Merry Christmas!

My, the time is just flying. Hope you are having a great holiday! Ken's home, so I'm not knitting as much as usual, but I do have a few projects to share.This little keepsake bag I worked up quickly as a gift for Mikaila using my bulky knitting machine.

Here's a little hand knit headband I gave to my friend, Gloria, for Christmas.

And, here's the back of it!

This is a little hand knit cotton wash cloth I worked up in reversible cable stitch. I like that the fabric is the same on both sides.

Some machine knit slippers for Ken's birthday.

A cute pair of hand knit booties for a friend of Vicky's.

And last, but definitely took me some time, a hand knit hooded scarf. Vicky got the yarn for this pattern I've been wanting to knit up--and it turned out really nice.

Hood and pockets--what fun! The scarf was Vicky's present to her sister for Christmas. Vicky has promised me pictures of her sister wearing it when Vicky and Mike return from their visit to the UK this Christmas.

Well, I have to go now, but I enjoyed sharing these with you!

Shower gift

Been busy hand knitting for a change.


The set needs a hat--had to design it myself. Third time was charmed.



Well, the big day was yesterday, and the baby set (cardigan, hat, boots, and blanket) was a hit!
Couldn't share too much of it before now, as it would have spoiled the surprise.

What I've been up to

Hey! Lost about three weeks with the flu--but I have a few projects done despite that. This is the start of a soap-saver, that I robbed the knitting needles from for another project with a higher priority--lol:


I've added the last panel to the blanket aka shawl--I think I liked it better with the three panels as a shawl. Hopefully, some blocking will take out the puffiness and it can get it's binding (still need to put new needle in sewing machine, but have to find book to get right size in it.)


A crochet pattern I couldn't resist working up--a present for Mom's Christmas.

Here's a better picture of the test for placemats. All done on the knitting machine except for the sides, which are backwards single crochet.


Testing a pattern to work up for next month's baby shower (first great-granddaughter.) I am just loving, loving, loving this. It's a Ravelry free pattern called Pretty Baby Sweater, and it's living up to it's name so far.

Some half machine knit and half hand knit slippers I'm playing with. I like both versions, but I think the one on the left is a bit masculine, while the one on the right would be good feminine slipper.

Best for last! Made a pair of actual real slipper/socks by hand. I'm quite pleased with them, but they are a bit large for me, so Mom will get them.

That's more than enough for now--back to knitting Pretty Baby!

It's been almost a month

Got the camera bug this morning and am playing catch up with the blog--lol.


A few flowers surviving my neglect and the summer heat:


Working on a mate for



this baby boot:



Playing at the knitting machine. I'm liking this border I found when looking at blankets:

I'm thinking it would look good as place mats for a table setting.

Another playful time at the knitting machine. I like how it curls up, but I really should block it:



More work on the everlasting bagstopper--love the name. I got the casing for the top done on the knitting machine.


OOPS! Well, I tried to get it done--lol. I shouldn't knit with distractions. So, what happened was I started hanging stitches on the machine, and got pulled away. When I returned, I was like, let's get this thing done. Pushed back the "extra" needles and knit away. Hung the second side and discovered the extras weren't really extras, so some frogging is in order here. I put a garter ridge at the top of the casing by turning the work twice with the garter bar. I really like that. Next challenge--find the rest of the yarn to finish it--lol.

A peak out the front door:


Yay! Crepe Myrtle is blooming!


Lazy assistant--lol:


A stray we feed who looks amazingly like the assistant:



Kitchen window pretties:


Take care.

Crochet

Surprised myself. Instead of knitting, I actually crocheted a dishcloth. The story behind it is a friend wants me to show her and her daughter how to crochet, so during my research on the best way to help them learn, I ran across this little dishcloth pattern that I had to try.

Other than that, I've been working some on the bag, knitting and frogging some scrap yarn in an attempt to understand turning a heel when hand knitting, and seaming and ripping the seams on the puzzle slippers. So, what with the frogging and ripping, not much to see there.

Home again

A quick post to explain what I've been doing. Lots of traveling to visit friends and family, and some knitting too. This is a bag (looking at it from the bottom.)
And these are some slippers I'm trying--like working a jigsaw. Will post more details of patterns and yarns later!

Ta Da! Booties with bib

First bootie

Found a pattern and finished one yesterday. Here's a peek!
Got to show my little helper!

Soon to be Aunt again

Time to explore some patterns for a new nephew due in August!

Woot! Finished objects!

Well, I finished the drink cover in time for the bridal shower.

Since I was in a hand crafting frame of mind, I started and finished a crochet potholder as well. I don't crochet too often, but this pattern was cute, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It starts as a rectangle and is folded to become a square when you put it together. As usual, my helper is asleep on the job.

Work in Progress

Well, I have the bridal drink cover blocked. Now I just need to graft the seam. Sure wish I had paid more attention to how to knit in the round, but it would have made blocking a bit more challenging. I ended up having to use straight pins to hold the garter stitches up so they would stand out.

Back at it

Well, I've decided I would like a blog, so the easy remedy is to start using the blog I made for a school project.

I enjoyed a quick trip to see a grandson graduate high school. It was great seeing everyone, and I even did some knitting for a bridal shower gift. It's all in white (Mary Lou Solo yarn I think) and is a glass cover (huggie) with two intertwined garter stitch rings centered on it. I haven't blocked it yet, but the rings don't stand out as much as I would like--may have to rework it in a tighter gauge. Can't fuss with it too much since I need it for next weekend. If I can get a camera going, I'll post a picture.