First WIP of 2013

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and 2013 has found all of you healthy and well.  I know I've slacked on my posts during the month of December and there hasn't been a dishcloth pattern in what seems like forever.  I'm working on some Valentine themed cloths and hope to have at least one of them out in the next couple weeks.  In the meantime, I've found some fantastic scarf projects that I just had to share with you.

I found this "pattern" on Ravelry back in December and knew it had to be done immediately following Christmas knitting.  How fabulous is all this color?!

The pattern is called "My Favourite Things" Infinity Scarf and can be found here.  The term "pattern" is used loosely because this scarf is about creating something with all of YOUR favorite things.  The pattern does, however, give some basic fair isle motifs and helpful links with tutorials on provisional cast on, kitchener stitch and stranded knitting.

As the author has done, I'll be using Vanna's Choice yarn.  I've made more than a few runs to both Michael's and JoAnn Fabrics over the past few weeks (utilizing coupons, of course!) to compile these colors:

• Beige
• Magenta
• Mustard
• Eggplant
• Rust
• Kelly Green
• Barley
• Black
• Sapphire
• White
• Cranberry
• Aqua
• Silver Grey

Even with 12 colors, it does take some planning to ensure that the colors are spaced far enough apart and the same color combinations are not used more than once (my own personal preference).

I've created some of my own charts, one of which is the palm tree chart below.  I have another I'm currently knitting, so I'll post that once I know that it works as I hope it will!

I've completed 3 charts so far, about 8".  I wish I had more time to work on this cowl...it's looking really fun!

The other scarf that has been a hot project on Ravelry is My Year In Temperatures scarf.  The idea is to use the daily temperatures from your town to create this scarf.  You only knit 2 rows a day, all year long.  I'm using the leftover stash yarn from My Favourite Things Cowl to make this.  I think can handle 2 rows a day and I'm really excited to see what the finished product will look like.  I have cast on 35 stitches and I will be knitting the scarf in seed stitch.  I think I'll post monthly updates on this one!

Decking the Walls

Amid all the Christmas knitting I'm trying to get done, I got the crafty bug.  I was in Pier 1 and saw this fantastic wreath made of green tinsel with decorated ornaments.  I had it in my hands until I saw the price -- no way was I going to spend that much on something I could turn into a fun family project.  Here's how ours turned out:

Festive and colorful, right?  Here's what we used:

• Wire wreath frame
• 30' tinsel
• Various ornaments & jingle bells
• Floral wire
• Hot glue gun

I started by wrapping the entire wreath frame with the tinsel.  I secured it by tying it to the frame.  Next, I used the floral wire to thread the ornaments and jingle bells together in groups of three.  I attached in wire to the wreath frame, twisting it a bunch of times to make sure it really stayed on there.  The ornaments had a mind of their own so I used a hot glue gun to keep them close together.  The project cost me approximately $20 and was great fun for all of us!

 

 

I had a PartyLite party this fall and had a fantastic host credit.  Lots of yummy smells and beautiful candle holders were purchased for virtually nothing!  To tie the room together, I pulled out the Symmetry Trio and Cleary Creative Votive Holder. 

 

 

 

 

I just love these candle holders!  They are perfect for those who love seasonal decor and I love that I can customize them.  For these, I used some floral picks that I cut and Loreli helped me arrange.  I think it really brightens up our kitchen.

 

 

 

 

Now it's back to knitting!  =)

 

Believe In Santa Dishcloth

Knit up some Christmas magic with this cute holiday cloth!  Santa's belt is the focal point of this cloth -- perfect for cleaning up the mess of cookie crumbs he's sure to leave.

Believe In Santa Dishcloth

 

Supplies:

1 Skein Lily Sugar n Cream yarn

US #3/3.25mm needles

Yarn needle

(Finished size approximately 9-1/2" x 8-1/2") *** This is a LARGE dishcloth!  It takes up nearly the whole skein. ***

Instructions:

Cast on 49 sts

Rows 1-6: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Row 7 (and all odd rows): (K1, P1) x2, P to last 4 sts, (P1, K1) x2

Row 8: (K1, P1) x2, K41, (P1, K1) x2

Row 10: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P2, K1, P2, K3, P1, K3, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K2, P4, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 12: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P2, K1, P2, K3, P1, K3, P3, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K9, (P1, K1) x2

Row 14: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P5, K3, P1, K3, P6, K1, P5, K2, P4, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 16: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P2, K1, P2, K1, P5, K1, P2, K1, P3, K1, P2, K1, P2, K5, P2, K5, (P1, K1) x2

