More Socks....

I am still knitting socks (among other things).  Below are pairs #4 -7. 

We are officially half-way through the year, so I am a bit ahead of schedule toward my goal of twelve pairs knit in 2016.

Currently, there are three more pairs of socks on my needles.  Also on my needles are two shawlettes, two sweaters, and a poncho.  I am definitely not a monogamous knitter!

Happy Knitting ♥

Make a No-Sew DPN Cozy

Currently, I am knitting my pairs of socks concurrently on two sets of double pointed needles (DPNs), and needed a couple of DPN cozies to keep the stitches safely on the needles when not in use.  There are patterns for sewn cozies available, or you can buy cozies on Etsy in a variety of cute fabrics, but I wanted something quick, easy, and right now. 

So I scrounged around in my craft room, and found supplies to make a set of no-sew felt cozies.  Some of the benefits of making this style are:  

• felt can be cut without unraveling (unlike fabric)
•  no finishing is needed (although a needle felted design would be a nice touch)
•  the felted texture holds the needles securely (no need to sew up the ends of the case)
• extra needles can be poked through the felt for safe keeping
• they took only minutes to make!

Supplies needed:

• Thick felt
• Denim buttons (the no sew snap on version)
• Cutting tool - scissors or rotary cutter
• Fiber for needle felting (optional) 

 Step one ~ measure your needles and cut felt in a rectangle

 Step two ~ insert denim buttons 1/2" up from bottom, and 1" from outside edges

Step three ~ mark placement of holes, and cut small slits (approx 1/2" long)

on opposite edge of buttons for buttonholes.

Step four (optional) ~ needle felt a design on front of cozy

Step five  ~ use needle or awl to poke a double set of holes

in back of lower button portion of cozy to hold extra needle(s)

Step six ~ lay your DPN project  in case, and close buttons

You are ready to go....

These are finished just in time to attend a knitting retreat with me this weekend.

Happy Knitting♥

Year of Socks - Pairs #2 and #3

Pairs #2 and #3 socks are finished.

Gifted to my granddaughter

Were to be gifted, but ended up in my sock drawer

I started the year gung ho about knitting my socks TAAT.  Knitting them two at a time on one long circular needle appeals to me because of its efficiency and practicality.  I knit the first three pairs of the year using this method.  The problem is, I could not get rid of laddering - the annoying stretched stitch gap left on either side of each sock by the cable.  In fact, the unsightly laddering is why pair #2 ended up in my sock drawer instead of being gifted as I had planned.

So, I am back to knitting my socks one at a time concurrently on DPNs or maybe a 9" circular needle.

Here is the pair I am working on currently:

I made some little DPN holders for these

Happy Knitting ♥

2016 - Year of Socks

One of my crafting goals this year is to finish 12 pairs of socks in 12 months.

I would like to knit at least one pair for each adult in my family, as well as some for myself.  (Children's feet grow so fast that by the time I complete a pair of socks, they have moved on to the next size).  

I am a relatively new sock knitter, and am still personalizing my sock knitting profile.  By that I mean, determining my favorite way of knitting socks.

Which brings me to some of the many ways to knit socks - top down, toe up, TAAT (two at a time), using DPN's (double pointed needles), magic loop, or small 9" circular needles, to name just a few.

There are also different styles and stitch patterns for socks -  standard gusset heel, short row heels, afterthought heels, rounded toe, wedge toe, lacy patterned, cabled, or just plain vanilla. 

Then there is the yarn.  Collecting sock yarn can be addictive.  There is an astounding variety of designs and beautiful colors to choose from.

Finally, socks are fun to knit (once you have the hang of them), are easily portable for on-the-go knitting, can be challenging, or as simple as you like, and make lovely handmade gifts.

So here is finished pair #1. 

I started them on Christmas Eve, and finished them January 4th.  The little Christmasy project bag is also sewn by me.

