Spinning results

Here it is in progress, and wrapped into a skein.

Knitting lace

I really would like to knit lace but I think that I might start out with the lace pattern on larger needles and see if I can follow the stitch patterns and not get too confused. I just got my current issue of Creative Knitting. Thank goodness for subscriptions, my magazine fix is still coming even if I can’t afford to go out and buy them. It is the July issue and it has this beautiful lace evening wrap. It is called the gossamer Lace evening wrap and it knits up on #6 and uses fingering weight yarn. I am think that if I could get a crochet cotton and Hand dye it using the dye I have at home which is a either a purple or a lime green. I would like to use it. I think the green would go good with my pink blouse and green knee length a-line skirt. I will have to post a picture of the skirt and see what you all think about that. The interesting thing about this shawl pattern is that it uses a lace trellis stitch to creat a very open fabric. I think I will try it out on some scrap yarn and see if I can get the pattern down.

Casting off the Needles

I am casting off my first Potato Chip Scarf. Is it ever going to end. I cannot believe how long it is and I am not even half way done.

This is going to be so cool. I think I will use it with my white button up shirt.

The Biggest Item on My Wish List

Ok Here is the bigest item that is on my wish list. I really would like the Ashford Kiwi Spinning wheel. I think that this would be a great addition to my crafting items. I have picked up drop spinning again and I am really hooked this time. I am trying to convince my DH that it really would save me money by being able to spin my own yarn. so He told me that I had to sell something and pay for it myself. So that is why I am wanting to sell me Embroidery Machine. I now have to convence my self that I can save money. I have friends that have sheep and angora goats, that want to give me the fiber. I cannot believe my luck now I just need a wheel to spin it on.

Weekend update

Over the weekend I made a drop spindle so that I could spin the fiber that my friend Cathy gave me . I started spinning with it about 30 min ago and I now have a good amount of yarn on the pole. Yahoo! This is not my first attempt at spinning but it has been over a year, so I was afraid that I had forgot how. Lo and behold I guess it is just like riding a bike. I really do still know how to spin. I am going to take a picture of what I have sometime today. The fiber is multi colored with hot pink, deep Blue, and purple, with a little white mixed in. so the resulting yarn is so pretty. I cannot wait to start knitting is up. I really don't know what I will make with it thought as it is only 2 oz. Well I will keep you posted with the progress. Sorry no picture as of yet.

Embroidery Machine For Sale

I have a White 3300 Embroidery Machine that I have for sale. I really need to make some money quick and I would be willing to sell it for $450.00 I paid $550 for it a year ago and I have only used it a few times, it is in great condition and I just do not need it and I hate to see it just sitting there and not being used. here is the information on it. The White 3300 ,a dedicated embroidery machine that creates professional style embroidered designs at a price that is truly affordable!The White 3300 has 60 beautiful designs plus 3 built-in alphabet fonts will soon have you embroidering garments, craft items, linens and more. The retail price for this machine is $995.00 Please email me if anyone is interested at knitknat1021@yahoo.com. I also have a disney design cartridge and a letter cartridge. That I would like to sell. I would be happy to sell them both for $25 for the set as they retail for $59 each. They also fit all Brother Machines.

Car Seat Blanket Pattern

Ok it is too hot today to do anything outside. It is already over 90 degrees here outside of Hot’lanta (Atlanta, GA) it is supposed to hit a high of 96 today. So I think I will stay inside and finish the baby blanket that I started on Thursday. I have started to make small car seat blankets for my friends babies. The blankets are made to fit the width and a little longer than the length of the car seat. Supplies #15us (10mm) 29” (73.5cm) circular needles 2 balls of Caron 6oz. Simply Soft Brites (Berry Blue) 1 ball of Caron 6oz. Simply Soft Brites (Blue Mint) This is the length of the blanket. Pattern is as follows: CO 100 stitches with all three yarns held together as one. Rows 1-3 knit every stitch Row 4 k3, p, to last 3 stitches and then k3 Row 5 Knit Repeat rows 4-5 until you have approximately 20 inches (this is the width of the car seat plus 4 inches). Then repeat rows 1-3 Bind off. This is a very quick and inexpensive baby gift that is practical. Having two children I should know because I remember struggling with a large blanket that would not stay in place and cover the baby in the winter so this is the reason behind this pattern.

