More Finished Projects

Hope you have all had a Happy Holiday!  I had a great time with my older daughter and her family in Rhode Island. 

This hat is a very quick knit and was one of my Christmas presents to my daughter.  I promised I wouldn't knit for Christmas this year and I broke that promise about 10 days before the 25th.  I guess I needed a little last minute stress.

Pattern: Thorpe Hat  (free pattern)

and a matching scarf! 

I put this ornament together using wooden skewers cut to faux knitting needle length.  I glued a bead on the ends.  I wound leftover yarn which was a great way of using up bits of yarn you don't know what to do with.

I printed out and attached this tag which is apropos for all of us knitters!

So, while we were on the "emergency" track, I ordered my daughter and myself this knitting bag.  Customer service from this site was fantastic!  Check out their other colors at Illiane's Corner.

Christmas Day was spent at my son-in-law's family home.  His mom passed away last January.  She was a wonderful mom, grandma, crafter, etc. The tree was decorated with all her hand-crocheted ornaments, mostly victorian and snowflakes.  All were white with an occasional touch of color.  

There were probably 25+ people there.  At the end of the day, all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were invited to go up to the Christmas tree and select an ornament(s) to bring home with them as a momento of their beloved grandma.  It was very touching to see what everyone selected.  Every year there was a handmade quilt, sweater, or mittens under the tree for them.  She is definitely missed.

My daughter and I went to WEBS the day after Christmas.  WEBS is known as the world's largest yarn shop.  Again, the customer service just cannot be beat.

My daughter asked me if shopping at WEBS ever becomes less overwhelming.  I told her it gets easier.  However, by the time I left the store, I was totally exhausted and overcome by the fiber fumes. 

If you can't find the yarn you are looking for at this store, it doesn't exist.

I purchased nine skeins of Berocco Lustra which is one of their new lines.  It is Merino and Tencel and is marvelously soft.  I received the Knitpicks "Harmony" needle set as a Christmas present and the combination of this yarn and needles is a marriage made in heaven.

Santa Ingenuity l!!!!

I was sitting in my car at McDonald's enjoying my favorite beverage.  Someone behind me in the parking lot was being rowdy.  I turned around to see this:

Because here in Vermont we are not experiencing the Nor'Easter that most of New England is having today, Santa had to be resourceful and find a new mode of travel.  Not enough snow for a horse and sleigh!!!!

Rudolph came along for the ride!

It was near 0 degrees so Rudolph's arse buns were a little cold!

Santa and his family kindly posed for a family portrait!

And because the economy is a little better than last year for Santa, instead of candy canes, this year he was able to hand out presents.

It appeared that Santa and his family needed a "potty" break.........

I'm not sure what made me stalk follow them.  I think I wanted to tell Santa that I had been really good this past year and so had all my blogging friends.

Instead....................

Santa was ordering milk and cookies!!!  Had I been smart smarter, I would have put down my camera and offered to pay for them!!!!

These kids were pretty happy to see Santa!

Happy Holiday Knitting!  (I'm in a knitting time crunch!!)

Hats for "Head Start"!!!

Lizzie wanted to see my completed "Sherbert Hat".  I explained to her that I wanted to have little "curly cues" on the hat instead of a pom-pom.  She provided me with the instructions as follows:

Crochet a chain about 5 times longer than you want the finished curly-cue to be.  Three half-double (or double) crochets in each chain.  That's all there is to it.

These curly-cues are smaller and daintier than they appear.  I only had enough yarn left to do three of them which I felt was just fine.

I had time to knit this hat at the last minute with yarn from my stash.  All these hats are knitted with acrylic yarn for ease of washing.  They, along with the others in my previous post, are being donated to the "Head Start" children in Rhode Island.

It's such a busy time of the year for many of us.  I promised myself that I would not put any pressure on myself to knit gifts this year for Christmas.  At the last minute I broke that promise.  Some may get an IOU with their partially completed knitting item.  I have two full weeks off from work starting next Friday which will allow for knitting time as well as travel.

I'm looking forward to celebrating my many family traditions come the 25th.  My older daughter has taken over many of those tasks.  She recently made 18 "French Canadian Tourtiere" (pork pies) and froze them to be enjoyed on Christmas Day.  Some will be gifted.  Spices in the tourtieres vary from family to family.  Though easy to make, they are quite time-consuming.

Happy Knitting!  (more finished projects in a couple of days)

Parade of Hats

Voila!  My parade of hats! When I told you I was busy knitting I wasn't kidding.

Can you stand another Quincy hat by Jared Flood? This is the second one I knitted. The yarn is Debbie Bliss alpaca/silk.  It feels nice but stretches more than I would like.  Though pattern called for chunky, this is DK and worked out well.  Scarf knitted several years ago and one of my favorites.  Yarn is Frog Tree

I’m finding that pins are like buttons to me. The hunt is so much fun. This pin is exactly what I was looking for to give December a festive feel. Only thing is, Vermont has been having record high temperatures so a hat is not in order. Now, I’m not complaining, mind you. I had enough sleet, freezing rain and snow last winter.

