Hello!  The past several months have been quite hectic and I haven't been doing much in the way of looming  but am starting to get back to it now.  At present I am working on a beret and will post pictures when it is finished.  It is coming along quite good and much easier than I anticipated.

What do you do when you have a stash of wool that looks like this? (and this was only half of the bags!!) While you say to yourself what were you thinking when you bought all this lol. So it was off to store to see what I could find to organize it so that I would know what kinds of yarn that I have. Below is the result of my quest.



Never thought that I would get this orangized neatly or even get all of into the organizers that I bought, but all but a few skeins fit neatly into the containers, success :). Now I can tell at a glance what wool I have. Of course after hubby saw this he has forbidden me to buy any more wool until I use up some of what I have. Yeah right! :)

I really haven't done much in the way of looming for the past year for several reasons. But when I saw this pattern for Bethany's Winter Whimsy, (it is a cowl, purse and hand warmer all in one, isn't that just an awesome idea!) I got out my loom to try this one. Now that everything has somewhat settled down, think I may just be able to get back into my looming. I'm thinking I will get an early start and knit up a few of these (9 to be exact lol) for my daughters and granddaughters for Christmas presents.

Bethany's having a party and your invited! Go on over to her site for all the fun things that she has planned for today.

I have managed to be able to get a few more projects finished some from the Loom Class one that I have done on my own from the a Loom Pattern Book. I'm also working on a pair of booties and hat to match the little baby sweater and have a few other projects in mind. Will be posting pictures of them as soon as I have them finished.

The baby sweater below is the most recent project on converting patterns to the loom from the Loom Class.


Knitting pattern converted to loom for pouch, showing front and back in different knitting patterns.



And finally the popcorn hat that I did from a Loom Knitting book.

I'm starting to get over the bronchitis flareup and the sinus infection has cleared up. So I can get back to my looming, I was missing not being able to loom but was just feeling too yucky to even try anything. Managed to finish my Chill Chaser Cap from Bethany's Site and also finished my toe up socks for the loom class. I don't have a sock loom so did them on the blue KK. They turned out more like slipper socks but I have mastered the toe up knitting of the socks so I'm more convinced now that I need a sock loom. My future grandson in law is making me a fine gauge adjustable loom, so I will be able to use it for making socks. I just may become addicted to this too. Can't wait for him to finish making it for me.

It was brought to my attention that there were errors in the Little Bow Butterfly Dishcloth Pattern. The pattern has now been corrected and is available for download.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well Christmas is past and we are into a New Year. Everyone loved the loom presents that I did for them. I came down with a bad case of bronchitis on New Years Eve and also a sinus infection so haven't been doing much looming or anything else right now, just taking it easy and trying to get over this. Hopefully will start to feel better soon so I can back to looming!

Wishing everyone visiting my blog Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year.

Still busy trying to get all my loomy presents done in time for Christmas, I'm almost done, just a few more to do and I'll be finished. Decided to take some time out from Christmas Looming and do The McCoy Mitts from the Loom Class by Robin MCoy, the pattern was originally done with the Kiss Loom, but since I don't have that Loom I did them on the Blue Knifty Knitter and I think they turned out really nice. I'm thinking that if I can finish my other Christmas projects this week, I will make a few more pairs of the Mitts as extra gifts.

I've been busy trying to get caught up on all my looming gifts, a few are shown below.


A felted crochet hook case for my daughter.



Slippers for the grandchildren, still have about five more pairs to finish!



More Slippers!




My first attempt at a toe up slipper, turned out really nice.

I have also finished up the pattern for my Bow/Butterfly Dishcloth the pattern it is now posted to my Free Patterns in the sidebar. Below is a preview of it:

Well, I finally managed to find the Needloft Metallic Cord that I needed for the bright bells at Wal-Mart. I'm working on the fifth bell now, then five more to go. They are quick and easy to do, so I should have the other five done before I go to bed tonight, then to start working on last afghan block for the class. Hopefully I can finish that tomorrow and start to get caught up on all the projects on my looms so I can have them completed before Christmas.

I also did up ten Itty Bitty Christmas Stockings to go along with the other ornaments that we have loomed and the ones coming up.



When I have finished all the upcoming ornament classes I will have loomed 120 ornaments - Whew.

Here are a few finished items from the latest looming class that I did on the flower loom and spool loom. The candy canes and wreaths were done on the spool loom. I used pipe cleaners to shape them. An easy way that I found to insert the pipe cleaner, into the middle of the candy cane, was to feed the pipe cleaner into a drinking straw push it down the middle of the candy cane and then holding the bottom of the pipe cleaner pull the straw back out. It worked perfectly without getting caught or snagging the wool. I really enjoyed this class and will be making quite a few more for the grandchildren for Christmas. I must say this class took me for a trip down memory lane. My Dad used to make me spool looms out of old thread spools in varying sizes and I would sit and knit on them for hours.

I always seem to have a hard time with the drawstring cast as described in the tutorials. I came up with a different way to do it quite by accident. I attach the working yarn with a slip knot to the anchor peg, I then wrap every other peg around the loom, then wrap the working yarn around all the pegs, you now have two loops on every other peg, now I lift the bottom loops over on the pegs with two loops and continue on with the pattern. Pictures below show how I do it, as soon as I get some extra time I will be doing a video of how it is done.

