Knitting Dragonflies

The featured Etsy seller is Handmade by Sandi , from Suffolk, Virginia. Below is by Sandi: I learned how to crochet from my mom, many years ago (too many to count). I loved making hats and scarves for family members, as well as crocheted stuffed animals for children. In 2006, after starting chemo treatment for breast cancer, I crocheted myself little hats and skull caps to keep my head warm - even in bed! With the completion of my treatment, and my energy level coming back - I decided to pay it forward, by crocheting hats for other cancer patients. What a wonderful feeling to give back for all the help I received! I love the feel of soft yarn, when I am working with it, as well as wearing a finished item - makes me feel hugged, and you will too - when you try one of my scarves or hats. Of course, I also love to sew, and create items that make life easier. In addition - I love to wear earrings - and I'm always trying new styles. Some of my favorite items:

I have had some spare time lately to catch up on my knitting! I’m trying to do some major stash busting. Listening to my favorite knitting podcasts always makes for pleasant knitting. Look at my sidebar for a list, for my old favorites, but I have found quite a few new ones that I love. I’m always looking for new podcasts. Rarely do I not get inspired after listening to several of these, whether it is a new yarn, shop, pattern or even problem that the podcasters are talking about. I always get excited and think “I can do that!” Look at the Ravelry list of Fibery Podcasts!! Here are some new podcasts I’m listening to and loving! (if I haven't made a comment, I haven’t listened to an episode yet) Round the Twist (video podcast) Let’s Knit Together (video podcast) Sticks & String (only listened to one so far, an Australian bloke, who is so far very interesting and nice to listen to) Stash & Burn (love it) Bark N Knit Stitch It   Electric Sheep Knit

I’m on a mission to finish as many UFO’s as possible and stash bust. Hats are a great way to quickly knit up some misc balls of yarn. Put them away now for gifts when the weather turns cool. They are great for “to go” knitting, small enough to fit into your purse or bag, and fun. I had some bulky yarns, and my crochet needle out from my Laguna Sun Hat, so I created this hat! I think it turned out super cute and it was fast. I used the Sun Hat pattern with bulky yarn, I would like to try it with cotton also. Someone suggested jute or hemp to make a Laguna Sun hat, in my yarn bin I found some long forgotten hemp that was originally meant for a basket, (it has been a LONG time since I made baskets). It turned into a super cute hat! I added another bulky yarn to the left over yarn from this hat and created this slouchy hat on big needles knitted flat. Here is the beginning, and I just knitted along in a k1, p1 pattern until I was almost out of yarn and then did several row