Not to late to knit a gift…Super Quick Basic 16st Fingerless Mitts

These boys fingerless mitts take about 2 hours to make out of super bulky yarn using a set of 5 size US13 dpn. They look a bit stretched in the photo on my hands, but fit my son (age 11) very well. I’ve given guess-timate increases in co for larger sizes depending on whom you are in a hurry to knit for. These are knit in the round!!

Child size co 16

Womens’ size co 20-24 depending on size of hands

Mens’ size co 24-28 depending on size of hands

Round 1: 1K, pm,  2P, *2K, 2P, repeat from *

Round 2 – til about 6-7 inches: *2k, 2P repeat from *

For thumbhole(2 Rows): At end of row turn work around and knit the way you came following pattern. When you get to the otherside, turn work and return to knitting in the round

Rejoin above thumbhole and knit 3 more rounds.

Bind off.

Weave in ends!

A bit of colorwork, like the pictured mitts has, can go along way. Have fun; these knit QUICK!!

Mystery Spindle? and Baby Rabbits

Really cool looking, isn't it:):)

A picture of the base

I was given this spindle awhile back and have been trying to figure out what kind it is or, maybe, even what it is. It has been suggested that it might be from Mexico for chocolate making or, perhaps, a Tibetan Prayer Wheel. I don’t think that it is the last one, as I looked them up on the Net and Prayer Wheels are much more involved..I do not think that it is a spindle anymore, neither. I tried to see if it would string up and there is absolutely no way that the single would wrap securely into the grooves at the top. It just slips right free. I do think that it would make a drop dead gorgeous spindle with a hook at the top. The grooves and that bead  by the ‘whorl’ might be a great way to securely hold slippery singles. I want to find out what it is first, though:):)

By the way the baby French/English Angora bunny babies are getting so big. They are 4 weeks old now and can chase their Momma down throughout the hutch. They are absolutely so darling. There are nine all together, but here are a few pictures of the ones that held still long enough.

She is orange (how odd!!)with spots

Her brother, Peanut

Two more!!

I can’t wait until they get really fuzzy. So much soft…oh, so very soft fiber in just a few more months!!!

Diamond Back Headband Pattern

Diamond Back Headband

Original Design by Stephanie A Smith

http://www.StephanieASmith.etsy.com

For Strings and Things

Materials:

US Size 2 Straight Needles

Yarn sewing needle

Yarn: 60 yds of any 14 wpi inch handspun. I used my own handspun, which can be found on my internet shop ( http://www.StephanieASmith.etsy.com ). This one is alpaca, but wool would be lovely, too!

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Size: Child to Adult

To start:

CO 19 stitches

1.K

2. P

3. K

4. P

5. K, P, K, P ,K ,3P ,3K ,3P ,K ,P ,K ,P ,K

6. 5P, 3K, 3P, 3K, 5P

7. Repeat Row 5

8. Repeat Row 6

9. K, P, K, P, K, 2P, 2K, P, 2K, 2P, K, P, K, P, K

10. 5P, 2K, 2P, K, 2P, 2K, 5P

11. Repeat Row 9

12. Repeat Row 10

13. K, P, K, P, K, P, 2K, 3P, 2K, P, K, P, K, P, K

14. 5P, K, 2P, 3K, 2P, K, 5P

15. Repeat Row 13

16. Repeat Row 14

17. K, P, K, P, 3K, 5P, 3K, P, K, P, K

18. 7P, 5K, 7P

19. Repeat Row 17

20. Repeat Row 18

21. Repeat Row 17

22. Repeat Row 18

23. K, P, K, P, K, P, 2K, 3P, 2K, P, K, P, K, P, K

24. 5P, K, 2P, 3K, 2P, K, 5P

25. Repeat Row 23

26. Repeat Row 24

27. K, P, K, P, K, 2P, 2K, P, 2K, 2P, K, P, K, P, K

28. 5P, 2K, 2P, K, 2P, 2K, 5P

29. Repeat Row 27

30. Repeat Row 28

31. K, P, K, P, K, 3P, 3K, 3P, K, P, K, P, K

32. 5P, 3K, 3P, 3K, 5P

33. Repeat Row 31

34. Repeat Row 32

35. Repeat Rows #5-#34 three more times (four for larger heads)

36. K

37. P

38. K

39. P

Sew the ends together and fold over stitch closed about 3/4 of an inch on either
side of seam. Weave in ends and wear in good health!

Anniversary, Spring and Bulky Yarns

Our thirteenth wedding anniversary is this weekend on the 21st. First day of Spring, too!  So, we are running off to the mountains. Just him and I; no kids. Grandma has the kids, the house, the cats, the dog and the bunnies while I am gone.

I’m putting the shop on notice. I’m not closing up for the weekend, but just letting all and sunder know that I will be gone until Monday. Feel free to shop. I’m probably going to spend more money this weekend than I intend. I’m already looking for fiber shops. I’m leaving about noon today, so , if you know one that way(Helen, GA), please, answer fast! I want to know before I go!!

Now on a fiber note: I’ve been playing it thick and thin and bulky, too. Using lots of soft wools and mohair, angora, camel, silk and whatever else, too.  They are so fun and free to make!

Here is this weeks’ Artsy Yarn creations:

I want to make more when I get back!!

Gotto go pack. I want to sneak some yarn in my luggage.

Hope that you all a have special weekend!!

Texture

I have been playing with texture in my yarns alot lately. I’ve done lumps and bumps and coils and snakes.

Bit fat knickerbocker

Coils and snakes

A little bumpy camel and bunny

And, I haven’t left off the smooth yarns, either…

I call this one Smashed Grapes

I’ve got three colors of wool and mohair drying (it is rainy today, so it might take awhile) and two more mohairs soaking up some color and some more to get going. Never no end. I love it!!

New headband pattern in progress

I’ve finished it now. I knitted it with some llama that was my first wheel yarn. I still have to block it and get my daughter to model it for pictures. the headband is of the ‘one size fits most’ variety. Emma loves it and she loves the idea of modeling for me. She is such a cutie!

I do have to do a boy pattern next. My son doesn’t want to be left out of the fun! I’ll have to give some thought as to what to make for him. I like my patterns simple, fun, use one skein, and easy to keep track of where I left off when I put it down.

The rough of this pattern is wrote. I just have to give it a little polish and hit the word program with it and then it is off to the testers. Almost there and it will be out of my hands. The finish line is with in site!

Have a Good Night!

Been knitting

Yeah, I know, like I wasn’t already doing a long list of other stuff, but I had to start knitting again!

We took the kids to the park and I thought about bringing some knitting to work on while I was there. I haven’t knitted in six months or more. I thought about bringing the scarf that I was working on last. I’m a start to finish type person when it comes to projects. The scarf is not done. It occurred to me that the scarf was the reason that I haven’t been knitting. It has been sitting around like a guilty secret holding me up. It is boring. Yep, it is my own pattern, but I can still find it boring. It isn’t even a third of the way done. It isn’t (or should I say, wasn’t, as it is slated for frogging) just plain garter; it has lots of change up and was easy to remember….both key things where I am concerned. So,

I grabbed a ball of freshly spun yarn and some size 6 dpns and went to the park. I started knitting and was having a blast. I’m making a headband. I’ll give you the pattern when it is completely done. Gosh, the headband itself is nearly done now. So nice to be knitting again!