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.

Stitch and Ahem

This afternoon I'm going to a Stitch-n-Bitch at the home of an archer I know. I just wish that name hadn't caught on and stuck. It makes me cringe and I will never feel like it's cool. To me it's equivalent to calling something (Knit with the insert N word).(Cringe again). Yes, that's how strongly I feel about both those words.

Still, my friend is a nice lady and she invited me so I'm going. And as much as I knit, I can't believe I can't even decide which knitting project to work on. I guess it's going to have to be something easy because I can't knit and talk at the same time to save my life. Not without making mistakes. And I've been knitting for 37 years.

Stitch Markers

The one thing I can say about the bikini top I'm knitting is it is sure giving me a chance to practice different kinds of decreases.

Also, I need to make more stitch markers. I don't know where all mine got off to. Making them is easy. You take some split rings and some cute charms and attach them all together. Make sure your split rings are big enough to go over the needles you are using for your project. I like to make each one different, because if they all match you may forget which stitch you do at each marker. Or you can buy stitch markers on Etsy.com, but why not try making your own first.

Felted Purse

I started a new purse with pink wool. I'm probably going to stick to basic garter stitch since it's going to be felted.

Hexagon and Stitch Markers

Here are two firsts for me. I stayed up until 2:30 AM the other night knitting a hexagon. I'm so thrilled I did it. And then I started another one the next day and made these stitch markers to help me keep my place better.

I've been trying to learn how to make a hexagon so I can knit hats for over 20 years. I must have 4 books on the subject. So I finally found directions on line that I could understand, and now I'm in hexagon heaven.
I've also never made stitch markers before. So happy to have made my first set. Now I won't have to buy any ever again.