KTC Summer Book Swap

I have my package for my KTC SP just about ready to mail, so it will arrive the first week in August. I had a hard time deciding which book to send, but finally chose two. I chose mysteries because that is the genre that she likes. One is Sue Grafton's "S is for Silence" and the other is Mary Higgins Clark's "On the Street Where You Live". They are both sort of about women who travel (although it is a stretch!) and are authors that my SP has not read, so I hope that she will like them! I added a couple of paperback books (gently used) just for fun, because they take place in Maine. One is Sarah Graves' Triple Witch which takes place in Eastport, Maine, a fishing village very much like the one I live in, and the other a Jessica Fletcher book, which of course takes place in the fictional Cabot Cove, Maine. I'm adding some 'travel accessories' to the package. A handmade beaded bookmark, a book light, some Knit One, Pearl Two mohair yarn in her favorite colors, two scarf patterns that she can make from the yarn, a small crochet booklet, and some tea, all packed in a small hand-knit felted tote bag. This swap was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed putting the package together. I am pretty sure that she has not found out who I am, so I think it is safe to post this here!

One Skein SP Package!

I returned home from a vacation yesterday to find a package from my OSSP! Since she will be on vacation the next several weeks, she included both the July and August gifts. For July, there was not ONE but TWO skeins of the softest alpaca yarn in my favorite color. It's Knit Picks Decadence in Spring Leaf. The kind of yarn that you just want to hug! She also included a pattern for "I'll Pack a Hat" from Knit Picks. Then for August, she sent two felted bowls, which I just love! The colors are just great. Thank you so much Mary Lynn. You've been a wonderful SP, and I have enjoyed our e-mails over the last two months. I hope now that you are not a secret anymore, we can continue to keep in touch!

I Don't Do Windows

I just returned from a week long visit to New Jersey and I actually did not pick up a knitting needle the whole time! I will have some pictures up soon, but in the meantime I will leave you with this advice. And a few laughs

Wine Bottle Tote

I finished the wine bottle tote for my sister. Does the needle felting look anything like grapes to you???? The tote was simple. I used two strands of Paton's classic wool, and CO 50 stiches on a #11 16" circular needle. Knit around until it is 22" tall, then start decreasing for the bottom. The handle is a 36" I-cord, cut in half after it is felted, and then threaded through the bag (like the Booga bag).

I also finished the place mats for my other sister. I'm not thrilled with them, I should have used a better quality cotton yarn. Maybe I will tell her they are dishclothes. If I made them again, I would knit knit them lengthwise and leave all the ends as fringe instead of weaving them all in.

And the KTC WH Project Winner is.....

Not me :( Although I did have a lot of nice comments on my baby bonnet and my reasons for knitting it for this project. The winner was my favorite project,
Key Fobs by Hope. She is very clever and she won a skein of very pretty yarn.
But - I was a winner today too! I met a friend for lunch and we walked by a yard sale on the way- look what I took home! The whole stack cost me $10.50, so I feel like I hit the jackpot!

KTC Summer Book Swap

This was the invitation from Amanda for the Knit the Classics summer swap

Swap time -- Women travelers

Since both of our summer KTC choices feature women on journeys, our Summer Swap theme will be "Women Travelers." The heroine might be on vacation or on business, traveling for pleasure or for adventure, circumnavigating the globe or flying to another galaxy! Use your imaginations...Would you like to come along?

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Of course I'd like to come along! I have already received the name of the person I will be sending to and after receiving her questionnaire I was quite surprised to learn that her favorite books were "Vampire" novels! But after several e-mails back and forth she has convinced me that she is a 'normal person'(her words!) and a very interesting one at that. I have a pretty good idea about which book I will be sending her (it won't be a Vampire book - she's read them all!), and just have to come up with some 'accessories' to go with it.
I also heard from my 'upstream' - but only once. So, if you are lurking out there and reading this - Hi!

