the woollen hippy

The Owl Tea Cozy

 I finished my owl tea cozy and it's been keeping the pot of tea nice and hot!  I decided not to put the tassels on the ears since it was so busy with colours anyway. Also, I crocheted the eyes rather than knit them.  I wanted bold circles and thought that crochet would be best. This pattern is from the holiday 2012 issue of Knit Simple magazine. 

 I'm slowly working through my stash and nearing my goal of using the yarn I've got(hence all the double strands and multi colour)...but did make a trip to the shop to buy one skein to make Minka a new coat for the new year.  I just winged it and it turned out well:)

 

She loves it(REALLY)!

 

New project... 

Now I'm starting a new hat using this free Feather and Fan Hat pattern from Cascade Yarns. Hopefully it will be chilly enough to get some wear in Hong Kong this winter.  I'll post a picture soon(at least I hope I'll be finished soon hehehe).  

 

Happy New Year & Happy Stitching:)

 

Related articles

The Snakey Update

The Snake Scarf Christmas

The Snake Scarf Christmas

My two little snakes are finally finished.  I wrapped them up and shipped them off to Canada for Christmas.  Stayed tuned for the pattern...I'm too busy trying to get ready for Christmas dinner...and just being lazy...that I was not able to add it to this post.  

Here are a few of my other recent projects...

My owl tea cozy HOOT HOOT!

This pattern is from the holiday 2012 issue of Knit Simple magazine.  I crocheted the eyes instead of knitting and I'm still not sure if I will add the tassels. Hmmmm...

I've been trying my best to use up my stash of yarns.  I will not let myself buy anymore until what I've got is all gone.  I've found combining stands of different colours has helped me use up some of the more undesirable shades.

Just found a pattern for Minka and a new project for me.

Free dog coat pattern

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Related articles

The Snakey Update

The Snakey Update

October has been busy and I haven't had time for too much knitting. But, I wanted to try and make a few presents and thought if I attempted something relatively easy I might actually finish before Christmas. I had bought a package of orange cotton at my local yarn shop, Cheer Wool (in Wan Chai, Hong Kong), from their bargain bin. Originally, I intended to make a lace vest with it, but once knitted up realised it was much too bright.

I decided a simple scarf would be my best bet at a quick and easy gift for the little girls on my list. Hmmmm...how to make it fun?...a colourful snake I thought! After a quick google image search I was inspired and had an idea to combine the orange cotton with some additional coloured strands. Here is what I have so far. One scarf complete (minus the tongue) and another on the needles. Pattern to follow next time... I've also made progress on the recycled yarn bag but can't continue until I've found some more old duds to cut up...I'll keep you updated. Happy knitting:)

The Recycled Yarn Project

It's my last day of summer vacation.  While enjoying my lazy mornings this past week I cleaned out the closet.  I had planned on donating anything I hadn't worn in the past year to the charity bin down the road.  But... before letting it all go I had visions of rag rugs and recycled bags run through my head.  So, I've been busy cutting all the cotton items into strips and I've begun to make a dog carrier bag for my little Minka (well that's what I hope it's going to be!)I'm just winging it as I go.

 

Here is a loose idea of my Dog Carrier/Tote Bag Pattern:

First cut up old cottons into approximately 1 inch wide strips. Cut off all seams, pockets, waistbands, etc. beforehand. I just started at the outside edge and cut in a continuous spiral until there was nothing left to cut. I joined my strips using a reef knot.(Reef Knot HOW TO VIDEO) 

With a size M crochet hook I chained 20 + 1 (to make the first single crochet). I  single crocheted into the back loop of the second chain from my hook, then in continued in each of the 20 chains until I reached the last chain.  I made three single crochets in the end and then worked my way back down the other side in single crochet and made three single crochets at the opposite end.  I have continued around in a spiral making sure to increase three single crochets at each end (2 sc(single crochet), 1 sc, 2sc, 1sc, 2sc).  After seven rows I stopped increasing at the ends and started to build up the sides of my bag(continue increasing to make a floor rug). I will stop when I reached my desired height.  

