New Missoni Inspired Pattern is available here!  Thank you for all the requests for the pattern!  This is a very easy, chevron pattern!  Great for beginner crocheters!


The Stitches West in California last month was a great experience!  I was very privileged indeed to be a guest of Craftsy and talk about my Classic Cabled Cowl Workshop, give two demonstrations and be a cheerleader for this great site!


The booth was the best with their comfy chairs, yarn tasting, demos and big screen show! The knowledgeable, fun team greeting and educating knitters and crocheters with all that Craftsy has to offer with workshops, classes, deals and upcoming surprises!
If you have never been, don’t miss it! The yarn is not to be believed! People shopping with empty suitcases instead of shopping bags! Needles, books, hooks, demonstrations and nice people everywhere! Of course, non nicer than in the Craftsy booth!

As spring approaches, I look forward to granny squares and lace knitting!  Much cooler projects to work on as the weather heats up!

Let me know what you are working on!  I would love to read and see photos on what's "in your lap"

Best,

Sheila

Stitches West

This is the latest baby blanket in my Etsy Shop!  I love classic black and white!  The chevron stitch is also classic and the tassels add something extra!

I'm getting ready to travel to Santa Clara, California for the Stitches West event this week!  Can't wait, however, flying is NOT one of my favorite things to do!  As I have gotten older, I'm talkin' only early 50's here, I get motion sick, have claustrophobia and sometimes suffer from anxiety attacks!  I will be suffering from them all on the plane ride as it is the size of a Greek elevator!  ARG!  For those of you who don't know about Greek elevators....they are only 4' x 4'!  I kid you not!  I got stuck in one in Greece a few years ago that seemed like an hour, but it was only 10 minutes!  When we came back to the US, I was never so glad to see the words OTIS on the next elevator I encountered!

I digress...Stitches West with Craftsy will be great fun!  And all the YARN!  Oh, my poor pocketbook!  I post pics and all the dish when I get back next week!

Craftsy Pattern Store Now Open

If you are a crafter of any kind, check out Craftsy.coms Pattern Store here.  They have EVERYTHING there.  Knitting, crocheting, sewing, baking, quilts, jewelry, gardening and more!  Classes and tutorial workshops galore (rhyming unintentional :D) !

This is one of my patterns in the new pattern store, Chevron Ripple Baby Blanket!  You can find it here, as well as all my other patterns.    I still have my Etsy shop if you would like to stop by!  My patterns on Craftsy are less expensive than my Etsy store, but still the same pattern!

If you are a fan of Susan B Anderson, Itty Bitty Hats, Itty Bitty Toys, Spud & Cloe On the Farm, she is teaching two classes on Craftsy!

Lots to see and do there!  Please stop by and support indie designers!

Best,
Sheila

Zoe's Zebra Hat

I can't resist a little animal hat!  I am working on patterns for my Little Animal Hats Collection, here is the first...a little Zebra Hat with a feather topper you can find here!  A little Calico Cat is next!   I know it seems a bit late in the season, but I have a nice following in Australia and the beautiful places around her!  Their winter is coming up as we, here in the States, head into spring!

Simple striped hat with a rolled brim and slightly oversized ears!  It would be a great photo prop!  As a matter of fact, I'm giving it to a newborn who will soon start her journey in front of a camera!

I would love to know what you are working on if you do any kind of craft!  From cooking, to sewing to knitting and beyond!

It's hump day and 50 degrees here in Nebraska!  Unheard of in this part of the country!  We are lovin' it!

Tips for knitters and crocheters!

One of the blogs I follow, Knitspringodyssey, shared two great tips if you crochet or knit!  The first is the magic knot method for knitters, which is great if you do not want to dig out your tapestry needle for a Russian join!  The YouTube video is easy to follow!

This is a great one for crocheters!  The invisible join is a pictorial tutorial (say that three times fast)!  You will still crochet in your ends, but it's a nice way to join a new color!

Would love to know what you all are working on!  New knitting or crochet patterns?  A new recipe?  Maybe a new diet!  Is there really such a thing?

Free Pattern!

Happy New Year! I have a free pattern to share with you all!


I had remembered a baby shower about two hours before I had to be there! No time for a blanket, but plenty time for some simple booties! I do mean simple! Too simple to give by themselves! 

