Knitting Dragonflies

Same pattern as below link, just slightly bigger needles and a longer rib area, and hat body. I used one size larger needles than the original pattern and still only one skein of Lion Brand Hometown USA, Super Bulky, acrylic. Free Pattern here Or turn the brim up! Oh no, I feel a hat marathon starting. This pattern is so easy and fast! I’m working on a “real” slouchy flat hat pattern, cast on and in the process, I’m on the quest for a more “slouchy” look, more later. LOL May your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies….

  Playing around a little, and ended up making a small crochet bag. It looks good. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn, because I like the sheen it has, the stitches are very distinct with it. One skein will make many bags. You will also need a crochet hook, I used size F, but if you use a different yarn, use the size indicated on the label, or one size smaller, to get a tight stitch. Tutorials (video) all below! Chain Stitch Single Crochet Slip Stitch I also used one wooden bead. shop around and see what would be good, look at the interior hole of the bead. You want it to be tight, to keep the bag closed. But be able to thread it on the chained cord. Single crochet. slip stitch and chain stitch is used. Rnd 1: Chain 6, slip stitch to first stitch Rnd 2:  *2sc in each st* repeat 6 times (12 st total) Rnd 3:  *2sc in first st, 1sc in next st* repeat 6 times (18st total) Rnd 4:  *2sc in first st, 1sc in next 2st* repeat 6 times (24st total) Rnd 5: sc all arou...

Dublin (2) , originally uploaded by A Keeper's Jackpot . Photo from "A Keeper 's Jackpot", location Duplin

I ran across these tutorials that I can’t resist sharing! Perfectly Imperfect Twig Buttons with Katie Starzman , these are charming and rustic. And yes I think they are “perfect” for that sweater that is waiting for some buttons at my house, now I just have to get my husband to make these. LOL Silver’s Sock class -Silver has a fab site with tutorials for - One sock on 4 double pointed needles - Two toe up socks on one circular needle - One toe up sock on two circulars (this is the one I’m doing now) The above tutorials are very easy to understand with illustrations! Silver also has a etsy shop Silver’s Shop , with super cute bags to hold your socks! If you need a stretchy cast on , this tutorial will help you! From Rosemary Knits! Want to make some knitting needles? Curious girl show us how, with detailed instructions! Very nice! Find out How to Lucet, with Strings N Things ! I didn’t know what it was either!! Happy Knitting!

The Etsy blogger for March is Mystic Wynd . I love her use of natural stones in jewelry. Happy shopping! Sterling Silver Botswana Agate Earrings $19.95 From her bio: One of the first things the entrepreneurial gurus tell you to do is to determine who you want your products to appeal to. In my case, it was obvious - everyone! The career woman looking for that bold and powerful jewelry ensemble. The stay at home mom looking for something fun and trendy or simple and understated for day to day, or glamorous and exotic for those occasions she gets to break away and let her hair down. Students on a limited budget or who are still exploring a variety of styles. Fashionistas who love to start new trends. Grandmoms who prefer a little bit of nostalgia. Fashion designers and costume designers looking for that one-of-a kind piece that's perfect for a new dress or an old world character. Brides, their mothers and mothers-in-law to-be. Club members looking for a special "trademark...

I have not mentioned it, for fear of jinxing myself. But I have been on a yarn diet for a year now! yay! I can’t believe it. This was actually inspired by The Quilter , who is constantly making an amazing amount of quilts and knits! After serious stash busting, my yarn is down to a very small area, I even have empty plastic bins! I’m pretty proud of myself. I think I have enough for one more sweater, and about 4 skeins of bulky turquoise that I bought on sale, (for who knows what), otherwise it is random balls of prettiness. The diet was broken by the purple yarn I bought for my girlfriends hat. So it was immediately knitted up and sent out. Of course the diet didn’t include, cotton yarn for washcloths, but I immediately give these away as I knit them, so obviously doesn't count! Or any yarn that I bought to dye and sell. *giggle* Before I become too full of myself I will confess I was not on a fiber diet. So any space that I freed up, pretty much got filled with fiber. I’m ...

Knitting has slowed down at my house. I seem to be unraveling a bit right now. This started with my fall down the stairs a year ago. I still have a “bump” to show for it, and a slightly wonky hip. I’m trying to work that into a sexy walk. Then a thyroid nodule, which involved much testing including a biopsy, which came back negative. Still waiting to get into an endocrinologist for that. The most recent thing happened when I woke up one morning and it looked like pepper had been spilled across my field of vision in my right eye. In addition to several dark bug like spots. Oh good, more doctor visits. This resulted in the happy news that I am not among the 85% that have a retinal tear with these symptoms. Yay, but the world looks different now. I hope to find my old self soon Until then keep knitting….

I started knitting this in the round, but ended up knitting it flat. I didn’t have the right size in a round needle, and after several attempts to get gauge I ended up uninventing (as EZ would say) a pattern quickly that worked. It was the first time I knitted a hat flat. It was fast and easy. It would be a good project for a beginning knitter also. Easy Knitted Flat Hat (super bulky yarn) Knit this brim up or down, longer body if you want a “slouchy hat look” Yarn used: I used Lion Brand Hometown USA, Super Bulky, due to being made for a non-knitter that will wear it while training for marathons=many washings. Gauge-13 stitches per 4 inches. Needles- Size US 13 or size to get gauge Size-adult hat Cast on: 48 stitches row 1: K1, P1 * (*repeat to end) repeat row 1 until your ribbing is as long as you desire, I made mine about 5 inches, if you want a larger brim to turn up make it 6 or more. You can make it 4 inches or so if you don’t want to roll it up. When it is long enoug...

I had breakfast with my girlfriend the other day. After working with her for years and years, her position was eliminated. (This was, of course, after they promised her it wouldn’t be), what is up with that? She is going through a tough time. After being unemployed for about 6 months, with no unemployment, (she had to fight for it), she finally got a job at a factory working the night shift. It is hard work, especially for a fifty something women whose body has survived many obstacles over the years including breast cancer. I roll into the diner, and she is sitting there, grimy, and tired. But she is smiling and has this old, and worn knitted cap on. We catch up on what is going on with us, our families and friends. Then I ask her about the cap, she says a childhood friend knitted it for her about forty years ago, she puts it on every night before she goes to work because it makes her smile. Now she wouldn't let me take a photo of her with her well loved and slightly grimy cap ...