Better Late Than Never

My break at Thanksgiving zoomed by without having time to post pictures and update the blog.  Then the next three weeks I was at the mercy of work.  Finally, I have some quiet time to share the charity knitting update.

Thanks to some wonderful knitters and crocheters, from beginner to experienced, we have around 55 scarves to donate to a local women's shelter.  Nine of the best were wrapped for special gifts, with the others available as the need arises this winter.  This does not include the hats and mittens that were also made.  And we had hoped for 20!

Here are pictures of some that I made.

#1 My first crocheted scarf - basic double crochet.  Leftover yarn from a project my mother had made years ago.

 #2 Stash yarn.  Ravelry pattern Tiles Scarf

#3 Basic garter stitch.  One skein Encore Mega and some stash white.

#4 Basic garter stitch.  Encore Boucle

#5 Leftover yarns from other projects.  Basic ribbed hat.

#6 Leftover yarns from other projects.  Basic stockinette hat - child size.

These have all been made since the beginning of November if I remember correctly.  Now I need to take pictures of the headbands I have been churning out and the scarf that is waiting for binding off.  Scarf was just started today while riding in the car.  It will be finished before I go to bed tonight, so it will not wait long.  I didn't realize I had been doing this much knitting or crocheting!

Until the next post, Merry CHRISTmas!  Keep those hooks and needles moving!

Now I Understand!!

I need to confess that I am saddened when the time between posts is longer than I would like on my favorite blogs.  How could they keep me hanging??  What is the latest work-in-progress or finished object??   I definitely have more appreciation for the time and effort it takes to create meaningful posts, especially when the blog is not the person's main source of income!  Work commitments and other responsibilities have hampered my time to post the past few weeks and I have made the conscious decision to knit with my few spare moments rather than blog. With a few days off from work, my goal is to take pictures and post about my recent encounters with sticks and string....stay tuned!!

Too Many Projects???....Nah...

I had a very brief moment of panic today - too many projects I thought!  But that moment was very fleeting.  It all started when I went to my stash for one last look at what might be used for hats and scarves and uncovered more than expected.  The Stitchin' Sisters group at my church (which I help lead) was asked to make scarves for a local shelter.  Another group in our church is already collecting toiletries and thought this might be a good addition to their gift bags at Christmas.  The Stitchin' Sisters jumped at the opportunity - even the beginners! - and we thought hats might be a better option for the children at the shelter.  Donations of yarn are coming in from members of the church and even those who do not attend the group are pitching in to help make items.  I had already started on two or three items, but decided to look at my own stash one more time.  There must be enough leftovers to make 8 or 10 additional items!  Hence the moment of panic.  But, if put my vest on hold for a bit and use simple patterns, I think I can use up most of the stash I pulled out today.  Using my metal needles helps me knit faster too!!

Thanks to those who replied to my thoughts on needles.  After the holidays I think I will have to pull out that lace yarn and try to make a scarf out of it again - this time on my metals needles.  I'll use my bamboo needles again, but choose the project carefully!

Needle "issues"

I am wondering if other knitters have found themselves having issues with their knitting needles, or more accurately, their choice of knitting needles.  I first started knitting when I was a preteen, learning from my grandmother (more on that in a future post).  Back then (way back then) the only needles I knew about were metal.  I had no trouble learning to knit, but what I did have trouble with was my death grip and tight stitches that resulted because of the slippery needles.  In fact, I didn't knit regularly for years because my tight stitches frustrated me so!  When I did give knitting an honest try again about 8 years ago, bamboo needles became my tools of choice.  In fact, I made it clear to anyone who was interested that I despised metal needles and would only knit with bamboo.  Imagine my surprise in the past few months when I find myself preferring metal needles!!!  For circulars I am mostly using addi Turbos, but for my straights I love the Susan Bates.  I guess I am just surprised at the change.  Is it because knitting is much easier for me now because I am knitting more?  Am I just more relaxed in my knitting (because my stitches are definitely not as tight)?  Or, as I mentioned to my knitterly friends, am I becoming a needle snob and can only knit with certain needles?

First Thoughts

This is exciting and scary, putting my thoughts out for the world to see.  I've thought about blogging and wondered: 'What would I have to say?'  'Why would anyone want to read what I say?'  and then...'What does it matter?' So, I am taking the plunge into the vast sea that is the blogging world.

Isn't it amazing what a person can do with two sticks and some string?? Whether knitting (or crocheting) for practicality or art, knitting for yourself or others, knitting for pleasure or purpose, sticks and string collaborate to form a playground for your senses of sight and touch.  If you are like me, the fun starts even before the sticks and string begin their dance.  My eyes rejoice at the vision before me when I enter a yarn shop, fibers luring me into their lair, and my hands cannot resist caressing the cascades of loveliness falling from the displays, tempting me even more.  Occasionally I resist, but more often than not, I add equipment and toys to my own playground at home.  If only I could stay and play all day with my friends at my playground, or play by myself at home.  At least for the moment, playtime must end for the realities of life call.