Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Christmas is almost here

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. And I love making things for others. This year is just the same. I have made so many things throughout the year and this is just the beginning of my end of the year gifts. You will be seeing more of my projects as it gets closer. I am going to try to post them as I finish them, so the posts may be short but they will be more frequent. 

I am also in the process of creating a pod/videocast under Knittin' Kim, so please keep an eye out for it after the New Year, or Hogmany if you are across the pond.  
With Christmas coming, I have been busy, busy, busy. My items for myself have been put on hold while I make things for my loved one.
The picture above is a scarf that I made for my husband, my own pattern. It was made from Knit Picks Brava Cobblestone Heather. I love how thick it is and I can just picture my hubby wrapped in it when he is out clearing out pathways in just a few weeks.

The next item that I have completed:  This is a gift card holder that I have made for some friends of the family. I love it, but then I love cables. This was so much fun to make. I found the pattern on Knit Picks and here is the link on Ravelry. I made it out of Stroll Tweed, The color was Garnet Heather. I was able to make it with yarn left over for another holder.

I hope that these items are inspiration for everyone. If there are any questions, or comments please let me know. God Bless you all.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Reading, Writing and so much more: Craft Book Review: Susan B. Anderson's Kids' Knitt...

Reading, Writing and so much more: Craft Book Review: Susan B. Anderson's Kids' Knitt...: This book has proven to me that there is still much to learn in the area of knitting, even for someone that has been doing for over 40 years...

Susan B. Anderson's Kids' Knitting Workshop

jacket image for Susan B. Anderson's Kids’ Knitting WorkshopThis book has proven to me that there is still much to learn in the area of knitting, even for someone that has been doing for over 40 years.

This is such a well-illustrated book, with clearly written instruction, it should help any new knitter to learn this skill quickly.

The book is divided into easily digested chapters. To begin, she admits that the first information may seem boring but it is important to talk about the tools and materials that are needed to build confidence. Then she divides the rest of the book into lessons that are easy to follow along. She also places hints in each lesson, such as making a butterfly with the end yarn so the knitter does not get confused and knit with it. Each section also has projects for the knitter at whichever level they are at. There are some adorable bracelets or a cowl for beginners plus other patterns. Included in the intermediate knitter section are some cute headbands and a hat. Then in the advanced section, there is a cute fox pillow, toys and puppets.

Susan B. Anderson has written other knitting books like Itty-Bitty Hats, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. She also has a knitting blog and teaches classes on Craftsy and other areas.

I was going to give this book to a new knitter I am working with, but have decided to keep it as a guideline for future students.

I love this book. I was given this book by the author, artisonbooks and Workman Publishing, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.
Posted by Kimberly Napier at 6:57 AM  

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Lots on the Needles

So here we are, one week before Thanksgiving. In my mind this means only one month to get all of my Christmas gifts done! Yike!

Anyway, this week I have begun pattern testing for three ladies so my other projects have only seen minimum time this week.

I can't go into a lot of detail on the test patterns. But I am working on socks, and I chose to do an XL pair. This is funny because it could almost count as a Christmas stocking, it is that large. 

I am also working on a sweater. I qualify this by saying that I did have a sweater come out of storage with a big hole in it, so I need to replace it. 

My third object is a cowl which really should work up fast as it is made with large needles and super chunky yarn.

So those are my tests. Now for my other objects.

I am working on my son's replacement socks out of  a discontinued yarn color from Knit Picks. Pictures, hopefully in a week or so.

Then I have started a poncho for my California granddaughter. It is the Poncho Oli. This is on Les Tricots de Cecile. I am using odds and ends and each cable repeat is knit in a different color. It is turning out beautiful. This is working up quickly, but with the other projects it will probably get done right before Christmas.

Anyway, That is about all this week. Hopefully I will have pictures next week. I will also begin to post items on Ravelry this week under ksnapier.

I hope everyone enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners and keep those needles working. 


Friday, November 13, 2015

Crazy day????

Hello everyone.
I am sorry for missing last week. Life happens and nothing can stop it at times. However, I am here today with my latest activities.

So far today, I have had a great morning. We have had wild winds here lately which makes me realize that winter is on its way. So this morning I made a small container of lip balm. After I pick up some distilled water, I am going to make my hubby a nice aftershave spray and then finally, probably tomorrow, I am going to work on my first try at making a solid perfume with essential oils.

I know, right now some of you are looking at this entry and asking, what does this have to do with knitting? Well, I am a retired person, so I like to diversify my activities, so I do a little knitting and yarn work, and diy homemade things, like lip balm, and I work from home writing book reviews (see Reading, Writing and so much more) and helping a tutoring company review schools.

Now on to the knitting. First of all is a sad thing. I was working on my son's second sock the other day, when I realized that in my straightening up a couple days previously, I threw the other sock away. Since he has such long feet I needed all the yarn I had to make two, so I did not have any extra. Now I have a sockie puppet for my granddaughter and soon-to-be grandson, I guess.

Next I belong to a group called AtMyHouse and we have monthly exchanges. I signed up for the cowl exchange this time. I made it out of leftover yarn from my granddaughter's dress from my first entry. Here is how the cowl turned out
Then after having to frog my coat 2 weeks ago, I restarted and this is how far I made it on the back right now. The pattern name and yarn are on the previous entry. Please check it out.

