Joining the Knitalong!!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are getting a great start to your weekends! I just came to post a quickie, since I don't have a lot of time today to write, but I wanted to share with you the "Mystery" Tiny November Knitalong Susan B. Anderson is holding over on the Spud & Chloe blog. It looks like a lot of fun! I don't have any Spud & Chloe yarn, it's not available in these parts, so I'm going to use some worsted-weight cotton I've got in the stash...see, I'm doing my best to stick to the yarn diet!!! If you can, I hope you pop on over to the blog and join in! It's a great project for right now, since it's small and requires only a little bit of knitting time so I'm sure you could sneak it in somewhere.

Well, have a great, and safe weekend everyone!!! I'll be back Monday with my progress on the "mystery" project!! Till then,

Take care!

P.S. This will be my first ever knitalong, so I'm super excited, if you couldn't already tell!

Finished Projects - Without Pictures

Hello All,

How was everyone's weekend?? The weather here is getting much cooler, and it's been rainy and windy these past few days, not the most uplifting. However, the sun has been trying to peek through today, so hopefully it will clear up and we'll have some sunshine soon. Our leaves are almost all gone except for a few that are hanging on. I did get out to take some pictures the other day, and I will share them with you soon. I've been trying since yesterday to upload pictures on the blog so I could show you the finished Fetching gloves, the red charity mittens which are done, and the leaves, but for some reason they won't upload. I'll keep trying and will hopefully be able to share them with you all soon.

Like I said, I finished the charity mittens on Sunday like planned. I just have to block them and find them a new home with some precious child! Now that they are done, I'm on the lookout for a new project for my charity knitting Sundays. I'm thinking maybe socks for Children in Common? Or maybe a hat to go with the mittens? I'm still not sure, but I'm going to take some time out this week to look through Knitting for Peace for some ideas.

I am now working on a surprise project (well a surprise for my family anyway) for Christmas gifts. Last week when I was listening to the Knit Picks' podcast (the one about impractical knits), Marcie was talking about how she loves knitting patterns from the mochimochi land site. She mentioned that she had knitted Grass, and as soon as I heard that I knew I had to too! The patterns from the website are adorable, and there are some that are free while the others are not very expensive, most around $5. Grass is one of the free patterns, and so far I'm finding it to be a fun, easy, and quick knit. I'm making two right now. I've got one completely knit and the other I'm working on the reverse side, so I should be able to start felting them tomorrow. I can't wait to see them come together! I'll try to get some pictures for you soon, once I figure out this uploading problem.

Well that's about all I've got for today, I hope you all are having a great start to the week!!

Take care!

Well Aren't You Fetching!

Hello,

How is everyone's week going?  Mine has been improving.  I have some knitting I've been working on to show you!  I have been wanting to make the Fetching fingerless gloves for the longest time, but I never had the time or the yarn to knit them.  Well, the other day I found some really gorgeous Patons Angora Bamboo in the stash and thought it would work perfectly.  It's so soft, and warm, and I LOVE the colour, which is called Low Tide.  It's such a nice colour to wear when everything else in nature is going brown, I think. 

This is a great pattern which works up quick yet is not mindless knitting, there's some thinking involved, which is just what I wanted - nothing too hard, but yet still challenging to my mind on occasion.  This is a picture of the first one right after I finished the body, but before I knitted the thumb hole.  By the way, sorry about the poor image quality, I shot this in the evening at my desk with my other hand.

I'm on to the second one now, and will show you the completed pair tomorrow.  I'm working on getting them done so that I can wear them to the city in the morning. 

On another note, I've been doing some Christmas gift discussing with my Mom this morning and since I'm currently unemployed, it sounds like there will be a lot of cutting corners this year when it comes to my gift giving.  It's looking like I'm going to be knitting and sewing from my stashes, which is good, yet a bit of a challenge.  However, I'm welcoming it, and can hardly wait to see what I can come up with!!  I have a feeling there will be a lot of yarn substitutions in order, but it's going to be fun!!  So far I've done really well with sticking to my yarn diet, and I've begun to do the same with my fabics.  I will admit that sometimes I struggle, especially when I'm walking past the yarn isle in Walmart, and I won't even allow myself to go to the yarn store...that would be to painful.  However, I'm working my willpower, and have been looking more into the stash where I've been finding lots of things that I forgot I even had, which is making me fall in love all over again.  To tell you the truth, it's a good feeling!  I'd recommend it to anyone who is on a budget this year.  Sometimes I find myself surprised at how much I do own, and I'm sure you'd find the same.  Christmas is a time of year to think about giving, and not getting, and I think this is helping me with that.

Well, I'm off to make a latte, and sit down with my knitting.  Have a great day everyone!

A Couple of Quick Gift Ideas

Good Morning,

Today I wanted to share a couple of things I found the other day that I thought were great ideas for quick and easy Christmas gifts.  They are from the blog Spud Says!  The first one is the Outsider Mittens, which is a free pattern, made from Spud and Chloe Outer.  They look fantastic!  They're a quick knit, done on US 13 needles, so you could make a lot of them in a short amount of time.  My favourite is the one with the bobble cuffs!

