Purse

So I had made this purse a while ago and have been working on the strap for even longer.  I find my attention span for knitting the not as fun parts so draining.  I have completed it finally, but I have to re-sew on the strap and move it down more on the purse to try and give it more structure/strength.  I love the buttons!  I will post a final project picture when I get around to it with the strap for all to see.

Birthday Gift

I made my friend this super cute headband with a cute accent bow, and this really fun bracelet.  The head band is the same pattern as I have posted about previously, however I followed the pattern this time and used the Rib pattern as opposed to the seed stitch pattern.   The bracelet I found in one of my many knitting books which has some really great accessories and this one I loved in particular because it said to use buttons to add some decoration.  I love buttons!  I think my friend really liked them and I hope they make her smile when she wears them!

Slouchy Hat: Take 2

Alright, so with my first slouchy hat being way too large I decided to try again and this time make it a bit smaller.  I reduced the length as well as my needle size and got this; my most favourite hat ever!

DREAM TRIP

OK, for all of us passionate knitters who appreciate the art I found what is probably seen as the dream vacation.  It involves touring Ireland's finest small towns and communities learning about all the wonders of how yarn comes to be, as well as sight seeing and knitting workshops.  I would love to join this wonderful journey however sometimes vacations have to be placed on hold because of bad timing.  I hope some day I will be able to make it there some day and meet some great knitters along the way.  If you are interested in going please check out this WOOL-TYME link and get the full 10 day details and all its perks.  All in all, the price isn't all that bad, but right now for me it unfortunately is.  However I do love where I am in my life and am enjoying every moment of it!

Washing Instructions

So while reading my weekly newsletter from Lion Brand Yarn called "The Weekly Stitch", which contains some handy tips, new patterns, and some other treasures.  This week was particularly a life savor when I discovered they included a link to there website which contains the washing instruction symbols on yarn.  These could also apply to clothing but either way a great thing to have when you are trying to decipher what a circle with a line means! Click HERE to check it out!

For anyone who loves knitting this is a great newsletter to sign up for.  I have found some really beautiful patterns and some very helpful tips!  It is very easy to join and the cost is free all you need is an email address, which makes it even more amazing!  If you would like to sign up follow this LINK.

YARN!

So from other blogs I have read and even in the books I have purchased they always talk about "the stash".  What are they referring to you ask... Well that would be YARN!  Thats right, our driving desire to go into every LYS we see and physically not being able to leave without some kind of yarn.  I have 2 shelves, a basket and a note tote tub full of yarn!  It all started when I went to this store in Ottawa called Knit Knackers (on bank st).  Well they have 3 or 4 huge bins of end of the run yarn.  This means 50% discount or more on perfectly amazing yarn that simply is the last few in its colour, or dye lot.  $80 later and multiple bag fulls of yarn I was in euphoria! The rush and excitement of all the projects I could create, was making my head spin. 

Many months later my boyfriend was flipping through the paper and saw this huge warehouse sale at a LYS called Wool-Tyme in Ottawa, and showed it to me.  Big mistake!  There was so much beautiful yarn and at amazing prices.  Like 4 balls for $7!  This is unbelievable!  So me being the eager knitter I am, and knowing I want to make sweaters and blankets, decided to buy lots and lots of yarn.  For all the knitters who have not looked into sweater making normally you need about 10 x 150g balls of yarn to make one sweater.  So the next thing I knew, we were carting 4 bag fulls of yarn to the bus stop.  Again the rush and excitement was like a kid in a candy store. FANTASTIC!  I have toned down my purchasing and now do not to into LYS unless I have a specific project and my boyfriend comes with me to help monitor my spending's.  This is for the good of everybody because the next thing I realized I have a huge collection of yarn and not enough time to make all the projects I had dreamed of.  Here is a preview of some of my collection.... still missing is my note tote tub.

Yes this basket is full!

This is 1 of 2 shelves.

First Ever Needles

So when I started to learn how to knit I went to one of the many LYS around and while looking at all the beautiful yarn, I selected a few and headed for the cash.  When I got there I fell in love with these knitting needles.  I wanted a pair so unique and proud to call my first ever owned needles.

