Look at me!  I'm selling my knitting at Dan's Pies!  My brother-in-law is Dan, and his pies are the best!  If you find yourself in Northern Indiana stop by the shop on Backwater Road, North Webster, IN.

Simple Mug Cozy

Been absent from my blog for awhile.  Busy year of teaching a 3rd/4th grade class of 30+ students.  Good year but I worked constantly with very little time for any of my pleasures...like knitting.  I've been knitting so much this summer that I have to wear wrist support.  I also just finished a book for pleasure!!!!

Looking back over my posts I noticed that someone requested the pattern for the simple mug cozy.  So here it is!  Simple Mug Cozy

2012 Super Bowl Scarf

After searching, and knitting, and tinking and frogging, (click on "tinking and frogging" to find out what that means), I finally came up with a pattern for my 2012 Super Bowl Scarf.  It uses garter, stockinette, and the chain stitch.  I have 5 inches completed of the required 76-100 inches.  Even though I don't like ice storms...having one here in Indiana gave me 3 days off teaching to concentrate on knitting, (In between grading papers and having fun with my children!).

If you want to join the fun and knit a scarf for a Super Bowl volunteer see my earlier blog on where to find specific instructions for knitting a scarf.  Not a lot of time?  Knit up an easy garter stitch scarf.

The Eyelet Square Dishcloth

Isn't this the prettiest little dish/face cloth you have ever seen?  Hate to mess it up.  The pattern was sent through my Knitting Daily email and is from the book, 150 Knit & Crochet Motifs.  If you want to receive emails that have great knitting tips and knitting "eye candy"  subscribe by going to this link:  http://www.knittingdaily.com/.

Trapeze Jacket

I am so excited with my finished Trapeze Jacket!  It is very warm.  Now my sisters both want one.  You can find the pattern in the book GlamKnits by Stefanie Japel.  This is a top-down knit that is pretty quick and easy.  It uses a "Fishtail" knitting pattern.

Christmas Star!

This cute little star ornament is by Nanette Blanchard (http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/2004/12/super-stars-i-like-knitting-stars-but.html).  Super quick to knit!  Perfect snowy day project.

Yarn Rack

Found this wine rack at a garage sale and thought it would make a great yarn holder.  Probably saw the idea somewhere but not sure.  See the little piece of pottery?  It is from Italy and was another garage sale find.

Fingerless Mitten for Katie

Here is the fingerless mitten for my daughter Katie.  Again my own pattern.  She thinks that the orange around the wrist looks like owls.  I have to agree.

Fingerless Mitten

Here is my own pattern for a fingerless mitten.  It was done on 8 inch circular needles for my 6 year old son.The stitches are Rib, Irish Moss and Stockinette.  Will work on writing the pattern.

Organization

Thought I would show you how I am slowly organizing my knitting projects and yarn.  I have further dreams but that will take time and money.  Currently I have 5 knitting projects in the works:  1.  Cardigan for me  2.  Sweater for my daughter  3.  Gloves for my dad  4.  Camisole for me and  5.  Scarf for the Indy Super Bowl scarf initiative.  I needed a way to keep everything organized for quick pick-up and knit.  I went to JoAnn Fabrics and found handled baskets on sale.  They are the perfect size for my shelf.  I also have collected baskets over the years and have set those up on a chest to keep extra yarn for this and that.  Then there is the all important knitting spot to sit and knit.  It's one end of the couch with my grandmother's old foot stool and my basket of notions close at hand...oh and of course my iphone.

Playground Mittens

I finished my first pair of mittens.  The pattern is by Crossroad Knits and can be found at http://crossroadknits.blogspot.com/2007/01/playground-mittens.html.  Forgive the imperfections.  This project was done in starts and stops due to a very busy schedule, but hey...they are going to get all dirty on the playground so who cares!

Knitted Heart

After lots of tries and research I have finally created a knitted heart pattern that I feel is symetrical and pretty.  I've written the pattern down to share.  Go to my Google Docs:  https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2aMsOdFVR9CY2Y0NGQxMjYtMDhlYy00ODRiLThjYzEtYmQyZTQ1MTkxNGFj&hl=en  You will notice that there is a website address for www.knitandswurl.com at the bottom of the pattern.  That is because my husband is helping me launch my own site!  Still working on a logo and creating the content so there is really nothing there yet.  Be watching for an announcement!

SUPER SCARVES UNITE!

Indianapolis will be the site for the 2012 Super Bowl.  There is a community initiative to knit 8,000 scarves for the volunteers to wear and of course I am going to join in the knitting fun!  For information about how you can make a scarf go to www.our2012sb.com.  You have to use a specific yarn and make it a certain width/length.  Here is a great site for free scarf patterns:  http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/scarves.php.  Happy knitting!

4-Ply Sideways Gloves

I finished my first pair of gloves.  I made them for my husband and they are a perfect fit.  The pattern is from Shara Lambeth Designs and is called, "4-Ply Sideways Gloves".  Not as hard as they look.  Here is the link--  http://sharalambethdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/10/4-ply-sideways-gloves-knitting-pattern.html

One side done!

I am making progress on my cardigan sweater.  The left side is done.  With Christmas coming up I need to stop on the sweater and make some small holiday gifts for some of my co-workers.  I think I will make mug warmers for them.

My Next Sweater

I need more time!!!  I have so many sweaters that I want to knit but not enough time.  Here is my next project.  This pattern was purched at sweaterbabe.com.  Found Lion Brand Jiffy mohair look yarn on sale at JoAnn's.  It can be washed and dried--100% acrylic.  Very fast to knit because the pattern is easy and the yarn is bulky.

My First Sweater for ME!!

I finished this adorable sweater for me!  It is a knit down pattern that is in the July 2009 "Creative Knitting"  magazine.  Name of the sweater is "Lacy Ribbed Top" by Kristin Omdahl.  I'm thinking I may extend the arms on this sweater to 3/4 long.

Knitted Card Holder

I really have been knitting LOTS since my last blog. Ok. I ripped out the sweater that I was making for my daughter because she grew up on me. She is almost as tall as me and turning into a teen body. Over the summer I knitted a glove and several baby sweaters. Recently I created a card holder for my purse. Yes. My first original pattern! I am working to write it out. When I have it written I will share. My other project is a sweater for myself. I am over halfway done with it.

The Start!

Here is the start of the sweater I am making for Katie. The yarn is made of a bamboo and acrylic blend. It is so silky soft!

Daniel's Vest

Well I finally finished Daniel's vest. I stopped and started so much that it is not as neatly done as I had hoped. He is thrilled with it and that is what matters. It was made with love!! I have trouble picking up stitches evenly along an angled edge.

You can find this pattern called "Knit Kid's Vest" at http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/BabyChild/LW1565+Knit+Kids+Vests.htm.

Quickie Baby Sweater

Is this not the cutest little sweater?! It took me about 5 hours to complete. Very simple pattern (http://d-made.com/knitting/patterns/Quickie_Baby_Sweater.pdf). I am so proud of the neatness of the inside of the sweater as shown in one of the pictures. Can't wait to give this as a gift.

Nose Warmer!

I took this picture of myself wearing my nose warmer. It was so easy to make-- though I love it more than my kids do. They will want one when we get enough snow for sledding. Boy do I remember fun days of sledding or ice skating that I could of used one of these.

I used a pattern by Amy R. Singer (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTnosewarmer.html). Not sure it came out like her nose warmer but I still like it.

Dishcloth: Round and Square

Ok. Since I have been on Christmas vacation I have been knitting up a storm. My right hand is now swollen and hurts. I am forced to take a break. Booooooo! Before quitting I made 2 more dish cloths. The round one looks much better than my first yellow round one (http://www.mielkesfarm.com/dishclth.htm). I used size 10 needles instead of 8 and sewed the seam up correctly this time.  Here is the site for the square one:  http://majorknitter.typepad.com/photos/patterns/dishrag_and_magazine_photo.html.

Found out that my husband's cousin Sarah is going to have another baby!!! I must get busy on a girl sweater and booties and a boy sweater and booties since I don't know if it will be a girl or boy. She is due in August so I have time.

So much knitting to do and so little time!

Dishcloth Madness

I made 6 easy dishcloths for my office co-workers. I finished the last one the night before the last day of school. Now I am busy making them for Christmas stocking stuffers for my family.

Made my first round dishcloth and love it except for where I sewed the seam. I tried to graft it and it is so noticeable. Oh well. I will do it differently the next time.

Baby Kimono Sweater!

Here is the baby kimono sweater. The most challenging part was picking up the stitches around the neck side. It was hard to keep them looking even. The pattern is from the book shown above. This book has many cute baby knits. The best part is that I found it at Halfprice Bookstore. I am currently working on a vest sweater for Daniel. I have the back completed and almost have the front done. There is a problem with the front that I am trying to figure out. I may have to pull it out and start the front over. Ugh.

Raglan Baby Sweater

My first sweater is done! I can't believe I did it. Sewing in the arms was the hardest part. Can't wait to start sweater number 2. It is going to be a baby kimono. Stay tuned!
Raglan Baby Sweater by Joanne Hinmon:  http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babysweragcard2.htm

Sweater Pieces Done

All of the pieces to the baby sweater are completed and pressed. I was so excited that I took these pictures before they were completely dry. Just a little nervous to start sewing the pieces together. I will post a picture as soon as it is complete.