Ms Blondie Knits Lots of Stuff

February Snow and Skeins

2011-02-17T10:00:00.009-06:00

Happy February. . . . the month of Groundhog Day, Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and now. . . Big Blizzard Day, Feb. 1, 2011!

With the help of a neighbor, I was able to get the approximately 15 inches covering the walkway cleared to look like this:

Then on February 4, another five inches fell. . . and more snow on February 9. . . really unbelievable for this part of the country! Our snow shovel got a workout! (To say nothing of the leaking roof!)

Oh yes, in February, there is also the birthday of my niece Alice, my friends Zita and Mary Beth, and . . . ME!

What with the frigid temps and icy streets, I was able to take advantage of the "snow days" and enjoy the birthday present I bought for myself: a tabletop Hornshaw yarn swift!

Look how pretty it is! The wood grain is so lovely, the stain such a nice color, the finish so smooth. . . I rate this purchase an A+!! The little pegs can be easily moved into whichever holes make the right size opening for the skein size.

I won't even say how many skeins of yarn I have in my stash. . . but I grabbed some to start winding.

Back row from left: 1 skein Kudo (Plymouth); 1 skein of 40% merino/40% silk/20% bamboo Saxon indigo dyed by Bex at True Blue Fiber Friends; 5 skeins of City Yarns Lava Hand Paint (Punta Yarns); 1 skein Silky Merino (Malabrigo) and
Front row from left: 4 skeins Flicker (Berroco) and 1 skein Nazca Wind (Plymouth).

Here you can see the swift in action, with the Kudo skein being wound. My daughter gave me the little winder a few years back, which is a tremendous help. (My husband had been my "swift" up until now, patiently holding the yarn between his upheld palms. . .)
And here is the lovely little Kudo cake, ready to knit! I am planning to make the one-skein infinity scarf pattern (Plymouth #1898).

Voila! All finished, plus a few more skeins that I decided to wind. I love that swift! The hand-paint in the upper left, and the dark colored skeins below it are all Baby Alpaca Grande. The dark ones (which are a forest green) were wound directly from an ancient, unfinished project which I decided to frog, because I don't have any idea what pattern I was using.
The skein in front is Borealis (Berroco) which will make a lovely warm hat.
Flicker (which is 87% alpaca, 8% acrylic and 5% other), is quite lofty, and it wound into a tight cake. I decided not to wind the other skeins, as I'm afraid that it might get stretched out. I'll probably wind them by hand, or right before knitting them.
I decided to start the Berroco infinity Ping cowl in the new spring "Weekend and Weekend Chunky" booklet, so I cast on and got this far. (Flicker and Weekend have the same gauge.) I did a provisional cast on so that I can graft the ends together.

These three lovely little skeins are some unidentified hand-paint yarns. Where, oh where did the skein labels go, oh where oh where can they be?! Well, never mind, they are single skeins in my stash, which will be used for future cowls, scarves or handwarmers!
The Nazca Wind was a skein I needed to wind so I could finish my sweetie's Valentine project, an "A's Manly Scarf" (pattern by Johanna K. Sarten) made with 3 skeins. This is a very soft alpaca yarn in a chocolate brown/black color. I wonder how it will hold up next to a scratchy beard?

So, now that I have my skeins wound, wish me luck with advancing on some projects. Which one to start????

A Friday Finished Project

2010-06-11T15:25:00.005-05:00

Finally, I have finished my "Minnie" project! It has been sitting in a cupboard for a couple of years, waiting for me to finish the lace edging. Today was lunch at the Philbrook Museum, so I finished it up last night and found a dress in my closet that matches!

Pattern: Minnie by Louisa Harding
Yarn: Ultra Silk by Berroco

I would like to thank my dear mother for teaching me how to sew when I was a little girl. A lot of knitters really hate "sewing up" the knit pieces -- but I actually don't mind at all, since my embroidery, hemming and sewing years taught me how to handle that! The worst part was knitting the lace edging -- which is knit in a strip about a mile long, and then sewed around all the edges.

Hats , Mittens and Scarves

2010-01-06T11:22:00.008-06:00

The cold and snow have been pretty brutal the last few weeks, so winter weather accessories are quite appropriate!

Project: Misti Chunky Ribs and Ruffles Scarf (free pattern by Nancy Kleiber)
Yarn: Marble (James C Brett)
Made for: Katy

To make this scarf warm enough, I held the yarn doubled, making it even chunkier than the original pattern's version.

Michael keeps his ears warm with a beanie I made him a few years ago. The yarn was some alpaca yarn I got at a farm in Michigan, when Brad and I spent a few days at the cabin (well, really more of a house, and quite luxurious) Mom and Dad rented on a lake. I had forgotten about this hat until I saw him wearing it on New Year's Day!

Terra is modeling a pair of Bella mittens I made for Calder. Yarn is Lion Brand wool-ease chunky.

Anna is wearing the hat and scarf I made for her mom (hat is a modified "Drops Design" pattern, scarf is Ribs and Ruffles Scarf) and Sophia is wearing a Santa hat (pattern from "Drops Design"). The yarn for these projects was Bamboo Soft, bought at Hobby Lobby.

Sophie helped make the pom pom for her hat, which she wanted to look like a peppermint!

And a pair of mitts for Saskia, made with SWTC Karoake yarn, and based on Laurie-Ann Schultz's free Fingerless Glove pattern.

"Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. . .

2010-01-05T19:37:00.006-06:00

. . . that's what little girls are made of!"

Project: Angora Bolero from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies.
Yarn: Sirdar Romance (2 skeins)
Made for: Juliana, la hija del Gordo y Amanda

Y aquí está la nena, con el bolero puesto, y comiendo su botita! ¡Qué linda está!

And here's a picture of Anna wearing the purple Little Jive shrug I made!

Finished Projects for Special Children!

2009-11-23T13:29:00.008-06:00

The first two items have already been gifted, and the girls' shrugs are Christmas presents -- WHAT? It's not even Thanksgiving yet and two Christmas gifts are DONE? It's a miracle!

I'm hoping I'll get pictures of the items in use!

Project: Sirdar's Design F Boys Slipover, or as I like to call it, "Little Professor Vest."
Yarn: Spud and Chloe worsted, cotton/wool
Size: 5 years old
Made for: Miles

Project: Blu from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Rowan Denim, cotton
Size made: 18 months
Made for: Kamran

The little patch is made out of felt and I embroidered his initials.