Piggy Needles

Tools of my Trade

Since I started knitting I began falling in love with the variety of needles that are out there and the accessories to store them.  The most affordable places I have found to purchase needles is ebay (you can get sizes US 0-15 in DPN, or single pointed, or circular for one low price), and thrift stores.  I found that ebay was really good when I shopped around to find the right price.  I got all of my DPN (double pointed needles) there for one low price which was definitely under $20!  This is a great deal considering you can sometimes spend $5 or more per one set, and I got the whole collection of sizes!  I also got my circular needles at ebay for a very low price as well.  Thrift stores however I find harbor the hidden treasures and vintage looking needles.  You can normally get a bag of them for a couple of dollars.  Definitely worth the price for these unique needles.  So needless to say I have got quite the large collection.

A glimpse at my collection

As you may now be thinking where on earth does she store all of these needles.  Well, ebay came to my rescue again.  I was able to find a really cool knitting needle roll up case for under $15!  This is amazing since in the LYS (local yarn stores) they charge up to $40.  If I was any good at sewing (maybe one day, I do want to learn) I would love to make my own but I would have no idea where to start.

Needle Case I found on Ebay

For the smaller accessories like needles, stitch markers, etc, I found this cute sewing box in at Zellers. It does the trick.

Then there is the circular needles.  They have long strips of cord in between the needles which kind of make them difficult to store, until I discovered a unique holder in Stitch N Bitch: The Knitters Handbook.  When I found this holder I dived right in with no sewing machine experience.  An entire evening and a few proto-types later, my master piece was created.  Thank goodness my mom had donated a bed sheet that she had bought, which was the wrong size for the beds at home.  So I had new fabric and lots of it, which was needed when I cut, and made mistakes, and then cut some more.  The biggest thing I learned is the importance of measuring and pinning your work, and checking it twice before sewing or cutting! In the end I had many broken sewing machine needles, ran out of string, but a first ever completed sewing machine project.  I still have to put the US sizes on the front of each pocket to correspond with the needle in it, but until then it works just fine!  I am proud of my completion of this task and look forward to one day owning my own sewing machine and taking on more projects.

Circular Knitting Needle Holder

 

Slouchy Hat

So I made this slouchy hat from one of the many books I own (A simple to use guide to creating hip knits, by Astor Tsang) and for some reason it turned out really big.  I was making it for my friend but I think it may fall off her head if she tries to wear it.  I will try making it again using smaller needles and see if that does the trick.  I'm thinking perhaps my gauge was off.  I know they are suppose to fit loose but it seems a bit too much.  I'm sure someone will be able to fit into it.

Here is a picture of the book.  It came in this starter kit that my boyfriend bought for me as a surprise.   What can I say best surprise ever, especially for the addicted knitter I have become. The slouchy hat is on the cover. 

 

Here is some pics of my oversized slouchy hat.  I am going to make another one and reduce the size and use smaller needles.  I hope the next one will fit better!

Slouchy hat with dropped stitch

The back of the hat

Cat Nip Donut

I originally wanted to make this for the two wonderful kittens we were going to get last may, however after completion I realized that it was a bit too large for the size of the kittens.  So I gave them to a friend for her 2 full sized cats, who loves them to pieces.  She reports that they have never been so excited for a toy in a really long time! 

  I found this wonderful and easy pattern from another blogger and am reposting it so its easy to find but all credit goes to knifty knits.

Yarn: I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn to make this beauty, however any cotton yarn would work.  I like using cotton because its absorbent and doesn't fray or have fuzzys that the kittens could chew on.  

Gauge:  The smaller the needle you use the better it is because it provides a tighter stitch so the cat nip doesn't fall out.  I used US size 3 needles. 
 

Directions:
CO 60 sts.
Work in St st for 4 inches, ending with a WS row.
BO all sts.

