Knit Wits

We met in the tiny back room of a small knit shop in Gresham called Yarnin' Around. Every Wednesday, knitters gathered there to work on projects and share companionship. When the lease ran out and the shop was forced to close, five of us decided to keep meeting. We tried a variety of venues including a business, each other's homes, and finally...the clubhouse at the condo village where one woman lives. We have met weekly for almost a year and have seen many knitted projects started and (most of the time) finished. This week we set aside our needles for a road trip to a shop called Sleighbells for "High Tea" and Christmas shopping. A festive celebration of our friendship and love of creativity. Left to right...Nancy, Jen, Linda, Pat A and Pat Mc.

Remember the Pink Lace Hat?

Here she is...Little Ember Louise Fay Roth wearing the pink lace hat that gave me so many fits to make. [See September 10th.]

Pillow Talk

Moms-to-be are told to bring their favorite pillow to the hospital to hug during labor. They are advised to use a distinctive pillowcase so it won't get mixed up with hospital issued pillows. So my daughter said maybe I could make her one. Maybe I could. Maybe I did. It may look simple to you, but top stitiching and French seams are a bit outside of my area of expertise. Nevertheless I plunged on with a kit I purchased at Craft Warehouse. I had to change presser feet to get through the layers. But here it is. I used white thread as that is what is in the machine and the bobbin and since I don't know how to thread the machine or wind the bobbin, that's what you get. Windy likes it. It measures 20" by 28" and took me all day to complete.

Baby Surprise Jacket

The little Baby Surprise Jacket [see the start on October 17th] is finished. Well...almost. Still have to find "five pretty little buttons" and sew them on. But the crazy knitting is complete. What a fun project this was. This will be a gift for Windy's little Baby Louise, along with the Pink Lace Hat [see September 10th] and the Lollypop afghan [see September12th]. The Baby Shower is this weekend so I'm off to Target to buy a gift box and wrapping paper. Or maybe a gift bag.

Edwardian Carrying Cape

This is going to be for Baby Louise, Windy's baby who is due December 21st. I chose this instead of a Lace Christening Shawl for several reasons. 1) It has the lace effect without the tedious knitting on tiny needles. 2) It's quicker and easier to make. 3) It's pretty damn cute. The pattern is from Oat Coutoure, I'm using size 5 straight 14" needles and 100% acrylic Barisienne yarn from Bergere de France.

Baby Surprise Jacket

This is the start of an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern from Schoolhouse Press. It was originally published in 1968 as Newsletter #21. This little garter stitch baby sweater only has two seams and it's reversible. It will "grow" with the baby. This version is made on a size 7 24" circular needle with washable acrylic/rayon Sunsette yarn from Plymouth Yarn. You can use larger needles and heavier weight yarns and make larger sizes, including adult.

Lollypop Afghan

This is a bright and cheery "quickie" I'm starting with Red Heart Baby Soft yarn and a size G crochet hook. It's made on the diagonal using what I call the "Lin Stitch." Lin is my friend who many years ago showed me this stitch and how to start the triangle . This is the only crocheting I can do. I have no idea what the real name of the stitch is. I can't even remember how to do it from one time to the next. I have to just close my eyes and start and then it comes back to me. I've made several full-size afghans this way but this will be cradle size for the Wee Lassie.