Stitch and Bitch Baby Blanket

Even though I am currently complaining about crochet, I did manage to knit a baby blanket for my pen pal in Taiwan. This was my first knitted baby blanket (!) and the pattern was from the first Stitch and Bitch book by Debbie Stoller. You can also get the pattern here on Ravelry.

This was a fantastic easy project. Excellent if you are a beginner (which I am not - but sometimes I act like one.)

Attempting: Flowers in the Snow

The scissors come in handy once there is far too many knots.

Ugh! Why do I torture myself?

While I knit, I admit I am not really good at it. No, I do not check my gauge and when I do I don't really understand what I am doing. And even though I can finish a project, I feel like I was in art school - never completely satisfied - knowing I could have done better.

So why do I torture myself? I think I am addicted to it.

Now I am re-teaching myself crochet. I was rather good at it as a child and sadly, picking up the hook again is not anywhere similar to always remembering how to ride a bike.

Bad Point: I don't remember a thing about crochet.

Bad Point: I do remember that I always made my stitches too tight.

Good Point: Crochet is faster and more fulfilling is tempting for the making of Christmas presents.

Good Point: I came across this pattern and loved it sooo much.

Good Point: 'Tis perfect for using up your yarn stash.

Good Point: You only have to pay between $2 - $3 for a hook.

Flowers in the Snow by Solveig Grimstad

Very nordic isn't it? I love the variety of colour and it doesn't look old (which is the problem with many granny square patterns). Fresh! Colour! Hip! Yes, it is all good.

This awesome and free pattern can be found on Ravelry under Solveig, here or you can check out her amazing site here. Trust me you'll want to pick up a hook once you visit.

For now I will be trying to make my circles look like her's. Hmmmm...not happening.....(enter any swear word here).

And another tip: this is the best link I have found for learning how to crochet (so far (-:). Good luck!

Clicking Needles....

This is what I have been working on in the evenings:

I found this fun design while digging in a basket in an antique shop in Rye, England. Cost me a whopping 30p ($0.75 cents)! While the pattern recommends an angora yarn, I am using a very simple but nice smokey grey acrylic, with the birds in an off-white. The pattern recommends using a red yarn for the birds beaks. Can you imagine that? I figure if I don't like the appearance once I have completed the sweater I can stitch in some colour when I am finished. I'll photograph the front of my own soon...oh and put a bird on it!