I hear there is cold weather.......somewhere.

Here on the Gulf Coast we have had our first, that anyone can recall, October hurricane. Which brought with it wet, humid, muggy, hot air.
But I do hear that somewhere in this country the weather is getting cold. Kudos to you!
Somewhere it is scarf wearing weather!
I love scarves! Naturally I went perusing the internet to see what I might want to make for cold weather, no matter how brief, this year.
Here are some really cute ones!
 The Prismatic Scarf
 
This pattern can be found on Ravelry, do we really need to have this conversation again? It's free! Join!

Upstairs Pattern

If you are more into lacy and stylish than warmth this is perfect.
I think this would also be a great gift for someone on your gift knitting list.
Just sayin'

Cerus Scarf

I made this scarf a few years ago for my Uncle for Christmas.
It was an easy pattern to follow and makes a great gift for any man on you list.

Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks Scarf
Or star stitch scarf

While this would be pretty in any yarn, I think it is perfect for the more colorful yarns.

Side to Side Self Fringing Scarf 
 
If you like fringe, this is the easiest pattern ever.


Q

Another really nice one for a guy.


Mira Cowl

One of my faves. I made quite a few of the cowl patterns as gifts a few years ago, even made one for PB to wear when he is hunting.
Knit in Lorna Laces camo yarn it kept his neck toasty warm. 

And he's just cute, I had to put his picture up! ;0)

So there are plenty of options for keeping the howling wind from going down the back of your neck, fancy, lacy. And any of these would be welcome gifts for the upcoming season.

LOTD: Knitting and Sewing:projects to keep you warm

 As a self proclaimed expert on loss of body heat, I can tell you, covering your head and the center of your chest will keep you as toasty warm as you can be, no matter how cold you are. 

Trust me, this is from years of trying to get warm while everyone else is pulling up their sleeves and fanning themselves with whatever they can find.

 I am literally that cold natured.

This pattern covers both areas, the head and the chest, nicely.

The hooded cowl would be a great idea for someone like me, in fact, this will be mine before the beginning of winter. 

Hooded Cowl

 

Not that I could look as sweet in it as she does but hey, function before form. I don't care if I look like Hagar or the Pilsbury dough boy as long as I am not freezing my biscuits off.

This sewing project is perfect for someone like me who, even with a pair of gloves on, can get tingling fingertips within five minutes of being outside in the cold. 

I never even thought about using pocket warmers until my daughter started working at the local shipyard and she swore by them. But they can get a big pricey, especially if you can make some for yourself out of an scrap fabric you have laying around and some rice.

Pocket warmers!

 

And these heat packs, they will be perfect for warming my always, even in the dead of summer, freezing toes. And anything with a name like this is a must have in my book!

Heat Packs

 

Top it all of with this cozy looking sweater and I think I might stay a little warmer this winter.

Maybe

Twilight New Moon Bella Hooded Cardigan 

 

Knitting Fever

Baby fever abounds. 

I found some of the cutest little knits wandering around the internet today. And since I am still in gift knitting mode, some of these are perfect for my plans. 

Like these adorable little 

Ugg booties

 

Doesn't that just make you want to knit?! 

Even with the quilting craze going on over at my house, I still don't like to sew my knitting. I prefer patterns like these cute little
No Sew Knitted Baby Booties

But if you do have to incorporate some sewing into your knitting, what better pattern than this cute little Baby Hat





Or for a little girl
Knit Bow Baby Hats

Have a look around her site while  you are there. She has some really cute stuff!
All of these websites have some really great patterns. Just picked you out a few to get you started.
Plus they are all adorable, how could I not?


 

It's time to start gift knitting! All free lineup!

What better way to start the gift knitting fun than with the little things.

This cute little headband would be perfect for any girl on your list, from young to old.

  Hot Mess Headband

Anything that has houndstooth in the name is a winner in my book. 

This would actually be cute in some crimson and white. 

Just sayin'

Halloween Houndstooth Cowl

 

Go for big and chunky and fast last minute gifts like this 

Openwork Infinity Scarf 

My crafty gift giving has been surrounded lately by babies.

Once again I went Down Cloverlaine for my tried and true go to knitting pattern for gift giving.

Tweetypie Bib 

Notice the date on that post? That's how long I have used her patterns for special babies in my life.

Countless babies on the Gulf Coast have spit and burped up on my creations! 

And her beautiful patterns! 

 

Clicking on the picture will take you to my Ravelry page to see all my current WIPs 

I should have this one finished by tomorrow.

 Which gives me roughly three months to make a blanket, a hat, some booties a quilt and a rag quilt.

Yest I have gotten into sewing. 

It all started innocently enough. 

Brat #1 made cloth napkins, then she showed me cloth napkins, then she made me a set of cloth napkins, then I thought "what good does one set of cloth napkins do me if I want to truly go green. I need a set of 5 napkins for at least five days." and wala! a monster was born.