If you are interested in the yarn I used, or pattern details, you can find them on my Ravelry project page. 

Happy Crafting ♥

Gift Crafting for Christmas - Stocking Stuffers

The time crunch is on, only one month until Christmas.  Here are a few gift ideas to make quickly, and stuff in someone special's stocking this holiday.  Three of these patterns are free, one is from a book you can probably find in your library (local or online), and one I made up myself.

I made a couple of these little tea toters by Julie Tarsha for my daughter and I to carry our tea to work.  They really come in handy, and are sure to be a hit with any tea drinkers on your list.

 Speaking of tea, lets not forget the coffee drinkers.  Knit (and crocheted) coffee sleeves are available in many designs.  I got this pattern from my library.  It is in Joelle Hoverson's book - More Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

Fingerless mitts are easy to make, don't take a lot of yarn, and come in lots of designs.  This pattern is available from Courtney Spainhower on Ravelry. 

 How about a faux beaded necklace in self striping yarn.  This one is done in pretty spring colors, but you could choose color to match the current season.  The pattern is by Susan Mills.

Lastly, how about boot toppers for your favorite fashionista.  There are lots of styles to choose from.  I crocheted these with a pattern I made up myself.

Christmas Countdown, one month to go....

Happy Crafting!

Gift Crafting for Christmas - Charity

One of the women in our knitting group works with developmentally disabled adults in group homes.  She recently proposed that we make things for them for Christmas so that each one could have a personal handmade gift.  Both she and another woman in the group have a large stash of acrylic yarn we can use to make cowls, hats, mittens, and I have lots of fabric to make quilted pillows. We have been knitting and sewing up a storm, and having lots of fun doing it.

Below are a few of the items I have made so far:

Currently, I am working on another hat, and some washcloths to add to the effort.  I really like making things for a local charity, especially one in which one of our members is personally invested.

Are you making gifts for charity this season?  Please leave a comment and share what you have been working on.

Christmas countdown,  2 months to go....

Happy Crafting,

Gift Crafting for Christmas - Sweaters

September is not too late to start a sweater for a Christmas gift.  It could be as simple as a sleeveless tank for your daughter, or a shrug for a little girl, or man sized pullover for a special guy in your life.

These are a few women's sweaters I've knit this year:

Togue Pond by Pam Allen,  Rotation by Ankestrick, and Telluride Aran by Amy Herzog 

Below are some cute baby and child-sized sweaters you could knit for a little one:

Little Hearts by Maria Montzka, Sunday Morning by Marjorie Dussaud, and  Fledgling Featherweight by Hannah Fettig

Lastly, here is the start of an Icelandic Zippered Cardigan I am working on for my husband:

 The pattern is Stapi by Védís Jónsdóttir.  It is a three color yoked sweater, and I will be using these yarns:

Christmas countdown, only 3 months to go....

Happy Crafting,

Gift Crafting for Christmas - Toy Softies

I made cat stuffies for two of my granddaughters this weekend. They turned out really cute, and the girls like them.

 The pattern, by Linda Dawkins, is free, and is called Beans the Cat.

If you have a child on your Christmas list, a toy softie might be a perfect gift.  Here are a few designs available on Ravelry.

Bluebird of Happiness by Sara Elizabeth Kellner, Mouse Sleepy Head by April Lesley, Knit Sleepy Fox Amigurumi by Amanda Michelle,  Hamsterbeans by Emily Stoneking, Monkey Jacobus by Annita Wilschut, Tiny Amigurumi Owls by Kristi Tullus, Mini Sock Yarn Bunny by Susan B. Anderson, Sammy the Starfish by Stacey Trock, Dolly the Sheep by Tatsiana Kupryianchyk

Happy Crafting ♥

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Shawls and Shawlettes

Prayer shawls, shawlettes for the office, cozy cover-ups, delicate lace for dressing up.  Shawls can be all of these things.  Plus, they are fun and interesting to knit.  If you search for "shawl" patterns on Ravelry, over 36,000 designs come up.  That is a lot of variety of styles, sizes, and shapes!

