Knifty Knits

Movin' on out....

2010-02-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Well, folks. Since I haven't actually posted here in longer than I care to admit (though if you compare the date of today's post with the previous you may see for yourself) I plan to move all knitting updates to our family blog (http://bradandalison.brainfuzz.net).

I have been knitting during the absence of news. Since my last post, we have had a little boy who has received numerous hand knit items. Currently, I am working on "Steggie" from knitty for him. I hope to complete it before he grows past the size I am knitting.

I took a drop spindle class to finally spin all that previously mentioned wool. Totally excited, just need to get some ducks in a row to make it happen.

My dear husband still has just one sock from me. One of my deployment goals is to finish the other one before he returns home from Iraq. Ha! Unfortunately, I sort of made up my pattern and now have no clue whatsoever about how to repeat the pattern. Bleh. He may just have two differently patterned socks with the same yarn, clever, I know.

Anyway, you'll find my knitting updates at our family blog from now on.

Past, Present, and Future

2008-11-13T14:45:00.012-07:00

Past,

A few years back, 2006 ?, Brad and I visited England. While there we found a really neat craft farm where I purchased a lot of wool. Why? I wanted to have a keepsake from England that wasn't a t-shirt or paperweight. I don't want to have a keepsake of a big pile of wool either. So, I have future plans for this wool - carding and spinning with a drop spindle!

I found this merino yarn earlier this spring on a trip to NYC. Brad and I stopped at the Greenmarket in Union Square where I purchased this yarn from Catskill Merino Yarn. I really didn't have plans for the yarn other than to purchase a few skeins and then see what happens. I love the orange color and the white yarn makes me think of cream. The orange knit really nicely into the Zig-Zag scarf you will see later in the post. The undyed yarn's future has yet to be determined.

L'illo

Finished this a few weeks ago and just haven't posted. I need to find some buttons for the front but the button holes are awfully small so I may need to find another option, like snaps or a zipper or something. Anyway, I really like this little cardigan because of the wonderful textures. Hopefully my baby will grow into this sweater during a season that he can actually wear the sweater, i.e. not summer.

Present,

My favorite local librarian, Sue, who also happens to knit recommended this book, 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I am so glad she did because I have found so many really cool patterns. The one I am currently working on, Baby Squash Hat, can be seen in this picture. Right now, it doesn't look much like a hat but it will get there, I promise.

The Zig-Zag Scarf pattern came from this book too. I really didn't need another scarf I guess, but I did need to learn a technique used in the scarf, the short row wrap. All the zigs and zags come from these short rows. With a better understanding of short rows I can knit one of the soaker patterns I found, Curly Purly. Also, many socks require a short row heel. Woo-hoo!

and Future...

Since we are planning to cloth diaper, I want to knit some wool soakers to cover the prefold diapers. I learned recently that the long ones ("Longies") can sell for as much as $50! That is just a little too rich for my blood, especially when I can make my own. Here are some examples of what I plan to make.

Here are some great tools to help me card and spin all the wool purchased in England. I have had plans to card and spin all this for a while but have been delayed partially because I needed the right tools. Well, now I have them so nothing (except procrastination) can get in my way!

Hats, Hats, and more Hats

2008-09-16T11:51:00.009-06:00

I love to knit baby hats, I will just say that from the start. A few reasons, they knit quickly, don't require much yarn, and are just generally adorable. Anyway, so to recap these hats. The first hat is a night cap, think about sugar plums and fairies dancing through your head when you see this hat. The yarn is a DK weight wool/acrylic blend in light pink and an oatmeal/light tan color. The pattern came from a great book which I would someday like to own titled, And so to bed...: Handknits and Things by Lucinda Guy. Guy created some of the cutest knits for children including cute little owls, pajama holders, foxes, sweaters, hats, and so much more. I definitely see myself knitting more patterns from this book.

