Artyarns Filigree Wrap

Are you up for a challenge? Try this beautiful wrap made from Iris Schrier's Lacy Little Knits book. I made it with 6 skeins of Artyarns Bronze and Beads, which can be found in my favorite links - Yarn Barrel Specialties website under silk. It can also be done in Regal Silk. All the Artyarns yarn is beautiful! Try it sometime!

Happy Knitting!
Barbara

Riley In Her Adorable Hat

Doesn't Riley just look so cute??!!! I knitted the hat as stated in the earlier post "Darling Little Baby Hat". I just had to share how cute the hat is. It's done with one one skein of Filatura DiCrosa Kiss. (see Yarn Barrel Specialties website for yarn and below for the free pattern.)

Happy Knitting!

Lantern Moon Needles are TOPS!!!

Yarn Barrel Specialties

I received a shipment of Lantern Moon needles last night. Oooh Boy are they GORGEOUS!!!!! I have to get them put up on my website, Yarn Barrel Specialties, asap! Good needles are soooo worth it!

Have a nice day Knitters!

Hysterical Joke

I thought this was really funny!

Darling Little Baby Hat

I finished the most darling little baby hat. I've done it in Filatura DiCrosa's Kiss. You can view the yarn at: Kiss Yarn.

I adapated a pattern I found to make the hat fit the yarn and to make it a bit taller. Here is the pattern:

Ruffled Hat

Materials: 1 Ball Filatura Di Crosa Kiss, size 6 16" circular needles, size 6 dpns

Cast on 210 Stitches using long tail cast on.
Round 1: K2tog = 105 stitches.
Round 2: K2tog = 52 stitches.
Knit in the round until hat measures 5" total.

Decrease as follows: (switch to dpns when necessary)
Dec. Round 1: (K2tog, K5) repeat to end.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: (K2tog, K4) repeat to end.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: (K2tog, K3) repeat to end.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: (K2tog, K2) repeat to end.
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: (K2tog, K1) repeat to end.
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: (K2tog) repeat to end.

I found the flower on Sarah's Yarn Box.

It was a quick little project to give as a gift.

Happy Knitting!

How to make I-Cord

At the knitting group last week. I was asked by the person sitting next to me how to make I-Cord. It's really easy, but the concept can be confusing. Try it - Good luck!

How to Make I-cord

You use two double pointed needles.

Basically, you knit across your stitches but never turn your work. The right side of your work is always facing you.

To get the yarn to the *working side* or right edge of the next row, you slide your working stitches to the right edge of your double pointed needle, then you simply pull the yarn that's at the end of the row snuggly across the back of your knitting and knit the first stich of the row.

Keep going and you make a very nice rounded cord. It doesn't look right at first, but after a 1/2" or so, you should start to see the cord emerge.

You can also go to My Favorite Links on the right side of the page - "Knitting Help" and look up I-cord. She has great videos on how to do it.

Keep on Nittin!

Knitting & Household Tasks

Household tasks are easier and quicker when they are done by somebody else.
- James Thorpe

This saying is so apropos when it comes to knitting! Who would rather clean than knit? And, how would James Thorpe know? He's a man! Maybe he's a knitting man?!

I'm waiting for an order of Lantern Moon needles to come in. I can't wait to get them. They're supposed to be awesome!

Got to run. Lot's of work to do before the holidays!

Christmas Rush - Projects to Finish

Well, let's see. . .

I've got to hurry!!! The pressure is really on now. How many days left? I'm blocking one gift a shawl by Iris Schrier. I finished the entrelac scarf I showed you in my earlier blog. I'm working on a child's hat for Hanukkah. I finished the starburst shawl for someone else. And, I really need to make myself a shawl for a Christmas party we're going to on the 15th. I'm really beginning to feel like a machine!

But I LOVE it! I say it again and again....I love knitting because it feels like such a challenge to figure out the directions and end up with a beautiful object. (even if I do say so myself!) The Iris Schrier (Artyarns) multidirectional patterns are a real challenge. She even has a chat group to get help on her patterns. (I've used it too!) The starburst shawl I made took many tries before I "got" it. It was all about following the directions EXACTLY and interpreting correctly.

I don't know - all you folks knitting socks seem to GET it. I don't. I have a pair going and I'm stuck on the heel (of course). Any help would be appreciated.

Have a nice day and keep on nittin!
Barb