Fair Isle Hat

I've been trying my hand at fair isle or stranded knitting, but really had no instruction or visual aids to go by.  I was going by something I heard years ago about always having the yarn go under the color change so there won't be a hole.

By putting the yarn under each other, it required physically changing the position of the yarn after each stitch, which not only slows down the knitting process, but gets old very fast.

So I did some research on line and came across this wonderful video showing how to knit stranded work without tangling or changing position!  I feel like a silly goat that the items I've knit with color change so far have been knit completely wrong, not to mention the hard way.

If you are new to stranded work, take a moment to view this video from the Philosopher's Wool Company.  She calmingly walks you through the two handed technique.

This brings us to right or left handed knitting.  I have always held the yarn in my left hand.  This technique requires holding yarn in both, one color in the left, one color in the right.

I have found that I am completely uncoordinated using the right, but I'm sure with some practice I can master this. 

I started out with a simple hat, using scraps that I had laying around. 

Knitting this was SO MUCH FUN!  I love working with colors and using the technique from the video, it goes super fast. 

I'll send this hat out to my grandson, Warren who loves skiing and sledding.  With the stranded work, it is like a double knit and sure to be an extra warm hat!

A Couple Hats

I always tend to over buy yarn for projects and usually have quite a bit left over.  So when I purchased yarn for my current project, I did the math and ordered just what they called for. Well, this time I am running SHORT! 

Don't you just want to cry when that happens?  No only will I not get the same dye lot, but now the yarn is no longer on sale and I have to pay full price for 2 balls of yarn.  Woe is me! Well, the order is in and should be shipped soon.

Here are a couple of hats that I made with left overs from previous projects:

This one is my own design, knit for my son who has a huge  head, using left overs from a sweater knit for my daughter:





This one is knit from a pattern I found on Ravelry by Susan Moskwa called Joey.  This one was knit for my son in law with left over yarn from a sweater knit for my grandson.  This was a super fun pattern and it is FREE! 

What do you do with your left over yarn?

Knit Mouse

Picture a dentist office. 

Ok, now that you have your vision in your head, picture this:

Hardwood floors, nice fireplace, beautiful scenic paintings on the walls and lovely decorative items on the fireplace mantel.  In the center of the room, a dentist chair, complete with a back massaging option.  Along one wall a high tech computer showing larger than life size xrays and along the other a huge bay window with a view of city traffic. 

At closer look at the fireplace there are tiny cast iron black mice peeking around photo frames, popping out of the fire logs and hidden here and there through out the room.

Not your typical dentist office, but then my dentist is not typical.  He is one of the most friendly people I know who is super considerate (LOVE the massage chair!).

Because his nick name is Mickey, people bring him mice that he displays in his office. So of course, I just had to add to his collection.

I found a great knit mouse pattern on ravelry by Dooley and Spud called Jingle Mouse - Cat Toy.  The pattern is actually a cat toy with a bell in the body, but I just stuffed mine as it won't be used for a toy.  And I also used little black buttons for the eyes rather than embroidery.

It knit up in a flash and I think it will fit in nicely with his collection. So, the next time I go to the dentist, I will give him a little thank you for installing the massage chair. 

Sweet Blue Bowl

Putting some of my vintage button collection to work on this sweet blue felted wool bowl.  It may be small, but it's very functional (and cute!)

Check out the details on the buttons:

Snowman - Felted Wool Vase

As I sit here listening to the rain coming down, I imagine when all this moisture turns to snow and I can have a real snowman in my yard. That really isn't too far away.. just another month or so.

This cute little snowman vessel is sure to lift your spirits all winter long. He's not just for the holiday season as he can be displayed until February or March!



Enjoy your holiday shopping this year in the comfort of your own home ~ Shop on-line at valeriesgallery.etsy.com or valeriesgallery.artfire.com

New Felted Bowl

In preparation for the upcoming holidays, I made this felted forest green bowl with Christmas in mind. Imagine it filled with peppermints or pinecones. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

But really... just for holidays? I think not! This bowl will look fantastic year round holding anything and everything... everything except your breakfast cereal, that is!

