Knit Baby Bonnet

From the DROPS Alpaca baby bonnet pattern available for free. You can link to the pattern and other information about it at my page on Ravelry. It is such a cute pattern. Last time I worked it up in the recommended alpaca and it was very soft but this time I did it in sunny yellow cotton and I like this so much better with more distinct stitch definition – plus, I’ve had a bit of practice so it looks better all around. I haven’t finished the seams or picot edge but I wanted to try it on Megan’s cute little head – isn’t it – I mean she – adorable???

I Gave in to Ravelry

Ravelry: I have known about the site for years but I was afraid to get too deeply involved…with good reason. One could surf the project pictures and patterns indefinitely (you know, those *other* people without any self control!). I finally gave in and set up a profile – 10cowife – to document my adventures in yarn. Other than this blog, that is. Truly addicting. A great way to keep track of needles, yarn, pattern sources, etc. It’s so fun to see patterns in the many different color combinations that other Ravelry members have thunk up. Off to do a little more browsing…I’m sick in bed so it’s fully justified, right?

What I Designed Today: Poster for Knitted Valentine’s Hearts

I’ve been busy knitting hearts for Valentine’s Day. A friend of mine is teaching crochet and I’m teaching knitting in an upcoming workshop for church.

lionsheart

I made the potholder pattern from Lion Brand Yarn just fine but I’m trying to alter it for a dishcloth.

joannsheart

JoAnn’s pattern for a heart here is a little easier but they’re all basically the same. It’s not difficult, I got it on the first try!

Knitting Post #2

Two more knitting sites that I like: Veronik Avery and Skein Queen. Don’t forget Veronik has a blog and a book. Skein Queen has wonderful yarns for sale and patterns, too. Happy surfing!

Hello Again & Knitting Links #1

I’ve been gone for so long, I feel like I need to reintroduce myself! I have been more than busy this season and I’m going to have to change that. I definitely need to rearrange some priorities. I am determined to include more knitting time. I have so many great knitting links and blogs to share that I’ll just start off with a couple and give you time to enjoy them. Then I’ll list a few more next time. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.


First, check out Brooklyntweed. His name is Jared Flood and he’s on flickr, twitter, blogs and has a website. He teaches knitting but I simply enjoyed looking at his work. His technique is amazing and his color choices seem natural yet subdued and perfectly suited to the pieces he works. Love it! I wish he offered some free patterns but I couldn’t find any. I really enjoyed his circular needles version of the baby pants pictured above.

The original baby pants pattern can be found from Shibui Knits out of Portland. I couldn’t find any free patterns on there site, either, but there is enough eye candy to inspire you for sure!

Pink Baby Bonnet & Booties!

I know – I get so excited over small things. Really, tiny, baby things. I just am still so new at this knitting stuff that I am amazed sometimes at what can be done. The bonnet is so cute – I made the bonnet in the post below out of pink alpaca yarn. It is so soft and so cute. I don’t have any dolls to try it on but here is how they turned out. I still need to figure out a tiny flower for the booties – or not – they look cute just how they are, I think! The booties took way longer than the hat but I think if I were to do it again (which I will for sure) that it would go faster now that I have done it before. I hope to get pictures of the cute baby to whom these will be gifted soon and I will post them then if it’s okay with her mama.

Scalloped Baby Hat from Drops Yarn

I made the booties and I’m now making this beautiful hat! It’s not super easy but it hasn’t been that bad either (but, then again, I’m not done yet!). It seems to be going faster than the booties did but I am watching general conference so perhaps that is why it’s getting done more quickly. I love the Drops Yarn that I purchased and when I went to their website, I found a ton of great patterns. Click on the picture above to visit their site! Great stuff for knitting – LOVE IT. I am becoming such a junkie.

Knitting Frenzy (Bootie Call!)