I always have these "take out" boxes on hand at Christmas time. There you go... Instant gift! I hand wrote a little fortune...."good things come in small packages"! Not very original, but it worked! The mommy loved them and that's all that matters!

Just hop over to Craftsy.com to get your free pattern!  FREE PATTERN 

Crochet Hoot Owl

I've just listed my latest pattern!  http://www.etsy.com/listing/89771063/crochet-hoot-owl-toy-pattern-advanced


Any adventurous beginner crocheter will be able to easily follow this pattern! 

When completed, it measures 3 1/2" tall by 3" wide!

This stuffed hoot owlet (baby owl) is soft, squishy, sweet and looking for a child to love! His, or her, big eyes have sweet little buttons! 

Try it in brown with white eyes and black buttons! 

Make a parliament (group of owls)! Try a Mamma owl with fatter yarn and a larger hook and her babies!

For baby or toddler in the bed, crib, stroller, car or just for play! 

Great one of a kind shower gift, birthday present or for any special child in your life! 

Any worsted weight (4) cotton yarn will work for easy care and washing! Holding up to lots of hugs and kisses! 

Make him or her as firm or squishy as you like!

New Year Resolution!

Happy New Year to all on this New Year's Eve!  


I have had a fun filled year with great success at my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/sheilalikestoknit?ref=ss_profile and on Craftsy.com  http://www.craftsy.com/join which has graciously invited me to join them at the Stitches West in California in February!  It will be my great honor to talk about my Classic Cabled Cowl Tutorial (http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SZ_Cowl) and Craftsy.com!  


If you have not visited Craftsy.com please find them here http://www.craftsy.com/join to see crafts from cooking to quilting!  Papers crafts, felting and jewelry making are just a few of the fun things you will find there!  Knitters, crocheters, sewers and gardeners share photos and skills!  They offer tons of workshops and classes of all kinds too!  Buy yarn, fabric and tools, all in the same spot!

Our daughter, and Etsy model, Zoe, (in the middle with her lifelong friends and hand made scarves pattern here) is in her second year of college studying Costume Design and loving it!  My husband, Brian and I are healthy and happily married 20 years this year!  Travel is in our future to see family in Florida, Texas, St. Louis and Oklahoma!


My resolution is the same every year.....to be a better person!  To be kinder, more generous and a better listener, which means trying to keep my mouth shut!  That in itself is a challenge for me! :)  Would love to hear what your year was like and any resolutions you might have!


Best and Happy New Year,
Sheila

Creative Design is in Australia

It is my very good fortune to be selling in two online shops1  One in Austin, Texas at LemonadeCouture.com and Sahani Designs www.sahanidesigns.com.au in Australia!  Please stop by these two beautiful shops and see ALL the great artists and their beautiful work!

I am still at Etsy @  http://etsy.com/shop/sheilalikestoknit happily working on my winter line!  My daughter, Zoe, is my beautiful model!  I know...a very proud Mom!

Hope you are are well and surviving the summer heat!

Best,
sheila

Reversible Toy

The Owl and the Pussycat!  I've added a line of toys in my shop!  Please stop by for a look and tell me what you think!  There's nothing so cute as a squishie, hand made toy!  Have been wanting to do something to add to the baby and toddler items and I think this is it!  TOYS!  Also added to the line, Plush Pachyderms,  Squishie Balls; and Nesting Boxes!

Lists and lists and more lists!

I am thinking of all the lists I make in a day!  Sometimes I can't remember things without my lists!  I have post is notes everywhere with reminders!  I leave my husband and daughter little notes....take out the trash, turn down the thermostat when you leave the house etc!  I even write little knitting notes and leave them on my patterns, or knitting books and magazines!

I'm only 51!!!  (but I tell everyone I'm 58...then they say "God, you look GREAT"!)  Does anyone else have this problem?  With the notes, not the lying about your age!!

Here are the latest lists!  Well, sort of!

My college aged daughter, made the Dean's List!
I have some new listings in my shop!
I will be making a list of spring cleaning chores!
I'm creating a list of toys to knit for my shop!
and
I can start by birthday list!

What are your lists?

