Knitting Dragonflies

 I started making Christmas Stockings and am still making them. The first one I made was a free pattern from Marly Bird, the Love Light Gleems stocking. I made it slimmer. Only doing two repeats instead of the three of the patterns. rav Link I quickly started modifying the patterns on the designs, and had a lot of fun. I added an area to put simple block letters for the name. I also found another stocking pattern that had more designs and was free also. It is the Cascade Christmas stocking. I used the designs for this one but kept the top picot edging and Latvian braid from the other pattern. pattern link Now I'm on another stocking. This one has cables on the top. The pattern for this one is from Rachel Brockman called The Gingerbread Stocking (rav link)  When I saw this pattern I loved the rustic look of the colors and colorwork.  I think this will be my last one, I need to move onto other items. Are you knitting any gifts? May you needles fly as fast as dragonflies.

I finished the first one and was pleased with it. So decided I would try again. Pattern is from Marly Bird, free pattern. It is the Love Light Gleems Stocking (rav link ). She also has a video on her YouTube channel you can find and it shows how to make the whole stocking.  This is the first time I've made the Latvian braid and her video showed how to do it. I did modify the pattern to only 2 repeats of the design. It makes the stocking thinner. I added some stocking net area in-between the braid and the main design to include the last name. For the heel I used 28 stitches and used the afterthought heel. It makes it quick to make the body of the stocking. I used the afterthought heel from Knitty Natty ( you tube link ) I'll add a pic of my first stocking I made. Enjoy and may your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies.

Beginning of my first stocking! I'm enjoying it so much I'm planning on doing more. I did add some stocking net stitch to add a name and just made simple letters to fit on the cuff. I did make the stocking more slender and kept it to 2 repeats. Only cast on of 56 stitches.

Jodi and my Oversized Hoodie on the porch.  Yarn is scarfie, from Lion Brand, I did modify the arms & I added slash interior pockets. I'll add the details of my modifications in another post. I have plans to add a zip to it. So far I'm loving how it turned out!! I really love her patterns and highly recommend them. Pattern is Oversized Hoodie from Carrie Chambers (crochet with carrie) blog link May your needles fly as fast as dragonflies.....

  I'm working on the AnyTime cardigan pattern by Dora Does, it is a free pattern, ( blog link ) I love her designs and I've knit top down sweaters, but haven't seen a crochet one. I'm loving the aspect that I can try it on as I go. It really helps get the fit/size correct. I decided to add ribbing on the edges & planning the same for the button placket.   I'm just going to use a single crochet in the back loop and slip stitch it on as I go. May your needles fly as fast as dragonflies.

    Pattern from Taylor OBrien. I saw her tutorial on YouTube (link)  and had to make this. It was fun and fast!  I highly recommend you giving it a try.

Got my Kayleigh cardigan done. Pattern is from Ruby Webbs, I purchased it from her etsy shop ( etsy link )  The pattern was easy to follow, I used Big Twist Tweed yarn. The cardigan turned out good, but I had gauge issues from my original swatch. It turned out quite a bit smaller/tighter. (I think due to me switching hooks mid project) I ended up trying to not rip the whole thing out so I added room on the arms by adding ribbing to the top shoulder area, and then adding short rows in the arm pit area to make it a little dolman sleeve like. I like how the shape turned out. I would make it again and use the correct sizing.  I also had to add rows around the cuff to get the sleeves long enough. Here you can see the original dimensions of the sweater. And here you can see the added area of short rows  in the under arms.