Karen Bee Knitting

New Pattern! Cute and Slouchy Hat

2010-12-22T15:40:00.002-07:00

I am happy to announce that I've created a new hat pattern. This is one that I invented because I wanted to make a hat that I would actually want to wear. What I like about it is it is not tight fitting, so it doesn't mess up my hair too badly, and it covers my ears, keeping me nice and warm! In the picture of the purple hat, my model has her long hair tucked inside the hat, which is really nice if it's snowing.

Here are some of the specs for this hat pattern:

Size: One size fits all teen & adult heads.
Gauge: 4.5 sts and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch on size 7 needles.

Yarn:
Yarn A, worsted weight, wool/acrylic blend, solid color, 1 skein
Yarn B, worsted weight, wool/acrylic blend, variegated color that coordinates with Yarn A, 1 skein.

Needles:
US Size 5 (3.75 mm) 16” circular needles,
US Size 7 (4 mm) 16” circular needles, or size to reach gauge
US Size 7 (4mm) double pointed needles, one set of 4-5.

The pattern uses the following stitches: knit, purl, seed stitch--which is just knit and purl stitches, increase by knitting into the front and back of a stitch, and decrease by knitting two stitches together.

To order one, just email $3.75 to my PayPal account: krndpx@yahoo.com, indicating in the notes section that you wish to purchase the cute and slouchy hat pattern. I will email you a .pdf file of the pattern.

Merry Christmas and a Sneak Peak

2010-12-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

I've almost finished my special order knitting this year, and I'm really looking forward to some time off to design some new hats and patterns and especially to relax with the family.

One thing I want to work on when I get a little time is creating kits to make the monster hats. It would include everything needed to make the hat except the knitting needles, plus a pattern in multiple sizes. Watch for that to come, and I'd love some feedback as to whether you think this is a good idea.

Sales on my cupcake hats are slower this year. Perhaps it's the economy. They are my most expensive hat, but they also are the most tedious to make.

I participated a couple of weeks ago in a small boutique in American Fork, Utah. I was amazed at the reception of my products and I did better at that small, residence-based boutique than I have at expensive, time-comsuming boutiques in other venues. I hope I am invited to participate next time.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Boutique in Lehi 6/23-24

2010-06-19T23:00:00.003-06:00

It's been way too long since I have posted anything.

If you happen to be in Utah and want to come see a much larger selection than in my Etsy shop, come to Lehi for the Lehi Round-up Rodeo days. There will be a boutique at Wines park (500 N 100 E). I'll be there. Mention that you saw this announcement on my blog and I'll give you $2 off any one item.

Headband Pattern Available

2010-02-02T18:17:00.004-07:00

I've finally put together a pattern for the headbands I've been making like crazy. I can't seem to make them fast enough! To purchase a pattern, just go to my Etsy store and purchase it. It will be in .pdf format.

To get to my Etsy shop, just click on one of the items on the right that is featured from my shop.

Easy pattern! Now, get knitting!

Here's the Link to the Show!

2010-01-29T16:22:00.003-07:00

The showcasing of my Brainsucker hats went pretty well, I thought. They even mentioned that I make cupcake hats, too! I noticed they had the little boy dressed in a monster vest to match. Cute touch!

I loved all the other things too, especially the removable crocheted flowers for the headbands. I'm going to have to try that.

Here's the link to the show: http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=58&sid=9483379

Let me know what you think!

Local TV Station Features My Shop

2010-01-29T10:13:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited! Today at 11:00 a.m., Mountain Time, KSL is featuring my shop and one of my Brainsucker hats on Studio5. I anticipate that I will be getting a lot of special orders for hats from this exposure. I'll post a link to the show if I can get hold of it.

What's On The Needles?

2010-01-21T08:23:00.004-07:00

Currently on the needles (OTN) are a number of projects. I've never been one to work on just one thing at a time.

1. I am still making lots of cupcake hats for customers from my Etsy store. Sales dropped off quite a bit right after Christmas, only to pick up again after New Year's Day. That was a pleasant surprise for me.

2. I recently re-purchased Knitware designing software. I downloaded it off the internet. I had purchased it once before, on another computer, and because of economic troubles, the company no longer supplies technical support. The did, however, lower their price for the software. So, three of my children decided I needed to knit them sweaters. I hope they realize that's a long-term project. Maybe by next winter.... But, we had a fun time sitting down together at the computer, designing them each a sweater. They are not technically on the needles yet, except the first one. I'll have to post pictures as I knit them.

3. Several people in my neighborhood have asked me to knit them wide headbands with crocheted flowers. I've been working on them in between the cupcake hats. Here's a green one I recently made for my Etsy shop.

4. I have also tried to come up with more ideas for my Brainsucker series of earflap hats. I decided a penguin would look really cute. So, I knit up a penguin Brainsucker hat. I listed it earlier this week in my Etsy store, and it sold within a couple of hours! All I have left are pictures. I will have to make another one!

5. This one should actually be on the hook, rather than needle. I decided to try to teach a group of young women in my church how to crochet. I thought I could teach them how to make a granny square. None of them had ever heard of granny squares, and most of them had never handled a crochet hook before. By the time we got down to business, I only had 20 minutes to teach them. It was a dismal failure. I came home much discouraged. Maybe we'll try again sometime, and maybe we'll just bag the idea. Maybe I should have started with single crochet, rather than jumping right to double crochet. We were going to make an afghan for a new mother in our area.

Wide Headband With Rosette

2010-01-12T11:52:00.002-07:00

I've been seeing them all over town. They are so wide, at first glance they look like hats. Knit out of thick yarn, they are not only super cute, but warm, too! Two chunky buttons secure the headband at the back.

So, of course, I had to try making one. Here is the result. The ones I've seen around town are more conservative colors, but I am so ready for spring, I had to make it a cheery pink.

What I'm wondering is if these cute headbands are a local trend, or if they are popping up in other areas. Can anyone enlighten me?

Smakely Brainsucker

2009-12-19T19:16:00.005-07:00

Here is my latest monster hat. Meet Snakely Brainsucker. He has one of those articulated jaws that enables it to stretch around his prey: a child's head. However, no matter how hard he tries, he never quite manages to swallow it.

Ben, age 7, loved trying on this hat, and couldn't help getting a bit melodramatic!

Keep trying, Snakely. Maybe you can swallow your meal, in time.

New Hat Series: Brainsuckers

2009-11-28T17:10:00.006-07:00

I have created a monster! Actually, several.

When I was a kid, my brother would put his hand on my head and squeeze his fingers together. "Know what this is?" he asked me?
"No," I replied.
"It's a brain sucker and it's starving!"

Thus was the inspiration for my new line of earflap hats: The Brainsuckers. Although they have teeth and tentacles, they are friendly monsters and are completely harmless. One of their eyes is bigger than the other, giving it a cute, but crazed look.

First came Harry Brainsucker. After creating the prototype, I asked my 7-year-old to try it on so I could see how it looked on and get some pictures of it. He fell in love with it. "You made this for me, didn't you?" He was so happy and excited that I knit him a cool hat, I didn't have the heart to take it back. So, I had to make a second one.

After Harry, I created Squidly Brainsucker. Squidly has tentacles instead of teeth. He is pictured here in a lilac color, but I've also made him in gray.

Here is Squidly in gray.

Next came Sharkly Brainsucker. This is Sharkly in blue. I am working on an orange Sharkly for a customer. My kids suggested I do orange and black striped, so it could be a tiger shark. I'm not sure I want to do stripes....

I was on a roll! Next came Wally Brainsucker. Wally is a walrus with sparkly, silver whiskers and white fleece tusks.

I have more ideas for other Brainsuckers, but I am moving a little slower due to the Christmas order rush at my Etsy store. Stay tuned, though. More Brainsuckers are in the works! I am considering making a pattern booklet, too.

