Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Warm Things..........................With A Little Mystery

This adventure is designed by Jennifer L Schmidt, Thetford Hill Designs

Of course, you can find this Free pattern KAL on her forum and
in the pattern section, begins November 4.
7 clues in 7 weeks--a total of 70 rounds--different textures and techniques
with easy repeats.
Yarn choices:  fair isle effect yarns, stripes, tonals or any fun skein



"Granny was poor, and made a little money by knitting mittens to sell at Christmas time. She knit all kinds of designs on her mittens and the children loved them. One year, The Store wrote to her that all they had was white yarn! What could she do? Granny cried, and then looked in her pantry. She found red peppermints, black licorice, brown chocolate, yellow lemon drops, and green candies. So she dyed her white yarn with candy that was added to water and was able to knit mittens for the children after all."
Poor Granny Glittens!  
But, what a wonderful knit along!  
Sorry, this began Nov 1--easy to catch up if you have HOT needles!
This is designed by Becky Greene and can be found in I Knit Mittens group--Free!

The November hat is designed by Streelymade Designs
"Flying Geese"
A simple colorwork hat pattern using a 10-stitch pattern repeat. Hat (with pom-pom) uses approx. 160 yards of MC, and 40 yards of CC. Given in one size: Adult S/M (approx. 21-inch circumference).
This pattern is so so so appropriate for me--I'm also sewing
flying geese!!  Why not make them in yarn as well. 

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Last Minute Gifts

Need a last minute gift?  One that comes from your hands and heart?
check out Knit Picks free dishcloth patterns--some in knit, some in crochet.

How about a cowl?  Free through Dec. 24th--70 rows--10 rounds
each week--easy to knit and will look fab-U-lous!


Crocheter?  Here is a perfect pattern from With Alex  
"I Wish it would snowflake hat"

Garibaldi is a classic knit ear warmer made with super bulky yarn. It has a unique stitch texture which creates interest in this simple knit. Garibaldi knits up quickly and is ideal for scrap yarn. This is a great knit for an advanced beginner.  Garibaldi is designed by Knitty Pine
This pattern is being offered as a FREE download for the remainder of 2019 on Ravelry
How about a quick mug mat from Crafty Staci?  There are also
some other suggestions--good gift along with a fancy mug!

Gee, It's November Already!!

When you are younger, you think that those dreary days of youth would never end.  Then, you become older and it seems the time flies-----swiftly!  Is it because we are busier?  Or older and see our life flitting away, day by day?  Hour by Hour?  But, we don't slow down..........................just keep on, keeping on.................................Here are some ideas to keep your hands busy, as if you don't have enough on your plate!

This sock, designed by Becky Greene,  is a tribute to all of the women who have worked hard to learn, teach, and share their discoveries about different fields of scientific study. 
This MKAL is for the Sock Knitter’s Anonymous Group on Ravelry.  Join this group if you like to knit socks--always some interesting patterns, most often free!
Clues will be released on:
November 1
November 8
November 15
November 22
SIZES: 7”, 8”, 9”, 10” unstretched circumference. Sock length is adjustable.
One (100 gm) skein of sock yarn should be enough for most sizes. If you are knitting for a large foot, you may wish to have an extra 50 gms available.

And if you whether sew, here one sounds like an interesting mystery..................
Homespun Hearth has a free sew along for you!

 Holidays are coming -- and Agatha & Sherlock want to join in the fun! Those days of Hot Chocolate and Mistletoe, Bows, Ribbons and Cozy Nights by the Fire are Upon Us. These two pals are about to solve a Holiday Launch Party Mystery, and they want you to join them! This is a one-day Free Mystery, and we think this design will get you into the Holiday Spirit!

The Mystery begins at 8:00 Mountain time on Saturday November 16th, 2019 and clues will be released throughout the day into your account until we have solved the mystery.

This is a Free Mystery and the finished quilt measures 69" x 78". To get started, simply add to your cart and check out - the download with fabric requirements and cutting instructions will be available for you in your account as soon as you process your order. All steps will also be added to your account on the day of the event.





Friday, November 1, 2019

Día de los Muertos


Do you celebrate  Día de los Muertos




Thursday, October 31, 2019

Trick or Treat!


Trick or Treat!  A cry that will be heard across the nation tonight
Will you trick?  Or Treat?
We are usually away from the house on this all Hallow's Eve,
so the big candy pumpkin sits on the front porch--
who knows how much candy the first kid takes?
Do they have good manners to take just one piece?
All I know--when we return, the pumpkin is empty!





Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Fir Good Measure Quilt Mystery

Want to join in a mystery quilt along??
Then join this FB group--Fir Good Measure
sponsored by Fort Worth Fabric Studio.
The pattern clues will be free on this group
beginning November 4

I have sewn three of their mysteries before, two with
their kits--quite good measure of fabric.


There is a wonderful fabric kit available on their website--
but first, join the FB group--the following from the group announcement.

Announcing our 2019 Christmas mystery quilt along, Fir Good Measure! 🌲🎄🌲
This sew long begins November 4 and will run for 4 weeks (completing November 25).
 We will be making a lap size quilt you can enjoy for the holidays! ❤️ Size is approximately 48” x 60“.
 All fabrics in our kit are from Moda and colors are traditional red/green.
 Since this is a lap size quilt, we will have backing sets available separately at a good price! (Backing set is Moda Grunge in White Paper – 108” wide, so there will be no seams!) 
Kits will ship by October 28, but you know we always try to beat our deadlines! 👍🏼 We are excited to sew along with you again! We can’t wait to get started! 🌲🎄🌲
Get your kits & backing sets here:

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Wheels R Turnin'!

During the days of the World Series, the wheel was turning!
So Fast!  It was to keep my feet and hands busy so I
didn't get upset about missed catches, bad calls or
runs for the other team--may the best team win though!
I remember World Series from my teen years--games
were Yankees and Dodgers always, it seemed!
The games were even played over the speaker during our classroom
times--how about that?!!

Anyway, here is what I'm spinning:
Luxury--for sure!  nice in the hand--lovely finish and perfect
for knitting project, that's whirling in my brain

Here are the fibers:  Merino, silk and yak--how
fancy is that!  Roving from Gale's Art--


There are these short dark fibers mixed into the roving--
easy to pull out and set aside and there aren't many
of them

Bobbin is almost full and ready to ply--will keep my toes
a tappin'
Here's the other bobbin I finished--Need
to wind off and ply

This is the colorful roving--named Abode


From this lovely lady in Oregon--she puts amazing
combinations of colors in her dye pot!

This one is waiting in the wings--we'll see if I get to it soon.
Loving this time to spin to my heart's content1


Friday, October 25, 2019

Knits for Binge Watching!

Oh My Gosh!  I have sooooo many TV shows I want to
binge watch--and I hate to have idle hands--let's make
something.............

ski swirl hat Craft Yarn Council

This body is worked flat, from side to side;
with a vertical stripe pattern.  Decreases are worked on one
end and increases on the other side--once the hat is a
parallelogram (use your math here!)--you sew the sides
together and the stripes swirl around the hat!
how fun!!

 
I hate when ads pop up on my news feed! But, this one
time I was happy--look at these cool knitted FLG (fingerless gloves)
Of course, they were advertised to be purchased--my brain is
saying "I can knit these!"  There are lots of leftover yarns in my
stash that would be perfect for these--
Here is recipe from Martha Stewart's site (Yes, Martha of all people!)
It's a basic pattern but you can add the necessary knits and purls
where needed.  

Strata Scarf from Purl Soho is absolutely a stash buster!
They have a lovely selection of yarns if your stash
isn't loaded.  Follow their suggestion in order not to have
twenty zillion ends to weave in when finished!


Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Gobble, Gobble


Thanksgiving quilts are usually overlooked!
I do have couple of older hangings that were pre-printed fabric panels
The other day I was looking at You Tube TV and
found these two Turkey hanging tutorials--both really
good turkeys.  The top one is this year turkey--
the bottom video is dated 2010, but the pattern is still
Both are made with Dresden plate patterns










Quilt in a Day has a whole farm of animals free or $5 for kit




Monday, October 21, 2019

Head, Shoulders, Hands, Feet

Keeping warm is a high priority when winter weather arrives--
I enjoy finding interesting patterns that will keep us
cozy during those chilly days!

Warmlix --loved this website!  Such cute models and
the patterns are a delight


This is a slouchy version of the Slip Stitch Stockinette
Beanie (Ravelry ). This version is very adjustable as long as you work
with multiple of 2--The decreases are just K2tog

Kristina Smiley designs for Expression Fiber Arts
I really like all their patterns! Tamsyn is the name of this
lovely pattern
Monkey Socks by Cookie A is one of my favorite socks to knit!
Always nice looking footwear!

