Back to Knitting

 Knitting Break

I've had a five week knitting break since my hand surgery.  

I still have some swelling and soreness in my fingers
and palm where my two incisions are.  

I wasn't quite sure when I would be ready to pick up
the needles again.  

Then the other day, I was at JoAnns and saw a display of

ergonomic products for crafters. 

 Anxious to get back to knitting, 

I bought a pair of Crafter's Comfort Gloves. 

I thought they would be perfect 

for my surgery-hand to help me get back to knitting again.

For the record,

 I did get the "go-ahead" from my physical therapist to knit.

She said "just be sure to set the timer!".

 Ready to Knit

So yesterday, I picked up the needles and began a new project.

As much as I wanted to return to my lovely
Louisa Harding projects,

I felt it best to begin with a basic knit project
since I don't have full range of motion yet with my fingers and hand.

Due to stiffness and soreness...

I wore my new Crafter's Comfort Gloves.

Well, you know the saying...

"fits like a glove".

Well, these sure do!

The compression glove felt comforting on my surgery hand 

and made my incision/palm area feel protected as I knit.

The comfort glove box says they give relief for:

arthritis, hand pain and swelling.  

I was so happy to get back to knitting.

I must say though,

it was not with out moderate pain.

but I did manage to knit a few rounds.

I can report though,

 that after wearing the crafter's compression gloves, 

knitting and doing my hand exercises afterwards,

my hand felt pretty good.  

So, I'm thinking now that a bit of knitting everyday will be good

physical therapy for my fingers and hand now.

And yes, I will set the timer!

Comfort Gloves

I highly recommend Crafter's Comfort Gloves.

They are designed in the USA by an Orthorpedic Surgeon.

They are made of stretchy cotton/spandex and 

provide mild compression and support for knitting.

They provide pain relief to help us crafters keep doing what we love to do!  

I can't wait to put them on again today 

and knit a few rounds! 

Bliss!

 Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine

Fall/Winter 2011

I'm ready for fall...

and Debbie Bliss' new fall magazine is enticing me
 to pick up my knitting needles
and start some fall and winter projects!

Here are a few of my favorites from Debbie's new issue:

 Fair Isle Cardigan

I'm a Fair Isle fan so I love Debbie's feature on Fair Isle knits called
The New Palette...The Bold Standard.

Debbie says it's time to "rev up your needles for a new approach to sweater weather." 

I love how she changed up traditional Fair Isle color work to a new palette of black and white.  Her Fair Isle designs are striking in this color palette and have a much more modern twist!

This snowflake crew-neck cardigan in varying shades of blacks, greys and silver is knit in Debbie's Baby Cashmerino.  I love how it is styled in the magazine with a black skirt. 

 Wristwarmers

I love small Fair Isle projects so I love these diamond pattern wristwarmers.

I'm not really a sweater knitter so this Fair Isle pattern is perfect for me and fellow knitters who want to tackle small Fair Isle projects.

They are also knit in Debbie's Baby Cashmerino. 

 Fair Isle Sweater

I love classic fashion

and this Fair Isle Cardigan is bound to become a classic!

With its snowflake motif....

I think it's perfect for hitting the slopes

or some apres ski parties!

It's knit in Debbie's Rialto 4-ply extra-fine merino.

 Basketweave Wrap

It's no secret that I love scarves.

I love to wear them and I love to knit them!

The cover Basketweave Wrap scarf is my favorite pattern in the magazine. 

It's knit in Debbie's new bulky (color changing) yarn Riva.

Admirers are asking "what's that color way on the cover."

# 02 Heather.  Now you know.

Debbie also has a new pattern book for fall called Riva
which was photographed in the British countryside. 

I can't wait to get my copy!

Party Girls!

Of course, the magazine wouldn't be Debbie Bliss
without some knit designs for "little cuties"!

There is an adorable feature called Party Girls
filled with "girlie" lacey party knits. 

This is another wonderful issue by Debbie and her team. 

I hope you find your copy soon...
and it inspires you,  like me,
to start up some fall knitting projects
and
make Debbie's daughter Nell's
Flapjacks recipe in the issue,too. 

Parlez-vous francais?

 le magazine

(the magazine) 

 I brought home from Paris,

the Mai-Juin (May-June) issue of Marie Claire Idees.

