Little Man's Neck Cozy

It's little. It's cute. It's cozy. What more could you want? Oh, to make it green with a red button? Ok. Whatever you want, little guy. So what if his favorite colors usually pop up everywhere in December? He's already told me he's going to wear it to the St. Patrick's Day parade this weekend (if it's chilly). And I'm so glad that HE'S excited about doing that!

Yes, it's been warm enough to eat popsicles around here lately.

This neck cozy pattern is from this book, which I highly recommend for beginning crocheters!

Linking up here today:

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Seven Alive

My Favorite Finds

Crochet - My First Scarves!

 About three years ago, I started knitting and thought that was just fine -- until I saw all these cute crochet projects popping up online. So I decided I needed to learn how to crochet. I used this book to get me going.

 And I made two child-sized scarves. Really. Fast. I mean.....within a couple hours both were done (after, of course, I got the hang of using a hook). I couldn't believe it. Knitting takes soooo long. But here I was with not one, but two finished products in very little time.

 For these scarves, I used super bulky Lion Brand Hometown yarn (and yes, using super bulky makes everything go even faster). These were done using the very basics of crochet. Next, I have to learn how to do more complicated stitches. Though, from what I've heard, it's not that complicated.

 I think because I already know how to knit, crochet has come pretty easy to me -- so far. But overall, I think it's a much easier skill to learn than knitting and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to delve into the crocheting/knitting world.

My scarves aren't anything fancy, but the kids loved getting them! And now I feel more confident about trying "fancier" crochet projects. I don't know what it is about cowls right now, but I really want to do this one next because I really wanted to win the one Vanessa did here, but didn't. I love her gray/white color combo. :)
Linking up with these parties:
Sugar Bee Crafts
Funky Polka Dot Giraffe

The Holey Cowl

I saw this pattern and immediately decided I needed to make one. For myself. I have been on a neck-warmer kick lately. And this is just one of several I have made for myself as well as the kids. Not all of them have turned out well, but this one's a keeper.

You can find the pattern for the Holey Cowl here.

The designer wears hers kind of like how mine is in the picture above. But I prefer it flipped the other way as in the picture below.

 

For my cowl, I just used a big skein of a worsted-weight yarn that I had in my stash (ie., not organic cotton). I also used straight needles and sewed the end up (as opposed to using circulars as suggested in the pattern).

Overall, I really like my new cowl and am happy to report it's already gotten at least three wears. (Though no comments yet from friends. Darn. I wonder if they know I knitted it? Or maybe they do and...eh-hem...don't like my style.) Anyhoo, I always feel accomplished when I get a project done. One that I think looks good enough to wear. Woo-hoo!

 Linking up here today:

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The Pink Baron Scarf ~ Knitting Pattern

Mmmm...Seed stitch. It is simply the most beautiful stitch to knit, in my humble opinion.

I think it just exudes softness and beauty.

It has so much texture.

I think my daughter looks pretty cute in her scarf as it coincidentally matches all her winter apparel. Awesome.

Below is my son staring pensively at the ducks milling about the icy pond. I made this scarf for him about three years ago. 

He still wears it!

His seed stitch scarf was the first scarf/wearable item I ever made (knitting, sewing, gluing, you name it).

When he wears it, we call him The Red Baron.

So he gave his sister the moniker, The Pink Baron (though it's kinda purplish. But The Purplish Baron doesn't sound so good.).

If you'd like to make your very own Pink (or Red, or Purplish) Baron Scarf, this is what you do:

Tools:

US 7 knitting needles

1 skein of worsted weight yarn

Pattern:

Cast On 29 stitches.

Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * until end of the row. Finish the row with a knit stitch.

Repeat Row 1 until you finish the skein, or until desired length.

Bind Off, weave in loose ends.

If you are making one for a toddler and would like the scarf to be less wide, CO 19 stitches instead.

Enjoy the Mmmmmm of seed stitch before the winter is through!

If you are interested in making a something for your husband or boyfriend (or even yourself), check out my newest creation: 

Early Spring Cabled Fingerless Mittens found

HERE.

and

The Garter Scrap Cowl 

found 

HERE.

TUTORIAL ~ A Lil' Scarf for You!

Ah, I do love this time of year when scarves start making their appearance again. And they certainly are all over blogland! 

I'm the type of person who needs to wear a scarf as soon as the northern winds start rustling the leaves. But when I pulled out my winter wraps the other day, nothing, especially not my lovely, chunky knit scarf was appropriate. Too much, you know? So, inspired by some fun knit fabric, I made a lil' scarf to do the trick of keeping me warm enough. And stylish too. 

Here it is!

 It's the right amount of wrap with the right amount of style. Perfect for autumn walks and trips about town.

 There are two ways to wear it and both have their advantages. The top way keeps me a little bit warmer, but the second way, below, has a little bit of sass. Which every mama needs now and then.

 Want to make one?? Since I didn't take pictures as I made it, I drew up some stand-in pieces to illustrate the process.
Ready? Let's go.

Cut two pieces of fabric 23" by 4.5". You will use 1/4" seems so the finished product is about 22.5"x4".  In case you're wondering, my pointy part was about 7" in the end, so roughly 1/3 of the cravat. I used a very stretchy and soft knit fabric that I found in the clearance section of Joann's. Imagine! It's so pretty, I should have bought a lot more.

 Next, place the two pieces, right sides together, and sew around the edges leaving about 4" at the end for turning.  When finished, clip corners and trim seams to a scant 1/8".

 Turn the pieces right side out and finger-press the edges flat. Pin them down so they won't shift as you do a topstitch all the way around, catching the opening and sewing it closed at the end. Back stitch a little to lock the stitches.

 Finally, sew a button at the flat end of the cravat about 3.5" from the edge. Then make a button hole at the pointy end, also about 3.5" from the tip.

 Now go outside and flaunt your good work!
If you end up making one of these Lil' Scarves please upload yours to my Flickr group. Thanks! :)

Linking up here:

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Tatertots and Jello
Mommy By Day...Crafter By Night
Sugar Bee Crafts
Tea Rose Home

A Knitted Scarf...

...for me!

This is the first wearable thing that I've made for myself (I'm not including baby hats that turned out too big and that I now, occasionally, wear). I set out to make this scarf for me and guess what? I wear it proudly.

 I found this pattern in More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson. I used big needles (I think they were 15s) and super bulky yarn (I chose Lion Brand's Hometown USA in denim).

 It was really fun to do! I liked following a more "complicated" pattern than just knit, turn and purl. You know. It was different. And I was very fond of the lace look throughout the process. This scarf looks like nothing I've ever knit before.

 I started on a Thursday evening and finished by Sunday evening. I really only knitted at night after the kids went to bed (maybe I put in 1 hour during the day on Saturday. Can't remember for sure.). By the time I was finished, my back was really sore, particularly on the left side. Does anyone else ever have knitting soreness or injuries?!?! I blame it on the large needles and super bulky yarn.

But I found the end result was so worth it!
I stumbled across this awesome blog called Get Your Craft On and so I'm participating in it here. How fun!

The Scarf

Doesn't everyone start with a scarf? This was the first item I ever knitted! It took me all summer knitting this red seed stitch scarf for my son. But I am so proud of it! Why did I choose a seed-stitch project for my first one? I have no idea. I guess I just thought it looked cool. And it does! My husband calls my son "The Red Baron" when he wears it. See this action shot here.