Knitting is going on...

Despite no pictures, I am knitting. The hat that started as the "Easy Hat to Knit" is now the "Dreaded Beast". I completely frogged the whole thing but have started over and have about 4 rows. I afraid that the color is changing from cream to a tan from all the handling, scrunching, ripping, etc., BUT, I am determined it get it done..no matter what color it is when I'm finished :)

AND, I'm starting a sock...I've read 2 books and watched a DVD (The Art of Knitting and Crochet by Vogue). I am a visual learner and it really helped to see how a sock is constructed from beginning to end. The process isn't as scary as I thought, despite working with 4 tiny needles. From watching the DVD (which has knitting demos of various stitches), I discovered that I am actually doing things correctly...YAYYY. Nancie Wiseman demonstrates one of her basic sock patterns. The pattern was a little confusing (to me) if you cast on more stitches than for the size she was showing. So, I found her web site, sent her an email, asked my question, and had my answer within 10 mins. How nice - Thanks Ms. Wiseman!!!! Now I can get started. One funny thing tho, I was practicing, had cast on the stitches and was doing the K1P1 for the ribbing. I was thinking that this wasn't so bad with such tiny needles that just dangled when not being used. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd row (I wasn't really paying attention), when suddenly, I realized that I had the little triangle thingy going on..no more dangling ... I was SO thrilled. Then on the next row, I was knitting happily along, admiring my little triangle....and half the stitches fell off of one of the needles...Dang!! But I was just practicing so I'll know to be more careful when I cast on the real sock. Did I say how excited I was? Another thing about the DVD, it had a brief section on frogging and had a good tip on how to do it...maybe next time I won't have to rip the whole project!!!!

Hey Court - next time you come visit, you'll have to watch it. Shows you how to cable and stuff :0)

Ding..Ding...Ding...The Winner of Round One...

Frogger - 1

Knitter - 0

Frogging gets me every time. I only had 1/2 row to rip out due to miscounting. I think I've now ripped out 5 since I kept losing stitches. *sigh* But I did resist the urge to just rip out the whole deal. Soooooo.....

To make myself feel better and to start what I've been putting off because it seems so difficult -

SOCK STUFF!!!!! I'm so excited!!! I browsed several sites seen on other blogs and ended up at The Loopy Ewe. Found beautiful yarn and a beginner pattern. And, of course, the project bag (I have a weakness for pocketbooks and bags - Love 'em!!). Once I get the hang of sock knitting, I will definitely go back to The Loopy Ewe. After finding the yarn shop near my house to be unfriendly and not helpful, it was so refreshing to receive the order accompanied by a hand-written note to say welcome and thanks for ordering! I sent back a quick email to say I appreciated the quick turnaround, how beautiful everything was, and how excited I was to begin sock knitting. I was surprised to get back a response - not just a standard response, but one that was encouraging and even held some advice. Thanks Sheri!!! I'm resisting the urge to begin right away - I need to get other things done although it would be a good day to sit by the fire and knit away while it rains outside. The rain is good - am hoping we get enough to ease some of the drought issues!

Have a good weekend!

Hat

For my first hat, I was looking for something easy rather than cute. So, found the "Very easy hat to knit" by Dovetail Designs. Because I don't yet know how to knit in the round, I chose this hat because it's knitted flat, and the edges are sewn together. The pattern uses 1 ball of yarn if the gauge is accurate. Cast on 90 stitches, and then knit 4 inches. Then start decreasing until 12 stitches remain, then finish. I'm able to practice garter stitch, K2tog, and seaming. I'm not sure if the gauge is correct so this may end up frogged if I don't have enough yarn..we'll see. But still good practice. The stitches look good (except for the one place where there was a knot in the yarn), and the piece is the same width all the way across!! Yay.. I can't find the label, but the yarn is so soft - I love it!

I still haven't figured out the correct way to re-size pictures or why clicking the picture doesn't always bring up a larger size..but hopefully the view will let you clearly see stitches.

Am almost to the decreasing part. Hope to have completed this week!

The other boy

Here's the Baillie Boy, my parent's sheltie, and one his most favorite places in my parent's yard. When Tucker comes to visit, the boys run and run. When Baillie gets tired he will go flop in the liriope to hide and cool off. All you may see of him are his ears....

Have a great weekend!!

Slow knitter

About 1 year ago, I seriously started trying to teach myself to knit. I'm very slow and have had a hard time trying to find projects. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find any knitting groups nearby, nor any knitting classes, nor any really helpful staff at the LYS. However, I continue to plug along because I REALLY want to knit a pair of clogs I saw a long time ago on Woolyheaded's blog, and because I REALLY REALLY want to knit socks :)

But first...a couple of washcloths. I couldn't find the pattern books, but did use 100% cotton worsted yarn. It may not look like much, but I was very pleased that 1) they were actually square shaped, and 2) the design is visible in both...yayyy.

I'm was so proud that I actually finished these AND they resembled the pattern book, that I haven't used 'em or washed 'em! I will probable do a couple more similar to the white one. I love the size.

Next time...an update on a hat

Happy....

....It's Friday... that I have this blog...and that I learned how to post a picture. The size and alignment may be a little skewed, but I'm a work in progress :)

Isn't this picture the absolute spirit of happiness?