Not on task!

Well, so far I have zero...count em zero things knitted for Christmas gifts and I've decided that I'll probably not knit anything because I really haven't been in the mood to knit anything. I've been tired and it seems like everything I do knit looks really funny. Everything looks like its leaning to the left and it's misshappen. I guess I'm still a newbie even some of the washcloths that I knit are ugly. I think I might just stop for maybe a few weeks when I start up a fresh project. I saw this project in the Stitch in Bitch book that I'm going to start after the baby sweater for my cousin's baby. I have tried to knit a cozy for a coffee cup but I sewed it up wrong.

I love WOOD...needles that is!

I'm knitting up a plain knit stitch scarf for my brother and it's on the bamboo/wood needles that I got as a gift from my buddy through The Friendship Swap on Paperback swap and they are AWESOME! Everything that I knit comes out beautiful for some odd reason. It's the truth that bamboo and wood are the best(in my opinion) then plastic and lastly aluminum. Shamelessly to say my first pair of needles were bamboo flexi needles in size 10 and actually thought that they were circulars but realize when I opened the package and left the store that they weren't. I still have them and I still love them the best...next to these needles.
In the coming weeks I'm going to be making more Christmas gifts and working on stuff for Bazaar Bazaar. I really don't think I'll get like alot of things done or made but it'll be fun anyways. Since I haven't taken a pic of the needles yet the pics wil come soon. I'll say Tah tah for now.....Oh Btw, my B-day is 4 days away and counting...Whoo Hoo for me! Maybe I'll get knitting inspired gifts or money so that i can buy stuff from some of my fav places.

Babies, Babies and More Babies!

There are officially four babies that will be born next year that I know of. My cousin's wife, my sister and two friends that are expecting. I guess that I'll make all of them like a baby hat and a sweater. I might make something different for all of them but so far those are easy(not the sweater) Another idea is making baby washcloths. I guess i have to start looking for some good patterns for the sweaters, even though I have one from LionBrand (I might get bored with it).

I've been knitting but it hasn't been anything serious. I've finished a blue scarf that knit up really well and a few washcloths that turned out wonky, except for the one that I used a pattern for. I just started on another one with the other really nice yarn that I found at the thrift shop. Speaking of yarn, i found more yarn at the thrift shop yesterday and I think I'll be making some kind of afghan for the family with that yarn and use up all of this acrylic that I have. It's going to be my crazy, amazing techno colored afghan...lol. I also added a playlist to the blog. I saw it on a blog that I follow and thought it was was way cool so I needed to get one. So far I really don't have anything else to share and no new exciting news except that I'm back to the cross-stitch and learning to sew(even though the sewing machine is giving me issues).

So much stuff..so little time.

Well, today is my son's 12th birthday. I'm getting old...I think. I had him at a young age, 16 going on 17. On the knitting note.... I started knitting a mug cozy for one of my many mug cozies that I will be giving away for Christmas. I've decided that most of my Christmas gifts this year will be handmade, or knitted. I've also been doing a little cross-stitch(even though it's been rare.) I've also decided that I'd like to learn to sew. I found a hand sewing machine at the thrift shop on Monday. Yeah for half off Monday. The original price was $3.99 but I got it 50% off so that's like $ 2. Can you believe that? That's awesome right. Eventually the blog will be dedicated to my crafts etc but right now it's my love for the lovely art of knitting. I'm also going to be knitting up a few dishcloths and washcloths for gifts. I have a ton of running around to do today, the post office, pick up prescriptions, pay bills buy cake and other stuff for house plus I have to go visit a friend in the hospital. Darn, so much stuff to do today and no time. I will post pics today or tomorrow.

My scarf

I found this yarn at a local thrift store and I'm in love with it. It has at least 5 different yarns in it, all different colors and weights. There's mostly fingering weight and sport weight-I think. I'm using size 8 needles and so far it's knitting up really well. I frogged it once because I started some ugly k2p2 ribbing and it wasn't very nice. So, I just frogged it today again and so far this is where I'm at.