This lovely little cabled hat knit really quickly, like maybe 2-3 hours. I don't knit all that quickly so if you do, then this would be a really blazin' fast project. I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease and size 8 straight needles. You can find this easy pattern here. This is the ten cable hat. Because I knit the pattern on straight needles instead of circular I needed to do a little "reading between the pattern lines" to make it turn out correctly. But I have to say that this turned out really well for never having knit cables before.

This hat is my own creation knit in the round on size 4 double pointed needles. I wish I had written down the pattern as I went along because now I really like the hat and cannot remember how it came to fruition. Oh well, I guess it is truly one of a kind. My favorite parts are the 4 I-cords up on top which give it a funky look. If you like to/want to knit baby/toddler hats, this site has a great collection of patterns. Some patterns link to sites like knitty.com and others, like the cabled hat, come from individuals who can create some awesome stuff.

Knitting Knews

2008-08-25T14:13:00.002-06:00

Well, if I had this much time on my hands and didn't knit, boy there would be something wrong. If you don't already know, Brad and I recently moved to Ft. Lewis Washington. While he works and has things to do all day, I pretty much veg out. At first, I enjoyed the chance to watch TV, go on walks, and just chill. Now, I feel ready to pull my hair out and start talking to myself due to boredom! To stave off insanity I have knit a few things that I want to share with you.

This pink hat knit quickly and I learned how to make a real pom-pom to put on the finishing touch. I plan to make more in smaller sizes and a variety of colors for babies of all sizes and genders. Currently this hat is a prototype for my friend Gina who photographs babies.

This matching hat and sweater are for an undesignated baby at the moment. I may keep it for Joshua but who knows. I actually don't know if the sweater will fit a baby as the sleeves are short and the bodice is rather boxy. So while the length may fit a 3-6 month old, the sleeves may be goofy and the body too wide. All in all, I like sweater because it was fast and easy to knit but next time I will make the sleeves longer and wider.

That's all for now. I will keep the needles clicking so I don't develop some weird boredom twitch. Take care!

Honda Odyssey - the best van for knitting

2008-08-04T10:02:00.002-06:00

While spending many hours in the back of my parents van I discovered the perfect knitting knook while traveling. Room for the yarn, a snack, and something to drink.

Appeasing the Cat Goddesses

2008-04-12T18:15:00.004-06:00

I am certain that Cat Goddesses rule the cat universe. I can't explain my theory as it is simply in the beginning stages. Anyway, as any knitter with a cat knows, yarn entices any cat. So, in an effort to appease the Cat Goddesses I have knit my two ~~toerags~~, ~~cats,~~ lovely kitties (phew) a kitty bed.

The pattern can be found in Stitch' N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller. One thing I should mention about this pattern, just knit the big size. My cats aren't all that big but the bed seems a little small.

Beatrix meet Bed, Bed meet Beatrix.

I guess she will need to choose which end rests in comfort. Front end or Back end?

Ah well, it was a fun project anyway.

Want to see another great project knit from this book? Check out Tanya's hat! I am pretty impressed with anyone who can pick up knitting after a while and start out on DPNs. What an achiever!

Inexplicable Knitter Behavior!

2008-04-01T22:46:00.003-06:00

Well I had a really fun morning traipsing all over Wall and Philip with one extra stop on Highway 14 for the express purpose of inexplicable knitter behavior! I had tons of fun taking pictures of donuts, dinosaurs, statues, novelty yarn, and "the slammer".

Why you might ask? Well, if you were a knitter you'd know. In the event you don't share this passion for needles and yarn I shall explain.

The Yarn Harlot charged knitters from all over the world to a scavenger hunt on this very day, April Fool's 2008! She listed many things to take pictures of in Toronto but also opened up the hunt to knitters from all over the world. Said knitters then posted all their pictures for the world to see just how inexplicable we can be.

So, in short, there were many many knitters all over the world having tons of fun on this April Fool's day following the direction of one very admired and hilarious Yarn Harlot!