I have also started a wrap-around jacket for my granddaughter out of the same leftover yarn used in the cowl. I did not like the pattern so I am adapting it right now. I am not ready to show it off yet, so hopefully next week. 

Next I am off to do some spindling with some roving I picked up at Knit Picks. I cannot wait. Hopefully it will turn out and there will be a pic next time. 

Take care all and keep those needles moving. 


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Saturday, October 31, 2015

Knitting, knitting, cross-stitch????

So, I don't have anything new to show this week. I was soaring away on my milkweed coat, when I discovered I had misread a section of the pattern. Since there is lace knitting involved, I had to rip it all the way back to the seed stitch border. So a week's worth of work is now in the process of being work up again.

I am also ready to create the heel on my son's Christmas present, the same one I started last week. So nothing new on that front.

Now, I know you may have seen cross-stitch in my title and wondered what that is all about. This is another love of mine. A few years ago my daughter created a chart for St. Patrick's Breastplate and after a couple of years I began it. Now I am at the tail end of the beautiful picture. when I finish I will post a picture for all to enjoy.

So sorry, there are no pictures today but hopefully next week I will at least have a pair of socks done and then I will post and then on to another project.

Knitting, knitting, knitting.

Have fun this week.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Hubby socks

This was a good week. I hope you can say the same. This week I was able to finish my husband's socks for Christmas. Please don't tell him, he thinks they are for the local soup kitchen. 

Anyway, I made them out of On Line Supersock. the color was Sambia. The pattern was simply a Displaying IMG_20151024_122122.jpgknit two, purl two ribbing on the top of the socks and straight knitting on the bottom. I enjoy working the toe-up technique, so that is the way I went with these. The top was one inch knit one, purl one ribbing with a strand of elastic thread. These were quick and easy to make. 

I am now working on a pair for my son. Unfortunately his feet are a little bigger so I have to use two skeins of Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn. This is a handpainted yarn in the color rhapsody. I am currently on the top ribbing on sock one. 

I am also working on Milkweed. A jacket that is designed by Carol Sunday. I love it. I am making it out of a purple wool yarn. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love almost everything purple, so this is for me. YAY.

Anyway those projects are keeping me busy right now. Next, I will either work on sweaters for my guys or forest animals for my grandchildren. 

Have a great week and keep the knitting needles working. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Knitting today

I am sorry that I have not been more attentive to this blog, but I am going to begin to do better starting today.

I have been spending time in California with my beautiful daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law. On the way there I began to work on a pair of socks for my husband. I am making them out of wool yarn and not the yarn that slides along the finger nicely. This yarn has been a little painful to work with, mainly because certain wool makes my fingers itch. Anyway, even though it was difficult, I worked on the flight from Ohio to Washington D.C. and then to California. (I know flight paths don't always make sense). I was able to finish one of the socks and then I decided to be distracted by knitting for my granddaughter. When I finish both of the socks, I will post pictures of them.

The next thing that I began in California is a wrap around sweater for my little 2-year-old. This is something else that is still on the needles. I did not bring enough yarn with me to finish the sleeves but that is ok. I was able to fit the fronts and back into the back and pack them flat.

Now for the finished item that I began and finished out there. I have had the pattern for Shades of Summer Dress for a few years and now seemed like a good time to make it. I had the yarn, Bamboo Pop color Happy Birdy and Clover sent out ahead of me and then I began to work. I was able to make this dress in one week time. It is so beautiful. But don't take my word for it, here is a picture of the finished creation.


There was also a festival called the Lambtown Festival while we were there. We saw an article in the paper about there being a collection point for beanies for little ones that are going through chemo. So I thought that I would use some of the yarn that I had left and create some beanies. Here are one of them, sorry I did not take pictures of all. But it felt good to know that I could create something like these for the little ones. 
Anyway I think that is it for today. Please let me know if there is more that you would like me to write about. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this. 

Monday, April 20, 2015

Book Review: The Girls of Mischief Bay

The Girls of Mischief Bay, the first in the series of Mischief Bay, is a funny, touching, romantic, relationship-changing book written by Susan Mallery. In this book there are three friends that are each facing a change in their lives.

Nicole is a supportive wife whose husband is a screenwriter. However, she has not seen any finished work from him so she has to work full-time, and since he does not seem to be inclined to run the house or look after their son, Nicole must do these too.

Pam is also a loving wife, but her children are grown so she is trying to keep the love alive in her marriage. She is faced with an uncertain future due to changes that are placed upon her.

Shannon is a business executive who has placed a larger emphasis on work than her personal life. Now she has met a man who she sees a future with but is it meant to be?

These three women share, support, and advise each other through these times.

Mallery is a bestselling author of Three Sisters and she has done an excellent job with this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you.

Tana Thompson has a way with words that touch the heart of adults and children.
In Why Dogs Are, Thompson tells about the creation of dogs by God. More specifically why one special dog, a golden retriever, was sent to Brian by God. The dog shows Brian that God loves him so much that he sent a friend to be the seeing eyes and the hearing ears that Brian needs.
This is such a heartwarming story that is a great book to share with loved ones, no matter what the age. I read it to my 1 ½ year old granddaughter and she loved it as much as I did. Marita Gentry created wonderful illustrations to add to the book.
All the profits from this book go to charities which train and support therapy dogs.

I was very glad that I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review! Thank you.