It's SHOWTIME!

As with the end of each quarter and particularly so with the fourth, there is a frenzy of knitting. Students are desperate to finish just one more project. There is a surge of needle and yarn purchasing and discussions amongst themselves of which new tools they now own. The projects came in steadily and now we've had our last day of knitting class until next fall. Here are the goods.

These two pair have ended the Second Sock Syndrome for our class. They are the first two seconds ever completed.


Here is a fine example of how one mistaken purl row on the knit side becomes a design element when we add another in a strategic spot. We all think this dishcloth is cool.

Worked with three skeiens of blue and knitted up VERY fast.

A dishcloth knitted surprisingly fast by a student who wasn't in the class the full nine weeks. Well done!

Knitted and embroidered for HIS mom for Mother's Day. Ok everyone say, "Awwwwwww." Who wouldn't want one of these!

A Nordic and very well knit earflapper.

More socks. These socks were knitted by 7th grade boys and both are determined to return to knitting class next year in order to give their socks a mate.

You'd think I was running a sweatshop for hats if you knew the speed at which these were knit.

This one is so soft.

I'm especially fond of this one.

And finally...the amazing piece of the year is this gorgeous bag! This student sort of designed this as she went adding an inside pocket and a color coordinated bottom. There is a LOT of knitted stitches in this project.


Way to go all of you! You've done me proud.

Hard Up For a Swift

Well, this isn't a product of junior highers, but it is made of a child's toy. I had heard about this before. It's not my idea. But it is my own design, as I was so desperate for a hank that I pulled out the Tinker Toys and started building without bothering to look up an already established design. I guess I literally was re-inventing the wheel.


I just purchased nine beautiful hanks of Cascade 220 to make a tote bag to felt. After touching the yarn and admiring the hanks (I do love the way yarn looks in a hank), and making everyone else in the family touch it and admire it, I pulled out my ball winder and began to plan the pattern. With everyone at work and school, there were no extra hands to help keep the yarn in line while winding. So out came the Tinkers. It took only minutes to build and a few adjustments before I was winding. I even saved some for later so the whole family could see what I built and how it works. Of course, my son had to give it a try too. Although I love the way swifts look and have considered buying one, I especially love the resourcefulness of this one. It cost no extra money and will take up no extra space. You just can't beat that.

Productivity is good for the self esteem.