Getting Closer

I'm getting closer to finishing my Knitted Garland Scarves pattern!  You can find the Crocheted Garland Scarves pattern....

 here

Etsy

Craftsy

Ravelry

or the links at the top of this page.

 

Have a great week,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

For some reason when I gift arm warmers/fingerless mitts, people think they are boot cuffs.  I popped over to Hobby Lobby and picked up these sturdy, paper hands in the kids craft section.  Thirty of them for $2.47.  There should be no mistaken identity now!

Knitting Garland Scarves

Thank you for the grand support of my crocheted Garland Scarves (photo below)!  I had so much fun designing and hooking those up.  Now, I know many hookers can also knit, so I'm in the process of writing up Garland Scarves for the knitter.

You can find the pattern for the crocheted Garland Scarves in my Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy shops.  Links at the top of this page.

My design process is rather simple.  I get an idea in my head, pick up the needles or hook and get started.  No schematics, usually, just jotting things down as I go along and it usually works out.

That's how it worked for the crocheted Garland Scarves.

I often do this process on the dining room table or the table in my knitting studio.  I need quite a bit of room  to work.  Pads of paper, pencil, different size hooks or needles, tapestry needle, balls of yarns in various colors, scissors etc.  My "knitting chair", which my brother calls "knitting central", doesn't allow enough room for all this.

I've got two patterns going on in this photo.  A green garland and pattern notes and another green garland and roses with pattern notes pinned to blocking boards.

You can see another scarf in the works at the top of this photo.  We usually don't eat at the table for WEEKS when I'm designing!  Pitiful, isn't it?

Here are some of my blocking boards.  If you buy big foam puzzle pieces, they are so much cheaper than traditional blocking boards, and if you get them on sale, even better.  I bought the flowered ones on clearance at WalMart.  Twenty pieces for $5.  I also use a yoga mat, usually for rectangular scarf blocking.

I store them all in a clear, plastic bag that came with a bedspread purchase years ago.

 

I have two designed with two more to go.  These knitted scarves will be more for the intermediate knitter, not the beginner/advanced knitter, as is usual for me.  I strive to design deceptively simple patterns with spectacular results (my motto), however sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

Must get back to it.

Best,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

Tons of yarn tails get tossed out in the yard to help the birds make their nests.  

Garland Scarves Pattern

 

If you follow me on instagram (button on the right side of this post), you've followed my progress on these crocheted Garland Scarves.   On a recent trip to Washington, DC, our nations capital here in the USA, the Cherry Blossom trees were in full bloom.  The view was spectacular!  I ran across the photos we took and was inspired to design a garland scarf.

Once I got started, I couldn't stop!

Cherry Blossom Garland Scarf

Super easy, three skein pattern for the advanced beginner or better.   So easy pink cherry blossoms and simple green leaves all together with a basic brown stem with branches.  Oh, and you can get more than one scarf from your three skeins.  We all love those kinds of projects.  I must tell you, I loved making the stem and little branches so much.  So much so, I made two more scarves in two different color ways.

On the Cherry Blossom Scarf, the leaves are crocheted right on the branches and the blossoms are crocheted separately and attached later.  If you look closely, some of the branches are bare and some have tiny buds.  You have total control on how many flowers, buds and leaves you want on your scarf. 

I give you lots of photos and tips and I'm always available if you have any questions.

 

I like it even without any flowers!

 

Roses are Red Garland Scarf

So, after I completed the first one, I made another in two colors...taupe and red.  It's tough to photograph red, but let me tell you, the colors are amazing together!

I adore this one.  Simple roses and buds with larger leaves that are just slightly more challenging to crochet.  I've put the bulk of the flowers on the ends of the scarf this time and made fewer leaves.  Of course, you can crochet as many as you like and place them anywhere you like.  Same stem and branches. 

This photo shows the taupe a little better.  

It looks a little grey here, which also would be fabo!

 

Nice in Neutral Garland Scarf

And because not everyone loves color, a neutral garland, that goes with everything.  Oh, and by the way, if you make it in all one color....this is a one skein project!  

I give you all the information you need.  Yarn:  Lion Brand Heartland in 6 colors.  The pattern for the stem/branches, leaves, cherry blossoms, roses and buds.   Lots of instructional photos and tips.

Oh,  and feel free to mix and match as you wish....

You can also use buttons instead!  These are from Joann Fabrics.

Or store bought felt pieces.  I found these for 66% off at Hobby Lobby, in the Valentine isle.

 

I hope you like them as much as I do.  Here's where you can find the pattern:

Etsy

Ravelry

Craftsy

Have a great week,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

Keep a luggage tag on your project bag in case it gets left at the coffee shop, doctors office or airplane.  This is my favorite project bag....from Bloomingdale.

Sneaky Slouchy Hat for Men

I find gift giving for men so challenging.  They are pickier than women, more utilitarian.  As a general rule, they like to keep things simple.  Take shopping, for instance.  When then need, a shirt let's say, they go to a store and buy one.  No meandering around a store, let alone go to more than one store!

I wanted to knit something for my grown daughters boyfriend who is particular.  I offered up a scarf, fingerless gloves or a slouchy hat.  She felt he wouldn't like any of them.  She did say he needed a new hat.  Mostly because she hated the hat he has been wearing.  A beanie type.  I saw this hat, by Susan B. Anderson and sent her a photo.

She thought he would go for this "sneaky slouchy"!  I love that....sneaky slouchy.  I also love Susan's patterns.  When reading this one, she uses two strands of fingering together or one strand of worsted.  I knit mine using worsted.

And, they turned out great! 

