a good day for painting yarns

it's beautiful outside so i'm going to paint some more yarns in the courtyard today.  here is a sample of what I did yesterday with Maureen. 

The yarn is superwash merino 4, !sock yarn!, 378 yards.  One skein makes a pair of socks.  Look forward to having a full shelve of our house painted yarns to show off this weekend. 

Thinking about color names?  What do you think?  the theme has been Beatles songs so far so I'm thinking Baby's In Black.  Comments/Suggestions? 

Kid Slippers -- Free Pattern

So I was so anxious to knit with the new Dia Duit Yarns.   I chose "Across The Universe".  Really bright colors and lots of them!  Here is the finished slipper.  I hope to get a picture with Oonagh wearing them (still working on this one.  she moves quick!)

Materials:

Dia Duit Yarns  DK Hand Painted Superwash Merino (available exclusively at Stitch DC)

US 3 24" circular needle

darning needle

markers (suggested but not required)

Size: 5 inches long from toe to heel

7 inches around center foot.

These fit Oonagh who is wearing a size 6-7 shoe and is 18 months old.

Gauge:

7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Notes:

1.  I used the magic loop method for knitting these slippers. 

2.  To make larger, simply make more toe increase to fit, then work until 2 inches shorter than foot.  You may have to adjust how many short rows you do for heel but make a small set first and you'll quickly feel the rhythm of turning the heel.

3.  I use Yarn Overs (YOs) instead of wraps.

4. You may also choose to put some puffy glue on the bottom of these slippers so baby can walk safely around in them.

5. You will have tons left over from the smallest size. so make a pair and give away a second pair!



Abbreviations:
YO: yarn over
K2tog: knit next two stitches together
 

INSTRUCTIONS:  (make 2 for a pair)

Cast on 20 stitches using the turkish cast on method.

Knit 2 rounds.

Start toe increases as follows:

Round 1: * k1, m1, k8, m1, k1 repeat from * across round.

Round 2:  knit all stitches

Repeat last two rows increasing the number of stitches to knit in the middle by 2 each repeat. (i.e. ROW 4: *k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 repeat from * and Row 6: *k1, m1, k12, m1, k1) until total 48 stitches.

Continue knitting in the round even (no more increases) until foot measures 3 1/2" long.

Turn the Heel as follows

Row 1: Knit 23, turn

Row 2: Yo, purl to last stitch on first needle, turn

Row 3: Yo, knit to last stitch before the previous yarn over, turn

Row 4: Yo, purl to last stitch before the previous yarn over, turn

repeat last two rows until you have 10 stitches remaining in the center.  You will have 9 yo/stitch couples on either side.

Next row:  knit to the first yo, knit the yarn over and the next stitch together, turn

Next row: Yo, purl to the first yo, purl the yarn over and the next stitch together, turn

Next row, Yo, knit to the next yo, knit the 2 YOs and the next stitch together, turn
Next row: YO, purl to next yo, purl the 2 YOs and the next stitch together, turn
repeat the last two rows until all the stitches are worked.
Return to knitting in the round.  Knit one row and bind off.

Weave in ends. 

Weekend Events -- Learn to Knit, crochet or sew for $10 per class

The favorite gift for Father's Day is a tie.  And I love the way Alan looks when he is all dressed up in a suit and tie.  So we brainstormed about gift ideas at the store and I decided to share some of them with you.  All weekend, we'll be teaching you how to make a knitted, crocheted, or sewn tie.  The class is $10 per session plus materials.  Even if you've never knit or crocheted or sewn, you can make these items.  And Dad will always wear them! 

For my sewn tie, I chose a fabric with cars on it.  I may even make a second for Cole.  Wish me luck getting a photo of the two together next weekend!
So here are the workshop schedule.  I also listed the workshop on Sunday at the Natural History Museum. 
 
Saturday:

• From 12:30 to 2:00 / Learn to Knit or Crochet a Tie for Dad. Learn how to knit or crochet a simple tie for dad for fathers day. The class is free with the purchase of materials. And it's a perfect learn to knit or crochet class. Even if you never knit or crochet before you can make this tie. The workshop is $10 plus materials. Beginners Welcome!  REGISTER ONLINE

• From 2:30 to 4:30 / Learn to Sew a Tie for Dad: Even if you've never sewn, you can make this easy necktie.  Using cotton quilting fabric in fun patterns, make a great summer time casual necktie.  Beginners Welcome!  REGISTER ONLINE

Sunday: 

• From 12:30 to 2:00 / Learn to Knit or Crochet a Tie for Dad. Learn how to knit or crochet a simple tie for dad for fathers day. And it's a perfect learn to knit or crochet class. Even if you never knit or crochet before you can make this tie. The workshop is $10 plus materials. Beginners Welcome!  REGISTER ONLINE

• From 2:30 to 4:30 / Learn to Sew a Tie for Dad: Even if you've never sewn, you can make this easy necktie. Using cotton quilting fabric in fun patterns, make a great summer time casual necktie. Beginners Welcome!  The workshop is $10 plus materials.  REGISTER ONLINE

• At the National Museum of Natural History (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)  Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Workshop: Enjoy a free lecture and a workshop on how to do hyperbolic crochet with the co-founder of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef, Margaret Wertheim. Be sure to save the date and invite your friends and family! It’s a fantastic and inspiring introduction to the project, or a great way to reconnect if you are already on board! Bring your finished coral to show and share! Please RSVP to mailto:sicommunityreef@yahoo.comif you plan to attend the workshop, so we can have materials available for you.

free pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas

It's almost Thanksgiving so Christmas is just around the corner. So a small cute project to work on this sunday and maybe while you're watching the Macy Day Parade and Football games.

This Sunday from 1-3, the Holiday gift project is the Java Cloche. The class is free with purchase of materials. Learn to make a hat and if you're ambitious add the fair isle or if you are just a beginner who is tired of making scarves just learn to knit in the round. To make it even easier, I'll share how to convert this hat pattern into a cute neckwarmer.

So sometimes, it's hard to pick just one project for our sunday free holiday class. So I highlighted a few other projects that I'd love to work on but only so many Sundays. Here are two more that fit with the weekend.

turkey pattern thx spud and chloe.

and this acorn purse project. i thought it would be fun to carry around this month as the leaves are falling.

Christmas Stockings

I grew up in a Ranch style house on Long Island without a Fireplace. So my family didn't do stockings.



I now have a great old Victorian with two fireplaces. So each year, I plan on making stockings for the whole family. Well, this year I got one step closer, I designed this easy stocking pattern. I'm still working on mine but Jen Dumas finished her stocking. Here it is and the free pattern. Enjoy!







(pboto credit: Jennifer Dumas)

Have a handmade Holiday

Over the next couple of months, I'll promise to share some ideas to inspire you to have a handmade holiday. Here is the start....

For Dad, Son, Boyfriend, Grandpa, Favorite Uncle or Nephew -- Manly Scarf Kits. A beautiful gift knit by you!

Just in from our friends at Jade Sapphire, each kit includes approximately 350 yards of worsted weight cashmere and a booklet with 7 "manly" scarf patterns.



(photo credit: Jade Sapphire)