I believe that all of the photos in this collage were taken in late 2011. It was the year that I actually accomplished something - at least in knitting. Since then, I've knitted...
...absolutely nothing. Not a single project.
I need to get back into this. It was fun, not exactly relaxing, but a sense of accomplishment when I finished the project. I have friends who can knit and watch TV. I definitely cannot do that. And I definitely can't knit and blog or knit and read or knit and make soap.
The little hooded (or not hooded, if you prefer) sweater is from the booklet, Lillie's Little Sweater (see below). It is quite easy (I know that's a relative term), but even I managed to knit three sweaters using the pattern, which is written for 0-3 mo (6, 12, 24, 36). I used Vanna's Choice Barley, Vanna's Choice Oatmeal, and Wool-ease Dark Heather Rose. I knitted hoods for the boys' sweaters, but not for the baby sweater.
Scarf: Yarn Harlot, free pattern for quick scarf.
Apple Hat: Knitting Pattern Central, Sara Galley
White and blue stripe hat with ear flaps: This hat is a variation on a theme. Found as the adult hat in the Stitch'n'Bitch book by Debbie Stoller, I cast on fewer stitches and did several rows of seed stitch, then made the crown taller than it would have been for a baby hat so that it could be turned up. Okay, to be honest, the taller crown was a mind-wandering accident. But it turned out to be perfect for folding the brim up. I would do it again, if I could. Unfortunately, I can't usually repeat happy accidents. Stitches are picked up at the bottom of the turned up brim, then earflaps with I-cord are knitted on. Wool-Ease 402 Wheat for the main color and 107 Blue Heather love that color of blue!! is what I used for the stripe.
Watermelon Hat: Free on Spud and Chloe website.
Fuzzy Knitted Lamb: 'Beautiful' yarn, free pattern found online at fuzzymitten.com
Cupcake Tea Cozy: from Ravelry
Medieval Knight's (or German Shepherd's) Coif: I found this somewhere online, probably free, and although I printed out the instructions, I do not have the URL. You'll probably be able to find it, doing a search on 'Child's Winter Helmet Pattern' 'Knit.' I made it in gray, obviously. What knight do you know wears a purple or blue striped coif??
Purse: I made this from Lopi Icelandic wool and by guessing at how many stitches to cast on, etc.
Except for the year before, when I made about 15 hats of various colors and sizes, this is the extent of my knitting repertoire. I hope by the end of the winter I will be able to tell you that I knitted something - anything - in 2015.
Shoe pockets, over-the-door
Where I keep my yarn and 'tools.'
I need to dust it off and get busy!
I need to dust it off and get busy!
Photo I took at
Darn Knit Anyway, a yarn shop in Stillwater, MN
The two youngest grandchildren are still waiting for theirs.
And I call myself a grandma??
And I call myself a grandma??
Have a wonderful day, friends, and I hope you have a very productive 2015. I haven't even added the birthdays to my new calendar yet!
***
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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties: Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage) and Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and A Creative Princess and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above and Artsy Corner Thursday and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters
51 comments:
Judy, WOW!, what an accomplishment. Your knitting is beautiful. Whatever you do don't give it up. I'd like to try the sweater pattern. Love the dog hat...so darn funny. I know what you mean about finding the time, though. I put my needles down months ago and have not had any time to start again. Hope your weather has warmed up. It has here a little but more snow overnight. Stay toasty, Deb
I admire anyone who can do anything creative. I'm way behind with my knitting and I must confess it worries me.
Wow, these are all beautiful pieces.. I can not knit at all. I wish I was so creative.. The doggie hat is cute, but I love them. Well done.. Enjoy your day and the new week ahead..
What a fun post. I love knitting and seeing what others have done. Your projects do look fabulous. I especially like the teacozy. So cute.
Oh, I fed muker, but I really wanted to shear him and make off with the fleece. ;)
Have a great week!
Your sooo good! I have wanted to learn to knit or crochet for the longest time now as I know women sit in front of the tv and work away, but somehow I have a feeling it wouldn't be me, lol. Plus I can't get the sewing I want to do all done and by the time I finish that at the end of the day this gal is whipped, lol. Busy in front of the TV as well might do me in officially, lol. But I am encouraging you to pick up those needles! Your work is beautiful! Enjoy your week. I will be waiting to see what you've started on, lol
You were really productive. Cute stuff! I do enjoy knitting or crocheting especially in the winter. Do you crochet? That is much easier to do when double tasking because it is so forgiving if you drop a stitch you can easily find it.
Hi, Judy...I can't tell you how many crafty things I've taken lessons for. Once I accomplish something with the project, I'm off to something new. The one thing that kind of sticks with me is crocheting, which I can do by the tv.
my favorite is the watermelon hat and i like the cup cake to and was glad to earn it is not a hat.. LOL... so do a part two and tell us what you did with all those hats and all these things you knitted... my mother would love the purse
Wow, that's a lot of work! I don't know how to knit, so you are doing much better than me:) Enjoy your day dear friend, can't wait to see what you create! HUGS!
Well you certainly have the talent to knit! My aunt did it for years and years until her eyes were too bad to do it any longer. She knitted an afghan for each of us as our final gift. I used to sew a lot and for some reason I just stopped. Who knows why we do these things. I guess we just need inspiration again.
Love the dog's hoodie!!
You are a great knitter! I have always wanted to perfect that craft. I have done a few easy pieces and it is so relaxing to me...the rhythm of the needles is like valium to me.lol
Wow, look at you, Judy! Your finished knitting projects are beautiful and made with love :) I love the sweet lamb.
Happy Monday! Hugs
Hi Judy, wow your are a really talented knitter. It does take up a lot of time knitting along with all of your other interests. It would be really nice if you could get back into it again. You could start small and then maybe that will inspire you again. I love how you keep everything organized in the shoe bag too, great idea. Good luck. Have a wonderful day and week.
Julie at Julie's Lifestyle
Oh wow...these are so adorable and I'm SO jealous! I have knitted a few things but haven't for several years...nothing very detailed...a few scarves and an afghan or two. I really like the over-the-door shoe hanger for storing your yarn...great idea! Happy Monday!
Wow, what a lot of amazing items you've knitted - as someone who only does straight scarves I'm incredibly impressed! I just love the cupcake tea cosy - such fun. And I also love the idea of the shoe storage for yarn and stuff - thanks so much for sharing that.
I knit slippers for a few years and that's the extent of my knitting. I love the little lamb but the best is the hat on the dog - so cute!
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
Happy Monday Judy..I used to knit a lot but my hands are pretty arthritic these days..I just saw a beautiful sweater on Etsy that I ordered..Easier that way but not as rewarding..
Morning, love the idea of the shoe holder for your wool, brilliant. Wonderful knitting, guess I better pick up my hook and do some rug hooking, while away the winter. Blessings Francine.
You and others who have talent, never cease to amaze me. Me, I have none...I tried to knit/crochet...anyways--thanks for sharing...thanks for the chuckle you left on my blog. Blessings
You'll find your knitting mojo again. Mine sometimes takes a vacation and reappears unexpectedly.
I think this year has just caught everyone by surprise, myself included. I think you need to work on knitting as the spirit moves you. That is something you don't want to make yourself do because knitting is supposed to be relaxing while being productive. Find something you want to do and do that, and then the knitting will come as a result of being engaged in a happily creative process. That's what works for me.
Love those dog hoodies! :-)
xo
Sheila
I love your knitting, such colorful and pretty creations.
Don't ask me how long its been, or perhaps asking me might just brighten your day! I say hit a good old yarn store and see what's up!
These are all so darn cute but Oh MY that little cupcake! LOVE IT! :)
These are beautiful knitted items Judy. I don't knit or do any handcrafts now. I hope you can accomplish one knitted project this winter though. I just put the birthdays in my calendar this morning. One is getting pretty handy to the date so I didn't want to forget.
Such an interesting post and so beautiful projects!
You will certainly finish many wonderful ones this year!
Don't give up the ship! Buying new yarn always inspires me.
The collage is all things you made? It is wonderful!! All kinds of both practical and whimsical things. I love the way you are storing your yarn!! Maybe set aside just 10 minutes every day, you could get a lot done in that time!
