Cowl Girl

I enjoy making gifts for those I love at Christmas!
I will be a busy cowl girl this month, planning to complete at least six cowls in a variety of yarns and patterns by the holiday! The peacock blue cowl (pictured) was a quick and easy knit pattern from French Press Knits. The second one is spiraling rib pattern in a red raspberry wool found on Ravelry. My mother chose a variegated lavender chunky and a silver metallic fingering weight yarn for hers. My daughter opted for a winter white bulky wool blend and will choose a second yarn when she returns home. Wish me luck!

Gratitude

It is a Sunday morning in November, the week of Thanksgiving, and I am looking forward to having some time this week! Time to rest and think, time to enjoy my returning children and extended family, time to hold the new baby, time with my wonderful husband, time to knit, and time to remember what is truly important in my life. 

Thanksgiving has always been a time to enjoy the company of family and friends. It is also a time to remember how fortunate we are and focus on being grateful. I have a gratitude journal that I keep on my night stand. I list about five things that I am grateful for each day. While I sometimes go days, weeks, and even months between entries, looking back at my previous lists is a wonderful reminder of the simple joys that can be found in every day if you stop to notice.

I am thankful for all that has been given to me!

What Are Your Plans?

Lately my ideas for new bebeknits projects are more plentiful than my time for knitting! But the excitement I feel about  the new ideas is much greater than my regrets about my lack of time!

I just started this little hat in red and gray tweed merino wool. I saw the two yarns together yesterday and loved the combo! It reminds me of a sock monkey! I plan to make some bebeknits slippers to match.

Planning for new events and projects brings energy and excitement! Whether it's a vacation or simple day trip, a home improvement project, a wedding, holiday party, or a new knitting idea; they all bring us the opportunity to create and anticipate the final result of our efforts. What are you making plans for? What new ideas do you have? Get thinking!

Soup is Ready!

I love autumn in Michigan;  crisp mornings, bright falling leaves, pumpkins and mums on porches, football games, Halloween, apples and butternut squash! With so much to see and do, it is no wonder the time passes by so quickly.

November marks the official start of soup season at my house! So far I've made butternut squash, split pea with honey baked ham, and the official Michigan bean and potato soup from the Michigan Bean And Potato Commission.

The recipe for this bean and potato soup is worth sharing!

Oh, and the photo is not the soup as it was eaten before this post! The basket of bebeknits is a result of another of my fall favorites!

Michigan Bean and Potato Soup

2 lbs navy beans (I use the precooked Randall's in the large jar)
2 cups potatoes diced
1/2 cup onion diced
1/2 cup carrots diced
1/2 cup celery diced
1/2 lb ham diced ( I used Honey Baked Ham slices)
1T seasoned salt
1t garlic powder
1/2 t cumin
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup ketchup
salt and pepper to taste

Soak beans as directed or just use the precooked! Veggie amounts can be adjusted to your taste. Remember that it is soup! Add everything together in a soup pot and cook for an hour or so. Especially good the next day when flavors have mingled! Enjoy!

A New Batch of Bebeknits

It has been a month since my last post! Returning to full time employment coupled with a recent computer disaster has made blogging a challenge!

While there is less time for knitting, it continues to be a wonderful way to start or end busy days! Even just knitting a few rows or adding finishing touches to an almost complete baby slipper brings satisfaction.

This new batch of bebeknits has some MSU, U of M, and Detroit Lions color combinations!

Tailgating Season

September is here and the tailgating season begins!
College football, team rivalry, fall weather, tailgating parties, night games....it is all so exciting!

The latest project for bebeknits is a collection of tailgating baby slippers. GVSU/Detroit Lions slippers are pictured and University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State slippers are ready too!  Bebeknits has also had a request for little slippers for Detroit Redwings fans.

Are there are other little fans that need tailgating slippers in their college/team colors?

Bebeknits for Baby Boys

 As promised I have been working on bebeknits for baby boys! One of my favorite designs is the Little Boy Loafer. I also have two new styles in the works. One is my own design and one is a more traditional little slipper. A fourth design I have been making for a while is for a little Clog Style Slipper that I am knitting in college colors for tailgating season. Pictures will be coming!

Thinking of tailgaiting and fall football weather reminds me that summer here in Michigan is coming to an end. Summer is such a wonderful time for me! I love the smells and the sounds! The leisurely days that I am able to spend with my family, take time to knit and read, and get together with friends are priceless. Now that the temperatures are cooler and the doors and windows are open again I will really soak up these last few wonderful days!

