How are those New Years resolutions coming?

Did you make any plans for 2015? Every year on New Years Eve my husband and I muse over what we should tackle for the coming year. This is the second year that cleaning the cellar is on my list. 

But, I'm hearing the call of my seed and plant magazines luring me away from my chosen track.

Also on the list is to knit 3 pairs of socks in January.............

But, who can resist those adorable cardinals that have come to visit my yard. Mamma hides in the bushes

While Daddy gathers the fallen seeds from the bird feeder. Such a good Papa.

Ok, I'm a little distracted but, I still have my eye on the prize.

I did manage to finish 1 pair of socks now it's off to the cellar with me.

Did I mention that I have 4 levels in my house? 

 Well..........let's not get ahead of ourselves How about you? ..................said the Hobbit

my Tuesday night girls

We are still meeting every Tuesday evening............much has happened this year.

Sue,our senior knitter is 91 and recently took a fall leaving her with a broken hip. We are all hoping that her surgery will be successful.......

New patterns are always on the table so.......placing yarn orders is often an important part of the evening.Socks are still high on the priority list this year and a washable yarn from Knit Picks is a favorite.

Of course ,our Margie is always coming in with a finished project or 2 and everyone says........."Oh, maybe I'll try that next time" Here she made leg warmers for the grandchildren. Or maybe it was nieces.I forget because I'm telling you ,she has several finished projects to show and tell every week. Hard to keep up with her.  Well, I'd better get to my knitting......need to get past the casting on stage..........Chuckled the Hobbit

Building a community

I have a circle of friends that get together to knit and I refer to them as my "pond".We are from several different towns yet, we consider ourselves neighbors...........all have similar yet different interest and we support each others efforts.It takes work and patience to develop such a community but, the rewards are so worth it.

One of my daughters has taken this to another level.She lives in a small N.H. town that once was thriving and oh so proud of it's people. Time has taken it's toll and like many small towns all over the country, people have forgotten how to be neighbors.Leave it to the younger people to come up with a plan.

A few years ago one of her friends started a tea shop were people could get together and talk about what they wish for the community. There were many naysayers but, he hung in there and kept taking baby steps with his project. He is committed to the project and now..........local musicians pop in to entertain on a regular basis.

Young people come to  share their hopes and dreams for the town and no one thinks that a plan is too small or too big to give it a try.Daughter Sarah (in red) waits her turn to explain her plan to bring DANCE to the area.

A local photographer put together these photos of her company.What started as a conversation with friends is now becoming a reality.

Of course there is always time for a little whimsy and I had to take a picture of these creations from the HEADHUNTER series of Mugwump Made. Artist Kay Koczarski had her knitted works on display,yes,those teeth are knitted.The tea shop is currently closed...........no they haven't given up. They need a larger location to move forward with "the plan". It amazes me what these young people have accomplished. Can't wait to see what the next year brings...........................said the Hobbit

Tuesday night with the girls

How we love getting together on Tuesday night. So many things to catch up on. This particular evening a surprise visit from Donna (in red) was very exciting to us.

We loved having her come by.Wish she could make it every Tuesday. The Holidays without her beloved George were hard but, her family brought her to Florida to spend a few carefree days. Now she is back with us and we are bound and determined to get her to knit her first pair of socks.

There are always magazines to check out and Betty (to the right of Donna) dropped her knitting to write one down from the latest MARYJANE FARMS magazine.She is writing on a journal that she made for each and every one of us.Pages to write wish knits and recipes and to-do list A calendar to mark Fiber Fest Fairs. A page containing our birthdays, e mail and phone# so we can always be in touch........she is so sweet.

Deb was working hard on a new pair of socks.Seems she treated herself to a "Book of Socks" for Christmas and after thumbing through the book......

She  was sure that she was only going to be able to understand one of the patterns.

So she quickly got started on that pair and I'm pretty sure that she'll find another and another that she can handle............That's what I call my "baby steps" theory..................Said the Hobbit

The girls are back!!!

 After a long holiday hiatus,my crafty friends manage to get together for our weekly knitting get together.We were 10 brave souls who weathered some pretty cold weather to talk about family gatherings and new projects that we hope to do.

