When not quilting, I am…

I began knitting a year and a half ago.  Being a Grandma gets me into all kinds of things and this is one of them.  There are just too many cute patterns for hats, sweaters, gloves, etc. for kids.  I remember that you have to make them quickly before the child gets old enough to think they are lame!  Knitting in Florida seems crazy, but the grandkids live in cold climates, so it’s o.k. to knit for them.

 

I pick up my knitting or crocheting on mornings when I have a few minutes before I leave for work at the library. It allows quiet contemplation time before dealing with the workday.

Here are some pictures of the projects I finished after Christmas.  I just could not seem to get them done in time. 

The fingerless mitts are a design by Lynne A. Evans from the book entitled Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks! By Judith Durant.  This was my first attempt at a lace pattern and I was pleased with the result.  If I were to do it again, I would leave off the knitted picot bind off and just do a regular bind off.  I think the picots will get in the way of the fingers/hands.



The hooded sweater is the second one I have made and I love how warm they are.  Most of the sweater is knitted in the round and it goes pretty fast.  I was a real beginner when I knit the first one and it turned out nice.

 

     Hooded sweater pattern is:  Knit Hoodies for Kids, by Jeannine C. LaRoche.  I also like the fact that she includes sizes 6 mos. through size 8.  I gave this blue one to my grandson.  When he called to say thanks, I asked if he liked the sweater in his favorite color – blue.  He said, “I like red now.”  So, has he figured out a way to get more gifts or what!

I have two projects in the works right now.  One is for my granddaughter’s birthday next month.  It is a knitted ladybug hat in red and black to go along with Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow by David Soman and Jacky Davis.  The ladybug hat comes from:  Whimsical Hats Delightful and Amusing Hats to Knit, Wear, and Love by Lynne Rowe.  I think that I will be making a lot of these wonderfully funny hats for the grandkids in the future!

My other project is a crochet shawl for me.  I am making it out of sock yarn I have collected in blues, greens, aqua, blue-green and grey.  The pattern is from Crochet Noro 30 Dazzling Designs, published by sixth&spring books.  I have to make a total of 33 of the motifs.  So far I have 6!

Happy creating to all of you,

Leigh