Look What I Made!

So I've made some fingerless gloves before but never with a thumb.  I finally worked up my nerve to try it.  So here are my first pair.  I need to weave in the ends but other than that--they're completed!  I LOVE them and have already starting tweeking this pattern so the next pair will match (a bit more).  I went on and let this pair be the trial pair.  [And who knows, I may frog the one I like the least and do it again.]

Well, just wanted to share it with you (and anyone else reading our blog)!

xoxo!
~leslie

What's NOT on Your Needles?

(Shared with permission from Knot Sew Much)

I usually see posts about "What's ON your Needles?"  When I browse crafting/knitting/crocheting sites, this is a frequent question.

Well, I've been taking time [in this blazing heat] to knit.  Yep. Knitting.  I'm determined to complete my started projects BEFORE starting new ones (and boy do I have some new ones I want to start on)!

So here's the completion to a winter set for me:

(I made the scarf previously--it was crocheted.)

So, what's NOT on your needles?? (or in your sewing machine?)

Project(s) & Life Update!

Dear Emilie,

I just have to share with you some of the things I've been doing since the last time.  Surprisingly, when I step away from the computer I get soooo much more done.  (Go figure!)  As I shared previously, I was asked to knit a preemie hat for charity.  Well, I want to make two--and I've done that.  Then I decided that I'd make one for each of the full-term babies I was blessed to have. 

The first pattern didn't work for me so after frogging it and restarting (using a compilation of two other patterns) I was able to complete it.  I think it's nice.  It does sort-of look like a "first."

The second one I simply did what I do--knitt my ear.  LOL!  I think it's adorable!!

I'm not working on my third, which is a nice deep blue.  My hope is to have it done by the weekend so I can ship them all off on Monday.

During this time I've learned to crochet.  And let me tell you...I whipped out a scarf in less than four hours.  Crocheting is definitely faster.  Not sure if I really like the look of it (I do so love the look of knitting), but I am open to learning it more and making things for others--again, because it so quick! :D

I must say that I'm feeling very proud of myself for trying new things!  I used 4-5 needles on the preemie hats so now I'm ready to try a pair of socks.  This has definitely satisfied my need to create and give.  It's also made my crave out time each day for this--which I've wanted to do for some time.  I think this is a habit I want to make--so between sorting and packing and reading and cooking and cleaning and homeschooling and running errands and laughing....you'll find me either knitting or crocheting. :D

Oh, on my "break" last week, I found a yarn store.  Em, it was so good to be in that space!!  It was almost as nice as Knitch (the one we went to to knit in the ATL).  You can read more here (and see photos).  I thought about that commercial you shared with me...touch, touch, touch, touch, feeeeeeel!.  Yeah, I was doing a lot of feeling! LOL!  And I stumble upon another great little shop called Just Be.  This really spoke to me.  There were hand made items from local and national artists who inspire, encourage and share simply beauty with someone like me. :D  I'm looking forward to visiting again and getting a few of those pretty things.  (Perhaps we should plan a date there!?!)

We are definitely moving forward with "the BIG move" plans scheduled for mid-June.  Yesterday I got through most of the stuff in the office--turned storage room.  It's still in 'storage' mode but all the trash, junk and things to be donated OUT.  Melvin said that I'm welcome to back everything else up--which, I probably will.  However, I'm now thinking, if it can be packed up now, do we really need it--ever?  So, perhaps I'll have another conversation with him.  lol.  I've gotten two boxes of books together to donate.  Realizing that I don't have to HAVE every book.  We need to better utilize our library systems--this will definitely free up some space in my house and in my life!


I miss you.  We must get together soon!  What things are on your needles these days?

~leslie

Knitting for a Cause

Dear Emilie,

I just wanted to invite you to join me in knitting a hat for a preemie boy or a girl.  One of my dear friends, Laverne, invited me to join her in doing that this month.  I really want to do two, but am committing to one since, well, you know how my life flows over here. :D  I also know that you can whip one out in no time (perhaps the big girl over there can make one too).  You can read here to find out the particulars.  I know you've done this before, but this is my first time.  I mean, I knit because, but haven't done it for a cause! LOL!

Either way, just wanted to let you know what else I'm doing!  I'll definitely share photos when they're done (see, I'm speaking of more than one already!)

Have a great day!!

Knitting Lessons

Dear Emilie,

Yesterday I started the first of several knitting lessons I'll be giving over the next six weeks.  Take a moment to read this before reading on.  (I'll wait.  I'll even hum a little music for you. lol) ;-)

Well, let me begin by saying I made it through...and I think we are heading in the right direction.  I've ended up with three students in addition to my oldest.  The first lesson, which included her and her friend, didn't go as planned.  But I somewhat expected that.  That's why I'm thankful I'm flexible. (smile) The little girl immediately started pulling, very randomly, at her skein of yarn before I could stop her.  So, after I showed them different sized needles, different types of yarn, she (and her mother--mainly) spent the rest of our time untangling her yarn.  I had my daughter roll her skein into a ball and let this experience be the lesson for today!  We will learn on cast-on at our lesson next week.

The lesson I gave to the High Schooler went a bit more smoothly.  He was able to pick it up so that at the end of our hour and half session he'd learned to cast-on and the knit stitch.  He was so proud of himself.  He quietly asked me if my husband knew how to knit.  When I said no, he said, "Good. I'll know something he doesn't know."  [A little background: my husband has taken this student 'under his wing' for the past two years. He admires my dh greatly!]

While instructing the High Schooler, I got another student. One of the teacher asked if she could send her daughter over and I agreed.  Now this little princess (middle-school age I'm guessing) was a knitter in a former life.  She picked it up in about ten minutes.  I was blown away.  Now, she definitely has to practice it and learn about tension, but she can knit.

I gave them both the homework of practicing the knit stitch.  They each are going to be making a scarf.  Depending upon how much progress they've made and how things are looking we may move to the purl stitch.  I'll play that one by ear.

So, as you can see, things went really well for my first of many knitting lessons.  Perhaps after these sessions (and a few more) I'll offer my skills at a local Michael's.  We'll see.  Just thankful for some more possibilities!

Sunday, February 7

Dear Emilie,

We got a lot of snow over the weekend.  Like 12-18 inches!  WHOO HOO! The kids have had a blast playing in it and I've had fun watching them.  It's kept us in--which I'm so not mad about! ;-)

It's also given me some time to think and rethink about the things/projects I want to tackle this year.  In January, I took the time to write about all of those things.  You can read about it here.  But yesterday, as I sipped on hot chai and watched the kids from the window, I decided that I'm going to give myself a clean slate.  In looking over all the projects I've started, I have to be honest and tell you that I really don't want to complete most of them.  I'm still loving the yarn I've chose, but not so much that project.  And that's ok.

I took additional time to look through some of the knitting books I currently own--even took a moment to browse through the Ravelry site for more ideas.  With that, I'm thinking I'll be "frogging" most of this unfinished work and reworking it into something else.

I'm excited!!

What things are you working on?  Have you complete those baby gifts?  I'm currently working on a soft gray scarf and another lap quilt.  I'll share some photos soon.

Happy Weekend, my friend!

Leslie

It's A New Year!

Welcome to 2008!

Are you a knitter? A quilter? A crocheter? A sewing genius?

If your answer is: "Absolutely Knot!" then, this is the place for you! :)

Look for new posts and items soon.