First Knitted Project and A Winner Too!

When he's not going to school fulltime or working 30+hours a week, my son rocks out with his buddies playing bass in local venues of the bay area. He accomplishes whatever he puts his mind to, including knitting a Xmas gift for his girlfriend on Xmas eve. My son decided to knit his fingerless mittens while at work, which he completed by 2 am. Despite his occassional focal tremors of hands when he's tired, nothing stopped him knitting his Xmas gift.
A small award, but just as sweet to see my son get honorable mention for his knitting at the San Mateo Fair.
None of my knitting won, only and tiny needle felted teddy bear received third place. Fun to make and took an hour to make.

More bags...

Fun felted bags to make. The round bag was knitted with maroon wool and double stranded with eyelash yarn. A quick and easy project. More time for the entrelac knitting, contrasting colors create an easter egg coloring effect. This bag is lined with turquiose fabric and sewn with handy pockets. Never enough knitted bags!

Harry Lives!!!

With wand in hand, Harry is ready to fight the dark evil forces!

Got It!!!

Yes...At twelve midnight I was one of the crazy nuts waiting in line for the final Harry Potter book! Loyal fans who stood in line were given glow in the dark Harry glasses. I didn't start reading of course until the morning. A sunny day, my ever ready wand, and a good Harry Potter book is all I need to make it a perfect day. No time to go to band practice and hang out with the guys or even see the 'babes'! I have to read and find out what happens to Harry and 'You Know Who'!!!!

Short Row Shaping Applied...

Loved the idea of short row shaping knitting with the wrap & turn stitches for sleeves. I decided to try it on a smaller version for an 18" doll on a cropped cardigan. The pattern was from Eileen Adler's book 'Matching Knits for Girls & Dolls'. The sleeves called for a 3" length with more simpler square shape. The short row shaping allows the sleeves to drape more naturally with the curved sleeve caps.

Graduating! Can't believe it!

Pics for my blog to be added
Originally uploaded by speedieiskool

Buddies since kindergarten and friends forever...

Dexter Danger's Last Show!

Punch Embroidery for the Boys!

Remember Raphael of the Ninja Turtles? or the Mickey Mouse? Any theme my boys loved, I made a punch embroidery to add to their shirt. Every character was punched and outlined to recreate their favorite comic hero or interest... Of course their super heroes had muscles. Raphael is three dimentional from head to toe. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, dinosaurs, bubble gum machine, baseball blue jay logo & Giants and countless more boy stuff! Last but not least is the logo for my son's alternative rock band Dexter Danger. I applied the DD emblem to my jean jacket for their last show 10/06. The guys of the band and kids loved it. Their last show was a hit at the Bottom of the Hill in SF, packed from wall to wall. One of the photos is of my younger son (as a baby in Mickey Mouse shirt) and their show. The knitted furry like scarves are the 'brainless' projects you need when waiting in doctor or dentists offices or to pick up kids while waiting in the car. Everyone needs a simple project that doesn't require counting. The back of the jacket displays my son's Dexter Danger logo.

Purple & Prince...

Another purple bag? Never enough of 'purple'! Starting with a beaded scarf pattern, I then altered it to a small bag that attaches to a belt or with a strap for more dress up look. Lining is a lavender satin fabric with a snap enclosure and velcro sewn on the side to remove the strap to use as a fanny pack (more of hands free design). The brilliant deep purple beads are from Japan. This was a must for the very rare Prince concert at the Orpheum Theatre in SF.

More Hearts and Cabling...

Teddy (otherwise Theodora) is shown with pink aran celtic sweater with cabled hearts. Her basket is a cranberry felted tote bag with a pink heart on the front panel that is also a pocket. The tote is lined with rose pattern fabric with more pockets for knitting supplies. The heart design is from Nicky Epstein's Knitting for Barbie book.

Round & round you go!

Four sides are knitted to create this triangular shaped purse. Other than the occassional dizziness from going around and around the bag stitching cabling and seed stitch patterns on the sides, it is an intrigueing design and fun to make. I purchased the pattern at the Stitches West in San Jose, Ca. The original pattern was difficult to follow I found. As the pattern indicated, I did my own design for the front & side panels. I love heart cabled patterns and incorporated it with adjacent cabling designs from the Knitted Aran Celtic book. The purse is lined with stockinette stitches and a pocket was added to keep my on the go knitting trinkets. The firmness of the bag is created by cutting and sewing plastic canvas pieces. For even more stiffness I overlayed the canvas with thin cardboard. Absolutely, one of the most fun & unique knitted bags to make!

Wild and Sultry!!!!!!

Sally the Seductress, I have named her. Her beginnings are from the book "Knitted Babes", the pattern was altered so that she could actually sit upright without falling over her face. She has a sultry pose and is waiting until any blue skies appear on this typical overcast day in Pacifica to contemplate on what she has on her agenda today....Needle felted fingernails were added to her hands as well as white sandals that are secured by velcro to her tiny feet. Ho...hum...not a good day for the beach........

First Place at the San Mateo Fair!

Well, there were only two entries in that division. I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting first place... The doll was rescued from the Goodwill (Lisi doll), cleaned up, haired combed and the rest is history. The bodice of the dress is done with an intarsia pattern, from an 18" doll pattern. Randee & Jordan are my 'girls!' or atleast while they're at the fair with me. They enjoy the same interests of beading, knitting, and dolls.

Knitting projects: Short but Sweet...

Projects I attempt must be short but interesting enough to keep me from falling asleep. Stockinette long periods surely will act the same as reading a book before you go to bed. I enjoy cabling with patterns of design, such as hearts or symbols. The breast cancer scarf has three sampler patterns: a heart (love), anchor (hope), and breast cancer sign (faith). Filler patterns of choice are the squares between the symbols. I showed the scarf to my auntie who loved it. She had just lost her husband to cancer. The scarf was hers!

More sites of Pacifica

I am happy to be even able to post a 'blog'. Yesterday, I asked my son what it was...Slow but learning more about using the net. Believe it or not, these hidden picturesque treasures are only 10 minutes from the bay area. I love my hometown, except for the occassionaly mildew in our home. Otherwise it is a perfect place to live in and have a family. I called a friend in Belmont which is only 20 min away and she couldn't believe those adorable creatures lived in the small town Pacifica. These llama like cuties grace a small hillside walking distance from the beach. If its a blue sky day, nothing beats the Pacifica ocean view and local furry (alpaca?) friends. Any comments if anyone knows exactly what type of animals they are I would appreciate it.
Most of my free time I am shopping, knitting, gardening, or photographing the nearby picturesque natural treasures.

Knitting with Alpaca????