Taking Pictures of Knitted Hats

2009-09-29T22:14:00.003-06:00

I decided that my Etsy store needed some real people wearing my knitted items. So, I arranged to take pictures of a cute little girl I knew, about two years old, in the neighborhood. It was quite an undertaking! Her mother and I tried for weeks to find just the right time between naps and grouchy times for her daughter. It seemed like whenever it was a good time for her, I was busy doing something I couldn't leave! Finally, the magical day arrived and our schedules meshed.

The moment I entered the house, this little girl decided I was there to take her away from her mother. Not only would she not let her mother put her down, she wouldn't even look at "the enemy," me! It took a good 45 minute to get her to warm up to me a little. It helped that her mother kept offering her food, but she accidentally spilled juice on one of my little sweaters.

I snapped dozens of pictures, hoping to catch the little girl's fleeting smiles. One frustrating thing was my camera. It took so long to save one picture and gear up to take the next one, I often missed out on the best smiles!

Fortunately, I did get some really cute pictures. I was encouraged enough to ask another mom, this one with 3 little girls, if I could use her kids as models.

This second photo op went much better. Two of the girls were a little older and the mom had promised them a nice treat (mini marshmallows)if they were well behaved and gave their best smiles. She also raved about the hats and sweaters as she put them on her girls. I spent probably an hour and a half there, taking pictures.

I'm still sorting through and editing the 170 pictures we took that day. Some of them turned out really cute, but others had a background without enough contrast, so I had to manipulate things a bit with a photo editing software.

Of course, there were a few items that didn't get modeled, so I'll probably find another model, or go back to a former one. I've learned that kids aren't easy or quick to photograph, but when they flash a good smile, it's really cute, and worth all the effort!

What to Charge?

2009-08-25T20:52:00.003-06:00

I had a dental appointment today, in which I expected a filling and ended up with a root canal. If you have kids with overlapping teeth, do them a favor and give them braces! But, I digress. We have a new dentist, and of course, I brought along a knitting project for the waiting time. He was interested in what I was making, and I told him about my Etsy store. Watching me knit with 4 needles in the round, he said, "I can't imagine doing that. It surely can't pay very well, does it?" I told him that my best-selling item, cupcake hats, take me about 4 hours to make, and I charge $18 for a hat. So, no, the hourly wage stinks. But, I reasoned, it is something I can do in my "spare" time, and pays better than washing the dishes.

So, now I wonder. Several things. Am I devaluing my time? Is my time really worth even minimum wage? Say I charge $7/hour. I would have to charge $28 for one of my cupcake hats. I'd love to get that much, but will they really sell for that much? I know there are some people who really appreciate the work that goes into hand knitted items, but I have to assume most people don't, and if they can get something equally cute at Wal-Mart for $8, why would they pay $28 for my hat? These are questions I've asked myself numerous times. I don't really know the answers. I personally would probably not pay $28 for a hat for my child (of course, I can make one myself, so why would I?). I've always been frugal and love a bargain. And yet, as a craftsperson, isn't my time worth at least minimum wage?

Aside from that constant, personal little debate, I've been knitting lots of fun things for little ones. I've designed a lacy hat and made some cute bows to wear with it. When my girls were little, they had very little hair, so it was hard to get any bows to stay in their hair. I wish I'd had one of these little hats so they could wear the bows on the hat! So far, I haven't sold any, but I hope that's because it has been summer here in the Western hemisphere. I'll attach some pictures of the hats. I've also been knitting some cute leg warmers, but I don't have pictures of those yet.

Baby Sweaters

2009-06-24T21:28:00.002-06:00

I've been making baby sweaters lately, as several of my friends and relatives are having baby girls. I've used a couple of different patterns, which I found on the internet, for top-down sweaters. They knit up pretty quickly, and I love that there's no seaming!

Hats and Mittens Garland

2009-05-05T12:12:00.003-06:00

This is what I've been knitting lately. Tiny hats and mittens. They will have numbers embroidered on them and then be put together in a garland for a Christmas count-down! My sister-in-law found the pattern at www.tangleonline.com Just adorable! The little hats and mittens have been fun to make. I have a few mittens left to make before I start embroidering the numbers on them.

New Price for Teapot Hat Pattern

2009-03-19T19:06:00.002-06:00

I decided that to improve sales of my teapot hat pattern, I would reduce the price to $5.00.

2009-03-10T12:03:00.000-06:00

Teapot Hat Pattern Available

2009-03-06T16:11:00.003-07:00

Good news! You can now purchase the teapot hat pattern! The pattern includes an adult sized hat and a 4-8 yr. child-sized hat. I accept only PayPal for payment ($5.00). My PayPal email is krndpx@yahoo.com. Once I get word from PayPal of your payment, I will email you a .pdf file of the pattern. If you want the pattern sent to a different email than the one connected with your PayPal account, make a note of the email you want it sent to in the notes section of the Pay Pal receipt.

Teapot Pattern Coming

2009-03-03T22:45:00.001-07:00

Just a heads-up. I am working on a pattern for the teapot hat. I'm trying to include an adult and child size in one pattern. When I finish it, I will post it here for sale, so watch for it!

Teapot Hat

2009-01-07T10:07:00.003-07:00

So often my inspiration comes as a challenge from a potential customer. So it was with this teapot hat. A customer had seen someone wearing one and, since she couldn't convince that person to sell it off her head, she asked if I could knit a teapot hat. I was sure I could, and when I had a few spare minutes, I gave it a go. Here is the result. I think it turned out great, particularly as it was my first attempt. I basically just winged it.

The hat prompted my son to sing the "I'm a Little Teapot" song, of course. Can't you just see a room full of pre-schoolers wearing hats like this and singing? They'd be cute in pastel colors....

Speed Knitting

2009-01-06T13:22:00.004-07:00

I was looking at my new Knit Picks catalog that came in the mail today. On the back cover, it shows a picture of this woman from Holland, named Miriam Tegels, who holds the worlds' record for speed knitting. She can knit 118 stitches per minute. A YouTube of her knitting can be seen here This woman is wicked fast! Her technique is interesting. She carries the yarn in her left hand like I do (continental style), but when she's knitting on straight needles she anchors one long needle under her armpit as she knits.

Well, says I, I wonder how fast I knit? Fortunately, my husband was home and could time me. I tested myself 4 times using only the knit stitch. I was knitting in the round on a circular needle.

And, my home-tested knitting speed is....drum roll please....ta-da! 70 stitches per minute. I've got some practicing to do before I can break the worlds' record, but I'm still pretty fast!

Here's a video giving tips for fast knitting.

A Brand New Year

2009-01-02T17:55:00.003-07:00

At the urging of a loyal blog follower, I have decided to post an update. During the winter, I spend so much time knitting up orders for cupcake hats, I feel guilty spending much time on the computer.

This year I got myself into trouble over orders. I tried to predict how quickly I could get the hats knitted and mailed, but when people started ordering 3-piece sets of scarves, hats and mittens, it slowed me way down. I had one customer cancel an order because I didn't have it ready before Christmas. I felt terrible! Next year, I will be more careful, and give myself plenty of time. After all, I do have a life outside of knitting--seven kids to raise, to begin with!

So, here is a picture of the hat/mitten/scarf set. I wish I had time to make one for my daughter in the photo. Her birthday is tomorrow.

This was my attempt to create an Elmo look-alike hat. I was told it doesn't look enough like Elmo. Hmm. I think it's pretty cute. Maybe the nose should be smaller....

