Liar, Liar Needles on Fire

Okay...so I couldn't wait to start the new project.  Is that really a surprise to anyone?  I'll keep the project purpose a secret for now, but just so you know, I actually have three knitting projects on needles at the present time.

First, I always keep an "on the go" project - something super simple that requires no thought.  I use this for trips or days when I have long stretches of just waiting around.  This project is called a potato chip scarf since it makes it's own curl.

Second, I usually have some BIG project that's on-going.  I chose my current project because I like the lace pattern.  BTW:  I look forward to finishing this in the next week and will post the finished product soon.

Third, I have the new project that gives me a chance to practice or learn a new technique.

Inventory

I have a gift card burning a hole in my knitting bag, anxious to buy new yarn and start a new project.  It's a sickness!! Before I invest in new yarn for the new year, it's a good idea to take inventory of the old yarn and see what purpose it can serve.  Here's the stash (but I'm semi-embarassed to say that this is only a portion of the accumulation of yarn endings!)

When I look at the yarn, I see the left overs from purses, mittens, hats, and slippers and I think about the people who are wearing those things now.  I remember almost every project and where I was when I knitted them.  No "mystery"yarn in this batch.  Here's the good thing (my rationalization for having so much yarn): I don't have "unused" skeins just waiting for a project.  No no!  I save that distinction for my bags of unsewn material.    "Some day this  (or that) will make a nice whatever."  Cleaning out my crafting area SHOULD be my New Year's resolution.

Instead....

I actually have a project in mind in mind for this yarn, but it will be a while before I'm able to start it (demonstrating great self-control!) First, I MUST finish the project I currently have on my needles.  Just a hint...the new project will also give me the opportunity to use a technique called intarsia - carrying more than one color at a time.  I've done a sample of the project just to make sure I can do it, and now I'm anxious to get started.

Toasty and Warm

Christmas secrets are all out, so I can post my final project from before the holidays:  heating pads.  These are made from  cozy flannel, long-grain rice, and essential oils (lavender or rain scent, depending on the mood).  Two minutes in the microwave and you can warm away any ache or pain.  The rice (about 4 1/2 cups) give the heating pad a nice weight.  Again, this idea was taken from some one else (on Pintrest) but it was made with my own love. xxoo

This one is for Meredith

This one is for Jill.

This one is for Joanne

We had a lovely, lovely Christmas although we couldn't be with the whole family (except via FaceTime, which was super fun). Very thoughtful people gave me gift cards to Jo-ann Fabrics and Sheep's Clothing yarn store.  That means more crafts and projects for 2012!!

Not a Creature is Stirring..

Merry Christmas from Bob and Lju, the Cats

Gus is waiting for Santa, too.

Shhh! Secrets from Santa

I don't feel that I can safely post any more of my crafts items until after Christmas.  I don't want to give away any secrets.  The presents are nearly all wrapped and mailed.   I've included a label on each item that gives the name of this blog and my name (duh) and I've written a little note inviting them to visit the blog to see what's been going on.  So, until December 24th, this blog will be "under wraps."  Instead, here is a photo of our table with some really old felted placemats.  They are almost completely worn out (well loved)

Have a Ball

This was a crazy project - a knitted ball!  The knitting was easy - just 6 long tubes.  The interweaving was a bit tricky, but there were great written instructions (with photos) on the Ravelry website where I found the pattern.  I use this ball at school for a passing game.  No one gets hurt if the passing gets a bit exuberant while we're singing.

First (real) Snow

Winter in Northwest Indiana!  We got our first dusting of snow which signals time to cuddle up, grab a book, and sit in front of the new fireplace this weekend.  Other than a bit of Christmas shopping and Christmas caroling, that's exactly what I hope to do!

I'm posting a photo of an old chair (it was Tillie's!) with new upholstery I did this summer and a knitted throw I did a few years ago.  I feel a nap coming on.

Angel Tree

I hope these mittens find some hands to keep warm this winter

Completed mittens (righty and lefty of two pair!)

Cute Hats for Adults, too!

Last year I was shopping in  Minnesota with Jill and we found these adorable ear warmers at a boutique.  Of course, I bought one then came home and  figured  out how to make it (for much less money than I paid in the store, I might add!)  Left over yearn, trial and error for the pattern,  a quick one-evening knit-fest, and voila = hats for my friends to wear on recess duty at school.

