Project update

I am almost finished with my hoodie sweater vest.
Here I am doing my least favorite thing - sewing it up -

-

And  have started the armhole edging -

 

I have also finished the daughter's yoga socks -

And I have started this gorgeous hat with this gorgeous yarn for my niece! -

 

The yarn is 70% undyed baby alpacas (no baby alpacas were killed for this yarn, at least I hope not!) 

and 30% undyed Merino wool - it is so soft and gorgeous! I love it!

Here is whjat the hat will look like when finished (only prettier) -

Get the free pattern from Ravelry - HERE

Projects (X4) update

My zipper sweater vest -

Back - done, Both fronts - done, now working on the hood.
Very nice pattern, easy to follow.

Just started Yoga socks for the daughter - Love this yarn! If it looks sparkly - it is!!!!

This is the pattern link - HERE
This is what they will look like when they are done -

Also just started an earflap hat, its so fluffy!!!!!! (what movie is that from?)

Here is the pattern - HERE
And this is what it will look like (only mine will be fluffier) -

And this is my pride and joy!
I told the hubs I wanted to knit an iPod purse so I can carry my iPod around my neck when listening to audio books and running around the house. I found a couple that I kinda liked but none perfect.
So once again - I made my own pattern! And yes I will post the pattern on here sometime in the next month. This one is more complicated so will be harder to write up.

 I put a pocket on the back for the earbuds! Gotta have those with you!

Two-Way Boot Cuffs Pattern

This is my first time attempting to write out a formal pattern so if you have any questions just ask in the comments or email me - forevereading at gmail dot com.

I made these different on the top and bottom so you get a different look depending on which way you put them on. I also used variegated yarn so it would have the same effect. You can use a solid color if you want. But I like the look of having 2 different boot cuffs in one!

These are pictures with the smaller rib side up (you can see the cable pattern)-

 These are pics with the longer rib side up (the cable is hidden so it looks like it is just ribbed)-

 Also notice the color difference because I used a variegated yarn.

Pattern -

Two-Way Boot Cuffs (by Kneed 2 Knit)

Yarn - a heavier worsted or a light bulky (I used a fluffy worsted) - aprox. 150 - 200 yds depending on how long you make them.
Needles - Size 6 double pt. or use the long circular method like I did.

Cast on (loosely) 64
(for a bigger leg - 72, for a smaller leg - 56) and join to knit in the round.

Knit a 2X2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 5 rows.

1. - Knit in a 4X4 rib (K4, P4) for 5 rows.

2. - Do a 2X2 cable (place 2 stitches on a cable needle and hold to the back, knit 2 from the left needle, then knit the 2 from the cable needle), P4, 2X2 cable stitch, P4 all the way around.

Repeat these two sections until you have 4 sections of the 4X4 rib and 3 rows of the 2X2 cable. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXACT! You can add more if you want them a little longer.

Knit a 2X2 rib for 15 rows.

Bind off loosely and weave in tails.

You now have one side with a short rib and one side with a longer rib for a different look depending on which way you wear them.

Jan. project update

Finished the boot cuffs, all I have to do is weave in the loose ends. And I promised I would write up the simple pattern I used. So I will do that in the next couple of days as well as post a few pictures of them on a leg! LOL I am not wearing the right jeans for modeling them.

I am calling them "Two-way boot cuffs" because you can wear them two ways for a different look.

And I am really making progress on my sweater vest. The back is done and almost done with one of the fronts. I love the way the sun in shining and making shadows in the pictures.

Knitting book review!

Knit Your Own Zoo
Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 24 Animals
by - Sally Muir

5 Stars!!!!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

From the authors of the beloved and best-selling Knit Your Own Dog, Knit Your Own Cat, and Knit Your Own Dog: The Second Litter comes Knit Your Own Zoo! With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for 24 animals, it's an irresistible guide to knitting a single exotic pet or an entire stuffed menagerie.

What could be better than a cuddly koala or a long-necked giraffe to call your own? Knit Your Own Zoo includes patterns for both, as well as a tiger, crocodile, penguin, meerkat, elephant, armadillo, panda, a kangaroo and her joey, and 14 other delightful creatures. The animals are surprisingly easy to make; with a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. Given a week, you could be charging admission to your own nature park!

Along with the knitting patterns, Sally and Joanna also include brief descriptions of the various species and offer tips and advice on sewing up and embellishing the animals.

And, of course, these knitted animals are much easier to look after than the real things—they don't eat, won't make a mess, and are legal to keep in your home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne run their own knitwear business, Muir and Osborne (www.muirandosborne.co.uk). They export their products to stores all over the world including Barneys, Saks, Liberty, and The Cross. They won the U.K. Fashion Export Small Business Award in 2002 and several pieces of their knitwear are in the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Their previous books include Knit Your Own Dog and Knit Your Own Cat.
Check out their website - HERE


MY REVIEW -
Oh my gosh these are so stinkin cute!!!!! I want to make every single one of them!
I review "Knit your own Dog" and "Knit your own Cat" and I thought those were great. I think this one is my favorite!
As an avid knitter, I am always looking for new creative ideas. I don't like to stick to sweaters. I like knitting different types of things. I think these would be great for summer. They are small so you won't get hot from having it on your lap (see I think of those things).

I haven't tried one yet, but the patterns look pretty straight forward and easy to follow. I knit socks so I am used to using the tiny needles. I am really looking forward to using all three books!

Here are a few of my favorites (although seriously I could have put them all!).
A cute Koala -

I hate bats! But this one I think I would love -

A Righ-tailed Lemur!!!!!! I love Lemurs!

Thank you so much Netgalley and "Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers" for sending me this great e-book to review! 

Get your copy from -
Amazon - HERE 
B&N - HERE

Project Update

I have come a long way on my Cabled vest from Lion Brand. I really like it so far, it is knitting up quite nicely!

I have also started on a pair of Boot cuffs. I actually made this pattern up, because I thought... How hard could it be? I will post my pattern when I am finished with them.

Fun Friday!

These are the projects that are on my knitting "Wish list" -

Boot Cuffs -

Cup Warmers -

This Ear Flap Hat! - Isn't this so cute????

All of these pictures are from Ravelry as are the patterns.

What's on your knitting wish list?