Fraternal Socks

2008-03-17T22:16:00.005-06:00

Well, since I have nothing like them in my drawer, I can't mistake that they are a pair. Actually, the bottom of one matches the top of the other. So maybe I should think of them as Esau and Jacob. The second sock really did hold onto the color scheme of the first sock's toe.

They were finished just as we rolled through Denver on our way to Colorado Springs. I donned them in the car, as you can see, and wore them all over Ft. Carson. They were a comfort in a new place. Brad interviewed with the Chaplains and I traipsed around the Post. They are called Posts in the Army, not to be confused with Bases (Air Force). I learn new things all the time.

I visited the Main Post Library, which compared to the library I work in, was huge!

After asking a few questions there I wandered to the Thrift Store, then the PX (Post Exchange which is like a big box store), and the Commissary (grocery store). After picking up Brad, we headed to Denver to meet a friend for dinner!

Another finished object on this trip...slippers! Why I am finishing all these warm footy objects as spring rolls around is best answered by this little rhyme.

Procrastination is my sin,

It brings me endless sorrow.

I think that I'll stop doing it,

In fact, I'll stop tomorrow.

Why no picture of the slippers? See above rhyme.

All over the place in January

2008-02-24T11:43:00.004-07:00

I can't believe the calender will roll around to March in just 6 days and I haven't posted yet ... this year. I know, I know. Well here goes.

January:

I knit at 10,023 feet at the top of Mt. Haleakala in Haleakala National Park

and at sea level in Maui, Hawaii. Brad's mom and I visited this shop in Lahaina Maui. They sell a small but nice selection of imported yarns and the lady working that day was very friendly. She even gave us each a small gift with our purchases. So if you find yourself in Lahaina, Maui, HI your trip won't be complete without stopping by this great little yarn shop!

Now here is something to cook your noodle. We went to the grocery store and discovered that one gallon of milk costs over $5.00 in HI. Here in SD about $2.50 - $3.00 per gallon. I purchased some Tofutsies sock yarn in SD which cost me $16.00. I purchased some of the same yarn (different color) in HI the cost was $8.00. So why does milk cost twice as much and yarn only half? The milk was produced on the island and the yarn imported. These are things I wonder.

Other than knitting, we just tried to have some fun! Enjoy the pictures.

(Note: I now realize that paying $16.00 for 100g of Tofutsies sock yarn is a bit crazy. In my defense I was at an annual conference associated with my job and I needed something to do with my hands during sessions. The yarn was worth every penny. )

End of January:

I finished my mom's socks and made a birthday gift for my niece.

(pictures will be coming soon)

The Christmas Knit

2007-12-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We were lucky to drive home and see family. Unfortunately though, a snow storm hit Christmas day on our drive home. A 4 hour and 45 minute drive turned into a 6 hour and 45 minute drive. We had to drive about 50 mph across SD on icy roads. When we arrived at my mother-in-law's house I felt so relieved to get out of our car and collapse on a couch.

Our first stop, Brad's parent's house for his extended family's Christmas get together. We enjoyed spending time with cousins while playing games like Catch Phrase and Pit and filling ourselves with wonderful holiday food!

Later in the evening, we stopped at my parent's home for our family Christmas. I received some really fun knitting presents. The yarn is eco-friendly and hand-dyed which made me even happier when I opened the package. I love the idea of purchasing organic and eco-friendly yarns, however as a recent college grad I need to find creative ways to fit them into my student loan budget. Anyway, so the yarn made a wonderful Christmas present, thanks sis!

Some gifts knitted for my family.

A bolero for Anika. The pattern came from Debbie Bliss's Junior Knits, the pattern is Molly. Yarn: Rio by yarns.brunswick, color Hemlock, cotton blend.

Half of a pair of socks for my very understanding mom. Checkered pattern with a gusset heel made with Tofutsies sock yarn

And finally, a complete pair of socks for our Uncle Bud. K2, P2 rib with a gusset heel. Made with Regia sock yarn.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

IT has happened to me (cue dark and stormy music).

