So here's what I've been up to

First the hat:


Here's a close-up of the yarn and stitch pattern. It's a basic stockinette, but I learned the hard way that with circular needles, that's a constant knit stitch. Yep, I did one round of knit followed by a round of purl and then realized that it did not look like it was supposed to so I had to rip it out and start over.


I loved this yarn. It is so, so soft! I have another ball of it so I'm considering doing a matching scarf. I liked the pattern so much that I've started another one. Here's hat number two in process, posing next to her brother who has already been born. Ha!


And -- of course -- a close up of the work in progress. Once upon a time I swore I would never do anything with stitches this small, but they look so sweet and pretty and this works up so quickly that it's hard to resist it.

Here are the other things on my needles. I found some amazingly soft yarn on sale at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 a skein and bought several. Here's a close up.


And here's the work in progress:


And last but not least, here's my current out-of-my-own-mind creation. I found some cotton yarn in spring colors and I'm knitting a big, round piece. I'm going to line it, seam up the bottom, and add straps to make a tote bag. I hope it turns out well. I usually do OK with homespun ideas, but this one is making me a little nervous.


So that's what's on my needles! Think I have an overcommitment problem?

This makes me laugh

You should all go look at it.

http://www.masondixonknitting.com/

Susan has shamed me!

I've been trying very had to live my "real life" -- you know that one that's actually in front of me every day instead of the one that comes to me via the web. :-) That means that my poor little blogs have been neglected. It's not just this one either. Trust me. Go check out my other one and you'll have proof.

However, knitting-wise I have been quite the over-achiever lately. I had a crazy impulse last fall and signed up to teach a beginner's knitting class at our university. Just four weeks that would cover the basics, but give people enough to get a good start with beginner's projects. Well, imagine my surprise when six people actually signed up! It was great and I'll definitely do it again in the fall. For our last class meeting, we took a "field trip" to Hobby Lobby about 45 minutes away and followed it with a trip to Chili's for supper. Women really know how to make anything fun, don't we?

Anyway, in addition to spreading the knitting love, I've also tackled my first hat! I don't have a camera handy but will post a picture of it on my sweet Emily's head soon. I felt kind of accomplished, especially when a 14-year-old clothing-and-wardrobe-aware girl actually WANTED it because she thought it looked cool.

Right now I'm working on a baby blanket (AWESOME YARN!) and a cotton knit-in-the-round tote bag. Can I say how much I LOVE knitting in the round? This is so fantastic! Addictive! Amazing!

So look for pictures soon and let the knitting continue!!

My FIRST Baby Booties

I am reborn as a knitter! ;-) No more just knitting..... NOW I can make GARMENTS! LOL! Not just things that are square and rectangular! I credit this to the fact that a bunch of us knitters have been getting together at work once a week. The expert knitters there have been teaching me things which has helped tremendously! These booties are for my new baby niece that is set to be born in just a couple of weeks. They don't like pink but I HAD to put a little pink in the pompons just for her! ;-p

My FIRST Hat

This is my first NON-scarf/NON-prayer shawl project... a project that isn't square or rectangle... I'm pumped. I'm working on Baby Booties, hat and blankie... I'll post pics when they are all done! YAY me! ;-)