Saturday, June 29, 2013







Hey!  Well, it was unavoidable.  I took time off from knitting Crickie's napghan to make a poncho for my young friend, Elise's b-day.  Is she 4 or 5?!!!  Time goes so fast, I can't keep up.  I made the poncho large so that she can grow into it--I just hope my calculations are right.  The last time I saw her, the little sprout was a full-fledged stalk!!!  Anyway, this poncho was designed by Ann Norling (?).  It's made in one piece and very easy and quick to make.  I added the Fair Isle edging as a special accent.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Jim's Cabled Hat

I finally got around to making Jim a new hat. I used a basic cable pattern, although you can't really see the cables in the photos. I got this cool hand-dyed yarn from gnomeacres.com.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Damon's Socks

More socks! This time Damon picked out the yarn for his socks. I like how the black and charcoal colors came out.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Scalloped Edge Poncho

I recently completed this scalloped edge poncho but I could not get a good photo of it. The bottom of the poncho has a really neat pattern that looks like little trees above the scalloped edge. I managed to get a couple of OK photos outside this morning, but they would have turned out nicer, had the sun been out. The pattern is from sweaterbabe.com.


I also learned a pretty cool trick to use when casting on a large amount of stitches. Using two balls of yarn, make a slipknot but don't count it as your first stitch. Next, cast on all stitches using the two balls of yarn and then slip the first slipknot off and cut the yarn from one of the balls. It worked great and took the guesswork out of trying to gauge how much yarn to use to cast on.

Saturday, March 2, 2013



Well, I finally got around to downloading photos from my camera.  These are Jim's new Fair Isle socks.

I've recently got on a "finish what you started" kick.  I have some knitting projects that have been set aside in favor of more immediately gratifying fun projects.  A while ago, I started "Crickie's Napghan"--an afghan made from yarn I recycled from 2 afghans knit by one of Jim's aunts (who is now deceased).  One of the afghans was made for our wedding (24 years ago in April!) and the other was made for Jim when he was still young.  The 2 afghans were falling apart so I decided to reknit both into something new.  It's called "Crickie's Napghan" because Cricket (who is now a 22-year-old cat) loved to knead and sleep on them.  I want to finish it before Crickie goes to kitty heaven (Jim thinks she'll outlive us both).

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Jim's Socks

I am on a sock roll. I love the two at a time toe-up pattern I have been using. The socks knit up pretty quick and it is not hard at all. I recently started blocking my socks after they are finished. I got some sock blockers at knitpicks.com. I think it makes a big difference.
Jim's Sweet Socks

Monday, January 28, 2013

Magic Loop Socks

I have been wanting to knit more socks for a while now. I have been searching for the perfect two at a time, toe-up pattern and believe I finally found it! http://knitfreedom.com/

I need to see how things are done visually, rather than looking at a technique in a book. I found the perfect pattern, in the form of an e-book. I downloaded the e-book onto my iPad, printed out the pattern and began my socks. I absolutely love how it worked! It gave step be step instructions and incorporated videos in between each step. I had my iPad on my lap and could pause, rewind, etc. It was like being in my own private class. The instructor was wonderful and also gave helpful advice about not getting your two yarn balls tangled, and how to keep track of your knitting without having to write anything down. If you don't have a tablet, you could also view the e-book on your phone or computer, too.

I also loved knitting two socks at the same time on only one long needle instead of two sets, like I have previously done. The magic loop method is great. I immediately download her two at a time mitten class, as well. I can't wait to knit more socks!

I must have wound my two balls of yarn in opposite directions (oh well, adds character)

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Sock Knitting Frenzy



I've been completely obssessed with Fair Isle knitting---I absolutiely love it!  Even though I see pictures of the patterns, they look different depending on the colors I use and how I "stack" the different patterns together.

I didn't have much time to knit before Christmas, but once I got some free time, I've been catching up on more sock knitting.  I call the socks in the topmost picture, the "Lucky Love Charms" socks.  It's actually a Fair Isle sampler with motifs taken from a book by an author, last name of Mucklestone, that features 200 patterns.  It's made from yarns left from various projects (same gauge), and I made them for work.  I wear steel-toed boots for work and thick knitted socks are the most comfortable.

Fair Isle even makes cheap acrylic look good.  The bottom picture features socks made from acrylic for my sister-in-law who is, unfortunately, allergic to wool.  They're very comfortable, thick, easy to care for, and didn't take long to make in worsted weight yarn.

If I could make a living just knitting like this......(many sighs)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Star Chart

Mary, I downloaded Google Chrome and then opened it to get to our site here. Works fine. For a test, I uploaded this star chart that I have no idea how to read. It is for decreasing into the star crown pattern for a hat. Can you decipher it?

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Unable to Post Pictures

Hey, Paula!

I'm suddenly unable to post pictures on the website.  I go to the proper window but am not enabled to upload the jpeg files from my "stick."  Do you know why?

Mary