Never Felt Better....

I spent the weekend trying to get organized. I started with the Christmas decorations. I tackled my dreaded bedroom dresser. Then I reorganized all of my knitting stuff that I keep in the living room. I do have more knitting stash in my quilting room. That's a few day project. Anyway, going through my knitting I was reminded of the UFO that I still have hangin around. My first real knitting project of last year was this felted bag I found from Noni Designs.



I fell in love with the 9 to 9 to 9evening bag. This was my first knitting project beyond scarfs. My best friend and myself set out to learn how to knit the flowers. Susi figured out the pattern and taught me.



This is my very first felted flower.

Then I got a vision for tons of flowers with big bobbles in the center. I even added some mohair to the blue flower. It has a fuzzy look to it.











As I was knitting the body of the bag I thought maybe I should use a different color of yarn. That's what got me distracted.


I put the project in a tote bag and kind of forgot about it. Sunday evening I made up my mind to just finish the purse. I washed the bag and flowers twice and this is how it looks. By the way the body of the bag is solid black casscade 220. The pink flowers are casscade 220 also.



The flowers felted perfectly. The bag felt right after it's second trip through the wash. After it dried I think I need to felt it some more. It's not as stiff as I thought it would be. It's in the wash right now. I thought the little plastic handle on the pattern was really fun. Now I'm thinking maybe a longer I-cord. What's your opinion? What kind of handle should it be?

My Favorite and First Mitts

The Hot Waffle Mitts are finished!!


I knitted my last stitch New Years Eve!



What a way to end my first real knitting year! I just can't believe that I have accomplished knitting on four double pointed needles! Thank you all for cheering me on! I probably would've given up if not for the kind words of encouragement I found here and on Ravelry. If you aren't familiar with Ravelry please check it out. There is a wealth of information and inspiration over there!
I never thought I would get so absorbed by yarns, needles, books, patterns and yes...Knitting... Wow!

Now on to the next mitt....................Another awesome one by Knitspot. Zig Zag Mitts, Hat, and scarf. I have been reading Anne Hanson's blog for days now in anticipation of her newest mitt. As soon as I saw how the pattern started to work up I knew this was going to be my next mitt project.



Picture from Knitspot




It does have a chart with the pattern. Reading a chart is another new thing for me! This might take me just a tad longer. Also I have to purchase some DK weight yarn. Almost all of my stash in worsted weight. I'm thinking a nice burgundy color. Maybe baby Alpaca. I think it is just soooo cool!!

Road Trip

We are leaving on a road trip tonight. Some of my family lives in the beautiful state of Georgia. It's been about 3 years since we went down so I'm really excited to leave!! We made plans for this trip at the very last minute. We plan on leaving tonight at about 10:00pm to avoid all of the Chicago traffic. I was hoping to leave in the morning so I would have more knitting time!! I have all of my projects that I want to finish sitting on the dining room table.

My Hot Waffle Mitts are almost finished. I've got to say that for my first Double point project this pattern was perfect! The mitts were designed by Anne Hanson of Knitspot. The directions were easy enough even for me!!! If you have ever wanted to try knitting in the round on double points check out her pattern!
My DD also wants a pair so this will be the yarn I am using for her mitts...


It will match her scarf perfectly



Happy New Year to y'all!!!!

Day After Christmas

I just finished my first Hot Waffle Mitt. I learned a lot while knitting this pattern. This is my first project on double pointed needles. I learned some new stitches like M1, CO using backward loop method and picking up stitches. I got my first order from my DD after she saw the mitt in progress. It's not perfect but I am very pleased with my first attempt!



These are a few things that I found under our Christmas tree this year. I was a very good girl!!!

The Best of Interweave Knits




Knitting Little Luxuries



Knitting Never Felt Better


Knitting Over the Edge


Doggy Knits


More Sensational Socks


Wendy Knits



We had a wonderfully blessed Christmas spent with family. I pray anyone reading had a Merry Christmas!

Double Point Delirium

I'm in!! Oh ya...I can do it!!! I've got double point delirium!!! I have so wanted to try and knit with double points. I really don't have anyone that can teach me so I'm on my own. The web site Knittinghelp was just what I needed to show me the basics. I also had a few others urging me on from Ravelry. So Wednesday night I got online to watch the video and the network kept stalling. I just kept trying. I had to rip the first inch and start all over but I did get it. I have knitted 2.5 inches of the ribbing for the Hot Waffle Mitts. I can't even begin to express how excited I am to learn a new skill!!!


The yarn I am using is a super soft "Misti Alpaca" worsted weight. I am using size 5 needles. The color of the yarn is the most perfect shade of periwinkle blue. This yarn is sensational!! I can't wait to get my mitts on these Mitts!!!!

The Countdown Continues

Christmas is one week away. How did it sneak up on me again? Even with an early Thanksgiving. I just can't seem to get everything done that I want to finish. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that feels this way. I took this picture of "My So Called Scarf" sitting on top of the wrapping paper. It's coming along nicely. I think I have a little bit too much yarn. As if you can ever have too much! LOL! I still have about half on the skein with another full skein on reserve. The scarf now measures 22". Sometimes I think I can hear the scarf whispering to me...Let's get me done, I want to show off to the world!! I know, sounds nuts right? Back to reality... I have to get wrapping those gifts. Don't get me wrong. What I would rather do is sit and knit!!! Friday is my last day of work for five, yes count them, five glorious days off!!! My mind is spinning with projects. The scarfs, binding on quilts, cleaning the sewing room so I can work in there, cleaning out my closet....wait, no way can I do that too!! I am not spoiling my time off with that closet project. Better to do that in the spring. You know, longer days and all that. Plus with my allergy to dust... I need the windows open when I tackled that mess!


The "One Row Scarf" is being worked on in between cooking and shopping.It measures 9". As long as DH is with me shopping I can knit in the car. This scaf is so simple even I can do it on the move! Want a great thing! Life is so good!!!

The view from here...........

We were only suppose to get 1"-2" of snow today. Well, the weather man was so wrong and I'm loving every minute of it!! We probably have about 6" on the ground right now. I'm praying we get snowed in!! The thought of knitting and cooking and baking and watching movies and eating popcorn just stirs me up! It would be great to do some sewing too! I know. Sounds nuts right? I love snow!!



I've been knitting the "One row scarf" as I'm making dinner each night. I'm attempting to multi-task. LOL!! I love the way it's coming out. The variegation of the yarn is so amazing. If you look at the scarf you can see how the colors are putting on their own show.