Oh My

     Oh my! For the first time this year, Billy and I had our first cup of morning  coffee on the back porch! It's a beautiful morning and it looks like we're in for a great day.  Will be taking a few pictures while I walk this morning, as the Azaleas are in full bloom.  It looks like, amid this coronavirus, that

God has painted with some beautiful colors, the neighborhoods around us to let us know to let us know that He's still with us.  Thank you Father.

I got an email from Betty, asking about a pillow I had posted here.  She was unable to find it when she went back to see it again.  I need to make labels for my posts I think.  It would help me as well! So, for Betty, here's a picture of it.  Thank you for stopping in Betty! The first one I did, was in pinks.

Seems my birthday continues to bring me unexpected pretties.  I dropped flowers off yesterday to cheer three ladies up during this time.  My plan was to knock on doors and leave the flowers outside the door.  Well, one saw me and came out and handed me a birthday bag of goodies.  Well looky here! Look at that sweet furbaby!

And then this one below.  A great message.  The greens in this one are gorgeous!

Then, there's this.  A beautiful devotional.  For every prayer need, there there is a devotional and then a prayer.  Thank you my friend.  

Lydia and Jeanne.  I miss both of you so much.  I'm looking forward to being able to laugh and chat and have lunches together again! 

How many of my dear friends and followers are bored yet I wonder! Billy and I have both been retired for years, so home always has something for us to do and enjoy.  We have our little and big as well, projects to fill our time.  Billy has been working outside on rescreening our porch.  I've been inside and have been able to get to my stitching some.  Here is where I am on "Color Outside the Lines."  For the first time ever, I did the Algerian eye stitch, and loved doing it.  Have three more to do yet, and they look so pretty.

I am loving this piece! Beautiful bright colors and they just pop on the fabric!

Well I must let y'all go for now.  I see the Dogwood trees are blooming now also, and I am ready to take that walk.  Y'all be safe and take care.  Stay well, and during this time of year, "feel those colors!"

Quick Gifts 4

     I've had a number of requests for the pattern of the shawl that I mentioned and pictured on my last post.  So, since I've started it, and have found how easy the pattern is, I've decided to post the pattern here.  It's a free pattern so no laws are being broken.
     Before I do post it, I want ya'll to know that I ordered the yarn from where the article mentioned and it's a perfect match to what the picture shows.

Stockinette Stitch Shawlette

12 April, 2015Patterns

Hello knitters!

It has been a while since I last posted a pattern here due to my mishap back in January. But I am happy to say that I am recovering nicely. Currently, I am no longer in a boot and started driving again this past week. I’ve been going to physical therapy for two weeks now and have about another month to go.

It’s been an interesting journey and I underestimated how difficult the recovery phase would be. With that said, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Being able to drive again is huge step forward even though the pain still persists. I imagine the ankle stiffness and pain will be with me for months to come but having my mobility back is pretty awesome.

About a month ago, I started on a shawlette using the Schachenmayr yarn I bought over a year ago. I finished the project last night and blocked it. Here is the finished project:

If you’ve never knitted a triangle shawl before, this will be the easiest one you’ll ever knit! Aside from the eyelets around the bottom edge, the rest of the shawl is knitted in stockinette. For extra flair, I added tassels to the ends. I’d like to point out that the edges do curl. This was done on purpose because I like the way it looks. If you don’t like the curl, I suggest you add a border around the edges. This pattern is worked from the bottom up.

The material is cotton and knitted with needles a few sizes larger than the recommended because this shawl is designed to be worn in warmer climates.

Measures approx. 63″ x 16″ (160cm x 41cm) after blocking.

Here is the pattern:

Materials

1 skein of Schachenmayr Tahiti yarn in Sunset

• 306 yds / 280 m per skein
• 1.75 oz/50 g per skein
• 99% Cotton/1% Polyester

US 7 (4.5mm) 24″ cable needles

Pattern

CO 5 sts.

Row 1 (RS): k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1. (9 sts)
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: k1, yo, k1, yo, knit to the last 2 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1.
Row 4: purl.

Repeat Rows 3-4 until the desired length. For the example above, knit Rows 3-4 until you have 245 stitches. Bind off loosely and weave in loose ends. Blocking is highly recommended.

Tassels (Optional)

I found this website which shows how to make tassels. It has a step-by-step written tutorial as well as a picture tutorial.

Attach your two tassels to both ends of the shawl. There you have it – your very own Stockinette Stitch Shawlette!

Have fun with the pattern and all.  It's so easy and I can work on it when I'm too tired to count my cross stitched squares.  Light enough also to take with you.

Quick Gift 3

     Back to some cross stitching for this one.  I just saw this last night and thought it was so quick and easy, and what a nice idea.  The first picture is of a "happy jar".  I think it will help people to concentrate, or watch for the good and happy things in life.  You do the piece and apply it to the jar.  The picture shows that it's tied with ribbon, but you can always glue it to a plain jar and then add the trim.  When giving it as a gift, put a couple of your own happy thoughts in it to get it started.  Second picture is of the piece done up in a frame.  I'd use 16 ct Aida, and you choose the colors.

Have fun.

Quick Gifts 2

This is for a quick and fun knitted dish cloth with a crocheted border which I love.  The border prevents the cloth from stretching when wet.  Enjoy it.

Knitting Needle Size: 6 or 4 mm

Yarn Weight: (4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Materials List

I skein worsted weight medium , 100% cotton. 200 yards made 2 washcloths.

Size 6 knitting needles, or to fit your gaug

3.75 MM crochet hook

Instructions

Cast on 49 stitches Row 1: Knit all Row 2: Knit 1 *Purl the next 3 stitches together, but don’t drop them off of the needle. Bring your right hand needle from the back to the front, Yarn Over and purl the same 3 stitches together again and drop them from the left needle. Knit One.* See the video at the end of the directions for an illustration of this repeat. Row 3: Knit all Row 4: Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 1 *Purl the next 3 stitches together, but don’t drop them off of the needle. Bring your right hand needle from the back to the front, Yarn Over and purl the same 3 stitches together again and drop them from the left needle. Knit One.* This row will end with a Purl 1, Knit 1. Row 5: Knit all Repeat rows 2-5 until you reach 9 inches. Bind off, but don’t cut yarn With your crochet hook, work approximately 25 (about half the number of stitches cast on and the rows worked) evenly spaced single crochet stitches into each side of the washcloth, working 2 single crochet stitches into each corner stitch. Single Crochet 2 more rows around the washcloth, working 2 more stitches at the corner of the next row and then 3 stitches in the corner of the last row. Bind off and weave in all your loose ends.

Quick Gifts 1

Knitted Coasters.

You can knit up at least four of these in an hour.  I've given many as a gift and people love them.  They're about four inches around using a size J crochet hook.

Any worsted weight yarn

J hook (5.5 mm)

Large Eye Needle

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first DC), 11 DC in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. (12 DC)

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as first DC), DC in same stitch, 2 DC in each stitch around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (24 DC)

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts of first DC), DC in same stitch, DC in next stitch, *2 DC in next stitch, DC in next stitch* around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Easy Peasy! :) Experiment with different yarns! The possibilities are endless!

Here are the four that I just made.