Thursday, January 17, 2008

And another semester ends...

My grades are actually already done. (I see you over there, falling down in shock!) It does help that we had to do mid-terms last week because of PSSA testing this week.

I'm starting Romeo and Juliet with the ninth graders. Everyone seems interested except, of course, the third period class. We may have to do some grammar chapters instead, but I hate to do that to the twelve guys who would like to do the play. Le sigh.

The critters are feisty as usual. For some reason or other, this is "Pick on Sissy" month. Even Bubba has been chasing her and biting her. Poor thing, she has to cuddle with me in the evening to be safe!

Knitting continues apace. Oh, my! Tara would now like ANOTHER blanket to match the first one since she has bunk beds. I think I'll let them buy the yarn for this one! I still haven't been inspired to knit the Tofutsi yarn into anything. I just had a horrible thought! It's made of shrimp shells -- what if one or more of the cats EATS them!!! Yikes!

Must go home now and knit something.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

A New Year!

My wish for all for 2008 is happiness, prosperity, and, most of all, health. If you have good health, the happiness and prosperity pretty much take care of themselves.

And now two new EASY patterns! A beginning knitter could do either of these and get great results. All you have to know is cast on , bind off, knit and purl, and sewing together for the hat. Pompoms and fringe are optional.

The first one is a simple scarf. It's really just one "column" from the garter and rib baby blanket. Like that pattern, any yarn will work and you get a nice wavy edge where the rib sucks in more than the garter stitch.

Cast on desired number of stitches. Even is best and I did mine with fourteen stitches.

Knit (garter stitch) for sixteen rows.

Now for sixteen rows, do a k1p1 rib.

Keep alternating blocks like this for desired length of scaf and end with a garter block.

For an alternative, you could do the middle eighteen inches or so in the ribbing to make a seaman's scarf. The ribbing will "scrunch" better behind the recipient's neck.

For an easy matching hat, cast on about forty stitches and knit a rectangle to go around your head snugly.

Sew the beginning to the end and gather one end, adding a pompom if desired. You could also sew the end flat/square and put pompoms or tassels on the corners for a more "skater" look.