Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Some Completed Projects

I've been spending lots of time knitting lately. Not because I'm trying to get Christmas presents done, but because I'm a obsessive/compulsive knitting addict and there's not much to do outside.

I found a really great website that has HUNDREDS of free patterns and they're all sorted by category, so if any of you knitters reading this blog are interested, check it out at


You won't be disappointed! I've printed out probably 20 patterns already and will be knitting my fingers to stubs in the event that I ever try to complete them all.

Because I haven't posted any knitting projects lately, I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of completed projects.

Here are some dishcloths that will be going back to Robin (Bumblebee) in tomorrow's mail.

Poor Robin is a frustrated knitter. After reading her hilarious post about knitting lessons, I sent her a note saying I would be happy to knit her some dishcloths if she wanted to send me the yarn. A few weeks later, a package was delivered to me containing 3 balls of yarn plus a jar of Robin's homemade bread & butter pickles and a jar of her awesome wine jelly. I hope she likes these dishcloths.

Last spring my Mom asked for a new hat: maybe a nice white one she could wear to church and oh, could it have earflaps too? Here's Mom's new hat--this was another free pattern I downloaded. I had to revise the pattern to add the earflaps, but Mom really likes it. You can't see from the picture, but there's a fine, iridescent thread woven in with the yarn and it gives the hat a pretty sparkle.

Here's a really nice hat with cables all around. I saw this hat last week on Loribird's blog. She was kind enough to e-mail me the pattern. I really like the way this hat turned out! I think I'll give it to one of my nieces for Christmas.

Here's a little cabled half-mitt I downloaded from the knitty.com website archives. I really like this yarn, but I don't think I like this half-mitt very well. I don't like the way the top (around my fingers) has a tendency to curl back. I like mine to fit a little tighter around my fingers, so these half-mitts are going to be a Christmas gift to one of my co-workers, because one of the rooms we work in is kind of chilly all the time.

Here's a little red wool shawl I finished late last summer. It's been laying down in the laundry room waiting to be washed and blocked and I finally got around to that a couple weeks ago. I think this little shawl is quite pretty and it would be nice to wear during the holidays.

I've got bunches of UFOs (unfinished objects) still stashed all over the house, but so far this winter is shaping up to provide lots of quality knitting time in front of the fireplace, so I'm going to take advantage of that. Besides with all these new patterns to try and BINS of yarn stashed away.....well gosh, I'm actually looking forward to a nice long winter!


Live to Knit, Knit to Live!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, my hat made your blog, I wore it home from Rick's B-day party,since I forgot to wear one that nite. You really have been knitting up a storm, and if I remember correctly you have enuf yarn to last all winter and then some. I'm glad you like to knit cuz then I get stuff and so does Dad. What's even better is that you taught yourself and you crochet too, you didn't get it from me, I just like to sew.
MOM

RuthieJ said...

Hey Mom, you figured out the new comment format! Way to go! I'm glad you're back again.
I think you did give me my first pair of knitting needles, though (size 7, blue aluminum).

Marsha said...

You just got the hat pattern last week and already have one done? I'm impressed!

Thinking this is going to be a long winter...I might have to take up a hobby. My daughter called and they are getting up to 20" more snow!

entoto said...

Ruthie,

I had no idea you had never been to knitting pattern central. I spend loads of time there. It's not blocked at work so I can daydream.

Isn't Loribird a lovely knitter? Much like someone else I know. I bet Mom looks lovely in her hat.

Jayne said...

Speaking of knitting addicts... one of the gals in the other church choir we're doing our cantata with was frustrated to see that we don't have a "choir loft" area at our church as she said she always takes her knitting with her and knits in between choir anthems! LOLOL!

Anonymous said...

Nice projects! I'm knitting... ha ha... just a scarf. I'm taking a class tomorrow night to make a cabled bag. We'll see how that goes. I know HOW to knit... I rarely have the follow-through to complete a project.

Love the bird photos and the cat at the end on your previous post, too!

Robin (Bumblebee) said...

Whoohoo! Ruthie, you're fabulous and very productive. I can hardly wait for my package!

I recently saw a knitting class offered by the local community college as part of its adult enrichment classes. I considered taking it. I still might. But, as you know, I don't have a good track record with these things.

Thanks Ruthie!

--Robin (Bumblebee)

RuthieJ said...

Hi Marsha,
The hat was fun & a nice portable project, so good to work on during the commute.

20 more inches?? Is that all lake effect snow? This is shaping up to be a "normal" Minnesota winter!

Hi Trixie,
I found knitting pattern central through another knitting blog. It's inspiring for me to see what other knitters are working on.

Hi Jayne,
A knitting project always accompanies me to any events I'm attending. I always take it along to Audubon meetings and have to sit close to the projection screen if they turn the lights off for a slide show!

Hi Jenn,
A scarf is a good place to start....that was my first project too. Cables are fun--I hope you like the class.

My kitty loves the birds--it's a good thing she doesn't go outside!

Hi Robin,
You're welcome. Sorry I didn't get the package mailed sooner. The dishcloths were done and have sat on my kitchen counter for the past 2 weeks.
I hope you take the class--maybe it would be more fun with others in a group!

Mary said...

Ruthie,

YOU are very productive. You not only work all day away from home, you tend to the birds, dogs, spousal unit, and your knitting.

I admire your enthusiasm for what you do so well. The items you make are needed in your climate, for sure!

I like those half-mitts. We don't wear knitted clothing around these parts much.

Warm in NC,
Mary

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I just love yarns and knitted items. I cannot knit. I have tried over the years but finally admitted to myself that my mind just doesn't work that way.

My MIL knits like a fiend. She can design her own sweaters etc. She is really talented.

I can see you are also very talented. I admire this skill.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Mary,
The nice thing is that I'm a knitting multi-tasker, so even if I'm sitting in front of the TV or watching birds, I can knit at the same time and it helps keep me awake too!

Hi Lisa,
Maybe you can't knit, but your gardens will always be so much better than mine! Thankfully, we all have our special talents!