'd be able to make them. Well, after surfing the web and Ravelry, and finding patterns and lots of pics of these mittens, I've decided to make some in the future - like maybe this fall.

I need to wait until I start working again (supply teaching) to get some money as I need to get roving for them. I have one day of teaching booked so far - the second day of school! From what I've been told in the past, the first few weeks of school are pretty slow for supply teachers...not much work. Hopefully I'll get more soon as I am getting low in funds!

Inside of thrummed mitten

Both of the photos on this post were taken from this Ravelry link from the Yarn Harlot. Stephanie's pattern for these cool...or should I say warm...mittens can be found on her blog (scroll down for the pattern).


I will be knitting up some mittens soon, possibly for myself, but we'll see. I'll be doing Newfoundland Mitts by Creative Whimsy. I've go the yarn ready and waiting, now just need to cast on - hopefully later today!

Second One Done

Got the second baby/toddler sock finished a short while ago, so I thought I'd get the photo posted while I had the opportunity. The picture's not the greatest, but I was just getting a quick shot of the socks.

These will go in my bin of items for the mitten tree at church this Christmas. I don't have much in there right now, so I'll have to get cracking and work on some mittens, more socks, hats, etc. I've got a baby hat in the works (need to find my matching DPNs to finish it off), and a couple of scarves on the needles, though one of the scarves will probably be mine. Sadly, I lost my scarf somewhere when I was teaching this past winter (late in the season), so I'll probably keep one of them for myself - unless I actually get another one finished for myself.

One Down, One To Go

Ok, so I finally got one little item done - and technically it's not done yet. I only have one so far, and I need the matching one to make the pair complete. I'll be starting the next in a little while, and hopefully I'll either have the mojo to finish it tonight, or tomorrow at the latest.

I'm using the pattern mentioned two posts ago (the usual pattern I use for baby/toddler socks). I'm using Paton's Kroy yarn in a dark charcoal colour. In the photo, it looks like light grey, but it's not. It's actually looks closer to black.

Well, back to the other sock. I'm watching, "You've Got Mail" for the umpteenth time, so I have ample opportunity to work at it. 

What are you working on? Let me know in the comment section!