Sock Yarn Patchwork blanket

I was so excited to finish school so that I would finally be able to find some time to knit... So as soon as I could, I started this really nice patchwork blanket with my remaining sock yarn from my stash, and I got a lot done in a short amount of time:

 

It is a free pattern that is available here, and there is a thread here on Ravelry discussing this project and possible trades people want to make. I have already posted my yarn on there if you are interested in doing a swap!

 

So I was all excited about this project and racing along to finish...

 



And then this happened....

 

 

I somehow managed to fracture my thumb... and I have no idea how I did it. I have to wear the brace for at least two weeks... and I already miss knitting! What am I going to do? I am just going to have to favorite a whole bunch of patterns for when my thumb gets better, until then I won't be getting any knitting done :(

Cat Blanket

 

Every time I knit or crochet a blanket, my cats seem to lie on it within 5 seconds of me casting off. It's like they have an alarm that goes off in their heads every time a comfy blanket becomes available.

So when I set out to make this blanket, I purposefully did not make it too big because I knew it was going to be used by my cats. That being said, it is a perfectly good lap blanket, or you could easily add more stitches when casting on to make it larger.

 

 

Blackberry Stitch Blanket:

Yarn: Ultra Fil Stella (this was a yarn given to me, it seems to be discontinued) - any fine or light weight yarn will do.

Needle Size: US size 13 (9.0mm)

Gauge: Not important for this project, you want a loose fabric so use large needles!

Finished Measurements: 35 x 26 inches

 

CO 93 sts (multiple of 5 plus 8 for border)

 

Row 1 - k4, p to last 4 sts, k4

Row 2 - k4, *(k1,p1,k1,p1)into next st, p4tog. Repeat from * until last 4 sts, k4

Row 3 - Repeat row 1

Row 4 - k4, *p4tog, (k1,p1,k1,p1) into next st. Repeat from * until last 4 sts, k4

 

Repeat these 4 rows until desired length, cast off loosely. Weave in ends and block.

 

I casted off at 28 inches and blocked it to get the finished measurements.

 

 My cats seems to love this blanket, and I think the stitches look gorgeous!

 

Happy Knitting!



WIP Wednesday- Granny Squares

I love making granny squares, they are just a great way for me to unwind at the end of my day. Since finishing my last granny square afghan I have started on a another one!

 

I am using some pretty pink yarn from my stash and the Flower Granny Square pattern (free Ravelry download!). For now I am leaving them this size, but I might add a few more rows in a different color - I will see how I feel about it when I finish a few more squares.



Paying for Patterns

I have never paid for a pattern online... never. I just don't feel comfortable purchasing a pattern before I read through it. If I am going to buy a magazine or a book, I usually look through the pattern I want to make and see if I actually want to make it before I purchase it. So I have never been tempted to buy a pattern online. I can be weird like that.

 

 

Now I have seen this lovely crochet Happypotamus on Ravelry and I can't seem to get it out of my head. I am new to crochet, and this hippo seems a bit more complicated than the granny squares I have been making. So I just don't know if I want to risk paying for a pattern I might not be able to use...

 

I guess I should sleep on it and see how I feel about it a few days from now, if I still want to try making it next week, I will take the plunge and buy my first online pattern!

Finished Afghan

I have finally finished school. Really finished school! These past couple of weeks have been so hectic that I hadn't had time to do any knitting or crochet. However, this week I have had a few days off, so I have been able to finish this granny square afghan I started back in March.

 

 

Afghan:

Yarn: Red Heart's Soft Yarn (in yellow - 1 ball, aqua blue - 2 balls, dark blue - 2 balls, grey - 2 balls)

Hook Size: 5.5 mm (I)

Pattern Source: Time to Relax Granny Throw by Red Heart (free pattern!)

 

It took me awhile to get all the squares together after I had finished crocheting them, but other than that, the pattern was easy to follow, even for a beginner like me!

WIP Wednesday

 I have been making this afghan for the past several weeks. It is made up of 40 smaller squares and 10 bigger squares. I have finally finished crocheting them all and now I have to put the afghan together.

 

 

 

I made this with Red Heart's Soft yarn. The pattern is Time to Relax Granny Throw and is a free download.

 

 

 

Now the squares are being blocked and I hope I can get it finished this week.

Spring Shawl

I finished this pretty shawl a little while ago, but I never got around to taking a picture of it until now.

 

 

Blue Spring Shawl:

Yarn: Patons Lace in Mystic Teal

Needle Size: U.S. 6 (4.0mm)

Pattern Source: Dinner in the Eiffel Tower Shawl (free pattern!)

 

 

This was a really great project, and I love the way it looks when it is done. It is perfect for the cool weather we have been having. This was a great pattern that was easy to follow with great results.