The new Wonder Sock Loom is back it is lighter in weight, and the same tight gauge as the other sock looms.

All their looms look so impressive that I wish that I could afford to buy them all, but being on fixed income that's not likely to happen any time soon. Go take a look at the site leave Isela a comment telling her that you saw it here! You could win this absolutely wonderful new loom.

You can see more about it here at:

http://daloomsblog.typepad.com/blog/

I've been busy trying to get my afghan squares caught and doing the felted clutch purse from my other group GettingItPegged . This was my first attempt at felting, and I think that I may become addicted to it.  (Will need to go get some more felting wool) The first purse  and little change purse was done with Bernat Felting and the colour was New Iris, the second purse was done with Jaeger Winter Spun Wool that I had found at a thrift shop for next to nothing, the colour of it was Arosa.  For a first attempt at felting I am quite pleased with the results.

I have decided to offer my Little Bow Butterfly Bonnet as a free pattern. You may download it from the Free Patterns link in the side bar. If you make the bonnet I would love to see a picture of it and with your permission showcase it on my blog.

Enjoy and have a great day!

Have started working on my afghan squares again. Have finished the Block 9, now just need to get caught up on the other four blocks that I am behind.

Well, I finally decided to submit a pattern to teach for the Loom Class. I will be teaching my Little Bow Butterfly Bonnet class from September 7 - 13. I am really looking forward to doing this. Hope to see you in class.

I'm having a hard time getting caught up on my Afghan Square classes. I had planned on making a lapghan for my mother for Christmas, but since she passed away in July am having a hard time deciding what to do. My daughter says that I should finish it and keep it for myself. Perhaps that would be the best solution.

On a brighter note, I finished my String of Diamonds Belt for the loom class. This was a really nice project to do, loomed up quick and was easy to do.



Every year at Christmas I buy my grandchildren a special tree ornament that they will have to decorate their own tree when they are out on their own. This year, I have decided to do loomed Christmas bells for them. So far I have made 10 of them. Planning on finding other ornaments to loom also.

I'm finally starting to feel like looming again, trying to catch up on all the classes I am behind in, plus doing some mittens for grandchildren for Christmas. Below are some of my finished projects. The jellie and the kissie fish were fun classes to do.

Okay, so I did it again! (Much to hubby's dismay) Went bargain hunting at our local Value Village and came home with the goodies below. I scooped up 40 skeins of yarn in different sizes and colours for $30.00, and also found these two neat little looms one is labelled as a snowflake loom and the other a flower loom.

I'm starting to get back into my looming, I'm so many projects behind in the Loom Class. Just finished the little purse by Anke. Thanks Anke.

Bethany's having a party and your invited!


1.
What was your age when you first discovered your love of yarn? What (or who) was it that introduced you to all that fibery goodness?

I think I was about 8 or 9 my Mom used to knit, I always loved watching her. She was very patient trying to teach me how to knit, but it wasn't until I was married and on my own that I really took up the needles and have been knitting ever since.

2. If you could sit down with anyone in the world to have a little knit along, who would it be?

All of the wonderful friends that I have met in the loom class.
3. What is your favorite comfy place or position in which to work with yarn?

I really don't have a favourite place, just pick up the loom and sit down wherever.

4. Like our heroin in the story below, do you ever dream about soft fuzzy goodness? Or how to do a particular technique you’d never thought of while awake?

I always dream about learning new techniques and different stitches.

5. What type of loomer/knitter/crocheter are you? Do you like long involved projects, or quickies full of fast satisfaction?

I like looming both type of projects.

6. Have you ever guiltily postponed dinner due to your involvement with a project?

I plead guilty to this, more than once!!!

7. What is your ultimate goal in your yarn life?

To live life to fullest and always be patient and caring to others.

8. Do you have a favorite snack you like to munch while working with yarn?

Mints

9. What is your all time most favorite yarn tool/accessory that you absolutely could not live without?

Everything

10. What is your favorite movie?

Gone with the wind.

11. What is your favorite book as an adult…and what was yours as a child?

Black Beauty as a child and Sylvia Brown books as an adult.

12. What are you working on right now with your yarn?

I working on Christmas decorations for the grandchildren.

13. Is there a special project that you’ve been just dying for someone (or yourself) to design?

A lacy looking sleeveless summer top.

14. Did someone invite you to join in on the party today?

Learned about it from the group messages.

These are my other three finished afghan blocks from the loom class. I am behind in doing the class projects, but hopefully when if feel up to it I will get caught up with them.

Today my mother passed away. I will always love and miss her, but I know that she is at peace and watching over us. I Love You Mom.

A MOTHER'S LOVE

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

In Loving Memory of My Mother
November 29, 1909 - July 12, 2008

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same,
Feed not your loneliness on empty days
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out, your hand in comfort and in cheer
and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never, never be afraid to die,
for I am waiting for you in the sky!

Helen Steiner Rice