Christmas Knitting

This year I am not taking on a huge load of knitting. I have two stuffed animals for my nephews, and a couple of scarves. Maybe I will find time to knit some stockings for Christmas decor.

On My Needles

Christmas knitting has begun! Last year I knit for my older nieces and nephews...this year the little ones. I love doing cute little toys like the hippo I am working on now. Double pointed needles once a feared concept are now something I look forward to and enjoy!

Picking Up Needles

A wonderful feeling comes over me when I slip yarn around a knitting needle, even if I haven't knit in days or weeks (maybe more so the longer it has been since I knit). It is connecting with an old friend, the familiar feel and automatic movements made without thought. Knitting relaxes me and helps keep me grounded.  Knitting a favorite pattern adds to that warm feeling and memory.

Katharine and Audrey Knit

I love to see people knitting out in public or finding out a friend of mine is a knitter as well.  To see Audrey and Katharine knitting just makes me happy!

Fun things to Knit

If you ever browse Ravelry or other knitting sites, you can find a lot of interesting things that people choose to knit out there.  I have to admit some I just look at and ask why.  Some, however, I look at ask why not?  Courtesy of Pinterest here are some why nots.

Knitting is the best

From Pinterest...and oh so true!

On my needles

On my needles right now I have:
1.  A Purse that I thought I would make as a Christmas gift, and it is currently hibernating.
2.  A hat that was also to be a Christmas gift, but it wasn't right for the recipient so it is also hibernating.
3.  The project I am actually working on the moment is nice light summer/spring sweater for ME!  From Custom Knits I am working on Jewel. 
I usually have more little projects on the side, but I just finished posting MaryJayne's swing coat and Easter Basket so I thought it was time to take it easy and do something just for me. 
As much as I love to knit for everyone else, there is a certain satisfaction in knitting for myself.  I appreciate the finished project as only a knitter can, and I am aware of all the little snags that went into the finished project along the way. 

Enjoy knitting for others, and enjoy knitting for yourself!!! Share your favorite for yourself items by adding a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!

Button Choice is important

Buttons can make or brake a finished project.  MaryJayne's Swing coat is a wonderful example.  Simple buttons are not at all a bad thing, but if you want to dress up or dress down an item...buttons can change the look of a garment completely. 

The buttons here are more casual and make the coat a better spring garment because of their flower motif. 

These buttons dress up the coat.

Size makes a big difference too.  Obviously you need buttons that fit the holes and the size of the garment.  The larger the buttons the more attention they will receive as well. 

Next time you go to the store to pick out buttons for a finished knitting project...remember the buttons can change the garment.  It may be worth spending a few more dollars to get the right buttons, and the right buttons may not always be the expensive ones.  Don't be afraid to bring your finished project with you to the store and hold the buttons up to the item.

MaryJayne's Easter Basket

My little girls love to have their dolls share in the joys of any and all holidays with them.  Therefore, MaryJayne's Easter basket has been created.  It works well for MaryJayne of course, but the larger version works well with 18 inch dolls such as American Girl Dolls.  My girls couldn't wait to fill the baskets for their dolls just as the Easter Bunny fills their baskets.  I assume we will have some dolls joining in our Easter Egg hunt this year!

MaryJayne's Swing Coat

MaryJayne's swing coat as arrived just in time for Easter!  Pattern available for $1.00 under Dolls tab.  All sales through Ravelry.  This pattern is great as a Spring coat or can be transformed for Fall or Winter just by changing the yarn and buttons!

Springtime is for Lace

As the weather warms up I think of lace!  There are so many complicated lace patterns that are just breathtaking, and so many simple lace patterns that are gorgeous even though the pattern doesn't require a PhD in knitting.  My yellow shawl/table runner is ready to make it's springtime reappearance, but I want to knit something new in lace.  A light little lace jacket could be used through the summer.  I have never before designed clothing with sizes.  Could I find a one size fits all to start?  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, here is some lace to inspire. 