I love this pattern. And I bet they're the most comfortable pair of jeans a person could wear!

Project: Little Jive Shrug by Sublime
Yarn: Queensland Pima Fresca, 100% cotton
Size: 7 years old
Made for: Sophie

(I want one of these for me!)

Project: Pippa by Martin Storey
Yarn: Kudo by Plymouth, cotton/rayon/silk
Size: 8 years
Made for: Anna

Bella's Mittens

2009-10-17T16:05:00.004-05:00

For the Twilight fans!!!

Pattern: Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault
Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande, 2 skeins
Made for: Ellen

Used smaller needles than yarn ball-band calls for to get gauge for the pattern. It made the mittens a great weight.

Cardi Time

2009-08-01T10:39:00.011-05:00

It's a happy (and rare) day when I actually finish a project I plan to wear myself!

Project: "Lemongrass Bolero" pattern by Stephanie Japel (Glampyre)
Yarn: Madil Giamaica

Project: Louisa Harding "Tide," from Beachcomber Bay
Yarn: Saucy by Reynolds

Now, when it comes to baby things, I'm much better at finishing those! Debbie's granddaughter was born this spring, and this little cardi was fun to make!

Project: "Little Daisy Cardigan" pattern by Sublime Yarns
Yarn: Baby Cotsoy (Queensland Collection)

Aw, look how adorable she is! And her name, Peyton, is so cute, too!

Hats it is!

2009-05-26T10:03:00.005-05:00

Let's bring back 1979!

Alice and Anna model the quickand easy to crochet "Skull Cap" (pattern by Janelle Scholossman).

Another skull cap is below, made with Bebe Cotsoy, very soft. Given to Cate for her one-year birthday.

Cast is on Sock: A Knitting Recipe for You

2009-05-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

There are many terms used to refer to my part of the country, among them "Tornado Alley," "Green Country," and the "Ice Belt." The latter moniker refers to the storms that hit us in November, December and January -- when it's too warm for the precipitation to be snow, but too cold for it to be rain. What we get is ice, and lots of it.

Now I prefer my ice crushed and in a cold glass with a bubbly drink, because when it is layered on the ground, it can cause a lot of damage, as you can only imagine. The good things about an ice storm, as I see it, are that the auto collision repair centers are booming with business (good for local economy), the orthopedic surgeons have more business than they can handle (and they get to treat non-athletic related broken bones), and those of us with the dreaded SSS can find release from the terrible stress caused by our syndrome, that of the "Second Sock." Come on, you know who you are. I am here to help you embrace this problem and let you enjoy your sock making skills with very little if no stress involved. And here's how you do it.

You start making sock slippers for the cast that is on your broken ankle bone! You use big fat yarn (makes it go very fast), you start at the toe so you can adjust as need be for diameter of the cast, and you whip up a comfy cast-cover in a couple of hours! If you are one of the lucky ones who does not suffer from the broken bone, make it your holiday charity knitting project!

Version 1 is knit with 1 skein + about a quarter of another skein of Eskimo (Garnstudio.) The cuff is a 2x2 rib with the two knit stitches knitted as a twist. Very easy!

Version 2 is a fun striped version knit with 1 skein of Como (Debbie Bliss) in blue/gray, and 1 skein in cream. The yarn is knit at a tighter gauge than recommended, so it is a thick, warm cast cover. The two yarns are carried up the side (twist when changing colors), and just continue using the blue for the heel wedge. The cuff has one row of white worked purl, and then BO in knit with Blue. This is a great sock to wear with jeans.

Version 3 is knit with Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky in black, and takes less than one skein. The yarn is held doubled to get gauge (use the end from inside the ball, and the end on the outside) and is finished with a garter stitch cuff (alternate rounds of knit and purl for approximately 1-2 inches as desired. ) This basic black sock goes with a lot of things, particularly with the black knit pants which have become my "wheel-chair and crutches uniform!"

Version 4 is a moccasin-themed sock knit with 1 skein of Puffin yarn (by Crystal Palace, in fudge brownie color). This yarn is a little finer, so the sock is lighter weight and stretchier. It will be good for the warmer days we are now having in March! Knit even until desired length, then begin purling in the round(this will be folded down to the outside). Cut remaining yarn in short lengths and make tassels around bound off edge.

Following is my recipe, which can be stirred up a bit, seasoned and garnished as your little heart desires. You are basically just knitting great big sock with bulky yarn, toe-up, fitting as you go.

Caution: My notes weren't very coherent (I was on pain medication when I made these!), but if you've made socks before, or have a basic toe up sock pattern, it really shouldn't be a problem for you!

Materials:

Yarn: bulky weight, approximately 80 yards

Needles: US size 10.5, set of 4 double points

Gauge: 14 stitches per inch

Abbreviations: N = needle; Kf&b = Knit front and back of same stitch;
W&T = wrap and turn

Instructions:

Cast on 12 stitches using the figure eight method. The best tutorial for this is Knitty's own at http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html.

Knit across the 6 stitches on one needle, pivot the needles 180 degrees, and then with another needle, knit across the 6 stitches which are now on the top needle. Place a marker to designate the beginning of the round.

Round 1
With first needle, Kf&b, K2; with second needele K2, Kf&b; with a third needle, Kf&b, K4, Kf&b.
(There are now 4 stitches on N1, 4 stitches on N2, and 8 stitches on N3.)

Round 2
N1: Kf&b, K3 / N2: K3, Kf&b / N3: Kf&b, K6, Kf&b.
(There are now 5 stitches on N1, 5 stitches on N2, and 10 stitches on N3.)

Round 3
N1: Kf&b, Kt4 / N2: K4, Kf&b / N3: Kf&b, K18, Kf&b
(There are now 6 stitches on N1, 6 stitches on N2, and 12 stitches on N3.)

Round 4: Knit the round with no decreases.

Round 5
N1: Kf&b, knit remaining stitches on needle
N2: knit to last stitch, Kf&b
N3: Kf&b, knit to last stitch, Kf&b

Repeat rounds 4 and 5 three more times, until there are 9 stitches N1, 9 stitches N2,
and 18 stitches N3.

Knit even until sock reaches beginning of ankle joint (on me, size 8 foot with cast, it was about
6.75 inches).

Begin Heel shaping:
Knit across N1, Knit across N2, stopping 1 stitch before end, W&T.
Purl back across N2 and N1, stopping 1 stitch before end, W&T.

