April 20, 2007

Show and Tell



I thought this was such a fun idea that I wanted to participate. Thanks Kelli - for more Show and Tells visit Kelli's blog.


I'd like to introduce you to my first real knitting project! For me, this is a big deal, because I only learned how to knit a year ago. My mother in law taught me how while we were on a ski trip last year.

To back up a little, when I was pregnant with my oldest, I thought it would be so much fun to knit a blanket, booties and all that stuff for my first baby. I went to the store and bought a Learn to Knit book (basically a Knit for Dummies book) and I was such a dummy that I still couldn't figure it out! I was still able to nurture my baby and take care of him, even if he wasn't wearing cute little knit booties!

We were in a plane, headed west, and my mother in law taught me how to knit. I think I made 2 or 3 scarves that week alone! When we came home I was up for a bigger challenge. There is a local knit shop and the owner is just wonderful! I headed to her store and told her I wanted something basic, but wanted to go beyond a scarf.

She showed me a pattern for a purse and I believed it would be next to impossible for me to complete that. Instead of using 2 knitting needles, the pattern called for 1 pair of circular needles, basically 2 needles combined with a plastic cord. By using the circular needles, I was able to knit the entire pattern and not have to yet attempt to conquer my fear of learning how to purl.

The thing I liked the most about the purse is that it is felted. I knit it with wool yarn and the pattern has you make it really big! After I was finished knitting, I had to sew the bottom closed and then I tossed it in the washer on the highest heated water setting I had and it shrunk it. So instead of looking like a knit sweater, you can barely see the knit rows.


I am not much of an artist when it comes to drawing or painting, but when I can create something with my hands, by myself - and it looks like it is supposed to, I get excited! Thanks for taking a look at my show and tell.

21 comments:

Kelli said...

Your purse is beautiful!! I love the color and especially the little sparkles in the wool! I'm very impressed that you made it so soon after learning how to knit. My Grandma taught me when I was 12 and I'm still on scarves! LOL Thank you for participating in my Show and Tell!
Kelli

Susan said...

I am truly impressed. I never learned how to knit but use to do a LOT of embroidery and counted cross stitch. I even won a blue ribbon at the New Mexico State Fair for a set of tea towels I embroideried in 1986. I'm going to run over to kelli's and check out what this Show and Tell is all about.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

I am impressed. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and knit as they are both a dying art. Your purse looks great, love the color too!

Anonymous said...

How pretty! I'm not crafty and have never learned to knit or sew. I'll just stick to enjoying everyone else's creations, LOL!

Lori said...

I like your purse. That is neat.
I wish I could knit. I've tried and just can't get the hang of it. I can crochet though. I've made many a potholders and dishcloths.

Thanks for sharing your show and tell with us. I'm going to do this too.
Come check my site out later.

Sharon said...

Your purse is so pretty! I'm impressed it was your first project! I learned to knit about a year ago and started with a scarf. This past winter I made my little niece a hoodie.

Anonymous said...

I love it :)

I posted mine too..

Just Mom said...

Oh my gosh, you're so talented. I tried knitting once and it was a total disaster. I might have to take it up again (if I can only remember how). I'm going to have to find that Dummies book.

Tina Leigh said...

WOW that really is pretty!!! I am not talented at all! Wish I could do something like that! Came by way of Kelli!!

Anna said...

I love felted knitting! Nice job!

Trella said...

What a super job you did. I am very impressed. My husband can knit and he is teaching the girls, but I well I think he has given up on me:)

La Tea Dah said...

Thanks for visiting Gracious Hospitality! I'm very happy to meet you and enjoyed reading your blog as well. I really like your felted, knitted purse. I've never made one --- but it looks really fun!

LaTeaDah

Jane said...

Congrats on your new found talents! I just watched a program yesterday about felting....do ya know, can I do the same thing with crocheting? I just can't get the knitting thing down even tho' I spent an ENTIRE rainy day in New Orleans in the knitting shop trying to learn! Now crocheting, I can do that and love it. Just wondering if the felting worked with the different stitching?

Susan said...

Wow...that is really great. I can't do too much of this kind of thing. I love this post.

:-) Susan

Tracy said...

Great job! I only wish that I could knit!

Anonymous said...

So awesome! Some of the girls I work with have been making them. I tried to buy a green one, but she's not selling quite yet.
One of my other blogging friends tried this and it bombed. She decided she could use it to hold one of her boobs in it, haha :) She did a post on it http://kimosd.blogspot.com/2007/03/felted-bag-blunder.html

Henny Penny said...

Very nice! The color is lovely!

dot said...

I can't knit so I greatly admire anyone who can. The purse is beautiful!
Thanks for your visit today!

Karen said...

You did a wonderful job on the purse! That is one area I am afraid to tackle. I have tried it a little before, and I would get so frustrated and give up.
I'm very impressed!

Momma Roar said...

Thank you all for your kind words. This really was a simple project because you knit it in the round and just had to count rows - very easy to do with a marker. If you are interested in my pattern, I can share the pattern number info with you. And seriously, if I can do it, you can do it!!

Julieann said...

Oh, that is so awesome!!! I love the purse:) Learning how to knit is on my list of things to do....

Julieann:)