Slippers

     This was the week for slippers! I used a lovely deep purple and contrasted it with a silvery yarn; however, these were both from my stash of yarn in my house that do not have labels. (I think they might be Vanna's Choice, which is a Lion Brand of yarn. That tends to be my go-to yarn. =) The pattern was super easy to follow and there was only 1 abbreviation that I did not know the meaning of, and the directions for it were easily spotted out on the first column of the page.

     I did alter the pattern a smidge when it came to the edging. After sewing all my seams I then picked up and knit a stitch from every other row around the top of the slipper, but after casting off, the slipper was too small to fit on my foot. I then took the edge apart and did a single crochet around the entire slipper, and that gave it a lot more stretch so I could fit my foot inside. The sizes seem to be fairly accurate. The slipper looks itty-bitty, but it does fit my 7 1/2 size foot very snuggly. They are super warm and cute and someone will love them as a present!

Patterns Finished: 1

Patterns to Go: 51

The Knitter's Year: By Debbie Bliss

       Oh boy oh boy! It is time for a new knitting adventure! I cannot wait to get started knitting my way through this book!
Since my last post, I opened an Etsy store and sold headbands and scarves that I knit. I had it opened about a year and then I got all knitted out and stopped knitting. I am that kind of person that rotates through activities I do. For example, I will watch the movie Brave every day for a month, and then not watch it for a year. The next month I'll watch all the Harry Potter's or something else until I get bored with it and then I move on. I do the same thing with crafting. I'll knit or sew or needlepoint for so long, and then I switch to another craft. It ended up that I felt like I was being forced to knit when I did not want to, which made it no fun!
     After a break from knitting, I am ready to get back into it, and what better way than taking inspiration from the movie Julia and Julia. My soon-to-be mother-in-law got me the book The Knitter's Year by Debbie Bliss for Christmas this year.

Now you may be saying, "How come she has all those green things atop of her book?" Well I'll tell you. I have marked all of my pages with sticky notes, so as I finish them I can take it off and know that it is done. Now, after looking at reviews that other people have written about this book, I am more determined than ever! No book is ever filled with patterns that everyone loves and everyone wants to do; however, I bet that I can find someone who will enjoy each and every things that I make in the next year. And by next Christmas, I will no longer have a huge stash of yarn that I do not use and I will have 52 presents to give to people. So, here starts my knitting adventure.

There are also other books she has written that you may enjoy!

Patterns Finished: 0

Patterns to Go: 52

New Year

Wow! It has been a very long time since I have posted anything; nevertheless, I have been doing some knitting. After my lovely 3-month adventure to Ireland, I learned how to arm knit, and it is my favorite. If you have not heard about it or want to learn how, youtube has some wonderful instructional videos.

Besides arm knitting, I have done a few projects, however, I have decided that I want to make some things for myself! I have realized that whenever I knit something, I give it away, but not this time!! I am going to make myself a headband and it will be lovely. So, here's to a knew year, as well as actually knitting things for myself.

Bunny Buddy Blanket

So in one of my to do list posts, I made a cute blanket for a newborn baby. The time came for me to make another one, but my link would not connect to the instructions! So, I searched for a new copy of it, and I found it! So here is is, and heres to a new baby!

CO 1

1-6 K F&B of first stitch, k to end of row

7 stitches at the end of row 6

7-39 k3, yo, k to end of row

40 stitches at the end of row 39

co 12 stitches for the paws, k to end of row- 64 stitches

Rows 42-47: Knit.

Rows 48-49: Bind off 12 sts, knit to end of row - 40 sts.

Shape Head:

Change to smaller needles.

Row 62: K2tog across row - 14 sts.

Row 63: Knit into front and back of each st across row - 28 sts.

Row 64: *P 1, sl 1, rep from * across row.

Rep Row 64 until Head measures 31⁄2in [9 cm].

Shape Ears:

Row 1: P3tog, return st to left needle, cast on 17 sts, p3tog, p 15 - 16 sts on right needle, 25 sts on left needle.

Row 2: Turn and p 14, p2tog - 40 sts.

Row 3: Turn and p 16.

Row 4: Turn and p 12.

Row 5: Turn and p 14.

Row 6: Turn and p 16, p2tog - 39 sts.

Row 8: Turn and p 16, p2tog - 38 sts.

Row 9: Turn and bind off 18 sts, p 1, *sl 1, p 1; rep from * across row - 20 sts.