Row 18: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P3, K2, P5, K1, P2, K2, P2, K2, P3, K3, P4, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 20: (K1, P1) x2, K41, (P1, K1) x2

Row 22: (K1, P1) x2, K16, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K16, (P1, K1) x2

Row 24: (K1, P1) x2, K16, P3, K1, P2, K1, P2, K16, (P1, K1) x2

Row 26: (K1, P1) x2, K16, P6, K1, P2, K16, (P1, K1) x2

Row 28: (K1, P1) x2, K16, P2, K1, P3, K1, P2, K16, (P1, K1) x2

Row 30: (K1, P1) x2, K16, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K16, (P1, K1) x2

Row 32: (K1, P1) x2, K41, (P1, K1) x2

Row 34: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P15, K20, (P1, K1) x2

Row 36: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P15, K20, (P1, K1) x2

Row 38: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P7, K11, P21, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 40: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K11, P2, K1, P18, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 42: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K11, P2, K1, P18, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 44: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K6, P7, K1, P2, K2, P3, K2, P9, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 46: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K6, P7, K1, P2, K2, P3, K2, P9, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 48: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K11, P2, K1, P18, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 50: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K11, P2, K1, P18, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 52: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P7, K11, P21, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 54: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P15, K20, (P1, K1) x2

Row 56: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P15, K20, (P1, K1) x2

Row 58: (K1, P1) x2, K41, (P1, K1) x2

Row 60: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P5, K2, P3, K2, P5, K1, P2, K1, P5, K1, P5, K2, P5, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 62: (K1, P1) x2, K4, P2, K2, P3, K5, P2, K1, P2, K4, P2, K4, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 64: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P4, K1, P2, K1, P2, K2, P4, K1, P2, K4, P2, K2, P4, K2, P5, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 66: (K1, P1) x2, K4, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P2, K4, P2, K4, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 68: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P5, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P5, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P5, K2, P5, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 70: (K1, P1) x2, K41, (P1, K1) x2

Rows 72-76: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Bind off in (K1, P1) pattern.

Weave in ends and block, pushing down on stockinette stitches and leaving the purl stitches (so they "pop"). Lay flat to dry.

 

Subsequent Snow Mittens

Holiday Special
Now through 12/14/2012 receive the companion hat pattern First Frost FREE with purchase of Subsequent Snow!

 

 

Keep the chill of autumn days and wintery nights away with these super bulky, cozy warm cabled mittens! The super bulky weight makes this a quick project, perfect for gifts or yourself.

Supplies:

• 2 skeins Loops & Threads Cozy Wool or 120 yards super bulky yarn
• US10/6mm circular or double pointed needles
• Cable Needle
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Marker
• Waste Yarn

Gauge: 3 sts = 1” in stockinette stitch on US 10/6mm needles

This pattern is available to purchase as a PDF file for $3.00. This pattern is available to purchase on Ravelry, but please note that you do not need an account to purchase it. Just click on the link below and it will take you directly to Paypal.

 

 

Christmas Knitting

Today marks the beginning of the holiday season for me.  All of my focus is now zeroed in on knitted gifts if I'm ever going to make the deadlines I've set for myself.  Here's a couple things I'll be working on the coming weeks:

 

Shawl Collar Cowl by Purl Soho

This cowl was love at first sight!  I knew exactly which family member would be the recipient and I can't wait to start it.  Best of all....it's a FREE pattern!

 

 

Chic Cowl by Lauren Riker

I've actually made 2 of these already.  I just love this pattern!  The cable columns keep it interesting and the yarn is so fun!  Red Heart Boutique Changes is what the pattern calls for -- I've used the grey and the blue already.  The last time I was at Michael's I discovered Red Heart Boutique Magical.  Basically the same thing, just with color changes as well as texture changes.  This is another free pattern.

 

 

Yellow Brick Road by Mona Schmidt

This cowl is as versatile as it is functional.  I may have to make one for myself after all is said and done!  =)

 

 

Mediumweight Pullover by Hannah Fettig

This one might get a little tricky.  The intended recipient has no idea that I'm making her a sweater, even though she has requested one for just shy of a year now.  I'm relying on stealth elves to get me the measurements I need...cross your fingers for me!

 

Green Apple by Monika Sirna
Last but certainly not least is this cute little dress for my Loreli.  She's such a girly girl and is devasted that dress season is over.  I thought this would cheer her up plus it was just too cute to resist.

My list is lofty and ambitious but I'm fairly confident that I'll get it done.

What's on your holiday knitting to-do list?