Genius!

This is the best idea I have ever had! 

Easy scrap yarn organization/storage. 

I work at a clinic where we use hundreds of syringes. Normally we recycle the plastic container they come in, but one day while working on a project over my lunch hour I thought of this: 

It's perfect for the bits of yarn I'm using for my beekeepers quilt. The cap holds the yarn in place so I can wrap it and then I tuck the end right back into the cap and secure it in place! 

Genius I tell you! 

Stupid Groundhog!

Kansas City is shut down again due to snow. Which is fine by me since it kicks my knitting into high gear! But I really can't wait for spring....Also my computer is broken and my husband is not good at sharing. :-)

Weird Thrift Store Find Of The Week!

If you need duck or chicken towel hangers (?) they can be found here:

Salvation Army

6219 Johnson Dr
Mission, KS
(913) 384-3321

You could hang so many towels! On duck heads. 

You could have a flock on your wall. 

Inexpensive Curtains

I made myself a new set of curtains on Saturday. Curtains are one of those things, and there are many, that I refuse to spend any great deal of money on. So basic, so easy, so not worth $20 a panel! 

So I did this:

Two tablecloths turned into two curtain panels. 

If you can sew a straight line you can make curtains. Find some fabric you like and save yourself a bunch of money. 

Weird Thrift Store Find of the Week

Pig in a jar. 

? 

Can be found at:

Maj R Thrift

2842 W. 47th Ave.
Kansas City KS  66103
913.362.5001 

Free Pattern! Love Knot Crocheted Bag

Love Knot Bag

Materials

• Super Bulky Weight Yarn, (2) 6oz skeins
• Size H Crochet Hook
• 7" Diameter Bamboo Purse Rings (2)
• Yarn Needles

Gauge

• In sc, 3sts and 3 rows = 1"
• In pattern, 4 double knot sts and 6 rows = 4" (measuring from sc at center of 1 knot st to center of  next st). 

Abbreviations

• sc = single crochet
• ch = chain
• YO = yarn over

Worked as Front and Back sewn together. Front and back worked the same. 

Begin with Ch 37

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (36sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc across. 

Repeat row 2 until piece measures approx 5" from beginning, do NOT finish off. 

Begin Mesh

Pattern Row 1: * Pull up loop on hook to measure 1/2", YO and draw through loop on hook, holding back single strand with thumb and middle finger, insert hook between 1/2" loop and single strand (fig A), YO and draw through (2 loops on hook), YO and draw through 2 loops on hook (single knot made), pull up loop now on hook to measure 1/2" (fig B), YO and draw through loop on hook, insert hook between 1/2" loop and single strand (fig C), YO and draw through (2 loops on hook), YO and draw through 2 loops on hook (double knot st made), skip next 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * across row, ending with sc in last st: 4 double knot sts. 

Pattern Row 2: Work 1 double knot st and 1 single knot st, sc in center of first double knot st (fig D),  work double knot st, * sc in center of next double knot st, work double knot st; repeat from * across, ending with sc in last st. 

Repeat pattern row 2 until piece measures approx 14" from beginning; do NOT finish off. 

Join piece to ring by working sc around ring and into center of double knot st of last row, * 2 sc around ring, sc around ring and into center of next double knot st; repeat from * across; finish off. 

Finish

Beginning 3" below ring, seam pieces together by sewing down one side, across bottom and up remaining side, ending 3" below ring. 

Pattern originally found in "Must Have Bags"

Designed by Linda Dec Vikla

Try this book to find more beautiful stitches---be INSPIRED! 

Can Can

The other day I was looking at my big bag of make-up and decided to organize the stuff instead of constantly digging around, wasting time, looking for the stuff I want. I wanted something simple, and easy, and cheap! This is what I came up with:

Organize by upcycling cans and plastic containers!

Simply wrap can, plastic or cardboard container in pretty scrapbook paper! 

Easy and cheap!! 

Note: I added some foam into each can to make them shallower, so my items would stick out instead of being barely visible. 

Chevron #1

I have fallen in love with the chevron st, so I decided to share a an easy wave with you. 