I'll let you know how it turned out in my next post!  To be continued...

The Mary Jane Booties

 

These super cute little Mary Jane Booties are all finished and ready to get wrapped up and sent off through the mail to a new home.  I hope they fit. As promised here are the details for the free pattern just click on this link for The Mary Jane Booties. 

I used Sirdar Smiley Stripes in Giggly Green and Tangerine Dream to make my booties (I love using up some of my stash!).  I found the pretty yellow vintage buttons at my local yarn shop (Cheer Wool on Hennessy Road, Hong Kong).  I didn't have any 3.25mm needles so I used 4mm and my mary janes turned out a little bigger.  That's OK, baby feet grow don't they!?  I will definitely be making more of these.  The were very quick to knit and oh so cute.

Now, back to my paint by numbers...

 

 

 

The Mary Jane Booties & The Pretty Birdies

I just finished these baby presents tonight. I will post more info on the free mary jane bootie pattern later. Just trying to do my first post from my phone...eeeks!
Booties are blocked and drying on the rack.
I've started a paint by numbers picture! I've always wanted to do one and found these pretty birds at the Wan Chai market down the road.
Details to follow...

The Knit Cushions & Puppy's New Friend

Life in Hong Kong is BUSY!  I'd go mad without my crafty outlets so I've tried to squeeze a few in here and there, but I've not got much to show for myself since my last blog.  I've recently decided I've got to catch up with all my friends who keep having babies, so I'm trying to get on the toy making wagon.  Here is my first attempt since my last post about The Puppy For Baby P.  I've still got work to do on tightening my stitches.  But, making toys is so rewarding I just want to keep them and play myself!

This is a different pattern than I used on The Puppy For Baby P.  It's another free pattern from the Lion Brand site, Happy Puppy.  It is very similar to the last one but a smaller size.  I made the arms and legs a little longer and didn't decrease the ears at the bottom.  I also did not use plastic eyes, just made a few crocheted circles instead. I think he turned out very cute!  Phil wanted to keep it for Minka, our dog (Yup, we have our very own real live puppy now!).  I used up some organic cotton yarn (Patons Pure taupe, which I've just discovered has been discontinued click the link for alternatives Patons Yarns)for the body and some of my Sirdar Baby Bamboo for the rest.  

Bum Shot!

Since I haven't much time for stitching these days I've been trying to make things that are useful and VERY, VERY, SIMPLE.  I made these cushions (NOT the bright yellow crocheted one, I bought that from Franc Franc one of my fav home decor stores in Hong Kong).  I found some fat, fuzzy and most of all fun wool in the sale bin from my local shop and made a few cushions for the sofa. Just knit two squares of different colours for one and stitched together. Then for the other, knit a long rectangular rib pattern and sewed the three sides together. I knit them with my 10mm needles. Purchased some very cheap pillow forms from IKEA to stuff inside and that was that.

And here are a few other crafty home decor projects I've made time for:

 We found two discarded planks of wooden floorboards on the street, so I decoupaged four empty oatmeal tins with Japanese origami paper and we made a spice rack/shelf for the counter in the kitchen.

 

Here is a picture of Minka I made with the rest of the origami paper, water colour pencils, and a white dry erase marker haha!  We adopted Minka from LAP-Lifelong Animal Protection here is a little blog about her (Minka from  Jen Chan of LAP). We are so in love with her, she is the cutest, craziest, most loving little thing.  We feel so lucky to have such a perfect little fur ball!

Getting hugs from my Mom & Dad who came to Hong Kong for a visit.  It was wonderful to have them here with us, they wanted to take Minka back to Canada:)

And a painting of Chinese lanterns floating in the sky.  My first real painting in ages, inspired by one of my favourite memories of Lunar New Year that I posted in The Aeroplane Knitting Kit.  Not very spectacular but something to put up on our boring white walls.