I found out on my trip to Paris last month
that the French are very crafty! 

Oui, I do have a French name but je ne parle pas francais
(I don't speak French)  let alone read it.  When it comes to this beautiful magazine though, you don't have to be able to read French to enjoy it. 

Just like everything in Paris, this magazine is filled with beautiful images and inspiration. 

Here's a look inside...

and please pardon my French! 

Effet couture

Creation pour une table gourmande!

I love this pretty ribbon embellished table cloth project and loved seeing my favorite patisserie
 Le Saint-Honore de Laduree in the photograph!

Throughout le magazine the photo stylists have used patisseries
and macaroons from Laduree.  Love that!

 les macaroons

 Idee Broderie = Idea Embroidery

I discovered while shopping at the Paris department stores that the French love needlework.  Along side the yarn departments were always embroidery and needlepoint departments. 

You can purchase this as an apron kit at Maire Claire Idees online. 

 Terrain de jeux

Idee Tricot = Idea Knitting

Since I'm a knitter...I adore this bebe (baby) blanket! 

I love how it's edged with de bias (bias trim). 

The pattern is in the magazine and its supplies are available at
 La Droguerie.  I loved this store and will tell you more about it soon. 

I can tell you that French crafters love
de bias Liberty (Liberty bias trim)
 and I stocked up for some French inspired projects
that I saw at La Droguerie!

 Atouts coeur

bebe= baby

coeur = heart

Trop chou, cette idee de layette!

Ooh, la, la, a bebe (baby) layette knit in
 fils a tricoter de La Droguerie qualite Alpaga (Alpaca). 

The pattern is also in the magazine and supplies available
at La Droguerie.

Mauve nacre

Devant la fantaisie d'un collier, le plus ouvert des decolletes peut redoubler de mystere.

I'm in love with French bijoux (jewelery)!

 collier = necklace

Supplies:  Rubans (Ribbons) from Mokuba (a Paris store on my list that I didn't get to) and perles, apprets, fleurs (flowers) broderie and  appliques available at La Droguerie. 

I picked up some pretty velvet butterflies (see top left of photo) at La Droguerie to embellish a craft project or beret, perhaps?

 Choux a la creme

patissiere parfumee

choux a al creme = cream puffs

Le magazine also has recipes, beauty tips and more. 
Everything a "wanna-be French girl" could want!

Le Gateau

d'Anne-Claire Petit 

What an adorable gateau (cake) for
Marie Claire Idees 20th Birthday issue! 

crochetee coton = crochet cotton

Oui, the pattern by la designer Anne-Claire Petit is in the magazine.  I would love to whip one up....
guess I better sign up for French lessons after all!

Bon Anniversaire
(Happy Birthday # 20)
Marie Claire Idees!

It's Earth Day

You can make a difference!

It's Earth Day...

let's all do our part!

Reduce

Hand Knit Cosy Cuff

Hand knit cosy cuffs are so much better for the environment than cardboard cuffs. 

They are a quick knit and wonderful to give with Starbucks gift cards! 

Reuse

Vintage Embellishments

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers
 never threw a button away. 

It's in-vogue to save buttons and vintage treasures
to re-use and embellish your knits

 

Upcycle

"Green Crafting"

I love upcycling and green crafting. 

It's so fun to take something vintage or thrifted and upcycle it into a new project. 

Upcycling is hotter than ever (just check out Etsy) and

saving so many items from going into the landfill.

Be Sweet to Mother Earth

Save the Bees

Be kind to Mother Earth and plant Lavender in your garden.  Lavender shrubs attract bees which need our help to maintain our ecosystem.  

An added bonus...harvest it and make lavender sachets to ward off harmful insects

from your precious hand-knits.


Every little bit makes a difference. 
You can make a difference...
are you?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

You...can make a difference!

Just say "no" to cardboard cuffs for your hot tea or coffee cup! Switch over to an "eco-friendly" knitted cuff and you'll never go back to cardboard again!

Last week I took a fun "Coffee Cuff" class at Knitique. The pattern is called Coffee Cuff Six Ways on Ravelry by Nicole Mattson. My cuff is knit in JoJoland Rhythm, a worsted wool yarn, in color M61. It was knit on #8 DPN's.