2007-12-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee writes about "IT" and "IT" has happened to me. As I sit here at work I can only think of how much better my time might be spent at home with some lovely green yarn and a circular needle which will transform itself into a beautiful sweater. I really don't care that working will make the moo-la to purchase more yarn and further contribute to the cycle of "IT", I just want to knit!

"IT" in a nutshell refers to getting in over one's head with knitting planned as Christmas (or other holiday) gifts for loved ones. Great intentions to begin and then "IT" rears its ugly head from your knitting stash and snidely remarks that Christmas is only a few short weeks away and you still have 3 projects to finish. 3 projects whose beginning exists only in your mind. Well, "IT" has happened to me, and I probably wouldn't have it any other way.

I think I need to take Babs' (from Chicken Run) advice and go into solitary confinement (or "on holiday" as she calls it), maybe I could get some knitting done there.

Nothing Whatsoever to do with Knitting

2007-12-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right. But I think this is something everyone should know about anyway. During the recent holiday, my younger sister asked me if I had heard of Free Rice. Somewhat perplexed I asked about this Free Rice. She went on to explain that Free Rice offers the opportunity to improve vocabulary. Okay, so Free Rice and Vocabulary... connection please.

Check out this awesome site where you can play a vocabulary game which earns 20 grains of rice for each correct word. The rice is distributed through the United Nations World Food Program.

(click on the picture)

Check out the FAQ's page and listen to this great interview on PRI's The World with the creator of the site. (Radio Interview)

I realize that this is a very distant way to address hunger issues and I agree with the commentator on the radio program who said that the site creator could educate participants about hunger issues while they play. However, I felt better knowing that as I review useful vocabulary, companies like Google and Apple donate food to those in need. Also, in the FAQ's page, the site offers more outlets to learn about world hunger issues.

Did you know that 25,000 people die every day from hunger or hunger related issues. So, what will 20 grains of rice per word do? Improve your vocabulary, feed someone suffering from hunger, and hopefully encourage you to address hunger and poverty in other ways as well.

An itty bitty update

2007-09-11T17:03:00.002-06:00

My mother in law went to India and brought home some great spices that aren't available in SD. They came in this little wooden box which I thought was so cute. So here it is with Leslie's housewarming gift. Perfect wrapping.

I can't wait to use the Indian spices for a yummy curry. Brad and I really enjoy eating and making curry. We also received some beans and lentils unavailable in SD so we need to learn a bit about how to make and prepare those. There is an Indian Restraunt in Rapid City that also offers cooking classes. I feel a cooking adventure coming on!

That's all for this itty bitty update! -Alison

Ultra Marathon Pics - first 25 miles

2007-09-05T21:33:00.001-06:00

Not much in the way of text here, just pictures of my hubby running the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon. Yeah Brad!

Left Photo: The Beginning

Right Photo: Brad racing past at 6:10 am

Left Photo: Very good advice.

Right Photo: The First Aid Station - Tire on a Fence Post was it's name.

Left Photo: Running in the Black Hills National Forest. You can see my shadow.

Right Photo: Brad realized that setting your camelback on the gravel road isn't a good idea unless you like the crunch of gravel in the morning.

Left Photo:This is the part of the trail where the runners first join up with the Mickelson Trail.

Right Photo: Brad crossing the bridge at Lime Kiln Aid Station.

Just some scenery. Note the outhouse in the picture on the right. I really needed one about this time on the trip. Luckily Pringle was only a few miles away.

Left Photo: Brad arriving at Pringle.

Right Photo: Number 155 (Brad) was really tired so he had a break after the turn around point past Pringle.

Okay, that's it for pictures here. If you would like to see the rest check out Brad's website.

This is a day for...

2007-09-04T10:29:00.001-06:00

New Beginnings! And it isn't even January 1st. I don't have much time so here is a run down of all the new beginnings.

