Knitting Update

Here are the latest projects. I always have something on the needles. Although I am a person who fully finishes a project before moving onto the next--no half finished projects lying around for me. I'm weird that way. I have a hat I'm working on right now that HAS to be finished soon so I can move onto my Halloween costume knitting. Updates on all that later...

Monster Chunk for Will

Pattern: Monster Chunks (free!) by Rebecca Danger

Needle Size: US 6

Yarn: Cascade 220 for the body, Lily Sugar n' Cream for the feet

I originally planned to knit a little bird for this new baby, but then I went to Target to buy a little outfit for him and you can see from the picture below why I HAD to do a Monster Chunk for him! How perfectly does this go with the shirt?

Coral India Scarf
Pattern: India Scarf by Ilga Leja
Needle: US 11 for CO and BO, body of the scarf was US 9
Yarn: NaturallyCaron.com Spa in Coral Lipstick

My first real lace pattern. The yarn is slippery and splitty and just plain hard to work with, but the finished scarf is amazing! It's soft and so pretty. I love it. It's supposed to be a summer scarf, but you couldn't pay me to wear a scarf in the summer in the Southwest! :) So this one is a Fall/Spring scarf for me.

Halloween Black Bird
Pattern: Lil Birdie by Carina Lee (FREE)
Needle: US 4
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

I will definitely be making more of these little cuties! This pattern is great.

Crochet 3 Strand Headband
Pattern: Simple Crochet Headband (FREE)
Hook: G
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

My crochet skills are very lacking, but this was still super quick and easy.

For Me

Remember the green scarf I made for sister-in-law for Christmas? The one I had to force myself to mail and not keep for myself? Well, I got my hands on more of that yarn (Cascade Magnum), only this time in charcoal gray, and I knitted up a scarf last night for me.

That's right--this yarn is so bulky, you can finish a 70" scarf in one night. (I used size 35 needles and seed stitch the whole way.)

I have no idea where I'll wear a bulky, 100% wool scarf, but wear it I will. It is absolutely luscious!!

Just how bulky is this yarn? Here's the green balled up before knitting. You could bowl with this bad boy. :)

The Christmas Workshop Entry

Packages have been sent to most of these recipients so I think I can safely post this now without ruining suprises. Here are the fun projects I've been working on in Aunt Tif's Workshop...

Tag Cloths for my twin nephews. Twins don't need everything to match, right? Who's with me on this? I am in love with both of these masculine, but crazy fun color schemes.

Tag Cloths for my nieces. The front (the polka dot) is the dreamiest, softest fleece ever and the back is a pink flannel plaid. Delicious!

I'm still quite new to sewing--it took my brain a long time to get how the ribbons would be facing the right way when you turn them right side out. Anyway, I used this tutorial to help. (Pattern note: I prefer to start with 15" square pieces of fabric instead of the 18" the tutorial suggests--the 18" one just seems too big).

Okay, now this was F U N. Felt Sugar Cookie Cooking Set for my niece. Found the little mini rolling pin on e-bay and the sprinkle jar is a real sprinkle jar with tube beads in it. (We glued the top shut with industrial strength glue for safety).

And then I found this bag at Hobby Lobby--how cute is it all packaged up?

Homemade gifts are the best, aren't they? I love making them because the whole time I'm working on something for someone, they are on my mind and I'm picturing them and thinking about how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

And oh, how I love being an Aunt! My "babies" are getting too big for this stuff, but my little angel nieces and nephews are just the right age. I love it!

These little blocks are for the sweet girls I teach at church. They are 11 and 12 and they loved this quote, so I put it on a block for them.

Now a couple for the grown ups. This scarf is for my sister in law. I was really unsure about the yarn when I started it--it's soooo thick I had no idea how it would turn out. But now I LOVE this scarf so much--it's so soft and lux--I had trouble actually putting it in the mail and not in my closet! :)

And one other scarf for my brother in law. He's a Buckeye fan so scarlet and gray was the obvious color choice for his scarf. Did I mention they live in Alaska? If anyone needs scarves, it's them!!

Music To My Ears

This morning my daughter said, "Mom, when can I learn to knit?" Uh, how about NOW. So I pulled out a short pair of size 8's and we went to work with some pink (of course) yarn.

I had my doubts...okay, I had A LOT of doubts. I didn't think little 7 year old fingers would be able to do it, but she did really well! We made a little scarf for her bunny (from beadyeyelass, by the way--so cute!) and there are several rows on that scarf that she did herself--the whole row, by her own 7 year old little self. Aren't kids amazing?

She really enjoyed it too. Yea, a knitter is born. :)

Sewing Saturday

When I saw this tutorial on Make It and Love It, I knew I had to make one! This was so fun. It's being modeled by my daughter, but it's all for me! I'm wearin' it tomorrow to church. :)

Just a couple of tips if you decide to make one:

1. You need 2.5 yards of knit fabric to get the length. The scarf is 80" long and with the bit that you cut off from the end (15") you can cut your ruffle pieces. And with your 2.5 yards you can make 4 of these scarves with a small amount of fabric leftover.

