Anny Purls Duck Soup

I've seen sick the last few weeks so I've spent a bunch of time sitting and knitting. I made Anny Purl's Duck Soup jacket for Ella and I'm working on one for Brady. The pattern is really easy and the jacket is adorable. I'm doing Brady's out of a camo yarn and the more I knit the more I love it. It should have been obvious but it is taking sooo much less time to make Brady's sweater. I'm planning on making sweaters for my sister's granddaughter and my cousin's grandchildren. This is a great pattern and I think I'll make them Duck Soup Jackets.

I started knitting at about 8 years of age and knit for years. I put down my needles many years ago. So many things have changed in knitting is a whole new world. I've been learning new techniques and there is so much more out there! I made my first pair of socks and I'm anxious to try toe up. So I learned to turn a heel! yahoo! I tried a long tail cast on for the Duck Soup and I love it. I've tried continental but need to practice. I'm just too slow. The new love of my life are my Addi Turbos. I asked for the interchangeable set for Christmas and my husband just rolled his eyes. I guess I'll buy it for myself. I was amazed by the short row hat I made for my grandson and I'm looking for a larger pattern.

When that was a great opening for me next topic. I've been learning about changing the pattern and I'm thinking about creating my own. So many are similar and it seems to me with some experience it shouldn't be that hard. My sister made Christmas stockings for my kids years ago. I asked her to make more but she has a problem with her hands and can't knit. I've searched for a similar pattern and after much frustration I realized that I could make my own. I can read the gauge, yarn size and calculate enough to copy the stocking. I have to go dig them out of the Christmas box and take a look at them.

The knitting has filled up a part of me that was missing. I didn't have any creative or challenging outlet. I don't know if it would be so exciting if knitting hadn't changed so much. I've been reading, camping, traveling and trying to journal but nothing is as satisfying as watching your knitting grow in your hands. The act of knitting challenges me to try now things. I think the next step is to visit the yarn shops for classes and companionship. It looks like Portland is a knitting center. I see posts and patterns but a number of people in the area. I'm so impressed with all the fabulous projects. I've just scratched the surface and have so far to go to become the knitter I want to be.

Well back to my Duck Soup jacket for Brady....

finally

It has been months since I posted to my blog. Today I finished my first sock and I'm now working on the second one. I bought the book 2-at-a-time Socks but ended up just knitting one. Since I'd never done a sock before and I was kind of intimidated I decided to just make one. After a couple of inches I was sorry about that decision but decided to just move forward. I made a top down sock from the book and did some reseach and review on the web. After reading and researching I took a deep breath and cast on. Actually I watched a short video and did a long tail cast on for the first time. It was actually pretty easy one I got the hang of it and I'm sure I'll use this again. I think I'll try a toe first sock next time because that looks easier. I debated about leaving this sock and using the remaining yard for something else but my husband suggested I do something for myself for a change.

I'm waiting for yarn to arrive for two projects. I'm planning a blanket for Ruthie and a sweater for Ella. Carrie asked for a cardigan that Ella can use in place of a coat/jacket. I found a pattern and ordered the yarn. I have a number of projects waiting until these two are completed. Ella's sweater I started last March wasn't completed until September and it is too small. I'm giving her top priority when the yarn arrives.

Well back to my second sock!

kathy