Cozy Memories Blanket Start-DK weight

A rugged start; Having that been said, I am LOVING the mindless knitting of the mitered squares!

I listened to many tutorials when I finished this DK square for how to align and attach them as I go.
The ones that spoke to me most is in two parts on You Tube:

the first

the second

both by Simply Maur Crafting. I think she did the most thorough and simplest explanation of making a mitered square and joining to another.

However, my second square I joined, the pink one, looks bad on edges because I was doing what she suggested by knitting through the back loop on the end of every row and slipping the first as if to purl at the beginning of each row. I'm sure my technique is wrong and I am going back to listen to these videos again because my edges are not clean. I'm hoping by joining the next squares it will help this.

I have no  pattern of colors at all just using my leftovers of DK yarn. Here are some of them.

I modified the pattern on Ravelry by Kemper Wray to CO 32 stitches/ putting my marker after stitch 16. I reduced number of stitches to still yield a 3 in square but with DK.
The rest of her pattern I followed exactly and is FREE.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-coziest-memory

I found out when I finished the light green one with sock yarn that although the finish is gorgeous, realistically I had WAY more DK leftovers than sock yarn so I went with making a DK weight blanket. And for right now, I need to use up what I have.

this is the right side as noted by my progress keeper to remind me.

you can see my wobbly edges I hope to fix when casting on the next square.

Of course the first block is made with 2 yarns, one in Lake Shore Bluff by Lorna Laces/ DK, and the other is all wool DMC miniskein.

The second block is DK weight but is made with a more drapey and flexable yarn. It is from my LYS from a couple of years ago. I made a shawl in it but I can't remember the name or content of it. I do know it's DK, I think combo of Merino wool, silk blend.

I was happy about the actual join side to the square. It took me 3 tries to get it right and I think it will improve the more I do it. 

Well, this is definitely a work in progress and will be a memory blanket, hopefully for the process of knitting it. That part has been enjoyable.

I am trying to attach and knit one square a day.

This will give me time to knit other projects in between. So this is a slow burn kind of project.

Have a peaceful Sunday,

Jennifer

Binding Off a Shawl in Picot Lace with Pink Merino Wool Fingering Weight Yarn

Picot Bind off or Cast off is particularly pretty on some shawls or garments. I decided for contrast to add a picot bind off. This is my second time I have done one so it's taking me a little bitty while it seems.

There are several free written instructions on the internet and Ravelry, You Tube videos, etc.  to create different "peaks" in the lace but the one I chose is:

After finishing the pattern and starting to bind off, first cast on 2 stitches on the left hand needle using the backwards loop method.

Then knit 2 stitches, taking the 1st stitch over the 2nd stitch as in regular bind off, leaving one remaining stitch on the right needle.

Proceed knitting the next stitch, then take the stitch over the one knit again leaving one on the right hand needle.

Continue until a total of 4 stitches are bound off. 

Then, put the 4th stitch back over to the left needle and repeat with backwards loop cast on 2 stitches, and continue.

This shawl is of course not blocked yet with lace blockers. Can't wait to block this out!

It's already pretty big. And Pretty Basic. That's the name of the pattern on Ravelry for free here

Here is my progress so far:

at the half-way point of casting off

I have enjoyed this pattern a great deal. Although the colors in the first pics are off a bit, you can see the true color in the last pic.

I can't wait to use my new knitting wires for lace shawls!!!

Got those on Amazon HERE

And this last pic is the real color reference!   

My previous Fuji 8200 just cannot pull the close ups and color for me

so Mr. Darcy is going to show me how to use his FANCY camera tonight~~~~~ YAY!

I need it because I'm hoping to get some items in my Etsy shop real soon and also to blog with better pictures.

My heart is wanting to cross stitch something again real soon but..........I also want to cast on another project. Two loves of mine, wish I could do both at the very same time.

Stitching is good for the soul. It just is. I think anything on the needles helps me every day.

I had an MRI today on my shoulder as I am having a rotator cuff issue after a fall in November.

And the funny thing was I took my project bag with me and the man giving me instructions said to me as I was clinging to my work, "mam you will need to put that in this locker while you are getting the test done".

Of course I knew that! BUT.....but.....but.........."let me get to the end of the row, ok?"😃

Am I the only one that says that? Mr. Darcy now says, "when you get to the end of the row,.......then........whatever

I had to look back and laugh at myself on the way home.

We are having some wicked thunderstorms here right now. Methinks it's best to get off this computer and real soon!

What's on your needles today?

Till later,

Jennifer

Almost Finished with Pretty Basic Shawl--free pattern

Almost to bind off now!!!!!!  I love knitting this shawl. Pretty Basic by Janina Kallio is a great free pattern on Ravelry that has enough interest for detail but not too hard for some TV knitting rows as well.

Yarn---- (Pink speckle)  The Homespun House (Molly in Germany)

colorway In Bloom/ from my stash since last February 2016 Valentines colorway

It is a fingering weight of 100% merino

The light green/sage yarn is from stash from about a year ago of which I had in mind to work with this particular pink yarn for contrast. You can find it here: https://www.yarn.com/products/manos-del-uruguay-alegria

in the colorway Celery, fingering weight 

I'm using a number 5 Addi turbo lace circular needles (my favorite)

my handy little notions pouch from my LYS

You can see the flecks of green in the pink yarn.

One thing different I'm doing this year is keeping/making a knitting journal. I know that Ravelry has a place to record but I'm liking to write my own including a little piece of each of the yarns used in it for remembrance.

I also added to my T pins for blocking a set of blocking wires. I found those on Amazon. I will be using this while blocking the project above and post on progress/review.

I hope  you had a great Valentine's Day!

I certainly did. I got an absolutely gorgeous bouquet of roses in my favorite colors and a caring husband for close conversation and sharing a meal.

This morning I am so grateful for all the things I have been blessed with. I count knitting and cross stitching and any expressive form of art a gift from God. To take a pause out of my day to remember that God made me with His own handiwork is amazing. 

Do you have some special things you treasure in your stitching stash?

What makes them special to you?

I am finishing a shawl called Pretty Basic by Janina Kallio on Ravelry. It is a free pattern and is simply that which the title says. However, there is room for modifying the pattern and is even encouraged by the designer. I like to have choices like that. 

I'm about to bind off. My goal for finishing this was Valentines Day but didn't quite meet that goal.

But I've cut myself a little slack knowing I have other things going on in my life that need attending and also I wanted to make sure it was "just right".

You know, God made sure we were "just right" when he made us and God has prepared us to do good works. He prepared this in advance!!!!

He has a plan for our life just as we have plans on how we want to knit up or stitch up a pattern..

The result is a beautiful work and is worth the extra time we spend to making it "just right".

As you go through your day, keep this verse in your heart. It will encourage you to know that your Maker already has a design of which we should take no worry but just have the commitment to follow through.

Enjoy your day!

Jennifer

My Favorite Place at Home to Knit During the Summer

Hot weather or not, I like the wicker chaise and the sounds of nature to inspire when I'm  knitting.

 It's peaceful.

It's soothing.

I like to spread out on the wicker chaise with fresh cushions and comfy pillows with the fan going on the back porch.

 It's my form of meditation.

A cup of tea from Teavana is always by my side out here. My favorite is Orange Blossom and Youth Berry mixed. It's a white tea and fruit base that is heavenly.

It's about 89 degrees, but definite high humidity today. The weather man says in low 90's but real feel is 103 F. The shady area on the side of the mountain is always a bit cooler.

I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked this week, but........hey, I've put in at least a couple of rows a night this week. Still on the stockinette top part of the shawl.

When blocked I hope it uncurls and looks more like this one. 

It doesn't hurt to smell something grilling and having good conversation.

Just chillin' while grillin'

I don't get much time for this but when I do, it makes me appreciate it more.

This pattern is free on Ravelry. See my previous blog post for materials and name, etc. It's basically a top down shawl.

The yarn is knitting like butter. It's smooth, soft, and such a pretty colorway.

I have 2 caked-up skeins for this one.

 I'm really enjoying my project bag I got from Cozy Crafting, an Etsy shop online.

She also has a sweet vlogcast on You Tube.

It's perfect with an arm strap to carry with me anywhere so I can have knitting on the go.

She has alot of bags and they are well made and lined inside. It will hold 2 large cakes of yarn, notions, and pattern. It was a bit on the smaller side than I thought but I love the Summer pattern of fabric. So tempted to get one for Fall.

This little birdie measure came from Bumbleberry's in Clarkesville, Georgia. It's a sweet addition to my notions this week. 

See ya'll later. The hot dogs, lemonade and oven baked beans are ready!

Hope you are staying cool!!!

Jennifer

Kaihola Shawl --New Start

I have some yarn in my stash that is luscious and yummy from my Washington DC trip and my visit to Looped Yarnworks. I held it like a treasure for a while and found the shawl I wanted to use this for on Ravelry. It is a free pattern named Kaihola by Heidi Alander. 

Last night late, I actually started ----and this morning I frogged it out because I was learning a new stitch that is in this pattern and with the help of You Tube I restarted and properly stitched it right.

Made a world of difference to have the set up rows right. 

I learned the KYOK.

The pattern also calls for Knit, Purl, Yarn over, KYOK, and KFb

I am using # 9 needles Addi Lace my tension is usually tight.

This is working perfectly!

You cast on 8 stitches. Then the first set up row will result in 11 stitches.

Then you start on the stockinette part with lace edge for the top down and this is actually the start of the body of the shawl. 

My goal for this pattern was to try to learn to read charts instead of written instructions. 

I've shyed away from that but with this pattern when I get to the the 4 charts that are pretty short, I think it will be a good pattern to practice with. 

The beautiful colorway and yarn was pricey, much-so, but a splurge so I want to make sure I get every stitch right!

I think I have enough yardage as I have 2 skeins of it; however, I've thought about increasing the body part (this is an option) to make a larger one and then knitting the wide lace section in another colorway that blends well. 

Brand is Anzula

luxury fibers

hand dyed yarn

Cricket

DK weight and 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere and 10% nylon

colorway is Seabreeze.

The label states you can machine wash cold, gentle cycle (I would hand wash all my knits). and lay flat to dry. 

you can find more information if you like this at 

www.anzula.com

I'm really enjoying this morning early as I woke at 7am and started in on this for a couple of hours before chores today.

If you knit, do you prefer charts or written instructions?

I hope you are enjoying a beautiful Saturday. It's so nice to get a day off!!!

Abbie has a talent of stacking pillows and pulling blankets to her choosing. I think she is ready for a good morning nap after her usual morning treat.  I just shampooed her and put a coconut rinse on her. Her hair is SO thick! I blow dry her after ward but she wanted to dry the rest by itself and it's got to be brushed. 

She is a serious pillow-stacker. 

Till later,

Jennifer