Nostepinnes Center Pull Yarn Ball

Look what I found!  A tutorial on winding your yarn with a center pull!!  Now I'm not sure what a nostepinnes is but from the pictures, it looks like you could find something else that would work as well.  

The website is +Curiosities808  and here is the link for the tuturial you see below.  Part of it, as I didn't want to step on any toes.  You need to go to her website to see the tute.

Please leave a comment so she knows you've been there and appreciate her help.


She's an awesome beautiful young lady living in Hawaii.  She loves creating and is very curious about painting, embroidery, crocheting.  She loves wool, knitting and yarn!

See the rest of the tutorial HERE

Jogless When Crocheting Stripes

 

Have you ever ever had this problem?  Of course you have unless you've seen this awesome website with a tutorial on how to avoid this jog when crocheting in the round.  Find it here:

Needle Noodles website

Excerpt taken from her website:

"Tutorial: Crocheted Jogless Stripes

A common problem in amigurumi: you want to crochet something striped, but there's this funky looking stairstep "seam" running diagonally where you change colors. How do you get rid of that!?

EDIT: I've also put together a pair of videos showing this technique in action. You can view them here:  "

 
http://needlenoodles.com/home/node/165

So go ahead and take a look and come back for more helpful hints and websites that can help make your needlework look more professional and beautiful.  We can all learn something new.

Happy creating!!

kathy

Red Heart Yarn Webby Top

Hope you're not too disappointed.  This just isn't my day, I guess.  Ever have days like that?

For one thing, I did my Zumba workout too late last night and then couldn't sleep.  That didn't help today's crafty plan.

I wore my new webby luscious crochet top to Zumba class last night and it started to grow!!  I mean really grow and was getting in my way when I danced so I decided to take it in just a little on each side and make it more form fitting.  You guessed it.........something like that will fall apart when you start cutting even though you think you've caught all the stitches really well.

So now, I'm on to another idea.  I think I"ll just make a spider web and tack it down to a white tshirt.  Not the same sexy idea but for a glow-in-the-dark dance party, it'll do wonderfully.

I have a very talented nephew that is a fashion designer so called upon his help to cut a tshirt to look like a spider web on the front.  Can't wait to see his design.  I know he can do it and will be up to the challenge.

Pix later.

Red Heart Heart and Sole pattern I have chosen to start my challenge!

Here's a link to the pattern I have chosen to start my Red Heart yarn challenge. If you haven't followed along, I have challenged myself to use all Coats and Clark yarns in at least one pattern.

Here's the link:

Mini Key Ring

Aren't they cute?  

Now you might have to be patient until I can get out and buy the yarn. I sure sound like a procrastinator, don't I?  I might have some in my stash so could get started right away.

I will be back to show you my progress.

Pretty Lace Swatch

Found this pretty lace pattern I think will make a wonderful shawl. What do you think? I'm not sure the name of the stitch pattern but it's a very easy one. I will post a pattern real soon so keep watching.

Here's how the other lace scarf/stole or whatever it turns out to be is looking now that I've knitted quite a few more rows.

Toilet Paper Cover Crochet Pattern to Use Your Red Heart Super Saver Yarn

Here's a really fun FREE pattern for using your favorite Red Heart super saver yarn. I think you MUST give it a try. Wouldn't it be a fun gift?

I found this on the http://craftside.typepad.com/craftside/april-24-30-09/ blog and would like to give her full credit for the pattern. She calls it Pop Art. I call it Pretty Darn Cute!

And I think Pop Art fits best.

Pop Art Roll of toilet paper toilet paper cozy cover:

Click on the photo to see my crocheted roll of TP cozy.

Pretty funny, hu?

To make your own TP cozy you'll need:

Materials

Gray worsted weight yarn

White Worsted weight yarn

size H crochet hook

yarn needle

How to crochet the roll of toilet paper cozy:

With the gray yarn:

Chain 4 and slip stitch to join

Chain 1

About 15 sc into circle and join

chain 1

single crochet around again, about every 3rd or 4th stitch do a second sc in the same loop. This will increase the size of the circle allowing it to stay flat. Adjust number of stitches as needed to lay flat.

Cut gray yarn and weave in the end.

With the white yarn:

SC around gray circle every few stitches doing two sc in one loop. Join each circle, then chain 1 and repeat until you have a circle the size of your roll of toilet paper. For me this was about 6 rows (circles)

For the side:

Chain 15

Chain 1 and sc into second to last stitch.