Buttonhole Bag

I have been looking for a easy button hole bag pattern for a while so I did not have to make up my own. My quest led me to Mason - Dixon Knitting located at www.masondixonknitting.com I have included the link to the exact page by just clikc ing on the title of this post. She has also included pictures of the 9 bags her friend knitted in one week (yes I said nine 9) she must have been knitting day and night with out stopping. I just thought you all might like her verson of the pattern for your collection.

I just needed a Sounding Board . . .

Ok I think I am going to have to come up with a quicker baby gift that baby blankets. We have 4 women in our church now that are going to have or have just had a baby. I have completed one blanket and one baby cardigan, I am now working on another blanket and it seems to be knitting up faster that the first one, I started it yesterday and am about halfway through it. The shop has been a little busier today but I still have not had to many sales. I am going to keep my chin up though. I had to pay the rent today and they want to talk about renewing the lease, and I am wondering if I should. I have to make a decision by the middle of next month; I really do not know what I am going to do business has been so off for the past few weeks, I am wondering if it is just summer vacation or if I have not been able to overcome my location. I don’t have any in-and out parking you have to Parallel Park in front of the shop and if you don’t want to do that you have to park about a block away. I guess I need to think about that my best months were the last four months of the year and they are just around the corner. I am thinking about adding yarn to the mix of items that I sell in my shop. I carry Home accessories and gifts right now and the closest yarn shop is about 45 min away. A few people have told me that they wish I would carry yarn. I sell some of my hand knits in the shop also and people are always asking what type of yarn I use and where can they buy it. I also teach beginner-knitting classes, and I sell knitting knits for these classes, but I have yet to break into the yarn market. I am just rambling now. Sorry about that but my best friend has been out of town for the past week and she normally is my sounding board for my ideas and I just need to sound off today.

My Color Palette

These are some of my favorite colors to work with. I really like the bright colors even though depending on the season I am making something for. I also like earth tones.

My Favorite Yarns

I have been asked to post what my favorite yarns are and here is the top 3 as I can not narrow it down any better. 1. Lambs pride Worsted 2. Classic Elite Imagine (a cotton/rayon blend yarn) 3.Paton's Divine Yarns I would love to work with: Classic Elite Paintbox. ( I plan on getting this from Patternworks as they are the lowest price I have seen They have it for $6.99 per ball and every where else is $14.) Lion Brand Micro Spun Lion Brand Midnight Mohair I really like working with natural and blends of natural and synthetic.

Working throught my stash

I think I am finally getting most of my stash knitted up. I have not bought any new yarn in a while even thought I did get to trade something for some yarn but I am knitting it almost as fast as it comes into my hands. I started looking and most of my stash is just ends of skeins and the yarn that I have recycled over the past month. I think as soon as I am able to buy anything again I will need the yarn. I really would like to make a sweater for myself. I like to one for the book Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits. The weekend wonder. I really like this one and it is knit up on #15 needles but I really don't kniw when I will every be able to afford that big of a yarn purchase. I do normally spend more than $10 per purchase. My husband has been out of work for about 3 months now and I have a small gift shpo and business has been so slow that I have been just making my overhead. I just feel a little down on myself right now and I had to say this somewhere. If I talk to me husband about feeling this way I think it makes him feel worse. He has a job prospect but it does not start until the middle of august and he is do some farm work on the side with is paying some of the bills . So I have to learn to rein in my yarn shopping habits, and I just like most women I know love to shop. I just love to shop for yarn.

Just a quick post

I found some cool patterns that I think might end up being Christmas gifts. They are all made using Simple rectangles. I was looking around the web for some quick and easy gift ideas for a few of my friends. I want to make a gift for my secret pal at church for my reveal gift, it will have to be for a reveal gift because if I give it to her prior to that she will know who I am immediately. She is a real good friend of mine and it has been real hard to keep it secret from her. My oldest daughter Anastasia has not told her yet which is a miracle, because she normally slips and says something about the gift I gave and asks the person how they like what I gave them. Well here are the links to the patterns so you all can get the use out of them also.