I happend to be in a Hobby Lobby and found this new yarn they put out.

And I had some skeins of Knit Picks in my stash.

A tweedy one in black.

A gray one.

And a blue(ish) one.

This blue(ish) one is I Love This Yarn Colors in Cappadocia.  Blues, grays, browns and a bit of cream. I had quite a bit leftover and might get one more hat from the yardage.  Super soft acrylic, machine wash and dry.

Still from Hobby Lobby....Yarn Bee Glowing Naturals in Naturals.  Grays, black and a silvery color.  

You can only get one hat from this skein.  Soft, machine wash acrylic.

They all look SO much better in real life.  The boyfriend, Drew, is getting all three and fingers crossed that he will like them all!

Find Susan's pattern on Ravelry!

Have a very Merry Christmas,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

No ruler handy?  Did you know that your pinky finger is about one inch from knuckle to knuckle?

Easy Eyelet Cowl Knitting Pattern

 

I've been so busy the last several weeks.  My husband was let go from his job as a food broker (not to worry, he found another one within two weeks), the cold is making my bones ache, and getting ready for Thanksgiving and now Christmas is tiering.  I do have two fun trips coming up....a wedding in the Washington, DC area this weekend.  Then a family bridal shower is St. Louis next weekend.  Also, I still have to keep designing and filling orders for my business.

So, I've sneaked in a simple cowl. 

Who doesn't need a quick knit, one skein cowl for the holidays?  Actually, you can get two from one skein of Patons Lace.  Yay!

Knit in the round with a k2, p2 ribbed edge, add some knit rows and some eyelet rows and you're done!

Two row repeat for easy memorization.  Cozy up in front of the television or listen to your favorite podcast and knit away.

Lightweight and oh so toasty warm.  I'm getting ready for tons of traveling this month and this will be so easy to wear and pack in my suitcase.  

There's still plenty of time to whip some up for under the tree.  So affordable for your hairdresser, teacher, secret santa, boss or hostess.

Something from you sock yarn stash would be gorgeous.

This one is a skein of Moonlight Sonata by James C, Brett.  You can't tell from the photo, but there is tons of sparkle in this yarn.  Perfect for the season and the coming New Year.  

The pattern is $2.00 for the entire month of December and can be found in my shops on

Etsy

Craftsy 

Ravelry 

Happy hump day,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

When working with fine yarn and doing a lace or eyelet pattern, your knitting will be much more enjoyable if you use really pointy needles.

Baby Slouchy Hats Pattern!

 

I'm a big fan of Bohoknits Sockhead Hat pattern.  It's my go-to pattern for traveling, adult gift giving and knitting-to-relax.  I decided to write a pattern for babies and toddlers as I often need a baby shower gift.  Also, a new mom will get plenty of blankets at the party.  

It's a relatively quick knit and a great project for your left over sock yarn.  The 2 x 2 rib makes for a very stretchy band to fits lots of wee noggins!

The yarn for this one is by indie dyer Abi Grasso.  You might know her from her fabulous picture yarns she has in her Etsy shop.  This particular yarn is Sparkly Sock Yarn in Nebula Cloud.  You can get quite a few hats from one skein as it is 460 yards/420m.  This would make for a fun adult hat too!

 This yarn is one skein of Madeline Tosh Merino Light in Cosmic Wonder Dust.  I love this one as it reminds me of a cupcake.  How cute would this be if you presented it in a little cupcake box?  

This box has little cupcake toys in it.  I have found these boxes in Hobby Lobby, Sur Le Table, Walmart and Michael's.  You can find my pattern for the cupcakes in my pattern stores.  The link is at the top of my blog page or below, at the end of this post.

The pattern includes instructions for making a hat from baby to child size.

Here's the information for the hats:

I would rate this as a advanced beginner or better knitter. You need to know how to knit in the round on circular needles and use double point needles. Increase and decrease skills are also needed. 

Knit up these cute little slouchy hats for a baby, toddler or child. All three sizes provided. Great project to use up your sock yarn.

Complete instructions are included along with yarn brands and shop links needed to complete as pictured.

Mix and match all your leftovers and make stripes!

This is a copyright pattern. Selling, copying or distributing this pattern in any form is prohibited. 

*******Selling the finished product is permitted*******

 Now, a little info about the display.  I have always found it difficult to photograph baby hats on something other than a live baby.  My "baby" is 22 years old and does a great job as my model for adult wear, but what to do about baby hats?

To the rescue....Tamara Kelly of Moogly fame.  Just LOOK at her great idea below and the very cute hats!  Her pattern is free, too!

I adore her idea I first saw on Instagram and contacted her right away.  She explained to me that she used pieces of a olive oil container she has had for some time.  Off to the stores I go!

I found these at Hobby Lobby.  The container on the left is from the craft side of the store where they have glass containers.  The one on the right is from the floral department.  I just took the lid off the jar and put the "fishbowl" on top of it, bottom side up.  I used a little sticky tack to keep the two pieces together.  I think it worked out great! 

Here's a little better photo, before I photoshopped the lines out, of the two pieces together.  

Well, that's it for this week.  Thanks for stopping by,

Sheila

Find my Slouchy Hats for Baby in my pattern stores

Etsy

Craftsy

Ravelry 

Purls of Wisdom:

I find that giving a simple hat as a gift a little uninteresting.  To make it special, it's all in the box.  Think out of the box, so to speak.  Use a cupcake box, like the one above or...

 

look at this sweet Mary Engelbreit hat box.  And this faux tree log box below.  I found all of them at a thrift store for $2.00 each.  The tree log box had potpourri in it.  So, when you run across a container that looks interesting, take it home!