I think a knit cuff makes a great present. My cuff is for my sister along with a Starbucks gift card. I decided to test her cuff out yesterday on my own Venti Latte. It passed the test with flying colors. All the Starbucks employees were raving about it and I was amazed at how it kept my coffee hot much longer. It is a great insulator!

Make the Eco-Friendly choice!

So drink your tea or coffee in style now with an eco-friendly hand-knit cuff. Wouldn't it be great to knit these up in pretty colors to match your wardrobe! Think of all the possibilities! Best of all, what a great way to use up leftover yarn, too..saving it from the landfill!

Kudos to Starbucks for caring about our planet, too. You can read more about what Starbucks commitment to the environment at Starbucks, Shared Planet.

Favorite baby hat books!

Frilly Hat

Baby Beanies

by Amanda Keeys

Baby hats are just adorable! I love making them for precious little babies. They are my kind of knitting project, too...quick and easy!

Sometimes I think I spend more time on Ravelry (the online knitting site) than actually knitting. Thanks to Ravelry though I find inspiration and great finished projects to look at. My knitting friend Sara at Knitique is a new grandmother and makes the cutest baby hats for her little Maddie. Seeing her projects on Ravelry has helped me find some adorable baby hat patterns.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite baby hat books with you. All my favorite books are written by very talented knitwear designers who all just happen to be young mother's themselves!

All my hats are modeled on my vintage 1960's Madame Alexander doll. I am so glad I saved her since she makes a great baby hat model. My friend Sheila even asked me recently if I loan her out for photo shoots!

All my hats have been knit in easy care Cascade's Cotton Club.

The hat above is the Frilly Hat from Baby Beanies by Amanda Keeys (mskeeys on Ravelry). The original hat shows it with a button. I chose to knit a flower embellishment from her other pattern, Sweet Spring. The book has 29 adorable hat patterns for babies and toddlers along with the cutest photography!

I love Amanda's story. She lives in Australia and is a self-taught knitter. She is a professional childrens's photographer and young mother of four with number five on the way. She loves using cute knitted hats in her photo shoots. Since she was having trouble finding hats she started designing and knitting her own hats. I love that!

Check out her incredible blog Fall into Blue...for the most adorable children's photography...along with the most charming knit hats!

Louisa Harding Blanket & Hat

Natural Knits for Babies and Moms

I saw this set on Ravelry when Sara made it for her new born Granddaughter Maddie. Since I love anything Louisa Harding, I immediately ran out and book the book! I made my blanket and hat set in a soft "buttery" yellow for a baby shower gift.

Louisa is a young mother to two young children. Her children inspired her to create her popular Miss Bea series of knitting books. Since she is a "Mum", I bet memories of her children as "little ones" influenced this book, too!

Louisa's signature style generally leans towards the soft and feminine side. So naturally Natural Knits for Babies and Moms is filled with 21 soft and soothing hand knits in organic yarns.

I can't wait to buy Louisa's new baby book Bizoo Bizu. (More adorable baby hats to knit!) It is already out in the UK and will be arriving at US yarn stores anytime now!

Rosebud Hat Itty-Bitty Hats

Susan B. Anderson

I love roses so I naturally fell in love with the Rosebud pattern by Susan Anderson. Rather than knit the leaves, I chose to recycle and felt a green wool thrift store sweater for my leaves. I cut the felted wool into leaf shapes and then did blanket stitch detailing around them.

Rosebuds
Itty Bitty Hats

Susan B. Anderson's book is filled with three dozen adorable baby hats. I can't wait to try more of her patterns. She is a busy mother to four kids and has a wonderful blog SusanBAnderson that you can follow, too.

My favorite Baby Hat books

I hope my favorite baby books (and Sara's) have inspired you to knit up some adorable little baby hats. Don't you think every baby deserves a hand knit hat?

The Knitter Issue Three

The Knitter Issue Three

I am a lucky knitter!

This week has been a good knitting week.

On Tuesday I had morning coffee, lunch and knitting with my new knitting friends Lorna, Sheila and Michele. On Wednesday I went to my class at Knitique and Danielle (owner/teacher) told me that I am a really good knitter. That praise just made my day since I have been taking knitting classes from Danielle for over a year now!

And, then I lucked out and found Issue Three of The Knitter!

Urchin Sweater

by Kim Hargreaves

This issue's theme is Coastline Designs. It is filled with lots of wonderful patterns inspired by the waves, shells and ripples of the seaside and perfect for this time of year, springtime!

