Summertime ...

Here are some of my Works In Progress (WIPs) for the summer!

This is a scarf I started on when I saw one in my local yarn shop as a sample. I had the Matrix yarn at home, so I picked up the Alpaca to complete the project. This is Frog Tree Alpaca and Bernat Matrix held together on size US 10 1/2 needles. The finished project will have fringe on the bottom.

I started a crocheted headband for a friend who always wears headbands :o) I am going to do another in dark purple as well. This is Brilliance by Pattons and the pattern is from Family Circle Easy Crochet magazine.

This is a hat for my friend's toddler (size 2-4 years). The finished hat will have an upsidedown flower (with stem) on the top. The hat is actually more like a lavender or lilac color (but for some reason in certain light this looks blue ... the yarn is Saucy by Reynolds (100% mercerized cotton)and the pattern is from Knit It! magazine.

This is a scarf I started for my BF (so it will be finished by winter, LOL)! The yarn is Ultra Alpaca by Borroco (50% Alpaca, 50% Wool - which is super soft and fantastic to work with) and the pattern is from Cables Untangled by Melissa Leapman.

This is my very first knitting project! Don't worry, I haven't been knitting that long, LOL!! I learned to knit last September and this was the first project I started. It will hopefully be finished later this year so I can use it in winter :o) It is a reversible squares afghan done in Softee Chunky by Bernat.

Here is my second try at socks. I finished one sock previously, but in my excitement to be finished, I neglected to read the next line on the pattern and only did decrease rows for the toe instead of a knit row inbetween each decrease row. So here's try 2 ... maybe I will end up with a pair of socks this time!!

Vitual Vacation Swap Questionnaire :o)

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?

I have always wanted to visit Arizona and Colorado. I would like to see the desert in Arizona and the mountains in Colorado. I love nature and the beautiful landscapes.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?

I have always wanted to visit Ireland. Most of my genes are from Irish ancestors. I would love to visit castle ruins and of course actual still standing castles as well!!

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?

Yes, in 2004 my dad and I trekked to Michigan from Massachusetts. We went though NY, Canada and arrived in Michigan. I have also traveled through NH, ME, CT and RI.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?

I have been to Hawaii once. I think that would have to be the most "exotic" place that I have been.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?

I would have to say my most favorite travel vacation was to England in 2001, it was the furthest and foreign-est I have ever been. We stayed with a friend that I met over here in the USA when she was on vacation and then we stayed in touch via email when she went home. I still talk to her via email about every other day and hope to visit again sometime in the near future.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.

I have visited gift shops in Salem, MA and New Hampshire towns and that somtimes feels touristy. Touring the towns and visiting the shops that are local to that place makes it feel like I am visiting that place and learning about it.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?

As much as I like the beach I do not like the crowds, so usually I would be found in a VERY QUIET museum :o)

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?

I like natural or unusual fibers - alpaca, bamboo, wool.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?

Anything too novelty that is hard to work with - ribbon, lots of different components, things that split and get caught up on needles.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?

I like items that are small and progress can be seen quickly - scarves, hats, socks, decorative items.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?

I have not yet taken a vacation since I learned to knit and crochet last Fall :o) But I would probably pack a project that was small, something on circular needles (for ease of transport). Something that was a fairly repetitive or simple pattern so that I could do it without too much attention to the pattern details.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?

I also cross stitch, rubber stamp and scrapbook. With all of these things there really isn't anything else I would be interested in taking up except maybe paitning.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)

Nope.

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?

Favorite - purple or green. Least favorite - red or yellow.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?

Sweet, sweet, sweet :o)

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?

I like all animals and have three cats and a dog.

Springtime Knitting & Crochet Projects

I've been busy with my fingers needling away at a few projects I wanted to complete. Here are some pictures of some of my recent completions!

May 2007 - Crocheted Baby Blanket


This is a baby blanket I recently finished. This was the first crochet project I have done. I started it a while back in the Fall and it was pretty tedious to do in single crochet, so I often set it aside. A friend recenlty had a baby who was born preemie, so lucky for me he is small and I was able to finish this up and give it to him :o)

May 2007 - Knitted Baby Sweater


This was my first sweater project, so I chose a fairly simple pattern to follow. This is a newborn sweater made from Cotton Tots by Bernat. Pattern in the Summer 2007 issue of Knit Simple Magazine.

March 2007 - Preemie Beanie


This is a knitted baby hat I made for my friend's baby who was born preemie. The pattern is from the March 2007 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine and done in Pattons Grace 100% cotton yarn.

April 2007 - Chemo Cap

Every few months I knit a chemo cap and send it to a local woman who participates in Head Huggers and the caps are donated to local hospitals and oncologist's offices for people going through chemo treatment.