I’m back from several days in Iowa, where it is COLD COLD COLD. I grew up in Iowa. I should know how cold it is there. But apparently, I had forgotten. Snow on the ground, gray skies, and windy freezing cold weather. I went to visit my mother-in-law for her birthday. I’m lucky to have a great mother-in-law. I know not everyone likes theirs, but I love mine! We had a great time shopping, eating out, enjoying coffee, and watching movies. If you’re ever near Clinton, Iowa, try 392 Caffe on Second Avenue. Awesome coffee and hot chocolate. (So good that we went two days in a row.) 392 is the temperature at which coffee beans start to roast.
From there, I headed to Cedar Falls to visit my forever friends, Steve and Janice for a couple of days. All of you Spring Flingers know Janice and her daughter Kirstin (the cake ball maker), so I had them pose with Kirstin’s husband Alex so I could share it with you! Kirstin got married the weekend of our last Spring Fling (last April) and she and her hubby are expecting baby #1 this March. I made the baby hat and booties for her that I shared on last week’s blog. (Thanks for all of your sweater suggestions – so helpful!) Janice plans to be back for the Fall Fling this year, and I know you all will be glad to have her there again. I will, too!
Back to the cold – when I left the Des Moines airport yesterday, it was freezing and so windy. I was glad to be back to Denver, where it was a balmy 31. And happy to see my hubby, who held down the fort at home while I was gone.
In my knitting bag: I’m test knitting an upcoming Giftables pattern, have socks to finish, need to get back to my Funky Grandpa sweater, and am ready to cast on something with The Verdant Gryphon’s Bugga. I haven’t decided on the pattern yet.
On my sewing table: Reds, teals and chocolates in Fat Quarters and one yard pieces, waiting to become a coffee cup wall hanging.
What does your knitting bag or sewing table look like? Leave a comment below and one of you will win this cute “Taste of Wollmeise” bag that I brought home from Germany with me last fall! Aren’t the mini skeins adorable? (This is not something we can get to sell here, but you can buy these from Claudia’s website in Germany.) Each little skein is 30 gr. and there are 12 skeins in the zippered pouch. I’ll be sending it off to one of you next week!
Sheri wishingshecouldhavebroughtabunch
ofthesecutebagshome
I’m very lucky to have a top-down doll-size cardigan almost finished from a class that I took at a retreat this weekend with Susan B. Anderson. Very cool. And…a KnitNight Shawl plus socks, of course. Beautiful Wollmeise! Very generous of you.
My knitting and sewing areas are overflowing with supplies for some great projects, yet I have too little time to work on them. But I think unfinished projects make a great home decorating accents!
I don’t know if I am too late to post a comment with a chance to win, but I was thawing my bones on Maui last week when you posted this and my traveling knitting bag only had 2 projects with needles that were bamboo or plastic just because I did not trust the TSA to consider some of my others ‘harmless’.
I have more than one knitting bag. The one I’m working out of most often right now has a hat, a shawl, a baby blanket, the first sock of a pair, and the beginnings of a sweater.
Here in the MIdwest with 30 below windchill, best to stay inside and knit.
Have in my knitting bag a Grrlfriend Market Bag and a Chinese Waves Dishcloth.
If this weather continues, will have to add more to the bag.
It looks like you had a wonderful trip despite the cold! I’m glad Janice will be at the Fling this year!
My knitting bag has three projects in them, one is a pair of socks knit with my handspun, another is a cowl and the third is a simple lace sampler stole:)
Something for every situation and mood:D
My sewing table is still packed. As for the knitting bag, I have to ask which one? I’ve got several. 😉 The current working one is a crocheted sweater needing one sleeve (suffering second sleeve syndrome in a big way!), and a capelet with nothing but the last few rows of seed stitch edging on the bottom and then the button band. And it’s all bright happy colors. Maybe, if the predicted snow and ice hit South Carolina tomorrow and Wednesday, I can actually get them finished. 😀
I have a whole PILE of knitting bags beside my chair, and some of those bags contain other bags within them—-it is true! My current favorite “grab and go” bag is from last years Spring Fling. It includes my pair of Loopy’z third anniversary socks, with the second gusset almost finished. I love the color! The bag also includes a swatch of wollmeise dk in parsley:)
My “craft table” has by sewing and serger machines uncovered since I’m working on a girl’s regency period dress for my daughter. I also have my seamstress notebook for my daughter’s dance recital’s costumes, and two knit scarves waiting for the ends to be woven in.
I don’t have a sewing table but do have LOTS of knitting bags. In them, a pair of socks late Christmas gift, a mystery shawl, a non-mystery shawl, another non-mystery shawl, a cowl, a vest, and an only-need-sewing-up sweater.
My table has the pieces for an apron but also the pieces to make an interchangeable needle case and my daughters fabrics to make leg wraps for our horse. That is not including the sweater and two hats I currently have on the needles. Now I just need more time in my days and weeks to get everything done!
I just finished a mini skein red poppy to wear in remembrance of vets and now am making a fancy-ish scarf in a lovely emerald green for an aunt who has health problems.