I was at the oral surgeon's today with my 2nd son. He had his wisdom teeth out. While there, I worked on yet another cupcake hat. The receptionist asked about what I was making and I told her about my Etsy shop. Right then and there she logged onto my store on her computer! She admired my work, suggested a local boutique, and told me I'm not charging nearly enough. I am a bargain hunter, and I hate to charge people too much, but on the other hand, I really need for these hats to be worth my while, and they take 4 hours each to make! The scarves take all day to make.

I feel like I should make some kind of knitting New Year's Resolution. Okay. Here goes. I resolve to knit during spring and summer to stock up on hats so I don't have to spend all my time knitting during the holidays! I further resolve to continue to give my customers my best work, every time.

2008-10-26T19:35:00.009-06:00

THE MAD HATTER

Cupcake hats are still very popular, and I make an awful lot of them. Sometimes I make matching cupcake mittens to go with them. I make so many of them, in fact, that it is nice to be able to knit something else occasionally. Recently I had an order for some fun hats, including these:

Love the dimples!

Ben is modeling a blue dog hat, which I designed from a picture of the popular children's cartoon dog, Blue.

Here is the first owl hat I designed, which looks quite a lot like the great barn owl my kids found a year or so ago, with the wide, staring eyes.

This hat I think is cuter. I made it a little smaller, made the eyes looking up, and put tassles instead of pompoms on the top.

This snowman set is a favorite of mine, because I haven't ever seen anything like it and it is a completely original design.

2008-04-04T22:50:00.004-06:00

Honey, I Shrunk the Cupcakes!

Here is my latest variation on the cupcake theme--miniature cupcake pincushion magnets. Each one has a knitted and felted top, a magnet on the bottom, and a knitted sleeve for the cup portion. The inside is dense, felted wool.

The cupcakes measure about 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches. The sprinkles are actually pins.

These little cupcakes are sitting on an upside-down candy dish.

2008-02-28T22:53:00.003-07:00

I just have to share this little hat. Someone sent me a picture of a hat like this and asked if I could create one. I love a challenge! This was the result. I think it looks a lot like Strawberry Shortcake's poofy hat. One of these days I'll have to play with other color combinations.

2008-02-26T22:34:00.003-07:00

Teacup Pincushions! I saw these on a website and just had to try making them. I think they turned out great! They're fun to make. Not hard, but a little time consuming. They're made of felted wool from recycled sweaters. The part that takes the longest is making the I-cords for the handles and saucer rim. The instructions say to use a little knitting machine. Well, I don't have one of those, so I make mine on two double-pointed needles.

2008-02-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yellow, springy skirt, slippers, hat and bolero set. This is a special order that i knit for a photographer named Sue. The skirt was pretty easy. I found a gathered lace edging from Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge book for the bottom ruffle. Then, based on the hip measurements of the model, I simply knit a tube. Eyelet holes around the waistband allowed me to thread in a knit cord for keeping it snug. White crocheted edging and embroidered daisies completes the look. I added embroidered daisies to the ends of the sweater sleeves as well, after taking the picture. I think it turned out really cute. I hope it fits well!

A closer view of the bolero. I didn't have a pattern for this, so I used a regular cardigan sweater pattern and figured out how to make the bottom rounded. I crocheted around the edges in white, to match the skirt. The sleeves are supposed to be 3/4 sleeves. I knit I-cords for the frogs, and formed them into the twists you see them in, then stitched them onto the sweater. I learned how to do that from Nicky Epstein's book, Knitted Embellishments. I love that book! Again, I added some embroidery to the sleeves, which is not in the photo.

This hat is another one that she ordered. It was actually designed by another customer for her daughter. I like the combined ear flaps and funky tasseled top.

2008-01-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

More knitted cupcakes! I spent most of today packaging these little gems to be sold at a store in Florida, called Cupcakes-a-Go-Go, a cupcake specialty shop that is taking them on consignment. I think these appliques look really cute in their packages. It's a little hard to see them, due to the glare, but they are backed by patterned paper.

Here's another view of them. They are knit out of cotton yarn, and would look just adorable on a sweater, hat, bib, coat, apron, mittens, etc.

And, of course, they look very sweet on hair bows too!

this is one of my knitted cupcake hats. Instead of sprinkles and a cherry on top, I made a rosette for the top. I noticed that the cupcake shop makes them like this.

I found this great yarn for the roses, which makes them multi-colored.

2007-12-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

Everything's Coming up Cupcakes!
I've been knitting cupcake hats, cupcake mittens, even a cupcake scarf! It's pretty much all I've knitted for a month or so. Here are some pictures of my work.

I love this color combination. The cream base really offsets the pink. The mitten pattern I made up. I just followed a regular mitten pattern and added the cupcake top!

This little teal hat turned out cute.

This was a special order for a customer. She ordered cupcake hats for her girls, and then wanted something equally cute for her boys. I invented this little snowman hat. I think it turned out pretty well!

This little yellow cupcake hat almost looks good enough to eat!

Kids aren't the only ones who like cupcakes. This set was made for an adult. She wanted convertible mittens, so I had to invent this pattern for convertible cupcake mittens!

This is one of my customer's daughter wearing my cupcake hat.

And this is my daughter modeling the cupcake scarf I made. The color choice was one a customer special ordered. I think it would look really cute in alternating pastel colors.

Here are two cupcake hats I knit. I use acrylic yarn to give the items wash-ability and to make them hypoallergenic. I myself am very sensitive to animal fibers. They make me itch like crazy.

2007-11-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

This is a project I've been working on for several months. It is a red cabled sweater for my oldest daughter, who is going to college in a cold place. I'm quite proud of this sweater because I designed it myself. It turned out pretty well. It was shorter than she wanted it, so I added ribbing to both the sleeves and the bottom of the sweater. I even put thumb holes in the sleeves so she could use them like fingerless mitts-which she loves!

This is supposed to show the detail of the cables I did. There is an hourglass shaped motif in the center, with snaky cables on either side of it. On the sleeves are double rows of snaky cables.

2007-10-16T12:45:00.000-06:00

Hey, I just wanted to give you all a heads-up. I've been making how to knitting videos on ehow.com. I'm going to be adding to these pretty often, so check back frequently. The videos are under hobbies and games-crafts-knitting. My userid at ehow.com is krndpx. I hope you find them helpful!

2007-10-09T15:24:00.000-06:00

We participate in a local Farmers Market, selling our honey and I also sell knitted items and lotion that I make. Anyway, one of the other vendors approached me one day, asking if I could knit a sweater and matching hat in fall colors for a 3-year-old nephew of hers. I agreed to do it, and this is the result. I am not naturally attracted to oranges and greens, so it was a good stretching experience for me. I really like how it turned out, but I must admit to having to knit a few pink and blue small things once in awhile as I did this project just to take a break from the color theme!

The hat

The sweater--knit in the round up to the sleeve openings. Then I knit the front and back separately. It was a little tricky making sure the stripes ended up the same in the front and the back!

2007-09-20T23:27:00.001-06:00

I've just recently started a little store at Etsy.com, where I'm selling some things I make. My user name is Kreative Karen Designs. The link is www.kreativekarendesigns.etsy.com Take a look!

2007-09-19T17:37:00.000-06:00

I finished these little booties today and had to share the picture! Aren't they just too cute?! They're pretty little, probably a US size 1. I have to try making more of these. They knit up pretty quickly.

The pattern for these adorable little booties can be found here

2007-09-17T18:58:00.000-06:00

Our county fair was last month, and I entered several knitted items. Here are pictures of them. I got blue ribbons on everything, and a couple of sweepstakes too!

This is a little blue baby sweater. I created the pattern myself, adapting a standard baby sweater by adding the fancy stitches. I like how it turned out.

This is one of the ear flap hats that sell so well at farmers market. This one has cute corkscrews at the top.

This is the Americana bag seen already on this blog.

This is one of the cell phone cases I designed and knitted. The flower is from Nicky Epstein's book, Knitted Embellishments.

