tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101807942024-03-17T19:59:35.447-07:00ladynthreadladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-32358723471365471992021-04-26T06:36:00.003-07:002022-06-18T10:19:38.220-07:00Hooked On Newton Fiber Art 2020-2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaQue8VhEROZIUlrIZ8xLvL1OvsJz1VwVx7ECBlND1rZpzLj9lvzJBYfwb_87NKDOdZuPs-K1klw1mjeoYfRh3BL1h4m6MlMTzI5BbdnJvP-O520_nLO8un3MefIL5Bb06qCr/s2048/2021-01-16+14.08.41a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaQue8VhEROZIUlrIZ8xLvL1OvsJz1VwVx7ECBlND1rZpzLj9lvzJBYfwb_87NKDOdZuPs-K1klw1mjeoYfRh3BL1h4m6MlMTzI5BbdnJvP-O520_nLO8un3MefIL5Bb06qCr/s400/2021-01-16+14.08.41a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p> <a href="https://www.ournewton.org/hooked-on-newton/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Hooked On Newton</b></a> has returned! One of the locations chosen to yarn storm is this fencing along Commonwealth Ave. at Ash St. It's a well traveled area in and out of the city with high viability. It has the potential for a stunning impact because there is a LOT of fencing. The more of it that can get covered the better the effect will be. </p><p>The fence slats measure 5.5" x 1.5" x 93" and can be easily covered with fabric where one side is approximately 11" (see photos of sample below.)<br /></p>
<p>These patterns are provided to get you started but feel free to experiment with stitches, patterns and color – anything goes! More importantly, don’t fuss and do not rip out anything you view as a “mistake." Let whatever happens be the charm.</p><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Email <a href="mailto:fiberart@newtonma.gov" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">fiberart@newtonma.gov</a> or call 617-796-1540 if you would like to drop off completed squares, have questions, or would like to learn more.</i></p>
<p><b>KNIT:</b> </p>1. Worsted weight yarn and size 9 needles <br />2. Cast on 30 stitches <br />3. Knit until the piece measures 11”. <br />4. Bind off. Don’t weave in the ends! We’ll use them to stitch to other rectangles. <br /><br />OR <br />1. Use any weight yarn and the needle size recommended for that. You can even use a needle size or two larger to make things go faster. <br />2. Cast on as many stitches onto the needle as you want. The number of stitches on the needle will determine the width. Less stitches will make a narrow rectangle and more stitches will make a wider rectangle. <br />3. Knit until the piece measures 11”. <br />4. Bind off. Don’t weave in the ends! We’ll use them to stitch to other rectangles. <br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82Au560qTYFs6maWbQ_Tj-fbD3HUJt5QkPW5iQt274A2y2I7Ci-LWa58yPe-8MTiyn_zIcheMfV1iwZrCUwKA0UsDW97OxNOj3u58X7AYdU1K7yRfb48DIL_R5lDBuGRICqS9/s2048/%2523HookedOnNewton_04.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82Au560qTYFs6maWbQ_Tj-fbD3HUJt5QkPW5iQt274A2y2I7Ci-LWa58yPe-8MTiyn_zIcheMfV1iwZrCUwKA0UsDW97OxNOj3u58X7AYdU1K7yRfb48DIL_R5lDBuGRICqS9/s400/%2523HookedOnNewton_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow rectangles ready to be stitched together<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p><b>CROCHET</b> </p>1. Worsted weight yarn and H or I hook. <br />2. Chain 35 <br />3. Double crochet until the piece measures 11”. <br />4. Bind off. Don’t weave in the ends! We’ll use them to stitch to other rectangles. <br /><br />OR <br />1. Use any weight yarn and the needle size recommended for that. You can even use a needle size or two larger to make things go faster. <br />2. Chain as many stitches as you want. The number of chains will determine the width. Less chains will make a narrow rectangle and more chains will make a wider rectangle. <br />3. Crochet until the piece measures 11”. <br />4. Fasten off. Don’t weave in the ends! We’ll use them to stitch to other rectangles.
<br /><br />
<p>I worked test samples to double check the pattern details and the results are incredible!<br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ssIiH9enhVjqi5lAfVIM_Qm0SyF1TxfE2hyPfJgcarMsQhKtyNOwlVFy1y99IcVX4fuuqs5_3U0eTGNZ92r4AZ7FDfOgM2I40u69gP03nA3IRFgghNLxoZKE8xImd5IaEZEF/s2048/2021-04-22+14.08.49_square.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ssIiH9enhVjqi5lAfVIM_Qm0SyF1TxfE2hyPfJgcarMsQhKtyNOwlVFy1y99IcVX4fuuqs5_3U0eTGNZ92r4AZ7FDfOgM2I40u69gP03nA3IRFgghNLxoZKE8xImd5IaEZEF/w400-h400/2021-04-22+14.08.49_square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back view of the fence from the carriage road<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrl8d_MC3-vt9lsY4AU6p_nMvj0Xq-z6T5jU13FS-yKdOKsU_k5Q4_4WJ_WVIgrDyC5NZ-0geQc3JgNDah9N0oBmT6RU7qp3of1vfEYTOCEniZq1betzJEze0Ia1L7dampvLi/s2048/2021-04-22+14.10.34_square.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrl8d_MC3-vt9lsY4AU6p_nMvj0Xq-z6T5jU13FS-yKdOKsU_k5Q4_4WJ_WVIgrDyC5NZ-0geQc3JgNDah9N0oBmT6RU7qp3of1vfEYTOCEniZq1betzJEze0Ia1L7dampvLi/w400-h400/2021-04-22+14.10.34_square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoomed in view from across the street<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLHqn4BfCSO1ZFCgFhXTz6vgFte4bXPP1ftOMHlYzJb9jttDeu8R0xI-adFjxK262Dcyh5G4KfDQ0BNLHjwcTX-pHw3yj5Xo5Xw2_rBPDnlRkWh5FfxHg3smHpmFcNijQW6Rz/s2048/2021-04-22+14.11.32_square.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLHqn4BfCSO1ZFCgFhXTz6vgFte4bXPP1ftOMHlYzJb9jttDeu8R0xI-adFjxK262Dcyh5G4KfDQ0BNLHjwcTX-pHw3yj5Xo5Xw2_rBPDnlRkWh5FfxHg3smHpmFcNijQW6Rz/w400-h400/2021-04-22+14.11.32_square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoomed out from across the street. Now visualize all the slats covered!!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p></p>ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-87353708439106798212021-01-24T14:43:00.003-08:002021-01-31T10:12:46.484-08:00It's In The Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO6Qgr3xh8ZNAAOUiz22eSy4WmjHM8J_96Qhb9Io57INMYfBuWL2muE7qj01usUJFN-wlB_Q8yYvcuIRoNwKN0DTCa9RTQSs46U4gdc7LK21htyxUe0X4By8ftqwVyC3fp0pi/s2048/2021-01-23+15.21.39b.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1952" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO6Qgr3xh8ZNAAOUiz22eSy4WmjHM8J_96Qhb9Io57INMYfBuWL2muE7qj01usUJFN-wlB_Q8yYvcuIRoNwKN0DTCa9RTQSs46U4gdc7LK21htyxUe0X4By8ftqwVyC3fp0pi/s400/2021-01-23+15.21.39b.png"/></a></div>
<p>The other day I was going through my yarn stash looking for scraps to make comfort blankets for the local cat shelter. I came across a small ball of cotton yarn that had been used in an exercise of natural dying for a fabric structure class. Attached to the yarn was my note the yarn had soaked in a chrome mordant for 1 hour and a walnut dye bath for 1 hour 10 minutes. It's tough to see in this photo but the walnut dye has a lovely striping effect with the yarn. </p>
<p>I thought about throwing it into the pile destined for the cats, but decided instead to use it for making a new "It's In The Bag" bag. This is the perfect project for small scraps of yarn and when you have only one of a particular button. </p>
<p>I designed this pattern a number of years ago and it was included in the <i>2009 Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar</i>. I publish it now as a free pattern.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hIOtrtgmpvmwE_lSivldkImnRRO80W6M0D81jokrkbCSSdQ6EGXpEDMjaSicNoeZR8FPJIBCNHdzZgNJWxAzjyqxx8Orig2Eax7qMxF5BuFtQ4Ss4Gt3Epu0iMepByIK3WUZ/s500/InTheBag_JoyceNoverr_300dpi_2.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hIOtrtgmpvmwE_lSivldkImnRRO80W6M0D81jokrkbCSSdQ6EGXpEDMjaSicNoeZR8FPJIBCNHdzZgNJWxAzjyqxx8Orig2Eax7qMxF5BuFtQ4Ss4Gt3Epu0iMepByIK3WUZ/s400/InTheBag_JoyceNoverr_300dpi_2.png"/></a></div>
<p>"It's In The Bag" is a small crocheted pouch that holds one or two recycled plastic bags to reuse when shopping. I like to attach the handle of the plastic bag to the clasp of the pouch and keep everything all together. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1UV_E01oZDt-no0NPaOHFVKIJEps86Pn-8IWD_Trk5vztGTdNU6DYwCkTd8Ehg6gtpYeUsCR0e874qsVly9r9juMsLO6rZRMjflttJSui4H2vem4trkjxmDl3G6syJjLT9KP/s505/FilmStrip.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1UV_E01oZDt-no0NPaOHFVKIJEps86Pn-8IWD_Trk5vztGTdNU6DYwCkTd8Ehg6gtpYeUsCR0e874qsVly9r9juMsLO6rZRMjflttJSui4H2vem4trkjxmDl3G6syJjLT9KP/s400/FilmStrip.jpg"/></a></div>
<b>IT'S IN THE BAG</b><br /><br />
<b>Gauge:</b> Don't worry about a gauge with this project!<br /><br />
<b>Stitch Definitions:</b><br />
ch = chain<br />
dc = double crochet<br />
fpdc = front post double crochet<br />
hdc = half double crochet<br />
sc = single crochet<br />
sk = skip<br />
sl st = slip stitch<br />
st = stitch<br />
<br />
<b>Special Stitch Definition:</b><br />
Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)<br /><br />
<b>Materials:</b><br />
Worsted weight cotton<br />
G Hook<br />
5/8" Decorative Button<br /><br />
<b>Pattern:</b><br />
<b>Rnd 1:</b> Ch 12, 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across working 2 hdc in last ch; turn and
working in bottom loops of chain, hdc across, sl st in beg hdc. (24 sts)<br /><br />
<b>Rnd 2:</b> Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), dc in next st, *sk next st, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk next st, * dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * to * once more; end with dc in next st; join to top of ch 3.<br /><br />
<b>Rnds 3 - 8:</b> Ch 3, fpdc in next st, * sk 2 sts, shell in ch-1 sp, sk 2 sts, fpdc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in ch-1 sp, sk 2 sts, * in next 3 sts work (fpdc, dc, fpdc), repeat from * to * once more; end with fpdc in next st, join to top of ch 3.<br /><br />
<b>Rnd 9:</b> Ch 1, sc in same st; for this round only do not count the ch-1 spaces as a stitch,
sc in the next 18 sts, ch 14, being careful not to twist the ch, sl st into sc last made, sc in next 5 stitches; join to beg sc.<br /><br />
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Attach button.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5J3rqTXqzMNnnIDlQtKDRlDcj709Qr3s1f2JZRtG05QIVM7TiB2U7OgdceX3sQqFB3C7YJBFXTpBU_TjstgDclNmlEJ5-D4Qha96GPnY6OeFwtvRKhca5IPeEmVhI5YNRVsn/s841/crochetCal_01.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5J3rqTXqzMNnnIDlQtKDRlDcj709Qr3s1f2JZRtG05QIVM7TiB2U7OgdceX3sQqFB3C7YJBFXTpBU_TjstgDclNmlEJ5-D4Qha96GPnY6OeFwtvRKhca5IPeEmVhI5YNRVsn/s400/crochetCal_01.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_ioZm5M0qDQe84qoPY9KZTreUzPj106KWihtaBndYiSrkzFuRJK4qD9Nh2E64p9GFibH-96W64lwmElkOu2SeXSM7Voxc4FGXcY8X0iYtnHig5ZcNLIuohFgKE9fRtiHOC6G/s841/crochetCal_02.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_ioZm5M0qDQe84qoPY9KZTreUzPj106KWihtaBndYiSrkzFuRJK4qD9Nh2E64p9GFibH-96W64lwmElkOu2SeXSM7Voxc4FGXcY8X0iYtnHig5ZcNLIuohFgKE9fRtiHOC6G/s400/crochetCal_02.jpg"/></a></div>ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-82412849479181149842020-12-20T13:27:00.002-08:002020-12-20T13:55:31.607-08:00Replacing Grandma's Quilt - It's done<p>Actually, this quilt been done for a few months but I didn't like the photos I took, so I put this final update on hold.</p> <p>Blogging and photographing my projects lets me share them with family, friends, and other crafters. Taking photos also helps me remember the details of how something was made, but it is a burden and does not come naturally to me. Frequently I have to make myself move on to other projects by accepting photos that are suitable, even when they don't look as professional as I would like them.</p>
