Another one done

Why the heck didn't I think about knitting dishcloths for Christmas presents before. I mean, usually I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get everything in time. Now, I have finished three presents in about 5 days. I just bound off the Ladybug dishcloth and here it is:

After I finished the Michigan Cherries dishcloth, I realized I still had a ton of yarn left on the ball, so I cast on the Ladybug dishcloth from the same ball. I just figured if it was enough, all well and good and if not, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Well, it did work and I still have a few yards left. See:

I put my tape measure beside it for perspective. I was going to cast on the next dishcloth, but decided to work in my aunt's scarf instead. It is a 2x2 rib in Red Heart Super Saver. It feels a bit weird because I was knitting the dishcloths on US 8s and am knitting the scarf on US 13s, so its odd jumping to the much larger needle size. The scarf looks good. It is about half done and I figure to get more done at school next week. Thank God it is almost time for finals!

I already finished one scarf for my cousin, Kara. Last year, I made my grandmother a 3x3 rib scarf in Lion's Brand Fisherman's Wool. When Kara saw it, she asked for a scarf, only in WVU colors, because she was an undergrad there. So, I knitted it , finished last month, and just need to take a picture of it.

spindling

I forgot to add to yesterday's post that I also drop spindle with a spindle I bought at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I don't much care for it, I don't think the balance is very good. I currently have my eye on a Golding beginner spindling kit that includes a 1.9 oz spindle, coopworth roving and a book called "Spin It". It is $66.00 and I want it so bad. But, I can't afford it at the moment. Maybe in a few months.

In other news, I am halfway through the next dishcloth. I am knitting the patterns from a book I bought at Jo-anns called "Garden Dishcloths to Knit" by Melissa Bergland Burnham. It has several adorable and easy patterns, using only knit and purl. The patterns include a frog, various flowers, a butterfly and things like that. If you are a member of Ravelry, some on her designs are free for downloading.

About me

I figured, since I doubt too many people will go back to check out my old blog, I would tell a little about myself. I am a 25 year old History Major at Marshall University in West Virginia. My main area of focus will be the history of the Appalachias. I am proud to be from WV, and want to gain better understanding of the past, to better understand why this state is as it is today. Trust me, get me started and I will talk about it for hours.

I am also a knitter. I started knitting about three years ago, when I bought one of those Boyes 'Teach Yourself to Knit' kits at Walmart. The kit included an instruction book, a set of US 6 and US 8 needles, stitch markers, a stitch holder, a cable needle, two point protector, two darning needles and a row counter. I decided I didn't learn form the book very well, and went out and bought a 'I Can't Believe I Am Knitting' DVD. I have never looked back.

Knitting has brought me a great deal. I am somewhat shy and don't make friends easily, but knitting opened up a whole new world for me. While at my favorite LYS, Yarn and More in Ashland, Kentucky, the owner, Linda told me about the local guild that meets every month in South Point, the River Cities Fiber Guild. I went to my first meeting in March of 2008 and immediately loved it. Everyone was so friendly. Two meetings later, I learned to spin on a drop spindle. I was watching a woman, who's name I can't remember, and she held it out to me and asked if I wanted to try. That is the way it always is, if someone wants to try something new, all they need to do is ask.

I also began attending a local Stitch and Bitch. A few people in the SnB were also in the guild, which is how I found out about it. Every Thursday, we meet in a local coffee bar, and sit, talk, eat and knit. I love the friends I have made there.

At the moment I am just happy I finished two of the dishcloths. I am sure I can finish enough for most of my family for Christmas. Also, Jon told me he needed a scarf. Which answers the question of whether he would wear one if I made it.

Here are the pictures of the two finished dishcloths.
















The red one is called Michigan Cherries and the variegated is called Bee Skep. I think the cherries will be going to my Aunt Sandi and the bees to my Mamaw Rose.

I am also a quilter and am in the process of hand-quilting a crib quilt for my niece, Kira. She is three months old and is cute as a button. The quilt is in 30s repro, from a charm pack I bought at a LQS. I will post a picture when I finish it. I have been quilting for about 5 years.

Let's see, what else. I also cross-stitch. In fact, I learned to cross-stitch long before I learn to quilt or knit. It started with a high school home-ec class for extra credit. But I fell in love and now have a ton of patterns and thread at home.

Well, I think that is enough for now. TTFN.

Changing thing around, things to be thankful for.

I decided I didn't care for my old blog provider and changed to this one. If anyone cares to check out the old blog, the address is http://jenram.blog.com/. I will have to load my projects and my boyfriend's artwork onto this blog, but I am currently at work, so I will do that later.

I had planned to write this for a few days, but held off because it never comes out on the screen like it is in my head. So, here goes.

I am thankful for my boyfriend, Jon. He is just right for me, because as I am addicted to knitting, he is addicted to artwork. He draws what is known as Furry art. It is very unusual. I have been going through some financial troubles lately, and he has helped all he can, despite not being much better off than I am. I know I can be myself with Jon. He is unpretentious and very accepting of people. We have some different tastes, especially in music, but I know that no matter what I do, he will be there.

I am thankful for a family I can turn to when needed. My dad's parents paid 2,000 dollars out of pocket for my tuition last year. I am also having trouble keeping my apt. due to a lose of hours at work, and both my parents and my maternal grandmother have said I am welcome to come back home for as long as I need to. They are also good for a laugh. Early this afternoon, Jon and I went to their house for Thanksgiving dinner. Jon fit right in with my very odd, crazy family.

It was interesting. My mom overcooked the turkey in the roaster oven. It was the first time she used it, and she thought the turkey was not brown enough. When my dad finally convinced her it was fine, the turkey literally fell apart when they lifted it out. It was the first time I ever ate a drumstick without the bone; it came out when I picked it up.

I am thankful that my 99 year old great-grandmother, Mamaw Crow, was able to come home. She fell and broke her hip about a month ago. It was surgically repaired and she was in a nursing home for therapy until last night. She is nearly blind, almost stone deaf, and ever since she fell, her mental state has deteriorated. Therefore, I was very thankful when I went up to her and she recognized me. Two of her primary care givers, my grandmother and great aunt were surprised. Mamaw Rose told me that at times, she didn't even recognize them.

I am thankful I finally figured out what for get the majority of my family for Christmas. I am a knitter and was trying to come with a way to give presents out of the stash when a much better idea was presented to me. I am a member of the River Cities Fiber Guild, and we had our monthly meeting this past Monday. While there, I got into a discussion about knitting gifts. One of the other guild members mentioned dishcloths.

Eureka! I already had a book of dishcloth patterns and a cone of Peaches and Creme variegated cotton yarn. I cast on and finished the dishcloth the next day. The only problem was the variegated yarn does not show the pattern well. So, I went and bought some 122yd balls at Walmart. They are only $1.50 apiece, so I bought4 balls: 2 light blue, one ecru and one red. I started on the first one on 11/25/08 and should have it finished tonight. Also my cousin Kara is getting a scarf, my great-aunt Char is also, and my neice, Kira is getting a crib quilt if I ever finish it.

So, that went better than I thought it would. Oh, just a side note, I am a member of Ravelry and my member name is WVrambler.