Boy, I hope all of you in the US had a good Thanksgiving. It sure went by quickly, didn’t it? I’ve been trying to catch up on a few blogs — I’m so far behind! Like many of you, I can’t believe December is here already. I guess I should come to grips with the fact that Christmas is only 24 short days away. Aaaacccckkkkk!
I managed to knit four hats for Jean‘s hats for the NYC homeless while we were just sitting around with the in-laws over the holiday break.
I used the jogless stripe method that I mentioned in the previous post, but I had trouble with it when there were consecutive single rows. Guess I’ll have to get that figured out and, in the meantime, I’ll just cross my fingers that Jean, being the expert knitter that she is, won’t look and laugh. Just remember, Jean — Look ‘n Laugh — it’s like Drink ‘n Drive and it’s a no-no!
Some of my bears decided to model the hats. Their heads aren’t big enough though, so they’re looking a little goofy. Don’t worry, those hats will conform to a normal human head shape and they should look ok. I really enjoyed knitting them and it was a great way to use up some yarn scraps. The red was left over from a hat and scarf set that I made TheFirstChild in his college colors (red and gray) a few years ago. I’ll try and take some pictures of the scarf later this month.
Look what came in the mail the day before we left for Oklahoma:
I ordered two needle punch kits from Karen‘s online shop, Farmhouse Woolens. I love doing needlepunch and I thought these patterns were cute. My big problem is that I never know what to do with these when they’re finished. My wall space is pretty limited and you can only have so many pillows. (Note: No plan didn’t keep me from ordering LOL.) If any of you have any great suggestions for needlepunch pieces, I’d love to hear them!
Anyway, look at the beautiful thread that Karen included! I couldn’t believe it when I opened the package — what a wonderful surprise! Aren’t those colors beautiful? I can’t wait to use them (after the mad Christmas rush, of course.) Karen’s service is fantastic — her shop is easy to use and she has quick service. Go check her out — maybe you’ll find something you love there too!
So. On to the big one. I’m. Not. Ready. A lot like We’re Not Worthy, only I’m. Not. Ready. So much to do. Guess I should get off of this computer and get to work, huh???
XOXO,
Anna
Wow! You don’t give the moss a chance to grow, do you? Four hats, while I’m still procrastinating! Your hat modelers are doing a super job…..It’s scary how soon Christmas is looming—must be because Thanksgiving was very late this year…..
Oh, Thimbleanna, those bears modeling the hats is just too precious! It made my heart smile the way you’ve post and photographed them! Your whimsical personality shows through! That Valdani thread is GORGEOUS! I love Valdani threads; their colors are exquisite! Whatcha gonna do with it???
i love that you knit those beautiful hats anna. when my neighbor got cancer i knit a hat for her and i don’t know how she kept from bursting out laughing. it was awful!
love love love those threads.
What great hats – they look so warm and cheerful, they will make someone happy. Karen’s got such adorable stuff in her store! I’ve always wanted to try needle punch- is it pretty easy??
AND-accckkkk is right! So not ready!
Love the hats! I know two little guys who would look adorable in hats like that… ;-) One of these days, I have GOT to learn to knit. Maybe you could teach me?? You are one talented girl, thats for sure.
Oh my the hats are fabulous! They even look great on the bears! The needlepunch looks like a terrific winter project and the floss is fabulous.
Love those hats…when mom was here for the week of Thanksgiving I showed her the hats…she hasn’t knitted in a lot of years but wants to get some done…she said “I’m not sure I’ll remember how” When I told her I was sure the moment those needles got in her hands she’d remember she lit up like the Christmas tree. So I’ll get her some yarn and get her going. She may not get many done for this Christmas but I’m sure there will always be a need.
Love the hats. The bears make great models.
I hope when you say red and gray you aren’t referring to the big campus in Columbus!
Busy, busy, busy! I love that your projects are totally portable. Love the hats.
Jen :)
I hope this doesn’t post twice. I messed up my first comment. Anyway I love the colors of your thread/floss. Lovely. I wish I was a better stitcher – hmm something to work on in the hereafter? Hopefully I’ll be able to do somehand work. Unless I’m shoveling coal into the great inferno. ha Love the hats on the bears too. What a great service. Those people will love them – no laughs.
Your hats are fab! And I’m really jealous of the punchneedle patterns – that’s something I’m keen to try!
Will any of us be ready for Christmas???
