Weekend Knitting

Mr. Fix~It is hunting again this weekend so I’ve had a bit of a knitting marathon. And baking Chocolate Chip Cookies.

2 pair of small longies, I didn’t realize I was almost out of smalls, these knit up much quicker than larges. Almost instant gratification..but not quite!

A Gray & Cream Marle twist. Super thick and soft

This next pair is a hand dyed of mine. The colors were inspired from our trip to New Zeland 2 years ago.

The lake waters were so crystal clear, blues and greens with touches of purple ….I wish I could capture with dye and do justice to the true colors

I’ve been trying to clean up organize my wool. It’s taking over the living room. That I can’t say no to a great fiber bargain has started to become a problem….anyway last year thrifting I bought a large bag of cotton scraps & made countless dishcloths Well, in the midst of sorting I found the bag….got sucked in to matching colors……and started knitting…I can justify the distraction and say I was stash busting….Right?.

There are 3 others I haven’t taken a photo of. Very few skeins are enough for one cloth so I’m having fun striping & playing with patterns.

I just looked over at the room that looks like there was a yarn storm so I’d better get busy & clean it up!

What did you do this weekend?

Technorati Tags: knitting,stash busting,longies,cotton,dishcloths

Free Pattern Friday!

Quick & Easy

Basket Weave Dish clothI've seen I don't know how many variations of the

Basket Weave pattern.

But, here is mine.

It makes a nice sturdy dishcloth

The details:
I used Sugar & Cream Cotton

(The pattern shows well with bold & rich colors colors)

Needles size 6 or 7

Cast of 40

row 1 Knit

row 2 Knit 5, Purl 5 repeat to end of row

Row 3 Purl 5, Knit 5 repeat to end of row

repeat row 2 & 3, 4 times

Row 9, Purl 5, knit 5 repeat to end of row

Row 10 Knit 5, Purl 5, repeat to end of row

repeat rows 9 & 10, 4 times

your pattern is established

Simply repeat rows 1-10 until you reach the length you desire

End with a knit row,

which will prevent curling.

Cast off

Hand to nearest child & have them perform a quality assurance test.

On the dishes of course!

Enjoy!

Varmint Huntin & WIP

I'm getting the scatter gun

and goin

Varmint Huntin!!!!!

Why?

Well, last night after the rain stopped,

I was out looking in the garden checking to see if I had sprouts

And this caught my eye

Nice right?

Thick.... lush... green....

Growing nicely

My "Oh Yeah" happy dance turned into..

an "Oh NO!" foot stomp!

(OK, that's not what I really said but)....

LOOK AT THIS!!!

Each Tomato plant gets progressively smaller!

So, While I walked (OK. stomped) into the house,

pouting,

planning .......

& plotting.....

for Rabbit Stew..

Mr. Fix it found some scraps of chicken wire

& we put up a modified fence

I know they are laughing at us......

because.....

They hadn't touched the pepper plants last night..

Apparently Pepper's are not good enough

or possibly the wrong variety

they left scraps....

on the ground.....

just layin there.

Hope he has a big fat belly ache!

Here bunny bunny!

Neighbor saw us out working & came over

I pointed out the rabbits had eaten their way through the garden

from his direction

so they were his

wayward

scavenging

pillaging

rabbits

He laughed

Told us there is a large family of them

living behind his wood pile....

They did not find the bean sprouts

Yet

With 4th of July coming up I figured I'd better get some

Patriotic Shorties started...

"Standing Tall"

I should have them completed tonight

And a bit of instant gratification
A quick dishcloth.

Oh,

If anyone has a good rabbit recipe.....

send it my way please...

we're going to need it.

I'm not joking!

Varmints

Finished Order

One of 2 sets of Dishcloths,

Orders through Etsy

Forgot photos of the first...

But they were mailed this morning!

I love stash Bustin!

Dishcloths Anthropologie Inspired

I am so far behind!
I’ve been trying to clean up a bunch of smaller project that have been “marinating” for quite a while. I have the "Mindless Mitts" knit & ready to be sewn, also started the second “Ivory Bootie.” It just drives me nuts to pick-up a working project after a few weeks. Its almost easier for me to frog it and start over.

Yet, I keep having multi WIP’S
I’ve also been attempting to use up the cotton yarn from my Goodwill thrifting, after all... a score is only a score if you use it right? To date I have 8 dishcloths and still have ¾ of the bag to go. Here are the first few; some are multicolor from some of the smaller scrap

While knitting I like to troll my blog list….I was reading Pioneer Woman & she was talking about her finds while shopping at Anthropologie….the cutest measuring cups & spoons. Then I saw the dish towels….I LOVE dish towels and collect them where ever we go, they are my weakness. I love the older style tea towels…can’t stand the “toweling towels”

Anyway, I’m looking at these adorable towels and noticed……….there are no dishcloths! So, inspired by Anthropologie I came up with these!

