Free Pattern

Something I've been working on recently is finally writing down some patterns I've been working on for a while.  I haven't been able to come up with a more creative name for this, so I've just been call these 'Crochet Balls'.

I've been making these for years.  These are a HUGE hit with kids!  Whenever my nephew or godson visit, they take the basket of these and just start dumping them over their heads, or tossing them around.  The adults get in on the action too!  These are great because no matter how hard we seem to throw them, they have yet to cause any damage.  I can't make them fast enough to fulfill the demand, as most of my relatives want them in their home for their kids/grand kids, or they ask me to make some as baby gifts. 

These are crocheted in two halves, and then whip stitched around, stuffing them with poly-fil right before closing them up.  I've been experimenting with making different sizes, the above pictured ones being the medium size. 

These will be available for free download on Ravelry, cubicled knitter/Megh Kizer designs.  Please take a look and download the pattern!  These are so popular with kids and adults, it'll be worth the time to try it out. 

Slippers

I was recently commissioned to make someone a pair of slippers.  She found the picture on Etsy (AMAZING site - if you're not already hooked on this, check it out) and asked if I could make them, so of course I had to take that challenge!  These are based on a pattern by Eline (sold in her Etsy store). 

This is made using garter stitch and Brioche stitch.  The Brioche stitch is for the sides, and made them very squishy and cozy!  To add further to the 'comfort' factor, I made these using Simplicity by HiKoo, and some cute buttons I found at my local yarn shop.   I know so many people who adore this yarn and this pattern was my opportunity to finally use it.  Now that I have, I'm searching for another project just so I can use it again!  It's a DK weight yarn, and is versatile and durable enough to make a slipper that will hold up to walking and heavy use.  It's generally versatile in other ways too, but seemed especially suited for what I was looking for with this project.  I've also seen some gorgeous shawls and blankets made with Simplicity, so look it up on Ravelry sometime for some great ideas. 

I'm trying desperately to use up my stash yarn right now.  I have SO much that I'm running out of room to store the rest!  The problem is, as soon as I used enough yarn to empty a drawer in one of my many multi-drawer carts, I started thinking about what else I wanted to buy.  And the cycle continues! 

My goal now is to get my Ravelry notebook updated with the projects I'm currently working on, including a pair of socks, an Entrelac scarf, another 'bag of irony' (see earlier post), a bulky shawl, and a couple attempts a fingerless mitts.  Next posts, the baby blanket I just finished, and a couple more patterns I'm writing that will be available for free on Ravelry.  I hope to start posting more than once a week, so stay tuned!

Cowls and Blocking

It's been a very busy two week!  I didn't think it had been that long since I last posted, but I've been hard at work on several projects, hoping to finally finish some I've had in the works for a while.  I was going to mention two of them here, but I forgot to get pictures of one of them, so that will be for later this week.

In my last post, I had featured a recent design of mine (the Lacy Cowl) with yarn from the Neighborhood Fiber Co.  Of course when I bought the skein for that project, I had to buy two more skeins as well.  And buying only three skeins of this fantastic yarn was actually restraining myself!  I used the other two for this project, another cowl but from a pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald called 'Brooklet'. I saw this cowl made with Neighborhood Fiber yarn, and it inspired me to make it myself.  Below is the picture from the pattern...  

...and these are from my version (though the picture quality probably would have given that away for me).

This is knit in the round and then folded over where the yarn changes so you can't see a join in the fabric.  I'm gearing up for winter with all these cowls, with hopefully more to come!

Since I can't get the pictures of my other project yet, I leave you with this plug for a new favorite product of mine. I resisted blocking any projects for years, convinced it was difficult to do and not worth it.  Finally, i caved and bought the blocking mats shown in the photos so I could block the Rill Scarf I made (I loved that project so much I was willing to do whatever difficult process I needed to make it work!).

After using these mats, I finally realized how easy blocking a project is and how much it really helps!  Granted, you can use a mattress or towels instead of buying these, but these mats enable me to block on my dining table instead of using a bed that has potential for dog hair to transfer over (I love my dog but she just sheds way too much!).   And blocking makes such a huge different, really puts the finishing touch on a project and makes it just pop.  I'm just now getting to the point where I stop worrying when a scarf finishes smaller than I anticipated, because once I block it, it lengthens the fabric and I can breathe a sigh of relief.

I got the mats in the photo from www.knitpicks.com.  Very highly recommended!