A New Look for Bebeknits

So this week bebeknits has a new look! Many hours were spent updating photos and playing around with Picassa to improve the look of my Etsy shop. I have decided on a new thumbnail that matches my shop colors and features one of my bebeknits ballet slippers.


I'm sure that as I continue to learn more, my shop and the items in it will continue to evolve. I love that about the creative process! You can always take a new direction, update your style, or improve your product!  Look for some new ideas and designs in the next month!

Finishing Touches

I have been knitting up a storm in the past few weeks and the almost finished bebeknits are beginning to fill baskets all over my studio (aka dining room)! I really need to get working on those finishing touches.

Some times are better for knitting and some are better for finishing. Mixing the two never works for me. I either knit or finish, rarely both in the same sitting. When I come to think of it, this manner of tackling projects is not limited to my knitting. I usually complete the bulk of a project and then finish later. Breaking it up makes it easier, prevents frustration and fatigue, and I always finish... eventually!

New Ideas

While busy chipping away at some of my stash yarns and concentrating on knits for baby boys, I have been thinking about new ideas for bebeknits!

One of these is a new pattern that I designed myself! (slippers in photo) It is a first for me and even though it was changed a few times I am pleased with the final outcome. Next is to decide on any embellishments!

The other new addition is a new adorable little flower to adorn my bebeknits ballet slippers. While not completely my own design, it is a modified version of the original pattern. Look for these little cuties in my future posts.

New ideas are exciting and create positive energy! Perhaps that is true with all new adventures. What new adventure or new idea can you plan or try out today?

Stash Hats Just for Baby Boys

Last week I had several goals at bebeknits. First was using some of my great stash yarns and second was to focus on bebeknits for baby boys!
This wonderfully soft Italian yarn from Filatura Di Crosa is over 60% alpaca and 30% wool. I made a beautiful sweater from the cover of Vogue Knitting magazine several years ago and this was left over. I still have some ivory that I will fashion into a cute little baby girl hat! Hats are sized to fit newborn to 3 and 6 months.

Coffee and Knitting

Coffee and knitting! Nothing better than knitting early in the morning while drinking fresh, hot coffee!  Pike Place from Starbucks is my favorite right now. I choose my cup depending on my mood.

Found this great little pattern on Ravelry for these sweet newborn slipper socks. I used some of my soft stash yarns to make several pair.

Show and Tell

Pictured are some of bebeknits colorful slippers in four different styles designed especially for baby girls. I love the vibrant colors!
 Many of the beautiful yarn colors are more feminine, but baby boys also need bebeknits slippers!
 My focus for the next week is to share some of the more masculine bebeknits designs because little boys like stylish footwear too!

To Market, To Market

I actually enjoy shopping for groceries and putting them away!  Great care goes into choosing what makes it into my shopping cart. I look for foods that are nutritious and a good value.  My meals for the week are often made from what is on sale and what is in season. Whole foods, fresh fruits and veggies, beans, grains, eggs, fish, and dairy products are my favorites.

 Unpacking the bags and spreading out the bounty on my kitchen counter reminds me of just how fortunate my family is to have access to quality food!

Color for Babies

Who says that babies need to be dressed only in traditional pinks and blues? Vibrant non-traditional colors look great on little ones and show their style. Just like a pair of colorful shoes can make an outfit, so too can a bright pair of bebeknits slippers!

I fell in love with this merino wool in peacock blue, aquamarine, and magenta pink! Watch for a cute pair of Party Janes,  Little Boy Loafers, and Ballet Slippers in these great colors.

Fresh Herbs of Summer

One of the best parts of summer is pots of fresh herbs on the patio! Every year I find new ways and recipes to add these favorful and healthy herbs to my cooking. Basil for homemade pizza and caprese salad; rosemary for bread, pizza crust and fragrant bouquets; sage for tuscan bean salad; oregano and thyme for sauces and pasta dishes. In the fall the last of the sage and rosemary can be added to Thanksgiving dressing!

Odds and Ends

Don't you just love using all of something? Using the last bit of toothpaste, wrapping paper, hand lotion, pen ink, or yarn is really satisfying. It feels good to have nothing wasted!

