Yarny Goodness

For those who celebrate, I hope you all had a nice Easter.  As I am Greek Orthodox, our celebration is not until next month.  Orthodox Christians have Pascha (Easter) after Passover.

I want to show you some things in the works.....a crocheted bud scarf pattern using Lion Brands Landscapes....

a simple cowl.  US size 8 16" circular needle.  Cast on 96.  Knit a 2x2 rib for one inch, knit until you like the size, do a 2x2 rib for one inch and bind off.  I purchased this Cascade Yarns Pinwheel on Craftsy.  Huge skein of 440 yards in Hearts and Spades!  You can get quite a few cowls out of that much yardage.

I bought two, because at $5.97 a skein is just too good to pass up!

 

I have a spring garden scarf pattern in the works using the gorgeous Cloudborn Fibers yarn, also from Craftsy.

I'm adding an orange and yellow to the mix, instead of the magenta and purple in the above photo above.  I'll design something else with those.  Maybe a knitted scarf for fall.

 

Here's the orange and yellow, plus, I picked up a 3 color gradient in gray which I think I'll add some color to when I decide on a pattern.

Have a great week,

sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

Kinky circs?  Just run the cable under hot water until it straightens out!

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!

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.

Free Pattern! Tiffany Cowl & Headband Knitting Pattern

Free pattern on Craftsy

The wonderful folks over at Craftsy and working with Cloudborn Fibers, a new yarn company.  Their yarn is exclusive to Craftsy and can't be found anywhere else.

A few months ago, Cloudborn asked me to design something using their yummy yarn!  A privilege indeed.  They sent some super soft Baby Alpaca Bulky fiber in light blue and cream.  I immediately saw Tiffany's signature blue!

Cloudborn has made this yarn in a perfect blend of baby softness and a lovely halo for the most luxurious feel around your neck.  It has great stitch definition and no splitting as you work.

The cowl is knit in the round, no purls, except for the rib sections.  Wear it down or wrapped around your neck....

(if you look closely you can see me in my daughters sunglasses)!  I always think this is funny for some reason.  Anyhoos....

The seed stitch headband coordinates beautifully without being too matchy, matchy.

I wish you could feel the softness of this squishy goodness!

This is a beginner pattern, however, still satisfying for all levels of skill.

Find the free pattern only in my Craftsy shop

Find the yarn, Cloudborn Fibers Baby Alpaka Bulky only at Craftsy

There are 11 different weights to choose from and all are on sale!

If you do not want to invest in 4 skeins, you can easily make this with two skeins and a shorter cowl.

Here are some pattern details for you:

Measurements:

Cowl circumference - 72” (183cm) 

Cowl width - 11” (29cm) 

Headband circumference - 18” (46cm) 

Headband width - 4” (10cm)

Needles:

*US size 10.5 (6.5mm) 32” circular needles 

*Optional needles: if the circular needles are a bit fiddly when knitting the headband, use US size 10.5 (6.5mm) straight or even double pointed needles will work.

Yarn:

*Cloudborn Fibers Baby Alpaca Bulky (5); 109 yds/100g (100m) 

Two skeins in Sky Blue (A) 

Two skeins in Ivory (B)

Notions:

*one stitch marker 

*tapestry needle

Thanks for stopping by,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

As gift giving time approaches, think about adding some tags to the gift bag!  I found these by searching on Pinterest.  I'm sorry I don't have the links for you.  While you're over at Craftsy getting your free pattern, type "free tags" in the search box and a bunch will pop up for you!

Print them off, cut them out and you're done!

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.