Fun, Striped Knitted Socks...

Wow! This was the fastest pair of socks I have ever knitted. They took me three weeks from start to finish. I realize for most people that’s not very fast, but for me who often takes two years to finish a pair of socks, it’s pretty impressive!!! 

I used my pattern that I always use. And the yarn was actually in my stash. I really like all the various shades of blue in it.  I could not find the yarn label so I’m not sure what yarn it was but it feels a bit like wool, but like it may have a bit of cotton in it too. I’ll have to keep searching for the brand and when I figure it out I’ll let you all know. 

Oh another two things: the yarn was self-striping which I love and it always fascinates me!!! And two, I had all intentions of trying really hard to match the stripes when I started the second sock. Then I got excited about finishing the first and starting the second, and completely forgot!!!  Fortunately the yarn serendipitously worked it all out almost perfectly on its own!!! The stripes are very close to matching and I’m thrilled!!! 

I found it really hard to get good pictures while wearing the socks, but it was pretty funny! If you prefer to see the socks off my feet, here they are. 

What are you doing to nurture your soul each day? Creating something? Listening to music? Enjoying nature? Please think about what brings you joy and do it intentionally!!! It makes all the difference, Friends!!! Take care of yourself and each other!!! 

xoxo,

Cindy

Sock Knitting in February...

All this cold weather ⛄️ inspired me to finish knitting this pair of socks 🧦 that I’ve had on my needles for awhile now.  

For me knitting socks is a comfortable mixture of intense focus 🤔 and mindlessness 🙃. Some parts require a lot of attention and the other parts don’t. I work on the heel turns and decreases when I have the time to pay attention and keep track of the various rounds. And I work the cuff and foot of the sock while listening to an educational lecture or audiobook. That process seems to work well for me. 😊

I used my tried and true pattern. One day I need to try a new pattern, but for now I am very content with this one. The yarn 🧶 is navy Berroco Comfort Sock and I really enjoyed knitting with it. I used my size 1 1/2 Crystal Palace bamboo double pointed needles. I’ve had these needles for almost 20 years and they have been faithful, but I think they are on the edge of breaking. I am looking into some new ones. 

What have you been working on lately? Are you taking time to nourish and refresh your soul? 🌈 Please do find some pockets of time each day to do something you enjoy!!! ❤️

xoxo,

Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 22

 

“A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.” 

~Albert Einstein

Happy Friday, Friends!!! How was your day? And how has your evening been? Are you doing anything fun? I had another opportunity to grab my yarn and needles and take one of my kids to an event tonight. I secretly look forward to these times. 😂 So I am knitting on a hat that has been in my bag for a few weeks now. This is the benefit of having multiple projects going at any time. I can choose which one to work on and where. So tonight, I’m knitting! And that brings me joy! Did you do something that brought you joy today?

🧶🌻🐑 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 18

 “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

What are your thoughts about Mondays? I really like them! Today was a busy one though, and I did a lot of driving people here and there, and sitting and waiting. I made sure to take my bag of yarn and needles, so while I was waiting I had something fun to do. Instead of tinkering on my phone, I worked on a preemie hat and crocheted an edging around the dishcloth I recently made. When I work these little delights into my day I am not discouraged when I have to sit and wait. It becomes a treat actually! How do you create small delightful pauses in your day? 🧶🌿🌻 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 12

 

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Hi Friends! How was your day? Did you get to set aside some time to do something that brings you joy? What actually brings you joy? Have you ever thought about that? I like to ask people to ponder that question. Think about it when you can. Make a list. And then plan it into your day. 

One thing that brings me joy is when I am creating things with my hands. (I think you all know that by now.) So tonight after dinner I pulled my knitting out that I started on last night. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting for a couple minutes. What brings you joy will probably look different from what brings me joy, and that’s ok! But think about it. What brings you joy?  🌿❤️🧵 

~ Cindy 

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 11

 

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” ~Sally Koch

Happy Monday! How was your day? Were you able to take some time and do something to refresh your soul? I knew I wanted to knit some today. Knitting is so grounding to me. So I decided to work on a new preemie hat. And then I remembered my oldest daughter has a bunch (like 62, seriously, 62) of preemie hats that she has made and is going to donate to the NICU and L&D. I asked her if I could share a picture with you all. Aren’t they amazing? We love to knit hats around here. 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021- Day 5

 

Happy Tuesday!!! How was your day? Were you able to fit in at least 5 minutes to do something that brought you joy, or calm?  As Corrie ten Boom said “What feeds the soul matters as much as what feeds the body.” 