This is my friend's baby's sweater that I knitted around Christmas time last year. I was very pleased to receive a sweepstakes ribbon for it. I was going to enter it in the state fair, but missed the submission deadline. Maybe next year.

Someone inquired about the pattern I used for this little sweater and hat. It can be found here

2007-07-24T15:29:00.000-06:00

I haven't updated my blog in a few months. It's been unbelievably busy! I haven't stopped knitting, however, so I'm posting a couple of pictures of baby sweaters (again) that I've knitted for friends with new babies.

This one I knitted in a hurry. I'd just finished the sweater below, and my friend had already had her baby, so I made a vest--no sleeves! It went pretty fast. I used the same stitch pattern as the sweater below, which has a twisted mock cable every few stitches.

Every pregnant woman I know is having a boy...what's with that? Anyway, this sweater is made using a camo print acrylic yarn. I know a lot of people don't like acrylic, but I am so sensitive to animal fibers, I just can't imagine putting something I find that itchy on a baby! On the other hand, acrylic feels nice and soft to me, so that's what I've leaned towards.

2007-04-28T22:15:00.000-06:00

Here is another little baby sweater I have made to give away to a new baby. This one is the first time I've installed a zipper in one of my sweaters. It is also the first hood I had to "wing," as I didn't have a matching pattern for it. I used a basic sweater pattern and added a mock cable stitch pattern. I like how it turned out. It could work for a girl or a boy.

2007-03-21T20:36:00.000-06:00

After a few very warm, spring-like days, we're having a drizzly, chilly day that reminds me very much of the Oregon coast. It even smelled ocean-like on my walk this morning. Tomorrow the sun will be back, and it will be somewhat warmer. We really do need the moisture, so I ought not to begrudge the weather.

Meanwhile, I've been knitting. I tend to start a lot of projects and switch between them, so that I finish several projects at around the same time too, but it takes awhile.

So, here is my daughter holding up a bag that I knitted. The handle is wrapped around her neck. It is in the pre-felted stage in the picture, so it is HUGE! It's in the washer being felted right now, and getting much smaller. It's another Americana bag, hopefully the yarns will felt more evenly this time. I wasn't completely satisfied with the results of the last one.

And here's another baby sweater that I designed. I used KnitPro to make a pattern out of a photo of a horse and fence. The baby's parents own horses, and they loved the sweater. I only hope there are enough cool days that he can wear it before outgrowing it! I knit it out of Falk yarn.

2007-02-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is the purse my sister-in-law asked me to knit for her. She designed it and I knitted it. I hope she likes it.

2007-01-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is the latest of the baby sweaters I've been making. I duplicate-stitched the train onto it after finishing the sweater. It made the sweater a little stiff around the train, but I think it will be fine.

And here is the back of the same sweater. The baby it is intended for was born just yesterday! He's a big baby, over 8 pounds, so he might just get to wear his sweater this year. I really like it that women can get ultrasounds and find out the gender of the baby before it is born. Makes it easier for me to knit sweaters ahead of time! It's knitted from Red Heart worsted weight yarn.

This cardigan was made from Lion Brand Homespun. I like the colorway. The picture here appears a little more blue than it really is. More green in reality.

This is how I spent the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. I love it! It was a little hard to part with it, but I knitted it for my best friend's new little daughter, Sarah. The yarn I used was Red Heart Soft Baby, and the pattern was a freebee that was on the rack by the yarn at WalMart. It was not an easy stitch pattern, but it wasn't all that hard, either.

Here's a close-up so that you can see the details of the stitch pattern. It is a cable alternated with garter stitch and a fountain stitch.

This is my latest ball band discloth creation. Nice, bright colors against a black background. Like it?

2007-01-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year! I knitted this cute green purse from a free pattern on Knit Pick's website. I like these handles with this purse.

2006-11-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked for a pattern for the ear flap hats I've made. I'm including my version of the ear flap hat here, free for your enjoyment.

Karen's Ear Flap Hat Pattern

This pattern is a combination of a couple of different patterns I found online. I adjusted it to be used with worsted weight yarn.

Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn, 1 skein, about 4 oz. or about 200 yards (sample knit with Red Heart "Strata")
US Size 5, 16” circular knitting needle
US Size 5 double pointed needles (set of 4)
Tapestry Needle
Crochet Hook, about size F.

Guage: About 5 stitches/inch, although some flexibility is fine.

Sizes: Child's Medium (Women’s size medium, large)

Ear Flap:

Using 16” circular needle, cast on 4 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: k1, make 1 (m1) by knitting into the bar between stitches, knit to last stitch, m1, k1
Row 4: Purl

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there are 20 sts on needle. End with row 4.
Break yarn, but leave ear flap on needle.

Make another ear flap.

Hat:

Row 1: Cast 5 (6, 8) stitches onto circular needle. Knit all sts from one ear flap. Cast on 28 (32, 34) sts. using backward loop method. Knit all sts from second ear flap. Cast on final 5 (6) sts using backward loop method. 78 (84) total stitches.

Join and mark beginning of round.

Row 2: Purl 5 (6, 8), knit ear flap stitches, purl 28 (32, 34), knit ear flap stitches, purl final 5(6, 8) stitches. Total stitches: 78 (84, 90)

Row 3: Repeat Row 2.

Knit in stockinette stitch until hat measures 6 (6, 6 ½)”, not including ear flaps. You can knit patterns into this section, or you can add stripes as desired.

Decrease Rows:

Row 1: Knit 11 (12, 13)) stitches, k2 tog. Repeat to end of row.
Row 2: Knit 10 (11, 12), k2 tog. Repeat to end of row.
Row 3: Knit 9 (10, 9), k2 tog. Repeat to end of row.

Continue this decrease pattern, switching to dpns (double pointed needles) when the hat gets too small for the circular needle. Quit when there are fewer than 10 stitches left.

Break yarn, leaving 6 inch tail. Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pulling tight. Hide all yarn ends.

Optional ending: Continue decreasing until there are 3 sts. and work an I-cord for about 3 inches. Slip 1 stitch, k2 tog., pass slipped stitch over remaining stitch. Fasten off and hide end. Tie I-cord into a knot.

Using crochet hook and starting in the middle of the back, single crochet around entire hat. Fasten off and hide ends.

Braids:
Cut 8 strands of yarn, about 1 yard long. Using tapestry needle, pull each strand through one of the 4 stitches you cast onto the bottom of the ear flaps. Divide doubled strands into 3 groups for each ear flap and braid to the end. Tie a knot in the end of braid and trim ends.

2006-11-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Another Purse Finished! I knitted this Brea Bag for a Christmas present. The pattern for it can be found on here on Berroco's website.

This is a hat, glove and scarf set I knitted for someone. She wanted it to go well with black or brown, and have novelty yarn. Hope it fits the bill. It should be quite warm. The yarn is a wool blend, but not at all scratchy, even to my sensitive skin.

2006-11-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest little baby sweater off my needles. I like how this one turned out. Bonnie at the dry cleaners did a super job blocking it for me. I gave it to a neighbor who had a baby girl last summer. I just learned a friend of mine is expecting a boy in March. Another friend is having a baby in December, but has opted not to discover the baby's gender ahead of time. How annoying is that? I guess I'll start on a boy's sweater and maybe make a girl's one too for good measure. I have more of the yarn I made this one from.

2006-10-25T13:21:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure I'm ready for fall. Still, with the leaves turning beautiful colors and dropping from the trees, and the temperatures dropping just as dramatically, I have no choice but to acknowledge that autumn is definitely in the air. We actually got some snow today. I hope it warms up some next week for Halloween.

I've embellished this fall colored purse. I started with the grapes, figuring that I would add a vine or something. Then I started making the cute little felted flowers. The colors seemed right, so I added them to the mix instead of a vine. I like the finished product!

