Spring - at last. Signs of Spring popping up everywhere now that we've had some rain. It's been a long, dry winter, and even though it's sunny and warm today, rain is predicted for a few days this week. Ask anyone in California, and they'll say, "We need it." These violets come up every February just in time for Aquarius birthdays - purple is our color. More of Mother Nature at the end of the blog. On to the knitting.
My knitting projects have multiplied quickly since I've been making ear warmers. They don't take much yarn or time to knit, but I love the results.
I'm thinking I could use a mannequin head with a wig, so I can show these being worn. I'm going to look into finding one. Either that, or find someone to model them. Difficult - I live with two men who wouldn't cooperate.
The Snow Queen Bow Ear Warmer Pattern (Cost: $1.99) was knit with Lion Brand Homespun - a bulky yarn. It reminds me of the turbans worn in old Hollywood movies. In fact it's from a designer at "Vintage Visage" through the website Craftsy. Lots of good patterns there, mostly for sale and few free ones, too. You can find this pattern at:
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/accessory/snow-queen-bow-head-band-ear-warmer/39332
This next ear warmer is a variation of the ear warmers in my previous blog, called: Groovy Girlfriend Ear Warmer. It was knit in a bulky yarn with a knitted flower attached. I haven't yet mastered crochet flowers, but I will. This ear warmer tapers in the back and is held with another wooden button. You can find the pattern here for free:
http://www.villagestitches.com/groovy-girlfriend-earwarmer.html
The next two ear warmers are narrow versions of the larger turban style.
The Winter Headband with a Twist was knit with worsted weight acrylic yarn and seamed at the back. You can find it here for free:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-headband-with-a-twist
The Turban Outfitters Knit Headband with a Twist was knit in a bulky yarn and also seamed at the back. Both ear warmers would look cute and would keep ears warm in the cold of winter. You can find this pattern for free here:
http://sewcraftysofresh.blogspot.com/2012/10/turban-outfitters.html
The Womb Wisdom Headband/Ear Warmers can be knit with either worsted weight yarn as is the multicolored or with bulky as is the brown. The cable is easy. These were knitted flat and then seamed in the back, no tapering. This pattern is free on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/womb-wisdom-headband-ear-warmer
Still knitting for head warmth is the (Rock) Star Beanie knit in worsted acrylic yarn. If you look up the pattern, you will see the knitter has
added embroidery as part of the design. I'm planning on doing embroidery also on another hat with a solid color background. On this hat I've added some very small knitted flowers. I found this yarn at Joanns as a sale on self-striping mill ends - I like the outcome. You can find this pattern for free, also at Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rock-star-beanie
Lastly, my knitting slid down from head to neck with the Hydra Cabled Neckwarmer that is knit in a seed stitch border with a basic twisty cable in the center. This is perfect for someone that doesn't want the length of a scarf or cowl around their neck. It was knit in a bulky yarn. Nice and warm. This is another free Ravelry pattern found here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hydra-cabled-neckwarmer
As promised, a few more gifts from Mother Nature. I wonder what flower bulbs do all winter, because in the Spring they do this. More to come as the Iris start to bloom, too.
We also have a hybrid fruit tree that should have fruit this year. It is grafted peach and apricot. These are the gorgeous blossoms it produced after a long quiet winter. A little rain and warm sunshine is all it needed.
I'm adding a little quote to finish this blog from my Pinterest board titled, Things to Remember. I think it fits me, and probably many others, who know instinctively that creating things was passed to them from their mothers and the generations before her.