Here is a sneak peak at Issue Three if you haven't' been lucky enough to see it yet. Every issue has sold out both in the UK and US. Hmm...perhaps I should just subscribe to The Knitter?

Starfish Shawl

by Norah Gaughan

Norah Gaughan is an American Knitwear Designer and Creative Director for Berroco.

On Ravelry, I have a British (Yorkshire Gal) knitter friend, Melanie who is lives in Australia currently. We met over our love of Yorkshire Tea and Tea Cozies! Melanie knows how much I love British designers like, Louisa Harding and she loves American Designers, like Norah Gaughan. I thought of Melanie when I saw this issue so I hope she can find Issue Three! She says it is pretty tough to find in Australia. Good luck Mel!

Beachcomber Bag

&

Wristwarmers

by Amanda Crawford

What fun accessories for a summer outing or beachcombing at the beach! The Beachcomber bag and coordinating wristwarmers are knit in Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton DK in Spring Bouquet and Crystal Blue colorways. I have never heard of this yarn, have you? It must be popular in the UK?

Mason-Dixon Knitting

Even though The Knitter is a British magazine there is a regular feature each month with good 'ole USA gals Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne. They have the popular following Mason-Dixon Knitting. This month's feature is about too many scarves? I love scarves so I am loving this article. I am known on Ravelry and wherever I go knitting as I Love Scarves!

Louisa Harding

My favorite British Knitwear Designer!

Well, it's no secret that Louisa Harding is my favorite knitwear designer. I loved this issue's article Best of British, the ultimate guide to the UK's top knitwear designers. In my book, Louisa Harding tops that list!

Issue 4 has already hit the news stands in the UK on March 31st. I can't wait to find my copy here in the states. I read that there is a Louisa Harding capelet pattern in it!

PS: Issue 3 has errata for both Issue 1 and 2!

Close-Knit Friendships

Designer Lorna Miser

Today marked the second book signing and trunk show on Lorna's book tour for Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. It was held at my other LYS Babetta's Yarn & Gifts.

This morning I started reading Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. I was so touched by Lorna's stories about knitting and her knitting friendships. Then my telephone rang. It was Lorna's good friend Sheila asking me if I would like to go see Lorna today at Babetta's Yarn and Gifts. Of course, I said "yes"!

I met Lorna when I joined the Cameilla Stockinettes, my local knitting guild chapter of TKGA last January. She is also the president. When Lorna found out that I live in Folsom (like her and Sheila) she immediately introduced me to Sheila and said "you've got to knit with us"!

Lorna and Sheila's friendship story is in the book. They met knitting about five years ago at a local coffee shop. Sheila was knitting mittens and having some difficulty. Lorna offered her help and advice. So yes, there is a pattern in the book called Helping Hand Mittens along with the story of how they met.

Today at the book signing, I purchased a book for my knitting friend Ruth. I met Ruth on Ravelry, the online knitting community. I admired one of her projects and we have been emailing ever since. Ruth lives in Oklahoma. I live in California. We do plan on meeting one day. We hope to meet on a special knitting tour maybe even in London or Paris!

As Lorna was signing Ruth's book, I was telling her the story about my friendship with Ruth. Lorna shared that she had a similar knitting friendship with a friend in Mississippi. They eventually did meet and Lorna then realized that her knitting friend had a very Southern accent. Hmmm...

I bet my friend Ruth has an accent, too?

Lorna signing a book

for my special knitting friend Ruth

I love stories about knitting and friendships. Every knitter you meet has a story. Every knitter I know has made wonderful friendships through knitting.

I love the resurgence of knitting. Knitting group get-togethers today are like the quilting bees of my grandmother's era. Now I know why the ladies all gathered around the quilt at quilting bees. It was much more than just quilting. It was about celebrating womens creativity, kinship and friendship.

Thank you for your knitting friendship Ruth! Enjoy your book. It's in the post!

"Congratulations Lorna" Cupcake!

" Congratulations Lorna" cupcake!

Awhile back I lucked out and caught a Martha Stewart segment on how to make marzipan knits for cupcakes with Blogger artist Lauren Ulm. They were adorable! I printed out the directions and tucked them away for a special occasion.