And... I also made a dishcloth, but it's plain and square...  I hope it doesn't take another ten months to update again.  Time to do My Ravelry Page now! Be crafty:)  

The Puppy For Baby P

A few days before we left England(for the next big adventure in Hong Kong) I had one more crafty task to complete...making my first crocheted toy:D  It was FUN FUN FUN and I can't wait to make more.  I bought a diaper bag for my best friend Katie, who's due to have a little baby boy in September.  Before packing it up and sending it off to Nova Scotia I wanted to add a little something special to it.  This free Amigurumi Dog pattern #81015AD, from the Lion Brand site was very simple to make, only next time I would have used a smaller hook to give it a tighter stitch.  I was a little unhappy with the view of the stuffing through the holes, but he's still a cute little thing and will be sure to get some cuddles. 

Puppy getting a photo with the gang before his trip across The Atlantic.

 

We arrived in Hong Kong about a week ago.  It's been very rainy and miserable outside and Phil and I have been suffering with some serious jet lag.  I've been busy with another vest pattern during the sleepless nights and soggy afternoons.  

In breaks between crocheting and drinking tea I've been trying to study up on the best places to visit in Hong Kong, and trying to wrap the noggin around a little bit of Cantonese with my handy pocket guide.  We are living in a tiny studio apartment while we look for our permanent digs (BIGGER permanent digs haha).  Phil hasn't complained about my knitting sprawl yet, sometimes it's just hard to contain myself, I'd throw the balls around the room if it's were just me here. I'm in love with all these bright new colours(Sirdar Baby Bamboo). 

 

 The first visions I had of my current vest projects, scribbled in my notebook...The Colourful Summertime Flower Vest and The Wavvy Stripes Vest.

 

I started to add the back and an armhole to my Flower Vest(seen in The Summertime is Colourtime)but I've made my petals too big/thin/floppy:(  When I tried it on they sort of dangled about in a very unflowery sort of way.  I'm going to frog it, riiiiiiiippp.  Round two will have more petals and they will be shorter in length, maybe a smaller hook too...more on that later.

 

Just found a new pattern to add to the list of things I MUST make...

...it's a free pattern from Vicki Howell (FREE Penny Arcade Pattern).  It's GREEN!  Love it.  Can't wait to wear it.  Now to find some yarn shops here in Hong Kong...

The Baby Poncho Tutorial ~ Part 2

You should be finished your six granny squares from The Baby Poncho Tutorial ~ Part 1.  Now, it's time to piece your baby poncho together, add some trim and a tassel, here we go...

1.  Cut a piece of yarn in the same colour as Row 5 of your granny square, about the length of 2.5 squares and thread it through a darning needle.  Begin with two squares right sides together (your first and last stitch should be in one of the 2 chains that make the corner).

 

2.  Feed your needle through the front loops of the chains on each side, continue until the end, break off.  

 

3.   Your seam should look like this.

 

4.  Your blocks should be sewn together in this pattern.

 

5.  Beginning at back left shoulder seam, attach yarn with a slip stitch into third stitch from seam, chain three.

 

6.  Decrease evenly over the next four stitches(two stitches on each side of seam).

 

7.  Double crochet to front neck and decrease over four stitches evenly at seam.

 

8.  Double crochet to right neck seam and repeat steps 6 & 7 until you reach beginning, slip stitch into third chain at start, chain three.

 

9.  At shoulder seam decrease evenly over the next two stitches, continue in double crochet until two stitches before front seam.

10.  Decrease evenly over four stitches at front neck.

 

11.  Continue in double crochet and decrease two stitches at right shoulder and four stitches at back neck until you reach the beginning, slip stitch into top of chain 3 and break off yarn.

12.  Now, it's time for the bottom trim...starting at back left...attach new colour with slip stitch, chain three, double crochet in top of each stitch from edge being careful at seams to make sure you are working the stitches evenly.

 

13.  When you reach the back corner, make five double crochet into corner, continue around in double crochet until you reach the front corner and make five double crochets into that as well.

