Knitting for the "green" of it

Another "find" and favorite yarn is also a good choice for the environment. I have recently been enticed by the color and feel of a yarn that is made from recycled t-shirts. This yarn is actually made from the scraps of t-shirts. Instead of t-shirt scraps going into a landfill, they are can be spun and transformed into a soft, durable, wonderful yarn. The color selection of these types of yarns are "earth happy" colors.

Discovering this fiber option caused me to pause and think what would be worthy of this yarn. It has to be something that is furthers the theme of being good for the environment. It didn't take me long to see how well this new "find" would work into my latest project - hand-towels. Having one of these towels handy in the kitchen will allow you to save paper towels for the most "yucky" of jobs.

The size is approximately 10" by 13" - just perfect for drying your hands, the oh-so many times, throughout the day. They have lots of body, which means they hold their shape. Beside great function, these towels look great hanging on the handle of the oven or on nearby hook.

I knitted a hand-towel for myself, over a year ago. It turned out great but I put it aside and forgot about it. Upon me finding it, amongst some other projects, I immediately started using it right away. Now I am on a mission to make several, they are a wonderful addition to my kitchen - in looks and function.

These towels can be purchased in several colors and each one is knitted in a different pattern stitch. I also take special orders if you have a specific size in mind. All my work is done by hand, by me, in a non-smoking environment.

These towels are also featured and available for purchase in my etsy shop.

Colors: From the top down: Dark Indigo, Linen, Denim, and Natural

"Linen" - Ridges and Squares
knitted in a combination garter/stockinette stitch

Hear Ye, Hear Ye .... Knitting is good for your health!

Reasons you should start knitting today. (For those of you who already knit, get those sticks a movin')

Knitting is good for your mind. The thought processes used in knitting will keep your brain exercised and healthy - think of it like as mental yoga.

Knitting is good for your body. When you knit, you can't snack. Okay, you really can, but you are not as likely to engage in snacking when engrossed in a project. If you haven't seen the Yoplait Yogurt commercial about the woman who knits to stay thin, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAHWyoZFI00

Knitting keeps your hands and fingers nimble. Also, with the added exercise of your fingertips, your nails could grow more quickly. However, that might cause a dilemma, time out to give yourself a manicure or knit, knit, knit - you be the judge. But on that note, knitting has been suggested as a way for someone to break the nasty habit of nail biting - yuck!

Knitting relieves stress. We all have stress in our lives and knitting can help you with the release of your daily stresses. It is easy to get lost in your project - the rhythmic sound of the needles and movement of the stitches as they are moved from one needle to the other - ahhhhh, just thinking of it lowers the blood pressure. Some might feel a bit stressed as they learn the art of knitting, but it will finally become a relaxing craft for you to enjoy for years to come.

The fun begins when you are planning your project. Looking through patterns, discovering new yarns, imagining the finished product, are all part of the enjoyment.

Knitting is good for your spirit. There is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when you complete a project. Whether is a gift or something for you or your home, that knitted item is something you created from sticks and fibers.

Knitting for a charity, like Project Linus, Hats for the Homeless, and many others, warms the soul.

Knitting can save you money. Saving money makes you feel good, right? Knitting your gifts saves money and shows the recipient that they are loved enough to have received something made by hand. Yarn can get expensive, but there isn't any need to fall into that trap. Many yarns at craft stores just as good as those from the fancy knitting stores.

Watch for coupons to your favorite place to purchase yarn - just remember to purchase enough from the same dye lot. Think about selling your knitted wares - then you have a self-supporting habit!

How cute are these "yarn" cones?
Would you rather knit than eat ice cream?
I certainly would!

Better yet, how about having your yarn and eating it too!

If yarn could be eaten, I would personally be able to feed
a small nation with the "stash" I have collected.

Happy Knitting!!!

Joy's soul lies in the doing.

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing ~ William Shakespeare

I don't know if I am like most seasoned knitters, but I like to have at least two types of knitting projects available to me at all times. One, a mindless pattern that can be done at cheering at my son's basketball game or a more elaborate pattern that requires moments of silence as I k1, yo, k2 tog, pssk, (p4, k1) 3 times - my fellow knitters know what I mean.

My latest project is knitted in a lacy pattern from a mohair blend yarn. Unfortunately, there appears to be a slight glitch in the pattern so I have had to adjust it a bit, which has added a bit more spice to the project than I was looking for.

What might have made this go smoother was using metal needles, instead of bamboo. I love bamboo but it just isn't slick enough to keep the fibers from occasionally splitting while knitting. Since this is just a trial run and the project will be done in a better yarn later, I will forgo the purchase of the perfect needle until I find the perfect yarn and color.

So back to Shakespeare and the title of this post - I don't have a clue what will become of this project but working out the glitches is like exercise for the mind - brain crunches, firing of the neurons, and a sense of accomplishment. After it is completed, it will most likely be enjoyed by someone, hopefully my daughter, but my pleasure will have been in the "doing" more than the "done".

So on I knit, celebrating each row as I stitch my way to completion of this lacy creation.