The one problem with knitting ....

... early on in my knitting journey (I've been knitting for over 40 years!), I vowed that I would never start the next project until the current one was done.  Boy, is this tough ... I often start thinking about my next project about three-quarters of the way thru the current one so that after about 90% of a project, I'm ready to move on!

This is not a good thing.  I get frustrated and want to just finish the darn thing.  I know I could put it aside ... but then I know I'd NEVER finish it.  So, I plug away.

This is all to say that I'm just about done with my vest (and will post the pattern soon) ... and ready to get started on my cashmere headband for Spring Gate ... here's the chart I've created to begin ...

who knows what it will look like when I'm done (it definitely won't be green and white .. altho I LOVE green!)

I'll keep you posted ....

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

New Year's Resolution: to post more on here!

So, 2011 is on its third day and I have a resolution to post more on this lovely knitting blog!  The upside is I was so busy knitting the last few days that I haven't had TIME to post ... but that begs the question of posting more a bit doesn't it?

On my knitting needles:  finishing a vest (originally planned to be a cardigan, but the yarn told me to stop already!) and planning my next Spring Gate Farm cashmere project -- a two-color headband. 

On my reading table:  re-reading for the umpteenth time Maggie Righetti's classic, Sweater Design in Plain English.  This really is a must-read for anyone wanting to make sweaters that truly fit.  It's a bit dated (she doesn't even mention blogs or Ravelry or much internet-y stuff) but well-worth the read.  St. Martin's Press is coming out with a "second edition" in April 2011 -- I'm trying to get a review copy (and maybe a copy or two to giveaway) so I can see just what they've added (some 100 pages to the original count)!  Will keep you posted.

Happy 2011 and may all your knitting time be frutiful ... may you felt when you want to (and not by accident) ... and may you show thru your love of knitting just how cool and fun it is!

Enjoy the journey!

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

KP IDP: My Favorite Sweatshirt

Knit Picks just posted another of my designs .... My Favorite Sweatshirt and Mitts!  This is done using KP's organic Simply Cotton worsted yarn ... which knits up like a dream and looks and feels so wonderful to wear. [This is the same sweatshirt that I completed for my NaKniSweMo project! and is also available thru my Ravelry store.]

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Merry Christmas from our house to yours ....

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Designs: another in cashmere ...

I just finished the fingerless mitts that coordinate with the Snow on the Mountains Scarf ... introducing the Snow on the Mountains Mitts ...

Cool, huh?  You can buy the pattern from my Ravelry store or directly from Spring Gate Farm.  Remember, if you buy the cashmere directly from Spring Gate, you can get the pattern free!

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Designs: lots of fun to knit this one!

Thanks to NaKniSweMo, I have another design ready for your knitting pleasure:

Ready to go play!

"Hoods up!"

Back of sweater is 1-1/2" lower than front ... and the cables at the top of the hood match!

My Favorite Sweatshirt and Mitts design is a fun knit ... and a comfy sweater, to boot!  The sweater is knit by first making a cable panel, turning it on its side, knitting in the round and adding a sqaured-neckline, a hood and 3/4 sleeves (knit from the armhole down to mid-arm.  Because so much of the sweater is knit in the round, there is VERY little finishing work (I'm lazy, what can I say?).  I made a pair of matching fingerless mitts -- which are fun to knit and fun to wear!

I've sized this design for XS - 5X, so you can make one for all the ladies you know!  You can purchase this design or others of mine from my Ravelry Store .  Check 'em out and let me know what you think!  And if you have any suggestions for designs you'd like me to do, please let me know!

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Charity Knitting: Scarves for Special Olympics

A good friend sent me a link to this VERY cool project organized by Red Heart and the Winter Special Olympics -- scarves for all the participants!  I know this is a VERY hectic time of year for us knitters ... we're busy finishing gift-knitting for family and friends.  I know this is a VERY hectic time of year for us designers ... we're busy finishing commissioned designs and drafting new submissions and generally up to our ears in work.

But a scarf doesn't take that long ... and if each one of us makes just one ... that will be many more than they would have had!  So won't you take a minute ... look up your state and the requirements ... and make a scarf for one of the athletes, families or volunteers who annually make the Special Olympics a reality? 

My state of Virginia needs the scarves by January 6th (mailing by December 30th) ... wouldn't that be perfect for post-Christmas dinner knitting?  And it only needs to be 6" x 54" or 60". 

Please let me know if you decide to participate ... and what state you're in.  If you'll send me a picture of the finished scarf (or SCARVES!), I'll be happy to post 'em on here ... THANK YOU for your help in this project of love and perseverance!

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com