Neck Warmers...

This year I am serious about knitting. I did not make a stack of fleece scarves from my remnant pile, instead decided to knit few cowls for little one. It goes pretty quick and knitting in the round is one of my favorite way of knitting. There were few skeins of yarn I received last summer from a friend, I did not know what to do then, because they were blends of wool and other fibers. 

Few cowls could make little one’s neck warm when she is outside with her friends at school and I know she loves them and lately she is asking me to make a scarf to cover her face. We have been hit hard this year with snow. I remember last year I had to dug my self out, to goto work. 

Cowls are easy to make, and not only that you can wear them as hats. However, they will not cover the head entirely but will do the job to some extent. Currently working on number four and so far I have finished three.

The first was using fine yarn with light weight yarn. It was much fun and that cowl keeps the neck pretty warm and so soft to touch. I felt my hands were in a cloud.

The second, was made with only light weight yarn. The light weight yarn was very stretchy to work alone but adds a totally different texture to the pattern and the knitted cowls sits snuggly around her neck, she loves it. It works great on, not so very cold days!

The third cowl pattern, I made it up on my own. I did not have a pattern and had two skeins of alpaca yarn. This is a very soft cowl, which sits around her neck with some room around, but gives her enough warmth on a cold spring day. 

Fourth, cowl is in progress, and we would like to use it as soon as its done, during this cold winter vortex. It is a very soft warm yarn and it will definitely keep her warm.

Happy, knitting during the month of February to ALL!

Completed Projects 2014

Few projects have been pushed around due to work from last year. I finally was able to get them done this year and that made me so happy. I started this tiny scarf almost an year ago but I could not get to finish it. I was happy to weave in the ends and finish it off. 

Cowl was something I did this year it is entirely my pattern. I wanted to make one and I manage to come up with this pattern. Nicolette loves it and I did add a small button to make it unique for her. 

Nicolette was happy to model with these wonderful two scarves. She loves both and wear them to school. 

Knitting Hats…

 
I get great joy by watching how my daughter wears her hats. Now that it has become a part of her routine. When she takes night baths I let wear on particular hat because I knitted her a blanket to go with it. Lately she has been wearing it inside the house. This happens has happen only couple of times but I enjoy it very much.

I love how this hat looks from the top. It almost looks like the bulls eye but with so many circles from top. Now that we are into spring we will not need much of our winter gear. I hope to knit some blankets for her next winter and more scarves for the older one.

I need to get organized for next winter with my projects so I can work on them as soon as FALL sets in I know that a long thought. But that’s my favorite season of the year besides SPRING.

Quote of the day “Tell someone how great they look”

Enjoy!

Scrap Yarn & Hats…

 
 I received a bag of scrap yarn from another knitter. I wanted to knit some hats with scrap yarn. First thing I did was separate the yarn according to colors then I looked for the texture of the yarn to create some personality to the hat.

I was surprises with the final project myself too. I love this blue hat. I wished I had more to crate this unique hat but that is the fun part creating with scrap yarn. Best part is nothing gets wasted at the end.

Quote of the day “be curious about life”

Enjoy!

Basket weave in knitting…

This is a really easy pattern to work with and the finished product looks great. My son wanted a scarf and I gave it a try with one skein I had it was enough and it was 100% wool. Good thing is it’s from the clearance rack and that makes a big difference.

I loved how it finishes up and the pattern is relatively simple to memorize and work. I read in a recent home journal that picking up the knitting needles is a stress buster during holidays. Just the fact of repeated stitches breaks the trains of everyday worries; Knitting reduces the stress hormones and releases endorphins and makes you happy.
Fun part is you can make gifts to everyone during holiday season and could be inexpensive…

Do you do activities to reduce your stress does it helps you be a calmer and better person to handle some tough situations…
Quote of the day “do something to improve your health everyday”

Enjoy!

Gathering Gifts…

 
I recently got hooked with making scarves with sock yarn. I know this does sounds unusual but it is the beauty of ART mixing media and breaking rules creating something new. The end result is amazing and always makes me to create some more…

Back to the scarf; it is very airy scarf. There are four reasons why I like making them. They look airy, finishes up faster, makes a big fashion statement, and great way to gather gifts for the holiday season.

If you are using a bigger needle since the yarn is a sock yarn they makes big holes it gives this airy looking scarf. If the weather is not that overwhelming cold you can wear this wonderful scarf. Additionally if you are working in an office may be straight under fan you can wear it a part of your outfit…

I have to admit it finishes up super fast… I can make 2 in a day if I don’t get distracted from my heaping projects… I have tried big needle such as # 15 and # 12wrks like a machine knits fast…

It does make a pretty impressive fashion statement since its unusual look… it does not look like a winter scarf but functional. When you look at the yarn stock at the craft store… I want to make scarves for all my outfits…
Especially the holiday season is around the corner why not stock up for some gifts…

Gathering gifts could be so much fun if you think outside the box, and invest on quality… but that’s my personal theory...
I had so much fun creating these… because all the features that I mentioned was working in harmony with this project…

Quote of the day “create a committed relationship and keep it exciting”

Enjoy!