I love all the colors and the textures. It's pretty much soft and I'm pretty sure all or most of the yarn is wool. I'm going to knit this scarf up for myself then I'll make a scarf for either my sister or Mom. I'm also going to use some of the other yarn I have (cotton) to make dishcloths that I'll be giving out for Christmas and since no one reads my blogs I can say this....heeeheee.

First time for everything right?

Well, it finally happened folks....I decided to knit the socks out of the book. To my utter and absolute surprise it was easy! They are just really long in the book and the yarn that I used is way too nice (in my opinion) for it. It was made using size 6 needles and they were basic stripe pattern using three different colors. Since I had this wonderful yarn from KnitPicks, that I had yet to use I used it. I call the yarn cherry jubilee ice cream. It really looks like it or Cherry Garcia from Ben & Jerry's. I know my ice cream folks-especially the good stuff! I've only knitted one sock so far and I have plans on starting the other one soon. The pattern was basically k2 p2 all the way down until it started to decrease. I started with the k2p2 ribbing but I thought it would be cuter to make it like that then start a stockinette stitch but when it was time to decrease I realized that it called for the decreases to be in the k2p2 form. So darn, I had to start back with the k2p2 but it all worked out. I've always seen socks knitted by other people that were so intricate on these size 1 or o needles and I said "Oh hell no...I'm not knitting those things" then hear comes this pattern and I changed my mind. I knit the socks with KnitPicks Wool of the Andes yarn. Here's a pic:


The pic is blurry because my digicamera sucks! Hopefully, when I make the other sock it'll be better.
On the other hand, another first that is totally off topic....I started liking Earl Grey tea which I use to hate. I bought it offline from Stash tea along with some honey sticks. It's my absolutely fav tea right now. Since I'm at home on the computer all day for work, I sit and drink tea and knit while I listen. On another note, the washcloth that I was knitting to sell at Bazaar Bazaar is a total no go. I've also decided not to sell any and just give a few as gifts(that might change soon) The aluminum needles were the culprit I think. I really don't like them because the they make the yarn slip and slide around way too much. So my washcloth looks like it's lopsided.Oh no...I can't sell these ugly things!

My favorite knitting book(So far;-)

This is my new favorite knitting book. Here's the Amazon link. I'm knitting the Mama lamb and the baby lamb in the book. I really enjoy this book because the instructions are really simple and if you're a new knitter you can learn new things and they even have a pattern for socks! Can you believe it? Socks!!!! I'm so new to knitting that sock knitting scares me but eventually I think that I'll actually do them along with sweaters. So pics of the Mama lamb are coming soon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1885593481/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Knitting B-day Pics

Okay everyone, I do have pics from the knitting birthday that took me almost a year to get to. I know that's horrible but I'll be okay I guess...lol. Some of these pics are crazy because I took random pics of all the stuff I was knitting and my cats. So, I've decided to show all the cool pics that rock and some of the other pics that don't so enjoy! A few of the pics are of the coffee/meet-up place that we meet every Tuesday night for Stitch n Bitch and the others are random pics of friends and the artwork on the wall. Bela Dubby is a really artsy coffee spot/bar that people come for the free Wi-fi and the great people. I thought it was in an awesome place to just enjoy my friends and my birthday.

These other pics are of my friend Lisa's son Anthony that was born on my birthday. I knit him the hat that he's wearing. Isn't he a cute little bugger?

