...and there's more!

This past fall was CRAZY! We moved, we hosted family for Thanksgiving, we had family the week after Thanksgiving, and before I knew it, Christmas was here and gone. Every year I say "I'm going to start early so I can relax and enjoy the holidays." Yeah, right. How's that working out for ya? I will say, as I was mentally counting down days and hours, I did manage to make several gifts. I have always loved making gifts for others. Even as a child, I was always thrilled to create something from paper, beads, clay, whatever was handy, to give away. I still love it. As a matter of fact, someone asked me what happens to the majority of my knitted goods. Well, the majority of them find homes with people I love and who I know will appreciate a hand-made gift. That is really how the name of this blog came into being. Historically, when I would make a gift, I would write on the tag "Hand made by happy hands". Creating things makes my hands happy. My sister surprised me with custom tags that say "Hand Knit by Happy Hands"..thus Happy Hands Hand Knits. My hands are very happy to be back in creative mode and hope to stay that way. So, the final count for Christmas was...1 pair of felted slippers, two ear-flap hats, three bracelets, four no-sew fleece blankets, one knitting needle case, two stitch markers, two ruffle scarves (well, one was officially a birthday gift), four Christmas ornaments, and a partridge in a pear tree (not really)! So, all in all, it was a very Happy Holiday for Happy Hands! Here are a few photos of the goods.

WHAT? A NEW YEAR???

Okay, I cannot believe it has been a year since my last post. I have really good excuses...Facebook, Ravelry, Pinterest.....ok, not the best excuses, but great ways to waste time! I have been knitting, believe it or not, and it feels great. Today I took a little break and tried my hand at some crochet. I learned to crochet when I was young. Nothing fancy, but the basic stitches seemed to stick. There is a distinctive look to crochet, which you cannot replicate with knitting needles. I am playing around with some accent pieces to add to my knitting. I think it may be fun. I can say that I am a knitter at heart and I don't think that is going to change. I will leave you with a few photos of some finished objects from 2011 to present. I hope it is not another year before you hear from me again!

Hello, 2011!

Happy New Year! I am not one to make resolutions. I don't think you should limit your resolve to one day a year. That said, I do have some personal goals for the year, one of which is to be a more dedicated blogger. Heck, I don't even know if anyone reads this blog, but at least I can give those who do a few more posts! I have been knitting pretty regularly these days. One of my non-resolutions is to pull a few patterns at a time and make it a goal to actually knit them each. No deadline, no pressure. To start, I have pulled a cowl , some cabled mitts, and French Press Felted Slippers. I like the idea of having a plan, one item at a time, instead of staring at my stash and scratching my head. I did do some holiday knitting. Not a lot, but a few items, the cowl and baby hat shown. I am currently working on a striped stocking cap, which is fairly mindless TV watching knitting. I have a lot of hope for 2011 and am looking forward to what each day will bring. Keep checking in on me to check my progress!

Thinking PANK!

Ahhhh...October...while the month normally makes me think about pumpkins, turning leaves, and the possibility of less than 100 degree temps, what I have been thinking about is PANK (Pink for those of you above the Mason-Dixon Line). October is breast cancer awareness month and it seems everywhere you turn there is something pink...pro football players sporting pink, golfers sporting pink, pink appliances, pink, pink, pink. I think it is wonderful! For the past several years I have been fortunate to be part of an extraordinary group, Pretty In Pank, raising money for local breast cancer awareness and to assist those facing the disease. We hold a variety show as our major fundraiser and I must say that this year's show was absolutely the "breast"! The show had a 70's theme and from start to finish it was an evening of laughter and love for the cause. The local talent outdid themselves and I have a feeling folks will be talking about this one for quite a while! I fell very blessed to live in such a generous and caring community. Thank you to all who came out to support the cause, to all who donned a wig or ridiculous costume, and to all the volunteers who gave so selflessly of their time and talents. So, when next October rolls around, plan to join us in the fight and THINK PANK! I leave you with the Happy Hands Hand Knits door prize...I hope it will be cool enough soon for the recipient to wear the stinkin' thing!