1. I learned to knit correctly. Maybe you read in a previous post that I twist all my stitches when I knit because I taught myself incorrectly. While I have made many things I am proud of, I decided that I really should learn to knit the right way. So, with a quick demonstration from Teri and the help of the SNB Handbook I learned how to knit continental style. Now, I think I knit correctly, however I might still be confused. If you are reading this and can see that my stitches are still twisted let me know, so I can learn how to knit correctly.

2. My cousin Matt and his wife Holly just had a baby boy, Benjamin! What a wonderful new beginning. I guess he has pretty big feet, so I hope the booties will fit by the time he receives them. The hat was supposed to become a frog hat but I got lazy and left it solid green. I really enjoy making these booties because they are fast, easy, and a great way to relearn how to knit because they are just a garter stitch. Without further ado, here is a picture of Benjamin's gift.

3. Brad's sister moved into her first apartment in Madison WI so she can attend Vet school at the University. First apartments are always fun to celebrate with house warming gifts. I knit some simple face cloths and dish rags for her. Hopefully they will come in handy. I plan to get some hand made soap as well to include with the gift.

Knitting during the race.

Knitting and the Crew car

Left Photo: Beatrix "helping" me take a picture of the dishcloths.
Right Photo: Face cloths in a sort of Rib Stitch and Seed Stitch

Yarn used in this post:
Lion Brand Microspun (Booties)
Green Wool Fingering weight yarn - not sure of the brand (Hat and Laces on Booties)
Knit Picks Cotlin - Island Coral and Almond colors (Face cloths)
Sugar and Cream - Celedon and Soft Teal (Dish rags)

Happy knitting!
Alison

Ultra Marathon Knitting!

2007-08-31T14:46:00.000-06:00

Why I love Ultra Marathons.

The Lean Horse Ultra was mine and my husband's first ultra and I really feel this was a great way to spend a Saturday in the outdoors. Ultra Marathons (anything over 26.2 miles) are a great spectator sport in my opinion. As the crew I met my runner at each aid station to provide him support, water, food, first aid, etc. But, in the meantime I knitted. Oh what a beautiful day to knit too! The morning was a little chilly and moist. As I drove to the first aid station I crested a hill and looked down into a foggy valley. At this station I met a few other crews who have a lot of experience. Soon Brad came running through, feeling great, we chatted, he ran on and I packed up. This routine carried on through all the aid stations until after the turn around at mile 25. He started to slow down and didn't feel quite as well as he did after only 8 miles. Go figure. Somewhere between mile 35 and 40 I drove on to the next station and along the way drove past someone else camped out of the back of a vehicle knitting!

I pulled over to the side of the road like a crazy lady and ran back to her car. By the time I got there I had made a few conclusions.
1. She must be a crew because the back of her car is full of running gear, water, food, etc.
2. If #1 wasn't true she was a kindred spirit knitting in the wild so therefore she would understand my quick pullover and frantic run back to her car.
3. Hopefully if neither 1 or 2 applies she doesn't call authorities about some random person accosting her on a back road in SD yelling something about knitting.
Luckily, she was both 1 and 2 so I didn't have to worry about #3.

Now, how would you feel if some random person ran up to you yelling excitedly, "Are you a knitter?!" No I wasn't raised in a barn, but that may have been questionable to her at the moment. In any case, she was very nice to me we introduced ourselves, and quickly traded info on our WIPs, blogs, etc.

Back to the race, my fellow knitter and I learned that our husbands were running about the same pace. So we kept each other company until the end while providing some awesome crew support.

Brad finished the race in 10 hours and 41 minutes! For his first 50 mile ultra I feel he did a great job. Next time hopefully he will train a little harder and sign up more than a few days in advance. We said au revoir to Hot Springs and my fellow knitter to head back home. Hopefully the Lean Horse wasn't the last 50 mile race Brad and I see together, he enjoyed the challenge and I enjoyed the knitting and providing support.