I LOVE Washcloths

Okay, I really don't love them that much...I'm being totally sarcastic! I thought about knitting up a few cute washcloths/dishcloths to sell at the craft bazaar in a few weeks. I was thinking of maybe 2 wash clothes tied up with a cute ribbon and include a bar of homemade soap from Ms. V. I think it would be cute. I could also give them as gifts for Christmas. So,I searched and searched online for some cute patterns and found one that was pretty interesting that started out basically with just 4 stitches. I was initially really leery about it but I thought oh well I'll try so I did. I worked for a few hours and it was coming along really well. It was increasing slowly and basically it was a diamond shape. The only issue that I had with making washcloths is the cotton yarn. It's rough on my hands and it makes them hurt. Needless to say, I won't be doing that many washcloths because there aren't any really nice patterns available (since I'm not interested in anything intricate) and that yarn hurts my hands. I ended up binding off in the middle of the project when it was a triangle..lol. It looks nice and I'll probably sell it or keep it. Then I made another one that was way too small and it was curling around the edges. I made a border but I forgot to do it around the other edges so that washcloth is mines and I used it today. It's pretty cool but it's not as soft as I expected. Now, I'm working on a bigger washcloth that will have a nice edging that won't curl. I'll post some pics when I get this dumb camera working.

New thoughts on my Bag-Bag

Well, I have a few new interesting things to tell about my bag-bag. Well, I've finished the first one and it's pretty small so I'm using it as a purse. Everyone thinks it's cute and cool. I really think it could be better so I'm making another one that will be bigger and better. I really thought that using size 13's would be better but they are. The 13's are way too small and the 15's are the best. Also the cast on is basically the whole needle if you're using straight needles. If you're using circulars I recommend like 40-50 stitches. Since I work from home now I can knit and listen to at the same time. So, I knit all day long. I found a website that actually has a pattern for the bags if anyone else want to make them and it seems way more complicated than mines but I guess you can do it the way you want to. Here's the link: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/knitting/bag.shtml

This website also has a ton of other crafting ideas. I found it while I was looking for a dish cloth pattern because I'm knitting up a bunch of dishcloth and washcloth patterns to give as Christmas gifts. I'm starting to really want to knit up a n actual baby sweater possibly. I'm really considering it but I'm nervous. I'll let you know later. Next time I should be posting more pics both old and new. Thanks for reading everyone ;-)

Finally some pictures!!!

Well finally I added some pics..I've been knitting up alot of things but my camera is on the frits right now so I have to take pictures when I can. Lately, I've been knitting up what we call "Bag -bags". They are bags made out of plastic bags. You just cut the bags in inch stripes and put them together and knit. You can also crochet the bag together using double crochet. I'm using my fav purple size 15 needles but I think the next one I make I'll use size 13. I can say that I've made 2 purses and a little pillow, my little nephew a hat and one bag-bag. I think this is a great way to recycle!

Yesterday my friend and I went to the local Pat Catan's and bought some white canvas shoes and decided to decorate them just for fun. I guess I had fun even though I have no artistic abilities what so ever. She does though and she spent over 3 hours designing one shoe. I realize that although I'm not new to knitting I have alot to learn and my knitting habit isn't that bad even though I did go and buy like 3 or 4 skeins of yarn but I wasn't that expensive. There are some things that I've realized about myself and knitting:

• I don't want to knit a sweater




• I only knit for people that appreciate and cherish my gifts




• I love to knit anything quick(hats or purses)




• I probably will always feel that way...lol

Am I wrong for this? So, I'll be knitting like 3 baby blankets by next year because everyone I know is pregnant. Maybe I'll even try a baby sweater or something. I found this cute kids knitting book and I think I like them better because all of the patterns are easy and I can understand them. Thanks for listening to my rant! Now the pics........

