One Word Challenge 2017

Here we are at the beginning of another new year. My word last year was "Grow"-- and I did have some success with implementing that in my life.

I not only grew creatively and learned how to knit, but I also grew professionally. More confident in my position, I was able to try some new strategies with my students and I think we both benefited in the end. I grew personally as well, reaching out to people I may not have in the past and forging new relationships that I hope will continue to flourish in the new year.

My word for this year is "Explore". I want to continue my trend of growth from last year and explore even more possibilities. I have a vision for my future and only by being open to exploration and change can I bring it to fruition.

Join me on my journey!

Happy 2017!

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” ― William Shakespeare

Can't believe summer is almost over and I will be back to school next week.  YIKES!

I did have a very productive summer - creativity wise - and I have been improving on my new knitting skills.

The striped blanket was made with a friend's baby in mind-- due Oct. But still pondering how to fix "the error" (see previous post).
So, I made a hat for the baby shower in September... and I can always make another blanket to give for the holiday season instead. We will see how it goes.

I love how the hat came out--- so cute! I knit it flat since I am not confident in knitting in the round yet, and I wanted my stripes to look even. Seamed it up with mattress stitch and it looks pretty good.

 I also started a blanket in grey, ended up using two strands of yarn together since I didn't like using the one strand alone (Sheepish by Bernat). I do like how it looks with the double strands, but I had to order more yarn to finish it. Played around with trying to follow an easy pattern to make ridges... did okay with it, but I see where I miscounted a couple of times and purled instead of knitted (or vice versa). Probably will not try to rip out and fix.... it is nice and cuddly soft even with a couple of little mistakes.

Hmmm... what is next for my needles?!

The Knitter's Dilemma

I am working on my baby striped blanket with varying degrees of frustration. I put in a lifeline in a couple of different places since when I rip out I lose my stitches and end up ripping out more than I need to.
I also found a dropped stitch way back here.... but no "ladder" above it. So I am not sure what I did....

I have stretched it this way and that to see if it will unravel upwards, but it doesn't. So for now I have tied it off and I will see what happens.... after researching online I guess I can just secure it in place. Will keep an eye on it for now.

I also changed my mind on the order of my colors and opted to do the green next, followed by a cream color and finishing with a darker blue. Not sure how I like this.... My yellow ended up darker than I had thought and now with the green..... may end up ripping that out too.

Of course only I would knit a wool blanket in the summertime. HAHA.

Stripes Blanket Update

Been busy with the last few weeks of school so haven't worked on this too much. PLUS I dropped several stitches and still have not quite mastered fixing them, so had to rip out some of the yellow.

The blue section is about 5" before I started the striping and overall it is about 40" wide. Hope to make this crib size-ish.  I love the Knit Picks Swish yarn I am using (super wash merino wool) It is so soft and easy to work with.

Pattern is on the Brown Stitch blog here.

Happy Summer!

Having a Great Week!

I entered a giveaway at Fat Quarter Shop and this is what I won! Sherri McConnell’s Oasis pattern and a jelly roll from her fabric line The Valley!
 SO much fun!

 AND I finished my baby girl blanket. (just have to weave in the ends). I decided to do the pink at both ends instead of transitioning to the grey.  SO cute. It came out 21x21" and next time I think I will make it a bit bigger. So nice and soft.

Off to find something else to knit!

Blanket Update

Only really have time to knit on the weekends.... but the baby girl blanket is looking pretty good so far. I love the stripes!

Almost half way done now.

Busy Learning This Thing Called Knitting

Been busy practicing my new knitting skills! After I finished the little "lovey blanket" I still had some of the Little Trees yarn left over. So I tried a different pattern that didn't have yarn overs.

Bias Blanket by Jennifer Casa  doesn't have yarn overs and has a nice knit stitch edging with stockinette stitch for the body.

I made a small doll blanket, but stitched the edging too tight so it tends to roll up! Guess that will be handy when swaddling a little baby doll. heheh  Like I said, learning as I go!

This little blanket took me about a week or so to finish. I am having fun tracking my projects and progress on my Ravelry page.

Next up, an actual baby sized blanket for a friend.... she really wants a girl so I am starting a heather rose and heather gray blanket using Diagonal Stripey Baby Blanket by Theresa M. Roeder. The yarn is Lion Brand Wool Ease in the rose and gray. Feels soft and squishy so far, and I am trying to be more mindful of my tension in the border area.

Baby is not due till October, so I will have time to make a boy version if need be! But I wanted to keep practicing.

Enjoy the weekend!