Believe it or not!

What? A finished object? Yes, indeed! I have been wanting to make these booties for a while now but just never did take the time to dig through the stash to find the right yarn. I wanted to make a baby gift for a friend and thought mary jane booties would be perfect. I started with another pattern but did not like the result. Sooooo...I dug out the yarn, found two balls of Rowan Cashsoft DK, and voila, a really cute pair of booties. I will say the first one took a little longer than it should have, but I breezed right through the second one once I figured out the construction. I didn't even mind the seaming. I think they are really cute and I am thinking about other color combinations. Mostly, I feel good about actually finishing a project! I have my really large bag all seamed and ready to felt. I hope to get it finished soon but it's hard to get excited about felting wool in steaming hot water - in June - in South Georgia...

Has it been a year???

I have been absent for what seems an eternity from my blog. I was never really a daily blogger, nor was the blog a vehicle for anything more than sharing my knitting escapades, but I liked the idea of having a place to share my projects, photos, and a random thought or two. Ravelry kind of took over and gave my knitting projects a gallery, so the blog sort of went by the wayside. I should probably regroup and start over, give the 'ol blog a facelift so to speak. So, while I am thinking about spring cleaning, I'll give some thought to giving the blog a fresh face. As far as projects go, I don't have much to show on the knitting front, but I will share my most precious project...he just turned one and he is a true joy!

The Answer

Blue! A bouncing baby boy born March 26th...he's a true joy and the reason I have been absent from the blog...and knitting....and sleeping in, etc...I did manage to knit two pair of angora booties to take to the hospital, as well as a little hat, but other than that the needles have been very quiet. Now that we (mom, dad and baby) are in a groove, I have actually picked up the knitting needles again. I have had Campfire socks in a basket for quite some time and felt like socks were just what I needed. I still have THE Sock on the needles, but it is not quite the "mindless" knitting I was looking for right now. So, hopefully I will actually finish the Campfire socks before sock season arrives.

PINK OR BLUE?

We'll know tomorrow!

Progress...

Progress...slow as it may be...a F/O - baby hat and socks for our friends' new son. I love making baby socks out of variegated yarn because they make such cute stripes. This yarn did not dissapoint. One more project down - I still have the chevron scarf on the needles. It is really close to being finished and there is no pressure to finish other than I would like to have it done. There is still The Sock but, again, no pressure there. My next project will be some little socks and hat for Peanut to wear when we bring her/him home, and possibly a little sweater. That may well be the last project for a while - we'll have to see.

A NEW YEAR

Christmas is over and all the decor packed away until next year. The new year came in quietly. Santa was kind enough to leave a laptop under the tree so I thought I would break it in by posting a little-of-what-little-I-knit for the holidays. The Falling Waters scarf was a hit with the mother in law. She loves the alpaca silk and actually lives in a climate cold enough to appreciate a scarf. The manly scarf was finished but did not find a home. I decided the originally intended recipient might find the itch-factor too high. Don't worry, it will find a good home. There were puff daddy neck warmers made and given (sorry, no photos for some odd reason) and I do say I liked making them and the construction has my mind racing toward other possibilities. Last, but not least, I must confess to 4 fun fur scarves...in my defense, all but one went to folks under the age of 6. All in all, not bad for someone who wasn't really motivated. I do hope that 2009 will find the needles moving a little more...besides, I HAVE to do something with a lot of yarn...there's a little one coming in April and the yarn storage will become home to little clothes - hopefully some hand knit by yours truly. Here's to a wonderful 2009!

It's beginning to look a lot like....