Continue knitting and purling back and forth, wrapping and turning one stitch before wrapped stitch of previous row, until 5 stitches are wrappen on each outside end of the needles 1 and 2.

Knit to first wrapped stitch , pick up wrap, and knit it with the stitch. Purl back to first wrapped stitch on that side, pick up wrap and purl it with the stitch.

Repeat this procedure until all wrapped stitches are picked up.

Knit back across N1 and N2 (these are the heel needles), pick up one stitch in gap with tip of last needle but do not knit it.

Work across N3 (instep stitches).

Pick up a stitch in the gap but don't knit it, then continue knitting across the remaining heel stitches.

Knit across first set of heel stitches, knitting the last stitch together with the picked up stitch.
Knit across instep stitches.
Knit across second set of heel stitches, knitting the picked up stitch together through back loop with the first stitch on the needle.

Resume knitting in the round until the sock is as tall as you want it. You can do the cuff anyway you want -- ribbed, lace, garter stitch, etc. Bind off, and you are done!

As I said, you will avoid SSS, but these will be so fun, you will want to keep making them!

LadyBird Socks for Bug

2009-04-29T18:06:00.005-05:00

Great-niece Cate, also known as "Bug" by her parents, turned one back when I was broken-ankled, so her present didn't get finished until recently. These are the Ladybird Shoes from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor.

So that they would fit a one-year old instead of a baby, I used worsted weight yarn (Berroco Comfort). I also added a cuff, as in some of the other bootee patterns in the book, and I made a double sole, so there are NO BUMPS to bother her feet! (The smooth face of the stockinette stitch is where her foot will be!

Other modification was not to do the spots fair aisle, but rather to embroider them on before I sewed up the back seam. Cute shoes, but lots of needlework after the knitting was done!

Pittlely Projects. . .

2009-04-29T17:50:00.008-05:00

I'm all about "pittlely" -- those little projects that keep me busy so I can avoid the pressing responsibilities of life -- grading papers, cleaning house, balancing my checkbook.

Here are some little pittles that have occupied me lately. . .

1. The Spritely Elf's sister needed slipper socks. These are made with Berroco Comfort chunky, plain stockinette, 5-stitches per inch. I feel bad I didn't embellish them. . .

2) A charity sweater (T-top pattern) for my mom's church group that sends handknit sweaters to Africa. Yarn is Hobby Lobby "Love this yarn." It's probably a size 2 or 3.

3. Flower Hat from Mr. Funky's pattern book. Crocheted. Gauge with this yarn was less than called for in the pattern, so it will be for a baby. Where can I find a BABY?

There are more pittlely projects on my other camera. . . I'll have to try to find them!

Spritely Elf Necessities: The Set

2009-04-14T19:30:00.003-05:00

I had made some hats for my 9-year old niece Anna, but 6-year old Sophie wasn't too keen on having one until she decided that maybe she would like me to make her an elf hat.

When I asked if she would rather have an elf hat or shoes, she twisted her lips to the side, and concentrated very hard. Her face brightened with a huge grin as she said, "The SET!"

How could I refuse?

Recipe for Felted Elf Slippers.

Materials:

1 skein Lion Brand Wool in green elf color (or other 100% worsted weight wool)

1 skein DK weight Comfort yarn, in a matching color (will be used for cuff)

small bit of scrap acrylic yarn in a contrasting color

Beads and embroidery floss for embellishment

Suede slipper soles by Stonehenge Clothing, and matching acrylic yarn to sew them on.

Needles:
size 10 double points
size 5 double points

Pattern:

CO 36 stitches with one strand of the Lion Brand Wool, size 10 needles. You will need a loose gauge, approximately 3.5 stitches per inch.

Begin your sock from the top in stockinette stitch, following any basic sock pattern . Continue until you reach the toe area.

Use "Elf toe" pattern by Storm in the Attic. Available free at:
http://www.stormopzolder.nl/DIY.htm#free

Weave an acrylic yarn or some other non-feltable yarn through each stitch at top. You will later unpick these stitches and use the little holes left to pick up stitches for the cuff.

As you can see, before they were little, they were BIG! (They fit a size 8 woman's foot.)

Felt slippers in hot water in washing machine with a little bit of wool soap.

Note: This yarn felts very quickly!

When the slippers reach an appropriate elf-size, roll them in a towel to soak up extra water, shape and dry. Tug a little on the point of the slipper to get it to look nice and elfy.

When dry, sew on the suede slipper bottoms, available from Stonehenge Clothing Etsy shop. This is really much easier to do BEFORE you knit the cuff, as you can reach inside the slipper easier. (I tried it both before and after!)

Now make the cuff. Pick out the contrasting yarn one stitch at a time, and using a small crochet hook, pick up a stitch in each hole with the DK weight cotton yarn. Place stitches on size four size 5 double point needles (you should have 36 stitches at this point). Knit 2x2 rib for approximately 3 inches, BO loosely in pattern.

Add beads, bobbles and embroidery floss to adorn the Elf Slippers.

Disclaimer: If there are any mistakes in either the slipper or hat recipes, I'm sure it was the forest GOBLINS that tried to mess them up. Please let me know if you find anything that needs to be changed!

Recipe for a Spritely Elf Hat

Size: Small to Medium Elf Size (21" circumference)

Materials:
2 skeins Berroco Comfort DK in leaf green

beads and embroidery floss for adornment

Needles:

1 size 9 16" circular or dbl points, as you prefer

1 size 8 16" circular

Instructions:
Using size 9 circular, CO 72 stitches.

With size 8 circular work one row K1 P1 rib, and when you come to the end of the row, join to work in the round. (When you are done, close up the little gap with the yarn tail.)

Continue with the size 8 circular needle and knit approximately 6 rows, or 1 inch.

Switch back to size 9 circular needle, and working in stockinette, increase (knit front & back) every 8th stitch (you will be increasing in a purl stitch.)

Work the 81 stitches in the round for approximately 26 rows, or 4 inches.

Begin decreases as follows:
Place marker at the beginning.
Knit 7, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 4 rows even.
Knit 6, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 2 rows even.
Knit 5, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 4 rows even.
Knit 4, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 3 rows even.
Knit 3, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 2 rows even.
Knit 2, SSK, repeat around.
Knit 1, SSK, repeat around.
SSK around.
SSK around, knitting last single stitch together with the first SSK of the previous round.
You should now have 4 stitches left.

