A tisket a tasket . . . .

. . . . lots of felted hearts in a basket.

I have been perfecting how to knit a nicely shaped heart, one that would be felted. So far, the shapes are not consistent, even if I follow the same number of stitches, increases/decreases, and sometimes even the same yarn gives different results. I am felting by hand and then letting the washing machine finish up the job. For the most part, I am happy but will tweak my pattern before I write up the directions and call it as perfected as I can get it.

One thing I tried, and liked the result of, is a row of crochet to join the front and back. The variegated heart above, on the bottom, is my first attempt of that, verses weaving.

Once I get the result I am looking for, I will list them on Etsy.

Keepn' those iPods warm

These little sweaters not only help your electronic items look great, but more importantly, protects them.

The hoodie featured in this post is knitted from handpainted 50% wool/50% silk - the colors are beautiful!

The hoodie "body" is 3 1/2" square - enough room for a small digital camera, mp3, cell phone, etc. It stretches a bit, so there is extra room if needed.

The sleeves are totally functional, for storing earbuds or any small item, like folded paper money :o) The hood has a drawstring that can be pulled and tied if you want.

I am selling this sweater for $18.00 + shipping. I will be posting more colors, patterns, and styles in the coming days. Email me for details.

Yummy Neapolitan

I finished the Neapolitan dishtowel and it turned out just as I had hoped it would. The colors are like that of Neapolitan ice cream.

This towel measures 10 1/2 X 15 1/2 and is knitted from 100% cotton yarn

The towel is embellished with 100% cotton, micro-dot fabric bows.

The towel has been pre-shrunk and is ready to be displayed or used.

I used the "moss stitch" which gives it the same texture on both sides.

It can be purchased on my Etsy site.

Here is a bit of history of this flavor of ice cream:

Definition: Neapolitan ice cream is chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla,

side-by-side,in the same container.

This ice cream was named Neapolitan in the late 19th century, name coming from the city of origin. It is a presumed cuisine of the city of Naples, Italy. Many Neapolitan immigrants had an expertise in frozen desserts. Spumoni was also introduced to the United States as a Neapolitan-style ice cream.

Earlier flavors may have been a different variety of flavors than the three that we are familiar with today. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry became the standard for this ice cream because they were the most popular flavors in the United States at the time this ice cream was introduced to America.

Rolled edge "warsh"cloths

Been knittin' them fandangled warshcloths -
thought I might put a few of em' out for y'all to see.

Usually I am very picky about the edges of my knitting - but I liked the idea of knitting
the cloths so they would have a rolled edges on the sides.

Rolling them up and placing them in the drawer makes for more space, for what else?
more cloths!

Knitting away

I need a bumper sticker that says "No time to blog, I have knitting to do" - or something like that.

Last week brought about a great sale at a local yarn store. It was sensory overload and I came home with some ideas, but no yarn. Some day I will take a picture of my "stash" and then it will be easy to see why I have trouble purchasing yarn, retail, that is. I do not have a problem buying yarn at garage sales, and I have gotten some great yarn that way.

As I stated in earlier posts, I am on a mission to knit hand towels that can be used for daily jobs in the kitchen, lessening the use of so many paper towels. These knitted towels are beyond absorbent, and they look so nice hanging on the oven door or on a rack.

Here is my latest towel. I call it the "oatmeal blues". I am going to post it on Etsy soon, even though it originally started out to be for me. I love the chambray bows that dress up this otherwise hard working towel.

If you are interested in this towel or one made from another color scheme, email me. I am currently working on one that will be called "Neapolitan" - once I finish and post it, you will see the connection. It seems like so many of my projects bring about visions of food, so many get named after a food that the yarn reminds me of.

You all have a great day and happy knitting!

This towel measures 11 x 15 and is knitted from 100% cotton yarn. The stitch used provides a lot of texture, adding to the absorbency. The stitch looks the same on the back as well.

The bows have been left with "raw" edges - made from 100% chambray. They can be untied and removed if necessary, however, I leave the bows in when the towel is washed. I may be necessary to straighten them a bit after they have been laundered, but the overall care of this towel is carefree. Once you have tried a knitted towel, you will see why I like them so much!

