Ahhh.... Sweet Freedom for the Renegade!

Thanks to some of the comments left on my last post, I've tasted freedom!  I gave up on my self-imposed anal rules (I know you didn't say they were anal, but let's face it... they were) and cast on a little project.  I'm such a renegade!!  I'm THRILLED with how it turned out.  A little disgusted with how much knitting time I've lost because of my own rules.  It all goes back to Margene's "it's the process" philosophy.

So.  I cast on 110 stitches of my favorite color of Elann's Highland Wool (Forest Heather - which is funny because it's the same color the damn raglan is knit in that started all this in the first place).  I knit loosely with 8mm needles for about nine inches (the first inch in garter) and then I started decreasing four stitches per round until I had about 48 stitches left.  I flipped it inside out and did a three-needles bind off.

What did I get?  A hat?

A fruit bowl?

Nope and nope.  Here's what it looked like before being cast into the washing machine with a load of jeans:

And here's what it looked like after about ten minutes in the washer and the addition of some simple embroidery stitches:

In a word.... I LOVE IT!!!  Here's a close up of the sheep where you can see my Colonial knots and the beautiful colors in the wool:

So.... I've learned my lesson.  When feeling overwhelmed... cast on something!  Anything! Get those creative juices going!  I've had this tea cozy in my head for a couple of months now. It only took me an evening and a morning to do it and now I'm ready to knit again.  Ahhhh..... FREEDOM!!!

Comments

[Jennifer]

Wow - that is just about the most beautiful thing I've seen on anyone's knitting blog in ages. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[Jessica]

This is the cutest freakin' thing I've seen in the longest time. I love it!

[Nathania]

I love the colonial knots! I saw a gal at TNNA who did them in miniatures. They were so sweet!

[Nathania]

I love the colonial knots! I saw a gal at TNNA who did them in miniatures. They were so sweet!

[Megan]

That's so beautiful! I've recently been thinking about felting a handbag and embroidering it, and it's great to see the concept carried out so nicely. By the way, this is my first comment, but I've been reading your blog for awhile; it's always interesting!

[Kathleen in Forchheim]

Holy CUTE, Batman!! Those knots are the coolest looking things - I've got to try that!

[Jenn]

Duh...you did post the pattern.

[Jenn]

I would buy that if I saw it in a store. It is soooo perfect. Would you mind posting the pattern....(I am a parinoid knitter and do nothing without a pattern) I can see Christmas presants...... Oh I can't get over how CUTE it is!

[Kim]

Cute, cute, cute!!!

[Valerie]

Too Cute!! I'll be over for a cuppa! (wink)

[Ali]

I absolutely love your tea cosy - its sooo Scottish! I'm sure it will brighten your day every time you make a cuppa! I've also decided to tag you Jean, I hope you don't mind. Just list 5 of your personal idiosyncrasies on your next post (its all the rage with us UK knitting bloggers at the moment!).

[Bridget]

I love the tea cozy - that looks like the "house" part of the felted Cottage Tea Cozy from Knitters' Stash, which I made recently. I had thought at the time that it would look good not as a cottage and you proved me right! Your embroidery is way better than mine . . .

[Lauren]

I'm so happy you got joy out of knitting :)

[Lisa]

That is absolutely adorable. I must make one!!!

[Garnet]

Jean ~ That would also with a different pattern make the cutest hat also! The little sheep could be like the flower on a slouch hat! Way to go girl! I love quick stuff you can make in a couple of hours or a day! Those would also make very cute gifts! Have fun! Blessings!

[margene]

Thata grrl! LOVE the sheepy and you can do knots like nobody's business! Well done.

[LisaB]

That is so cute and creative!! I love the sheep and that yarn is gorgeous! Spectacular!

[ann]

your tea cozy is adorable ---- in freeing yourself, you've added another project to my list --- I must have one!

[wool winder]

Love it! I want one and I don't even drink hot tea.

[Erica]

Your tea cozy is just too cute!

[Kerstin]

You are the Colonial Knot Queen! Love it!

[bri]

That turned out so well! You could make a cottage industry out of those. What a perfect gift it would make with an antique cup and saucer or some good loose tea. Way to get those knitting juices flowing! Good luck with the raglan and have a wonderful wknd!

[wendy g]

Jean, What a cute tea cozy! Your trip sounded wonderful too.

[Kathleen]

I love it and your son is so cute!

[Becky]

That's a great little cozy, and it's great that you've gotten yourself knitting again.