Knitting Dragonflies

After my first attempt at a knitted wire birdhouse, see pattern link on sidebar, I decided to try another. They are easy quick and fun, and I’m starting a series of them now. Knitted Wire Birdhouse #2 Using size 13 needles And 26 Gauge Floral Wire , I used silver approx .94 cents Two sheets of Foamies , choose your color (9 x 12 inch sheet) approx .65 cents each Optional: crochet hook, size K, (any large size will do, gauge not important) Warning: Please be careful of wire, it is sharp and can poke you, causing injury. Ouch.. Cast on 25 sts, loosely, I used the single cast on. Knit every row. The house is constructed with the cast on and bind off edges, being in the front and this will form the entry hole. While knitting you have to stretch out the wire and smooth in down, it will be very stretchy. When you reach your desired length pull and flatten it down. Similar to “blocking” Knit until it measures approx. 12 inches. You can turn the piece around and se...

I found some wire while cleaning the house. After looking at it for awhile I started getting twitchy fingers. "What could I knit with wire?" A few swatches later, I decided a birdhouse was in order. There is a technique for knitting with wire, I "pulled" each stitch to make it loose. Also at the end of each row, pull the stitches away from the needle that they are on, and flatten and shape the wire. You will understand after trying it. Warning: Wire can be sharp, I did get poked several times, be careful. Materials: Needles: Metal 14" size 11 us (I haven't used these since I knitted a burnt orange scarf, I won't even tell you what year that was} Wire: Floral wire, one bundle 24 gauge (from .99-1.99 at a craft store) Wire: 18 gauge, I got this from Home Depot, sturdy enough for skeletal support of your house. Wire cutters, or those sturdy kitchen scissors Optional: crochet hook size K, or other large size. Cast on (loose) 24 sts. Now knit every row for ...

When I bought the crochet book, The Happy Hooker, this was one of the projects I always wanted to crochet. I always want to see at least two projects in a book before I want to buy it. Checking on Ravelry at some of the versions that had been completed made my decision easy. So armed with cotton yarn and advice from several Ravelers I started the project. This was a a little hard to finish, I almost frogged it and used the cotton for dish cloths several times. But that could be due to the fact that I am primarily a knitter and not accustomed to reading crochet patterns. The cotton yarn was hard on my hands, and I can’t crochet very much due to RSI. I had to make myself finish this hat. It was most unpleasant crocheting with two strands of the cotton yarn I picked out. I would consider making the hat with another type of yarn. Yarn: Peach n Cream 4, 2 oz balls, held double through out. Hook: size G Pattern: From the book Stitch N Bitch crochet: The Happy Hooker, Yeehaw Lady Ch...

  Devine Designs Jewelry Her jewelry is one of a kind and perfect for a gift! Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/devinedesignsjewelry Blog http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DevineDesignsJewelry Below is from her Bio: Having always been crafty, and like working with my hands, I have made swimwear and dancer’s costumes in a previous “life”. Creativity runs in my family, as my mother does ceramics and crochets; my uncle is a woodworker. I am a mostly self-taught wire and cold forge metal jewelry artist. I have studied under local artist, Stacy Perry, as well as, learning from books and video tutorials. Other jewelry artists and instructors that I have learned from include, Sharilyn Miller and Lisa Niven Kelly, who are considered among the best wire jewelry artists. I try to take metal to the extreme; by bending and twisting to create unique designs. I use lots of wire to make twists, coils, and spirals that I add to my work. I stri...