<p>These are the final details about replacing Grandma's quilt.</p>
<ul>
<li>The name of the quilt is <b>Quarantine Quadrangle Quilt</b> or Q3 for short. It measures 90"x108".</li>
<li>I sent the quilt top off to Nancy at <a href="https://stitchafterstitchmachinequilting.com/">Stitch After Stitch Machine Quilting</a>. I HAD to choose this heart pattern for the quilting:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAflMxx5WQ6cVN7lx0kUoYF-lzjscu_kqOaUhstAclMeH1lmj2JUrfps-NwL94ZU7M9YVuHyTNga7WZ4BaVw8KWJdDtvoNdndvr9BrXb_F8OmeVK4fia7oS494XhLB_VICtdc/s711/quiltingPattern.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAflMxx5WQ6cVN7lx0kUoYF-lzjscu_kqOaUhstAclMeH1lmj2JUrfps-NwL94ZU7M9YVuHyTNga7WZ4BaVw8KWJdDtvoNdndvr9BrXb_F8OmeVK4fia7oS494XhLB_VICtdc/s320/quiltingPattern.png"/></a></div></li>
<li>Close up of the completed heart quilting. I LOVE it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IK9_LM4X7PBTW2RMAF435WXIu7E5FWN8cJ6iXj4Jyl0N2qPJQOMNdvhTrvc-10jvJdI9AesNcDlU5ToX3v43wVtWFufLvuHJp92kyf8cp52HaPGYvyLN1lVJRf-PVk0tMWAd/s2048/quilting_NancyPhoto_01.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IK9_LM4X7PBTW2RMAF435WXIu7E5FWN8cJ6iXj4Jyl0N2qPJQOMNdvhTrvc-10jvJdI9AesNcDlU5ToX3v43wVtWFufLvuHJp92kyf8cp52HaPGYvyLN1lVJRf-PVk0tMWAd/s320/quilting_NancyPhoto_01.jpg"/></a></div></li>
<li>I used my sewing machine's walking foot to stitch the binding.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOr6Wee6ev3_3G1Zn3sZ51A7t4hsamvjp4z_JkdSqmwQLoxQl5K_cT6eqmooI8zDJAqK80Oauat8flodKu5FWlWCy-fm1Qchfm1Ey9i-UkkJLWbnjTaOe5Cv53XwF_CK1Tz5X/s2048/binding_02a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOr6Wee6ev3_3G1Zn3sZ51A7t4hsamvjp4z_JkdSqmwQLoxQl5K_cT6eqmooI8zDJAqK80Oauat8flodKu5FWlWCy-fm1Qchfm1Ey9i-UkkJLWbnjTaOe5Cv53XwF_CK1Tz5X/s320/binding_02a.jpg"/></a></div></li>
<li>Nothing had been hand stitched on this quilt up until this point, so I HAD to sew the binding down by hand. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCXK7_2_g1Pk8raPQRD1bpd9YlknMnQW-QVNIFMxCQ5ii14eKyg86OlF1lhdhbsgJ4e3w_x0xsfPZO2tOyeUgblpFKzUA-QEq6YhsVwgUpILqam3RYZo0uWBi-KyY0t-372v_/s2008/binding_01.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="2008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCXK7_2_g1Pk8raPQRD1bpd9YlknMnQW-QVNIFMxCQ5ii14eKyg86OlF1lhdhbsgJ4e3w_x0xsfPZO2tOyeUgblpFKzUA-QEq6YhsVwgUpILqam3RYZo0uWBi-KyY0t-372v_/s320/binding_01.jpg"/></a></div></li>
<li>This is the quilt on a double bed (in a room of our home that has more natural lighting.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZoOjG0_UHJmrLxV6xm6UAQxPVcMr6ZN2XWikWfrQtGsEYicFJ2om5Ecixk5NVTJvgbQ71pt8MynO-0O9KipcP-zQsq-_2PrhTYaM4yhNoosAUSLjvBRQBVcvJkGXWZMmvN6w/s2048/qqq_02a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZoOjG0_UHJmrLxV6xm6UAQxPVcMr6ZN2XWikWfrQtGsEYicFJ2om5Ecixk5NVTJvgbQ71pt8MynO-0O9KipcP-zQsq-_2PrhTYaM4yhNoosAUSLjvBRQBVcvJkGXWZMmvN6w/s320/qqq_02a.jpg"/></a></div></li>
<li>Here is the quilt on our king bed (natural lighting in this room sucks!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0UymfEUDE6Cfmm2oh4eWlQWXAdX9exXNM4fdQihm0Eyr5K2zmva5263s1n_7az2cP4sgwuQJcJm8424hrt3hS2bLfooizbNX-GNeiroDaaFhL_BDEvcglAnt4rF23vzIfUhr/s640/2020-05-26+16.54.16a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0UymfEUDE6Cfmm2oh4eWlQWXAdX9exXNM4fdQihm0Eyr5K2zmva5263s1n_7az2cP4sgwuQJcJm8424hrt3hS2bLfooizbNX-GNeiroDaaFhL_BDEvcglAnt4rF23vzIfUhr/s320/2020-05-26+16.54.16a.jpg"/></a></div></li>
</ul>
There is no doubt in my mind that grandma would love my quilt. Here's to you grandma. I miss you.
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-62331839461664923492020-10-01T13:22:00.001-07:002020-10-25T12:41:49.085-07:00RBG Collar
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lVhLyDk9GWVK6HAFS5wi8UCniQhCgUEIClYkHZ77_P4Iuezv6oM2vsYBMa9aR7vMbJ6WwNELyKdAiHVRnDRDET0uKpgtoz_9b9y50h-hivFptwIqqQ0XHURVY8KYqNobeFnS/s2048/RBG_01a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lVhLyDk9GWVK6HAFS5wi8UCniQhCgUEIClYkHZ77_P4Iuezv6oM2vsYBMa9aR7vMbJ6WwNELyKdAiHVRnDRDET0uKpgtoz_9b9y50h-hivFptwIqqQ0XHURVY8KYqNobeFnS/s400/RBG_01a.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I made this collar over a year ago in honor of RBG. Here's the pattern.</p>
<b>Stitch Definitions:</b><br />
ch = chain<br />
sc = single crochet<br />
dc = double crochet<br />
trc = triple crochet<br />
st = stitch<br />
sl st = slip stitch<br />
ws = wrong side<br />
rs = right side<br /><br />
<b>Materials:</b><br />
#10 white crochet cotton<br />
#7 steel crochet hook<br />
1 or 2 1/2" button(s)<br /><br />
<b>Special Stitch Definition:</b><br />
Shell: (dc, ch 2, dc)<br /><br />
<b>Pattern</b><br />
Ch 167<br />
Row 1: (ws) Sc in 11th ch from hook (button loop formed) and each ch across row. (157 sc)<br /><br />
Row 2: (rs) Ch 5 (counts as dc plus ch 2), dc in same st, *ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next st (shell made), repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc plus ch 3), dc in next dc, *ch 4, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 4: Sl st to center of loop, ch 5 (counts as dc plus ch 2), dc in same space, *ch 5, skip ch 4 loop, shell in center of next loop, repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 5: Sl st to center of loop, ch 5 (counts as dc plus ch 2), dc in same space , *ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, shell in center of next shell, repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 6: Ch 6 (counts as dc plus ch 3), dc in next dc, *ch 6, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 7: Sl st to center of loop, ch 5 (counts as dc plus ch2) , dc in same space, *ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, shell in center of next loop, repeat from * across.<br /><br />
Row 8: Repeat row 6.<br /><br />
Row 9: Repeat row 7.<br /><br />
Row 10: St st into loop, ch 8, sl st in 4 ch from hook for picot, **1 trc in same space, (ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook for picot, trc in same space) 3 times, *ch 3, sc in sc of previous row, ch 3, trc in center of next shell, ch 4, sl st in 4th st from hook for picot, repeat from ** across, end by working from ** to *.<br /><br />
Fasten off. Weave in ends. <br /><br />
Soak and block to open up lace.<br /><br />
Sew button(s) to top edge side on right side across from the button loop. Sewing on multiple buttons allows for the collar to lay at different lengths.<br /><br />
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-29244522673179941982020-04-05T08:53:00.003-07:002021-07-10T11:50:29.994-07:00Replacing Grandma's Quilt - Starting Over<br /><center><p>Previous: <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/03/replacing-grandmas-quilt-what-went-wrong.html">Replacing Grandma's Quilt - What Went Wrong</a></p></center>
<p>There is currently a coronovirus pandemic and everyone is social distancing or sheltering in place. I need a major project to keep me busy and occupy my mind. It's time to take grandma's replacement quilt out of the closet and figure out how I'm going to rework it. </p>
<p>I went looking for a new quilt pattern, trying to find one I liked which fit these two requirements:</p>
<ul>
<li>The pieces of the new pattern have the same shape and size as the old quilt.</li>
<li>The two colors are more evenly distributed across the pattern (no large areas of the same color.)</li>
</ul>
<p>I found this variation of the "exploding" square quilt block:</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVzx1P9wTUBX_SWT2cc7F8qmDpwWgBTVmMD01Z-9lSvfB77PgomKz51scXPBxeimO0ecP_NYV_Pbv1F99ovgYmqp8XYJ9-inf-X8vXjRzrzZtEcL_GyUHDFRXHp1WEYcG8jq4/s1600/quilt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVzx1P9wTUBX_SWT2cc7F8qmDpwWgBTVmMD01Z-9lSvfB77PgomKz51scXPBxeimO0ecP_NYV_Pbv1F99ovgYmqp8XYJ9-inf-X8vXjRzrzZtEcL_GyUHDFRXHp1WEYcG8jq4/s320/quilt.png" width="307" height="320" data-original-width="736" data-original-height="766" /></a></div>
<br /><p>The pattern is a standard 9 patch block. I need to merge some of the patches together (in order to minimize fabric loss because of re-cutting) and then assemble each block a little differently but this pattern will mean minimum cutting of the pieces from the first quilt top. I'm going to embrace this and "make it work."</p>
<p>The top is DONE! I like it so much better than <a href="https://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/03/replacing-grandmas-quilt-what-went-wrong.html">my first attempt</a>. I can't take good pictures from my master bedroom because we have a king size bed in a small room with north and west facing windows (meaning not great light) but I think you'll get the idea with this photo:</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvt7L8kxbKTU-N5SGzVB03FgsTZ4jotRvAIOVeYXxtYR1Lz_NoRyLojONs63cS4f_uAWEZGbJwnv4h18c_OnqvXxQyJAGydXypYCQOfMmzIJUqJeA5R1WwIUD77kZXy4nQKzk/s1600/quilt_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvt7L8kxbKTU-N5SGzVB03FgsTZ4jotRvAIOVeYXxtYR1Lz_NoRyLojONs63cS4f_uAWEZGbJwnv4h18c_OnqvXxQyJAGydXypYCQOfMmzIJUqJeA5R1WwIUD77kZXy4nQKzk/s320/quilt_04.jpg" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<br /><p> Now it's off to Nancy, the fabulous quilter at <a href="https://stitchafterstitchmachinequilting.com/">Stitch After Stitch Machine Quilting.</a> It's going to look even better once she works her magic. It's not a blue ribbon contender as far as quilts go, but it's a more than adequate replacement for my grandmothers quilt. </p>
<p>I do want to name it. Quarantine Quilt? QQ? Any better ideas? Let me know! </p>
<center><p>Coming next: <a href="https://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/12/replacing-grandmas-quilt-its-done.html">Replacing Grandma's Quilt - It's done</a>.</p></center>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-64236666341493692352020-03-19T07:20:00.000-07:002020-04-05T08:55:03.129-07:00Replacing Grandma's Quilt - What Went Wrong<center>
<br /><p>Previous: <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/03/replacing-grandmas-quilt-decision.html">Replacing Grandma's Quilt - The Decision</a></p></center>
<p>My plan to replace grandma's quilt is to sew a very simple top and then send it to a professional machine quilter. I admire quilted items and I know how to do it, but my sewing interests and projects have typically been garments. I don't have the patience to hand stitch a quilt of any size (much less a king-sized one.) I don't feel compelled to make a quilt the same way grandma did and I am absolutely certain that she would approve of this strategy.</p>