I will post pictures later.

Sock it to em'

2007-07-25T11:32:00.000-06:00

My mom makes Project Linus blankets on a fairly regular basis. Consequently, many people give her yarn throughout the year for various reasons. She has more yarn than she can crochet in a decade or more maybe. I really like this little problem of hers because I can poke through and find more than enough yarn for projects of my own. On a recent search I found this really lovely green wool yarn. My sister found some a few months before, and I really did intend to give the rest of the green yarn to her so she could make a larger project. Well, if that yarn didn't just jump in my bag and hide amidst the rest of the yarn...hmm...or something like that anyway. So I have this yarn and I decide that I want to make a beautiful cabled scarf. I quickly realize that I don't have anywhere near enough yarn for the scarf. Soon the scarf becomes the cuff of a child's sock.

Since I didn't give the yarn to my sister I thought I should at least make a pair of socks for our niece with the stuff. So everything seems to be going well until I have to make something called a short row wrap. Huh...ok well I give it a shot. Didn't work, so I search through books to find very explicit directions. These make a little more sense. I feel pretty good about myself for learning a new technique, despite the fact that it looks like crap. Appearances really don't mean a thing at this point. Ok so onward with the directions which is where things got really confusing.

I need to wrap the wrapped stitches and a bunch of other gobblety gook.

When my oldest niece was a toddler we liked to ask her questions when she wasn't really paying attention. She would emit this dumbfounded "Huuh?" from her throat with one lip raised and an ear cocked to one side. I now understand this response completely.

After a good half hour of trying to figure out this step I decided to sleep on it. I had just been listening to a radio show about the benefits of sleep. Sleep apparently helps you learn new things that made absolutely no sense the night before. So I thought this might work. Off to bed.

I woke with renewed vigour to try this wrapping stitches thing. Sleep, phooey. Another try and almost being late for work suggested I spend my time doing more productive things like knitting hats. The lovely green yarn will make a very cute frog hat.

Excuses Excuses...

2007-07-17T23:26:00.000-06:00

Yeah, yeah I know what they are like... (well you know what they are like, everyone has them and they all stink). But seriously, I have been pretty busy lately. No knitting even... well not really anyway. But during my hiatus I realized that I should share some really cool family info. During the second weekend in June, I went to Philipsburg KS for my Great Grandma's 100th Birthday party! While there I was reminded about my Great Grandma's hobby, crocheting. Pretty cool huh? She is 100 and still crocheting. In fact, she makes all the new babies in the family a blanket! Now brace yourself, here is the really cool part... My Great Grandma Is Blind!

Yup. Has been for the past, well I don't know, but as long as I have known her anyway. I asked her what inspired her to keep crocheting. She said that she was talking to a lady who is blind and uses a white cane who still knits! She said, "If she can knit and she is blind then I better not give up just yet". My Great Aunt puts coordinating colors in grocery bags for her and she just uses the yarn from those bags.

So like I said, excuses, excuses... they stink. I better get back to knitting so I can keep up with Great Grandma!

Great Grandma Tien and I

Need Has No Season - April/May

2007-05-17T14:38:00.000-06:00

This month's post coincides with the baby blanket I am making for a cousin to be born in June. She will receive a Project Linus blanket. See previous post for a picture.

"Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children." (from the Project Linus website http://www.projectlinus.org )

I know just how important a security blanket is to a little kid. As a child I depended on my security blanket when I had to call the hospital home for a little while. While there "George" (the blanket) and I became fast friends, "George" remains with me today despite my age and marital status. Surprisingly though, Project Linus has the greatest need for blankets for teenagers. One situation in which teens desperately needed the comfort and security of a blanket was in April of 1999 in Littleton Colorado when Columbine High school erupted in gunfire (Knitting for Peace, Christiansen p. 84). Project Linus responds to situations that need the healing powers of comfort and peace found in the threads of a blanket.

