Market Bag

I love how this turned out. It was a very simple project and turned out to be a favorite. This is another item that will be a gift for Christmas. I found this project at my local yarn store that just recently closed. Poor me, no local yarn store in the area now...bummer...I guess its either JoAnn's or Michaels for me!

The FREE PATTERN came from Plymouth Yarn. Its called Fantasy Naturale Market Bag. I didn't use their yarn but I did find yarn off ebay that I felt would be perfect for this project. I used Katia Regata a blend of cotton/acrylic.

I didn't alter from the pattern although when I make this again, I will alter it to make it shorter. Once items are placed in the bag it really stretches long.

I'm really proud of this project and can't wait for the recipient to receive it!!!

Flower Petal Slippers

This is something that I never got around to posting...Shame on me...Too busy knitting. Not enough time on the computer:(.

Here's what I came up with for the slippers that I will be gifting to my mother. She really liked some knitted slippers that my grandmother used to make many years ago. I went on Knitting Patterns Central and from there came across ballet style slippers Piece by Piece. You can go directly to www.piece-by-piece.net/Knit/ballet_slilppers.htm I pretty much followed the directions with the only variation being I used size 8 needles.

I felt like it needed a little help in the finishing category so "knowing my mom" I came up with a flower motif that I found on www.headhuggers.org/patterns/flower02k.htm . I used the pattern to a T including using beads for accents.

Still not being 100% satisfied with the end result I needed to add a little more. I thought it needed a little closure so I knitted an little piece to make the closure with a button hole. I also found a few buttons in my stash to complete the look. What do you think?

Bad Blogger...Good Knitter!!!

Okay...So I haven't really been very good with my "blog". Oh well, life just gets so busy! How do moms who work all day outside of the home ever find enough time in their day??? I recently took on a few extra hours at work (I'm up to 13-20 hours a week) and also took on watching a little 4 month old 3 times a week as well. I find myself relaxing by knitting or scrapbooking. Here are a few projects that I've been working on. I have more but I need some pictures taken (Christmas presents are on the way already).

1. The first project was a set of mittens. This was fun when all I had to do was make one. The second one just seemed too time consuming. I was ready to be done. I really like how well they turned out.

2. The next is another hat. Hats are so much easier when you knit in the round every row!

3. My last project was a blast! By the time I had the last set of 12 in the pattern to complete, I could hardly wait to be done and start my next project. This Shawl made from a FREE pattern that I acquired from Michaels was a fairly simplistic Shawl made from Homespun Yarn. This is also a Christmas present for my mother. SSHHhhh! Don't tell her:)

Be on the lookout for some more completed projects such as flower petal slippers and market tote bag.

Julia's knitted Hat TAKE 2

So...Since I was not happy at all with Julia's first hat I decided to use a pattern that I am familiar with to make another one for her. I think it turned out pretty cute although her favorite is Hat #1:)

Julia's Knitted Hat #1

...hmm...I thought I would attempt to try something new. Like, use math? We'll this was a pattern that was kind of create your own using measurements. Yeah right!? I think I would have been better off if I had a calculator with me:) It turned out okay. Julia really likes it and I guess she's the only one that really matters.

Our trip to Lincoln City, OR

Okay, So I'm finally posting about our fabulous trip to Lincoln City. We went a few weekends ago and spend a wonderful day of shopping and playing in the sand. Here's a few pictures to recap...

My "attempt" at a cable knit hat

So this is no longer a "work in progress". I started the cable knit hat awhile ago and then realized somewhere I got off on the number of stitches and my line wasn't lining up right...Ugh! My mother and sister both saw it and thought it was hardly noticeable and that it would be okay. I don't really feel like I'm a perfectionist or anything, however I felt that it would bug me every time I looked at it and knew that it wasn't right. So it's a nice big pile of yarn! I really want to make this again; just not right at the moment:)

Julia's Jewels II

A FEW MORE OF JULIA'S JEWELS

These are pretty fun to make as well as affordable. Every girl would love to wear these as part of her accessories!

Book Giveaway

I am a subscriber to saveathomemommy.com and she is having a book giveaway!

