Knitting Dragonflies

One of the main reasons I bought the book Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard , is due to this pattern. The model is on the beach looking free and easy, the sweater is oversized and comfortable looking yet complimentary to her figure. And we must always bear in mind that sweaters in books are worn by models, the average size now being a 2-4 US but they actually would prefer a 0. Well as we know, everything looks cute smaller! Never the less, I decided I had to have this sweater. I frogged a ill conceived hoodie from 2 years ago. Of course I had lost all of the yarn info, so I had a mystery amount of it. Slightly bulky with 6 balls I cast on without fear. Since it was top down I hoped I could alter it, if I needed to. Thank goodness for Ravelry, I read all of the helpful comments of those that had gone before me with this pattern and took note. The sweater took off at a great pace. Before I knew it I was on the sleeves! I decided to try to get it done before the week was over! ...

I’m on a mission to reduce my stash. I was trying to come up with a good project for some bulky yarn I had. Sitting outside, enjoying watching some birds nesting in my last years knitted bird houses (see pattern 1 and 2 ), I decided to attempt a free form crochet bird house. I decided to base it on the little finch nesting boxes I use to have for my caged birds. Begin with some bulky yarn and a fairly large crochet hook, I used a K size. Chain 4 and join with slip stitch. round 1; Sc 7 times in loop round 2; Now 2sc in each stitch round 3; sc, 2sc, repeat round 4; sc all around, spacing in 2sc 3 times evenly continue round 4 until your base of your bird house is the size you want. Now just sc all around until the house is deep enough to make you happy. Then sc across, turn and go back stopping just short of your beginning of the row, (this is the entrance of the bird house). Continue sc back and forth until the house is tall enough to suit you. Now fold the ...

I saw this pattern in Knitty Spring 2009 and fell in love with it! The simplicity and style. { rav link }. I had some beige 100% wool yarn and decided to use that instead of the cotton it calls for. And then something happened….. see this post , I wanted color, bold beautiful living color! OK, I had the pattern and the yarn, now ready to cast on! I knitted my gauge swatch , like a good girl should. Ready to go now. Studying the pattern  I kept thinking, it looks a little boxy, I’ll add a little shape to it, maybe some decreasing around the waist…..and I do so wish it was knitted  “ in the round ” sweater. My first sweater attempts were comical, several looked like they were made for Quasimodo , my next phase consisted of neck problems, I couldn’t get my head into the neck or the neck was x rated. I was apparently knitting for an entire sideshow. Then I discovered Elizabeth Zimmerman !  Amazingly, I could knit sweaters to fit, and I loved it! Like a good myst...

The featured Etsy seller is Handmade by Sandi , from Suffolk, Virginia. Below is by Sandi: I learned how to crochet from my mom, many years ago (too many to count). I loved making hats and scarves for family members, as well as crocheted stuffed animals for children. In 2006, after starting chemo treatment for breast cancer, I crocheted myself little hats and skull caps to keep my head warm - even in bed! With the completion of my treatment, and my energy level coming back - I decided to pay it forward, by crocheting hats for other cancer patients. What a wonderful feeling to give back for all the help I received! I love the feel of soft yarn, when I am working with it, as well as wearing a finished item - makes me feel hugged, and you will too - when you try one of my scarves or hats. Of course, I also love to sew, and create items that make life easier. In addition - I love to wear earrings - and I'm always trying new styles. Some of my favorite items: ...

I have had some spare time lately to catch up on my knitting! I’m trying to do some major stash busting. Listening to my favorite knitting podcasts always makes for pleasant knitting. Look at my sidebar for a list, for my old favorites, but I have found quite a few new ones that I love. I’m always looking for new podcasts. Rarely do I not get inspired after listening to several of these, whether it is a new yarn, shop, pattern or even problem that the podcasters are talking about. I always get excited and think “I can do that!” Look at the Ravelry list of Fibery Podcasts!! Here are some new podcasts I’m listening to and loving! (if I haven't made a comment, I haven’t listened to an episode yet) Round the Twist (video podcast) Let’s Knit Together (video podcast) Sticks & String (only listened to one so far, an Australian bloke, who is so far very interesting and nice to listen to) Stash & Burn (love it) Bark N Knit Stitch It   Electric Sheep Knit...

I’m on a mission to finish as many UFO’s as possible and stash bust. Hats are a great way to quickly knit up some misc balls of yarn. Put them away now for gifts when the weather turns cool. They are great for “to go” knitting, small enough to fit into your purse or bag, and fun. I had some bulky yarns, and my crochet needle out from my Laguna Sun Hat, so I created this hat! I think it turned out super cute and it was fast. I used the Sun Hat pattern with bulky yarn, I would like to try it with cotton also. Someone suggested jute or hemp to make a Laguna Sun hat, in my yarn bin I found some long forgotten hemp that was originally meant for a basket, (it has been a LONG time since I made baskets). It turned into a super cute hat! I added another bulky yarn to the left over yarn from this hat and created this slouchy hat on big needles knitted flat. Here is the beginning, and I just knitted along in a k1, p1 pattern until I was almost out of yarn and then did several row...

  I had one ball of Kid Seta sitting in my UFO box, I’m trying to get my UFO’s done and do a stash blast. Using this cute pattern for a super simple lace Cat’s Paw Scarf , I had cast on quite some time ago. After getting it back out I quickly finished it up, but was dismayed to discover that I didn’t have enough yardage, (had I used some on something before?) to make it long enough for a scarf. Instead of frogging it and looking for another pattern, I decided to graft the ends together and make it into a cowl. I found this great tutorial on grafting for garter and stocking st. from Sarah Bradberry, it comes with a Kitchener video from Letico.ca, which always helps. On the grafting topic, my husband came home the other day with a copy of Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2010 . It has an in depth article on grafting that is worth taking a look at. Long and detailed, it made my head spin a bit. A beginning knitter might give up on the article, but if you keep going by the end...

I bought this kit 2 years ago and am ashamed to admit that it has been lounging on a shelf since then. After getting it out one morning, I had half of the hat done in 3 hours. I like the fit so well I am planning on making this hat again, in cotton, or even wool. It has a great shape. I don’t usually like to buy “kits” but I bought this one (from OneFineYarn ), it come with the pattern and 10 balls of Adriafil Reflex. Adriafil Reflex is unique material that reminds us raffia. The hat will amazingly hold the shape and no brim support is needed. Yarn specs: 59% rayon, 41% polyester; 25g/59 meters each ball; made in Italy. Hat is crochet using yarn doubled throughout and crochet hook I/5.5mm. Pattern provides instructions to create a hat to your own measurements. (this is the great part, my hat fits “perfectly”!) I used crochet hook I, and ended up using 6 balls, I have 4 left and think I will make a smaller brimmed sun hat. Now I’m ready to walk dogs and work ...