Lucy xxx
I didn’t catch the jogless stripes in your first post. Too bad, I needed that a couple of weeks ago! Well, I’ll know for next time…
Karen
Jogless stripes? Needle punching? Are you sure you’re not training for welter-weight champion or something?
I love the hats, Anna. nice job!
Hi Anna…the hats look fab. I saw a cute idea in a quilt shop for the needle punch pictures…they used them to decorate the front of a handbag. Wish I had a picture to share…they were adorable.
your hats are darling. no knitter would dare look at them and laugh! and the needle punch! so fun!
can’t wait to see your progress.
sounds as though you had a wonderfully relaxing holiday weekend. and the good news? there’s another one in a few short weeks! :) add my name to the list of those not ready. not even close! but we’ve got time, right?
trying to talk Cami into driving up to Ft. Wayne to get me so she can be involved in the luncheon. god forbid i get you all to myself! :)
hope to see you soon!
m~
I love those hats. I guess I love hats period. ANY hat. I love to wear, I love to give them, I love to stuff my kid’s head into funny ones. When he was a baby I had a frog hat, a hippo hat, and the best of all a penguin hat. Oh, hats are the best and these, dear Anna, are lovely. BTW, thanks for your comment you left on my blog. It did put things in a bit of perspective, I am done with something! It will all come together. Hopefully this weekend…LOL. I drive my mother nuts with always wanting everything done early.
If only I could knit!! I get stuck at cast on…Not a good start to be sure. LOL!
The hats look great both on their own and on the bears! And four in one weekend, Anna? SHUT-UP! You go girl!
You have time to do stitching? Love the hats. I am already starting to panic about all there is to do and loving every moment!
Anna, you amaze me. You picked the best models too!!
It seems as though you could knit in your sleep Anna! Your hats turned out great, what a sweet thing to do!
I’m catching up and I was home the entire weekend :) Glad you had a good trip – your hats look great!
I’m so excited though. I love Christmas!
Those kits are adorable. I’ve always wanted to try needlepunch–it looks like so much fun!
BTW, those men in kilt pictures were the perfect thing to find at 4:00AM in the morning!
Lovely! And how wonderfully kind. I’m sure the hats will be well appreciated.
Blessings~
The hats are great – I love the vivid colours with the touch of white.
Wow – four hats already! They are lovely – and so well modelled!
I’m taking my Christmas sock knitting to M-I-L’s this weekend and if my progress is half as good as yours I’ll be delighted…and surprised!
I’m sure your hats will be very much appreciated this winter – great job :-)
xxx
Anna, your hats are so nice, and for such a good cause. My thoughts are always with the homeless, and I often think about the figures that show that so many of them are war veterans, and especially a great many are veterans of Viet Nam. I think you are terrific. Thank you for making a difference to them.
I ordered lovely wool from Karen, and will order a new book soon. I’m just trying to decide which one. She’s the nicest person, and as you say, her things, and her service are wonderful.
My friend Mary makes lots of needlepunch pictures,and she sells them, or gives them as gifts. They are so pretty. I’ve tried to do it, but I’m not very good at it so far. I can’t quite figure out what my problem is. LOL!
Is there any medium you don’t know?! You always amaze me!!! I could really use the beanies right now…I’m visiting in northern New Mexico, Red River…and it is super cold…ok well, I’m from Arizona, so the 30’s are cold to me.
XO
Why not make your needlepunch patterns into a table runner?
Terrific stocking hats, Anna! And the needle punch patterns are super-cute too. How ’bout pillows for gifts?
Jody
See…. told you. They’re not just fine, they’re great hats!
I bought a couple of needle punch kits but haven’t gotten the hang of it yet. Then again, I only tried for about five minutes. lol.
So many wonderful links from your site… When you come visit Cami’s again, I think we have mentioned THE BACK DOOR quilting shop – they also have needlepunch and felting supplies – they have mounted needle punches on wonderful flat baskets that are reasonalbly priced. I have about 3 – 4 not framed yet so I grabbed a basket the last time I was there. Their fabric is not like Cami’s at all and they refer customers to each other when a need for the “other kind of fabric” is mentioned. Hope to see you sometime in the near future – Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Always, Robin
I’m doing some catch up too! Love those hats and for such a good cause! I think you must knit some for the bears now – they look quite pleased to be wearing them, don’t they?
Your needle punch kits look like such fun to make – that’s something I’ve not gotten into doing. Like I REALLY need another hobby! LOL!