I’m a Baaaaad Blogger

It’s that time again . . . Summer is over.  I’m back to looming and it’s time to play catch up on the blog.   

So, here you go.  This is what I’ve been working on since the weather turned cold. 

First up are some fun fur purses.  This is a pattern done by Denise Layman.  Such an easy/fun knit that I’ve done three of them so far.  These are going to make great Christmas gifts. 

Now, for a few other bags.  The first was done using plastic grocery bags.  No pattern, just flat knitted and seamed.  This was so much fun.  I’ve had lots of compliments on it.   Folks can’t believe that it is really a recycled project. 

The second was a u.f.o that I finally finished and felted.  It was done using Isela’s Essentials Purse pattern.  I just added the strap and the button.  This one will be a gift for my niece.  Don’tcha just love that button? 🙂 

 

   

Next up is another u.f.o that I finally finished.  Another pattern by Denise Layman.  This one is a pinwheel blanket.  I wasn’t happy with the yarn that I used for this project, so I’d like to do another one soon using a better yarn.  I’d also like to make this next one a good bit larger to use as a throw.  Such a cool pattern and a fun knit.

   

 Finally a few new knits for the boys.  Soap sacks, new hats, new slippers. 

 The soap sack pattern came from a book that I bought ages ago.  These are a great way to use up those cotton scraps. 

Nate’s hat was my own design.  Nothing complicated.  I added the loops at the top because Nate can be hard on pom-poms . . . using them to take the hat off each and every time.  He calls this his “Curly Hat”. 

The slippers were a very easy knit that I heard about on one of the looming lists (thanks Nola!!!).  They are done on a 24 peg round large gauge loom.

 

 

 

Squares, squares everywhere! :)

Seems all that I’ve been working on lately are squares.  Squares for afghans and dishcloths.  Here’s my latest dishcloth.  Finished size is 9×9.  Done on the blue kk loom using all pegs.  2 strands of cotton held as 1.  The stitch is a garter ridge rib.  A new stitch for me.  Really pretty.  One of my favorite dishcloths to date.  I will be using this stitch again!

     

Close-up of the garter ridge rib stitch

Nathan’s Birthday Cake

My husband, Dennis, will celebrate his birthday tomorrow.  Nathan is already getting ready.  He made this cake for Daddy today while I was cleaning up the office.  Thought this was something that you all could appreciate.  He carries it around and makes everyone sing and then he blows out the candles.  Too cute! 🙂

Oven Mitt

Jeannette, one of my friends on the looming lists, mentioned this project in passing yesterday.  It’s one that I’ve been meaning to try, so I sat down yesterday and knitted it up.  The 3 over 1 e-wrap was a bit tough.  Really had to watch my gauge.  But, it turned out cute and I’m anxious to try it out.  Next, I plan to do some bath mitts using the same pattern, but not so thick.  Great way to use up cotton stash!

Just Updated Pattern Page with a New Pattern

I’ve been working on this pattern for quite a while now and finally got the yarn and stitch just right. 

Take a look!  This free pattern is available for download.  Check the “Free Patterns” tab at the top of the page.  

Just Keep Knitting

I’ve finished up a few projects this week and wanted to share some photos. 

First are a few more “Boo Bunnies”.   These were done for my nephews for their birthday.  They’ve been wanting knitted washcloths, so I decided to turn them into Boo Bunnies.  Thought they would like them.  They were a hit with everyone at the party. 

Not your typical bunny colors, but they're still cute.

Last night at the lys I finished up these last 2 items.  One is a scarf done on the Reader’s Digest Loom using some sample yarn that came with the kit.  It’s a little shorter than I’d like, but will be ok as a decorative scarf with a scarf pin. 

The creamsicle washcloth was done for my younger son, Nate.  I had planned on taking an afghan square with me to work on, but Nathan insisted that I take his washcloth and finish it instead.  He actually took the afghan square out of my bag and replaced it with the washcloth. 🙂

Triangular Shawl

This is a work in progress. I still want to add a crocheted edge and some fringe, but wanted to show a picture of what I have so far.  This is my first shawl.  My first triangular piece.  Finished size is 40 inches long by 18 inches at its widest point.  It’s worked using Caron Simply Soft yarn scraps.  I made the pattern up as I went along.  It’s done in garter stitch on the yellow round kk loom.  I e-wrapped all of the rows from right to left and purled all of the rows from left to right.  I used two strands of the yarn held as 1 and I slipped the first stitch in each row to give a nice finished edge.  For the first half of the shawl I increased 1 stitch at the start of my purl row.  For the second half of the shawl I decreased 1 stitch at the start of my purl row.  It was very simple.  A quick knit. 

My husband is calling it the “I wish I was color blind shawl”.  My older son says it’s ugly and it’s pretty.  He can’t hurt Mommy’s feelings.  🙂  I just wanted to use some scraps and try a new pattern before I worked it up using really good yarn.  I think it’s very 70s looking.  Reminds me of shawls and ponchos that I wore when I was little.  My niece is 7.  She should love it.