Mini Felted Wool Pumpkins

I had such fun making these mini pumpkins!

They are just too cute and so much fun to decorate your office cubicle or your home ~~









































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Pumpkins

As I wave goodbye to summer I am looking forward to fall with all the spectacular colors. I love crisp mornings and the smell of fall.

And I have added a couple felted wool pumpkins in my shop to help you decorate!





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Artfire

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 ~

Felted Wool Bowl - Poppy Dish

As the world is blooming around me this summer I can't help but take in all the gorgeous colors and shapes. I have some day lilies, tiger lillies, daisies and phlox in full bloom and they are all a great inspiration to me. It amazes me how each flower is diffent and has such detailed structures.

Although my intrepretation is not quite as detailed as Mother Nature provides, it makes me happy create my little bowls based on my surroundings.

This simple Felted Wool Poppy Dish is just perfect to add to any home decorating project. It has vibrant colors and bold simple shapes. Use it by your door to put your keys and pocket change in or on your dresser to keep your bracelets organized.




This bowl and a great selection of other felted wool bowls are available in both my etsy shop and artfire studio.

Sunday Morning

Warren has gone home and life is back to normal here. I will miss the little bugger but I know he is happy back home with his Mom and Dad.

We had severe thunder storms off and on yesterday and through out the night yesterday, but woke up to a bright sunny day. Daryl and I resumed our walking schedule (we certainly didn't need to walk when Warren was here - he kept us hopping all day long!)

But now, it's back to business. I knit up a scarf and a couple scarflettes last week and they are available on etsy and artfire. And I have finally written up a pattern for the classic cable scarflette which is being tested by a wonderful woman who has been knitting for 40 years. When she gets done trying it out, I hope to have it available for sale for $5 on etsy.

New this week is a fabulous wool/silk blend cabled scarf in lucious chocolate brown. This scarf is thick, soft and warm!



Also new is a wool/acrylic blend scarflette in a double seed pattern. Just right to keep off the chill and the natural color will look great with any outfit.


This new 100% wool ribbed cable scarflette in a rich deep blue is incredibly soft and warm.


Hoping you will stop by my etsy shop and artfire studio this coming week as I will have some brand new felted bowls and another new scarflette!

Sunday Morning

It looks like the rain may have finally ended! I woke up to sunshine and warmth today after several days of rain. We went to Vermont to pick up our grandson who will be staying with us for the next week. Of course, he is adorable and super smart for 3 years old. But, I have forgotten how busy 3 year olds can be! It's been so dark and gloomy, I haven't been able to take any good pictures of him yet ~ but here is one in the bath.



Hopefully, today we will go to Sylvan Beach and I can get some good photos then.

On the ride to Vermont, I was able to do some knitting and I have a few new scarflettes in my shops this week. There are a couple more to come, so keep checking in!

This red braided cable scarflette is 100% wool and super, super soft. The red is very vibrant with white buttons ~~



This natural braided cable scarflette is a wool blend, using one strand of 100% wool and one strand of 80% wool/ 20% acrylic blend. Wooden buttons add to the simplicity and naturalness ~~


Stop in frequently on etsy and artfire this week to see new additions!

Bamboo / Wool Blend Scarf

Wow! I just finished knitting a scarf with a bamboo / wool blend yarn that is absolutley beautiful.

I never worked with bamboo yarn before and I am amazed at how easy it is to work with. A few years ago I switched to wooden knitting needles and bamboo yarn and wooden needles are a match made in heaven. The yarn simply glides and seems to form effortlessly with the pattern.

I used traditionally cables on each edge and a braided cable through the center for this charcoal beauty. It is soft, warm and simply perfect!



Find more knit scarves in my etsy shop and artfire studio.

Sunday Morning

Good Morning ~ The sun is shinning and it looks to be a beautiful day here in Central NY.

I've been busy this week with gardening and yard work as well as setting aside time for a daily walk with Daryl. We've been taking a different route every night and have found some very beautiful places that I didn't know existed, even after living in this town for 20 years! So far my favorite is the BREIA (Black River Environmental Improvement Association) Canal Trail. It's mainly used for Cross County Skiing, but this trail is great for walking as well. Here's a link for your convenience: http://www.sar101.com/x-c_sking/x-cSKING.pdf. Of course, all these pictures are in the winter. I must remember to bring my camera on our outings!

