Old Friends

Hi Knitters,
TC has been knitting up a storm again. It comes and goes for her but when she is on with the knitting she is a whirlwind. She became obsessed with knitting booties so I suggested this old free pattern of mine called, Pg. 81 Booties. If you have Itty-Bitty Hats go to page 81 to see where it all started. She is so excited about her finished booties. I helped her with the finishing but she did all of the knitting.

Click here to read the story of the Pg. 81 Booties and see how to make them.

Click here to go to the Ravelry project page for the Pg. 81 Booties.

The free pattern pdf is on my blog sidebar under Free Patterns.

TC is incredibly proud of her booties and she made a hat to match. All that is left is a few rosebuds for the top of the hat. She literally hovers about me while she is knitting. It is cute. She is using the no longer being manufactured Manos Cotton Stria. I am glad to have a big basket of this yarn in my possession. It is gorgeous and will dwindle eventually because TC loves it.
All week I have been knitting up a storm right along with TC but I also worked in a few more placemats. You know, I just can't get used to writing place mat in two words. I am going back to the regular old placemat. What do you think? Anyhoo, either way, my goal is to eventually get a dozen placemats for my family's daily use. Everyone loves them so much. It is making me really, really happy. I have to remember to photograph the steps for you. I think I will put that up next on here.

It's the little things in life that count. Simple pleasures are the best.

I purchased that fun pincushion from Anthology on State Street in Madison. This is one of our favorite local shops to get lost in.
Here are two more that I am hoping to finish up today. I am doing mitered corners on the binding. Sometimes they work out so beautifully and sometimes I struggle. I can't quite figure out why. This is such a good learning process for me. Practice, practice, practice. I am getting really fast and confident on threading my machine, filling bobbins and problem solving. I've got the bobbin tension figured out, too. You learn by doing. It's true.

As far as other new things, I am going for my first spinning lesson next week! I am pretty excited about this. I will keep you posted on how I do. I also have my skirt sewing class coming up. I'll have lots of new things to share over the next couple of weeks.

I'll leave you with a few fun links today:
A gorgeous new sweater pattern.
A free pattern for a swirly cowl.
A cool and easy sewn scarf pattern.
A knitted Kindle cover (I need to make this asap!)
I am considering purchasing one of these hooked rug kits. I love the look of them.
Gudrun Johnston's incredible new pattern book is up for pre-order. I love these patterns.
I am ordering this pattern book by Mandy Powers!

Check out the patterns for Mandy's book in this review. You'll love the patterns.
This Etsy shop is making me swoon.

Okay, friends, I have to get on with my day.
best, susie