Down in my Back Knitting :)

This is my daughter Lexie and she's modeling a quick little scarf I did this weekend in 2x2 ribbing with some Alpaca yarn that I had in my stash. It reminds me of Spring and after some snow, which we never get, I needed a little boost.   I'm going to try to block the scarf, so the ribbing opens up a little bit and then it's going on a roadtrip to The Colony, Texas to my beautiful stepdaughter Chelsie :)

This is the top view of Baby Frog Hat I'm doing for my nephew Joey's 1st Birthday. It's a free download from Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-frog-hat)

Everythings done except for the eyes which I hope to finish tomorrow. BTW, this is my son Hunter. He can't ever keep his eyes open in pictures....lol

I did it!!

I did it! I finally bit the bullet and casted on my first sock this week and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this project. I chose a beginner sock pattern from verypink.com and some wonderful cascade yarn from my LYS that matched a sweater that I just got a couple of weeks ago. I sailed through the 2 x 2 ribbing cuff and through the heel flap, but had to frog the flap when I realized that I had picked up my work on the wrong side. But, with such short rows it was no big deal and I had it reworked in no time. I whined a little bit about having to put the stitches back on the needles, but I stuck with it and made it through with minimal dropped stitches. I am going to heed Cheryl's advice about lifelifes too. Turning a heel was neat to learn too and I've decided that even though short rows went against the grain for me, the finished product was really cool! It looked like I had a little crooked finger hanging out! LOL! The gusset really intimidated me because I had never picked up stitches before, but I remembered Peggy telling us in the BSJ Kal that when you slip the first stitch of the row, it makes picking up stitches easier because the the pink V's were nice and big, and kind of screaming out, "Pick me, Pick me!". Once I got started knitting on the foot part, time just flew by and before I knew it, it was time to shape the toe! Now, after being laid off for a year and not having to wear heels everyday my feet have grown accustomed to my beloved Crocs, so I was crossing my fingers that my feet would fit in the sock pattern. Thank goodness, the yarn was very forgiving and all was well. I was very surprised at how quickly I caught on to the kitchener stitch. I was nervous because I've yet to hear anything pleasant about it, but after tackling every other part successfully, I put my big girl panties on and just did it! I was just thrilled with how it turned out. I've already casted on for sock 2 and am halfway through the cuff and here's the kicker of the whole thing..............................I'm knitting with DPN's!!!!!

I'm growing as a newbie and once I get a couple of more pairs under my belt, I'm going to get the Fancy Feet kit. My DH doesn't know it yet, but he's getting me this for Valentine's Day ;)

To all of you, who encourage me and give me a kick in the butt when I need it, Thank you! You guys are the reason I don't give up and stick around this place!

My 1st Sock Experience

I've casted on and completed the 2 in cuff for a worsted-weight sock from http://www.verypink.com/.  You can buy Staci's pattern thru paypal for $8 and you can also access to the 6 step by step videos she has on her website.  Hopefully, between Kelley's videos on Knitpicks (u just gotta love her :) and Staci's videos, I'll stand a chance of completing my first sock! 

Frustration Station for my Baby Surprise Jacket

I'm going to have to frog my BSJ AGAIN! It's hard for me as a knewbie to knit this pattern that requires focus and isn't mindless knitting while my children are still on Christmas break. Every 2 minutes, I'm having to set it down and help them and it breaks my concentration.....lol! So, maybe next week, I'll get back to it :) I wonder if my BSJ is going to become my 1st UFO?? LOL
In less frustrating news, I have casted on my first pair of socks!! Pics to follow!!

Happy New Years!!!!

Happy New Year's Everyone!!  I have so much to be grateful for this year!! I'm so glad I learned to knit this year and I hope 2010 is going to be a great year and I continue to learn more and more and knit more and more. It took a long time for me to find a hobby that I actually enjoy and can do but it was worth the wait!! 
So, I pray everyone has a blessed New Year, filled with lots of knitting needles, patterns, fibers and sense of self accomplishment! As always, knit to live, knit to love, and knit to finish!

I'd rather be knitting.......

It's after Christmas now, and I think everyone liked what I made them for Christmas. I lost the cowl that I made for my sister in law though, and she teased me about leaving her out....lol
I'm still working on my BSJ but since it looks like Christmas threw up all over my house so we are mainly cleaning today :(  My DD is helping me bless her heart and she is doing a great job but I'd still rather be knitting.......
I'm thinking about restarting Journey to the Center of a Sock again. I need some nice, warm house socks to keep my ever frigid feet cold. My DH enjoys warming them up for me when I stick them on his at night under the covers :)
What are your knitting goals and projects to be for the New Year??

Round 2 for Stage 2

I'm happily at Stage 2 again after frogging my first BSJ. I really screwed up the k3, M1 on row 11 and then began really struggling with a multitude of dropped stitches after my work slipped off the needles. I'm thinking that I might try 2-3 rows of stranded colorwork in between yarn color changes. What do ya'll think?