Sheila

p.s.  it's going to be near 70 in Omaha, Nebraska on Thursday.....I'll be doing the laundry and hanging it out on the line!  Can't wait!  Will have to put laundry detergent on the grocery list!

Time to Think Spring!

As Valentine's Day approaches, that means spring is around the corner!  While I have been happily busy these last months knitting scarves, baby stroller sets, blankets and cowls, I will welcome a little change!

Mini dresses of fabric and a crochet bodice are calling me!  Fabric to runs my hands over and cotton yarn to wrap around my fingers!  Doing my part to reuse the scraps of fabric from my Stroller Set orders, they will be the little dresses.  On the hunt for the matching cotton yarn is half the fun!  Matching colors and fabrics....ooooo.....love that!

Still snow on the ground here in Nebraska, but spring is coming!

Best,
Sheila

All About Babies

It's all about babies!  Now that the holidays are over, I look forward to Spring and new life!  After knitting a zillion hat orders for the last few months, I have been busy with baby blanket sets!

I love to get my hands on fabric and yarn together!  New color combos, thick chunky yarns and some hand sewing bring it all together!  I have also found that covered buttons are THE BEST!  They really give a hat, blanket or cowl pizazz!

Thanks for reading, and please stop by my shop for more!  Just click on any photo!

Best to you and yours for a healthy and happy New Year,
Sheila

Happy Shopping!

Tis' the season to be shopping!  I have done much of my shopping this holiday season on line!  So many great artists on Etsy.com!  Everything from food to fashion!
I have some new scarves and cowls in my shop, as well as baby to teen items!  Please stop by and take a look!
I have acquired two new clients in Texas with terrific on line shops and my fingers have been flying for the past three months!  I hope you all have a safe and healthy Christmas this year!

My best to you and yours,
Sheila

New Patterns

I have some new patterns for sale at my Etsy shop!  Please stop by and take a look http://www.etsy.com/listing/57810020/prada-inspired-headband-pattern The Prada Inspired Headband is very popular!  The Fall Prada Show had these on every single model!  Really cute!  I also ordered some new Mini Moo business cards! You can upload your own photos and contact info!  You don't even have to have your own business!  They are super cute just to hand out to your friends!   If you haven't stopped by there, you must this weekend!
You can find them here http://us.moo.com/en/?gclid=CPHB2YjisqQCFQHW5wod73Uwyw

Have a good weekend!  Thanks for reading!

Sheila

Great Designer

Take a look at Anne Thompson, from New Zealand!  Great vision and simple designs.  I'm going to try her Sploit for Choice for my 18 year old daughter, Zoe.  Can't wait to get started!

On another note, I am getting ready to add more items to my etsy.com/shop/sheilalikestoknit Fall and holiday shopping will be upon us before we can pack away our beach towels!  Please remember me when you take a look at your shopping list!

Have a good week!
Sheila

Dream Shoes

Look at these beautiful shoes!!!  My good friend has a very talented niece!  EnchantedShoeBox.com  Some day I'm going to have beautiful shoes made for me!  Her web site is so much fun to watch!  Be sure to stop by!  Have a fun filled day!

Sheila

New knitwear

Just listed some new items in my etsy.com/shop/sheilalikestoknit .  Hope you stop over for a visit!  While I'm thinking of it...if you need business cards, be sure to stop by moo.com   They have great products, not just business cards!  They also have great ideas!  Keep your eye out and you can get free cards!

Having Fun

Been having fun learning all a blog can do and visiting other blogs.  Lots of great talent out there.  I'm a big fan of http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com She has three great books if you love knitting itty-bitty things.  I have loved and made many.  Be sure to check her out.

The summer is winding down fast if you have a child or children in school.  My teenager starts college in a couple weeks!!  She will be living at home while pursuing her dream of costume design.  She and I were designers this summer for the NAP (Nebraska Aids Project) Fashion Show.  Our designs were made out of condoms of all colors!  What a great time! Here's the link to watch my model work the runway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLt3kuIIVJQ

Stop by http://knitwity.blogspot.com/2010/01/spring-baby-headband.html she's got a free pattern that's cute!

Be sure to check out my shop on etsy.com/shop/sheilalikestoknit

New blog

Just created my first blog!  I can't wait to show you my hand made knitwear for children and adults!  More soon!  Have a good day and thanks for reading!

Sheila