Shopping Trip

I made a trip up to the big city (Bangor) yesterday to pick up a few things I need. I DID NOT need any yarn. I have too many WIPs right now, and have all the yarn I need to make them. But - as I was walking by A.C. Moore on my way to Kohls, I saw they were having a sidewalk sale. There were lots of little crafty things on sale, so I picked up a bunch to take down to NJ with me for my nieces and nephews. Well - you probably won't believe this, but these two balls of yarn jumped into my cart.
They were both marked $9.99, marked down to $2.00. I thought they were too cute to put back on the table, so I took them home with me. I have no idea what I'll do with them. One is a skinny shiny ribbon yarn and the other some kind of bumpy yarn. I guess I could always use them for gift wrapping, if nothing else. Then I stopped at Borders to pick up a couple of books. I DID NOT need any more knitting magazines - again I have more projects right now than I can handle, but I did kind of glance at the magazine rack. These little sheep puppets jumped out at me - how adorable. the magazine is "Spin-Off"by Interweave. I don't spin - but I love the idea of it, and besides, I'm sure it is not against the law to use store bought yarn for the sheep puppets. I will probably even cheat and use self patterning sock yarn for them, as the patterns seems quite complicated.
There were some other cute patterns in it too - one for a beaded change purse, and another for a cute crocheted bag that hangs on your wrist and is used to hold a ball of yarn while knitting. I don't know if I would ever make it, or use it - but cute!
So, that magazine came home with me too.



And last, but not least, I rescued my son's Beta fish from his apartment to 'fish sit' while he is away for a couple of weeks.

Rainy Day Musings

Another rainy day in Maine! I have had to put aside my other projects, including poor little Miss Surie Lace to work on some gifts to bring down to New Jersey. My daughter and I, along with my three grandchildren are driving down to visit family and friends. One project is a set of placemats that I'm making for my sister. I'm making four and have one finished and another started. They are very colorful and summery and I think she will like them. Another is Cupcakes - yes cupcakes! for my friend and my SIL. I am almost finished with them - just have to add some sprinkles and a couple of cherries. I'm going to get some plastic bakery boxes to present them in. For my other sister, I'm planning on making a felted wine tote, and if I have time, some glass cozies. We are leaving in 10 days, so that doesn't give me much time, but I figure I can work on the placemats and drink cozies on the way down, when I'm not driving of course. And, while I sit here waiting for pictures to load I am working on Day #2 of the July dishcloth KAL. No clue what it is yet, but I'm guessing it's something to do with summer, and the suggest color was light blue - so maybe that's water, and it's a boat?
I also started reading Sue Henry's Tooth of Time for the Whodunkint KAL. I'm enjoying it so far - the setting is in New Mexico and revolves around a fiber shop there, which really exists called Weaving Southwest What a yummy selection of yarns and fibers! I'd like to get in my Winnebego and head there right now! But of course I don't have a Winnebego.
But - I do have a 'camp' - that is a tiny cottage on a lake in the Maine woods. We actually got some sunshine yesterday and my son, Steven, and I headed up there to check out the progress that my husband is making on the addition (which is bigger than the camp!)

Upper Middle Branch Lake

The first picture is the camp - you can see the addition going up behind it. We have to build in the back because of the state law against building any closer than 100 feet to the water. The camp is already closer than that (grandfathered), but the addition cannot be. The addition will include two bedrooms, a loft, and a screen porch. I'm really looking forward to the screen porch, since bugs and the Maine woods go hand in hand. The next two are views of the addition Steve and his friend Tim have been working hard on. The last is a picture of the lake - Upper Middle Branch lake, our dock and Steve's fishing boat.

Wuthering Heights Project

I had a hard time coming up with an idea for my Knit with the Classics Wuthering Heights projects. I didn't like the book much, the characters did not inspire fuzzy warm knitting thoughts! I finally decided to design a lace infant's bonnet for Catherine, a premature baby, born into a dysfunctional family, and whose mother died in childbirth. The yarn is a soft yellow baby yarn, and the lace pattern is called "Baby Fern" from an old reliable stitch dictionary that I have on my bookshelf.

