Help the Birds Knit

Birds knit...and without any needles so why not give them the option of something with a bit of...style. Their nests are knitted works of art, and to help them in the quest for nesting material this spring I'm providing a plate of sky blue Kool-Aid dyed wool and small pieces of dishcloth yarn that have been cut from the beginnings and tails of my recent projects. I can't wait to check all the trees in my yard in the fall when the leaves drop off to see if it was actually used in their nests.

Elegant Stitch Markers

When I first learned to knit I used a piece of yarn in a different color than the item I was knitting as a stitch marker; fine for then when all I could handle was doing the stitches right. But now... well we do like our jewelry. I'm happy as a chicken with a junebug to have these wonderful jewels; I mean markers. They were made by my daughter, Aimee. She used a variety of sterling silver or glass beads and spacers in constructing them. I especially like the pink teardrop bead topped with a sparkly faceted bead. The marker in the left of the picture was made with a silver ladybug and a ruby-colored glass bead; the second with a white cat's eye and a swirly green bead. Two sizes and shades of blue for the third and a small silver rose tops the large red bead. The small, pin-like object attached to the teardrop marker is the tool for my KnitPicks Options. Yes, I'm still thrilled with those knitting needles.

Evidence of Spring in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains

Daffodils sprucing up the pasture just two weeks after a very wintry, cold February. That's typical of our weather here in the Tennessee Valley. I've heard it said that if you don't like the weather here; just wait a few minutes and it'll change. Creeping phlox in the flower bed. The flowering dogwood shrub picture was taken looking upwards at it toward the sky.

Fast & Easy Dishcloth Pattern

The dishcloths pictured here were fast, fun and easy to knit. The pattern is called Grandmother's Favorite, and it's easy to understand why. These knit up in a click of the needles since the pattern is so easy. The design showcases varigated yarns beautifully as you can see.