I have a secret passion for knitting. Well maybe not so secret but a passion just the same. It all started when I was a little girl and staying over at my grandparents house for the weekend. I was going through my grandmas crafting boxes and stumbled upon a bag filled with baby items her mother and her had knitted, I was fascinated. Along side to the bag was what looked like a grave yard for knitting needles, several balls of yarn in various colors and textures and a few old knitting pattern books that looked as if they might just crumble if the wind blew too hard, thankfully they didn't.
They were lying in a giant boot box all shiny and forgotten about I just couldn't help but grab a pair and quickly call them mine! I chose a light green pair that I still have to this day and love just as much as that first day I layed eyes on them. I scooped up some yarn to accompany my reclaimed knitting needles and half ran out to my grandma who looked at me so surprised that I even found these things. I asked her if she could show me how she made all those little clothes and she told me she could show me the basic stitches but she hadn't knitted in a very long time so that was all she could show me. I was beyond thrilled.
She taught me how to cast on stitches and how to do a basic knit stitch! I remember sitting and practicing for hours and hours till I felt confident I had it down then wanted desperately to learn more however in those days it wasn't as easy as it is now. I didn't have a computer or a smart phone to simply look things up on. I had to do it myself. I went back to those old boxes again and pulled out some of those old knitting books and went through the, cover to cover though I had no idea what I was reading. It was like a foreign language! These were definitely not beginners books but I just didn't care I was determined to figure it out.
Between studying the tiny faded discolored pictures in the books and from unraveling knitted items I started to teach myself how to create different stitches. Little by little I got quite good at creating new stitches and patterns and started making all sorts of things for everyone I knew! My favorite things to knit have always been baby items. They take a fraction of the time are super cute and if I totally messed up it didn't destroy my whole day. Lol. I will always remember my first pair of baby booties I knitted for my nephew Matthew. They were perfect and looked like they were meant for a doll. It took me a few days to create the pattern and then a whole day of nonstop knitting and boy oh boy was I proud of those tiny shoes! Since then I have knitted more pairs of baby booties than I can recall and of course I made Kai a pair while I was pregnant that I have safely stashed away for memorabilia sake. Yes my name is Jamie and I am a hoarder.
Anyways here is my pattern for baby booties that is sure to bring a smile to any new mama and baby. I use a set of 4 size #2 double pointed knitting needles and start by casting on 34 sts, 11 on the first, 12 on the second and 11 on the third.
(Knit 1, Purl 1) around for 25 rows
Knit 11(with needle #1) Knit 12(with needle #2) *last needle will have 11 sts-leave unworked)
(Purl 12 that are on needle #2(flip) Knit 12) 8x
Purl 12,flip
Knit 2 together, Knit till end, flip
Purl 2 together, Purl till end, flip
Knit 2 together, Knit till end, flip
Purl 2 together, Purl till end, flip
Knit across (8 sts left on needle)
Pick up and Knit 11 sts from the left side of instep
Knit 11 from needle #3
Purl 11 sts from needle #1
Pick up and Purl 11 sts from right side of instep then continue to Purl around (52 sts total)
Knit around
Purl around
Knit around
Purl around
Knit 26 place marker, Knit 26 place marker
ROW 1- (Knit 2 together, Knit till 2 sts before marker Knit 2 together)2x
ROW 2- Purl around
*alternate ROW 1and ROW 2 four times then ROW 1 once more
Knit 20, them sew together tightly
Absolutely love it! As it happens I am also skilled in this art. Though I don't tell too many people about it ;)
Wow! I love that you are a fellow knitter! Thanx for sharing your secret hobby with me! ❤️
Nicee.
Thank you!
Yay! I hope you keep up with this. A lot of my hobbies fell by the wayside once I had kids. They LOVE to help! hahha
Thanx Marie! Yea while I don't really have the time to knit right now I'm sure when Kais a bit bigger and more independent I'll be able to get back to my knitting
Cool! Love your tenacity! And sometimes being self-taught is the way to go, as you've shown! Kai's mom has got it goin' on!
This is the best comment I could have ever imagined to receive when I posted this! Thank you so so much! I am really deeply appreciative for your support and all the love! ❤️❤️❤️
You're more than welcome! I'm happy you feel that way! And thank you for turning me on to steemit!