Emptyknitster

The Purl Gurl’s Relay for Life group has been putting together a silent auction on Valentine’s Day for the several years. She lives and works in a small town so the hubbies have a difficult time coming up with unusual gifts for their sweethearts. These Gals have put together the best baskets over the last few years - ones that would make any wife happy! I’ve contributed felted mittens in the past but this year thought that a hitchhiker in pinks and reds might be fun - if it doesn’t bring in the bucks it will be back to the mittens next year!  I am so proud of The PurlGurl's dedication to this event!  Pattern: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm Yarn: Lorna's Hand-dyed Yarns Sheperd Sock Colorway: Lincoln Park Zoo Needle Size: US 4

Monday and Tuesday were spent in town at a conference. I spent hours knitting on these socks while listening to the speaker. When I'd pause to look around the room I was surprised to see so many people fiddling with their phones/ipods. I just can't see how they could possibly be paying attention! Oops, perhaps THEY are thinking the same thing about ME! Pattern: "No Pattern" Socks , Lala Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Cadet Colors Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size: US 2

These little hats look adorable on the little ones! Without a noggin’ to use as a model they are a little strange! The hat uses such a little bit of yarn that I think they would be GREAT as stash busters and charity hats. I would like to knit one more in a 12 month size in wool for the baby to use next winter. WHAT A GREAT AND FAST BABY GIFT! Pattern: Aviatrix baby hat by Justine Turner Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pacific, Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Tweed Colorway: Dark Teal, Ruby Needle Size: US 7 and 9

The Tiger fell in love with my rolls this holiday season. They are my standard dinner roll recipe from the Betty Crocker Cookbook but the Tiger just couldn't get enough. Over Christmas I made two batches just to keep his tummy happy. Golden Crescents 2 packages of yeast 3/4 cup warm water 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1/2 cup shortening (part soft butter) 4 cups flour Soft butter or margarine Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour until smooth. Mix in remaining flour until smooth. Scrape dough from side of bowl. Cover, let rise in warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide dough in half; roll each half into 12-inch circle. Spread with butter; cut into 16 wedges. Roll up each wedge, beginning at rounded edge. Place rolls, with point under, on greased baking sheet. Cover; let stand until double, about 1 hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Brush rolls with butter. I was vi...

New knitter, Carol, showing off her Miss Sadie's Scarfette At this week's knitting class, the primary teachers arrived with some upsetting news. During their grade level meeting they had been told: "We are establishing a strict no knit policy for this district." The gals said there were upset looks shared among the grade level (and within our own little knitting group as we were being told). Then the original bearer of bad news continued: "Yes, from now on, not only will students with lice be sent home but children with nits in their hair as well." Audible sighs were heard in both rooms!

Tuesday we honored Linda, a member of the staff that is once again renewing her battle with cancer. The school was a sea of pink. I knit this up in one evening with leftover yarn. I received many compliments on the result! No pattern scarf Yarn: Leftover yarn - Knitting Fever Indulgence 6-Ply and JojoLand Tonic Colorway: partie, and rose Needles: US 5

Even if there is no snow on the ground, the wind is biting and the winter's cold, so we need to bundle up for recess duties! These mitts were a birthday gift to my good friend Johanna. They are intended to go with the Hitchhiker I knit her for Christmas. I was attracted to these mittens when Knitty.com-deep fall came out but just couldn’t drop everything and knit them - to much Christmas going on! When knitting the second mitt it became clear that the mittens just weren’t going to be long enough so I made the second pair into fingerless mitts and ripped a little on the first pair…  l love that they have the zig-zag reminiscent of the Hitchhiker! Pattern: Ambroso Mittens by Carol Feller Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted Colorway: Mallard Amount: 1skein Needle Size: US 4

Chloe has always had an interest in knitting. At the age of 4 she would sit on my lap and “knit” while I held the bottom of the needles “steering”. Chloe could sit and do this for 30 to 40 minutes at a stretch before hopping down and declaring, “I think I can do it myself now.”  A few years have passed since then but Chloe continues to have the knitting bug. When I was visiting her last month she became interested in my circular needles. Surprisingly, we couldn’t find any of the needles within walking distance so I promised some would be sent soon.   With a little conversing on the phone, and emails shooting back and forth we have been able to get her going on knitting a hat in the round!

There is a buzz many knitters are talking about this first week of the new year and it's how they are going to knit down their yarn stashes. Buying yarn because it's beautiful, or soft, or a "great deal" is like choosing to line up behind me, a big mistake! I have developed a sixth sense when things are about to turn ugly while waiting in the checkout line. It has always been, and will forever be, that ninety percent of the time the person in front of me has picked up an unpriced item or is about to argue with the clerk about the price wrung up. I feel that it's only fair I give those behind me in line a chance, so I'll turn around and suggest they go to the next line. It never occurred to me to buy yarn for yarns sake. When I decide to begin a project the first thing I need to know is who the recipient will be. Next, I pick out a pattern and finally it's off to the yarn shop to buy yarn. It would never work for me to just buy blindly! What...

I declare January as honorary "Sock Knitting Month." Last year I thought I would knit myself a pair of socks and then proceeded to knit 10 pair! Now revealing the first pair of 2012.... "No Pattern" Socks by Emptyknitster Yarn:Knitting Fever Indulgence 6-ply Colorway: partie Needles: Size 2 US

A very quick knit for my Sister-in-law, Annie,  just wish there wasn't a need for it. Pattern: Rolled Brim Chemo Cap Yarn: Jojoland Melody Superwash Colorway: Faded Rose Needle Size: US size 5

Recently, the Purl Gurls had a discussion on sock knitting at our Friday Happy Hour Knitting. I sang  praises for the "No Pattern" Socks that I had recently knit. Several asked me to write the pattern for the "No Pattern" Socks - it was good for a chuckle! "No Pattern" Socks An off road sock lesson from Lala, Judy's magic cast on , The KnitGirllls after thought heel , Cat Bordhi's reinforcement of the heel, Jeny's Surprisingly stretchy bind off and Kitchner Stitch ! Needle Size: US size 1 (this makes a much more durable sock) Use Judy’s Magic Cast On starting with 8 total stitches and increase every other row until there are 64 stitches. (32 on each needle, I use 2 circulars) Knit until the sock is at the place where your leg attaches at a right angle to the foot and then knit a piece of waste yarn into 32 of the stitches, then slide them back and knit these stitches with the regular yarn you have been using. ( The KnitGirll...