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Showing posts from November, 2008

This and that, links to free knitting and crochet patterns and more....or everyone is getting ready for a budget minded Christmas

I am a Internet knitting and crochet pattern aholic. I love free patterns, and there are so many of them online. Who isn't trying to save money for any gift giving that we do. Here are some I found that you may enjoy making for the Holidays. Fingerless Crochet driving gloves by LionBrand yarns, I like these! They are different than any of the "fingerless gloves" I have seen before. I have made the LionBrand patterns before, and recommend them. Although they are shown on a woman, I plan to make a pair for a man. If you use the recommended yarn by LionBrand these would cost about $5 to make. Next pattern is also crochet, this one is from Berrocco, it is a unusual felted hat . The instructions call to crochet it, felt it, and cut it out. Sounds mistake proof, If you use the Alpaca yarn called for the cost would be approximate. 11.50 or so. A free sock pattern that is fun is " tipsy" by Gina House from Sleepy Eyes Knit blog, (go to her blog and check

Knitters Tarot Tuesday Reading

Today's card is the seven of cups   As knitter's we have many choices or projects this week, especially with the holiday season upon us. Choose thoughtfully. Whether knitting for yourself or others. A need to reflect upon choices.  Sometimes too many choices and opportunities are presented, which need careful consideration if a grave error of judgement is to be avoided.  May refer to a variety of choices of people for example marriage and other partners. The inquirer is faced with several choices one of exceptional promise but great perception is needed for this to be seen.  This card may also indicate mystical experience of an inspiring kind. The seven of cups is a  card of many meanings, with so much symbolism. All of the cups are on a cloud with a man in black in the foreground.  The cups seem to offer many things, snake=passion, desire and power, treasure=wealth and abundance, human head=companion or lover, castle=power and stability, laurel wreath=honor and statu

Accidental Knitted Wrap or Shawl pattern

I  started knitting a wrap in a simple pattern. You may use any yarn you choose, I picked a part mohair yarn that I had already had it was Patons Devine (it is a wool/acrylic/poly blend (in pink) that I had bought for a baby blanket who turned out to be a boy) Use needles approx. twice the size recommended on the label of your yarn, my yarn recommended size 10 us needles and I used 17. Amount: I used three skeins, which was plenty long with some left, at 142 yd's per ball or around 400 yards needed. Recommended to knit a swatch and measure, remember your lace will stretch. If you are a tight knitter, and don't like the look of your swatch. Use larger needles, you may also yo twice in row 4 (knit, yo, yo, knit continue.....) Play around then when you are happy Cast on 50 stitches ( 40 if using bulky yarn or you want your wrap shorter) row 1 knit row 2 knit row 3 knit row 4 *knit, yo* repeat row 5 knit, drop all yo's from previous row repeat rows 2-5 until your

This and That

The Holidays are approaching and everyone is buzzing with activity. Here are a few knitting related links that have caught my interest. Learning to knit? KnitPicks has all kinds of video tutorials! A good variety of needles , if you need some. You can have tons of fun looking around at kpixie , yarn, patterns etc.. I like the selection of crochet kits they have. Maybe a good gift idea. Another online store the Loopyewe is fun, and Sheri has a great blog . Here are her free knitting patterns! Favorite mittens is a book on mittens, This book is a "best of" her previous two books with a revision in some instructions. Here is a nice freebie Knitting Daily's Crochet quick Gifts, free e book download. Always a good thing. Rowan books for any knitter, here is the Classic Winter knits Technorati Tags: Free knitting patterns links , various interesting knitting ideas

Review of a Kick Spindles Or Mother Marion to spin

When I made the decision to buy a Kick spindle I could find very little info on it, anywhere. Below is what I gathered, bought and my experience with mine. I could only find two being marketed, since I purchased mine I have found a third. Below is my views on the Kick spindle I purchased (Little Meggie from Heavenly Handspinning), and some info on all of the other Kick Spindles that I could locate. Links and costs are included. Review: Things I like about my Kick Spindle. 1. Long spin time, I like the addition of the ball bearing. 2. Leaves both hands free to draft 3. It's my "wheel" 4. I like using my foot, I am moving around and don't get stiff from one position. It's a very "active" type, rhythmic motion. 5. You can actually stand and use it also. 6. Great price point. 7. I have never spun on a wheel and when I sat down at one the first time, I could actually spin (some) I think this action of foot/hand coordination helped. 8.