My project bag is full of fun yarn in Shabby Chic colors to make more Hexi Puffs. I’m making a big throw for my wicker sofa. It is white with sage and white stripes. All the puffs are in pastels and a few hot pinks would jazz it up a bit.
Hi from freezing cold Indiana!
My knitting bag is a “carpet bag” a friend gave me. It is made from a braided rug & has my project bags in them…there’s 2 sock ones (one pair for each daughter), a shawl & the Gap cowl. I play pick a project & I’m never bored : )
Joyful knitting ~ S
My knitting bag has 3 pairs of finished – well, almost finished – socks. They need their heels knit in and kitchener’d closed. That’s a total of 6 heels that I’ve been procrastinating doing for over a week!!
I’m afraid my knitting bags look like many unfinished projects, that I will get to someday. Mostly sweaters for myself that I start and then get distracted by the next yarn and pattern that catches my eye. Those stay at home. My travel bag for sit and knit at the local library is usually a wrap or hat, that I can sit and knit and chat while knitting and not lose my count. It has been so cold that hats are this year’s favorites.
Most of my knitting at home is at the computer, with the pattern on my desktop as I like scrolling down (or up?) to the chart lines, as well as being able to view the charts or directions in larger print. Also nice to knit to a good movie in the background on the TV. Movie time_= knitting time for me.
My knitting bag….It’s emptying! This month I have finished an almost 1.000 yard sweater, almost done my loopy challenge, finished a hat and three mitts (for those who lose one) and I may be able to sneak one small knitted gift wrapping sort of thing….WOHOO. And WM is always a welcome addition to ANY knitting bag!
All of my knitting bags (except one, which contains a sweater I REALLY need to finish) are multitaskers. I’ll just talk about one, which is fairly representative of all. There’s the pair of socks on sock #2. And the yarn for the next pair of socks. My tool kit, with scissors, markers, measuring tape, crochet hook, etc. A sock yarn scarf in an interesting stitch pattern. A pair of mittens for the giveaway box. And often a baby hat for the local hospital’s NICU. and some extra yarn for the next pair of mittens. Also a notebook where I record dates cast on and finished and anything else that might be of interest about this year’s projects.
Isn’t this a wonderful passion to have and to share with so many people!! Seriously, I can’t imagine life without fiber. Sewing!! I just finished (last night) a mini backpack purse (Odyssey) for my daughter and am planning to get back to my quilt Roadtrip. Knitting!! Dinner at the Eiffel Tower in Sabrina Wolleimeise DK (for me) and Big Waffle in
Madtosh DK for my SIL. There are also many UFOs which are in the pipeline. Can there be too many projects or too much stash?? Never!!
What does my knitting bag look like? Which one? One has in it the baby blanket I’m still working on for the 2-year-old (hey, it’s tough…he’s boy #5), one contains socks I’m working on for my sister as well as a scarf I’m making for myself, another one holds a cotton tank top I’m making for me, and the last one carries a crochet jacket in progress. I still have one bag that my sister crocheted for me, and it’s currently empty. Must resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Well, my sewing table looks like a cluttered mess… I had to scrape out a clear spot to hem a pair of pants the other day. Ugh. My knitting bag has the beginnings of a Taiga sweater… loving it!
I am currently working on knitting squares for a Project Linus blanket. Each piece is based on a different quilt block pattern. Some squares are white and others are light blue. I’m a slow knitter, so this will take a while, but it is the perfect project for a long Vermont winter.
My bring-to-work-in-case-it’s-warm-enough-to-knit-in-the-car bag has a one-third done second sock in Mountain Colors “Headwaters” (but since it’s been freezing in St. Louis, not much work has been done on that). I washed my usual knitting bag and haven’t yet refilled it — the project that had lived there (my Q4 Loopy Challenge crochet baby blanket) has taken permanent residence on the sofa, as I try to finish it before the baby for whom it is being made outgrows it . . .
Looking forward to putting something new in the bag, once that blanket is finished!
My knitting basket is full with several pairs of socks, all different colors of course. Also fingerless gloves, one done and the other not started yet. And yarn for a hat for granddaughter. Way too many ideas and not enough time.
My sewing table is one of those big brown things you see at seminars and conferences. It holds my sewing machine, digital scale, basket full of junk, kleenex box, table lamp, laptop, iPod charger/speakers and a ton of books. It’s my *everything* table!
I have a bunch of knitting bags, one for every project. My favorite, though, is one that I made. It’s big with a divider pocket in the middle so I can carry one project on each side and instructions in the middle. It has pockets outside for needle bags, etc.
I would love to put those mini skeins in it!
One bag has a linen stitch scarf, two bags have socks, and a third has a crochet hot pad waiting for a mate. 😉
My kitchen table is my knitting table! One bag has a cowl and shawl I need to block. Cowl is so squishy I would rather wait a few days before I block and send off to DD. Another bag has wip. Another has leftover bits of balls from the last of the holiday gifts I made….and I need to put those remnants away!
I have 5 bags and 5 projects. Three pairs of socks, a Colour Affection shawl and a sweater cast on!
