I'm a BAD, VERY BAD BLOGGER!

Yes, I know you thought I had fallen into the endless depths of my yarn stash but no, I have just been LAZY! Yes, I said it!

I have taken a couple of side journeys (see below) in the last couple weeks and have not gotten much knitting done.
BUT.....here are some new things. I have completed the back of the baby dress (except for the finishing which has to be done at the very end). I think the skirt is going to be a little long but it's turned out okay.

In this picture you can see the placket opening in the back. A button will be at the top when the finishing happens. And the 'holes' you see are where I will thread the satin ribbon through and which will gather it up some. I'm hoping when I block it some of the 'unevenness' of the stitches will go away.
Remember the Red Vest Diaries? Of course you do! You have the misadventures of this knitter memorized! I finished it and I am less than satisfied. The finishing around the neck looks TERRIBLE! Thanks to me really. I have a difficult time with 'pickup then knit' which is what this pattern called for. What I did instead was pick up all the stitches put them on a needle then went back and knit and it's way too loose! I am going to rip it out since it is separate from the body and retry. I am going to try to just do a crochet finish around the edge which I think will work. Any advise on picking up and knitting? I can't seem to get the hang of that.

I think too if I made this vest again I would make the 'straps' longer so the scoop in the neck is deeper. It looks like that in the pictures but somehow mine didn't come out that way.

So here is one of my side journeys........don't laugh, it's not very good but I have been trying to give myself 'permission' to try and not be so judgmental about how it looks. I'm not done with it yet but am working on it slowly so I don't get too overwhelmed. If you remember (yes, I know you do!) I talked about my Grandmother and how she was an artist and how I wish that I could draw and paint. I keep going back to trying to make it happen.

I will try hard to be better about posting more. I know you wait with baited breath to see my next post!!! I have a couple scarfs I am going to start tonight!

Happy Day!

Long Time, No Knit

It has been crazy lately so I have not done a ton of knitting! I have been traveling for about a week with work so I haven't had a lot of time to post or knit.

Here's an update on my latest project.......it's just round and round with the pink yarn. Love it though because there's not a lot of thinking involved just to relaxing motion of knitting. I am a little worried that it will be a dress that she will wear when she is 12! It's looking awfully big around but when I checked my gauge it was 'right on' so I am having to trust the pattern once again!

One of my travels allowed my husband and son to go along since it was over the weekend so we stopped at Harry Truman's Library and Museum. My son who is 8 was less than enthused most of the time but my husband and I really enjoyed it. I had read the David McCullough book about Truman a couple years ago which I thought was fascinating too. He really wasn't that excited about being President but really felt a sense of duty and was going to do his very best. He was faced with very difficult decisions during his time!

Next post........another chapter in the Red Vest Diaries!

Happy Day!

Photos as Promised

Here are the photos I was going to post yesterday but there were problems on Blogger uploading.

The blanket heading to Nurses for Newborns.

The new knitting project.....baby dress.

Pretty in Pink

Tomorrow I will say bye to my baby quilt. I am donating it to Nurses For Newborns, a great charity here in St. Louis. Hopefully it will bring joy and comfort to a child. I remember when my son was born he was briefly in the NICU and we were given a 'beanie baby' snake. I thought that was the sweetest thing for some kid to donate that! We still have it!

On to my next project........it's a baby dress that I am going to give to a friend who is going to be a grandmother again for her to give to her daughter in law. I got the pattern out of Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss.

It's fun working with the smaller needles....and seeing the stitches so much smaller and perfect. It does not call for the skirt to be knitted on circulars but it was just begging to be done like that....why sew a seam in a skirt when I could just do it in the round??!! My plan is to work the skirt in the round till I get to the armholes then I will do front and back separately. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work....it better after all the knitting I will do. If worst came to worst I could bind off the skirt and then sew it to the top portion. I'll keep you posted.

As I was trying to upload the images blogger was experiencing problems so I couldn't add any additional pictures. I will load them tomorrow.

Happy Day!!

The Red Vest Diaries

Here's my latest project!

I love this vest and it is going so quickly! This pattern can be found in YarnPlay by Lisa Shobhana Mason. The large needles are really making this fly. I have finished the back and am now working on the front. Hoping to have this done in the next couple days...maybe even today. This is a great pattern.....clear directions and simple to follow. I can't wait to be able to try it on. I am thinking this will be really cute with a white blouse and black skirt or pants! This would be a great 'last minute' kind of gift since it knits up so quickly!

Can you see those nasty blue needles? Those are older and they are aluminum....they click, click, click as I knit which makes me crazy and are hard to hold the stitches on. But rather than go out and spend the money (remember I'm the thrifty knitter!) to buy the same size in bamboo/circular I just used them. It reminds me just how much I don't like working on straight needles.....I love my circulars!

Happy Day!

No Steroids Involved!

Poke me with a fork, I'm done!

And I beat my deadline of Sunday! "I did not take performance enhancing drugs" to complete this masterpiece in record time. Just old fashioned hard work and diligence!

As for the blanket......I am only somewhat satisfied with the result.

