Autumn/Winter Warmers

     Greetings.  Autumn/Winter Warmers is the theme of this posting.  Even though winter hasn't officially arrived, it's felt like winter with freezing temperatures and snow all around us.  I'm not complaining - I know what the mid-west and east are going through right now with blizzard conditions, and I can look out and see blue skies. The knitting I've done lately has been for my niece who lives in wet and cold climate - Vancouver, Washington.  She wanted something to wear to keep her ears warm, other than a hat when going out. So the search was on for ear warmer patterns and this is what I came up with.  She is pleased with these and has been wearing them.  Happily, they're doing the job. 

     This first ear-warmer was made with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, size 9 needles, which created a thick fabric. Of course I tried it on, and it was soft and warm.  It buttons in the back for a snug fit.  

                                     The pattern, Begonia Head Band can be found here:

                               http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/begonia-headband

This next version was made with a bulky roving yarn.  Super soft.  Size 10 needles.  I lost track of where I found this pattern and have since been keeping a journal so that doesn't happen again.  I've include a link to ear-warmer patterns with flowers, but there are many ear warmer patterns on line.  Look for them on Ravelry and Pinterest.

http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2010/07/knit-ear-warmers-wflower.html

    This, love the color, ear warmer is knit in the round without any tapering at the back.  I used worsted weight acrylic yarn and size 8 circular needles.  I'm not sure how I accomplished the flowers, since my crochet skills are not the greatest - persistence, I guess. Lots of flower patterns on line, also.

Here's the link to Simple Headband Ear-warmer.

http://devinlikestoknit.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/a-simple-headbandear-warmer-knit-pattern/

       The Red Scarf Project is part of Foster Care for Success - America's College Fund for Foster Youth.  Red scarves are accepted from Sept. 1 through Dec. 15.  The scarves are given to foster college students during February, you guessed it, Valentine's Day, as part of care packages.  If you are interested in donating  here is the address for more information.

Scarf for Red Scarf Project.http://www.fc2success.org/how-you-can-help/red-scarf-project/  

    I made the scarf with Lion Brand Homespun and size 15 needles.  It went together quickly since it's a mix of knitted and dropped stitches.  Very please with how it looked and felt...soft and airy, but warm.  I was worried I couldn't meet the deadline, but this pattern did the trick.  It's in the mail on it's was to someone who I hope loves it.  Here's where it find the pattern:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chunky-drop-stitch-scarf

     I made these next two hats because I wanted to try knitting in the round with bulky yarn.  I liked the results and have plans for more knitting with this type of yarn.  These hats were intended to be part of my Christmas Bazaar stash, but I ended up giving the one without the pom pom to my sister in Redding.  She loved it.

       This hat, called "The Super Bulky Ribbed Hat for Kids" was made with Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in the color Fleece.  The yarn is 50% wool and 50% acrylic.  I used size 15 circular needles.  I know this because I have the info in my journal.  Smart me, I should have started a journal a long time ago.  Here's where to find this easy and quick pattern:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-super-bulky-ribbed-hat-for-kids

     This hat, also knitted in the round, is called "Vanilla by Jen Geigley."  I made it with the roving I used on the ear-warmer.  It's so simple but makes a warm slouchy hat.  I love the simplicity of this type of knitting that shows off the texture and pattern of the simple garter stitches and the 2 x 2 ribbing. Here's where to find this pattern: 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vanilla-9

     I couldn't post a blog without showing something from Mother Nature which always amazes me.  Our backyard  tree adorned itself with red-orange persimmons just in time for the holidays.  

Until next time - keep knitting and crocheting or doing something creative, it soothes the soul. Have a peaceful and warm holiday season. 

LATE SUMMER

Greetings, everyone.  I should title this post LATE SUMMER & EARLY FALL.  The sky today is gray and rain is predicted tonight and tomorrow.  We're getting the edge of a much larger storm raining on the Pacific Northwest.  Our family in Oregon and Washington are getting it's full force.  Our garden has no problem with a few rain showers, and after tomorrow the sunny days will return for awhile.  My kind of weather.  The flower pictures were taken earlier this summer by Master Gardener D and me when the weather was good and hot, also my kind of weather.  So I'm sharing the gorgeous roses we had, and still do, just not as many. These close-up pics remind me of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. 

Other varieties of flowers from the garden. Some still blooming in the fall weather.

