Enter to Win This Beautiful Sweater Kit :-)
ISN’T THIS A BEAUTIFUL SWEATER?
Rowan is giving away two of these sweater kits in the lovely teal blue shade that’s shown in photo.
Looks like an ideal beginner project too. 🙂
Contest closes on October 8th, so enter soon! Open to US AND Canadian residents.
Easy to enter and to share this contest too (if you want to share!) 😉 at Google Plus etc…
Good Luck and Happy Knitting!
PS: I’m back to working on my Walk in the Park Cardie this weekend.
What are you making right now?Â
Walk in the Park Cardie (Knitting) Conundrum :-(
Some of you may remember this cardie pattern that I blogged about several weeks ago:
I liked the pattern SO much and decided to make it in two different yarns.
The first cardie I started is in the yarn actually shown in this photo above, but in these colors:
Hawaiian Sky for the main color (actually a vivid teal blue, not dark as shown in this photo)
Bubble Gum pink for the contrast
I wanted it to be reminiscent of a sunset sky! 😉
So far, I have knit both sleeves. But even that was not without its problems.
I contacted the customer service dept. at Yarnspirations when I noted that there were errors in the pattern. Even though I am definitely NOT an expert knitter, I could tell that there were errors as soon as I started knitting. VERY frustrating and a lot of wasted time for me. How I hate to “frog” (knit-speak for pull out) stitches, but that’s what I ended up having to do. 😦
After I got word back from Yarnspirations with the assurance that all errors for all sizes had been rectified, I went ahead and knit both sleeves. They worked out fine and the chart for the sleeves was fine too, for the Size M, which is the one I’m making.
Here’s where the conundrum comes in…
I am now working on the body of the sweater, which is knit in one long row across, on circular needles. A lot of stitches, over 200, but no side seams required, when it’s made this way.
I got the ribbing and the plain stockinette area at the bottom of the sweater knit without any problems.
But when I started on the chart, things started to go downhill from there. 😦
I got to Row 3 for Size M, and the pattern didn’t seem to line up as it should. The stitches don’t line up to form the same shape as the sleeve chart design (hopefully that makes sense!)
I contacted the company AGAIN and apparently they looked into it again and found no further errors. But given how many errors there were initially in this pattern, I’m not so sure. 😉
Now, I don’t know what to do. as I said above, I’m NO expert when it comes to knitting. I can follow a pattern just fine but I expect that pattern to be correct and not one I have to figure out along the way, when errors come along. Aren’t these patterns made (IN ALL SIZES) before they are posted, on major sites like Yarnspirations?
Based on this and other experiences with other major pattern websites, that is sadly not always true.
If there are any knitters out there reading this who like a challenge and have a bit of time, I’d REALLY appreciate your opinion if this body pattern chart is actually correct in the Size M?
You can download the (updated/corrected??) pattern here.
I don’t want to start this pattern again without being sure that it is correct, this time. Frogging small stitches like this, on a circular needle and over 200 stitches is NOT MY IDEA OF FUN KNITTING!!!
I hope your own knitting and craft projects are proceeding faster and more smoothly than this one has been for me.
I still ♥ to knit but I could do without errors in patterns!!!
Happy Day and KnittingÂ
and
A Big THANK YOU in Advance to Any Knitters Who Have the Time/Inclination to Check Out this Chart and Give Their Opinion If/Of What’s Wrong.
You can leave a comment below or email me (see contact page).
Book Review: Arm & Finger Knitting by Laura Strutt
Have you heard about arm and finger knitting?
I hadn’t until recently, but judging by the number of people (over 8 million!!) viewing this YouTube video (check it out, really well done) about arm knitting, it’s a very popular craft that’s shaking things up in the knitting world and how!
I think this is such a cool idea! 😉
Replacing knitting needles with your arms or fingers, to create beautiful and rather unique knit items. I’ve already got a couple of projects picked out to try, just waiting for some yarn to arrive in the mail.
So, after the basic how-to’s are worked out, where to go to find some really nice arm and finger knit patterns to try out?
ARM & FINGER KNITTING by Laura Strutt
A book that I highly recommend, if you decide to give this fun, new craft a go!
Filled with all kinds of original arm and finger knits, including these two beautiful examples:
Raspberry Ripple Shawl
Cozy Striped Throw
Other patterns included in the book: a travel blanket, that folds up into a pillow when not in use (that’s one I’ve got in mind to make), a two-tone tote bag,several other home furnishing projects including several throws and pillow covers, a couple of really fun vests…and many more.
There are also complete instructions HOW TO arm and finger knit. Arm knitting is for larger gauge projects, finger knits for finer gauge items.
Another thing I like about this book, the author explains how to make yarn from t-shirts that can be used in many of these projects, if you prefer to go that route, rather than using bulky/chunky weight yarns. I like that (repurposing/recycling) idea, a lot! 🙂
If you haven’t heard about arm and finger knitting before or haven’t gotten around to checking it out further, this book is a great way to get started.
Beautifully illustrated throughout with full page color photos.
Instructions are easy for even beginners to follow.
The selection of patterns runs the gamut from home decor items for every room to a variety of edgy to elegant fashion items.
And if you have tried this craft already, do share your experiences! I’d love to hear what you’ve made and how its worked out for you. 😉
♥ Happy Knitting and Weekend ♥
PS: My thanks to Thomas Allen & Son for providing and allowing me to use, the book images above.Check out their website to browse a wonderful selection of top-quality books, in all genres.
Walk In the Park Cardie
Isn’t this a cute summer cardie? 🙂
I happened to find this pattern while doing an online search this week for “fingering weight cardies” and finally clicked my way to the Yarnspirations.com website, where I found this lovely knitting pattern.