Susan B Anderson also showed a picture of two finger puppets that are made from Spud and Chloe Fine back on Friday on the blog as well, that are just too cute!  They are from the new Interweave Knits Holiday Gift Issue '09, which comes out this Friday.  I'm so excited about this pattern.  It is completely adorable, and the perfect thing to make for any little girl.  I have two little girls on my list who I know would love these!  I can hardly wait till I can get my hands on a copy of the magazine.

These are perfect for me since I'm in need of some quick-to-knit projects for those on my Christmas gift list.  I hope that they'll be useful for you as well!  Everyone needs a few quick projects either because we're strapped for time, or have someone unexpected sneak onto our gift list.  Both of these fit the bill, especially the mittens, since they can be for anyone from a child to an adult, and can be gender-neutral. 

I've got to get to work on finalizing my Christmas gift list today.  I keep putting it off because I can't seem to find just the right things for everyone, but I need to get cracking at it, so that I can start the projects soon! 

Have a great day!! 

It's Started

Good Afternoon Everyone!!

How was your weekend?  Mine was quite nice, got to spend a good amount of time with my family, so that was great!  I even got some time to work on some knitting...yay me!  I've been struggling lately to find time to do any knitting, so I was really excited when I got a chance this weekend. 

I worked on the red charity mittens!!  Ok, I have to be honest, I got confused on the weekend about what day it was, and ended up doing my charity knitting on Saturday instead of Sunday.  But hey, at least I worked on them!!  I finished the top of the second mitten and started on one of the thumbs.  Since these are such a small size, the thumbs really shouldn't take much time at all.  I think I'll have them done for sure next weekend.  Then I'll need to find something new to work on for my next charity project.  I LOVE planning new projects.

Since Fall is here for sure, I've decided to start working on my Christmas gifts.  I've been getting pressure from my family to not make as many time-consuming gifts as last year (I'm guessing they didn't enjoy how stressed out I was?) so I'm working on coming up with new, easier projects.  I want to do some cute knitted ornaments, so I started a few on the weekend. 

The Santa Hat is from the Holiday 2009 Knit Simple magazine, and the Stocking is the Mini Holiday Stockings by Carissa Browning, which you can get on Ravelry - here, or from her blog - here.  These are both super cute, and super quick - just what I need!

Well, I hope everyone is getting a great start to the week!  I'm off to work on some projects!

Talk to you soon!!

A Little Life Help

Hello Knitters!!

Sorry I haven't posted for a bit!  This past weekend was our Thanksgiving here in Canada, so I'm all thrown off about what day it even is!!  I didn't get any time to work on anything this weekend, what with celebrating with the family and all.  This week is filled with appointments, and trips to the city for supplies, so I'm not really sure if I'll get a chance to do any knitting for a while.  I'm really hoping that I can sneak some in here and there though! 

I picked up the new Vogue Knitting Holiday magazine today, and I can hardly wait to sit down tonight with it.  There's nothing quite like relaxing with a new knitting book or magazine now is there?  I look forward to it so much!  It's one thing I love to do when I have some down time. 

The other day I stumbled upon a blog I want to share with you all.  It's called Mothercraft - coaching for the modern mom.  It's done by a lady named Carly.  She has a whole website, and business devoted to "empowering moms to find careers they love, get more done & simplify their lives."  Now I'm not a mother yet (not even married, to be more specific), but I found tons of helpful tips on simplifying my life and to help me to take the time to care for myself so that I can care for others.  I think that is one of the best things we can do, because we really cannot help others when we are run down, wore out, and just plain pooped!  Carly has lots of great advice and she even has some videos where she tells you in her own words how to put these things into action.  I'm sure if you are a mother, you will find even more of her tips and tricks to be extremely helpful.  I hope you all pop on over and check it out! 

Well, that's all for tonight, I've got to be getting myself to bed soon, I have an appointment in the morning, so I need to be up extra early.  I hope you are all having a great week!!

Take care!

A Fall Makeover

Good Afternoon,

I've done some changes to the blog this morning, how do you all like it?  I've been wanting a change for the season, but I could never find just the right thing...till now.  My Mother was the photographer on this one.  She takes such amazing pictures!!  I told her about my plight, and next thing I knew, she had this all set up on the table and was shooting away.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life, she always knows what would be just the right thing. 

Fall has been coming for quite a while in our area, but she's not in her full glory yet.  The trees are turning, but a lot are still green.  One thing we do every Fall when the leaves are at their peak is drive around and take pictures of them.  I'm hoping to share some of those images with you in the coming weeks.  There is something so completely breath-taking about seeing a forest full of turning trees.  It's like one night while we are sleeping the Lord comes and paints the trees, and when we awake, all we see is a splendor of colour.  It has to be my faviourite thing about Fall.

Another thing I love about this time of year is how it makes me want to knit even more than usual.  I start dreaming up lushes sweaters, wooly scarves, fuzzy mittens....the list goes on and on.  I get so excited about all the new yarns, and the gorgeous Autumn colours.  I love thinking of new things to knit to keep those I love warm and toasty as the air gets chilly.  It stirs something up inside me that makes me so glad I'm a knitter.  I love having the ability to bless those around me with something that I have created with my own hands.  It brings me such a deep joy. 

