needlesandquilts

2007-04-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

The birthday quilts.

2007-01-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

Quilt for Kelley:

Gussy likes this baby quilt:

2007-01-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

Change of gears to cross-stitch.

For Gary's cabin on Lake Matinenda.

For me just for fun.

For Kelley.

Another for fun.

2007-01-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

Mindless TV watching scrap user upper afghan-a great way to use up all your little bits of yarn! Any color, any texture, any weight. The more variety the better.

2007-01-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

Sweater and socks for Parker:

Gussy seems to think its for him. :)

2007-01-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

Scarf for me:

Socks for Kelley:

Sweater and socks for Ryan:

Harley sweater and hat for Alex:

Dish cloths for Kelley:

2006-04-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Sixth Sense Sock Progress

I finally got a good start on my sixth sense sock for the six soc kal (say that 10 times fast!). It is coming along quite well. My only other sock experience has been with size 3 needles which I thought were very small. So this is really small-- size 1 needles and fingering wt. yarn by Regia. I like the feel and the knitability (is that a word?). The pattern is fun once I got the rhythm. I also finally started my Denmark sock for the KOTR kal. It is made on size 3 needles so I thought I had it made. Think again!! I started the sock 4 times before I finally got the pattern going. When I get a few rows done so I can start to see the design I will post a picture. I am using a nice navy blue Kroy sock yarn for this one. In the meantime, I finished a cross stitch book mark, a nautical baby sweater and socks, and purple olympic socks for my daughter. Pictures will be here eventually. I am still learning the blogging process.

2006-04-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

WIP vs UFO

I hear these terms interchanged out there in blogland all the time. I think there is a subtle (or not so suble) difference. Every project starts out as a WIP. 1) You are dying to try a new pattern. 2) You are dying to feel a new yarn slide across the needles. 3) You are dying to gift someone with something special (hand made). 4) You are in the mood to learn something new. 5) Etc. Somewhere along the way the project becomes boring, too unwieldy, ugly, wrong size or guage (what is guage?), or just set aside in favor of a newer more exciting thing. This first project now becomes a UFO. It can remain in that category for a week, a month, or years. I have a lovely pink and purple dress started in about a size 2 for my daughter who is now 26. If I have a granddaughter someday it may at last become a WIP again. Or I may frog it or forget it. I think for every thing that is finished and given away, there are 2-3 things unfinished and neglected. If I wait too long, the style changes and I either finish it just to do it or wait alittle longer til it comes back around the style circle. I have done that before and probably will again. I am thinking of the 1973 poncho that I have wanted to make for 30 years but didn't because it would be so horribly out of style. Now is the time to get to it -- it sits in my basement in the UFO pile as we speak. So unless my sixth sense socks take forever, maybe this will be the month to upgrade to the WIP pile. We can only hope.

2006-03-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

2006-03-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

So many projects... so little time!!

Here I am back to multiple projects. Still have baby items in the works. I have started a blanket crocheted in a really cute log cabin pattern. Even better, it uses left over yarn from a really great basket weave blanket pattern with an addition of variegated yarn from a garage sale. A sweater is partially done and socks are in my head at the moment.... but the yarn is in my basket. I still have a scarf started for myself.... the result of seeing a gorgeous ready-made scarf for a ridiculous amount of money which I have duplicated for a tenth of the cost!! And since the knitting olympics and my mastery of sock-making, I have another pair started in a purple and blue self-striping yarn for my daughter. This is a momentous occasion since it is the first item my daughter has actually requested....she does not share my love of needlework. I have found so many patterns lately that I am dying to make that I don't know which to start first after I finish these. I have self-striping yarn to make gloves and found matching yarn for a scarf, but will probably not get around to making them til next winter. Or at least not have them done to wear. In the meantime, I have joined a couple of sock knitalongs, so I'm looking forward to the next set of patterns for that. For now, I'd better get back to my UFOs!!

2006-03-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

Hooray for Team USA

2006-02-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

Olympic Gold

Hail to the champions!!

2006-02-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

The official button of the knitting olympics. I wish I knew how to put this in my sidebar. I guess I leave that to the more computer savvy.

2006-02-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

Olympic Gold

Here I am wearing the finished socks. Now on to another pair. This was definately fun!! I wonder if there will be another sockapaloosa this year. I think I am ready to participate. Or I will just make socks for everyone I know!!

2006-02-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

It's official. I finished sock number two!!! Pictures to follow. I found a great book today at my Neighborhood Knits shop for alternate uses of sock yarn. This may help use up scraps. I also saw a sock pattern that uses stripes made of left over sock yarn called Orphan Socks. That is an idea too. My next project is to finish a scarf started since the olympics started. Then I start yet another baby project--- a crocheted log cabin quilt. But for now I am happy to have made my goal and finish my socks!!!

2006-02-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

One done...one to go. And I matched the stripes!

2006-02-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Beginnings

Since I was big enough to watch my mother's hands, I was facinated by needlework. From knitting and crocheting, to darning or mending, I loved it. When other kids were out running and playing, I was darning a sock on a darning egg, cross-stitching a quilt block, or crocheting a pineapple doily. I was always the odd kid. The popularity of needlework of all kinds comes and goes, but it is a constant for me. I am sure there are others of us out there so I am starting this blog to connect with a few of you. These days I am involved in the knitting olympics, trying to learn to make socks. I have always wanted to do that since my mom made socks. I thought this was a good time to do it. I am actually finished with one and beginning another. I will post pictures as soon as I learn how to do that(pin my daughter down to show me). In the meantime I will continue knitting.