Pinwheel Baby Blanket

I made this Pinwheel Baby Blanket for a friend at work. She's pregnant with her second child and doesn't know if she's having a boy or girl so I used a boring color (Rococo). It's made from the recycled Lion Brand Homespun that Mom gave me. She had started a crocheted afghan and got sick of it, so she gave it to me to frog and now I've reused the first skein. There were 6 skeins, so I've got plenty left. Hopefully I can find some other projects or someone who would like a bunch of tan yarn!

Empress Waist Top

Done, worn, photographed! So it was way too big and the ribbon looked ridiculous. There was just too much yarn bunched up - especially in the front. I ended up measuring it and taking it in on both sides by pulling it together in the back along the eyelet row and sewing it together. I think it's very cute, but is also obviously homemade. :( oh well.

And we survived Christmas! Thank goodness it's over - I'm so exhausted!

Snow day!

Snow, sleet, ice... boy do I love Maine. Seriously, I've had enough of this weather. I didn't go outside all day. I did make 4 dozen cookies and candy. This week I'm going to two cookie swaps, so it had to be done. For the cookie swaps I made my "White Chocolate Peppermint Bark" - not exactly a cookie, but then no one else will bring the same one!

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
12oz package white chocolate chips
15 mini-candy canes or 5 regular candy canes
1. Crush candy canes into very small pieces.
2. Place white chocolate in microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir. Heat again for 30 seconds. Stir. This may take more intervals – just don’t let it go too long in microwave without stirring.
3. Pour candy cane pieces in melted white chocolate and stir.
4. Pour mixture on wax paper and smooth out so it’s about ¼” thick. Let cool.

5. Break into 1-2” pieces.

I did manage to get some knitting done this weekend. Since I have some left over homespun I couldn't help myself and made a headband. It's very Christmasy and cute! I did an easy cable - 6 by 6 (3 red, 3 white). I love easy projects like this.

I'm still working on my sweater. The ribbon is not going to work - it's just too bid to sinch. So now I'm going to leave it loose and add a hood. Should be cute and comfortable just like that. As soon as it's done I'll post the pictures!

Plugging along

We're still looking for homes for our other 3 cats. If we can't find homes ourselves for them by this weekend we're going to bring them over to HART. It's so sad. On top of this I'm sick, so I know I'm not quite as strong as usual.

In knitting world, I finished my sweater and it's way too big. I guess I'm not an XL anymore. I'm trying to figure out a way to make it more fitted without ripping it out. I'm sure I'll think of something soon. I've also done a bunch of scarves for friends. Next to get on Ravelry and update. There's so much to put on there and I'm loving just wandering around. And the needles list is so convenient - I need to print mine out.

Time to knit and get some sleep!

Sad Cat Day

Yesterday was sad cat day. We found out the my youngest son is very allergic to the cats. The doctor has said we need to find new homes for all of them. These are my babies from before I had babies... it's so hard! About two hours ago I found out that one of my friends will take one of them - it's great to know at least Angel will have a warm and loving home. I'm going to take her over on Thursday. That's going to be so hard. Here's some pics of my girl!

And on a happier note - I'm finally on Ravelry! check me out - feistyjen!

Mobius Cat Bed

And it's done! My mobius cat bed came out so cute, but how the heck do I get it to stay up like the ones in the book?! Maybe I didn't felt it enough. I love the way it looks right now, so I don't think I'd want to felt it more. Maybe some spray starch will work.

Angel loves it all ready - I'm sure the others will end up climbing in soon as well.

Knit Away Weekend

Last weekend a few of us moms went away to a cabin on the ocean to knit and hang out. It was so nice to get away! We visited the Winter's Gone Alpaca Farm in Wiscasset. How cute is this guy?!? His name is Cinnabon, and unfortunately they were out of his wool. I ended up getting a hank from "Whiskey" - very pretty guy as well, but I didn't get a picture.

After hanging out at the Alpaca farm we headed to Halcyon Yarn. This is the most incredible store yarn store I've ever visited. I could spend hours wandering through the brilliant colors that float all the way to the ceiling. It was knitter heaven.

So I've started Cat Bordhi's Large Kitty Nest. Hopefully I'll finish soon. I actually was thinking that the pattern could be adapted to be a knee length skirt. We'll see - maybe some day I'll figure it out. And my parents sold one of my bags at the craft fair Saturday! So exciting!

Montego Bay Scarf and Felted Purse

Finally pictures of my Montego Bay Scarf! I used Andrea Silk Yarn by Schaefer Yarn Company in the color Frida Kahlo. It's gorgeous. I can't wait to wear it to work this week. The pattern wasn't hard, but it was difficult to knit in such a light lace weight when I'm so used to using worsted weight.



And now I'm working on purses for my parents to sell in their booth at a local craft fair. I finished one small one all ready, and now I'm working on a slighly larger one. Deciding on pricing is so hard! I don't want to make them too expensive, but I do want to make some money on these. Of course if they don't sell they'll be Christmas gifts. I do love creating the felted flower. There's something really cool about using wool roving to create each piece and then to put them together on the purse - I just love it!

Happy Halloween!!!

Knitting furiously!

Knit knit knit! In the last couple weeks I've completed 3 more baby hats, my montego bay scarf and a felted purse. I'm hoping to finish another purse or two this weekend! It's been great to get so much done, and I might even sell a few purses at a craft fair in a few weeks. I'll post pics of my montego bay scarf soon - just have to take the pictures first. I loved the silk yarn, the lace pattern... but it's nice to knit a few mindless purses using chunky yarn sometimes! Time to get back to knitting!!!