Well, I guess the answer should be Christmas. I must say that the season caught me by surprise, which shouldn't be a surprise. It seems every year I vow to be prepared and to get an early start. I have discovered there is no such thing as prepared or early start (not in my world, anyway). I have been working diligently to finish the Falling Waters scarf and am about half-finished. I finished the "Manly Scarf" and I love it - can't post a photo because the home computer is still down. I have a few other projects in the works for gifts, but with 16 days and counting, it is not looking good at this point. Normally, I would be panicked and my head would be spinning. Not this year. I'm taking it one day at a time and it is what it is...Christmas...whether the knitting is finished or not...Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

BORING...

Today is officially the first day of anything remotely akin to fall, which happens to be my favorite season. Maybe a little cool snap was what the doctor ordered. I was cleaning up my "knitting station", which basically amounts to my favorite chair with table holding everything I could possibly need close at hand, when I came across the sad beginnings of a Clementine Shawlette. I had to be honest with myself and admit I was never going to finish the shawlette, and who needs a shawlette anyway...so, there I was with three skeins of really pretty Alpaca Silk - what to do???? Frog the shawlette and cast on a Falling Water Scarf. I was plugging along half-heartedly, and then I got an e-mail from WEBS - what, a close out on Noro Silk Garden????? I had been carrying around a tattered piece of scrap paper with the pattern for a "manly scarf" written on it and it calls for, you guessed it, Noro Silk Garden! Call it luck, call it fate. The yarn came in and I cast on - and am halfway through! One reason I love Noro yarns is you never quite know what you are going to get. I love watching the colors come out of the skein and this scarf is the perfect vehicle. I am already thinking about other color combinations and stitch patterns. Yippee Skippee...maybe my groove was looking for something mindless yet interesting. I do intend to finish the Falling Water Scarf...so hold your breath!

Progress...

Well, I don't know if the funk is over, but I can tell you that I am feeling a little better since I actually finished a project. I started a second Espresso Scarf, pink, last year in the hopes that it would be finished by time for a breast cancer fundraiser...needless to say, one year later, it was finished. I would love to post a photo by the home computer is still down so it will have to wait. The scarf was donated as a door prize for our second annual "Pretty in Pank" fundraiser. The PIPS, or "Pretty in Pank Sistas", yours truly included, put on a variety show, showcasing local talent, with all proceeds going to a local cancer support group, with the monies earmarked for breast cancer patients. Last year 98 tickets were sold...this year, 240! It was a great time, and the monies are used to help pay for gas to travel for treatment, for wigs, to pay the electric bill for a struggling family. What a great cause and what a fun time for all. In the spirit of the month of October and breast cancer awareness, I feel motivated to knit these socks . (Of course, this is really just an excuse to purchase pink sock yarn!)

In a FUNK...

There's nothing else to call it, really, but a funk...f-u-n-k. I could blame the heat. I could say I was really busy. I can't really say any of those things. I've lost my groove and can't seem to get it back. I thought maybe what I needed was a fresh start so I put the Chevron Scarf on a stitch holder, and cast on for a Baby Surprise Jacket. I must admit that the feel of needle and yarn was nice, but I still don't have that burning desire to just knit away. If anyone finds my groove, let me know...

Murphy's Law...

Ok, first of all, don't tell anyone I am blogging when I am supposed to be doing something that resembles work...Remember when I said I was waiting on my new A/C? Well, while I was patiently waiting, and the temperatures reached about 101 degrees, the old A/C went out. Yup, out. We spent four, count them, four, days without any A/C - waiting on the repair man and praying for the new unit. Soooooo...after having no word on the new A/C and being told the old one could not be repaired, we had to break down and purchase a new window unit. FUN, FUN, FUN for all. However, I must say it was well worth it. I could only play Scarlett O'Hara for so long before I really became just another hot and sweaty gal. I must also admit that the new unit is really moving some cold air and we are all enjoying it - especially Karma.

IS IT HOT IN HERE, OR IS IT ME???

