Tag Archives: yarn

WIP Wednesday – Crochet Cardigan

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I’ve always wanted to try to make a simple crochet cardigan to wear around the house.  Over the years I’ve looked at hundreds of patterns from fancy to odd, but none were as simple as I wanted.
I played with the idea of making one freehand just to see how it would turn out.  I planned in my mind how I’d make it. I got the hook and yarn together and then I began.
I’ve made plenty of hats and scarves to wear, but this is the first crocheted garment that I’ve made for myself.
It’s coming along faster than I thought it would. I figure I’ll finish it over the next couple days. I hope it turns out okay. Wish me luck.

Wishing you all success on your works-in-progress.
Happy Wednesday!

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Red Heart Laptop Knit and Loom

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IMAG0224_1When I first saw a photo of a ‘Red Heart Laptop Knit and Loom’ posted on a loom forum, I knew I had to have one. I had high hopes for this loom.  It’s rated for children ages 6+.  I figured since it’s rated for young children that the quality would be better than average.

I ordered The ‘Red Heart Laptop Knit and Loom’ online because it wasn’t available in my area yet. Coincidentally, a week after I ordered it, our local WalMart got them in. The shelf price was $24.97. I got mine for $19.97 and I didn’t have to pay for shipping since I had some other stuff to order that totaled their minimum for free shipping. I was surprised when I received my order a week before it’s predicted arrival date. ~happy dance~

IMG_6106What’s in the box:
Instruction Booklet
3 soft skeins of yarn
Collapsible storage bag
Loom set – outer case, loom circles and rectangle loom
52 pegs
Knitting Hook
Large plastic needle

*I like that The ‘Red Heart Laptop Knit and Loom’ is bigger than I thought it’d be, it’s about 15″x12″.
*The instruction booklet is adequate for learning the basics. In my opinion the Comprehension level of the booklet is more for older than 6.
*The yarn is soft and lovely. (I haven’t used it yet)
*The rings of pegs rotate and makes handling the project easier.
IMG_6178-0*The collapsible storage bag falls off the 4 rectangle-side-pegs too easily, but even so, it’s a good idea to use it to help keep the project cleaner and neater. Or use it like a basket to hold extra yarn and things.
*The side compartments of the loom case doesn’t always open smoothly.

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*My number one issue with the ‘Red Heart Laptop Knit and Loom’ is the pegs fall out of the holes on their own. I declare it’s worse than using a Martha Stewart loom. Even if you’re skilled in loom knitting and are careful, the pegs continually fall out. It’s frustrating and disappointing.
The pegs falling out  slows down progress because of having to take time to stop and replace the peg. Also, if you’re not careful it could cause drop stitches.
This is a very sad flaw in an otherwise potential fun creative experience for a child.
I don’t know what the inventors/manufacturers were thinking to allow such an important part of the set to be so low quality.

IMG_6153*The pegs falling out can be managed to an extent by using tape, painters tape or denture grip and I’ve read some folks use a piece of yarn to help secure the pegs.

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IMG_6136-2I made a hat using the inner 36 pegs of the green ring and double strands of Red Heart 4ply yarn.
It fits my head snugly. If I make another one, I’ll probably use the next size up.
I free-handed it and my basic pattern is:
Drawstring Cast On
45 rows of e-wrap
6 alternating rows of e-wrap and purl stitch
Chain 1 Bind Off

I hope this review helps if you’re thinking about purchasing a loom like this.

Happy Looming!

smileywreath

sp-line-orange

Shades of Purple Finished Project

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IMG_99204-24-2014 I made a post “Shades of Purple“, in it I posted a photo of some purple yarn that I was planning on making a project out of.
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IMG_1319My next update on the yarn was 5-16-2014 in my post “Blackberry Winter & Misc” I posted a photo of a blanket I had started crocheting using the crazy crochet stitch. It was pretty, but I wasn’t happy with the blanket. I unraveled the yarn and balled it up and decided to wait until I found a pattern I liked.
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IMG_4510I found a pattern called corner-to-corner crochet on RedHeart.com. It’s basically the crazy crochet stitch only it’s diagonal. I absolutely love this stitch with my purple yarns and the way it worked up. It was fun to make too.IMG_4472(shhh this is a secret right now) I loved it so much that not only did I make the 5 feet x 5 feet blanket for my son & dil, I also made my Grandkitten a 2 feet x 2 feet blanket.  (okay, the Grandkitten is a full grown cat, but still as cute as a kitten) I’m in the process of finding a box to send the surprise blankets in. I’m not worried about mentioning the blankets here because I doubt my son or dil or their beautiful kitty-cat visits my blog. So, until I send it off, it’s a secret between you and me. 😉 IMG_4470Before I washed and blocked the blankets, I took a couple photos of Shelibean posing with the them. Unfortunately, his dark eyes didn’t show up in the photos, but I think he looks fairly cute anyhow.