This is a smaller bag, my own pattern. I got the flower pattern from Nickie Epstein's Knitted Embellishments book. I love that book! It is actually two flowers; the flat purple one, and then a small rosette added to the middle.

2006-09-30T19:01:00.000-06:00

Wow! What a busy summer it has been! Between knitting, beekeeping, a community play, Farmers Market, and keeping up with 7 kids, I haven't had time to update my blog in awhile. So, I have tons of pictures to share! They're not in any particular order.

Here's a picture of some of our beehives. These are in the back yard, right beside my big vegetable garden. The bees seem pretty happy here. Unfortunately, we'll probably have to move them before spring. I got stung last week and, instead of the usual local swelling and itching, I got a full-body allergic reaction this time. I broke out in horrible hives. So, I'm retiring from beekeeping. I think my husband will continue to keep the bees, with the help of the kids. I'll take care of the honey!

I was thrilled to discover this yarn at my local WalMart. It's called Stratta. It's a Red Heart acrylic yarn. I like acrylic yarn because animal fibers make me itch. The reason I was so excited to find this yarn is that it stripes like sock yarn, but it's worsted weight! I've hoped for yarn like this for a long time! It makes really fun hats and scarves. It seems a bit stiff when you first knit it up, but after washing, it softens quite a bit.

I found a pattern I like for hats with ear flaps. I've been on a hat knitting jag ever since. I really like this pattern. It's fun to try in different kinds of yarn.

I've been making these little pumpkin hats for the fall. They're so cute!

Here's another ear flap hat. This one is knitted in Red Heart Symphony yarn. It's fuzzy and oh, so soft.

Here's one of my Mini Madame bags. The pattern is for sale at the Knitting Vault. I'll be embellishing this little purse with some knitted flowers. It's for my niece for Christmas.

Here's another of the ear flap hats. This one is knitted in Encore, a wool and acrylic blend yarn.

This little sweater is from a book with patterns for babies and dogs called The Gift Knitter. I thought this little sweater turned out cute. It will go to a baby in my church.

Yet another ear flap hat. This one is knitted in Red Heart acrylic camoflage yarn.

This hat and scarf set just lacks gloves, which I have purchased the yarn for, and will start soon.

This ear flap hat is knitted in Encore. The small bits of color lined up in an interesting pattern. I crochetted around the edge of this hat, as I did with some of the other hats from this pattern.

These felted flowers are from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments book. I love that book!! I love the fat little roses. I think these flowers will be just the thing to embellish some of the bags I've got in the works.

I made this ear flap hat in our local high school colors, purple and white.

This is another sweater from The Gift Knitter. It's made with chunky yarn and knitted up quite quickly. I've made two sweaters from this pattern. I knitted it during rehearsals for "Oklahoma," the musical I was in this summer. I gave it to a new mom in our church.

I hope thse scarves don't go out of style soon. I've had someone ask me to make some to sell in her store on consignment. Hope it works out. I think they're really fun.

I knitted this little hat out of some pretty yarn from my local yarn store. The store underwent an ownership change, so all the yarn was at a great discount for awhile! I liked this yarn so well, I went back for more, but it was all gone. I made another hat out of the same yarn, but in pink. I sold that hat at Farmers Market yesterday. And, they're out of the pink yarn too. Bummer. Let this be a lesson to you. Always buy more yarn than you think you'll actually need. :)

This is the hat I started and finished just today. It's a little hard to see the color. It is a light sage with pink flowers and edging. It's from the must recent issue of "Knit It" magazine. It's project number 29 in the magazine. I mistakingly thought from the picture in the mag that the picot trim was done in a contrasting color. I relized before I started that it wasn't, but I thought it would look cute, so I went ahead and did mine in a contrasting yarn. I like the result.

2006-07-25T09:47:00.000-06:00

These pictures are two sides of the same handbag. This purse has been floating around in my head for some time. I wanted to make it as a Christmas present for a family member. I grew up in Oregon, where tall pine trees grow and wildlife flourishes. I wanted this purse to reflect those memories.

The pine trees are taken from Nicky Epstein's book, "Knitted Embellishments." I love her books! Maybe next I'll try to create the ocean in a bag! Probably not. I don't have much light blue yarn.

This little sweater is for a little baby named Aria. She was born to my neice about a month ago.

2006-07-21T16:48:00.000-06:00

Here's the finished product! I just added an I-cord stem and a couple of knitted leaves. I think it's cute.

The bag with the yellow daisy, pictured below, sold the day I put it in the shop.

2006-07-05T17:19:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple more of my Madame Dupaix bags. Someone was asking where I got the pattern--I invented it! I also sell the pattern. Just email me. It is $4, I prefer PayPal. It will be sent via email as a .pdf file.

This particular bag seems to need something. Originally I had knitted in some large sequins along the top and bottom, but they didn't survive the felting process very well, so I removed them. Maybe I"ll add some black beads along the bottom or something. I'll have to think on that.

This is one of my favorites. The flower was fun to make. Incidentally, the yarn for both of these bags was purchased at a thrift store. It is Red Heart 100% wool. The label claims it is washable, but when you read the washing instructions, you have to be VERY gentle in your washing, and only use cold water. I thought to myself, "That means it will felt if I use hot water and torture it." A test swatch proved this theory correct. It felted like a dream!

2006-06-20T21:58:00.000-06:00

This isn't knitting related, but it is beekeeper related. Last Wednesday I was out at night (a mistake) taking some frames of bees out of a hive to put into a small observation hive with glass sides. I must not have had my veil on properly, as I got stung on the lip! It swelled up quickly and badly. I ended up going to the ER in fear of having my tongue or neck swell up and compromise my breathing! It's all better now. Here's a picture.

2006-06-20T21:38:00.000-06:00

I had a question about the construction of the raspberry purse. Robyn didn't leave me a return email, so I thought I'd better respond to her question here. Maybe others have the same question. Here's a diagram showing how the narrow 1 1/2 inch strip wraps around, becoming the sides of the purse.

2006-06-01T17:26:00.000-06:00

This little sweater is going to a Downs Syndrome baby who was born to my friend. She's going to be so cute in it! I crocheted picots around the edges of the sweater. The rosette is also crocheted. The sweater is knitted.

Here's baby sweater number two from the same pattern. This one is for another friend who had a baby girl recently.

Here's my daughter's bag--all finished! I embellished it with buttons and beads to simulate flowers. The threads on the top white stripe are needle-felted on. I like how it turned out. My daughter loves it! She takes it everywhere with her!

2006-05-13T18:43:00.000-06:00

It's a beautiful day! Sunny and about 81 degrees. I've been spending a lot of time out in the yard, but I still don't have my vegetable garden planted yet. It's on my to do list. Hopefully this week it will get done.

Some of the kids had strep throat this week; so did I. Of course, we mothers never really get a break, but I was able to get on antibiotics before I got too sick. I'm feeling much better now.

Meanwhile, I have been knitting. My license plate cover says "She would rather knit." It's the truth. I'd rather knit than most other things. Here are a couple of my latest projects:

Yet another "Madame Dupaix" bag. I love this pattern (even though I did make it up myself)! It knits up so quickly! This one is for my daughter's 17th birthday. I'll put some buttons and beads on it, and maybe some embroidery before I give it to her. It turned out a bit longer than I thought. One of the top layer of cream colored yarns wasn't wool, and even though I knitted it along with a wool yarn, it didn't felt very well (neither have I ;) ). Still, it works fine in this bag. It just made it longer.

This isn't finished, but all the knitting is done. It's like the raspberry purse, only black. So, it's a black raspberry purse! I need to make the lining and then attach the handles. This was special-ordered by the person who bought my raspberry purse.

