A Little Sewing

Yes, you read that right. I was sewing. I actually felt the urge to sew something, as rare as that is. Today I put together a little bag for smaller knitting projects. I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and I didn't even have to go get any new notions for this project or anything! I already had two fabrics that I really think look sweet together, so I went to work.

Here is a view of the finished bag from the inside:It works great to hold smaller knitting projects like baby sweaters, or toys. It fits a couple of skeins of yarn in it, and has two outside pockets. I had fun making this little bag :) And now back to more....

Happy Knitting!

Sometimes I Love The Mail

On days like today when my DH brings me a package that is a complete surprise just for me (and NOT a bill lol ;) , I just love the mail! This package that I received today was like a breath of fresh air, and I have to admit that I really needed it actually! I've been seeing and personally experiencing a lot of things in blogland that have been making me think twice about blogging in general. I don't really want to go into the reasons why I feel this way because I'm fearful of being hurt again, and honestly I don't think I could take that again. But, I know that there are wonderfully sweet and kind people out there like THIS!! Thank you so much Rohanknitter! You are a sweetie, because heartfelt little gestures like this one go a long way.

I just love these two little stitch markers, and I really don't know how she could've picked anything that I would've loved more either!! I absolutely adore things like mushrooms, and owls are just one of my fav's!!!!

If you want some of your own go here!

I really can not thank you enough for this thoughtful gift

They will certainly help me have....

Happy Knitting!!!!

Making Miters

A disclaimer first just to get it out of the way. I want to make it abundantly clear that this is truly just a FREE tutorial of a technique that I have developed that works for me. Some of the techniques I've used are basic like a basic mitered square, which I adapted to the size I was looking for in this particular project. The rest is a somewhat different approach to similar designs you may have seen many times online on ravelry or other blogs. My intent in sharing this tutorial on my blog is in the hope that if you wish to make a blanket like mine, and very possibly you won't LOL ;-) I have hopefully provided a clear enough resource for you to be able to achieve that wish. It is not to copy anybody, or steal any designs of anybody elses. Whether or not anybody else has approached this blanket in the exact same manner that I have, I do not know. So, I am truly sharing this with you on an honest basis because I think the method I've stumbled upon is rather easy! And I hope you do too :)

With that being said, I feel I need to explain further. I have no wish to offend anyone here on my blog, although I know sometimes you can and do without meaning to. I consider the few of you who read my blog friends that I like to share info with and talk to. I'm not trying to get famous by writing this little blog, it's purely for enjoyment and learning in my case. I've come to think of it as my knitting community, but just online :)

Here is a bit of history on how this unpattern came about:

I happened to be on ravelry(surprise, surprise lol;) and I started to come across a lot of projects about domino knitting. So I became enamored with the look of these type of mitered squares, and I searched out numerous projects and information on domino and modular knitting techniques. I had it in mind to buy Domino Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro, but once I really looked around in the book stores and couldn't find it anywhere to look through . I became frustrated and decided that I could possibly come up with a technique that I liked on my own somehow. Most of the mitered square tutorials that I was coming across were a lot bigger than the size I was wishing to make, so I knew modifications must be made. That being done,then I began to fiddle with the arrangement of the blocks so the squares would be set like diamonds through out the blanket, and of course all the lines had to "fly" in the same direction for my obsessive nature. Fiddle and tinker I did, and a pattern or unpattern has been born. Whether or not anyone else ever uses it or not is to be seen, but for now it is providing me with a lot of pleasurable knitting.

Making Miters Blanket
********************

Materials Needed:

size 5 needles (I'm using 2 size 5 dpns because I started off with a pair of circ's, but the cord between the two needles kept getting in my way)

small scissors

tapestry needle

size G crochet hook if you decide to do a single crochet edging

Abbreviations:

K-knit
k2tog-knit two stitches together

Your yarn can be scraps or you could pick some in specific colors because you want it to match a room in your home, or for a baby, or another family member( you decide). The amount you will need will vary depending on how big you plan to make yours. I am using worsted weight yarn, this too can easily be changed. My blanket is being made with Patons Classic Wool Merino in 5 different colors that I had bought awhile back in colors that coordinate nicely in my living room, especially with my window valances which makes me happy :) But scrappy blankets like this one are very pretty too. The overall layout of this blanket will look somewhat similar to this simple little drawing, with one block measuring about 2"x 2".

Shall we proceed ? The directions (as much as they can be called that lol ;)

The First Square: Cast on 20 sts with your preferred cast on method--TIP: your decreases will always occur on the right side of your work, with the knit rows occurring on the wrong side.

*The Decreases:

Row1: K8, k2tog twice, K8

Row2: Knit all stitches

Row3: K7, k2tog twice, K7

Row4: Knit

Row5:K6, k2tog twice, K6

Row6: Knit

Row7: K5, k2tog twice, K5

Row8: Knit

Row9: K4, k2tog twice, K4

Row10: Knit

Row11: K3, k2tog twice, K3

Row 12: Knit

Row13: K2, k2tog twice, K2

Row14: Knit

Row15: K1, k2tog twice, K1

Row16: Knit

Row17: k2tog twice

Row 18: Knit

Row 19: Cut old color leaving a long tail for weaving in later, leaving 2 loops on the needle, then with new color k2tog once. * Note, on all other squares you'll just knit 2 together without cutting the color because you won't join the next square onto the top like this one and you'll cut the yarn as soon as you are done with the square and pull tight. You'll see.

