AHAAAA Tip of the Week! Pick Up Lines From Yarn Harlot

Picking Up Stitches

via Yarn Harlot

I needed this tutorial in the worst way! In fact, I shied away from making Purl Bee's Bulky Baby Blanket because I couldn't muster the courage to pick up stitches. "To Hades with all that," I told myself.

Bulky Baby Blankets

Shown in Garter and Seed Stitch

via Purl Bee

 

What was I thinking!? Although I missed out on making one for my bestie, who had a beautiful healthy little girl this past September, I won't be intimidated to summon up the courage the second time around and I have Yarn Harlot to thank!

Smitten Kitten Hat

 

Gina Michele over at Rock Mosaic whipped up a simple DIY Knit Cat Ear Hat using just one stitch and some clever seaming. Once I saw this hat I was smitten! I knit one for The Minion Straightaway.

Using some leftover Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, in Fig, and a pair of size 13 knitting needles; I was able to knit this hat in just under an hour. I cast on 20 sts and knit 18 in. After binding off I seamed lengthwise :) 

The Minion looks adorable and most importantly super warm!

 

I think some blocking might be in order to give the "ears" a bit more shape but, all in all, I'm happy with how it turned out!

 

Instructions Here

Puff Daddy: A Cleverly Named Pouf

via VH1

Ha Ha, Puff Daddy! Bet you thought this post was about you..... Mr. Puff Daddy (formerly known as P. Diddy, sometimes "Puffy" or simply "Puff", then simply Diddy; only to recognize thyself as Puff Daddy once more) This Post is not about Thee. Tis' about thine Puff that is Pouf!

The Puff that is Pouf!

All Old English aside, this knit Pouf is super Puffy, and yes, it is called Puff Daddy and you can find the pattern at Pickles.com. It's pretty much a gathered garter stitch rectangle knit flat.... Super easy, No?

Oh wait... there's more. I found this really neat alternate version based on the Puff over at Flax & Twine. Anne Weil is a knitting instructor that wanted an easy project for her students and decided the Pouf was perfect... Even better is the fact that Anne substitues Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick, held 3 strands at time, AND she goes into greater detail on finishing. So it saves you some cash while teaching you good seaming skills at the same time.

Flax and Twine Alternative Pouf