I’m glad to finally have this project finished. I hope my son & dil & my grandkitten likes their surprise blankets.

Here’s wishing you all much success in finishing projects
and many happy surprises along the way.
crochet

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Random Friday Five- (updated) snow, seedlings, girlscout cookies, yarn, abreva

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IMG_93821) What a difference a day makes. The above photo was yesterday. The lower photo is today.
This area is where my garden is. I look forward to when it will be filled with growing veggies.IMG_9417
edited in 2-28-2015
My husband was looking at my blog this morning and pointed out that the top snow picture isn’t exactly the same angle as the no-snow one. So I went through my photos from the 26th and was happy to find one that’s real close to the same area as the no-snow one.
So, here it is, the same areas one day apart.
It still fascinates how fast winter snow storms come and go.IMG_9367

IMG_94192) My basil has sprouted and is growing into happy little seedlings.

IMG_90373) With the help of our Grandson, we’ve polished off 5 boxes of girlscout cookies. We certainly enjoyed them.
I buy girlscout cookies from my great-niece who lives in a small town far away from me. I send extra money to have the cookies shipped to me. I love helping her whenever I can.
My problem runs into the Girlscouts of the area I live in. It’s tough to see the little girls in the cold and/or windy weather selling cookies outside some of the local businesses. They’re so pitiful shivering and calling out to passers-by to sell cookies. I respond to their beckonings by explaining to them that I’ve already bought cookies from my niece in another town.
*Here’s what I think might make it better for the girlscouts: I wish the girlscouts would offer a badge that I could buy with their troup number on it and the year I bought cookies from them. When the other troups see it, they’ll know I support Girlscouts and I’ve done bought cookies. Then they don’t have to leave a warm spot to call out for me to buy cookies. The Girlscouts could even switch colors or something on the badges every year so it’s recognizable by sight. Do you think badges would be a good idea?

IMG_92114) I went shopping for some green yarn to make another blanket (for a surprise-gift for a special someone) My husband saw some soft pearl yarn and thought it would make a pretty blanket too. So, now I have oodles of yarn to make 2 more nice soft blankets. I hope I can get them made before next winter.

0221151133-15) During the icy bout of cold weather we had, I had a fever blister break out on my top lip. I treated it with carmex for cold sores (camphor). It tastes awful and so when I saw a commercial for abreva, the fast acting treatment, as soon as we could get out the driveway to go to the store, I bought some. Wow, that stuff worked like a charm for me. I was almost totally healed up with in 2 days. It may not work for everyone and it’s quite pricey for the tiny tube, but to me, it was worth every dime.

I hope you all have a pleasant weekend of sunshine.clnflwrsds

spflwrsln

Finished It Friday! Blanket

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IMG_9207I’m happy to report that thanks to the week of ice & snow
I focused on my blanket and it’s now finished.
It has the Shelibean nap-test approval.
smileywreath
I kept up with everything, so I have stats on it.

Cast-on 1-1-2015
Bind-off 2-19-2015
Finished size 54″ x 69″

1 198 peg KB S-Loom & Kniting hook
8 skeins of Montana Sky Lion Brand HomeSpun Yarn 6oz 185 yds
256 rows
50,432 stitches (I used only 197 pegs)

I’m surprised and happy that I have this blanket finished so soon.
I washed it in a normal wash cycle in a washing machine & dried it on Knits Low in the dryer.
It turned out beautifully and is soft and cuddly.
I’m thinking about starting another one… stay tuned 😉

According to the calender, Spring’ll be here in a few weeks so warm weather can’t be too far off.
I hope you all are staying warm and safe during this rough winter weather.
t09017
spflwrsln

1st blanket project for 2015

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IMG_8623Once upon a time (a couple years ago), I bought an S-loom. It’s a big beautiful sturdy knitting loom. I haven’t used it yet. My Bff has one and keeps it constantly loaded making luscious blankets for her grandbabes. She has a wonderful talent using the knitting looms. She has oodles of different looms and has made some awesome stuff with them. I’ve made a few items with my Martha Stewart & Knifty Knitter looms, but nothing on my S-loom. I decided to finally use the s-loom and see if I can make a pretty blanket for My 1st blanket project of 2015.
IMG_8600-1I bought lots of Lion Brand Homespun yarn.
I’ve un-boxed my S-loom.
I got the cast-on row cast on.
Now, I’m ready to start the project.
I plan to post updates as I go along.
Wish me luck.

Wishing you all great joy & success with
your crafts & projects all through the year.
Happy 2015!

smileywreathspgrnbgln