New Sock patterns

I've added a couple of new sock patterns to my etsy shop and ravelry page.

A Walk through the Cedars and Kindred Spirits are both knit toe up and TAAT (Two at a time).


I find knitting both socks at the same time keeps tension even and eliminates counting rows for the second sock.


Both of these patterns include charts and written instructions to complete.  Grab some of your favorite fingering yarn and knit up a pair or two!

Cardigan Sweater, Boot Slippers, Pinwheel Pouch and an Owl

Christmas is coming FAST and projects are everywhere in my house.

Right now I have a poncho, a sweater, a pair of socks and a shawl all on the needles.

This week I was able to finish up a few, including this great cardigan sweater.  I originally intended this one was for my Mom, but the sizing came out a bit small.  I will need to order yarn and start over 2 sizes bigger, but the pattern is super easy and it is a quick knit. This pattern is available on ravelry here for $5.00 by Megan Goodacre.  The pattern is well written and a very quick knit, well worth $5..
Just make sure you check your gauge and select the right size.
This one will go to my very petite friend!

 

 

 

These house boot slippers were super fun to make and are for daughter Erin.  In lieu of chunky yarn, I used double strands of worsted.  The pattern can be found here and is FREE!

 

I did some modifications to the pattern itself, but mine came out very similar:



This cute, cute mini pouch is perfect for my neighbor girl.. Plan to put a bit of cash in there for her!
The pattern can be found here and is also FREE

And lastly, another free pattern for this fun fun fun owl.  Knit up with scraps and left over buttons, this is for my son's girlfriend who really likes owls... Total project time for this one was about an hour.  Can't beat that!

Hoping you all have your holiday projects going in full swing and are closer to completion that I am!
Happy Knitting

Little Man Sweaters

I'm always looking for fun knits for my grandsons and I recently found this really fantastic pattern on Ravelry for wee ones.  Of course it is a unisex design, but boy oh boy, it sure fits the bill for a little man's sweater. 

The pattern is Abate by Alicia Plummer. It is so well written that I didn't ever.. not once.. question what I was doing on each and every step. It is knit top down in the round so there is very little seaming. And it has the best underarm attachment that I have done to date.

I would definitely recommend this pattern if you need to make a sweater for kids. 

I knit up this one for my Grandson Gavin that just turned 3 last June.  I used Vanna's Choice Acrylic and it came out soft and snuggly, just like Gavin.

I liked the pattern so much, I did another for my other Grandson Warren, who just turned 7 this past May.  I did a little modification and added some textured design around the chest. For this one, I used (GASP!!) Red Heart with Love acrylic.  Now, I am a huge yarn snob and usually won't allow Red Heart in my house, much less knit with it.  But, after constant complaining from the mothers about the inability to wash and wear, I caved and bought some.  I am actually quite surprised that it didn't squeak on the needles and it is much softer than the regular Red Heart.

Anyway,  the pattern is FANTASTIC and I will probably make it again with some modifications. Definitely a great skeleton pattern to build your creativity!

Keep your needles clicking ♥

Fingerless Gloves

I've been working on fingerless gloves lately and have perfected a pattern for simple, yet interesting mitts!

I love the swirly wrists and the smooth palms! The design really does fit like a glove!


I hope to make several more in various colors, but if you need a particular color or size, please feel free to contact me and I will make a pair especially for you. Or, if you are a knitter, check out the PDF pattern for these fun gloves!



And don't forget to check out this brand new matching oversized cowl!


I will be releasing the PDF file for the cowl pattern in a few days.

Stay warm!!

New Knitting Pattern

I just received the ok from my tester that this pattern is perfect and it is now available to you!

This incredible cowl is so much fun to make and although it looks complicated, it really is rather easy. It is worked in the round on circular needles and I have included an easy to follow grid to help you keep track of the rounds for perfect results!

This cowl would look fantastic in any color. I think I will make my next one in stripes! Imagine the possiblities ♥

This pattern is available in both my etsy shop and my artfire studio for just $4.50. Come and look for other patterns in my shop as well.

Where did summer go?

Just last week we had sweltering temps here in central NY. Yesterday we woke up to 55 degrees. My youngest daughter started her second year at community collgege and after labor day, the school busses will be back on the roads. My garden is starting to slow down and will soon be ready to prepare for next year and the days are starting to get shorter and shorter. Where did summer go?