April’s Etsy Blogger is Linda B’s Jewelry Mauve Pearl Wire Wrap Necklace $22.60 From her bio: Hi, my name is Linda and I'm passionate about using bright colors and gemstone characteristics in my unique beaded jewelry designs. Most of my items are one-of-a-kind. My Judaica line of jewelry and accessories is very popular and I enjoy coming up with new designs for it. I've been beading for about 6 years now. I work full-time and find beading to be relaxing and fun. Visit my shop at lindab142.etsy.com I love color and what the gemstones and colors symbolize and create one-of-a-kind, unusual designs of handbeaded gemstone and glass pendants, bracelets, earrings, beaded bookmarks, rings, beaded keychains and car mirror jewelry. Also, I enjoy working with clients on more conventional custom orders... I love to buy jewelry, so had trouble picking out some of my favorites from her shop: Amethyst Healing Silver Wire Wrapped Pendant $24.30 Blue Glass Beaded Bracelet $22.32 I ...

Here are some cool things I have found while bopping around the web lately -This is a cool idea to recycle those 2 liter bottles into a self watering pot for your plants Self watering recycled plant pot for growing herbs and flowers - More DIY How To Projects -Want to knit pretty jewelry from wire? This book Elements Of Style: Creating Jewelry with Wire, Fiber, Felt, and Beads by Rosemary Hill, looks like it can get you going. Price $22.95 -If you would rather felt some jewelry, check this book out, Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads: 25 Artful Designs by Carol Huber Cypher , Price $21.95 -Felted Flip Flops by Kelly Jensen sold on Etsy   $6.00 or on her website -This Knit kit is something I have never seen. The Knit Kit is a great new product designed to keep all of your knitting accessories in one convenient little kit.  Includes:  tape measure, crochet needle, scissors, stitch markers, point protectors, stitch counter and thread cutter. $19.95 -I like ...

 I made a series of Christmas stockings, and needed something small and fun to knit as a palate cleanser. I have always looked at the little sweater ornament patterns and thought they were so adorable. So I decided to give one a try. I saw that Berroco yarns had their yearly ornament patterns out,   Minutia 21 , they are free and looked so cute! It is just knitting a little sweater, just like a life size one! So cute.....I did all of mine one dpns, but I found a girl on YouTube knitting them on magic loop. She is the KnitYorker,  video link here.  They were fun and didn't take too long to make.  If you want to look at some more, I'll link their other little sweater ornament patterns of the past years... Minutia 20  , Minutia 18,   Minutia 16, and Minuti 15 . After my first two tiny sweaters that were knit. I wanted to find a crochet sweater pattern ornament. I found one on Ravelry from Melissa Mall. ( pattern link rav)  Miniature sweater orna...

The featured Etsy seller for this month is Stormy Designs. First this seller is having an April sale! I'm a big sale shopper. A littler bit about her: About Stormy Designs: Stormy Designs offers unique sculptures, art, home decor, art jewelry and accessories for your shopping pleasure. All of my creations are hand-made with love. And it's good to have someone to stand behind their work: I guarantee my wire work to withstand normal wear, if proper care is given wire wrapped items should last for years. Should something break please save all the pieces and convo me about repairing it. Polymer clay beads may shatter or chip if dropped on a hard surface so treat them as you would your pearls. There is a large variety of designs: If you are a bold gal: Of course I had to point these out: Not only jewelry: OOOOO I could see this in my new sewing room, filled with knitting needles.... These would be a great gift to put on a keychain for any dog lover. ...

I like to knit with unexpected materials. I’ve knitted with wire before and made some fun birdhouses, which held up well and have had many generations of bird families in them. ( See posts here ) I found some Sisal at my local Stuff Mart, and bought 4 balls. Ended up casting on with size 8 needle and about 20 stitches to test it out, and the result was two very nice mats to sit plants on in our sun porch. My original plan was to make a door mat, but I decided I would start small. In the meantime I’ve found some cheap trays and am making inserts for them to set plants etc.. on. The larger mat (above) is done on size US 13 needles and cast on 30 stitches and knit until it is long enough. The casting on it the hardest part of the process. Then I cast off and I did a row of single crochet all around to make it neater looking. I had though of crocheting an entire mat, but this proved to be too hard on my fingers. Before soaking above, all wavy & stiff     ...