<p>I'm going to gloss over most of the details for this next part because what I saw in my head was NOT what came out. This can happen to me for a variety of reasons and this time it was because I misjudged the scale. </p>
I tried to reproduce this uncomplicated and easy design. Technically it's a chevron pattern, but I see hearts!:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBfmZOTgPMnDdblxKjE2berifQq1P0k_KDaahEhlPTZnjPJ8If46ZHN_zcBOcXbw8WVLlGJ77kPRkSxL0RG9nQHI2s2FWKgx5MYdxytfKtYKwpv_yaYuXgRmzN6eGod8vqZ-u/s1600/0c8d523901436468ae27383296443fa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBfmZOTgPMnDdblxKjE2berifQq1P0k_KDaahEhlPTZnjPJ8If46ZHN_zcBOcXbw8WVLlGJ77kPRkSxL0RG9nQHI2s2FWKgx5MYdxytfKtYKwpv_yaYuXgRmzN6eGod8vqZ-u/s320/0c8d523901436468ae27383296443fa3.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
What I did:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBOZlp9sBJgxxwmFV1K2KbnbgDWVbXVhAZUsOU_gCmmvm91OOpjmOKfeg8sGIoYMn3N3uBWZ6KXEtopr7PS8HjDHV0b4ff9jSLGupRfkaYhLasn5sf5Vcqx8UrEHMyCo8CWdn/s1600/2018-11-11+20.45.09x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBOZlp9sBJgxxwmFV1K2KbnbgDWVbXVhAZUsOU_gCmmvm91OOpjmOKfeg8sGIoYMn3N3uBWZ6KXEtopr7PS8HjDHV0b4ff9jSLGupRfkaYhLasn5sf5Vcqx8UrEHMyCo8CWdn/s320/2018-11-11+20.45.09x.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>UGH. I made the fabric pieces too big and it threw the scale of the pattern off. I hadn't adjusted for the fact that my bed is king size and the one in the picture was probably double size.</p>
<p>I did not like the result and could not talk myself into believing that it would be fine when quilted.</p>
<p>I took all the stitching apart, threw the fabric pieces into a box, hid it the back of the closet and waited to calm down. All of this happened over a year and a half ago.</p>
<center><p>
Coming next: <a href="https://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/04/replacing-grandmas-quilt-starting-over.html">Replacing Grandma's Quilt - Starting Over</a></p></center>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-19824323983525656942020-03-19T07:19:00.000-07:002020-03-19T09:27:34.744-07:00Replacing Grandma's Quilt - The Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbDiKzcrVj2Wv2-6gBhm0BDFE7iJ3m6JbVWT89L4b37b8R4zrSKzrbFoza14IiEDn5EzahGDE9g1pCkVKE0eca4bHqHdtWxyzfEIiJGKRjIQfB7o-nGRLwfSDX4ZizADNXwww/s1600/GrandmaRemembers_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbDiKzcrVj2Wv2-6gBhm0BDFE7iJ3m6JbVWT89L4b37b8R4zrSKzrbFoza14IiEDn5EzahGDE9g1pCkVKE0eca4bHqHdtWxyzfEIiJGKRjIQfB7o-nGRLwfSDX4ZizADNXwww/s400/GrandmaRemembers_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>You know that one picture you have in your mind of a person? The one you always think of when you remember them? This is the one for me of my Grandmother Loretta. Here she is enjoying a beautiful Michigan summer day by sitting outside on her deck and quilting. Don't you love the "Harry Potter" glasses? She wore them decades before J.K. Rowling put them on Harry. I have many memories of my grandmother and her quilting is a prominent one.</p>
<p>Grandma made dozens (if not hundreds) of quilts for her family and she HAND QUILTED all of them! To this day, I don't how she did it. She believed quilts provide a function and purpose and she had one insistent directive when giving them - "Use it!" She didn't want her work stored away untouched and unseen. Through the years I received three of her quilts, two bed sized and one crib.</p>
<p>One quilt is in my guest bedroom. It is a double bed size quilt with a maple leaf pattern that is bright and cheery and has a vivid pink binding. The memory of my grandmother is passed on each time we have new guests and I tell the story about her and her quilts.</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZGCrqnHwvWx2HuNGMzxZaEGTP1zrnHxfnyzelLv8TOMifpHYwittvQx6uR8V_WnC-Mo2UczbF5EP-IhD7lINVNIvpzhT6MFV3n3HQ_ecBkqB7stn8QTrc0AvArXlTSpJsA_t/s1600/mapleLeafQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZGCrqnHwvWx2HuNGMzxZaEGTP1zrnHxfnyzelLv8TOMifpHYwittvQx6uR8V_WnC-Mo2UczbF5EP-IhD7lINVNIvpzhT6MFV3n3HQ_ecBkqB7stn8QTrc0AvArXlTSpJsA_t/s320/mapleLeafQuilt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>The crib quilt became a "blankie" for my daughter Laura, who loved wrapping herself in it. Enveloping yourself in one of grandma's quilts is ...... Wow, I can't find any words for that incredibly special feeling!</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXQFWwTosPqKPDk0Iu_jwwlOgioJGQ5pc_XvaLbsfrWpIvX0hlAcUYBw7LR_ADtHESMbrvrqG6xTRBj6PVdfibRNkXmLWV_DvzL2qMZespNZGmQtygEPDciLwDVZTPXUwYp-f/s1600/1993_Laura+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXQFWwTosPqKPDk0Iu_jwwlOgioJGQ5pc_XvaLbsfrWpIvX0hlAcUYBw7LR_ADtHESMbrvrqG6xTRBj6PVdfibRNkXmLWV_DvzL2qMZespNZGmQtygEPDciLwDVZTPXUwYp-f/s400/1993_Laura+Birthday.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>The biggest quilt is queen size but fits our king bed (pictured here on a smaller bed) and has been covering it for over 30 years. The quilt is literally falling apart and needs to be replaced (you can see some of the damage in the photo). However, the idea of sleeping under a store bought quilt doesn't feel right and I can't do it. I need a quilt that will continue to help me remember grandma and one that follows her quilting tradition. I'm going to have to make it myself!</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh158vODyzv_lBss9nbTHeNDQmHYUsrBeBJ2ODgupc0mRg5qJxrPK1VbgUKF4m3pRcvJGkf4PaEy-NbDqEajasrwrbuatHSGc8ancn6tcwqRrU8QrUWhpadhJaqx93EiyebQiU7/s1600/grandmaQuilt_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh158vODyzv_lBss9nbTHeNDQmHYUsrBeBJ2ODgupc0mRg5qJxrPK1VbgUKF4m3pRcvJGkf4PaEy-NbDqEajasrwrbuatHSGc8ancn6tcwqRrU8QrUWhpadhJaqx93EiyebQiU7/s320/grandmaQuilt_03.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>My plan is to sew a king size quilt to replace my grandmother's quilt. How much of a crafting adventure will this be and what can (or will) go wrong? Follow my journey and find out! </p>
<center><p>
Next: <a href="https://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2020/03/replacing-grandmas-quilt-what-went-wrong.html">Replacing Grandma's Quilt - What Went Wrong</a></p></center>
<br />ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-68675873188613605532019-10-09T05:48:00.000-07:002019-10-09T17:46:51.563-07:00Coronation Cord and Pinwheel Bedspread - Tracking down Crochet History<p>This past week I struck pay dirt and finally found the answers to two crochet mysteries.</p>
<p><b>Mystery #1</b></p>
<p>I was intrigued by the wavy line of work in the middle of this crocheted edging. I had never seen anything like it before and didn't know how it was done. The answer is coronation cord. Coronation cord is a trim used in embroidery, crochet and tatting work and its use peaked during the late 19th century and early 20th century.</p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W9yl9pYmKL2TnnNa4uKP1RveHH97RmdIAvCnLQDhK3kdLZwk2FozZM2Z5TNNeUlg7Lou0pV0Kpi1em4VpZEyIalH6UXf6aPbdBWZ0B1vV8H6C1UiQoEoytgdgd3mDx7vOTq0/s1600/2019-10-07+15.12.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W9yl9pYmKL2TnnNa4uKP1RveHH97RmdIAvCnLQDhK3kdLZwk2FozZM2Z5TNNeUlg7Lou0pV0Kpi1em4VpZEyIalH6UXf6aPbdBWZ0B1vV8H6C1UiQoEoytgdgd3mDx7vOTq0/s400/2019-10-07+15.12.54.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><br />
<p>The crocheted edging was attached to a linen cloth that was probably originally used as a hand towel. The cloth was stained and worn so I removed the edging and I'm waiting for the right project to come along to reuse it.</p>
<p>I'd like to find the pattern for this piece but I've never seen a crochet trim pattern that called for the use of coronation cord so I'm going to have to try looking in some new places. </p>
<br />
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<br />
<p><b>Mystery #2</b></p>
<p>Over 10 years ago I wrote a blog post about <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2007/08/crotchet-at-colonial-williamsburg.html">Crochet at Colonial Williamsburg</a> and showcased this bedspread. I FINALLY found the pattern!</p>
<p>The name of the pattern is <i>Pinwheel Bedspead No. 423</i> and it was published in the book <i><a href="http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/G-KR016.htm">Bucilla Hand Crocheted Colonial Bedspreads</a></i>. The book has a copyright year of 1932 which fits right in with the time that the Rockefellers moved into Basset Hall. You can find this book and hundreds more vintage pattern books at the <a href="http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/main.htm">Antique Pattern Library</a> </p>
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ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-534440569492330722019-05-29T12:18:00.000-07:002020-04-13T10:28:48.017-07:00My Crafting Pochette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyg2kNk1AMk2puqGl1l43IZ9sFl6Gz-Exs_hPNej6Jjf8Nx3Fstrlhuk0_IMuQd23pWEWBJJvFuLxfZ73qJxq90eLKyy2COd_4-SEnchH5fY2-483dHXyOHyTSW4lUk4uY6o4/s1600/2019-03-20+17.13.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyg2kNk1AMk2puqGl1l43IZ9sFl6Gz-Exs_hPNej6Jjf8Nx3Fstrlhuk0_IMuQd23pWEWBJJvFuLxfZ73qJxq90eLKyy2COd_4-SEnchH5fY2-483dHXyOHyTSW4lUk4uY6o4/s400/2019-03-20+17.13.30.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Whether it's knitting, crocheting, sewing or any other "making" these are the tools I most regularly need and reach for. When I'm crafting in my "mom's chair" they are next to me in a small bag that I can easily pick and carry wherever I want to work. </p>
<p>I didn't know there was a name for it until I read this New York Times article: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/29/t-magazine/chanel-couture-dress-how-its-made.html"><i>It Took 800 Hours to Make This Chanel Dress</i></a>. The word is pochette, a small envelope shaped bag/purse. Designers in the fashion world each have their own pochette to hold their tools. Karl Lagerfeld’s pochette was specific to couture sewing but mine has a few additional items suited for knitting, crocheting, and general crafting. </p>
<p>Here are the items in my pochette:</p>
<ol>
<li><b>Black and white thread</b>. When I'm working on a particular project I'll have the color of thread for that item, but for basting and many things that need just a few stitches, black or white thread will suffice.
</li>
<li><b>Seam ripper</b>. I have three seam rippers. One is next to the sewing maching, one is next to the serger and one is next to me. I use my seam rippers a lot.</li>
<li><b>Pins</b>. Most of the time when I'm sewing I use satin pins, but when I need a quick pin or two I like pins with heads.</li>
<li><b>Sissors</b>. I use scissors on a lot of different materials (paper, plastic, yarn, thread, fabric) and this little pair has risen to the task of cutting almost everything and has become my favorite.</li>
<li><b>Crochet hook</b>. Other than actually crocheting with it, I use a crochet hook to pick up dropped knit stitches and any time I need to a hook to grab something. I've found the size B hook to be the best suited for most tasks.