Knitting to go…

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate to sit around and do nothing… waiting to pick kids from school, after school activities, helping homework… and in between I don’t like to sit around without anything in my hands writing, knitting, designing, jotting ideas… what not…

My to do list is long I am working one project at a time, getting B’day gift’s and other celebrations in life… I REALLY enjoyed creating something beautiful with a purpose for someone to use instead of giving a store bought present in some occasions it serves the purpose but now that I spent time at home I make sure I use that to the fullest, productively and purposefully and for my fullest potential.

So I came up with this idea to have my knitting scarves in a mason jar. It is easy to take a long with you. If you decide to sit outside and knit your, yarn ball won’t roll over. I love to knit outside when my little one is playing with her friends I can still get few rows while keeping an eye for them…

Tell me ways that you incorporate your creative time while taking care of your munchkins… or how do you fit all to your busy schedule…

Quote of the day “think of unusual strategies”

Enjoy!

Wicked winter and pretty scarf for a Little Girl…

I did my very first scarf edging with a crochet hook… it came out really cool… I can wait to try it on my little girl during this winter she is going to be one fashion icon.

I bought the yarn for a $ 1.00 at the local yarn shop from the clearance rack and was not quite sure what to do with it… I finally came up with the idea to make a small scarf for my little one.

What I ran into was when laid flat it will curl up so some of the experience knitter’s advice for me to crochet it around the edge. It did work however the yarn is a little bit bulky it still curls up a little but not that bad… another knitter suggested to BLOCK I have no idea what is this but determined to give it a try…

What have you been working lately with your hands to create… like to share or leave a comment…

Quote of the day “go back to school”

Enjoy!

a scarf & mittens for a little one

I knitted two gloves for my daughter with a scarf for this winter. I bought the yarn from the local yarn shop for a buck since it was only 1 ball I wanted to make a scarf. This yarn is a novelty yarn and I loved shades or I must say the color combination was great… I love purple or any hues of lavender. Scarf was pretty simple garter stitch… can make with your eyes closed. I was looking for a glove pattern but then I found it from one of the books I had at home and Kathy from the knitting club was generous to offer me a book with more patterns. She helped me with this glove project to do the joining it was great to have help when planning on new projects… My knitting group rocks...

I had some left over white yarn from another project and solid purple from another project so I put them together to make this pair of gloves for my daughter.This coming winter to keep her hands warm. It is quite unusual than the normal gloves from the cuffs since I used two colors but that’s fine for now. We don’t have to buy mittens this winter I can make them at home. Well that’s the bright side of making gloves at home but I am nervous about this because my older one can lose his gloves and mittens in a split second…. Yes that is scary… Imagine the amount of mittens I have to knit this coming winter ha… ha…

I love these gloves and the scarf that I knitted for my daughter it is definitely labor of love. I can’t wait to make some more now that I have a set in purple. I have to make another set in pink since her winter jacket is pink… (Just another excuse to knit) Yes, we already bought her 2010 winter jacket on clearance that was a GREAT buy. I think I have some pink yarn I can put to use very soon.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek in my little blog to see what’s going…

Quote of the day “live your life in happiness, even when those others around you lead lives that are unhealthy”

Enjoy!

Patriotic Hat…

Yes, after much thought I decided to make a patriotic hat to sell on ETSY.com. I came up with the design and the colors. I wanted to do more but in a time crunch aren’t’ we all sometimes. Hopefully I can get this all laid out next year with my friends, at the knitting group. I love the polka dots and my crochet skills are improving well too.

I REALLY like how it turned out. I wish I knew this skill when my kids were tiny. I would have taken a ton of pictures of our kids. So whenever my friends, relatives, or anyone I know is having a baby; I go crazy creating these lovely gifts. This hat is ideal for a July photo shoot. My son was born two days after the Independence Day. I remember to this date I was at the fireworks watching the works while my son was having a ball, kicking inside me. But it was a different story with my daughter I saw the fireworks at the nation’s Capital, Washington DC with family but waited for couple of months for the delivery because she was a winter baby. No wonder I started knitting for her ha… ha...

I am very excited to go on vacation with my family this coming Monday. I might not blog for couple of days… I will post the pictures upon our arrival. From all of us my son is very excited about this trip because this is his B’day gift. We have not yet packed our bags we will eventually. We do enjoy the summer with long walks, cycling, and reading of course.

Quote of the day “help each other grow”

Enjoy!

