Discover Your Inner Knitter with Doris

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Happy Spring! Happy Pass-Over! Happy Easter! Happy April Fool's Day!

I don't know about you, but I am ready for the warmer weather and Spring Flowers and all the promises of new beginnings this Season holds.

To celebrate with me, let's knit up one or the other special decorations for our homes. I found some free patterns to choose from.
There are many more on ravelry alone; so here are just a few picks.

Matzoh Holder (click on the link for the pattern).

Passover Hat (click on the link for the pattern).

Easter Nest and Eggs
(click on the link for the pattern).

Easter Finger Puppets
(click on the link for the pattern).

Bunny
(click on the link for the pattern).

Lamb
(click on the link for the pattern).

Easter Chickens
(click on the link for the pattern).

Left on the cross
(click on the link for the pattern).

Spring Kimono
(click on the link for the pattern).

April Fool's Cloth
( pattern is $2; click on the link)

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

π In Celebration of Pi Day π

Today is 3.14.; π- Day!!!

Today is a sad day as one of the greatest minds of our time, Stephen Hawkins, has passed away early this morning. But somehow it is fitting that it should be on this special day...

To celebrate Pi Day, I am posting some π- recipes, aka knitting patterns.

Pi Washcloth; a free pattern on ravelry byMadeline Nelson

Pi Washcloth

Pi Dishcloth; a free pattern on ravelry by Nettie DiLorenzo

Pi Dishcloth

Geek Pie; a free sock pattern by Sarah Grant

Geek Pi

Pi Shawl; Leaves of Grass pattern by Jared Flood

Pi Shawl

Pi Shawl; by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Pi Shawl-July

Pi Mitts; free pattern on ravelry by Rabbit Zielke

Pi Mitts

You can find many more Pi patterns following this link to ravelry: Pi Patterns

I also want to let you know that I had a wonderfully relaxing break and are healing well. It is taking time, but I have knitted a few washcloths just to get back the fine motor skills.

On the Left: "whatever you need me to do" ; free pattern by Kim Conterio

If you get a chance, read her blog post and story of how knitting is helping her with depression.

On the Right: "Almost Lost Washcloth"; free pattern by Julie Tarsha

Check out my notes on this: Strickliese's Almost Lost Washcloth

A wonderful setting for knitting :)

Oh, and I was also finally able to wear my lacy top over a tank top with shorts :)

Walking on Sunshine

Thursday, February 22, 2018

On a Knitting Break

I am presently not knitting.
Why you may ask (although some of you know).
I had a small surgery on my right thumb three weeks ago. It seems to take longer to heal than anticipated. Well, I thought I would have full range of motion after a couple of days...and in any case even one day is one day too many for any knitter.
Knitters are usually patient people except when it comes to not being able to knit the things we like which in my case is lace, socks ...small intricate things...

But I have spent my time looking at patterns and found one I am truly intrigued by. It is made up of simple squares. The possibilities of how to arrange the squares into a pattern are seemingly endless (click on the link below the picture to see the free pattern on ravelry):

Pathways Blanket

And I bought an Anniversary kit from my favorite NC Yarn store, The Salty Sheep:

Kit for The Drifter

And I am now all set to start on my "Take All That" shawl with eight CC.

Set for the Take It All Shawl

I am also very close to finish knitting Bristol Ivy's "Tealeaf Sweater". I even got up extra early the day of surgery to finish the lace sections on the sleeves. All I have to do now is finish the sleeves and pick up stitches and knit the collar.

Tealeaf Sweater

For additional PT I have knitted a simple washcloth on #9 needles, a couple of rows at a time.

Well, now you know why you have not heard from me for a bit.

I am healing and will check back middle of March.

Until then I am leaving for a trip to warmer climates, perhaps sun and relaxation can speed things up. :)

For more reading, here are some diary entries:

Day of Surgery
I knew I wouldn't be able to knit for a bit following a small surgery on my right thumb (nothing too serious). So I made sure to get up extra early (6am) to finish the lace sections on the sleeves of my Tealeaf Sweater.

Day One of Not Knitting
I cannot help to at least be THINKING about knitting, so I post about the Knitting Garage Birds of a Feather KAL on my blog and Facebook page.
I also add a frame to my Facebook page profile picture.

Day Three of Not Knitting
I browse Knitting Sites and Pages on Facebook and see that my favorite yarn shop in NC , The Salty Sheep in Swansboro, has its 10th Anniversary and text Peggy (the owner) to find out if I can order their adorable Anniversary kit (project bag, yarn and pattern). .

Day Four of Not Knitting
I browse patterns and find this amazing Blanket pattern, Pathways, and post on Facebook. Dreaming about making that one. Perhaps as a take on the road project as a change from Sock knitting. You only knit small squares in an easy to remember pattern for this blanket. The real fun starts when you seam them all together...the possible variations seem infinite.

Day Five of Not Knitting
Put in my order for the Anniversary kit from The Salty Sheep treating myself to the kit, perhaps someone else to the finished shawl; we'll see.
Even when I am not knitting myself, I can appreciate someone else's knitting. The KAL at the Knitting Garage is coming along nicely and I am itching to re-join it. I share Leah's progress picture of the Birds of a Feather KAL. She is ready to start section 4, lace, which is my favorite type of knitting...oooohhhh, lace......

