Friday, July 29, 2011

Special Olympics Scarf #4

I so like the Lemonade Stitch!  It's so fast! :)

I've finished Scarf #4 and started on #5 ...

Scarf #4 is a Lemonade Stitch with a simple chained double border.


Scarf Number 5 is knit ... and I'm still on skeins 3 & 4 .. so I choose a bit of a lacey pattern, although I don't know how much that's going save on yarn .. .
I'm doing a k2tog, yo across .. with k2 borders for the red .. and the blue is just knit across ... alternating every other row again so I don't have to weave in so many ends.  I think I may try to make up a pattern for 2012 in colorwork of some sort .. I may have to play with that now that I have a few simpler scarfs finished .. maybe something more of a challenge .. I like the easy fast patterns, but sometimes it's nice to challenge yourself as well ...

Stashbusting Party - Pattern

I thought I might share with you all a quilting pattern that I wrote in 2009.  I have shared it in the past, and it's on another website, but that website is going to be discontinued, and I wanted to continue to have this pattern available so here we are! :) .. Is that enough of a run-on sentence for ya? lol.

This pattern is called "Stashbusting Party" and it's a great pattern to use up your stash.  You can choose orphan blocks, or scraps, and make a very nice quilt.

You could add redwork, embroidery, fancy quilting, or use orphan blocks for the plain blocks.  The possibilities are really endless!


Hope you enjoy this pattern.  If you'd like to share a picture of anything you make with one of my patterns, please email them to me at tmskquilt @ gmail dot com.

All my patterns are copyrighted.  Please feel free to share this url with anyone wishing to use the pattern, and you may make as many items with this pattern as you wish for yourself and as gifts to others.  Please do NOT distribute the pattern but rather tell people about my blog so that they can come find the pattern for themselves.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Lavendar Lemonade

Lavendar Lemonade .. actually sounds kind of delicious! :) lol .. unfortunately .. I'm not talking about a drink!

I started this shawl/baby afghan last year (I think.  It was several months ago anyway!) and well I ran out before I could make it a rectangle!  Since it was Red Heart and they have "no dye lot" yarn, I figured I would buy another lavendar skein and finish it up.  Well, the no dye lot is a great theory .. but I wish it worked better!

As you can see, the skeins were NOT the same color ... the one is definitely a different shade then the others ... I completed the edging in the new skein as well.

What do you think? ... should I tear it apart? make it smaller but keep it all the same color?  Should I leave it as is?  I think I'll give it to a baby/child's charity .. as I have no need for one this size anyway ...

When life gives you two colors in a "no dye lot" yarn .. make lavendar lemonade! :)

rofl

Special Olympics Scarf # 3

Hey .. I finally finished Scarf # 3!!!   It's a garter stitch scarf much like the basic dishcloth pattern. I like how both sides are equally attractive.  I alternated the colors every 2 rows with both yarns carrying on one edge.  Since the carry is so small, it blends right into the pattern.

 The pattern for this one is: (Size 11 needles - Red Heart yarn)
CO 4
k2, yo, k to the end, turn   (repeat this row until you have 19 stitches or the width that you want)
(measure the triangle at the end - this is you "X" inches)
k2, yo, k2tog, k to the end, turn  (repeat this row until you are need only "X" inches more)
k2, yo, k2tog, k until 5 from the end, k2tog, k3, turn  (repeat this row until you have 9 stitches on your needles)
k2, yo, k2tog, k2tog, k3, turn (8 st on needle)
k2, yo, k2tog, k2tog, k2, turn (7 st on needle)
k2, k3tog, k2, turn (5 st on needle)
k2, k2tog, k2, turn
bind off and weave in loose ends.

when I k3tog for this, I will slip 1, k2tog, then pass the slipped stitch over.  This makes a more centered k3tog instead of a slanting one.

Following is a picture of the start of scarf #4.  I will edge this in Red but the body will be in blue.  We'll see how far the blue goes .. ....

This one is in a "lemonade stitch" which is a crochet stitch that I've used in several items before.  I know I'll have enough yarn in my 3rd & 4th skeins for this scarf even if I have to be creative with tassels or something.

Will I have enough for yet another scarf?  Maybe a knit one that's more lacey?   We will see! :)  Any pattern suggestions for my next scarf?

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Special Olympic Scarf #2

I finished my 2nd Special Olympic Scarf.

 This 2nd scarf was a simple stockinette in blue - 19 stitches across on size 11 needles .. and then I added a red single crochet border to help it not curl so much, and of course tassles at the ends. :)  This went really fast because I didn't turn at all during knitting, I would knit right to left like normal, and then instead of turning and purling, I just knit left to right ! :)  I love how the knit-backwards technique I learned at Charity's in Altoona IA came in so handy for this one .. made the project must faster!

This is the 3rd scarf started ... I had to break out the 2nd skein of blue for this one. But still working on the first skein of red.  I'm using a variation of Grandma's favorite Dishcloth pattern  .. I co 4 stiches and then each row is "k2, yo, k across" at the beginning, until 19 stitches across, and then it's "k2 yo k2tog, k across".  Alternating blue and red every other row .. so all of my carries are on one edge and I will only have a couple of ends to weave in, and not tons !  I just have to remember to pick up the other color every other turn!  It's a little slower going then my 2nd scarf.

Here's a birdie I saw this morning in my front yard :)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Special Olympic Scarf #1

Hey ! I finished a scarf last night .. it's crochet based off of the Winter Royal Set pattern.  I cast on 171 stitches with a K hook, and that was something like 70 inches, which is too long.  So to solve the problem and not have to start over from the beginning, I folded each end over to make a pocket.  Now it measures 60 inches like it's supposed to.

 I have also started a second scarf .. of my own pattern, although it will be a very simple pattern.  I'm using the navy and I cast on 19 stiches onto size 11 needles.  I'm just doing a stockinette stitch, slipping the first stitch in each row.  At the very least it will have red tassels on the ends .. but I may put more red in the stitches as well .... we'll just have to see! :)
I'm sure the knit scarf will take longer then the crochet scarf, but knitting doesn't take up as much yarn for the same size item either .. so we'll just have to see .. I may just alternate .. do a quick crochet scarf, then a knit scarf ... It's possible I'll try to put "2012" on the scarf somewhere .. duplicate stitch would work .. or could work it into the stitches themselves .. we'll see.

I'm not good at making the same thing over and over again, so I'll also be doing different patterns for each one.  Got any suggestions?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Special Olympics Scarf Project

I've been inspired to participate in the Special Olympics Scarf Project.  I've purchased my yarn and have a pattern to start with, and I'm trying to connect with other knitters & crocheters in the area ... I'll try to keep you updated with how many scarvess I make! :)


Also .. Here's an update on the baby birds in the tree in the front of our house... they are growing fast!


And, my father-in-law and his wife sent us this beautiful orchid as a house warming gift ... I love it! :) 

Little Ladybug's Creations: JULY Freebie: Crosses of Ryan and Tarah Block 3

Little Ladybug's Creations: JULY Freebie: Crosses of Ryan and Tarah Block 3

I just love this cross series... I would love to be able to stitch these ... but I'm saving them so that someday I will stitch atleast one of them!