Although the yarn recommended and shown in photo (Caron Super Soft Light) is a bit heavier than the fingering weight stash yarn I currently have on hand, I think I’ll be able to make it work with a bit of needle/gauge tweaking. 😉
♥♥♥
I love everything about it actually.
NOT too difficult but with just a bit of a challenge in the pattern section. And speaking of that, if you’ve been wanting to give charts a try, this would be an excellent pattern to start with. Easy but it still gives you some experience with following a knitting chart and also for using two yarns at the same time, when the colors overlap at the wavy parts. 😉
I also checked out the Caron Simply Soft Light and it looks like a very nice yarn. Great colors too, including some “ice cream shades” that would be perfect for summer and reasonably priced too.
And while you’re over at the Yarnspirations site, you’ll find a lot more great knitting and crochet patterns, for the whole family, many that are FREE and lots of luscious yarns to make them in too.
I’m really glad that I found out about the Yarnspirations site and this particular pattern. Now it’s time to get working on my swatch/gauge. I can’t wait to get started on this cardie! 😉
If you’re making something right now, do share!!!
Happy Knitting!Â
****UPDATE MAY 22nd******
I started this cardie (with the sleeves). Unfortunately, there are errors I’ve found in the pattern chart for size medium, Â I have contacted the pattern website about this and they have sent the pattern back to the designers to correct errors.
I’ll update this post after that’s been done AND I’ve had a chance to test drive this pattern again.Â
On the Needles: Simple Faroese Shawl
I ♥ knitting shawls! 🙂
I recently found out about “faroese” type shawls, which are those shaped to stay on your shoulders without a shawl pin required. Click the link above to read more on Wiki about the traditional faroese shawl pattern, which is the inspiration for  many of the newer (and easier) versions of these classic shawls, including the lovely one pictured above.
Is a pattern from the talented: Susan Sarabasha (aka Smokey Blue) and available for download over at Ravelry for only $1.99.
What a bargain and proceeds go to the American Humane Society or local pet shelters, even better!
I’m making this shawl in KnitPicks Stroll Tweed in the Dill Heather shade:
I have 2 skeins of yarn, 460 yds. in total, which is enough to make the shoulder-sized version.
You can easily customize this pattern to make it a full- sized shawl if you prefer. But I like the look of the one in the photo, as it is. I think it’s just the perfect size and what a plus to have a shawl that you don’t actually have to keep a hold of or pin, when wearing! 😉 Shawl wearers, you know what I’m talking about. LOL
A big thank you to Susan for allowing me to share this lovely pattern and photo here.
Stop by Susan’s Ravelry page to see all of her other wonderful patterns too. A great selection to choose from.Â
What are you making right now?
Happy Knitting and Weekend!Â
Stash Busting x 2! Knit and Crochet :-)
If you knit or crochet on a regular basis like I do, I’m guessing you’ve also got a big stash of leftover yarns that are languishing in a craft tote or two (maybe three or four?) 😉
I had a browse around Ravelry a couple of weeks ago, looking for ways to use up my own stash and found these two lovely tote patterns, one crochet and one knit.
Thanks to designer: Kathy North for allowing me to share the photo and pattern of her Stash Bustin’ Tote, pictured above.
It’s an easy pattern, so if you don’t have a lot of crochet experience, this would be a good project to tackle, to hone your “hooking” skills. 😉
The other stash-busting tote that I really liked, was this one: Girl About Town, designed by Joanne Yordanou.
This one is knit and again, an easy pattern that would ideal for beginners.
Thanks Joanne for allowing me to share your tote pattern/photo here too!
***
Both of these patterns are currently free, so it’s a great time to download copies for yourself!
Ravelry is so amazing! So many talented designers over there, sharing their work, often for free or for a very nominal charge. I ♥ it!Â
I hope to make one or both of these soon. I NEED a new tote bag, badly!!Â
Happy Crafting and Week, GÂ
PS: If you are over at Ravelry, do stop by my page too, to see some of my finished projects and say hi! Hope to see you there. 🙂
Want to Make Some Gifts for Valentine’s Day?
There’s still time! 😉
I found this eBook over at Amazon today, with 41 assorted Valentine’s crafts, for the whole family to make.
Included in this collection is a lovely Valentine’s Day Shawl (crochet).
That pattern alone was worth the .99 this eBook cost. 😉
I also really like the:
-Sparkly Kickers
-Rose Bouquet Ball
-Valentine’s on a Stick
-Vintage Spool Valentine
I think it’s so special to make gifts for those we ♥.
Even if it’s just a special cake or card, if it’s made with ♥ and comes from the heart, it’s worth more than any store-bought gift could ever be.
Are you planning to make any gifts for Valentine’s Day?
I hope this post/eBook will inspire you too! 😉
Happy Crafting and Weekend!Â
How to Make Sweater Mittens Out of an Old Sweater
How cool is this?? 😉
I love re-purposing clothes and other items, so much better than them ending up in the trash bin.
Happy Crafting and Weekend, G
Trend Watch: Cuddle Up & Get Cozy
Fall definitely is on the way, my fav season of the year. 🙂
Here are some lovely autumn “finds” from the Fiesta Cat Yarn Co. blog.
What is your favorite season and why?Â
Solid Jersey Twist Headband (ThreeBirdNest, $24)
Vintage Cardigan Sweater (Raxclothing, $30)
Crochet Apple Cozy (According To Panda, $12.34+)
Knitted Mug Cozy (TheLeftHandedHooker, $14.50)
Cozy Fleece Throw / Stadium Blanket (Doodlegirls, $22)
Cacao Chokola Hot Chocolate Mix (flyingbirdbotanicals, $8.75)