Work a 4 stitch I-cord for approximately 1/2 inch, BO, and then stick yarn tail through to back side and weave in end.

Embellish with beads and/or embroidery, however the elfly spirits move you!

Give THE SET to any deserving elf and watch her dance through the forest!

Another Baby, Another Bunny

2009-03-09T13:42:00.003-05:00

If my friends keep having babies, I'll be able to make these bunnies in my sleep! Here is Max with his green bunny!

Uh, oh, Look What I did. . .

2009-02-28T14:16:00.001-06:00

Uh, oh! There's no good story behind this. Just slipped on the ice in front of my house. It's been a month, kind of a blur actually, what with the break, the surgery to put pins, plates and screws into my ankle, and recovery. Three more weeks of the cast and I should be good to go!

Sweater in Action

2008-12-31T20:26:00.003-06:00

Baby Cate is wearing the crocheted sweater I made for her last year! (See post of 2/19/08: "Baby it's Cold Outside!")

Neckwear

2008-12-23T18:00:00.001-06:00

Some neckwear for my friends. . .

Teva Durham's pattern, Leaf Cravat. Made with Louisa Harding Kashmir DK yarn. Christmas present for Veronique! What a fun pattern!

Slanted Eyelet Scarf (Destination Alchemy book, Lang Silkdreams yarn). Christmas present for Elsa! Really simple lace pattern to keep track of. This yarn is really great, too (50% merino
wool, 50% silk).

Turtle Rendezvous

2008-12-21T09:30:00.007-06:00

Back last summer I did a swap with one of my knitting groups. I made Lotus Burger a turtle (shown in a previous post) because she has a big tortoise. Here they are together!

Footly Things

2008-12-20T19:44:00.000-06:00

Debbie Bliss pattern for Embroidered Baby Shoes. Used Louisa Harding yarn. Made for my friend Mir's granddaughter. A girl's got to get a start on her shoe collection as soon as possible!

Bed socks made from light pink Berroco Pure Merino, 5-stitch per inch (Ann Budd pattern).

And then some Stripey Slipper Boots for Terra! Made with Kathleen yarn by Schaeffer.

I love shoes, don't you?

2008-12-17T20:03:00.013-06:00

L'il things for l'il folks!

Sophie likes her Knitted Kitty (pattern by Lillian).

Two Blanket Buddies (first one for Blake, second one for Grayson). Oh so soft!

Gimme a B, Gimme an A, Gimme a Nana! B-A-NANA!

Chimp for Alan Dart's Noah's Ark patterns.

Here a hat, there a hat, everywhere a hat hat!

2008-12-16T22:15:00.004-06:00

It's been a while. . . I know all my faithful blog viewers can hardly wait to see what Ms. Blondie has been up to! Oh yeah, that's right, mmhmm.

So, today let's deal with HATS-SOMBREROS-CHAPEAUX !

First up, for the young nieceroo, is a Lace Beanie, pattern by Lion Brand yarns. The yarn is Red Heart Eco-Cotton in a pinky multi color.

Next we have Wooly Wormhead's Gyroscope Hat (from the Going Straight hat book.) I used Lion Cashmere Blend yarn (1 skein each of blue and gray). The sideways construction was fun and interesting to do. The hat is for Dane -- I put the ribbing around the edge (not in the pattern) to keep it on his head while he's riding his bike. The lovely Gloria is my most cooperative hat model.

Mary Jane's Pithy Hat is next. The pattern was written by Theresa Belville, and I used one skein of Berroco Comfort Worsted. This hat is actually FOR Gloria (not just modeled by her), and everytime she wears it, I think what a cute hat it is and how cute it looks on her!

The Starfish hat is a Classic Elite pattern by Cecily Glowik. I used the yarn suggested, Duchess.

Although the hat is a Christmas present for Katy, Gloria models it, first in a summer pose, and a then winter one.

In a couple of weeks, my friend Vic is expecting the delivery of his 6th child (the 5th boy of the lot). Henry VIII would surely be jealous. The hat below is named Retro Flying Helmet, a pattern by Sublime, and knit with Sublime Cashmere-Merino-Silk DK yarn.

Finally, the effervescent Chiwi models Louisa Harding's Cecily Beanie, made for Terra.

Soon to follow, feet and neck coverings!

Pink for a Girl

2008-09-27T15:08:00.001-05:00

One of my good friends recently became a Grandma, so I very happily made a little cardi for her granddaughter.

Pattern: Baby Bolero, from One Skein, by Leigh Radford

Yarn: Berroco Comfort, 1 skein

Little baby is so tiny and so beautiful! It will be a little while before she can wear the sweater, but it's still a warm fall here in Tulsa, so that's okay.

The back has a little lace detail made by yarn overs and K2T.

Notes: Next time, would definitely do the sleeves top down, rather than sewn in. Also, need to remember to do crochet provisional cast on, rather than long tail with waste yarn (too hard to
pick apart.) Also, did some decreasing for neck, rather than binding off at center back.

Besides getting to hold the darling baby, the little chihuahua puppy who lives at the baby's house entertained me for awhile, too. She apparently likes to sleep next to baby!

Finished a little WIP!

2008-09-13T13:22:00.001-05:00

Pattern: "Mother's Day Cotton Slippers" by SockPixie.

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton

Recipient: Niece Ellen

Too many WIPs

2008-08-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

I just realized I haven't blogged since May. The summer flew by, and many projects were begun, but only a few have been completed.

By documenting my Works in Progress, I hope to embarrass myself into finishing these projects!

The picture quality isn't very good here, but I'll take better pictures when they are Finished Objects!!

1) "Mother's Day Slippers": need to finish the edging on one slipper and decorate them.

2) Rowan's "Foxtail" cardigan Tapestry collection, made with a Colinette cotton.

3) Knit One Crochet Too "Ying Yang Bolero" made with TyDy cotton.

4) The "Shapely Tank" made with Provence cotton.

5) "Blanket Buddy": needs to be finished by October!

6)Made-up pattern of a cardigan for a girl.

7) "Vertical Focus "(Tricoter) made with SWTC Oasis soy silk.

8)Louisa Harding "Tide" made with Reynolds Saucy cotton.

9)Louisa Harding "Minnie" made with Berroco Ultra Silk. The lace border is why this is on hold . . . it takes foooorrrreeevvvveerrr.

10)"Soleil" made with Schaenmayer Denim in orange.

