Knitting a Snake

I'm not sure when it happened, but I've been knitting daily for awhile. It wasn't like I planned it as a goal or anything. Today I made some progress on the second half of my poncho.

I also got some more knitting books at the Apple Valley library. I also got a book on dyeing and one on spinning, because I think I need to know more before I start teaching classes and hosting workshops.

I would like to do some felting, but the regular kind and needle felting. The only reason I've put it off is because of the expense of buying all the tools and supplies. One of the books has a cute and funny knitted and felted pink poodle. That would be so much fun to make.

Right now I'm knitting a snake for my grandson.

Knitting a snake. I also knitted the hat I'm wearing a few years back.

Knitting a Poncho

Hello Knitters,
I'm happy to report that I got a ride to the Apple Valley, CA library for the first time and found quite a few books on knitting. Since I just started a poncho  a few days ago, I couldn't resist checking out some poncho books. I'm making it on some great vintage wooden knitting needles that I inherited. I can't help wonder what Nadine made with these needles. They are quite large. Was she knitting lace? Hammocks? Curtains? My mom knitted a hammock out of nylon cordage once. I spent many happy hours in that hammock when I was a teenager. We had a giant front lawn and I'd watch the hummingbirds. What memories do you have of people that did knitting when you were a child?

So far my poncho is light pink. I'm sure I'll add other colors. I'm looking forward to wearing it this winter. It's basic stockinette stitch. I needed something simple for taking on car trips. Like today I was working on it in a waiting room while my boyfriend was getting some medical stuff done. This waiting room didn't even have magazines. I was the only one in there that had something fun to pass the time with. It's so easy to take knitting or crochet along. I'm surprised everyone doesn't do it. And it keeps me so relaxed. I also got to knit all the way there and back, so that's a good 2 1/2 hours worth of knitting today.

The knit side of the poncho.

The purl side of the poncho.

Six Colored Spiral

I spent part of last night and a better part of today trying to figure out how to knit a 6 colored spiral. I think I started over 7 times, but I think I finally got it. Here is a photo of it so far. As the rays get wider, I'm not sure how to manage the floats on the backside. I may have to add a new strand of yarn every time I go around.

Designing a Neon Green Teddy Bear

Hello knitters,
Today I made some progress on my neon green teddy bear. I had to design the leg and foot part. The first version came out with the foot too tall, so I frogged it and started again. This time I was more or less happy with it, but on the next one I'll make the legs thinner. I have a photo showing the head, two arms, and the leg I knitted today.

Designing a teddy bear leg and foot.

Teddy bear head, two arms and a leg.

Hair Garland for Imbolc

Yesterday for Imbolc I started knitting a hair garland.  I won't be finished with it anytime soon though. The pattern calls for 8 different shades of green and gold. The first piece is called 'petals' and there are 18 of those. I knitted about 9 of them yesterday. Then there are about 10 more elements. So I'm just going to take my time. I have too many knitting projects going right now.

Knitting an Afghan of Many Colors

I'm thinking I should be talking about my knitting projects on this blog instead of on my craft-a-day blog. Especially since this new afghan knit-along has taken over my life. I got 3 new colors of wool blend yarn for it yesterday. I got a goldish orange, a medium teal blue, and a pale dove gray. I can't wait to see how they play along with everything else. If you can beg, borrow, or steal this book, you can knit-along with me.