Pipers piping...

Corrected 8th September 2008 - row 18.
Corrected 9.9. - row 48

cast on 39 stitches
1.- 4. *K1 P1* K1
5. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
6. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
7. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
8. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
9. K1 P1 K1 P14 K3 P16 K1 P1 K1
10. K1 P1 K18 P1 K16 P1 K1
11. K1 P1 K1 P15 K1 P17 K1 P1 K1
12. K1 P1 K18 P1 K16 P1 K1
13. K1 P1 K1 P14 K5 P14 K1 P1 K1
14. K1 P1 K14 P7 K14 P1 K1
15. K1 P1 K1 P12 K7 P14 K1 P1 K1
16. K1 P1 K14 P1 K1 P7 K12 P1 K1
17. K1 P1 K1 P10 K7 P1 K1 P1 K1 P12 K1 P1 K1
18. K1 P1 K11 P4 K1 P1 K1 P7 K10 P1 K1
19. K1 P1 K1 P8 K7 P1 K1 P1 K6 P9 K1 P1 K1
20. K1 P1 K9 P6 K1 P3 K2 P6 K8 P1 K1
21. K1 P1 K1 P6 K5 P2 K6 P1 K6 P7 K1 P1 K1
22. K1 P1 K7 P6 K2 P7 K2 P5 K6 P1 K1
23. K1 P1 K1 P4 K5 P2 K8 P2 K6 P6 K1 P1 K1
24. K1 P1 K5 P7 K3 P10 K1 P5 K4 P1 K1
25. K1 P1 K1 P3 K4 P1 K10 P5 K6 P4 K1 P1 K1
26. K1 P1 K5 P5 K7 P9 K1 P4 K4 P1 K1
27. K1 P1 K1 P3 K4 P1 K9 P8 K4 P4 K1 P1 K1
28. K1 P1 K5 P4 K8 P14 K4 P1 K1
29. K1 P1 K1 P3 K14 P7 K4 P5 K1 P1 K1
30. K1 P1 K7 P3 K7 P14 K4 P1 K1
31. K1 P1 K1 P3 K14 P4 K2 P1 K3 P6 K1 P1 K1
32. K1 P1 K8 P1 K1 P3 K5 P13 K4 P1 K1
33. K1 P1 K1 P3 K12 P1 K1 P1 K2 P1 K4 P8 K1 P1 K1
34. K1 P1 K8 P5 K1 P2 K1 P1 K1 P12 K4 P1 K1
35. K1 P1 K1 P3 K11 P1 K2 P1 K3 P1 K3 P1 K1 P6 K1 P1 K1
36. K1 P1 K7 P1 K2 P2 K1 P3 K1 P2 K1 P11 K4 P1 K1
37. K1 P1 K1 P4 K9 P1 K3 P1 K3 P1 K1 P4 K1 P5 K1 P1 K1
38. K1 P1 K6 P1 K5 P4 K1 P3 K1 P9 K5 P1 K1
39. K1 P1 K1 P5 K7 P1 K4 P1 K4 P6 K1 P4 K1 P1 K1
40. K1 P1 K5 P1 K5 P1 K4 P1 K1 P3 K1 P5 K8 P1 K1
41. K1 P1 K1 P9 K2 P1 K2 P3 K1 P5 K1 P5 K1 P3 K1 P1 K1
42. K1 P1 K4 P1 K5 P1 K5 P1 K4 P1 K1 P2 K10 P1 K1
43. K1 P1 K1 P8 K3 P1 K2 P3 K1 P5 K1 P6 K1 P2 K1 P1 K1
44. K1 P1 K3 P1 K5 P1 K6 P1 K2 P8 K8 P1 K1
45. K1 P1 K1 P7 K8 P2 K1 P6 K1 P2 K3 P1 K2 P1 K1 P1 K1
46. K1 P1 K2 P1 K4 P1 K1 P1 K6 P1 K2 P8 K8 P1 K1
47. K1 P1 K1 P7 K8 P2 K1 P7 K1 P7 K1 P1 K1
48. K1 P1 K8 P1 K1 P4 K2 P1 K2 P8 K8 P1 K1
49. K1 P1 K1 P7 K8 P2 K1 P1 K1 P5 K1 P7 K1 P1 K1
50. K1 P1 K15 P2 K3 P6 K9 P1 K1
51. K1 P1 K1 P9 K4 P4 K1 P15 K1 P1 K1
52. K1 P1 K16 P1 K18 P1 K1
53. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
54. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
55. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
56.- 59. *K1 P1* K1
Cast off and weave in ends.

Drummers drumming...