Well that special occasion arrived last week when I found out the Lorna Miser was the special guest at Knitique my LYS for the release of her first book Faith, Love, Hope, Knitting.

Well, let me just say, that Lauren Ulm made it look pretty easy to make little yarn balls out of colored marzipan. I should have known when Martha was having a bit of difficulty making them that I would, too! Nonetheless, I persevered and did make three little marzipan yarn balls in purple (Lorna's favorite color) for her special celebratory cupcake.

I had never worked with marzipan before. Perhaps the next time I try it, I will achieve better results. I will try it again...sometime.

Designer Lorna Miser

Lorna was touched that I made a special "Congratulations Lorna" cupcake for her to celebrate her first book. That was all that mattered!

Please let me know if you attempt any knit marzipan decorations. I would love to know how yours turn out!

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Designer Lorna Miser's new book

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Does the name Lorna sound familiar? If you're a knitter and love yarn, I know it does!

Yes, Lorna is Lorna Miser knitwear designer and the founder/original owner of Lorna's Laces, luxurious hand dyed yarns. She eventually sold Lorna's Laces in 2003 to focus on being exclusivley a knitwear designer.

Lorna wears many hats these days. She is a Designer, Teacher, Creative Director for Aurora Yarns, President of The Camellia Stockinettes (my TKGA local chapter knitting guild) and now a published author with her first book just out; Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting.

Lorna is also a local knitting celebrity around town (Sacramento region, where we both live) and wherever she travels and teaches!

Three Cozy Kittens

(Inspired by 3 Kittens Yarn Shoppe in St. Paul Minnesota)

My LYS Knitique hosted Lorna's first book signing and trunk show last night. Danielle the owner of Knitique has known Lorna for years. What a treat to have Lorna appear at Knitique for her very first book signing.

It was also Knit and Nosh night at Knitique so everyone brought delicious food and desserts. Since I have been on a cupcake roll, I made cupcakes iced in purple (Lorna's favorite color) and a special "Congratulations Lorna" cupcake for Lorna.

Sweet Baby Sweaters

Lorna's new book is so much more than just knitting patterns. It is filled with heart warming stories of the people and friends Lorna has met knitting through life.

There are 24 patterns and each pattern has a name and a special story about the person who inspired the pattern. I especially love Grandma Helen's lace shawl named after her Grandmother Helen.

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

In chatting with Lorna at Knitique, 

I asked her how long it took to write her first book. She told me it took her about a year to write it and then another full year to edit it. She is already hard at work on her second book. I can't wait!

For the record...Lorna's first official book signing party was a huge success! Knitique sold out all their books in just one night!

Cupcakes

Knit cupcakes by members of the

Camelllia City Stockinettes

I recently joined my local Knitting Guild the Camellia City Stockinettes. It is a wonderful group of talented and experienced knitters (plus a few crocheters). We have a meeting once a month. Each month there is a fun challenge project to knit. The finished projects are then brought to the following month's meeting for everyone to see. Tonight we got to see knitted cupcakes!

I missed last month's meeting so I did not knit a cupcake. I did however make over 50 cupcakes...the good old fashioned way!

Edible cupcakes by me!

My cupcakes were the edible type and not knitted. My knitting friend Catherine and I were the volunteers for tonight's refreshments. I was also urged on by my Guild friend Nina to make cupcakes due to the cupcake theme!

I love to bake. I make fabulous muffins nearly every weekend yet I hadn't made cupcakes since high school. Well, I figured cupcakes are kind of like muffins so this should be "a piece of cake"!

I purchased some adorable decorated cupcake liners by Wilton. I thought they would be perfect for the "cupcake theme". Well, my first batch of white cupcakes were a disaster. The liners burned and turned black.

In despair, instead of calling my Mother or even Martha Stewart...I called Danielle at Knitique. I knew she and her daughter make a lot of cupcakes and she used to even decorate cakes.

Well, it turns out that Danielle can teach me other things besides just knitting. She diagnosed the problem immediately. It was my fancy decorator paper cups. She told me just to use the ones (Reynolds brand) from the grocery store. Well, she was right. My next four dozen cupcakes turned out fine.

So I know have a few of my own cupcake secrets plus a few from Danielle. Here they are:

1) Duncan Hines Package mix is convenient and taste home-made! (Dark Chocolate Fudge and Yellow Cake were my favorites. I didn't like the White mix.)

