Confessions of a Knitting Book Collector
There you have it, I’m a sucker for a pretty book. I love the pictures, colors, patterns, everything about it! I love the endless possibilities a new knitting book implies. I enjoy going through it several times myself and reading all the little blurbs and techniques about the various projects. I like to go through it with my mum or my craft enthusiast friends. I am excited about the various yarn combinations and who might appreciate a gift from this book. It really gets my creativity flowing!
Although I have been trying to knit my way through my already large collection I had to pick up just one more book when I saw the Alterknits Felt book at the knitting shop. It had so many creative uses for felt. There were adorable Christmas ornaments, felted purses galore, and a tree skirt to die for (perhaps a multi-year project but lovely none the less). My personal favorite (with the holly jolly season right around the corner) was the set of Tim Burtonesque stocking cones. I love something a little different in terms of the classic holiday red and green. Why not a little blue, purple, or yellow in there? My first one is a lovely grape purple and green. I can’t wait to see what they look like when they felt!
For the Love of Felt
Well, once I was finished with Jordan’s toque I figured it was time to finish something for me! I know this is rare in my knitting but I thought it might be time to actually finish something without a particular deadline. I think the reason I finish the projects that I give away is that there are specific deadlines: Christmas, birthdays, thanksgiving, etc. With projects for myself there is rarely a particular time I need it for so they tend to get pushed to the bottom of the pile.
I saw this skein of Manos del Uruguay in the shop a few months ago and I immediately knew I had to pick it up for my mum. Everyone has their colors that they gravitate to and hers are the colors of fall. Rich reds, oranges, browns and the occasional buttery yellow. This skein of kettle dyed wool had it all. I was at a bit of a loss with what to do with it when I came across a pattern for felted potholders in Joelle Hoverson’s ‘Last Minute Knitted Gifts’. I put my lovely skein together with a rich chocolate brown border and they turned out great! She loved the colors (of course) and she used them under the scrambled eggs at Thanksgiving brunch. I love it when things are pretty and functional!
(the potholder is in the lower left corner)
You’re probably wondering why this is a project for me…..the answer is: it isn’t. This felting project got me thinking about a project I have had on hold for a few weeks (months) now, some felted snug boots. These babies are just for me! They have a lovely cream exterior and a warm orange interior to keep my feel toasty in the coming winter months. I have one down (and have for a while) and one to go. My plan is to finish them before I put anything else on my plate. I wish myself luck!
