LOVE, of knitting

 Do you knit?  Crochet? Quilt? Needlepoint?  All of the above?  I'm a knitter.  There have been months, even years that I haven't picked up my needles.  Then I get started on a project again and remember how much I love to knit.  Unless you're working on an afghan/blanket/throw it's pretty portable too!

Just before the holidays I found some partially finished projects.  Projects left on needles for months... ok, a year or two.  One was a ruffled mohair scarf that I finished as a gift.  Another was a green scarf I started and didn't finish.  I decided to start over with that yarn and came up with a new pattern.  Scarves are one of my favorite knitting projects since you can really use any pattern... in fact this one actually came out of a book I have that is just that... patterns of stitches.  This one is a variation of a basketweave stitch.

And these needles?  My all time favorite ones hands down.  Size 10 (us sizing) and vintage (would they be anything else?) Bakelite or celluloid needles.  They have such a smooth feel when I knit and I like the rather odd taper on the pointed ends.  My husband's aunt found them years ago at a thrift store or yard sale.

If you're not a knitter... have I inspired you at all to learn?

A few years ago my mother in law gave me a set of these needles.  They are interchangeable needles and are fabulous too... especially if you like using circular needles.  Me, well I go back and forth... when I'm using regular straight needles I think they're my favorite, then when I use circular needles I'm sold on them.  Fickle perhaps?  Once other benefit of the interchangeable needles is the cords are different lengths, especially helpful with a large blanket or a long scarf knit lengthwise!

And of course... I also COLLECT knitting needles!  Are you surprised?  I'm always on the look out for old celluloid needles at thrift stores and estate sales.  Some of these can go for a hefty price.  I even love the fun pastel colors!

But my project I've been waiting so patiently to start?  This cute little pattern I bought online finally came...

Baby sized, 6 months to be exact.  Planned to be made for a certain little Baby J to wear during Husky (University of Washington) football season next fall!  I had to wait to get the purple yarn last weekend in Seattle... a super soft wool from Norway.

 And then the needles from here this week... couldn't believe I didn't check to see if I had teeny, tiny needles in my stash!  And I'm still on the hunt for some gold angora or mohair for the fair isle pattern at the top... something nice and fuzzy... hopefully one of my local yarn stores will have a skein or two in the right color.

But for the rest of this weekend?   Well this is where you can expect to find me.