I bought these shoes to match a dress and then wanted to knit something to accessorize that matched the  shoes. I hunted for the perfect match in yarn and actually found it at the 2nd knit shop I went to. I didn’t even have the shoes with me to match them…they turned out perfect

Then I searched for a project and decided on the Pineapple Delight Shawlette. I just finished blocking it and I love it! It was also my first time using beads which was a bit tedious but not as bad as I had imagined. I used the crochet method of placing the beads.

Finished Project:

Making a Rug

My latest inspiration is this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A crocheted flower rug. This one cost for a small one on sale almost $300…I am betting I can make it for around $150 at the most. I am pretty sure this is the flower pattern I want to use: http://fewofmyfavthings95.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/flower-power.html

I figure I can use loop rug backing that is a fairly tight weave. My guess is this will be a long term project!

 

Kool Aid Dyeing

I took a stab at dyeing yarn with Kool Aid. I used grape Kool Aid. I started with 12 packets of Kool Aid for 300 grams/1360yds of yarn. Here is a before picture:

The first dye round was lighter than I wanted and too tonal. I wanted a pretty solid saturation. So I did a second dye with 15 packets of Kool Aid…why 15? They were 5/$1. I like to keep things simple! This time it turned out great. It still had the tonal effect but was deeper purple! I love it…see:


I a very happy and can’t wait to get started on this:

Whistler Shrug

I started this shrug when we left the Birch Bay leg of our trip to Whistler, BC…what I like about it for a road trip is it’s all Stocking Knit Stitch…easy peasy and no need to look down much thus reducing car sickness. I had found this yarn at a yarn shop in Bandon, Or for half off. It’s the first time I have knit with Alpaca…I am a wool kind of person. I love knitting with this! It’s smooth and even though it’s lace weight so easy to handle. My skin is smoother since knitting with it. I didn’t finish it while at Whistler, too much to do there, but I did knit every chance I got to sit. I look forward to the FO!

Writing patterns is…

Time consuming! I cannot believe how hard it is to write knitting patterns. The details, each row, charts, adjustments, sizes, etc…Kudos to all the knit designers out there. All that to say I have knit 3 original sock patterns that I have not posted because I am bogged down in the task of writing. Any hints out there? If you are a knit pattern designer please share your tips and short cuts? For an amateur what software would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help. Now I am off to knit Mathilde by Debbie Bliss

Beautiful

This has got to be the most beautiful wedding dress ever.

Goes to show knitting and crocheting is not a craft but an art!

News socks on the way

So, I finished my 3rd design…a little simple pattern from Barbara’s Treasury but I didn’t take very good notes as I knit them so we’ll see how long it takes me to write them out and how accurate the pattern will be. They may just end up being my little secret;) I am excited about sock pattern #4. Toe up again, of course, with the cable pattern starting in the toe area and a larger cable motif repeated up the sock. I really love designing cabled patterns. Envisioning the twists and turns and front crosses and back crosses and seeing how they all come together. I’ll post pics as I go and this time I am taking better pattern notes as I knit!