11)"February Lady Sweater": This is going to be really pretty, and I don't know why I'm dragging my feet on finishing it! (Estelle 100% silk tweed)

12)"Soxx Appeal socks": Just recently started. Bought the yarn on our trip to Seattle.

13)Striped sweater or vest, to be determined (no pattern), made with Schulana Super Cotton.

14)Blue Sky Alpacas cropped top "Eyelet Cardi" using Mission Falls cotton.

There may be more unfinished projects lurking in bags around the house, but I 'd hate to look like a procrastinator. haha.

Hopefully better pictures of Finished Objects will be forthcoming!

For my Secret Pal

2008-05-31T00:45:00.000-05:00

Ravelry, the online knitting community where I spend a lot of my internet time, has different interest groups that members can join. One of my favorite groups, ADHD Knitting, is sponsoring a "pill bottle swap." We have been assigned random partners, and our mission is to decorate and fill an empty pill bottle with treats for our secret pal.

My recipient is "Lotusburger," and she lives in Utah. I made a felted lotus flower pill bottle cover, and stuffed it with beef jerky (one of her favorite snacks) and a few little knitting supplies.

Being a little bit of a rebel, I added some things that didn't fit into the bottle. Hopefully, she likes flip flops, because I made her the AZ flip flop socks and got her some purple flip flops, and matching purple nail polish! She also has a pet turtle, so I knitted her up one of Alan Dart's tortoises from his Noah's Ark pattern booklet.

I hope she likes her surprise!

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

2008-05-23T22:50:00.000-05:00

Miss Brewer, my first grade teacher at Cedar Brook Elementary School in Seattle, would have us stand and sing the "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" song, you know the one where you point to your body parts, and each additional time you sing it, you replace a body part word with "Hmmmm"?

Miss Brewer was tall, thin, young, and wore her blond hair in a French twist. I thought she was so elegant. And she got married, and invited the whole class to her wedding. That was probably the first wedding I ever went to!

In honor of Miss Brewer, one of my all time favorite teachers, here are pictures of accessories that cover or adorn various body parts. . .

For the Head:

Pattern: Basketweave Headband by Carissa Browning (Carissa Knits)
Yarn: Linen/Cotton mix?

Pattern: Lace Headband by Minty Fresh (Pepperknit.com)
Yarn: Panda Cotton Sock Yarn

Pattern: Crepe Paper Crown by Leigh Radford (Alterknits)

The first version below was done in stockinette, as per the instructions, substituting ribbon for the crepe paper.

Happy Birthday, Gloria!

This next one is a smaller version, done all in garter stitch, which made it a little more sturdy. Sent to Addy for her 4th birthday.

For the Shoulders:

Pattern: Two Tone Shrug by Stephanie Japel (Fitted Knits)
Yarn: Berrocco Love It!
Recipient: Mercedes
This shrug is identical to the one I made and posted last year, but in a larger size.

For the (Knees and) Toes, (Knees and) Toes

Pattern: Knit Boots by Mary Ann Hammes

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky

Pattern: Arizona Flip Flop Socks by Catherine Hall (L G Stitched)

Yarn: Cascade Fixation

Whew, covered from head to foot!

Eucalyptus for Dinner!

2008-05-13T20:03:00.000-05:00

When we were little, living in Seattle, my sister and I got stuffed toy koala bears for Christmas. She named hers Sydney, and mine was named Tamba. They were made out of kangaroo fur, which now, as an adult (vegetarian for 12 years) is slightly disturbing to me, but at the time, they were our favorite toys. About 10 years ago, I was going through my leftover childhood possessions in my parents' attic, and found Tamba. She was in a disgusting state of disintegration, and was disposed of. . . but the memories are still there, and to honor our childhood friends, I made this little Sydney #2 (100% genuine acryclic!) for my sister.

Pattern: "Cocoa Koala," from Toys to Crochet by Claire Garland.

Yarn: Red Heart Worted Acrylic for the body and stash stuff for dress.

Notions: 2 black beads for the eyes, black embroidery floss for the nose and mouth, button for the dress.

Comments: I didn't really like this pattern. . . it seemed to have too many steps. For example, the body was done in two parts -- you make 2 half globes, and then sew them together. Why? I think it would have been faster and easier to just decrease back down the other half as in most amigurumi patterns.

Also the dress was problematic -- I had to make the bodice part back and forth (in the round wouldn't fit over koala's head) and then from the skirt down I did it in the round. I put a little button on the back rather than sewing it shut, in case my sister's kids think they need to undress her!

Anyway, the finished product is cute in a wierd way. Sydney II was sent to my sister today!

Ribbed Lace Bolero

2008-04-09T18:40:00.000-05:00

T turns 20! Happy Birthday to you my April 1st girl!

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Shrug by Kelly Maher (published free on her 10 Feet High website.)

Yarn: Cotton Ease in taupe (1 + a smidge of 2nd skein)

The shrug fit at first, but kept growing as she wore it. Apparently this yarn and lace pattern
combined are very stretchy! I think a wash and dry in the machine will help.

When she saw it, T the fashionista said, "Shrugs and boleros are out!" But she seemed to be
happy to wear it. Also, I don't think she's visited the yarn stores and websites, where shrugs abound!!! This pattern has been made 431 times by Ravelers (so far) and is in 1592 queues!

More Doggy Stuff

2008-04-09T18:30:00.000-05:00

At the risk of seeming obsessed, here are some more doggy pictures.

This is the bed made for Mr. Pooty:

But he shares with the little pig.

This is the bed made for Chiwi:

But she shares with the little peanut.

And Liz just rolls around flashing her toothy grin:

Kitty Cuddles Beds #1 in Action

2008-04-09T18:18:00.000-05:00

Queen Elizabeth attempts to fit into the Kitty Cuddles Bed #1. . .
Shet gets pretty comfy. . .

Sausage in a roll. . .

Fully relaxed. . .

Little Miss Sunshine

2008-04-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago, I made a dress for Niece A. It was too big for her at the time, and I totally forgot about it. It was one of those FOs I never took a picture of.

Niece and family came to visit a couple of weeks ago, and lo and behold, there she was, in her dress of yellow. A little Miss Sunshine if I ever saw one!

Pattern: My one, I scribbled it down somewhere, but it has probably gone into the black hole. . .

Yarn: Cotton Tots (cheap, but really one of my favorite kid yarns!)