 

14.  Continue the edge in double crochet to the beginning and join with a slip stitch into third chain of beginning, break off.  The trim in DONE!

15.  TASSLE TIME...finishing touches are so much fun:)  Chain 60 +/- (you may decided to make your tassle shorter or longer)in the same colour as bottom edge, weave cord through every second double crochet starting at front, make sure your cord is a good length and break off.

 

16.  To add the tassle to the cord, cut 8 pieces of yarn 5-6inches in length, using the crochet hook pull the 8 pieces of yarn through the first chain of cord to make a loop, carefully pull all ends through the loop at once(including the tail of the cord), pull tightly and trim ends straight across the bottom of the tassle.  Repeat on other end of cord to make the second tassle.

 

17.  To finish everything off weave in all the ends, block and lay flat to dry...YOU'RE DONE...go find an adorable little baby and make them look even cuter with their new poncho.  

 

Phewf!  That took a while to complete.  If you are looking for a detailed  baby poncho pattern I will have a PDF available soon for download.  Check back soon.

Happy Poncho Making:)

 

The Baby Poncho Tutorial ~ Part 1

(Here is a version made with different colours)

Making a baby poncho from granny squares is a piece o' cake.  Directions for making a square or piecing it together might be a tad confusing, though.  I made a photo tutorial for you to ease your frustration:)  Thank you to a reader, Renee, for suggesting this project.

 

Baby Poncho Tutorial

To make a poncho you need to make 6 granny squares.  Using a 5mm hook I've chosen Debbie Bliss Ecobaby cotton to make mine.  I've used four different colours.  

1. Chain 4 to begin a square.

 

2.  Join with a slip stitch into first chain to create a circle.

 

3.  Chain three(this will act as the first double crochet).

 

4.  Double crochet into centre of circle once.

 

5.  Chain 3, to make corner.

6.  2 double crochet into circle.

 

7.  Chain 3, (2 double crochet into centre, chain 3) twice, join with a slip stitch into third chain of beginning.

 

8.  Slip stitch to corner.

 

9.  Cut thread.  

 

10.  Join next colour, pull new colour through loop.

 

11.  Slip stitch new colour through corner.

 

12.  Chain 3, double crochet into corner.

 

13.  Chain three(to make corner), 2 double crochet into corner.

 

14.  Chain 1, (2 double crochet, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 1) three times, slip stitch into third chain of beginning.

 

15.  Slip stitch to corner, cut yarn.

 

16.  Join new colour as above.  Chain 3, double crochet into corner, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet into chain one space.

17.  Chain 1, (2 double crochet(into corner), chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet into chain one space, chain 1)three times, slip stitch into third chain of beginning, cut yarn and attach next colour as above.  Next Row~ Chain 3, 1 double crochet(into corner), chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 1, (2 double crochet into chain one space, chain 1) two times, [2 double crochet(into corner), chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 1, (2 double crochet into chain one space, chain 1) two times,]three times, join with a slip stitch to third chain of beginning.

 

18.  Cut yarn and pull through end to finish square.

 

* instructions added May 13th 2011*

19.  Join next colour with slip stitch into corner, chain 3, double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet.

 

20.  Double crochet in top of next double crochet from row 4, double crochet in top of next stitch, *(double crochet in ch one space, 2 double crochet in top of next two double crochet)*repeat until you reach the corner, 2 double crochet in corner, chain 2, two double crochet.  Repeat this pattern until you've made it back to the beginning.  Break off and draw yarn through loop to finish square.

 

21.  Phewf!  You are finished your first square.  Now make 5 more squares, 4 of one colour pattern and 2 of the other.  Or you can make any colour combo you want since it's your poncho:)

 

To be continued...

The Baby Poncho Tutorial ~ Part 2 click the link to continue the photo tutorial!

