FO Friday

Rotten Fruit

I know you probably can't tell what this is, but it is my FO for this week... it is one of the first finished objects that I can actually share in a long time!!!

Yes, this is a post about knitting... And??

The pattern is Citron and the yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in black(I think).  I have a bad habit of winding my yarn into neat little balls and misplacing the labels before I get them cataloged.

Anyway, Citron is a truly lovely pattern and I really, REALLY enjoyed knitting it.  It took me a little over two weeks of inconsistent knit time.  The picture is of it blocking.

I've been wanting a black shawl and this perfectly fits the bill!  I even wore it to an IEP meeting last week and felt quite proud that I had actually created something wearable.

In other news, I've been helping out at my favorite LYS (Local Yarn Shop), Cast on Cottage,  as they prepare for their big move.  It was nice to get out for a few hours each day this week and fondle smooshy, soft yarn in rich, amazing colors.  I have a few new favorites: Misti Alpaca (any-all-YUMMY), Malabrigo Twist in Indiecieta, and Lorna's Laces new Ysolda Red.

I'm working on finishing my beaded Saroyan and intend to have it ready to share with you guys next week!

My other fantastic FO for the week has been the addition of my Facebook Page for Right to Learn Education Advocacy and a facelift on my Other Blog.  If you have a spare second, please "LIKE" my page on Facebook and add Right to Learn to your blogroll!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Expect more from me next week...

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Knit & Crochet Blog Day 1

I'm participating in the knit and crochet blog week being headed up by Eskimimi Knits.  I've never participated in a large-scale blog challenge, so I thought this would be a good one to try.

Don't worry, I'll still have the regularly scheduled chaos that you have come to know and love.

How and when did you begin knitting?
I first tried to knit about four years ago after I heard that Dakota Fanning was a knitter.  I have always been a bi-polar crafter:  I don't stick with one thing for very long and I get completely obsessive about a craft until I feel like I've either a) mastered it or b) have spent too much money on it.  Anyway, back to Dakota Fanning... I was astounded that a 10 year old could knit and I couldn't.  Off to JoAnn's I went and came home with some acrylic Homespun and pretty purple needles in hand.  I had no idea what size the needles were.  I just liked the color.

I made a scarf or two and then decided I was bored.  Shocking, I know.

When Lil Bit was born, I received a beautiful hat from a friend of mine and was immediately inspired to knit again.  I started with the Looms, and quickly decided that I was up for the challenge of using "real needles".  I bought my first set of Addi Turbo's (size 6, 16") and ventured into dishcloths so that I could have something simple yet useful to learn knitting and purling.   By November I was making hats in the round using cables and lace, and it was clear that I was a woman obsessed.  I haven't looked back.

My first "real" project: Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth

My most recent FO: Gretel  by Ysolda

Love, hugs, and blessings,

The Mama

FO Friday

No, my title is not an abbreviation for a profane salute to this day... although, if I stop and think about it long enough, I am kind of "there" right now.

FO is a knitter's term for Finished Object, or so I am told.

I just got back from a 4 mile walk pushing 100 pounds uphill both ways in 30 degree weather.  I'm not in the mood for much chatting.  My kiddos loved the walk.  This is the three of them knocked out after we got back.  That plastic looking thing on top is the wind/rain cover.  It adds an additional 40 pounds to my uphill pushes when it's windy outside.  Like today.



My body is now revolting and I'm finding it impossible to get warm.  So to make up for it, I'm looking at warm things.

Like my grandmother in her Gretel.  This was the point of my whole post today.  Here's my Grandmother in her Gretel.

Isn't she just adorable?  Love this picture.

So there's my FO for today.  And now, I'm off to try and get warm.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Some knitting

I've been a busy lady lately. I said I wanted to be a knitter. Well, I think I can safely check it off of my list! I am really proud of my latest project and just had to share.

My new favorite - I lurve this hat!!!

No, I was NOT driving WHILE taking this picture.

Here's the detail of the hat!


Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Knit-wit

My first finished knitting project!


It's the Grandmother's Favorite washcloth/dishcloth pattern. I used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn. I began the project on bamboo needles and switched to metal halfway through. The needle size was different after the switch. I also realized that I had to work on making my stitches more loose so that accounts for a lot of the unevenness. Overall though, I'm pretty proud!

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

My Saturday Night - And Some Knitting Progress!

I lead a thrilling life. No one - and I mean NO ONE - will watch my kids on a Saturday night so Hubs and I can have a "date". So instead, I tend to cuddle up with my youngest and a book, and Hubs gets his movie fix in the den.

My impatience got the best of me and last night I ventured onto the internet to seek out some knitting help. I am bound and determined to become a good knitter. I've been spending time on Ravelry and even picked up a book at the library on Friday.

The book I got is The Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits. I WILL be getting this one for my personal library. I love it. It is empowering, the language is simple, and I really like the patterns.

Here is the first YouTube video I watched (over, and over, and over, and over...)


I saw a few different examples of casting on in different videos, but this is the one that "felt" right to me.

And the knit stitch was easy enough, but the purl tutorial was awesomely helpful!


After I got the hang of both of these, I undid my work and started a scarf for my oldest daughter. I'll be using a loom to also make a matching hat. I'm doing a simple garter stitch and will be making a flower or two to attach to it. I'll be sure to show pictures when it's finished.

The project I REALLY, REALLY want to do is this one. They look so clean and crisp. I want to make some dishcloths using this pattern.

So that's how I spent my exciting Saturday night. How did you spend yours?

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Teach Me To Knit!

I want to learn how to knit.

I really don't need another hobby to consume my time, but there's just something about knitting needles and beautiful yarn that inexplicably draws me in. I get color-drunk just looking at all of the beautiful hues and textures.

While on vacation, I visited one of my favorite shops, The Stitchery, to see if they had any new needlepoint patterns that I could indulge in. I wound up staying in there for an hour and a half, fondling cashmere and silk and wool to my hearts content. I left with a sense of frustration and motivation: screw the needlepoint - I have that mastered; I need to learn how to knit.

Crochet just won't suffice. I HAVE to knit. I need to have a beautiful pair of rosewood needles resting in a ball of luxurious yarn ready to be turned into a delicious scarf, shawl, or blanket. I want to understand what it means to knit, purl, cast on, and decrease. I want to speak the language of the art and be able to turn it into beautiful creations.

It is entirely possible that I'm a 90 year old woman trapped in a 31 year old's body.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama