Pretty Vest

Aleita Shell, designed by Bonne Marie Burns, Interweave Knits Spring 2008

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport, Serano

I love this pattern! The body is knitted in the round and the shoulders are the only seams. So easy and quick to make.

There aren’t many changes I would make.

1) I would take out the waist shaping. The shell looks alright on, but at my age I just don’t have a waist to shape a sweater to.

2) I would make it longer. My belly, which has been pregnant a few times, has a tendency to hang out with these short sweaters. Wearing something underneath helps, but I feel sloppy having my shirt tail out. That feeling I am sure is a result of upbringing.

3) I would use a different yarn. Knit Picks has always been my yarn of choice, but this time I was a little disappointed. They yarn had knots and splices all through it – all six skeins. I do love the color and I’m not giving up on Knit Picks; I will probably just not use Shine for a sweater.

My next project is a pair of socks. I tried an intricate lace and cable toe-up sock pattern that just didn’t work for me. The foot fit wonderfully so I went ahead and knit the heel and halfway up the leg. When I tried the sock on again, I couldn’t get it over my ankle. I’m sure I did something wrong as this is my second attempt at the toe-up socks. My first pair was also tight but wearable. Last night was spent frogging then casting on for traditional cuff-down socks. I’ll try toe-up again when I can find a class.

Go Colts!

It's Cold Outside!

Lacy Hooded Scarf, designed by Jodi Snyder, Cast On August – October 2009.

Warm Stripings Glove-Mittens, designed by Christine L. Walter, Creative Knitting January 2008.

I finished this project just in time. The weather widget on my computer says it is a whole 9 degrees outside!

These patterns were very easy and made from KnitPicks Andean Silk in Hyacinth. I absolutely love this yarn! It is a blend of superfine alpaca, silk, and merino wool. So soft and warm. One thing to keep in mind with this yarn is that my stitch gauge was a bit loser than normal. That's alright; I can fold back the border on the hood and have even more warmth. Hmmm… I foresee presents of Christmas future.

For 2010 I decided to purge some of my patterns. It was a week long project full of, “Do I really need this?” It was tough, and I had to be brutally honest with myself. My workroom was overflowing with pattern books and magazines that I looked through maybe once. Never fear. I still have plenty of patterns left and now room for more.

In the works are a vest and socks. Stay tuned…

A Better Year

Shortly after my last blog, my mother passed away. A few months later, my great nephew also passed. Add to that the passing of my aunt and uncle earlier in the year, the holidays have not been a good time for us. I knit and crocheted my way through my grief and hopefully with the start of the new year, my family and I can find hapiness again.

In honor of my mother and mother's everywhere, I am re-posting an earlier blog. Have a safe a joyous 2010 and remember to tell your loved ones as often as possible, that you love them .

My Mother's Hands

I remember as a child watching my mother crochet. The slim silver hook darted in and out of the thread stitches, like a humming bird retrieving the nectar from a flower. I could watch her for hours creating beautiful doilies, afghans, and clothes for my dolls. Just like a bedtime story, I would lean on her left shoulder and eventually fall asleep.

When Mother felt I was ready, I was ten years old, she put a hook and yarn in my hands. There was no stopping me. I made my own doll clothes, scarves, and ponchos. I branched out to knitting, embroidery, macramé, and various types of lace making. Everyone I knew – family and friends – all had something I made just for them.

I grew up and made baby sweaters and blankets for my own babies. Mother beamed and bragged with each one of my creations. That was when I noticed she had stopped crocheting, but with two children of my own and a full time job, I never questioned why she had stopped.

One day, Mother said she wanted to crochet. We went to the store, bought plenty of yarn in her favorite color of purple, found an easy afghan pattern, and dug out a hook from my stash.

My heart broke when she held the hook in one hand, the yarn in the other, and gave me a helpless look. She could not remember what to do! She could not make sense of the pattern. We spent an afternoon learning how to crochet. The next day she once again forgot what to do. We decided that her arthritic hands could not hold a hook anymore. I took everything home with me, ripped out all she had done, and made the afghan for her.

Mother still has that afghan. It rests at the end of her bed at the nursing home. Mother would look at it and admire the handiwork of the person who made it.

Now, Mother does not notice much of anything. You see, she has Alzheimer’s disease. She spends her days and nights sleeping or staring at nothing in particular. Her hands set on her lap, occasionally moving. I like to think she is crocheting.

During my last visit with her, I looked at her gnarled and arthritic hands, remembering those days of watching her crochet. Then I looked at my hands and at my daughters’ hands. Three sets of hands that continue the legacy of my mother’s hands.