My first knitted projects

My sister-in-law is due July 1st and this weekend I made a cocoon for her. I can not wait to hold Zoey in this cozy baby wrap!!! It came out bigger then I thought but hopefully it will be just right. If it doesn't fit I will be okay... It gave me time to practice my newly learned knitting skills.

I also wanted to give you an updated picture of my zigzag scarf. This has been a fun project! I can hardly wait to be finished so that I can see what it looks like on.

That is all for now but I am looking forward to seeing what else comes off of my knitting needles this year!

Movin' on up...

 On my knitting needles -

 I am so excited to report that knitting (so far) is not as hard as I first thought it was!! If only I had books and youtube when I first tried to learn nine years ago. (wow!! NINE years... I feel so old. Time sure does fly!!!)

So.. 

this week I practiced the knit and pearl stitch.  I could bore you with a ton of details but in a nut shell... I am just practicing and hoping that this is the beginning of a new addiction. However, I will provide more details and pictures as I get better and have something to show off.




On my crochet hook -

When I finished my sidewalk shawl I mentioned to George, my husband, that I wasn't sure what I wanted to make next. He reminded me of how badly he would love a blanket. I pulled out some blue yarn and started a pattern that I have wanted to try for a while. 

 

 The pattern says that the finished blanket will be 52" x 52". George has asked me to make it a little bit bigger then that so that he can wrap up in it and get cozy. I haven't determined how much bigger I am going to make it yet but I am sure it won't be hard to do.

And so much more -

Today I ran into Hobby Lobby to get more yarn for George's blanket and I ran into the jewelry section. I picked up some sample booklets on making your own jewelry and there are some cute ideas! I don't know how good I would be at making jewelry but I may just try my hand at it. I may just become a jack of all trades. :) Who knows... I may start making my own cards too. Watch out world... Here I come.

Try something crafty this week!! You won't regret it.

Gettin' Knitty - Gritty Wit Dit...

Before I learned to crochet I had a friend teach me to knit. I found it very frustrating because I didn't have anyone to teach me how to do anything more then make a scarf. Since that day I have learned to crochet and I love all the possibilities that come from my hook. I enjoy every single crafty minute! However, the past year I have seen so many patterns that I would LOVE to make if only I knew how to knit. I dreamed of all the possibilities that would come if I not only knew how to crochet but also how to knit! 

So... if I can teach myself how to crochet from a book...

Surely... I can teach myself how to knit from a book...

Right?! 

Yesterday, I started the process of not only refreshing my mind on the knit and pearl stitches

but learning new things that will help me become an excellent knitter.

Lesson one -

Remembering how to cast on...

Refreshing on the knit stitch...

and remembering how to cast off...

 Knitted Swatch

 Lesson two... 

Learning how to change colors...

By making this scarf I will be practicing the basic skills of casting on, knitting, 

adding new colors, and binding off. Hopefully knitting needles will become 

as comfortable in my hands as a crochet hook. Hopefully.

 

After I finish this scarf I will move on to refreshing and perfecting the pearl stitch. I will also learn

how to make different stitch patterns from the knit stitch and pearl stitch.

More on that later... 

My Ultimate Goal is to be able to make these two patterns:

Pretty in Pink by Josée Paquin

Soap Bubble Wrap by Connie Chang Chinchio

I am sure I have a long way to go but I have a wonderful crochet/knit group that will help me if I need them. 

I will keep you updated on my progress!

Have a great week!!

Sidewalk Shawl

I saw the pattern for this shawl when we were on our way to Memphis a few weeks ago. As soon as we got home from Memphis I started working away at it! Not only was this pattern simple but I had so much fun! The pattern called for fringe all the way around but I am not a fan of fringe. Instead, I added a cute little border. In my opinion the border adds to the shawl and makes it classy. 

 

 

Now for my favorite part!  

There are so many ways to wear a shawl!! Here are my two favorite ways...

Have the back of the shawl towards the front and wrap it around your neck .

Have the back on your side and wrap it around your neck.

 Now you are ready to style and profile. :) 

Have a great week!
 

Dreaming...

I started working on this shawl on our way to Memphis a few weeks ago because it would be a simple project and I it would give me something to add to my wardrobe. I wasn't a big fan of the project until I had it finished.  The finished project should have been 51 inches long but I ran out of yarn before I reached the desired length. I also wanted to put a small plain border on the three plain edges. After trying it on I have decided that I love the finished product and the length will do. Maybe I will get more yarn and add to it later... Maybe...

Can't wait to wear it with my sundresses

I put my shawl on my statue to show my husband and his comment was "You should display your work all over the house". I don't think I will ever be the type of person who hangs her afghans from the walls but for right now the shawl will be shown proudly on my statue. Not just because it is pretty but because it is making me dream of the day that I have my own craft room. Until that day... Welcome to

"Designs by Elysia" 

Try something crafty!!! You will be amazed at the way it will make you feel.  Have a great weekend!