The First Square is done and now it's time to join Square 2.

Joining Square two: You still have one stitch on your needle from your first square, count this as stitch 1 and pick up 9 more stitches along the side left to your needle, then cast on 10 more stitches turn and knit across all stitches on your needle. Then follow decrease method for first square. When you are finished with the second square cut the yarn and pull tightly to finish off. Now you have two squares that look like this:

Now it gets a little bit trickier for me to explain how I did the rest of the first row. So right off I'm going to give you diagrams to hopefully help you (and me) hopefully understand better :)

Square 3: On the corner indicated in the first diagram below on square one pick up 10 stitches turn and knit across those 10 stitches and cast on 10 more stitches onto your needle. Turn and continue decrease method as for first square. Cutting yarn and pulling tightly to secure.

Square 4: Pick up 10 stitches starting where squares 1 and 3 meet and cast on 10 more stitches onto you needleTurn and knit across all 2o stitches Turn and continue in decrease method as for first square Cutting yarn and pulling tightly to secure as soon as you are finished with your last knit 2 together.

Continue squares 3 and 4 in this manner until your foundation strip of "diamonds" is the length you want. Ending though with a square 3 for your very last square on your first row.

Your next row or second row of squares will begin at the end you've just completed your last square 3 at. So you will begin on your right end of the strip of diamonds. With right side of your work facing at all times on this blanket of course, pick up 20 stitches in the "V" where the last 3 squares in the row you've just completed meet. If that makes no sense at all I'll first try to explain it in words, and then with a diagram. Then hopefully you can follow my lame brain. Word Version: 10 stitches down the first side starting at the top of your last completed square 3. Then 10 stitches up the second side starting in the "V" where the new color of that square begins. If you don't follow that maybe you can put 2 and 2 together with this diagram.

The next step is to do what it says in the above picture and turn and knit across all 20 stitches. Then turn and continue in decrease method as per first square.

The next row will start on the left end of the blanket with an end square needing to be made. We will do this the same way we did our previous square 4 so refer back to that. If you did not do these extra squares at the beginning of the rows, your blanket would grow into a triangular shape instead of a square or rectangle like we desire. Continue picking up squares right on down the row in the "V" as usual.

The next row again begins on the right end of your blanket, but this time you need to begin right off with making an end square as well. But this one will be worked like our previous square 3 was worked so please refer back. Then of course you'll continue picking up squares right on down the row in the "V" as usual.

You'll repeat these last 2 left and right end starting rows until you've reached a length that you desire your blanket to be. Then you may or may not wish to work an edging all around your blanket. If you want a nice simple suggestion and what I myself am contemplating, an easy single crochet all the way around and call it a day :)

Tips: You can make your squares as big or as small as you'd like to: always divide the number of stitches you cast on by 2 and then subtract 2 from that number and there is where you knit to to do your 2 knit 2 together decreases.

Because there will be many ends to contend with, you may want to consider doing battle with them on a regular basis. I have decided once I complete a row of diamonds, and before I begin a new one I'll weave in all those happy little ends. Look at them in a positive light too, and if you keep up with them now you won't have all of them staring you down when the knitting is finished, right?

This is my first strip and a little bit of a test of the second strip beginning at one end. Just to give you an idea.

I've read and reread this post several times for errors, but "human error" being what it is I'm sure I have missed some mistakes. If you find some do not hesitate to let me know about them, and I'll fix them promptly. Thanks in advance if you do find some:)

Any and all questions that I can answer I will do so to the best of my abilities.

Happy Knitting

Happy Mother's Day

I thought I'd do a Happy Mother's Day post to all you sweet Mother's out there in blogland one day early because I plan on spending Mother's Day with my own sweet Mom! I'm very fortunate that my Mom and I live in the same city and I am able to easily spend the day with her. She will be able to spend Mother's Day with all three of her children in fact. My younger brother and my 3 kiddos will join her at my older Sister's home for dinner with her family :) I'll be bringing dessert. It's the best cake ever too, you can go here for the recipe. I mean it, LOVE IT!!

My two boys have already been busy at school making Mommy special presents for Mother's Day. They can never wait to give them to me on the day either, and usual give them to me the day they bring them home from school. I just love the precious little tokens they make at these ages, and will cherish them forever! I've proudly displayed them each on my mantel.




Individually my 11 year old made me a beautiful card that has flower stamped with his little fingertips as the petals and stem, plus a laminated poem woven with a ribbon, and last but not least a beautiful bowl. Now on to the 9 year old, he also sculpted a fine piece of pottery, and a beautiful card to accompany it, and a bonus little mosaic flower pot as well. And I mustn't forget the thoughtful pretty little plant that their best friend and them gave to me. His mother owns a sweet flower shop here in our town right around the corner from us, and the boys are fast friends playing many times a week.