I’m usually a one project at a time knitter, but currently I have a dog sweater awaiting some measurements and a baby hat.
All my knitting bags are empty right now. 🙁 I had to take a break to focus on school and will resume in May.
My knitting bag has at least 3 WIP’s in it and the kitchen sink. I’m working on a dishcloth, a Honey Cowl, and the start of the Polly Pullover. Plus, I have all sorts of notions and other knitting items because “you never know.” I even have a wine key in there!
I have several knitting bags. The little one that lives in my rolling back pack is small and contains a hat I’m making up as I go along in Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca D.K. Today in the back pack there is also a sock yarn and US3 needles for either hexipuffs or elephants. Back at home, bright Comfort DK colors are nestled in a bag and are well on their way to becoming a rainbow beanie.
Other projects are languishing in ziploc bags, eagerly awaiting their turn in the active bag! 🙂
Mine contains the knitting tools of both my grandmothers, the current project, stitchmarkers, inch tape, scissors, magnifying glass, lucky pig and emergency chocolate. I can usually also squeeze in a pattern book, a notebook & pen.
Currently in my knitting bag – two half-finished pairs of socks and a just started cardigan for my soon to be born nephew. My sewing table has all the pieces cut out for the double wedding ring quilt I need to finish for April. Doesn’t stop me eyeing up new projects though!
I have multiple knitting bags and baskets – off the top of my head, I can think of 3 pairs of socks, a baby afghan, a necklace, 4 (?) scarves, a sweater and a dishtowel that are all in process. My vintage sewing machine is in a cabinet that’s buried under a giant pile of stuff, my table is covered with beads and beading projects, and my ironing surface is neatly stacked with needlepoint and bobbin lace projects… I make up for those people who don’t have ANY hobbies!
Knitting bag I am working on a cowl. TOK’s Twig! I have some socks on the needles that need to be done too!
Sewing isn’t that fun. I have mending to take care of. A few loose buttons and one coat pocket.
I have 2 pairs of socks I’m knitting, baby gifts, boot cuffs, and
Dishcloths. Sewing I have baby items, and monograms. My
Husband tells everybody that I no longer have a craft room because
I have now taken over the whole house. Sad but true!
I have the beginnings of another Color Affection, a baby sweater that needs me to finish weaving in the ends and a Lopi cardigan that needs the zipper installed. And a spindle attched to something very, very white and not wool.
My knitting bag has a 72 square afghan needing the last nine done. So almost a years worth of knitting.
My bag is overflowing! 2 WIP’s, 2 sets of interchangeables, tool bag and a couple random balls I was swatching.
I always have a sock on the needles in my bag, which I stuff inside my purse. I look forward to waiting time, when I get to knit on line at the post office, the bank, the pharmacy, wherever. Saves my blood pressure for sure.
I have one of a pair of fingerless mitts almost finished and the first of a pair of man’s socks in a boring brown that I have restarted three times. I fear the boring brown socks are too big and that I really should rip it and start it over again.
Wow!
Hi Sheri,
I hope you had a great trip despite the cold weather in Iowa. The cafe looked like a nice place to sip coffee and get warmed up.
What a timely question! I just finished a reorganization of my stash so that everything is sorted by weight, so you can actually SEE my work table now! My knitting bag has three projects in it right now (I also tidied up the WIP’s, too) . There is a shawlette, two pairs of fingerless gloves. I’m not liking either of the fingerless glove patterns now that they are far enough along to really get a feel for them. Probably time to do some ripping…
Thanks,
Betsy in the chilly and wet Seattle suburbs
My knitting bag contains a cashmere scarf for my daughter that is 3/4 done. I also have an extra skein and a purple zippered pouch that holds all the goodies (scissor, crochet hook that I use often!, tape measure, markers, yarn cutter, etc). I also have a bag with a leather belt that I am making for my husband. Before I finish, I have to take it to my LYS to find out how to join a new spool of leather. I really need to get this done, his pants keep falling down. LOL
schwipknits@gmail.com
schwip on rav
My knitting bad is stuffed. Yarn for new socks, / shawl WIPs and several other odd balls of yarn including some natural handspun I was given at a spinning demo in Ireland last August. I have a box if knitting supplies, a notions pouch and a small blue metal bowl I use as a yarn bowl when I knit in public.
My office / yarn room looks like a bomb went off. The table by my chair in the family room has a pottery yarn bowl, a few knitting books and patterns and some needle cases and stitch markers. I have an Ott floor lamp so I can see.
If I won this lovely bag of yarn, I’d combine it with some of the Wollmeise I bought from you and knit something with some colorwork.
My knitting bag(s) are a complete mess! I usually have 2-3 WIP’s in each one. Sometimes I start a new project and have no where to put it.
Well now…which knitting bag are we talking about…there’s the one with a shawl, the one with socks, the one with a baby sweater, the one with a vest…get the picture
My knitting bag has a baby sweater in need of sleeves, a shawl, a baby hat, and half a baby blanket! My sewing table has a strip quilt for my 4yo son!