Shawlettes will make a great addition to your Christmas gift trove, should you choose to make some.  Most women will love them, and the more manly designs are slowly starting to appear in male attire as well.  They are a versatile accessory that can add charm and style to an outfit.

Pictured (top left to bottom right) are the Piper's Journey by Paula Emons-Fuessle , Pebble Beach Shawlette by Helen Stewart ,  Gallatin Scarf by Kris Basta, Endless Rainbow by Martina Behm,  Menehune by Mel Ski,  Brickless by Martina Behm, New Oaklet Shawl by Megan Goodacre, and another  Brickless by Martina Behm.

The last two (pictured below) are currently in progress on my needles:  Swedish Spring by Maria Montzka, and  Starshower by Hilary Smith Callis. 

Only 8 months until Christmas.

Let's get crafting♥

Another Recycled Coffee Can Idea

Awhile back, I posted a tutorial on knitting a cozy and using a Folger's plastic coffee canister to make a knitting bowl. It is a handy size for a small project, and can be tucked inside your purse or suitcase for travel knitting.

While planning a birthday gift for a member of our local knitting group, I revisited the idea from a different angle.  This time I used purchased rhinestones, glitter letters, and duct tape to decorate the canister.

Unfortunately, I did not photograph the process, but here are the basic steps:

• Purchase glitter letter, rhinestones, super glue, and a sheet of duct tape from your local hobby store.  I used black and silver embellishments to compliment the red of the canister, but many other options are available.
• Peel off label, and wash and dry canisters.  You may need to use vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of any lingering coffee smell.
• Cut sheet of duct tape in pieces to cover lid, and any lingering adhesive strip from the can label.  I used a circle cutter to cut the piece for the lid, but you could trace the size on paper, and then cut with regular scissors too.
• If desired, punch a hole through the lid for yarn to feed through.
• Add lettering of your choice.  It could be a personalized message, a favorite saying, or simply the words "knit" and "purl."  You may have to use super glue if you choose raised cardboard lettering as I did.
• Add rhinestones to lettering and duct tape design for flair.  Of course you could also add other stickers, or cover the whole can with duct tape or adhesive fabric.  The possibilities are endless.

 I am thinking of adding to the gift by embellishing a black 3 ring binder in a coordinating design, and including vinyl sleeves for her knitting patterns inside.

Happy Crafting♥

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Hats

Hats are probably my favorite quick knitting project.  They can be mindless stockinette or garter stitch, more complicated with lace and cables, or colorwork patterns.  They can be slouchy, beanie style, tams, or cloches.  And because of their stretchy nature,  one size will fit most heads.  This makes them great for gift giving.

Here are a few recent projects from my needles.

Patterns (top left to bottom right): Cable Rouge, Molly, Sockhead Hat, Graham, Rikke Hat, Wurm, Christian's Hat, Man's Hound's Tooth Hat.  With the exception of the Man's Hound's Tooth Hat, all are free patterns on Ravelry.

Lastly, this is the hat currently on my needles:

It is a colorwork hat by Maria Montzka called Södermalm.

Only 9 months until Christmas.

Let's get crafting♥

 

Gift Crafting for Next Christmas - Socks and Slippers

Few things feel as good as handmade socks and slippers on your feet.

Show your love to family and friends by knitting cozy and comfortable footwear like those shown above.  I am a new sock knitter, so these are very basic patterns.  The designs used are all free patterns on Ravelry - from top left to bottom right: Two Toe Up Socks on One Circular Needle by Kristin Bellehumeur, 142-40 Lollipop by Drops Design, Simple Garter Stitch Slippers by Handepande, Yoga Socks #153 by Patons,  Silver's Sock Class by Kristin Bellehumeur,  Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks)  by Kaitlyn Wong.

Only 10 months left until Christmas,