Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For the past two years I have been lucky enough to have time to go to The Knitting Corner to help knit a prayer shawl for breast cancer patients who are going through chemo treatments. Last year is was crowded and this year was no different. While I did not get any pictures of the women who came last weekend to knit on the shawls, I did take a quickie picture of the one that I brought home to finish. I haven't had a chance to post lately because I have been busy knitting the prayer shawl to take back to the shop. When I take it back I will volunteer to take another one that someone else didn't get a chance to finish. I enjoy the simpleness of the pattern. I can do it while I watch TV at night and not have to check a chart of do much counting.The shawl is the same color every year and the yarn is Encore. It's knitted on size 11 needles. I use the Addi Turbo circulars. It's three skeins and a very fast mindless knit. The end result is wonderful. Ruth (at the shop) takes the finished shawls and puts fringe on them and then they are given out. Last year we all collectively knitted 13 shawls. I know there was talk of beating last years total. I sure hope we do.

Not only am I knitting the shawl for the shop, but I bought a pattern with the pink ribbon pattern to return to have it made into an afghan. I haven't done a pattern square since I did the three for Jef. I have until Nov 30 but I want to get the squares done and out of here so I don't forget. I wanted to do the ribbon so here is my pattern and the yarn I got for my $5. I get to keep the pattern so I will have it for another time. I will post the finished squares when I get them done.

Not only have I been working on the two breast cancer projects, but I have been trying to finish another pair of socks. Since my On-Line socks had to wait for another skein of yarn, I HAD to start another pair of socks. So I past the heels on both and am working on the gussets. I knit both socks at the same time using dpns. I go back and forth to each sock and I find that my gauge stays pretty consistent. Knitting one sock at a time is okay but I really want a pair when I am done. I am using Trekking XXL yarn. I have never used this brand before, but I have to say, I love this yarn. It's been easy to use and the stripping is nice too. I didn't try to match the strips on this pair but they have turned out nicely anyway.

So, I think that about catches things up for what I am working on. I have a nice list of projects that I want to get to but I always seems to get sidetracked. I really am in sock mode and as long as I have sock yarn, I think I will keep going. I want to have Sue teach me how to make a pair of sock that are just for my feet. I have a nice sock book and I will pick something for there to get me started. I would love a pair of lace socks.

Well, that's it for me for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Knit/Crochet Out 2007
I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Knit/Crochet Out Day at the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market. There was huge tent, lots of tables for vendors, beginner knitters, charity knitting and displays of proud knitting. The weather went from over cast and sticky to sunny and sticky, but it did not deter the determined knitters and crocheters, thankfully. I thought it was a good turn out although I think more would have come if they could have worn their efforts instead of having to lay them on a table because of the heat.

I went as a spectator but ended up sitting with Susan and Lee from The Knitting Corner. I did get a chance to wander around and snap a few pics. Here they are.


Here is something that I just love! It's a lamb purse that is felted. I saw it before it was felted and frankly, it looks wonderful either way. I think I would make this, but make it a pillow instead of a purse. I doubt seriously I would carry this, but it would make a nice child's gift either as the purse or a little pillow. So I am opting for the pillow.

This is an adorable Hedgehog that I have decided I have to make. I was lucky enough to win 7 skeins of some novelty yarn that would make a cute copy. I will post about my progress later when I have time to get it started. I did buy the yarn for the tummy and the pattern after leaving the Knit/Crochet Out. I only have one little nephew but who knows, I could become a grandmother and have to have a cute little something to use as a bribe!

I thought this was such a clever idea. Susan (the shop owner of The Knitting Corner) made this for one of her grandsons.

This was the table that The Knitting Corner dedicated to the project they are undertaking next Saturday and Sunday at the shop. The shop will supply the yarn (Encore) and some size 11 needles to knit shawls for breast cancer patients that are undergoing Chemo treatment. Along with the shawls, there will be patterns available to purchase to knit a square for an (there could be enough to do more than one) afghan to be raffled off. You have lots of time to get your patterns! So those of you who read this from another part of the world, give a quick peak at their site where more information will be available. I know that Lee and Sue have been hard at work creating patterns for everyone to purchase. I went both days last year to knit on the shawls but was too chicken to create at square. So I guess there must have been enough people like me that they are doing patterns for those of us who are a bit nervous about creating something from scratch. I am totally thrilled. Please order some patterns and send in your squares for such a worthy heart felt project!

This Cheryl (I have no idea how to spell her name correctly) and she knits some really great things. I met her in passing at The Knitting Corner and then at the Tidewater Knitting Guild. I love it when she brings her finished projects to show at the meetings. She brought something to model at the Knit/Crochet Out Day and I think it's my favorite thing that I have seen of her knitting.
This is a jacket that is a huge circle that is by Berraco. I totally admire this jacket and all the time it took to make it. Maybe some day I will take this on, but for now....socks.

Swizzle socks
I am trying to learn on my own, how to get my socks to match where it's self striping. I haven't done well with my first effort. I am still waiting to finish the second sock. The new skein is on order. So to entertain myself, I started another pair of socks with Swizzle. I think that these being my fourth pair of socks, I have come to the conclusion that I like the wool better for several reasons.

First, I love how they are cushy. Second, they seem to bounce back (the super wash wool brands) right after being cooked in the dryer. Sadly, I don't feel the same way about the cotton blends that I have used. I have done two with a cotton blend and now two with wool. I know there are some of you who are far more experienced at socks than I am but wool gets my vote. I don't wear socks in the summer because I go bare footed as often as I can. In the winter the only place I wear shoes is when I leave the house. I wear socks in the house the way others would wear slippers. I am just not a shoe person.

I have made great progress on my Swizzle socks, except for closing up the toes. I will get Sue to show me again how to close them up. There seems to be a disconnect between the written word and my brain. I think I am more visual when it comes to knitting. I need to see someone do it. I guess that old saying, "Monkey see, monkey do" comes into play here.


I tried my best to get the stripes to match but someplace down towards the toe, it got out of sink. I have no idea why but what the heck. I am still learning. The next pair of sock that I will be starting don't need to be matched so they will be a breeze...I hope.


I have not been working on the Scheherazade shawl, because it takes more concentration than I have at the moment. Hopefully I can work on it without hurting anyone in the house soon. I have given thought to changing from a lace yarn to a cotton yarn. Someone in our group did that and it's lovely in the cotton. You can actually see your errors and the pattern looks more pronounced. Right now all I really have the patience for is socks. I have already split the yarn into two balls so that I can do both socks at the same time. There are no other projects in the back of my head yet, but just give me time!