DAY 5: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

I tend to knit in my office/craft room near my computer to check on Ravelry, create my blog, and keep up with family and friends.

Below is the view of my yarn over the top of my computer screen.

Below is facing the opposite direction towards my table with crafty things on and all around it. Kinda messy - guess I could have cleaned it up before taking the picture, but it wouldn't have looked normal then. I sit in a nice, comfy leather executive-type office chair with arms.

DAY 4: A NEW SKILL

I already blogged on Day 2 about my desire to do Fair Isle colorwork, but another skill I would like to learn is to knit “continental”. Actually, it is my understanding that knitting two-handed makes colorwork much easier to do, so guess I’d better learn the continental first than do the Fair Isle. There are many “how-to” videos to help me learn, so JUST DO IT!

Day 3: ONE GREAT KNITTER

Today's topic is to pick a favorite designer whose work you enjoy. Well, for me, that is designs by Tina Sanders, AZknitting on Ravelry, and her blog is Peacefully Knitting. Tina designs beautiful hats, scarves and cowls and is contemplating branching out to socks, wraps and shrugs. Some of her hats and cowls are matching and are of vintage design. This is the current hat pattern I'm working on - Georgette, a vintage style cloche:

You can find these patterns on her blog. She has so much talent and is also a delightful person!

DAY 2: Patterns I'd Like to Make ...Someday!

I, being of Scandanavian background, have always wanted to do colorwork knitting. Selvubotter mittens have been a far-out dream of mine for several years now, and would like to take a class whenever one becomes available. I missed an event last Fall where Terri Shea, author of Selbuvotter taught a class in Hood River, Oregon. Hopefully, there'll be other classes and soon!

Actually any kind of colorwork impresses me and gets the juices flowing! This pair of mittens is by Rauma Designs.



I actually have the yarn, the pattern, the needles, and now just need the push to make this Christmas in the Country cowl designed by Susan Pandorf.


Then there's also the Selbu Modern Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn, and the list goes on.............

DAY 1: My History as a Knitter and How I Got Started

As a child, I did not knit or crochet, as my mother didn't know how. She sewed clothes for me, so I learned to sew at an early age. In my teenage years, there was a lady "down the road" that everyone called Grandma Hill, and she is the one who taught me to knit. She must have had the patience of Job, to ever get my clumsy fingers to behave and hold onto the needle and yarn. I knit small things like dishcloths, blankets for my dolls and things of that sorts. I used to crochet edges on pillowcases, and that was about the extent of my knitting. In later years (after raising 3 kids), I went back to knitting and crocheting. I have taken two sock classes and still afraid of socks, but have met a wonderful group of knitting buddies who encourage me to go outside my box of hats, scarves, dishcloths, afghans, etc. I meet up every two weeks with one group and the alternate weeks with another group, and thoroughly enjoy the peace my knitting gives me. I'm presently working on a shawlette.

Flowers are a Bloomin'

It's so nice to go out in the yard and see all the flowers starting to bloom now. It always seems like such a long winter, but they are all happily coming along.
Lilac

Hosta
English Daisies
Azaleas
Azalea
Just a Flower Friday to you! Enjoy.

What a Neat Idea!

I read on Michelle's blog about next week being called "Knitting Crochet Blog Week" and thought I'd give it a shot. Click here to go to the website that explains it all.

Stay tuned every day next week - 26th April through 2nd of May. Why don't you participate also, so we can have fun reading about how you started knitting and other questions?

Arizona and Knitting

Wow, it's been a long time since I've blogged, so time to get it done. Not a lot has been happening around here, so that's why I've been absent. Hubby and I just got home from a week in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Weather was in the 80's, so was wonderful for us from the Pacific Northwest who are still in the 50/60's highs. We looked around for areas where we might like to move to. There are a lot of 55+ parks that looked real nice to us, so we have to ponder the decision to actually sell our home in Washington state and move to Arizona.

While in AZ, we went with some friends to the Arizona Opry - what a great show. These pictures will not do it justice, but we had a great time.

The above picture shows George playing a Swiss Alps horn - was very impressive.


I've also started another project - guess I had a case of "startitis". This is the Simple Things Shawlette. I'm using Mauai Yarn 100% Marino in the West Maui Mountains colorway, which has the most gorgeous green shadings. Loving it so far.