Calorimetry

I've used this pattern before.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html

This one is made from silk yarn I've had in my stash for a couple of years now. I have no idea how long it will last. The yarn seems a bit fragile. But I wanted something pretty to wear in all this cold weather we've been having.

Fingerless Gloves

I knit these as a Christmas present for Kelsea.

I used a pattern from Ravelry. I learned how to knit in the round using double point needles(dpn), I had a lot of trouble joining in the round and ended up using the cast on tail to stitch in a seam where it gapped. I also learned how to work a thumb gusset, though I didn't quite understand how to cast the thumb stitches onto waste yarn. I managed to get the thumb done, even if it was a bit clumsy. These were really a lot of fun to cast on.

This second pair I've been working on for a friend. I finally figured out how to work with the waste yarn. It was so much easier than I was trying to make it for the previous pair. I enjoyed doing the cable rounds.

Afternoon

We ventured away from our little "Mayberry" and ran some errands in the big city.

I had some time to kill between stops, so we spent some time at the park.





While they played I did a little crochet. I decided I wanted a few coasters. These were fun and super quick to make. I'm still adjusting the pattern, I'm not sure what color I want them in for the house. I'm thinking maybe green.

Kelsea's Handiwork

I'm cheating a bit and showing off what has been on Kelsea's crochet needles.

These little pouches are soap savers.



They are just the right size to hold a bar of soap and are made from 100% cotton. You just slip the soap in the opening.



She has made over 20 of them now.


She's giving them to her friends at ballet for a little Valentines Day treat. Inside she has little candy hearts.


I'm so excited for her! This is the biggest project she has followed through on without any help from me. She also learned a few new techniques like changing the color of her thread.

Scarf

I haven't been doing much with knitting lately. I've looked over so many different patterns that I want to try. My stack of knitting "to-dos" is a mile high.

So I decided that I just need to keep something on my needles. Something that sits beside me during the day so I'll pick it up and DO SOMETHING.

A scarf is always a no brainer. And the kids have been asking for new ones.



Ishmael thinks it looks like chainmail. He laid claim to it already.

They're Finished!

Thanks to my very talented mother, all of my stockings are done just in time for Christmas!!!



I finished the final touches of the last one while she was here, and then she whipped them out like nobodies business!

Camo Hats

I made camo hats for the boys to go with our soldier theme.



I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.

More Knitting

Leon bought me some green and yellow yarn. It was pretty but it didn't look like a dishcloth. So I decided to branch out and try a real pattern.

This is called a Calorimetry...something to do with heat escaping the head.

It was surprisingly easy.
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From My Needles

I've been teaching myself how to knit. I have a lovely friend who came over to help with technique. I got frustrated and put my needles aside for a while. Before Christmas I picked them back up and decided I wanted my children to wear scarves in our artic weather here in the south...Anyway, somehow something clicked. I finally understood what I was looking at. I can recognize a knitted stitch from a pearl and how to fix mistakes.

These are washcloths I made out of 100% cotton. I cast-on 30 stitches and knitted until it looked square enough. Needless to say they are not exactly uniform in size. I experimented a bit with stitches.

Knit 1, Purl 2 makes for a pretty stitch:













This one I didn't use a pattern for. I played around and found out how to make a diagonal looking stitch. It has the most flaws but it was also the most fun to do:













This one I would knit 5 purl 5 for five rows, creating a waffled look:














Knit 2 rows, Purl 2 rows (or something like that):













Knitted all rows: