Knit One, Knit One, Knit One

At the beginning of January I posted a list of ten or so things I’d like to do in 2009.  Knitting is on that list and has been a skill I’ve long desired to learn.  This week I finally pulled out my needles and a self-instruction book I bought a few years back.  I played with it during the week but made no progress.  I found casting on to be fumble-some and frustrating and got no further than that.  Last night I managed casting on without pulling my hair out and moved on to the knit stitch.  My piece is not perfect, but it is progress.  I’ll work a few more rows with this stitch and move on to lesson three, the purl stitch.    Following directions using a one dimensional, linear graphic has never been my most productive method of learning, so I’m feeling pretty good about my accomplishment.   I might even be a knitter when I grow up…

Until next time…

The bridges you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren’t there.  ~ unknown ~

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A New Book and A Finished Project

A month or so ago, I asked the owner of my favorite little sewing shop to order a copy of Amy Karol’s book “Bend The Rules Sewing ” for me.  (Amy Karol is aka Angry Chicken.)  She ordered one for me and one for herself.  It was on back order and finally arrived a couple days ago.  Last night I curled up in my favorite spot on the couch and read it.  Ladies, it was a pleasant read and has lots of easy to understand and accomplish projects for any skill-level sewer.  If the ticky, ticky sewer this describes me in you wants to loosen up and bend the rules a little while creating something sensational, this book might be for you.  If you are just learning to sew or want to learn to sew, you can’t go wrong by buying a copy.  Amy’s directions are some of the clearest I’ve read and the projects will make great gifts for others or yourself.

Moving on to…a finished project.  During the last leg of the presidental campaign my creative juices came to a screeching halt and dried up completely.  For weeks I felt too bogged down by reality to even attempt to work on anything creative.  My dear cyber-friend Tammy sent a few encouraging words my way and after letting them sink in,  I picked up a crochet hook and resumed work on a shawl I started a while back.  Thank you, Tammy…(We never know just how much our words affect someone else.)   I felt so much more creative I even crocheted a free-style brooch to adorn my shawl.  I’m thinking about lining this one…which would render it unfinished…but I haven’t decided.  Last night I moved on to a baby quilt I hand quilt in the evening.

Until next time…

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.  ~  Blaise Pascal ~

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Crocheted Shawl

I love shawls.  They are so easily put on when I’m too cool and equally easy to shed when I get too warm.  They are feminine and comfortable to wear.  Last week I spent two evenings making this one.  I’m pretty pleased with the outcome.

Shawls are perfect to take along to places that are too cool for comfort.  Restaurants  always seem to be cooler than I like to be.  Our church building is cool enough to make my teeth chatter most of the time.  The majority decides where to set the thermostat. A crocheted shawl is perfect in both situations.

I’ve started making another one, but progress is slow.  Maybe it will be finished by next Sunday. 

Until next time…

Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time. ~ Winston Churchill ~

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Crochet-A-long 1.1

Last night I completed the wool afghan I made using the pattern supplied by Lion Brand.  For the most part I am pleased with it.  I found it a bit difficult to keep the black stitches bordering each square flush on the turning side.  If I had used the same color throughout, the blocks would have gone together more smoothly.  On a few of the squares the border is a bit zagged.

The pattern instructions were very easy to follow.  My least favorite square was the one stitched in blue.  It didn’t block as easily as the other two patterns.  The different textures definitely add interest to the finished afghan.

Note to Laurie…you asked what a “crochet-a-long” is.  It’s simply several people working the same pattern at the same time…individually.

Until next time…

We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.  ~ Edward R. Murrow ~

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Crochet-A-Long 1.0

Last week I checked in on one of the blogs I frequent, and Kristine shared a link to a crochet-a-long sponsored by Lion Brand she was participating in.  I crochet year around, and it doesn’t take much to spur me into starting a new project.  It’s common for me to have two or three crochet projects with different colors and textures of yarn going at one time.  It keeps my AADD from kicking in and complete loss of interest in a project.  The pattern supplied by Lion Brand is rated “intermediate”, but it seems very easy to me.  Their sample is worked in a single color…I chose three (the AADD thing again).  They used a larger hook than me, and their block is a bit larger as a result.  Last night I completed block seven of thirty.  I’m sharing pictures, but they are at the minimum pitiful.  My camera leaves much to be desired.  ~ sigh ~

Argh!  After seeing the picture of my blocks laid out on the table, I’m completely unhappy with the way they look.  The weave is too loose for my taste.  (I can’t stand for my toes to pop through an afghan when I’m trying to get cozy.  I’m going to unravel them all and start over with a smaller needle.   Am I ever glad I only made seven!  The end product will either need more blocks or the afghan will be smaller (no brainer), but the wool costs too much not to be happy with the completed work.  Lion Brand’s project is large enough the loss of a few inches won’t make that much difference.  I think I’ll drop the black, too, but I’ll wait to decide.

Edit…I’ve started re-crocheting one of the blocks with an H needle (my personal favorite).  Size is lost, but it looks so much nicer.  I’ll post a picture of the two sizes together after I finish this one.  I bet you’ll agree.

Until next time…

Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. ~ unknown ~

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An Unexpected Blessing

Yesterday two of the afghans I crocheted during the cooler months sold!  Both were purchased as newborn gifts.  The first one is made in a waffle pattern with natural worsted weight Bernat yarn and edged in olive…very boy. 

This full-sized afghan is crocheted in a heart pattern with Red Heart worsted.  The little girl who receives this one can use it for many years to come.

Those of you who know me know my DH has been very sick for the past several months.  He has been unable to work fulltime so our income has been much lower than we had grown accustomed to.  We’ve not missed a meal or a payment during this time.  We’ve trusted the Lord to keep His promises.  I’m thankful for these sales and see that this is one of the ways God cares for us in tough times…ain’t He good?  All the time!

Until next time…

remember…

Hatred is an acid that corrodes its container.  

                                ~   Tonya Baker  ~

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