Fiber Friday ~ Handknit Neckwarmer

TGIF! 

This is one of my favorite wool neckwarmers in my etsy shop.  It is incredibly warm and the colors are a wonderful blend of blues and greens.

Enjoy your Friday!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Pearl Cable

This week I am featuring the Pearl Cable stitch. This is a great little filler stitch and can be used anywhere to add texture and fun. 

As with most cables, using purl stitches before and after will help it stand out and really make it pop.  This stitch requires making cables in front and in back of the work.

I used a 4 stitch variation, but it can be worked in 6 or 8 as well for a bulkier look.

The cable is made by repeating these 4 rows:
Row 1: C2F, C2B
Row 2: P
Row 3: C2B, C2F
Row 4: P

Click here for details on how to make cables

So far, I've used this sweet little cable in an electronic cozy and a couple scarflettes.  I really love it and I already have some ideas that include a shopping bag and a baby bib, but the details haven't been worked out yet.

For a quick and easy project, try this electronic cozy pattern for just $4.  It is worked in the round on double pointed needles and is a great way to use up left over yarn. 

Also check out this fun and warm scarflette in pink worked with alpaca and silk blend.  It is incredibly soft!

Or this scarflette made with merino wool in a beautiful charcoal grey

 
Until next week, keep those knitting needles clicking and stay warm!

Next week's stitch:  Wavy Cables

The Snow Has Arrived!

I was starting to get worried that we would have a green Christmas!  Not that we ever have them here in Central NY.  I think I can remember one year that it didn't snow and I've been around for quite a few years....   But, not to worry, the white stuff has arrived.

I like the way the snow covers the trees and houses. I like it more when I am inside one of those houses looking out the window.  But, here it is, in all its glory.

I've knit up a few pairs of fingerless gloves and scarflettes to keep you warm.  So stop by my shop and stock up on warm and cozy accessories to keep the chill away~

I've also added a couple felted wool bowls that make great Christmas gifts.  Fill them with candy, nuts or cookies and you have a beautiful gift that can be used all year long! 

So come on in on etsy or artfire for some fabulous finds!

Stay Warm ~~

My new motto this winter is "Stay Warm".... and what better way to do that is with a snuggly wool blend outdoor accessory set.

This just listed in my etsy shop -  Three warm and cozy must have accessories in one set!

Includes Headband (earwarmers), Scarflette, and Fingerless Gloves ~ All in soft wool / acrylic blend and hand knit.  Whether your going on cross county ski trail or just making your way through the urban jungle to work each day, this set will keep you warm this winter.

Stay Warm!

New This Week

This week I have been working on a custom order for three photo album covers.

The request was for a 8 inch high and 10 inch wide book with a 2 inch by 6 inch opening in the front. The cover is to be fixed to the book with adhesive by the client and it was requested that it was made with a natural looking wool.

My trial one came out pitiful! But I think I needed to work through it to figure out what works well. The second one came out good and I'll be knitting up the remaining 2 covers this week.



I was also able to get these fun items completed this week:

Felted Card Holder $12


Knit Wool Blend Double Braided Cable Scarflette in georgeous cranberry $25


Red and Grey Felted Wool Bowl $18


All would make fabulous gifts.

New this week

I've added several new goodies to my shops this week...

Come on in and take a peek:

Felted Wool Bowl with a lovely purple rose. A perfect gift for that hard to buy for woman:



Wavy Fingerless Gloves in beautiful plum - and a matching scarflette, just to tempt you a bit more ~~




A beautiful scarflette / mini shawl knit in a lovley textured pattern in 100% wool for those chilly days ahead.

Sunday Morning

This week I have added 2 new scarflettes in a double braided cable pattern to my shops. I just love the way they turned out and I have sent the pattern to my tester this week so I will be offering the pattern for sale soon.

I think the details are just stunning.


Pink Wool:


Winter White Wool Blend:


Both are available on etsy or artfire


I am working on some really cool wavy cables fingerless gloves this week. I have one done and can't wait to finish the second one! Hoping I will get them up on etsy and artfire before the weeks end.

