Some Little Things To Do More Often...

Morning walks have become our routine. We have a few favorite places to walk but I try to never duplicate the route two days in a row. This morning we headed to the "silo" which we've done many times. But this time we walked farther to the pond. 

Mr Curiosity seemed to enjoy it.

This goofball brings me a lot of happiness. He's also starting to act like a defiant "teenager". Need to amp up the training again. He also thinks he is a tiny little lap dog...

I saw this list on Pinterest today and I liked it. So I thought I would post it.

WIPs and an FO

I'm so happy with this silly little project!!!!!!!!!!!! I made a hot water bottle cover. I did not own a hot water bottle, but I wanted one! As part of my New to You MAL, I learned three new techniques when making this cover. You read more about that in this post.

The cover has been done for two weeks but I wasn't having much luck finding the water bottle to put inside. I saw some on Amazon but I wanted to see it in person before I bought it to make sure it looked like it was the right size. Yesterday after going to the post office, I stopped in the little local pharmacy and voila, there it was! I went to buy it and the cashier laughed and said it was their last one and she needed to order more. She said multiple people have been coming in to buy them and have been asking for them. She hadn't sold many in ages! We agreed that people are sick of always being connected to a cord and maybe we should just go back to some old fashioned things. Well...here I am. A happy, dorky knitter with my hot water bottle and cozy cover. BTW, my family thinks I'm nuts :)

Here is a little baby blanket I am working on. I was asked to knit a blanket that would be good for a stroller or car seat. My friend Mandy suggested this Four Points Baby Blanket by Purl Soho.

I found an example that was smaller. It is a free pattern and I casted on 60 stitches. This is coming out as the perfect little blanket. I'm farther along on it then what is in the photo. I'm on the last triangle now.

I am definitely spoiled when it comes to working with high quality yarn. I guess I've become a bit of a yarn snob over the years. But a baby is messy. They can really yuck up a blanket! So I knew it HAD to be machine washable for the new mom. I went to Joann Fabrics and picked up these balls of yarn. For acrylic yarn, they're not too bad. The colors are nice I think...there wasn't much to pick from. I'm enjoying knitting this and I'm sure I will make more in the future when people ask for baby blankets.

Here is another WIP (work in progress). I am knitting the Nectar Blanket by Ysolda Teague as part of my New to You MAL. It's a pieced blanket and the cast on was new to me. You start in the center and work your way out. I tried it with the yarn I had but the first piece (top in photo) was too small and light in my opinion. For a blanket, I wanted something a little more squishy and cozy. I held the yarn double and made a second. That was the winner! I love it. I used a skein of yarn I had in my stash so I will need to order the yarn to make it. Not rushing into the purchase because I have a few other things in the works. 

 What are your WIPs or FOs? Hope you're all doing well!

-Leanne

Where the Magic Happens

When the farm turned from a small horse farm to an alpaca farm, this little shed became our farm store. Once a run down chicken coop, my parents and family transformed it. It's now known as "The Coop". A space that holds the merchandise, where people come to shop, where people come to visit, the place people walk into and smile when they smell the camp stove (our only heat source). It's a rustic little oasis in the midst of the busy stores and traffic that has invaded our farm town. 

It is also the place that we teach. I teach knitting. My sister teaches crochet. In the winter, lessons take place inside. In summer and fall, lessons take place outside at a table, under the big trees, within eye sight of the alpacas. It's a wonderful place. Last night, I brought two new knitters into the world one stitch at a time. It's a wonderful little place :)

Thank You, Mother Nature

 

Steek!

 A co-worker asked me to knit a baby sweater and bonnet for her sister's baby girl that is due to arrive in February. I showed her some of my go-to baby sweaters on my Ravelry page. While I was scrolling, she asked me to stop on this sweater. She loved the white detail in the yoke. But she asked for it to be a cardigan. So I went to look for a baby version that might be similar. 

Most color work sweaters are worked in the round and then steeked. I found this cute sweater in the ebook, Strange Brew by TinCan Knits. This ebook is awesome! So many patterns and tips on creating your own yoke sweaters. 

This sweater is in the round so I wanted to make it a cardigan by adding a steek to the pattern.

I casted on an extra 5 stitches on the front and off I went!

I picked up stitches on either side of the steek for a button band.

I made three button holes in the yoke.

I need to tack down the steek and reblock and then it's ready to be gifted!

Some knitting, coffee, and friends

 

Work has kept me from spending time with my knitters during the week. Booooo! Last week, my company was closed on Monday to celebrate the New Years holiday. My son had school (still not sure how that was possible) but it gave me time to go hang with my knitting friends at the local coffee shop. They meet every Monday. It was wonderful two hours with my friends, knitting, coffee and chatting. It perked me up so much and I realized that I need more of this in my life!

Today is Monday. I work from home on Mondays. I have a laptop. I don't have meetings today.....So, I packed up my computer and my knitting and headed to the coffee shop! Best of both worlds :) I knitted, worked, sipped coffee, caught up with my knitters and it was perfect. I'm going to do this as much as I can this year. 

I'm working on a little sweater for a co-worker's soon to be niece. She asked for a pink and white cardigan similar to an adult size pullover I made. I decided to knit the Compass Sweater by TinCan Knits. She wants a cardigan so I am going to steek it. You can see me pointing to where I will end up cutting it. I added five stitches to the front of the pattern. I'll sew it on either side and then cut up the middle. I've been making a little video as I go for our Patrons. Hopefully it will be helpful to those wanting to do something similar.

Ok...need to get back to work! Hope you are all doing well. -Cheers!

New to You MAL 2023

 

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's already 2023. 

We kicked off our New to You MAL on January 1 and it runs through February 14. For more info on that, you can read about it here.

I chose to make a hot water bottle cover called the Cozy Bottle. I started it on January 1 and I'm loving it! I learned how to do Judy's Magic Cast On (which I'm now learning is used for toe up socks). Here is the video I watched to learn the technique.

I also did a new to me increase using the m1 with loop method. It was so easy and it's an invisible increase so I really liked that! When I'm done with this I will use the sewn bind off technique (also new to me).

If you are joining in the MAL, remember to use the #newtoyoumal2023 on Instagram OR you can post a photo and message in our Ravelry Group.

Ok...have to get back to work now! Wish I was knitting :)