Emptyknitster

Socks: 27 pairs Sweaters : 4 Boot Cuffs: 2 pair Stuffed Toy: 1 Hats: 6   Premi hats: 4 Baby Sweaters: 2 Scarves: 2 (Mitered Square Sock Blanket: 160 squares for 2014, total 346 Grand Total of knit Items for 2014: 46 plus 160 squares Favorite Item:   Favorite photo prop for knitted item:     Craziest thing knit this year: Favorite hand dyed item:    As the saying goes: Knitting is like sex: If I love you it's free, if not you can't pay me enough!"

Hoping to keep Sarah's noggin' warm this cold North Dakota winter. Pattern: Rolled Brim Cap by Sue W. Yarn: I Love This Yarn, Soft Secret Colorway: Peacock, Light Denim Needle Size: US Size 7 & 8 Pattern: Vanilla Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist Yarn: Colorway: Needle Size: US Size 1

When we put the Christmas tree up, I told everyone we were not going to battle little Miss Denali Jane over the tree. Each time she tipped it over, I wanted whoever was there to document it with a photo and then put it back in an upright position. I envisioned a wonderful blog post, from beautiful tree to a Charlie Brown tree with ornaments strewn all over the floor. Well, the joke's on me!

Tossing aside tradition The Chick drove down on the 16th of December and the three of us were off to North Dakota for Christmas.  We were happy to see our grandkiddos and they happily made some delicious Christmas cookies. Our little Charlotte Ivy has grown into a beautiful kitty who has the good sense to stop and smell the roses!   We were able to attend Sadie Lou Who's Christmas concert. (a sad photo taken on my iphone The Tiger had been saying he was getting a computer for Christmas from Santa since Thanksgiving.  A little elf had told me a computer was not in the Tiger's future. So early one morning a few days before going to see Santa I asked him about the wish list he'd made for his visit to Santa. I was prepared to burst The Tiger's bubble and figured it was better six days before Christmas than on Christmas morning. A shocked look appeared on his face and The Tiger quickly told me the elves in the workshop where busy making computers at that v...

Like any dedicated knitter I was careful to pack plenty of yarn for our time in North Dakota. In truth, most knitters pack more than enough.  we don't ever, ever want to be without a project. Disaster struck on Friday I was sitting next to the Christmas tree happily knitting on a sock when the unexpected happened - I broke my Size 1 Addie circular needle. The wire just broke off an the end of the metal needle! I quickly went into solution mode. "Where," I asked frantically, "Can I find knitting needles?" Remember I'm in Jamestown, North Dakota, and the answer to this question is: NO WHERE!!! In desperation I went to Walmart but I knew in my heart that I wasn't going to find anything but a stiff, plasticy, Boyce size 8 needles. So what to do for the next three days until we went to the thriving metropolis of Fargo? Crochet a baby blanket! It's not done and I think I'll just keep it in the car should another emergency arise.

Each year the adults in our family draw names for gift giving but no matter who's name I draw I like to do a little knitting for everyone. Socks have been the go to gift lately.... The California Dreamin’ Gurl has a very specific order for her Christmas Socks: 1)Yoga Socks 2)Black 3)Tight I’m not fond of knitting black yarn but decided with no toes or heels I could put up with a little bit of knitting in the black. Even knitting only in daylight these were a very fast knit.To achieve the third request I found this pattern and knit these socks in a twisted cable. I think I'll use this little twist in many other toed socks. Pattern: Women's Yoga Socks by Rebecca Bathje Yarn: Cascade Sock Yarn Colorway: Black Needle Size: US Size 1 ...but the California Dreamin' Gurl was also the family member name I drew and so when she sent me her list of possible gifts and I saw DRYER BALLS I was delighted!! I got on YouTube, found a tutorial, and was quickly I was makin...

This year has been the year to knit socks. I've enjoyed every sock knit. Being able to put the project in my purse and take it anywhere has been the best. I feel like I can be adventurous in colors and patterns knowing the recipients will still wear the finished product - after all, they only have to slip on a pair of boots if they really find them offensive! I've always tried to have my Christmas presents bought, or completed by Thanksgiving so imagine my surprise when I went to wrap the NorDak family gifts and realized that I didn't have the Big Boy's socks completed! Quickly I got the THREE skeins of sock yarn, picked out a favorite pattern, and began knitting! Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Cadet Colours Needle Size: US 2.5 All wrapped and ready for Christmas!

I happily knit a pair of socks for one of my biggest sock fans! Pattern: Pin Striped Socks by Julia Gabriel              Fish Lip Kiss Heel Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Ragg Shades Colorway: Brown Striped Ragg Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size:  US 1 needles