Mom's Knitting Room: 6/8/08

Welcome To Mom's Knitting Room

Welcome to my blog page. My site will update from time to time. You may on occasion see items rearranged or removed. So don't think you're going "crazy". I am still learning to navigate within the blog world.

My knitting experiences have been very slight. I have only been knitting about four years. Learning the "ropes" and "ins and outs" of knitting from my mom who has been knitting for over 50 years. I have had the privilege of having many talented women and men teach me their "tricks of the trade". They have been generous and patient with me as I learn this craft.

You might wonder why its taken so long for me to catch the "bug" of knitting, but until recently it occurred to me that this long lived art would die with my mom as she is the only one of three siblings who can knit and crochet. So in order to keep the tradition alive and hopefully pass this on to future generations in our family, I ventured out on this new journey and chapter in my life.

There are many knitters out there so willing to help "newbies" along this expedition of knitting. Along the way, I have been able to impart some new techniques, skills and information to my 80 year old mom. I've been able to introduce her to fabulous fibers as well. . . . .

Who said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!"

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Baby Bobble Hat - Pattern by Debbie Bliss

This hat I will never do again!!! I found that working 80 stitches on a 16" circular needle was a little difficult not to mention that making 'bobbles' was no easy task. The instructions were excellently written out, but the maneuvering was not an enjoyable task. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in natural on US #6 -16" circular needles. I tried using 12" circular needles, not enough space to maneuver the existing stitches. I switched over to DPNs, but the needles seemed to be too heavy for such a delicate yarn and created ladders throughout. In addition to the difficult task of working a small amount of stitches on a circular needle, this particular batch or ball of yarn arrived with several "KNOTS". Something I had not encountered while ever using this yarn before. The finished product was very pretty despite all the hankerings with needles and knots!!!

More Socks??

Well, yes, more socks!! I love knitting socks and I love this Retro Anklet sock pattern found in the book Socks, Socks, Socks, page 10. I used Colinette's Jitterbug yarn, Jewel colorway, with US #2 needles. I know the socks look like they have no shape, but they fit beautifully. The colorway is such a happy color and I thoroughly enjoyed working with this yarn. Colinette never seems to disappoint me!!!

Pretty Lacy Wristwarmers - Pattern by PurlSoho

These wristwarmers were knitted with Alpaca & Silk by Blue Sky Alpacas, US #6 needle and using a free pattern by PurlSoho. The first wristwarmer came out pretty good!! The second one will have to be redone as the cuff and wrist slit were not identical. The pattern was not wonderfully written out for this beginner, and I am sure that advanced knitters would have no problem with the written pattern. The lace pattern is really pretty and the yarn makes it that much more luscious. . .

Cats and Dogs

I am quite blessed to have a husband who indulges me to no end. Our dog rescued a tabby cat with three kittens, all grown at this point. There were three females and one male, but the male cat ran away. The others have stayed. We have been successful in domesticating one of the three kittens, pictured below named Scratcher, plus the mother cat. We managed to spay all three female cats (Mommy Cat, Scratcher Face and White Face) and care for them daily. Two live with us while the third one (White Face) refuses to be housebroken. Doesn't matter to us, we still care for her and look for her daily to be sure she is safe and sound. We have a doghouse outside under our balconey so she is sheltered from the snow, rain and sleet. During the winter months we use a heating bowl for her water and put lots of blankies in her doghouse so she stays warm and dry.