Archive | Knitting

Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters

Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters.  I have been trying to come up with fresh gift ideas for friends and family and this makes it high on my list.  

Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters
Photo of cute Amigurumi sheep knitting the fleece of another sheep

While going thru pictures of quite projects I ran across a blog post by Sarah of Fugly crochet.  It was this fun little lamb.  I did change the type of yarn used to a fuzzy yarn.  

The yarn I used had been in my stash for several years.  Since it was just one small skein I really didn’t know when I would be able to use it.

If you shop at Joann’s you may have seen this yarn a few years ago.  It’s called Sensations, Beautiful.  It was made by Joanns and is a 5 Bulky weight yarn.  

I used it up and then I used a discontinued yarn from Paton’s Divine for my knitting sheep.  Don’t worry you can substitute Paton’s Classic roving yarn (wt 5) .   Paton’s Classic roving would work well for this pattern.  

I only used the other yarns because I am on a never ending quest to use up my stash.   The face and feet were done using Yarnspirations Simply Soft yarn in grey.    Both yarns are available at Yarnspirations and several hobby and yarn stores.

You can find the link for the fat sheep that was designed by Sarah here at Fugly crochet.  (The one whose fleece is being knitted)  

It was such a fun project and it inspired me to come up with another sheep pattern.  I wanted to make something fun and whimsical.  

So I designed a friend for it.  This is a fun project for those people who love to crochet and knit.  

The small square that the sheep is holding in the photo is just a knit stitch repeated each row to create the garter stitch but if you don’t knit you can substitute single crochet rows for the knit.  See instructions for changes.

Since using this yarn makes it a little harder to see your stitches you will probably need to feel where the stitches are actually formed.  

This might be a little more difficult for beginners.   Remember, if you prefer you can use a regular weight 4 (medium) yarn that is not fuzzy.  You will have a different look.

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Cowl Knit Pattern – So comfy and quick

A cowl knit pattern was next on my to do list.  I have been wanting to try to use the heavier weight yarn that are now so widely available.  Thanks to RedHeart Yarn I was gifted this Jumbo weight yarn a while back.  I had some left over and wanted to try a comfy cowl.

While attending the SNAP conference in Salt Lake City last year I met the gals from Wool and the Gang.  They are so fun and very knowledgeable.  They gifted me these beautiful wooden knitting needles.  Not only are they beautiful but they are so smooth and made quick work of my knitting.  Thanks to RedHeart Yarns and Wool and the Gang.

The measurements of the finished cowl:  approximately 30 inches by 9 inches  It should fit most adults and teens

 

Cowl Knit Pattern with Cable Design

Cowl Knit Pattern with Cable Design

To purchase a Ad free PDF pattern please visit my Ravelry shop.  Purchase my Ad Free Pattern here

 

Update:  I have included a Free YouTube video tutorial for this Knit Cowl if you prefer video.  It’s on the last page of this post.

If you like projects using chunk yarn here are some more you might enjoy:

https://allcraftschannel.com/2016/10/crochet-super-scarf-using-chunky-yarn.html

https://allcraftschannel.com/2017/02/chunky-yarn-crochet-cowl.html

https://allcraftschannel.com/2017/01/easycrochetcowl.html

These projects work up quickly and are so comfy.

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Learn to Knit – Learn the Garter Stitch

Do you want to learn to knit the garter stitch?

Did you put “Learn to knit” on your 2017 list of goals?  The garter stitch is one of the easiest stitches to use for making blankets, scarfs, and lots of other fun projects.  The garter stitch is made using the basic knit stitch.  Aside from learning to cast on the knit stitch is usually the second stitch knitters learn.  The garter stitch is made by knitting every row.  It is perfect for watching TV while knitting.  You don’t have to worry about counting stitches or getting lost.  In these photos below I will try to explain how the stitch is made.     I used a bulky yarn and a size US 10 1/2 knitting needle ( 6.5mm) below.  Using this size needle and yarn weight I later went on to cast on 35 stitches and made a nice scarf.     *Please note:  I am knitting in the continental style below.  I find this style to be easier for those who crochet (right handed) and want to learn to knit. I think this is because the yarn is held in the left hand.  Since crocheters have already learned to hold the yarn in their left hand and control the tension this is a natural transition.  That of course, is just my own opinion.

 

Garter stitch

Knit Gart Stitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garter Stitch

After you have cast on the stitches called for in your pattern you are ready to begin.

  1. Just as in the knit stitch the yarn will be coming from behind your needle (photo 1)
  2.  Insert your empty needle from the left to right  (Photo 2)
  3.  Pull yarn thru with needle  (photo 3 and 4)
  4. Slip off your needle   (Photo 5)
  5. Repeat for all stitches on your needle  (photo 6)
  6. Turn work
  7. Repeat 1- 6

That’s it!  You are knitting the garter stitch

Photo 1:

Knitting needle

Yarn behind knitting needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 2:

Knit stitch needle position

Inserting needle to work knit stitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 3:

knit stitch

Getting ready to pull yarn thru needle to knit stitch    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 4:

Knitting

Knitting stitch – pulling yarn out thru front 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 5:

slipping stitch off needle

slipping stitch off knitting needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 6:

knit garter stitches

working garter stitches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to see a video tutorial I have uploaded one to my YouTube Channel  the “All Crafts Channel”  Click below to enjoy it.  Please share this post with others who enjoy knitting or want to learn to knit.   Please leave any questions or comments below.  Enjoy!