Cute Hats for Kids

While I'm finishing my penguin mittens, I wanted to post photos of some Halloween hats I knit for friends at work.  The green monster hat originally had ear flaps, but I removed them after the photo.  I wasn't sure the flaps would line up correctly with his little ears.  Both patterns were free on Ravelry and made with left over yarn from previous projects.  

March of the Penguin(s)

Super cute mitten for the Mitten Tree!  I'm always surprised when my finished project looks like the pattern!  Woo-oo!  The second mitten is already on the needles and I hope to have it finished by the weekend.  

The pattern is from Morehouse Farm .

Pretty Pink Purse

Since my latest purse is giving me such fits, I thought I would post something that was more successful.  This purse is called "Felted Rose Bag" by Diane Bertolatti.  I found the design on Ravelry.com, a great on-line knitting community.  This purse turned out so nicely, that I did two others and gave them to friends (I forgot to take a picture of the third one.  It was in a lovely green color!) The lining inside was my own idea.  I adapted the lunch bag lining to fit the purses.  Clever use of resources!

The gold lining doesn't show in this photo, but I thought it was lovely.  Glad I added a small pocket, too.

Weekend Project

This is the second time I've tried this project:  a cable knitted and felted purse.  The pattern is called "Cabled Companions" a felted handbag by Charlene Brown. It's a fun and fast knit, but the felting is giving me fits.  Here's a photo of my first try

BEFORE

AFTER

I can't quite get the cables to be as pronounced in my finished product as they are in the example on the pattern.  I've knitted another purse, and will give it another try.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen

Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Hershey?  These little candy treats will be given to some of Santa's special helpers during the holiday season.  Shh!  It's a secret.

I got the idea for wrapping Hershey bars (the BIG size) from a magazine years ago, but I've modified the original idea so much, that's it's nearly my own (still....nothing is an original idea with me!)  I hope that the people who receive this chocolate reindeer will know that it's my simple way of saying a big thank you.

PS). Yes, the noses are little red Hershey kisses!

Happy Feet

Warm feet!  This is my absolute favorite thing to knit:  slippers!  Everyone in my family (and some of their friends) have received a pair as a gift - whether they wanted them or not.  (BTW:  That's the BAD thing about been a compulsive knitter.  You end up with lots of finished products and no one to give them to.  My poor family probably thinks that I will knit them a coffin when the time comes...Gee, I hadn't thought about that until just now...I wonder if there's a pattern?  JUST KIDDING!)

These slippers are warm, practically indestructible, and they mold to your feet.  Cozy!  The pattern is called "Felt Clogs" and is published by Fiber Trends.  The design is by Bev Galeskas.  I took a class at Sheep's Clothing in Valparaiso to learn how to knit them. I've made so many pairs now, that I have the pattern memorized.  Some days, I can't even remember my own name, but I could k1, m1, k 23 'til the cows (or sheep, in this case) come home.

They are CLOWN SHOES when you knit them, but shrink in the washer to fit you during the felting process.  Check out the "before" and "after" of two different pairs.  The lime green ones are my current "go-to" pair.  Cheerful.

BEFORE

AFTER

Santa!

Hard to believe that we're already at December 1st.  The count-down to concerts and Christmas begins for real. Actually, for a family of 3 music teachers, the holidays began weeks/months ago.  Although I'm not a big fan of teaching"Christmas music" (bah humbug on me), I do love the holidays.

I love to sing carols and I love listening to my favorite holiday songs (old and new.)  I just don't like TEACHING Christmas songs.  It takes a big chunk out of the limited time I have with children.  Still, they love it,  and they truly do sing like angels.  I'm very conscious that not everyone celebrates Christmas and I try to choose a variety of holiday and non-holiday songs for our concerts.

It doesn't matter WHAT they sing, I am moved almost every day with how beautiful they can be. Goosebumps! I have to be careful to not get all weepy.  I don't want to be that old, crazy, crying music teacher!   I'm just the old, LUCKY (and probably crying a little) music teacher.

We have a new fireplace (and basement renovation) so it will be fun to decorate our new family room.  I know that the old Christmas stockings will be hanging on the new mantel for Santa.  I knitted the two on the left for John and I when we got married (32 years ago!)  As the girls were born, I added new stockings.

 Jill and Jakob have stockings (this photo is from their first apartment, I believe) and next year I'll make some for Meredith and Alex.

Gus will need a special puppy stocking, too!  There's always a list of things I want to knit!