On to the knitting.  I'm working on items to be sold at the Eagles Christmas Bazaar held in November, so I still have some time to get a few more things done.  Love these mitered coasters and wash cloths.  Easy to knit and I learned something new. The web sites with instructions are below each photo. 

http://www.to-knit-knitting-stitches.com/mitered-coaster.html

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mitred-square-dishcloth

I couldn't resist the Christmas hat made from bulky yarn - I have a stash.  Easy pattern.  Will probably make a few more.  This was made from Red Heart's Lite and Lofty yarn.  Big needles and fast knitting. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ho-ho-hat-3

Have made these sachet or small gift bags before.  I've saved the two page pattern from the Creative Knitting magazine - hope they don't mind if I pass the pattern on to you. These are knitted flat then seamed - no struggling with double pointed needles to knit in the round which I try to avoid.  Haven't mastered them yet. 

Creative Knitting March 2005 

Basic Sachet Top

Beg at top edge, cast on 30 sts.

Row 1 - 4: Knit

Row 5 (eyelets): K1, *yo, k2tog; rep from *to last st, k1.

Row 6: Knit

Garter Stitch Sachet

With desired color, work Rows 1-6 for top, then work even in garter st for 34 rows. (17 garter ridges)

Bind off, or work 3-needle bind off. 

Finishing

Using tapestry needle, sew side and bottom seams.

Crochet cord about 12 inches and thread through eyelets. 

More Lite and Lofty yarn to make my favorite hat - The Meathead Hat.  This pattern is in the knitting book, knitalong - Celebrating the Traditions of Knitting Together. A lot of good information and patterns ... especially, examples of inventive Meathead Hats by a variety of knitters.

Also for the bazaar is a basket of small teddy bears.  Have all ready given the striped one away to a friend's grand-daughter.  These a fun to make, again knit flat and seamed then stuffed.  I've made them before with embroidered faces, but I seem to like them plain this time- they're so colorful and cute.  Depending on the size of yarn and needles, these bears can be made small or large, smooth or fuzzy.  I've included the web sites for the patterns which are basically the same. 

http://cuddles-uk.org/patterns/teddy.html

http://www.squidoo.com/EasyKnitting-Patterns

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-bear-pattern

Couldn't resist this pic of Master Gardener D and my dog, Orson getting his flea-good-riddance bath with Dawn detergent.   He's not enjoying it - tolerating it.  He's an obedient doggie and much more relaxed when he's not scratching all the time. Woof!

I hope this blog finds everyone well and enjoying the beginning of fall.  I have more projects completed and more photos on my camera - will post them soon.  I have a four day stint as the substitute English teacher at Elk Creek High School this week which will be enjoyable.  Catch up time with students and staff.  As always, keep knitting and crocheting - enjoying colors and texture. 

SPRING FLOWERS

     Greetings.  It's been a long seven months since my last post.  I think commuting two hours a day and school work got to me, and I didn't have much left over for writing.  The last eight weeks I've spend mostly sitting with my left foot elevated after bunion surgery.  But I'm mending nicely and no longer have to wear the post-op boot.  I'm in my slippers and Birkenstocks for awhile as the swelling goes down in my foot and toes. I've been knitting mostly wash cloths - something almost mindless, since the pain meds made complicated thinking difficult.  Much better now. Since Spring, I've been accumulating photos from the backyard gardens.  Some plants, especially the cactus and succulents, have a very short blast of showy flowers so we took photos as soon as they opened. 

     The two cactus below are about the size of your thumb and without their flowers, are very plain and look like small rocks.  However, they bloomed spectacular flowers. We were amazed, since this is our first time growing these plants. 

     This pastel pink and yellow bloom is from a round cactus about the size of a softball, a gift to Master Gardener D.  Not only did it produce beautiful flowers, you can see the baby cactus it is producing, too.  These can be (carefullly with gloves) pinched off and replanted. 

What a color. This little, very prickly, cactus produced  the most vibrant flowers.  

This picture is on my computer desktop, saved so I can see it daily, since the blooms are long gone in the garden.

Here's the rock garden up against the wall of the house that gets the hottest blast from the sun.  Since succulents and cacti are desert plants, they love this spot and quietly grow, reproduce, and fill in the area.

And finally, cacti and red blooms up against an old water pump at the Boschi Ranch where Master Gardener D works and pinches cactus.  The new fence in the background is one of his projects.

     Master Gardener D took the following photos - these are just a few of the flowers in the rest of the garden.  Mother Nature is outdoing herself this year.  

