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....