New Beginning

The new year has brought some great "New Beginnings".

Things have been going great at work, and as one project ends, another begins.  I'll be moving to another office this week, and can't wait to get started on a new project.

January was also my turn to host my "Book Group".  A great bunch of ladies who meet monthly to discuss some of the latest great reads.

I've been a part of this group for over 10 years, and have enjoyed every minute of it.  This month we read "The Baker's Daughter", a story about a Baker in Germany during World War II, and how his daughter made her way to a little border town in Arizona.

It was a very interesting story, and even included The Baker's recipes for many baked treats.  I didn't have time to practice these recipes for our dinner that night, so I just used some of my trusty recipes for baking hot rolls, cinnamon rolls and orange rolls, to go along with two kinds of soup and salad.  You can see that my dining room is too tiny to accommodate 10 people, so we set up the table in the living room.  The night was a great success!

"Knit Nights" and knitting classes have been going great too.  I've made some fun new friends, and have introduced some very talented ladies to the art of knitting.  I'm sure they are all on their way to becoming fabulous knitters.  We'll be meeting again on Thursday, February 7, to share some Valentine's treats and great conversation.  I hope you can all come!

I purchased a new female alpaca for my husband for Christmas.  Her name is Victoria Cupcake, and she is the prettiest young girl.  We plan to have her bred in the spring, and she is sure to produce a high-grade fleece and some high quality off-spring.  I seem to have misplaced the picture of her, so I'll hope to post a picture of her soon.

The "pillow pads" I made my grandchildren for Christmas, are getting a lot of use.  Although Alivia is little small to fill her's up, I'm sure she'll grow into it eventually.  These girls are watching a new movie  . . .

. . . and were soon taking a nice nap.  Their Mother was certainly glad for a little time to herself.  She has been learning to sew, and made several little "Super Hero" capes for Christmas gifts.

This is "Super Zeke" wearing his on Christmas Eve.

Here is what is on the needles.  Another "Laura Leaves Tank", knit of Fyberspates Scrumptious in Purple.  This yarn was a gift to my daughter, which didn't get finished in time for Christmas.  She was really excited about it, and should be wearing it by Valentine's Day.

This has been a really successful design for me.  Everyone seems to want one, and I can only knit them so fast.  You can get the pattern at:  Ravelry.com

I also started a new design for my husband.  Years ago I knit him a sweater that he has worn and worn.  He loved the shape and feel of the sweater, and has worn in on many hunting trips.  He even tried to drag it out to wear to my company Christmas Party, which didn't make me too happy.

So here is the new version.  It is made of a chain-cable, a mock cable and a column of raised knit stitches, which are knit in the row below.  The color is a charcoal gray, and the yarn is Knitpicks - Andes del Campo (Mystery Heather), 100% Highland Wool.  It is sure to look a lot better at the company Christmas party, and next time I'll be wearing a smile too.

This is the Lotus Baby Blanket I just completed for the baby girl expected by my Son in May.  We can't wait for her to arrive.  My daughter-in-law chose the pattern, and it was really fun to knit.

Although the finished blanket is square, it is knit in-the-round on a circular needle.  Starting with a lotus flower in the center and radiating outward with the flower petals.  I just couldn't resist knitting some little baby booties to go with it.

I couldn't resist knitting a second one in blue.  This one is going to a cute young Mother in my knitting group.  She is expecting a baby boy in March.

Once you figure out the unusual cast-on for this lotus flower, you just want to keep making them . . .  I think I see this flower as the beginnings of cute beret too.  But, that will just have to wait awhile.

Well I guess it is time to get back to knitting.  Happy Knitting . . . . .

Welcome 2013

As the year ends, I am once again . . .so relieved that my Christmas knitting is over.  Every year I say I'm not going to do this to myself, and every year I do it again.  I guess I'm just a "glutten for punishment".  However, I did finish on December 21, so there was plenty of time for enjoying the season.  A lot of sickness this year limited the partying that took place.

In addition to the 24 pairs of felted slippers (seen in a previous post),  I also knit the following:

The "Emery" tank.  This is my latest design and pattern, which was knit for my daughter, Alex.

It was completed back in November, but because it was a Christmas Gift, the pattern was not published until last week.  If you are interested in purchasing the pattern, or just reading more about it, it can be found at: Emery Tank.  It is knit out of my favorite yarn right now, Fyberspates Scrumptious in the color, Cornflower.  Alex was so excited to get it.

Alex was also the recipient of my second "Cabled Embrace".  She loved my green one, and requested this one in a light-heathered gray.

This is such a fun pattern to knit, as it is knit sideways, in two simple pieces, and then seamed up the back.  I was too lazy to do the kitchener's stitch and simply used a 3-needle bind off.  I thought it gave the design a nice finished look.

In addition, I knit my husband a sweater from Bruce Wienstein and Jared Flood's Book, "Knits Men Want".  A fabulous collection of men's knitwear patterns, that like the title indicates, MEN WANT.  It is always a challenge to find knitwear patterns that men actually like.  I've knit several sweaters from this book, and these sweaters are always worn often.  In addition to the great knitting patterns, Bruce talks about why men are so picky about their knitwear. His stories are great!  Bruce is a trained Chef and Jarod a professional photographer, so the pictures are great too.

I started this sweater back in 2007, and as it is knit in Fisherman's Rib and because my husband wears such a large size, it was quickly set aside for Christmas knitting.  I was happy to pick it up again this year, and to actually be able to complete it, although it weighs about 30 lbs. and was a challenge the lug around.  My husband loves it, but I haven't been able to get him to pose for any pictures.  Hopefully, I'll have some to share soon.

I also made 5 of these "Pillow Pads" for my Grandchildren to take to sleep-overs.  I was inspired by Pinterest.

Made from a twin size sheet and 4 standard pillows, they make a great place for the kids to lay when watching TV.

The pads accordian fold and are secured with an attached ribbon, for easy transport to Grandma's house, and since I was able to purchase matching pillowcases, I added a 5th pillow to go along with them.  My daughter and daughter-in-law are talking about making them for use in a tent, when camping.  I think this is a great idea.  When the kids spill on them, they pillows can easily be removed and everything tossed in the washing machine and dryer.  We have already tried this out, since the kids were all sick this year.

Although they did consume some space in the minivan, on the long trip home from Grandma's house.  . . . and yes, that is a bike wedged between the girl's two carseats.  Nola was plumb worn out and was having a much needed nap!

Well Christmas is over, and I have cast on for two new projects.  Another "Laura Leaves Tank", which was given as a gift in the form of two hanks of yarn, and darling little yellow baby blanket for my Grand-daughter, who is due to arrive on May 21.  That will make 6 (4 girls & 2 boys).  Could life be any better?  I'll have pictures of these projects in my next post.

Happy New Year . . . & Happy New Knitting!