Finishing:

Cut a 10in [25.5 cm] length of yarn. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread yarn through every other st on needle, then back through remaining sts. Remove knitting needle and stuff Head. Pull yarn tightly to close top of Head and secure. Following diagram, embroider face using black yarn and straight sts.

Weave in ends. Tie a knot in each Paw.

Now that the new year is here..

I can start knitting stuff for myself!! What a novel idea! I have finished a few things from my new to do list, but of course, I couldn't stay away from Ravelry. My new love of super chunky yarn and below freezing temperatures have made me admire cowls so much more. My only drawback is the fact that I have limited chunky yarn, and it either goes by too fast, or I do not have enough. Sooooo, if I use all my other yarn, I can buy more chunky yarn!! Ready, set, go!!!

Tea Cozies!      Infinity Scarf (Crochet)      Blues Infinity Scarf      Darn Knit Silky Cowl

It's a Cinch Hat!

So I just made this Hat and it is absolutely adorable. I know until it was about 5 inches from te cast on edge, and then instead of k 12 k2tog, I did k5 k2tog and knit a row in between every decreasing round until I had 12 stitches. This gives it more of a fitted top.
Then, I discovered the wonderful technique of the Magic Loop, and now I do not have to carry around double pointed needles whenever I want to finish a hat.

Mosaic Scarf

This scarf is one that I made as a Christmas present. I found a mosaic pattern, but then ended up doing my own thing for the middle of the scarf. Then when I went back to needing the pattern, I couldn't find it. So, I rewrote it. =)

If you make this scarf, or use any part of it, I would love to see a picture in the comments. Also, I do not claim to be perfect, so if you notice any mistakes or poorly worded instructions, please let me know! I am always open to feedback!

Mosaic Scarf

Materials:
2 colors of DK weight or light worsted weight yarn.
US#6 (4.0mm) straight needles
Darning needle
Gauge is not critical to this project

Stitches:Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Slip (k)
Yarn Over (yo)
Yarn Front (yf)
Yarn Back (yb)

Notes:
When slipping a stitch, always slip purl wise.
In mine, Color A is white and color B is Lavender. (I used Patons baby yarn)
When changing colors, do not cut the yarn until noted. Just bring up the yarn in later rows.
The scarf will curl in while knitting it, that is normal. Just make sure to block it when you are finished.

Pattern:
*The Rows in Black are color A and the Rows in Red are color B.

Cast on 29 stitches
**Knit for 2 rows

Rows 1 & 2: Knit

Row 3: k1, s1, *k7, s2* repeat * *twice, k7, s1, k1.

Row 4: k1, yb, s1, yf, *k7, yb, s2, yf* repeat * *twice, k7, yb, s1, yf, k1.

Row 5: k2, *s1, k5, s1, k2* repeat * * three times.

Row 6: k2, *yb, s1, yf, k5, yb, s1, yf, k2* repeat * * three times.

Row 7: k1, s1, *k1, s1, k3, s1, k1, s2* repeat * * twice,  k1, s1, k3, s1, k1, s1, k1

Row 8: k1, yb, s1, yf, *k1, yb, s1,yf, k3, yb, s1, yf, k1, yb, s2, yf* repeat * * twice,  k1, yb, s1, yf, k3, yb, s1,yf, k1, yb, s1, yf, k1

Row 9: k2, *s1, k1, s1, k1, s1, k1, s1, k2* repeat * * three times.

Row 10: k2, *yb, s1, yf, k1, yb, s1, yf, k1, yb, s1, yf, k1, yb, s1, yf, k2* repeat * * three times.

Rows 11 & 12: Rows 7 & 8

Row 13 & 14: Rows 5 & 6 

Row 15 & 16: Rows 3 & 4

Repeat rows 1-16 two more times.
Knit 2 rows
Knit 2 rows**

Rows Y and Z are optional. You can do whatever type of pattern you prefer for the middle section. 

Options:

• Continue the mosaic pattern for the entire scarf by repeating the directions above until it is the desired length.
• Stockinette stitch the entire scarf
• Find a scarf pattern on Ravelry and mesh the 2 patterns together
• Do whatever looks good to you!
• Or you can do what I did.

Y: Continue on in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 50 rows (or as long as you would like).
Z: On the right side: *k1, yo twice* Repeat * * until last stitch, knit 1. On the following row, drop each of the yo stitches for a drop stitch pattern.

Repeat Y & Z 6 times
Continue on in Stockinette stitch for 50 more rows

Repeat from ** to ** here once more.
Bind off.