I've added a few new items this week, including a pair of pretty pink piggy baby booties. These are just so cute and soft~



Two sets of felted wool banges have been added as well. Both are super fun and great colors!









A beautiful nesting bowl set in orange and grey is a great home decor piece, for yourself or a great gift.


This green scalloped edge wool bowl is perfect to keep your buttons, paper clips or beads handy. Or my favorite... candy~


Need a unique gift for a wedding? This wine bottle cover will do the trick. Just slip it on the bride and grooms favorite bottle and you've got a winner! Knit in 100% wool with a classic cable design in white and the lightest of grey with beads on the tips of the drawstring, it really puts that extra special to a basic gift.


Enjoy more felted goodness by visiting my etsyshop and my artfire studio.

Enjoy your week!!

Sunday Morning

It looks like it may rain today so it's a good thing I spent the day gardening and doing lawn work yesterday. I have cucumbers, beans and summer squash just popping out. It's thrilling when I see another new one starting to show itself!

This past week I added a few new items to my stores including a new felted clutch in lovely tourquoise green. This is large enough for your wallet, cell phone and other small essentials and is very soft!


Another item added to my stores is this super soft bowl made in a gorgeous blue with a 3 demensional flower that I have named Dahlia.


Of course, I added a new animal to my zoo collection. We can't forget the reptile section... Freddy the Frog is just waiting to keep babies toes warm and bring a smile to their face.


And on a more conventional note, this simple but fun bowl is sure to be useful and beautiful in any home or office


You can find more felted goodness by visiting my etsy shop or artfire studios.

Next week - be on the look out for a set of nesting bowls, more felted bangle sets, a scalloped edged bowl, and yes, Karen, my friend... a pair of piggy booties!

Tommy the Tittermouse

I've added Tommy the Tittermouse to the felted infant bootie collection. He is just as soft and adorable as he looks!



Although he may be shy, he stays put on baby's feet to keep their sweet toes cozy.

Be on the look out for more cute animals to join in the collection!

Custom orders welcome in just the size you need up to 6 inch soles.

Meet Lester the Lion

Lester is the third animal to join my zoo series. Bunny Fo Fo and Monkey See Monkey Do have welcomed him and are happy to have a new friend.

Lester tries to be ferocious, but he can't fool his new friends for long. He's just a little softie!!


Crocheted and felted with 100% wool, this pair of booties keep babies feet snug and warm... and hey, bringing a smile to their face doesn't hurt either!



To view more felted goodness, stop my my etsy shop or artfire studio ♥

Sunday Morning ~ Memorial Day Weekend

Well, by the looks of my poll, lilacs are in the lead! My tree is just about in full bloom now and the entire yard smells of lilacs. I keep a big vase full of them in the house, so it smells just as good inside as out.

This week I am working on several different projects and I have some ready to add to my shops, so be on the look out for some great new things - including Lion Baby Booties, a new set of Felted Nesting Bowls, another square bowl (too cool) and a new knit purse.

Here is my newest that is already available for sale and was inspired by the lovely lilacs!

Hoping that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Visit me on etsy or artfire

Monkeys!

I had so much fun making those bunny booties, that I have moved on to other animals as well. Here is the second in a series of lovable animals for baby!

Keep checking in to see what other creatures are added to the zoo in the future ♥



If this pair is not the size you need just contact me through etsy or artfire and I will be happy to make a pair to fit.

Sunday Morning

Another Sunday!

I spent the morning putting the finishing touches on my entry for the EtsyHookers Creative Challenge # 6. The rules are that the item has to be crocheted and has to do with animals - either for or about them.

As with all challenges, I usually spend about a week or two just thinking about what I will do. But for this one, the idea came to me very quickly with our recent visit to my daughters house. Seeing Warren playing with the baby rabbits, I knew I had to make a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers.

So here they are, but watch out... once you have two bunnies together, you know what happens!



Visit my etsy shop and artfire studio for more felted wool goodness!

And here is my inspiration: