Ravelry Swap: My Tea Cosy Arrived!

Another successful Ravelry Swap! My Tea Cosy arrived complete with tea.

I'm going to brew a pot now.

Happy tea sipping!

I'm In Another Swap: Tea Anyone?

The tea cosy swap on Ravelry is now accepting sign-ups. Get in on the fun.

I have knit tea cosies as gifts. I drink lots of tea but do not own a tea cosy! I'll fix this problem and have swapping fun at the same time.

Happy Tea Time!

Robin's Egg Blue Hat This Fiber Arts Friday

My Robin's Egg Blue Hat is finito! While it's not Robin's Egg Blue, it is the hat.

Easy to make in Patons Shetland Chunky for a quick Christmas knit. The free pattern is here on Ravelry.

I'm off to see what other fiber adventures are being blogged about this FAF at Wonder Why Gal's or at Creative Friday.

No I Have Not Quit Fiber Arting!

Oh my! I haven't posted since the end of June. My summer started and my blogging stopped. September rolled around and life got busy. I'm back in action. What do I have to share?

Well, two things I did keep up were my Ravelry swaps. This is a square I crocheted during the summer for Proud to Be Twelve Inches. This On the Huh square was interesting to crochet with its quirky center. The instructions are here.

Check out my leaf potholder for my Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap which I crocheted from a vintage pattern.

I hope to hear from you all again! Til next time...

Happy Fibering!

Swap-a-rama: A Bit of Fun On the Side

I thought I would share two of my Ravelry swap goodies recently delivered in the mail.

This is my square from the Proud to be 12 inches swap.

And, this is my cheery potholder from the Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap.

It's my bit of fun on the side!

Happy whatever!

Jamaica Pouch This Fiber Arts Friday

This little project was being ignored. The past couple of days I gave my Jamaica Pouch some attention. Now it is half way to it's full height.

It's a free one-skein wonder pattern by Sandra Clockedile on Ravelry. The sides spiral up from a circular bottom.

Variegated yarn shows off the spirals best. But I'm happy with my coral Brown Sheep Serendipity Tweed.

Check out all the other fiber bloggers this Fiber Arts Friday at Wonder Why Gals.

If you're not already part of this blog carnival, join us each Friday with your fiber art updates, FOs and stuff!

Happy FAF!

A Tempting Ravelry Swap: But I Think I'll Pass

Would you join a Multnomah Shawl Swap? Knit a Multnomah Shawl for a swap partner who in turn knits one for you in this shawl exchange.

I considered joining. The deadline to join is July 1st. I'm already in the Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap and the Proud to be Twelve Inches Square Swap on Ravelry.

I declined. I have a sweater I promised hubby I would have finished by the fall. His Urban Aran Cardigan is feeling slightly neglected these days.

Has anyone ever joined a swap where you commit yourself to making an object that requires a large amount of your time and advanced skill?

Potholder and squares are my speed at the moment.

Happy Yarns!

What Am I Up To This Fiber Arts Friday?: Dödergök's Mitered Socks

Dödergök's Mitered Socks are my next attempt at a pair of knit socks. Unlike my Lounge Socks which were knit with a worsted 10 ply, this pattern uses 4 ply sock yarn. I'm looking forward to producing a lighter sock.

Have a quick look on Dödergök's blog to see these funky socks. Yes, she is Swedish and has many beautiful creations on her blog. This sock pattern she translated into English.

The cuff is knit in twisted ribbing. According to Dödergök, they have an "unusual toe and heel". The heel seems to be done like an after thought mitten thumb. Does that make sense?

That's all fiberistas! Visit all of the other fiber bloggers taking part in Fiber Arts Friday over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder.

Happy FAF!

Simple Crochet Spiral Necklace Pattern: A Quick Project

This is a quick crochet pattern for a spiral necklace crocheted in Bernat organic cotton which is a worsted 10 ply (9 wpi). I used a 4.5 mm or U.S. 7 hook. The soft cotton makes for a light and soft accessory.

Start by loosely chaining 69 stitches. Single crochet in the 4th chain from hook. This will be the loop for your button closure. Then, make 3 single crochets in each of the remaining single crochets to end of chain. This creates the spiral!

Sew on a pretty button for the loop closure. As you can see, I used a wool needle and my cotton yarn to wrap the loop to make it more substantial. But, you may choose to leave it as crocheted.

If you'd like to show off your spiral necklace, post your project on Ravelry from the Spiral Necklace pattern page.

Happy Fiber Art Jewelry!

My Scalloped Potholder is Finished: Don't Get So Excited...

The last time I made a potholder was in the 1970's. It was knitted in ivory and orange yarn as a gift for my mom. Probably, only a potholder a mother could love. This scalloped potholder is definitely more hip color wise. It's a practice potholder for my Ravelry Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap.

If you are at all into potholders and can crochet here is the link to the free pattern for the Scalloped Potholder designed by Priscilla Hewitt.

It's not a pot but it's hot!

Happy Kitchen Crocheting!

And the Winner Is: My Fiber Art Friday Prize from Ally B

My prize from Ally B's blog contest on a previous Fiber Arts Friday arrived in the mail yesterday!

I'm now fascinated with the fiber art of card weaving which dates back at least to the 4th century B.C.!  Card weaving is going to be an interesting summer fiber art adventure at the cottage this summer! Mercerized cotton is recommended for the yarn. My mom has some in her stash...

I love the Serendipity Tweed yarn which is 60% cotton and 40% wool.

I have already been on Ravelry looking for possible patterns. There are three possible patterns I may cast on using this yarn. These Quick and Easy Lounge Socks may be my first ever attempt at knit socks. Perhaps, I'll cast on the Shoulder Holder Shrug. The airy Sunday Market Shawl looks tempting for a summer knit. And yes, all of these patterns only need one skein of my newly acquired yarn.