Amazing Lace Challenge #2 Finalists

I didn't even try to compete in this one! Take a look at the 6 finalists for Challenge#3

Whoduknit Mystery Yarn Contest

Clue #3 - She weighs 3.5 oz. and is 215 yards long. She is kettle dyed and a little thick in some places, thinner in others.

The Amazing Lace Challenge #3

For this challenge we had to write a poem about our lace. So...with apologies, here goes!


Miss Suri Lace

My Amazing Lace partner is making me crazy,
I do all the work, she is nothing but lazy.
Her name is Suri, she's a beauty it's true,
in the colorway Peacock, all lavender and blue.
But she's skinny and slippery and falls off my needle,
and then she will laugh, joke, cajole and wheedle.
Back into my good graces she goes for awhile,
moving smoothly along and making me smile.
But as soon as we come to a stumbling block,
Miss Suri becomes as stubborn as a rock.
She just sits there like a queen on her throne,
and does nothing to help, while I grumble and groan.
It's my job to turn her into a beautiful scarf,
while she sits there looking like a pile of barf!
And in the end, when the race has been won,
who will get all the glory and all of the fun?
You guessed it, pretty little Miss Suri Lace,
will stand up and bow and say "I won the race!"

Baby Bolero

I knit this baby bolero from the One Skein book for a friend who just delivered a
2 1/2 lb. baby girl, 11 week premature. I knit it with Knitpicks Shine worsted in Snapdragon and there was a prayer in every stitch!
So far Jessica Elizabeth is hold her own, and I hope that she will be able to wear this soon.

Amazing lace Challenge # 1 finalists

Wow - I'm really blown away by these entries. It was hard to decide, but I finally voted for Christie's interview - it was just so clever. You can see the finalists

here

Monthly Dishcloth KAL

This is fun - you get about 7 rows of the pattern each day, so you don't really know what the pattern is going to be until it is finished.
Monthly Dishcloth KAL

June SP One Skein Received!!!

I was so excited to see the large envelope in the mailbox this morning - like Christmas, or my birthday! It's a rainy, dreary day here in Maine, and this was just what I needed to cheer me up. I had promised my SP that I would rip the envelope open without looking at the return address (a lot of good it would have done me anyway, as she is very clever at disguising her identity). Inside was this beautiful skein of Cherry Tree Hill, Suri Lace yarn in peacock, and not only that, but a Cherry Tree Hill pattern for a Cockle Shell Scarf, that takes - yup, you guessed it, just one hank of Cherry Hill Suri Lace yarn. I think she must have read my mind (or my blog lol) because I have been trying to come up my next project for the Amazing lace Challenge, and was looking for something a little more challenging than the Airy Scarf I have already made. I think I can actually do this! And knitting with this yarn is going to be such a pleasure. I absolutely love the colors in it. It couldn't be more perfect. Thank you One Skein Secret Pal, whoever you are!

Baby Cable Rib Sock

I'm excited about this sock because it is the first I have made that has a pattern, besides plain ribbing. It's the Baby Cable rib from Sensational Knitted Socks, made with Pattons Kroy Socks yarn in Grass Green. It's a sport weight superwash wool, and I used size 3 circs and the ML method. The pattern was simple, but I like the looks of it. I love this book (got it with my 40% off coupon at A.C.Moore) because it really explains each of the different methods of making socks, and then gives patterns, beginning with simple four stitch patterns, which this one is, on up to complicated 12 stitch patterns, and gives you stitch tables for figuring how how to knit them with any weight yarn and needle and method. It doesn't actually give the ML directions, but it's easy enough to convert the directions for two circs into ML. Now I supposed I will have to make the other sock LOL.

