I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve not paid the proper attention to the error in my Vintage Hankie Washcloth pattern, originally published last summer. I thought I’d fixed it once, not long after it was published, but since I never completely re-knit it to be sure – the error persisted while I was off to new patterns and other projects. The Vintage …read more
After the process of dyeing, spinning and plying a selection of fiber, knitting with it is the absolute icing on the cake for me. This lovely lace shawl started life as a 4 oz length of natural BFL and silk roving that Carli dyed for me in her kitchen! I described my goals for the spin last year about this time in my Tour is On post, and showed …read more
Planning a new project is one of my favorite activities. Starting is often way more fun than the actual knitting. Starting is exciting and full of promise – uncomplicated by reality, the project lives within my mind as perfect. This might explain the number of projects I start compared to the number I actually finish. Planning a new pair of mitts …read more
Cover your hard boiled or refillable plastic eggs in sleeves that resemble popular knit sock patterns. Stuff them with jelly beans to fill your baskets, or stitch markers and mini skeins to treat your knitting BFFs! Abbreviations: dd = double decrease = slip 2 stitches knitwise. Knit next stitch, then pass slipped stitches over knitted stitch. k2tog …read more
Instead of the egg toss, juggle floppy little bunnies this year! These bunnies are tumbly, acrobatic little beanbags to toss into spring baskets for your little, (and not so little), ones. I made them with dk weight cotton, but they’ll work up well in sock and worsted weight also. Gauge is not important for this project, but the knitted fabric …read more
These sweethearts met 56 years ago. James W. was an army private on leave and Barbara Jean, a high school student. They met at her hometown skating rink and were a couple from that day on. Barbara Jean is my Mom and after many years of marriage, she became Dad’s caretaker for the last few years of his life until it was over in 2010. They …read more
Each time I finish a hand spun knit, I roll up all those leftover pieces and display them in one of the pretty little bowls I collect in my craft room. When it gets too full and starts spilling over the sides, I start thinking about making some little scrappy project with them. Hand spun, especially on a drop spindle, is truly a labor of love, …read more
When you pick up the customary red heart candy box as a gift this Valentine’s Day, think about bringing it to the next level with some scrapbook paper, yarn scraps and your own artistic eye. Dress ups like these just couldn’t be easier. You simply trace the lid of the candy box onto pretty scrapbook paper, cut it out and voila! You have …read more
Like many knitters, I faced the fact long ago that the amount of stash I have is beyond what I should. But acknowledging the fact and actually making a dent in it are two different things. I’ve been knitting almost exclusively from stash for the past year. I started with over 100 skeins, knit up 39 in 2012, made 6 skeins of handspun, bought …read more
Here’s a fun pattern to recycle your wine corks into fanciful little Holiday trees to display on the mantle, top your bottles, or add to a wine stopper for a seasonally perfect Hostess gift. These pint-sized pines are amazingly easy. Once you get started, you’ll have an entire cork forest before you know it! Materials Needed: knitting …read more