Already listed in the Etsy store!


By the way, If you some how have missed the "Pioneer Woman", do yourself a favor and check her out, her blog is just plain fun!

Like a moth to the flame....I caved

Just like a moth to the flame.....I caved. Black Friday shopping. But, I Blame it on Ann the owner of our local Yarn shop the "Grinny Possum". She reeled me in like a fish on a hook. I had just finished sorting through all my wool for longies. Sorted out items that needed trim or contrast colors trying to be a bit more organized with my supplies. (If any family is reading this....you can stop laughing now!) Logged on Ravelry and saw a sale! 40%.......at 1:30AM! That, I could do! So, I picked up a BUNCH of solids for trim & some wonderfully soft Manos del Uruguay in Jungle Green I've been lusting after. Well really, I've drooled over it time and again. I just.....couldn't leave it there!
I been busy, started a bunch of dish cloths for the Etsy shop using cotton from Peaches n Cream & Sugar n cream.

And of course there are longies in the works. This will be a medium pair of Sheepy Pants. I'm using my colorway "Flamin Fun", I love how they are coming out.


The second pair is also a size medium using "Midnight" from Radiant Twist on Etsy. I just love her yarns, so soft and fluffy. Super to work with also




So what was your "Black Friday" find????

Thursday Rambling and Inspiration

The Wind storm gave me a bit of inspiration. The sky Sunday night was a rich royal blue with purple streaks, colors only nature could provide.

This was my puny attempt to duplicate it.

What I ended up with is close to Sunday's sunset.

I can settle for sunset!

I call it "After the Storm"

It was my second attempt with Wilton food coloring. I realized later I used to much vinegar.
I'll keep what I have!

In keeping with my new self imposed rule of finishing 3 before you start another project.....This was an order for 2 Lavender Paws. Another Lisa Milan of Digknitty design. On the way to Canada!

O.k., thats 2 down.....

Remember this? It's still a fuzzy photo but, its now a Diaper soaker.

I recently purchased a cottage license for the Sheep Time Knits pattern and I have to say its the best I've found. If you use cloth diapers and like wool soakers it is wonderful.

Her pattern is designed with legs front loading to allow plenty of diaper room. She gives directions to modify the soaker for any baby shape, Buddha to
string bean. In other words no need for short rows!

The second is a large soaker made with Peace fleece Peace fleece and the creation of the company is an awesome story. Worth a read.

2 completed diaper soakers.....up to 4 FO's!

I found all of these dish cloths started in various stages in 3 separate tote bags, the van, the car, the family room & well....get the idea?

And here I have been after Isaiah for getting into my knitting needles!
I didn't realize I had so many sets of 6,7 & 8 needles....maybe thats why I was using the 8's....

Hmm, anyway that brings me to... well enough to start a new project!

Nosin around on line a few months ago

I found this adorable pattern, "Rainbow Dress" by Georgie Hallam of tiKKi.

There was only one problem, I have no Grand daughters. Excuse me but my children will sometimes read my blog.....I HAVE NO GRAND DAUGHTERS!!!!!! 2 wonderful grandsons but, NO GRAND DAUGHTERS!!!!

Baby Knits with Free Pattern

Baby on the Brain
With the new baby coming I’ve been looking at all kinds of patterns. I was searching for a pattern that would be handy with the upcoming seasonal change. The FREE PATTERN "Confection" by Tonya Wagner was my inspiration. And as with all my projects I had to tink the pattern, I added longer sleeves & made the back a bit deeper. The first is a Pink Ombre of I Love this Yarn, purchased at my local Hobby Lobby.



I love variegated yarns of any kind. Its interesting to see how the colors will pool












The second is Plymouth Encore from my LYS "Grinny Possum." These will see a lot of use as they can be worn as a extra “something” around the house or, with little dresses for a date with Daddy.






Wooohoo! Yarny goodness from Purewool! I received my co-op order from Purewool started
to get twitchy finger Cant wait to get started.

Just the incentive to complete some projects. Yes I still have all those buttons & seams to sew. Need to complete at least 3 (well, maybe 1) to start something new......






Mr Scarecrow
Another dish/washcloth with Digknitty designs.
Lisa has a great collection of pumpkins, pilgrims, spiders & goblins for fall, be sure and check them out!

Test Knitting

Part of last week was spent test knitting for Lisa Milan of Digknittydesigns The patterns are available on her website.
Here is her new "Days of the Week" series;

Were is Monday? Well, If you know me very well.........you know I don't DO Mondays!

Have a good tomorrow.

I'm on a Wash cloth roll

Can you say "Bib’alicious” Baby

I've been on a cotton roll with these cloths since last night. I have a few baby sweaters I want to make but...have to earn that yarn! So, I made a few more cloths, simple but great for Baby Gifts or your own use. Now just to get everything posted on Etsy. Please forgive clutter, I'm trying to figure how to move the photos around. It will get better!