Backside of Baby Cap

Here's a view of the back of the hat mentioned in the previous post. So, is it a topless hat or a very wide headband? Either way it's the cutest thing! I must try to make one!

Too cute baby hat / headband

We were invited to dinner a couple of nights ago by a friend of ours in Redwood City. When the other guests arrived, I immediately noticed this adorable child and the head warmer that she was wearing. So naturally I inquired about it. I found out that her grandmother knitted it for her. Her mother says that it's a new fashion style in China right now. Very popular. It's like a topless hat... or a very wide headband that is wide at the bottom and then narrows at the top. The twisted icord flower is also unique. I will post a view of the backside in the next post. Don't think I can add more than one image from my phone...

#6 in my 52in52-2012 challenge! (The Valentine's Day Hat)

My newest creation... The Valentine's Day Hat! This is a photo of the finished product that I was working on in the previous post. This hat will be included in a Valentine's Day photo shoot that my friend Bunmi is participating in. I can't wait to share the photos once I get them!

A Knitted Valentine's Hat

I just happened to find these adorable red heart pony beads the other day. They're just perfect for my beaded hats and will make for a really cute hat for Valentine's Day! So that's exactly what I'm doing!

Corinne's Mother Approves!

Wow that was quick! I was just posting the previous message when I received this photo in a text message from Corinne. Her mother approves of her gift... the scarf. Another satisfied customer! Happy Birthday Renee! You wear it well!

#5 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

My friend Corinne asked me to knit a Pomp-a-Doodle scarf for her so she could give it to her mother as a birthday gift. This was a quick knit on size US 10 needles. Started and finished it yesterday. Of course I had Corinne model it before taking it to her mother. ;)

#4 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

This was a special custom order. Instead of using the acrylic pony beads as I normally do, my customer requested the look of crystals. So... I ended up going with some mirrored glass beads to give the hat a bit of sparkle. I had to sew each bead on individually because the holes weren't large enough to knit them into the hat as I've done before. The photo just doesn't do this hat justice. But if I ever have to do it over again, I will search until I find an acceptable bead with the larger sized hole, because it took me an unbelievable amount of time just to stitch these on. We live and we learn... I learned my lesson and my customer got the bling she was looking for!

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag!

I was just browsing around on http://yardsellr.com/ a few days ago when I stumbled upon this wonderful felted handbag. It was just listed as a Hand Knitted Green and Brown Purse. Of course I noticed right away that it was also felted. So at the asking price of only $6 I naturally snatched it up! It arrived on my doorstep a couple of days ago and I've been carrying it ever since. I've also gotten tons of complements. I absolutely love my new bag! I may just have to try my hand at felting something soon. That's one thing I haven't yet attempted.

#3 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

The Chunky Red Valentine's Headband is completed!

A Headband for Valentine's Day

Just started working on a chunky red headband. This will be included in a Valentine's photo shoot that my friend in Florida is taking part in. It will be finished this afternoon and I'll post a picture of the finished product.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today begins the Year of the Dragon!

A Gloomy Day in the Bay Area

This is the view from my kitchen window this afternoon. We're covered by a blanket of clouds that's bringing us drizzle and rain... It's 50 degrees here in the Bay Area. What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

The Lost Tooth

My daughter Caitlin just lost her 2nd front tooth this morning (with a little help from me). She didn't even want to finish breakfast, because it was so loose... barely hanging on. I grabbed a napkin and then gently grasped her tooth... It just popped right out without any effort. She cried a little and then cheered up and wanted to see her tooth. Now she's all smiles and ready for a visit from the tooth fairy! The morning drama is over! :)

My Knitting Classes

I had a wonderful one on one knitting class with 8 year old Melissa today. What a quick learner she is! Her first scarf is well underway as you can see in the photo. I look forward to seeing her again and helping her bind off so she can wear it! My knitting classes are held at Beverly's Fabric & Crafts store in San Jose, CA. You'll find me there most every Saturday afternoon. Stop by and say "Hi" if you're ever in the area.