"When Women Long for Rest" by Cindi McMenamin

The book sounds very intriguing! Get yourself over there and sign up for the giveaway before tomorrow! I have her button to the right of my blog. Check it out!!

It's been so long!

It's been awhile since I last posted...Life just gets too busy sometimes. I'm not quite sure what to think of this slipper that I started. Totally not cute by itself:) Looks a little better when its on. It is quite comfortable and snug. It seems to be very durable since its made out of cotton. I really like knitting in the round and it was fun to learn how to pick up stitches. Its a pretty simple design that I will probably use again although it definately needs some embellishments!!! I started off making this for my mom for Christmas but I think I will keep this one for myself (I still have to make the match:) I will probably go with something more colorful along with add maybe a closure of some sort with beading...

LIA SOPHIA JEWELRY GIVEAWAY!

I just checked out SaveAtHomeMommy and she is giving away some really great jewelry via lia sophia. One person will win any one piece of jewelry they would like up to $100! This is totally fab!! The winners will be selected at random and each person can enter up to 4 different times. you have to go check it out!!!

Knitted Flower Headband: Free Pattern

So this is something I kinda came up with...I started out with a headband but I quickly discovered it needed a little something:)

I'm totally new to patterns but here's what I came up with.

Materials

1 skein of 100% cotton (I used Lily Sugar'n Cream)

2 buttons

yarn needle

Size 8 needles

Headband

CO 5

Knit 10 rows

K1, P1 for 15 1/2 inches

K 5 rows

k2, yo, k2tog, k (this is the button hole)

k4

BO

Flower

CO 81

BO 1, place marker, BO 16, place marker, continue to BO 16 and place a marker until finished

Thread yarn needle with the long end through the marked stitches and last bound stitch. Knot ends together and remove markers.

Sew on the button to the flower and sew on the headband. Sew remaining button on the headband for closure.

Happy Knitting!!

Mug Cozy II

This is a gift for my employer for her Birthday. I made a mug cozy out of 100% cotton and used a blue oversized button to finish. AG Biscotti is 100% homeade! Made by my awesome friend Allison Gray in Lafayette, OR. This is the best biscotti ever! There are several kinds to choose from so I decided on the cranberry pistachio in thinking of Holly. I'm sure this will be a gift she will enjoy!!!

STASH OF WASHCLOTHS

Nice stash of washcloths:)

I have given quite a few away as gifts!

Fun and Easy to make!

Cancer Awareness Washcloth

I stumbled upon this design and thought I would try out the pattern. I really like the oversize washcloth as well as the awareness ribbon...hmm...what project next???

Mock Cable Mug Cozy

I learned a few things doing this project...1. Read the pattern carefully, 2. Do what it says, 3. Have fun!

I didn't read the pattern at first so I did a different size needles as well as cotton instead of wool and then I didn't cast on the right number. Anyway, so even though I failed in many areas I did like the end result and I also learned a few things:) It was very quick and easy. I finished it within an hour or so.

Waffleknit dishcloth

Allison told me about this washcloth. It's really beautiful. By far one of my favorites!

Free pattern available at this website...

http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html

I really liked how mine turned out. I'm going to make a few more in some other colors. I like the texturing and I have yet to try it out on my bountiful dishes, I'm sure it will work very well.

:)Melissa

Love this Yarn!

I bought this yarn on Ebay. My friend Allison had bought some of the same and I loved it so much I had to have it for myself!

I'm not really sure what I have in mind for it (although I bought 3 skeins) I wish I had bought more!

Julia really wants me to knit her a hat. So that's an option...hmm...

Oregon Zoo/ Portland, OR

Yesterday was a perfect day for the Oregon Zoo! Admission was only $2 per person and parking was $2 too! Total $10. You can't ask for a better price! The weather forecast was rain but we only experienced a few moments of the rain with bursts of sun around the clouds. The animals were very happy and you can tell that spring is in the air. I didn't include any pics of the animals since everyone knows what they look like, however the kids were having a blast with hamming for the pics! Happy Wednesday:)

Score #3

Although, I have yet to actually get a picture of him scorring...I did manage to get a few others. Justin is having such a blast!