My day was a full one, but I managed to find a pocket of time to knit. Knitting hats has been one of my absolute favorite activities the past year. Knitting is so therapeutic and meditative for me. 🧶🌿🧵

~Cindy

Knitted Hats to Donate...

 

A few months ago I decided to knit some hats to donate to my community. As of now, I have finished 6 hats and have 1 more on my needles that I’m hoping to complete soon. 

I really like this hat pattern by Love Crafts. It is available for free here. And for fun, I crocheted this cute pink flower and attached it to the blue hat. I made up the flower pattern as I went so I can’t reference a pattern for it until I write it down. And I love these yarn colors! The yarn is worsted weight and came from Michael’s. It is called Impeccable.

I am researching where to donate these cute hats. I’m thinking one of the shelters in my community. If you have any other ideas let me know!

What are you all working on now that Spring has arrived? Are you stitching, knitting, crocheting, or what? I do hope you are enjoying the process while you create something beautiful!!!

Happy Stitching Friends!!!

Cindy

My Favorite Lotion for Crafters...

 

I have people ask me about lotions all the time. Crafters are always looking for a lotion that works and doesn't leave greasy hands behind.  And I think I have tried every lotion available over the years.  I am happy to say I have found my favorite lotion ever!!!  Especially for anyone who crafts, sews, crochets, knits, etc.  I rub the smallest amount on my hands and literally within a minute or two it is absorbed, there is no greasy residue, and miraculously, my hands are super soft!!! Plus I only have to use it every few days.  I love this aloe-based lotion and I have shared it with many people.  I love it so much I have even become a L'BRI Independent Consultant so that I can share the joy with others!!!  

If you are interested in purchasing some you can contact me, or find it here.

Another aspect I love is that it comes in several fragrances, OR you can get fragrance-free, which is my personal favorite!!!  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. 

I'm off to piece together a few quilt blocks.

Happy Stitching Friends!!!

Cindy

31 Days of Creating Wrap Up...

 

Well friends, it has been a fabulous 31 Days of Creating!!! Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me. I hope you were encouraged and/or inspired to find something, or many things, that you enjoy to engage in a few minutes each day. 

As Corrie ten Boom said “What feeds the soul matters as much as what feeds the body.”  

As for me, tonight I finished up my fourth knitted hat and I practiced spinning wool with my drop spindle. 

xoxo!

My First Weaving Project - 31 Days of Creating...

 

I finished weaving my first project and if you guessed that it was a cotton kitchen towel - you are correct!!! After washing and hemming, it measures about 17”x 28”, so it’s a great size. I only made one this time, but next time I’ll warp enough so that I can weave several at the same time. I was surprised how fast it went and how fun it was. I plan to make many more. 

Afterwards, I spent a few minutes knitting on this cute, brown hat. 

Spending even just a few minutes a day doing something you enjoy can have a profound impact on how you feel.

xoxo!

More Hat Knitting - 31 Days of Creating...

 

I have really enjoyed knitting lately. I appreciate the repetitive and soothing nature of it. When the days are busy I look forward to squeezing in time to knit in the evenings. And I love that these hats work up so quickly! 

xoxo!

Knitted Hat in Progress - 31 Days of Creating...

Happy Sunday!!! I hope you’ve had a blessed Lord’s Day!!! I’m knitting on this hat while my daughter plays hymns on the piano for us.  I have knit many hats over the years and I’m really enjoying this pattern by LoveCrafts.  It has many sizes included and it is available here for free.

What are you creating today?

xoxo!!!

Another Knitted Hat - 31 Days of Creating...

Today was a full day and I was looking forward to some relaxing knitting this evening. Ever since I finished the green knitted hat the other day, I’ve been wanting to start another one. So I cast-on with this dusty pink yarn and I’m already about 5.5” in. 

How was your day? 

xoxo!!!

 

Knitting a Hat - 31 Days of Creating...

