knitting

Wow, have the days since Thanksgiving just flown by!  Jr should be here any time and until then I’ve been craftin-it-up with some easy projects that can be completed in just a few hours for obvious reasons.

First up are these adorable crocheted loafers.  The pattern is by Hook Candy.  They work up really fast and make a great holiday gift for any new mom or mom-to-be.  The yarn I used is Red Heart’s new Eco-ways and the little buttons are genunie leather for an added dapper look!

For my niece, I whipped up this cute little reversible apron to go with some Easy Bake Oven accessories I purchased for her this Christmas. The fabric is part of the Wild Thyme fabric line by Carolyn Gavin.  Since my niece is only 8 I’m pretty sure she’s not reading this (I hope) so I thought I would share a pic before it gets wrapped.  The classic apron pattern is free and can be found here.  I made the child’s size but there’s also measurements for an adult size.  It was another quick and easy project.  The “B” monogram was made with felt and hand-stitched to the front before sewing.

My current and probably final craft project for a while is this knitted basketweave blanket.  Also a free pattern found on Lionbrand.com its being made with Vanna’s Choice in Silver Blue and Linen.  I chose to alternate the colors to make it a little more interesting. It’s only 18 by 24 and will make for a nice small car seat blanket.  Which given the impending winter will come in handy.

What are some of your favorite quick and easy craft projects this holiday season?

Well, I’m running out of time to make clothing for Jr. but I was able to finish this little sweater today.  It was a pretty quick and easy project that over 1300 others have made over on Ravelry.com. It’s a free pattern and I will definitely be making more in the future.

The yarn is something I’ve had in my stash for a while.  Mom brought it back from England on one of her six trips this year.  Holy cow can you say frequent flier miles!  Anyway, I like how this turned out and can’t wait to put it on the little guy with a pair of cords.  How cute would that look?

So, as I mentioned the blog posts have slowed down but at home its been a mad dash to get projects completed.  The house is a disaster zone but we’re making great progress.

Even with all the housework I was able to work on a small knitting project for myself.  I found this Easy Lace Scarf pattern via Ravelry.com.  It’s a very easy to follow pattern but I realized I didn’t have enough yarn to make the scarf long enough so I improvised!

A lot of knitted hand warmers are worked in rounds.  This prevents the piece from having a seam. But if you don’t have supplies like double pointed needles or aren’t into knitting rounds just yet this is a great beginners option.

Lace scarf turned hand warmers. Here’s how:

Needle size: US 8
Yarn: Worsted weight

Lace pattern from Knittersreview.com
Cast on 22 stitches and knit 2 rows.

Now you’re ready to begin the lace pattern, which is as follows.
Row 1: (RS): K all sts.
Row 2: K2, p18, k2. (Those 2 border stitches on either end will always be knit in garter stitch—their role is to keep your fabric from curling.)
Row 3: K2, (K2Tog) 3 times, (YO,K1) 6 times, (K2Tog) 3 times, k2.
Row 4: K all sts.

Repeat rows 1- 4  10 times or till the piece measures 6 inches, then knit 3 more rows before binding off.  Create another piece the same size.

Once complete place them on top of each other with right sides together and hand stitch up one side. Doesn’t matter which side as they are identical.

The next step is to figure out where to place the thumb hole.  For that, place the piece over your hand and use stitch markers to figured out where to leave the opening.

Once again place the two piece on top of each other right sides together and hand stitched to the stitch markers and that was it. Turn right side out and your done.  Pretty easy and the seam isn’t even noticeable!

The yarn I used was a silk/cashmere blend so it had a lot of stretch to it which made them a little on the big side.  Nothing a warm wash can’t fix.

However, if I made them again I would keep the pattern the same but perhap use an acrylic yarn and smaller needles (US 7) so they don’t stretch as much.

For those of you that follow Tara Frey’s blog, author of Blogging For Bliss you may have already seen this but if not she posted a fun knitted accessory she’s calling the Knitlace©.  What a great idea!  If you’re not an avid knitter but love the look she has several available on her etsy site

Rules of Engagement psp

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Image via Tara Frey blog голова болит секс голова болит секс

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UPDATE: Craft book swap has been moved to Ravelry.com and The Chitterychattery Swappery Swappers group.

I have a few craft books and kits that are collecting dust that could get more use if in the hands of fellow crafters.  I know that we’re all trying to cut back these days so I thought it would be fun to organize a craft book swap.  So, who’s up for trading?

