My first finished knitting project

My friend Karen and I took a knitting class back in November.  Since then I have started a few projects, decided I didn't like them, and quit.  I finally actually finished one.  Usually I only wear knit accessories that my co-workers and I design.  We do not have any knit cowls currently in our line though and I really wanted one. So I decided to make one. 

 For a first finished project it turned out well.  It is actually something I will wear and that is better than probably my first ten sewing projects.  It is also a perfect first project because you just knit a rectangle and there is only one seam.  I'm not sure what my next project will be, but I would like to figure out how to knit something other than a rectangle.  I would also like to know more than a basic stitch.  There is a lot left to learn.
-Kira

Almost ready for Christmas

Our tree is almost finished.  All I have left is to find a tree topper.  I'm not sure what I want to get though.  Most people I knew as a kid had an angel.  We had a teddy bear holding balloons.  I don't think I want either of those.

I also made a little orange wreath.  It was inspired by the large green wreath Lauren made.  It was so cute and easy I decided to make one for myself.

The last thing we need is stockings to put over the fireplace.  I want chunky cable knit stockings.  Hopefully I can find them.  If you have ideas on where to look that would be great.  So far I have had no luck.
Christmas spirit is pretty fun!
-Kira

Bremerton visit

I took the Bremerton ferry from Seattle yesterday to see my sister and my niece.  It was a short stop, but it was packed full of fun.  Maleah and I read a book, jumped rope, and played with her weird hamster dolls.  Kara, what were those called?  I also taught her how to finger knit.  I really didn't think she would pick it up since she is only three, but she caught on pretty quickly.

I also spent some time with my other niece Gabby.  She does not generally look as scary as portrayed in this photo.

One of the reasons I was excited to stop by was because I had received my giveaway winnings in the mail.  Maleah tried on her new outfits.  Both of the dresses were a little big, but so cute!

I can't wait to see those girls again when they come down the week before thanksgiving.  We are going to have a girls day with my mom and my other sister Kacy.  Kara asked Maleah what we should do on that day.  She looked at Kara like it was the dumbest question ever and said "go shopping."  Duh, Kara.
-Kira

A Christmas post...already...

This weekend I learned something new.
My friend Becca invited me to come along to a Christmas crafting event at Anthropologie in the Pearl District on Sunday.  Basically, they invite you to help work on the decorations for their holiday displays.  At that event I learned how to finger crochet.  I had never heard of it before.  It's more of a knit stitch than a crochet and apparently it's taught to children as an introduction to knitting.  It's really easy to pick up and is extremely quick.  The only limitation is the width is four rows so the result is a narrow chain.
I could try to give you a tutorial, but let's be honest, a tutorial by me would be useless.  I have no idea how I would accurately explain it and I would make is sound way more complicated than it is.  This is the easiest to understand tutorial I found on the internet with photos of every step.

These are some of the chains I have made so far.  I plan to stitch them together and make a long multi-colored garland for my Christmas tree.  Yes, I plan to get a Christmas tree.  First time ever in my adult life.  I am definitely more excited than Jeremy is about it, but he seems willing enough to go along with the idea.
I may make a few garlands and put a couple up on etsy.  I seem to get a lot done when I'm watching a Blazers game as horrendous as the one against the Lakers Sunday night.  If they play more of those I will have more knit chains than I know what to do with.  For the sake of my team and my sanity I hope that is not the case.  Anyway, more Christmas decoration updates to come.  I plan to make a bunch of things.
I'm off to Seattle tomorrow morning for a work trip.  I have to get up at 4am, yikes!
-Kira

Vanna's Choice

On Tuesday night my co-worker buddy Karen and I took a knitting class.  We both sew and of course knowing construction is very helpful when it comes to designing and developing product.  In fall we work on a lot of knits and I figured even though knitting by hand is much different from machine knitting there would still be useful takeaways from learning how to knit.  Plus I just feel lame about the fact that I am a pretty creative person, but have never really tried knitting before.
I was terrible at first.  I kept getting confused.  Part of it was that Karen and I are both left handed and the instructor told us it would be easier if we just forgot we were left handed.  I think mostly the problem was that I kept getting distracted.  I would look at someone else working on theirs and think that they were doing it differently so I must be doing it wrong.  I also apparently have a hard time deducing what the words "clockwise and "counterclockwise" mean when it comes to wrapping yarn around a needle.  In my mind the terms clockwise and counterclockwise are useless if you are wrapping something around a 3D object.  Apparently that is just my mind though.  Nobody else seemed to have a problem with that.
My favorite thing about the whole class was the yarn that was provided to us.  It was really funny to me.  It must be quality material though because Vanna would only choose the best.

I eventually picked it up and just so I don't quickly forget I started working on a cowl last night while watching the Blazers game.  I've only done a couple of rows, but so far I haven't messed up!
-Kira