Kitty Bed for a Dog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!