 

 

The Springy Update

(I purchased my Debbie Bliss eco cotton at Wool Bath UK.  It was a pretty little shop with fun little knit toy animals perched here and there:) 

Here is pic of the shop from the outside taken from the shop's website Wool Bath UK (that's not me in the photo it's the shops owner whose name in also Laura...quinky dink)

 

Yay, it's spring time and I've been out in the grass all day, soaking up the sunshine and smiling at the daisies.  I've started to photograph my poncho tutorial that I promised I would get to.  I feel so productive.  Here are a few sneak peeks of the baby poncho pattern I'm putting together to share here on my blog...

Row 1...look how pretty the little daisies look in the background!

 

Adding a row of yellow.

 

Here I am in the office this afternoon...the birds were gossiping all day long!  Hopefully, I will have all my photos sorted and my tutorial will be posted within a weeks time.  

 

It's been a busy few months.  I got married in Korea... 

...and celebrated in NS with my family. Many wedding celebrations with family and friends, finally, on the last few weeks of our visit I managed to get the following knitting/crochet projects finished:

I presented Paige and Sophie with their ponchos.I wrote about them in The Three Granny Ponchos. Paige (above) was happy to model, only for a quick snap, as she, Buzz, and Woody were busy.  Sophie on the other hand, prefers to be in the buff these days and quickly tore off her poncho along with the rest of her clothes in true hippy fashion, so no photo of her. They did look very sweet on them both.

 

I finished weaving in the ends of Lauren's poncho(above).  Her response when she saw it was, "COOL!".  That made me feel good. At 10 years old she was more than happy to strike a few poses for me. 

 

I made my sister a bag for her birthday...

...not a great pic I know, but I was in a hurry.  It's a free Lion Brand pattern called Market Bag(<= click the link for the free pattern).  I used an organic cotton that I found on sale.  This was my second time using this pattern.  It's very easy and very fast. 

Here is the picture from the website, Lion Brand:

 

Next, I made this little wrap for my other sister...

I didn't have time to take a photo, so the one above is from the website.  I finished it an hour before we left for the airport...classic!  The free pattern from Berroco is called Beatrice (<=click the link for the free pattern).  Another quick project.  I used recycled cotton from Paton's.  

 

Lastly, I started to make this summer shawl for my Mom.  I had to bring it to England with me and will mail it back to Canada when it's done...

The pattern is free from Lionbrand, Lace Shawl Pattern (<= click the link for the pattern). 

Here is a pic from the website... 

 

What an update, it took me nearly as long to post as it did to make my baby poncho this morning.  Tutorial coming next...HAPPY SPRING!

 

The Aeroplane Knitting Kit

I made myself a little aeroplane knitting/crochet kit this evening.  I was worried about taking needles on the plane and having them confiscated at security while travelling next week.  I successfully made it through my trip to China (See some trip pics here) with one small metal crochet hook so I figured it should be safe to travel to England and Canada with a larger variety this time.  Just to be sure I googled and found this helpful info~TSA link.  Looks like I should be fine, just to be safe I haven't included any of my precious wooden needles. My traveling knitting/crochet kit consists of a few cheap sets of circular bamboo needles, some hand me down crochet hooks, a little cable needle, and some small blunt tipped scissors.  Now I just need to decided what sort of project to work on...hmmmmm  Something for spring?

 

I saw this AWESOME t-shirt(buy it here) while looking for my traveling with needles info.  You can buy it from Craftster.  I can't wait to explore this site a bit more, it was my first time there.  I think I may have to make an impulse purchase...summer is on the way!

 

Speaking of warmer weather...today in Jeju, South Korea it was sunny and springy.  Instead of sporting a super warm & woolly sweater it was mild enough to wear one of my ponchos I made last year.  I hadn't yet photographed it and uploaded it to Ravelry~thewoollenhippy since I had joined after completing it.  This photo is not a particularly great shot, but you get the idea.  I used one of Lion Brand's free patterns to make this crocheted poncho.  Click on the link to get the free poncho pattern Free Poncho Pattern.  This was SUPER DUPER easy to make!  I skipped the neck trim, flower tassel and also used a lighter weight wool than suggested.  I like how loose and drapey my poncho turned out.  I choose really earthy colours (the main brown is the same brown used in The Traveling Brown Wristers) and I made a different stripe pattern than the original.   

