What is your goal?

Christine, take note. You've been knitting up lots and lots of dolls, bunnies, monkeys and other softie critters for the girlies. In 2018, let's focus on mastering Fair Isle knitting, perhaps an infinity scarf first, socks and leg warmers, maybe a complicated sweater as a final crowning achievement?

A New Sock Monkey from #Susan B. Anderson's "itty-bitty toys"

 A late starter am I.  Got it in my head to knit sock monkeys for the children coming to visit this Christmas 2017, so that we could play Monkey Bingo and Go Ape with monkeys in hand on Christmas Eve. It's been three weeks and still knitting like crazy. Two down, three to go. Crazy indeed, but oh so much fun as the monkeys come off the needles, one by one. 

Why Christine? Why always so last minute? Dearest hubby says, "It's because you're an artist, Christine." Bless that man's heart.

It's a Bunny!

Pattern from Susan B. Anderson's book, Itty Bitty Toys. Yarn: Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street Collection; Cashmere Fleur De Lys; 90% extra fine merino, 10% cashmere; worsted weight (4). From start to finish, this bunny took about one week to knit. It's a cutie, maybe a Christmas present if I can bear to part with it.

Winter Projects 2017

I often wonder about what other knitters do; for example, how many projects do you work on at a time? Is it better to do only one at a time to finish faster? Those kinds of questions. See the aqua socks? I've been working on those socks for over two seasons; in fact, had to unravel one sock and redo...a couple of times...because I wasn't paying attention.

Christmas Rabbit in the making

Shawl and Crocheted Handtowel

A pair of socks for Jaden

Tea Cozies keep the teapot warm...

Pattern from Alexandra Mackenzie, purchased through Etsy

A tea cozy which I adapted from a baby's hat pattern.

Little Cotton Rabbits - Easter 2017

Knitted bunnies for Easter 2017 and sent them along to the granddaughters and other special friends.

Little Cotton Rabbits; Bunny in Red Shoes and A Polka Dot Dress

Yarn: "Quince and Co. Chickadee" which worked well with this project; Size 2 and Size 3 needles. Next bunny, work on eyes and nose/mouth placement, as well as those ears. I think the ears need to be placed closer together. In search of that perfect whimsical expression.

Little Cotton Rabbits..."HEAD" start

I purchased a knitted bunny pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits. Knitting starts with the head and ears. I have three examples using Size 3 needles for the head and Size 2 for the ears, The larger two are knitted with "I Love This Cotton" yarn, worsted weight, 100% cotton purchased at Hobby Lobby; the smaller head knitted with "Chickadee" from Quince & Co., DK weight, 100% wool yarn. The hardest part for me is not in the knitting, but applying the embroidered face to capture a whimsical expression. Can't seem to get the exact expression. Ear placement is also important and it took me a few tries to get them just so.

Pansy Afghan...20 yrs in the making

I started this blanket in 1997, the year my mom was in hospice, shortly before she passed away. I have had these blocks stashed away for way too long and I might have given up, but I knew that one day I would finish. A total of 54 finished blocks is needed to make the blanket. As of today, I have fifteen squares completed; only 39 more to go. Considering that these squares are not that difficult to crochet, nor that they take too long, I don't know why I have let this project drag on for 20 years. When I finally do finish, I will give this to my sister who has always wanted it from the very first.

Pattern: Pretty Pansies from Afghans for All Seasons (Leisure Arts).  Finished size approx. 48" x 69"
Flowers: Red Hart Super Saver Yarn, worsted weight, various colors; Background: Caron One Pound Yarn, worsted weight; all 100% polyester. Crochet Hook sizes F (3.75 mm) and J (6.00 mm).

Mittens and Hat; Big Twist Sincerely - Pink Denim

Child's Mittens and Hat (for 6-12 yrs old).  I used Big Twist Sincerely, Pink Denim, 100% Acrylic, purchased from JoAnn's on sale. One 5 oz ball (270 yds) was enough to make this set. Hat pattern from Love Knitting.com; Baby, Child, Adult "Little Petal" Slouchy Hat; designer Jessica Rose Hand Knits. Mittens pattern from Etsy.com, GrammasKnittedGifts, "Classic Kids Mittens". I purchased both the hat and mitten patterns for a reasonable cost and am glad I did. Both had good instructions, easy enough to follow, with great results. The slouchy hat is adorable.

So cute!!!

Hat and Mittens for Natalie

Finished the mittens and thought a matching hat would be nice.  The hat took one full day of knitting to complete.  That's a crocheted flower; see the little pompom in the center of the flower? That's a Knitty Noodle kind of adornment. This set is for Natalie, age 5.

Mittens - Big Twist Yarns; Sincerely (Cupcake Confetti)

Child-size knitted mittens, hot off the needles, to send to snowy Idaho; winter 2017. These mittens have good body and thickness. I simply love working with this yarn, Big Twist Sincerely (Cupcake Confetti), 100% Acrylic, 5 oz., which I purchased on sale from JoAnn's.

Socks and Mittens; January 2017...it's not too late!

I missed the Christmas deadline for making mittens, instead giving attention to knitting dollies for the girls. With precious granddaughters living in Meridian, Idaho, and a record snow year as well as chilling temperatures, I decided it can't be too late to send along some of grandma's knitted mittens. In truth, this is my first time at knitting mittens, but since I have the knack of sock knitting downpat, mittens have turned out to be easy enough.  As for socks, the current pair I'm working on have been in my basket for...over a year??? At a certain point I made a huge stitch booboo, which ended up a tangled mess when I tried to correct. Thus, I unraveled the whole mess and here's my progress...back on track.