Fran: Me Again!

Am I the only one on here? It's like you guys have a life or something!

Jon's been studying all week so I've had the evenings free for knitting. I decided to try this very intimidating looking hat and guess what?! I did it! In the process I learned how to read a chart, how to strand (well, I actually already knew how to do that) and how to weave (if you have to carry a yarn across five or more stitches you need to weave them in as you go.)

So, here is my hat....

In case you can't tell, those are snowflakes. (Yes, almost 90 degree weather inspired me to knit snowflakes!)















I messed up when I started the body but I am totally okay with leaving it! I figured the brim is folded up and will hide my big mistake. I was so tired one night while I was knitting that these little designs started looking like Pacman Characters. (They were moving and everything! I decided it was time for bed at that point.)


Here is a closeup of the brim.

Fran: A Request

I am knitting up a picnic blanket out of some inexpensive yarn but in working on it my right brain has been having a field day (all garter stitch!) I have been wanting to make a throw for my living room for some time but I just haven't figured out exactly what I wanted, until now. I want to make a patch work throw out of knitted blocks in the colors I've got going.

Here's where you come in. I was wondering if each of my friends would create a 12" block (or two 6" blocks) for me to make into my blanket. (And even if they're not those sizes I'm sure I can work them in anyway!) I'm going to call it my Friendship blanket if I can get blocks for it made by my friends. I'll be knitting a lot of it myself but it would be so cool if I had some of your stitchwork in it too. Pulling it around my shoulders on a chilly winter morning would warm me inside and out.

Of course if you want to make one too I would be happy to knit you a block or two in whatever colors you have going. If you want to do one you can make the block however you'd like. It can be all one color, or a combination. Try a new stitch or just stick with garter or stockinette, solid and sturdy or lacy fancy; whatever you want to do!

My house is trying to be a woodsy cozy type place with tans, browns, moss green, slate tile and a brick red kitchen (that looks terra cotta colored in the sunlight). I'd love any of those colors or other earthy tones that suit a woodsy type theme. I'm not picky!

There is a site that does crochet block exchanges like this with people all over the world (I think they do knit ones too). It's where I got the idea from. I had been thinking of joining one of the block exchanges but it is a big commitment with them because you have to make as many as are in your group (and some of them get up to 60 participents!) How much more special would it be if mine were made by people I love!

So, what do you think? Will you make me a block? Pretty please?

Fran: Hats, hats, hats...

I figured I should post some pictures of the hats I've been working on! The one Gracie is wearing is a hat I didn't intend to make! I got the Denise Knitting Needle kit for my birthday and was dying to try it out. So, I grabbed the first cheap yarn I could and cast on. I got about an inch into it when I decided a blue peeking out of my chaotic yarn basket would go great with that bright melon color so I threw some of that in there. Then I decided I wanted to make a checkered look to it so that's what I did! By this time I was committed and having fun so I went with it! (Of course, I didn't get much else done today but that's okay! lol)


This other picture is of a few of the other hats I've been working on. It will be hard to give them away!














One more new one! Arielle and Gracie are modeling the same hat. I made some mistakes that you fortunately can't see in the picture (quit looking!) but it turned out cute anyway.

Fran: Some Knitting sites...

I have been busy knitting hat after hat for a homeless teen shelter in California so I haven't been doing anything new.

I wanted to come on here and post a couple of links that give the opportunity to bless others. The first one is in support of our troops overseas. At Operation Homefront directions are given to make a helmet liner to protect our soldiers from the bitter cold winters they have to endure.

At Afghans for Afghans you will find out how you can make afghans (obviously!) or other projects to send out. Here is an excerpt from the site: "afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan."

Finally, Interweave carries a list of organizations that help people all over the world. This site isn't limited to knitting but includes crochet, quilting and other fiber arts used to bless others. They have contact information for each group listed so it would be easy to choose one to get involved with.

Don't forget our local hospitals, foster kids, hospices, shelters, etc. There are a lot of people out there who would be blessed by your beautiful knit creations.

" Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Mathew 25:34-40