Thanks Ally B!

Any more contests this Fiber Arts Friday. Andrea the Wonder Why Gal will know!

Happy Blog Hopping!

I'm Potty this W.I.P. Wednesday: My Upcoming Crochet Potholder Adventure

I joined the Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap Group on Ravelry. If you love crochet potholders, this is for you. All you have to do is sign up to a group for either a 6 month or 12 month commitment to make one crochet potholder a month. Each month, one person from the group receives a potholder from all the other members of the swap group.

Now, the search is on for interesting potholder patterns. I really like the Scalloped Potholder by Priscilla Hewit. It uses the front-post double crochet (fpdc) to make ribs in the crochet which spread out from the center.

This is the beginning of my Scalloped Potholder.

I'll crochet myself one first to check out the pattern. I'd like to get bright and funky colours for the one I'll crochet for the swap.

Signing off for W.I.P. Wednesday.

Happy Wednesday!

Hat Trilogy Complete: Ribbed Hat for Sonny

That's it for knit hats for now. After knitting hubby's ribbed hat, and my owl hat, sonny wanted a hat too. I knit him one like hubby's except in funkier colors. I had a ball of variegated Patons Classic Wool in my stash which fit the bill. Voila, here's the result:

I used That Chocolate's Gone Straight to Your Ribs Hat pattern by Leonie Connellan found here on Ravelry.

My hands feel empty now. What to do next?

Happy Knitting!

Knit for Who?: My Knitted Owl Hat

Another hat! Yes, this time it's the pattern Who? from Ravelry by Sara Amoroso. I saw this when searching for a pattern for a hat for hubby. I had to knit it. Making owls out of cables made me happy. I love birds. This will officially be my filling the birdfeeders hat.

I used up the rest of the grey Patons Astra I bought for Hubby's ribbed hat. There was no problem with the size using 4mm needles.

Love the cable owls with my vintage buttons for eyes, of course!

What's on my needles now? Another hat!

Happy Knitting!

Ribbed Hat is Over and Done With!

Here it is hubby's ribbed hat using That Chocolate's Gone Straight to Your Ribs Hat  pattern by Leonie Connellan found here on Ravelry.

I didn't knit it as long as the pattern called for because it would have been too long for a beanie. I started my decreases when the hat measured about 7 inches. As you can see, it fits hubby's 23 inch head perfectly.

This is such an easy pattern. Great for any beginning knitters out there.

Happy Knitting!

Happy Fiber Arting in the New Year!

My first post on the first day of 2010. I don't make New Year's resolutions. A fresh start is how I approach the new year.

Photo courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com/creative/xandert

I'm looking forward to new fiber art projects this year. I already have in  mind a winter hat for hubby using this ribbed hat pattern from Ravelry.

I'm also drooling over the prospect of knitting this amazing Sylvi cardigan also found on Ravelry. The only thing holding me back is the smallest size in the pattern is too big for me. I'm not a fan of adjusting  pattern size, but I may make an exception for this sweater!

I finished my fiber arting for 2009 with the completion of a pair of thrummed mitts for hubby which I'll be posting to Ravelry after I take pics.

Happy Fiber Arting in the New Year!

Ravelry Project: My Crochet Fingerless Mittens are Finished

I had to jump on the bandwagon and make myself a pair of fingerless mittens. I searched out this nifty pattern for Basic Fingerless Mittens on Ravelry by Julia Viconsin from Crochet Me. It's in 400 queues and completed in 294 projects.

Here are mine:

While Julia's pattern calls for Lana Grossa Bingo Print yarn which is an Aran 10 ply, I used some Patons Classic Wool from my stash. I reduced the hook size from the 5.0 mm in the pattern to a size 4.5 mm. Doing this and still using the same amount of stitches called for in the pattern, the mittens fit my size 7 hand perfectly.

What I like about these mittens is that they are not bulky and crocheting through the back loop of the single crochet gives the mittens texture.

I also learned a new technique. You can teach an old crocheter new tricks! The mittens are started off using foundation single crochet. Snuffykin's Journal has an easy to follow tutorial on how to accomplish this technique.

Happy crocheting!

Thrummed Mittens: Part One

I've decided my next  knitting project will be thrummed mittens using Yarn Harlot's pattern from a Thrum-a-long she hosted in 2004! Oh well, better late than never! I found the pattern on Ravelry where you can see pictures of what my mittens should look like when they are finished.

Thrummed mittens are said to originate from Newfoundland and Labrador. Even though I have Newfie connections, I had never heard of them until my Knitting Daily e-mail from Interweave featured them.

I'm using Briggs and Little Hertiage wool in Mulberry for the body of the mittens.

The special and unusual thing about these mittens is that they are lined with thrums or rolled strips of roving which are knit into the mittens on the inside. When finished, you have mittens full of thrums which are extra warm and soft. Great for our Canadian winters!

Here are my first ever thrums! I am so proud.

I'll be casting on soon.

Happy Thrumming!

Felting: The Little Coco Bag

The famous Little Coco Bag has to be one of my favorite felted bags of all time! 

It is designed by Diane Sutliff who offers the patten free at her blog  Felted Handbag Workshop.

My bag is knit with two strands of Patons Classic Merino Wool. The finished product is a stiff bag with form. It's exactly what I was looking for in a felted bag.

The straps are pulled though grommets in the sides of the bag which is a nice detail.

Once you've tried this pattern, you'll want to make more than one!

You can see all of the wonderful interpretations of this bag on Ravelry. You'll need to log in.

Happy Felting!