 

This afternoon I was knitting again.  Did you know that knitting is proven to be mentally therapeutic and has stress-reducing benefits?  It really does.  A group of ladies and I are knitting hats to donate to various charities. I like being about to bless others in this way. 

So I started this hat today and at first I wasn't sure about the color but it has grown on me.  

Also, I uploaded a video to my Instagram account here of me knitting on this hat.  I find knitting to be so relaxing and calming.  Do you like to knit?  I'd love to hear from you.

xoxo!

Knitting a Sock - 31 Days of Creating....

Today I delivered the preemie gown that I mentioned here and here.  Then after dinner I sat down and picked up my knitting.  It seems like I only knit in the cooler months.  I'm not sure why that is.  But come October I am ready for some knitting.  

Currently I am working on a sock.  Socks take me quite awhile to finish because I tend to do a little here and a little there.  This sock is knit from the cuff to the toe using five double-pointed needles.  I use a pattern by Fiber Trends called "Hellen's Favorite Socks."  I've used this pattern for years and I have found it very reliable and the fit is perfect for me (and my feet)! 

The first time I made this pattern I used wool sock yarn.  I blogged about them here.  They keep my feet so very warm that I only get to wear them a few times a year.  That's kind of funny to me!!!  This navy blue sock weight yarn is called "Comfort Sock" by Berroco.  It is 50% super fine nylon and 50% super fine acrylic.  I prefer natural fibers but thought I would give this yarn a try because it is so soft!  

What have you created this week?  I find it so very relaxing to create with my hands!!!  

xoxo!

Hand Knit Dish Cloths....

I mentioned before I would be back with a finished knitted project.....meet my new dish cloths. Have you ever used hand knit or hand crocheted dish cloths? We love them. We've been making them and using them for several years now. I usually just make very basic ones like this pattern. But awhile back I came across this pattern and made these two pictured above. I am slowly phasing out and throwing away all my old store bought dish cloths and replacing them with only hand knit or crocheted ones.

Here is a better idea of what these look like. Each one is folded in half here. And they are pretty big too. Almost too big for me....I like a dish cloth I can easily hold in my hand....but I will still be using these and probably making more. I really like the design as well as the stripe.

I must really be on a knitting and crocheting kick lately....because I have stopped by the yarn shop several times lately and I've picked up the above yarns for upcoming quick projects.

I am almost finished planning the first few months of school for the little ones. I am trying to fit in some stitching here and there but it isn't working too well. Once we get back on schedule I have several items I am hoping to sew. Hopefully you all are enjoying the last few weeks of summer too!!!

New Project.......

Yep, it's 100 degrees outside and I have a new knitting project on the needles using 100% wool. I am crazy I tell you!!!

Preemie Hats.....

My sweet little Emily has been quite the busy beaver. She has set a goal for herself to make 1 preemie hat a day for this entire year. She knits some and crochets some.....clever girl!!! And she uses all sorts of patterns we have found on-line and some she has designed herself. She plans to donate them to the local NICU at the end of the year. Have I ever told you she aspires to design modest bridal wear? I think she'll do well with whatever she decides to do. She has also sold 4 custom-order crocheted hats and two scarfs (1 crocheted and 1 knitted). She's working on getting her own blog up and running.....I'll share the link soon!!! She is pretty amazing...especially for a 10 year old....of course, I am slightly biased!!!

Emily's Sweet Contribution.......

I wrote about this sweet baby outfit the other day. I also mentioned that Emily had made something for her new baby brother. Actually she made three items. She knitted a pair of booties, a hat, and a bonnet.

The booties were a complete surprise to me. She made them the day of our local SAGA workshop with Claudia Newton. When I returned home that afternoon she was all smiles as she showed me the fruits of her labor. I was so amazed. She found the pattern for all three items in various knitting books that I have. Then she tracked down the proper needles and yarn. And the kicker is that she can actually read and follow the patterns with no help. They stump me from time to time.

And for this cute bonnet she re-designed part of it before she even started. Then she had to pick up stitches to make the neck edge. She figured it out....and on her own. It took me awhile to figure out how to pick up stitches a few years back. It's hard to believe but each of these items only took her a few hours to complete!!! I think she may have a future career here!!! She is a nine year old knitting machine. Several local ladies have asked her if she would teach a beginner knitting class. I might have to get her a class schedule started!!!!