Bethany’s Booties

I just finished my second pair of Bethany’s Booties.  I love the color of these.  I knitted them on the fine gauge loom using 1 strand of Bernat Softee Baby in “Bongo Blue.   I’ve been itching to add some crochet touches to one of my loom projects, so I did a little bit of single crochet around the button loop.  Nothing fancy, but it is a start.  I’ve only been crocheting for a few weeks.  🙂

Knitted on a fine gauge loom 1 strand of sport weight yarn

Another Felted Baguette

felted bag made on yellow kk loom using Noro and Lopi 100% wool

I just finished another felted bag and this one is all mine! 🙂  I made 2 straps on this one.  I’m always breaking straps on purses.  I’d also like to add a snap closure at the top once it dries. 

I used one strand of Noro (love Noro . . . such gorgeous colors) and one strand of Lopi. 

The felting process took a little longer.  It always takes me a few cycles through.  Must be something with my washing machine. 

Now I have a beautiful felted bag and a laundry room that smells like a wet sheep.  haha

Gotta love felting! 🙂

Back To Looming and Something New

 

After a long vacation from the looms and from blogging, I’m back to knitting again. 

Here are a few of the things that I’ve made these past few months.

I needed to warm up those skills a bit, so I started out slowly with a few dishcloths and some baby booties.   

These were made using the round blue kk loom. 3 of them are done in garter stitch. The forth is done in seed stitch.

Next, I tackled a baby sweater over in “Loom Class”.  Susan Sarwinski was the instructor.  She is wonderful!!! 🙂  So knowledgeable and helpful.  I really enjoyed making this first sweater.  I ended up making a hat to go with the sweater in the same pattern.    

Made with Caron Simply Soft Yarn using the Knifty Knitter Looms.

I’ve always wanted to do an earflap hat.  So I went searching online and found this oh-so-cute pattern.  I ended up making 2 of these.  They are done using the knifty knitter looms.  All twisted knit stitch.  Sooooo easy.  Now, I did add a little bit of garter stitch to the edging to keep the hats from curling.  These knit up very fast.  I was pleased with the end result.  Pom Poms add a nice touch. 

Green KK loom was used. Caron Simply Soft Yarn. Size 18-24 months.

  In March I tackled a design of my own.  I had seen a pair of pocketbook slippers that Bethany (one of the girls from my Local “Knit Night”) had done.  These slippers looked a lot like some that my Grand-Aunt Evelyn made years ago.  I found the pattern on Ravelry hoping that it would be a simple conversion, but no such luck.  So, I ended up winging these on the loom myself.  Here’s what I finally came up with.  A comfy slipper that is similar to the pocketbook slippers and one that fits my foot.  I’m happy with it. 🙂

One of my original slippers. Didn't fit my foot, but does look the most like the original pocketbook slipper that Bethany made.

Final Version of Slipper

Final slipper done using the kk looms and some pretty peach worsted weight yarn that I had in my stash.

Next, I had to make some new scarves and hats for some of my favorite people. 

  

This scarf was done for my Mom using Caron Simply Soft yarn.

Here's my older son, Josh, modeling his new hat and neck warmer. He chose the color and what a color it is! 🙂 The hat was done using a pattern that Anke graciously shared over in "Loom Class". I ended up making my own pattern for the neck warmer to match the hat. I can't always keep a scarf on Josh when he's out in the snow, but he will do a neck warmer. 🙂

Here's my younger son wearing his striped hat that was just not complete until the huge pom-pom was added on the top.

These Boo Bunnies were made for the boys’ Easter Baskets.  They are washcloths folded into the shape of bunnies.  A big hit! 

Boo Bunnies done using the blue kk loom and worsted weight 100% cotton.

Along the way I’ve been able to finish a few U.F.O’s.

These sets were made for women, but the boys didn't seem to mind modeling them. 🙂

My biggest looming achievement was finishing this bear of an afghan for my older son’s bed.  This blanket was made using the 60 inch Infinity Loom.  Worsted weight yarn.  1 strand throughout.  I alternated between the figure-8 stitch and the stockinette stitch.  There are 13 stripes. 25 rows each.  Finished size is 5 ft by 7 ft.     

Finally finished this basketweave square. It's square #2 from "Project Afghan".

Somewhere along this looming experience I decided that I wanted to learn to crochet.  Here’s a pic of my first attempt at crochet.  It’s just a simple square right now, but when it is finished it will be an Amigurumi Cat.  My great-grandmother would be so proud! 🙂  

Single crochet square.

Currently I’m working on a Felted Baguette and my first pair of socks.  Now that my blog is all caught up I hope that I’ll be posting more often.   Please check back to see my latest loomed creations along with patterns for the Pocketbook Slippers and my Twisted Stitch Neck Warmer. 🙂