Finishing:  Simply sew up the seams and stuff as you go.  I added some filling from an unused pillow to stuff it a bit as well, and loaded in the cat nip!  When you get to the end simply sew the two together to create a circle "donut" shape. 

Christmas of 2010

  For Christmas this past year I wanted to knit everyone a little something.  I tried to think of a nice knitted gift that everyone could use and enjoy, so I decided to knit dish cloths.  I did some very basic ones from a free pattern that I got from the Bernat yarn website.  It was very simple and straight forward.  Simply cast on 4 stitches and increase 1 into every second stitch until you reach the desired length of the dish cloth (the mid point triangle) you would like. When you hit the mid point simple then decrease your stitches.  You can find the pattern website by clicking on the Basic Dish Cloth pattern to the left under the projects I have completed.


I also adding a little spin to dish cloths so I decided to make one with a paw print and skull and cross bones one.  Both I feel turned out very nicely.  When I track down the pictures I will post them ASAP.


As Promised here are pictures of the dish cloths!

Paw Print Dish Cloth

Bernat Pattern Dish Cloth

Skull and Cross Bones Dish Cloth

House Warming

My very first dish cloth I made was for my friend as a house warming gift.  This was when I first started knitting and wanted to make something special for her.  I also made a hand towel with the loop to be hung on a stove handle.  I hope she enjoyed them!

Martini Dish Cloth

Hand Towel, Martini Dish Cloth, and Regular Dish Cloth

A Headband That WORKS!

So a few days ago I was searching for a quick new project to complete.  I wanted something that wouldn't take me long to complete and look great, since I like the feeling of accomplishment.  I came across a headband pattern from my "Stitch'N Bitch Nation" book.  I have always loved the idea of headbands but for some reason they always slip off my head which irritates me to no end, so I gave up on wearing them.  UNTIL I made this headband.  It stays put! Just tie the back and it doesn't move.  It rekindled my love for headbands.  The pattern in the book also had a detailing with a huge flower and leaf - which was a bit too much for me.  So instead I just did a basic black headband.  I also changed the pattern slightly, instead of doing a 1x1 rib pattern i did a seed pattern (K1, P1) on RS then (P1, K1) on WS.  Just make sure that you watch your pattern and that you do the opposite stitch.  For example on your left needle if you see a knit stitch then purl that one.  It creates this really neat pattern. 

Headband

 I modified the pattern by using a seed stitch as opposed to a rib stitch.  Both are beautiful and will look amazing as a finished project.  The pattern in the book also provides a pattern to add a flower and leaf and vine to the headband.  I personally prefer a basic and simple headband and decided not to add the flowers.  They are so quick and easy to make and is a good gift for headband loving gals out there!

** PLEASE DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE THIS PATTERN INTO YOUR BLOG, PLEASE JUST ADD LINK TO MY PAGE**  THANKYOU

PATTERN

YARN: Patons Knit 'n' Save; Worsted Weight; 50 gram; 100% Acrylic; Colour - black (3210), Lot - 520.
Gauge: 18sts = 10 cm (4") on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Needles: US size 8 (5mm) double pointed.  I used double pointed since the width of the headband is only about 4 inches approximately and I don't own any smaller (length) single pointed needles.  I found using the smaller needles easier to work with but be aware of the ends and make sure your work doesn't slip off.  To prevent this an easy thing to do is to put needle protectors on one end making them into single pointed needles.    ***NOTE: you do need to use double pointed needles when making the i-cord***




With main colour, on dpns, CO 2 sts.  Work I-Cord for 9".
Change to straight needles or use point protectors.

*slip all stitches purl wise* 
* For seed stitch always do the opposite stitch that you are looking at.  If the stitch you are going to work is a knit stitch, do a purl on this one and vice versa*

Inc Row 1: K1, m1, k1
Row 2: Sl1, p to end.
Row 3: Sl1, m1f, k1, m1b, k1.
Row  4: Sl1, p to end
Row 5: K1, m1f, k3, m1b, k1
Row  6: Sl1, work seed stitch (k1, p1) to last 2 sts, p2
Row 7: Sl1, m1f, seed stitch to last 2 sts, k1, m1b, k1.
Row  8: Sl1, p2, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 9: Sl1, m1f, seed to alst st, m1b, k1
Row  10: Sl1, seed to end
Row 11: Sl1, m1f, seed to last st, m1b, k1.

