Friday, August 29, 2014

Keeping My Hands Busy




You might think with all the gardening, and putting food by my hands would be busy enough, but they aren't. There is always knitting happening around here, sometimes it is just a row here and there, other times I am knitting every second I get. This summer knitting has been a little slower, mostly because I am not knitting any Christmas gifts this year. There will be the traditional winter solstice hats for Justin and Reece, and maybe a sweater for Reece, but other than that Christmas gift giving will include other handmade goodies.

The wonderful thing about not knitting Christmas gifts is that I am free to knit for me! I cast on the hitchhiker while we were away at the end of June and finished it shortly after we got home. I highly recommend this knit. It is fun, easy to pick up and put down, and as you can see, looks amazing. With the cooler temperatures we have been having, and the forecast of a cool September, I just might be wearing it sooner than later.

I finally picked up the courage to cast on the February lady sweater. I have had this pattern printed, with the yarn and needles ready to go since March, and just couldn't cast it on. Finally, one night, I just did it, and I am so happy I did. It is a top down knit, which I love, and now that I have separated for the sleeves, and have the four row pattern pretty much memorized, it is moving along nicely. I am really looking forward to wearing this, just need to make sure I keep steadily working on it so I can wear it this winter season.

In between these two projects I knit up some mason jar cozies, a few knitted wrist bands and some little yarn bowls, which still have to be felted. My needles have definitely been clicking away a little slower than usual this summer, but they are clicking, and I have to admit, I am enjoying the process of knitting for me.

What's on your needles right now?

33 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Kim. Two gorgeous knits that will look lovely on you. I love seeing what people are knitting, especially for themselves. I want to add some more knitted goodies to my wardrobe. I am really keen to cast on a shawl and then a cardi, but I have just joined an Australian Yarn Club where you are sent some yarn each month and some patterns to choose from. I am looking forward to getting to knit with some different yarn and to experiment with new patterns. The first parcel will be sent at the end of next month and I can't wait. Thanks again for this post Kim. Hope you have a lovely weekend. xxoo

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    1. Happy to share Julie :) Thank you, I am looking forward to wearing both of them this fall and winter.

      Your knit club sounds interesting and fun. Have a great weekend. xo

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  2. i can't wait to see them on you...(or at least the finished products). the colours you picked are beautiful.

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    1. I will try and get some pics of me wearing them once the cooler weather makes an appearance. Thank you.

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  3. What's on my needles? A project that l started back in February..... my first attempt at knitting since primary school! It didn't get very far ;)
    I do understand the pleasure of knitting. My mother was a big knitter and did a lot of crochet too. I grew up with the sound of needles clicking and have so many jumpers, blankets and even slippers made by my mother. Such lovely homemade gifts.
    Good luck with your projects, looking forward to seeing the final products. xx

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    1. Hey, at least you started, and you can pick it up anytime you like :)

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  4. So beautiful! I have wanted to make a hitchhiker for awhile now. I have so many things on my list! Right now I am working on a pair of socks for my sisters birthday coming up in September. For Christmas knitting I have three pairs of socks planned. One each for my mom and two sisters. The girls will each get a solstice hat (and homemade pjs). I also have it in my mind to make them matching "Sundat Sweaters" for Christmas. We'll see though!
    I knit the February lady sweater a few winters ago and loved the pattern. I would like to knit it again using DK weight yarn instead of worsted. It's a little too big and bulky for me! But that's my fault for choosing the yarn :-)

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    1. Thanks Jen. You would love the hitchhiker, such a fun knit. I am the same, a long list waiting for me to have lots of time to knit it all up. I really have to try sock knitting, maybe this winter.

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  5. I had a feeling your hands were busy behind the blog ;) Your knitting looks amazing and I am so excited that you cast on the February Lady Sweater, I have the pattern and it's great.
    I am giving knit items for Christmas, just not as many this year, so I too am going to try a little more 'me' knitting.
    Have a great weekend. Do Canadians observe Labor Day this Monday too?

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    1. Thanks Tracey. I think I will really like the sweater, at least I hope so. Hope you enjoy your me knitting as much as I am.

      Yes, we do have a long weekend...yay!!!! Enjoy yours. xo

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  6. Oh, Kim, the pieces are just gorgeous! One day I hope that my knitting skills are as amazing as yours! I had hoped to be able to knit hats for us all for Solstice this year but my knitting skills are still not there. At the rate we're going the girls will surpass my skills in no time! Here's to hoping that I have significantly improved by this time next year!

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    1. Thanks Shel. They will be Shel, you just have to keep clicking those needles, it gets easier the more you do it. When those girls are knitting, sit on down beside them and knit away. You will have it in no time.

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  7. Just beautiful!
    What is on my needle? The only thing I can make : Washcloths to give out as stocking stuffers. LOL! It is one of my goals this year to learn to read patterns. :-)

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    1. Thanks Yanic. Hey, at least you are knitting. Everyone loves received knitted wash clothes :)

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  8. Your hitchhiker is wonderful Kim, I made one last year and I wear it all the time.
    Love the color of your February Lady Sweater.
    I've just finished the Nordic Trail Vest and a pair of slippers with the left over yarn.

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    1. Thanks you Emma. I will have to look up that vest, it sounds lovely.

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  9. so very gorgeous. I've always wanted to learn.

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    1. Thanks Alyssa. All I can say it pick up some needles, and yarn, and get started. Youtube is great for lessons, I often check in there when I am learning new stitches.

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  10. I just cast on a honey cowl. I still have several skeins of yarn from my adventurous a very years ago to the Navajo reservation where I bought handspun and hand dyed yarn. Soon I need to cast on new hats for the girls and scarves. Not that winter will be here soon but I need the time. :) Love the shawl!

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    1. I love my honey cowl, and I think I will be knitting up another one this winter. Such a great knit. Can't wait to see what you knit up with all that gorgeous wool.

      Thanks, super fun knit.

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  11. what's on my needles? hmmm...i am making myself leg warmers for yoga teaching...i've done one...will hopefully pick up the needles again to make the other one! haha! loving all your knitting :) xo

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    1. Leg warmers, I think I need a pair of those for the winter :) Thanks my friend. xo

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  12. Ohh! I have had my eye on that sweater pattern. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Sadly, my needles are empty (my hands are very full with a 4 month old)! Fall is coming fast and I find myself faced with the prospect of buying a few sweaters, eek!!!

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    1. So far so good, I am loving it. Highly recommend it. That is good reason for your needles to be empty right now :)

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  13. Love, love your beautiful knits. That shawl has such a pretty color way, perfect for cooler nights.
    Have fun knitting Kim:)

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  14. Your hitchhiker is absolutely gorgeous, I love those colours. And glad you're getting some time to knit for yourself.

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    1. Thank you! I was drawn the green, and am really happy with it.

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  15. Love love love your shawl! I haven't knit that pattern, yet. I love my fls and wear if frequently I bet you will as well, gorgeous color!!

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    1. Thank you Karen. Oh you would love the hitchhiker, you must knit it! I think it is going to be the perfect sweater for me. Can't wait to wear it.

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  16. loving the colors you chose!! Beautiful!!

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  17. They are both so pretty Kim! Mason jar cozies are on my to-do list.

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    1. Thank you. I love the mason jar cozies, quick and satisfying :)

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