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The Craftys Awards – Nominations now open

Craftys Awards time

It’s time for The Craftys Awards and that means nominating your favorite crafter.   The Craftsy Awards were created to celebrate the best of DIY and Crafts.  The categories range from traditional such as knitting, crocheting, sew, and scrapbooking to a category known as “geek crafts.”     The Craftsy awards were launched in 2014.   This is such a great way to recognize our creative community.   Crafters have submitted so many awesome projects that selecting a winner will not be an easy task.

Craftys award

Craftys award

I am so honored to have been selected as one of the judges for this year.  Here is the list of the other judges.  So many talented people on the judges panel.

The Editors of Babble
Marisa Pawelko – Modern Surrealist
Yolanda Soto Lopez – All Crafts Channel
Marly Bird – Yarn Thing Podcast
Beth Kingston – Kingston Crafts
Vickie Howell – DIY Network / HGTV
Ed Roth – Stencil 1
Mark Montano – Big Ass Book of Crafts
Galit Lebow – FoodStirs
Amber Kemp-Gerstel – Damask Love

 

 

 

The best in show winner will receive $1,000 and each category winner will receive $200.

Some of the  Categories include the following.  Please go to thecraftsy.com  to a complete list and instructions/rules to enter:

  • Baby Crafts
  • Craft Blogger
  • Crochet
  • Knitting
  • Decorative Painting/ Mixed Medium
  • Edible Crafts
  • Geek Crafts
  • General Crafts
  • Sewing

The winners will be announced in a Live stream in February 2017 from New York City.  There are so many great sponsors for the Craftsy Awards.   If you are a creator and would like to participate you can nominate yourself or another person for an award.  Please go to the website thecraftys.com in order to enter. and learn all about The Craftys awards.  You will also be able to see the complete list of categories and sponsors.  Each year this event has grown. with over 400,000 votes submitted.

Here is a link with the official rules:  Official Rules

Good luck and get those nominations in.  Let’s do our part to get recognization for all of those awesome crafters out there.Facebookpinterestyoutubeinstagram

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Bernat Stitch-Along / Final Clue and Reveal

The Bernat Stitch-Along is now complete.   Today I share the final clue.  I can’t believe how quickly has passed.  Here we are four weeks later and the final clue is now being revealed.   I love the fact that there was no seaming of pieces in this beautiful blanket.  Each week’s clue has built on the previous clue until today the final blanket is revealed.

Bernat Stitch-Along Knit Blanket

Bernat Mystery Stitch Along – Knit blanket

 

Each week in this Stitch-Along I have shared a different clue.  The result has been that you were able to learn  how to knit new stitch design and for others who were already familiar with these patterns you were able to practice these stitch techniques.  The Stitch-Along has also allowed me to be able to share some tips, tricks, and techniques I use to simply the knit patterns.   I have made every effort to be able to demonstrate the techniques in a way that even beginners can have success.  Remember, just like any other skill knitting takes practice.  Don’t give up or get discouraged if it was a little challenging for you.  These designs and techniques are new to many people. With practice and patience,  you will be able to master any knit design.

Be sure to take plenty of breaks so that you don’t fatigue your hands.  Also, taking breaks will ensure that you are fresh and ready to knit.  I know knitting can be addicting and I struggle to remind myself to get up after 20 minutes or so and stretch my hands and maybe walk around the room.

Stitch-Along / This  Week’s Clue:

This week the clue shared was a border.  Not just a plain border but a beautiful cable border.  The techniques that were used allowed us to attach the border without sewing.  You can get this week’s written pattern and charts from Joann’s website.  Be sure to select the clue for either the crochet or knit design depending on which you are completing.   Here is the link:  Weekly Clues

For the blanket border,  we will be using a cable needle or hook.  I prefer to use a hook, especially for beginners.   In this week’s video tutorial I show you some tips on how to evenly pick up stitches over a long area.  I share how I divide the area up and then pick up the stitches.  I also share how I ensure I am picking up the correct stitches.   Since the pattern is made without seaming we will be picking up stitches as we go along.  The process is divided into 2 steps.   (picking up the stitches and then adding the border).

I created a mini-swatch of the previous week’s patterns so that I could better demonstrate how to add our border.  Using the full size blanket would not have allowed me to show the entire piece within the view area of my camera.  I thought that using the mini-blanket would be a good way to demonstrate where to begin, how to divide my spaces for picking up stitches and to add the remaining border areas and in which order.

Any of the knit designs shared during the first three weeks can be used for creating other size blankets as well.   Just be sure to keep in mind the pattern repeat and then cast on enough stitches to get the desired width of your blanket be sure that number can be evenly divided by the number of your stitch pattern repeat.

Thank You

I want to thank Joann’s Craft and Fabric store  for allowing the great honor of serving as your knit host.  If you haven’t participated in this Stitch-Along there is still plenty of time.  The videos and patterns will be available at the Stitch Along site:  Stitch Along Info Site   Joann’s has also created a special Facebook event page.  This page is being shared by both knitters and crocheters.  This is a fun community where you can ask questions, share your process, encourage others and receive inspiration.   Facebook Stitch Along Page

If you are a visual learner or would like to see a this week’s clue demonstrated please pick on the video below.

 

If you enjoyed this Bernat Mystery Blanket Stitch-Along please be sure to post a comment here and on the Facebook event page.  This will let our sponsor Joann’s Craft and Fabric store know that you appreciated this Stitch Along.   It has been so much fun to be a part of this Stitch-Along.  I love to knit and to be able to share the joy of knitting with others.  Thank you and enjoy your beautiful blanket.  : )Facebookpinterestyoutubeinstagram

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