Friday, January 27, 2012

All Free Knitting is giving away a copy of Knitting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction at their website.  Here is a link to the site:  http://www.allfreeknitting.com/sweeps/knitting-101-master-basic-skills-book-giveaway

Thursday, January 26, 2012

I have finished a toe-up sock!  I must admit, it isn't knit, it is crocheted. However, it is a toe-up sock. I found the pattern on www.CrochetMe.com and it worked up fairly quickly in Hobby Lobby's Snowflake wool blend which is light weight # 3 yarn.  I used a size F/3.75mm  and an E/3.5mm hook.  The smaller hook was for the ribbing at the top of the leg.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I was looking at http://www.coletterie.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/tutorial-easy-blanket-stitch-throw today and it reminded me of the top that I embellished with blanket stitch and a crocheted ruffle.  Here it is.  You can't see the blanket stitch on the armholes, but it is there.

Monday, January 23, 2012

This weekend was not a good weekend.  My DH fell and I was a basket case because I couldn't help him get up--there was not enough room.  So I did what I could to help, got him into bed, and sat down and knitted on a practice wrap.  It is a nice pattern--its a lattice lace.  The pattern is all yarn overs and knit 2 togethers on the pattern row and purl the next row.  Its a nice mindless pattern that I could do while I was trying to keep myself together.  I like the way it looks so I will find a good yarn to make a wrap to go with my summer/spring dancing dress.  I think I will get a bight color to set off the oyster/ecru of the dress.  

So far the toe-up socks have not been  success.  I think I will practice with a larger size yarn and needles till I get it right.  

Monday, January 16, 2012


The new toe-up sock is coming along nicely.  I now have about 1 1/2 - 2 inches done and it looks pretty good to me.  I am looking forward to having a friend look at it. Robin is always knitting socks usually using magic loop.  I took more pictures of my second attempt. Of course, my husband thinks it looks like a gurney for a sick mouse. I disagree, I think it looks like a stretcher for an overweight mouse--maybe the equivalent of the 700 ounce mouse.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

As in all things, my first attempt was not a raging success. I took my first attempt off the needles and am now trying again.  I am working on a capelet for a formal dress that I will wear during warmer months.  The dress is an ecru sleeveless tank with matching long skirt, embellished with silver embroidery, beads and sequins.  I am crocheting the capelet out of some scarlet Patons Angora Bamboo I found on clearance.  The capelet is not coming on as well as I would like, but that's the way it is with most of my projects.That is one of the curses of perfectionism

Saturday, January 14, 2012


This is part of my New Year's resolution for 2012.  I am learning how to knit socks from the toe up.  I have done the figure 8 cast-on using an ancient skein of Light Pink Red Heart Baby Fingering Yarn on size 2 double pointed needles.  I am now up to Row 6 of the toe, and , as my husband says, it looks like an old fashioned stretcher sized for a mouse.