Here is a close up of the colours:)

Next entry will probably be from Canada, and hopefully the start of my first photo tutorial on my little granny square ponchos The Three Granny Ponchos!

The Traveling Brown Wristers

We arrived back in Korea last week after enjoying a FABULOUS holiday in China with good friends, Johanna and Troy(our gracious hosts). They fed us, translated for us, and showed us the best spots in and around Nanjing China during the Lunar New Year holidays. It took us a little while to get there so I packed with me a little something to kill time during transport...one of many incomplete projects...wristers! This easy free wrister pattern from Lion Brand(pattern # 80703AD free wrister pattern) had been keeping me occupied at work when it was slow. I had one completed already, so I packed up my little canvas bag and while on the airplane, on the train and while catching up over cocktails in the living room, I pumped out the second brown wrister in no time. They were perfect for keeping the hands cozy while snapping photos of temples, fireworks, smiles and tables full of yummy food:) I didn't quite get what all the fuss was with wristers as I was seeing patterns for them everywhere and didn't think I was going to like them, but they really are quite convenient and these ones were very simple to make. I recommend you whip yourself up a pair of wristers, there are sooooo many different free patterns available out there!

 

Here are some photos for you from my trip...I'm modeling my Chinese tube scarf from a previous post(The Chinese Tube Scarf).  Phil is NOT modeling his chunky cable hat that I had mentioned in this post Link to Phil's chunky cable hat picture) because he thought he had lost it.  But, I was happy to find it jammed in the sleeve of one of his sweaters, while I was doing laundry, when we returned! 

 Troy, Phil & I chowing down. YUM YUM

 

 Myself, Phil, Troy & Johanna on the Nanjing Wall

I'm wearing my own pattern for a cable hat, as well as my free Chinese Tube Scarf pattern

 

Johanna, Troy and Phil...enjoying the views of the city and the nearby temple

 

The album cover shot haha! Myself, Troy and Johanna against the temple wall

 

Phil, Johanna and Troy...sending a lattern off up into the sky for luck

 

Outside the gates of the park hundreds of people were setting off their own fireworks

 

Our seats from inside the gates gave us a splendid panorama of fireworks displays from across the city

 

My fabulous and beautiful friend Johanna and I (I'm sporting The Chinese Tube Scarf free pattern)

 

 The city was lit up for Lunar New Year!

 

I wasn't thinking about crochet while killing time and using up some change in the airport, awaiting our departure from China.  But, I bought this little can of green tea and happily returned to my seat to show Phil.  He thought the can would be the perfect size to store my hooks...he was right!  Perfect:)

 

Well, we have only a week and a half left here on Jeju Island in Korea. Before we depart Seoul we will be GETTING MARRIED, visiting friends for five days, and then we take a plane to Canada, then England, and eventually Greece.

I hope I will be able to get lots of knitting and crochet done while I'm on holiday for the next few months.  I've also had a request from a woman who found me on Ravelry ravelry- the woollen hippy to do a photo tutorial of my little ponchos.  So, my goal for the month of March will be to share my method of making my ponchos(My Granny Square Ponchos).  Stay tuned...

Happy year of the rabbit:)

The Yucky Unlucky Project Month

January is turning out to be a bad month for my knitting productivity.  I seem to be making bad choices with my yarn/pattern combos.  I'm packing up my life here in Korea and have a stash of yarn to use up.  I hoped to have a bunch of gifts knit to bring home to my family but it seems every new project I start gets FROGGED!!!!!  This easy crocheted scarf from Berroco (free scarf pattern) looks really nice in purple and on the model in the picture...knit in a light pink colour is was hideous:(  I also tried to make another cable hat, but slightly smaller than the one I made for Phil(that he LOST already! grrrrr), for a friend and it turned out toooooooo small.  I knit it in the same light pink colour as the Berroco scarf, still don't like the colour...I'm getting the feeling anything knit in this colour is going to be a reject.  That's probably why it was on sale!!  Too bad, it is so nice and soft, organic too. 