Kitty Bed #2, Also for a Dog

2008-04-06T00:12:00.000-05:00

The pattern is Kitty Cuddles Bed (free from Crochet Pattern Central).
This is the second kitty bed made for our dogs.

The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky in "olive."
The trim is 2 strands of Patons SWS (wool/soy blend) in "natural violet."

Close up pre-felting:

It was a big mama before it was felted:

And here it is after felting, with a comfy, fleecy pad to lie on:

And little Chiwi half-in, half-out of her new bed:

Snuggy bed, and chew toy in one!

Kitty Bed for a Dog

2008-03-06T10:38:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Kitty Cuddles (Felted Cat Bed Pattern) by "Kitty Chrome." This is a free pattern from Crochet Pattern Central.

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool (3 olive green, used every bit; 1 red; 1 purple), used double-stranded with an "N" hook.

Before. . .
Pre-felted diameter: 31"
Prefelted height: 6"
Drying. . .
This was supposed to be for Chiwi, Daughter M's French Bulldog, but it turned out too small, so it is sitting on the living room floor, too small for our dachsund, and not to the chihuahua's taste.

Quickie Cowls

2008-02-20T16:00:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Quickie Cowl by F. Pea (free on her website)

Yarn: Baby Alpaca Grande by Plymouth (110 yds.)

The Quickie Cowl is just that. A very easy 4 row repeat lace pattern which makes a cute cowl.

The cream (White 100) version was done on size 11 needles to make it a little drapier. I also ventured into new territory by using a provisional (crochet) cast on, and then grafted the beginning and end together instead of casting off and sewing a seam. This seems much better for something that will mostl likely twist and turn on the wearer.

The Quickie Cowl in turquoise was actually done first, and followed the instructions exactly (needlesize, bind-off, etc.)

Well, well, apparently somewhere along the line I acquired a second chin. Isn't that just luverly!

Pi Topper

2008-02-19T19:30:00.000-06:00

Here are a lot of pictures for one little cap!

Our first model today is my daughter G, who wants one of these hats with a stripey yarn, and minus the button/flap. That can probably be arranged. . .

Next we have the hat on an older model who shall remain nameless.

And finally, Brad's penny jar models the Pi Topper in the front yard.

I wanted to make a quick Valentine's gift for my friend Mary Beth who is going through chemo. This pattern was great -- found it free on the Elann website. I used a different yarn than what was called for -- it doesn't have the elasticity that the Elann Espirit would have, but it is really soft and I don't think it will fall off of her -- although in Oklahoma with the winds, who knows!

Pattern: Pi Topper Chemo Cap by Corey LaFlamme (This can be found on the Elann website under Free Patterns)

Recipient: Mary Beth

Yarn: Berocco Comfort DK

Needles: Size 4 or 5, I can't remember. Started with DPNs and switched to a circular.

Note: I didn't know how to do the EZ pi beginning, so I cast on to one needle, knit one row, and then joined for knitting in the round. It was easy to just sew up the little hole at the top.

Baby It's Cold Outside

2008-02-19T08:47:00.001-06:00

Baby C was born a couple of weeks ago. Here she is with her mom, my husband's nephew's wife. So, here I am, a great-aunt for the fourth time. Of course, this is on my husband's side of the family, my MUCH OLDER husband. TeeHee!

Baby C is now the owner of the much-made "Baby It's Cold Outside" crocheted sweater that I found on Ravelry. It was a fun, easy and best of all, QUICK project.

Pattern: Baby It's Cold Outside by Julie Armstrong (free pattern on internet)

Yarn: Bernat Bamboo Natural Blends (acrylic/bamboo). I think I used a size K hook.

Recipient: New Great-Niece C

Size: 6 months.

Comments: I only had one minor one glich with the sleeve, but that was an operator-error and easily fixed. I would probably make this again, but would use a different (better quality) yarn.

One-Button Chunky Sweater

2008-01-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

Pattern: My own, with help from Sweater Wizard. Made size small, with side to side (sleeve to sleeve) construction, starting with two rows of seed stitch and ending with the same. Finished with a seed stitch band along the bottom (I can't stand the roly-polyness of unfinished edges) and a seedstitch band along front and neck edges. Made a two-stitch bind-off button hole. That's it! Super easy, super fast.

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick/Chunky in a taupey color. The chunky style yarn is really not the best for this side-to-side construction, as it doesn't drape as nicely at the shoulders (since there aren't side-seams.) The fronts flip open, too, but Daughter says she likes it that way!

Recipient: Daughter T

Her response was most gratifying: "I love my sweater!"

Question: Oh, MsBlondie, Why do you use such cheapo yarn when you have plastic boxes full of the good stuff?

Answer: I just can't bring myself to use it! What is wrong with me????

Little Boy Red Sweater

2008-01-15T22:30:00.000-06:00

Pattern: My own, with help from Sweater Wizard. V-Neck Cardigan, Size 1. Sewed-in zipper, patch pockets.

Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky

Recipient: Nephew E

Notes: I actually made this a year ago, so I can't really remember what I did, but for the trim, I think I wove a blue strand in and out between the garter stitch bands at cuffs, neck and bottom edges, and pocket tops.

Not having the recipient on hand while making the sweater, I didn't realize the sleeves would be a little short and the v-neck so long! Sigh. Lucky that little nephew looks cute in anything!

Parade of Hats

2008-01-08T20:23:00.000-06:00

Hats are, of course, instant gratification knits. That is, if they turn out and actually fit the person you are making them for! Here are a bunch of 2007 hats, some with better results than others. . .

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First off, hats for nieces A and S. Used Landscape yarn (Lion Brand), wool/acrylic mix. The yarn is just okay, but I love this pink colorway. The hat on the left is a regular beanie, the one on the right is from Simply Knitting Magazine, and has a seed stitch trim, kind of diamond-like (doesn't show up well in this yarn, boo hoo).

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Next we have reluctant model Daughter #3 (or is it Cousin It?) wearing "Clara" from Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron. The pattern is cute, but the unfortunate choice of gross acrylic yarn made the knitting unpleasant. I also am not a fan of the top-down construction, basically because my Wrap Method cast on at the top is inferior!!! The hat has been worn several times.

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Using Wendy Bernard's Le Slouch as a guide, the following slouchy beret is knit with chunky Lion Brand Wool Ease. It was mostly made on a road trip to my folks for Thanksgiving, but we're still waiting for some really, really cold weather so that it can be worn comfortably.