<li><b>Ruler</b>. I'm always having to measure things and this 6" ruler is my favorite. It's transparent so I can see what's under what I'm measuring. The width of the ruler is 1/2" and the height of the ruler is 1/4", two of the most frequent measurements I use. I've worn the markings off two of these rulers from using it so frequently.</li>
<li><b>Tape measure</b>. Because lots of stuff I need to measure is more than 6"!</li>
<li><b>Chibi</b>. I have no clue why it's called a Chibi. It's just a case to store tapestry/yarn needles. </li>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UXRlkCfFuMxZNuSbW7aK8BBzBdEdxPCLN-1wInCZVZQrookKLCOYGrWCl4CjApaV2fpgtLLfWSbL0G8VVIzo5yJ0enmj70EM50Q3VDgTEdmzvYLMQIPGgZ7AxBHXjLrE0vSm/s1600/chibi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UXRlkCfFuMxZNuSbW7aK8BBzBdEdxPCLN-1wInCZVZQrookKLCOYGrWCl4CjApaV2fpgtLLfWSbL0G8VVIzo5yJ0enmj70EM50Q3VDgTEdmzvYLMQIPGgZ7AxBHXjLrE0vSm/s400/chibi.jpg" width="307" height="400" data-original-width="1229" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<li><b>Needle case</b></li>This is a crocheted needle holder that also holds extra safety pins and stitch markers. I frequently make this for gifts and the pattern for it can be found <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180711232258/http://members.optusnet.com.au/we2/needlecase.html">here</a>.</li>
<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-EUELhj32ThAnj-9k2JUwhPQRdb9eD6q-WqGO5IHatiNmBneCMIZgb1NaZTtC1eR7pDE9mS_6udDQf7-jgwtaXiRHo_8Xs2oR9QAwkWSg-yfYWEPEkLiyILiD5jhQfmaXv7y/s1600/2019-03-20+17.17.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-EUELhj32ThAnj-9k2JUwhPQRdb9eD6q-WqGO5IHatiNmBneCMIZgb1NaZTtC1eR7pDE9mS_6udDQf7-jgwtaXiRHo_8Xs2oR9QAwkWSg-yfYWEPEkLiyILiD5jhQfmaXv7y/s400/2019-03-20+17.17.00.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><br />
</ol>ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-8068666455465238862019-03-11T09:12:00.000-07:002019-03-11T09:38:16.232-07:00Ecobrick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItB-TTXitD1tfYhlrb0ODo7_2GpFEIodUPgBUpuH5SZONR-f1bAItSZsuyOH1dJa8TSm7O2G5SwovYZP5RMRUZNjWcq60HnZiLPmU3dKfO3Qv5959bJWDiOUw9lgvCeA9ClAF/s1600/ecobrick_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItB-TTXitD1tfYhlrb0ODo7_2GpFEIodUPgBUpuH5SZONR-f1bAItSZsuyOH1dJa8TSm7O2G5SwovYZP5RMRUZNjWcq60HnZiLPmU3dKfO3Qv5959bJWDiOUw9lgvCeA9ClAF/s400/ecobrick_01.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>I try to pay attention to my carbon footprint and lately I've been working on reducing the amount of trash that goes to the curb each week. Plastic has been a particular problem. My city's single stream curbside recycling program collects the plastic bottles and containers but there are so many other types of plastic that can't be recycled this way. </p>
<p>While I was researching what could be done to reduce or reuse the plastic that isn't allowed in the recycle bin, I came across the <a href="https://www.ecobricks.org/">Ecobrick</a>. Ecobricks are made from plastic bottles that have been stuffed (and I mean STUFFED) with waste plastic. These "bricks" are then used to build things like benches, tables, and buildings. </p>
<p> I've written before about how certain ideas or projects grab my imagination and won't let go. The Ecobrick is one of those and I had to make one. It took three attempts to get it right.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1aoLtYVyl5qqfqG_5Vpqogx9SXBG2NoRtzdjEAHKtp75Hh6qUNwRJKVZRTDt1JOSzLeVR2ZArpFyL6KUiVbPrru-ORidCyf97oY4JVK_g7IZaGpztRjbQdKGjoBy6pDFA3nu/s1600/ecobrick_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1aoLtYVyl5qqfqG_5Vpqogx9SXBG2NoRtzdjEAHKtp75Hh6qUNwRJKVZRTDt1JOSzLeVR2ZArpFyL6KUiVbPrru-ORidCyf97oY4JVK_g7IZaGpztRjbQdKGjoBy6pDFA3nu/s400/ecobrick_03.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />My waste plastic - it's just too much<br /><br /></div>
<p>Try #1: Single serving water and soda bottles are most commonly used for making Ecobricks, however, I stopped buying those a long time ago, so I started by stuffing plastic into a Costco sized 2.83L juice bottle (bigger is better, right?) but this bottle was too large and difficult to pack.</p>
<p>Try #2: Next I tried a 1.7L juice bottle. I stuffed waste plastic into the bottle, I stuffed more plastic and I stuffed even more plastic but when I was done the bottle did not meet the weight requirements. A properly made Ecobrick will have a minimum density of .33g/ml so my bottle should have weighed at least 584g (651g if I included the weight of the bottle and cap) and it was more than 100g short of that. </p>
<p>Try #3: For this attempt I knew I needed to improve my plastic packing technique. I cut any plastic that wasn't soft and pliable into small pieces. I also used two different kinds of sticks. One stick was a 1/2" wood dowel and worked really well to push plastic down the sides of the bottle. The other stick was the wood handle from a broken toilet plunger (what a way to reduce, reuse, recycle!) and this worked perfect for pushing plastic into the middle of the bottle. Success! The total weight for the bottle was 667g and it is a solid plastic brick.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkN5h5-W_TH0gsXwe2utCTdw3KXYUxE0HF-bLKRmwAi0nv7_oLYVd6H7Au1MMadphgA8NTM8ADvv95g-0C_kBIzgNWXbu7uc2hk3TOgDoe3roslTCCPBmqp9JwPImCa_iGHS3/s1600/ecobrick_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkN5h5-W_TH0gsXwe2utCTdw3KXYUxE0HF-bLKRmwAi0nv7_oLYVd6H7Au1MMadphgA8NTM8ADvv95g-0C_kBIzgNWXbu7uc2hk3TOgDoe3roslTCCPBmqp9JwPImCa_iGHS3/s400/ecobrick_04.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />My packing sticks<br /><br /></div>
<p>Will assembling Ecobricks make a real ecological difference? I don't know but it has certainly opened my eyes for the need to do better about managing the amount of plastic in our lives. I still put all the plastic I'm allowed into my curbside bin and some of the plastic I used in the Ecobrick could be recycled by taking it to a <a href="https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/">plastic bag and film drop off location</a> but an astonishing amount of plastic can't go to either location and there is also this additional dilemma detailed by the New York Times - <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/climate/recycling-landfills-plastic-papers.html">Your Recycling Gets Recycled, Right? Maybe, or Maybe Not</a> </p>
<p>What will I build with the Ecobricks? Again, I don't know. For now, I'll keep making Ecobricks and hope a project idea develops. Making Ecobricks can't hurt and in the meantime my hands and upper arms get a regular workout.</p>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-2336046629129913052018-11-08T17:16:00.000-08:002018-11-08T17:16:04.387-08:00Ear Warmer Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBoWCOlicC_u_QPEfMQtKB_PSY0nIIvqibnAx9J6oFePlI384DJlF6VOFc7ZsmSYP5VTEC0q73SFMKfpfqA9vll1eJZSr_eV8LMP7YkQ9WHerzRhkyFFAVyM1ASHQmmzwim14/s1600/2018-11-07+12.31.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBoWCOlicC_u_QPEfMQtKB_PSY0nIIvqibnAx9J6oFePlI384DJlF6VOFc7ZsmSYP5VTEC0q73SFMKfpfqA9vll1eJZSr_eV8LMP7YkQ9WHerzRhkyFFAVyM1ASHQmmzwim14/s400/2018-11-07+12.31.11.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>I'm not a hat wearer and I needed something to keep my ears warm during the winter so I designed this headband and it fits the brief perfectly. </p>
<b>Needles</b> - size 10 <br />
<b>Yarn</b> - Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash <br /> <br />
<b>Stitch Definitions:</b><br />
K = Knit<br />
P = Purl<br />
Kfb = Knit 1 into front and back of stitch<br />
M1p = Make 1 purlwise<br />
P2tog = Purl 2 stitches together<br /> <br />
There are a variety of ways to work the twisted stitch. The video links show the way I worked them in this pattern. Other methods may or may not provide the same look.<br />
Tw2R = <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/how-to-knit-the-right-twist-stitch/">Twist 2 Right</a> (link to video)<br />
Tw2L = <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/left-twist-stitch/">Twist 2 Left</a> (link to video)<br /> <br />
<p><b>PATTERN</b></p>
<p>The headband is approximately 4" wide. To make wider versions add multiples of 4 stitches to the cast on and work an extra Tw2R & Tw2L for every multiple added</p>
<p>I like a headband that narrows in the back to prevent it from sliding up my head but if you want one that is sized evenly all the way around then cast on 16 stitches and just work rows 11 and 12 until the headband measures 19" or your desired length.</p>
<p>Cast on 8 stitches.</p>
<b>Increase section:</b><br />
Row 1: K1, p1 Tw2R, Tw2L, p1, k1 (8 sts)<br />
Row 2: K1, p6, k1<br />
Row 3: Kfb, k1, Tw2R, Tw2L, kfb, k1 (10 sts)<br />
Row 4: K1, p8, k1<br />
Row 5: Kfb, (Tw2L, Tw2R)two times, m1p, k1 (12 sts)<br />
Row 6: K1, p10, k1<br />
Row 7: Kfb, k1, (Tw2L, Tw2R)two times, kfb, k1 (14 sts)<br />
Row 8: K1, p12, k1<br />
Row 9: Kfb, (Tw2R, Tw2L)three times, m1p, k1 (16 sts)<br />
Row 10: K1, p14, k1<br /> <br />
<b>Straight section:</b><br />
Row 11: K1, p1, (Tw2R, Tw2L) three times, p1, k1<br />
Row 12: K1, p14, k1<br />
Repeat last two rows until piece measures 16" or 3" LESS than desired total length.<br /> <br />
<b>Decrease section:</b><br />
Row 1: K1, p2tog, k1, (Tw2L, Tw2R)two times, k1, p2tog, k1 (14 sts)<br />
Row 2: K1, p 12, K1<br />
Row 3: K1, p2tog, (Tw2L, Tw2R)two times, p2tog, k1 (12 sts)<br />
Row 4: K1, p 10, K1<br />
Row 5: K1, p2tog, k1, Tw2R, Tw2L, K1, p2tog, k1 (10 sts)<br />
Row 6: K1, p8, k1 <br />
Row 7: K1, p2tog, Tw2R, Tw2L, p2tog, k1 (8 sts)<br /> <br />
Bind off and sew ends together. <br /><br />
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-36067488402509924372018-08-22T08:51:00.000-07:002018-10-14T17:15:24.065-07:00Heart Shaped Breath Mints - Valentines 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoDKXmKzIDFSEtAPoq7ErXO5BIoyVPiQlO_ZWpQtCgPAulcErFyLyuT8udhPR1bliqJ_paIfOhQp-oBaROfGNOoMQNLevM1Q4nMYsN7fB29HhJhtxOnobV3f4SCjpyWx4Z9wn/s1600/valentines2018_02a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoDKXmKzIDFSEtAPoq7ErXO5BIoyVPiQlO_ZWpQtCgPAulcErFyLyuT8udhPR1bliqJ_paIfOhQp-oBaROfGNOoMQNLevM1Q4nMYsN7fB29HhJhtxOnobV3f4SCjpyWx4Z9wn/s400/valentines2018_02a.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>My 2018 valentines day gift project was conceived and inspired by a blog post for <a href="http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/11/homemade-breath-mints/">homemade breath mints</a> and Fimo hearts made for me by my daughter.</p>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf-LJMPLmuRQ2M6m0CPGIZBDgGhlD0zY_zItVMi5zyW6QCbRWcF8Jub8Jn7hN79Io1lFszWtvo9TeQ8q0gVQ_TVJgDnSBb5gP4Uiz0hwjq2gaQN06HFxmWc3Ayfccn2aRvBL9/s1600/2018-02-13+14.48.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf-LJMPLmuRQ2M6m0CPGIZBDgGhlD0zY_zItVMi5zyW6QCbRWcF8Jub8Jn7hN79Io1lFszWtvo9TeQ8q0gVQ_TVJgDnSBb5gP4Uiz0hwjq2gaQN06HFxmWc3Ayfccn2aRvBL9/s400/2018-02-13+14.48.40.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>Laura's bowl of hearts</div><br />