Looks like the holidays didn't stop them from knocking those needles.........

DEB 4th on the right tackled her first felting project and made this great courier style bag. He advice to newbie felter...............she had to run it through the washer 3 times to get the proper felting texture. So if you plan on doing a similar project ............don't panic if it doesn't come out the first time.

GISELE ,at the very end of the table brought in a gorgeous cotton knit sweater that she had made for her grand daughter.

A simple basket weave pattern highlighted the soft pastel colors that made up the yarn.Nice work Gisele.

CINDY S. 2nd on the left was busy making birthday gifts.......This little lobster to be is going to make a little girl very happy.











If that doesn't do the trick ....how about these bunny slippers. I need to get this pattern from her. I know a few little girls who would be hopping all over their home with a pair of these.An added feature that she came up with was to put indoor/outdoor sealant on the undersole  to keep the slippers skid proof.You can find this in most hardware stores. I found this one at my local dollar store for $1.75 per tube. We all know how they run around and safety first with the little ones is a priority. Have to brag here. She was recently published at Knit Pick yarns when she created THIS PATTERN Kudos to you Cyndi........we are most proud.
                                                 Pretty clever right? ......said the hobbit

It's the little things

Funny thing happened in March...........Cindy S and I both got the knit it little bug.

My little bunnies were found on the KNIT PICKS It's a great way to use up your bits and pieces of yarn. I embroidered the face. They used plastic safety eyes but, I couldn't figure out how those little eyes would be safe for my little ones. I used filler for the body.............they suggested plastic pellets. Really? These people obviously don't have little ones.The children loved them so, it made it worthwhile. the smallest one is 3 1/2 inches and they increase 1/2 inch each. Started from the bottom till they are tall enough then change yarn to knit a face. Everything is knit in the round.......even the ears and the removeable hat.Think I just might have to make a few more.

And now or Cindy S. She made these cute and funny flamingos as part of a Cancer Awareness project. I just had to giggle when I saw this little guy. He just sort of makes you feel good.

 Doesn't he ? .............asked the hobbit

Needles are still knocking

I've been a bit slacking with my news about my !knitting group but, they haven't 

New projects are being started every week...........I can't keep up with them I'm still in the attic finding the past..........quite the trip.

One that really amazed me was a pair of gloves done by CindyS. This is so far down on my to do list.But she whipped them up in no time at all.

Check out the detail on the back. Amazing isn't it. Some lucky person got these as a gift. 

New to our group is Deb. She got the bug to try doing socks This is her first attempt!!!Teeny tiny cables run up and down her leg. Great first pair don't you think? She is currently busy making socks for everyone on her Christmas list.Very lucky people ................said the hobbit

MY CRAFTY FRIENDS

Every Tuesday night my friends and I get together to work on our knitting projects.It really helps us move our projects along. You see, someone will always remember what you've been working on and no one wants to say. "I gave up on that " I am so behind on posting their work that I might be in danger of being kicked out of the club. That isn't the case with Cyndi S.

                                         HERE'S CYNDI BUSY WORKING ON AN APPLIQUE
A difficult pattern never stops her from jumping right in and getting the job done. Of course when her daughter has a special request that is even more incentive to tackle the task.

After the holidays "the daughter" saw this great sweater and Cyndi got right on it . The sleeves have a detailed leaf pattern.

The back was even more intricate highlighting this great square of gorgeous design. The color on this photo is somewhat bleached out by my camera but, I wanted you to see that it is  knit around the body versus waist to neck. The blue line that you see is where she had to insert the sleeves.

It has a kimono type fit and I wish she had put it on so you could see how it would look  but,oh no, she is too shy.........I had to promise to photo shoot this without her face showing..........anyone who has this kind of talent is a beautiful person don't you think?..................said the hobbit.

What I made for Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and now I can talk about a special Christmas present that was made this year.My children are champions at finding out what I have planned for Christmas.So I don't dare speak a word about my plans till they have their present in hand. Even then they seem to have that look that says.............I know what's in this box! Know what I     mean?

