New Blanket Pattern In Progress

I'm working on a new blanket pattern.  Squishy, garter stitch goodness!  Nine colors (only worked seven at the moment) of worsted weight yarn.  I'm using Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn as they have THE most wonderful colors!

Shades of purples, grays and neutrals are coordinating very nicely.  Three or four repeats in the nine colors should do it and I think I'll do a leafy green border.  We'll see after the blanket is complete.  

Happy Hump Day,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

When I'm choosing colors at the yarn store, I lay them all out on the floor, moving them around, switching out colors until I see what I have in my head.

I did a blog post here if you'd like to read about a little lesson in color.

Sockhead Hats

 

I LOVE making Sockhead Hats!  Super easy and a great way to use your sock yarn skeins.

Here are some I finished up last month.

I used needle size US 2.5 (3.00mm) for all of them.

The one above uses:

James C Brett Moonlight Sonata DK

 

This is one skein of

KnitPicks Hawthorne Fingering in Ladd's Addition

 Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering in St. Johns

Knit Picks Stroll Fingering in Mocha Tonal

You can find more information and the free pattern link on my Ravelry project page.

If you are using Patons Sock Yarn, I would suggest using a US 3.0 or 3.25.  I found that using the needle recommended in the pattern made for a too tight hat.

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

Don't have a complete skein for a Sockhead Hat?  Gather all your leftover sock yarn and make stripes instead.

Mother's Day Gifts

If you're looking for something besides a scarf or blanket for Mother's Day, here are a few ideas.

My bestie asked for some soup bowl cozies.  You know, something to hold under a hot bowl of soup instead of a tea towel.  This is what I came up with.....crochet a basket with cotton yarn and line it with fabric.  Now, you don't need to line it with fabric.  It works just fine without it.

Here's what I did:

Crochet a circle and start increasing using a soup bowl as a guide.  Keep doing that until you you get the size you want.  Just keep checking the fit after a few rows.

I cut the fabric in a circle, including a 1" hem.  I then just whip stitched it to the yarn basket.  

They're reversible too!

I really like them and so did my bestie!  As I said, you don't need to add fabric and they work just fine at keeping the heat off your hand using just yarn.  Also, the yarn has just enough stretch to fit many a bowl size.

Socks are a great gift too!  There's plenty of time until Mother's Day to whip up some in her favorite color.  I use a free pattern from Susan B Anderson.  Great "how I knit my socks" pattern can be found on her Rav page.

I love this pillow I crocheted for our couch. It's from Lucy of Attic 24,  You can use any weight yarn and she has the free pattern on her lovely blog.  In the above photo, I used Knit Picks Chroma in a fingering weight.  No need to change colors as you go if you have some long run yarn in your stash.  Again, another great gift for Mom.

If you know how to crochet some edging, just add it to some pillow cases as a gift.  Get out your crochet edging books and pick a pattern.  I like to do this using fingering weight or finer.

Crochet up a few little baskets for her to hold bits and bobs or place a little potted plant inside of one.  You might want to cover the bottom of the plant with plastic wrap or foil to protect the basket.

I used this pattern with whatever yarn I had and added fabric.

I'd love to hear about ideas you have for Mother's Day gift giving!

Best,

Sheila

Factoid:

In the 1950's, 75% of American households had sewing machines.  Now it's less than 5%.

NO TIME!

Yarn Stash Sale

When I was creating my knitting studio, I had the arduous task of going through bins of yarn.  I decided I just couldn't keep it all, so I'm having a Yarn Stash Sale in my Etsy shop!

Some full skeins, some partial, some yarn balls that you could make your own Magic Ball!  All different weights sold by color.

Purple (sold out)

Blues (sold out)

Black

* Pom pom (full skeins)
* Boa (full skein)
* Fun fur (full skeins)

$37.00

Brown

* Pom Pom Parade by Herrschners (full skeins)
* Cashmere (full skein)
* Vicki Howell
* I Love This Yarn by Hobby Lobby
* Soft Secret

$28.00

Green

* Vanna's Choice
* Patons Lace
* Fiesta Yarns

$15.00

Grey (sold out)

Mixed 

* Rowan
* Kaffe Fassett (2 full skeins)
* Misti Alpaca (full skein)
* Colourscape

$30.00

Orange/yellow

* Cascade (full skeins)

* Queensland
* Lion Brand
* Vanna's Choice

this one has a finished shawlette included!

$44.00

Red/pink

* Dyeabolical
* Malabrigo (3 full skeins)
* Nashua Handknits (2 full skeins)
* Lion Brand
* and more

$36.00

Circs with a storage case

Sizes US 5 to US 17
Cable lengths from 24: to 29"

$26.00

White/cream

* Soft Secret
* Caron Simply Soft
* Red Heart Love
* Lion Brand Homespun (full skeins)
* Lion Brand Jiffy
* Vicki Howell Sheep(ish)
* Jojoland Baritone (full skeins)
* Patons Grace
* Louisa Harding (full skeins)

$36.00

It's tough to let go sometimes, however, now I have room to buy more!!

Have a great weekend,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

If you don't have a place to sell your stash, many organizations will welcome a donation. Schools, churches, womans' shelters, youth organizations or, just share with your fellow knitters and crocheters.  Have a Stash Swap Party!