Day Seven of Not Knitting
My other queued shawl, Take it All needs one more Unicorn Tail color.
I order the missing color, Edison Bulb, from a fellow raveller's stash. Two other colors were in my stash already and I bought five at The Knitting Garage a week ago. Now I can start with this as soon as I feel up to knitting again.

Also getting bandages removed! Yeah!!

Day Nine of Not Knitting
Starting my own PT in addition the the exercises given to me and start knitting a simple washcloth on #9 needles to get my fingers nimble. It seems harder than it should be; I will need to exercise patience with myself.

Day Ten of Not Knitting
Both packages of yarn arrive. The kit from The Salty Sheep as well as the Unicorn Tail. Breathing in the yarn and making plans, dreaming of knitting.

Day Eleven of Not Knitting
Finished the washcloth, but not starting anything else for now.

Day Twelve of Not Knitting
Giving a Class to a group of young beginner knitters and keep the hands-on to a minimum. Making plans for classes starting mid-March.

Day Fourteen of Not Knitting
Giving one private lesson to a dear friend. But that one hour is it for today.

And so on it goes.....

Thursday, February 1, 2018

KAL AT THE KNITTING GARAGE

DEAR FELLOW KNITTERS,

TODAY I SIMPLY WANT TO PASS ON INFORMATION ABOUT A KAL YOU MAY ALL WANT TO JOIN IN.

THINK SPRING, THINK LACY LIGHT SHAWLS, THINK BIRDS OF A FEATHER.

Click here for more information:

https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=bb098aa17a5db3bbfc56e8b84&id=023671a85a

You can order yarn right off the web page or come into the store to pick your own combo.

Set-up section finished

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Finished projects 2018

I want to share some projects I finished this month

Dog Sweater
A friend of mine moved to Maine last year and when it turned soooo bitter cold I had my needles flying to knit up this dog sweater for her Westie <3
If you want to know which pattern I used ect, click here: Harry it's Cold Out There

Dishcloth
When I saw this free pattern on line I was intrigued and had to give it a try. I absolutely love the texture and clever color pattern.
Click this link for more information: Pretty as a Tapestry
Lacy Summer Top
I like dreaming of warmer weather in the midst of Winter. This was a fun knit which had been in my queue since ages. Love the outcome and looking forward to wear it.
Here is a link to more detailed notes: Walking on Sunshine
About classes: I had a schedule written out, but dismissed it for various reasons.

If you are interested in learning a new technique or want to knit up a project with my help, please contact me and we can come up with some private lessons.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

New Years Resolutions; knitwise

As the year is winding down and we are about to ring in 2018, most of us reflect on what the past twelve months have brought and make a list of which changes we want to work towards not only in our communities and work environments, but also on a more personal level in our daily routines and in ourselves.
Many New Years Resolutions contain a list of how we want to better ourselves...take better care of ourselves,

build stronger bodies with more exercise and a healthier diet,
be more kind to others and less selfish,
be less tardy and more on time,
focus more and be less distracted and so on...

Being a practical person I wonder how I can bring about these changes in a very hands-on way.
I focus on knitting which in itself is a very tactile activity and decide to

not sit too much, but knit the next 10 rows only after having taken a walk and keep my hands too busy to reach out for snacks.
knit more for others , especially charity
pace myself to have a project finished in the time I decided on even if I make myself work just 1/2 hour a day on a project which turned out to no longer be fun.
the act of knitting helps greatly with brain function and focus....

These are just a few general thoughts incorporating knitting into my New Years Resolutions.

I also want to share my list of projects I want to see finished in 2018

Here is my queue on ravelry and a list of projects I am about to start more or less in the order I decided on. Of course there are always additional projects: Socks (I always have a pair of socks on my needles), gifts (still have to decide on what when and for whom).

My queue on ravelry

Trestle sweater

a skirt (I already have one of these and love to wear it)

I made this sweater before and could work the pattern in the linen

I am not sure if I will make the Ello Vest or something else in this yarn

I got this for a KAL. I like the oversized cardigan and the designer.

For Tony's next pair of socks.

Last, but not least a call out to all of you:

What kind of class would you like to see offered this Winter/ Spring ?

Is there a new technique you want to learn?

Do you want to tackle a larger project?

Let me know ; I always welcome your feedback.

!HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thursday, December 7, 2017

LAST MINUTE Holiday knitting

No pressure,

but the first day of Hanukah is less than one week away and Christmas just over two weeks.

If you want to give that special hand-knitted gift, here are some guidelines. ideas and patterns which you may want to consider.
If you don't mind giving someone an unfinished project with the promise to finish it, then all doors are open. But if you want the gift to be finished with all yarn ends woven in and wrapped with a pretty bow on top, then consider this:
The key is, to look at the yardage used for the pattern and then decide if you have enough time to knit it up.
For example, if you are planning on knitting a hat for someone and you love that pretty fingering weight yarn, bear in mind that you need approximately 400 yards of yarn to finish the hat and this may take some time. But if you choose heavier yarn it only takes less than 100 yards to knit up a hat and you can get it done in time if not even on your way to the holiday party!