This is the week to start new projects. Yes another Hitchhiker is on the needles. I am on number three for presents for Christmas for Little Buddy's therapists. I think I will have one more to finish after this one. This is now my car project and got a lot of work completed on it today when I was getting my car serviced. I am trying hard to be ahead of the game this year as far as holiday creating goes.
I am not a newbie knitter, actually I have been actively knitting for almost 30 years yet this new sweater of mine had to be completely ripped out and started again. I twisted my stitches before joining even though I checked that out about ten times before the actual join. I was not to far into it so it wasn't a devastating mistake. The great thing about knitting is that there are few mistakes you can't redo. This is Jessie's Girl, a really simple pattern if you indeed don't twist your stitches. I am using yarn I had left over from a baby ripple blanket I made last year for a new great niece of mine. I think I will make it in super large stripes of gray and cream, or maybe gray on the bottom and cream on the top, I haven't decided yet.
Two new books have found their way to me in the mail this week. I am trying not to buy as many books, rarely do I make enough of the projects in them to warrant the price, but they really are lovely to look at. Jo, my knitting/crocheting/sewing idol made a fabulous tunic from this book. I fell in love with it and now I want one, too. It is a bit down on my list of things to make but I'll get to it eventually. This is just a gorgeous book and I feel calmer just looking through the beautiful pages.
I also got this great book by Kristen Omdahl a fellow Floridian. Kristen and I do not run in the same yarn circles but I feel I want to support her design genius. Lots of lovely projects in here that is for sure.
And hot off the press is the beautiful Beth Shawl from our very own Five on Friday host Amy. I can't wait to get busy on this beautiful shawl based on the book Little Woman. You all know I adore Amy, hop on over and buy this pattern for yourself. It is a beauty.
So those are the yarny things happening at my house this week. Thank you for hosting Five on Friday Amy, you are the best.
Wishing you all a great weekend and special thanks for all of your positive comments on my Mama Lovey Lamb.
Amy's shawl is gorgeous isn't it. And it looks as though she's done an amazing job with the pattern. I shall look forward to seeing lots of them being made, including yours. Well done on getting your Christmas gifts under way, you are an example to us all! I'm wishing you a good weekend with lots of relaxation and yarn time. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteYour knitting is amazing, I'm strictly an amateur crocheted.
ReplyDeleteI do love a yarny post. Some exciting projects there, i am jealous of your lovely book purchases. Enjoy your crochet time :)
ReplyDeleteI love all your projects. Why is this one called hitchhiker? It sure is pretty!
ReplyDeleteAs a VERY newbie knitter, I admire your skill with the needles. I do enjoy the quietness of knitting, but need much more practice. I tend to sew rather than knit. Your projects are oh, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteNoooo! Meredith, don't show me a crochet book, that vintage one looks lush, my fingers are now itching to g and make a purchase....arghhhhh
ReplyDeleteI love the colour way you're using for the Hitchhiker shawl - gorgeous. And getting holiday knitting completed now? You're my hero!
ReplyDeleteThere are few projects I have made that required not twisting the first row, but I can remember how tricky I find it. Good for you in sticking with Jessie's Girl until you got the first row right! Jo and Amy inspire me too, and the books you got look like they have some dreamy projects. I admire your latest Hitchhiker, and was interested to read somewhere recently that the number of points has to do with a significant number used in the story, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. You inspire me, too, Meredith. I love the way you love and serve those around you, and the way you bless others with your creativity in the lovely things you make as gifts. I hope you have a happy creative weekend xxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colors in your new HH. Jessie's Girl looks interesting, I look forward to seeing it when you're further along. It's fun to get new books and yours look inspiring - I have to admit that I should never buy a craft book as I rarely ever make anything in them.. but they're neat to read.. but a pretty spendy 1/2 page flip! :-) Now I'm off to see Amy's new pattern.. it sure looks lacy! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteMeredith I'm amazed at how you get so much done while working and caring for your family. Another Hitchhiker already! I like the color you chose for it and your sweater. Joining in the round. I've messed up more socks than I care to remember from twisting when I joined on the first round. No matter how many times it was checked and rechecked. Those look like such fun patterns in the books and from Amy. I hope your weekend is a fun and relaxing one.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
You have some lovely creations on the go. I have just started knitting a beanie, something to do on winter evenings.
ReplyDeleteDiana
The color on this Hitchhiker are gorgeous! I think I might want to give that Tangier yarn a try --- maybe on a Wingspan shawl.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of your Hitchhiker. I saw a beauty on a woman in the parking lot at the grocery store yesterday and it was all I could do not to chase her down to give it a feel. I'm sure she would have thought I was crazy but that pattern is just so squeezable.
ReplyDeleteDear meredith,
ReplyDeleteI wish you good luck with your new projects. I admire your knitting very much, you have a style ı am not used to seeing around. I would love to knit a cardigan one day for My Little Man. You surely inspire me to! Have a lovely week-end.
Hugs,
Gaia.