<p>Laura shaped all of her clay hearts by hand but I needed hundreds of them so the biggest challenge for this project was finding a heart shape cutting tool small enough to make a breath mint --and I DID! It was in the clay supplies area at Michael's and the smallest heart in this kit was the perfect size. Once I had a heart cutter I knew I was good to go with this project. </p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FhkwpQYDirSNC_jwfPamTq0RAQLJpsgRPoHC57HYw5PTMEo7PJK0OHgoKUbjKZgN6wNa8pefoirRKkEeBMEMzmUAwrZAEO0QySZXgevlv1bFAjpSgfmcUaLJRp8KDrDNF5oX/s1600/heartCutter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FhkwpQYDirSNC_jwfPamTq0RAQLJpsgRPoHC57HYw5PTMEo7PJK0OHgoKUbjKZgN6wNa8pefoirRKkEeBMEMzmUAwrZAEO0QySZXgevlv1bFAjpSgfmcUaLJRp8KDrDNF5oX/s320/heartCutter.png" width="256" height="320" data-original-width="680" data-original-height="850" /></a></div><br />
<b>Heart Shaped Breath Mints</b><br /><br />
<b>Supply List</b>
<ul>
<li>Heart shape cutter</li>
<li>Gum paste (I used a 2 pound bucket of Satin Ice gum paste and that was more than enough to make over a dozen tins of mints)</li>
<li>Red food dye</li>
<li>Hard candy flavoring oil(s) (flavor extracts may work just as well but I had cinnamon and spearmint flavoring oils on hand and they worked extremely well)</li>
</ul>
<b>Steps</b>
<ul>
<li>One cup of gum paste. I could only cut so many tiny hearts at one time so I made multiple one cup batches over the course of several days .</li>
<li>Add red food coloring and mix in. It took only two drops of food coloring per one cup of gum paste to get the pink I wanted. Wear gloves if you don't want your hands looking like this!</li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgkIDseBBgUTwE2K7KABLpxMIztOs8_DqCoRTfqKz2QGeSacVhrUDoRBPi_BM4p3sEgG4k0wYHONg1Ggyh_ZfBQ1vdMyIcu26uwGe7jl9lWkgPi487KJ9zJxEZRnfmZiC73Ve/s1600/redhanded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgkIDseBBgUTwE2K7KABLpxMIztOs8_DqCoRTfqKz2QGeSacVhrUDoRBPi_BM4p3sEgG4k0wYHONg1Ggyh_ZfBQ1vdMyIcu26uwGe7jl9lWkgPi487KJ9zJxEZRnfmZiC73Ve/s320/redhanded.jpg" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<li>Add flavoring to taste preference. One teaspoon of hard candy flavoring oil per cup of gum paste gave a strong flavor. Mileage may vary with other types of flavorings.</li>
<li>Roll out gum paste to approximately 1/4" depth. Use confectioners sugar to help with sticking.</li>
<li>Cut, cut, cut and cut hearts. Reroll and cut some more. Repeat until you can't stand it any more and eat the remaining gum paste yourself.</li>
<br />
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<br />
<li>The mints are edible immediately but they will harden on the surface after a few hours of air drying and if you leave them out for days they will become "Altoid" like hard. I actually put my mints on parchment paper in a low temperature oven for about 45+ minutes to get the drying started but it still took several days after that until they were really hard.</li>
<li> Package as desired. I used the same 2 oz tins and Avery labels from the <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2016/05/valentines-2016.html">heart tea bags</a> project<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMKjHzmMRYKEhB8DOasRWB8bdq2O_ik_XpggX1xsxgKxt_PqkUzxN2EzX275ldxQuzMD2gxjDLSngnqPeDnNcFvUabEincblyv459o-93V8EdpP584PvXqzw4HJsa8sOqDrR8/s1600/2018-01-25+15.19.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMKjHzmMRYKEhB8DOasRWB8bdq2O_ik_XpggX1xsxgKxt_PqkUzxN2EzX275ldxQuzMD2gxjDLSngnqPeDnNcFvUabEincblyv459o-93V8EdpP584PvXqzw4HJsa8sOqDrR8/s320/2018-01-25+15.19.51.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><br />
</ul>
<p>I LOVED this project! It did get a little tedious cutting out all the hearts but the results were perfection and I would definitely do it again. </p><br /> ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-2709820224101948702018-07-03T10:32:00.000-07:002018-07-03T14:56:43.690-07:00Plantain Salve<p>I'm not a gardener and tend to only keep the yard in a mowed down state. I allow whatever grows naturally to have at it and the winners are the plants that can thrive in the provided sun, shade and soil conditions. In addition, my house is located on an ecologically sensitive peninsula on the Charles River so i don't use chemicals or pesticides. That means my lawn is a wonderful green mixture of grasses, clover, dandelions and this unidentified "weed".</p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguABaIqWIilNqZ_4yN6eEPCu9hsS4dlEkw60MFLA-P3tayOL7wf6d7mVf7VKqtogRF5CmXle9UgjlGGuZco_N1JRz3MKcAOn1MbbIRllUDPkm3VKK9I2vUErozXO0pEDVBn8Ju/s1600/plantain_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguABaIqWIilNqZ_4yN6eEPCu9hsS4dlEkw60MFLA-P3tayOL7wf6d7mVf7VKqtogRF5CmXle9UgjlGGuZco_N1JRz3MKcAOn1MbbIRllUDPkm3VKK9I2vUErozXO0pEDVBn8Ju/s400/plantain_01.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />Plantain growing in my backyard</div><br />
<p> It was during a Medicinal Plant Walk at <a href="https://landssake.org/">Lands Sakes </a>farm that I learned about a plant that's been growing in my yard for 30 years and I thought was just a weed. The plant is <i>plantago major</i> or more commonly, broadleaf plantain (not the same as, and not to be confused with, the fruit that is part of the banana family.) Broadleaf plantain is an entirely edible plant with both internal and external healing properties. </p>
<p>My DIY spirit was inspired when I discovered that you can make a salve with plantain to treat cuts, burns, rashes and insect bites. I had to give it go and here are my notes and thoughts on what I did.</p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc_dabMmEAnVF38alvhtA0Yde00gS7tZ1mw0IxO-By3UwhFHYyQQYZDZauYE7JGO7sErqkzBpTl2-mcc_CoxoMX6dy5srWi8ZzHo_yFs8mLR46X2u16Wer19EQTDG1AtpkXyy/s1600/plantain_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc_dabMmEAnVF38alvhtA0Yde00gS7tZ1mw0IxO-By3UwhFHYyQQYZDZauYE7JGO7sErqkzBpTl2-mcc_CoxoMX6dy5srWi8ZzHo_yFs8mLR46X2u16Wer19EQTDG1AtpkXyy/s400/plantain_02.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<b>1. Make an oil infusion. </b>
<ul>
<li>I washed the plantain leaves and pat dried them. Some bloggers stated that if the leaves aren't dehydrated then there may be a problem with mold, other bloggers just washed and dried them like I did. I'm not sure which way is best so I'll wait and see.</li>
<li>I packed two 4 oz. canning jars with chopped plantain. One was filled with jojoba oil and the other with extra virgin olive oil. I put them on my kitchen window to start a month long cold infusion but after a week I got impatient and switched to a hot infusion by putting both jars in a slow cooker filled with enough water to reach the cap rings and setting it on low for 8 hours.</li>
</ul>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsLD1qo0DnDi7oiO6CdRkzbTfN-YpumOeU9Jt-ItQx9V2UWc5olUtK6FFVIjX6lGbFXi0RDStTU0SKcwQTntLODLM9iPvUWrEwGy0ZQth08CI-8bNf5hsnsr8M_r88nqTVkro/s1600/2018-07-01+13.45.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsLD1qo0DnDi7oiO6CdRkzbTfN-YpumOeU9Jt-ItQx9V2UWc5olUtK6FFVIjX6lGbFXi0RDStTU0SKcwQTntLODLM9iPvUWrEwGy0ZQth08CI-8bNf5hsnsr8M_r88nqTVkro/s400/2018-07-01+13.45.48.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<b>2. Separate the plantain from the infused oil</b>
<ul>
<li> I started with a strainer to do this but noticed that there was still a lot of oil on the leaves so I put the leaves in a scrap of muslin and squeezed out the remaining oil. Nylon hose would probably work even better.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8_G0NlfOIdU58ww7hiq5M8HLpvUpqXBt8oWrn30z6L0YQBbt3RVNoE4n_JcWJrj7URDsKhcC0FSOHgeNB4L1As048a1sQGYJ9MhQEPZhSV4YBq9wW0UjQVVQLNGBm71W36-B/s1600/2018-07-01+14.03.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8_G0NlfOIdU58ww7hiq5M8HLpvUpqXBt8oWrn30z6L0YQBbt3RVNoE4n_JcWJrj7URDsKhcC0FSOHgeNB4L1As048a1sQGYJ9MhQEPZhSV4YBq9wW0UjQVVQLNGBm71W36-B/s400/2018-07-01+14.03.30.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<b>3. Add beeswax to make salve or lotion bars. </b>
<ul>
<li> The infused oil can be used as is but adding beeswax will thicken the oil to either a salve or lotion bar consistency and make it easier to apply. For the infused jojobo oil I added about 10% beeswax (the rest oil) and got a salve consistency. For the infused olive oil I added about 25% beeswax (the rest oil) and got a lotion bar consistency. </li>
<li> I microwaved the beeswax and oil mixture in 20 second spurts until melted. This is where an essential oil can be added if desired. I didn't have any on hand but I would like to try lavender or peppermint. </li>
</ul>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwt75b-XjnU-gUFxp0OJzJihJIIf_14EjAqtXpnAid1VVDvJ5VbyV8BHkIq06wrsxGrhSKyZ3SEEegTxmRemuA4RvgGtNgq6dSefdDk3PrhtibyfwdDcZCYBfCgOeNitxAOc9/s1600/2018-07-01+14.01.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwt75b-XjnU-gUFxp0OJzJihJIIf_14EjAqtXpnAid1VVDvJ5VbyV8BHkIq06wrsxGrhSKyZ3SEEegTxmRemuA4RvgGtNgq6dSefdDk3PrhtibyfwdDcZCYBfCgOeNitxAOc9/s400/2018-07-01+14.01.58.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>Melted beeswax and plantain infused oil before cooling</div><br />
<b>4. Pour into tins </b>
<ul>
<li> I keep finding ways to use these tins and they have become one of the handiest crafting things that I've ever purchased. </li>
<li> Each 4 oz. jar of infused oil produced two 2 oz. tins of plantain salve. I love when the math works out.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKdMXwBxPgSMXY59y0ve2mSqJefomzmxlRDNffAaGwLepg_rEwXt6QYgn18fIToMxTuouzA-LAg2zqO8C46olGbmerGyk58Fvy0zqWhO8sZWuL-3dtKhIZ_GIsatGw_RW4Iv4/s1600/2018-07-02+07.35.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKdMXwBxPgSMXY59y0ve2mSqJefomzmxlRDNffAaGwLepg_rEwXt6QYgn18fIToMxTuouzA-LAg2zqO8C46olGbmerGyk58Fvy0zqWhO8sZWuL-3dtKhIZ_GIsatGw_RW4Iv4/s400/2018-07-02+07.35.50.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>Plantain Salve</div>
<b>Testing and other things to try</b>
<ul>
<li>Now things go into the testing stage. The questions to be answered are: How well will the salve actually work? How long will it keep? My three year old nephew would be the perfect test subject but I don't know if he'll allow me to put this on his scrapes and mosquito bites!</li>
<li>Other things to try are making tea with the plantain leaves and harvesting the blooms for psyllium. </li>
<li>Try infusing other liquids - water, vinegar, vodka.
