I LOVE Weaving!

I have found my new love. There is something soothing about the back and forth action of moving the shuttle through the shed and watching patterns and textures develop. The warp is a little scary because I've had an unfortunate incident when it popped off the rod.

But when it starts to fill, it can be beautiful.

And then you begin passing the shuttle through the shed and the weft begins to develop and the pattern becomes visible. (How is that for some weaving vocabulary!)

But what I really love, is the scarf when it is all finished with its twisted fringe and is ready to be gifted.

Immediate Gratification

Sometimes you just need to make something that will work up quickly and provide you with the immediate gratification of an easy project. I love cables but they take more time than something like a 4X4 ribbed stitch. We (Stacy and myself) just needed the ribbed stitch. However, it isn't just for easy projects and it really is great depending on your desired goal. One of the things that makes the ribbed stitch work is its stretchiness and stitch definition. You can use a variety of yarns and show off variegated patterns, hand dyed or even solids. You can use a variety of weights and colors depending on your overall purpose. I am using some RedHeart Mystic that I got on sale last year when Joann's had their summer clearance on yarns. The hat is already finished and the scarf will be completed today. Sometimes you just need immediate gratification!

13 Hat and Scarf Sets

Stacy and I have a plan - which is always a little dangerous.

This past summer we had a plan to complete all of our Christmas gifts early and we were on a great roll. The problem is when you decide to make one thing, you find something else to complement it and so you need to make an additional item. We decided on embroidered towels and knitted dishcloths and then that let to matching coasters and then that led to ..... Well, you get the point. We had great ideas. Unfortunately, we rarely had the time to complete all we had planned.

This year we have decided to make hat and scarf sets but with no particular person in mind. This way we can try new skills and play with whatever yarn we are inclined to at the moment. We don't have to worry about having enough for each person because really we don't know who we are giving them to. If we have enough for all the sisters and nieces, then that's who gets them. If we only have enough for a few girlfriends, then that's who gets them. I like this idea of making something and then deciding who we will give them to. One down and twelve to go!

Will you be one of the happy recipients?

Officially a Weaver!

I am so excited about my new craft/hobby/passion. For Christmas I was blessed with a Kromski rigid heddle weaving loom and I can't wait to begin making gifts. I wanted to make rugs but was told by some more experienced weavers that might not be my best choice for a rigid heddle loom but I'm not completely giving up on the idea. For now, I'll be weaving kitchen towels. Everyone beware. If my production matches my enthusiasm, friends and family alike will be getting them for Christmas!

Because I'm quite the beginner, I needed a little help to get started. Craftsy was having a sale on classes and I couldn't pass it up. For $10 I downloaded a video with instructions and worksheets that I keep watching over and over. I think I've watched it so much I think even Jason can quote it and do some weaving of his own. What do you think of my progress?

This is prior to washing but they still look nice after they've been washed. I'm just not sure if I should wash them before giving them as gifts. Actually, I do need to wash them first but need to figure out how to maintain that fresh, new look.  Woohoo, another hobby!

Wipe it Clean in 2013!

I'm all about a clean slate. Starting fresh, new start Mondays, beginning afresh! Our pastor is beginning a new series this week titled Clean Slate and I adopted it as my own motto for starting the new year.

Although I didn't get every project completed before starting the new year, the yellow garter stitch baby blanket is finished and I'm ready to begin another. I really like the way they look and it makes for wonderful, mindless knitting. Plus, there is always someone having a baby and I can list them on my Etsy shop for others to enjoy!

So, I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year and I have come up with my 13 of 13 Knitting Goals for 2013 and they are as follows:

1. 13 hats - I think this is the first one I want to complete but we'll see what I really end up doing. I think the yarn is what makes it so pretty and I may not like it as well if I don't choose my yarn wisely. I also like this hat because it has that unisex look to it and I can decide after knitting who it may go to.
2. 13 scarves
3. 13 mittens/gloves
4. 13 socks - I have a great pattern idea for Stacy and I to work on Christmas gifts this year. I'm going to share it with her tonight and see what she thinks!
5. 13 dishcloths- mostly I like knitting these and found that several of my family members also like receiving them which makes for a perfect combination.
6. 13 ornaments - I think I want a tree with all knitted ornaments. It may just be a small tree at first but I'd like to at least begin. I think these may also be a good idea for tags on presents.
7. 13 rows in my sock blankie. There are four diagonal rows all the way across with the exception of the ends.
8. 13 baby booties
9. 13 baby hats
10. 13 charity items - these might be for GAGE or for another charity. I'm actually thinking about getting involved in the ministry at my church which may or may not involve knitting for infants.
11. 13 baskets
12. 13 cup cozies
13. 13 random items

I'll keep you posted on how things come along. What are your goals for this year? Be sure to make some that include knitting!

New Year's Eve

We are on the verge of a new year, anticipating good things with our list of hopes and goals in hand and ready to begin checking them off. I wanted to complete all current projects and ring in the new year fresh while already dreaming of new projects to conquer. But time has a way of taking over and we, meaning me, seldom accomplish everything we set our hearts to complete. I wanted to finish the yellow knitted baby blanket before tomorrow but I got sidetracked by quilting. But I'm pleased with what I did accomplish and after 12 hours of top stitching I'm almost done with four quilts. All I have left to do is the binding. There is still hope and plenty of daylight and we don't have plans for this evening so I just might finish the knitted blanket after all!

Tomorrow will be a day of fresh starts and new beginnings. However, I am thankful for all this year has brought. Family is being restored and God is blessing us with adult relationships once thought lost. I look forward to all that God has for us in 2013!

The socks are finished!

I only have one Harry Potter movie to go but I did finish the socks. Do you know that socks play an important role in Harry Potter? Socks represent freedom from slavery and a life of servitude. At least they do for the house elf, Dobby. I was hoping to finish yesterday but my fingers weren't moving as quickly as my mind willed them and I ran out of time. Personally, I think there is a sense of freedom in knitting socks because most often when one is knitting handmade socks they are not from some serviceable yarn but rather something luxurious and luscious to the touch. This year I hope to knit more of them and find a really nice pair of shoes with which to wear them.

Today, I wrapped the warp on my new loom and did exactly what the instruction said NOT to do and nearly lost it all on the floor! I've watched videos, read instruction, practiced, and now I think I'm ready to go. All I'm waiting on is my 8 dent heddle that I ordered from KnitPicks because I didn't know you needed a bigger size for cotton yarn.

The next item to finish on my list is the infinity scarf I didn't complete before Christmas. I want to finish it before returning to school so I can wear it on the first day back. Tomorrow I may begin working with a Twilight marathon. The knitting seems appropriate - a sparkling silver gray scarf and blood red sweater!