Major Knitter

More Scouting Gifts

Laura Eckels Hein from Knitting Central makes these divine little knitting bags out of happy printed fabric.  Both Laura and I are Scouting moms, so when I found the gorgeous Boy Scout fabric at JoAnn's, I bought some and gifted it to Laura.  This week she gave me the gift of a lovely knitting bag made with my Boy Scout fabric.

Isn't it delightful?  I shall use it on every campout.  It's my new favorite knitting bag.

If you'd like to get your own Laura's lovely bag - please contact her at Knitting Central.  Her new fall colors are simply stunning.  

The Latest Must-Have Accessory

Michelle came over this week for some knitting.  I'm so glad she moved back to Westport as it seems like we've been knitting buddies forever.  We met online when she was coming home for a visit from London and was looking up knitting in Westport.  Now we get together regularly for knitting, etc.  It's such fun!

Isn't it the best Knitter's necklace you've ever seen?  It's from KnowKnits and it's a necklace.  No, It's a set of stitch markers.  Wait.  It's both!  It's the GoKnits StitchMarkers necklace.  How clever is that?

Handmade Gifts Rock!

Rebecca of GOODFRUIT sent me a wonderful homemade gift.  Is there any better kind?

Look at these lovely stitch markers and the hand painted "trading card" Rebecca made for me.  Aren't they marvelous?  Check out the detail on the O-rings

Can you see how she hammered them flat?  She asked me to give them a try and see if I like them flattened this way.  Even before I've put them on the needle, I know the answer will be a resounding YES.  I like flat stitch markers when I'm using fingering weight yarn and fine needles (US 0, 1 or 2s).  These will be perfect.  Thanks so much Rebecca.  You made my day!

Antique Edwardian Knitting Needle Case

This is my favorite find at the Sock Summit 2009 - an Edwardian (1901-1910) hand-painted knitting needle case:

It's constructed from a steel tube covered in papier-mache and hand painted with a bird and flower design.

Here's a close-up of the bird in the center of the tube.

And here's a close-up of the bird on the bottom of the needle case.

Here's a close-up of the top steel tube, three pairs of Lantern Moon straight needles and the hand-painted lid to this antique treasure.  What a find!  If you'd like to try to find one, you can check out Katrina's Wool World on Etsy.  That's where I bought mine.  Hopefully she'll have some more.

It's Hip to be Square

Look what I got yesterday?

These are Kollage's Square dpns.  They're really interesting and I like them a lot.  I cast on for a pair of Christine's Stay-On Baby Booties and will give you a full report of them shortly. 

Have you used these needles?  What did you think of them?

My Monkey Bag

My package of goodies from Bea Binney's Going Out of Business Sale arrived this week.  Look at these terrific treasures:

I have a soft spot for monkeys, so I purchased the sock monkey knitting bag - plus four gorgeous sets of stitch markers to have on hand and to give away as gifts.  Such fun.

Thanks Bea!  

KoalaCaddie

I just received my new KoalaCaddie - Yarn Craft Apron designed by Mary Shooshan.  I'm delighted with my purchase and am going to give it a try today.  I especially like the added benefit of "No Pet Fur On Your Project".  What a novel idea.

Wilma's not too sure that she likes that remark.

I plan on test-driving my KoalaCaddie out with the chocolate brown Ribby Cardi.  The dark brown Cascade 220 yarn is getting riddled with Wilma's bristly fur.  I'm hoping the KoalaCaddie will solve the problem for me.  Thanks Mary for a great creation.  

Knitting Bag or Evening Bag?

While I was at Knitting Central for my weekly Wallaby Class, I looked over Laura Eckels newest selection of Knit Bags.  When BF and I travel, we don't check luggage, so I never bring my big clunky pocketbook.  Instead, I end up forgetting to pack something smaller, so I generally put my personal items and wallet in whatever knitting pouch I have.  Generally, it's my camouflage KnowKnits Pouch for knitting on the go.  I love my pouch, but camouflage isn't generally my idea of evening wear. 

So imagine how happy I was to find Laura Eckel's exclusive leopard print pouch - the Knitting Central Signature bag - for sale.  I quickly bought one and will be sure to take it on all my travels.  

Is it wrong that I would rather have a knitting bag that doubles as an evening bag (rather than a pocketbook/evening bag that might have room for my knitting?)

Organizational Skills

Generally, I am a very organized person.  But since I've transitioned into a stay-at-home-Mom my life has become quite hectic and chaotic.  Things are messy more often than not.  This drives the born-organizer in me really crazy.  But this quiet holiday I decided to finally organize my knitting needles.  I don't even want to tell you how many US Size 1 40" long Turbo Addis I own!  Every time I need them, I can't find them, so I buy two new pairs (because I knit both socks at the same time).  This is really getting to be a little embarassing as everyone at Knitting Central knows I just purchased the same needles only a few days before!  But no more.  Today I sorted my needles, put them back in their pouches, and placed them all in this file box with pockets for sizes 000 to 15

Please keep your fingers crossed that this time the method to my madness will work for me. 

Machu Picchu Monkey

My mother-in-law just got back from a big adventure to my #1 spot to visit - Machu Picchu - and found this little souvenir that's perfect for both BF and me.

Look!  It's a knit monkey (perhaps Curious George?) with a baby monkey on its back. 

See how knitting really can invade every part of your life?  Ain't Life Grand?