Knitted Things!

I started knitting about five years ago.  Taught myself from a kid's learn to knit book and YouTube.  (Thank goodness for YouTube!)  I was really gung ho at first, then stopped for awhile.  I worried knitting was going to be like a lot of other pursuits I started enthusiastically, then eventually stopped doing (I'm looking at you scrap booking and stamping!)  But, I found I still enjoy it and really love it.

I really love starting a project and seeing it come together.  I have knitted two sweaters for myself since starting to knit and it is always exciting to see it grow on the needles, and also a little worrisome to see if it will fit when it is all done.  I love making things for others, too.  Especially baby gifts.  Who can resist tiny, handmade clothing?

Here are a few of the items I've made recently. 

These are socks that I still can't believe I made and enjoyed making!  I have seen my brother-in-law knit countless pairs of socks and always shook my head.  Who in their right mind would take the time to knit socks?  Then I found some sock yarn on clearance and decided to give it a try.  It was in my first year of knitting and I gave up when I realized I would have  to make a second sock when I finished the first.  The sock sat on my needles for 3-4 years until this February.  I ripped out the partially knitted sock, re-rolled my yarn into a ball, and started this sock pattern.  I love the results and I am even thinking I want to knit more socks!  Glad I changed my mind!

I made this little set for my daughter's classroom teacher.  She got married in the Fall and now is due with her first baby (a little boy) in September!  She has been an amazing teacher to my daughter and I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a little something for her.  I learned seaming and mattress stitch for this project and I'm so glad I did!  I've only knit raglan (or circular yoke) sweaters up to this point because I was so afraid of the seaming process.  Now I don't have to be!  Mattress stitch is amazing!  It is almost invisible and while a little tedious, the results are worth the effort.

 

Made this sweater (only my second one for me, and my first non-cardigan) for our upcoming trip to Ireland.  I wanted something easy and pretty.  I used a cotton yarn, which I would not do again.  While very soft, it is a bit heavy.  But overall I'm happy with how it turned out.  The lace part was hard to work once the sleeves were added, but I'm glad I stuck with it. 

Next up will be some baby sweaters for my cousins twin girls due in September and hopefully a cardigan in a lovely brown wool for me!