Finished P&P Project for Knit the Classics

"Besotted: silly; foolish; infatuated; to muddle or stupefy (amaze; astonish)"

My Besotted Scarf (by helloyarn.com) tells the story of the besotted Bennett family. First there is the 'silly' Mrs. Bennet, who will do anything to marry off her daughters to rich men, the 'foolish' Lydia who runs off with Wickham, and of course Lizzie and Jane's 'infatuation' with Darcy and Bingley. They all made quite an 'amazing muddle' of things and it was 'astonishing' that everything turned out as well as it did.
Like the Bennett family, my scarf is not wealthy. It comes from just two skeins of Paton's Marino Wool. And as I 'muddled' through the X and O pattern, I was often 'stupefied' by C4F and C4B cables going the wrong way. I felt 'silly' when I made a wrong turn and ended up with an hug when there should have been a kiss, and 'foolish' for not being more attentive to my knitting. While I admit that in the beginning I took a dislike to the pattern, in the end, I was as 'infatuated' with my besotted scarf as Lizzie was with Darcy and I found myself in as much of a hurry to finish it (and meet the KTC deadline) as Austen seemed to be to finish the book.. 'Amazingly' both the scarf and the book ended (somewhat) lovingly, with lots of hugs and kisses. I found myself quite 'astonished' that I had PRIDE in my scarf AND no longer harbored any PREJUDICE against cables.
Hugs and Kisses to you all. See you at "Wuthering Heights."

Jane (but not Austin or Bennet)

One Skein Pal

I received a beautiful card from my one skein pal today, telling me to be on the lookout for my first skein - I'm excited! And she is very clever. I thought that when it came time to mail the skeins, the return address on the envelope would give away the identity of my SP. But this is obviously not her first rodeo! She just wrote 'one skein' as the return address. However - she was not able to hide the postmark - hmmm - or is she diabolical enough to have had someone in another state mail it for her! Anyway, thank you for the lovely card - I'll looking forward to receiving my first skein!

To My OneSkein SP

I'm afraid I don't know enough about computers to run a KAL. In fact, I thought I was being very clever and set up an e-mail on Yahoo for my Oneskein SP with a fake name. Well, apparently, Yahoo is smarter than I am, because it knew my real name,(guess is has to do with cookies, or something) and the e-mail I sent her came through with my real name. Oh well - not big deal, like she said, she really doesn't 'know me'.
But your messages have been so much fun because I don't have a clue who you are!
Anyway, James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. I have his new book, Mary, Mary, but haven't started it yet. I'm sure knitting and listening to a James Patterson book make commuting much more enjoyable. I don't know where you live, but here in the ME we have been having so much rain - it is getting really depressing. The only thing that saves me, is that it's great weather for knitting!

Mother's Day Basket

This is the Mother's Day Basket I received from my daughter and grandchildren - it's a relaxation picnic basket, filled with tea, chocolates, wine, candles, A Dean Koontz and a John Saul novel, a World's Greatest Grandma book, and a bottle of Merlot. Am I spoiled or what?!

Knit The Classics Update

I finally finished reading Pride & Prejudice. This book is quite a departure from my regular reading. I'm a mystery junky and my knitting books share my bookshelves with James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King, Robert Parker, Dean Koontz, even knitting mystery novels, like Knit One, Kill Two, and Died in the Wool (pretty lame, but fun anyway). When I came across the Knit the Classics blog, I thought it was time I tried a little 'classier' reading. I had a hard time getting into P&P, and almost gave up, but then I watched the movie on Pay Per View, really liked it, and decided to finish the book. I was glad that I did. My final project idea is the "Besotted Scarf" (Helloyarn.com) which seems to me a good fit for the book. I'm using Patons Marino Classic Wool in Peacock. The XO cable pattern doesn't show up very well in the picture, but I like the way it is coming out, and it is an easy pattern to knit. I will probably read the June pick for Knit the Classics too, but for now I'm looking forward to a new Robert Parker, "Spenser" novel. Maybe I should start a "Knitting with the mysteries" KAL!