Kyle's Sweater and Baby Hats Everywhere!

Kyle's Sweater

I finished Kyle's sweater about a week ago. He claims he'll never wear it out of the house. Unfortnately the pattern was for size 5/6 so it's a little big, but I think it came out beautiful. And I have hope that some day he'll dare wear it to school...

Baby Hats Everywhere!


It seems like everyone's having babies lately. So I'm knitting fast and furious to at least make hats for all the babies! I grabbed some of this delightfully soft yarn - Bunny Hop - at Knit Wit a couple months ago since it was on sale. It makes an adorable hat.... hopefully no one notices that they all are getting the same one!

Knitting Slacker

Yep - I'm a knitting slacker. It's summer in Maine and I haven't really knitted in ages. So this week I decided I needed to go through my stash and organized it. I even pulled out the yarn I'd never use and gave it away. Now I'm down to 3 half-finished projects and 4 file boxes of yarn. I'm so impressed with myself. And just when I thought I had it under control... I had to pick up some yarn for the sleeves on Kyle's sweater and ended up getting 4 skeins to use later on baby projects. At least I'm prepared!

I'm also trying to commit to using my blog more regularly. I've found that I read a ton of blogs (see my ridiculous 'Favs' list), so I might as well start writing! And I'll post some of my favorite podcast sites soon... I'm such a dork. In fact today I was standing waiting for the shuttle listening to a knitting podcast and laughing and getting dirty looks from the homeless guy who sleeps on the vent.

Peace... knit on!

Dyl's New Blanket

So I'm definitely further on Dyl's blanket then I am on my socks. I finished it pretty quickly actually. I used a superchunky yarn - so fast!

Easy Basketweave Blankie

2 skeins mc (green)

1 skein cc (blue)

size 13 needles

Basketweave stitch:

k4p4 for 5 rows

row 6 k

p4k4 for 5 rows

row 12 k

repeat

CO 48 in CC

Work entire blanket in basketweave

Rows 1-2 in CC

Rows 3-42 in MC

Rows 43-60 in CC

Rows 61-100 in MC

Rows 101-102 in CC, BO.

Socks!

Finally I have a copy of "Sock Soar on Two Circular Needles" by Cat Bordhi! My favorite knitting store here in Portland, Knit Wit, just had a few copies come in. I had started a pair, but now I think I'll rip them out and follow her pattern for "Columbine Peak" socks. My yarn should look really nice in that pattern. It's so exciting - I have to resist the urge to do it right now. First I have to finish the baby blanket for Michele that goes with the sweater I just finished.... so many projects, so little time.

I also picked up yarn for Dylan's new blanket - he picked out the colors and now I just have to make his blanket. It's a bulkie yarn so that should knit up in no time - now I just need to decide on a pattern!

Flower Bookmark

This one is a favorite of mine - great for a quick and easy gift!

Use needles the size appropriate for the yarn.

Flower

CO 66 in MC (orange in this one)

Row 1-3 work in stst

Row 4 switch to CC (yellow) and purl
Row 5 K6, twist (rotate the right needle 360 degrees), K6, twist, K6... continue until you reach the end of the row

Row 6: K1, K2tog, continue K2tog until end, K1 (34 sts)
Row 7: same as row 6 (18 sts)

Row 8: same as row 6 (10 sts)

Cut tail leaving enough to pull through stitches and a little extra to attach it to the stem. Pull tail through 10 remaining stitches, pull tight, and fasten off inside flower.

Stem

CO 9

Row 1: K2tog, K2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog

All even rows purl

Row 3: K2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, k2tog

Row 5: K2tog, yo, k5, yo, k2tog

Row 6: purl

Repeat rows 1-6 3 more times

Row 25: K2tog, yo, k5, yo, k2tog

Row 27: K2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, k2tog

Row 29: K2tog, K2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog

Row 30: purl

Repeat rows 25-30 3 more times.

BO.

Attach flower to one end of the stem and weave in ends. Remember to block at the end to flatten your stem!

Rosette

CO 70
Work stst for 5 rows
BO
Shape into rosette and sew into shape.
Felt as directed on label.

Felted Bag Pattern

The “Elizabeth” Bag

Materials
A = light gray
B = dark gray
C = black

1 Skein each in Medium Weight wool
Size 9 needles
Size 9 double-pointed needles
Tapestry needle

Body
CO 60 in A
Work St st for 30 rows
With B work St st for 30 rows
With C work St st for 60 rows
With B work St st for 30 rows
With A work St st for 30 rows
BO

Handles (make 2)
CO 4 in A on double-pointed needles (leave 8” tail)
Work I-Cord for 20 rows, pull end through 4 stitches (leave 8” tail)

Pocket
CO 20 in A
Work St st for 20 rows
BO

Assembly
Fold body in half with WS out.
Sew side seams down from top to 2” from bottom.
Fold bottom so it’s flat (looks like an upside down T) and sew flat bottom/
Repeat for other side.
Center pocket on A near top and sew on.
Using pocket sides as guide, sew on the handles using the 8”tails.

Felting
Felt in the washer. With bag still wet, pull into shape and put a folded towel inside to give bag shape. Let dry completely.