This week at bebeknits will be about using some of the great yarns in my stash to make a more classic little baby bootie. They will be one of a kind due to the fact that there is only about enough to make one or maybe two pair from each yarn. All of the yarns are wool and very soft and squishy, perfect for keeping little toes warm and comfy.

Family Field Testing for Bebeknits

Testing some new ribbon tied newborn ballet slippers this past weekend on my two week old niece! They were still a bit big, but the fit was nice and the slippers stayed on pretty well!
The best part of the research was holding this beautiful baby and putting the slippers on her cute little feet!

Early Morning Knitting

A hot cup of coffee, a beautiful summer morning, and time for knitting...life is good!
 I love getting up early on a summer morning. The house is quiet and the birds are not! Sitting at the kitchen table I can see the garden and drink my first cup of coffee. It is a great time to knit and think about my day.
 Knitting a pair of gray and pink bebeknits ballet slippers to possibly photograph for my new Etsy banner.

Best Bread Recipe

I love the smell of fresh baked bread and more than ever I want to know exactly what ingredients are in my food. So lately I have returned to making my own bread.

Making bread is not difficult, but finding a good recipe can be. For years I have tried making bread with various recipes and ingredients and have finally found a winner. I think the original recipe was for Oatmeal Knots and it may have come from Cooking Light. It has been modified several times and I do tend to add what I have and change it a bit, but the basic recipe is below. I use a bread maker to prepare the dough ( so easy and tidy) and cook it in the oven!

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup honey
2 T butter
1 1/2 t salt
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg yeast
1/3 cup warm water
2 T gluten
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups bread flour
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, or
wheat bran (usually I just throw in what I want and adjust the flour)

In a bowl combine oatmeal, honey, butter, salt, and boiling water. Let cool. Combine yeast and warm water. Add all ingredients to bread maker. Use dough cycle and check after a few minutes for excess moisture or dryness and add flour or a little warm water as needed.

After bread has risen or completed dough cycle, transfer to floured board and shape into 2 loaves, let rise, then bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Bebeknits Journal

I love journals! This particular journal is used for my bebeknits notes. I include project ideas, sketches, yarn info, pattern modifications and such. I do need to remember not to abbreviate so much as I often return to these notes and have to figure out what I meant!
Last night I started this little hat for the fall season. I am pleased with stripes and the brown rolled edge and plan to add a little brown stem at the top!

My Love of the Library

 The public libraries in this country are one of our national treasures and I visit mine almost every week! My husband and I even visit libraries in other towns that we visit or vacation. I love coming home with a variety of books, DVD's, CD's, and magazines that I can enjoy and then return. It keeps the clutter at bay and allows me to read, watch, and listen to much more than I would if I had to purchase everything! Public libraries need our support and patronage so visit your public library, join a library book club, donate gently used books, or volunteer to help keep libraries thriving in your community!

Summer Colors

Just finished two little bebeknits slippers in bright summer colors. The lemongrass and red ballet slippers remind me a little of tomatoes and the bright watermelon pink shoes are knit in one of my favorite summer colors!

A New Baby in the Family!

Within only a few hours of finishing the sweet little pink and yellow bebeknits hat I got the call that a new baby was born in our family. Of course my new niece would have to wear this little hat on her first day! It fit her perfectly and looked just adorable! Holding a newborn baby is so wonderful and for most of us only happens a few times in our lives. I am so fortunate that I was able to experience this once again!

The Long and Short of Knitting

Why can I spend hours (the long) to complete the knitting of a project and enjoy every minute of it and then postpone the finishing (the short) for weeks?  It's not that I dislike finishing so much, but it lacks the rhythm of the knitting and the anticipation of the finished product. The finishing is when you really see if your knitting looks like it did in your mind's eye.
Isn't that always the way it is when we create? Decorating a room, baking a birthday cake, planning a vacation... sometimes projects do not turn out quite how we envisioned. Sometimes they can be better!

July 4th Weekend

I love a simple bouquet from my garden. Have you ever noticed just how beautiful flowers are when you look at them closely? Putting them right on the kitchen table gives me a better view!

Flowers from my garden and bebeknits Fourth of July slippers.  

Just Getting Started

Sometimes the hardest part of anything in life is getting started! You often have to just throw yourself into it and see where it goes. That is exactly what I am doing with my bebeknits blog! I look forward to sharing about my knitting and some of the other simple pleasures that bring me joy!