Snowman Christmas Stocking

This season I knit a Snowman Christmas Stocking for an old friend of mine. She recently had her third baby and wanted a stocking that was similar to the other stocking she has for her family. I purchased a set of Mary Maxim Christmas stocking patterns, and I followed the pattern until the foot and then I switch to knitting in the round. However, if I make another stocking, I would knit the whole thing in the round. I would still use the Mary Maxim pattern for the color work. However, I would do most of it as duplicate stitch. I'm much more proficient at knitting in the round, which is why I would go this route. It was so fun (and a little intimidating) to make something that will be so special to her family. 

this week on my needles

These past two weeks have been busy! So. Much. Knitting. I have received loads of custom orders. It's very exciting but is keeping me very busy. I am working on three matching orders of hats, headbands and neck warmers, six koozies, a custom stocking, fingerless gloves and a Mr. Rogers sweater. For the hat, headband and neck warmers I wrote the patterns. I'm happy with what I came up with and will publish on the LGH down the road. I found a darling stocking pattern from a book, and I can't wait to get started on it. It has a ton of colorwork, which I really love. The weird thing about the stocking, it's knit flat. I'm not sure how I feel about not knitting it in the round, but I'm going to give it a whirl. 

I am also working on a new chunky hat with a big faux fur pom-pom. I don't think I will be able to finish them before Christmas, but it'll be a great hat for January. It's soft, warm and luxurious. 

Yesterday I finished up a photo shoot for some darling cable hats I'm going to be adding to the shop for the holidays. I wrote the pattern so I'll be publishing that on Monday and adding the hats to the shop on Wednesday. 

I purchased my very own ball winder and swift, and it arrived this week. I swear it's the best money I've spent in a long time. It's so easy to use and makes winding yarn a breeze. 

My winter class schedule is up at Hill Vintage. I'm going to be teaching three crochet classes; Crochet for Knitters, Crochet 101 and Granny Squares. The Granny Squares class I taught in November was so much fun. I'm looking forward to teaching it again in March. 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is enjoying the holiday season! 

this week on my needles

I kicked off my week by attending a Wool and the Gang workshop. It was so much fun. I recapped the snood we made earlier this week. 

I also taught a Granny Squares class at Hill Vintage this week. Granny Squares are quick to learn if you know just a few crochet basics. I was so pleased with how quickly everyone pick them up. We had a blast. I will be teaching this class again after the new year. 

I am busy with custom orders. I'm working on an adorable Christmas stocking, a bunch of hats, headbands, fingerless gloves, scarves and the cutest pair of leg warmers. I love making gifts for people! 

Next week is Thanksgiving?!?! I'm looking forward to cooking and spending the day with family and of course much knitting during my time off. 

this week on my needles

I spent this past week in Palm Springs, and it was awesome. I went for the Lullabot annual retreat, and I feel inspired and recharged. I got to spend a lot of time knitting outside, with coworkers and on the plane. I also shared Little Grey Heart with my coworkers. It was scary since they design and develop some amazing websites. It was great though. 

I also finished up my Cable Knit Hat series. The pattern is written, and I have five beautiful colors to add to the shop next week. I think it's a great hat, and I'm looking forward to adding both to the website next week. 

I also have my Granny Squares class next week at Hill Vintage. There are so many fantastic things to do with Granny Squares. There are a few spots left, and it's going to be a blast. 


Bow-dacious Baby Hat

I recently knit this darling baby hat for a friend to give as a baby gift. She gave me free rein to pick out any pattern I liked. It was for a baby girl, so I wanted something classic and sweet. The pattern is by Ewe Ewe, and I love it for it's classic silhouette, and it's sweet fair aisle design. The pattern also includes the Boston Whaler, which I'm definitely going to make for my next baby gift, girl or boy. 

this week on my needles

This week started off with KnitxMidwest. It was a little scary, intense, fun and inspiring. One of the reasons I attended was to meet people in the knitting community. So, I sat with some ladies I had never met. It was scary and hard, but I did it, and I am glad I did. I met some great people. It kicked off at 10:00 AM and wrapped up at 4:00 PM and I only took a couple of small breaks. It was intense but in a good way. It's hard to focus on one thing for that long. I worked on a pattern I'm writing for a cable knit hat. It was also fun and inspiring to be in a room with so many talented and creative woman who all share one passion. At the end of the day, I wish I had taken more pictures, but there are some great ones available from Hill Vintage. 

The rest of the week I worked on a pair of Really Quick Mitts I made for a birthday gift. I can't recommend these mittens enough. They are so fast, and they look great. 

I'm heading out tomorrow for Palm Springs for a week. I'm so excited to get spend time knitting outside in the sun, especially since the weather is supposed to turn cold in Des Moines this week. 

this week on my needles

This week has been busy. I didn't knit much. However, I wrapped up my Crochet 101 class. It was great! Everyone learned how to crochet, and that feels good. 

I posted the Classic Knit Hat to the shop. The pattern is also available. The response on Ravelry has been great, and the shop has been busy. I appreciate all the support.

Most exciting, this weekend is Knitxmidwest.    A retreat for knitters and crocheters. This year will be my first time attending, and I can't wait to meet some new people and spend the whole day knitting! 

this week on my needles

This week was busy. I kicked off Crochet 101 at Hill Vintage. I love my class. We had a great time. I picked up Madelinetosh DK in Optic, while at Hill Vintage. I haven't made anything yet, but I'm thinking mittens for myself. 

I made the darling Bow-dacious hat for a friend who needs a baby hat. The pattern is from Ewe Ewe Yarns and is great. 

I'm working on a new pattern for a Cable Knit Hat. I'm using Cascade 220.

Finally, I posted a new hat in the shop. The Classic Knit Super Soft Hat is just that, super soft and classic. I have two colors available now but plan on adding more colors in the future. 

Busy week, but this weekend I'm looking forward to working on more Cable Knit Hats and doing some mitten research. 

this week on my needles

This week I opened my shop and shipped out my first package. Hooray! I was so nervous to pull the trigger, but now I feel so proud of my little shop. I only have one style of hat up for sale, but I'll be adding two additional styles in the next two weeks. 

I also knit my first mittens! I posted a full description on my project page. They were super easy and they are super cute. I'm definitely going to make a few more pairs for gifts and I really recommend them. 

Next week I kick off Crochet 101. There is still room and it's going to be a blast. 

My First Mittens

I have been wanting to make a pair of mittens for awhile now. So, I decided to start with a super bulky pair so they'd go quick. A friend of mine made these Really Quick Mitts and I thought they were darling. I was expecting them to be hard, but they weren't at all. I followed the pattern exactly (which never happens) and they turned out great. I used Malabrigo Rasta in Indiecita. The are soft, cozy and perfect for winter. 

this week on my needles

This week I wrapped up my Garter Stitch Hat project. Hooray! I worked with my talented friend, Jason Hooten from Midwest Focus to get photos taken of the finished product. It was so much fun and I can't believe how great the photos look. We're putting the finishing touches on the photos and then I will get the pattern posted and the hats will be for sale. I started a new project for a cute ear flap hat and I also made a couple cute little stuffed hearts. 

 

My Granny Squares class has been moved to November 19th, so there is still time to sign up. I also have Crochet 101: Introductory Crochet coming up, as well. 

Have a great weekend! 

this week on my needles

This week I tried to wrap up my Garter Stitch Hat project. However, it didn't happen. I did get one more hat made, which means I just have one color left. I love, love these hats and can't wait to post the pattern and get them up for sale. I spent most of my week working on my website. You may have noticed I reformatted the layout of Yarn Chronicles, Patterns & Projects. I'm glad I did because I feel the posts are much easier to read and much easier to see the images. I also added my pattern as a PDF you can download. I think this is much better. I alway prefer patterns you can download because I like to save them to iBooks on my iPhone or iPad. I am learning so much about web design, in addition to knitting! Next week is my Granny Squares class at Hill Vintage. It's just a one night class and should be really fun. There are still a few spots left! 

this week on my needles

This week I have been working on making more Garter Stitch Hats. For these hats I'm using Cascade Eco. I started and finished one in fawn and started one in otter. I'm loving these hats. As I mentioned before, the yarn is so soft and the garter stitch makes them nice and thick. They will be great for winter. I have a few colors left to make and then I will get the pattern posted. I'm also hoping to get these added to Etsy soon. Hooray! 

I also started and finished a bright pink chunky hat. I used Cascade 128 Superwash in cerise. Cascade 128 Superwash is a superwash merino wool. I have only used this yarn once before and it was awhile ago. I really liked it. At first I thought it was a little shiny, but once I finished it, the hat looked really nice and is really soft. I will definitely order more of it for chunky hats and mittens.

Lastly, I sent out the Baby Garter Ear Flap Hat I made to a coworker who had a new baby boy. I hope they like it and I can't wait to see pictures of him wearing it.

Now, I'm looking forward to another nice weekend and hopefully some knitting outside! 

this week on my needles

This week I spent time knitting outside, which is the best! The weather has been amazing! I played around with Cascade Magnum, which is so fun to knit with. It's like playing with those giant legos. I also started writing a pattern for a garter stitch hat complete with pompom, which I'm loving. It's so warm and thick. I also have some fun crochet classes coming up this fall at Hill Vintage. Check them out and keep in touch for the garter stitch hat!