Boat Neck – Purple Sweater…

I was working on this sweater for a long time and finally was able to finish it. I am not so happy with seaming but it’s ok. I hope this will still fit my little one this coming FALL. I love the simplicity of this sweater. Easy to put on and take off. I wish I had more patience to do a tidy job with seaming. That’s something I need to improve.

Quote of the day “eat enough to fill emptiness and maintain energy”

Enjoy!

Egg Plant Patch…

I was super excited to blog on these two hats. I initially wanted to make a smile box (flyer) but I quickly changed my mind to blog on it. I think I finally nail this pattern. I have memorized all kinds of hat patterns. I am totally addicted to hat knitting and enjoy every bit of it.

I was very excited to take my kids to the playground, camera, and my new eggplant hat collection. I love to incorporate seasons into my photo shoots. I wish I can improve more my photo taking abilities. I am trying my best. (this is one of my long term goals)

I was a little hesitant to knit the Italian egg plant (white hat) but I wanted to give it try and came out supper cute. Purple egg plant hat was really cute. I loved it very... very… much. I have tons of designs knitting in my head when it comes for patterns and hats(problem is time). Once I am done with one I keep running back to my needles to knit more hats.

It’s awfully hot outside… today. But we still got some outside time boy... we need that. I didn’t do my daily 4 mile walk today too hot, back on track tomorrow with another photo shoot… and my 4 mile walk.

That’s all for today… thanks for stopping by and taking a peak in my little blog.

Quote of the day “heal a wound”

Enjoy!

Pink…

I had no idea that pink could be this cool. As a kid growing up I do not recall having many outfits in pink. So I was elated with the news I was pregnant with a girl because as a teacher I have seen plenty of pink with little girls and miss it as a color.

I am working on another box of hats for a friend. I have already knitted two pink hats. However I am in love with this hat because it is very cool I used all the shades that I had in pink and very happy with the end result.

I have knitted this hat in the past with contrast colors but I love it with shades of pink. The little flower embellishment adds the right touch to it. I might keep this color combination for winter presents.

Quote of the day “take it for granted that things will go wrong”

Enjoy!

Local Yarn Shop…

I like to go to the local yarn shop. The owner of the shop is a very nice lady and loves to help out with projects or simply advice what yarn to pick for a certain project. She also has a wonderful collection of knitting needles I mean all sizes and lengths (when it comes to circular needles). I personally love her clearance rack because she has cool yarn after several markdowns. Final price it sells, if I am lucky for a buck. I do not mind buying yarn at this price because it’s worth the effort I am putting for it when it comes to gift giving.

I am sure I will be knitting a lot this winter. My main project was to knit mittens for my daughter this winter, she will be wearing mittens. It’s going to be so much fun I think. I am not doing the thumb inserts just simple mittens so I can keep everyone’s sanity together when it comes to getting out of the door on time for school and errands.

Well going back to this project… I bought this yarn from her shop and she specifically told me I need only 1 skein or a ball to make a scarf. I did bought one from both yarns. They were made in Italy and the fiber count was 30% acrylic and 70% wool. I already made two scarfs and I love it. I don’t yet if I am going to keep them for myself or give them as gifts time will tell.

Quote of the day “take joy in small things”

Enjoy!

Pumpkin…

It is too early to knit a pumpkin hat but a friend of mines, friend had a baby I want to knit that baby’s first pumpkin hat for this coming FALL. Yep and now is the time because you never know how busy I am going to be this FALL. I love this hat but I wanted to do some modifications and you will see them soon because I am excited see them too.

Fall is a beautiful season to celebrate I love and live for FALL the colors, damp air brings and reminds me of the cold and harsh winter and the wonders of nature. I would really like to go for a nature walk this fall. We will see about that… by that statement written on my blog. I might have to post some pictures too this FALL.
I also wanted to blog few things about this hat. I loved the stem and the leaf it adds that cuteness to the little noggin at the same time it makes a wonderful photo prop. I really wish I knew how to knit before the arrival of my little one but then on the flip side I would end up more 10,000 of pictures in my laptop… no wonder everyone complains the computer is very slow…

If I were to give this as a gift this FALL I might have to create a cute card to go with it too just expanding my creativity… another reason to get LOST in my stamping and card making world…

Quote of the day “as a parent set limits”

Enjoy!

Crochet…

Yesterday was my knitting group. I bought a crochet hook to pick up drop stitches from my knitting. Literally, that the reason I bought one. Later I found hook was too big to pick up stitches so I started on my own following a book to do the chain… yes I was able to do it. And that’s was the end of it but those who reads my blog posts knows I like to keep m hands busy. Now that I have accomplished several projects by myself I wanted to learn how to CROCHET yes, that exactly what I wanted to learn so I met the girls and express my needs.

