Curver Knit Collection

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas.  I certainly did.  Good food, good friends, family and health!  What more could anyone want?  

As I have been in the house for the last 6 days with holiday festivities and 12 inches of snow on one day and another 5 inches the other day, I am due to get out!

I had planned on a post showing some of my prezzies, but went to target to look for something, which I can't remember now because.....

look what I found.  Squeeeee!

How cool is this, I ask you?  By Curver Knit Collection, a bin with a lid/tray that looks like knitting.  It is on sale, as of today for $29.74.  Regular price is $34.00 I think.

A lovely taupe and an equally lovely cream.  Made of plastic, so it's good inside or out.  Be aware though, rain will get in as there are holes on each "stitch".

A nice size too 10.8 gal/41L.  Curver is made by Keter Plastic, Ltd. in Isreal.  I'm sure you can find them on the internet.  When I looked on Targets web site, they had other Knit Collection items, but not this bin.

Perfectly holds many of my WIPS! Also great for yarn storage, toys, small blankets, pattern books, just about anything and everything.

Next week I'll show off some of my presents that I love!

Have a Happy New Year,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

Recycle that tea pot you don't use!

Back to School Projects

When my daughter was little, I loved this time of year....back to school.  Fall weather on the way, a couple new outfits and new school supplies, which always annoyed me to no end!  If you go to a public school in the USA, no one, not even the teachers, should be purchasing school supplies, it's a public school.  I've even had to pay book fees.  I don't know when all this started, but it was never like that when I was going to school.  

I digress....let's get back to some fun!  I found some fun back to school projects.  This lunch box is super cute!  You could easily change up the colors for a boy.

So is this backpack I found on Ravelry.  Just adorable.

When my daughter was in school, a scarf for teacher was easy to whip up and always welcome.

I knit many of these for college bound students in my neighborhood.  You can find the free pattern for the slouchy hat on Ravelry.  

I have also made some Arm Warmers for students and teachers alike.  Male teachers would like these as well in a brown, gray or black combo.  Here is my pattern on Ravelry.  You can also find it in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

This cute owl basket for teacher is darling for their desk.  You could also fill it with treats! 

This is handsome for a male teacher or student.  I love the composition book-like style of it.

Are you working on any back to school projects?  I'd love to read about them.

Best,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

When knitting or crocheting for children of any age, keep it simple, fast and inexpensive.  Things tend to get lost, misplaced and banged up.  

Pom Pom Love

I love pom poms!  Actually, it might be that I love circles.  The soft edge of a circle.  The squishy goodness of a round yarn pom.  The circle of life, ring of fire....you get the idea!  I made this blanket for an up coming baby shower.  As I have been knitting and crocheting for years.....over 30.....I'm expected to give something hand made with love!  I confess, I'm happy to do it!  Above is my latest!

Light grey, worsted weight yarn from Hobby Lobby.  Three skeins of I Love This Yarn in light grey.  The pom pom yarn is from Herrschners called Pom Pom Parade, 2 skeins.  Now, I just went on their site and I did not see it!  Maybe they have discontinued that line, so you might have to do a little searching.

I used this pattern from my Craftsy pattern store.

I love the simple elegance of this stitch.  Looks great on both sides making the blanket reversible.  I also am a big fan of grey for babies.  I know, not your typical color choice, but modern moms love it!  Works great for a boy or a girl.

I included a hefty basket too!  I used this pattern from Crochet in Color and crocheted over the yarn between the poms as I went.  Really easy and no cutting of the yarn until the end.  I still need to line the basket with fabric which will help it stand upright.

I used a G/4.0mm hook for both the blanket and bucket.  On the blanket, the pom pom yarn is slip stitched all the way around and I secured the end with a needle and thread.  I love the finished products and I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week,
Sheila

My latest Pins

Buckets & Baskets

I had mentioned in this post that I had been on a basket craze!  I used some of the lovely yarn I received from the Craftsy Deals Shop.  This is Cascade Yarns Cherub Collection Kaleidoscope DK.

You get an idea of the scale here.  Scraps of fabric line the inside with a simple whip stitch.  The fabric gives them a sturdiness and really helps them to stand upright.

The blue yarn was in this Craftsy Mystery Box.  If you haven't pulled the trigger or are new to them, give it a try.  You won't be sorry.  Gorgeous things in every surprise box.

You can find all the basket patterns, and information on my labels and charms in this post.

This isn't the best photo as dark greys and black are a bit difficult to shoot but it's a beautiful squishy yarn that was a joy to work with.  It's Cascade 128 Superwash.  I'm not sure they carry this dark grey any longer, however, they have a long list of other great colors.

I had some Aneela Hoey Little Apples left over from a blanket I made to line one of the baskets with.  You can't see, but the bottom has a cardboard circle in the bottom to help them all keep their shape.  You can cover them with fabric as well.

Now, what to fill them with!

*Slip a jar candle in one.
*Knitting/crochet notions in another.
*One would be a really cute baby shower gift for the nursery.  Fill it with lotion, washcloths and the like.
*One by the door to hold keys, cel phone and whatnot!
*The grey one could easily hold fruit on the kitchen counter!

Have a great week,
Sheila

Owl Bucket

I have been on a bucket craze as of late!  Happily hooking bucket after bucket.  Pulling out my fabric scraps to match up each one.  This looks so much better in person, but you get the idea.  This is a modified version of a couple patterns I have been drooling over.

You all know this beautiful basket from Crochet in Color!  That's where I started.  Great, easy pattern from Liz.  For the Owl Bucket I used some Patons Jiffy I had in my stash in pink and tan.

Then, I spied this owl basket on Ravelry by Briana Olsen.  She has the pattern for sale of $3, a great bargain.

Mine is quite a bit larger than Briana's, and I did line mine with the cutest owl fabric I had in my stash.  You can also see my label tucked in the seam, and if you look really closely, you can see the little sterling silver "made with love" charm I apply to all my knitwear.

If I had to do it over again, I would use white and black for the eyes and make the beak bigger.  I really like it just the same as it looks much better in person.

I'll do a another post later to show you more buckets!  Here's a little sneak peek!

Have a great week,
Sheila