Mom's Knitting Room: Shawls

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?!"

Monday, July 9, 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Lost Points Shawl

A work in progress is The Lost Points Shawl. I am using South West Trading Company's Melody Novelty Yarn, taupe color and 100% Bamboo, Chocolate color on circular needles, US #8. This project will probably take me into next year, at the rate I am going, 'going nowhere real fast'.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Shawls - Triangle and Rectangle

The rectangular and triangle shawl are both from Lion Brand's free pattern collections.

The triangle shawl was my very first project after I learned to knit and purl. I used Lion Brand's Trellis Yarn, Ocean Blue color. Used very large needle in order to achieve the airy drape. I did this pattern three times in order to get it 'right'. Not because the pattern was difficult, but because the yarn kept slipping off the needles; the second time I made the shawl, just as I was binding off, two stitches fell off and ran the length of the shawl.

I was 'shell shocked'. But I was on a mission to finish this project and I did!!!

Unfortunately I didn't know about 'wooden' needles and so I used aluminum needles and learned the hard way that needles and yarns really need to be matched or married in order to finish a project. I learn quite quickly there were other needles I could use.

The rectangular shawl was created in Bernat's Matrix Yarn, Copper Wire color. This was my second project and that went really fast once I learned about and discovered the warmth and ease of wooden needles.

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.