Yep, that describes me this week.

I added a ClosetMaid cubby shelving unit to my craft room hoping to continue in its progress.

I did get a couple of teddy bears finished before the state of confusion set in:

The second one is from a book entitled: Knitted Bears: All Dressed Up! (Twenty to Make) . I still have trouble bringing personality to face of the bear.

Oh, and along with my teddy bear fetish, my daughter and her friend Krista came over. Krista had 2 1/2 week old Sebastian with her. While talking a Build-A-Bear bear dressed as a Jedi was spotted on s shelf. We took the outfit off the bear and tried it on the baby (with 2 babw light sabers).

I added several more patterns to my digital library.  You know, it would take several life times to complete all the projects in my possession, but I still add to it and dream.

Maybe one day I will make this. (sigh) Oh well, on to the next project! Until next week,

My grandson and I started having our tea parties when he was 2 years old. Now approaching 8, he still looks forward to our tea time. As a Christmas gift this year I received a clear pot with flowering teas. I can’t wait for our next tea party.

In the meantime, I am considering making some Tea Cozies. What is a Teapot Cozy?  According to CarefreeStore dot com they are sweaters for your teapot, to keep the contents warm. There is nothing worse than your hot tea turning cold during your tea party.

Here is a list of just a few of the tea cozy patterns I have found that I like the best. I thought I’d share them with you. Some are knittted, some crochet. Why not brew yourself a pot of tea and sip while you browse these patterns.

Daisy Teapot Cozy.  This one also has coordinating apron, dish cloth, and place setting. Start now to make the complete set as a Christmas gift next year.

Ridge Tea Cozy. This set includes patterns for 2 different sizes and has ridges to set off its beauty.

Tea for One. This pattern is for a set with the teapot that sits over the teacup.

Granny Tea Cozy. Using the granny stitch, this teapot stays warm.

Coffee – French Press Cozy.  If you are into french press coffee you will like this wrap for your press.

Your Favorite Teapot.  Not all teapots are shaped alike. Ginger Schatz, in her blogspot post, show how to make the right cover for your teapot.

A Little Girls Teaset: Red Heart offers up this cute crocheted playset, including crochet cookies for your little girl and her imaginery tea party.

She faithfully blogs every day and is planning now what daily entry she would make in 2012. She blogs about crochet books and artists. She reviews various yarn and highlights crochet in the news. If crochet is involved, she blogs it. Looking back over her past entries, she has decided in 2012 to photograph what she is wearing each day and how crochet is part of fashion.

I am impressed by this and want to do the same – posting regularly, not offering pictures of myself, I am not photogenic and I have the pictures to prove it.   I need to make a commitment to myself and move forward. Pain has brought a stop to much of what I do, I need a goal to help get back on track.  I may try to make it 52 things and see if I can manage to post once a week faithfully.

Now the question is…. what to focus on for 2012.

Any ideas or suggestions?  What would you like to see?

You still have a few days, and I am sitting here typing instead of knitting those final projects.

A Christmas Muff: these tree decorations can also offer surprise gifts.

Fingerless Gloves and Pedicure Socks: stay warm get a mani/pedi.

Cancer Survivor’s Ribbon Shawl: A project for someone special experiencing the pains of cancer.

Earbud cover: Decorate that plain wired earbud.

Toddler hats and Baby Sweaters: these work up quickly for little ones on your gift giving list.

Loaf Pan Totes:  since making these, I determined cotton would be better than acrylic for the heat.

Towel Toppers and Character Stockings:  These work up quickly and make great gifts.

Cat Hat:  every cat needs a hat.

Toddler Purse:  Little girls need purses too! Here is one I designed for my granddaughter.

Scarves:  Add a pocket to a scarf from these fun patterns.

Looking back I found references to projects I need to finish, projects I wanted to make but haven’t started and even reminders of projects waiting to find a recipient.

And now…..

back to the pedicure sock.

   Merry Christmas and happy stitching.

P.S.  crocheters will enjoy this too

Knitters Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep—he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired–my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don’t circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you’ll work out just fine!

I know this is hard as it’s just your first year
But I’d hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."
I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!

And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s big boots stomping on the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.
The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I’d thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then 2–
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

                             Author unknown

I have finally finished 1 of the 2 pair of Pedicure Socks! Socks without the toe.

I started these socks just after Christmas last year.  My daughter and her friend each handed me 2 skeins of sock yarn along with the Patons pattern, and said “I want this”. 

I have only used double point needles (DPNs) once before, so I resisted. I tried to talk them into a crochet version, but no, they wanted this pair.

I purchased the necessary DPN size 3 needles, and got started. Because DPNs are new to me, I kept getting frustrated and setting these aside. But after 6 months I got the first pair finished. I was so excited. Until I tried it on. The toe bind off was too tight and could not be worn. Bummer!!  Knowing I would have to undo the bind off, pick up the stitches hoping I didn’t drop one, try to get these back onto a needle, work a couple more rows then try a looser bindoff.

I started on the 2nd set of socks but kept putting it aside, thinking of the frustration of the first pair.

Last week I finally picked up the socks and snipped at the bind off, hoping to catch all those small stitches. Remember, this is worked on size 3 needles.  I managed to pick them up, work one row K1,P1 ribbing on these needles, then switched to a size 5 where I did 2 more rows in ribbing then I did a bind off where I knit 2 stitches, slide the 1st over the 2nd and off the needle, then I slipped the remaining stitch off the right needle onto the left needle. Now I repeated the process. This essentially knits the stitch twice.  I learned this method a long time ago, but I cannot find it in an internet search to link to.  The end result is a looser edge for the foot.

(I tried to find this method on the internet to no avail. However, I did learn a number of different ways to bind off and achieve a stretchy affect. Try doing a google search on “loose knitting bind off” and see what I mean.)

I hope to have the 2nd pair ready by Christmas so when the girls are together again they can visit their favorite pedicure place and show off their new socks.

I don’t expect the same problem with the 2nd pair. Both girls handed me Patons Sock Yarn, but this particular yarn is not stretchy. The other sock yarn is stretchy so I should not experience the same problem with the 2nd pair.

I just might make myself a pair when I finish.  I decided while trying these on I really like it.

If you’d like to offer up a handmade gift to someone your list, browse through my store.  If you like what you see but want to customize an item, click on the CONTACT ME tab at the left.  We can discuss your ideas.

To tempt you, here are a few of the items available.

Keep your hands warm while working at your computer or on your latest craft project.

This teddy bear is hand knitted.  She is wearing a knitted sweater and is jointed.   Because of the eyes and nose, this is not intended for children under 3 years of age.

Perfect for a newborn, this blanket and tiny teddy bear are super soft to the touch.

Modeled on a Lee Middleton Doll, this cute sweater and hat set are made for approximately 3-6 months child.  Keep her warm and stylish as the outside temperatures drop.

Are you tempted yet?   No matter.  Let me be the first to wish you a Handmade Merry Christmas.

P.S.  Use coupon code  ‘ Christmas  ‘  at checkout for Free Domestic Shipping through December 15, 2011.

Recently I went for a haircut wearing these:

The receptionist like them so well, she requested a pair.

Then a friend who often works outside in the cold wanted a pair made in a denser yarn.  That turned out like this:

I extended the finger section and the made the wrist section a little longer. I also added a ruffle to the wrist.

You can’t see it clearly in the pictures, but all of the above have clear beads stitched into the glove in a line from the middle finger.  There are many ways to attach beads, for these I string the beads onto my yarn before beginning the project by first put the beads on a long needle.

Then I put the yarn through the eye of the needle.

Once threaded, I slide the beads off the needle onto the yarn.

I keep the beads on the yarn and work the project, pulling up one bead as needed. Then I include the bead in the stitch.  It stays firmly in place and will not fall off.

Today I finished another wristlet.  This one is used in my knitting classes at Michaels where I teach knitting and crochet. This is used to learn the cable stitch.

The prerequisite for the cable class is knowledge of how to knit, purl, increase and decrease.  Check your local Michaels stores if you’d like to learn new stitch patterns or techniques.

ONE project you are particularly proud of:

Despite my love of knitting and crochet, the one project I am most proud of would be sewing my granddaughter’s christening gown, made from my daughter’s wedding gown.

I was terrified to cut up her wedding dress, but she was insistent. “Mom, I don’t want it hanging in a closet somewhere never to be used again.  I want to share it with my daughter. Please cut the dress.”  So, I did.   I used some of the leftover material to make a small purse in which I placed a New Testament Bible.  Today she is 4 years old and carries that purse and bible to church with her.  

For some additional crafting ideas, my daughter bought a display box which she lined with her veil as a backdrop for her wedding invitation and pictures.  It is a beautiful way to display these treasures.

TWO Mistakes You Have Made In The Past:

Though I don’t regret it, I am sure one mistake was not finishing college. I chose the marriage route, and though it failed, the two precious daughters I gained are proof it was no mistake.  I could have probably advanced more in the workplace by finishing college.

Another mistake I learned is knitting related.  I learned about gauge and swatches and  reading the pattern correctly.  You see, I found a pattern for a jacket I like on the Lion Brand website. I did swatch, and tested the gauge and tension. But I failed to follow the instructions carefully. According to the designer I would follow the directions for the Medium size.  Not considering medium was simply a number I thought “I haven’t been a medium since the 7th grade. I am at least an XL”.  And I proceeded to follow the XL instructions.  Both my grandchildren could fit inside the jacket with me when I finished it. From now on, trust the designer!

THREE Things that Make Your Work Unique:

I pray over each item as I make it.

I love to learn. And new stitch patterns or formats are exciting.

I don’t mind being “different” from the crowd.

FOUR Tools You Love to Use:

My Knitting Needles

My Crochet Hooks

A Hot Glue Gun

The Computer

FIVE Inspirations:

Craft websites:  Daily I receive emails and links to great project ideas.  I know I will never be able to make everything I have saved patterns for, but what a way to keep up new ideas.

Nature:  I love fall, when the trees are turning beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange.

Flea Markets: Strolling through the aisles really turns on the creative juices.  I see so many ways to repurpose something and bring new life to an unneeded product making it useful again.

My husband: He is very encouraging and helps me to accomplish more than I ever though possible.

God:  He was the first knitter “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13 says.  And He has continued to guide me, encourage and inspire me to see His handiwork in everything; even my crafts.

We would get out one of my decorative tea pots and make a pot of tea which would be accompanied by a plate of cookies we made together. Then we would sit at the table and share our tea.

I didn’t realize how important this was to my grandson until a family trip to Disney World in Florida on his 4th birthday.

After a day of activity at one of many Disney areas, we stayed to watch the big parade. Before we left the park my daughter was going to look for something in the store so she asked me to take my grandson and let him pick whatever he wanted as his memory item and she handed me some money.

I showed him plush Mickey Mouse characters, toys with Winnie-the-Pooh. He rejected them all.  He pointed to a set of tea cups, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  “I want those for when we have our tea parties grandma.”

I cried right there in the store (and still cry whenever I tell this story).  At 4 years old his favorite memory, even walking through Disney World, was our tea parties.

I have several teapots. I have never made a teapot cover. Thinking of this story I searched and found a number of very cute patterns I am considering.  Here are a few with the usual disclaimer: use your own discretion when viewing any website.  I will never intentionally send you to an inappropriate page.  I have no control over what other people put on their web pages.

Pumpkin Tea Cozy (knitted on straight needles)

Rosy Cozy (crochet)

Cupcake Teacosy  (crochet)

Cabled Tea Cosy (knit on straight needles)

Elephant Tea Cozy (crochet)

I think it’s time to sit down with a cup of tea and some yarn.  Until the next stitch….