knit hell

i have been working on squares and it ain't going so good.  I am doing mock cables and I keep losing my place.  Must be because of my headache and distraction, plus the needles are slippery.  I think I want bamboo 8's.

At least I am getting lots of practice.

Bridge and Beyond: Scrumptious Stuff from Sarah

Bridge and Beyond: Scrumptious Stuff from Sarah

I really get inspired by reading this blog!

its been awhile

I've been very busy with personal issues, but I haven't given up on my needlework although I've slowed considerably.

I have started knitting now more in earnest, and this sweater, while WAY out of my league was so lonely and vulnerable at that yardsale I had to bring her home.

Here's an unfinished object that I picked up at a yard sale.

Its Wednesday again

How did that happen?  Its "work in progress" wednesday, I wish I knew how to add the little badges etc to my blog.

I haven't gotten much further on my BIG blanket.  I'm going to work on it about 2 hours this afternoon.  If I had thought about it, I would have waited to finish the hat I finished today, because Friday is a Finished Friday.  Nevertheless, I took some pictures that I wanted to share.

my finished hat and the new book I purchased.

me and the finished hat

and a beautiful sunset.  What a priveledge that we get another chance every single day.  That's a work in progress, isn't it?

Ten Thoughts Tuesday

I'm just following along a blog and doing Ten Thought Tuesday....I thought maybe it would help be just a normal person.

1. Its Therapy Day for Two.  I am tired of tears.
2. The green hills are beautiful. Daffodils make it even prettier.
3. I added a new color to my hair.  I dared to be different
4. Mexican Train dominoes with the ladies is good for the brain.  Also another normal activity to help me.
5. Normal.  what is normal?  What if I am normal, what would "screwed up" be like?
6. Today I am feeling pretty good and confident, which is usually a challenge.
7. I bought a loom book yesterday. I have enough projects lined up to reach to San Francisco.
8. I'm running out of thoughts. Does that mean I have an empty mind?
9. It feels good to give nice things to people that you know they will love and appreciate.
10. I know I will be OK no matter what crosses my path.  I will be OK.

work in progress wednesday

I decided to join the other crochet and knit blogs and share a work in progress.  I wish I could also share "finish it friday" with the same project, but this one is slow going.

After several false starts....(see pictures) I went all out and bought a whole new set of yarn and changed the pattern drastically.  I could not fine 5 shades of one color to match in order to make a monochromatic throw.  This afghan is slow slow slow going because of using homespun. Note to self, in a time crunch don't use homespun.  Also, note to self....check gauge or figure out how to do a foundation chain for any size afghan.

 The row of yarn was the original color scheme...the row of hats are finished hats for the homeless.

There is a minor problem, according to my calculation, this new afghan is as wide as a queen size bed (62").  And, it will be only about 36" wide with my current yarn supply.  oops.  I am thinking I will need to add the color pattern one more time at least 1 more time, maybe 2.  Each color pattern adds 11 inches and also at least 3 days per color pattern.  Five rows of one color per day is about all I can manage.  What would you suggest?

been busy!

I was able to stay home more days this past week which is helpful.  On Wednesday I was suprised with my husband staying home to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We went to Murphys and ate at our favorite restaurant "Grounds" and also went to three wineries to taste.  I enjoyed the daffodils everywhere.

I have been busy crafting and crafting.  I have a stack now of hats for the homeless, and I have also made a hat for my daughter.  Here are two of my most recent.  The green one is loomed and I'm very proud of it.

I am running short of yarn stash.  Here's a photo of what I have left.  Not pictured is two skeins of white and one of Navy.  I try to avoid white as it shows the dirt.

I am excited about tomorrow, we are taking a road trip to Mexico.  I plan to craft and crochet the whole 10 hr. drive as well as while we visit folks.  I expect it will be quite a social time.

here's what I am going to make when I get back.....

Last but not least, I stayed up late last night to make the green hat, and look what I found when I went to bed......

and such is life

Today was to be the only day that I have been home by  myself.  And as luck would have it, one of my kids is home sick.  He's banished to his room.  Apparently I'm crabby.

Here's what I finished last night and this morning.

