Friday, February 27, 2009

The Kindness of Others

I have been spending a lot of time looking at everyone's projects on Ravelry and being a little envious of everyone's skills. There are so many beautiful things being done and some seem so complicated and difficult. I am sometimes amazed at what seems to catch everyone's attention-I saw one American Aran Afghan that not one person had commented on and another crocheted afghan that was very pretty and nicely done but also a very easy one that over 600 people had chosen it as a favorite. I loved the crocheted afghan but I do think that anybody who can complete either the American Afghan or the American Aran Afghan has accomplished more than I ever will.. ( I do want to make that crocheted afghan--I think my daughter would really like it)

Another thing about Ravelry that I enjoy is being able to keep up with the projects of your Internet friends and knowing when they have updated their blogs. This is where the title of this entry comes in--twice when I have been looking at projects that I admire, I have accidentally clicked on add to my friends--these people probably wondered why I added them but they both kindly added me to their friends list.

In perusing everyone's projects, I have decided on trying two more knit afghans. I have been reading one group's blog on the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit Afghan. I really have enjoyed their comments and have seen many beautiful finished afghans from this pattern. I have been wanting to try more slip stitch and this seems to fit in with that goal. I am just trying to use up some stash for this project and I have picked 42 of the squares that I hope to complete. The pictures are from my phone--so forgive the quality.

The other afghan that I have been wanting to do for some 20 years, is the heirloom leaf one. I have bought through the years three different patterns. I tried the first one I bought--20 years ago--in red (simply because I have so much of it), but that pattern required 96 squares and I didn't really like it in red.. I also have Nicky Epstien's pattern and someday I would like to do that one but for now, this pattern seems to be a little bit easier. I am doing it in some superwash wool but the color is incorrect in the photo below. I really wish that it was that color--I may be looking for some different yarn. None of the blocks from above or below have been blocked yet--and that is another exciting thing for me--I have ordered a blocking board so I am waiting to try it out on all of these blocks. I am just waiting for its arrival!
March is almost upon us--hoping spring is soon here-good knitting and crocheting to all!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Catching Up

Time does fly! One of my goals this year was to be a better blogger and to try to keep up. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
Christmas was wonderful, January was cold and snowy and we are more than half way through February. We have a new president-loved watching the inauguration --I am hopeful that he will have success in leading our country.
Here are some of the things I have been working on.