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. It's good to meet you through Five on Friday get together. (I'm a relatively new participant). I've enjoyed seeing your beautiful creations. Your enthusiasm for making them is infectious. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree both Jo and Amy are inspirational as are you. A wonderful five. I am a great fan of a yarny post and love the ideas that swim around after browsing books. One of the reasons I collect vintage patterns, my excuse anyway. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a busy bee! I have twisted a couple of projects by accident, this is just about the only mistake that can't be fixed on the go. I am hoping to spend some time crafting, in between entertaining children and the dog. Have a fabulous weekend. x
ReplyDeleteI love the pretty colours you use in your work and they will make wonderful, thoughtful presents:)
ReplyDeleteIt really is so annoying twisting the stitches, there's just nothing you can do but start again. Lucky you hadn't gone too far. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere are few things that frustrate me more than finding that I twisted stitches when I joined them in the round. You seem to have been pretty calm about it -- go, you!
ReplyDeleteI really like that pattern. I'm going to be watching to see how easy -- or not -- Jesse's Girl is to knit.
I do love all your Hitchhikers, especially in that yarn. I'd like to do one someday, but I already have too much OTN to cast on!
You are going to feel so good come Christmas time and you have all those projects ready to gift! I've earmarked Jessie's Girl over at Ravelry -- I like that it doesn't appear to need a perfect fit. Lovely books! If you get pleasure and down time from sitting and just leafing through the pages, it is a worthwhile purchase.
ReplyDeleteEvery time you post about a Hitchhiker I want to immediately cast one on. However, now Kate Davies' new book on haps is due out, and I also want to knit a shawl or two out of it. Once again, too many projects and not enough time. I knit Jessie's Girl as far as the underarms last summer. Then I put it on scrap yarn and tried it on, as it was looking very big. Wow! Three of me could have fit into that sweater! So, as a word of warning, I suggest checking out the sizing before you invest too much knitting time so you don't end up with the disaster I did.
ReplyDeleteI'm still not in the hitchhiker game. But I will. :-) Nice projects, especially the Little Woman shawl. Enjoy the weekend. Hugs, Regula
ReplyDeleteOh boy for the Beth Shawl ! So gorgeous. So outta my league!
ReplyDeleteI am finally out on the porch and not chilly! Hi to lil buddy.
You amaze me with all you create. I always stick with simple projects. Really need to start stretching myself but I do like quick and easy. :)
ReplyDeleteThe hitchhiker scarf is very pretty, a great choice of wool.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it called Hitchhiker?!
Eeekk!! This is THE FIRST TIME I have ever seen one of my patterns anywhere else other than in my own hands or on my computer! OMG!! I just hope that you enjoy it! THank you so very much for your purchase!! I really appreciate it!!!! So annoying for you about having to rip back your knitting, that is so irritating isn't it, hope that you are getting it sorted out now! Thank you for taking part in Five On Friday, I hope you are having a good weekend! Thank you again too for your purchase! xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's great how you're getting a head start on your Christmas gifts. I haven't made anything for gifts for the last couple of years as I got fed up of rushing at the last minute, I should definitely take a leaf out of your book and start much earlier. I look forward to seeing your own shawl made from Amy's design, I think it's such a lovely idea how she's basing the designs on the girls from Little Women.
ReplyDeleteOh Mere, I have made you buy a book, sorry! The dress in there is to die for and is on my all time wish list. Thank you for such an accolade too. Hitch hiker is next on my list and I am going shopping for yarn especially because I want little project to take around with me just like you. Hope you are having a great weekend. Jo x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful projects and the recipients of your gifts will be very lucky. I love the colour of your latest hitchhiker. Amy's Beth shawl is so lovely and has joined my ever expanding list of things to make!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful projects! I wish I could knit or crochet worth a darn. They are on my to-learn list. I can do basic knitting (really basic lol).
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend (love the lambs in your previous post)
Lovely post, as always sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the yarn you are using for the Hitchhiker....I think I am the only person alive who knows how to knit who has not made this pattern. It looks hard to me, and I have been afraid to try it because of it's shaping on the bottom edges. Yours looks lovely. Wishing you a lovely day sweet friend. :)
You do the most beautiful work!!
ReplyDeleteJudy
I love your hitchhiker, I really wish there was a crochet version as I crochet much faster than knitting. I love Amy's Beth shawl and will be purchasing the pattern very soon. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post :) Can't wait to see your Beth shawl! And the hitchhiker is wonderful as always :) enjoy your yarny activities! xo
ReplyDeleteOh lovely fiber photos! You make me want to knit a hitchhiker everytime I see you make one! That Jesse's girl is going to be perfect in that color. I think if I get around to it, I will knit a gray cardigan this summer.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of yarny fun going on! It's amazing how popular the Hitchhiker pattern is. I've seen so many of those knitted up by ladies in my stitch group. It's a great looking shawl/scarf!
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely yarny things going on here Meredith! I just read, and loved the lovely lamb post too. So cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteI must buy that hitchhiker pattern. It looks like one I will enjoy making!
I am hoping for some knitting time today. Been so ding dang busy, that I have barely had the chance to knit.
xo Kris
Doggone I hate it when those stitches get twisted at the join and you just keep knitting away without realizing it at first!!!
ReplyDeleteI am loving the look of that Beth Shawl and just might have to check into it...
I also really love anything Kristen Omdahl creates.
I understand how you feel about books and justifying the price. I already have more patterns in books than I will every make in a lifetime but the inspiration and learning to be found in them makes it totally worth it! They both look like interesting books. I have followed Kristen Omdahl's work for years too. She is so productive as well. I got to participate in an online forum with her - our first webinar - and she was so down to earth.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more of the things you will make from those books.
Enjoy your knitting and crochet :-)