Looking Back

This week I'm knitting socks. I haven't knit a pair of socks since before I started this blog, so I thought I would show you a picture of the first pair I ever knitted.

No, I don't have three feet. It just took three socks to get one decent pair. I had been knitting for a year and it was my first attempt at using double point needles. I bought a set of Boye aluminum double points and some yarn I found in the clearance bin. I wasn't sure I could figure it out, so I wasn't willing to spend much money on the project. I'm funny like that. The first attempt with double points was a disaster. I couldn't figure out how to handle all the needles and the yarn was very slippery on the aluminum. If you are a beginner with double points, please invest in a wooden or bamboo set, it's much easier to learn on. I set everything aside for a month, then tried it again. One of the hardest things was getting started. Finally, I figured out how to get everything joined in the round. And as you know, once you knit a few rounds the fabric holds the needles in place with no more flopping. I wish I had known about this site. It has excellent free video instruction for knitting a pair of socks. Anyway, things went smoother from that point on except for a dropped stitch or two, a few holes and a sock that ended up being too small. But, it looked like a sock and I was encouraged. So, I did it again, two more times and ended up with a decent pair for my "first" attempt. More later.

Hey Bluejay fans, Needville clinched a spot in the playoffs with Friday night's win over Stafford, 28-25! Thanks Sweeny for defeating Wharton!

Simple Shaw Finished

Everything about this shawl is simple. A good choice for a beginner or for anyone who just wants to knit without thinking too much about it. It's quick too as long as you don't let other projects take up your knitting time like I did.

To make one, find a yarn you really like.

I bought this in Kansas on our summer vacation. I found it at one of the best yarn shops I've ever been too. Next, pick a big size needle to give you a very loose gauge. I used size US 13. Cast on three stitches and knit being sure to increase every other row by making a yarn over after the first knit stitch and before the last knit stitch. This creates an eyelet edge. Continue in this way until the shawl is as big as you want. I went until I had 150 stitches on the needle. On the last row, K1, *yo, k2tog; rep until last stitch, K1. Bind off loosely. Block lightly making sure to open up the eyelet holes along the edges.

Nothing fancy. Just a very soft, light weight and surprisingly warm shawl. I think I'll be using this one a lot to keep warm while I'm at the computer checking out all the latest in blogland.

Knitting Needles

Have you looked at your collection of knitting needles lately? There are so many different types and styles out there and the great thing is that it doesn't really matter what kind you use. You could be knitting with pencils and no one would be able to tell by the end result of the garment. Since needles are really a matter of preference, they might say something about the person using them. I think mine do. Donna of Random Knits is asking us to share our needle stash, so here's mine.

Can you tell I like things simple and natural? Brittany birch needles are my favorite. I have a set of 10" straights from size US3 to US10.5 and a set of 14" straights from US4 to US17. Most of my dpns are Brittany also, ranging from US2 to US13, but I have a set of Lantern Moon size US1 and Skacel size US0. When it comes to circulars, my favorite is Addi Natura. These are bamboo needles with the same flexible cable as Addi Turbos. I may be one of the few that would choose the bamboo over the turbo. The clicking sound of metal gets on my nerves a little. So, what are you knitting with?

Donation Day

A few more items for The Preemie Project. No, I didn't make all of these this weekend. I worked on the hats a little at a time over the last month. Finished up the sets with some booties last week and worked on the bear (from The Knitted Teddy Bear) this weekend. This is the hat pattern I use when I want to make a hat quick. And this is the pattern for most of the booties I make. It takes me about 1.5 - 2 hours to make a hat and 1 hour for the booties. I don't consider myself to be a fast knitter, just a persistent one. Now to box it all up and get it to the post office. What will I work on next? I think I should finish the shawl I started a while back and maybe even knit a pair of socks. We'll see how long I can stay away from making baby things...not long I'm sure...I enjoy it too much.

UIL Marching Contest

This is my last year as a band parent. My last year to attend UIL Marching Contest. I will experience a lot of these "lasts" this year because my youngest is a senior. Today all the band's hard work came under the scrutiny of three judges in one performance. It was an important day.

I suppose everything started as it usually does. A run-through of the show on the home field before loading the buses to head to Victoria two hours away. Needville's band marches 120 which is large for a AAA school. It takes three yellow school buses and an equipment truck to transport all the students and gear. Before the band even got out of town, the truck loaded with the instruments broke down. My husband and I were already on the road and kept getting updates from our son over the phone. "We're trying to locate some trucks and trailers to haul the instruments." Then, "We're on the road. The instruments will come later, so our performance may be delayed." And the last phone call, "We're almost there. They say we will perform at our regular time. We have to head straight to the warm up room as soon as we get there."

I know the kids, the directors and everyone involved were feeling rushed and stressed. I was nervous for them. But when they took the field, they looked sharp.


Normally I watch the band perform as a whole, but today my eyes were on my son. I watched as he directed the band and hardly noticed anything else. He was awesome! The band left the field after the performance and we went to wait with them for the judges' scores. No one in the band was smiling. Did they mess up or something? I wasn't really paying attention. Then, I realize they are just nervous. It's hard to smile when you're nervous.

Finally the band director delivers the news...straight ones. An unanimous superior rating!


Congratulations Bluejay Band!


Friday's football game: Needville 36, Palacios 9. Could this be a play-off year? Two games left.

Back to Knitting

I started knitting a small hat for The Preemie Project a few days ago. I was trying for size 1-3 lbs, but when I realized it would be smaller, I decided to make it part of a bereavement set (Micro Bunting).

So tiny. It will fit a baby less than 1 lb.


Lined with soft blue flannel for a special touch.


Simple hat and socks (Easy Socks) to match.


May God bring peace and comfort to the family that receives this gift.

Pink is for Girls

Three hours of cutting...


gives you this.


Four hours of sewing...


gives you this.


Fifteen small blankets and one large blanket. All for The Preemie Project.