Look what I got in the mail today! I had been looking for some time for bag that I could use for my knitting projects when I travel when I came across persnickety knits on Etsy. Can you say fabu!? Its the perfect size for medium projects like gloves, hats, wraps, or scarves. Throw in your knitting and tools and you´re ready to go out the door. No muss, no fuss: beats a Ziploc any day! Its so cute, I think that it could double as a clutch. Its got a ton of pockets to keep my stuff organized, an elastic loop to keep my needles in order, and little hook to hold my yarn, scissors, or stitch counter. Now I won’t be fumbling with everything in the car or on the plane. I love it so much, I might have to get another one in the larger size for big projects . . .

I also got a new pair of earrings from Sulu Designs. Behold the Ice Cube Earrings:

Mom requested a while back for me to knit her a pair of slippers, like the ones our neighbor used to make for us. After a bit of searching on Raverly, I was able to find a pattern that looked like the ones I remembered. I decided to use this lovely grey wool blend, I thought that it looked cozy and would feel good on the ol’ tootsies. I then decided to add some pom poms to dress them up a bit. I made them in a cream color, since I had some left over from another project, plus I thought it would look rich against the grey. The pattern was easy peasy. I could see making these again, it would be fun to see the color combos I could come up with next time!

Another knitting project completed! I purchases some beautiful sock yarn from the local yarn store (LYS) and since I haven’t worked up the courage to try a pair of socks, I decided to use it to make a lightweight cowl/neck warmer for the Spring. I love the cowl/neck warmer idea, sometimes a scarf is too bulky or gets bunchy under a coat. This solves that problem while still keeping you neck covered. Plus using this lighter weight yarn, I feel that it could transition inside as well as out. I found the pattern in the book Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. This was such an easy-peasy project -It’s basically just a knitted tube- something that I worked on in the evenings while watching TV or when we were in the car driving down to see my parents. Done on circular needles, it is just knit, knit, knit until you get the desired length, then bind off and you’re done. I will definitely use this pattern again. I can’t wait to try it with some snuggly yarn for fall/winter!

Super Duper Yeah! I finally got the call yesterday that my Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needle Kit has finally arrived at my local yarn store! I ordered this lovely almost a month ago! For those not in the know, in this amazing little kit (about the size of a hardcover book) you get 10 needle tips from sizes US5 to 15, 6 lengths of cord from 5 to 19” inches, 4 end buttons and 2 connectors. This allows me to create any size/length circular needle I need! You join various lengths of cord to get just the length you want; leave your work on any cord, twist off the knitting tips and twist on the end buttons and your work is safely held until you need it! I can’t wait to start a project on these. Now I just need to go to Ravelry and find a pattern, then it is off to the yarn store. Too bad, I can’t actually use them right away, with my bum thumb and all.

I have really taken off with the knitting. I really enjoy doing it while watching TV in the evening. It is relaxing, yet productive at the same time. Now I can make awesome items for myself and the people I love while enjoying LOST or Project Runway. Plus it makes me feel a little less guilty about watching some trashy TV ;0)

Adding another level to the addiction, I have joined Raverly, an online community for knitting and crochet. The site allows you to search for patterns, track your progress on current projects, organize your yarn and needles, and lets you queue up projects you’d like to work on in the future. There are also forums where you can get advice, something I really look to since I have no real resources here other than nice people at the yarn store. I just finished this easy pattern for dish clothes. I whipped them up in a few nights and will be giving them to my mom for Mother’s Day!

Hazzah!! I made a hat! I used the additional yarn I had from the scarf project to make a matching hat. Pretty happy with how it turned out. Although, I am thinking of making a bigger pom pom for the top. I still have some left over yarn, so I am going to attempt to make some mittens next!

NOTE: I must admit that the hat and mitten patterns are for straight needles and are sown up with a seam. Once I get the hang of things, I will attempt the circular knitting method where you knit in the round and no seams are needed.

As I said a few weeks ago, I have taken up the needles and started knitting. My first attempt was a scarf. It was a learning project, so it turned out okay, but I felt that now I have the hang of it, I should attempt it again, but this time with better yarn and an actual pattern. . . and here it is! I apologize for the picture since the color is a bit off. It is more of an oceany blue that the sky blue in the photo. I couldn’t be more happy on how it turned out.

I am now going raise the difficulty level and attempt to make a matching hat for it. I have a pattern for one that uses straight needles, since I am not quite ready to try the circular ones yet. Wish me luck! I’ll post a picture of it when I am done.

So, one of my 101 things was to learn how to knit. This is something that I have been wanting to do for a very long time, but I was rather intimidated by it. Luckily, I have a good friend that talked me into trying it out. So, needles in hand, I made the attempt. I struggled for a bit, but after some help from You Tube, I was able to figure it out! I am proud to announce that I just finished my first project: a scarf. (What did you expect, a sweater?)

I am now officially hooked on knitting. I love it! It is really great to do while watching tv or listening to music, plus there is such a sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing a project. That “I made this!” moment. I am already looking for another project to do and can’t wait to go check out my local knitting store. Hurray!