Shawl

Poncho

Shrug

I got a not so Random RAOK yesterday.(form my mom), so I bought myself a set of note cards and a pair of Lion Brand cable needles and A Susan Bates size #15 29” Circular needles, I really needed this size as I have straight needles and now I have the correct length to make the shawl that I have been designing. I am working on different ways to use multiple stands of yarn for a shawl, I am still hung up on the stitch pattern but I have a basic pattern for what I want. I am thinking about doing just a garter stitch and using worsted weight yarn on such a large needle, which should give me a very open finished fabric. I am also thinking about using a feather and fan pattern and using a thinner yarn to give a lacier look. I will post when I decide. I may even put up a new poll to she what you all think would be a good stitch pattern. For one thing I do not like to read a chart and I have found a few older knitting books form the 60’s that have complicated patterns written out and not charted. I was going through my magazine stash the other day and I found a copy of Martha Stewart Living, from Dec. ’04 and it had a very good explanation and illustrations for sock knitting. I had been looking for this issue at our local library and was unable to locate it so I decided to go through my many boxes of magazines and lo and behold there was the exact issue that had been eluding me for so long. I am still looking for quick gift patterns if anyone has any tips for locating some good free patterns please comment and I would really appreciate it. I am thinking about trying my hand at knitted flowers to use up some of my leftover yarn. I have so many little balls of yarn that only have a few yards that I think that might be a good way to use it up. I have been rambling a little here as I decided to create this post offline as not to tie up my phone line to long today. I really feel like I post more than I actually talk to people. There are not many people in my area that are as crafty minded as I am so I feel a little alienated and this BLOG lets me “talk” about what I love, (making things with my hands). I would like to thank all of you who have visited my BLOG and who have posted such kind words to me. I hope that you all have a very blessed day today. May God bless you all.

Just a little rant, again.

I know I have posted 4 times today and I know that is a lot and I think that this might be the last post of the day. Who knows though. My shop business has been slow for the past few weeks so I have too much time on my hands. I hve been knitting talking about knitting and purging my bead stash. I have scaned a few of the ones that I plan on turning into stitch markers as this has become an obsession (making stitch markers) I have found it to be a good way to use some of the beads that have been lying around for a while. As I am a little short on cash lately I have not been able to make any stash purchases except I was able to trade a friend for some hand dyed wool for a candle from my shop, so I did get to add to me yarn stash. I am going to be selling some recycled yarn that I have been recycling from sweaters that I have had in my closet so that I may make some much needed money to be able to start on my holiday projects. I will be posting pictures over the next few days of what I have for sell and if anyone is interested you can email me at knitknt1021@yahoo.com I will have all kinds of fibers for sale from natural to synthetic. I will list the type of fiber along with each picture.

Anthropologie.com

I found an old Anthropologie catalog and I noticed that they sale some very cute hand knitted items and I was wondering if anyone out there had any idea where to find a pattern for some of these items. The first picture is of some knitted cupcakes and the other is a knitted ball ornament. I thought that if I could find a pattern for something like this these would make some very intersting christmas gifts.

Stitch Marker Pictures

Here are the pictures as promised.

The picture of the 3 by themselves are the ones that were made by my 4 1/2 year old daughter. The other picture is of the ones that I made over the past few weeks some of them are about to be mailed out for my first Stitch Marker Swap. and the others are for Stitch Marker Swap 1, for which sign up is still open until july 24, the link is on the side bar.

Stitch Markers

I have been going stitch marker crazy for the past few days. Even my oldest daughter is getting into the act. She made 3 this morning, I am using this as a learning tool to teach her to make patterns that repeat. I let her make one then she gets to make 2 more that are just alike. I think that she just enjoys getting to help me make something. I really enjoy making them with her because it gives us a little one-on-one time. I am going to post a picture of the one's that she made. I think that her color choices are great.

Ribbed Clutch Bag

I have my ribbed clutch bag blocking right now so here is a picture of it prior to blocking. I hope to be able to get this finished tonight, we normally have church on Wednesday night but our youth group is going to a conference so we had church last night. I hope it will be dry by this evening so I can get it sewed up. I thinking about using a D-ring handle for this bag because it would give it a little more length. Please let me know what you think about that.

RAOK Web ring

I was notified today that I have been invited to join the Random Act of Kindness ring and I recieved my first RAOK about one hour later. I got a $5 Gift Certificate to Adagio Teas. I think that was so nice of her to do that for me. It was really nice to get something so soon as I did not join just in hope of recieving something, I joined as a way of being able to bestow a RAOK on someone else. I really cannot wait to send out a few myself.

