SUMMER KNITTING

 

 

Happy 4^th of July everyone!!!  Hope you have a great time with family and friends and have good weather.  Our forecast is 2-4” of rain with 100% change on the 4^th.  We will see.

 

SUMMER KNITTING

I thought that since it is summer and it gets too hot to knit that you might want to knit something cool that you can wear as well even on hot days.  I wrote this pattern and would love to share with you.  I used Katia Degrande and the colors are simply gorgeous!  Here it is….Have fun!

 

Easy Summer Cowl

This simple to knit cowl with its lacy texture, and if you choose a little bling, will be a great addition to your summer wardrobe.  It is truly a quick knit for you or knit up several for family and friends.

Finished measurements:

Length:  15”

Width:  3”

Materials

1 skein of Katia Degrande

Size 6 – 16” circular needle

Stitch Marker

Darning Needle

Gauge not important for this cowl.

CAST ON 120 sts using long-tail cast-on

Row 1:       Knit

Row 2:      Purl

Row 3:      Knit

Row 4:      Purl

Row 5:      Knit

Row 6:      Purl

Row 7:      *YO, K2tog, K2*, repeat around.

Row 8 and all even rows:  Knit

Row 9:      *K1, YO, K2tog, K1*, repeat around.

Row 11:      *K2, YO, K2tog*, repeat around.

Row 13:      *K2, SSK, YO*, repeat around

Row 15:     *K1, SSK, YO, K1*, repeat around.

Row 17:     *SSK, YO, K2*, repeat around

Row 19:     Purl

Row 21:     Purl

Row 23:     Purl

Row 25:  B/O in Knit

Weave in ends, block if desired (I did not), wear, and enjoy!

Designed by Cole Springs Studio®

Also, you can customize this scarf making it longer keeping the cast-on stitches even (120, 130, etc.) and you can make it wider by simply repeating Rows 1-24.  You can also add a yarn with bling, String-a-Long is great and doesn’t add any weight to scarf.  Just go for it and relax!  Make one for you or some for gifts.  If you make one, please send a picture for me to see!

Enjoy your summer!

 

You know you are a quilter when

"You clean up your studio and they think you

are leaving."

 

I love Tula Pink!  Her book Quilts from The House of TULA PINK is fantastic.  I like how there are few rules and that a lot of improvisation is incorporated in her quilts.  Also, using of scraps is always a plus.  You can learn from her section on Tula’s techniques which is very informative and easy to understand instructions.  There are 20 projects to choose from and I chose STACKS.

This quilt was designed by Tula Pink with the inspiration of everyone has stacks of books, bills, etc.  This quilt finishes out at 72” x 90”.  I

 

Speaking of stacks, here are the stacks of rectangles and pinwheels ready for piecing together.......

 

 

After piecing the rectangles and pinwheels to background pieces, they are sewned into tubes…..

 

 

 

A finished block . . .

 

I wanted to make a quilt for my husband’s parents’ bed which we got after they passed away.  It was their first bedroom suite and was purchased in 1926.  I wanted to do a quilt with purples, teals, greens all of her favorites especially purple.  Here is a glimpse of the blocks on her bed before assembling into the quilt . . .

 

I will post the finished quilt when it is finished.  You should really check out Tula Pink!  She is awesome!

 

Have a great week!

 

"You know you are a quilter if

"Fat Quarters" are not the heaviest

part of your body!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Table Runner

Quick Table Runner

I just got tired of looking at a plain dining room table so I decided that I would do something quick. After deciding to do a sew and flip, I began to choose fabrics. Luckily I had a jelly roll of colors that I like so that limited cutting except for cutting the strips in half. I auditioned batting cut to the size that I thought I wanted and began sewing and flipping. The size of my table runner is approximately 17" by 42". Choose the size you would like and follow the directions below if you want to make a quick table runner.

I started with a plain dining room table . . .

I measured to see how big I wanted my table runner and auditioned a piece of batting to make sure . . .

Now on to choosing fabrics for this project. This project could go seasonal, scrappy, etc. Your choice! I happened to find a jelly roll that I thought would be suitable through spring.

Of course since I had pre-cut strips I used 2-1/2" strips, but you could easily vary the widths, use smaller widths, larger widths, etc. Again your choice.  My kind of project.

I layed these strips out in the order I wanted to use and cut them in half and made two identical stacks. I began with the top strip of one stack and removed the identical strip from the other stack. Now for the sewing. Lay the strip in the middle of your batting and add another strip from the stack and sew using a 1/4" seam. Flip and press. Add the next strip from the same stack, flip, and press until you get this half finished. Now when you go to the next stack you will notice that the strip matches the one on the other side of the center strip. For me, that's what I chose to do. Now continue with the sew, flip, and press until entire batting is covered. For the size of my table runner I used 23 strips.

