Stitching My Story

View From a Happy Day...

 

An early morning run with my BFF, followed by an iced mocha and a backwards-knitting discussion. The woman is downright AMBIDEXTROUS when you put a set of knitting needles in her hand.

A bit of embroidery-- continuing on with the blind contour hand drawings and trying to decide on a quote to put on the pocket.

A new bobbin full of hand dyed wool, along with the realization that I need to occasionally step away from the cool side of the color wheel.

Cuff Abundance

I am realizing that there are a lot of hand knit sock cuffs around this little house. I can count four pair, in varying stages of completion, JUST from where I am sitting. I'm an experienced heel turner and I don't mind making that turn one little bit, so this whole cuff-abundance situation seems a little odd.

The BFF has requested the pair below. Perhaps that will motivate me to get the heels and toes in place.

HA! Or maybe I can get an "ankle warmer" trend started!

(I wonder if this is how the whole fingerless-glove fad came about?)

 

 

 

View from Between Classes...

Mmmmmm. Yummy colors.

These socks have been progressing as slow as molasses, but they make for a relaxed, happy break between classes.

Christmas Knitting Roll for my BFF....

I made this for Cindy for Christmas.

I modified and used this pattern.

I bought the needles on Amazon.

Crock-pot and Knitting Weather has Arrived!

On the knitting front, I have a pair of smittens I started last year that are almost ready for THIS winter. Smittens, for those of you who haven't discovered them yet, are mittens for hand holding! Each person gets their own OUTSIDE-hand mitten, and then shares a mitten for the INSIDE-hands... you know? So you can hold hands? Here's the free pattern I'm using.

I'm also working on socks for holiday gifting. The BASIC SOCK CHART is the only pattern I ever use for socks anymore. It always works out perfectly.

As for my crock-pot, here's a new favorite that I pulled together:

Baked Chicken Enchiladas....

Into the crock-pot:

2 cans ROT-EL mild, 1 lg. can diced green chilies, 1 diced onion, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 can cream of mushroom soup followed by a can of water, 2 chicken bullion cubes, chili powder and/or cumin to taste, and 2-3 chicken breasts. Cook for a few hours, until chicken is tender. Pull the chicken apart with two forks.

(dear family: this is on my amazon wish list)

In a 13 by 9" baking dish, layer: corn tortillas (we love the Trader Joe brand), crock-pot chicken mixture, and shredded cheese. Repeat the layers three times. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until bubbly hot... 45-55 minutes. Serve with blue chips, salsa and fat free sour cream.... and a really cold beer!

Maryelle's Socks....

A work friend is due today! The socks are knit.... now we're just waiting on the baby gurl!

One Down, One to Go....

I used THIS chart..... casting on 32 stitches in soft, hand-dyed baby wool.

Bitty Baby Socks...

Artfully unmotivated pretty much describes my life these days. Between work and family and an attempt to whip my body back into shape by running more and gym dates with my BFF, getting out to my studio has not been a priority.

But...

Yesterday, we went to a local street fair and I found perfect little balls of yarn to make tiny socks for a friend who's baby gurl is due later this month. 

Last night I set the balls of hand-dyed, super-soft wool next to my bed. I actually dreamed about knitting! Today I will find my needles and begin bitty socks for baby Maryelle.

I want....

...to go HERE.
I really, really, really want to.

Grandbaby Braxton's Hat Pattern...

Supplies:
Less than a skein of worsted weight Lamb's Pride yarn
5- DP size eight needles
yarn needle
felt ball

Notes:
Use two strands of yarn thru-out.
4 sts to the inch
This will fit a one to small three year old (depending on the size of your toddler's noggin')

Instructions:
Cast on 72 sts and divide over 4 double pointed needles (18 stitches on each)
Knit one row, purl one row.... twice (four rows total)
Knit 15 rows *work a pattern here if you like*
Knit one row, Purl one row.... twice

Decrease as follows:
On next row knit seven, knit two together; repeat for entire row (16 sts on each needle)
Purl one row
Knit six, knit two together; repeat for entire row (14 sts on each needle)
Purl one row
Knit five, knit two together; repeat for entire row (12 sts on each needle)
Purl one row
Knit four, knit two together; repeat for entire row(10 sts on each needle)
Knit one row
Knit three, knit two together; repeat for entire row (eight sts on each needle)
Knit one row
Knit two, knit two together; repeat for entire row (six sts on each needle)
Knit one row
Knit one, knit two together; repeat for entire row (four sts on each needle)
Knit one row
Knit two together around entire row (two sts on each needle)
Knit six rows

Finishing:
Break yarn about 10 " from last stitch. Thread this tail onto a yarn needle and pull the threaded needle thru each stitch. Insert the needle into the center top of the hat and pull snug. Secure all tails.

If your little one is beyond putting things in his or her mouth, securely stitch a felt ball to the tip top of the hat. TA-DA!