And the knitting goes on.  Having foot surgery gave me a good excuse to sit and knit, although being house bound got old very fast.  This is a scarf I made for my sister C who lives in LA where she can use a light weight scarf when the weather isn't "Sunny California."  The yarn is unknown, probably something I found at the thrift shop, but it is beautifully variegated orange and yellow and has the feel of a cotton blend. Unfortunately, this pattern is no longer available.  It was published on Ravelry by Sosae Caetano Handmade Designs. 

        Wash cloths for the Eagles Christmas Bazaar.  I will put some of these together in bundles tied with Christmas ribbon.  Still working on these and have learned a nice crochet edging as seen on the next photo. 

Two bulky knit hats for cold winter nights of watching high school football games or taking to the ski slopes near Tahoe or Mt. Shasta.  These will be going to the Bazaar, also.

          And lastly, a gift for myself.  Love, Love this scarf and it's so easy with yarn that self stripes: http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/283/SkinnyMiteredScarf.pdf  I used Lion Brand "Amazing" yarn which is worsted weight - wool / acrylic blend ... lots of wonderful color blends. 

I hope this post finds everyone enjoying their summer.  In this area, school will be starting in a few weeks.  I'll be substitute teaching a few days a month at my favorite school in the foothills, Elk Creek Jr/Sr High School.  Special kids and staff there that I enjoying seeing. I'll be posting more garden pics and knitting in the upcoming blogs sooner than seven months. Stay cool.  

WINTER KNITTING AND CROCHET

Hello, again.  It's taken me a while to put together this blog.  I don't have the easy access to flowers in the back yard now that everything is dormant or appears dead from freezing night temperatures.  However, I did find the tiny purple violas that always come up without any care under the shrubs or in the lawn in front of the house. They pop up just in time for my birthday in February - color and flower of that month.  So there is color other than brown.  It's coming - Spring.  Also, the shrubs have these lovely red berries, we call Toyon berries, not sure that's correct, but no matter, they're red.  

On to the fiber arts - while helping her mom convalesce after surgery, my niece, D, crocheted two baby blankets.  She was kind enough to send photos and info about the projects for me to share.  These blankets will be donated to local Vancouver, WA - area hospitals.  Some lucky mom will be able to wrap her new baby in a hand made blanket to take home.  

This first blanket was made from a pattern in "Leisure Arts #3524, Crocheting for Baby", designed by Edie Eckman,  and can also be found  on Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginner-baby-blanket

D used Lion Brand Babysoft yarn, in Twinkle Print.  The border is Bernat Softee Baby, in Lemon.  The yarn is doubled for both the blanket and border.  She used a size K (6.5) crochet hook.  

The second blanket is a Hooded Bobble Baby Blanket from Lion Brand patterns.  Pattern number: cjif-bobbleBlanket.  It calls for Jiffy Yarn, but D used a Pound of Love yarn, doubled, in Mint Green.  Crocheted with a size K hook.  D is relatively new to crochet but with the guidance of her daughter, L, she has blossomed (still thinking about Spring).  Look forward to more crochet from her on future blogs.

And on to the knitting.  Even though I haven't been blogging for a while, I have been knitting, but not thinking about blogging.   I've made several items, two short scarves and a hat, and mailed them out before taking pictures.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get pics when I see my sisters in the near future. However, I can give you the link to the scarf pattern and a photo. 

 

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/knitting/wearables/knitted-scarf-with-slit/

I have made several of these in Lion Brand Homespun, and they are the coziest to wrap on your neck.  

The hat, I also knit in Homespun - pattern can be found here: 

http://www.michaels.com/Big-Twist-Hat/30242,default,pd.html 

or at Michael's at the Loops & Threads display. 

I'm still knitting to fill the bin for the Eagles Christmas Bazaar in November, digging into my stash of often mystery yarns.  

This scarf is knit in one of my favorite patterns, an easy  Feather and Fan where I used two yarns held together and large needles.  The yarns were different shades of brown in a synthetic mohair looking yarn.  I've used this pattern many times.  It's easy to memorize and the scarves are always lacy and impressive.  

http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns2/accessories/MochiPlus-FeatherFanScarf.html

Here is another version of the Big Twist Hat.  Love the color.  Again, a mystery yarn, very bulky and soft, so that the cable just about disappears.  Very fast and easy pattern.  

And last - I've knitted blankets and a cozy bed for the cats.  But for minipurl, a plastic bag is her second favorite place (my lap, being the first) to take a snooze.  I hope this blog finds everyone well and participating in your favorite creative activities.  Until next time, keep on knitting and crocheting.