#2 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

The finished product! :) This is the hat I was working on a couple of days ago. Finished it up yesterday and sent it on it's way to it's new home this morning (via my friend Corinne). She's my walking advertisement. She'll wear one of my hats somewhere and come back with an order for one just like it. Thanks Corinne! :)

Peanuts, Knitting and Tea

This is my 2nd project for the 52in52-2012 challenge. There's nothing like a little late night knitting after the kids have gone to bed. Add some peanuts and a hot cup of tea... Ahhh... :)

Late Night Knitting

14 inches down, 5 inches to go. Still working on the armchair covers. Delivery was delayed because I ended up attending a friend's memorial on Saturday. She had battled cancer for 5 years. What a courageous young lady she was. I may share more about her in a future post... Needless to say, I didn't complete this last piece of the set in time to get it to my customer over the weekend. Thankfully he's a very patient and understanding fellow. Well I've had a little break and now it's back to knitting. I have got to complete this tonight! Told him I'd have it to him by 1:30 tomorrow!

Me and my Green Thumb

Just rescued a few plants that had been dumped curbside, including this geranium. My son Brandon helped me re-pot and water them. Hopefully they'll pull through and survive!

Knitting at School

I volunteered at my children's school today. So here I am knitting in the workroom in the office while waiting for my daughter's class to get out. I literally take my knitting with me wherever I go. Trying to catch up on a few orders. :) The one I'm working on right now is a set of armchair covers. Due this weekend! ~Christine

I'm back! More posts & pics to come soon. I was without my cell phone for a bit. Dropped it in the laundry! :( ~Christine

#1 in my 52in52-2012 challenge!

The finished scarf...  Delivering it this evening...

One down, 51 to go!

So I finished the SF Giants scarf this evening. I will take photos tomorrow (when I have some daylight) and get them posted before I deliver it to my customer. Maybe I'll even have her pose with it! Anyways, that's one down 51 to go in my 52in52-2012 challenge! Off to a good start...
I also began my next project. A teacher at my children's school has been learning how to spin. So just before Christmas she gave me a little handspun goodness so that I could play with it and test it out. All she wants in return is my honest feedback as to what I think of her yarn. It's a delightful little hank of thick and thin, spun clean, alpaca. I just love working with alpaca! So what a privilege! I cast on 40 stitches with my US #13 circular needles this afternoon and was going to knit the ribbing for a hat and then switch to another yarn for the upper section. I only have 25 yards to work with, so it won't go far... but as I'm knitting I'm thinking... maybe a gaiter would be nice? Unlike a cowl, a gaiter would fit closely around the neck. I'm knitting in 2X2 rib right now so I think I'll just continue to see how long it gets. It's so luxuriously soft, that I believe it would make the perfect little neck warmer! Plans may change again if it's not long enough and it may become a wide headband... aka ear warmer! Should have this one completed tomorrow and will take pictures of it as well... For now I'm off to bed... yawning as I type is a good indication that it's way past my bedtime!

My hat's in Florida!

Recently I knit several of these hats to sell at the school's Holiday Boutique. They were a big hit. So I sent this one to my friend Bunmi in Florida so she could use it in a photo shoot. Well she called me this morning to tell me that she wore it to work today and somebody already wants to buy it! I'm so excited! Looks like my hat will be staying in Florida! :)

Back to School - Time to Knit!

I just got the kids off to school. Was up by 6:30 this morning making breakfast and getting them ready. I sure will miss sleeping in! Now to sit down with my cup of coffee and resume the scarf.

The SF Giants Scarf

Here's a photo I took last night of the scarf I mentioned in the previous post. Thought I'd test out the photo uploading abilities from my cell phone.

Happy New Year ...and the 52in52-2012 challenge!

Winter has officially arrived... bringing with it colder days... and the perfect excuse for knitting (like I needed an excuse)! I have also decided to start blogging again... now that I have finally figured out how to upload photos and content via my cell phone. Isn't it great to be living in the ages of technology?
You can find me on Ravelry as needle2needle. I just joined the group *52 in 52* -2012 which is a year long knit-along. The only rule… knit, crochet, spin or weave at least 52 projects between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. That averages one per week. Can I do it? We shall see! Keep posted to view my progress! I cast on my first project yesterday, which is for a customer of mine. She wants a thick and fuzzy orange and black scarf for her sister's birthday. Her sister is a huge San Francisco Giants fan. So... my first project is well underway... Photos coming soon!
I have lots of plans for this blog... so check back often for updates on my adventures in knitting and the fiber world! Also feel free to leave comments and let me know what you are knitting this year!

Testing from mobile device