Knitting Dragonflies

I am in love with top down and bottom up in the round construction for sweaters. Consequently I’m always on the look out for books that use this technique. Wendy’s Custom Knits came out around 2008. I purchased this book off of Amazon without being able to look through it. (I will buy in the round sweater books sight unseen, *grin*). I very much liked the style of the sweater shown on the front cover. I expected this book to be a bit more user friendly for beginning knitters. (like Elizabeth Zimmerman books, she takes you by the hand and leads you through the process if needed, otherwise knit on), I do like her advice of finding styles that work for you, look at the bought sweaters that you own, and flatter you. My favorite is her “reality checklist” for picking a pattern out. I am especially guilty of seeing a photo of a women in a field of flowers, who looks nothing like me, wearing a lovely sweater and have to buy this pattern and yarn. If you follow her checklist, it will elimina

I promise I’ll get to back to knitting content soon! I have frogged my DummyClapShawl , I originally thought I wanted a larger, lose gauge, but decided since the finished product will have dropped stitches to create the lacy areas, they would be too large and prone to getting caught on everything. From this (above left) to this (above right), yes that’s better! In addition I decided to use this yarn (I think) for a sweater ( Zuma Tunic ), Pattern from Custom Knits 2 (book review to come soon) by Wendy Bernard. I have Wendy’s first book, Custom Knits , if you have that one, I would say the 2nd book is a must! Very helpful she has extensive info on how to alter patterns, both for fit and to add and delete different components of the pattern. In the meantime, I am in a constant search for products for dry skin, hair and nails. A relatively new development for me. I’ve always had oily skin so have been very oil phobic. It has been hard to see oil as a good and necessary thing. I foun

I know it is a little late to start, but if you are headed out to a picnic or family gathering you might need a festive article to knit or craft, all free patterns! -Free Ravelry download Uncle Sam hat for your pooch ! Hey you can get this one done today no problem! (crochet) -I adore this mini red, white and blue sock pin ! Although I don’t think I could get it done in time! Pattern by Kathy North   - Knitted American Flag 9” x 7'” finished size by Dori Johnson  (knit ) - 4th of July PotHolder, by by Priscilla Hewit t, you can get this done for the Hostess! (crochet) - American star coasters, can do!! So do some patriotic knitting!

I have two big dogs, lab mix, litter mates. Super sweet and funny. About two years ago my male dog, Syd, had a Mast Cell Tumor and surgery to remove it.( see previous post ), We have been tumor free since then, however, about a month ago a lump showed up on his right side (on his eighth rib), see photo, Mast Cell tumors can look many different ways on dogs. It is very important to get any lump or bump checked out with your vet, it may save the life of your dog. The first tumor was a size of a pea on the skin, (in his groin area), the vet had to remove an area about the size of an orange to remove it all. Like an iceberg, you only see part of the tumor. This tumor was the size of an egg, so we were anxious, knowing how much had to be removed last time. The vet assured us that this tumor was located in a “better” area. I won’t go into detail (I’ll add links to helpful pages if you need more info on Mast Cell Tumors), Before photo of Syd’s Tumor (below) A little wobbly but up and abou

I’m at work and my co-workers are talking about the book everyone is reading, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I’m thinking, oooo, grey, a steely grey wool would be a gorgeous neutral sweater. Maybe with some cables, a classic pattern, or a shawl neck and a basket weave, or maybe some lace panels…….OOOO Erotic…… .Here are a few free cardigan patterns I like, all free! Aidez is a feminine fitted cardigan that has all the cozy antique appeal of traditional Aran texture Amiga from Mags Kandis published in Knitty, love this lightweight breezy cardigan A fun cardigan from Vickie Howell, with some pattern to it , not too much to be intimidating, but enough to make it interesting to knit and wear. From Black Dog Designs a fabulous and modern take on a classic cardigan , The Stella Designed by Wendy Baker for plus sizes. the pattern is taken from 'Knitting Goes Large' by Sharon Brant, published by Rowan. A plus size easy to wear figure skimming cardigan free pattern. This casual jack

I was bogged down with my Dummy Clap Shawl (pattern by Anna Peck), I thought I needed something mindless to knit, but maybe I didn’t. It was too boring. I stopped knitting and thought I was going to frog it, but after seeing a video on 20 ways to wear a Eternity scarf, I’m thinking I’m going to keep knitting. Ave measurement of an eternity scarf = 30 x 80 inches. Even if you don’t knit one, you can sew one with knitted fabric or just buy one. I love this video! Check it out!! So I’m knitting again, I’ve also been buying some (ha, well maybe more than some or a few) knitting books and I’ve got lots of ideas!

I know I’ve been MIA for a while. I’m getting a major craving to knit a sweater! Yes, I know the temp is in the 90’s but a girl at work asked me some questions and brought hers in and I helped her along. Now I’m itching to get some needles into my hands. Everything goes better with knitting…. Get those needles and yarn out and get knitting!