Man, has it been HOT around here! I am patiently awaiting the installation of my new central heat and air and I have been promised by the very friendly AC man that I am "on the list" - of course, I have no idea how long his "list" is. My cats are lazing about on the floor looking for a cool spot. My knitting is lazing about looking for someone to rescue it. I must admit that I have not been knitting much lately. I am looking for some inspiration but have yet to find it. I went to the stash to see if something would jump out and all it did was remind me of exactly how much yarn is in my stash. I have some pretty "summer" sock yarn colors and I feel like that is going to be the answer. However, before I embark on yet another project, I am going to at least finish the Chevron Scarf. On another note, I find it amusing that, along with waiting for my new AC, I am also waiting on my Knitting Daily prize mittens...pretty silly, huh...waiting anxiously for a pair of mittens in June!

I WON!!!

I entered Knittingdaily.com's magnetic poetry contest a while back and lo and behold, I WON 1st place! I could hardly believe it. The prize is my poem knit into a pair of mittens - how cool is that? I have been told they will be ready in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see them. I have always liked poetry and writing but have not actually done any real writing in quite a while. I find a lot of comfort in words and the way they are put together. I tend to like songs more for the lyrics than the melody. I like little snippets that are witty and advertising that is clever.

The Square Cake bag was a hit and I hope it raised a little money for our local Chamber of Commerce. So, before I go, here's a photo of the Square Cake bag and my winning poem...

"smitten for the rhythm of a knit stitch and skein..."

SORRY FOR THE DELAY...

Wow! It's MAY! I must apologize for being so delinquent in my posts. I have slowed down some on my knitting, for various reasons, one being the Onion Festival . I finished the Kohl Mexicana but have not yet photographed it for posting. I also finished another baby kimono and made a pair of baby Monkey socks as a gift. Yes, I still have the Chevron Scarf and THE Sock on the needles (sad, isn't it?) I am almost done with the Square Cake bag, which I am donating for auction. I will post a photograph as soon as it is finished. Really, not much exciting on the knitting front here at home. I do have some exciting and fun knitting news to share, but not just yet....stay tuned!

I NEED SOME KNITALIN!

I am so ADD right now I can't stand it! My theory is that after the pressure of compelteing projects for the holidays, I have completely lost my focus. I was thrilled at the thought of no pressure - just knitting whatever I wanted, or not. So far, I have five (5), yes, five (5) projects on the needles. This is way above my two-project limit. I was loving my chevron scarf, and it is about halfway finished...then I decided to work on THE SOCK, because the sole sock kept staring at me and my hubby said he had a sock that had a hole in it...so I am half through the leg on it...then I saw the Square Cake purse at Knitty so I bought the yarn and can't wait to cast on...and then, there is was, in the LYS, the Kohl Mexicana wrap from Louisa Harding...I bought the yarn - you get to use 5 different yarns :-) and cast on -- I love it and can't wait for it to be finished...it is half done...So, by now you can see, I am having a hard time keeping my knitting focus...bear with me...I figure at this rate, it will all be done at the same time and I'll be in the same pickle once again.

What happened to 2007?

I cannot believe it is already a week into 2008! I had such grand plans for 2007 - as for all other years past. I don't know why I am surprised when another year has come and gone...it is very cliche, but the older you get, the faster it goes! We had a pleasant, although somewhat rushed holiday season around here...I did manage to gift friends and family with one hat, two scarves, one cowl, and four felted bags. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. As for me, I have finally cast on my Chevron scarf!!! I decided to save the Socks that Rock and chose to use two of my very own hand-dyed yarns! How exciting is THAT??? I like the way it is coming along; however, although I played it safe and chose to use a "semi-solid" for the second colorway, I think I see why you may want to use something a little more exciting. Maybe next time I'll take a walk on the wild side and choose two very contrasting yarns. I leave you, this first week of the year, with a photo of the Chevron Scarf in progress, as well as a photo of my favorite Christmas creation...I loved this bag!