Next trim and square up the runner. For my project, I chose to do a pillowcase back versus binding. I used muslin and made the backing. After sewing on the backing, I used a bone folder to push out the corners, pressed the finished table runner, and placed on my dining room table.

Much to my amazement, I had already used some of the strips to make a fabric vase! For a little over one and a half hours, I filled my empty table with something that I enjoyed doing and love.

The beauty of this project is that you can do it however you wish and without a pattern and using your own imagination. This is a great project for the beginner and a FUN project for anyone!

 

 

Be not afraid, have fun, and enjoy the process and the

outcome will totally you!!!

 

I love to knit and crochet. A fav is to knit with wool and then felt it.  I have felted coasters, bags, and knitted flat pieces to felt, cut out into shapes, and then use as embellishments on my art quilts.  I love to see the outcome on each of these projects.  Once wool is felted it will not fray or unravel!!

I also, like to have ways of housing my yarn while I am knitting a project.  I do use the KnitClutch^TM that I make to use as a portable way to take your knitting projects with you; however, I wanted something to use at home on projects that were too large to transport.  I did purchase a beautiful  yarn bowl made out of pottery and love it with the exception that I cannot change projects in mid-stream.  I am always adding new WIPs and this piece did not work. 

While searching Ravelry, I came across yarn bowls and, WOW were they gorgeous.  They are a quick knit and a great first felting project.  These bowls are a purchase pattern on Ravelry and you can search Molly Conroy for her really neat patterns.  Oh, and you get three sizes with the purchase of her pattern.

 

 

Make sure that you have wool felting yarn because if the yarn is a superwash or has another other fiber mixed in you will not get the felting that you need.  Also, another tip, I have tried felting white wool and did not have good results.  I have been told that it has been through so much bleaching and pulling processes that it does not have good results.  I do like to felt with Malabrigo, LionBrand Shepherd’s Wool, Plymouth Yarn Encore, just to name a few.  My newest discovery is by Viking and is called Naturgarn.  It is a pure wool and states on the label that it is for knitting and felting.  The yarn I chose is a multi-colored yarn (very colorful) and has the texture of wool roving.  It was wonderful to knit with and the felting was successful!

For this blog entry, I chose the middle size bowl.  And you will need the following to knit it . . .

 

The Naturgarn yarn used 2 full skeins and a part of the 3^rd skein for the middle size.  It probably would do a large bow.  But to be sure, check gauge.

Circular needles in the size that yarn calls for, four stitch markers with one being different to designate the beginning of the round, scissors, darning needle, stuffing (I will explain later why I use stuffing), washing machine, small amount of dishsoap, and VERY hot water!!!  Oh, and of course the pattern that you choose.  With the one that I chose you will need a closure of your choice.

Once bowl is complete it will be large and very floppy . . .

 

 

Place the bowl into a lingerie bag or pillowcase (secured tightly) and place in washing machine with jeans, old towels, etc.  Put your machine on the lowest water level, hot water, and highest washing level.  Be sure to watch and make sure your project doesn’t go through the spin cycle and check periodically on the felting process.  I find that a zippered lingerie bag works better for this part of the process.  You will need to place the wool project into one of these as the fibers will pull out and might clog up your machine.

This is the bowl stuffed and dried . . .

 

Notice how when felted the stitches shrink together and the bowl has more stability.

On to the stuffing . . . some felters recommend using plastic grocery bags, but I choose to use plain old stuffing.  One of the main reasons is that you can shape your bowl or project around the stuffing and it will hold its shape.  Also, I place my stuffed project over a vent in my floor so that the air will help dry it more quickly.  Try this for yourself and pick the one you like. 

Once dry, you can add the closure.  The pattern gives two options…two buttons or one clasp.  I chose the clasp and here is an example of the one with the clasp.

 

 

These make wonderful gifts for your knitting friends and also beautiful décor for your home when not using with your knitting project.  There are many patterns that you can use for felting bowls.  I have also made felted Pueblo vases, box shapes, plain bowls, and am really thinking about doing the 40 year bowl…check that one out on Knitting Pattern Central.

Have fun with your felting and remember . . .

“Breathe in inspiration and trust yourself, the answer is, Yes You Can!”

Anonymous

Check out KnitClutch.myshopify.com or MainStreetYarns.com for yarns and my KnitClutch^TM

Bags.

Spring Cleaning and Making Lavender Sachets

Guess you could say I must really love Doodling . . . posted twice!  Oh, well, let's move on to something new......

Spring Cleaning! This is a time to clean, freshen, organize, etc. Speaking of freshen, years ago I made fabric and knitted sachets for all my drawers and closets but somewhere along the way I stopped and started onto something new. I guess you could say that sachets are "Old-Fashioned" but they do serve a purpose and can be customized any way and for any occasion.

Browsing one of my favorite blogs, PurlBee.com, I came across a tutorial for sachets. I decided that it would be fun to do some again. In their blog they chose to use chintz as the top fabric and organic canvas for the backing of the little sachet pillows. I decided to use vintage cotton prints and linen for the backing. My stuffing is a bit different as well, but the same results can be achieved either way. Here is the way I made mine. Make some for yourself, your friends, teacher presents, etc. 