She does great work, but she has so many requests she rarely has time to make any for her Mom. (sigh)
Hence, the birth of a monster. Now I am looking at quilting patterns, baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths, you name it, I have looked it up.

So don't be surprised if you start to see some sewing going on in and around the knitting. 

THERE'S ALWAYS KNITTING. 

As in this monster:

 

This is my learning curve blanket. I am determined to pick instead of throw on this blanket from beginning to end. It is getting easier, tho still not good enough yet to be able to watch the Pats play football while knitting last night. 

Don't ask, sad, sad game.  

So, yeah, I know it's been two years, I will spare you the typical "Oh my! I didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted!" 

We all know the lie detector determined.................

that was a lie

 

 

Pattern: Linen Stitch Cloths

The linen stitch cloths are all finally handed out! 
Six baskets with four cloths a piece. 
Great t.v. watching knitting 
The pattern was easy and fast. 
Just a basic linen stitch, but I will post it here just in case you would like to make some of your own.
These cloths come out very dense and in my opinion are perfect for dishwashing, and probably kid scrubbing too. 

Linen Stitch Cloths
Size 8 needles (I use circulars for everything.)
4 ply 100% cotton of your choice
CO 38 sts
R1: (ws) P1, sl1 wyib (with yarn in back) across row
R2: (rs)  K1 sl1 wyif (with yarn in front) across row
Repeat these two rows 30 times
The easiest way I have found to keep up with row count is the on the wrong side row you count out 30 bumps and there you have it!
I cast off on the following right side row with a very tight CO, I didn't cast off in pattern, but if that is what you would like to do it will look fine. I just found it easier, and looked just as good doing a straight cast off.
I have already had a lot of requests for more of these from people who did not receive them as gifts this year, so beware if you will be handing these out.
Everyone wants some!
I have already made 10 more since these.

Crunchtime Knitting. Bookmarks For When The End Is Nigh

                                                     Jumbo Stitch Cowls  

Boxy Cozy

Chunky Seed Stitch Rug 

Dropped Stitch Soap Sack

Gift Card-igans

Irish Coffee Cozy

Moleskine Cozy

Nae 

Quick Knit Baby Shrug  

Rolled Brim Hat

Seed Stitch Cowl

Tea Toter

Pattern Hunt: Kitchen Items

I have been blazing through my gift knitting list. I suppose mainly because most of the knitted items are not huge like blankets. No, this year it is all smaller knitted items. Cloths, scarves, cowls, most of which I can get through with a couple of nights of  intense t.v. shows. Ok, maybe the scarves and towels, four nights. But not much longer than that.
I do have to get some hats finished. I think my total count at the time is 5 (at the moment) I am so far ahead of the gift knitting game right now, I am sure that number will grow.
The hats are, for the most part, going to be basic beanies. Maybe with the exception of the one for my Mom, I think her's will be a slouchy.
But that's down to the wire knitting. I still have time for those.

So, I was knitting away on the red and white gift that I posted over at the KnittinFun Facebook Page  and it got the brain juices flowing. I love the way the pattern with that particular stitch looks. I'm sure if you look at the picture you can figure out exactly what that stitch is. And it got me thinking about hand towels. Old fashioned two stripe kitchen towels.

Well crap! I am half way through my Mom's cowl and my mind goes finding something else for me to want to do. Now it's a mad rush to finish her gift so I can get started.

I think I am going to grab some white cotton and do a couple of decent sized kitchen towels for my Mother In Law.

All I keep picturing in my head is white with two broad red stripes at the bottom. I already know the pattern I am going to use and trust me, you will like it.

So, on that note I decided to look up some more kitchen knitting patterns that I might need after I finish the MIL towel.
I am sure you have seen most of these before but here are some I like:

Bubble Up Towel

Christmas Joy Hanging Towel

Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Sign

Cloth and Towel Set

Not The Paper Towel

Simply Striped Kitchen Hanging Towel

One of  my 'go to' faves (basically all her patterns)
Columns Hanging Towel

Basket Rib Hand Towel

Every kitchen should have one
Grip Reaper Kitchen Towel

Knit Gridded Towel

If you have the patience to make 4 of the same thing (don't even ask)
Alexa's Placemats

And never forget the instructions right here on the blog for turning any dishcloth into a double ended hand towel
Frogs 
 


This should keep me busy a few days anyway.
That is after I get those nagging hand towels done that won't leave my brain alone.