Airy Scarf

Here is my first lace project - the Airy Scarf from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts", made with Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud in Peppermint. I think it is pretty pathetic, but it does have holes and so it must be lace! The vase of roses it is draped around is my Mother's Day gift from my son.

To My One Skein SP

Hi,
Good to hear from you! It sounds like they have done a good job of matching up people in this SP exchange! I am obsessed with felting, but I am trying to branch out a little. I did actually finish a lace piece which I will post. It's pretty pathetic, but I think it qualifies as lace.

Whoduknit Mystery Yarn

Clue #3 - She weighs 3.5 oz. and is 215 yards long

"What's Your Skein" Project

This Lion Brand Micro Spun yarn called to me as I was strolling up and down the yarn isles at A.C.Moore with my 40% off coupon. I loved the soft feel of it, and the great color. From one skein I was able to get two of the small Soft Drawstring Pouches from "Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" and from another skein I knit The Double Eyelet Rib Scarf from the "Little Box of Scarves" to go in the pouch. I think it will make an adorable gift! I also think it might qualify as one of my partners in "The Amazing Lace" since it does have holes in it!

Knit the Classics Project

I think inspiration has finally come to me - aided by a glass of Merlot, for my Knit the Classics project for Pride and Prejudice. At the risk of changing the destiny of the Bennet family, I am going to knit a hooded scarf (moebius) for Jane (I'm a Jane too, get it?) to wear on her horseback ride to visit the Bingleys so that she will not get sick. If I were her mother, I certainly would have insisted that she wear one to protect her from the rain (but of course that would have defeated Mrs. Bennet's whole purpose). I haven't decided on a stitch pattern yet, but I think it will be in a Mohair/wool blend. Then next winter I can play Jane Austen in my hooded scarf when I have playground duty. If I have time, I may even knit her a pair of 'mitts' (fingerless gloves).

What I like About Yarn

First of all I'm not a yarn snob (can't afford to be!) Of course I love wonderful, yummy, expensive yarns, but usually knit with the best I can afford. I love my local LYS, and shop there often, but I also buy yarn at A.C. Moore, and even Walmart. I order on line too, mostly from Knit Picks. I'm a felting addict, and my favorite felting yarns are Lopi, Cascade 220, and Galway. I'm a new sock knitter (magic loop method), and so far have only used Knit Picks Parade, and LB Magic Stripes for making socks. I do like Novelty yarns, ribbons, ladders, all the wonderful textured yarns, etc., but I really have enough fun fur to last me a lifetime! I love variegated and self striping yarns. My favorite self striping is Noro, but there are a lot of others I would love to try. It's so much fun to see the colors change. I would love to be able to knit some of the beautiful lace shawls, etc, I have seen others knit in all of the beautiful lace weight yarns, but I'm afraid I just don't have the patience for lace. I am trying though (see "The Amazing Lace" post below). As for color, I guess I would have to say green - in any shade first, but I like blues, pinks, purples - in fact, I really don't dislike any color.

The Amazing Lace

And one link just keeps leading to another! I couldn't resist this one http://amazinglace.licketyknit.com especially since the Amazing Race is my second favorite show (Survivor being the first). My teammate is going to be the Airy Scarf "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" out of knit-picks Peppermint Alpaca Cloud. I have not had the patience for lace, in fact started this scarf a couple of times and frogged it. But I'm going to try harder this time.