cast on 39 stitches
1.- 4. *K1 P1* K1
5. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
6. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
7. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
8. K1 P1 K9 P13 K13 P1 K1
9. K1 P1 K1 P12 K13 P8 K1 P1 K1
10. K1 P1 K9 P13 K13 P1 K1
11. K1 P1 K1 P13 K1 P1 K3 P1 K3 P1 K1 P9 K1 P1 K1
12. K1 P1 K10 P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2 K14 P1 K1
13. K1 P1 K1 P13 K3 P1 K3 P1 K3 P9 K1 P1 K1
14. K1 P1 K10 P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2 K14 P1 K1
15. K1 P1 K1 P13 K1 P1 K3 P1 K3 P1 K1 P9 K1 P1 K1
16. K1 P1 K9 P13 K13 P1 K1
17. K1 P1 K1 P12 K13 P8 K1 P1 K1
18. K1 P1 K9 P13 K13 P1 K1
19. K1 P1 K1 P16 K2 P2 K2 P11 K1 P1 K1
20. K1 P1 K9 P1 K1 P1 K1 P3 K1 P2 K2 P4 K10 P1 K1
21. K1 P1 K1 P7 K6 P1 K2 P1 K4 P1 K1 P1 K3 P6 K1 P1 K1
22. K1 P1 K6 Å4 K1 P1 K1 P5 K1 P2 K1 P6 K7 P1 K1
23. K1 P1 K1 P5 K6 P1 K2 P1 K6 P2 K7 P3 K1 P1 K1
24. K1 P1 K3 P5 K2 P1 K2 P7 K1 P2 K2 P5 K5 P1 K1
25. K1 P1 K1 P3 K5 P2 K2 P1 K8 P3 K1 P2 K4 P2 K1 P1 K1
26. K1 P1 K3 P3 K3 P1 K3 P8 K2 P1 K3 P4 K4 P1 K1
27. K1 P1 K1 P3 K4 P5 K10 P2 K2 P2 K3 P2 K1 P1 K1
28. K1 P1 L3 P3 L2 P1 L3 P10 L5 P4 L4 P1 K1
29. K1 P1 K1 P3 K4 P4 K12 P2 K1 P1 K4 P2 K1 P1 K1
30. K1 P1 K4 P4 K3 P12 K3 P5 K4 P1 K1
31. K1 P1 K1 P4 K5 P2 K12 P3 K4 P3 K1 P1 K1
32. K1 P1 K4 P5 K2 P19 K5 P1 K1
33. K1 P1 K1 P5 K24 P4 K1 P1 K1
34. K1 P1 K6 P22 K7 P1 K1
35. K1 P1 K1 P7 K21 P5 K1 P1 K1
36. K1 P1 K7 P 20 K8 P1 K1
37. K1 P1 K1 P8 K18 P7 K1 P1 K1
38. K1 P1 K9 P15 K11 P1 K1
39. K1 P1 K1 P11 K13 P9 K1 P1 K1
40. K1 P1 K15 P5 K15 P1 K1
41. K1 P1 K1 P15 K3 P15 K1 P1 K1
42. K1 P1 K16 P3 K16 P1 K1
43. K1 P1 K1 P14 K5 P14 K1 P1 K1
44. K1 P1 K14 P7 K14 P1 K1
45. K1 P1 K1 P13 K7 P13 K1 P1 K1
46. K1 P1 K14 P7 K14 P1 K1
47. K1 P1 K1 P13 K7 P13 K1 P1 K1
48. K1 P1 K14 P7 K14 P1 K1
49. K1 P1 K1 P13 K7 P13 K1 P1 K1
50. K1 P1 K14 P7 K14 P1 K1
51. K1 P1 K1 P14 K5 P14 K1 P1 K1
52. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
53. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
54. K1 P1 K1 P33 K1 P1 K1
55. K1 P1 K35 P1 K1
56.- 59. *K1 P1* K1
Cast off and weave in ends.

I just can't leave you off like this... here's a drum ornament to crochet for your tree *blush*

12 Days of Yule - Last Episode

It has come to my attention that dishcloths are despised and unvalued projects... Tsk, tsk, tsk...
So for the last project I'm going to post a couple of pretty ornament dishcloths.

Melissa's Bell and Sue's ball.

These are easy to make,
fun to knit even if one isn't experienced in knitting,
lovely little project to take the thoughts away from the mastodont epic knitting project,
quick and appreciated, because they are so versatile, and HAND MADE!!!

So, just go on and knit them, any color cotton will do, and if you don't give them away, use them to bring a little Yule spirit to your kitchen.
It's much more fun to wipe the surfaces and clean the dishes with a PRETTY cloth than a boring, dull store bought plastic thingy.

And as something cute and funny, Christmas Dolphin :-)

And then my own special Yule gift to all of you: 12 Days of Christmas Dishcloths ;-)

Now Yule is over... for this year ;-)

I'm back, but you have to wait for the twelfth day till tomorrow :-) Actually, the 12th day of Christmas is 5th of January, so there's plenty of time :-D

Here's a photo of me opening my Yule presents :-) I had a lovely Yule with my parents, sisters and their families :-) I got good gifts, some of what I need, some of what I want and some lovely, not needed surprises, to lighten up my days :-)
When I got home there were more surprises waiting; three swap packages :-) One Halloween package and two Christmas packages. The Halloween package took good time to arrive... there's still a couple of those on their way - or not.
I made some Yule gifts, and I think they were well received, but my family behaves so well it's difficult to say ;-)
My husband and dog had been "alone" home the Yule, and I got a very loving and affectionate welcoming :-D I have two boys clinging on me, as if they'd never been hugged and cuddled with :-) Now it's almost 2 A.M, my hubby is sleeping and my dog came to fetch me to bed :-)

So good night to all :-) I wish your Midwinter feast was lovely :-)

12 Days of Yule - Episode Eleven

This is pineapple lace Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Air Freshener
Christmas Tree with 12 inch styrofoam cone core

I am going to throw this Christmas Tree Towel Topper on the deal ;-) It's kind of cute too LOL

12 Days of Yule - Episode Ten

Furry Christmas! Nice knitted wreath and small Yule tree. This is what I think is sensible and meaningful use for special effect yarns. You can use any furry yarn or yarn that looks like moss, or the unusable mohair...

If you don't have any awkward fake fibers in your stash, you might want to try making the wreath with loops instead.

12 Days of Yule - Episode Nine

More holiday cross stitches. There's Snow Place Like Home by Barbara Ana.

Am I boring? Probably... but I've been cleaning the whole week, and finding... er... what ever. That grey fine powder that gathers all over the place, especially on top of things. And I'm allergic to that stuff. So I'm sore, feel like I'm getting flu, and tired, and snotty - again! and all that, so this is what you'll get today. It's a really nice chart, you know. You could make a Yule shopping tote with this as decoration.