SC back into every chain stitch, chain 1, turn and sc back into every stitch. Adjust number of stitches as needed for your roll of toilet paper.

Repeat until you have a strip long enough to go around the entire roll of toilet paper plus a few inches to fall open. For me it was about 20 inches.

Stitch the top to the sides and then join the beginning of the side strip under the falling open end.

Weave in all the ends.

Tawashi or Not Tawashi

I found a pattern for crocheting a tawashi that I like. So cute, huh? They crochet up really fast, too. I used cotton, Lily's Sugar and Cream, for the light colored ones and Red Heart KIDS acrylic yarn for the bright one in front.

So fun and they really work well. The cotton ones are soft enough to use on your skin and the acrylic ones are great for dishes. You can use the cotton ones for dishes, too.

Ok, it's time for me tawashi the dishes! LOL

You can see, I'm still having trouble with the focus on my camera.

Lily Sugar and Spice Pot Holders

I know this isn't my hat nor a floppy hat at all but I decided to switch to pot holders. They're kind of cute.

Here's my first ones. I really need to get to the store for more yarn. I don't have a stash like a lot of people and am getting dangerously low on yarn.

Mesh Market Bag Cotton Thread Knitted

Here's my next project. Remember that blue mesh market bag? This is the same pattern only I'm using varigated cotton. What you see is the bottom of the bag and I've begun working up the sides. This is being knit on size 13 circular needle.

The yarn is on a cone but I think it's like Sugar and Cream or something like that. Whatever you can get at WalMart.

I'll post another photo later so you can see my progress. This bag is similar but not the same pattern. Click here

Red Afghan Homespun Acrylic Yarn

This is the yarn I exchanged for the concrete leaf. I'm really into bright colors these days it looks like. It's quite a tight knit so next time I use Homespun, I will try knitting on EON, every other needle. The yarn was Lion Bran Yarns Homespun in Candy Apple. It's just a bit thicker than regular worsted weight 4 ply yarn.

I have more of this color so have another afghan on my machine that will be a thread lace pattern.

The yarn doesn't make good tassels so I crocheted around two rows in SC. I prefer the tassels as they seem more finished to me but this yarn tens to separate and falls apart as soon as that little thread making the bumps is cut. I don't think the tassels would wash up very good.

The yarn is completely machine washable and dryable.

Kathy

Socks and More Socks! Red Heart Yarn

These are actually slipper/socks I'm making with two strands of Red Heart worsted weight yarn. Lots of my leftovers worked together.

I'm off to finish another pair!

Am I having fun or what?!

Cable Knit Afghan Red Heart Yarn

This is the lastest afghan I made on my machine with the cable down the center panel. I just love it. I'm working on one with thread lace down the center and considering doing the whole thing thread lace. Can't wait to show you. I have only been using Red Heart's Super Saver no dye lot worsted weight yarn. I really like the durability and ease of knitting with it. It washes up so nicely and lasts forever. I need to get to JoAnns for some strong thread the same color as the yarn so I can do a green thread lace afghan.

Don't forget this is still May and you can find lots of flower patterns at the Lion Brand web site. I am really loving my Red Heart yarn this month. I've knitted those two afghans and one more and made lots of double strand slipper/socks.

Machine Knit Afghan Red Heart Yarn

Here's my latest knitting project which is using my knitting machine and Red Heart yarn. It took me awhile to figure out how to keep the sides from rolling but all the nice people on the yahoo group I'm in helped me and I think it turned out great! There is no pattern, just complete knitting. I released two stitches on the sides and let them run. They using two from each side, I laced them up.

Take a look at this wonderful version of the Raindrop pattern at Thea's Craft. I asked if someone would try my crochet pattern and Thea was kind enough to do so for me.

Isn't her raindrop wonderful?! I wouldn't have thought to use more than one color and she used worset weight yarn, like Red Heart, which is one of my favorites. Plus she was able to use some scraps.

WTG!! Thea! I wish I had a photo but if you go to her blog, you'll see it. She has a wonderful blog so don't miss it.

Thank you Thea!

