Handmade, Homemade Frugal Christmas Ornaments

Since you have nothing else to do to prepare for the holidays…how about knitting up few free ornaments? Dive in to your stash for those small bits… Most only use 3-35 yards!

We all need a few new decorations right? My children all have a trees and I know they each could use a few more. Heaven know mine are looking a bit ragged with age. Use up your scraps & Make a few for your tree but also make some to use in place of bows on your gifts!

Mini stockings using about 30 yards of dk weight yarn scraps. Worsted weight will give just a touch larger free pattern here Fingering weight for a tiny sock here and here. I wouldn’t worry about staying with traditional holiday colors, mixing & matching scraps will look great.

A sweet patterned sweater mittens & Hat are here. These use sport weight.

Lets bring in a touch of nature with a Pine tree & another here, A little I cord wreath here

A few Lights for decoration

A Bird to flit in the branches

And a Christmas Pickle

Of course you will need a Snowman or 2

Every Tree needs a Teddy Bear family

Need a few icicles?…a sprig of Holly, or calorie free Christmas Pudding!

Angels, a simple reminder that although they are rarely seen they are always among us.

Technorati Tags: handmade,home made,Christmas Ornaments,Free Pattern links,stashbusting,katidids fun finds

Clearing the Needles

It's Monday?

Already?

Reality bites some times!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Mine was spent with kids, & flowers.

Not at the same time

So I still have flowers!

I plan to start the Quads Longies today but, I need to clear my needles first because yes,

the plan is to have all 4 working at the same time.

Just one last pair of large Peace Fleece Shorties (in Balkal Superior Green),

to finish this morning,

and then I can start!

These are the last 2 of 3 I had in the works.

Small Shorties in the colorway "Bliss"

These colors are soft but I've had a heck of a time doing them justice

with my photography skills

And large Shorties in the colorway "Grappel"
Lets just be honest about it,
I'm starting those longies if every things done or not!

Both were stash busters!

But I was only making room for the load of Purewool....
Due to be delivered this afternoon!

Customs Completed!

A bit of knitting started amid the camping fun & games.

Well knitting is fun so I just had a shoulder sling bag that i carried the yarn in and knit as I walked & visited!

Rivers Rising Shorties, my colorway on Wool2Dye4 Merino....

Almost as soft as Purewool! Trimmed in Cascade.

Sleep Sac with a few mods on the bottom....

Ubersoft Purewool in the colorway Sophia

Customs for Christina's unborn babe!

Just completing small shorties, a scrappy remix of Flamin Fun

No photos yet, will post them later!
Stash Bustin!!!!

Trying to clear out some stash as I need the room!

Got Peanut butter?

All kids love peanut butter and Jelly. But it has to be the all time favorite....

"Grape Jelly"

Small shorties, 85% wool 15% angora, super soft for little tushies.

Ribbed legs designed to contain new babies blowouts (cause we all know they happen!)

Stash Busting!

Playin in the dye pot again....

"Fresh Rhubarb"

"Rivers Rising"

"New Shoots"

"Building Blocks"

Stash Feeding!

Some on BFL, Some on Merino, these and others to be listed on Etsy by tomorrow.

Simple & Sweet

Simple & Sweet

Because every girl needs a bit of Fluff!

A View From Above Longies

I've had these longies completed for a week now, just waiting to be embellished. I think I'm beginning to enjoy solid or semi solid (like these) as much variegated yarns. I thought I would make fish all over but, Isaiah said they needed a Rocket ship so, Here is

"A View From Above"

Of course they are made with the Sheepy Time Knits pattern. Size Medium. Should be listed to Etsy tonight. Or rather, this morning

I love stash busting.

Longies & Great Dyers

It's beautiful outside! In the high 50's and maybe to hit 60! All the doors and windows are open for a few hours at least! Nice fresh air to blow out the winter stuffiness!

Time to start planning gardens and flowerbeds! I know Larry plans to work on the patio floor stones before it gets to hot. It's going to look great! Can't wait for summer BBQ's.

Last night I finished the current project. A pair of small STK Longies (of course) For these I used "Purewool" in the colorway "Combination Red". That is what the skein was marked anyway, as they are actually a pinky berry & coral. I'm not very happy with the way the colors pooled. No mater how I changed up my starting point they had the same design.

If you've never have a chance to use Purewool your missing out! It so soft, just perfect for newborns! I should have these posted to ETSY this afternoon.

A bit of baby Bumpette knitting, yes, another pair of stash longies....for these I'm finally using the Sheepy Time Knits yarn I bought from Mandy last summer. I'm not sure but she may have used Purewool for this also. Super soft and the colors just POP! It's killing me as she just had a HUGE restocking.....and I'm on a yarn diet.

And yet another pair...I received my order from Sarah at BabyLongLegs

This colorway is called Tree Hugger. The dyelot is a bit different than the last, a bit deeper but, I

love it. Aran BFL, thick and thirsty for the diaper set

This is such a horrible representation of the colors, they are so rich and vibrant. I would love to know how Sarah produces them....hint ...hint.