1. Stitching together blocks of all different colors make it difficult to not show the seam.

2. The yarn I used (remember, I am cheap...but it was very soft!) made it hard to seam it together. When I do it again, I will chose a different yarn.

3. I did a single crochet around the outside for a border. Just did one row of yellow then added another and another. That looked good but I thought, what if I use the other colors too. So I added a row of green then orange. It just doesn't look quite as good as I was hoping.

4. It is VERY SOFT! and will be easy for someone to launder since it has some acrylic in it.

5. I love the bright, happy colors!

So now, it's back to working on the shrug.........but am thinking about what to do next too. More on that later!

I'm off to work....my other motivation for getting it done because I have to work tomorrow all day too!

Happy Day!

Knitting Challenge #2

What can I say, I'm a girl that needs a deadline to finish a knitting project. I do fine in the work world, being the person that has my stuff done early, but when it comes to crafting, I need a reason to finish it! Since my last knitting challenge went so well (remember the one sock challenge?) I have set myself a new goal! When I first started knitting again about a year ago, I started knitting these blocks for a baby blanket. My intention was to knit it for the Linus Project. It was super soft and fun, stimulating colors. In true ADD knitting form, I lost interest when it came time for the finishing. It will be sewn together and maybe even a crocheted border by Sunday evening!!!! There, I have done it........I have thrown down the gauntlet! We have ourselves a full blown challenge! So now in order not to look like a fool to my millions of readers (right...said with much sarcasm!) I have no choice but to complete this project!

Talk to you Sunday night! I have to get busy!

Knit Away!

The Long Thin Tube

A few posts ago I talked about the shrug I was working on and that it didn't look like much. Well, it still doesn't look like much but I think that's just how it goes.

The ribbing to the left is the cuff on one side. I knit all the way over (forever!), knit the back (I'm currently knitting the back which is on the right side of the photo) then start to decrease to shape the other sleeve then do another cuff. There's some sewing involved then picking up stitches to do a rib border. I think it's going to be cool once it's complete...it's just going to take some knitting! I love the gray...it's this years brown and black. I'm feeling the knitting ADD kick in.....resist it! Be Strong!

Happy Day!

PS.....that picture is so, so....do you think I need a class in photography? I do!!

Beautiful Sunday

Today we played hooky from church deciding to experience God's beautiful creation first hand. We went riding our bikes on the Katy Trail. It is this wonderful state park we have which used to be the MKT railroad stretching all the way across the state of Missouri. They have taken out all the unused track and it is now this terrific bike trail! It's flat and pretty straight so it's great for a ride. Today as I was enjoying the beauty of the trail I was thanking my state legislators for making this a reality for the people of Missouri. I love seeing the tax dollars at work on something that so many people obviously enjoy so much. I am always surprised how many people take advantage of this trail....they were all over!

My son is just getting his 'biking legs' and it was a bit challenging. Everytime someone was coming toward us in the other lane, no matter how hard he tried he would end up riding right into their path. No accidents with other bikers but he had several himself. He's not too sure with the brakes so he puts his feet down to stop which usually ends up with his bike tipping over. He really improved over the time we were on the trail with the additional practice. I think it calls for more day to day practice at home!!!

Not much knitting today......did do some reading. For once I am reading a book that keeps me turning the pages!

Happy Day!

My Pursonality

I have always had a thing for purses. Not just any purse, I'm VERY picky about the style, color etc. So when the knitting obsession began I tried my hand at knitting and felting purses. If I couldn't find what I wanted, then I'll just make it! Although I have knitted many now, I have FINISHED only a few. Here would be those for your viewing pleasure.

I got the pattern for this tote in this book. I altered it slightly (not too bad for a beginner if I do say so myself!) making it larger and changing the handle. It called for a slit handle which in my pickiness didn't like so I fashioned straps using the I-cord method. I love it and carry it all the time to work with my reading book and lunch in it.

If you haven't seen the Noni purse patterns you should really check them out. They are a work of art! Here is one that I have pretty much finished I just need to add the handle.

The problem I end up having with most of my purses is this...............I am a CHEAP-SAKE! They usually always call for knitting with 2 strands and besides the fact that it is a hassle to use two strands (altho I now just learned a special tip from my LYS in Osage Beach - thanks Cheryl) I hate to buy the extra yarn. I know, you're saying 'you can't be a knitter and not be willing to spend $150 on a sweater that you normally wouldn't spend $20 on then you have to KNIT IT TOO'! What can I say, I'm cheap but it usually leaves me with in inferior product because it doesn't have the body it needs to keep it's shape. So there's a lesson knitters.....trust the pattern!

This purse I made from a pattern in this book. Easy and it was cool to knit with the eyelash yarn then felt it!

A customer at my store said they buy old wool sweaters and felt them.......so here's my attempt at that. I felted the entire sweater then cut it up and sewed it together.

And last, this was the first one I made from a free pattern I got from Urban Arts and Crafts (this store actually makes me wish I lived in Kansas City!) It turned out too small for my taste but I was pleased with the striping.

You too can have fun with felting.

Off to have fun on the weekend with my family!