I truly count myself very blessed indeed to be a mother to three very wonderful children! I'm sure all of you mother's out there agree with me when I say that being a mother is the best thing in the entire world!!

Here are a few pics of my kiddos enjoying themselves this Thursday night after dinner when their Daddy decided to make us all s'mores for dessert! The boys were finished eating theirs by the time I took their pictures, but my youngest is just hysterical IMO ;) WHAT A MESS!
Whenever the camera comes out she says "Cheese".

What a way to sit lol!! And it cracks me up, one watching TV one playing on the computer and one busy doing ?

And what has Mommy been busy with? Well, knitting of course. This is a knitting blog so I can not have a post without mentioning knitting can I? No way!! I've been working on a new blanket pattern. It's one of my own actually. And if you are interested in a FREE pattern for it, keep your eyes open in the next few days because I've been working on a post for it. Here is a sneak peek at the project itself which I'm entitling "Making Miters". It may be similar to other blankets you've seen, but my approach is a little bit different.

Until then Happy Knitting!

What Works For Me Might Work For You

While I'm a mother of a toddler, I've always found suggestions from other mother's very helpful. So if I happen to stumble upon something that I think helps my toddler out, then I try to pass it along. I know a few of you are either mothers of toddlers, or have grandchildren that read my blog. This is something that my daughter who is around 2 and a half and will be 3 in Aug. this year, has loved for a long time. It's called Brainy Baby. We have comcast cable and get these short video's on our on demand feature to rent right off the cable box. It's really easy and nice to be able to do that, but if you don't have this feature you can buy these DVDs here. My daughter just happens to get riveted to these, and since it's learning it makes me so happy!! So I say yeah for

In knitting happenings, I've still been thinking about domino knitting a lot. I actually have tried a tiny bit this afternoon with this free pattern (I did make a few of my own modifications which I'll end up sharing if it ends up working out ;). I've yet to figure out the process completely about how to arrange the squares in the order I want. But it seems easy and fun, but there is one drawback to this in my case because I'm using a lot of different colors for the different blocks--lots of ends to weave in. I still want the Vivian Hoxbro book I think. Pic's to come later on this project pending how things work out.

I've also been knitting and knitting on my pinwheel baby blanket too, but I'm kinda in the black hole of knitting with that one I think. I knit and knit and it doesn't seem any bigger--so no pics of this one for you because it's a bore!

Everyone have a happy weekend :)

More Blocks

It seems like I'm enamored with squares lately. BTW, I showed my Mom the crocheted bag with the intent of giving it to her (but I wanted to gauge her reaction first, and I was spot on because she loved it!) and it got a loving new owner! She had a wonderful idea too, a snap right between the front two triangles as a closure. I promptly sewed a small snap in place for her. It worked great. Sorry no pic's for you though. Back to my enamoring with squares, which isn't really anything new for me. But it is new in this form because I've discovered Domino Knitting sometimes referred to as Modular Knitting. Here are a few beautiful examples I've found on ravelry.



This one is by Knitlich:

This one is by ChrisB3 :
There is a book that many knitters on ravelry have said is terrific called Domino Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro, and I intend on getting a copy really soon!
You can find some free patterns that are about domino knitting online just FYI. Well, that's what I'm up to at the moment.

Now It's done

I took the time to line my crocheted bag today. Which involves lugging out my sewing machine argh! And just for two little side seams too. Instead of complaining I should be thankful that I don't have to sew those seams by hand, right? But why do sewing machines have to be so heavy lol ;) ? I got the seams sewn anyway, and I'm pleased with the lined bag. Here is a short rundown of the steps I took in doing this lining project for this bag in case you're interested in following suit.

1. I layed the crocheted bag on top of my fleece (that was folded in half) with the bottom of the bag lined up with the folded edge of the fleece. All other edges of the fleece will be cut of course.

2. I carefully cut around the crocheted bag about an half an inch on the sides for seam allowances for sewing, and pretty much exactly around the points because you will be sewing these edges directly to the points on the crocheted bag itself.

3. I used my sewing machine to sew the side seams up on each side of the bag.

4. I then placed the liner right into the bag and used the same color yarn that I had used to crochet all around the edge of the bag and handles to sew the fleece to the bag. I did this by using a large sharp darning needle and making a knot and starting on the side of the fleece that will be hidden in between the liner and bag I pulled a stitch through and then caught the top two strands of yarn on the band of single crochet that goes around the edge of the bag. Continuing this around until I finished.

5. The last step was to secure the inside of the liner to the bag. So I decided to sew around the corners where the squares meet and tie knots on the inside of the bag. It was the best solution I could hash out. Maybe there is a better one, but in the past I've not had much luck with sewing machines and yarn.

Well, that's it for this little project. Now bag to the pinwheel blanket for the nephew that is expected in mid June. Sorry to say, but I kinda have to force myself to knit this one--it's a tad bit boring. Good for movie watching and TV, right!?!