2) Wilton's Buttercream Icing tastes delicious and pipes beautifully with a 1M star tip!

3) Bake only one pan at a time.

4) Use Reynolds baking cups and oil the top of the pan for when the cupcake top bakes up over the cup. (This prevents sticking and burning)

5) Danielle says "bake and frost the cupcakes the day before". They really do taste better!

There you have it. Now I just have to get Danielle to teach me how to make a cute knitted cupcake! I want to a make a cupcake pin cushion holder!

The Knitter Magazine

The Knitter

Ideas For Creative Knitting

Have you seen The Knitter?

The Knitter is a brand new knitting magazine from the UK. It caters to the skilled knitter who has been knitting for awhile. I hope I qualify after a year of knitting lessons?

Issue One is filled with 15 collectible patterns on classy glossy paper. Many popular designers are featured, including my favorite Louisa Harding. Louisa's adorable Buchanan cable jumper (sweater) from her Wildspur book is included in this issue.

This knitter loves The Knitter. I am sure you will, too, whether you live in England or the US!

If you want to purchase this premier issue you'd better hurry. Just the other night at Barnes & Noble a fellow knitter grabbed their last copy right before me. A few days later though I snagged the last issue from my local Jo-Ann's Crafts.

When you pick up your copy of The Knitter...drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Cha Cha Cha With Louisa Harding!

Cha Cha Cha Bag by Louisa Harding

A girl can never have, too, many purses!

I adore this "snazzy" new flapper-inspired bag by Louisa Harding. She named it Cha Cha Cha . I can't wait to knit it!

Last month when I met Louisa, I was very lucky to see the mock-ups of her new Spring/Summer 2009 books called Nouveau and Deco. The Cha Cha Cha bag is from her Deco book. I hope my local yarn store gets it in soon!

Cha Cha Cha Bag

The Cha Cha Cha bag is knit in Louisa's Cinnabar and Nautical Cotton yarns. I love her color combination for this bag! (Yes, my favorite colors are Turquoise and Lime Green.) I can't wait to shop for some colorful ribbon and a "glitzy" vintage broach for it, too.

Deco Book

Louisa's new Deco book is filled with fabulous "flirty" patterns influenced by her Grandmother's era.

When Louisa spoke about her inspiration for her new books she told a cute story about her Grandmother. She said "it was quite shocking the day her Grandmother chopped off her long hair into a "bob". Back in the 1920's, my Grandma Margaret wore an adorable "bob", too. The "bob" hair style caused quite a stir in it's day. I love our free-spirited Grandmother's stories and how they helped us become the women we are today!

The Deco book should be hitting the stores anytime now. When you see it...you just may want to chop your hair off into a "bob", too!

As in all her books, the models, styling and photographs are gorgeous! All the photography is done by Louisa's husband, photograhper Stephen Jessup. What a talented duo!

All photographs shown here are by Stephen Jessup from the Deco Book at Knitting Fever.

Happy Hearts Week at Knitique

Valentine Heart Cookies

In honor of Valentine's Day, it was a heart-theme week at Knitique (my local yarn store) this week.

Fellow knitter Diane made these adorable heart sugar cookies and brought them in to share. They were as impressive of cookies that I have admired in Martha Stewart Living magazine!

Diane's cookies not only looked great but they tasted great, too. I asked her if she used a silpat on her cookie sheet and surprisingly she said "no". I thought for sure she did since they were baked so perfectly! Thanks for sharing your delicious cookies with us Diane!

Knit Heart Pillow

Diane not only bakes hearts, she collects them and knits them, too. She also brought in her cute heart pillow to show us. She knit the pillow in a lofty red yarn and seamed it in a pink blanket stitch along with a pink tassel. I am not sure which book the pattern is from???

Heart Sachet

I took the Heart Sachet class at Knitique this week. This was the first time I have ever knit with sock yarn and small needles (#3's). I also learned how to knit a mitered square for the first time, too.

I was challenged at first by the small needles and the small squares. As always, Danielle (owner/teacher) makes a pattern much easier to understand. Before I knew it, I was on my way to finishing this adorable heart just in time for Valentine's Day.

I filled my heart with drived lavender buds from my garden. I added an i-cord and made it into a hanging sachet for our French armoire. I am so glad I took this class!

I hope you had a happy hearts week, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!