Best of Both Worlds

I like fingerless mittens

because

they give me the best of both worlds -

the world where my hands are 

warm enough

and

the world where

I can still use my fingers.

Pattern: Maize

Yarn: Martha Stewart

This is NOT a gift.

 I admire those who knit for the holidays,

but

I cannot join their ranks.

I will knit and do knit for others,

but

in my own sweet time.

 

I like to meander through projects,

giving soft yarn a squeeze

and admiring the stitches along the way.

Mistakes aren't a big set back.

With no looming deadline,

they can become part of the process.

I didn't always have this zen attitude.

I am embarrassed to remember

fits I threw at the sewing machine

as I tried to finish projects "in time."

Kind of took away from the finished product...

and I don't sew for enjoyment

much anymore.

So this hat wasn't knit as a gift.

It's just something

I felt like knitting (last month)

for someone

for no reason in particular.

Pattern: Be Kind

Yarn: Madelinetosh

Sketchy

 

I found a book this summer,

You Can Draw in 30 Days,

and fell in love with sketching.

Pleasure to Meet You!

Baby Doll met knitting today.

She was swinging and I was knitting.

Suddenly she was on my lap and I was still knitting.

"Would you like to try a stitch?"

I was shocked when my question was answered

with an enthusiastic YES.

"Let's pretend you are making cupcakes,

Reach into the oven,

Grab the cupcakes,

Bring them out,

Close the oven door."

Who knows if this is the beginning of

a beautiful friendship,

a mere acquaintance,

or just a nod at a passing stranger.

All I know is that it was a pleasure

to introduce my daughter

to a good friend of mine. 

It's a Cinch!

Caddie, a cinch sack pattern 

from

More Knitting in the Sun,

has been claimed by Baby Doll

for her library book bag.

Let's hope it gets lots of use this summer!

The yarn is from my stash,

a Tuesday Morning purchase.

I used cording from JoAnns

rather than make my own i-cord

and secured it at the bottom

with D rings.

Happy Dishes

 

I suppose it would be easier

to just go to Walmart

for new dish cloths,

but where's the fun in that?

Besides,

  food tastes better

on happy dishes

and dishes really

love hand knits.

 

Pattern from Golden Bird Knits.

For the Stealthy Ballerina

Babydoll wears a shrug

like this to ballet each week.

She has outgrown the pink one

I made a couple of years ago.

I'm SURE she will dance

just as gracefully as ever,

but it may be difficult to tell

since she'll be wearing camo.

 

AND

if she should feel the need

to wear the shrug outside of dance class,

I will be cool with that...

OK, I will be giddy.

Pattern:  Ginny Shrug

from More Knitting Under the Sun 

Yarn:  Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paints

(I bought this yarn for another purpose

which did not pan out - it's great yarn

and I plan to use what I have left for a scarf)

The Last Laugh

 I was never good

at Cat's Cradle.

I couldn't get the string to do

what I wanted it to do

and if string could mock you,

that 3 ft loop surely did...

Is that part of the reason 

I am so string/thread/yarn

obsessed as an adult?

Dunno.

But when I am able to loop

400+ yards

of wonderful yarn

into a lace shawlette,

I can't help but feel

that I'm having 

the last laugh.

 

Pattern:  Holden Shawlette

Yarn:  Ella Rae

Sunrise, Sunset

"Look Sweetie!  I finally finished 

your purple sweater.

Are you going to wear it?"

With an impish smile, Baby Doll answered,

"Maybe."

Where has the time gone?

My baby is growing up

and now knows how to

mess with me.

Pattern:  Thumbelina by Katya Frankel

Book:  More Knitting Under the Sun

Whatever it is, add five...

 

Besides being a complete

biohazard,

finished as I

rebounded from the flu,

these socks are pretty great.

My husband wears

the first pair a lot.

And whatever the flu stats are in Texas,

add five, 

and hopefully no more

from this household.