What I've been doing

So folks,I haven't posted in over 2 months but I have been knitting. I've started to knit a baby blanket for a friend of mines that's in my book club. I've knit up this really cute bag with bamboo handles(just waiting for a friend to sew in the lining), I've cast on for another bag and I'm making a pillow with my name in it. I really want to felt the pillow but I found out the yarn that I'm using isn't wool so I'm kinda stuck with that one. I've recently decided to make a few things for this craft bazaar that's coming up in December. I gotta figure what I'll sell. I got a few skeins of yarn from knit picks and I think i'll make a scarf and fingerless gloves with it. Unfortunately, my stupid camera is not working so I can't take any pics right now but I'm working on that LOL.
I have two other people to knit blankets for so I'll be pretty busy. I'll probably end up knitting a few coin purses to take to the bazaar along with some jewelery that I'm making, like some bracelets or some earrings.
Even though I'm making all of these things I still feel so unproductive. I wonder why though....
Recently, I started back up doing a little cross-stitch since I saw one of the members of my SnB group doing and all her work is sooo beautiful. There are some WIP that I just have to complete and then I'll either give them away or keep in my house. I'm in desperate need of more yarn(even though my fiances says no more). I guess I'll just have to check out knitpicks.
oh yeah, on to that whole engaged thing. Yeah,I'm engaged ad hopefully I can take a pic of the ring because i love showing it off. Hopefully, I can get that stupid camera to work. We'll see. Until happy knitting!!!!
~~Jackie

Finally finished!

I finally finished the purse that I was knitting and thought I would never finish. It took me a few weeks to put it together and felt it but I did it. I actually felted it yesterday in my friends washer and at first I thought that it would felt because I didn't put the washer setting on hot, but she fixed it and it finally felted. It was pretty big before I felted it too and what I've noticed is that the longer that I keep it in the washer, the smaller it becomes. Duh!!! That's pretty obvious once you think about it though. I also felted the other purse and it's pretty cute also even though it's smaller than I wanted it to. So I've putting up a few pics of the purse. I hope you enjoy.

I'm tired of this project!

I want to officially say take this project and shove it! I've decided not to finish the pattern and just go straight stockinette with a solid color. I haven't been working on it at all in the last few weeks and I know if I had been working on it diligently that it would be finished by now. That is so frustrating because the other purse could be finished if I would have just put it together and then put it in the washer by now. I started on that like in October. I could have either sold it or had it to wear by now. Why or why must I procrastinate so much? I fear that with the new promotion at work to Supervisor on the night shift, I won't be able to do any kind of anything. I might not even be able to go to SnB on Tuesdays because I don't know when I'll have an off day. Well, today is Mother's day and it has been pretty awesome if I do say so myself. My mother treated my sisters and I(who were mothers) to a nice dinner of steak, shrimp, salad and baked potatoes. Wasn't that nice? Well, I'm off to attempt to start working on the rest of this project.

Updates and Pics

I finally have my pics from the project that I'm working on. It's a purse that will be felted. I'm so addicted to felting and the process, it's one of my favorite things to do when I knit because it hides some of my mistakes. I got the pattern off of the Lion Brand website. I'll add the link if I can later but when I was searching for something to start, I thought of something easy and quick. Actually, it hasn't been very quick and that's probably because I really haven't been knitting as much as much as I really want to or should. Because the purse is stripped, it seems so monotonous at times. I've been working on at it at SnB on Tuesday's at Bela Dubby. I'm seriously thinking of just not following the pattern and adding some bamboo handles to it and calling it a day because it seems like it's so much. I think I might start blogging a little bit more. My camera is a piece of crap and I should be getting a replacement soon enough. Here's few pics of the purse and of it's progress.

I'm baaaaaack!!

It's been close to 5 months since my last post and boy has a lot changed. Of course I managed to survive the holidays...Ugghhhh! It's a new year and maybe a new me. I don't have any pictures of some of the things I've been working on but they are coming shortly. I do have a new digital camera so I can take pictures of all of my work and my finished projects and my works in progress. I guess I am getting "better" at knitting I don't make anymore mistakes and I'm attempting to work with double pointed needles and work on harder projects.

I haven't been going to Stitch Bitch onMondays on a regular basis anymore because they're either always meeting someplace far away or I'm just too tired when I get off work on Mondays. I've been going to SNB at Bela Dubbyon Tuesdays lately. That's a more laid back better meeting because it's later on in the day and it's always at the same place. I do have pics of Bela Dubby in another camera. I definitely need to get the camera developed. I am posting a picture of my crazy cat Miau-Miau, who we call Kitty because that's exactly what he is a wild and crazy kitty!