Friday, November 4, 2016

Horus Shawl--Can We Say Scrumptious!


Horus Shawl designed by Pink Brutus looks to be a challenge,
but if you like challenges, jump right in as this one looks lovely!
Notes Worked from the top down for center section, then working each side separately using short rows to create wings.  Ears of Grass Lace will not repeat fully between each point of moving markers, simply continue in pattern.
Yarn DK (#3 Light); Shown: Rowan, Felted Tweed (50% Merino Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose; 191 yds/50g): Color 157 Camel about 7-8 balls. - However, yarn isn't particularly important for this pattern.  A lighter weight will produce a smaller shawl and a heavier weight will produce a larger shawl.
Needles US6 (4mm) 21" cir for working a large number of sts; Gauge 5.5 sts & 7.5 rows = 1" St st worked flat.


Thursday, November 3, 2016

Color Plus



Brightside website offers an insight into color wheel:  I have many books on color and it is still confusing at times.  Isn't color subjective?

Scheme № 1: A complementary combination

Scheme № 2: The triad — a combination of three colors

Scheme № 3: An analogous combination

Scheme № 4: The split complementary combination

Scheme № 5: The tetrad — a combination of four colors

Scheme № 6: The square

Combinations of individual colours--rules that can be obeyed--but, I'm of the mind set--rules are meant to be broken!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Let's Practise Colorwork!

Our November 2016 monthly KAL is the



Quick Ombré Hat pattern by Emily Dormier ( a free Ravelry pattern)
The pattern only shows one size, but you can use this as a working basis:
Baby (Child, Adult S, L)
To fit 16 (18, 21, 23)” head
Cast on 76 (84, 96, 108) sts
CAUTION. This only works if you use smaller needles to knit the ribbing before changing to the pattern needles.
Start date = Nov 1, 2016 and of course, I'm a day late to begin this!

You’ll be able to practise colorwork and knitting in the round.
Don’t be afraid to try,

Here are a few tutorials to help you:
Stretchy cast-on



Knitting in the round

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Make A Wish Quilt Project

Check it out Quilt Along  It's happening in 2017
please add this to your list of must dos for the year!
you won't be sorry


Patchwork Quilt Along benefits Make-A-Wish. This fantastic organization grants the wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish believes a wish experience can be a game-changer. Granted wishes help children feel stronger, more energetic, and more willing to face their medical battle, and for many the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their illnesses! 


Monday, October 31, 2016

Hall-OOOO-Ween!





Take any one of those pumpkins and turn it into this: 

Allhalloween,[6] All Hallows' Eve,[7] or All Saints' Eve,[8] is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide,[9] the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.[10][11]
It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from Celtic harvest festivals which may have pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, and that this festival was Christianized as Halloween.[1][7][12][13][14][15] Some academics, however, support the view that Halloween began independently as a solely Christian holiday.[1][16][17][18][19]
Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising), attending Halloween costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfiresapple bobbing and divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories and watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular,[20][21][22] although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration.[23][24][25] Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve,[26][27] a tradition reflected in the eating of certain foods on this vigil day, including applespotato pancakes and soul cakes.[27][28][29 (information from Wikipedia.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Do You Podcast?



Years ago, I learned about podcasting--not that I would podcast myself, --but I would listen to podcasts.  There were very few then but now--oh, WOW!  you can find a podcast about almost anything and everything!  Plus now, you can find video podcast!!  Gee, I could spend hours watching techniques I would like to learn and know more about.
The above photo represents 50 best podcast of 2015
pod·cast
ˈpädˌkast/
noun
  1. 1.
    a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or portable media player, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.
verb
  1. 1.
    make (a digital audio file) available as a podcast.

More than 300,000 podcasts exist in the world as of the close of 2015. They range from products made by someone pressing record in their closet to million-dollar outfits with sterling sound engineering. 

Okay, I have my itunes stuffed with podcasts to listen too--if only, I could watch as many as I have waiting in the wings--here's a few that I found interesting for my craft purposes:


WARNING:  Podcast/video casts are very additive!!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Color: Guide For Knitters

So, you are a knitter and wondered how color affects your knitting.  Here is an opportunity
to learn some interesting facts about color from a pro:  Ann Weaver


and it comes to you through the MDK (Mason-Dixon Knits gals).  Sign up for their "snippets"--a weekly newsletter.  

Part one:  What we talk about when we talk about color is up and ready to enjoy.

in this series, you'll explore five types of contrast:
  • Contrast of hue
  • Light-dark contrast
  • Complementary colors
  • Warm-cool contrast
  • Contrast of extension
Nothing to lose but a little time and you can come away with better understanding of color in knitting.  Join me in this adventure!

It's Time--

 It’s time to think about greeting cards I’ll send out this year.  Most years, if I’m not feeling pressed, I’ll create my own cards.  One ye...