Happy Day!

PS...I just have to pat myself on the back here. You may have noticed in previous posts that my photos were all at the top. I couldn't figure out how to intersperse them throughout the post. Well, I am a 'show-me' learner and don't always have the patience to read it but I went to help, typed in what I needed and there was a great link to perfect directions! When I tried it and it worked it was a major celebration here. You would think I discovered world peace or something!

DUH!

I forgot to include the all important picture!!

Kids Knits

I finished knitting this kids sweater a couple weeks ago. I LOVE doing kids clothes because they go so quickly! I can finish the entire piece in about a week if I devote enough time to it. I got this pattern from a wonderful book by Melanie Falick. I made another sweater from this book ( the cable one I talked about in an earlier post) and I was equally as pleased with it. The patterns were easy to follow which is so important to me. Sometimes a pattern will imply that you know something already but these patterns were written with a beginner in mind.
I am currently knitting a shrug but won't post a picture yet because there's not much to it. I have knitted a ton of rows but it really doesn't look like much. It is knitted in one large piece then you sew the sleeve areas together then add a rib border. I keep thinking I am doing it wrong but I am trusting the pattern at this point!

It's off to work.
Happy Day!

Another Obession

As I mentioned before, I am ADD with knitting but I am also that way with crafting. You name it, I have probably tried it. I love learning and trying something new creatively.

I sew, knit, needlepoint, cross-stitch, make jewelry, arrange flowers, quilt, decorate my home, make handmade books. There are still many more things to try which is what I love about crafting. The endless possibilities.

I don't consider myself an artist - for some reason I think of an artist as someone who draws or paints but I really should have a paradigm shift on that one. Because anyone who creates is an artist. My grandmother was an artist, she could draw and paint very well but I don't feel I have that gift. But I did inherit something wonderful from her.......the love of creating....what a fantastic legacy! Thank you Grandmother Bounds!

So here is my humble attempt at creating something beautiful. I embellished the front of this journal I am going to use to chronicle my families life. I can't seem to keep up with scrapbooking it so this will truly be the old fashioned scrapbook. I will probably fuss with the cover a little more but basically it's done. I used this new cool tool called Bind-it-All. You can purchase all different sizes of binding coils to fit you needs. Now that I'm talking about the Bind-it-All I will add another photo of how I have used it. This other picture is of a 4"x4" mini book that I made as an invitation to a fundraiser for a group I am in. Once again I used the Bind-it-All but used 1/2" rings since I used less pages.

Happy Day!

One Down, One To Go!

Well, I made my goal of having my one sock completed by the end of the weekend. I finished the grafting Sunday evening. I don' t think I did such a hot job on the grafting. I was reading and looking at the step by step directions in my knitting book (which is usually really great for giving me directions) but it really doesn't look that good. I think I will have to head to my LYS and get a tutoring session on the grafting stitch.

It took me about a week to get this one done. I swear I look at blogs where they have made like a pair a day and I am in amazement! I will be lucky to finish the second sock!

I have included a photo of my adorable SharPei - Bing Lee! He's sitting at my feet most of the time!

Needle Crisis!

Last night when I was working on my sock, the tip of one of my double points split!! After checking to see if the needles have a quarantee (they do, thanks to the wonderful people at Brittany Needles!) I tried to glue it back together to get more mileage. I know, I know....it wasn't going to work but I thought I would try. It actually did work for about 3 rounds this morning then it split all the way off. So now I'm not sure what I am going to do. I will probably head to my LYS to get another set just because I don't want to wait a couple weeks for the replacement needle. ( If you remember from my last post I have a goal of finishing this one sock by the end of the weekend) Did I mention patience has never been one of my virtues?

I don't know if you can see it very well but I tried to get some of the detail and texture of the stitches. It is a really pretty pattern...I just love it. But answer me this question......why do knitted socks always make your legs look big? I know the camera adds 10 lbs but come on....my leg looks really chunky.........and it's NOT!

My Fall Sock

Here's the sock I am currently working on. I love the way it's turning out...the colors are beautiful. The pattern is called 'Monkey', designer Cookie A. and I got it off Knitty.com. The directions are easy to read and follow which for a fairly new knitter is greatly appreciated.

I get a lot of grief from my husband about knitting socks. I started my first one in April and still have not finished it! I loved the excitement of mastering something new but quickly was ready to start a new project! So now, my husband talks about his 'one sock'. Of course with this new sock he had to say "You making me another sock?" Nothing like being supportive! But he really is. He doesn't give me a hard time when he sees the drawers of yarn that have not been used and when he has to sit in the car while I visit the LYS! On another post I will put up a picture of the baby cable sweater I made that won him over and tell you that story!

So anyway........I'm moving right a long with this sock, just hoping I will have it in me to make the other one! My goal is to have the one sock done by Sunday night. I have crafting ADD.......it's the fun of starting something new that keeps me from finishing a lot of projects. Sound familiar?

Let the Journey Begin!

Well, this was easy. After reading everyone else's blogs I have often thought I should do my own but thought it would be too complicated. Well, once again I was wrong!
Let the journey begin!