This black cap is for Marcie. I tried to follow a pattern but I couldn't see the black thread. My sister says its because I'm getting old.  ha.  I made my own pattern and I like how it came out. I showed my mom and she wants one.  She's going to pick her yarn.  I need to make a gray one for Rose.  I sure enjoy doing this.

Here's a cap for Don's friend Tim.  He saw my son John's cap and wanted one just like it.  So here you go Tim.

 Finally, because I am cranky I will leave some postive highlights from my week.

A game of dominoes from Tuesday and Wednesday's trip to the pharmacy where they have beautiful gifts. I also spent time with a friend on Wednesday so that was another positive thing.

 I swear I was going to leave on a positive note but I feel so out of sorts I have to decide what I'm going to do next.  Laundry and crochet, a black and camo cap for a boy close to my heart who lives in Mexico.

today

I made Tim's hat, started Marcie's hat and received an "order" for another hat.  I am making Marcie's hat slouchie.  I wanted to follow a pattern but the thread was too dark to see the stitches....so I went freestyle. I will pack up many small balls of yarn for my trip down south.  I can't wait!

more knitting and crochet and soon sewing.

I'm knitting on a washcloth to practice PURL.  its a little harder.  I switched from long needles to circular needles and that makes it a bit easier.  I still find twisting, extra stitches, holes, etc but that's the name of the game.

I have four more skeins of yarn for planned hats, then I have two afghans to make.  I can't make things fast enough!

It makes me happy to give away gifts so if you would like something just mention it.

Take care...AMY

Hello There!

I'm at a lull....I have Jedrick's blanket all packed up and ready to go.  Here it is all wrapped up.

and on my daughter's bed.  It is really a twin size!

I attempted to knit a newborn hat but it didn't work so well, it included a knit purl sequence which was too hard for me on my brand new size 6 long needles. (Thanks MOM).  The yarn was skinny as well as needles.  Im using bernat cotton which seems smaller than worsted weight to make a dishcloth with 5 or 6 knit rows and one purl row.  we'll see how it turns out.

Knitting! and a completed project

I learned to knit and currently am knitting a dishcloth.  I have no idea where this will take me.  Here's the start.

Here's a picture of two baby blankets I made by sewing and quilting.

Here is my knit project:  a washcloth

I am working on hats for homeless men and a hat for my mom. Then I don't know what project is next.

Oh, here's the finished blanket with edging for Jedrick.  All I need to do is weave in the ends and I can deliver it.

proof!

hats for homeless and slippers

blanket and hat set for baby in mexico

here's the bootie and hat

Jedrick's blanket

up close of the corner and extended stripes

Today I have to go find "soft white" red heart yarn.  I can't seem to get away from red heart.  I kinda like it and the color selection.  Can't beat the price and wear either.  I just wish it was more soft.

MIA

MIA,just the blog...not me.

I have not stopped crafting, but I have been very busy.

I have accomplished :

1.baby hat, bootie, and blankie in blue for a baby in mexico.

2.Baby hat, bootie, and sewn receiving blanket for a baby in Modesto.

3. Hats for every boy and girl in my family
Paul: Gray with blue and red stripe
John: rusty colored camo
Peter: Blue varigated
James: Caron So Soft cornflower blue
Don: Denim twist in wool ease (but he didn't like it so I got it)
Juliette: pink camo with rosette

4. Hats for the homeless  (5 men's)

5. Slippers for the associated womens shelter.

6. Almost done with a twin sized afghan

7. Low birth weight caps for "Caps for Good" through WarmUp America.   I will take photos of what I can and post.

My Public Blog

I use facebook a lot but I thought this would be a nice place to record the craziness of my crafting and my life.

Crafts I like:

New:
 Crochet
Mail Art
Floral arranging
sewing
fly tying


Old!
Rubber Stamp
scrapbook
swap

Collections:
Scrapbook crap
Postcards
wine labels
corks

Anyway....

Today I finished a scarf and then I made a matching hat.  Of course I ran out of yarn again so I have to get one more ball.  I have like 4 inches left to go.  I'll make the brim bigger.

Here's the pattern for the scarf:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90423B.html

I still can't really follow a pattern but this one went just fine.

I'm now working on a hat for Paul.  Gray, and Navy blue.

This I had a pattern but I lost it so I'm going free form.


I intend to show you how crazy I am for crafting recently