Flower Pattern, Yarn Dyeing, and Knitting Machine Love

It's been a great day! I've been playing with DD, playing with yarn, and even doing a little housework. Now we're about to bake some chocolate brownies, and while we're waiting, try the new Latin flavor Kool-Aids on wool.



FELTED CROCHET FLOWER PATTERN UPDATE!

You'll need worsted or aran weight 100% wool yarn, size J (6.0mm) crochet hook
(or yarn weight of choice, using a hook 1 size larger than recommended), and a yarn needle

To yarn as in photo (enough for 3 flowers): For each color, wind off 36 yards of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, tie each in a loose hank, place each in its own microwavable coffee cup, fill with water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, then let soak for 30 mins. Next dissolve 1 packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid in Cherry, Orange, and Pineapple respectively. *Microwave until it starts to boil, rest for a few minutes, repeat from * until water is colorless. Let cool completely, rinse carfully, hang dry out of the sun, and....

pop = popcorn (sc 4 times in same st, remove hook from loop, insert hook into 1st sc, then into loop, yo, and pull through both

Start with an adjustable ring. With this tutorial link, end with step 6.

Rnd 1: ch-1, sc 10 times into ring, ss to 1st sc, tighten ring

Rnd 2: ch-1, (sc, pop) 5 times, ss to 1st sc (10 sts)

Rnd 3: ch-1, 2 sc in each st around, ss to 1st sc (20 sts),
fasten off yarn

Rnd 4: (work entire rnd in front loops only) join new yarn with ss in any st of rnd 3, (ch-2, 2 dc in next st, 2 tc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch-2, ss in next st) 5 times (5 petals made), fasten off yarn

Rnd 5: (working behind rnd 4, work entire rnd in back loops of rnd 3) join new yarn with ss at same st as the join of rnd 4, (ch-4, 2 dtc in next st, 2 ttc in next st, 2 dtc in next st, ch-4, ss in next st) 5 times (5 petals made), fasten off yarn and weave in ends

These are easily felted by hand. Fill 1 bowl with the hottest water you can stand with gloved hands plus a squirt of liquid dishsoap, and 1 bowl of ice water. *Immerse flower in hot water, rubbing it vigorously for a few minutes, then immerse and rub in ice water for a minute.* Repeat from * to * until felted as desired. Keep the hot water as hot as possible for fastest felting. Press in a towel to remove excess water, and lay flat to dry.

Single color option: Omit "fasten off yarn" and "join new yarn with ss" steps. At beg of rnd 5, begin w/ ss in the back loop of rnd 3

Popcornless option: These can be difficult, so just replace "pop" with "sc" to simplify!

Abbreviations: rnd=round; ch=chain; st=stitch; yo=yarn over; ss=slip stitch; sc=single crochet; dc=double crochet; tc=treble crochet; dtc=double treble crochet; ttc=triple treble crochet

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Here DD and I dyed some kitchen cotton in the colors of my kitchen: cranberry, pine, & mahogany. I'll make some dishcloths from this, and if they're too pretty, I hope I'll have the nerve to use them.


Here's a little experiment with a lace pattern I slightly modified from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments. Also, I finally tried a picot bind-off, and I can see great potential! I was thinking about making a shawl from this prototype, perhaps in a Valentine color, but would a heart lace shawl look corny?


You know your man loves you when he buys you yarn and knitting books, but THIS???



My man took a brand-new tool cart (toolheads swear by Mac), modified it by adding a tabletop, and voila, I have a knitting machine worktable. This man doesn't just love me, this man is obsessed with my obsessions. I'm marrying him!

Yarnaholic with KDHD

I think have KDHD. I start projects with good intentions, but after several rows of the same stitch, I'm already thinking of what else I can make, so away I swatch....

My WIP's are 3 scarves, a sweater for Raven, a sweater for Paige, 2 different pairs of socks, Char's birthday present, handmade knitting needles, and experiments with knitting looms too. While I'm busy with all that, I still plan new projects, read books and patterns, and consider investing in a knitting machine.  With the b-day present top priority, everything else is rationed to a few minutes a day.


For the first time, Char and I ventured to the LYS for SEX today, and I had the most incredible yarngasms. I just can't stop thinking about The Handworks Gallery. I like the cottons & merino wools, but I LOVE cashmere and angora (who doesn't?) Designer yarns are pricey though, at almost $100 per pound, the amount needed for a spring sweater!  In the back, we found a modest banana-colored cotton/merino fleece by Brown Sheep Co. Char wants a lightweight poncho, and I'd like to make a lacy spring sweater.


Here's all the yarns I've collected over the last week or so.  Yes, there's cheap acrylic and cotton too, because I like practicing with those, and one day, I will turn pauper yarns into works of art.  The dark pink mohair was a whim - not enough for anything more than a scarf, hat, or bag.  For socks, Raven chose this hot pink LB Wool-Ease and Bernat Hot Sox in Tamale, and Char donated the brown & gold mohair so I can make her something spiffy. It's only 10 small balls, so it'll have to be something like a shawl or tiny shell. Luckily, she's no bigger than a size 2, requiring a lot less yarn than my size 8.


I made up a stitch by accident.  Intending to make a gauge swatch in basic K2-P1 ribbing, and by forgetting the end sts, I came up with this interesting pattern.  Basically, it's KKP (RS), PPK (WS). Technically, it's a seed stitch in between the ribs, but I couldn't find it my "Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting & Crochet Stitches," so just call it "Seedy Rib."  I'll use it in a sweater for myself someday, after I finish my projects for everybody else.

My knitting needles sold for $70 for 8 pairs on Ebay!  It's not much though, considering the labor involved, but I enjoyed making them.  I'm getting much more efficient at it, and I would like to create a line designer knitting needles.  As long as knitting is "trendy" nowadays, I feel there is money to be made.  Meanwhile, I've get to get back to work - promoting skateboards and all the paperwork involved.  Yawn!