Knitting Dragonflies

I was so surprised when I woke up one morning and found my cactus blooming in my kitchen window! Years of ignoring it and occasionally watering resulted in growth but nothing exciting. Last year I must have over watered it, and the bottom started to rot. It got so bad I almost threw it out, but I couldn’t bring myself to. I hacked off the bottom and stuck the top part of the remaining plant in dirt. And then pretty much ignored it. Ha.. If you want some real info on cactus and how to make them bloom I found the cactus expert! I have had tremendous luck with Christmas cactus! Easy to grow and a delight to see the blooms every year (although not near the holidays for me, it flowers when it wants to). I found info on my brown thumb if you need help getting your Christmas cactus to flower . I showed my husband the Lucet video from Strings n Things , (he is a carpenter) and he came home with this for me! You can make some great looking friendship bracelets, shoe strings, and those mis

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 around. Rnd 6: *2sc in

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&quo

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