Book Review: Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys

Hi all! I've had this lovely little book since shortly after its release, and I can't stop knitting from it! 

I have always proclaimed myself as a non fiddly bit knitter and would steer clear at all expense of knits requiring lots of ends or seaming up. So I really don't know what set off the sudden need to buy this book, but I'm so glad I did! Not only were my fears of fiddly bits completely unfounded, Susan's genius designs and easy to follow patterns were a joy to knit. I have knit multiple toys from this book including the snowman to tree, egg to penguin, egg to alligator and a few more as well! All have turned out quite sweet and as fast as I knit one it goes just as quickly out the door with its happily enthralled new owner     

So far this little guy is the only one who stayed long enough to get his picture taken, but alas later the same day he was claimed by a very happy newly five year old boy ;)

He is very cute but he does look rather sleepy. 

So my review is definitely get this book! You won't be disappointed and its even fun just to flip through now and then, guaranteed to make you smile. 

Next on my needles will be the dog house to puppy I think....or maybe the squirrel they are both good choices I can't decide. Also on my needles right now are two pairs of socks, a cardigan and another honey cowl which I'm hoping to finish tonight!

Well that's it for now dear friends I'm off to knit land for the rest of the afternoon. See you soon :)

* my opinions are my own I just truly enjoyed this well written book and thought to share the fun. 

Sock Love

Lately socks seem to be the only things moving off my needles. 

This lovely pile has been distributed between my husband's sock drawer and my own. Not to forget the three pairs also recently finished and the fourth in the works that will soon be added to his collection as well. I really should be knitting anything other then socks but for the life of me I just can't seem to stop. 

Sock yarn is Indigodragonfly.ca colour way Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock, pattern is mine soon to shared and the project bag is one of my own creation. 

What I'm drawn to knitting at different times of my life usually speaks volumes about how things are currently and right about now I'd say things are busy and chaotic but in a fun kind of way. So I think socks I shall keep knitting even though I have a project list a mile long...another pair or two will do me no harm. 

A Couple of Dishcloths - Day 6

This year we're not using any traditional gift tags, in place of paper we'll be using various handmade toppers two of them being these two dishcloths. A Luv Bug for my Mom in law and a Cheeky Monkey  for my sister.  Along with the bookmarks I already blogged about here I also still really want to make a bunch of these wishy washy fishy tawashi's.

Ughh it's hard to get a decent photo of a textured cloth isn't it?

Day 5 - Keeping it simple Christmas tree garland

This is the view I had from my kitchen window this morning so lovely and crisp feeling, than I thought if something as simple as snow can make a tree look so wonderful ...why every year do I spend so much money creating a "theme"?

 So keeping with the idea of keeping it simple I broke out my 4.5mm dpn's and set to work.

I cast on 4 stitches, started to work in I-cord and around 20 or so feet I realized this is going to take more time than I thought...I tried to talk N into it but he just wasn't buying my it's so relaxing speech (hmmm...) I guess I'll have to keep at it and in another 20 or 30 feet I should be done ...right?
 

The "almost 20' pile". Looking at this picture I think maybe I should wipe the toast crumbs off the table before knitting on it or at the very least before taking a picture.

Day 2 - A little bit of knitting

So yes this post is about knitting but it's also a little bit about giving back to your community and sharing what you can. Even small things make a difference and this is one of my simple favourites all you need to do is knit squares! There's nothing easier than a 40 stitch square (4.5mm needles) right?

 I knit these out of 100% acrylic yarn for easy washing and care they're the perfect stash buster, I've already used up a couple of part skeins that were too small for other projects. I was originally just going to drop off the squares at the Huntsville (Ontario) Hospital where volunteers sew them together into blankets to take to the Chrysalis Women's Shelter, however I have so much stash yarn that I'm trying to work these up quickly so I can donate fully completed blankets instead. I'm really hoping I've got enough yarn and time to get at least two finished. If anyone is looking for an easy way to clear up some yarn mounds ;) .....just knit squares and make a difference!

 Of course that's not all I'm knitting I still have some Holiday gifts left on the needles like the Old Shale Blanket which is planned for some good friends who are expecting their first baby! I love how easy this is to work up, the pattern repeats are easily memorized and I can still cart it around with me in the car to work on because of it's tiny recipient's size.