Kathy

Crochet the Lorenz Manifold Pattern

Has anyone every heard of the Lorenz manifold? I found it described on a web site and found it quite by mistake but it so intriguing I have to try the pattern for myself. I will try not to keep you in suspense for too long and will get some photos poste in a day or two after there's something to photograph. The pattern seem easy but what you do with the pattern after you're done with the crochet part doesn't look so easy. You'll see when I get that far what I mean and when I find the web site again, I can post that for you too. I printed out the instructions without thinking about saving the site! I know not a good idea. I love to crochet and I love puzzles, so this pattern should be a lot of fun. The pattern calls for a B crochet hook and 4 ply mercerized cotton yarn.

Kathy

If anyone has any great tips for camping, RVing or traveling let me know. Or maybe you have a quick and easy campfire recipe. See my other blog RV Travel blog.

OR, if your interested in arts and crafts, check out my Arts and Crafts blog.

Acrylic Worsted Weight Knit Fish Hat Pattern

Knit Fish Hat Pattern


Here's my knit fish hat pattern in progress. I am working on the tail fins right now using up my worseted weight yarn. You know, you actually can find yarns in your stash that go together. Afterall, you usually choose colors you like and normally they will coordinate for the most part. This fish has been a lot of fun so far and I can't wait till I'm done so I can show you the finished project. Can you believe I am using variegated yarn!? After hating the outcome last time (check it out) but look! It actually look kind of like scales. Don't you think?

More later when I can show you the finished hat!
Kathy


If anyone has any great tips for camping, RVing or traveling let me know. Or maybe you have a quick and easy campfire recipe. See my other blog RV Travel blog.

OR, if your interested in arts and crafts, check out my Arts and Crafts blog.

FREE Knit and Crochet Patterns Brought to You By an Internet Search

I love this Internet! I have a few blogs to tell you about and the first one is this one called Smooth Fox Lover at http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/2009/03/smoothfoxs-crochetshadow-illusion-large.html This link is for the heart illusion crochet heart square.
Photo by Smooth Fox Lover
Illusion Crochet Heart Square

It's a wonderful blog you'll really enjoy checking out all her crochet patterns in her archives. And don't forget to vote for her and/or leave a comment.



She has designed other crochet illusion or shadow knit patterns! Some are free and some are for sale. Check out her patterns for sale on Ravelry.com and make sure you visit her Etsy Store. I am so pleased as I was wondering just the other day if there was such a thing as illusion or shadow crochet.

If anyone has any great tips for camping, RVing or traveling let me know. Or maybe you have a quick and easy campfire recipe. See my other blog RV Travel blog.

OR, if your interested in arts and crafts, check out my Arts and Crafts blog.

Pooling ~ A Knit Term Using Variegated Yarn

We’ve been discussing on the Sock Knitters Yahoo list, the possibility of your variegated knit yarn pooling patterns in your work and not striping as you'd like or expected it to do. This was a completely new term to me and I had no idea what they were talking about untill I read on. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! That’s what happened to my “Ugly Socks” shown in a previous post.

Knit Pooled Variegated Yarn Socks

They’re not ugly, they pooled! Or the yarn did. Was I relieved to know this is a common occurrence? No! Was I going to frog the socks and start over? Heck NO! I now love my socks. I can do that, I made them! Does knowing what the problem is make it ok? OK? YES! It happens.

Does that make my socks ugly or beautiful? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? I’ve gotten a few comments, which you can go back and read, from other knitters that think they’re not ugly. That was so nice to hear. I was the one that said they were ugly and no one else thought so. Makes me feel better.

Ok, enough about my ugly, not-so-ugly, or whatever socks. Have you ever heard of pooling before? I must be living on another planet because it sure was new to me and I’ve been knitting for years. I bet it’s because of the unlimited information on the Internet these days that we didn't have before. Whatever it is, I’m glad I learned about it now.

Do we even know what pooling really is? I bet there’s a lot of knitters that don’t know besides me. You can Google the word and see for yourself……..or…….check out my previous post to see my “pooled” socks. What should have bothered me more than my socks turning out two different sizes is the fact that they didn't stripe. I wanted striped socks. One thing I really hate is when it goes back and forth from stripes to pooling and then back again. Ever happen to you?

Pooling doesn’t happen only with expensive hand dyed yarns. It can and did happen to me using manufactured acrylic blend yarn I didn’t pay a bundle for! I've made afghans and sweaters with variegated yarns in the past. I look at it this way, knitting is an exciting art and it’s a wonderful surprise when things happen. Isn’t it? This, of course, can happen to anything your knitting with any variegated yarns. Sometimes they come out as a disappointment. Maybe they start out with a lovely pooling affect you really like but then as you do the decreasing or maybe do a sleeve, things change and they can change quite a bit. And don't you just hate it when the body of a sweater pools nicely and then the sleeves look all together different?

