Now to have a little fun knitting…

It’s time to pull out some of that really really nice yarn and work on a few Christmas gifts for friends.  No agenda of gifts to knit, I will knit what I want, and randomly gift people with handknitted items.  I had some light gray Cascade chunky alpaca yarn that was super soft.  I decided that it was going to be a scarf and started looking for patterns.  I found a great pattern online for called the “show-off scarf” that was so easy, even a brand new beginner knitted could do it.  I moved up to size 10 needles, and with the chunky alpaca yarn it was perfect.

I am not a big fan of knitting scarves, I get bored easily and the end up feeling like torture.  This scarf only took about two nights of knitting.  I worked up very quickly, and I had enough yarn left to make a hat.

I’ve started a new scarf with Highlander Alpaca with a Twist.  I increased the stitch count to 24.  Of course by the time I have finished with this scarf I will be bored with this pattern, but if you need a scarf that knits up quickly, you might want to give this one a try.

I went to the library today to track down some Christmas type crafty ideas.  I found a few things, but nothing earth shattering.  I may need to look through the books I already have, or maybe a Google search.  I’m thinking some sort of super cute ornament.  Sooner or later something will call my name.

 

 

Mission Accomplished…

I set a goal to knit 10 pairs of slippers/socks for one of my Hospice groups.  They wanted to give their patients something special during the holidays.  I did my best to use washable yarn, so the slippers/socks are all washable and easy care. They are a variety of sizes, and I hope the recipients feel the warmth and the love knitted into them.

Me? I’m just glad to be done knitting slippers.  I did do a pair of waffly looking socks there on the left that was a fun pattern with no heel that might be a thought for some knitted Christmas projects for friends.  If I have time, and if I feel like it.  No worries, and no deadlines.   If I get things made, I do, if I don’t the recipient’s will have no clue that they missed out on anything.

Ohhhh soft chunky gray baby alpaca it felt nice to pull you out and think about your possibilities.  I have two very nice skeins of yarn from Brooks Farms Yarn that are beautiful, and will make great scarves and hats for two special Texas men in my life.  More than likely I’ll do a very simple pattern, this yarn speaks for itself no matter what I’ve used it for in the past.  It’s fun to knit with, and makes it worth suffering through a very long scarf project.

Any great, simple, manly scarf patterns that you think might work?

Today’s thought….What are you thankful for?  A friend put down the challenge that from now until Thanksgiving to come up with one thing to be thankful for every day.   I think I should have started this long before Thanksgiving, I think I have a great life, and I am thankful for so much.  Today it was the surprise card I got in the mail from my friend David in St. Louis.  A few days ago I had a 2010 calendar in the mail from my friend Susan the Red Dirt Knitter.  I am in awe at times at how lucky I am to have so many special people a part of my world.

Can you meet the challenge? One thing to be thankful for every day between now and Thanksgiving? How about from now until NEXT Thanksgiving?

All this and she is crafty too?

I decided it was time for a change.  A few years ago I started my Wandering Cyberspace from the Cornfields blog.  I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I don’t live in the cornfields anymore, I live in Texas.  So, I’ve decided to start transitioning my crafty type stuff to this blog.

Right now I’m up to my elbows in slipper knitting for one Hospice group.  I have promised ten pairs of slippers by early December.  As of right now I have 8 1/2 pairs made.  They are a variety of patterns, and when I am finished with them I will post photos.  I’m sure that their patients will appreciate my handknitted efforts.

I’m also working on a scrapbook of bereavement cards for Hospice number two.  A few weeks ago they gave me a stack of cards, an empty scrapbook and some paper to put into the pages.  I had no clue how to put this all together, but seemed to come up with something that pleased them.  It was a challenge, and I figured anything was an improvement over the folder they were all stuck in before I got them.  I’ll make a trip to JoAnn’s tomorrow to get some more printed paper sheets and etc. to do the new pages.  It looks like there are some letters this time, that will give me a new challenge.

I’m starting to think about making Christmas ornaments and Christmas gifts…

..any ideas? great patterns?

Ann