Happy knitting!!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Möbius?

What is a Mobius? 

 Mobius band is one-sided, ... There are existing technical applications of the Mobius stripMobius strips have been used as conveyor belts that last longer because the entire surface area of the belt gets the same amount of wear) and as continuous-loop recording tapes (to double the playing time).


Mobius knitting is where maths geometry and knitting meet in quite an extraordinary way. ... If you put the short ends together, you will form a loop but if you twist one short end through 180 degrees before taping the ends together you will create a moebius loop 

Patterns in knitting are below.  Followed by a video on how to cast on for this continuously knitted strip
Knitty/Justify designed by Lynn Vogel

Knitty/Knoop by Danny Ouellette


Easy Moibus designed by Haley Waxberg












Thursday, October 17, 2019

Leaf, Leaves, Leaf--

My brain is working overtime--trying to graph a 4" maple leaf block for the border to use on my Autumn in America quilt--I've come across many leaf patterns, both in knitting, crocheting and quilting
Knitted Leaves in three sizes 

Crochet by  Katherine Laight

Diary of a Quilter has a nice tutorial for her fall leaves

Generations Quilt has a different look at leaf pattern

Myblueprint has a totally different aspect to fall leaves--
this one is paper pieced-nope, not doing it!  But there are 
several others that are intriguing on their site.

At this point, I'm redesigning that Autumn in America border to include large leaves!--who says I need to keep to the pattern??  Not me!






Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Through the Eye of the Needle--


Working with textiles, we can tell many stories--this is one story that needs to be told over and over again.  Her work through stitching is outstanding!



Sunday, October 13, 2019

Paper Piecing Headache!

I'm working on a pattern called "Autumn in America"--bought it
a zillion years ago --when I saw the front cover, it looked
like a really neat quilt, especially to display in the fall months--
and of course, it was on sale--another reason to purchase!
Little did I know--that the pattern included MANY
paper pieced blocks!
Several months ago, I pulled out the pattern and begin
to do the ones that were actually pieced--put the whole thing
away for some time until recently I began work on it again

The paper pieced blocks--some are only 3' or less--and for the
border--56 four inch (4") maple leaf blocks are required--
all to be paper pieced!!  I'm thinking on that block--
in the meantime, I worked on these star blocks--you get
lots of loose scraps of paper and little bits of fabric
are used--so time consuming!

Thank goodness, there were only 3 of these small blocks--
I'm still thinking on those 4" maple leaf blocks---
maybe, redesign the borders----
hmmmmm

Friday, October 11, 2019

Think FALL..........................................

Okay--Fall has come to the South--
and I'll be ready with this comfy wrap!
It looks so warm and soft--how could one resist
I'm breaking out my chunky yarn for this!!

There is also a crochet version--

Here is the yarn to use!  Or I was thinking--how about a nice
chunky handspun brown cotton!!
Heritage Wave Shawl looks so soft and why not?  Such lovely yarns
Cascade Yarns Heritage Wave
2 Skeins for total of 437 yards
US 4 (3.5mm) knitting needles or size to obtain gauge
10 stitch markers
Yarn Needle

Finished Measurements:  74" wide x 13" deep
Gauge:  28 sts x 32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

Purl Soho has a wonderful no cable pattern!
Looks like fun knitting!!





Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Agatha October Read

Appointment with Death (1938)  "Among the towering red cliffs of Petra, like some monstrous swollen Buddha, sits the corpse of Mrs. Boynton. A tiny puncture mark on her wrist is the only sign of the fatal injection that killed her.  With only twenty-four hours available to solve the mystery, Hercule Poirot recalled a chance remark he’d overheard back in Jerusalem: “You see, don’t you, that she’s got to be killed?” Mrs. Boynton was, indeed, the most detestable woman he’d ever met. . . ."

And so it begins!!.............................................
 Now, what in the world do you knit with this adventure????

Since it's October--I'm thinking I don't want to burn my hands 
to Death  this cup holder would be fun to knit--
it's a quick and easy cable design by Evan Middleton (found
on Ravelry).  Appropriately named "Pumpkin Spice"
 It's adjustable too!

AND since it's October.........

Happy Birthday to ME!

What Did You Do??

I did this thing!!  I couldn’t help myself! I began another knitting project ….. What was I thinking?   There are several UFOs   Waiting to ...