Monday's Muse: Knitty Gritty

I've been meaning to write a post on this subject for a month or more, pretty much since the snow came. In the spring and summer, I tend to channel my need to create into my gardens. With autumn comes the drudgery of fall clean-up, digging and storing tubers in preparation for the coming spring. I usually finish that just in time to handle baking and cooking for the holidays, but...when all the hoop-la dies down, my sewing machine and knitting needles begin calling to me.

I'm not a knitting guru by any means. In fact, apart from learning the garter stitch from by Nana and Auntie Mary as a kid, I learned almost everything I know by reading The Knitting Goddess by Deborah Bergman, and then gamely jumping in to try my hand at new stitch and garment patterns. I've graduated from misshapen baby blankets, to respectable baby sweaters, hats and more. This year, it's all about the dog sweaters! Honestly, it doesn't matter what I make-just holding soft, warm yarn in beautiful colors, choosing stitch patterns and color combinations that make my heart sing is enough. Transforming a skein of fiber into something that will keep someone I love warm, and allow me to send a piece of me with them when they go is enough.

Here are a few pictures of the things I've made so far this season, and a few links for anyone who wants to try their hand at my favorite cold weather pastime:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

(The two sweaters shown were made using the Wylie's Sweater pattern found online. In addition, the hounds tooth knit was made using the stitch pattern I found online here.)

Other coolin' knitter sites:
KnittingHelp.com
Knitty.com
Stitch Diva Studios
The Shizknit

Happy Knitting! :p