Mohair or Abbie Hair? First Crochet Blanket!

I try to challenge myself to learn something new every now and again.

Well, yesterday I was watching a You Tube on basic crochet and the single crochet stitch. Then some stash busting for a blanket commenced.

I lost count of how many chain stitches I started but it's going to be rather large. All single crochet. Just like knitting and cross stitch, this is rhythmic, almost zen-like. 

It feels good to look through and put colors together from my huge yarn stash of acrylic DK weight.
I don't have but a couple of hooks and used them solely for fixing my knitting but had the right size for DK weight so this happened.

Using one of my favorite pillows for color inspiration...........

and a very large basket my mother gave me, I have a new blanket started.

Wide enough to go across a twin bed probably.

Just winging it.

There is also an added colorway called Abbie Hair, not mohair but very, very similar.

Hope you are having a zen-like day too!

Twisted Tuesday--new knitting project and old/new cross stitch pattern

The foot is getting much better, thankfully! Woke up last night with it hurting but wrapping it during the day helps a bunch. Mr. Darcy's sweet love helps too. 

While NOT doing housework and such at the homestead yesterday ((((sigh)))), I knitted up a small journal cover. There is a great pattern in a book called Simple Knitting: A complete how-to-knit workshop with 20 projects  by Erika Knight. This book is from Joanne's Fabrics store.

 I got it back a few months ago when I SO wanted to learn how to knit. Along with U tubes, both have been helpful.

page 75 is number 4 lesson Notebook. 

So this is the end result and should be fairly easy going now. I will get some leather tie and sew a button on. I plan to cut up some rough paper, probably from a grocery bag and punch holes in it to put in the binder.

Then I'll show pics later of it finished out. So far one small notebook done and the next working on it. I have a couple of people I would like to give these to for Valentines Day.

Using # 9 Bates aluminum needles with Lion's Brand Mixed Berries. It's really a pretty yarn but I have to say it's tweedy texture didn't really have any "give" to it and it split quite a bit.

Got to sew a button on it, get some leather string, find a grocery bag to cut up rough papers yet to go. I've also thought about using some lace instead, as this if for Valentines.

And on to the second one.

Knitting really has been enjoyable, productive and anxiety-reducing all in one.

Anybody heard of this sampler maker?    This is a package with DMC floss, and the 26 ct natural linen, and chart for a gorgeous sampler with one of my favorite Bible verses. I think it was put out in the 80's.

It's a band sampler.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

I don't know when I will start this but I just had to show you. I had not heard of this designer before. If you have or know of other patterns, let me know!

This pattern is very little to see. I will have to use magnifier to read it; however,

the address and name on the pattern is:

Words of Praise

2 Alexis Drive

Richmond, Virginia 23231

Whoever is the designer, did a great job and the work is so meaningful.THANK YOU!

The colors are PERFECT for our family room!

The natural, unbleached linen in 26 ct will be perfect for my vision as well.

Well, I guess I've started enough projects for who knows when to finish.

The Downton Abbey episode was so SAD this past Sunday night. Of all people, Sybil. {{{frown}}}

 We can't wait to see the next one though.

I haven't much progress to show on my spot sampler for DA but when the mood strikes I'll pick it up again.

Right now I have a bit of stitcher's ADD.

Seriously.

Is it the Winter time?

the variety of crafts we all have in stash?

Whatever it is, it keeps me going!

As the verse says~~Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Carry-on and stay strong!

Love to all,

Jennifer

My first knitting project!!

I've been wanting to learn how to knit for 3 years. I took a class in person at a local yarn shop and in looking back figured they really just wanted to sell yarn. I got the best beginner's class on sale at Craftsy.com. She knitted in the Continental method and I kept adding a stitch at the end of each row.

I then learned that if I used contrasting needles to yarn color and use bigger chunky yarn and needes I would be able to see my mistakes.

 

So here I go to Michaels to get chunky yarn and chunky needles. This I did last night and DID find how I was counting wrong on each row.

I cast on 20 stitches. Casting is fun to me. Then I'm just knitting every row to get this stitch down pat and then another project will purl, another to put the two together.

This scarf is in lambswool yarn and very soft, at the same time, very masculine with the colors.

Mr. Darcy's birthday is coming up soon and it's for him. He already knows it as he watched me last night.    

 

I love the flecks of green in this brown scarf. With the aide of a book on knitting and answers to correct mistakes I am learning!!!! AND I stitched up until bedtime of which I almost fell over asleep as it has an hypnotic quality about the repetitive process.

I finally learned that the English method was best for me.

 

Isn't it great that learning is a lifetime process?

 

I figure knitting a piece is functional and learning. Learning to fix mistakes. These are mistakes we can fix and that makes it all the better in a world of mistakes we cannot fix.

I hope you are enjoying your day and know that in 1 week Christmas is here!!!

 

I have a few packages to wrap. This year due to the economy, is slim fittings but the spirit of Christmas will remain with me forever.

The tree is up, a small slender 7 foot. I'll show you pics later. I got it for little of nothing at a local store and had been looking for a very narrow tree, frazier fur for a long time. I did a happy dance in the store when I saw the slim 7 footer and the low price.

More pics to come as it's prettiest at night.

 

Hands to work,

Jennifer