Becoming a Knitter

I'm finally learning to knit!!  It's so exciting.  I've been wanting to learn for years.  I've even been carrying needles around for the last few weeks.  Then one day at my sister's house it all clicked into place.

Thank you to my 6 yr old photographer!

It's a pretty slow process, coming from crochet.  I'm sure I'll get faster with time.  I've learned to cast on and the knit stitch.  Carly (my sister) says "baby steps".  So I'll keep practicing those.

My ultimate goal (at this point anyway) is to knit my own socks.  I can't wait! 

I've also been crocheting, of course.  I don't think I'll be one of those people that totally gives up the other skill.  I've made, and am making, more of those cute cowl's I showed you in the last post.  I even made one for P.  

I'm joining in over at Small Things this week for her yarn along.  I really enjoyed it last time.  (plus it's motivating)  This week I'm reading The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima.  It's book two in the Seven Realms series.  Great series so far.  I will readily admit...I have NO desire to read any book that doesn't have castles or dragons or fairies or magic in it.  (I'm drinking out of a Harry Potter coffee mug right now for goodness sake)  I like to escape when I read.  And yes, the books I read are usually found in the teen section.  I'm okay with that. :)

If any of you knitters at the yarn along have suggestions for beginning knitters I'd love to hear them! 

Oh and I have a sewing project coming up!  One that benefits crocheters and knitters alike.  So look for that probably next week.

Hooks and Scarves

A funny thing happened when I started a sewing blog.  I started crocheting again. 

I learned how to crochet when hubs and I were RVing with the old folks.  (an interesting story for another time)  I learned all sorts of little old lady crafts and it was so much fun.  I think they enjoyed teaching me almost as much as I enjoyed learning.  I love those gals!  Hang out with old folks, they have a lot to teach.

Anyway, with homeschooling I've found it difficult to sew the same way I did before.  Shocking I know!  Sewing something makes me feel like I've "got to get it done".  But with crochet, it's easy to pick up and put down.  Which is perfect.  So expect some more crochet projects.  And I hope to learn how to knit too.

Ever hear of Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch book series?  The Knitter's Handbook and Stitch 'N Bitch Nation AND The Happy Hooker (awesome name) for those of us that crochet.  It's funny and informative and fantastic.  I recommend it.

Anyway, (again) I've been admiring those great cowl scarves.  Well, I got the urge to make one.  The Happy Hooker has section on "fancy stitches".  I picked the "V" stitch and went to town. 

Loving this yarn too!  It's a decent wool yarn from Hobby Lobby.


Here it is mostly finished!  Just need to weave in the ends.

Aaand DONE!

I completely love it.  It's warm without being too warm and super pretty! 

I'm trying something new today and linking up to the yarn along at Small Things.  And I promise next time to take a picture of what I'm reading for fun too.

Warm Hands

Or hand warmers.  These are all over the place but I just made some a few weeks ago and thought I'd show you.  Now you should know, I'm at beginner level when it comes to crochet.  I've made one thing from a pattern.  Ever.  One.  I mostly just make stuff up and wing it.  I've made hats, scarves, kitchen sponges, and these hand warmers.  I love them.  I'm typing with them on right now. Sure, one thumb hole is a little bigger than the other.  And one is slightly looser than the other.  But you know what?  I totally don't care.  They are functional and pretty and purple. 

(in case you're wondering about the yarn I got it in Germany.  Which means I have no idea what's in it, how to wash it, or what it's called.  No clue.)

Loosey goosey instruction:

Step one: Chain stitch to whatever length you want to with whatever size hook you want.  I just kept holding it up to my arm til I got it where I wanted.  Mine are approximately 11.5 inches.

Step two: Double crochet, or single, or triple, whatever until you have a large enough rectangle to go around your arm on the elbow end.  Mine was about 8 inches.  Yep, this is just a tube folks.  

(See...tubes)

Step three: Fold that rectangle in half and slip stitch the long sides together.  If you don't want the seam you see on mine you can use a giant needle and whip stitch instead.  You'll slip stitch down about an inch and a half (a little more, a little less depending on how far up your hand you want.  Mine covers my knuckles) then you're just going to slip stitch on one side only leaving the thumb hole.  Keep putting it on to see how big the thumb hole needs to be (mine is 2 inches) then pick up both sides again in your slip stitch.  Slip stitch all the way down and weave in your ends.
 

*Let me know if you are trying to make 'em and these are crappy instructions.  It's the blind leading the blind here but I'll try to answer your questions.

My favorite photo from the shoot...cause you can see my photographers toes.

Speaking of my photographer, he had another fantastic suggestion for these.  He requested one in white they could use as a cast with their doctor kit.  Creative huh?  He's awesome.