Kittens and Yarn

Distressed Gingerbread Man Cat Toys

Via Dream a Little Bigger

I must admit to making my kitties crazy with Catnip! You are doing your cat a serious disservice if you don't. Now, usually we put it in a not so nice looking mismatched sock since, let's face it, they tear the jeebus out of it! I would hate to spend an entire afternoon making them a toy only for them to destroy it; however, for the sake of a great photo op.... I may reconsider.

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!

AHAAAA Tip of the Week! Stockinette Edge Treatments

via Wild Hare Fiber

 

This is an ode to the abhorred curling of stockinette edges. Some patterns work the characteristic curled edge into projects such as a hat with a curled brim or sweater with a rolled hem. I love this stitch in particular because it shows off cabling nicely and has a very clean look but I don't particularly like to add seed stitch or garter stitch to the edges. Check out Wild Hare Fiber's take on the matter. 

 

My personal favorite is the Slipped Edge.

 

 

Melissa of Fiber Hare writes:

 

"Row 1: knit one stitch, slip next stitch to right needle without knitting, knit one stitch. Knit rest of row to last three stitches, repeat k sl k.
Row 2: purl
Row 3: slip one stitch, knit one, slip one. Knit to last three stitches, repeat
Row 4: purl
Repeat these four rows for your edges. The slipped stitches get a little twist on the even numbered rows which helps hold the curl in check. These edge stitches still curl around, but with an interesting effect, in that the edge gets a nice row of stitches." 

Here’s how the back and side edges look:

Happy Knitting!

 

 

 



DIY Cross Stitch Wall Art



DIY Cross Stitch Wall Mural
Tutorial via Home Heart Craft
Image via Bloesem Living

I came across this Sweet DIY Post, for a Cross Stitch Wall Mural, over at Home Heart Craft! Leave it to me to somehow manage a skull or two into the mix....  



Sugar Skull Cross Stitch Chart

Via Scarlet Pyjamas

This would look Amazing up on a wall! Plus, I am probably better at painting than I am at Cross Stitching. Assuming you can use whatever pattern you like, the possibilities are endless!



The Dreaded Weaving In of the Ends

Hiding Your Ends
via Yarn

Seriously my least favorite part of knitting! The dreaded weaving in of the ends! Hate! Hate! Hate to weave in my ends. I just love this tip and this site in general. Thank you WEBS for making me randomly smile :) I shall try this out on my new project... whenever I found out what that is.

Mischievous Stitchery

Free Embroidery Pattern

via Dream a Little Bigger

Do I know how to embroider? No, not really. I am, however, willing to learn! To get me started I found this very cute transfer pattern and with a little help from the Tutorials of Jenny Hart over at Sublime Stitching I may be well on my way to Mischievous Stitchery.....

Select Patterns available @ Sublime Stitching

An Old Rag Becomes New: Bath Mat Tutorial

Rag Bath Mat Tutorial

The idea of knitting with rags is not new but I'm surprised more people aren't into it. I, myself, am partial to quick chunky knits. I imagine this bathmat being super squishy and cuddly..... It calls for sized 19 needles and a King Sized sheet or comforter.

Here are a couple more sites to get you started....

Make Cottage Style Rag Balls

You can Crochet With Sheets

Kittens and Yarn

Cat's Mane

Pattern by Mer Almagro

via Ravelry



*fyi- this pattern is worked flat! (great news since I have not yet mastered the ways of circular knitting) ((sigh))

Ramen Knitting

Knitting with Ramen....Why? Just because you can! That's why!



Xtreme Knitting: The Giganto Blanket

True Fact: Nothing is better than a quick knit...... However, this is knitting on steroids! You would have to be on roids in order to maneuver these huge "needles" which are, in actuality, PVC.

The Giganto-Blanket Pattern is the brain child of Laura Birek of Nocturnal Knits. I'm interested in getting my hands on some roving and a pair of broom handles and seeing how far that gets me..... I have puny T-rex like arms so I'm guessing not very far, but hey, if you're up for the challenge I'd love to see what you can come up with!

Get yourself 1 1/2" PVC, some UNSPUN wool roving and CO 28sts, K2 P2, BO.... and voila!

You have yourself a ginormous Giganto-Blanket!  (and a whole lot of sore muscles!)

Kool Aid: The Perfect Shade of Green...

Yummy, Kool Aid Dyed Yarn!

I have never used this method before. Why not, right? Dye is dye. I have my eye on the Lemon Lime flavored Kool Aid, it looks like it would make a great "Zombie" Green! Click the link below for the How To.

Tutorial via Knitty

My New Toys: Yarn Swift and Yarn Ball Winder

My New Toys!

Royal Ball Winder

Plastic and Metal Swift

Im the lucky owner of a new yarn swift and ball winder! My husband gifted the items over Mother's Day, in the beginning of May, but I haven't gotten around to posting about them until now.... as I have been waaaay busy organizing my stash into little neat yarn cakes :)

It looks a bit more complicated than it is but once you get the hang of it, it's so much easier than my previous method....

D'oh!

P.S Here is a wee tutorial from Webs, which is where these were purchased :)

Tunisian Crochet

Tunisian Crochet, also referred to as Afghan Crochet, is considered by many to be a cross between knitting and crochet. It uses an especially looooooong crochet hook and some basic know how.

This particular pattern and tutorial created by Jennifer Hansen is available for purchase at Stitch Diva Studios. She even has some basic tutorials listed for your crafting pleasure..... just follow the link below and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

via Stitch Diva