Here is the rest of the order, 2 for baby Bumpette and the Tree Hugger for a custom, its terrible but I don't remember the names of the other 2! I think I will save these for her next winter .wardrobe

Well, I have a date with the laundry room, it's breeding!

"Wine & Roses"

Staying in side knitting where its warm!
The thaw started Monday, carried to yesterday.....& froze again last night. So, there are now sheets of ice where ever there was melt with more snow today! I keep thinking of the song "Slip Sliding Away".......
I'm late posting as I finished these Sunday night, but these are my hand dyed "Wine & Roses" longies, Size large. Stash busting! I think one leg is almost as big as the waist of a new born pair! I love the way the colors striped! Now If I can remember how I did that..........
No photos but I have 2 other pair started (from stash) & more booties in the classic pattern (more stash). I think I want to knit something for me!

Its Not All Work At The Show

It's the last weekend of the show and things are winding down.

But its not all work. This kids "Fishing Booth is set up every year, and was always a big hit with our children. Isaiah has fished every year since he could hold a pole & this year was no different. Hes been patiently waiting allllll week.

A man with a mission....He's happy boy, still waiting....
I know they want it....

YES!! SCORE!!

In between rounds of straightening trailers I did accomplish some knitting.

I started a large pair of Sheepy Pants using one of my handdyed yarns "Wine & Roses," on Louet Riverstone. I've had this ready since this summer and have not had the opportunity to knit them up. I Love this yarn, It just sucks up the color and is super soft. I should have them completed tomorrow.

So whats on your needles?

Its Show Time! RV's & FO"S

One tired pregnant lady who would not miss a year! We nor the Dr. think she will make it through the weekend. She sure fooled us! (well, this is Sunday & the days just starting) SHE said Tuesday is a good day to have a baby.......guess we'll see!

Booth set up, well what you can see of it. I could not get a full shot but, here are a few

Isaiah, "Surfing" on the carpet, the last burst of energy before we took him home.

I Finally seamed the booties to match Moni's Elfin topper. Stash busting and a finished item! What could be better!

Friday evening,I started getting knitters A.D.D. again. Wading through the stash, looking through Ravelry at all the patterns. Every thing I wanted to make I would need to purchase a pattern.

And, another DUH! moment....use one of the 20 books you HAVE!! So I settled on Erika Knight's ~ Simple Knits For Cherished Babies, Classic Cashmere Booties. Super quick knit, had this pair completed in 2 hours. I used a washable worsted weight which put them off gauge but they will work wonderfully for 3-6 months.

Erika has decided on a coming home outfit for Baby Bumpette. Another Sweet Mama~Small Sugar Kimono Jacket For this one I am using GGH Tara in White & will add a Pink border. It's a bit pricey but, feels & knits like a DREAM! Perfect for a newborn.

I should have enough for a Hat and another pair of Classic Cashmere Booties.

We are heading back to the show this afternoon & I should finish it there. Have more pics tomorrow!

"Warm Woolie Sale" at KATIDIDS!

Since everyone is having such weird weather, snow in places of the U.S. that have only seen it in photos, etc. "I have decided to have a "Warm Woolie Sale". All Soakers, Longies, Sleep Sacks, & Shorties have been marked down for the month of January! All of my other items still reflect Decembers sale prices.

This morning I finished up this pair of shorties.

Knit with the Sheepy Time Knits pattern & yarn purchased from The Bare Sheep Yarn Company in the colorway "The Blues" I bought this last spring and forgot all about it! Nice and soft, basket weave cuff, size Medium.

Will be listed in Etsy this afternoon reflecting the Sale Price!

Starting the New Year Right, Bustin the Stash!

Starting out the New Year Right with a Finished Project!
So much for my plan of completing all the UFO'S!
I've got a touch of that sinus/chest creepin crud that's going around so we were party poopers and came home early last night.
I dug into my stash & cast on another pair of large Sheepy Shorties while waiting for the ball to drop and finished up this afternoon. Last spring I had purchased a hand dyed wool in the colorway "Space Journey" from "Wonderfully Made Stuff" on Etsy. Love Love Love the colorway. Perfect Space colors, black to light grey, purples, every shade of blue & touches of deep teal. Not quite heavy enough for longies & I did not have enough to double strand it....so, I picked up the deep teal and double stranded with that. Solid teal 2x2 rib waist.
The cuffs are a 3x3 double strand basket weave of "Space Journey", as is the tie.

4 sets of short rows. Super thick and thirsty & very soft for little legs.

So this evening I pulled out a skein of "The Blues" purchased from "Bare Sheep Yarn Company"

and cast on another pair. More stash busting. I want to clear some space so I can start dyeing more myself but, as big as my stash is now well.......I need to use some up.

What was I thinking when I bought all these single skeins? Some are just......So Pretty! Some times you just can't say no to a colorway!

Bums & Booties

Not much going on here but knitting!

I bought the license for "Sheepy Time Knits" just in time to make some "Bum Warmers" for Fall and Winter weather. I've been playing with wool ever since!