Knitting for the "green" of it

Another "find" and favorite yarn is also a good choice for the environment. I have recently been enticed by the color and feel of a yarn that is made from recycled t-shirts. This yarn is actually made from the scraps of t-shirts. Instead of t-shirt scraps going into a landfill, they are can be spun and transformed into a soft, durable, wonderful yarn. The color selection of these types of yarns are "earth happy" colors.

Discovering this fiber option caused me to pause and think what would be worthy of this yarn. It has to be something that is furthers the theme of being good for the environment. It didn't take me long to see how well this new "find" would work into my latest project - hand-towels. Having one of these towels handy in the kitchen will allow you to save paper towels for the most "yucky" of jobs.

The size is approximately 10" by 13" - just perfect for drying your hands, the oh-so many times, throughout the day. They have lots of body, which means they hold their shape. Beside great function, these towels look great hanging on the handle of the oven or on nearby hook.

I knitted a hand-towel for myself, over a year ago. It turned out great but I put it aside and forgot about it. Upon me finding it, amongst some other projects, I immediately started using it right away. Now I am on a mission to make several, they are a wonderful addition to my kitchen - in looks and function.

These towels can be purchased in several colors and each one is knitted in a different pattern stitch. I also take special orders if you have a specific size in mind. All my work is done by hand, by me, in a non-smoking environment.

These towels are also featured and available for purchase in my etsy shop.

Colors: From the top down: Dark Indigo, Linen, Denim, and Natural

"Linen" - Ridges and Squares
knitted in a combination garter/stockinette stitch

So, what is it?

In an earlier post here, and on our family blog, I introduced a lacy project that I am working on. It is turning out to be just as I labeled it, a exercise of "self" encouragement. In all my excitement of getting it photographed and posted, I failed to mention what the heck the project was. Looking back at the photo I can see that it isn't very obvious to the viewer. Toiling over it as I have, it seems obvious to me what it actually is, but not so apparent to others.

Drum Roll Please . . . . . . . . . This lacy creation is a scarf, but not just an ordinary scarf, it can be worn as a stole over the shoulders, a neck gaiter, or of course as a regular scarf.

Perhaps the dramatic introduction was a bit disappointing, after all - it is just a scarf. Admittedly, not MONUMENTALLY awe inspiring, but definitely a beautiful project that is fun to work on - - - - in between the frustrations of working through a couple of glitches.

This brings me introduce a book I came across and want to tell you about.

Last month, while shopping at SAM'S Club, I found myself checking out the all the new books being displayed. I quickly noticed a knitting book I hadn't seen before and upon opening it, was taken by more than one project that the book had to offer. I was looking for something new to knit that had more to it than a mindless pattern. This book was the ticket to solving my thirst for adventure, (okay, the patterns aren't that difficult, but they beat the seed stitch cloths I have been making lately)

So one week later, I have the book, the right yarn, circular needles, and no time to start a new project, but take the time anyway. Making do with bamboo needles, not the perfect choice for this yarn, I finally was on my way to making this beautiful scarf a reality.

The book I am introducing is titled KNITTING CLASSIC STYLE, written by Veronik Avery. The beautiful photography was done by Sara Cameron. What makes this book fun, besides all the great ideas, are the descriptions of what was behind the designing of each of the patterns. There are thirty-five different designs to create from this book and each one has come from an inspiration of fashion's past. The author explains a bit of history behind the fashion that inspired the pattern that is being introduced.

The scarf I am knitting is called Mohair Portrait Scarf and I wish I had a photo to post to show how beautifully it can be worn, besides just the traditional "wrap around the neck scarf". Perhaps when it has been completed, I can get a picture of someone modeling it - this would be the only way to fully appreciate the pleats, and "gentle undulations" it creates when worn flat over the shoulders as a stole. It is knitted on circular needles, in a tube. The increases and decreases, as well as all the lace pattern make this interesting to the eye of all admirers.

The author and crafter of this book describes the inspiration of this scarf as coming from 16th and 17th century Europe. To imagine it in more recent and familiar times, the author refers to what Gwyneth Paltrow wore in a scene of Shakespeare in Love, filmed in 1998.

The scarf was moving along nicely until the cable broke on my circular needle. Thankfully, I was able to secure all the stitches on another needle, before disaster struck. Everything is on hold until I can get replacement needles, of the required length, that will bring back the enjoyment of knitting this project.

Mohair Portrait Scarf
(more than 1/3 complete)