Knit The Classics

And now for my best find of all - www.knittheclassics.com (see the link above). On this site, one classic book is chosen each month (by the members) and each member comes up with their own knitting or crocheting project that has some connection to the book. There is a seperate forum for discussing the book, and another for sharing the projects.
This month's book (May) is Pride and Prejudice. I am just one chapter into the book and haven't decided on a project yet. I'm thinking it should be some kind of lace, since the book takes place during the Victorian Era, so it may be a good time to jump into lace knitting. I've read through the archives and it looks like there are also some book related swaps, and even a prize for the best book related project! I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

What's Your Skein

Well - one link led to another - you know how that is, and I found this KAL - http://skeinalong.blogspot.com/ I couldn't resist this one - You go into your stash, pull out one skein of yarn, and see what you can knit with it.
I'm really excited to see all the great projects made with one skein of yarn. I'm always looking for things to make with that one leftover skein of yarn, and there are lots of new ideas here! My first contribution is made with Moda-Dea Beadnik, color 2933, 'With it White', which caught my eye because of all the tiny beads going through it. This "Knecklace" from the Knitty Archives (winter '05.) took less than half of the 103 yard skein. The pattern gives you a formula for using any yarn and any size needle, so I'm planning to try it with different yarns. It's hard to see the beads in the picture, but they are there!

Felted Striped Tote

I just finished felting my striped tote, and here it is drying. This is not really a one skein project, but the base of the bag is one skein (or less) and the rest is bits and pieces of leftover yarn. My tote has a funny shape! That's because I used so many different yarns in it (cascade 220, galway, patons, brown sheep) that some felted faster than others. But I like it, funny shape and all. And I love that I made it completely with leftover yarn - like getting a great tote bag for free!

One Skein

I ordered the book "OneSkein" a few weeks ago and since then I have been having a lot of fun with it. I joined the OneSkein Knitalong at http://oneskein.blogspot.com/ and the OneSkein Secret Pal Exchange. For the Secret Pal Exchange we will each receive the name of our Secret Pal, and will contact them through an anonymous e-mail account to learn about their interests and get to know them a little bit. Then on the first of June and the first of July we will send our secret pals one skein of yarn. In August, we will send our pals a finished item made with one skein of yarn. It sounds like a lot a fun and a good way to 'meet' other knitters.
This is my first project from One-Skein -My version of "The Clutch You'll Never Give UP". I used leftover Lopi yarn, and knit it together with a strand of Splash for the body of the clutch. I don't know the colorways because the bands were not on. It felted to pretty much the same size as the one in the book.

Ballerina Slippers

Here are Tori's ballerina slippers finally felted. I put fabric glue on the soles to keep them from being too slippery. It doesn't look that great, but should do the trick. They are from the FiberTrends pattern.

Trellis Scarf

I made this scarf as a surprise Easter gift for my very appreciative friend Dot!
Pattern is here: http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/50442.html

Felted Ballet Slippers

Tori wanted pink slippers - here they are before felting. They are made with the Fiber Trends felted ballet slipper pattern and Pattons wool.

Noro Felted Bag

Made with Noro Kureyon, color 102. Just big enought to hold my wallet, cell phone, and keys.

Cell Phone Bags

These were all made from leftover yarn from other projects - once I got started, I couldn't stop! They are approximately 6" x 4" - just big enough to hold a cell phone, and maybe a credit card or some cash. They could also be used to hold a small camera, or when made a little bit longer, a pair of glasses. The short straps can be buttoned onto a belt loop, and the longer straps can be worn around the neck.
Blue and dark Green felted bags:
About 50 yards of bulky yarn 100% wool yarn (the blue bag was made with Lopi, and the green with Galway bulky)
Size 13 straight needles
Cast On 25 stiches on #13 straight needles.
Work in St. stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for about 8"
Bind Off 13 stitches.
Flap:
Work in St. stitch on remaining 12 stitches for about 3", then decrease on each side every other row twice. Bind Off.
Strap:
Pick Up 4 stitches on one side of bag and knit every row for aboutr 8-10"
(Longer if you want a shoulder strap). Bind off. Fold bottom half up to flap, and sew side seams.
Felt as usual. Cut slit in flap for buttonhole, and sew on button. Cut a slit in end of strap for buttonhole, and sew a button on the side of the bag.