Dipped into my "Purewool" stash for some "Sheepy Pants," figured I earned it! I didn't realized I have been buying only one skein of each color, who does THAT! This pair of longies is a combination knit in the colorways "Mysterious" & "Chocolate" size medium & for sale in my Etsy store! ;)
Purewool is just so soft, I didn't want to put them down.
Knit From Stash!







I used my hand dyed "Bahama Breeze" colorway for this next pair. Size small, colors of Melon Pink, dusty Purple & Turquoise. Super soft for baby's skin. It amazes me how breathable wool longies are. Knitting in the sunshine outside they are not to warm, knitting at night in the cool weather, they keep my hands warm. They will be wonderful to maintain a baby's body temperature. Just listed in my Etsy store. ;)
Another Stash knit














Another pair of Sheepy Pants, these are made of 100% Merino one of the softest for the smallest of babies. I used another of my own hand dye "After the Storm"
And, you guessed it, these are posted in my Etsy store ;).
These longies all come with draw strings for the waist in coordinated colors, I just did not have them threaded when I took photos.

another knit FROM STASH!



And a few pair of "Best Booties", a custom order for Ashley. She is expecting a baby in about 4 weeks, congratulations! These are Black, to be sent with other pairs in Royal Blue & Chocolate to keep little toes warm.
These will be on the way to her tomorrow morning.
And yes, there are more in the Etsy store.
More STASH knitting !!
At this rate, in about 150 yrs I should be out of fiber!

Test Knits and Wash Cloths

I know, I know, I’m stuck on dish & wash cloths but these have been so fun!
Some were test knits for Lisa Milan of DigKnitty designs.
So far I have all Grandsons & boy patterns are hard to find but, Lisa is LOADED with them. Well, She’s loaded with patterns to fit any taste!
Here are the newest that will be posted in my stores soon;

Scooter in Medium Blue
100% cotton
Red Dino, In the TUB?
100% Cotton



Olive Green Monster Truck to scrub away outdoor play!
100% Cotton


Yellow Go Cart, racing you to the tub!
100% Cotton



Set Sail in the bubbles!
Med Blue, 100% Cotton

Why do I love these was cloths so much? They are easy to launder, soft enough for babies & adults. You choose the color and pattern to meet your wants and needs! They also fill that instant gratification fix.
And every once in a while Lisa posts a free one!

What's on Your Needles?

What’s your knitting style?


I was recently in a conversation with a group of other knitters discussing various “working projects” we each had. I was amazed at the various styles & disciplines used.
Some prefer to actually start and complete 1 project at a time, others may have a few with various “finishing“ needed i.e.; seams sewn, buttons, ends woven in or blocked.

Others have up to 10-15 projects on the needles At any given time, gifts, long term projects, instant gratification project, those your not sure your going to like and are thinking of changing, projects for the long school practices or car pool lane, bus ride or car knitting (here’s hoping you’re the passenger but I have known a few……………)
I always have quite a few working. I get bored working on one and switch to another, I flip around and then have quite a few completed at once. I start on one hat and think of another color pattern and off I go hunting fiber and needles! Kind of a knitting Bright Shinny Object!

It got me to wondering how many I actually had so, here’s my list:
Lost in Music Shrug 1/3 completed
Chunky Beret 95% completed
Poppel Hat needs threads woven in
Baby Jumper- needs decorative needlework
Burgundy mitts- needs seamed and decorative needlework
Burgundy Beret, ½ completed just sitting there, as I’m not sure if I like the color work
Hood scarf combo- my design not sure I like it
3 Woodland Sprite hats- each ½ to ¾ competed, 1 week
Kimono Baby Jacket-waiting seamed 4 months
Baby Sweater, waiting button sewn on 2 months
5 Cowls need threads woven in 1-2 months
5pr Booties need sewn 1-2 months
Case in point needle case, ½ done
3 wash/spa cloths in various stages
2 pr Diaper Soakers just need draw string threaded 2 weeks
2 Gigunda Market bags 1/3 & ½ completed
That’s what I can see from where I sit. Wow! At least I can say its all knit from stash!
I’m not even opening my actual “project” tub!
What an eye opener, I do believe this is what they call Knitters A.D.D.
So, thats my almost list. what does yours look like? Are you a 1 & 2'r or do you have 5-15?
Let me hear from you!

And, the knitting language we have? Well! That’s a post all in itself!

Scrap Happy Stash Buster

A little weekend knitting

If you like knitting with cotton, you may like me may have tons of left over scrap in your stash. Not enough for a dish cloth, just a little of this and a little of that. What to do with all those partial balls? How about a Scrap Happy Stash Busting Market Bag. A bag for those quick trips when you only need a gallon of milk and leave with a bag full.( you know what I mean, Oh, I need pasta & cookies are on sale!) Inspired by the Malika Bag at Overbrewed Knits, I started playing with my scrap cotton. Not quite as deep, this one is 12 inches long and the front measures 11 inches wide. But, it stretches to 24 inches wide and 18 inches in length! Just enough for that $50.00 gallon of milk!