I used a charm pack of vintage cotton prints.   I placed one of the squares onto of the linen and cut a square measuring 4". Take your squares to the iron and press down 1/4" on one side of both fabrics. Now pin for sewing . . .

As you can see I chose to make more than one at a time. Now sew around three sides leaving the pressed 1/4" edge (top) unstitched except making sure you catch the folded edge in your stitching on both corners. Turn right side out and push out corners carefully especially if you are using linen as you can poke a hole in your fabric. Press and get ready to stuff.

Using a small amount of stuffing place in the pillow pushing all the way to the bottom. Now add 1/8 cup of dried lavender or any dried herb that you prefer. I just like the scent of lavender in my lingerie drawers.





Add another small amount of stuffing.   Pin top and slip stitch the opening closed.

Now using a needle and thread sew a straight stitch in the middle of your pillow making it tufted. Make several stitches in the same spot and tie off in the back. Of course, you can add a button, bead, etc. to embellish your pillow.

These are so much fun to make and quite addicting. Make one or a dozen, embellish or not, give away or keep for yourself, just have FUN!

 

Jump on over to KnitClutch.com and check out the portable, quilted, and unique clutch bags for transporting knitting projects wherever you go...stylish and functional!

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple

things of life which are the real ones after all."

--Laura Ingalls Wilder

Spring in Georgia and Doodling...

Well, Spring in Georgia has turned into Summer...temperatures already in the 80's almost into the 90's.  However, for the past two days we have had more spring-like weather.  So we have been outside a lot planting our vegetable garden and flower beds.  I love to watch everything grow and so do our grandchildren.  Our youngest who is 6 now always looks forward to planting radish seeds with her granddaddy and loves to pick them when they are ready, but does not like the taste of them.  The process is what she enjoys.  Speaking of which, a lot of my art work is just a process that I enjoy!  I spend quite a bit of time dreaming up new things to do whether it be painting or sewing. . .just creating is stimulating and the process to get to the end is so satisfying.  This is not to say that everything I picture in my minds comes out that way, but who knows until you try your idea if it might work.

At present I am making my KnitClutch bags for knitters and crocheters to easily grab the project and go in what I think is a bit stylish.  OK, I do love making these bags and making sure that they are all different in some way.  They seem to be well accepted and that amazes me since I made the first one for me to have to take along to doctor visits and anywhere I might be waiting.  Who knew?

I do draw inspiration from other artists and one of my favorites is Alisa Burke.  She awakened in me my doodling past-time and how to turn it into useful and everyday items.  You should check out her blog ... alisaburke.blogspot.com.  She has some wonderful ideas!

She had a great idea about recycling cereal boxes … just paint on them. Here’s my first attempt . . .

Empty cereal box, painted with gel medium, painted with black acryllic paint, painted with crackle medium, painted with different colors of acryllic paints, and then doodled on. When finished, I did add white to help make it pop.  In other words, layering this project is important.

Next I decided that I would take a plain piece of muslin and doodle on it making my own fabric. Here’s how this project progressed:

Plain white muslin. . .I do not use PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric or even prewash the fabric for my doodles. Bet I will hear from someone on that one!

I start with a lot of different size circles and then fill them in with flowers or zentangles or whatever I feel like doing in the moment. Add dots wherever I want to fill a space and not too much thinking or planning, just playing!

Finished!

You might also try doodling on paper and seeing what you can do with it. I decided to cut out a specific section on one of my doodlings and framed it. This is how it turned out . . .

Thank goodness I had this simple craft to turn to. It has really kept me a little more sane and balanced!

"Dance to the music of your dreams; the steps

will bring you joy."

-Anonymous

Sometimes I just have to play!  What better way to play and relax than by doodling?  I love to create my own fabrics and papers for some of my crafting and thought you might draw a little inspiration from this post!  Alisa Burke is great with doodles and you should check out her blog ...
alisaburke.blogspot.com.

You should try this very relaxing project and let your creative juices flow!

I decided that I would take a plain piece of muslin and doodle on it making my own fabric. Here’s how this project progressed.

Plain white muslin. . .I do not use PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric or even prewash the fabric for my doodles. Bet I will hear from someone on that one!

I start with a lot of different size circles and then fill them in with flowers or zentangles or whatever I feel like doing in the moment. Add dots wherever I want to fill a space and not too much thinking or planning, just playing!

Finished!

You might also try doodling on paper and seeing what you can do with it. I decided to cut out a specific section on one of my doodlings and framed it. This is how it turned out . . .

Thank goodness I had this simple craft to turn to. It has really kept me a little more sane and balanced!

"Dance to the music of your dreams; the steps

will bring you joy."

-Anonymous

HAVE FUN!!!