Anthro-Inspired Plaited Headwrap

I'm just about finished a pair of fingerless mittens for my oldest daughter and will have enough yarn leftover for another project. I found this beautiful Plaited Headwrap over on French Press Knits and think it will be perfect for Haley. Plus, Melynda has shared it as a free pattern and includes step-by-step directions for the assembly. Love it when great designers share their patterns!

Easy-Peasy Leg Warmers by Megan Grewal

My current "work in progress" is a gorgeous pair (actually 2, 1 for each cheerleader in the family) of leg warmers designed by Megan Grewal. She shares her pattern for FREE on her blog, Little Lamby Knits.  The "Beach" Red Heart yarn shown below is a perfect match to our cheer gym colors.  The yarn is kid-friendly, machine washable and inexpensive (if a pair happens to go missing at a competition). 

For my fellow yarn lovers ...

Just One More Row

Found this cool creation from Twilight Kallisti at Crafting Chaos and thought my fellow fknitters would appreciate and enjoy her work of art.

"Just One More Row is made entirely with recycled materials. Essentially it is a Bucky fourth generation skeleton covered in knitting from recycled sweaters.  The skeleton is 5′6″ and is anatomically correct.  Pearl, the skeleton, is knitting a DNA scarf. The scarf is unfinished and the yarn is coming from her tailbone."

Knit Eggs

Aren't these the cutest eggs! I love the Purl Bee website and have found a ton of cool projects there. I'm running to my local yarn store tomorrow to stock-up on supplies to make a bunch of these adorable eggs. The color combinations and embellishing options are endless!

And while creating these beautiful eggs, I get to learn knitting stripes in the round and duplicate stitching. Although I never quite got the "eggs hanging from a tree" look, these eggs might just push me over the edge. Anyone know where to get a tree form?

cafepress.com

This is the coolest site for unique personalized gifts! In their own words ... the world's favorite place to find or make unique T-shirts and gifts. Check-out cafepress here. Now I must decide which one of these I want on a new mug.

"Welcome to the internet's best place to find unique personalized gift ideas! Find inexpensive yet unique and creative gift ideas perfect for any holiday or occasion. Make a statement with the gift you buy that will surely create an impression that lasts forever. Browse through thousands of unique designs on over forty different products. Shop around and find many unusual gift ideas with funny or cool graphics or even make your own personalized gifts. From photo gifts, custom gifts, thank you gifts, to even wedding anniversary gifts, we have it all! Shop now and enjoy fast delivery, gift wrapping options and 100% satisfaction guaranteed."

Dramatic lace wrap cardigan

I found this "dramatic lace wrap cardigan" on Katherine's blog and instantly knew I had to try my first sweater pattern. The detail is gorgeous and I love the three-quarter kimono-style sleeves. The skill level listed states "experienced", but I'm going to give it a try.

Katherine is currently hosting a Luxe Infinity Scarf giveaway. This beautiful cowl is knit with 3 hanks of Del Cerro yarn from Aslan Trends. One random winner will be chosen to win the Kit (3 hanks + the PDF pattern) AND 5 other randomly chosen winners will win the PDF pattern (to be delivered by email). Here's hoping I'm lucky!

Big Herringbone Cowl

I love this! And I love The Purl Bee blog. You can find the FREE pattern for Whit's Knits Big Herringbone Cowl here, along with a great tutorial for the herringbone stitch. I need to purchase a set of size 17 needles since my largest Knit Picks interchangeable circular needles are only a size 15. But, I set myself some limits and I must finish a current knitting project before I can purchase anything new. I haven't touched my knitting since before Christmas so I guess it's time to pick up the needles!

Lovely Leaf Lace Scarf

I am currently working on the gorgeous Lovely Leaf Lace scarf I found over at The Purl Bee. It's the most intricate pattern I've attempted so far, and I love all the details. The stitches that create this beautiful and dimensional pattern are a simple combination of strategic yarn-overs and decreases. The lace pattern has a wonderful dimensionality, while the stockinette pattern curls around your neck like a big soft hug.

I choose a great 100% Peruvian Highland Merino Wool (The Heathers 220 - color 9407) from Cascade Yarns and I'm thrilled how the flecks of color accent the stitch pattern. Sharon Fogg, the owner of StillWater Fibers, helped guide my choice as I'm still learning the ins and outs of yarn selection. Her customer service is superb and I will definitely visit her shop again. Thanks Sharon!

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag from Knitting Daily

I found this super cute (and FREE) pattern by Pam Allen on Knitting Daily and can't wait to give it a try. I have a collection of needles from my grandmother that would be perfect for this project. I prefer circular needles over long straight needles and this particular bag would showcase a pair of my grandmother's beloved needles.

Although the bag will be functional for smaller projects on-the-go, the instant visual memory of my grandmother is the main reason for creating this bag. What better way to honor her love for knitting and crocheting than a bag meant to hold a yarn project that also incorporates a pair of her well-loved needles.