Featured Etsy Shop

I like this shop on Etsy. Storybeader , I was attracted by the name of the shop. She has a selection of original pieces that vary from extravagant to fun and useful. Some eye candy for your enjoyment. Horse head bookmark $10 Pirate Keyring $15 Jasper cabochon $27 Turtle Treasure Necklace $380 Enjoy! And may your needles fly as fast as dragonflies!!

Wouldn't you like to be knitting here

Autumn in Germany   May your needles fly as fast as dragonflies..

Veterans Day sale and match donation for DAV

To celebrate Veterans day this year I am going to donate and match any sales I have on Nov 11 from my Etsy store Dizzydragonflies to DAV. Please take time out and support the Veterans of this country in whatever way you can. Statistics on our Veterans http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/docs/4X6_fall08_sharepoint.pdf 23% of our homeless people are veterans: http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm Donate to help this Thanks for giving, Celebrate the day!!   Technorati Tags: Veterans day sale donation and match to DAV

The life lessons that knitting taught me or The top ten reasons that I knit

I guess if I had to say one thing about knitting in my life it would be something like, "when things get tough, the tough get knitting". Knitting has been present in my life starting about age 7 or so. My grandmother taught me to knit. She has patient and let me make my mistakes without flinching. Although she seemed to be able to perform magic with yarn and needles when she was showing me something. I never saw her knit for herself. Born in 1900, she was a hardworking woman, had 11 children and a husband that I never knew. He died very early. They had a grocery store together, and although I never saw it, there was much evidence of it in her rambling home. Old crocks, pitchers and glass candy jars. After she lost her husband and the grocery. She became a nurses aid, which she worked at until the late 70's. I remember the hospital finally forced her to quit. So I would see her knit here and there, pieces with shapes that I couldn't imagine what they were. I woul

Camo Snakes and sheep

I have been crocheting a snake for a Christmas present. Last year I was crocheting toys Christmas Eve, so I'm trying to finish a little earlier this year. The snake pattern is from Yarncat.com , I altered it slightly by using child safe eyes, (with washers on the backs, I picked out cat eyes and because the puplis were more snake-like), I also made a red felt forked tongue instead of a crocheted black one. I think he turned out very cute. OOOO I'm scary and ready to strike, I'm long enough to put around your neck at 46 inches. You can see my tongue here. Go visit Yarncat.com ! There are lots of free patterns. I like the baby snake pattern (even if you don't like snakes you will like these), Chenille bear pattern and fun things like this bug scrubber , road tested by truckers (and good for the environment) I think this would be a cute stocking stuffer. Right now I am in a sheep ornament obsession! I have plans to make, all colors of sheep and turn them into ornament

Knitters Tarot Tuesday Reading

Two of wands The card of the week is the Two of Wands. As knitters we can be daring this week, we have power and the vision to create something that has been only an idea. Have no fear, mistakes or dropped stitches will be few. Be adventurous and enjoy yourself. Most often, the Two of Wands card means courage and daring. It has the message of striking out on a journey or new path. The image on the Rider-Waite deck shows us a wealthy merchant or nobleman, looking west over his territory,  gazing into the west symbolizes learning from our past. He holds the world in his hands, symbolizing power. His wooden rod is firmly planted on top of a brick wall, ensuring victory over obstacles. The time is right to be bold and creative. If you are in a moment of doubt, this card tells you to make your move. You have the power in your hands; now is the time to find courage to use it The Tarot is a deck of cards that originated over 500 years ago in northern Italy. Although the Tarot w

Crochet Octopus key chain tutorial, Free pattern

I started making these and had so much fun I decided I would turn them into something useful. Ta da..Keychain. Supplies: Small amount of yarn , I like to use a multicolor , only about 1 oz, any type is ok from embroidery floss to chunky yarn. Yes Red heart is good for this project. Hook: use the hook recommended for the yarn you choose, see label of yarn . Stitches to know : sc, sl st, chain, how to increase, how to decrease.If you need help learning to crochet or a refresher check this site out . Eyes: I used glue on google eyes (i actually found mine at the dollar store), there are also child safe eyes , and of course you can just make a french knot and some dark yarn and embroidery some on. There are also Chenille balls you can use for eyes. Batting or yarn : to stuff head, small amount. Key chain if desired: I bought a pack of 80 for under 2 dollars at walmart. Beginning; chain 3 Rnd 1: In first chain space, sc 7 times, this is crocheted in a continuou