Anyway, we had Chanukkah party today. Cardamom coffee and Sufganiyot :-) I don't drink coffee, so it's tea for me :-) I love doughnuts! :-)

12 Days of Yule - Episode Eight

Did I mention that I like poinsettias? Here's a cross stitch ornament with poinsettia, "Shades of Christmas"

Not into poinsettias? You're weird... Here's a Santa Cat ornament. You can either crochet it or cross stitch it.

And here some really beautiful Christmas angels, one for each year.

------

What have I been doing? I'm trying desperately get my Six Sox Turkish Socks done, and for some weird reason they are the MOST BOOOOORIIIING socks I have ever knitted... I don't understand. The pattern is nice, I like colorwork, the yarns are nice, the colors are nice, and the socks are going to be wonderful... but I CAN'T STAND KNITTING THEM!!!
So I crochet things in between. I even started a tatted snowflake, just to avoid knitting the damned socks... *sigh*

12 Days of Yule - Episode Seven

Now, this is a... er... I really don't know how to describe this... You remember that I said about kitsch a couple of days ago? LOL
Now, THIS is kitsch! And I simply love it!
I don't know what to do with it, but here's the swan doily :-)

Besides, "On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me seven swans a-swimming". They do have the pattern for a doily with seven swans a-swimming ;-)

What about geese, then?

Mimi's crocheted lawn goose outfits
Mary Sue has developed 30 original, unique crochet outfit patterns and is selling all these as an e-book...

Now, talk about kitsch! I have seldom laughed as well :-D

Well... not for everyone's taste, I can think ;-)
Here's a filet crochet goose :-)
Ducks in a row afghan - make them in white, and you'll have geese a-laying :-)

Edited later on 13th :-)
Some pictures of swan doilies from a Chinese site
Small doily with four swans
Swan symphony - a little different 6 swans doily
with patterns
Really cute 8 swan doily with ruffles and waterlilies :-)
And another similar swan doily :-)

12 Days of Yule - Episode Six

I really like poinsettias. They are my favorite Yule flowers. You know that the red leaves are not petals of the flower. The little yellow dots are the flowers, the red leaves are just leaves. Also, it's poisonous for cats to eat. So, keep an eye of your flowers and cats. ALL Yule flowers are bad for cats.

Anyway, this quilt is a beauty. It probably won't be done in a couple of days, but perhaps for next Yule ;-)

Poinsettia Wreath

P.S. Make a visit to this site: http://knittingpatterndepot.blogspot.com/

Crocheting lace

I joined a couple of crochet groups at Yahoo!
This is my first effort in lace crocheting for a long time. The needle and yarn are as they should be, but my hand is way too loose.
My grandmother told me, when I was 10 and asked her why her doilies are so smooth and pretty, and mine are loose and sloppy, that it's just a matter of experience, and my hand will become better the more I crochet. It was only now I realised, that the most important thing is to have a steady tension on the yarn and good rhythm in crocheting.

Yesterday Annie's Attic published a pattern of the kind of angels I was looking for day before, and I have been fighting with angels... I forget rounds, cannot understand simple instructions, didn't care about counting my stitches, and it was absolutely horrible. So I have been "tehcorcing" and frogging - crocking as my husband says (nothing to do with crock, everything to do with crocs) - swearing over the poor angel, and crocheting the pattern over and over again, with small variation every time. I think it is as it should be now.

A member of the group found a Chinese photo album service, and there's a lot of people, who have been saving different craft projects, crochet charts, cross stitch charts, and everything possible... I have been spending a couple of nights there, looking at the vast supply...
If you are interested - and prepared to loose a lot of time, and get a lot longer "to do" list, then here's one of the contributors. When you're done, go and see her fans and friends...

12 Days of Yule - Episode Five

The project for today is a small, cute pillow.

I really like pillows too... when I was small, I dreamed about a bed filled with pillows... all kinds of pillows, oriental, lace pillows, pillows that looked like clouds, or carrots, or sheep... I love pillows. So - fill your couch with Yule pillows LOL

Patchwork pillow with trees
Patchwork pillow with star
Large patchwork pillow
Sewn Christmas Cat pillow
Knitted "ho ho Santa" pillow
Knitted reindeer pillow
Cross stitch Noel pillow (wait for the ads to load up and then close it.)
Appliqued "Trim Up The Tree" pillow
Crocheted Christmas Wreath pillow

12 Days of Yule - Episode Four

Today we'll be making an angel. Not the one in the picture, that's Noreen Crone-Finlay's "Angel of Knitting". I just like it :-)

The project for today is Angela. I love doll making too :-)
Here's another angel cloth doll, and here's third.
Too complicated?
Ok. Here's as easy as can be angel cat.

I find the lacy doily sort of an angels kind of fascinating... Sort of kitsch, but... I don't know. There's something intriguing in kitsch - after all, it IS kitsch ;-)
Here's a flying angel ornament in the same style. Looks more complicated than it is.

This one, knitted tiny angel, is really cute :-D

Here's a tape lace angel. It will be wonderful as an ornament, as card decoration (or scrapbooking) or in a crazy quilt. It would work as a bookmark too.
Yes, it's bobbin lace. You can do that, can't you?

How about a tatted angel? Surely that... No. Ok. Well... just browse this page yourself. I'm sure you'll find an angel that fits your budget, skills and time frame :-)

It's Finland's Birthday :-)

Some patriotic patterns :-)

First, it's virtually impossible to find blue-and-white ribbon anywhere outside Finland, so you can make your own ribbon to be worn on the wintercoat by taking blue and white yarn, casting on about 30 stitches and knitting 4 rows with blue and then 4 rows with white and then binding off and weaving in the ends.
You can also crochet this.

