All The Craziness!

Well, I am now blogging on my brand new laptop. Not quite an intentional buy, but my other computer literally died, or so The Geek Squad said. I firmly believe them, after listening to the noise it made. So, my new notebook is a blessing in disguise.

As for knitting, this morning I finally finished the Mason Dixon kimono for Maria that I began just a little over 2 weeks ago (if I remember right.) This is the project I started about 3 times, due to mistakes and 2 sizing changes. Travis (my awesome friend/non-knitter) helped me for hours during the pattern alteration process. It's good to have supportive friends like him. The result? What I think looks pretty darn good (in Bernat Cotton Tots.) I took it to Cindy's today, and got a great reaction. I was thrilled! My very first handknit article of clothing! Now my fingers are crossed that Maria will fit into it just as the weather creates a need for a sweater...

First Sock (& Other Wonders)

Lots going on in the knitting world for me lately. I am finding myself wanting to knit rather than do anything else! I love learning new stitches and trying new patterns. I even completed my first sock last Friday. I am so excited! I used the baby sock pattern on www.knittinghelp.com, and followed the video from Amy Finlay's web site CD I had purchased a couple of years ago. What a difference it makes to see the project in motion. This was also my first attempt at using DPNs. I truly enjoyed the challenge. Although, I think I may have miscounted somewhere along the way, because it looks like a fairly big "baby" sock. No matter what, I am still thrilled, and look forward to much more sock knitting. A while back I purchased the book Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch - maybe soon I will attempt a real pair!

UFOs include: (1) my first felted bag that seems like it's taking forever to knit, (using Reynolds Lite Lopi, and the free Hobo Chic pattern from the brown sheep blog,)

and (2) a baby kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting, (for Maria of course!) I am using Bernat Cotton Tots and my new Boye Needlemaster. What a fantastic purchase that was! I bought it at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I love the idea of always having the needles I need. And I also love the freedom to start a new project when the mood strikes!