Originally Published in The Complete Book of Knitting Crochet & Embroidery (70s)

Book recommends crochet hook size G and knitting worsted in various colors. 

Work a multiple of 17 sts + 4

1st row:     Into 4th ch from hook work 3dc, **1dc into each of next 5ch, *yo and insert hook into next ch, yo and draw through a loop, yo and draw through first 2 loops on hook, yo and insert hook into next ch, yo and draw through a loop, yo and draw through first 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook - called dec 1 dc -, *, rep from * to * twice more, 1dc into each of next 5ch, 4dc into next ch, rep from ** to end. Turn

2nd row:     3ch to count as frist dc, skip first 2 sts, 3dc into next st, *1dc into each of next 5 sts, dec 3dc over next 6 sts, 1dc into each of next 5 sts, 4dc into next st, rep from * ending last rep with 4dc into 3rd of 3ch. Turn. 

Repeat 2nd row throughout, alternating the colors as desired. You will that the pattern gives a flowing, wavy line. 

Abbreviations

st(s) = stitch(es)

ch =  chain

dc = double crochet

rep = repeat

*...* = repeat the pattern between

dec = decrease

yo = yarn over

Although this pattern calls for double crochet throughout I have used it with single, and treble, even mixing all three for a very interesting and textured look. 

Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia: 300 Stitch Patterns, Edgings, an (Google Affiliate Ad)

Crocheting in the round

I can never, ever get it right! I'm trying to make a bag right now, and I want to add different colors to it so I'm trying to be good about keeping track of where my row begins and ends. The problem is I am always gaining or losing stitches. 

Crocheting is weird! I'm a knitter by nature, and it just makes more sense to me. I can clearly see where the stitches are and know what I have to do! Someone help me! 

I've watched a bunch of youtube videos on it and still don't get it. I'm hopeless.

Cogwheel Eyelet Pattern

Cogwheel Eyelets

Knitting Pattern: Use a multiple of 8 + 1 Stitches

Note: When instructed to slip stitches, always slip as if to knit. 

Row 1:     (Right Side) K2, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, * K3, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, slip      1, K1, PSSO * Repeat as desired until last 2 sts, K2 

Row 2:     Purl across. This applies to all wrong side or even rows. 

Row 3:     K1, * K2tog, YO, K3, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K1 *

Row 5:     K2tog, YO, K5, * YO, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K5 * Repeat across to last 2 sts, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO 

Row 7:     Slip 1, K1, PSSO, YO, K5, * YO, slip 2 tog, K1, P2SSO, YO, K5 * Repeat across to last 2 sts, YO, K2tog

Row 9:     Repeat Row 7

Row 11:   K2, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, * YO, K3, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog * Repeat across to last 2 sts, YO, K2

Row 13:   K3, Yo, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, * YO, K5, YO, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO * Repeat across to last 3 sts, YO, K3

Row 15:   K1, * YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K3, K2tog, YO, K1* 

Row 17:   K2, YO, skip 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, * YO, K3, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog * Repeat across to last 2 sts, YO, K2

Row 19:   K3, YO, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, * YO, K5, YO, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO * Repeat across to last 3 sts, YO, K3

Row 21:   K3, YO, slip 2 tog, K1, P2SSO, * YO, K5, YO, slip 2 tog, K1, P2SSO * Repeat across to last 3 sts, YO, K3

Row 23:   Repeat Row 21

Row 25:   K1, * K2tog, YO, K3, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO, K1 * 

Row 27:   K2tog, YO, K5, * YO, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K5 * Repeat across to last 2 sts, YO, slip 1, K1, PSSO

Row 28:   Purl across

Repeat rows 1-28 for pattern. 

Abbreviations
*.....* = Repeat pattern between points across your work
St(s) = Stitch(es)
K = Knit
P = Purl
YO = Yarn Over
K2tog = Knit 2 Stitches Together
Slip 2 Tog = Separately slip 2 stitches as if to knit
PSSO = Pass Slipped Stitch Over the stitch just made
P2SSO = Pass 2 Slipped Stitches Over the stitch just made


Pattern Originally Published in "99 knit stitches" Published by Leisure Arts

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