You can also stitch a small Finnish flag.

I don't approve using the Finnish flag as blanket (afghan) or dishcloths, but it's quite nice to take any two-colored pattern and make it in blue and white. For example this iPod bag is perfect :-D

This is also very pretty, though it's a handkerchief, and wiping one's nose on the Finnish flag is NOT ok.


Here's a couple of small charts for you to make for Finland

12 Days of Yule - Episode Three

Snowmen :-)

This is Mr. Flurry.

If that's too much - or you'd like to give him company, here's one tree ornament snowman and here's another, and here's a third, that can be made into fridgie or pin as well.

This one is REALLY easy, so no excuses LOL

more snowpeople patterns
crochet snowpeople
folk art snowman (pdf file)
Frosty the snowman (pdf file)
roly-poly snowman (pdf file)
mr Snow Man
mr and mrs snowman
snowman
snowman bookmark
flat snowman
Bo the Snowman ornament
Wright's crochet snowman
snowman potholder
snowman doorhanger/greeter

Some Yule Patterns

crocheted:
http://home.wideopenwest.com/~sag55/christmas.html

http://shonasplace.greycastle.net/Crochet/Patterns/christmas.html

Happy Hooker's Christmas
http://members.aol.com/DREAM13150/Christmas.html

12 Days of Yule - Episode Two

The heart wasn't so small or quick as I thought... but here's another - probably also larger than presumed ;-)

Knitty Gritty's knitted and felted poinsettia wreath

It is Pick up Sticks! poinsettia wreath.

If you feel a little overwhelmed by it, then here's a cute little felt poinsettia pin
(And somewhat cryptic mat... ;-))

or perhaps a crocheted version :-)

December 1st

Lacevember is over. I did manage to knit some lace. A couple of lace bookmarks LOL
Well, it IS lace!

I almost finished my 6Sox socks. The new 6Sox socks are slipstitch chainlink socks.

I managed to get my swap packages sent. It was a fight, and I'm going to take next month of off swaps, even though Color*iffic is tempting me with "polkadots and peppermint sticks". I can give myself a package ;-)

Feline Flip-Flop's theme for December is Silver and Blue... I can see many Russian Blues ;-) They are both silver and blue :-D

Softie of the month is "Winter Wonderland" :-)

In Whiplash, the theme is "gift or decoration" - and the time to do this is till next year! Now, NO-ONE can say they don't have time or idea!

12 days of Yule - Episode One

I am having a little Yule calendar of my own :-)
Twelve small projects to knit or crochet (perhaps even cross-stitch or something else) when waiting for Yule :-)

Yes, yes, I know, no-one has any time :-D But print these out and save for next year :-) Yule will come again in 13 months ;-)

First day: a small multidirectional heart :-)
http://www.interweave.com/knit/interweave_knits/web_projects/Heart_Sachet.pdf

It would do fine as a Valentine's token as well :-)

Which season do you belong in?

You Belong in Spring

Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world... You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring. Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season!

What Season Are You?

Non-traditional craft ideas

Whiplash challenge came and went and I didn't do anything this time either :-(

CHALLENGE ENTRIES

• Life\'s a beach::HildeC
• How to make a yo-yo friend::sunshine
• bracelet:design/tutorial::mereteveian
• Stocking Cap::hoyan
• Tokyo Graffiti Cross-Stitch!::metalmom
• woven doll::tiff
• sparkly bells::mo
• lace purse::fibrespace
• Felted Rocket::Susan C.
• FrankenPig..ByChelle::ByChelle
• Carry me home::skapande
• for your records... ::katrin
• gold crochet necklace::lorigami
• completely cactus cowneck ::completely cactus
• Longview Quilt::dorie
• mr. golden sun::QueenMum
• adventures in crochet::muppinstuff3
• self portrait::alittlebunny
• Alternating Pillow: Little Snoring::littlesnoring
• Tape Case::karrie
• Papa the Lion::Fromjoy
• Five hands::Camilla Taylor
• Garnet+Found Flower Tutorial::linquesdesign
• f*tta thong::lina
• Bottlecap Jewelry::redgedesigns

Stockings...

I was part of a Christmas Stocking swap, and this is my creation... I don't know much about my swap pal, but I hope she'll like this.

The yarn is Portuguese, from a private swap with Lucia :-)
I think there ALWAYS has to be a small soft toy in a sock ;-)

Knittig lace

I WAS planning on knitting one lace bookmark a day - at least - and this is my Lacevember catch... well... better than Socktober :->

The turquoise thingy is horrible. I made it just to practice lace knitting. The needles I have are too thick, I don't have 0, 00, 000 or 0000 - I'd like to, but lace knitting isn't popular in Scandinavia, so they don't offer needles in those sizes. Perhaps a swap pal will have mercy on me, and send me a pair of thin lace knitting needles ;-)

Knit lace bookmarks:
"Mary original pattern"
Ava Coleman's pattern
Sivia Harding's bookmarks:
diamond lace
Waves from the top
Parisian Arches
Knitting Fairy's 4 lace bookmarks
Sarah's Knitting.com's bookmarks
Links of Lace bookmark
Lace heart bookmark
Granny Garret's bookmarks Ida and Leandra
Free Pattern's "Elegant bookmark"
Eyelet charm bookmark
Tia Judy's bookmark Seashell (This is the turquoise monstruosity), Scalloped Edge and Stringed Heart
Lot's of lacy bookmarks
Yarn Over's bookmarks; Pinetrees and Tammy's

Peacocks...