Another Quincy knitted for my daughter.  Her's has a snowflake pin.  The hat has a beautiful snowflake pin on it.  Yarn was doubled and not bad to knit with. It has a sturdier shape to it.

This Odessa hat is far from my favorite. It’s probably because I didn’t use the correct weight yarn but figured it would fit someone and I needed to start a new project after having temporary amnesia regarding all my UFO's. This is an easy pattern to remember but don’t drop one of those darn YO’s.

 This hat is being donated to the “Head Start” program. I love knitting for little children and will have to start earlier next year. I think this one will put a smile on some child’s face.  Second mitten and thumb to the first still need to be knitted.

 This one was knitted with leftover yarn. Not an entry for a blue ribbon but it will keep some child’s head warm.  This is the only hat that was knitted some time ago.  All the others are recent knits (less than a month).  I still have to knit the mittens to go with this one.

Sherbet hat started today.  Not sure this one will make it to the kids in time.  Hats and mittens have to reach their destination in Rhode Island by the 18th.

 I’d love to be walking up the street and see a stranger wearing one of my handknits. I’m sure I would recognize it as mine. I would say nothing but it would warm my heart.

 This put a smile on my face.  I hope it puts a smile on your face.


Back to my needles…..lots of knitting to do yet before Christmas. It will keep me out of trouble.


Happy Knitting!

Should I Have Said Something?

Like most of you knitters, I carry my knitting everywhere.  I had an appointment for a manicure after work and brought my project with me in case I had to wait.  They were ready for me and I didn't have time to even sit down.  My knitting project, in a clear plastic bag, was rested in the waiting area along with my coat.

I proceded to sit in my manicure chair within elbow length to a lady with advanced years (i.e. old).  Listening to the conversation she was having with her manicurist, I realized  that she had an interesting job.  This is what happened next:

Joan:  "You fly planes?"

Lady:  "Yes, I own my own plane and do aerial photography."

Joan:  "Have you been flying long?"  (thinking she was introduced to flying at a very young age)

Lady:  "Oh, ever since I turned 40 and the kids left home."

Joan:  "That's nice!"

AND THIS IS WHERE SHE REALLY GETS MY ATTENTION...OUCH!!!

Lady:  "Oh, I'm not one of those people who will pull up  a chair and just knit!"   (insinuating that it is a cardinal sin and only the most boring individuals must consider picking up a set of knitting needles.)

At this point I am debating whether or not to tell her that I am an avid knitter, teach knitting classes, that I breathe, eat and sleep knitting.  I consider reaching in my handbag for my knitting business card, ruining my freshly painted nails.  No, I keep pondering how I can slip into the conversation how great knitting can be so I ask.....

Joan:  "Have you ever had a close call?"  (I'm thinking that I can tell her what a stress reliever knitting can be.  After all, if I almost crashed a plane, the first thing I would do is reach for my needles once I was on terra ferma.)

Lady:  "Oh, yes, a couple of times and you don't forget those near tragedies."

I'm still not getting up the courage to say something for fear of embarassing her.  As the conversation progresses, I find that she is a very nice lady. 

I concede, there are nice people who are non-knitters.

Now that I am home I wish I had diplomatically said something and promoted knitting.  What do you think?

Happy Knitting!

"Class Show 'N Tell"

How quickly time flies when you are having fun!!!  My neck warmer class ended last week.  We met for four consecutive Tuesdays from 7-9.  Lots of laughter, sharing and more.  Deb opened her beautiful home for us to get together.  Not everyone knew each other but it didn't take long to feel like old friends.

Here's Deb with her beautiful neck warmer.  It's a tad bit large but we discussed how to remedy that after the fact.  Deb has a real eye for buttons.   She has a contagious laugh and often would say something that had us rolling on the floor.  Deb previously took both my mitten and sock knitting classes.  

Sara is a new knitter having just completed by "Beginner Knitting Class" in October.  Already a beautiful knitter, her neck warmer will be gifted to someone special (I didn't say who, Sara. ;>))  Also a quilter, crafting comes easily to her.  I had the opportunity to meet her two daughters recently.  Lovely, lovely girls.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Megan, 9 years old, is knitting a scarf and is doing a wonderful job.  Perhaps I'll be able to show you a picture soon.  Megan loves to fondle fiber.  Molly, age 6 just grabs your heart with her beautiful eyes and smile. 

Laurie is also gifting her neck warmer.  She also did a lovely job knitting and we are keeping a little secret regarding the scarf.  If you want to have fun, invite Laurie to any gathering you may have.  She is the life of the party!!  Laurie and I often get together for lunch and knitting clinics as we work in close proximity of eacch other.

Deb, Laurie and Sara with their neck warmers!

Another Sara had to drop out after the 2nd week due to overextension of her workload.  We missed you, Sara and we hope to see you again.

My next "Beginner Knitting" class doesn't commence till January 25th.  By then I should have my new web site created with detailed instructions and videos for my knitting students.  Four weeks later I start another mitten class.

Happy Knitting!!!