Designing Takes a Little Effort

I’ve been working on designing some scarves.  I wanted them to be easy enough for a beginner.  It is tedious work. 

I have these ideas and then I write them down.  The next step is to see if I can actually put my ideas to the test and actually create something.   As I begin to knit or crochet, I write down each step as I go, tweaking if necessary, the written word and the pattern.   I go over the pattern several times to see if it is understandable.  Sometimes I wait several days and re-read it again.

Once that has passed inspection, I finish the project and take pictures.  Here are a few that I have recently finished.

Knitted

Crocheted

Just finished this one, but need to go over the instructions again to make sure they are understandable:

Knitting Versus Crochet

There are die hard knitters and die hard crocheters out there in crafting land that refuse to learn each other’s craft.  I find that amazing as I do both.

There is much to be said about each craft.  Some things look better knitted and some things look better crocheted.  That, of course, is just my opinion.

Take socks, mittens and hats.  In my opinion, they look better and fit better if  knitted, than crocheted ones.  Afghans, doilies, shawls look better crocheted.

I also combine the two.  Some of my knitted socks, mittens and hats have crocheted edges or decorations.

It’s all a matter of preference, I suppose.  But I do encourage you to try both.  They are both fun to do.

So, if you ONLY knit, learn to crochet and if you only CROCHET, learn to knit.

These socks were knitted, but the fun fur edge was crocheted.

Knitting Websites

Since I have done a few knitting tutorials, I thought I would load you up on some knitting websites.  You will find instructions and free patterns for you to try.

This is usually the first place I go for free patterns:

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php

Instructions can be found on the left hand side.

Here’s another site that may be of interest to you:

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

Here’s another one for sock patterns:

http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns2/socks/Sock_Index.html

And other items:

http://www.straw.com/cpy/free_patterns.html

For Harry Potter fans:

http://www.freshislefibers.com/Patterns/hpknittinglinks.htm

And here you can find the free PDF download for Bella’s mittens (Twilight):

http://subliminalrabbit.blogspot.com/2008/11/bellas-mittens.html

Hope you enjoy rummaging through all of these patterns and instructions.

A Crafting Challenge on One of My Groups…

On one of my groups, we are having a crafting challenge.  Since the group is made up of many types of crafters, the challenge involves color only, not a specific craft. 

The current colors to be used are purple, lime green, hot pink and white. 

Since I both crochet and knit, I decided to make these two little critters.  Both are crocheted.  The Mophead can be found here:

http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/mop-top-mascots/

(Thank you, planetjune, for this adorable pattern)

The Goony bird is my own pattern.  So there are no instructions at this time.

Maybe a group you belong to will have a crafting challenge for you to participate in.

Knitting: Knit 2, Purl 2 Rib Stitch

The rib stitch is traditionally used in areas where some stretch is needed such as cuffs, hems and necklines.  Take a look at one of your sweaters or a pair of socks.  The ribbing allows for stretch but also makes the garment fit snuggly in the areas it is used.

Materials:

Straight knitting needles (I used size 11)

Worsted weight yarn (plain yarn, not fancy or novelty yarn)

Cast on in multiples of 4.  What the heck does that mean?  Well, it means that since the pattern, knit 2, Purl 2, takes 4 stitches to complete the pattern, you must cast on X number of stitches that are evenly divisable by 4.

For this pattern, cast on 28 stitches (28 divided by 4 = 7…there is no 7.5 stitches or 7.75 stitches)

By now you should know how to do the knit stitch.  Review:  Insert the right hand needle, on the left side of the first stitch, so that it rests behind the left hand needle.  Bring the working yarn up from behind the needles and in between both.  Hook the yarn with the right hand needle, pulling the loop through and at the same time slipping the worked stitch off the left hand needle.

Knit the first 2 stitches.

The next 2 stitches will be Purled.  Bring the working yarn forward, between the needles, so that it rests in front of your work.

Insert the right hand needle into the front of the next stitch on the left hand needle from right to left.  The right hand needle will rest in front of your left hand needle.

Take the working yarn and lay it from right to left between the needles.  Hook it with your right hand needle and bring it through the loop on the left hand needle and at the same time slip the worked stitch off the left hand needle.

Purl a total of 2 stitches.  Then switch the working yarn back between the needles so that it rests behind them and knit the next 2 stitches.   After those two stitches are knit, bring the yarn to the front, between the needles and purl the next two stitches.  Repeat across until all stitches are worked.

As you do each row, you will knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches.  This means that if what is facing you is a knit stitch, then knit it.  If it is a purl stitch, purl it.  The knit stitches look like a loop of  a crochet chain.  The purl stitches, look like a little bump or bead (pearl).

Enjoy.

If you have any questions, let me know.

What’s For Dinner?

This is New Year’s Day and in the South, a traditional dinner consists of blackeyed peas with ham, greens, cornbread and most any other side dish.

We will  definitely be having the above, plus a pineapple upside down cake.  I haven’t had one in forever or so it seems.  So I made one today.  It was easy and I love easy. 

First, I got a Duncan Hines pineapple cake mix.  Then a can of sliced pineapples in juice and a small jar of cherries.   Followed the directions on the side of the box and this is the result:

YUM!  Can’t wait to try it!

Hope your New Year’s Day is a good one.

To Finish or Not to Finish….

That is the question…

I know you, like me, have started projects that you thought would be absolutely wonderful.  Couldn’t wait to get started or finished with it so you could show off your talents.  But then somewhere in the middle of the project you discovered you didn’t like it as much as you thought you would.  It was boring, or difficult or required too much time just to get to a certain point. 

You found yourself dreding the prospect of working another row or 2 on it.  You procrastinated.  You found other things to do just to avoid working on that project.   You told yourself, “I’ll work on it next week or next month.”  But next week and next month came and went and you still had not worked on that project.

You find yourself feeling guilty for not working on it and not finishing it.

STOP!!!

It’s perfectly OKAY to hate a project that you thought you would love.  It’s perfectly OKAY to rip it out or toss it in the trash.  If it doesn’t make you happy working on it, GET RID OF IT.   You’re wasting your time on something you hate and will probably hate even if you do finish it.   You will not be punished and you will feel a great deal of relief when it’s gone.

Our hobbies, crafts, etc. are meant to give us joy not misery.

Believe me, I’ve been there and it’s taken me many years to realize if I don’t like it, to get rid of it.  In fact, I have several projects right now I’m going to get rid of, one way or the other.

Twas the Night Before Christmas…..

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

by Clement Clarke Moore

Track Santa via Norad:

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html#utm_campaign=en_US&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en_US-ha-na-us-sk-gm&utm_term=twas%20the%20night%20before%20christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Knitting: What I Have Been Working On

I know I need to get some more instructions up here, but I’ve been busy working on some wool mittens and a couple of afghans.  I promise to get some more instructions up as soon as possible.  

I hope you all are trying to learn to knit.  It is a rewarding hobby.  You will be able to make gifts for all occassions.  Socks and mittens are especially nice gifts that most folks appreciate.

Knitting: Binding Off

You have finally knitted your scarf.  Now you have to bind it off or secure the remaining stitches on the needle so that it does not unravel.

To do this, you will knit the first 2 stitches.  Then you will take your left hand needle and slip it into the first stitch you knit (from left to right) and pull it over the second stitch and off the needle.

Then you will knit the next stitch from the left hand needle onto the right hand needle.  Again, you will bring the first stitch over the 2nd stitch and off the needle.

When you have reached the end, you will have one stitch remaining on your right hand needle.  Cut the yarn a few inches out and bring this end through the remaining stitch, slipping the needle out.  Weave in this strand of yarn.