I can hear the questions now. How can this be avoided? Let me tell you there’s a few ways mentioned in the Sock Knitters Yahoo list but there’s no guarantees. Some say to change the gauge slightly or change the knit stitch but your knitting project can start out great and it can always change in a stitch or row and start pooling. You could always tell everyone you meant to knit it up that way. You could. After all it's your artistic license and you're the designer. I don’t like taking a chance that my project will stripe, so I think I’ll stay away from variegated yarns for awhile. Doesn’t this sound like gambling?

Have you ever heard of flashing? No, not that kind. I mean in knitting. That’s just another look or pattern that pooling causes. To flash or not to flash. Is that really the question? Oh my, just learned there’s also a yarn out there that is supposed to create dots! Is that really true? Anyone.

So have we covered the perils of pooling enough? If you like it you like it; if you hate it, you hate it. If I expect to get striped socks and I don’t, I’m very disappointed and don’t like it but I’ll be darned if I’ll frog it.

Oh oh, just learned of another one! Called puddling! Is that the dots? Ok, now I know variegated yarns will not be used by me untill I learn more about using them. Who would have thought it was so complicated!? The sad thing is that we don’t usually figure all this out till we’ve knitted quite a bit.

Happy knitting!!

If anyone has any great tips for camping, RVing or traveling let me know. Or maybe you have a quick and easy campfire recipe. See my other blog RV Travel blog.

OR, if your interested in arts and crafts, check out my Arts and Crafts blog.

What Will it Be? Knit or Crochet? Free Patterns !

Here's the good ideas Tiff from Analog Buttons suggested! Thank you so much. Guess I was thinking Easter and spring instead of April showers. So now I will find a fitting pattern or design. Maybe something using a chunky yarn using large needles or maybe a knitted shawl or scarf using smaller needles and lighter weight yarn.

How about:

• March - Crochet Shamrock Free Pattern
• April - Showers
• May - Flowers
• June - Summer Solstice
  I read that May 21 2008June 20-21 is a very important day for our planet and its relationship with the sun. June 20-21 is one of two solstices, days when the rays of the sun directly strike one of the two tropical latitude lines.
• August -
• September -
• October -
• November -
• December -
  

Keep the ideas coming. I finally found my mismatched socks I knitted so will get a photo taken and get them posted so you can see them. The ones I posted a few days ago using the Red Heart & Sole yarn are so much prettier. The yarn I used was not supposed to automatically stripe which is pretty evident when you seen them. I still think they're ugly! Wait till you see!

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog. Don't forget to take my survey, join my followers and vote or me! Vote for my blog.........see the link along the right side.

Kathy

If anyone has any great tips for camping, RVing or traveling let me know. Or maybe you have a quick and easy campfire recipe. See my other blog RV Travel blog.

OR, if your interested in arts and crafts, check out my Arts and Crafts blog.

My Favorite Red Heart Yarn Project

Here's one of my favorite Red Heart Yarn projects. If anyone is interested, I can locate the pattern for you but I can guarantee you it was a free one. That's my youngest grandson who is now going on 3 years old so this was knitted a couple Christmases ago. He makes a very good model, don't you think?

There's many many wonderful patterns out there that can make your inexpensive yarns look terrific if used in a different way. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box. Someone did here with the use of just knit and purl and the combination of the two stitches. The color combination was by my design.




My next post I'm going to list my top 10 favorite Red Heart Yarns.
Kathy

3 comments:
Anonymous said...
Kathy, you're right! that sweater is so cute and in its simplicity, its very good-looking, too.

I would love to know where you found the pattern and I'm wondering if I have it already, but because you knit it so nicely, and with those colors, it looks like something I have never seen.

Christine

March 11, 2009 1:11 PM
Arts and Crafts dot COM said...
Christine, I believe it was one of the little free patterns that hang near the yarn. I can email you the pattern if you'd like. It was very easy to make up.
Kathy

March 11, 2009 2:25 PM
Arts and Crafts dot COM said...
Christine, I found it. It's a Lion Brand pattern #60448 and it's on their web site but you have to register and log in to get it. It's free to do so. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn and it turned out so nice. Hope this helps. Kathy

March 11, 2009 2:31 PM