Back to the drawing(knitting)board!  I hope I have something exciting to share next time.  

The Chinese Tube Scarf

Well hello there,  I've had a break from posting over the holidays.  Happy 2011 to all!  One of my goals for this year is to keep posting regularly...guess I haven't been off to a very good start:S

I have a very easy free pattern to share today.  I'm heading to China for Lunar New Year to visit some friends and it's going to be cold!  I thought the best remedy would be a new scarf, a thick scarf, a scarf that would be comfy and handy to travel with, a scarf to bury my face in while watching the thousands of fireworks...a TUBE SCARF!  A tube scarf won't fall off my neck.  I won't have to adjust it AND if you make it big enough you can wrap it around your neck twice for extra warmth.  I am not only going to China in a few weeks, Phil and I are in the midst of packing up and leaving Korea after 4 years...I've got a stash of yarn that needs attention.  Perfect!

Here's how I made my Chinese Tube Scarf:

Materials:

~12mm circular needles

~1 skein of chunky 0-Wool from the Vermont Fiber Co.

~scraps in DK weight.  I used three colours but you could use anything really

Instructions:

Holding two strands together(one of the chunky and one of the DK weight)Cast on 60 stitches.  Change the coloured strand every 8 rows.

1.  Begin knitting in the round for two rows.

2.  Start pattern. 

Pattern:

Purl two rows, knit two rows.

3.  Repeat pattern 5 times.

4.  Cast off and weave in ends.

~Remember to pull stitches tightly at join to prevent loose stitches.  Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row.

 

TA DA!  You are finished your cozy tube scarf!  If you have any questions please leave a comment.

____________________________________________________________________________ 

Over the holidays I've also been working on perfecting my cable hat pattern( see previous post 'The Cable Hat Pattern').  I have some work to do lining up the ribbing and creating a nice gradual increase at the crown.  I still have a few things to tweak, but I'm happy with the progress.  Here's a new version using 0-Wool from The Vermont Fiber Co.  Phil was also worried about the cold weather in China so this extra thick and cozy cable hat will hopefully do the trick.

I've even got another hat on the needles.  This one will be made a bit smaller to fit me!  More tweaking...

 
Happy New Year:)

The Three Granny Ponchos

I have two colourful ponchos finished (well, almost...I haven't blocked them yet) and one left to complete.  I have three nieces in Canada that were supposed to get their presents in time for Christmas...naughty me...in true Laura style I will not have them ready.  That will not be a surprise to any of my family members who have gotten many a tardy present over the years.  Still I'd rather be late and give something from the heart than be on time and give a plastic toy that was made in duplicate by a machine:)  I did manage to send off Christmas cards and a few little stationary treats I found here in Korea so I'm not that terrible.  The girls will get their ponchos in the New Year.  Sophie a tiny two year old will get the smallest, trimmed in purple(as mentioned in previous blog), her four year old sister Paige gets the pinked trimmed one and Lauren who's turning ten soon gets the more sophisticate black background with a little less colour(still a work in progress).  I have totally guessed size wise so it'll be interesting to find out if they even fit hehehe.  I'm happy with the colours and can visualize them on my pretty little nieces running around the house when it chilly or outside on the lawn on a crisp day, actually, I can imagine myself in one doing those very same things so I guess I'll have one more to make when I'm done Lauren's!  Time to get back to the poncho...

The Christmas trees

Well...my dreams of completing my Christmas knitting projects in time to send them home for the holidays is dwindling with each day.  Soooooo I thought why not make something easy and quick.  This way I can still feel good about giving something handmade to my loved ones while I finish up their hats, vests, and ponchos:)  Maybe I'll stick them in the Christmas cards(which hopefully will get there in time:P)...and as a present to everyone I'm making this quick little pattern available for free!

I gathered us my scraps of green and brown and set to work...

little trees...

crocheting some stumps...

time for decorating...