Note to knitters: Don't make a slouchy beret with chunky yarn. It is really heavy, and kind of awkward.

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Next up, another attempt at a slouchy beret. This is acrylic yarn, too -- sorry about that. It's just that I don't want to use my more expensive yarn for unpredictable projects, and when the recipients tend to leave their accessories who knows where, I refuse to use the good stuff!!!

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Here we have Austin City Limits Hat (Alchemy Yarns) knit with Panda Cotton bought at my LYS Loops. (I love this yarn!)

I think the pattern is cute, but my girls say it is dorky with the flat top. The main problem is the fit -- it is too big around, and too short, making it unsuitable for a human head, but okay for either Charlie Brown or Big Bird. It is currently in the junk/stash/stuff basket awaiting mods, but I am not good about frogging and redoing. Wish I knew someone with a big round head to give it to!

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And lastly, we have a big loser. This was an attempt at an even bigger slouchy beret, but it is worthy only of a huge mushroom head with the biggest dreads in the world. Too bad, because it took me forever to darn in the ends from changing yarns. Also, the band was too big, so I took it out and redid it, and now it is too tight. It makes me cringe to look at it!

Oh, Mom, the shame of it!

Felted Hat

2008-01-07T21:13:00.002-06:00

Before. . . . . . and after!

And then we add a little bit of modest bling, and Voila, C'est Fini!

Pattern: Felted Roll Brim Hat from Felted Knits, by Bev Galeskas

Yarn: Alpaca, worsted weight, held 2 strands together

Recipient: Friend Debbie

I cut the flowers off of a 2 dollar scrunchy I got at Accessory City. Just the right color!

Gone to the dogs

2008-01-07T11:39:00.001-06:00

Way back when, say in April of 2007, I posted a picture of a trashed reject knit with a certain pink yarn. . . Well, I still had some of that yarn that didn't go into the trash, and decided to make a sweater for Queen Elizabeth. She was so happy and wanted to help!

But alas, the yarn is cursed, jinxed, hexed, IT IS A DEMON YARN. I made the sweater (basic sweater from Posh Pooches) but it didn't fit the little porker. Her chest and neck are way big, and it was choking her. . . so I undid, redid, spent way too long on it, and then, just as with the sweater I ruined last year, I cut what I thought was a seam stitch and cut the actual sweater, at which point I pulled it all apart and threw it away!

Good bye, good riddance.

P.S. It really wasn't the yarn. I think I must admit it was "Operator Error."

Bulky Sweater Jacket

2008-01-06T09:56:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Berrocco

Yarn: Landscapes (Lion Brand) held together with a dark brown sport-weight alpaca yarn my daughter bought at the yarn market in Bolivia.

Recipient: No one. Yuck.

Comments: I thought this was going to be cute, but it's too itchy for me, as well as too short. It is also unflattering, which may not actually be the sweater's fault, but my almost-50 year old body.

I am super annoyed, because I PAID a tailor to sew in the zipper for me, which I could have done myself (too lazy, too busy), and it draws up the front too much (which is part of the fit-problem). It is a double ended zipper, too, which allows it to be unzipped from the bottom or top. I had them put a ribbon facing arouind the seam which joined the neck and body, because it was an ugly, lumpy seam, and I thought it would help the itch factor. Moot point now, since I ain't gonna wear it!

What do I do with it now?

Last of the Gift Dishcloths

2007-12-28T11:33:00.000-06:00

This set is for Veronique, my "Pretty-in-Pink" friend. When I saw the gloves, I thought of her immediately!

Rub a Dub Dub. . . More cloths and soaps given as Christmas gifts

2007-12-28T10:49:00.001-06:00

Regular old Peaches n Creme cotton dishcloth yarn paired with novelty soaps. Oh, it's such a clean Christmas this year! Following three cloths are crocheted. Man, I can crochet a cloth in less than 1/2 the time it takes to knit one.

Peppermint Set for Niece A (4 yrs. old)

Yellow Star & Ducky Set for Niece R (10 months)

Blue Cloth and Ducky Set for Nephew E (2 years old)

More Christmas present dishcloths

2007-12-20T20:09:00.001-06:00

These are crocheted with regular kitchen cotton. Very easy, very fast. Present for Elizabeth.

Cozy Socks

2007-12-18T16:17:00.001-06:00

Pattern: Cozy Socks for Kids
Designer: Sue Dial
Source: 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders (ed. J. Durant)
Yarn: Stash yarn
Recipient: Niece S, age 4

Mods: Used stash yarn instead of the Harvest Moon Angoras Handspun Bulky Singles as designed. Also, instead of the pattern cuff, which alternates 4 rounds of purl with 4 rounds of knit four times, I did 10 rows of garter stitch. Then, when done, I decided they needed a little bit of festiveness about them, so I added the fluffy yarn cuff by single crocheting about 9 rows, and then folding over and tacking down. Voila, little Santa's helper socks!

Christmas is coming. . .

2007-12-18T16:10:00.000-06:00

Gifts for Nieces A (8 years) and S (4 years): A knitted wash cloth and cute soap for each!

Log Cabin

2007-12-10T15:03:00.001-06:00

The Log Cabin lap blanket (pattern from wh-oelse -- the Mason Dixon chicks!) for my cousin Cindy is growing, but very slowly now as the stripes get bigger. The yarn is nice -- Mission Falls cotton -- very squishy and comfy.

Garden Shoes for Baby

2007-12-06T08:33:00.000-06:00

Both booties really are the same size, I promise!

Pattern: Garden Shoes designed by Stella Smith in Simply Knitting Magazine, Oct. 2006, Issue 7.
Yarn: Louisa Harding Kimono Angora (1 ball) in the brown/cream/orange/gray pathway.
For: Niece R. (given at baby shower)
Made Dec. 2006
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The blue pair here are made from Berroco suede yarn.
These booties are both the same size, too -- I should be more
careful how I take my pictures! These were made for a friend of my daughter who had a baby last year.

MsBlondie does Amigurumi

2007-11-29T16:08:00.001-06:00

My first attempt at amigurumi. It was fun, but I used too fat of yarn (Lion Brand worsted), so it's kind of hole-y, and also turned out too big. I later read that the cheapest and finer gauge yarn works much better!

I'll definitely try some more of these toys.

Pattern is from the "Mini-doggie pattern" by Haakpoes, and mine isn't nearly as cute. Link to free pattern is:

http://haakpoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/mini-doggie-pattern.html

Patons V-Neck Vest on Models

2007-11-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

Here is my cute mum in the vest, which fit her much better than me. It might be a little itchy, but she said with the turtleneck underneath it was okay.