Pattern Testing

Through Ravelry I am having my first pattern tested.  I chose to have my MaryJayne pattern tested because it is a complex pattern, and I wanted to have some additional projects posted for it.  The process is wonderful so far.  Ravelry offers a group where designers and knitters can come together.  As a designer I offer my pattern up, and the knitters apply to test knit for you.  The knitter receives the pattern free of charge, and I receive feedback.  So far all the feedback has been very helpful and nobody has found any glaring errors in the pattern! 

Shawls are so wonderful

Shawls and ponchos do not get the credit they deserve, in my humble opinion.  They are perfect for many ranges of weather and can be dressed up or down.  My purple poncho and jeans are a staple in the winer, and when you need just a little something on those cool spring and fall evenings a shawl is always right.
Again, from Pinterest, I found a wonderful pattern (Thank you Coco Knits) for a simple shawl with a little ruffle.  Who doesn't love a ruffle?  It was a straight stockinette stitch rectangle with a seam, and some picked up stitches turned into a ruffle.  I of course did it in an itchy mohair...maybe not my best choice, but it looks great!

Check here for the pattern.

Fleur De Lis Pillow Coming Soon

I am finally managing to write up some of my patterns after the hectic holidays...a little sneak peak of one to come soon...

A Promised MaryJayne

Although I finished the MaryJayne pattern back in October, one very important MaryJayne remained incomplete.  I finally finished her this week.  I love her lighter hair color, and I decided after using a thin yarn for the hair of one doll that thin hair isn't good on dolls for kids.  It gets tangled.  Additionally, it takes a lot longer to attach.  Not fun.
Now both my girls have their very own MaryJayne in honor of two of their great-grandmothers! 

MaryJayne's Spring Dress

Just in time for Spring, MaryJayne's Spring dress is here.  The pattern is available on the Free Patterns Page (which means it is free).    I have designed a couple other outfits, but I haven't had time to write them up formally.  This means more outfits to come, soon I hope! 

Knitting chicks for Easter

Following up on my introduction of Pinterest...here are the chicks I made from the pattern found on Pinterst. The pattern is free and available HERE.

Quick and easy, and I think they turned out well. Knit flat; I used two different yarns and two different sized needles for the two sizes. Have fun!

Pinterest

A slight deviation from an all knitting topic today.  I discovered Pinterest. This wonderful "social networking" sight is a crafters delight.  My mind is swimming with new insperation from the things I have found and posted.  I highly recommend checking it out.  Here are a couple of the things I "pinned" that inspired me.

How cute would this be with a little knit mouse!

Wonderful wrap...another item to add to my to do list for knitting.  The pattern is available for free at:

http://store.cocoknits.com/products/everyday-wrap.html

This just makes me smile.

Hats

I have never knit too many hats.  Why?  I don't know.  Part of my Christmas Knitting frenzy, however, included hats for my sisters and hats for two of my nephews.  Here are a couple of pictures of them.

For a sister

 For my nephews

Valentine Knitting

Nothing says I love you like a handmade gift, in my opinion at least. That said I find knitting for guys tough. Things I have knit for my hubby and other male relatives to date: slippers, scarves, hats, neck warmers. If anyone has any other ideas I would love to have you share them.
Knitting for my angel children, however, is much easier. Their gift list includes: MaryJayne doll, scarves, hats, ponchos, sweaters, stick horse, bags/purses, and stuffed animals. This year I don't have anything in the works. I am thinking about a cute little fairy and bag I found in a knitting magazine, clothes for MaryJayne, or something else as of yet undetermined.
Valentine knitting...filled with love, filled with creativity, and hopefully filled with fun.

Anne of Green Gables

On my knitting break I have been reading. I started by reading the Anne of Green Gables series. I have enjoyed rereading a childhood favorite, and I have a new perspective as I read about Marilla or Mrs. Lynde knitting. As I think about books I have read or research books mentioning knitting, I find knitting is everywhere. Knitting was integral in the America Girl Series about Kirsten that I read to my daughters. I get a little thrill when my girls chime in with "you knit Mommy.". Knitting is everywhere in life if you just keep your eyes open.

Knitting break

After my Christmas knitting frenzy it has been a month since I picked up needles. What have I been doing instead? Reading...books that discuss knitting.