Black and Rust colored "Incredible" Bags
About 50 yards of Lion Brand Incredible
Size 10 straight needles
Cast on 12 stitches.
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for about 12"
Next Row: K1, SSK, K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
Next Row: Purl Next Row: Knit Next Row: Pearl
Repeat these 4 rows once.
Next Row: (buttonhole row) BO the middle two stitches
Next Row: CO 2 stitches over BO stitches
Knit next row and then BO.
Fold in half and sew side seams.
Cut a piece of the Incredible the length you want the strap to be and thread onto a large-eyed needle. Secure one end to one side of the bag, and thread desired beads onto the yarn. Attach to the other side of the bag. Sew button to correspond with buttonhole.
The black bag has a readymade trip sewn on the to bottom. The rust color bag has fringe on the flap.

Brown Suede Cell Phone Bag
About 50 yards of Lion Brand suede
Size 8 straight needles
Size F crochet hook
CO 20 stitches. Work even in St. stitch for about 6" or desired length. End on WS.
Flap: BO 10 stitches, knit remaining 10 st.
Next Row: SSK, k to last 2 sts, K2 tog.
Next Row: Pearl
Repeat these two rows 3 times more. BO remaining stitches.
With crochet hook work one row of SC around flap. Ch2 and work 1 dc in each sc to center of flap, chain 3 for button loop, skip one sc, then work 1 dc in remaining sc.
Fasten off.
Fringe: Cut 5" strands of yarn, fold in half, and using crochet hook pull through each dc of flap.
Strap: Using crochet hook, make a chain the length you would like the strap to be - attach to each side of bag.
Lt. Green Felted bag with fur trim:
About 50 yards of worsted weight 100% wool yarn (I used Cascade 220)
Small amount of fun fur (I used Splash)
Size 10.5 straight needles
Size H crochet Hook
CO 36 stitches.
K in St.Stitch (K one row P one row) for about 8"
BO 18 stitches and knitin garter stitch on remaining 18 stitches for about 3"
Next Row: K1,SSK,K to last 3 st. K2tog, K1
Next Row: Knit
Repeat these two rows once. Bind Off. With crochet hook and fun fur, SC around flap. Sew side seams.
Strap: Pick Up four stitched on side of bag and knit in garter stitch for about 12" depending how long you want the strap to be after felting. BO
Felt as usual. After felting, cut slit in flap for buttonhole, and sew on button to correspond. Cut slit in end of strap, and sew button on side of bag.

Magic Ball Felted Bag

I made a 'magic ball' by winding small amounts of leftover wool (mostly Cascade and Galway) into a ball. I wound two strands of two different colors together to make it a bulky weight yarn. I cast on 18 stitches with size 13 circular needles, knit for 18 rows, picked up 9 stiches along the side, the 18 cast on rows, and 9 stiches along the other side and knit in the round until I ran out of yarn. (I forgot to measure, but I think it was about 12") Then I made a 4 stich I-cord using two strands of the pink yarn. It felted pretty quickly, and evenly in spite of the different yarns. It's about 8"x8". After felting, I cut slits in each side and pulled the i-cord through and knotted it. I also added a button on the inside, and cut a slit in the front to pull it through. It didn't come out quite as bright as I wanted it to, but was fun to make and put a dent in my leftover yarn stash. I'm going to try some more 'magic ball' projects.

Fiber Arts Festival

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My grandchildren are back from Disney with lots of stories to tell!