<li>Try infusing other oils - coconut, almond, avocado. <br /><br />
</ul>
<p>I love how my lawn is becoming a natural garden. Nothing is pulled out as a "weed" anymore. The clover is for the rabbits and bees. The dandelions are for salads and green soups and now the plantain is for salves, tea and whatever else I discover can be made from it. </p>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-20212622844733689522018-05-17T17:35:00.005-07:002018-11-08T17:15:25.700-08:00Mistaken Rib Gradation Cowl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVazbDGxbhOpVMXjt4KKOJiiVHHvwFZ_1ZLqscxtvDNe4uhpnLGXySTsW4oOREBdqHggvkpXlg2aIfmjt1zAQAbKRNW7z4-IyLxDhIx7f2vbK7BqoyQA7YS5gGcQBnpgtZuWnF/s1600/gradationCowl_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVazbDGxbhOpVMXjt4KKOJiiVHHvwFZ_1ZLqscxtvDNe4uhpnLGXySTsW4oOREBdqHggvkpXlg2aIfmjt1zAQAbKRNW7z4-IyLxDhIx7f2vbK7BqoyQA7YS5gGcQBnpgtZuWnF/s400/gradationCowl_01.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimIi6HIgvHCYPEJ92BFZkRi2zBLHOHGdY_7miRJjTx8rZsm2vCJkil5oqld8DmmbB_FYRpzoW0E1jb-hqQCEnCsBm-RNmwr80AOLd1aNLzF7_e5HCgMawzFH4EvVZpfqy487o/s1600/2018-04-11+15.17.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimIi6HIgvHCYPEJ92BFZkRi2zBLHOHGdY_7miRJjTx8rZsm2vCJkil5oqld8DmmbB_FYRpzoW0E1jb-hqQCEnCsBm-RNmwr80AOLd1aNLzF7_e5HCgMawzFH4EvVZpfqy487o/s400/2018-04-11+15.17.57.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/gc">Ravelry Project Page - Mistaken Rib Gradation Cowl</a></center><br />
<p>This cowl was finished just in time for next fall. I love how I can get two looks depending on which end is at the top.</p>
<p>Five colors for the price of three! I've been wanting to knit something using color gradation for a while but it took some time for the pieces to fall together. I found the the perfect yarn during a visit to Webs and then adjusted Purl Soho's <a href="https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/02/01/mistake-rib-cowl/">Mistake Rib Cowl</a> pattern.</p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTaSPDuM7W0e10Sm0V4k-axlhTl-a_4oijrfA_mSYjOemyDEU26Q_7gvjurESzhEzNd8KrhNztVP01TzqIbnG9-u0ZpKQ-lSqY9CrG-KWOt_cBiLwxNxUvrhSJHvKLQTwknv8/s1600/gradationCowl_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTaSPDuM7W0e10Sm0V4k-axlhTl-a_4oijrfA_mSYjOemyDEU26Q_7gvjurESzhEzNd8KrhNztVP01TzqIbnG9-u0ZpKQ-lSqY9CrG-KWOt_cBiLwxNxUvrhSJHvKLQTwknv8/s320/gradationCowl_03.jpg" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<b>Yarn:</b><br>
1 skein each of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/valley-yarns-southampton">Valley Yarns Southampton</a><br />
<ul>
<li>Silver Spring </li>
<li>Cloudy Sky </li>
<li>Dark Pewter</li>
</ul>
<b>Needles:</b> Size 9 circular<br /><br />
<b>Size:</b> 15.5" length & 26" circumference <br /><br />
<b>Pattern:</b><br />
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round. <br />
Round 2: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1. <br /><br />
<b>Instructions:</b><br />
<p>Cast on 112 stitches. using two strands of Dark Pewter and join for knitting in the round -- Knit in pattern for 3.5".</p>
<p>Using one strand of Dark Pewter and one strand of Cloudy Sky -- Knit in pattern for 2.5".</p>
<p>Using two strands of Cloudy Sky -- Knit in pattern in 3.5".</p>
<p>Using one strand of Cloudy Sky and one strand of Silver Spring -- Knit in pattern for 2.5".</p>
<p>Using two strands of Silver Spring -- Knit in pattern for 3.5".</p>
<p>Bind off loosely in pattern.</p>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-46444720821182159602018-03-23T17:47:00.000-07:002018-08-17T07:07:14.080-07:00Mermaid Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0xiXoUgMhYVE0Pi1YJTa5wAUUTNGqOAIT-fWnF6lsbCWd06FtKht_q7HxT98Hw6AoappITX4BwMV3umd6mlPOx68gNdz_fnFpdiVcr-xGo1bjPIDUESZKpORN2FlI8KdhxU-/s1600/2018-03-11+11.11.19.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0xiXoUgMhYVE0Pi1YJTa5wAUUTNGqOAIT-fWnF6lsbCWd06FtKht_q7HxT98Hw6AoappITX4BwMV3umd6mlPOx68gNdz_fnFpdiVcr-xGo1bjPIDUESZKpORN2FlI8KdhxU-/s320/2018-03-11+11.11.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/nmb">Ravelry Project Page - Mermaid Blanket</a></center><br />
<p>This project was a request from my granddaughter Natalie for a mermaid blanket (a blanket that when you are wrapped in it makes you look like a mermaid). The project began with the search for a pattern (why reinvent the wheel?) and ended with what almost always happens — not finding a pattern that matched the picture in my head and having to develop one of my own.</p>
<p>Here are the notes on how I made my mermaid blanket. Hopefully these notes are detailed enough because I'm not going to write up a formal pattern and there may be errors. If you do make a blanket from these directions and find something which can be corrected please let me know and I'll update this post.</p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVRu_kqy48m2X_d9R9sLJI5UuytkgUQDOzOZpOdViseS-yDNsa-S4tRn7Aanxvc-9U5HPbA7a1deEdwHl2WL8JGgfCGLfzZeVydUMIXSMe7k8MvFdFCKFl5e8rOrVnFc2U7Y0/s1600/2018-03-11+11.12.20.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVRu_kqy48m2X_d9R9sLJI5UuytkgUQDOzOZpOdViseS-yDNsa-S4tRn7Aanxvc-9U5HPbA7a1deEdwHl2WL8JGgfCGLfzZeVydUMIXSMe7k8MvFdFCKFl5e8rOrVnFc2U7Y0/s320/2018-03-11+11.12.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<p><b>Yarn:</b> The blanket needed to be washable so an acrylic or superwash wool was necessary and I couldn't believe my luck when I found a "Dusty Teal" color of Red Heart Super Saver in my yarn stash — the perfect mermaid color! A total of 3 skeins were used (with NO extra).</p>
<p><b>Crochet or Knit?</b> I didn't really care. I would have preferred crochet because it's faster but finding the right stitch pattern was more important. I found a knitting stitch pattern that would make a good texture for a blanket and also looked like fish scales, so knitting it was.</p>
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<b>Stitch pattern:</b><br />
A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker<br />
Purl-Twist Fabric (p125)<br /><br />
Even number of sts.<br />
Rows 1 and 3 (Right side)—Knit.<br />
Row 2—* P2 tog, but do not sl from needle; then purl 1st st again, and sl both sts from needle together; rep from #.<br />
Row 4—P1, * rep from * of Row 2 across to last st, end p1.<br />
Repeat Rows 1-4.<br /><br />
<b>Size:</b> The finished size is approximately 36" x 40" (excluding the tail) <br /><br />
<b>Blanket instructions:</b> <br />
1. Cast on 170 stitches with size 10 needles<br />
2. K1, P1 ribbing for 1.5"<br />
3. Work the above 4 rows of the Purl-Twist until blanket measures 24" ending with Row 4.<br />
<blockquote>
<b>Notes:</b> I added three stitches of a seed stitch border to each side for this version, and while it worked, I wasn't completely happy with it. If I were to make this again I would try the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MotVwlY3UA">English Slip Stitch Selvedge Edge</a> instead.<br />
<br />
<b><center>Watch the tension with the purl-twist stitch. <br />
It's very easy to work it too loose.</center></b>
<br /></blockquote>
4. Continue working in pattern and begin decreasing two stitches on the knit rows (rows 1 and 3) by knitting two together(k2tog); work one k2tog at the beginning of the row and one k2tog at the end.<br /><br />
5. Keep decreasing until there are 96 stitches. The blanket should now be approximately 40" in length.<br /><br />
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<br />
6. Divide the stitches onto two needles with the center 48 stitches on one needle and the 24 stitches from the two ends on another needle. I actually did this with a circular needle and two double pointed needles (see above picture). <br /> <br />
7. K1 from front needle, k1 from back needle, (k2tog from front needle, k2tog from back needle)across (50 stitches)<br /> <br />
8. (K1, p1, k2tog, p1, k1, p2tog) across, end k1, p1 38 stitches.<br /><br />
9. To make a cocoon at the bottom of the blanket, seam the two edges of the blanket together for about 12". <br /> <br />
<b>Fin</b><br />
<center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtWp4j1sMHslFOqAur-FINsf4g7NpmkwvXqWzen-DVsbzAIfC6cWxk5ntjp4ROSr7aPxKnoK2BXiKN7RMM74YveQYKjh8w9h0ghwljKNZn5T13kv8hlW0SgoLfMluodFmOTC8/s1600/2018-03-11+11.12.28.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtWp4j1sMHslFOqAur-FINsf4g7NpmkwvXqWzen-DVsbzAIfC6cWxk5ntjp4ROSr7aPxKnoK2BXiKN7RMM74YveQYKjh8w9h0ghwljKNZn5T13kv8hlW0SgoLfMluodFmOTC8/s320/2018-03-11+11.12.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></center>
<blockquote>
<b>Note:</b> I did <b>NOT</b> design the fin. I really liked this <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/myw22/mermaid-tail-lap-blanket-for-children-and-teens-6">mermaid fin pattern</a> and only made small tweaks for my yarn and design. </blockquote>
<li>Knit 1x1 ribbing for 1.5”
</li>
<li>k1, YO, p1 across (57 stitches)
</li>
<li>k1, ktbl, p1 across
</li>
<li>k1, p1, m1, p1 across (76 stitches)
</li>
<li>k1p1 across
</li>
<li>k1, YO, p1 for 24 sts, pm, k1p1 to last 24 sts, pm, k1, YO, p1 for last 10 sts (100 stitches; 36 stitches on either end and 28 stitches between markers)
</li>
<li>k1, ktbl, p1 to marker, sm, k1p1 to second marker, sm, k1, ktbl, p1 to end
</li>
<li> k1, p1, m1, p1 to marker, sm, k1p1 to second marker, sm, k1, p1, m1, p1 to end (124 stitches; 48 stitches on either end and 28 stitches between markers)
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 60 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 58 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 56 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 54 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 52 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 50 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across.
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 48 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 46 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 44 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 42 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 40 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 38 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 36 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 34 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 32 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 30 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 28 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 26 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 24 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 22 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 20 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 16 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 12 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 8 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across 4 sts, W&T
</li>
<li> k1p1 across
</li>
<li> k1p1 across, knitting each wrap and knit stitch together
</li>
<li> repeat from k1p1 across 32 sts, W&T for other half of tail
</li>
<li> knit 1x1 ribbing for 2" then bind off in pattern.<br /><br />
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ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-4453670673977724172017-10-09T08:11:00.000-07:002017-10-09T09:45:57.631-07:00Cat Amigurumi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wfWpws8T5JfHs7FTruR8W38wEaTNY-A_6AISr6H4cZ-nsDyLDkYN2e8QCcVTBj4NlJPiY7te7SbTF_BBd2KOrJQhQ8cyukzIMun8_k5-TTaUf_nILW1Jn6ADC9Y9wKo_5kgT/s1600/JapaneseCat_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wfWpws8T5JfHs7FTruR8W38wEaTNY-A_6AISr6H4cZ-nsDyLDkYN2e8QCcVTBj4NlJPiY7te7SbTF_BBd2KOrJQhQ8cyukzIMun8_k5-TTaUf_nILW1Jn6ADC9Y9wKo_5kgT/s400/JapaneseCat_01.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/k1">Ravelry Project Page - Kitty</a></center><br />
<p>I have always admired the Japanese amigurumi patterns because they have wonderful character and detail. I also love that the patterns are written with stitch charts and lots of photos so you don't need to know Japanese in order to work the pattern. When my daughter Sarah and her husband visited Japan I requested a Japanese amigurumi book and she came back this delight - <i>Cat Amigurumi</i> by Eriko Teranishi</p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiDyQY3jyrRawL74rvpOOHD3fxpBHny7lKFt_qX2pc_fL_rB6TF5zV2MfLxzT0dPXuhr2fJHterj0k43CPRusERDCb9UnyEiMDWmWLK6qJBT5z-LAXUW-Tjf86w1_qEu0cjD8/s1600/JCat_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiDyQY3jyrRawL74rvpOOHD3fxpBHny7lKFt_qX2pc_fL_rB6TF5zV2MfLxzT0dPXuhr2fJHterj0k43CPRusERDCb9UnyEiMDWmWLK6qJBT5z-LAXUW-Tjf86w1_qEu0cjD8/s400/JCat_03.jpg" width="334" height="400" data-original-width="1336" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<p>I made the sitting cat and used Knit Picks Palette yarn which is a fingering weight yarn so the cat is small and fits in the palm of my hand. It's the same yarn I used to crochet the <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2016/08/wedding-amigurumi.html">wedding amigurumi</a> and <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2016/09/wedding-heart-amigurumi.html">wedding hearts</a> </p>
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<p>The book has wonderful pictures on the making and assembling of the cats and it is also organized with a very clear and concise layout. I scanned and printed a copy of the charts and downloaded the Google Translate app which helped by verifying what I had already guessed.</p><br />
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<p> She's so cute. I need to find just the right name for her! I'll be making other cats from this book soon.
