Kari: My newest model

Please welcome my niece, Charlotte, to the world. She's modeling the the Queen's Lace Blanket and matching hat I made for her. That's new mommy, Kiki, holding her.

Shannon: French Market Bag--Felted!

I'm in love with felting. I mean it. You tuck in all those frayed, sad-looking ends, grimace over all those curled, raggedy edges, and cross your fingers as you toss the mess into a pillow case. And then ... and then ... the timer dings and you pull it back out. And it's unbelievably smooth and un-messed.

I ran my hand over the place where I knew I'd worked that teeth-clenching Kitchener stitch, but I couldn't find it. The felting had erased my not-quite-there stitches and made everything all nice and muted.

I was staring at the finished product last week and I said to Dave, "I just know there's a spiritual illustration here somewhere."

Without even blinking, he said, "Yep. All you need to erase a lifetime of mistakes is a good washing."

That's why he's the pastor.

Speaking of washing, we're having a baptism out at Lake Stevens tomorrow after church. Come watch Dave and Steve shiver together.

One last word about the bag ... it's not quite as spacious and echo-y as I'd envisioned while working on it, but I'm still enamored. I know there's a tiny loaf of ciabatta and a mini bouquet out there with my name on them.

Shannon: My Chicklet (& Philosopher) in Training

She's knitting!

It's been a long time in coming. I first tried teaching Tera to knit about a year ago. We didn't get past "But, Mom, I don't want to have to roll my yarn in a ball first." I tried to explain the whys of that little pre-knitting ritual, but she became so despondent over that thought that I figured casting on would be a real nightmare.

On our next effort, several months later, she dug her heels in on having to hold the needle with finished rows in her left hand. "That's going to be awkward for me," she said. "I'm right-handed." As if I, her mother, didn't know that. We decided in the interest of maintaining a pleasant mother-daughter relationship to shelve the needles for a day when she felt less resistant.

Today was that day. Although she made it clear that the slightly more complicated casting on method I favor was not going to work for her, she took immediately to the regular thumb-loop cast on. And before either of us knew what was happening, my daughter was knitting. I shot this picture when the rhythm of the thing had finally settled in her bones. If you can't tell from the photo, her tongue is firmly planted in the corner of her mouth. She's knitting with intensity ... but she's knitting.

"How many rows will it be?" she asked of the scarf she decided to knit for one of her Build-A-Bears.

"I don't know yet. We'll know when it's finished." This exchange highlighted our contrary personality types: Tera, the Beaver, likes to know today--this minute--what we're having for lunch on May 3rd, 2008. I, the Otter, prefer to just wing most everything I do.

She dropped a stitch. I showed her how to fix it. While I was out of the room, she then gained a stitch and decided that the best way to correct that blip was to just slip it off the needle. I didn't discover this little plan of hers until that extra loop was sticking out one side about four rows down from where she was now knitting.

"Can I help you fix that?"

She handed me her work and I saw her eyes widen as she watched me rip out those four rows.

"It's okay," I said. "You learn to knit by making a lot of mistakes and then fixing them."

She brightened. "Kinda like life, right?"

Yes, O Wise One. Kinda like life.

Fran: Slippers

I could probably do these in my sleep at this point since I made a bazillion of them at Christmas! My sister lives in Tennessee and asked for a pair in their football team's colors. So, here they are in all their splendor! For such a simple pattern I've sure had a lot of fun making these! I use an inexpensive yarn for the slipper itself and then crochet with fun fur, mink or some other wild looking yarn. Gracie and I have matching slippers in bright red with white trim. Add's a touch of glam to my life! :)
Fran

Nancy: Finished Hat

This isn't the greatest picture, but with my digital camera not operable my cell phone camera had to do the job!

This a ribbed hat that I finished a couple of weeks ago, done on straight needles and sewed together.

I had a request for a sweater, so that is what I am working on now. I am sure that I will need some assistance when I get to the armhole opening and sleeves!

Okay, I am officially hooked now. :)

Kari: Kerchief and mini-purse projects

Jaimey is modeling her new kerchief. It turned out a bit big for her small head but would be just fine for an older teen or adult. I'm still using scrap yarns for these first few projects so I used pink nylon (doubled) for the body and wide stripe and a verigated cotton of red/pink/white for the thin stripes. The stripes are not very distinct because of the verigated yarn. Next time, I'll use a solid colored yarn or use verigated yarn for the entire project.





This mini purse whipped up quickly. I think I'll be making more of these. I "finger crocheted" the strap.

Kari: Queen of Hearts Lace-edged Preemie Blanket

Well, here it is in all its splendor! LOL Tim's sister is due any day now and I wanted to make her something special. Hats and beanies had lost their luster so I thought I'd attempt something a little fancier. I didn't know at the time that the "lace" was to be attached AFTER the body of the blanket was complete. It's only by God's grace that I ended up with the proper amount of lace to sew on the outer edge. It fit PERFECT. The blanket itself is not big, only 18" x 19" including lace. The original Lion Brand pattern called for Cashmere but I used a wool blend.
I'd like to attach a verse or prayer to this blanket......Of course, Psalm 139 comes to mind but I'd love to hear other ideas or suggestions too.

Nancy: Just Saying Hello

Hello everyone!

I thought that I would do a quick post to say "hello."

I am finishing a scarf and starting on a hat. The scarf was more for practicing the stitches and I am hoping the hat comes out wearable. It is a little more involved than I am used to--it has 106 stitches and they barely fit on the long needles that I purchased to do this hat!

I would take pictures, but on my last trip to New Mexico I did something to my camera and I need to try and fix it. As soon as I do that I will post pictures.

Thank you for considering me "Chicks With Stix" worthy and I look forward to posting a completed project soon!

Happy Knitting!

Pam: Made It

Thank you Shannon for the invitation to Chicks with Sitx. I must say you all do such lovely work!

I just recently finished a scarf with a matching roll brim hat and, if I do say so myself, it looks like a first project, full of little inconsistencies. Actually it isn't all that awful but I do look forward to doing work that looks a bit nicer. I am currently working on a prayer shawl that is coming along quite beautifully.

I mostly, knit for the relaxation of it but I love giving homemade gifts to my friends and family so that motivates me too. I typically have a few sewing projects on the table as well so I don't get to put as much time into it as I would like. The time I do get I enjoy.