I have found the most interesting way to knit baby booties: double knitting. Susan B. Anderson details the baby booties pictured first (and it’s her pattern), made of cotton yarn. Betz White shows her version in the 2nd picture – made of soft alpaca yarn. Even though they’re small – the stitches are also tiny and they do take awhile!

Knitty also features a double knitted Hoover Baby Blanket. The double knitting is so gratifying because it is so very thick (it creates kind of a pocket which you can seal by binding off) but it does take twice the time. The time savings comes in not having to seam two swatches together or cast on twice!

I have also been hanging on to an article from my beloved CRAFTZine detailing a Norwegian method of making large booties. These booties are fascinating – I can’t wait to try them both out! I’m almost halfway through a pair of baby booties but I have at least 6 more to make….here’s to hoping they turn out. I will keep you posted and post pictures of the final product as soon as I’ve got them completed. My hands are sore today (death grip on the needles must stop – but those baby yarns are so tiny!).

Crocheted Acrylic Magic Eraser

Check this out! This crocheted acrylic sponge works just like those other super soft acrylic magic eraser bars in the store. I know, I’ve been posting quite a bit of decorating, crocheting and knitting things lately but, really, that’s because it’s what I wish I was doing instead of working and cleaning…and I have lots of design work today on the computer so must. sign. off. Bye!

p.s. Just one more thing – I adore Craftzine (where the idea came from). They are my go-to site for great ideas. I do not know who their scouts are but they find the best stuff. And coming from somebody known for finding great stuff on the internet, that’s a compliment!

Look What I Made!

So this is my second knitted dishcloth. My arm just might fall off – not from knitting but from patting myself on the back! I’m so excited – knitting is so much fun. Thanks to a good friend for sharing the pattern. It’s so pretty I don’t know if I really want to use it but since the same good friend (thanks, Cathy K) also gave me a couple, I know they hold up really well. It’s such a great Sugar ‘n Cream pink yarn and so durable. I haven’t figured out how Cathy got the ends joined so seamlessly (I’m not generous enough to show you the back side!) but all in all this is a pretty one. I love the pink – kind of my own tribute to breast cancer as I wash the dishes every day. My first one went to a friend in Arkansas on our trip down to Texas. This one is going to my mother. I have a few more that are spoken for and then one for me. All pink, baby! Oh, and if anybody can figure out how to do this in the round on circular needles…please, email me.

Huge Knitted Ball-Bean Bag-Whatever!

Cute! I might have to try some of these – I think it’s great they’re stuffed with old pillows, comforters or what have you. Excellent idea. Thanks to Pickles – After we move, I’m sure I’ll have to come up with some variation on this theme – it’s like giant amigurumi bodies/heads.

Craft / Sewing / Knitting Room Storage Ideas

I ran across a few articles with some great ideas on craft room storage. Check out these pictures and follow the links to the original postings for even more ideas! Hope they spark a little cleaning on your craft room! The pictures above are from Apartment Therapy. There’s also a fabulous video or two showcasing her studio on Anne’s Crafty Storage blog here.

Crochet Yoga Mat Bag on Flickr

Check out this crocheted yoga mat bag on Flickr. Uploaded by pickles.no. Great idea!

Circular Knitting 2 Socks at Once!

I was browsing Barnes & Noble (thanks, LeAnne!) and came across these books for knitting a pair of socks at the same time on circular needles. It looks fairly easy — I’m putting both the books and the project on my “to do” list!

Nan’s Cotton Candy Scarf

This cotton candy colored scarf is so pretty – you have to see the color in person to believe it, really! It’s the perfect color to match Nana’s eyes. It’s so soft and squishy that my kids all wanted to keep it but Jack decided modeling it would work suffice (love that bed head hair, huh!?). This was made with Paton’s “Be Mine” yarn in Sweetie Aqua. It is a bulky (5) 100% acrylic super soft machine wash and dry yarn. It took three 50 g / 1.75 oz skeins. I always seem to like my scarves really wide but I am going to try to make the next one a little less wide.