This is the first sketch to my peacock crazy quilt. It's heavily inspired by Linda B. at Flickr... I think she has had some help from her friends, and wish I had friends like that :-D

Anyways, I'm going to go through the 100 details for 100 days, and use a lot of paisley and feathers. And peacocks ;-)
I'm also going to use a lot of maroon and dark, spicy burgundy flowers, because I love the dark, spicy burgundy maroon, and I think it goes lovely with these peacock colors.

And then some rosepink tiny roses :-) Those are so cute and will balance well all the darkness of the quilt.

There's going to be quite a lot of black lace as well and copper...

I really don't know what to do with this, but hey, a girl has to have at least one crazy quilt!

Dear Jane...

This is the Dear Jane quilt. Now I know what it is... and now I just have to do it. Join the Janiacs ;-)

It looks very nice in these old-fashioned, brownish colors, but it looks nice in other color combinations as well.

This is "Edith"s version. I was thinking of peacock colors... a little darker perhaps... no fiery or pale patches... hmm...

One could also try to make something interesting with it... This one would be perfect for Patriotic theme :-) Blue and white, like the Finnish flag, and with a twist :-)



The only problem is - of course - that I don't have time. :-(

Quilting meme

From Suze's blog,
who got it from Shelina's blog

Have You Ever?

1 Taken a quilting class
2 Paper pieced
3 Hand quilted
4 Hand pieced
5 Created your own pattern
6 Published a pattern in a magazine or book
7 Gone on a quilting retreat
8 Gone to a quilting convention
9 Met someone who wrote a quilting book
10 Combined your quilting with some other craft
11 Done any three dimensional quilting - like fabric origami
12 Made something using Thimbleberries fabric
13 Made something using batiks
14 Dyed your own fabric
15 Made a landscape hanging
16 Made a New York Beauty quilt
17 Made a baby quilt
18 Made a wall hanging
19 Made a journal quilt
20 Submitted your journal quilt for viewing
21 Made a fabric postcard
22 Made a artist trading card (ATC)
23 Exchanged artist trading cards
24 Mailed your own postcard
25 Made a lap quilt
26 Made a twin size quilt
27 Made a full size quilt
28 Made a queen size quilt
29 Made a king size quilt
30 Donated a quilt to charity
31 Sent a quilt out to a quilter
32 Thrown away a UFO
33 Given away a UFO
34 Cut up a UFO and made something else with it
35 Ripped fabric instead of cutting it
36 Made a quilt exactly like the pattern, with no changes whatsoever
37 Done any Sashiko
38 Quilted your own quilt
39 Did free motion quilting
40 Put any embroidery or beads on your quilt
41 Given away your quilt to a stranger
42 Swapped fabric
43 swapped blocks
44 participated in a round robin
45 participated in an ostrich round robin
46 kept a journal about your quilting
47 written a letter to someone who made an antique quilt
48 kept a blog about your quilting
49 participated in a gift exchange
50 sent a quilting random act of kindness
51 joined a newsgroup about quilting
52 made a quilt using a pattern from quilterscache
53 joined an online block of the month
54 made a block of the month quilt
55 subscribed to a fabric of the month club
56 bought fabric at an online store
57 bought fabric from ebay
58 own more than one sewing machine
59 have a room dedicated solely to sewing
60 hide a fabric purchase
61 finished making a holiday gift before July
62 spent more than $200 in one quilt shopping trip
63 made a quilt using a book from the library
64 worked with someone else to make a quilt
65. joined a quilt guild
66 become president of a quilt guild
67 taught a quilting class
68 helped someone else get the quilting bug
69 taught a child to sew
70 made a Dear Jane block
71 Made a miniature quilt
72 watch QNN - quilters news network
73 subscribe to a quilting magazine from your own country
74 subscribe to a quilting magazine from another country
75 buy fabric from another country
76 swapped completed quilts with someone else
77 asked for quilting help online
78 gone to a quilt shop to ask for quilting help
79 bought fabric at a local quilt shop
80 traveled more than 100 miles to go to a quilt shop
81 used nontraditional fabric for a quilt - something other than cotton or flannel
82 made a quilt using instructions given to you on a blog
83 make comments on someone's quilting blog
84 meet a quilter in person after only having talked online
85 had a quilting retreat in your home
86 own quilting software
87 made a quilt you designed on your quilting software
88 done any quilt research - history, interviewing quilters, etc.
89 had any quilt related subject published anywhere
90 donated a quilt to a museum
91 bought a quilt from a thrift store
92 made a quilt using fabric from a thrift store
93 made a quilt using photos
94 made a pastel quilt
95 made a quilt using brights
96 made a quilt using ethnic fabric from another country - African, Asian, etc.
97 made a quilt using leftover blocks from other quilts
98 had your quilt in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter, TV, etc.
99. submitted your quilt to a quilt show 100. won any ribbons with your quilts
101 had more finished quilts than UFOs
102 made a quilt using reproduction fabrics
103 took a break from quilting that was longer than a year
104 made money with your quilting
105 had a job in the fabric / quilting industry

But this list isn't quite fitted to the Scandinavian circumstances...

Crazy Quilting

Image: Mardi Gras by Vickie Tobin

I stumbled over the CrazyQuilting group at Flickr, and there "100 details in 100 days" blog diary...

I love crazyquilting. I adore it. I'm passionate about it. I'm obsessed with it. And now my mind is exploding...

I haven't actually ever thought of using lace or ribbons in crazyquilt... NOW I'm thinking of knitting, crocheting, colors, dyeing, pearls, applications...

I really wish my hands could make real the images that are rushing through my head right now...

Look at Lilla Le Vine's creations to get an idea ;-)

Contemporary Crazy Quilts & Bags
Crazy Seoul Sister
Kitty and Me Designs
Debra's Design Studio: Crazy Quilt; 100 details in 100 days
Hobbies and the Military
Hideko Ishida and Wind from the East
Marty's 100 details... This is the first entry, just continue forward to see the rest :-)
Iris Cabin
Creative Ribbons

Stitch Index at Embroiderers' Guild

Crazy Quilt Patchwork Block - Online Class

Links

More lace...

Image information: Nancie M. Wiseman's knitted lace edging. Photograph by Joe Coca.

Sarah Bradberry, another Aries, a year younger than I am ;-), has some pretty nice patterns on her website.

Here's some lace.
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns-counterpanes.htm

Like this one: http://www.knitting-and.com/homework/leaf-bedspread.htm
Simple, but beautiful.
Or this one: http://www.knitting-and.com/homework/23-quilt.htm

Doilies, tablecloths and other round laces
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns-doilies.htm

Lace edgings and insertions
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns-lace.htm

Tia Judy's absolutely lovely site about lace knitting

You know... I posted something in Lacevember's blog, and it was deleted. I suppose my mistake was to name it wrong... I don't know. I was never contacted, the entry was just deleted. I posted a link to a nice lace pattern, or lace pattern links - I don't remember anymore... it's deleted, all gone, so I can't even go back and see... I feel like something has been stolen from me, because I can't remember what it was. I think it was something worth having, because I don't post things if I don't think they are of value at least to someone...
I really wish I was told before someone deleted the message. Or that someone had sent the entry back to my mailbox. I feel ignored, offended, hurt, upset and disillusioned, and I think who ever deleted the entry is an inconsiderate ***.

I'm pretty sure it was Yarn Over.

But go to Lace Knitting Ring and go through the sites. Very interesting, inspiring and most of them also have free patterns ;-)

Lacevember and Sock Madness

Lacevember: 2nd contest - which I missed

THE KNITTING QUESTIONS, or THE USUAL SUSPECTS
How long have you been knitting?
I learned to knit when I was about 10, but I have been "seriously" knitting since May this year.

How did you learn to knit?
In school. Sort of.

Favorite thing about knitting?
It's meditative, repetitive, and functional. Creating, stress reducing, and just as demanding or easy as I want.

How long have you been knitting lace?
Don't know... since June, maybe?

THE YARN QUESTIONS, or FLASH YOUR STASH
Favorite lace yarn?
N/A

Variegated or solids for shawls?
Yes

Favorite lace color?
Cream, but I get always attracted to purply-blue laces... and I hate purply-blue.

TECHNIQUE, or SHOW US YOUR SKILLZ
Circs or straights?
Yes

Favorite lace knitting trick?
Huh?

Lifelines?
No.

If so with what?

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet?
Sewing pins stuck in my bed


Pattern, or can you follow directions?
Yes

Shawls or lacey items?
Yes

Triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls?
Yes

Charts or printed instructions?
Charts, but printed are ok.

Favorite lace you've knit?
Cascading leaves afghan LOL Very easy, quick and lovely :-)

Favorite lace you want to knit?
Peacock feathers

JUST FUN, YUP THAT'S RIGHT, JUST FOR FUN
Favorite jelly belly flavor?
I like most of them. I like the "recipes" :-D

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red.....
Leif Eriksson's daddy, who "found" Greenland because he was kicked out of Norway because he had some weird habits. It's more like a Sicilian vendetta story a là "your daddy's second cousin's neighbor killed my nephew's wife's namesake's pig".

Coke, classic or with lime?
Pepsi

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves?
Sing along. Of course. Even though I'm Pagan.

What is the definition of irony?
Savonian way of communicating. Speaking backwards, as a five-year's-old I know says.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
What is a tootsie roll pop?

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door?
Because she can't get in to puke on his pillow.

What is your superhero power?
Flying. And what Phoenix in x-men does.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be?
White and blue. That's fresh.

What's for dinner tonight?
Chili.

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain?
Hair and the miniature submarine.

Lacevember: 3rd contest

What are your ideal lace making conditions?
Sitting in bed, with a cup of hot tea, good radio channel on and dog sleeping by me. And a helpful husband feeling good enough to serve me what ever I happen to need/want ;-)


Now, go and get interested of Sock madness

Crochet

I found out to my great enthusiasm that there's a lot of different crochet techniques I have never even heard of. :-D At Annie's Attic there's a crochet poll: "Of the crochet techniques you have already mastered, which is your favorite?" The alternatives given are these:

Aran Crochet
Broomstick Lace
Celtic Crochet
Crochenit
Crochet ‘N’ Weave
Crochet on the Double
Cro-Tat
Easy Tunisian
Filet Crochet
Hairpin Lace
Irish Crochet
Join-As-You-Go
Magic Square
Tunisian

Now, I know what broomstick lace, hairpin lace, filet crochet, Irish crochet and Tunisian or Afghan crochet is, and I suppose "join as you go" crochet is what the name says... but what is "crochet 'n' weave"?

So I started finding out what is Aran crochet. Sounds pretty straight forward, a crochet version of Aran knitting, and that is what it also is.
But I found this list: "Crochet with Dee; Types and Techniques"

106 different types and techniques THIS FAR...

Oh my... Can you see my eyes are shining? So much to learn!!!

I bumbed into a term "camel crochet". Sounds interesting... what's that then?
Obviously someone has trademarked a stitch or technique... I'm 100% sure of that they haven't invented the stitch, as people have been crocheting for hundreds of years, and they pretty much have experimented with everything already - they had a lot of time during the Victorian times, and women were exactly as industrious, initiative, creative and imaginative as they are today. Also, at that time they weren't "allowed" to do much more than pour all that power into fiber crafts. So - I'm going to ignore "camel stitch" or "camel crochet" from now on.