Place marker (PM) on RS of work.  Work in seed stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row purl wise, until piece measures 9 1/2" from beg, ending with RS facing.

Dec Row 1: Sl1, k2tog tbl, seed to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: Sl1, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 3: Sl1, k2tog tbl, seed to to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4: Sl1, p2, seed to end
Row 5: Sl1, k2tog tbl, p1, k1, p1, k2tog, k1.
Row 6: Sl1, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 7: Sl1, k2tog tbl, k1, k2tog, k1
Row 8: Sl1, p to end
Row 9: Sl1, k2tog tbl, k2tog
Row 10: Sl1, p2tog
Row 11: K.


Change to dpns.  With RS facing you work in I-cord on rem 2 sts for 9".
Next row: k2tog, break yarn and draw tail through st to secure.

Wonton anyone?

When we were deciding on getting kittens right away I started looking for unique patterns for cat nip filled toys that no other cat around this neighbourhood would have.  That is when I stumbled upon a cat nip filled wonton toy.  I immediately fell in love with this pattern because I love the idea of it being a food item made into a heavenly cat nip filled treat for cats.  The one problem I ran into is that the finished product was way too large for my 3 month old kittens so I gave them to my friend who has 2 fully grown sweet heart of cats.  I hear that they really enjoy them and are asking for more! 


This pattern was founded by Julie

Wonton
SIZE
One size fills all.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Unfinished: 5 inch square. Finished: 2.5 inch triangular wonton shape
MATERIALS
Plymouth Encore [75% acrylic, 25% wool; 200yd/m per 100g skein] ; color: 256 [cream]; 1 skein [or scrap yarn totaling 18 yards]      - I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Ultrasoft (100% cotton); Worsted weight; 50 gr (1 3/4 oz.).  Colour white 1 set US #5/3.75mm straight needles cotton balls, yarn scraps, of fabric bits for stuffing catnip tapestry or yarn needle
GAUGE
24 sts/30 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch  My gauge; 20 sts/26 rows  A note about gauge: For goodness sake, do not go out and buy yarn for these projects if you have any sort of stash. These are perfect projects for using up the yarn at the end of a skein. If you don't have worsted weight yarn like I used, don't fret. You can still follow the pattern, though you may end up with a slightly smaller or larger cat toy. The important thing is to make sure the gauge is much firmer than is normally required for the yarn you are using. If you knit these projects in the normal gauge for the yarn, your cat toys will be too loose and you will end up with catnip all over the floor. The yarn I used normally calls for US size #8 needles and a gauge of 20 sts = 4". As long as you are knitting these projects in a tight gauge, go ahead and use whatever yarn you've got.
I used the same size of needle mentioned above in this gauge and found it to work out rather nicely.
DIRECTIONS
CO 30 sts. Work in St st for 35 rows, or until piece measures as tall as it is wide. BO all sts.
An easy way to see if you have a square is to bring the left corner of your work up towards the right side of the needle where you are working.  Without pulling or stretching if it reaches nicely and measures across the top and sides and is even then bind off.  If it doesn't reach do another row and test again.  Do this until it is even. See my attempt at an illustration below.					.
FINISHING
Fold your square diagonally to form a triangle. Sew the seam up one side of the triangle. Pour a little bit of catnip into the triangle, then put some of your stuffing on top, and add more catnip. Being careful not to dump catnip into your lap, sew the other side of the triangle closed. Pull the far corners of the triangle together to form wonton shape. Hold the corners together while you sew them together, working your needle on the "inside" of the corners so your stitching won't be visible.  Checking for a perfect square

Needle Conversion Chart

When I was reading through patterns they either use US or Metric when making reference to the size of needle required for the project.  I began getting frustrated when my needles only had either the US size or the Metric size and I would have to try and figure out what size of needle I had to see if i could do my project.  Then my life became easier when I found this handy needle conversion chart.  I would simply just look up what needle size I had if the pattern was asking for the metric sizing, or vice versa. Below is the conversion chart that saved me time.  Enjoy!