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ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-63478052800679675512017-07-09T19:54:00.000-07:002017-07-30T08:54:44.931-07:00Tawashi - My Favorite Dish Scrubber
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ofbE0Q3QQZCOfOG-6W2-ZEk0pY6jnCL0lzM9j2xgJK2_tT9SoG6W6ShMIKfW4_Y9HPpU799injOkMmwYR2gTrtZ3P1seb5aMKS_Z5qps7DB8hiWEfRBVdtekhoB9UA0pV1K/s1600/tawashi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ofbE0Q3QQZCOfOG-6W2-ZEk0pY6jnCL0lzM9j2xgJK2_tT9SoG6W6ShMIKfW4_Y9HPpU799injOkMmwYR2gTrtZ3P1seb5aMKS_Z5qps7DB8hiWEfRBVdtekhoB9UA0pV1K/s400/tawashi.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/dss">Ravelry Project Page - Acrylic Tawashi</a></center><br />
<p>I discovered that kitchen scrubbers have acquired a new name—tawashi. Tawashi is a Japanese word meaning bundle and is used generically for any scrubbing item. Tawashi are made from a variety of materials but I was intrigued after reading this Make article: <a href="http://makezine.com/2009/09/09/how-to_magically_clean_eco_taw/"><i>How-To: Magically Clean Eco Tawashi</i></a>, that 100% acrylic yarn was preferred. Supposedly the synthetic fibers in acrylic yarn are similar to a microfiber and therefore will not scratch. I just had to try this.</p>
<p>The article provided a tawashi pattern but I like this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-sided-scrubbie">Double Sided Scrubbie</a> pattern so I made that and substituted acrylic yarn instead of cotton.</p>
<p>WOW, it's true! I love, love, LOVE this acrylic tawashi. It wipes like a cotton cloth and with only a little elbow grease it scrubs like a steel wool pad but without the harshness. There's a claim that acrylic tawashi will clean without soap but I haven't gone that far (although I use much less dish soap than I would with a cotton dishcloth). </p>
<p>I highly recommend working your favorite kitchen scrubby pattern with an acrylic yarn. You won't go back to cotton! Also, don't forget to start calling it a tawashi, it's a much more refined word than scrubby.</p>
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ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-63150215065425814262017-07-05T18:47:00.001-07:002021-10-16T05:23:54.770-07:00Soap Covers - My Favorite Washcloth<p>Ever since I made the <a href="http://ladynthread.blogspot.com/2013/04/felted-soap-valentines-2013.html">felted heart soaps,</a> I've been fascinated with covering bars of soap. I now use them exclusively in the bath or shower and have completely ditched using wash clothes and loofahs. In addition to replacing bath paraphernalia, there are other benefits as well: They are very quick to make, use scrap amounts of yarn and are great gifts. </p>
<p>Two kinds of soap covers can be made. One type is reusable multiple times and the other felts (or like the felted heart soaps, continues to felt) around the soap as it is used.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2BFdF7Pca7p7td50JeBG-tqeCraqtyuiTxWfL0n6BvoBncd515kmLkxpdJoghNrWFlLbhWWAarDrrmCqsqVEE6gv5tQgZMXVDKhzjQVR5KlD-owevPBYp1MAW848XEolaECN/s1600/soapCover_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2BFdF7Pca7p7td50JeBG-tqeCraqtyuiTxWfL0n6BvoBncd515kmLkxpdJoghNrWFlLbhWWAarDrrmCqsqVEE6gv5tQgZMXVDKhzjQVR5KlD-owevPBYp1MAW848XEolaECN/s320/soapCover_01.jpg"></a></div>
<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/ss3">Ravelry Project Page - Soap Cover</a></center><br />
<p>My personal favorite reusable soap cover is this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soap-sock">Soap Sack</a> pattern by Susan Lawrence at <i>I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can</i>. I like this pattern because it expands and contracts to fit most regular size bars of soap and is easily adjustable for different yarn weights. Most importantly, it functions well as a washcloth.</p>
<p><b>Update 10/16/2021:</b> This pattern is now only available via the <i>Internet Archive Wayback Machine</i> -- <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120408143700/http://ma2ut.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html" rel="nofollow"> Soap Sock by Susan Lawrence </a></p><br />
<table cellpadding="5" style="margin-left: -22px;">
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<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__qZGD3caTSe1dBZ8CZvQxc2olf_d8GodarnRmcSzULXSKKH_iPM4BJ1aQlvwjio4R73U9nmZDF3DylqNd93rw0TIRa6XoPDVO4Akb9inBZgrVjSysrg6HBgdtcN3O4Pk5ODK/s1600/2015-12-28+14.33.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__qZGD3caTSe1dBZ8CZvQxc2olf_d8GodarnRmcSzULXSKKH_iPM4BJ1aQlvwjio4R73U9nmZDF3DylqNd93rw0TIRa6XoPDVO4Akb9inBZgrVjSysrg6HBgdtcN3O4Pk5ODK/s320/2015-12-28+14.33.30.jpg" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJqcfQ3Ksx9PjOvkd51puFrk6OjJCDAJsI-WKQ8irySle8tsYVXXjeQMHvAKXt2yl9MVWDFCzYx_zV0xstZW8qK58revcR9xD4X7E5OJLPmFBE5jI1DgKZHhNjtnfe91pt3Vn/s1600/2015-12-016.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJqcfQ3Ksx9PjOvkd51puFrk6OjJCDAJsI-WKQ8irySle8tsYVXXjeQMHvAKXt2yl9MVWDFCzYx_zV0xstZW8qK58revcR9xD4X7E5OJLPmFBE5jI1DgKZHhNjtnfe91pt3Vn/s320/2015-12-016.jpg" width="228" height="320" data-original-width="1140" data-original-height="1600" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nz1v6goa41wu5eDV_7cGup96Tu2iZiKYsZT1Kb3hGlTtA-Gk3qT8WiF9pXcocA5nvSTgWrSMvAIh3rNhuj7kwqH1fNN3nQ_bjT5vTM6wEORBvoq89nZSvcSpA-nRs5RaBGzo/s1600/ravelry_icon.gif" style="border-style:none; padding:0px;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/ladynthread/ss4">Ravelry Project Page - Soap Sweater</a></center></td></tr>
</table>
<br />
<p>But what's even more fun is a soap "sweater". A soap sweater is not meant to be reused because while it's being used the yarn felts around the soap. All you need to make one is wool yarn (make sure it's not superwash), knit a rectangle (if you prefer, you can work in the round), wrap it around the soap and stitch it closed. Soap sweaters around smaller bars of soap are great for use when traveling. </p>
<p>There are hundreds of patterns for soap covers or sweaters. If you search using the keywords: soap, sack, cozy, saver, sweater, coat, sock, or bag, you will find plenty to choose from.
Try it—You'll like it!</p><br />
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-31799619015117344882017-06-21T06:54:00.002-07:002017-06-21T06:56:22.869-07:00#PinkOut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhUwwOhYs7-QDTN5wWUIelx0baCpQNIt37tCTKUApUUgz___6zptWY6Jo3jvFQcJeFUXa6BAdIt-Z2iELKg8QnuXUxjI9uVqU9NKJj5IIkYR6Fs4rwIQHZxNMwAKFdRL_LzQL/s1600/PinkOut2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhUwwOhYs7-QDTN5wWUIelx0baCpQNIt37tCTKUApUUgz___6zptWY6Jo3jvFQcJeFUXa6BAdIt-Z2iELKg8QnuXUxjI9uVqU9NKJj5IIkYR6Fs4rwIQHZxNMwAKFdRL_LzQL/s400/PinkOut2017.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
This is an easy peasy project with endless variations. <br /><br />
<b>Materials:</b><br />
<li>Approximately 250 #8 beads<br />
<li>Size 10 thread<br />
<li>Size 10 crochet hook <br /><br />
Note: I am using a hook that is smaller than the one normally used for size 10 thread in order to get a tight stitch.<br /><br />
<b>Construction:</b><br />
1. String beads onto thread.<br />
2. *Chain 2, bring up bead and chain, repeat from * until all beads have been crocheted. <br />
3. Join into a circle.<br /><br />
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-21018977052548949182017-05-26T05:39:00.000-07:002017-05-26T05:39:47.249-07:00Revamping my Mood bag<p>Many years ago when I made my first pilgrimage to <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/">Mood</a> in New York City they gave me a cloth/vinyl bag with my purchase. The original bag measured 20"w x 14"h and the depth was created by a 6" side panel on each side of the bag. The bag was a perfect size for my fabric and notion purchase but too large and cumbersome for any other use. </p>
<p>It was time to make this bag usable by making it smaller.</p>
<ol>
<li><b>Step 1:</b> I started with removing the side panels and reducing the width by cutting off 3.5" from each side (no photo).</li>
<li><b>Step 2:</b> Stitched and serged the two sides.</li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4OrS38HES5c-28Fa8bFnYQdSGfHXA1s9yA6pPt9sBXCL1RtVT3-86dJtiTUDhRLNa-SkKxfDtoQpcZx6BbcGOYBBuc4RYkIQr0pLlE8-qPwkSskpXUpGtiwLR9xNABKSmwvr/s1600/2016-12-31+14.33.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4OrS38HES5c-28Fa8bFnYQdSGfHXA1s9yA6pPt9sBXCL1RtVT3-86dJtiTUDhRLNa-SkKxfDtoQpcZx6BbcGOYBBuc4RYkIQr0pLlE8-qPwkSskpXUpGtiwLR9xNABKSmwvr/s320/2016-12-31+14.33.44.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div><br />
<li><b>Step 3:</b> I added depth to the bag by flattening, stitching and trimming the corners to 3". Here's a nice video tutorial on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9j5_1bG1M">How to Box Bag Corners.</a> </li><br />
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<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_mJ0hELlOSlKnO4pu1U9ZVI4RbbZda8Hg8aJPKD8uhIWecDd0HWjge-WgQQAGQqei4pCcdNfPaIiEcb1FJcyoXfbEnGl5bHh7Joj-4dz74_xgj1SO9W7LQmQaYTbLutWYQ1X/s1600/2016-12-31+14.32.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_mJ0hELlOSlKnO4pu1U9ZVI4RbbZda8Hg8aJPKD8uhIWecDd0HWjge-WgQQAGQqei4pCcdNfPaIiEcb1FJcyoXfbEnGl5bHh7Joj-4dz74_xgj1SO9W7LQmQaYTbLutWYQ1X/s320/2016-12-31+14.32.23.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></td>
<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucCQHZKHfM74vna72XaXg2VCQmoZWVrG6zacnLUKTF7BTZpum0PK0FIYHkRoeruSlNDnZcsM3_L5LTHOQZ7pJOLAwVvfJJvXgUddfY7N_yDj3FwGEYoqJjK6HlOAjXehOAq08/s1600/2016-12-31+14.33.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucCQHZKHfM74vna72XaXg2VCQmoZWVrG6zacnLUKTF7BTZpum0PK0FIYHkRoeruSlNDnZcsM3_L5LTHOQZ7pJOLAwVvfJJvXgUddfY7N_yDj3FwGEYoqJjK6HlOAjXehOAq08/s320/2016-12-31+14.33.01.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></td>
</tr></table>
</ol>
<br />
<b>From this:</b> <p style="font-size:85%; text-indent:30px;">I didn't take a photo of my original bag but this one is just like it. Thanks to <a href="https://jmsewingstudio.com/2014/08/22/sewing-heaven-in-new-york-mood-fabrics/"> Jeanne Marie's Sewing Studio</a> for permission to use your photo.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cSq7yY3uE8PZ2ClpPay1GsAUMwYTpUYaNk9xbHnzrSRQ0xWLs96MOl-v4XDrWNqpP86jcIa72JgvpCAzsRTGgZNhC7zURE-1AJAdhZC1WzzwZjP3QT1AH-7BMm985dL_w94e/s1600/MoodBag_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cSq7yY3uE8PZ2ClpPay1GsAUMwYTpUYaNk9xbHnzrSRQ0xWLs96MOl-v4XDrWNqpP86jcIa72JgvpCAzsRTGgZNhC7zURE-1AJAdhZC1WzzwZjP3QT1AH-7BMm985dL_w94e/s320/MoodBag_04.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a></div>
<p><b>To this:</b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYkMW88vAXpgrmNDMDXq2Wb_-SEL-vkMdtmYqbx21fEcbBIsxGj0uXgvvv_F7CnpKTw9N4L5FvXQVrwpkwklqtdlF_Nhy0dj4HW-PoUrNNvFAZKS20qnb3VjAQHNHTg2DHCLj/s1600/MoodBag_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYkMW88vAXpgrmNDMDXq2Wb_-SEL-vkMdtmYqbx21fEcbBIsxGj0uXgvvv_F7CnpKTw9N4L5FvXQVrwpkwklqtdlF_Nhy0dj4HW-PoUrNNvFAZKS20qnb3VjAQHNHTg2DHCLj/s320/MoodBag_05.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div><br />
<p>The final bag size is 13w" x 14"h x 3"d and it is now perfect for my on-the-go knitting projects. Even more importantly, it's being used.</p><br />ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-31904069879203079312017-01-16T06:06:00.000-08:002019-03-11T19:09:35.413-07:00Magic Yarn Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kWSC5ktFkEsnaw8E-__7O0JsA2txxeFT2vIhg2qqcwUMc7zvb1M57QuAoAArloZLhwCBefWi9zH1XaRxq-q_hrtiduz6q2NmFOndJv1jeNYeV_PZs-iSyEZSVc4-I3hubrG5/s1600/2017-01-14+11.26.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kWSC5ktFkEsnaw8E-__7O0JsA2txxeFT2vIhg2qqcwUMc7zvb1M57QuAoAArloZLhwCBefWi9zH1XaRxq-q_hrtiduz6q2NmFOndJv1jeNYeV_PZs-iSyEZSVc4-I3hubrG5/s400/2017-01-14+11.26.46.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div>
<p>The <a href="http://www.themagicyarnproject.com/">Magic Yarn Project</a> is a wonderful program that creates comfortable and whimsical head coverings for children battling cancer. These tiara's are for their Disney princess wigs. The tiaras need to be about 8" in length and can't wrap around the head so I adapted and tweaked this <a href="https://traditionallyemily.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/princess-in-disguise-pattern.html"><i>Princess in Disguise</i></a> pattern. </p>
<p>Here's the pattern for how I made them:</p>
<b>Supplies:</b>
<ul>
<li>Hook: Size F</li>
<li>Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Turqua, Gold, Real Teal, Light Periwinkle, Medium Purple)</li>
<br /><table border="1"><tr><td><b>Update 3/11/19: The Magic Yarn Project has compiled a complete list of yarn and colors for the tiaras <a href="https://themagicyarnproject.com/tiaras/">here</a>. </td></tr></table> </b><br />