2. I cut the ruffle strips to be 1" instead of 3/4".

3. After sewing around the scarf, I trimmed the edges just a bit to give it a more finished look.

I'm still a total beginner with the sewing machine so if I can make this, anyone can!

Recent Knitting Projects

As every knitter or crafter knows, you have to think ahead. Christmas knitting? Start in September AT THE LATEST. You hear news that someone is expecting. I NEED to know the sex of the baby as soon as you do! :) (Gotta know if I should use pink or blue yarn.)

My Santa and Christmas Countdown signs have been in the works since Halloween. It's the way it goes.

So...here are some somewhat recent knitting projects that have gone to the recipients and can now be posted.

These little boy hats are so sweet. Both are newborn size. One was for a friend from church one is for my new nephew. For this I sort of just made them up as I went using a photo of another hat as a guide. If you're interested in the pattern, let me know.

This little punkin was just for fun and is a really fun pattern from Permission to Unwind. I only got one in before Halloween but I'm sure next year I'll be making more.

My cousin's daughter fell in love with this little gal. So she lives there now. For the snowman, I used this pattern only half-ing everything to make it small (about 5" tall). I made up the hat pattern cause I wanted her to have a kicky beret.

And this is a project I've had on my list forever. This Gathered Scarf is GORGEOUS if I do say so myself. It's a fantastic pattern from Bag 'n' Trash! I made one for me and one for my Mother-in-Law for her birthday. I changed the pattern a bit to make it a little more bulky (less lacey). If you'd like details, let me know.

And this little guy is from a pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits. (I LOVE everything she designs!) Not sure where he's headed. I already have the cupcake pincushion but I may not be able to part with him. He makes me smile! Doesn't he look so serious about the job of holding pins?

That's it for now. There's more, but they haven't reached their new homes yet. So I'll post them later...I've always got at least one knitting project going.

What's on your needles?????

Inspire Me Thursday - Newspaper

Holly, 3.75" x 4", Acrylics and Mixed Media on 3/4" wood (SOLD)

The newspaper said it would be below zero outside, but Holly is ready in her brand new blue coat and blue striped hat and matching scarf!

IF - Wise

The weather is finally starting to turn a little chilly--for Southern New Mexico. I have to add that because yesterday on a field trip with my daughter I was FREEZING. I had gloves and a scarf on. When I got out to the car, the temperature said 60 degrees. In my defense, it was quite windy. :) I have definately become a weather wimp.

But as it turns colder, thoughts turn towards the holidays. One of my favorite Christmas phrases: Wise Men Still Seek Him


*SOLD*

Why

am I knitting a wool scarf in the middle of summer?

Because this pattern totally caught my eye and I HAD to make it. Can't wait to wear it...in a few months.

Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: US 10

Jersey (Sea Anemone) Pom Pom Tutorial

This fun little pom pom made from jersey knit fabric would make a fun pin or gift topper. Here we make it into a hair clip. Doesn't it sort of look like a sea anemone? :)

Supplies Needed:

Knit Fabric (I used my leftovers from this scarf)

Cutting mat and rotary cutter

Clothespins

Pom pom maker or piece of cardboard

Small piece of felt

Alligator clip (covered with ribbon)
Glue Gun
Scissors

Step 1 - Cut the Fabric
You don't need a lot of fabric but it does help if it's rather long so your strips are continuous. This makes them easier to wrap. My strips ended up being 3/4" wide and 2.5 yards long.

I found the best way was to fold it over several times (notice your edge is curling--you want that, but it's hard to cut this way). I clipped the curled edges as flat as I could with some clothespins and cut off the ragged edge and discarded it.


See that nice clean, edge! I then cut 3/4" strips.

TIP - When I was all through cutting the strips, I pinned my fabric because I can never get this nice of a straight line with knit! I'm storing the fabric this way for the next time I need to cut it.

Step 2 - Stretch the Knit to Curl Your Strips

Go through all your strips and pull them gently to get them to curl in on themselves. You'll see. It's like magic. (FYI: You can also knit with the strips once you've done this to them. See my t-shirt purse at the bottom of this post.)

Step 3 - Wrap Your Pom Pom Maker

I have the Clover XL Pom Pom Maker, but you can use your favorite method--a rectangle of cardboard works fine.  (I found the Pom Pom Maker on e-bay.)

I used almost 2 full 2.5 yards long strips on each arm of my pom pom maker. You can adjust this to suit your needs. 

Step 4 - Cut the Fabric and Tie The Pom Pom

I used a thin strip of knit to tie it off and that worked well.

Step 5 - Trim It Up and Glue a Felt Circle to the Back

Step 6 - Glue an Alligator Clip to the Back

And you're done!