Annie's Attic's free pattern for today was Celtic crochet bookmark. Very pretty thing. And I love the idea of crocheting the Celtic knotwork :-) I love Celtic knotwork :-)
Here's Yarn Crazy Girl's first attempt at this technique :-)

Then there's "easy" tunisian crochet, which seems to be tunisian crochet with really big needle. Now it seems to be a business idea of Christmas family, and that I can respect and support, because they aren't being secretive and stingy about it. Who ever could have come up with the same idea - no-one else did. So all honor to Carolyn Christmas :-)
Reminds me of Purl's "Knit & Plenty". Simple business idea but no-one else did it before she did. So go there and support her business. She's worth it.
(Edited 2010 - both companies seem to have been shut down, for some reason. I don't know what has happened. But google with "knit & plenty" and you'll probably find what I'm talking about. I suppose Ravelry made her business unnecessary, even though I think she had a very good idea and people were loving it.)

Crochenit seems to be sort of Tunisian crochet, but it's done with double-hooked needle, and that gives it a whole new dimension. Also, it uses freely all kinds of stitches to create different patterns and fabriques. It's basically the same as "Cro-on-the-Double".

Annie's Attic has very nice instructions and how-to's by which to learn and practice most of the different crochet techniques.

Crochet-n-weave is also not strange - you create a net and then you insert crocheted "weave". I saw a very pretty bathroom mat made with this method. I'm a weaver and know a lot of different... er... I don't know what they are called. Bindings, perhaps. This reminds me a little of the paper strip weaving I loved when I was a kid.

Then there's another "let's blend two different fiber craft techniques" crochet called cro-tat ro crochet tatting. Making tatting patterns with crochet hook and techniques.

Magic Squares: Basically, double potholder, like this one: 4th of July Potholder (Just change the blue to green, and voilà, you have a pretty Christmas Potholder...)

Yeah... People keep renaming old things, and disappointing me. 106? Nah... not even half of that. But - well... one shouldn't be expecting too much. I did find out about techniques I didn't know about. I haven't done Celtic crochet before, and it will be fun to learn. Also interlacing filet crochet sounds great. Every new thing to learn is a gift and precious, and should be appreciated. But it's like hearing that I won in a lottery to find out that I won 10 dollars. *sigh*

Never mind... I'll get over it ;-)

Mystery stitch

The Italian "two-colored honeycomb", which I thought might not even be named "honeycomb" in English, IS named "honeycomb" in English... It's "honeycomb brioche". The very same stitch the "Uniscarfity" was stitched with... Guess who feels pretty stupid right now. And p'd off. And a couple of other things. The Italian version is SO MUCH EASIER way to do it. No slip stitches and weird instructions - which I suspect are not quite correct either, as I couldn't get it right even after several tries.

The Italian pattern goes a bit like this:

Cast on even amount of stitches
row 1: knit with color 1
row 2: knit with color 1
row 3: change color *knit the stitch from the previous row, knit one*
When you knit the stitch from the previous row, you automatically get "yarn over" in the right place.
row4: knit with color 2
row 5: change color *knit one, knit the stitch from the previous row*
row 6: knit with color 1
Then you just repeat rows 3-6 as long as you want.

Here's another pattern of honeycomb brioche - with "correct" knitting language. It looks the same to me.

abbreviations... K 1 B= k into stitch below next stitch to be knitted.

Cast on multiple of 2 stitches
Row 1: K
Row 2: k
Row 3: (right side of work): * k1, k1B to end
Row 4: * with the right-hand needle k the slip thread of previous row with the stitch above it, k1*
Row 5: k1B, k1*
Row 6: * k1, k the next stitch with thread as row 4.
Repeat rows 3 to 6 inclusive

This stitch pattern is from "Dancin' Needles"

Here's the Uniscarfity honeycomb brioche - with the moss stitch edging removed

Set-up row 1 (WS): (k1, yo, sl 1)
Set-up row 2 (RS): (sl the yo from prev row, k2) , sl the yo from prev row, k1
Row 3: (yo, sl 1, k2tog [the yo from prev row and the next st])
Row 4: (k2, sl the yo from prev row)
Row 5: change to CC, (k2tog, yo, sl 1)
Row 6: change to CC, k1, (sl the yo from prev row, k2), sl the yo from prev row, k1,
Rep rows 3-6

It is unnecessary complicated, I think.



P.S. Here's all four :-)

New week in November

I have been knitting washcloths, dishcloths, facecloths, dishrags, what ever you wish to call them.
Rättejä, liinoja, pyyheitä ja lappuja. (Rags, cloths, towels and patches)

I had three themes. One was "fall leaves" , the other "black cats" (you'd see the black crocheted cat, amineko, which I also made, but I have put my camera somewhere and cannot locate it now...) and the third theme was "black and orange".

I made one black and orange with 3-in-1 slip stitch pattern from Monthly Dishcloths, one mitered discloth and am currently knitting one with Corn on the Cob stitch. (You have color 1 in rows 2 and 5, and color 2 in rows 2 and 4, to get it striped as in the picture)
It gives a very nice, dense fabric, with some texture on the surface, so I think it will be a perfect dishcloth.

Then I'm going to do one with an Italian pattern; "Nido d'Api Bicolori". That's two-colored honeycomb stitch.
It sounds a bit like this "Heatherbee's Honeycomb Stitch", but is not the same. I suppose it's not called "honeycomb stitch" in English. Perhaps linen stitch?Anyway, that's what I'll try.

And this is the fifth two-colored stitch I'm going to try :-)
I should find one more, but... *sigh* I'll tell you when I do. Perhaps I'll just knit a pumpkin ;-)

BTW, that "Cascading Leaves" is lace ;-)

Lacevember

I love lace. Especially big, airy shawls. Like those by Dorothy Siemens... *sigh* (The picture is Peacock Feathers by Dorothy)

To that category belongs Heere be Dragone by Sharon Winsauer from Aurora Alpacas

Fibertrends have also very pretty things, like Pacific North West

I also love White Lies' lovely, feminine designs.