I hope that you all feel this way as well, and why don't we try to share the joy with others and teach someone how to knit.  I'm sure that you have someone in your life who would love to learn.  It may be your sister/roommate who needs a way to relax after work/school, or a neighbour that needs a way to make gifts for her family this year since funds are a bit low, or even a child in your life who seems fascinated by the idea of using string and sticks to make something wearable...we should be teaching children how to do this so that they can carry on the craft.  It's sad to see so many young kids who don't know how to do handiwork.  Knitting can teach you so much (patience, determination, giving, etc), and I think the younger generation would benefit from it.  And there is nothing like seeing the look on a new knitter's face when they have finished a project...it truly does good for the soul. 

Have a happy day all!

Beary Fun Knitting

Good Morning!

I have a confession to make; I have an obsession with teddy bears (well with all stuffies to be honest).  When I was a child, my room was full of them, I had one particularly special bear named Teddy HoJohn.  My cousin HoJohn gave him to me for Christmas one year, I think I was between the ages of 2 and 4, so I named him after him.  He was one of my best friends and we went everywhere together.  And I mean, literally everywhere.  One Sunday my Dad was taking me to church on the ski-doo, and told me that I could not bring any toys with me because I might drop them along the way, but I was bound and determined to take Teddy HoJohn with me, so I got my Mom to put him in the front of my snowsuit as she zipped it up.  When we got to church and Dad unzipped my snowsuit Teddy HoJohn popped out.  I thought he would be mad but he didn't say a word.  Looking back on it now I think he was so surprised at my good plan that he was trying not to laugh!  Another time he got left in a booth at a restaurant about an hour from here and since my Mom wasn't going to drive all that way to pick him up, my Dad got one of the men on his work crew to pick Teddy HoJohn up on his way through.  So needless to say, we have been best buds and he meant (and still does) the world to me.  He still sits on my window bench in my room. 

Now the reason I'm telling you this is because the other day I got a new knitting book.  It's The Best-Dressed Knitted Bear by Emma King.  When I seen this book, the little girl inside me just jumped for joy, I had to buy it.  Emma King has done a fantastic job of creating some of the most adorable, and yes, best-dressed bears I have seen.  They are the perfect thing to make for a little-one (or big-one) in your life.  I can't think of a child who wouldn't be thrilled to receive such an adorable friend!  There are numerous outfits you can make as well to dress your bear for any occasion.  They look like the perfect small knitting project for those times when big knitting is not an option, like while traveling, or when you are pressed for time and need a quick gift.  There is six different bears, ranging in size and complexity, and a total of 18 different outfits.  There are hula bears, pirate bears, safari bears, and even a golfer bear.  It's such a great idea; what a terrific book!  I hope to get some time in the near future to make one...with that being said, I should be getting back to work!!  Have a great day all!

Happy Knitting

Look at the SOCK!!

Hello Knitters,

I'm back from vacation, and just trying to ease myself in to the swing of things again.  We had a great time, with lots of fun!  It was so nice to be able to spend some quality time with my sister.   

Good news!!  All that sitting in the car made me focus on the socks, and I got a good portion of the first one done.  I think I need to pick up another ball though because they are a bit longer than the pattern.  Apparently my sister's boyfriend likes his socks to be on the long side.  I took a few pictures of it along the way.  Here I am trying it on to check the length:

 
I turned the heel on the way home, and am now knitting the foot part.  With the new added length, I have a feeling these will take a little longer than I anticipated.  But I'm going to try my best to keep working on them, so this means the thrummed mittens are going to have to wait a bit longer. 

Yesterday was quite busy so I never got a chance to work on my charity mittens.  I'm so sorry that I have nothing to update you with.  I'm hoping to get more time this Sunday.  We had another trip planned for this coming weekend to go to a women's Christian retreat, but due to other circumstances, we had to cancel.  So I should have some extra, unplanned time.  This week is also a little less hectic (at least so far), so I'm hoping to get more posting done, and do a little work on the blog in general.  Things seem to pop up out of the woodwork when I have something blog related planned!!  So we'll see how it goes.

Well, that's all for now folks, I've got to be off to finish up the rest of my to-do list for today! 

Happy Monday!

Yarn Diet

Morning All,

I have some sad news....some very sad news indeed!  I've come to the decision that I need to go on a yarn diet (see previous post with all that new yarn).  I know, I know..just at the time when all the fun fall yarns are on the shelves.  But alas, I'm going to have to be strong!  I even came up with the plan myself....harsh, yes, but when I found myself contimplating stuffing my shoes and handbags with yarn the other day, I knew I might have a slight problem.   I took stock though, and I think that if I use only stash yarn to make my gifts this year, I should get things down to a more managable amount.  Have any of you gone on a yarn diet before, got any tips for me?  I could really use some advice!  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Take care,

I'm off to wallow in my yarn...