Easter’s Coming: Lola Knitted Bunny

Choose a color and knit  up this adorable bunny for a little one’s Easter Basket.

pattern

Be My Valentine: Guilt Free Crochet Chocolates

Reposting from last year, in time for Valentine’s Day:

Greetings from la Bella Roma! My husband and I are on vacation in Rome! How unbelievable. We got in about 8 hours ago,

and after a much needed nap, we’ve been checking in with our sweeties back home via email. I came across these crocheted Valentine chocolates, heart shaped box and all, and had to share the link with you all. Tomorrow I hope to be sampling some real cioccolato! La dolce vita!

pattern

This special little project requires worsted weight yarns and a size E (US) crochet hook. MMmmmm!

Fiber Arts Books: Bed Rugs

Bed Rugs: 18th and Early 19th Century Embroidered Bed Covers
by Jessie Armstead Marshall

ISBN: 0970893000

Labors of Love

Few people except for textile historians realize that rugs originally served as coverings for beds and tables rather than floors. Few have seen, “up close and personal”, an antique bed rug. Generally embroidered in a looping stitch, using woolen, vegetable-dyed yarns on a woolen or linen base, bed rugs are thick, heavy, and probably extremely warm! Ms Marshall has first hand experience of restoring several of these historic treasures, and has made an extensive study of the women who made them, the techniques they applied, and the materials they used. Photographs are provided of existing rugs in private and public collections. Bed Rugs is one of a very few references on this topic and will be of interest and value to anyone wishing to learn about this almost-forgotten ancestor of the quilt.

Four Vintage Crochet Baby Sets

From Doreen Baby Gems Knitting Book, Volume 100, 1950

pattern

Knitted Star Cloth

Always on the lookout for unusually shaped spa or dish cloths, yesterday I came across this pretty pattern. The designer, Dionn (I think), over at Sew Funky, says it works up quickly, using worsted weight cotton yarn and size 6 (US) needles  (4mm).

Pattern

Diamond Textured Mitts

This pretty pattern has just been put on offer over at KnitPicks. I’ll probably make them w/o the thumbs, because I like to wear mitts while knitting, and the thumbs often get hung up in my work. I like this shade of gold, too.

Worsted weight yarn,  on #6 – 9 (US) needles (4.0mm-5.5mm).

Pattern

Knitting Tips: Winding Yarn into Balls without Stretching

My mom taught me to knit, and she told me how to wind yarn into balls without causing it to stretch from the tension. It’s simple, really. Just wind the yarn over the fingers holding the ball. Slip your fingers out from under when you switch direction, then resume winding over the fingers again, till the ball is finished. That’s all there is to it. I’ve always done it this way, and find that it really does prevent yarn stretching, even when stored for a long time.

Noste-what? Nostepinde: Textile Tools

There are a variety of spelling for the tapered stick that is the historical ball-winder: nostepinne, nustepinde, nostepinde, nustepinne, nostepenne, nostepende, and a variety of umlaut-ed forms as well. The word is Norwegian for “nest stick”, and it is used to wind a ball of yarn with a center-pull. The one in the photo is mine, purchased a few years back at the New York Sheep and Wool event at Rhinebeck.

Follow this link for detailed instructions on how to use the nostepinde. There are numerous sites on the web that sell beautiful hand-turned nostis: instructions

Mitered Mittens Set

Always on the lookout for new and different mittens, and can’t wait to try these, though I’ll probably take a pass on the hat and scarf.
pattern

Why Cats Knit

Because knitted things make

such great baby gifts.

MMMMMMMMMM

Because it’s soooo relaxing……

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To make new friends…..

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To improve their wardrobes…….

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To keep their paws busy……………

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Because they look so good in hats…….

To unwind…………..

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