Christmas Stitching

I've had to edit my Christmas stitching list down to only a very few items for lack of time, but I'm happy to say I finished three of them recently. The puppet scarf (pattern via Red Heart Yarns) is for my niece















...and the hat/scarf set is for her little brother.















I used my loom for the hat and made it in less than an hour. The coordinating scarf took a bit longer, but both were the products of a rare and wonderfully quiet Sunday parked in a rocking chair next to the heater.

The Miracle of the Knitting Loom

I've been knitting. It tickles me to say that, because I'm not a knitter. My Nan taught me how to knit more than once, and I made a scarf a long time ago, but I just never reached the point of being comfortable with it.

Remembering how much I enjoyed spool knitting when I was little (mine was made with an actual spool and nails, but Lion Brand Yarn has an adorable modern version), I asked for a set of knitting looms for my birthday this year. Lo and behold, they're fun! And easy! And addicting! I can't say the same for pom-pom making (seems like they were a whole lot easier to make when I was a kid) but in any event, I've knitted up a scarf and a hat and trimmed them with big, goofy pom poms.





























All hail the knitting loom! And, of course, Hank the Kitten. I've noticed a disappointing trend lately of bloggers apologizing for cat photos. As far as I'm concerned, cat photos are like cheese and chocolate--you can never have too much.

Tree of Life

My mother made me this "Tree of Life" afghan for Easter. The photos don't adequately show the color; it's a lovely, soft tone of yellow (my favorite color). I'm amazed by the intricacy and the fact that Mom knitted this challenging pattern in about a month.









































Happy Mothers Day, Mom, and thank you for teaching me how to create beautiful things.

Colors for the Mod Quilt and an Afghan from Mom

I was thinking I'd use all solids for the Mod Sampler quilt, but now that I've photographed them I'm not so sure. I was toying with the idea of orange, red, or pale yellow for the sashing. Now I'm rethinking the entire palette. I have to admit it's a pleasant dilemma....














And I wish I could take credit for this lovely creation, but alas I'm not much of a knitter. My mother, on the other hand, can do it all. When I was little, she sewed clothes for my Barbies and me; knitted and crocheted afghans, hats, and mittens; embroidered at least one glorious picture for the wall; and made various holiday decorations. Then she grew tired of stitching for many years until she was inspired to get her knitting needles out of the attic last month...and promptly whipped up this delightfully soft afghan for Olivia.