</ul>
<b>Abbreviations:</b>
<ul>
<li>ch - chain</li>
<li>sl st - slip stitch</li>
<li>sc - single crochet</li>
<li>dc - double crochet</li>
<li>tr - treble crochet</li>
<li>st(s) - stitch(es)</li>
</ul>
<b>Stitch explanations:</b><br />
<b>5dc cluster </b> (worked in each of the 5 dc of row 1): Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, (yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, yo, pull through all 6 lps on hook, ch 1.<br /><br />
<b>Picot:</b> Ch 3, insert hook back into the center of the base st, yo, pull through st and loop on hook.<br /><br />
<b>Large picot:</b> Ch 5, insert hook back into the center of the base st, yo, pull through st and loop on hook.<br /><br />
<b>Pattern:</b><br />
Ch 40, <br />
<b>Row 1:</b> 5 dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as ch2 + skip 2 sts), *skip 3 sts, 5 dc in next st,* repeat from *to* 8 times (for a total of 9 shells), skip 2 sts, dc in next st, turn.<br /><br />
<b>Row 2:</b> Ch 2, 5dc cluster (makes 1 diamond), *ch 5, 5dc cluster*, repeat from *to* 8 times (for a total of 9 diamonds), dc in top of ch 2 of previous row, turn.<br /><br />
<b>Row 3</b>: Ch 1, (3 sc in next ch 5 space, picot, 3 sc in same ch 5 space) twice, 7 sc in next ch 5 space, (in next ch 5 space work 2 sc, 2 dc, 1 tr, 2 dc, 2 sc) twice, 3 sc in next ch 5 space, turn.<br /><br />
<b>Row 4:</b> Ch 6, sc in tr of previous row, ch 7, sc in next tr of previous row, ch 6, sl st in 3rd sc of 7 sc from previous row, turn.<br /><br />
<b>Row 5:</b> 4 sc in ch 6 space, picot, 4 sc in same ch 6, 4 sc in ch 7 space, large picot, 4 sc in same ch 7, 4 sc in next ch 6, picot, 4 sc in same ch 6, 4 sc in partial ch 5 from row 3, (3 sc in next ch 5, picot, 3 sc in same ch 5) twice, sl st in top of dc from row 2.<br /><br />
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Add bling!**<br /><br />
**You don't have to bling the tiara's. If you'd rather just crochet and send them, the Magic Yarn Project will add the bling.<br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tzm48EgDeFyHJ7dPRef-erlzF9yq-DsoW7xbd6fY0NjF7t4lbQwGKixI4Ndppy5PYnOrOetYqz5EQq5xEIqMkhZo_PJPkVMauGWmZn9nDemPSdgoiHsWWehNrYZR7C6XIWgM/s1600/tiara_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tzm48EgDeFyHJ7dPRef-erlzF9yq-DsoW7xbd6fY0NjF7t4lbQwGKixI4Ndppy5PYnOrOetYqz5EQq5xEIqMkhZo_PJPkVMauGWmZn9nDemPSdgoiHsWWehNrYZR7C6XIWgM/s320/tiara_06.jpg" width="320" height="181" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoraV9lDBKi3L9ZbLH13gm0yzVsVcHkY3PG_eZoHvounZi58v5RX1tubRfsh1NzyQbW1dzGfMQHbmLceOPSyty-5N8k63NFUw6cyncMS-rfzaOAiqzbIu9P-WroHE9VJpBZOV/s1600/tiara_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoraV9lDBKi3L9ZbLH13gm0yzVsVcHkY3PG_eZoHvounZi58v5RX1tubRfsh1NzyQbW1dzGfMQHbmLceOPSyty-5N8k63NFUw6cyncMS-rfzaOAiqzbIu9P-WroHE9VJpBZOV/s320/tiara_01.jpg" width="320" height="174" /></a></div>ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-30369288332100432202017-01-09T15:24:00.000-08:002018-09-21T11:13:59.153-07:00Pussyhat Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuCmc7YUW7IScHlY-veVeFr-KuzMSwlwRqvzg9RHKSaOsoFhc_VkKlHDLhmMX_PP8ZSk3Uij3qlh8mjG3d7nvLzASEtpA8MTtJ9RGTbaHyxZFJPOgAATV8lhrMg-QcBjsWZBi/s1600/2017-01-05+10.55.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuCmc7YUW7IScHlY-veVeFr-KuzMSwlwRqvzg9RHKSaOsoFhc_VkKlHDLhmMX_PP8ZSk3Uij3qlh8mjG3d7nvLzASEtpA8MTtJ9RGTbaHyxZFJPOgAATV8lhrMg-QcBjsWZBi/s400/2017-01-05+10.55.15.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div>
<p>For the past few weeks I've been knitting hats with the <a href="https://www.pussyhatproject.com/">Pussyhat Project</a> for women who will be walking in the <a href="https://www.womensmarch.com/">Women's March On Washington</a> (or Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago .....) </p>
<blockquote>
The Pussyhat Project aims to:
<ol>
<li>Provide the people of the Women's March on Washington D.C. a means to make a unique collective visual statement which will help activists be better heard.</li>
<li>Provide people who cannot physically be on the National Mall a way to represent themselves and support women's rights.</li></ol> </blockquote>
<p>The Pussyhat Project provides a free pattern but, of course, I had to find and tweak a pattern to fit my personality. I found this delightful free pattern for a <a href="http://craftox.com/knit-cat-ear-hat/">child's cat ear hat</a>. I was immediately drawn to the shaping done in the crown of the hat and the stitching which define the ears. I changed the center cable pattern and that necessitated adjusting the crown shaping but otherwise the pattern is essential the same.</p>
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<p>Here are the notes and pattern for my hat. I think I've knit this hat enough times now that the pattern is accurate. It is not pattern tested, tech edited or have a chart. I also have not yet taken the time to explain stitches but if you're an experienced knitter (especially with cables) you should have no problem.</p>
<p><b>Gauge:</b> Resizing the hat to fit an adult head was an easy fix by substituting a larger weight yarn. I used aran weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver & Lion Brand Vanna's Choice both worked well) with size 8 needles but you can use any yarn and needles that will give you a gauge of 16 stitches for every 4".</p>
<p>The pattern is written for an adult small. Follow the numbers in (parenthesis) for a medium/large hat which fit most of the adult women who have tried it on.</p>
<b>Pattern (4 rows):</b><br />
<b>Row 1:</b> (K16(20), p2, C2B, C2F, p2, C4B, C4F, p2, C2B, C2F, p2) twice<br />
<b>Row 2:</b> (K16(20), p2, k4, p2, k8, p2, k4, p2) twice<br />
<b>Row 3:</b> (K16(20), p2, C2F, C2B, p2, k8, p2, C2F, C2B, p2) twice<br />
<b>Row 4:</b> Repeat row 2.<br /><br />
<b>Hat Body:</b><br />
Cast on 72(80) stitches, join to knit in a circle.<br />
Work 1 x 1 ribbing for 5 rows.<br />
Next row: M1 after every 9(10) stitches. 80(88) stitches.<br /><br />
Repeat pattern rows 1-4 8(9) times and then work Row 1 once more before beginning crown decreases.<br /><br />
<b>Crown decreases:</b><br />
<b>Row 1:</b> [K16(20), *p2, k4, p2*, ssk, k4, k2tog, repeat from * to * once more] twice. 76(84) stitches.<br />
<b>Row 2:</b> [K16(20), *p2, C2F, C2B, p2*, ssk k2, k2tog, repeat from * to *] twice. 72(80) stitches.<br />
<b>Row 3:</b> [K16(20), *p2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, p2tog*, ssk, k2tog, repeat from * to * once more] twice 56(64)stitches.<br />
<b>Row 4:</b> [K16(20), *p1, k3tog, p1,* k2tog, repeat from * to * once more] twice 46(54) stitches.<br /><br />
Knit 8(10) Flip hat wrong side out & 3 needle bind-off.<br />
Sew ears.<br />
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ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-89123312263766298472016-11-21T18:02:00.001-08:002018-07-02T21:34:30.978-07:00Scrappy Baby Bear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9TicsW2agIVyvW3S1vPpvLBCYBrs2-og3MbDOxvAmO0sBE4Xf4hhuMEPAhyBkPkICRiXjgPl67i-HZ4L3V2N5v3-zFBI8JJKWLEiBW7gZwDRshQmX2_1leTMA-0fE0EZv9HT/s1600/ScappyBear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9TicsW2agIVyvW3S1vPpvLBCYBrs2-og3MbDOxvAmO0sBE4Xf4hhuMEPAhyBkPkICRiXjgPl67i-HZ4L3V2N5v3-zFBI8JJKWLEiBW7gZwDRshQmX2_1leTMA-0fE0EZv9HT/s400/ScappyBear.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div><br />
<p>Isn't he cute?</p>
<p>I love using scraps from one project to make something else. This little baby bear was made with unused fur fabric from a Halloween costume, along with a little bit of embroidery floss and a few yards of fingering weight yarn for the scarf. That was it!</p>
<p>The pattern for the body came from Sew Toy's, <a href="http://sewtoy.com/free-toy-sewing-pattern/how-to-sew-quickly-a-lovable-little-soft-baby-teddy-bear/">How to Sew Quickly A Cute Little Soft Baby Teddy Bear</a>. </p>
<p>Here are my production notes:
<ul>
<li>I scaled the pattern down when printing by choosing 4" x 6" paper <i>and</i> "fit to printable area" in my printer settings. I really like this smaller size but the pattern can certainly be printed as is or scaled to any other size.</li>
<li>I traced the pattern onto the wrong side of the fabric and stitched along that line (leaving an opening of course!) and trimmed away the excess before turning, stuffing and closing the opening.</li>
<li>The eyes are six strands of DMC floss #143 which is a dark gray. Next time I'll go for a true black because the facial features tend to be obscured with the fur.</li>
<li>The scarf pattern is cast on 3 stitches in a fingering weight yarn on size #1 needles and knit in garter stitch for 12". A scarf made from fleece scraps would be quicker and work just as well but I couldn't resist adding a knitted touch.</li><br />
</ul>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-2337259273500406142016-10-25T06:53:00.000-07:002016-10-25T06:54:15.007-07:00Pattern Weights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSJj9cLl7UqbMKgl4ctJPdcoP4ToxE0v13KcaA9uMuzVvLGiagIZhL3i9mm5cLadFW6uFJCCkCWW6SqY36oz9gbGrynGeHrYcHURGb4fHAbeZfN07urrNGJooXn4W8m1FHLH0/s1600/patternWeights_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSJj9cLl7UqbMKgl4ctJPdcoP4ToxE0v13KcaA9uMuzVvLGiagIZhL3i9mm5cLadFW6uFJCCkCWW6SqY36oz9gbGrynGeHrYcHURGb4fHAbeZfN07urrNGJooXn4W8m1FHLH0/s400/patternWeights_01.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div><br />
<p>Pattern weights are great to use with delicate fabrics when you don't want to make holes with pins or when you need to hold things down for a quick cut.</p>
<p>Commercial pattern weights are usually metal rings but anything that successfully holds the pattern down works. I've used drinking glasses, soup cans, and any knickknack close by and in reach. It was finally time to just get it done and make some.</p>
<p>I cut 3.5" fabric squares and sewed with a 1/4" seam allowance for a finished size of 3". Here's the twist -- I used small garden rocks leftover from a landscaping project to stuff the squares! </p>
<p>These are so handy and useful that I wish I had gotten around to making them years ago. I still will use a few pins on the grain line (old habits die hard) but mostly it's these pretty little things holding the pattern down while I cut. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRQRugGyp5EJNhfN-BiWOthhjsVYCCmwdUkVNpcKmi7LfohQ3MwYGd1Ru-xzzu4hcekx5AW7JNU5_XMga6sXv_eVwsIGUlq6CtmuT9ZGmgDP4lXEPgw-QbNS1lCv5jfPkwy9F/s1600/2016-08-05+12.58.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRQRugGyp5EJNhfN-BiWOthhjsVYCCmwdUkVNpcKmi7LfohQ3MwYGd1Ru-xzzu4hcekx5AW7JNU5_XMga6sXv_eVwsIGUlq6CtmuT9ZGmgDP4lXEPgw-QbNS1lCv5jfPkwy9F/s400/2016-08-05+12.58.56.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a></div><br />ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10180794.post-20628442493427214112016-10-21T07:45:00.000-07:002016-10-22T06:40:25.442-07:00Signature Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJSI7PqxeyxXa2uqgXoG9lC6QCybpqxCe_FtbtSabKUoUFJXyDAZIUdmvL-kL_1rh_Dcxm2i0MVxKlEUfOQtBJT1T3lD8Oz80J1JTLhA6ebqnQ3rsfUWEN-u7byUQhyphenhyphenlFmNDj/s1600/momsQuilt_final2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJSI7PqxeyxXa2uqgXoG9lC6QCybpqxCe_FtbtSabKUoUFJXyDAZIUdmvL-kL_1rh_Dcxm2i0MVxKlEUfOQtBJT1T3lD8Oz80J1JTLhA6ebqnQ3rsfUWEN-u7byUQhyphenhyphenlFmNDj/s400/momsQuilt_final2.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a></div><br />
<p>This past spring my sister, brother and I gave a party to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday and I organized a signature memory quilt activity. Using the <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2010/01/siggy-block-tutorial.html">Siggy Block Tutorial,</a> from the <i>ps i quilt</i> blog, I made a stack of blocks to take to the party.</p>
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<center><p> I chose 8 colors of <i>Fabrico Dual Tip</i> fabric markers to write with and encouraged everyone to decorate a block with a birthday wish.</p> </center>
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<p>I love how this project turned out. I especially like the hex shape which is a very nice one for use as a wall hanging but it also works well as a lap quilt. I also like how I was able to include a few blank squares for friends and family who were unable to attend to sign later.</p>
<p>I am not an experienced quilter and there were a few Macgyver moments which I'm sure broke quilting rules (I have a page of notes for things to do differently the next time!) but my design vision was achieved and it is definitely a memory maker. </p>
ladynthreadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248654127335491295noreply@blogger.com0