 I'll have more projects to share in the coming days but for now of course I'm off to knit!

The never ending queue

   Oh the Ravelry Queue ....yes all you knitters know what I'm talking about... the never ending queue, about once a month I get the bright idea that I am  going to clean up my queue get some of those long ago marked projects cast on and finished up.

   Well let's say that's a better idea in theory than in practice. In my head I say okay no more pattern searching for awhile and than my knitting heart says "wouldn't that Christmas stocking your working on be wonderful with some knit stars"... and off I go.

    Hours later with 4 new patterns added to my queue and a stack of knit stars sitting next to me I know for my sanity I need to just go with the flow and knit what the heart wants to knit and queue the rest for another day.

See knit stars attached with vintage buttons...right? I know.

Basket Weave Dishcloth Pattern

This is the my pattern that I designed for my favourite knit dishcloth. At 9"x9" and textured makes it the perfect cloth for everyday use...plus it's kinda pretty too, and why can't functional be pretty?

Basket weave cloth pattern:
Materials: a set of 4.5mm needles and about 40-50g cotton yarn

Notes: ~Pattern Row 1 and Pattern Row 2 each consist of 4 repeat rows. So each set of 4 counts as 1 pattern row...does that make sense...I sure hope so.
           ~ Remember to keep first 2 stitches and last 2 stitches of each in garter

Cast on 40 stitches
Knit 2 rows in garter

Pattern Row 1: K2, *K3, P3*  repeat ** to last 2 stitches, K2
  Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 rows

Pattern Row 2: K2, *P3, K3* repeat ** to last 2 stitches, K2
  Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 rows

Repeat Pattern Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 12 Pattern rows
Knit  2 rows
Bind off in knit

Aprox 9"x9" when finished

I make these all the time to use as decorations on wedding or house warming gifts. Makes an excellent face cloth as well.

Endless Spinning

Ooops a little posting lapse...but on the upside I've managed to get a ton of crafting done lately..yay for me! So lots to share in the coming days. I've been spinning like crazy my little spindle and bag of roving comes with me everywhere. Who would have thought you could get so much completed in a car ride?

This book Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool was really helpful when I was looking for help, although there is a lot of great information available on the internet this book really set me on the right track ...it's really not as easy as it looks let me tell you.

Unrelated Stuff:
~ Finally finished my Olympic Knitting Shawl...had to wait for more yarn but it was well worth it the shawl is the perfect weight for this weather and is always close at hand. Details and finished pics on my Ravelry page.
~ The baking soda shampoo thing and I did not a good match make, although my hair was clean and actually brushable I liked it but... and this is a silly but.. it wasn't as nice and bouncy shiny like it is with commercial shampoo :(

Going to enjoy the rest of this wonderful spring day!

2 Hour Headband

I love this headband! And the best part you ask? Well it only took a total of two hours to knit...now thats my idea of instant gratification. Plus it's super cute and goes with everything.

This one is perfect for cooler weather but a lighter one is definitely in order for summer. Pattern here.

Olympic Knitting

In anticipation of spending many hours glued to my television this week with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics coming to a close I cast on a simple knit. In other words mindless knitting.

Thus the beginning of the "simple yet effective shawl" from Laura Chau. Her original pattern calls for chunky weight wool, but I wanted an all season wrap so I used a worsted. Details and pattern link here at my Ravelry page. And true to my prediction I have been stuck to my couch I'm so proud of all our Canadian athletes they've been doing such a wonderful job, but amazing efforts from all countries teams really. (see including everyone...thats the Canadian way) By the end of the weekend this soft, simple shawl should be off the needles. Oh and speaking of needles I'm really liking the new circulars i picked up by chiaogoo.

            Happy weekending to you all!

Soooo much knitting

Everywhere I turn there's knitting.....

Some thats just getting started...

Some just need finishing touches....

Some still need a mate...

Others have a long, long way to go...

And others have yet to even be spun.

One thing is for sure during these cold winter days (we're having a cold snap here) there's been lots of knitting going on cozied up next to the fire..bliss don't you think? Hope your all  keeping warm.