On Saturday I went to a Fiber Arts Fair at the Bangor Library. (I had never been there before - what a great library!) It was worth the trip up. There were not too many booths, but some very interesting ones. There was one on wet felting, which I really want to try. At another, Bob and Amy Nichols from Artfelt Creations in Brooks, ME, did needle felting. Bob makes really incredible needle felted sculptures - one was a sculpture of a man that was about three feet tall! The faces he sculpts are really amazing. There were a couple of spinners - one from purplefleece.com in Stockton Springs. I love watching people spin wool - it's mesmerizing! Another booth had fabric crocheted baskets and rugs - made from strips of fabric - also very interesting.
Today I tried felting some soap - that's right felting soap! You use carded wool that has not been spun into yarn yet, and you wrap it around the soap, then rub, rub, rub, until it felts and makes sort of a cocoon around the soap. You use it in the shower as sort of a combined wash clothe and soap. It is drying now - I'll post a picture when it is done.
I'm also still working on my project to use up leftover yarn (so I can buy more of course). I made a mini-tote bag today, which put a dent in the stash. I added some fun fur and ladder yarn to the wool - can't wait to felt it and see how it comes out.
Also finished up a LB Trellis triangle scarf for a special friend.
And....my grandchilden are back from Disney with lots of stories to tell:

Easter Baskets

I'm having fun using up my leftover felting wool to make felted Easter Baskets. For this one I used left over Cascade 220 and cast on 35 stitches. I knit back and forth for 35 rows (17 ridges), then picked up 17 stitches along the side, the 35 CO stitches, and 17 stiches on the other side and began knitting in the round, changing colors every 10 rows until it was about 12" tall. I made the handle from a 7ft. long 5 stitch I-cord, which I cut in thirds and braided after it was felted. After felting the basket, while it was still wet, I put an oval shaped box wrapped in a plastic in it so the bottom would dry in an oval shape. For the fur trim I CO three stitches with two strands of fun fur and knit a strip long enough to go around the basket. After the basket dried, I sewed the braided handle on and glued the fur piece around the top. This is the result. For my next one, I think I will knit the fur right into the last couple of rows of the bag, and maybe add some other bits of novelty yarn along with the wool. More Easter Baskets to come!

Lion Brand Suede mini-purse

This suede is fun to knit with. I like the looks of the bag - but it's pretty floppy. I think it needs to be lined with something to make it a bit stiffer.
It only took one ball of LB Suede. It's about 8 inches wide and 6 inches tall. The pattern is in Quick Knits With Today's Yarns

Happy Valentine's Day!

These are the Valentine's I gave to my class of 18 2nd graders. And, This was my Valentine gift to my DD. The mini-tote was made from leftover wool, and the socks from Knit Picks Parade. My grandchildren's gifts were green - money to spend at Disney, where they are spending their winter vacation week!

Caron Fabulous Scarf

I knit this scarf from a pattern on the back of the label in Caron Fabulous, Misty Violet colorway. It didn't even take one ball of the yarn, and was quick to make.
It's a birthday present for my SIL. I don't like working with the Caron ladder yarn as well as the Lion Brand, or the Eros. It's thinner and a little harder to work with. I think I like the result though.

Moonlight Mohair Bias Scarf

A ball of Lion Brand Moonlight Mohair, in Corol Reef, somehow found it's way into my shopping cart when I accidently wandered into the yarn isle in Walmart recently. It was so soft and pretty that I brought it home with me! This was a quick bias scarf pattern right on the back of the label. It goes well with my charcoal coat and is nice and soft around my neck.

Blizzard of 2006?

We haven't had much snow this winter - but that is all changing today. They are calling this the Blizzard of 2006. I don't know if it will live up to that reputation - we will see by tomorrow morning!
If it does, that's okay, because I finished another pair of socks to keep me warm! This pair was made with LB Magic Sripes. They went pretty fast on size three, 40" circular, using the magic loop method.

Nori Kureyon Fan & Feather Scarf

This was my first Noro project. I used Noro Kureyon, color 102. The pattern was an easy fan and feather from The Little Book of Scarves, and it was fun to watch the colors change. It's not as soft as I'd like it to be but I think it's pretty. In keeping with my goal to use up all of my leftover yarn I made a mini tote with some Galway and leftover Kureyon. I think it is so cute! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it though - maybe a mini gift bag.