A handy knitting needle conversion chart for converting US, UK, and metric size knitting needles.

US        Metric                      UK
0                      2                           14

1                      2.25                       13

                        2.5

2                      2.75                       12

                        3                           11

3                      3.25                       10

4                      3.5

5                      3.75                        9

                        4                            8

6                      4.25

7                      4.5                          7

8                      5                             6

9                      5.5                          5

10                    6                             4

10.5                 6.5                           3

                        7                             2 

                        7.5                          1

11                    8                             0

13                    9                             00

15                    10                           000

MP3 Case

A slight modification (make it a few stitches bigger) with the cell phone case and voila a music player cozy is complete.  This one has a super cute flower which i knitted as well!  This was my first ever flower and I know now that I can make ones much nicer now that I have more experience knitting.

FLOWER KNITTING PATTERN
This pattern I found online; compliments of Julie

Materials: Using 2.25mm (USA size 1, UK/Canadian size 13) needles and 4 ply yarn
Pattern:
cast on 5 stitches
row 1: **slip 1, knit 3. turn leaving remaining stitch unworked
row 2: purl 3, turn leaving remaining stitch unworked
row 3: knit 3, turn leaving remaining stitch unworked
row 4: purl 3, turn leaving remaining stitch unworked
row 5: knit 4
row 6: purl 2 together, purl 1, purl 2 together (3 stitches)
row 7: knit 1, knit 2 together and pass first stitch over to give 1 stitch on needle
Use this stitch to cast on 4 more stitches (5 in total) and repeat from ** to give desired number of petals (3, 4 or 5)
If you'd like a larger flower then simply cast on 7 stitches and follow the same principle of working only on the centre 5 stitches for the first 6 rows and then decreasing by knitting 2 stitches together at both ends of the following rows until you have a single stitch again. Repeat for the desired number of petals.
To finish:
thread end through last remaining stitch and then gather up the middle of the flower by catching up  2 stitches the from base of each ‘petal’, pulling up tight and tying off the ends.
Attach to article and sew a contrasting french knot / button / felt circle in the centre of flower.
Working on the middle stitches only gives the ‘petal’ a natural curl. Once the flower is finished you can choose to curl petals up or down.

Another Cell Phone Case

Here is another cell phone case I made.  Im not sure if I still have to pattern for these ones in particular, but if I find it I will post it.  During the excitement of learning to knit things, I forgot to keep track of where I put the pattern that I had made. I have now learned and have started a knitting journal - compliments of Stitch'N Bitch who invented the very thing.  Its pretty handy it has graph paper for designing your very own knitting patterns as well as a section for what yarn you have in stock and the projects you have completed!

Kitten Ball Knitting Pattern

Here is one project that I started when we decided to get two beautiful kittens.  It is a cat ball that you can stuff with batting (i used an old pillow that was not acceptable for my head anymore) and cat nip, of course!  However I would recommend this for a full grown cat as the finish project is about the size of a grapefruit, which was almost as large as our kittens when we got them.  Slight set back in my knitting adventures, but successful none the less.  I also added the cute tassels to the ends in hopes to entice there kittens ways.

This pattern is in thanks to Judy!

Materials

4-ply (worsted weight) knitting yarn, one or two or more colors (i used cotton yarn as it is more absorbent (for kitty chewing pleasure) and doesn't have fuzzy bits on it like acrylic yarn)
Pair of #4 (US) needles
Polyester fiber filling or old nylon stockings or other stuffing
Note that the needles are small for the size of the yarn. This makes a dense fabric so the filling won't show through.
Cast on 28 stitches.