First of all I was happy to see Kathy another experienced knitter. She has had helped me to do the yarn over on my little one’s dress. Which I needed to practice more… My knitting group leader (Cynthia) and Kathy were both very happy and eager to show me how to hold the crochet hook and start my second attempt to do chain stitch. I got the hang of it I wanted to practice it more then they ask me to move on to the next step and which I did joining chain it was FUN.

I had a blast came home next day morning I was able to take the whole thing apart and do it again. I hope I am doing the right think I cannot wait to show it to Cynthia and Kathy.

More than anything I cannot wait to make little flowers to attach to little hats I am making this could me so much fun. I have already eyed a book from Amazon.Com about this subject. Guess still like to learn from books. I have to admit by joining the knitting group have allowed me to learn new things. This is the very beginning of my crochet it does looks very easy to learn comparing to knitting no cast on measurement of yarn because you go forward with yarn. Let’s see where I am going with this new crochet thing.

Quote of the day "listen to old people"

Enjoy!

Fair Isle…

I finally did it… Yes with Cynthia’s help I was able to find the pattern and learned how to do it. It was FUN and exhilarating at the same time. It’s amazing to explore what you can do with a ball of yarn. I find inner child in me sometimes when I learn something of course I can’t wait to incorporate into a HAT. Yep, but that’s me. I finally got the hang how to do fruits can’t wait to add the crop to my blog… ha … ha… right.
I was analyzing this in so many ways in my head and finally did it. I made an egg plant… or I would rather call it for my daughter’s sake a blueberry. I know now the possibilities are endless.

It’s been a while that I started typing since I have been busy working and balancing everything. This is where my time management comes to PLAY. I guess most of the time I have been a good example…
I sometime like to give some wiggle room and play and dance. Yes, I can lock in that mode for a LONG time but, I try not to because I have a FAMILY. Fun part is that’s where the creativity happens…

Enough about that back to my fruit knitting I cannot wait to make some of these for my friend’s babies…
I loved the watermelon head but now I can do more have more cute beanies. I saw this cute hat when I was in Boston in a small baby boutique. It was adorable and it even had wooden beads painted green as peas in a pod knitted to HAT. I was like going crazy literally driving myself nuts with this hat but it was so expensive not in my budget if not I would have bought it just for the fun of it.

I am in a mission to create these peas in a pod hat someday with my authenticity.

Quote of the day “dress up to stay at home”

Enjoy!

Long waited DRESS…

I was simply happy because I finally finish the dress! Yes, I finally made by first knitted dress for my little one. Yeah… this was a little complicated dress pattern but the beauty is it looks very simple, now I can see what else I can create it kills me to work on one and start another project I just can’t stand it. I have put some projects already in queue to work on… can’t wait to start on those.
However I did finish some other projects while I was working on this one… I was able to finish those before I did the final stitches on this dress…
Challenge was logically figuring out how to do the neck and placing stitches on a stitch holder… working on arm bands, neck band and back opening was like understanding Greek Mythology… I mean it. I ran back to creating my wonderful hats… cannot wait to knit pretty hats…
I guess a knitter doesn’t like to spend time doing nothing…
I want to blog on this because I got this pattern from one of the Debbie Bliss’s books but I did not bought her yarn found something similar from online store for much less. Works great and this could be a spring/summer dress. I would not be able to finish this without Cynthia. She helped me with this project a lot so a HUGE thank you goes to her.
Cynthia is the leader in our knitting group… I have to admit she has have a lot of patience to deal with me for the amount of mistakes I do.

Quote of the day “encourage others to succeed beyond their abilities”

Enjoy!

Up Coming Events...

This picture collage created with Smilebox

Knitted Bath Puffy for a Baby…

I found this pattern on a book called knitted gifts I cannot recall the author of this book. I wanted to give it a try with the yarn I had. I have a tough time applying soap on our little ones body. Now that we spend most of our time outdoors playing since the weather is good. At the end of the day it’s time to have a nice bath with a scrubber and I like the idea of knitting a puffy to m little one.

Anyways it’s not the greatest puffy, originally it calls for natural yarn to give the puffy more like a spa material look but I change it because it’s going to be used on a little one. My husband didn’t like it but I thought it was cool. Something different when it comes to a bath puff… I think I am going to give it a try.

At the beginning it sounds like Greek reading the pattern I guess you just have to do it in order to understand knitting. Just have to do it… This was really easy though it sounds Greek. I had so much fun assembling it together. Now that I know how to make these I am constantly looking for Natural Yarns.

I hate to spend a lot on yarn because it adds up to my projects… for all the knitters out there I feel your pain…

Now I enjoy scrubbing my little one’s dirt off with newly knitted puffy…

Quote of the day “populate your to do list, not your mind”

Enjoy!