Knitting & Upcycle

I do not only knit for myself. The above items are part of my nesting projects for Samira and perhaps some other children. I knitted and felted the hats (a free online pattern) to match some upcycled gloves on etsy from Felt Sew Good. The gloves, as shown to the right, are my own first attempt ... the little grey pair with the wayward thumbs. I did make about three more pairs, from thrift store sweaters, which turned out much better. I cannot show them because they all went under the Christmas Tree .... I may try to make a couple more, in the near future, as I promised my mother a set.

Basketweave Cowl

Done and finished this lengthy but lovely project. Above, with my cowl, are some pretty, little, recycled mittens from Felt Sew Good on etsy. Allthough they match so nicely, I am tempted to knit a set of mittens in the very same basketweave design. I did find a helpful site online, where you can graph and print a digital design for fair isle knitting or other motif. And so I am in the process of designing my set of mittens on Tricksy Knitter. You can find a link under my list of blogs and tutorials. My Basketweave Cowl is made from a Danish 100% wool from Kauni. My project required 2 skeins (150 g. each) with some left over for the mittens.

Norwegian Christmas Socks

So here are the Norwegian Christmas Stockings or "little red socks" I have been promising to blog to you about, dear reader. They are knit on #2 circular needles and double points.

As you can see I am stopped conveniently at the heel, awaiting the stamina to figure out the next step. I have a pretty good idea about how to proceed and may be able to show you at least one finished sock very soon. I have hung up the idea of making a set of Christmas Stockings for a pair of socks. These will be for just two little feet .... mine.

The Winter Gardener

I've brought in some of my garden to winter and I am nursing it thru till spring. Above, I found some fresh potted herbs at the Acme marked 40% off. I put both pots in my cart and continued my shopping only to be chased down by the horticulture employee who let me know that for today and for me they were 50% off. How really kind.

I like to grow my indoor plants in old ironstone chamber pots. And the herbs make any kettle of soup gourmet fare.

Kiss Me

Sam models one of my latest additions to Cotton Ginnie Studio, the Aran Sweater. It is a vintage find. Sam is a long time friend and team mate with Jon from WCS. And yes, he's Irish too.

The mittens were an emergency effort for my son Caelen who has his studio in the top floor of his urban row house. It gets very cold up there. Since I got one of his paintings for Christmas I responded with a pair of very masculine fingerless mitts so he will be encouraged to paint some more. Caelen and his wife feel very connected to their Scotch Irish roots but I had to remind him that he is nearly 1/2 french from his mum's side of the family.

Happiness Is ...

Returning to finish some of my pre Christmas efforts. I'm trying to finish projects in an orderly fashion but the Double Irish Chain is calling my name .... along with the little red socks .... Jon and Ashley get happy.

Homecoming Christmas 2011

Above are some pic's of our Christmas tree .... cut, as always, from Pusey's Farm in Rising Sun, MD. The trees still cost $22. I thinned the blue spruce to squeak out a wreath for the front door. I loved the tree this year .. it reminds me of a little fruit cake. Some new children's faces were added last year and this .... Samira, Sandy and my grandchildren, James, Lauren & Asher.

The Christmas holiday finds us with one son home from college and another home from the Navy. Jonathan and Jesse both arrived home on December 16. Jesse will be transferring to a job in the Washington D.C. area. Much closer then Hawaii. Needless to say, I have been doing a lot of cooking for my company.

My Santa workshop was busy too, making hats and mitts for grandchildren and relatives. Wish I had pictures but I was doing good to get it all wrapped and under the tree. I did begin a rather ambitious project to knit an entire set of new Christmas stockings. I have yet to finish the one as I have been stuck turning the heel (I am self taught on this project). But it is turning out nicely and I think I will stop at two and just wear them. I'll post pictures soon.

Christmas Day we visited with the rest of the family at Caelen and Samantha's downtown urban nest. A lovely time was had by all.