I knit not.
I love the shot of all the colourful knitting yearns. You are very creative, well back then and I am sure you will knit again. Knitting is not for me, too stressful.
Great photos, and of course you are a wonderful grandma!! I have never learned to knit. Tried it and failed. I CAN, however, crochet. There just isn't a need for woolen things, down here in Florida...and doilies take too much time and concentration. I have to accomplish things fast, or I lose interest fast! LOL
amazing how one hobby can push others out of the way. :) if i gave up blogging, i could go back to reading, doing crossword puzzles, gee, i could go back to work! :)
Judy, what a gift you have. I don't knit, however my Mom knits up a storm. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, Judy--your knits look so neat and professional. I especially liked the cute cupcake cozy. If you enjoy knitting you should definitely do it again as you are talented. If you don't enjoy it then at least you ahve something nice to show for the time you did devote to it.
I can crochet a little but I never developed any skill in knitting--wish I did! The days seem to pass so quickly--I always feel like I'm catching up. At least we're not bored! :)
Old Bridger what a great dog he was! Love the knitted then and now. That little sheep, oh my goodness I want one ;) I learned to knit a little bit several years ago. Went right from scarves into felted purses. Made both for everyone that I know and the one thing that I always wanted to do was make a yoke patterned cardigan, it shall never happen...I just cannot figure it all out, so I am proud of those who make such lovely things!
The birthday transfer I have done---anything else--SIGH! Beautiful knitting--I see now--you are an artist---with many talents!
Wow! You are so talented! I love that knitted lamb and all of the pretty hats. I always thought crochet was easier but I have to 'be in the mood'. I've been sewing some lately but the days speed by, don't they? Happy Monday! Sweet hugs, Diane
You did a beautiful job on all those knitting projects! I've never learned how to knit but have crocheted a couple scarves and a hat.
I enjoyed this post so much, Judy! I think you accomplished quite a lot! What an inspiration. I'm thinking about my next project... at the moment I just use some yarn remains and make boot cuffs for my daughter, she's always happy about those.
LOL ~ you are like me. I can not knit and watch T.V. or anything. I did made Bobby Jean a felted tote bag. It was a true challenge for me. I liked how it turned out. It was fun to see her using it when we visited.
:-)
I am working on a dish cloth right now, that I started in October. ;-)
What a delightful post, Judy!
Great accomplishment in deed!
Those shoe holders make great storage spacers. I use one in my pantry closet for envelope type foods and love it!
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Blessings, Debbie
Judy, you are very creative.
My mom would approve :)
Me? I know how to crochet Granny Square afghans. Not the kind where you make all those little squares and put them together. I just make one giant Granny Square.
Have a great year and stay warm!
WOW - great job!!! All of these look super warm for the upcoming winter :)
Haaa Haaa, this post made me laugh and I was ready to let you off the hook for the boys sweaters, (ahhhh...remember Danika's quilt?)then I read you did not even put birthdays on your calendar yet! Lol. My friend putting birthdates on the calendar is a very important job, what are you waiting for? Please have them done by May. :)I miss you friend! And your knitting is beautiful, as is everything crafty thing you do!
And forgive the mistakes in my post, haven't had coffee or breakfast yet and I stayed up last night to keep the wood stove going. :)
Some great creations here! I use to knit and I stopped a long time ago...
I do so admire talented folks who can knot such beautiful things like this....
Love the beautiful colors. Your work is beautiful. I really admire knitters. I don't have the patience, but I certainly appreciate what can be done with a needle and yarn. The photo of the dog with the hat is priceless! I love it! Hugs, Nancy
oh I love the dog helmet...what a great idea except my wretched beasts would tear them off each other's heads. your knitting is beautiful...I'm envious.
Oh I hope you do get back into it. I love my little projects. I agree, it isn't exactly relaxing, but I do feel like I have accomplished something when I'm done. :)
Great projects!
~Liz
Hope you do find time to get back to the needles, Judy! You made some really nice stuff. You are so lucky to live kind of close to Darn. Knit. Anyway!
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