Haven't Posted In A Long Time.....

It has been a long time since I have posted. It's not because I haven't been knitting. I have. It calms me. It changes my brainwave patterns from Beta to a Theta state of mind. Beta is a highly charged anxious state of mind when everything inside of you is "on alert." Theta is a much more relaxed, calmed down, let's meditate relaxed, frame of mind. Many rely on cigarettes, alcohol, or some other form of drug (legal or otherwise) to change their brainwave patterns. I prefer knitting, crocheting, or working with any craft. It is healthier; and when you are done, you have created something that not only brings you pleasure and has greatly enhanced your life; but if given away or sold, brings pleasure to someone else too.

In the past few months I have knitted things, and given them away, forgetting to take pictures so that I could add them to my visual Knitting Log.

I am perfecting my sock knitting skills by knitting John a few pairs using Lamb's Pride worsted weight wool. It is a much heavier yarn than those recommended for knitting socks, but believe me, when you live in a cold winter climate such as Maine, and you wear boots the entire winter season; a heavier sock is needed and very much welcomed. Also; John is recuperating from a broken ankle and must wear an air-cast at all times. You cannot use a shoe with it and therefore a heavy sock is very much appreciated to keep the foot warm. I knitted an ultra heavy sock in Lamb's Pride Bulky weight yarn which he wears when venturing outdoors to doctor's appointments etc.

I do have a few pictures to share. I will post them individually instead of using a slide show. When slide shows are used, they do not adequately allow you to comment on what you are looking at.

This is a dual-purpose Shawl: It can also be used as a small Throw over your legs to keep you warm while watching television or reading. I made something very similar a few years ago for my aunt, but it was not quite as large. This was a commissioned piece and I used Lion Brand Jiffy yarn.

This is a baby blanket that will be sent to Dr. Samantha (Sam) Williams who is treking to South Africa this Spring bringing much needed clothing to a Zulu tribe.

Here is a close-up. I am using Red Heart "Candy Print" yarn for this one. I enjoy the effects the striped yarn gives when this blanket is done. The pattern is copyrighted and can be obtained if you join the Multidirectional Knitting Yahoogroup formed by knitting designer Iris Schreier http://groups.yahoo.com/group/multidirectional/.

Here is a toddler sweater I am finishing for a child in my town. I have to add buttons. I didn't do quite the perfect job I would have liked; so I will pass this on to the little one's mother and knit another one for her later. It is still wearable and warm, and that is the important thing. I used Caron's Simply Soft in "Grape" to knit this one.

This is a good little book to use for knitting baby thru child sweaters. The book gives basic patterns and optional edgings and necklines. It can be a bit confusing at times, but it does open the mind to more creativity.

Some new 'Stash' that I chose from my Christmas present of yarn money. This is mercerized cotton (light worsted weight) from Elann.com. This company is based in Canada, sells discounted natural fibers, and gives the quickest service. I can place an order with them and receive it in 5 days via the United States Postal Service; which I find remarkable! I live in Maine and it takes the post office 3-4 days to deliver a Priority box to Massachusetts.

More Christmas present 'Stash.' My local yarn shoppe was having a sale and it is so hard to choose from a Shop full of gorgeous fibers! The hot "pinkish" red is an Italian product called Dive, and is a blend of wool and microfiber. It is a very soft bulky yarn. The green is a ball of Cascade Yarn: all wool superwash, 220 yards, worsted weight and soft as can be. I plan to knit myself a tam from it. But don't know when I will get around to it. I also have 2 skeins of Malabrigo coming from New York.