Knitty.com has a free pattern for a nice tunic-style top/dress that's just adorable ("Anouk"). I made one for my niece and everyone who sees it just fawns over it. It's clearly for a girl, and it's made of cotton. Check it out--it was easy and went together super quickly. Gina

The first thing I completed believe it or not was socks. They were one of the main reasons I started knitting I saw all these cute toasty warm pretty little socks and just wanted to see if I could make them. I have them down now pretty well. I'm now enjoying many other projects as well. Currently working on a few things. I like to have a couple to a few projects at once going on in case I get bored of one I can switch to another. I'm currently making "gift" scarves with soft yarn in a loose knit and beads strung at the end, a few shawls? in similar style and a cable blanket..... I'm looking to start some gloves and a few more socks and a intarsia or fair isle ? blanket and am currently looking for a nice knit beret pattern. :)

I do --- and I will try this out tonight - I think size 6 might be too small - maybe a 7 needle - or maybe even an 8. Darn - Just remembered my DIL has all of my scrap yarn so I can't try it with Sugar and Cream. If you look, you are starting at one corner, (bottom right), then increasing until you reach the middle (top right corner, bottom left corner). Then you start decreasing until you get to the other corner, (top left). It is a garter stitch (all knit) - Do a long-tail cast-on - I am sure that is in the book - or on the internet --- just sit in front of the computer screen. Cat Bordhi has some great You Tubes --- some are almost like she is talking to a child - but she is good. Then you need the yo (yarn over) which creates the holes, then the K2tog (knit 2 together) -- that makes the decreases --- Sugar and Cream yarn is about 2.29 a ball - so really cheap. Let me know if you have any questions. It may at first seem like you are getting nowhere - and you are all thumbs -- but persevere - it is worth it. I would start by casting on about 15 stitches and just practice knitting back and forth for awhile. HTH

I agree that as parents we need to let our kids have their weird clothing choices and fashion faux pas. I, too, was a teen in the mini skirt/hot pants era. I remember being in England in the summer of âÂÂ69, on Carnaby Street, and some English teens asking why the girls in our group wore our skirts so long - and our skirts were all several inches or more above the knees. LOL But I also think that as a parent we have an obligation with our kids to draw the line at certain looks, certain trends. It is also our job to teach them to know that there are certain clothes appropriate for certain occasions. We have an obligation to set rules and say âÂÂnoâÂÂ. For example, my mom HATES jeans. I never was allowed to wear them until I went off to college and bought my own. So when we see my mom for dinner or lunch, my two sons know that they donâÂÂt wear jeans. I donâÂÂt have to tell them to wear a nice pair of casual pants, and nicer shoes, and a collared shirt. It is a small thing, but it makes her happy (and avoids a LOT of nasty remarks), making for a more pleasant gathering. We are not talking fancy restaurant here, often just a casual family restaurant where pretty much everyone in the place is in jeans. But that lesson hasnâÂÂt been a waste of time, either. They both seem to know when they need to dress up a bit - both have voluntarily worn ties, suit jackets, etc without being told or asked. Older DS went to his teaching internship prepared to wear ties and dress shirts and khakis every day - until his mentor (an amazing guy) told him he could drop the tie as it made the mentor look bad! LOL I find the ultra high heels unattractive - most women canâÂÂt walk in them and just look awkward. Add to that bare legs and mini skirts, and the look just says âÂÂcheapâ to me.