2006-04-08T12:29:00.000-06:00

Okay, here's the instructions for the hazelnut stitch:

Work over a number of sts divisible by 6 + 2.

Row 1: *P2, K1. Repeat from*, ending with P2.
Row 2: *k2, p1, k2, (k1,p1,k1,p1) all in the next st,* repeat from*, end with k2.
Row 3: *P8, K1. Repeat from* end with P2.
Row 4: K2, *P1, K8, repeat from*
Row 5: Same as row 3.
Row 6: *K2, P1, K2, p4 tog. Repeat from* end on k2.
Row 7: *P2, k1. Repeat from* end with p2.
Row 8: *K2, (k1, p1, k1, p1) all in the next st, k2, p1. Repeat from*, end with k2.
Row 9: P2, *K1, P8. Repeat from*.
Row 10: *k8, p1, repeat from* end with k2
Row 11: same as row 9
Row 12: *k2, p4 tog, k2, p1 repeat from* end with k2.

Repeat these 12 rows until desired length. Bind off all stitches.

For the purse that I made with this stitch, I cast on 38 stitches, worked for 7 1/2 inches, ending with row 7. I knitted 2 1/2 inches, then bound off all stitches. I made the back the same way, then knitted a strip about 1 1/2 inches wide that went around the edges between the front and back. I lined the purse, making my lining pattern from the knitted pieces before sewing them together. I installed a zipper on the top between the front and back, sewed the strip all around and added handles. Voila! Raspberry purse. I used worsted weight yarn.

2006-04-05T13:08:00.000-06:00

Here's another bag created from my "Madame Dupaix" bag pattern. It's knitted and then felted. I also needle-felted a gecko to it this time. I like how the colors work together. It seems like each new bag I make with this pattern becomes my new favorite! I'm not sure why this picture is smaller than the other ones. The bag itself is larger!

This little purse is supposed to be one of those that goes with an easter dress. I made it out of cotton yarn, with novelty yarn carried along for the handle and top of the purse. Inside, I have sewn plastic canvas to the front and back to give it more stability.

Back in March I posted a picture of this purse in progress. It's made from a stitch pattern called the hazelnut stitch. As I mentioned before, I think it looks like raspberries here! I put a zipper in this purse; my first zipper, I might add. Worked out just fine. I also lined it because there are holes in the tops of all the "raspberries." I was working with just one skein of yarn, and just barely had enough to finish it.

2006-03-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

After finally outgrowing the pencil holder I was using, my circular knitting needles needed a new home. I liked one I saw in a catalog, but didn't want to pay the $40 they were asking for it. So, I designed my own. Want a copy of the pattern? $2 and it's yours. Email me for details. If you want me to make one for you, we can talk about that too. krndpx@yahoo.com

This is the needle holder opened. There are 10 vinyl covered sleeves for the circulars to fit into. I put stickers on them noting the sizes stored there.

2006-03-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest felted handbag. I learned how to work bobbles into my purse pattern. It's really easy. Here's the recipe:
This is worked in stockinette stitch or reverse stockinette stitch.

Row 1: Into the bobble stitch (your choice of how far apart to make them) work (yo, K1) 3 times; there are now 6 sts on needle, all made from the same st. Turn the work.
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Sl 1 purlwise, K remaining 5 sts. Turn the work.
Row 3: Sl 1 knitwise, K rem. 5 sts. Turn the work.
Row 4: (P2 tog.) 3 times. Turn.
Row 5: Sl 1, K2 tog, psso. 1 rem. st. Continue row normally.

Try it. It's easy. You can add them to hats, purses, sweaters, whatever!

I made these two felted easter baskets from Creative Knitting's March issue pattern. I was a bit disappointed that the handles were floppy and wouldn't hold up. Trying to figure out how to stiffen them.

I bought this big cone of variagated yellow cotton Peaches & Cream yarn. It was so pretty. There was a dishcloth pattern under the label, so I tried it out. No picture; working sight unseen. Above is the result.

So, then I had to try the pattern with a couple of contrasting yarns. Above is my second try.

I was on a roll! Here's my third dishcloth from the same pattern.

And my final and favorite attempt at this pattern is done in really bright colors. I used 3 different colors of cotton yarn for this one. My husband says it looks like an old computer game called "Little Brick Out!"

Lookie what came in the mail today! I've been waiting a long time for this. I bought it off of Ebay and it came from Canada. It's acryllic and about sport weight. Can't wait to knit a swatch and see what I can do with it! It's really big; weighs about 4 1/2 pounds!

2006-02-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Here's something new I'm trying. It's a scarf made of a bunch of connected triangles. I had a friend show me how to do it, then figured it out in a quiet moment at home (which moments are rare). You start with one stitch and increase one stitch at the beginning of one side only (so the beginning of every other row) until you have about 20 stitches, or whatever width you want. The increase side becomes the "long" side of your triangle. Then you start a new triangle at the point where the two shorter sides meet. You knit it the same way as the first triangle, but knit the last stitch coming away from the increase edge, together with an existing stitch from the original triangle. Play with it. You can figure it out. The pattern works best with variagated yarn, which stripes nicely in the triangles. I tried some sock yarn, but the stripes were too wide. This sport weight yarn works nicely.

Here's my latest pink ruffled purse. Everyone seems to like this purse. I'm making this one for a friend's daughter. The pattern is one I created and am sharing on my blog. You can find it by looking in the archives under the post "I've had so many requests for this pattern."

Here's Ben showing off the sweater I finished Monday. It's a little big on him. I don't know if the pattern is too big, or if my knitting is too loose. I'm going to put it away until he grows into it.

I decided I wanted to create a purse with some nice texture to it. I found this pattern in an old book of stitch patterns. This one is called "Hazelnut." In this color, I think it looks exactly like raspberries! The picture is a bit blurry.

Meanwhile, I've started another of my tote bags. This one is in lime green and navy blue. I picked up some lime green wool at the thrift store the other day, and knitted up a swatch to try felting it. It felted beautifully, so I'm excited to try it in this bag. I'll post pictures when it's done.

2006-02-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by a woman who wanted me to knit hat and mitten sets for her three little girls for Valentine's Day. She wanted me to use furry novelty yarn in all of them, and she wanted them to be coordinated. This is the set that I made for her two-year-old. The hat is very cute on, as the corners poke up like little "horns".

This hat and mitten set is for the five-year-old. I graphed out the heart motif and added embroidered flowers with a pearl in the middle. I think it turned out nicely.

This last set is for the eight-year-old. I adapted the hat pattern from one I found online, then somehow figured out how to include the stitch pattern in a pair of mittens. Don't ask me how I did it, it's too complicated to explain, but I'm very pleased that I was able to figure it out. This set is my favorite of the three.

2006-01-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to try knitting a cabled purse. It was my first attempt at cabling. I was surprised how easy it was. I finished this purse very quickly. It ended up shorter than the one pictured on the pattern. I think I used too thick of yarn. I'm in the process of making another one with less chunky yarn. The pattern is from Knit Pick's website http://www.KnitPicks.com It's called Chunky Cable Handbag. I purchased the handle at WalMart. It was even on sale! The butterfly pin is also from WalMart, and also on sale.

I made a second gray striped felted bag. Here it is before I felted it in the washing machine.

This picture is of the bag after felting. I want to do some kind of needle-felted trim on this bag too.

2006-01-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

I got some of the pictures the newspaper people took when they interviewed me right before Christmas. For the most part, they are great pictures, so I thought I'd share them here.

These are my hands knitting the sweater I finished for my husband for Christmas. This picture, and most of the others, didn't actually make it into the paper.

This is a close-up of one of the snowmen I made. This one is my favorite. He turned out so cute! I gave him away for Christmas, but I might just have to make one for myself like this!