I've included a few photos of some finished bags by fellow Raverly knitters. Aren't they gorgeous! In order of the photos, projects are created by the following crafters: christiemarsh88, mma and knittybarb.

Thank you for this wonderful pattern Pam Allen!

Harbor Scarf from Lion Brand

Next up on my needles is a free knitting pattern I found over on the Lion Brand website. This Harbor Scarf is perfect for my husband and will give me more experience with cables. Now to pick out the perfect burgundy-color yarn for him. Off to shop at Knit Picks.

Halloween Amigurumi

I have got to learn how to crochet. Aren't these the cutest things?! You can check them out over at The Itsy Bitsy Spider, or order through her Etsy shop. I have no affiliation, just admiration for her work.

Cupcake Mittlets by Shantha Ramachandra

Love this design! This is a FREE pattern offered by Shantha over on her blog. I discovered her work while looking through fingerless mitten patterns on Ravelry and was thrilled to find this one. I will be making these for my girls, and maybe even a pair for me.

This will be my first project using doubled pointed needles. I'm tired off seaming mittens, so I'm attempting my first pattern knitting in the round. And since I don't have the correct size needles, I get to place an order at Knit Picks for a few of the items on my wish list. ;)

Crochet Pumpkins

Aren't these adorable? Anita over at ASE Knits 'n Crochets created these from a pattern found on The Itsy Bitsy Spider blog. I'm fascinated by amigurumi, but I don't how to crochet ... yet.

Anita is having a giveaway for the crochet pumpkins shown above. Pop-on over to her blog, check out her amazing work and enter for the chance to win one of these gorgeous creations.

Caftan Pullover

I voted for this gorgeous Caftan Pullover - Interweave as the next knit-along project over at Knitting Daily. It's extremely ambitious ... and way beyond the dishcloths, scarfs and hats I've been making. But I figured I'd jump in with both feet and try something new. I love the caftan style and it seems very versatile. Wish me luck!

Scrumptious yarn

This is the gorgeous Schachenmayr Nomotta La Nova tape yarn (#81-41) I will be using to create the Oat Couture Stow-Away Shopping Bag I posted here a few days ago. The colors remind me of sherbert and are yummy IRL. No pun intended!

I have my Knit Wits group tomorrow and will be starting on the bag, munching on some delicious treats and getting my fix of girl-time. Can't wait!

Stow-Away Shopping Bag pattern

I purchased this Oat Couture Stow-Away Shopping Bag pattern while visiting Legacy Yarn Co. in Willow Street. The owner, Wanda King, was simply wonderful. As a new customer, she took the time to show me the layout of the store, gave me a quick 1-on-1 lesson on i-cords and even surprised me with a generous "new customer" discount on my purchase. It's hard to find over-the-top customer service now-a-days, but Legacy Yarn Co. pulls it off effortlessly. Kudos to Wanda!

I picked up two balls of Schachenmayr Nomotta La Nova tape yarn for this project and will post a photo of the gorgeous colors at another time. I'm excited to start this project, as it will expand my knitting know-how with a few new techniques. The bottom of this bag is a pouch into which you can stuff the sides when not in use. Too cool.

Ribbon drop scarf

Off to knit with a friend this morning. I'm starting my first ribbon drop scarf and can't wait to break-in my new Harmony Wood needles from Knit Picks. The scarf pattern is from the Lancaster Yarn Shop BLOG, "designed/'unvented' and pattern copyright Wendy Ellis, 2010". I've chosen a Knit One Crochet Too Tartelette Yarn in their Sea Jewels color that my girls will love (see below).

I'm bringing my favorite zucchini bread and there will be petite tomato-cucumber sandwiches waiting for my arrival. Knitting and snacking, what better why to start the weekend! Look for a later post with my finished scarf.

"Yarn Ball" wreath

I stumbled upon this adorable "knitting-theme" wreath posted on Peace, Love and Understanding. How stinkin' cute!

Knit Picks Harmony Wood Needles

I love Knit Picks Nickel Plated Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles, but have decided to try a set of the gorgeous Harmony Wood Needle Tips. I need a size 10" needle for a scarf pattern a friend has shared with me and the Harmony Wood might work great with the ribbon yarn I have chosen to use.


"Of course the waves of color are what first catch your eye. But, the beauty is more than skin deep. The layers of laminated birch give the needles a strength that is missing in regular wooden needles. The stability allowed us to shape sharp points- particularly nice for lace knitting. It also made small sizes more durable and resistant to breakage. Being wood, the burnished surface has a slight grip so slick yarns like mohair and angora don’t slip off at the wrong time. This quality also makes them an excellent choice for beginning knitters, who often have trouble keeping stitches on the needles."

Now I must wait for the package to arrive!