The "problem" for me with all this is that I don't have any chances of getting these patterns. I live in Sweden and even though these are available on the internet, very few companies accept non-credit card buyers - even if one would use paypal or something like that, the credit card information is used as validation. :->

So... I have to either design my own lace or use the free patterns on-line.
Faery Crafty's lace links
About.com's lace links
Wendyknits' lace patterns
Knitpicks have a couple free and interesting lace patterns
Anne has a lot of interesting celtic knots made into lace charts
Judy Gibson has some lace
Lynda has two very beautiful, large, airy lace shawls :-)
Here's some vintage patterns, with some lace included
Magknits have three easy lace shawl patterns
Knitty has a couple of lace patterns. like branching out and lacecap
Knitting Pattern Central has lace and lacy items, lace, miscellaneous and lace; women's clothing

Training Wheels by Jane Bynum
and Rabbit Tracks by Alison Hyde


But begin with "See Eunny Knit; Majoring in Lace"
Spindlitis has also an interesting page about lace knitting.
Here's Marilyn Robert's tips for lace knitters
Margaret Stove's Lace Knitting FAQ

To get some inspiration, surf this "Lace Knitting Ring" and look at the pictures at Flickr Lace Knitting group :-)

Interweave Knits: Blocking Lace (pdf)
Choosing fine yarns for lace knitting

Here's more interesting things :-)
Print O' The Wave Stole
Something that looks very much like the above stole - dyed after knitting...

And "hello, yarn"s "figuring out how to make skull lace"
Skull and crossbones lace

Ok... and what am I trying to say with all this? That I don't have a clue of what I'm going to knit this Lacevember! ;-)

Knit lace leaf ornament
Knit lace balls - very interesting trying to figure out what this is when the pictures aren't there... ;-)

November 1st - Lacevember 1st

I'll start with a knit-a-long - for warm hands.
http://www.sandysknitting.com/warmhands/

It looks like a lovely, warm and welcoming place, and it is inspiring too :-) There really aren't enough cloves, mittens, wrist warmers and other such things either in the world.
I'm sure if you don't have family enough, there's plenty of people with cold hands who'll be happy if you knit them some mittens.

These lovely, beautiful, amazing gloves are by Carol Wassell.
Yes, there's the pattern for these gloves. Go and knit them.
Yes, you can use the pattern for socks too. Or fingerless mitts, or scarf or sweater or what ever. Just credit Carol Wassell for it.

Mittens and gloves
http://www.knitlist.com/mittens.htm

Knitting pattern central – mittens and gloves
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/mittens_gloves.php

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Coloriffic swap-o-rama will have "pale, buttery (banana) yellow, and rich, dark chocolate" :-). Banana chocolate! Yum!

Feline Flip-Flop will have dotted and spotted for November :-)

This beautiful spotted cat is Rocky from Heartfelt Bengals

Whiplash theme this month is Alt.Craft
Here's some inspiration ;-)

Tie One On has a lovely theme: "Apron and a recipe" :-) You take a picture of an apron - made, readymade, what ever, and attach your favorite holiday recipe to it, and send it to Amy, who will post both in December gallery :-D

The Pincushion Challenge is still working on the swap.

A Month of Softies' theme this month is "My Favorite Odd November Holiday Is...

Here is a list of "bizarre and unique" holidays celebrated in the month of November: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/november.htm.

Run through the list, choose your favorite day and create a softie based on that holiday."

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Knit-A-Long hasn't yet decided the project for November/December, but the theme will be "Christmas"

Christmas patterns...

Stockings are kind of obvious... nothing wrong with obvious, but I'm in Sweden, and we don't use Christmas stockings.

Here's Father Christmas
http://www.interweave.com/needle/projects/Father_Christmas.asp
He's kind of scrawny and has really short arms, but I like him :-D

Here's kind of cute knitted angel :-)
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holangel2.htm

About.com has Christmas knitting
http://knitting.about.com/library/blxmaspatindex.htm

Teeny tiny sweaters
http://mindofwinter.prettyposies.com/archives/000126.html#more

Tiny santa
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/SantaToy.asp

tiny snowman
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/bbsnow.asp

tiny mitten
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/mitornament.asp

tiny sock
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/ssock.asp

tiny trees
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/treeorns.asp

tiny wreath
http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/wreath.asp

Another tiny wreath
http://www.maggiesrags.com/freewreath.htm

There's also a lot of different Christmas kitchen sets one could knit.
If one scrolls down on this "ultimate kitchen gift basket" crafting idea page, one gets to "Christmas"
http://www.geocities.com/ctpatterns/kitchenbasket.html

I like Melissa's dishcloths, especially the reindeer is great LOL
http://home.earthlink.net/~oscarsdotter/id2.html

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If you are interested in knitalongs, swaps or projects, Natalie's 2006 Knit-Alongs is a great place :-)

Swaps :-)

I noticed that I never blogged about the swaps! OUCH!

First I received the "Warm Hands, Warm Hearts" package. It was lovely! I love the Mrs. Beetons :-)
They are so... LOVELY!!!
The rest of the pretty, tiny package was very nice too :-)
My heart is warm, and so are my hands :-)

Thank you, Beverly :-)

The next one was a BIG package, filled with goodies... I have blogged about that in Knitters' Tea Swap...

Thank you Nathania!

BTW, I couldn't avoid noticing how beautiful these two women are :-) They both have open, friendly, light, soft and beautiful faces :-)
I feel very happy being in the receiving end :-)