Another hand shot. There's nothing wonderful about my hands, except what they can do.

Here's a picture of three little snowmen. I made a total of 5, and have requests for more. The pattern didn't have felting instructions, but I thought I'd like them better felted, so I made these out of 100% wool and felted them. I like the way they turned out. This picture did make it into the paper.

This is the first adult-sized sweater I made. I finished it about a year ago, and it has become a favorite of mine to wear. I have no idea why I didn't center the tag when I sewed it on. Never thought anyone would see it, much less a picture would end up being published in a paper, so I never bothered to take it out and center it!

These felted apples are very cute. I like how the picture was taken to focus on one and leave the other two blurry.

Okay, this is the last of the newspaper interview pictures for now. This purse was home with me because I thought it was rather ugly. The pink wool didn't felt as well as the blue wool, and I didn't really like how it turned out. Looks better in this picture than it does in real life. But, they wanted to see some of my work and that's what I had lying around.

2006-01-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

I've had so many requests for the pattern for the pink knitted purse I made, I decided to post the instructions here. The yarn I used for the pink purse was from a cone of silk blend fingering weight machine knitting yarn. Since it was treated for use on a machine, it was stiffer and made a purse with "body." I am sure most kinds of yarn would work fine.

Pink Ruffled Purse Pattern

The pattern is very easy. With bulky yarn (or two strands of worsted weight held together, or three strands of fingering weight held together--which is the best option), and size 8 needles, cast on 36 stitches. Knit in garter stitch (knit every row), until purse measures 12 inches from CO edge. Bind off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows. Knit in garter stitch for approximately 4 more inches. Bind off all stitches. Your purse should look like this:

If you are going to line your purse, now is the time to cut out your lining fabric. Lay your purse over the desired fabric and cut around the outside, giving an extra 1/2 inch or so seam allowance to your lining on all sides. Cut out lining. Sew the lining the same way you do the purse.

Fold the purse so that the bottom edge is even with the row where you cast of 4 sts on each side. Weave the side seams. I tucked a little extra fabric in at the bottom "corners," to make it more rounded.

Time to make the ruffle. Using fingering weight yarn and size 4 or 5 24-inch long circular needles, Cast On 116 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *K1, yarn over. Repeat from * to end. (230 sts)
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: K1, *Increase one by knitting into the front and back of the stitch. Repeat from * to end. (459 sts)
Row 5: *K1, P1 (or K2, P2). Repeat from * to end.

Continue to work in ribbing stitch until the ruffle measures 2 inches wide. Bind off all sitches in pattern. The ruffle should look something like this:

Thread a tapestry needle with one strand of fingering weight yarn and thread it through the holes made by the yarn overs. Gather to fit around the flap of the purse. Sew the ruffle on top of the purse flap, overlapping the back a little to your taste.

With a crochet hook, make a chain, using fingering weight yarn. Tie into a bow and attach to the middle of the front flap.

Turn under 1/2 inch on top and flap edges of lining. Insert lining into purse, wrong sides together and blind stitch edges to purse.

The handle I used is an unused skinny belt from a thrift store. I cut it to size, leaving the buckle as part of the handle, so that it is adjustable. Stuff the purse with some plastic bags to find out where to attach the handles to get the best balance. I used D-rings to attach it to the purse as shown here:

And you're done! Enjoy your lovely little purse. Make one for a friend.

I decided to needle felt some trim to my gray bag. It is my first attempt at needle felting. I really like the way it turned out, and it was SO easy!

2005-12-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting up a storm. I made five of the little snowmen I pictured in my blog last month, and gave them to friends as Christmas gifts. They were very well received. I also have made many hats and scarves, which I sold through a local dry cleaners. It really helped to have a little extra Christmas money. I made the hats on needles, not looms. I have noticed that loomed hats have a distinctive look to them, and I was going for a more traditional look. Four hats were for little girls, and were red and white candy striped. I also made a toddler stocking hat with matching mittens for another customer. They turned out very cute, and I had to make up my own pattern for the stocking hat.

I was also interviewed by my local newspaper, as part of an article about our knitting guild. You can read the story in the links section (if it works). They mis-spelled my name, but I thought the article was otherwise well done. Bear in mind, this is small town journalism!

It's finished! I finished my husband's blue cardigan just two days before christmas. The amazing thing is, not only does it fit him, but he actually likes it! It is so nice to have this project finished. It feels like a big accomplishment.

The proprietor of the store where I sell my knitted purses called me just a few days before Christmas to tell me that four of my purses had sold. I was so busy getting sweaters, etc. knitted for Christmas, that I told her I'd have to put more purses in the store after the start of the new year. This is one I will be putting in the store.

Here is my son wearing his new sweater vest. I finished it several weeks before Christmas. It even fits him! He likes to wear it, so we're both happy.

This purse is my version of one that was sold at Neiman Marcus for over $900. I think it turned out quite well, and it was very easy to do. I won't be selling it for $900, but it will be one that I sell on consignment, along with the grey one.

2005-11-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

My computer crashed! I'm still reeling from it, but I managed to get most things up and running again. The old hard drive stored all my passwords, userids, etc., so it has been interesting trying to piece together my online life again!

But, back to knitting. I have been busy! My son's sweater vest is almost done. Just a couple of inches and then the ribbing to knit.

And my husband sweater is coming along well too. I've finished the back and have started one of the front sections. It will be a miracle if I finish by Christmas, but that is the goal!

I think this little snowman is very cute. I got a little burned out from working on big projects, so took a break and knitted him up in a day and a half. I think I need to make many of these for Christmas gifts. To me he looks rather penguin-like. I added the carrot nose myself, and it looks more like a beak! Maybe I'll make some black wings... The pattern is available through about.com's 501 Knitting Secrets email class series.

I am really excited about this Christmas Stocking project. I got the pattern off of ebay, from a company selling vintage Grace Ennis patterns. I love this one. I've never made anything like this and it's turning out great!

Last but not least, I've been knitting up skinny, fuzzy scarves in my spare time. I made them to sell, but since nobody bought them, I get to wear them!

2005-10-15T17:46:00.000-06:00

Here is my son's sweater vest. Coming right along. It's knit in a simple stockinet stitch, with garter stitch arms, neck and shoulders. Since I have so many projects going at once, I work a little on each and so there are lots of things being knitted at once, and then I'll finish a bunch of things around the same time.

This is a little baby sweater set I'm knitting as a sample for my local yarn shop. The skeins next to the sweater pieces will be made into a hat, booties and some stretch pants. I think it will be cute! I am being paid by how many yards of yarn I knit up. I hadn't thought of that method of figuring out compensation, but it is really the most fair way of being paid for the work.

I finished the Fair Isle doggie sweater! Here it is being modeled by my daughter's stuffed tiger. It's a nice fit. I tried to make it look a little Christmasy, but not so much that the dog couldn't wear it during other seasons. I like how it turned out, but didn't like having to hide so many ends with the fair isle knitting. I guess that just goes with the territory.

Here's a little cupcake hat I made. The pattern is available on the internet. I think they're so cute. I've made them in brown, pink and blue. I'll be putting some embroidered "sprinkles" on the top of it, and top it with a cherry pom pom.

Here's another sweater I've started. This one is for my husband (the formerly un-named recipient--I'm hoping he doesn't check out my blog). I bought the yarn (Wool-ease) to go with a pattern I found that was a pull-over sweater. I started on it and then learned that he preferred a cardigan sweater. I purchased a great book on sweater design and came up with this one. You can't see it very well, but the pattern is English rib, which I am liking very much. All the right side rows are knit and the wrong side rows alternate between K1, P1 and K3 P1. It makes a nice textured fabric. I'm trying to keep it a secret. I have so many projects that I'm working on, that he doesn't even ask anymore what I'm making, so maybe I'm safe!