Cool Pattern

I found a very cool Felted bag pattern. I konw again right. But this one is very easy. It is only supposed to take about 4 hours. I know that depends on hoe fast you knit. I knitted a swatch for a felted bag that I plan on making and the seatch felted just like I wanted so I started the bag yesterday, I hope to have one side complted this afternoon. Click on the title to link to this FREE pattern.

Over 1000 Visitors

As of today this BLOG has have over 1000 visitors. Yeah, I feel I now have Validation. I hope that I have kept you all interested with all of my witty post (LOL). I hop to be able to keep being able to offer some for of useful information and I will keep posting pictures of my completed projects. Thank you all again for visiting.

Felted bag pattern

I found this really cool felted bag that I might just have to start. The best thing about it is the pattern is free, it looks so easy and I cant wait to give it a try. Here is the link for the bag I will post pictures as I progress with this bag. http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html

Clutch Bags

! ! ! WARNING ! ! ! Making Clutch bags can be addictive. I Finished one yesterday all except the handles for which I am waiting for my DH to cut them for me. I started another one but this time I am making it with a k2. p2, rib pattern and the interesting about it is at the top it is narrow and at the bottom is flairs out after you fold it and seam it. I will post a picture as soon as I can get my Digital Camera up and running again. I really need a new one, it is on my wish list.

My Cable Knit Clutch

Thank you so much again to Ruth for the great pattern for the Cable Knit Clutch. http://ruthknits.blogspot.com Here is my version on the needles and off. I just have to add the handles as soon as my DH can get them cut. I started this yesterday and I finished it about 20 min ago. Thanks again Ruth.

Yarn Swap Idea

I really like the Cable Knit Clutch on Ruth Knits and I think I will be making a few with the yarn I receive in the yarn swap as it only takes about 100 yards on #10 needles.

New Daily read

http://ruthknits.blogspot.com This link is on the sidebar but I thought it was worth mentioning she has a great pattern for a Cable Knit Clutch bag , I started mine yesterday and Now I am almost done knitting it. I will post a picture as soon as I get a chance.

Interweave Knits

I just subscribed to Interweave Knits Yesterday . I did this online and I was immediatly sent the Password for the Subscribers content. Oh MY Goodness, they have so much that you can have access to by being a subscriber. I really love that they have all the back articles of Beyond the Basics. this is my favorite part of each issue, I have learned so much from the ones online. They have embroidery techniques, and color work and so much more. I really think that this was money well spent, not to mention the subscriber only patterns on the web also. Check out the link in the title.

Stitch marker Swap 1

I am now a member of this stitchmarker swap . Sign up is still open on: http://stitchmarkerswaps.blogspot.com

Do you prefer shorter or more dangling type of markers? I really like the dangling ones.

Is there any kind of markers that you would absolutely NOT want to recieve? no Colors you like most? I really like bright colors.

Colors you like least? not any one in particular .

Would you prefer markers for smaller or larger sized needles?

I normally use us size # 6 and larger up to size #17 I would like them to at least fit my 10.5 because I use this size the most.

Do you want your sender to reveil themselves when there shipped or at a later date? They can reveil them selves at the end of the swap.

How would you like to find out if at all? maybe in a letter or e-mail

Anything that you like your sender to know that would be helpful for them.

I really like to knit scarves and I also like to knit blankets so I use the markers on both type projects. My newest enjoyment is making purses. I am working on a cable knit clutch.

Hand Dyed Cotton

Hand dyed cotton for swap.

Yarn Swap 2005 UPDATE

I am extending sign up until July 31, 2005 and the sign up drawing will be helad on August 1, 2005 Yarn Swap '05 Email me if you would like to join. Name Address Email address BLOG address (not required to participate) Let me know what type of projects that you like to do, and how many skeins you would like to swap (up to 5). The more participants that we get will mean the more people that you will get to swap with. There is a picture of the 5 skeins that I will swap. I have included 2 skeins of hand tied yarn, 100% cotton hand dyed, and some chenille The Rules. You will send out one skein to every name on your list, and you will get one skein for every one your send out. No 100% acrylic yarn .You can send wool, nylon(ie. novelty yarn), cotton, wool blends, Cotton blends, etc. Just not the cheap 100% over 500 yard Acrylic variety. http://www.knitpicks.com/ is a great place to get very good fiber for a very good price. This will help you add to your stash while purging your own collection.*Make sure that every skein that you a send has the original label attached to it. Sign up begins today and ends July 13, 2005. There will be a sign up prize drawing on July 14, 2005 and if you win you will be notified by the next day Please not that you information will be kept confidential and will only be given out to the people that will be sending you yarn.

POLL

I was just wondering if you listen to music while you knit? I like listening to the radio. But I also can knit while watching TV. So the Hot question for the day is: What do you listen to while you knit?

Found a Cool Stitch Pattern

I found this stitch pattern on DIY Net and I plan on using this for a baby blanket I plan on using #8 needles to cast on and #6 to finish the piece. I am working on my gage swatch and I will post it as soon as I get it done. Fishnet stitch CO with size 11 needle. Switch to size 9 needles. Every row: K1 *YO, k2tog* to last stitch, K1. Work for about 20 rows. BO with size 11 needle. Click on the title for the link to the article.

yarn swap button 

Cool hat patterns

I fond a really cool website that has some trendy patterns and I though I would post the link to my favorite pattern. It is called the Anna Hat The Link to this pattern in in the title.

Pinwheel Baby Blanket

Here is the pattern:http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htmand here is a link to hints and a gallery of other ones.http://larissmix.typepad.com/photos/pinwheels/ As posted by Jayme on http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37744

Baby blanket progress

I am almost finished with the baby blanket and just in time the baby shower is tonight and I have to have it done by 7pm. I have about 13 inches left to complete and I am working on 10 1/2 size needles sa that means I will be working on it the rest of the day so I have to get off this blog and get to work. That is what I have been telling myself for the past 30 min. I have been tring to catch up on my daily reads and I have been taking to long on the Knitter's review Forum. I will say that I have gleaned some very good information along the way though. I think I will make my next project a circular baby blanket and not a square, that is what I decided after seeing examples of it online. I need to find the link and post it because it is very cool. You are supposed to start out on DPNs but now that I have learned to knit on 2 circular needles I think that I will try that technique with this project.

Southern Knit Bloggers

I have just been informed this morning that I have been admitted to the Southern Knit Bloggers Web Ring. Yahoo! I have been validated by yet another Web Ring. Thank you , thank you. Enjoy the link.

A Good Yarn

I have just finished A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber. I think that this book lived up and exceded my expectations, it left me wanting more. I love the way she was able to combine knitting in to a very good read. Click on the title os this post to go to Debbie Macomber's website.

On the needles Now

I have been reall busy this week as I have a baby shower tomorrow night and I am only halfway finished with the baby blanket that I am knitting. I am doing it is a k2, p2 rib pattern using Lion Brand Homesoun on #10 needles. I really like the way it looks , it is for a little boy so I am using the color Waterfalls. the way the yarn changes color is making a soft stripe pattern of about 4 rows per color. I will post a photo soon. I used this same yarn for a garter stitch triangle shawl, and it turned out lovely. I love the shawl because I made it big enought to wrap around me while I am reading a good book.

Sock pattern

I found a great sock pattern I think I an going to try it uses size #6 and #8 needles so I think that it might be easy to complete. I will let you know I have included the link to the pattern here. http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/joanssocks.txt

Baby Blanket Pattern

Previously posted on the Knitter's Review Forum This is a pattern created and I have used for a few blankets. I use lion brand homespun yarn. 2 skeins and size #10 1/2 needles. Cast on 90 row #1 k2, p2 until end row #2 purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches. Repeat the rows until piece measures 36" and bind off. This is a ribbed pattern that will knit up fast and you will have a perfict blanket for a Car seat.

Just a little rant

I think I am going crazy. Every since I finished school a couple of weeks ago I have been doing nothing but thrying to catch up on my knitting I have 2 more baby sweaters to finish and a scarf to finish for a display in the shop and I have to decide what 3 projects I will be teaching in my beginner knitting class that starts next saturday. I am thinking about doing a cell phone caddy to hang off a purse strap, and the ruffle scarf that I started last night. I will be looking for the rest of the weekend for a good first project.

My other passion SHOES

A watercolor I painted of my other passion. Shoes

On the needles now

Ribbed scarf with ruffle edge. us# 8 and Hand painted, hand spun 100% wool heavy worsted weight