~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading (though not at the same time!), and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
Today is the 200th Yarn Along! If I had my act together we’d be celebrating somehow, but I don’t. Thanks so much for joining me here week after week!
I had lots of knitting time over the weekend while Gabe and Keats played baseball. Their team played really well, which meant that they kept moving on to the next level, and I kept knitting! They won their tournament and I made progress on two sweaters (Leksak, and Leaves or Not) and I knit a little stripey ball for Job. The stripey ball is from one of my favorite knitting books, Knitting for Baby. I think it must have been the first knitting book I was exposed to, and the first I purchased. My friend Summer shared it with me many years ago after attempting to teach me to knit. At the time, I found the whole process way too overwhelming and beyond my ability, but the cute baby projects in Knitting For Baby stuck in my mind. Years later when I picked up the needles for another try, I soon after purchased this book in hopes of knitting some things for my own babies. And I did. I’ve knit several projects from this book, and I think it is worth having for the Stay-On Baby Booties alone. The stripey ball is a fun way to use up scraps and a great first project for learning short rows. I need to sew mine up, felt it, and stuff it before Job’s birthday next week. As far as the book goes, it is written with the beginner in mind and progresses in a “teach you to knit” fashion. New skills are learned as you knit your way through.
I’m still reading Alignment Matters and I just completely love Katy Bowman! I’m attempting to take all her advice including going barefoot more which means I have a nasty blood blister on the bottom of my right foot now where I got stabbed by a stick! No pain, no gain, right? Ha!
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Ruby says
Isn’t nice to revisit old friends? My first knitting book was Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B Anderson. I had been knitting for a few years before it was published, but when my friend gave me Susan’s book my knitting just too off from there. I still pull it out when I need a project, when nothing is inspiring me…when I want to reminisce. Congrats to your boys’ team! They must be one of the top teams, they seem to advance every tournament. xx
Barbara says
Ginny, you never cease to inspire me! Mummy tried to teach me to knit, and then she tried again when I was with-child the first time around. Oh dear. I’ve managed to get “into” just knitting squares for a big blanket (that I like to call my four year blanket…yes, still working at this!). But I’ve learned that my auntie in England was well in her 40s before she started knitting and she really became a Queen of it. There’s hope for me yet! I’m there…well in my 40s. So, your post was inspirational to say the least. Time to try again. Dear mummy is knitting me an aran sweater this year and I will post it when she’s done because I do like to brag so much over her talent for knitting. I’m in awe over all you artsy women!
angelina says
Guys I wasn’t able to get a yarn along linked post up — but i have a pattern giveaway on my blog now for Definitely Susan by Josee Paquin. Come by! http://nestajackson.blogspot.com/2014/10/definitely-susan-test-knit-pattern.html
Holly Nelson says
It is going to look lovely! And congrats xxx
Terra says
I like the colors you are using in your knitting, the soft purples and blues. I think I would like to learn to knit or crochet when I see what you create.
Jennifer says
Whoo Hoo! 200 and I just made it here for my first time. I am looking forward following you and hopefully joining your yarn along soon.
Joyful says
I am so glad that I found you and get to be a part! I love all the projects I find through this link up! although I will never have enough time to do the nor will I be proficient enough any time soon to do most of them! LOL!
How great that the boys did so well! {{Smiles}}
Leanne says
Love that book. I made my youngest son’s baby blanket from that book. It’s a pretty cabled one. Don’t you love baseball knitting?! I get a lot done at those fields. Congrats on 200 yarn alongs 🙂 I hope you realize how many people look forward to it every week and the friendships that have formed through the link ups. It’s really amazing how our knitting community comes together! So thank you again.
Tonya says
I only own a couple of knitting books and this is one that use regularly as well.
Thank you for keeping this going for 200 weeks!
Here is my post for this week
http://plainandjoyfulliving.blogspot.com/2014/10/knitting-and-reading.html
Still can’t get the linky to work at our slow speed connection:(
Blessings,
Tonya
Dawn says
One of my favorite knitting books as well. I have the old version with the blue cover. I made the knitted balls for my youngest when he was 18 months or so and my older kids (teenagers) claimed them. One of my teens is always tossing a knitted ball up in the air and catching it. It drives my husband a bit batty. I even adjusted the pattern and made juggling balls….another hit around here.
TarynKaeWilson @ WoolyMossRoots says
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for linking to Katy Bowman’s blog last week. I saw a blog post about wrist pain and carrying kids and it rang a bell for me because I’ve noticed my wrists have been more sensitive than they used to be. I should see if my library has her book.
Congrats on your 200th YarnAlong!
And that Knitting for Baby book looks great. I LOVE the color combination in your knitting today!
Love,
Taryn
Kelly J. R. says
Congrats on the 200th Yarn Along! I enjoy participating with you a few times a month.
Elisabeth Andree says
Congratulations with the 200th Yarn Along and thank you so much for hosting it! Every week it is – for me – a joy to join! So nice to read you had time to knit this week, sweaters and a stripy ball!
Thanks again Ginny, hope the rest of the week will be great for you!
Kathy@9peas says
I love that book too. Finally, I’m participating again after nearly a year, so happy to be here.
Camilla says
I love this book- I have knit almost every thing from it for my 4 kids- easy patterns and fun to knit.
erin says
That was the first knitting book I ever had too! And I agree – the stay on baby booties are the best!
Amanda says
I’m glad you can knit while the boys play baseball. I have a hard time figuring out when I can do knit during something without being rude. Love that green color!
Lorraine says
Such a great achievement. congratulations and thank you for hosting.
Heather says
That is one of my favorite baby knitting books. I cannot count the number of booties I have made! I think it was my first piece of knitting literature as well. Happy 200N
Shelley says
Wow 200 that’s amazing!
I love the colours you are using for the ball & I love ideas for using up those oddments as I hate throwing scraps of yarn out.
Joanna Palmer says
200! Wow! The Yarn along makes Wednesdays such a lovely day- one of my favorites.
Your poor foot! I go barefoot a lot too- mostly because I’m too lazy to put on shoes when I leave the house on small outdoor errands like hanging laundry or getting something from the freezer in the barn- but I had a stick go through my flipflop the one time I *did* bother to slip on shoes!
Jennifer Miller says
Woo Hoo! 200! I’ll say it sure keeps me on my toes with my knitting, although lately there sure doesn’t seem to be much progress!
Tracey says
Wow! 200 yarn alongs, that is fantastic Ginny.
I am going to see if I can find that book, I think there may be baby knitting in my future;)
Elizabeth says
yay! 200th yarn along! that’s just wonderful! I loved doing these with you for the last year or so since I began my own learning to knit journey! My husband this morning when he saw me looking at my feedly feeds said,
‘yarn along morning?’ :)))) Bummer on the blood blister!!! Glad for great books to read and learn from! :))) yay for G&K doing so well in baseball and for knitting time! can’t wait to see what you’ve made and are describing 🙂
Melanie says
Congrats on 200 yarn alongs!! I get a TON of knitting/crocheting done during soccer tournaments, especially if it’s nasty weather and I have to stay in the van with the babies. It keeps me sane lol
karen says
love the stripes of the yarn!! Festive and fun. 200 posts….well congratulations on the yarn along series, thank you Ginny for providing a fun place to gather with others and make new friends. I have loved participating all these years 🙂
Julie says
Congratulations on 200 yarn alongs! I sure look forward to it every week. 🙂