2005-10-09T22:21:00.000-06:00

Mixed news on the honey business. We lost a hive to American Foul Brood, a nasty disease that devistates a hive and can spread to other hives. The spores of the disease are so resistant to being destroyed, you have to burn the entire hives and super-heat your hive tool. We did this on Saturday. It was sad to watch a 4-box hive go up in flames. Very very hot fire.

The good news is that last week we made a second harvest of honey, which was even bigger than the first. I wasn't expecting to find much honey as we prepared the bees for winter, so this was a wonderful surprise. We have enough to sell some locally now.

2005-10-09T22:18:00.000-06:00

It seems Sundays is my best day for updating my blog! It's been a busy knitting week. The two little purses pictured below are finished and I turned them in with 8 other purses to be sold at "Homebodies" here in town. Here's hoping they sell well.

In the meantime, I have been commissioned to knit a sample baby sweater set for my LYS (local yarn store). I'm excited to do it. It's going to be cute. It's fun to use new yarns and patterns that I haven't done before.

I'm also starting the family Christmas sweater project. I've started a second sweater for a family member who shall go nameless for now. I purchased a wonderful sweater design book called The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd. Excellent resource! I will likely never lack for sweater patterns!

2005-10-02T18:53:00.000-06:00

I can't believe September is over already and we're into October. Where does the time go? I haven't updated my blog in a few days, but that is not to say I haven't been knitting! Actually, I've been a busy little knitter. I am making very good progress on my son's navy blue WWII sweater vest. I've gone up to the shoulders and beyond (sounds like Buzz Lightyear--to the shoulders and beyond!). I'm part way down the other side. It has proven to be a very easy pattern. There are no decreases for the armholes or the neck and the back is identical to the front. There are no picking up stitches. Mindless knitting stuff. That said, it does look very nice and my son is excited about it. I told him he has to wait for Christmas.

This little dog sweater is my first attempt at Fair Isle knitting. I think I'm doing pretty well! I hope all the loose ends are normal. If not, I'm doing it wrong! Fair Isle isn't as hard as I'd thought it would be. I've learned how to hold two yarns in one hand and pick up the one I need when I need it, carrying the other along the back side. This sweater is going to be sold at a local dog grooming shop.

My best knitting buddy makes these cute narrow scarves. I asked her the other day how she achieves the long stitches between the regular rows. She explained that she does yarn overs between the stitches on the row she wants to enlogate. She said you can do a double yarn over for an even longer stitch. Then she drops the yarn overs on the next row, which results in the long stitches. I tried it and this is the result. Pretty cool, huh? Now I need to get an outfit to match!

These little gems are a couple of purses that I knitted up to sell in a local retail shop. I'm not finished embellishing them, but this is how they look so far. I've knitted them from 100% wool yarn and then felted them. It's so fun to come up with new variations. They knit up quickly and are very easy to make. They're a great size for teenagers or young girls (abt. 9 x 12). I usually include some eyelash type yarn along the top and the bottom. I created the pattern myself, and I'm selling the pattern for $4 on http://www.theknittingvault.com or, if you'd rather email me, I can send you a PDF file after I receive payment.

2005-09-25T23:16:00.000-06:00

Blue Vest for Oldest Son

Last week my oldest son mentioned that he has outgrown his favorite sweater vest. Sure enough, his recent growth spurt has made the old vest too short in the waist. He asked if I could knit something like it for him. Well, of course I could! I found a cool vintage pattern at http://www.hjsstudio.com/rc2vest.html which is a World War two pattern. It looked very easy, so I started right in, using a yarn I bought from Ebay that is a wool blend with flecks of colors throughout it. I like how it is knitting up, and the pattern is very basic. I won't have it finished for his birthday tomorrow, but definitely by Christmas!

2005-09-25T23:15:00.000-06:00

Baby Doll Blanket

And here is the finished baby doll blanket. Now baby doll doesn't have to be cold anymore. I'm sure it is only a matter of time before my little son remembers he's asked me to knit clothes for the little doll too....

2005-09-23T15:41:00.000-06:00

I have to share this funny experience. My little 3-year-old son decided yesterday that his baby doll (yes, he is a boy with a baby doll. Never hurt any of my other boys. They outgrew it and so will he. In the meantime, it's good daddy practice) needed some clothes. Granted, the little doll spends most of his time in the buff, but for some reason it has never bothered my son. Maybe it's because fall is in the air and it's a bit chilly. I don't know. All I know is that he suddenly is demanding that I make his baby a blanket. Then he wanted me to knit his baby doll clothes. I told him I would, but that it would take some time. He totally doesn't understand that concept.

So, this morning, while we were walking 3 of my kids to school, my little son said, "Mom! Where is your knitting!?" He sounded almost frantic. I told him that it was at home. He said, "You need to make my baby a blanket and some clothes!" I guess he thought that walking to school was a good time to be knitting!.

For the record, I have started a blanket for his baby....

2005-09-20T21:09:00.000-06:00

Here are the slippers I've been working on for my son. He loves them! It's nice to have them done. I finished them in 2 days. I could have done them in one day, but my hand started hurting from the stiff doubled yarn.

And here is a cute little pumpkin hat I started yesterday and finished today. I'm going to make a leaf to go with it too. I found the pattern for the hat at about.com's free knitting pattern library. They have tons of great free patterns there. If you haven't checked it out, it's well worth a visit to http://knitting.about.com/library/

2005-09-18T22:46:00.000-06:00

Here is the finished cape, being modeled by my daughter, Michelle. Doesn't it look great with her dress?

Today I started a pair of slippers for my 9 year old son. He wore a hole in his last pair. He chose green and blue yarn for the slippers. I've got one done and one about 1/3 done.

2005-09-17T17:58:00.000-06:00

I finished the capelet! I finished it yesterday and lightly steamed it today with the iron. Michelle's not wearing it in this picture, but she is holding it. Hopefully I can get a picture of her wearing it later. Silly me, I forgot to have her put it on for the picture.

I bought a new knitting book today called Pursenalities. Looks very cool. It was highly recommended by some bag knitters on a Yahoo group I belong to. I think I'm going to love this book! Now I have to decide which one to try first.

2005-09-15T14:51:00.000-06:00

The white cape is coming along nicely. It's about 18 inches long now. I'm hoping to get it done tonight and block it tomorrow. It will look very nice with my daughter's red prom dress.

There is a knitting guild meeting tonight. Should be fun. They might be choosing a new president. My husband says "just say no!" He knows how busy things can get. I don't think they'll even ask me to be president.

Our bees didn't produce much honey this year. It was very disappointing. We extracted last week and got about 1/3 of what we had hoped for. We lost half of our hives over the winter last year, so most of the hives this year are new ones. There are a couple of really big older hives that are perishing right now. I think it is a mite problem. Hopefully the scientists and the FDA will have some good solutions for us next spring.

My pet parakeet, Sunny, is helping me type. He has to be right in the middle of whatever is going on!

2005-09-14T12:12:00.000-06:00

This is a picture of a bag that I created the pattern for. It is made of 100% wool and felted. I am still working on the embellishments of this particular bag. It measures 9 1/2 inches by 11 1/2 inches. Email me (krndpx@yahoo.com) if you are interested in the pattern ($4).

2005-09-14T12:08:00.000-06:00

2005-09-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

Good morning. Welcome to my blog! It's a beautiful late summer day with just a hint of fall in the air.

My current knitting projects are too numerous to list here. The most urgent is a cape I'm knitting for my daughter for her homecoming ball this Saturday. Hope I can get it done! I'm using two different yarns. One is Caron Simply Soft, and the other is a fuzzy Lion Brand Wool-ease. I'm alternating these yarns throughout the garment.

Here is the cape as of today: