knitting

The Original Kitten Hat Girl

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My middle daughter Flory loves cats. When she was young and we wrote stories together, many were about a little girl who wanted a cat. She was that little girl. But sadly, I'm allergic to cats, so getting one was out of the question. But that didn't stop Flory from asking. Often. Finally, one day, frustrated by my allergies and what they meant for her future as a cat owner, she asked me a more important question -- could she have a cat when I died?

Last summer, living far away from home, Flory moved into a house with a cat. A long awaited dream come true. Soon she'll be moving to a new house in a new city. The cat will stay behind with its owners. Will there be other cats in her future?  I am betting on it.

Knitting and Kitten Hats

The kitten hat Flory is wearing in the above picture is a heavy worsted weight version of a baby hat pattern that appeared in a Patons pattern book I picked up decades ago. It's a great pattern, quick and sweet. 

I have knit this hat so many times, my copy is worn. The pages are bent, the type is fading. But lucky for those interested knitters, blogger WHATZIKNITZ wrote about the hat and received permission from Patons to share it with readers.  Start your own kitten hat journey by clicking shere.

 

Rhinebeck Report 2014

There's something special about a fair. We all know that, right? But have you ever wondered about a sheep and wool festival? My cousin Janet and I recently returned from the 2014 New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, also know as Rhinebeck. Go to the Fair, my essay about our adventure there, complete with photos, is available on the Lion Brand Yarn Company website.

Memories of my 2011 Rhinebeck visit can be found by searching this blog or by clicking here here. 

 

Twin Loves: Noro and Washi Tape

There's a comfort in the beauty of washi tape and Noro yarns. Merely touching them gives membership in something more than the everyday. Whatever you do with Washi -- decorate a card or or envelope -- is transformed. Whatever you knit with Noro -- a simple garter stitch something, for example -- transforms you.

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From the Vault: Estonian Mittens

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It's cold here in Iowa, so mittens are on my mind. Today's image is from my April 4, 2011 blog post,  Reuimel's Mittens. These mittens remain my best thrift shop find.  

If you read Saturday's post, mittens are also on my needles. After a weekend of stitching, I am almost done with my husband's Norwegian mitten right hand replacement

Have you always longed to knit  mittens? Need a little help on your journey? Read my essay, Mitten Knowledge  and cast on a pair of Starter Mittens

Interested in mitten cards? This image is available in packs of five cards.  Contact me for details.

 

From the Image Vault : What Works for Women

A card I made in the late 1990's for WHAT WORKS FOR WOMEN

From the back of the card: WHAT WORKS FOR WOMEN is the successor of THE KNITTING PROJECT, a lifeline of 32 tons of donated knitting yarn sent to refugee women in Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia from 1994-1997. Proceeds from these cards directly support women's projects which help returning refugees rebuild their lives and their communities. We welcome your partnership in continuing the lifeline to women who have suffered so much.