I Need Some Towels!

Back problems have managed to keep me from knitting and crocheting for the past few months, but I decided I will sit down and try to knit a kitchen towel and finish it no matter how long it takes! I told myself if I knit 10 minutes a day it would take me 24 days to complete a single towel. Ok, I can do it!

My kitchen towels are in really sad shape and last summer I knit a towel and fell in love with it! Most of the towels I buy seem to not withstand being used than more than a few times and the nice ones are pricey. Ravelry has so many patterns and I found a simple basket weave pattern that would work up fast and give me a nice end product. I was also happy that it was an easy pattern to remember so I could work without a chart. A quick trip to pick up a couple small skeins of red, white, and blue self striping yarn and I was ready to cast on!

Suprisingly things worked out and I only had to tear only a half of a row out which for me is good! The yarn cooperated for the most part and when I finished the halfway point of the first skein and started the second the color sequence fell into place perfectly so I didn't have to unwind the ball to find the next run of red. I was able to work 5 repeats of the 28 the first evening and that was exciting! In 4 evenings I had completed the towel and a small washcloth to match! What was the best part is that it was made for the upcoming 4th of July holiday and it is actually done before the 4th of July!

It turned out I spent around $5 for the towel that measures 13"x20" and washcloth that is about 8" square. They are nice and heavy and I know based on the towel I made last summer that even with heavy use they will look as good next summer than they did when I pulled them off the needles yesterday. I won't have to worry about them getting thin and they will always absorb a ton of water off of wet dishes.

I did have enough yarn left for another dishcloth, but I will throw it in the scrap drawer with the rest of my snippets and peices of left over cotton. I started a scrap yarn ball and plan on making some crazy towels and dishcloths to put them to use. I will probably make a few tawashis for the dishes too. What are tawashis? They are cute little scrubbies made of cotton yarn that are as simple as a round disk to little animal or flower shapes. They were started in Japan and they are perfect for wiping the dishes off before throwing them in the dishwasher. They are a perfect way to use scraps too!

Hope you enjoy seeing my new towel and dishcloth set! I picked up some more yarn today and plan on making a few feather and fan hanging towels since I no longer have towels with crocheted tops. I guess I better get busy!

It's About Time!

I admit that I am horrible when it comes to completing a project. I believe that they are called UFO's. And if you so happen to believe in aliens you won't be suprised by all of the UFO's in my house. I see something that I want to make and get half way or more done then another project catches my attention. Right now on knitting needles I have a scarf and a face cloth that would like to be done, and I started a pretty shrug to throw on with a sundress when the cool spring evenings get here. Sewing projects are not mentioned for good reason here! I am still working on stitch markers for knitting and I can dream all I want about what I will do with a particular skein of yarn I have stashed away.

I did finish a couple of projects that were test projects for designers. The first was the "Pretty As A Petal Ponchette." It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I didn't screw anything up. The truth is if there was a mistake I wouldn't tell anyone because I plan to wear it myself. Now I need for find a dress that will go with it! That just sounded like another sewing project... The second project was a quick crocheted hat called "Waffled Ponytail Hat" It has buttons in the back and a hole so when you have a ponytail you can put the hat on and not mess up your hair.

My projects are starting to pile up and I need to get busy and finish them. When spring gets here we switch gears from working inside to working outside. So maybe that scarf and face cloth I have on needles will be done soon and the third scarf I have going for the Special Olympics Winter Games will be completed and in the mail by the deadline. All of those other UFO's; well we won't get into that!

What do you mean I have too many projects???

It is hard to believe that an entire month has gone by in 2011 already! I have been busy knitting and trying to get a little crocheting done. Throw in sewing projects, making stitch markers for knitting and the quilt I want to get done..... You may start to see the picture!

I was able to finish James's Christmas present on Christmas Day. He received a head warmer and matching mitts out of wool yarn that just so happens to match his work coat. I also managed to complete another test knit for a "Ducati Cowl." I used a nice bulky wool that was an off white to black variegated and had lots of big chunky cables. I hope he will find it warm with this cold weather!

I started another test knit project that was called "Pretty As a Petal Ponchette." It is a very shortened version of a poncho that will be nice to wear over a spaghetti strap top or dress when the weather warms up some. I chose Knit Picks Stroll yarn in Gypsy and it is a pretty variegated red. It is a soft, squishy wool blend that I think will work well to cover chilly shoulders. I have knitted in circles many long hours to finish this project and am finally working on the petals that complete it.

I have a black wool scarf on needles too, and you would think I could complete something and move on to the next adventure. Not me! I found a perfect pattern that would make a great gift for a family member and the next thing you know I am at the yarn shop buying yarn! I admit that project is napping right now because I need to be able to concentrate and with Colton around that won't happen!

Attention Deficit Disorder may be hitting me hard lately. As I was scrolling through patterns on the internet I found that people are making scarves for the Special Olympic Winter Games. Of course that is for a good cause so I had better get some yarn to make scarves!!! A couple of days later a friend posts on Facebook about the scarf project. I have one blue and turqua scarf done and have a second crocheted one about half way done. Again, I have one on knitting needles too I just need to get it done! Hopefully at least three scarves will make it into the mail within the next couple weeks.

My memory afghan I started earlier in the winter is still resting in a tote with the yarn that will make it complete. I walk by that tote every day and look at it knowing that those blocks are sitting inside waiting for me to work on them again and make them whole. Kind of sounds like life sometimes doesn't it?