cozy #2

A photo of the second neck cozy I made for my grandma. I think it's technically called a cowl according to the pattern in the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. (side note: LOVE this book) It was supposed to be made out of some pashmina yarn, so I used Knit Picks Shine Sport. It's a really nice yarn (it actually has a little shine to it) and a joy to work with (read: no splitting). My model is my friend Jeni. She actually wasn't given much of a choice whether to have the photo taken or not, but Husband is thrilled I didn't make him do it.

Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it! I have a cold today which I'm not so thankful for, but I am very thankful for my family and friends, my health (with the exception of the cold), the health of my family, and pretty much everything in my life. I plan on spending the holiday with my family and eating a lot while trying not to touch too much and washing my hands all the time. Should be fun.

woo!

It was pointed out to me by Daniel that the Chicago Tribune must read my blog. Go ahead and look at number 3. It has made me feel a little better and not as cheap for giving people dishcloths. And my favorite pattern for dishcloths, the ballband. There's even a crocheted version.

all packaged and ready to go

cozy up

I made my Grandma 2 neck warmers for Christmas, but I have yet to take a photo of the second one. Marge is a good model for the first one, but not so much the second one. So I have to work on finding either a better looking person than me to model it for free or a different photographer that will leave my head out of it. I think that's reasonable.

But here's the first one. With Marge as a half princess. Daughter thought the photo would be better if I left the crown on. I appeased her.
I used this pattern from Presents Knits and I loved loved loved it. So incredibly simple and it turned out beautifully. The slipped stitches on the edges are especially nice; I think I'll do that on all my scarves now too. The only thing I did differently is that I chose to use a small piece of elastic cord instead of the icord. I wasn't sure how small Grandma's neck is so I thought it would give a little more wiggle room (or a little less). I leave you with a close up.

more more more

Ignore the impostor pot holder in the middle and pay attention to the dishtowels. The potholder is an older crochet project, but it covered some of the background so it stayed in the photo. It's all about looks you know. The dishtowels are 100% cotton with a ribbon on top so they can hang out all day. It is yet another Christmas gift as it's the season for crafting. I usually have my Christmas crafting done by now, but it's been a busy year.


I've been fighting off a cold which explains the lack of posting. I did get to cook last night and can highly recommend this recipe for Vegan Spanish Chicken. I did a few things differently. I used Boca chicken patties and added the butter after the onions, once the butter melted I added 2 tbsp of flour. Then I added the liquid. I did this because I prefer making a roux over adding flour mixed with water (I always get lumps when I do that). I also used Yves Veggie Ground Round instead of soy chorizo. I couldn't find soy chorizo and I had every intention of making it with the veggie ground round, but I got lazy. It was still delicious though.

not a lot

I don't have anything to write today, so I give you this instead. Marge as a Princess.

6 buttons later

And we have kitchen towels. I told you I was being all crafty for Christmas. These are going to the hard to shop for grandparents that have everything they need. Who can't use kitchen towels? (If you're the type that can't, don't answer). But why the button? So that they can be hung. All the better to dry your hands.

got dishes?

These are actually Christmas gifts. I always thought it was a little weird giving dishcloths for Christmas gifts, but people really seem to like them. I've even been asked if I could make some when it's not Christmas. I made up the patterns as I went and I'll share them here. Sorry about not writing the usual rows 1-2 knit type thing, but they're very simple to do and it was really in hindsight that I decided to share the pattern. Not because I'm greedy, I just didn't think about it sooner.
It's not really important, but gauge was 8 rows per inch and each dishcloth turned out to be 9" x 9". I used the long tail cast on method because it can be counted as a row. The bind off should always be on the wrong side row and I carried the ends up the side whenever possible. For simplicity:

• color A - white
• color B - blue
• color C - yellow

Yellow and White Stripe

On size 8 needles cast on 45 stitches with Color C
Knit 7 rows in color C
Switch to color A
*Knit 8 rows color A
Switch to color C
Knit 8 rows color C*
Repeat from * to * ending with color A
Switch to color C
Knit 7 rows color C
Bind off



White, Blue and Yellow Striped

On size 8 needles cast on 45 stitches using color A
Knit 7 rows using color A
Switch to color B
Knit 2 rows with color B
Switch to color C
Knit 2 rows color C
Cut color C (leave a long enough end to weave in) and switch to color B
Knit 2 rows color B
Cut color B and switch to color A
Knit 44 rows color A
Switch to color B
Knit 2 rows color B
Switch to color C
Knit 2 rows color C
Cut color C and switch to color B
Knit 2 rows color B
Cut color B and switch to color A
Knit 7 rows color A
Bind off





Blue and Yellow Striped

On size 8 needles cast on 45 stitches using color B
Knit 7 rows
*Switch to color C and knit 2 rows
Switch to color B and knit 2 rows*
Repeat from * to * until you have 27 stripes ending with color C
Switch to color B
Knit 7 rows
Bind off

Brown loves Pink

Crazy busy last week what with the fantastic weather and all. I did manage to get this knit though.

A brown button tab hat with two pale pink buttons.

It's super soft so it won't scratch your forehead, but still machine washable. I recommend laying it flat to dry, but it can be dried if you're pinched for time.


Right in time for winter. I'll need to work on the Holiday knits soon. I started a tradition of giving Daughter hand made gifts from Mom and Dad. Sometimes I think it was foolish, but it's too late now.

I've been taking care of a sick kid and husband. Plus a 3 month follow up from the whole pancreatitis thing. People are healing and everything looks good though. Son also went to the doctor for his 6 month check up. He's 16.8 lbs and 26.5 inches long and completely healthy.

Working on dish cloths using my very own pattern. They're quite simple and I suppose there could be a pattern out there somewhere, but I didn't look for one. Those will be up later though. Right now I'm just exhausted.