Football vs. Knitting

Fall is on the way so my husband (who loves college football), has started planning which games he'll go to. First on his list is Holy Cross on September 6. I know, this doesn't sound like knitting. It sounds like football. Just wait. My sister lives in Worcester, so while the husband watches touchbacks, first and tens, lines of scrimmage and other things that I don't understand I'll visit with Sue.

I know, you are still wondering what this has to do with knitting. Well, my sister tells me a few months ago that there is a yarn store right around the corner from her house. Run by her neighbor. Can you imagine how incredulous I was? When I asked her why she didn't take me there last fall her response was, "well I knew she had a shop, but I didn't know where it was." Really?! Really, Sue? How can you not know there is a yarn store up the street? I couldn't rant and rave at her too much because she gives me wine when I visit. I also cut her slack since even though she can knit, she is not  'a knitter'. (Let's face it there is a difference. A 'knitter' would know there is yarn store up the street!).

It's called Knitscape and it's located in Tatnuck Square. Click here to visit their website.I'm already getting excited. For the next two weeks I will be planning my visit. I will start to go through my patterns, browse through Ravelry and all the books at the library and decide what to knit next. I'm not sure what I like more - the planning, wondering and anticipation of visiting a new shop - or when you actually arrive at the shop and for those first 60 seconds you scan and discover that 'yes, this is a good one'. 

I need another 24" cable for my Addi-Clicks and perhaps a new shawl pin. Yah, a shawl pin. . . I think a wooden one . . . and sock yarn for my mother. Hmm, maybe I should make felted mittens for the football-watching-husband and for the son. . . I also want to make a hooded cowl for my winter coat . . . 

Don't worry. I'll report back.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Monday Night Knitting Group

Best part of the library's Monday Night Knitting Group? I'm still not sure if it's meeting new people and making new friends . . . or if it's seeing everyone's projects and getting inspired.

Last night we had two new faces . . . Linda is knitting a wrap out of kid silk mohair in a gorgeous shade of - I don't know, is it turquoise, aqua? It looks like her yarn was dipped in the ocean. Nancy learned how to cast on with the cable cast on method and is going to male a sweater for a grandchild.

And take a look at what some of the 'regulars' completed!

I hope you are noticing the library books on
the table. There is a great collection upstairs!

Peggy has been knitting a ginormous amount of mittens to make wreaths for relatives and friends and neighbors!! (She told us how many but it was too mind boggling of a number for me to remember).

You can't really see them, but she has
the cutest little duck buttons on there!

Joan finished this adorable 'neck down' sweater. Now she is making one very similar, but from the 'bottom up'. 

I had to control myself from
 rubbing it against my cheek.

Janet created this blue baby blanket . . . . unfortunately the picture doesn't show how soft it is to the touch. 














Peggy also made a Spiderman mask (can't you just picture the grateful eyes behind it?!)












Peggy also made this afghan for a shower gift . . . I think I need a shower!!

(or some of Peggy's time. She could come and do my housework and I could spend more time knitting. I think I'll run it by her next month.)











Aren't they talented??!! We'll meet again on September 15th. Join us! Bring your project . . . and if you are not a knitter . . . well, don't these pictures make you want to be a knitter? Just think of the Christmas presents you could be creating. We'll teach you!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

The Pompom . . . more than just a hat topping

How often have you knitted the perfect hat and then had the quandary of what to put on the top? Do you make a tassel? Go for a creation of loops made from icord? Or the traditional pompom? 

I will confess to you here and now . . . my pompoms never look that great. I can't explain why . . . it's just the way it is. So when I was shelving the new books and saw Make Your Own Cute and Easy Pompoms, I quickly took it off the shelf. After a quick browsing I decided to take it home. 

Take a look. You might never make pompom nesting dolls or toys for your dog (I would be afraid that Fido would eat them!), but I promise you'll think about pompoms differently. 

Go ahead  . . . check it out . . . think outside the box and let your creativity flow. Just looking through it makes me want to knit a hat so I can have the most original pompom ever created on top. 

My favorite is the apples . . . let me know what yours is.

 click here to place a hold

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

I couldn't have said it better . . .

I saw this on Pinterest yesterday. Of course I had to share it.

It's available through etsy. Click here.

I have been known to listen to an audio book while I am knitting . . . so perhaps my life is perfect!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.