Depending on the response I get I will follow-up with some swap guidelines but here are a few of the selections I have to offer:

Pictured here: The Felted Knit Kit (never used); Lotta Prints; Get Your Crochet On!; One Skein Wonders & Simple Gifts to Stitch

NOTE: If you would like to sign-up for the swap please comment by Friday, August 21st and let me know which craft you’re interested in (sewing, knitting, crochet, etc) and what you have to swap.

Seems like I’ve been crafting up a storm lately!  I just can’t stop.  It all started with a simple knitted sweater, which turned into a matching hat.  Since we just found out we’re having a boy I felt the need to whip up these cloth shoes. I love the fabric.  The green in the sweater is really a grass green but the brightness of the shoes stole this shot.  Anyway, all three patterns are free and available to download: Sweater, Hat, and shoes.

Yarn from Knitpicks.com and Japanese cotton frog fabric found on Etsy.com.

It’s seriously out of control.  I’ve started working on a throw that will take some time to knit.  Hopefully, that will slow me down a little but at least it keeps me occupied.

I’m looking forward to working on this super cute scarf project with “the girls.” Yay for Craft night!  Something that’s not baby-related for a change!

Image & Tutorial from Pretty Ditty.

Like many other crafters out there I’m often inspired by Anthropologie and I think it’s visa versa.  So many of their accessories and housewares seem to be inspired by all things handmade.  And, although I’ve only been knitting for a short time seeing this item makes me want to give the Fair Isle technique

a try.  Plus, it’s one of the coolest looking clocks I’ve seen recently.

What’s your favorite Anthro Inspiration?

The Hills Have Eyes II trailer
Fair Isle Sweater Clock, Wolf

Wow…where has the time gone.  It’s been a while but we’ve finally been able to share big news with friends and family that a baby Buscher is on the way. YAY! 24 more weeks to go.

Once I learning the news of Baby B my first reaction after realizing I need to stop binge drinking and chain smoking (only kidding) was what can I make for this little girl or guy to be.  We wouldn’t know the sex of the baby for a few weeks so I started with a sweater since I’d made one before for a friend’s baby shower.

It’s funny how you don’t realize something until it’s right in front of you and that happened for me the other night.  I’ve been working on this little number.  I like the yarn and the tight weave of the pattern makes for a nice, chunky effect.  I thought the color combination is pretty neutral and could work for a boy or a girl.

Magi Knit yarn by James C. Brett

Once we started moving a few things around in the kitchen to accomodate some new appliances (let the nesting begin) I noticed something about our kitchen rug that I hadn’t noticed before…

OMG…the colors of the rug and the yarn are almost identical!  It’s one thing to have a matching scarf and gloves but how often does someone say their kid matched the kitchen rug.  Hum…I may have to rethink this one or get a new rug.

Anyway, since the word is out, it’s so great to finally be able to talk about it. So, for any of you that follow mommy blogs or mommy-to-be blogs if there are a few that I should add to my Google Reader, I’m love to hear about them.

Yesterday I attended a baby shower for my good friend Elizabeth.  Rob did an excellent job hosting the shin-dig and the food was delicious! It was great to see some old faces and catch-up.  After we stuffed our faces it was onto the shower game.  At first, I was unsure what that meant as I know of goofy games like this.  Gross!  Luckily, it was fun trivia of guess the T.V. mom’s and celebrity babies.  Although my team didn’t win I learned that I clearly need to read US Weekly more often.

The happy Mom-to-be

For my shower gift I decided to go with something handmade.  My first ever knitted sweater.  It started out well until I realized I was working on the wrong size circular needles, opps!  So, I ripped it all out and started over.  Surprisingly this all works up as one piece so no sewing needed.  To create the arms it required working in rounds and that’s when I headed to my LYS (local yarn store) for advice.  With Debbie’s help I had it all figured out.  It’s a lot easier that it looks.  All in all, it turned out really well and most importantly the mom-to-be was delighted!

Easy Baby Cardigan made with Magi-knit yarn

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service download
If you would like more information about this free knitting pattern visit knittingpureandsimple.com.Requiem for a Dream hd

So, my focus lately has been on the above knitting project.  Once it’s done, I can’t wait to share completed pics but for now I’m happy to have figured out how to use double pointed knitting needles.  With the help of Debbie at Knitorious Dark Streets psp

Analyze That release

Saving Emily movie here in St. Louis she was able to show me how to knit in rounds and its really not as complicated as it looks.  It’s just awkward at first but there’s also a great Knitting on Double Pointed needles video on YouTube if you want to give it a try.

After this project I may have to give sock knitting a go.  If anyone knows of a good sock pattern for beginners I’d love to hear from you.