Knitting away......

My blog is titled "The Kansas Hooker" because when I started it years ago, I had fallen madly in love with crocheting, but I came to fiber first, through knitting. About 2 weeks ago, when I was petting yarn in Michael's, I came across this Vanna yarn by Lionbrand:

It just begged to be knitted instead of crocheted for some reason, so I dug out my trusty size 8 bamboo sticks and jumped right in. I had a pattern in mind, but it just felt good to be knitting again. No counting, no turning. Just back and forth, back and forth. I don't even have to  look at the work. My fingers found their places again and click, click, click. I was back in the zone.


Here is the project, I'm calling it the Loop-dee-loo cowl. I am loving the fit and drape of this one, as well as the snugginess factor. It is sooo cozy! I can't wait to put it on with my winter coat.

Loop-de-loo Cowl

by Caroline Chrisco

Free pattern to come soon!

Small project...but very motivating!

This is a project that I have had over in Ravelry for months now and I have been just itching to try it.

It's called My morning walk earwarmer by Tif Matthews

So far it's going really fast and I love the look of the rib pattern, especially on the yarn I chose. It's Bernat Soffee, fresh out of my stash. It's squish-alishish!

Tah-Dah! Destroyed Cowl #2-conquered!

Well I finally conquered the dilemmas I was encountering with my second Destroyed Cowl. I am soooo happy with the results of the second one. My kitchener Stich connection came out almost perfect. You'll have to take a peek and see for yourself if you can tell my graft starts!

Destroyed Cowl-not yet, but almost!

I started this second Destroyed Cowl well over a week ago, but ran into some major "problemas" when I tried to do the Kitchener stitch connection. So I had to unravel quite a few rows back and redo at least a quarter of the scarf. Just wanted to let you know that it's still progressing, but I'm still not quite ready to finish it yet. I'll let ya know. BTW: If you are reading this and know how to do the connection I'm referring to; the problem I'm referring to is that when I did the Kitchener stitch in made the purl side on my knitting side. I've done it a few times now and it keeps coming out that way. Argh!!! I'm putting it down for tonight and will pick up again tomorrow. BTW #2 SNOW DAY tomorrow....6 inches and counting....still coming down full force.

Something fun from Yorkshire.....

My mom sent me a little something extra for Christmas, it was ca$h, so I perused several stores and boutiques in this area but never did find that lil' something-something that I really wanted until I was browsing blogs on my dashboard and came across this lil' ditty from Marmaladerose. I jotted her an eager email and "viola" thanks to paypal and the Royal post...it's new home is in Kansas with me.

I also started a second destroyed cowl. This pattern is quick and satisfying. I think this green color will be versitile and look fresh for the gray days of winter ahead.

I'll leave you with this pic of our chow surveying her snowy paradise that is our backyard. In her mind's eye she's thinking...."Ahhhh..perfect, now go find a sunbeam place to flop down in the snow and relax!"

Destroyed Cowl-done!

Snow day-part deux today!

Destroyed Cowl

I guess I'm into cowls now, this one should be finished up this weekend. It's a free Ravelry pattern here.I'm off to go dress shopping with DD, the oldest DS has just gotten wisdom teeth out yesterday, but is doing really well. The youngest DS came home with high temperature from school yesterday afternoon; seems to be doing ok, but still running a low-grade temp.

Chunky Cowl

While perusing the 'ville over the weel end I happened upon a free pattern for a chunky cowl. You can find it here. I used Lionsbrand Wool-ease Thick and Quick in a brown color-way.(Stash-busting here , so the label is lost! LOL) This pattern is fun and easy, took me all of an hour, maybe. Using the "P" hook is a blast, what a satisfying project.

Felted hat

My sister came up and visited me right after Christmas and wanted to try a felting project....so I decided to join in. We found a simple beret pattern on Ravelry...here. Here is my before picture:

Here is the after:


I used Paton's Classic Wool and it couldn't have been easier. Now I'm currently browsing more felting patterns!

Wip Wednesday

Crocheting(and knitting!) ADD

This time of year my cup runneth over. It's filled with friends, festivities, and projects! I seem to jump from one to another. So not like me, for those of you who follow, I am a finisher. I start, at the max 3 projects, and then complete each one, before moving on to the next great thing, so this has flustered me. Here's a peek at some of the madness...



White scarf and hat set for my niece in Colorado....done!
"Baby its cold outside snowman" free pattern form the 'ville...not done....

Six of my Santa ornaments I designed this year, gifts for my co-workers, done!

I also dusted off my knitting needles and started, completed the Loopy scarf from Patons. I am wanting to make a matching hat for it too. maybe the one button Banana Republic knock-off. I also downloaded a felted beret from Ravelry. I am anxious to start my first felting project. My sis is doing the same project from her home down north of Wichita, so we'll have to compare notes as we go - kind of a sister crochet-a-long. Here are the first 2 rows of the beret:

Here is a close up of the yarn I used for the loopy scarf:
Here is a shot of the entire scarf...done!
There you have it, a little of this and that. I can't wait to show you more "Done"! :-)

Oh, I almost forget DH got my Trans-Siberian Orchestra tickets for my b-day. The concert is tonight...can't wait!!!

Calorimetry complete!

This was a fun/fast project from Knitty.com called Calorimetry I used RHSS Fleck and love the color. I think it'll come in handy this spring when Dusty and I go walking. I'm thinking of starting up again by March 1st. This 'ole puertorriquena cannot bear the frigid temps in the winter here. I tend to hibernate. My body is paying the price too. I'm all flabby again. Come on spring....hurry up! Apurate!

Hello world!!!!!!

I know I've been MIA big time, but sometimes life gets in the way and it just can't be helped. We've just finished up our 3rd week of school here already and Labor Day for us, in this houshold; is truly a cherished day of rest and replenishment.

My 18 year old Austen appears to be survivng the first few weeks of university life. He has made it to all his classes and seems to be getting the hng of being on his own. I posted a pic of me presenting him with his afghan on my last post. He was thrilled with it. I got a picture of their dorm room and it was draped over a chair in plain view. High praise from a teenager!!! The cutest remark about it came from his roomate who exclaimed in disbelief; "You made that? From nothing?" We all had a good chuckle and I then explained to him how I did it. Austen is used to seeing me create things, but his roomate had never seen a homemade item.
Skylar and Austen

I haven't really tackled any big projects lately. I've been planning a few, day-dreaming about a few, but nothing has got my up on my hooks and needles yet.

I noticed Christina's post about her tomatoes and here's a pic of mine. Our plant has been battered, bruised, and almost died when it was a wee one, but here it is with 6 tomatoes in the wings. I hope they can get ripe before the first frost. LOL


I did treat myself to 2 skeins of LYS yarn. We have a shop near here that's not great, but it'll do when I need a fix of the "good stuff". It's a wool with a speckles of color through it. Here is the scarf I'm making from it. I got the pattern over at Ravalry, its called Drop Stitch scarf.

DH and I went and saw Julie&Julia last night. I was in heaven. Such a great escapist movie. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci just transport you to another time and place. 5 stars from me!!!

Hello to all and it's good to be back!!

Instant knitting gratification!

This washcloth I got over at Designs by Emily. I used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn and size 7 needles.

Don't mind me, just getting some small stuff out of my system. LOL

Knitting

Here is the progress I've made so far on my City Mouse pattern from Lionbrand. If the color looks different, its because I frogged the first one at least 4 times. I was using Paton's wool yarn and it was giving me fits with my dpns. (They're aluminum and it kept slipping off!) I changed to good ole RHSS and its texture sure helped me get through those first couple of tough rounds! I hope to finish this today.