Sharing A Few Free Goodies Today
Some free knit goodies to share, this time courtesy of:
Peacefully Knitting & More,
one of my new, regular blog stops via my WP Reader.
I ♥ GOOD freebies. 😉
Some excellent designer patterns available for fall and winter! Gift ideas too.
Another Free Knit Kit Contest But Enter SOON!!! ;-)
There’s nothing like a pair of toasty slippers to warm up with at the end of cool,fall day! 😉
I just noted this new knit kit contest for these slippers today. Aren’t they cute?
Enter now though, the contest closes in 4 days. You can enter here.
Good Luck and Happy Knitting! 😉
What Is The BEST/EASIEST Way to Add a Button Band to a Cardigan?
If you’re an expert knitter, I’m all ears!!! 😉
I’ve been knitting for a lot of years and at this point, still consider myself to be an advanced beginner. That’s OK with me though, I have no interest in tackling really complicated projects. I like to relax when I knit and unwind. 🙂 I don’t want it to be stressful. 😦Yes, I like a bit of challenge but not for the whole project.
And when it comes to finishing sweaters, I sometimes struggle with what works best for those important finishing techniques. And they really CAN “make or break” a project, can’t they?
I am now getting to the end of knitting my first: Walk in the Park Cardie (click to read more about the pattern) which is pictured above and it is looking good.
But now comes the part I haven’t been looking forward to: adding the button/buttonhole band.
As you can see from the pattern, it is a very narrow band on this one and it has a color change too. It is suggested in the pattern to: sew it on as you knit.
I’m wondering what would be the best way to proceed, to make the neatest finish possible?
I have been looking at YouTube videos and blog posts about this subject, a lot of different ideas out there to consider, re: button/buttonhole bands.
If you have experience with knitting a sweater with a band (especially a narrow one like this sweater has) DO let me know what worked best for you.
Thanks if you can help! 😉
Happy Knitting!
Another Free Sweater Kit Contest From Rowan! :-)
Rowan has another sweater kit up for grabs!
And again, I think this would be an ideal project for beginner and intermediate knitters.
The contest is open to US and Canadian residents, you can enter here.
Contest closes on Oct. 22nd so enter SOON!
I love the color and stitch pattern in this one!
What are you working on right now?
I’m still working on my: Walk in the Park Cardie and I am finally making some actual progress. 😉
♥ Happy Knitting! ♥
Thinking About Christmas Gifts to Knit….
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO START! 😉
Get your free copy for all these lovely patterns: here
I just ♥ that white chevron bag and the ruffled wine-colored scarf.
Happy Knitting and Week!
It Starts With A Ball of Yarn…
These are just some of the many yarn projects I have completed, in the past few years.
Crafting from yarn is always a joy for me. 🙂
Crocheting and knitting are two of the most rewarding and relaxing hobbies I have ever pursued.
The interest in yarn crafts is at an all-time high right now and there’s no sign of that declining. And for good reason. Crocheting/knitting can be a very meditative experience.Many beautiful and quality items can be made for a reasonable price.
A hand knit or crochet gift is so special. It could even become a treasured family heirloom. Until you’ve experienced the process of taking yarn, working with it, following a pattern (or one you make yourself)and then seeing the finished project, you will only then understand the satisfaction of this wonderful, creative experience. The popularity of yarn crafts for people of all ages is proof of that too!
If you need help getting started there are oodles of free online patterns, instructional videos, classes and knit/crochet groups are gathering in homes and classrooms, all over the world. And a great way to connect with new friends, wherever you live. Lion Brand is just one of many,online resource with hundreds of free patterns, instructional videos, a good selection of yarns, tools and much more.It’s easier than you might think to get started.
When I tried crochet for the first time many years ago, I ended up learning just from practicing and following photos in a crochet book. I didn’t know any other “south-paws” who were “hookers” LOL at the time. When I’d watch a right-handed person crochet, it always looked so awkward and confusing. So with determination and hook in hand, I stayed up most of one night and finally “got it” myself.
The crochet granny square throw (first photo in the collage above) was my first real attempt at crochet. I still have and use this lovely blanket.
Here’s to the Joy of Creating With Yarn!!!
PS: This is a revised version of a previous post I shared at one of my former blogs: Take a Happy Break. I hope you enjoy it for the first time, or as an encore read! 😉
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?
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 Knitting
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!
****UPDATE MAY 22nd******
I started this cardie (with the sleeves). Unfortunately, there are errors I’ve found in the pattern chart for size medium, 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.
VEGGIES, YARNS & TAILS 