Every year I try to make something for one of my children using the wool from my brother's sheep.My sister-in-law always makes sure that some of her wool is available in the most natural state.This coffee/latte color is my favorite and I finally was ready to make my firstborns sweater this year.I decided to go with a simple sweater that had a loose and comfy look.After much research I decided to go with this PATTERN It's the Harry Potter sweater without the initial.Smart choice if your doing a sweater that can't be tried on for a size check.

                                                                    Nice full 3 inch cuff

                                                              Comfy rolled collar with plenty of stretch

The results a sweater that looks and feels great!! He loves it so much that he has asked several times if I could make another just like it. He'll have to get to the back of the line as I still have one child left to make THE SPECIAL SWEATER  for. Do you think she'll figure out that she will be next??? I won't say a word if you don't.............said the hobbit

The girls of S&B are ready to roll

After a crazy busy December we are back on schedule and ready to start new projects for next Christmas.We usually meet on Tuesday evening and as you know Christmas and New Year were on Tuesday so for some of us it's been a month since we have seen each other.There was lots to catch up on and not much planning done......but,then,there is always nextweek.

After New years I got to work on these socks............just for me. The sock queen,first on the right side of the group photo, gave me this amazing yarn and I thought it was about time to put it to good use.

There is no actual pattern used. I started at the cuff,which I made 2 1/2 inches in a tight rib. A 5 inch leg then a short row heel. This means NO heel flap. So much easier than picking up stitches on the flap. I actually enjoy doing both but, it's a great tool for a beginner to get through their first pair of socks.The bottom of the foot was done in a Purl 1 Knit 4 pattern just to give it a little texture. I had such a great time doing them that I made an extra pair for the sock Queen. It's like cooking. It seems to taste better when someone else cooks for you. Know what I mean?

These 2 tried to stay out of the group picture.Ms g on the left is a first year knitter.Ms. Button on the right has many talents that I hope to share in the coming year.Surprise !!!! I found you.........said the hobbit

featuring Cynthaaaaaa

When Cynthia came to us a few years ago, shedidn't know how to knit at all! Her talents were in wood turning check out her website HERE Never one to pass up a challenge she made her knitting needles (yes,you read that correctly) and got started on a scarf,then quickly jump onto socks However when she saw the sweater that Cindy S. made for her daughter she knew that's what she wanted to make.

As a visual mantra Cindy made this miniature sweater to help Cynthia focus on the big picture.

She hoped to get this project done in time for her daughter's birthday It is a Harry Potter sweater just like the one Mrs Weasley made and I was able to find the pattern HERE

She quickly through herself into this project and I'll tell you when she got Rebecca's initial on that sweater,she was one happy camper.She even wore it to our knitting group that night so we could all cheer her on to the finish .

Sleeves were set in and 

seams were ready to sew.

Nothing left to do but knit a matching scarf for Christmas. Three cheers for you Cynthia you get the 

"I THINK I CAN" award for 2012

What's in the bag?

Remember when I talked about my family and showed you this bag with my knitting? Well, I finally finished it. Although I have many knitting bags I keep each project in a freezer bag. Why ,you say? Because I own a cat who thinks needles and yarn are for her to drag all over my house.I have gotten up in the morning to find the tiniest of yarn balls by my bed and had to go all over the house winding and swearing that this was going to be the last time this happens.So, the project goes in a freezer bag and yes, sometimes I wake up to the bag by my bed. As smart as she is .........she has yet to figure out how to slide that lock.

So after binding off the last stitch I soaked the project in a solution of warm water and hair conditioner. I know there are so many products out there to rinse and block your finished knitting but, really, if it conditions my hair I feel it's good enough for the sheep's hair too!!

I pinned and carefully rolled my project in the biggest towel I could find and then let it slowly dry. It took 2 whole days before I thought it was safe to pick it up.

                                              SO HERE IS THE FINISHED PROJECT

                                                 YES,.........IT'S A SHAWL

                                            DONE IN LACE WEIGHT ON #2 NEEDLES
For those of you who don't knit I can say very thin yarn on very small needles.I found the pattern on Purl Bee HERE If anyone gives this a try let me know I would love to see it It wasn't difficult  a very repetitive pattern but, I love how it came out ........said the hobbit