I might have to make myself a set next Christmas!

Here is the free pattern for you...HAPPY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY KNITTING:)

**********************FREE PATTERN********************

CLICK HERE->  Download The little Christmas tree pattern

**********************FREE PATTERN********************

The Christmas cookie, cricket & rugby weekend

This weekend was all about cookies, Christmas, cricket, rugby and a bit of knitting & crochet.  PERFECT!

Yesterday, I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies(between the two of us, Phil and I put a dent in those ones already:S), and gingerbread dough, played a list of Christmas tunes on Grooveshark to get us in a merry mood...I really like this site! Also worked a bit on the fishtail poncho, started to crochet some granny squares to make a colourful kids poncho for one of my nieces(you can see that in the pic below), put up the tree(it's just the little puny plastic one you can see in the background of the granny squares), and learned a bit more about cricket and rugby while Phil watched the Ashes cricket tourny by day and an England Vs. South Africa rugby game at night.  

I finished baking all the gingerbread this afternoon and they smell wonderful.  While waiting for my cookies to bake I did some on-line shopping.  I have a favourite pair of knitting needles and was REALLY wanting to get some more in different sizes.  A few years ago Phil and I spent Christmas in Australia with his brother and while there I purchased a pair of Tasmanian oak knitting needles.  They feel so nice to knit with and are pretty too.   I typed 'Tasmanian oak needles' into google and PRESTO I found the company(the link is below). I was happy to learn that the wood in my needles is from a supplier who practices environmentally sustainable forestry and natural oils are used to finish them.  No wonder I like them so much and now I like them even more!  I bought a set with a few sizes I didn't have.  

Aren't they cool:) So...check out Art Viva you can buy the needles directly from their site! They have handy sets that come in a tube or you can buy individual sizes as well.

The cable hat pattern

Wow!  I can't believe I've managed to produce my first pattern. I wrote about this hat in previous blogs(the hat for Phil, the fishtail poncho).  It was my first time learning how to make a PDF and downloading a file to a website...Phewf!  I haven't checked it yet...but plan on making a few hats as Christmas pressies in the next few weeks.  So, I'll sort out the kinks then, if there are any(I hope not).  Also, if you find this pattern needs any corrections or if something I've written would make better sense another way, please leave a comment, so I can make the pattern better....this was my first time:P

Now...I just need to get a picture of Phil in his hat...

Click on the link below to download the free cable hat pattern in a printable PDF file! 

**********************FREE PATTERN************************

 CLICK HERE -> Download Phil's cable hat pattern

**********************FREE PATTERN************************

P.S. Being a hat model and photographer at the same time is hard work...I've got about 30 pics of the wall with a wee bit of hat poking into frame. Sorry for the silly self portraits but the hat photographs better on a head and right now mine is the only one available.

HAPPY CABLE HAT KNITTING:)

The Fishtail Poncho

 I have started experimenting with this new stitch. I found it in the old stitch dictionary my Auntie gave me(it's an old magazine by Mon Tricot with no publishing info, looks to be from the 70's)  It's called the 'Fishtail Stitch II'.  I thought this would make a beautiful poncho but I just checked my stash of yarn and I don't know if I'll have enough:(  Maybe I'll get a bit funky and just start knitting in a different colour.  

Here's the pattern if you want to use it.

 

Fishtail Stitch II

Multiple of 10

ROW 1:  *Wrn to m1, k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, m1, k1*.

ROW 2 & alt rows: P

ROW 3:  * K1, m1, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, m1, k2*. 

ROW 5:  * K2, m1, k1, sl 1, k2 tog, psso, k1, m1, k3*.

ROW 7:  * K3, m1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, m1, k4*.

 

I love knitting in patterns.  I find myself smiling after I finish every row and I hold up and admire my stitches!!!  Phil thinks I'm a geek:P

 

I finished Phil's Cable hat!!  He likes it and I do too...I hope to try and write my first pattern this week and post it for you.