Instructions for one section

Row 1: turn [pick up or attach new color if you're going to change] and knit 28 stitches
Row 2: turn and knit 20 stitches
Row 3: turn and knit 18 stitches
Rows 4, 6, 8, and 10: repeat row 2
Rows 5, 7, and 9: repeat row 3
(In other words, each row takes you two stitches closer to the top.) Repeat rows 1 through 10 until you have made 12 sections, one after the other.
Each section starts at same end; I call this the "top". (Don't cut off the old yarn; it will be there waiting for you when you start the next section in that color.)
Bind off when you get to the end of the last section. Leave about a 12" tail to use for sewing up. Notice that since this is garter stitch, on one side there is a sharp boundary between the colors of the adjacent wedges, and on the other side the adjoining colors are interlinked. Decide which side you want to be the outside.
With a tapestry needle, run the tail around through the end stitches of the rows and pull tight. (To make it extra firm, run the yarn around again.) Continue sewing up the open side about 2/3 of the way.
Stuff the ball as firmly as you like and sew up the rest of the way. Run the yarn through the end stitches of the rows (twice if you like) and pull tight. Make a knot and run the end of the yarn into the ball and cut off.


Hint: If you're going to use the "inside" as the side that shows (that is, the side where the colors of adjoining segments interlock), knit one last row in the color of the section you will be stitching to, then cast off. This will give you the last set of interlocking stitches, and let you sew together two edges that match in color.
Now here's an attempt at charting how this pattern works. Each dash and arrowhead is one stitch. Cast on 28 stitches, and knit as follows:

"Top" end of ball
/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
                < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
                - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
            < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
            - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
        < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
    < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Make 12 sections and bind off, leaving a long tail. Sew up and stuff the ball.

Bonus: A Small Yarnball

This one is a lot smaller. Keeping to my citrus theme, it's about the size of a tangerine (or a hackysack), 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Cast on 17 stitches
Make first section, as follows:
Row 1: turn and knit to the end
Row 2: turn and knit 12 sts, leaving 5 on the needle
row 3: turn and knit 7 sts, leaving 5 on the needle
Row 4: turn and knit 10 sts, leaving 2 on the needle
Row 5: turn and knit 13 sts, leaving 2 on the needle
row 6: turn and knit to the end
Row 7: turn and knit to the end
Row 8: turn and knit to the end
(you're back at the top)
Repeat rows 1 to 8 until you have completed ten sections.
Bind off, sew and stuff.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
          < - - - - - - - - - - -
          - - - - - - >
    < - - - - - - - - -
    - - - - - - - - - - - - >
< - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My First Real Knitting Project

 

Above you will see a picture of my first real knitting project, a cell phone case.  They are very easy to make and fun to jazz up to your own personal style. This one in particular I made for my friend.  I have made many more since then and continue to expand on styles, colours, patterns, etc.

My Passion For Knitting

In February of 2010 a co-worker of mine showed me the wonders of knitting.  She was just starting to learn and was really excited to pass on her knowledge, and I was more then eager to learn.  After about an hour of knitting I began to fall in love with this creative craft. Believe it or not, I am still working on this first project, even though I have started and completed many more in the mean time.  For those who know anything about knitting casting on 80 stitches with size 10 mm needles to begin a scarf, is not the best idea.  As I continued to knit away I began to notice that my scarf was becoming more the size of a shall rather then a cozy neck sized scarf.  This is why I have yet to finish the project.  By the time I finish knitting it, it will probably evolve into something other then a scarf.  Perhaps a pillow cover…. who knows.

A few weeks later I became the crazy yarn lady and went overboard on purchasing yarn, but it was so worth it! I am slowly trying to figure out what to knit with all this beautiful wool, varying in colours, textures, and thickness.  I did however come to realize that 1 ball of yarn does not really give you a whole lot of pattern options other then 1 sock, or a dish cloth (however cotton yarn works best for these).  I discovered this when I decided to make a goal for myself and knit things for Christmas.  I thought having all this beautiful yarn would be a breeze to grab any ball and start making scarves, until most patterns I found require 2 or more. Fear not, it just means I need to purchase more and being the crazy yarn lady, I’m excited for that.