HUGE SALE!

Good morning lovely followers!  Just a quick note to let you know I'm having a HUGE pattern sale at my Craftsy shop!  My most popular pattern, above, is $2 off!

Save on my Christmas Hats Collection.  All 6 hats for $5.

If you are an Etsy shopper, I'm having a Storewide Sale there.  Patterns AND finished knitwear for the whole family!

Scarves!

 

Fabric and more!

Have a great week,
Sheila

Bonfire Granny

 I'm a big fan of Patons Lace yarn, particularly the variegated colors of this brand.  This is one of those projects that went with me everywhere I went for a month or so.  The kind you pick up and work on in between other, more complicated ones that require thought and a post it note to keep track of where you are in a pattern.

 A granny pattern is perfect for those times.  No need to change colors, follow a pattern or sew up at the end.  This will be for an upcoming baby shower where the sex is yet to be known!  There is a little pink in the yarn, but not enough for a new daddy to notice.  They are quite fussy about colors if a boy arrives!

This was about 5 skeins, a D/3 - 3.25mm hook with a simple, single crocheted edge.

Time to gear up for the Christmas holidays.  I'm feeling my Christmas Hats Collection calling!

Best,
Sheila

Patternfish Store

I know many of you sell your hand made knitwear and patterns just as I do.  The most well known online sites to sell are Etsy, Ravelry and Craftsy!  Another place I sell my patterns only, like my Chocolate & Vanilla Cowl, is Patternfish.  

From Patternfish:

Patternfish is an online store where you can buy or sell your knitting or crochet patterns as customized PDF downloads.Nothing in Patternfish is available for less than $3.00 US. Nor will you find advertising. We want to provide you with a calm, beautiful place to browse and pick and choose.  

Gayle sends out your check monthly and I think you need at least $20 is sales.  I do fairly well on this site considering you cannot re-list your items like you can on Etsy or post projects like you do on Craftsy or Ravelry.  People find your patterns by searching for specific attributes they are looking for.  It is not my most profitable shop, however, I do make money every month, so I'll take it!  I do have a daughter in college I am paying tuition for!

Have a great Thanksgiving week,
Sheila

Blocking Wires

There' something very exciting about ordering on line, as opposed to a stand alone shop.  You see something you like on your computer, research some other shops for prices, check your PayPal account and click, click, click you're done!

Then you anxiously await the mailman!  Well, my mailman delivered this "gift to self" yesterday and I must say, I was VERY excited to open it!

Now, if you've seen blocking wires for sale in your local yarn shop, you know that a FEW wires cost about $30.  I found this set at The Knitting Warehouse.

You get:

24 36" stainless wires
4 24" stainless flexible wires
one yardstick
40 rust proof t-pins
complete blocking instructions
storage tube

All on sale for $29.99.  I must say I think is a GREAT deal.  I have also purchased yarn from this site and was very pleased indeed.

For you newbies out there, the purpose of blocking your knitted piece is to uncurl and form your work the enhance the beauty and block it to the correct size.  

Best,
Sheila

Pin Stripe Blanket

A new, custom couch was purchased for the "man cave". Lovely, soft greys and blacks. Of course, it needed a new throw in the same colors.

I love the soft variegated look! Masculine and soft at the same time.

Really easy project with terrific results! 61" L x 44" W

I used my Grey Gardens Baby Blanket (below) pattern for this project.  If you purchase the pattern, or if you already have my pattern, just send me a note and I will be glad to give you the specifics (yarn colors and amounts, size, edging etc.) on how to make this one.  

I always add my label, Creative Design on one side and my web address on the other side,  and "made with love" charm to every piece of knitwear whether it is for sale, a gift or an item I keep for ourselves.  The labels come from a lovely Etsy shop.  Owner Sasha is a jewel and you can find her here

The silver charms are ever so sweet and a real bargain!  36 charms for $7.50 and she even tossed in a few extra!  Find Hope here

Have a great week,
Sheila

A Break From the Needles and Hooks

Just LOOK at these cutest ever gingerbread cookies!  You can find the tutorial at Twigg Studios .  How sweet would they be for a little girly party, tea party or wedding or baby shower?  So simple with a food paint pen and green sprinkles.  If you don't like to bake, buy undecorated cookies!

Best,
Sheila

How To Install Safety Eyes

The eyes have it!

Watch this FREE, great video on Knit Picks.   How to install plastic eyes is perfect for all your toy knitting or crocheting!  Give your item personality and charm this holiday season!

Best,
Sheila

Charmed Hitchhiker

I found this great pattern on Ravelry by Martina Behm.  An easy pattern with spectacular results!  I used a worsted weight yarn...Queensland Rustic Tweed in color #916 that I found this summer in a lovely shop, The Woolie Ewe located in Plano, Texas. Wonderful shop owner who offered to cake the yarn for me!  Larger needles, US size 7 32" circulars give it great shape and size.

I added the charms, so beware, the instructions for that are not in her pattern.  I wish I would have taken a close up on those.  I found them on clearance at Hobby Lobby and attached them with a small crochet hook as I knitted up to that point.  The weight of the charms helps the points stay "pointy", which is great if you don't like blocking!

I ran out of Queensland yarn, but wanted to finish my last point, so I just added two rows of black.  It does not show too well in the picture, but it really takes it to another level!

I love all of Martina's designs, so be sure to pop over to see her!

Best,
Sheila