More Gift Patterns: Fingerless Mitts

I never know if I am going to get through all of the gift knitting that I plan every year. I chose all these wonderful patterns, line them up with who I want to make what for and start usually about......ummmm...November.
You see where this is going right? It never gets completed in time and I usually end up with my 'winter' knitting being done in January. I mean come on, that's when it gets cold where I live! Then by the time that Christmas rolls around the next year, everything has already been scooped up by kids, grandkids, friends, other family members. So I start gift knitting again in November with all these wonderful patterns I have lined up.............you see the circle here?
Well this year I am going simple.
Simple patterns that take not so much time. Let's face it, with new babies and weddings and so forth this summer, the number of immediate family members has grown.
Seven kids
Soon to be seven grandkids
Mom
In-Laws
Alabama Mimi's two boys in Vermont (who I think need it more than most living up there in all that snow, that starts falling in, like, July, I don't know)
As you can see, it's a long list and usually most of it goes un-knitted.
So the theme this year? Simple patterns, ww yarn where applicable. Smaller projects. (sorry, no blankets or socks for anyone this year).
I mean really, you spend hours and days and months on these great complicated, intricate patterns and most people don't know the difference in effort or project time between that or a simple knit and purl rib pattern. Out of all the work I have put time into and given away, not one person has ever looked at me and went "WOW! That looks like it was a lot of work!" No. Not one time in my whole knitting career. So......

Hats, mitts, scarves. All quick knit projects.
On that note, here is my list of usable fingerless mitt patterns:

For the little guys and gals
Adorable Kids Fingerless Mitts 

Basically Adorable
Maggie's Mitts 

This one's for the guys (I so heard Martina McBride sing that line in my head)
 Man Paws

Another guy pattern
Manhandlers

Fancy without too much work involved
Margarete Fingerless Gloves

Easy Eyelets
Montgomery Fingerless Mitts

Cool thumb pattern and stripes to boot
Nein Mitts

Cute but not complicated
Optimistic Mitts

Clever idea
Clapmoitaines

With fingers
Codename Wintergreen

I am sure Ravelry is loaded with great patterns also. These are some of the oldies but goodies.

I'm going as fast as I can

My Next Project: Park Ave Cardigan

Messing around on Ravelry, I found this absolutely awesome pattern at the One Crafty Mama blog.

 

This pattern looks absolutely perfect for me. 

It's knit in one piece, it has a little bit of waist and hip shaping, and no buttons, button bands or seams!

Perfect!

As soon as I am finished with Ms. Jessie's Shawl  I am going to start this with some wool.

I love sweaters, I love them so much, I wear them in the dead of our 100 degree, 100% humidity heat.(it stays very, very cold where I work)

I am going to be pulling another magazine, or book, from my shelves this weekend so keep your eyes peeled. Another giveaway is coming soon!

On to Ms. Jessie's 100th Birthday Shawl

My boss's Mom, Ms.Jessie will be 100 years old in October!
Just...... wow!
Ms. Jessie is the sweetest lady and the Grandbrats love her to pieces.
I knew she was coming up on a hundred because it's only been a few years ago she got her license renewed and we all joked about how she was up for renewal again when she turned 100.
And now here we are.

I wanted to knit her something special, and I know how she gets cold so easy now, so I talked to my boss and found out her favorite color is hot pink. Of all colors!

Then I went on a Ravelry hunt for the perfect pattern.
It took me a while, I have been looking and thinking about this since May!
Then I found the Gentle Wave Shawl Pattern
This was it! It looked easy enough to knit and will definitely keep her warm.

Then it was on to the yarn.
My first choice? Knitpicks of course.
The pattern calls for a gauge of 24 sts to 4" on size 5 needles with a light fingering weight yarn.
Well, I don't know how or why it works out for me this way, but I always, always get the gauge called for on the yarn package. So, looking around at fingering weight yarn I found that they were all 24sts to 4" on size 1 to 3 needles. Well poop! If I go from the largest, a 3, all the way up to a 5, I am going to have a lace shawl, and that was not what I wanted.
Then I found this yarn

 Knitpicks Stroll Sport

In this color

Perfect! 75% machine washable wool and 25% nylon. No worrying about washing, it's very soft, and gauge was bang on!
Not bad, not bad at all!
And! no hot pink! I got as close as I could to a bright pink color with what they had.
I think she will like it. The whole thing, with the 2 day shipping was only $38.
So I think I did pretty good on this project so far.

Burp cloths for Mary

I told you I would post the cloths I have been working on for Mary.

I am pushing the limit now, Brat#1 will be leaving Tuesday to get the kids and these have to be finished by then so she can take them with her.

The first cloth is a snowman pattern from over at Frogiez Place

She has some of my favorite patterns, including the Tree Frog towel I made for Brat #1 for Christmas a few years ago. Pictures of that can be found Frog Towel

The second towel is the almost finished product from the pattern in my last post.

It is super simple to turn any cloth into a towel, you just follow the pattern as written until the top border, omitting that, you add about ten or fifteen rows of st st knitting, depending on how long you want your cloth to be, then follow the pattern back from end to beginning.

For example, using Frogiez pattern
CO 37
Follow pattern rows 1 thru 45
St st for ten rows
Follow pattern rows 45 back to 1

That's it, easy, easy.
Go ahead and give it a try with some of your favorite cloth patterns.
These make great gifts.
And if you have spares, I never have enough time to finish all the ones my girls want, I'll send you my address ;0)