Knit and Fabric Boxes

 

I just love storage boxes!  Plastic, knitted, crocheted, ceramic, wood, you name it.  They keep things so neat and tidy.  If you are a knitter, crocheter or sewist, you know what I mean.  We have all sorts of bits and bobs that need a home.  This pattern you can find in Susan B. Anderson's book Itty Bitty Nursery.

I think this is some Alexander Henry fabric I had leftover from one of my Crochet Reversible Baby Blanket pattern.  Use bigger/smaller needles and fatter/skinnier yarn to make them as big/small as you like!

I used cardboard in between the knitted side and the fabric to make them sturdy.  Susan suggests plastic canvas as they then can be washed.  You can turn the smallest box into a pin cushion as I did.

They'd be great in the bathroom storing cotton balls, lotion, makeup brushes and the like.

Perfect on the baby changing table too.

She shows them and baby blocks, but, as my "baby" is almost 21, I use them for storage.  Easy to knit and a piece of cake to convert to crochet.  Also a great use of fabric scraps.

If you look close at the bottom right corner, you can see them featured in Australia's Shop 4 Kids Magazine 2011.  Always nice to be featured in a cute publication.

Have a great week,

Sheila

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Local Yarn Shops Vacation

Just LOOK at this yummy yarn I found in St. Louis, Missouri at the lovely Ewe Knit Yarns!   As an added bonus, the yarn dyer herself, Rachel was in the shop!  What a great pleasure it was to meet her and have a little chat.  That's Rachel below in the black top giving a knitting lesson to one lucky girl.  It really makes the yarn so very special when you have a memory to attach to it, don't you think?  This DyeabolicalYarn Strong Arm Skinny sock yarn is hand dyed superwash merino with the most make-you-smile name.....Queen's Tea.

I do like to buy local when visiting yarn shops during my travels.  I was in St. Louis, my home town, to meet my cousins for a trip to Nashville, Tn.  Above is another local dyer, Skeined Alive Dyed and Gone To Heaven in Stop Saying That.  It also is a superwash merino sock yarn.  Gorgeous autumn  colors in this one.

Above is the shop.  It was a bit nippy outside to do any yarnings, but the inside.....

was full of cute baskets holding all the squishy goodness that I can't resist!  I love the little hanging baskets holding even more!  The owners and customers were so very nice and eager to help with a question or just to chat.  You can't say that about every yarn shop.

I also bought a lovely shawl pin.  I was wearing my Crocodile Stitch Shawl and really needed something to hold it while wearing as a shawl and not a scarf.  I got more attention wearing that shawl everywhere I went!  The airport was full of gawkers.  The female TSA agents caused quite a stir all rushing up to me!  The men TSA agents were quite alarmed for a second.

The next stop was Kirkwood Knittery.  I love these buttons, so colorful and big at 2" across.  They are destined to be used to hold a shawl instead of a shawl pin.

Off to Nashville we go!  Now, I'm pretty sure no one is interested in my ramblings about the full size replica of the Parthenon in Greece that's in Nashville....or President Andrew Jackson's home....or The Grand Ol' Opry....or The Gaylord Hotel (the largest hotel in the USA without a casino)....or Corky's Bar-B-Q!  However, they were all GREAT and if you are in Nashville, they are definitely worth your time.

I did, of course, find a yarn shop!  Bliss Yarns hooked me up with this local dyer in Mountain City, Tn...Miss Babs.  Yowza-Whatta Skein in Awesome.  And it is!  Superwash, hand painted and 560 yards!  WOW!

AND in the 1/2 off sale bin.....Cascade Yarns 128 tweed.

Bliss Yarns was full of people shopping and knitting.  I saw two full tables and there was a table tucked around the corner full of ladies chatting away in their southern drawl.  My cousins had a bit of a struggle with the accent, but my husband, daughter and I lived in Memphis for a couple years, so I felt right at home!  They were so very helpful and just a pleasure to visit with.  When you travel to a yarn shop out of your area, be sure to tell them you are out of town, they love to show you local goods.

Well, that was my trip.  Now I am back to bill paying, laundry, my morning job and snow!  Spring can't come too soon for me!

Have a great week,
Sheila

M is for Monkey

Is he the cutest?  Just look at his little belly button!  And those fingers and toes!  There is something about a hand knit toy with all its squishy goodness that are irresistible.

What little boy or girl wouldn't give him a good home filled with love and adventure?

He is not for the beginner, but my fellow knitter, Emily at Yarn Miracle sells this pattern and has patterns for all skill levels.  If you pop over to see her, be sure to tell her I sent you!

I am selling this "swinger" in my Etsy shop if you'd like to stop by for a visit.

Have a great week,

Sheila

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Eden Praire Shawl

Just LOOK at this gorgeous shawl by Nancy Whitman.  You can find the pattern here on Craftsy.com. This is defiantly my next project!  I purchased the yarn online at Jimmy Beans Wool.   Beautiful Madeline Tosh will cost you about $76.  Be sure to read the materials section of Nancy's pattern page as you do not use the entire skein.

This is not for the beginner unless you are very adventurous!  The pattern is well written with very helpful tips and video links.  Nancy also has an online shop here that offers yarn.  I'm not sure that she has all the colorways for this shawl available.

Ooo, I can't wait for my yarn order to get this squishy, yarny goodness on the needles!

Have a great week,
Sheila
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Granny Square Cherub Baby Blanket

Granny squares are making a HUGE comeback! With good reason!  They are so much more fun in today's colors.  With spring and summer soon upon us, granny squares are the perfect take-along project.  No heavy blanket on your lap! Great project for car or plane trips!  Find my newest pattern here in my Craftsy Pattern Store or click on my Etsy shop or Ravelry buttons on the right.

Stunning in greys, ecru and yellows!   Perfect for the modern mommy and baby! It measures an easy to manage 36" L x 23" W.   Perfect for the stroller.

Great size and weight very for the chilly air conditioned spots!

Use my single crochet edge or browse through your crochet edging books!

The smaller squares add interest and whimsy.  Unique, one of a kind, shower gift!  You will love the ooooo's and ahhhh's when she opens it!

Great project to use up your stash yarn!  Easily make larger or smaller to fit your needs!

Best,

Sheila

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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

Crocodile Stitch Shawl

I have had this pattern, by Bonita Patterns, in my Craftsy library just waiting for me to download. This was the month!  Three skeins of Patons Lace Bonfire completed this 2 row repeat pattern.  I really love the long runs of this particular yarn as it creates a spectacular effect!

You can find the pattern from Bonita Patterns on Ravelry.  You can also find it on Craftsy, here.  

Wonderful 2 row repeat pattern! Not for the newbie, however.  Once you get the hang of it, you can hook along, easily chatting with a fellow hooker, watching Downton Abbey or your fav program/movie!

I would suggesting going on YouTube and watching a video if this is your first attempt at crocodile stitch.  There are many to choose from, but I found this one to be the best.

 
I'm not sure you can complete the fringe on the pattern without another skein, so buy one extra than the pattern suggests.

My daughter snapped this up right away as orange is her favorite color!

See my latest pins below!

Best,

Sheila

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

Photo Prop

I just have to share a photo a lovely customer sent me today!  She purchased this blanket from my Etsy shop and gave it as a baby shower gift.  It's a photo prop with her monogram on the front!  How cute is THAT?

If you are a knitter or crocheter and give your finished items as a gift, you will understand me when I say that there is nothing better than seeing it in use!  A hat on a noggin, a blanket in a stroller, a shawl around someones shoulders or a scarf around the neck.....it's THE BEST!

You can find the pattern for the blanket here in my shop

Have a great weekend,
Sheila