It's Done!

My Cropped Rib Jacket is now hanging on a hanger in my closet!  It fits, I had enough yarn (that was a real concern towards the end) and I love it.  It will be perfect for cool summer evenings, which, believe it or not, once June is gone we do get those even here in the desert!

The front, back and sleeve pieces are worked separately in a K3, P1 rib for 7 inches, and then joined at the yoke to form the raglan sleeves.  That leaves minimal seaming to do at the end, which I like, lots! 

The yarn is Cascade Cotton Rich DK, and the pattern is from the Debbie Bliss Knitting magazine, spring/summer 2009.

eta:  the black box behind the sweater is husband's brief case.  Why do boys leave things where they don't belong?  Really.  Why?

Friends Are Good

I made this because I wanted to try the 'spring card.'  I'll keep it on hand in case a friend needs a pick me up, or I just want to tell someone they're special to me.  Because friends are special, and it's good to let them know that every once in a while.

This card is super easy, and really good for cardmaking newbies because all you need is paper, double-sided tape, a computer (if you're reading this you obviously have one) and an embellishment (if you want to add one, but even that's not necessary). The sentiment was created in Adobe CS In Design, but could easily be done in Microsoft Word. If you want to try making one, here's the link.

And sometimes I make cards

Because it's fun to play with scissors and papers and glue and tape, just like when we were young! I started doing this a couple of years ago, and now my card-making (is card making one word, two words, a hyphenated word?) supplies are fighting with space for my yarn stash, but it's ok.  They are learning how to get along and play well with others! This is just one example of the many cards I've made. It's called a tri-fold shutter card, and if you google tri-fold card, you get instructions for making one of these.

Who is this guy?

Due to copyright issues, I am not allowed to call him by his recognizable name.  However, if you have someone in your life, or maybe it's you, who loves those plastic take-apart, put-together, building thingies, then you should consider knitting this.   This pattern is designed by a very talented woman, who goes by the name of Ella on Ravelry.  You can search her by entering Ella's Pattern Store, and get the pattern.  But, be warned....this is extreme knitting, not really suitable for a beginner.  The directions are clear, but knitting this requires patience and lots of experience.

The picture of his hand is not very clear (as you can clearly see!) but I wanted to show you the detail, and how much it looks like the real thing. Ella also has a really cute astronaut pattern, if you have a space freak in your life. So go ahead, knit a toy. You'll have fun, and it's a great way to use up leftover yarn, and they really make cute gifts. And best of all, gauge doesn't matter when you make toys!

and now…

…back to my regularly scheduled programming. As often happens in life, lots of things have been going on. Some good, some not very good at all. So in order to ward off the not-very-good, the needles have been busy. Very busy. Because the thing to do in life when sh_t happens (as they say) is to keep the mind occupied.  It works. 

I decided it's time to do some serious stash-busting, which meant I got to knit some toys, one of my favorite things to knit.  And even though I don't really have any little ones to knit toys for right now, I am knitting them just because I love to.  They're fast, almost instant gratification, they're cute and goofy, and they make me smile.

Here are two:This is Georgina, a free pattern from the Lion Brand site.  The pattern called for baby weight, but I made her with worsted weight, which is the beauty of making toys.  No gauge to worry about, which I really like because making gauge swatches makes me crazy.  This toy can be crocheted in just an afternoon, which is great if you find yourself needing a quick gift, or a quick pick-me-up.

Also from Lion Brand, this is the Purrfect Kitty Sock Critter, (no, I didn't spell it wrong that way, Lion Brand spelled it wrong that way because they wanted to!)) knit in worsted weight. It's a good pattern if you want to learn how to do short rows, commonly used when knitting socks. Speaking of which, they're not your grandmother's socks anymore. The art of sock knitting has come a long way. The patterns range from basic and simple to awesomely elegant and intricate. And today's sock yarn is really, really, beautiful, thanks to many talented people who spin and dye their own yarn and sell it via the internets, or in fancy, schmancy yarn shops. I'm going to try some.  Soon.

More projects tomorrow.  Or in a few days.  Right now the boy of the household is making breakfast, and I'm going off to get me some.

Ok, that was good!  Now I have a minute to post another one:

This is one of my favorites.  The pattern is (once again) from the Lion Brand website, and it was a great way to use up some Vanna's Choice worsted I picked up on sale about 6 months or so ago.  For any knitter that might be reading this, I inserted pipe cleaners in the legs (all EIGHT of them!) to make sure they would curl up.  Love this guy, and so did Miguel, my favorite cocker spaniel!