Ravelry

2007-11-13T16:45:00.000-06:00

Yay! I'm in Ravelry!

Patons Next Steps Vest

2007-11-05T19:17:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Patons Next Steps

Mods: Added a fake cable up the front

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Recipient: Moi

Two-Tone Shrug is Finished

2007-07-29T14:46:00.000-05:00

A very serious model in the two-tone shrug from Glampyre's Fitted Knits.

It was actually finished back in June, but I'm such a procrastinator, and didn't get it posted until now.

Yarn: Berrocco's Love It!

Size: Small, and it is really too small. It will be given to a smaller recipient for Christmas!

Comments: It was fairly easy, just didn't enoy the ribbing too much since I throw my yarn with my right hand and it goes much slower. I'm making another one, bigger (went up a pattern size and up a needle size) in the same colors.

Blue Suede Shoes

2007-07-16T19:39:00.000-05:00

Yarn: Berrocco suede

Pattern: I'll get back to you on this. . .

Panta Headwrap

2007-05-09T17:04:00.000-05:00

Project: Panta pattern from crafster.org

Yarn: SWTC Karoke

Two Tone Shrug in Progress

2007-05-09T12:36:00.000-05:00

I joined the "Fitted Knits Along" sponsored by Robin!
http://yarncrawl.typepad.com/fittedknitsalong/

Pattern: Two Tone Shrug from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel

Yarn: Berrocco Love It!

Baby Vest

2007-05-02T08:21:00.000-05:00

Pattern: My own, with help from Sweater Wizard, knitted as one piece, 3 needle shoulder bind-off, garter-stitch neck and arm bands.

Size: Baby (!)

Yarn: Blue Skies Organic Cotton in Nut and Pebble (It's really soft, but invisible fluffies kept getting in my eyes and nose as I was knitting with it!) I didn't block it, and don't know how it will wash, but since it's almost summer, I thought cotton was the best choice for yarn.

Recipient: My friend's grandson

Sir Charles in His Jumper

2007-04-28T21:40:00.000-05:00

Pattern from Posh Pooches

Barefoot Knits Items

2007-04-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Barefoot Knits

Mods: Tank Dress: Put a contrasting color of seedstitch between the top and bottom, and put a seed stitch border at the bottom of skirt to keep it from rolling. Top and Skirt: None.

Yarn: Cotton Fleece

Recipient: My nieces

Trashed Knit

2007-04-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Something from the Yarn Girls Guide for Kids

Yarn: Encore worsted -- a good yarn for kids since it's washable, and a perfect pink girlie color, but the yarn had knots and weak spots, soI had to keep cutting it. Urgh. I persevered, and finished the sweater for my niece. . . but then I decided the sleeves were too short, and I tried to snip a yarn to undo the seaming. . . and CUT the knit fabric of the body! Aarrggghh! So there you go. A lovely trashed knit. It was just too frustrating.

Maddy's Scarf

2007-04-28T09:46:00.000-05:00

My daughter's friend wanted a chunky, off-white scarf. So here it is!

Pattern: One big cable down the middle, seed stitch border, garter edgestitches, nothing very original. . .

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease chunky

Das Sweater

2007-04-27T15:35:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmerman's Tomten Jacket

Yarn: Encore worsted

Recipient: a colleague's son

Sound of Music Sweater

2007-04-27T14:14:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Poinsettia Jacket, courtesy of Designs for America from Solutia

Yarn: Encore Worsted

Size: 2

Beanie Hat Christmas Tree

2007-04-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

Various yarn, variations on a basic beanie pattern, various sizes. . .

Debbie Bliss Baby Jacket with Seed Stitch Bands

2006-11-27T08:21:00.000-06:00

Date: September 2004

Pattern: Jacket with Seed Stitch Bands from Debbie Bliss's Baby Knits for Beginners.

(Love this book!)

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% merino/33% microfibre/ 12% cashmere) in a pale pink, which looks totally looks washed out in this substandard photo!

Size: 9-12 months

Recipient: Juliette, a colleague's daughter

Toddler Dress

2006-11-26T11:54:00.000-06:00

This dress turned out just too cute! It was really easy to knit (yeah, it's from a "beginner" book) but with the eyelets and back button placket, it makes it look a little more sophisticated.

Pattern: Dress with eyelets from Debbie Bliss's Baby Knits for Beginners.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss wool/cotton in pale blue
(The photo is not an accurate representation of the actual yarn color.)

Recipient: Victoria, the one-year old daughter of a colleague (made back in April 2004.) Alas, it doesn't fit her anymore, and I don't have a picture of her wearing it, but I promise, it looked adorable on her!

Below is a view of the back.

Bolsas

2006-11-25T18:47:00.000-06:00

On the left is a felted lunch-bag style purse. The handle acts as a drawstring of sorts. The "G" panel is also an exterior pocket.

Date: 2004

Patterns: I don't remember!

Yarn: Brown Sheep Bulky for both, I think.

Below is a tote with sewn on handles. It biased when it was felted, and had to be stretched and pulled a lot. Actually, after I took the picture, I cut off the flap and resewed it in the correct position, because it had gone so askew! It's really pretty ugly. . . oh well, my first felting project has left room for improvement!

LGT

2006-11-25T17:11:00.000-06:00

Project: LGT (Little Green Top) for my oldest daughter

(It was supposed to be a birthday present, but it took a little longer than planned. . . like a year or so. . . therefore, it turned into a college graduation present! )

Date: Finished summer 2005, started a year and a half before!
(Can we say "Procrastiknitter"????)

Pattern: Jenna Wilson's Little Black Top from Stitch 'n Bitch

Yarn: Classic Elite Provence

Little Sis's Jumper

2006-11-25T10:54:00.000-06:00

Little Sis got some summer duds, too.

Date: Summer 2005

Pattern: I don't remember, modification of several different patterns.

Yarn: Cotton Tots
I like this yarn for kids' clothes -- super inexpensive, all cotton, soft to knit with.

Big Sis's Striped Cardi

2006-11-24T12:59:00.000-06:00

Made for my 5 year old niece

Date: Summer 2005

Pattern: Jill Eaton's Garter Cardi
(Big Fish, Little Fish)

Yarn: Cotton Tots

And presenting the sweater on the owner: