Knitted Sweater

So, I alluded to it in this post ... that years ago I actually knit myself a couple sweaters. I seriously feared that they didn't fit anymore, so haven't tried them on for over FOUR years! After knitting the GAP-tastic Cowl and seriously re-igniting my knitting crush, I tried them on. Hallelujah, they fit! One is a little tight, but it'll do.

This sweater was knit with the Zephyr Style Rusted Root Pattern. I used to really enjoy reading their blog and knitting from their patterns. This is knit from the top down in one consecutive piece - that's really the only way I'll knit clothing. Seriously, who wants to knit a bunch of pieces only to have to sew them together?

That's probably I've always been a big fan of Stefanie Japel's (aka Glampyre) work as well ...

I gotta point out that the design of this is so clever. Across the bust, there are not yarn overs or holes for the obvious reasons ... but as you knit farther down the sweater and need the extra width to accomodate the middle and hips, the pattern expands and you have yarn overs which make for a beautiful leafy pattern.

I wish I could recall what yarn I used, but I have no idea. I guess this was knit sometime in 2005 or 2006 ??? I am just crazy enough to have saved ALL my yarn labels, so I bet I have it somewhere in my bin of yarn goodness, but I'm not brave enough to tackle that project just yet. Resolution?

Anyway, I love knitting again. Made two more cowls since this one, and am planning to crank out some more for Christmas presents - people seem to love them! :)

Happy knitting / crafting!
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GAP-Tastic Cowl & Knit Along

Yay for knitting! A couple weeks ago, I saw that Shannon of LuvintheMommyhood (love that blog name!) was hosting a Carefree Cowl Knit Along! I have been itching to knit something and was happy to jump right on this bandwagon!

She did a fantastic roundup of cowl patterns of all kinds ... I really liked this simple yet stylish one. It's the GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley (on Ravelry). I went w/ the EXACT recommended yarn and had this Cowl done in no time!

Seriously, I can barely watch TV (or just sit, or ride in a car frankly)  without having something else to do ... and if I have a project on the needles, you can believe I'm knitting and watching! After 8pm generally when the kids are down ... because then I can turn on Criminal Minds without worrying they'll have nightmares for life.

Anyway, this cowl is really versatile and the yarn is surprisingly soft! I haven't knit as much the last 4 years (I seem to have shifted to sewing) but it was really nice knitting again. I think it's this time of year or something. :)

On another random note, I pulled out the sweaters I knit over 5 years ago this past weekend! I was so afraid that none of them would fit, but all but one did fit! I was thrilled ... I am going to put them back in circulation now that the weather is cooler here. Update ... here's one!

Finally, I've already started and just about finished another cowl - the Marian pattern by Jane Richmond. I'm using a really light blue yarn and it's soo pretty. I **think** I'm going to gift both of these for Christmas but just may have to wear them until then!

Thanks luvinthemommyhood for the great inspiration; it's nice to be back in the knitting ring! I think I'm addicted -- for the second time in my life!

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Dobby Doll - Harry Potter Submission

I give you the Dobby Doll with a Gryffindor spirit knitted scarf! (You got that, right?)

My husband asked if I made a voo-doo doll.

My youngest daughter took one look and pronounced 'hims scary.'

I look at him and wonder where cute little Dobby went? He turned out a little creepier than I intended; however, he is so funny looking that I cannot help but laugh.

To make this creepy Dobby Doll, I traced the shape of Dobby onto two pieces of muslin and sewed him up. I stuffed w/ polyfil and drew on his face with Painter's Fabric Markers (like I used here). I used a scrap t-shirt sleeve to make his dress, which is tied on with a piece of yarn. Then I knitted a mini scarf in the Gryffindor colors, to show Dobby's love for Harry. :)

Dobby is seriously one of my favorite characters in the series ...and I just knew I had to include knitting somehow in this challenge (due to my love for Mrs. Weasley and all) Love her!

Anywho ...hope you enjoy the Harry Potter submissions and be sure to vote for your favorite :)

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Knitted Dishcloth with Pattern/Tutorial

Hi, this is Sarah talking to you in blue and this is Sara talking to you in red. We’re both here today to talk to you on the very important subject of dishcloths.

First and foremost, we recommend you avoid doing dishes if at all possible. It’s a despicable task. But if you find yourself in a predicament where you MUST wash the dishes (like I did through the month of December when my dishwasher broke and I had to hand wash everything, grrr) then these make it a little better!

Yes, if you insist on washing your dishes, then you need knitted dishcloths. I don’t think there is anything better for this horrible job. Not only do knitted dish rags get the job done, but you can toss them in the washer and dryer when you’re done. Plus, they last for years. It's true.

Knitted dishcloths are my “go-to” waiting room project. I like them because they travel well. You don’t have to lug along a pattern book, several skeins of yarn, stitch markers, a scissors, etc. All you need is one set of needles and one skein of yarn. You can put it down and pick it up easily without losing your pattern stitch. The work is mindless and easy, and a great way to pass the time while you wait for the tires to be rotated, or for the doctor to come in with your test results. For me, they are the perfect take along for a road trip. I recently discovered, I can knit the first half of these in pitch black. I really need to invest in a book light turned knit light for my road trips! I also really like knitting these while I'm watching TV - perfect mindless accompaniment.


Everyone has their favorite dishrag pattern. This is my favorite which I shared with Sara several years ago. I LOVE this pattern - have made countless dishcloths, thank you Sarah! It has an attractive finished edge on all four sides. It’s also worked in garter stitch which gives it a great textured surface for scrubbing dirty plates.

This is, by no means, an original pattern, just an old standby used by many over the years that we’re passing on to you. We’ll be looking for you knitting away in the waiting rooms of the world!

A set of coordinating dishcloths makes a great gift. I did this for Mother's Day one year. (OH my gosh, was it okay to give dishcloths for Mother's Day? You're not supposed to give women kitchen things, right? OOPS!). 

Anyway, I bet you money that if you gift these, you'll get requests for more. My mom has received several kinds of knitted dishcloths as gifts, but swears 'mine' are her 'favorite' and she 'must' have more. :)  Mom, they are in the works!

Make 3 or 4 and give as a set with some nice soap!

KNITTED DISHCLOTH PATTERN


Yarn: heavy worsted weight 100% cotton (like Sugar ‘n Cream brand) (<----that's my favorite brand too)
Needles: US size 7 (or size that gives you a nice, consistent tension) (I use size 8)


CO 4
Rows 1-3: k 4 even
Row 4: k 2, yo, k to end
Repeat Row 4 until there are 50 stitches on the needle; begin decrease
Dec Row: k 1, k 2 tog {or, sl1, k1, psso if you prefer that method}, yo, k 2 tog, k to end
Repeat Dec Row until there are 5 stitches on the needle
Next Row: k 1, sl 1 st, k 2 tog, psso, k 1 (4 st remaining)
Next Rows: k even
Next Row: BO all st

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Scrapbuster No. 26: Who says BOWTIES are for boys?

love a girl's profile! (don't say a word about that bottle - i know, and i've decided not to care! ;-)

As I was perusing through my Google Reader the other day, I noticed that LuvintheMommyhood recently posted another fun Comfy Knits vs. Sew roundup on her blog. Since I love to both knit and sew, I  hoped over to check it out. It was there that I saw an adorable picture & link to the cutest bowtie ever - and it was KNITTED! It is called "easiest bowtie ever" and you can find the pattern on Ravelry (which is free to sign up if you haven't already; it's a website full of good stuff for knitters & crocheters).

I was planning to make a bowtie from a upcycled skirt for scrapbuster month, but when I saw the knitted one - I just knew I had to make it.  I used leftover hot pink yarn from my knitted old school christmas tree lights garland - my submission for our Christmas Decor Challenge, and some size 4 knitting needles.

that hair pin is just slipped through the loop (not permanently attached)

I've had a sick child this week, so the well child and I were camping out in my room across the house trying to be quiet. We do this by turning on Handy Manny in case you're wondering. Since I can only handle about 5 minutes of Manny, Kelly, Pat, Turner, Flicker and crew ... I seized an opportunity to KNIT! I grabbed my stuff real quick and got to working! (Of course, as soon as Miss Priss saw me knitting, she insisted I get 'her lellow' yarn so she could 'yarn' with me - ha ha!).

About three episodes of Handy Manny later, wa-lah! Hot pink knitted bowtie ... love!

As pictured here ... I'm going to use this as a hairbow! Of course, I could attach as a traditional bowtie, but my model is CRAZY ticklish and won't let me ANYWHERE near her neck to try it on!

Speaking of model difficulty ... I have another bowtie (the one made from an upcycled skirt) completely finished and ready to photograph, but no participatory models. :( I tied it on a baby doll just for fun, but it is so creepy looking on her that I refuse to post. I'll just have to use some good old bribery on my models and see if I can get a picture!

she must wear the piggy shirt every.day.

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Scrapbuster No. 3 & Challenge Submission: Knitted "Iliana" I-Cord Headband with Tutorial!

We seem to forget about scrap yarn, but if you’re a knitter, you hang on to it just like a quilter holds on to her scrap fabric.  What should you do with it?  Here’s one idea: an I-cord headband.

This was quick and easy to make, and would be a great base for embellishments like knitted or crocheted flowers.  I used the leftover yarn from knitting a cotton dishrag and there was plenty to complete this project.  

I named this project in honor of my supermodel, Iliana!  She could make anything look good!

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Socks Education Part 1: Making it a Pleasurable Experience

 

There comes a time in every knitter’s life when an older knitter needs to sit them down and have a frank discussion about socks.  Well, knitters, that time has come.  Prepare yourself Socks Education.

Sarah, the Obsessed Knitter

I have been a knitter for 33 years now.  Yes, I’ve been knitting longer than Sara has been alive.  I know my way around a skein of yarn and I’d like to let you benefit from my experience.  I thought I would start with a six part series on socks.

Like Sealy Booth on Bones, I'm not subtle about my sock color.

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Coming February 2nd: Socks Education

Join us on February 2^nd for the first installment of our in-depth, six part series called “Socks Education.” 

This series is for you if:

• you’ve never knitted socks before, but have always wanted to try
• you’ve had a bad socks experience, but would like to try again
• you’ve knitted socks for years, but would like to learn some new techniques
• you enjoy a heavy dose of innuendo with your knitting

As part of this series, you will design your own socks!  Sarah will walk you through each step of the design process and at the end of the series, you will have a “Build Your Own Pattern” (BYOP) template that will allow you to design socks for any foot.

Sara, who has never made socks, will be knitting along.  Here’s the Socks Education class schedule (subject to change).  Why not knit along with us?!

February 2^nd – Part 1:  Making It A Pleasurable Experience

February 3^rd – Part 2:  The Anatomy of a Sock

February 4^th – Part 3:  Diving in with Gusto!:  Casting On, The Cuff, and The Leg

February 11^th – Part 4:  Taking Your Socks Life in a New Direction:  Turning the Heel

February 18^th – Part 5:  Finishing Off: The Toes

February 19^th – Part 6:  Doing It Over and Over:  BYOP for Basic Crew Socks

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One Pretty Thing

We are excited to be featured on One Pretty Thing again! The Princess Scarf is included on today's Knitting Roundup!

If you're here from OPT, stick around a second and register your vote ... not for the Elections on Tuesday, but for Sara & Sarah's Challenge No. 6: Knitting for Little Girls! Do you like the Princess Scarf or the Winter Garden Stocking Cap better? Who are Sara & Sarah? We are two friends dueling it out every other week over different crafts. We are having a lot of fun & thanks for visiting our little blog!

And ... if you've never visited One Pretty Thing, it's an amazing website with lots of pictures and links every day to tutorials for all sorts of crafts: sewing, cooking, crafting with kids, knitting, etc! Click over there and be prepared to get lost in crafting ideas!

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Winter Garden Stocking Cap Tutorials

Since the Winter Garden Stocking Cap is taking a beating in the polls, I thought I might try campaigning for votes by posting a tutorial!  Actually, two tutorials! You can find both of them after the jump.

First, is my Basic Stocking Cap pattern.  This great pattern can be adapted to any head size and contains instructions for doing this. Second is instructions for making the Felted Wool Flowers.  These little buds are fast and easy to make, and would brighten up any outfit.

Now, how's about some votes so we can get that little girl her Thomas train!
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Challenge No. 6: Knitting for Little Girls - The Submissions

Read more about the Winter Garden Stocking Cap here.

Read more about the Princess Scarf here.

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Princess Scarf - About It & Tutorial

My submission for Challenge No. 6: Knitting for Little Girls ... a Princess Scarf. I am calling this a "Princess Scarf" because it's Cinderella's trademark colors, it has beads knit throughout for some pizzazz, and there are knitted pom poms on the ends! (And, the recipient may be a little princess herself.).

Now if you like it too, then vote for it! :-)

This is my first knitted project in a while (there are a couple of UFOs sitting around here begging to be finished) and it was cool to knit again.

About It. The finished measurements are 31" (excluding the pom poms) x 2.5". The yarn is supersoft: Tajmahal Superfine Merino  (70% merino superfine, 22% silk & 8% cashmere ... nice!). For the knitters out there ... made with size 7 Addi turbo needles and I strung the beads onto the yarn. The pom poms were a fun addition and easy to do because you can just tie them onto both ends of the scarf at the very end (as opposed to knitting them on at the beginning and ends). Pom poms are knit flat, edge seamed and stuffed with polyfil. Oh and there are about 400 beads in here. Whew.

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A Garden for Her Head

Imagine it's February in International Falls, Minnesota.  You're in the 5th month of winter.  The crisp white snow has been trampled and driven into a filthy, slushy mess.  The sun hasn't shown in a month. The weather guy just predicted sleet and falling temperatures.  It's a grey world and you wonder if you can get to May without shooting yourself.

What you need to cure your winter greys is an adorable blonde with a spring garden on her head!  How could this sight not make you smile?  And it's warm, to boot.

Inspiration!  The Winter Garden Stocking Cap was born.




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