Free 'n easy knit pattern, the Patricia cowl

I'm in full marathon knit mode now, aiming to get at least 4 projects completed before I head to Texas to help DD and SIL move back home, Jan 3. So far, I've made 2 pairs of slippers; one child and one adult size.
The adult size was a compilation of two patterns, the crochet top of the Crocodile Stitch Boots, and the knit foot and sole of the St Louis Boots - Slippers in seed st in Eskimo by DROPS design



The childs' booties are done completely in crochet, according to the pattern. I'm not fond of crochet footwear, too holey and stiff, but will probably wear longer, at least one season, when she'll outgrow them. I used Red Heart Soft Multi worsted acrylic, for the child's booties.

I'm going to make another pair of the St Louis Boots, once I have snagged some nice bulky worsted, color TBD.
I'm on to the next quick project, the Patricia Cowl.



I'm using Berroco Voyage, Embers colorway, an interesting braided blend of yummy super fine Alpaca and polyester. The cable pattern is repeated over 20 rows, nothing too complicated, and is an easy pattern to memorize. This is the first two repeats.

Mr. Peeps is currently redecorating his cage; apparently the carpeting is very tasty!

The Kindle Book Review: Reunion by Jeff Bennington| Knitting News

The Kindle Book Review: Reunion by Jeff Bennington, A Best-Selling Superna...: Hello, Kindle readers. Take a look at today's feature book, Reunion by Jeff Bennington. It has a 4.1 star rating with 95 reviews. An Amazon...

I want to take a moment to mention, this is a GREAT BOOK! I purchased it last Fall while engaging in conversation with the author, who I met on Twitter, through other bookworms. I downloaded the book onto my tablet Kindle app, and began reading it that evening. I couldn't put it down, and so every evening became my ritual of going upstairs and heading straight for my Kindle for a night of pure reading pleasure. When I finished reading, it was one of those "please bring on the Sequel" types, and I immediately told Jeff I was his newest fan. I have all his books to-date, and will anxiously await new arrivals as they are released!

Please go to this blog and read the reviews, then get the book-get any one of his books; you won't be disappointed!

I have also been incredibly busy with my knitting, and have some updates to share with you!

I finished Natalie's Bike-Riding Neck Warmer:

Project info

Nat's Riding Cowl

Pattern : 

Marble Cowl by Lion Brand Yarn

Needle: US 8 - 5.0 mm

Yarn

Red Heart Boutique Magical

How much?

1 skeins = 190.0 yards (173.7m)

Colorway : Abracadabra

Post updates from my other WordPress blog

Hoppy Easter to All my Knitty peeps!

While many are out and about celebrating a holy day filled with chocolate bunnies and colored eggs, I am enjoying a quiet day learning a new (to me) technique, doing yarnovers (YO) from knit to purl and purl to knit.


I am working on Brooke's Column of Leaves Knitted Scarf Pattern

While trying to decipher why my pattern wasn't as lacy as the ones shown in the pattern blog post, I found a video quite by accident, and it helped answer a huge question I have been pondering, and it has solved my problem!
Yarnovers between knit and purl stitches

Knitter's comments: note the two columns of open work running the length of each side; the initial single hole row is corrected in the last two pattern repeats to more accurately resemble a honeycomb pattern.
Also, the vining in the leaf pattern becomes more visible after implementing the correct YO knit stitch.
Project notes:
Needles
US 7 - 4.5 mm
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn Multi
2 skeins = 408.0 yards (373.1m)
Colorway: Plummy
Purchased at
Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts in Wisconsin

Igor is taking inventory of toy stash on Toy Hill.

Never ata loss for words, just time…

I have been once again remiss in blogging- what is up with that? Oyeah, the emails.
I’ve been a knitting fool, plus work has been amazing, so without further boring you with trivialities, I must show you what has been keeping me away!

First, I got really interested in making a neck warmer cowl, specifically for when I’m out riding. I didn’t like the fuss of a scarf, too many loose ends needing to be tucked out of the way. Gearing up is a process, as it is. I usually pull the home out, start her up, and she’s warming up while I’m gearing up. That can take me 5 minutes, and one more article added just means less time on Stella.
I saw this new Lion Brand Tweed Stripes yarn at Joann.com and the color Wildfire jumped out at me; Harley Orange! They even had a simple FREE PATTERN: Marble Cowl for what I needed!
2 days later, VÓILA!

I love the striping, and how soft it is. I washed it last night and it came out even softer; NOTE: this yarn, while soft, does not hold its shape, and becomes quite drapey, a good thing for this type of project
Ohai! How do you like my new Bikers jacket? I got it from a friend who no longer rides due to neck surgeries and other comfort issues. She had a brand new pair of chaps, and threw in the jacket. O.M.G. I am in 5, 6 and 7th Heaven!!! I just finished seeing on my HOG owners patch, AB-F’ing-FAB!!!

Next, I needed another cowl for my Taking Igor Outside At 11:30 At Night coat. I dove into my stash and found some Red Heart Lt. Grey Heather, which would pick up the subtle gray in the fleece coat. Using the same size 10 16″ circular needles, I threw another one together in 2 days. An pleased to report, this yarn seems less stretchy and is holding its shape well. This is a nicer acrylic yarn which I would definitely recommend for something larger, say, a sweater or Turtleback-type wrap or just a simple shawl.
Will wear it for a week before I note any stretch or shape-shifting, but it doesn’t feel as though that will be a problem.



And speaking of Turtlebacks, I’m back on my very FIRST large knitting project, the Turtleback Wrap, as seen in previous blog posts here. So many have asked for the directions, I felt compelled to revive the hibernating wrap and will complete it post haste!
This is an easy pattern: K2 P2 for the rectangle, fold and see up to within 7″ for armholes. I’m going to knit it until I run out of this luxurious yarn!


That ball of fluffiness, that’s Paton Divine. Like knitting a cat!

Well, that’s it for today! The snow is melting, we’re missing a spectacular Northern Lights show, due to overcast conditions, but I hear it could last a month?!? Will post any news, pics and/or sightings!

Have a loverly rest of the day, wherever you call Home, and I promise to update more often, now that the Holidays are but a memory.