Warm Woolen Mittens!

This is the first in my Christmas Carol Critters series of patterns – Warm Woolen Mittens!!

Each pattern in this series will be based on one of my favourite Christmas Carols or stories.  Although not officially a Christmas Carol, “My Favourite Things” from “Sound of Music” has become very popular as a holiday song in recent years. I am a long-time fan of both the movie and the song, so I just had to include it in this series!

These little mice in their warm woolen mittens would make lovely child-friendly Christmas ornaments or even mini stockings!  Just imagine waking up to this little friend hanging by your bed or on your tree with his mitten full of tiny treats!

“L” is for Love Nest Pattern

Here’s the finished pattern image for “L” is for Love Nest!

It took me longer than usual to make my mental picture into an actual 3-dimensional item, but in the end, this is one of my personal favourites. I can’t wait to knit a few more of these, perhaps one in a combination of white and silver?!!

Ravelry

Etsy

 

 

Partridges pinching Pears!

I am so happy to announce that I have completed the 1st pattern in the 12 Days of Christmas series, Partridge in a Pear Tree!

These little guys are not actually in a pear tree but they have been having a grand old time pinching all the pears they could find!

The pattern is now available in my Ravelry & Etsy stores!

I have also added my Slip Stitch Mosaic Hat pattern:

& my newest hat pattern which also includes the matching wrist warmers:

All in all, a very productive day!

Time to Start Planning for Winter!

I know, it sounds ridiculous and numerous individuals are probably going to want to smack me for saying it, but when you are talking about something like knitting, you really do need to start early!

Whether you are creating additions for your own wardrobe, making gifts for family and friends, or preparing for holiday craft shows, time is not on your side when you produce goods that are quite time consuming to complete. That’s why I am in the process of finalizing a number of patterns for winter accessories!

I just added the pattern for my Two-Tone Textured Wrist Warmers yesterday.  I loved designing this pattern and was so impressed with the Lion Brand Landscapes yarn used for the warmers pictured above. I used a Red Heart Super Saver yarn for the ones below, making it a very inexpensive but equally attractive option!

Now that I have discovered a liking for working on double pointed needles, after 40 years of avoiding them, I have a multitude of new pattern ideas milling about in my head!

I posted my newest cowl pattern earlier this month, pictured above, and have just started another new pattern today for a hat and wrist warmer set which I plan to publish next week, so if you are looking for winter projects to add to your knitting wish list, please stop by for a visit!

Ravelry

Etsy

Another Project Finished!

I don’t know about you, but I find that there is nothing more satisfying than crossing another item off your “to do” list! I just finished a commission for this baby set, I don’t often knit baby clothes and always forgot how quickly they knit up and how tiny they are!!

I usually have a minimum of 10 to 12 projects planned at one time and they all tend to buzz around in my head sending me a little wacky trying to keep them all organized! The whole waking up at 3am trying to decide what to work on next had to stop, so I recently decided to keep a list of the 4 to 5 items I would focus on each week and weekend. For example, Monday to Friday, I will work on Project 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5; Saturday & Sunday, I will work on 3, 5, 7, & 9, & so on. My current list takes me up to the end of June and so far, this system is working really well, is keeping me on track, AND I get to tick things off the list!! If I finish the list for the specific time period, I allow myself to start something new, so it’s great motivation to keep at it!

How about, how do you stay organized and motivated?

 

 

“I” is for Inchworm!

Looking back over my “A” to “Z” Knitting Challenge list, I was horrified to see that I had decided that “I” was for Inchworm.  Seriously, who in their right mind chooses to knit an inchworm?! I was very tempted to cheat and come up with another item for this letter, but I knew I would hate myself for that decision.  So after much soul searching and luckily, a spark of imagination, I am very happy to present “I” is for Inchworm! This little guy is happily measuring his way through a garden abloom with Marigolds searching for the largest one!

I knit a cover for a small canvas using two shades of Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball, (one of my favourite new yarns, see this month’s newsletter!) and used some of the colours from my Dollar Store mini yarn find for the Marigolds and the worm.  I am so happy with this project and am very thankful that I stuck with my original plan!  Next up is “J” is for Jewelry Box!

Flower Earrings Free Pattern!

I originally designed this pattern as part of my “A” to “Z” Knitting Challenge, “E” is for Earring and I have had so many comments from co-workers, friends, and strangers whenever I wear them, that I decided it would be fun to share the pattern!

This is a very easy pattern for knitters of all levels, but with beautiful results!

If you would like to create some of these lovely earrings for yourself or as a gift, please visit my Ravelry store to download the free pattern!

Please free to use and share this pattern in any way you choose! I would appreciate a link back to this pattern if you do choose to share it, thank you & enjoy:)