Oh, and for all you fiber lovers - I will be at the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival in Greenwich NY September 26 & 27. There will be Demonstrations, Workshops, Entertainment and even Live Animals on display. Hope I will see you there!

New Items

As I await for the winner of my giveaway to reply to my notice, I will show you some of my newest bowls.

This brown bowl is semi-felted with wool and acrylic. I thought I would try something a bit different and am very pleased with the way it turned out. It makes a nice bowl for fruit, rolls or home decor, but would also make a great planter cover!



I am loving red lately. It is such a bold and happy color. This red wool bowl blends some orange and yellows throughout and is a nice size to hold all your little items.


This lovely grey wool scarflette is very versitile and can be worn in several different way and is super soft!


And keep you cellphone, camera or ipod scratch free in this pink knit cozy ~

Etsyversary Celebration ~~ 2 - 4 - 8

Come celebrate with me!!

On August 4 I will celebrate my 2nd anniversary on etsy. I couldn't be more thrilled and excited, and I want to share my excitement with you.

I will be running a two week long sale where everything in my shop is 20% off and FREE US shipping! No need to wait for revised invoices or paypal refunds... I went in and changed all the prices and shipping for easy check out.

Starting today - July 31 and ending August 14 - everything in valeriesgallery.etsy.com is on sale. Whether you want to stock up on some holiday gifts or just splurge a bit on yourself, you will find some great bargains!

And if that's not enough ~

I am giving away this beautiful hand knit wool braided cable scarflette to one lucky winner. Just in time for fall!


How to enter? Couldn't be easier - Just leave a comment wishing me a happy anniversary (don't forget to include your e-mail or etsy address!!) and I'll pick a winner on August 14th (my mother's 80th birthday!) Of course, I will have her pick the winner ♥♥ So just drop by and say hi and you will be entered. Good Luck!

Getting ready for fall

Yes - I said fall. Even though we are in the middle of July, my thoughts are about all the wonderful fall colors. Last week I listed 3 new items in my shop and I've noticed that they are all fall-ish and I love the way they look together.

New items include an oatmeal colored knit wool blend clutch is a great shade that will coordinate with just about anything, a rich golden colored knit wool scarflette in ribbed cables, and a fabulous large felted wool bowl in brown and orange.




I have some lovely paprika, sage and red to add in the future weeks, so be on the look out!

Scarflette Knitting Pattern

After many inquiries, I am finally offering the Classic Cable Scarflette pattern for sale in both my etsy shop and artfire studio.


I never really followed patterns and when I make my own work, I just scribble notes to my self in a notebook. No one could decipher these notes, in fact, sometimes even I can't! But I've had so many knitters ask me to sell the pattern, that I took some time to write Classic Cables out properly.

I asked a sweet lady that inquired about purchacing the pattern if she would be willing to test the pattern for me and exchange, she would get the pattern for free. Well, after a few revisions and a few tips from my etsyhooker friends on how to use PDF technology, Classic Cables Scarflette Pattern is ready to debut!

The pattern includes photographs and a few tips that can be used with all your knitting projects. These tips will keep your work flat, even and easy to work. The pattern can be adapted easily for a full length scarf as well as a button up scarflette. All the photos in this blog entry are knit with the same pattern


I would love to share with you what my tester said about this pattern: I really enjoy making small projects. I like that it is done on big needles with two strands of yarn. I have arthritis and small needles are difficult for me to knit with. I like that the repeat is only eight rows - short enough that I could memorize it and not have to keep looking at the pattern and still be able to watch a movie while I'm knitting it.

I'm already starting to work on writing up a second one and couldn't be more excited that I am finally getting these documented. This pattern is available for $4.50 and will be sent to you via e-mail in PDF format.


So if you are looking for a quick and fun project and want to impress your friends and family with your knitting skills, consider this pattern. You won't regret it!

Sunday Morning

March has come and although it is a beautiful Sunday morning, it is still very cold. These pictures were taken just today and I think the snow can just go away till next December.




New in my shop this week~~~

Knit Wool Classic Cable Scarflette ~ Black



Knit Felted Wool Bangles ~ Charcoal Collection



Crocheted Felted Wool Pins and Hair Ponies:





Visit me on etsy, shophandmade and artfire