Well that is about all you need to know for becoming a "blanketeer". See the organization's website for local chapters. Also, watch your local newspapers/TV and listen to your radios for information about Make a Blanket Days usually the third Saturday of February.

Peace, Alison

On the needles

2007-05-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

My family seems to be growing and growing. Which works out well for me since I love to give them hand-made gifts! Specifically we have a new cousin on the way so I thought I would make this new little one a blanket. Initially I planned to give the Warm Up America Afghan but when I found out it was a girl I decided to make something a little more pinkish-purple. The pattern comes from the Knitting for Peace book as a suggestion for a Project Linus afghan. Easy to make, you only have to remember one line of pattern stitch, everything else is just knitting and purling.

(More on Project Linus to follow in the "Need Has No Season" edition for April/May.)

It's been a while...

2007-05-17T14:21:00.000-06:00

So, about this whole blog thing. I heard from someone when I started a blog that many blogs don't make it past the first month. It's like taking home a new puppy. So cute and fun when you get them, even the nasty parts seem cute. (Believe me I know what I am talking about. Today the cutest puppy visited me at the library. She piddled on the floor, note the cute term for pee, and it didn't even bother me. Had my old, big, male dog done the same thing on the floor it would not have been cute at all. Good thing my library has hard floors.) Anyway, so I got this blog and it was so cute and fun in the beginning that I posted daily I think. That turned into weekly blogs, which turned into once month, and now dontcha ya know I missed an entire month and a half! So no promises on the blog but keep checking back once in a while, this old dog might just have learned a new trick about blogs.

Need Has No Season - March

2007-03-21T09:30:00.000-06:00

Knit anything for peace today. What does it mean to knit for peace? The answer will vary with every knitter you ask. For me, knitting for peace involves thinking of the recipient of my knitting. I find myself praying for little lives just forming and for warmth, comfort, and peace of mind. While I knit, cross legged on my futon, I dream that the stitches on these needles will open a pathway to peace in any form. I recognize that knitting in itself won't stop wars or end the violence humans direct to other humans. I do hope that "with each stitch that peace is possible, that human intelligence and compassion can triumph over fear and greed, that terror and war can give way to discussion and peace" (Knitting for Peace Manifesto). You don't have to knit for a specific organization or person but pray for peace or meditate on peace while you knit today.

If you would really like to knit for an organization that promotes peace there are a number of resources to help you out. Here are a few...

- Lion Brand Yarn Charity Connection

- Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen, suggests various projects to create which will bring peace to people around the world. (You can check this out from the library I bet :D!)

- Look on the bottom of the Knitting For Peace Manifesto web page, the author suggests a number of options to knit for peace.

- Don't forget about your own "backyard". Is there an elderly neighbor who would really appreciate a knitted item? What about a young parent who needs clothing for their infant?

While you knit this month, knit for peace.
Alison

Meet the Knitting/Crocheting Group of Philip SD!

2007-03-21T09:13:00.000-06:00

Here are a few images of some very crafty knitters and crocheters. Look at them pretending not to notice someone taking a picture of the group. I guess we were a small group the night I took this picture. I will try to take some pictures of the many projects that these crafty people have created.

Sheldon is Finished!

2007-03-18T10:46:00.000-06:00

Take a look at this cute little guy! Even my cats love him...although they mostly like to attack him Note Beatrix pulling him up by his shell which provided a nice belly view of Sheldon. Maybe she just wanted to help him pose for the camera.

Making Sheldon provided some interesting challenges and opportunities to learn knew knitting skills. If you consider yourself an intermediate knitter who likes to learn by tackling tough projects then definitely try knitting a Sheldon. You will love this cute little project.

Little Jester Hat

2007-03-18T10:37:00.000-06:00

In February I wrote about the Care Wear Organization and how they meet the needs for preemies. Here is the hat I made. It didn't require much yarn or time. This was a great project for a quiet afternoon and any knitter can make this great gift.