Cold weather is coming soon and I have a brand new scarflette that I am most excited about that is called Waves. The one below is the first one that is available and is made in a beautiful tan and is so soft knit with a wool and acrylic blend.


I wrote the pattern out while making it and my tester is already making sure there are no mistakes. Once she is finished, this pattern will also be available in my shops, so stay tuned for that! And in the meantime, if you want to get your knitting needles clicking, check out these two knitting patterns. They are both quick and easy knits but with stunning results that will really impress your friends!



I find such comfort knitting on cold rainy days, so off I go to my knitting chair with a cup of coffee. Hoping you all have a great day!

Etsy
Artfire

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!

Knit Afghan ~ For the Manly Man

My 22 year old son recently moved to his own appartment. He's a lucky guy and found a great little one bedroom, kitchen, bath and living room flat in a nice neighborhood that is less than a mile from where he works.

After a weekend of moving his bed, dresser and 'stuff' (he has alot of 'stuff') he was quite at home - home without furniture, chairs, kitchen necessities, or groceries. But he was persistant and and wanted to do this on his own, so my husband and I drove away (after doing a bit of grocery shopping to stock the fridge) and let him at it.

The next weekend, he asked us to come visit to see how he had furnished the appartment. He found a great second hand sofa and chair at a great price in sage green and got a couple of his buddies to help him move them in (I'm sure he paid them with a few beers!). Then he bought a roomsize rug to cover the hardwood floors, again in sage green. But his most impressive furnishing is the 62 inch flat screen TV that takes up one complete wall. And that was it... A couch, a chair and a TV. Furnishing is completed! After all, what else does one need? And all in sage green with white wallls... (except for the black tv).

He did a great job... but it definately needs color. So, I rumaged through my yarn stash and found some browns, blacks, greens and white in acrylic (it must be washable!) and started knitting up an afghan for his couch. I set out to make something that would be manly, yet colorful and I think I suceeded.

This project took 2 full weeks of knitting every evening and some marathon knitting on the weekends but was extremely easy. It measures 42 x 56 inches and has a total of 48,544 knits and purls. The basic stitch is a repeat of 8 simple rows and changing up the colors is what makes the pattern pop. It can be made in any size just by adding or subtracting stiches - but always keep an even amount. I bordered it with seed stich around all 4 sides to give it a nice edging.
I think this stitch would make great scarves, baby blankets and if your dedicated enough, even a bed blanket.



Here is the main stitch pattern:
Row 1 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 2 : P2, K2 * repeat across row
Row 3 : Knit
Row 4 : Purl
Row 5 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 6 : P2, K2 * repeat across row
Row 7 : Purl
Row 8 : Knit

Repeat these 8 rows through out entire project

I used size 10 circular needles, but I wanted it loosely knit with 4 ply worsted weight acrylic yarn. Size 8 needles would work for a tighter stitch, but would make it a bit smaller.

I cast on 164 stitches and did 6 rows of seed stitch (K1, P1)
I followed the pattern above with 5 seed stitches at the beginning and end of each row, changing colors as I went along to reach the desired length and then ended it with another 6 rows of seed stitch.

I did a matching pillow in solid brown working in the round. This was made in a tube shape and because it wasn't worked in rows, the pattern goes a bit differently:
Row 1 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 2 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 3 : Knit
Row 4 : Knit
Row 5 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 6 : K2, P2 * repeat across row
Row 7 : Purl
Row 8 : Purl

If you try this easy pattern, I would love to hear from you how it went for you.

He's coming home for Easter dinner on Sunday and I am giving it to him then. I hope he likes it!

Hooker Spotlight ~ homemadezen

If you are looking for whimsical toys or patterns to make your own crocheted toys, you must check out homemadezen on etsy. Her work is impeccipable and oh so sweet!

Zen is a system engineer by day and an estian by night. She belongs to EtsyHookers, CAST and EtsyHomeFront teams, so you can see she is a busy gal. But being busy doesn't keep her from coming up with fabulous new ideas. Her newest ~ The cutest owl clutch ever!

Just like me, her mother taught her to crochet. I think it is so wonderful that we can keep these skills going from generation to generation, yet adding our own style and techniques with each new generation.

Keep up the great work, Zen. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!