Greatings and Happy New Year

With the New Year just around the corner literally  and Christmas behind us, I wanted to share with you some of my projects that I have started on this holiday filled month.  There is nothing like the holiday time to inspire us to create some wonderful treasures to excite and thrill those we love.  Seeing their faces when the packages are torn open and their treasure spills forth is worth every cuss word and and late night we went through mastering the task.  So with this blog I think I am going to take a new direction.  I think that I am going to blog about items that I create for present giving or for things that I post in my etsy  store.  I will go through the process of choosing the right pattern and why.  Currently I am using up my stash of yarn that I got from my life in Ireland. (This could be a long time. I hope to create a bit of a stash of things that can be kept on hand and given as gifts instead of that old habit I have of waiting until the last minute.  By the way I love to see what any of you have created so if you have an item or items that you have slaved over and want to show them off then feel free.  I have provided a link for you to link up to and show off you pics.

Fingerless I designed these little gloves myself.  Oh yes this was my first time at designing.  I would get something going and then decide that I could do better and then before you know it I would rip it  out  (frogged) Then I would think of another idea.  This went on an on.  Finally I just did it.  Good, bad or indifferent.  I just submitted to the fact that no matter what this was going to be the learning point in designing and then all after this would be better with each time that I did it.  So here they are.  These little things found their way to my Mother.  I felt for her hands plucking away on her key board in her studio that no doubt was getting colder and colder due to the fact that she was having to leave her door open to let her cat in and out.  Long story and one for another day.  But I wanted to keep her hands warm.  So with Aran weight wool I created this simple little glove. 

Okay notice the tag there.  Yes I think that you should always tag your gifts and put a little extra yarn in with your items.  Just list the washing instructions on the tags and wear suggestions or detergent recommendations.  Oh and if you are thinking great how can I get some of these wonderful tags that say hand made?  Look no further just visit my store "Frogs Attic"  I am sure you can find them and if you need them to say you name just let me know I'll do what I can.

Its Your Turn
So go ahead and link up and show off your knitted gifts.  The more we share the more we can become inspired.

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Kippah for Chanukah

I have always been interested in all things Jewish.  But then I have always been interested in all religions and their origians.  My son has desided to convert so in celibration to his commitment I am honnoring him with a Kippah that I have knitted him.  May it serve to remind him that God is always above him.  The pattern can be found on Ravelry and is by Cozycoleman , pattern is called Star of David Kippah (I believe we shall see her published one day) It is very simple and had a fantastic effect.  You can wear this Kippah with out worry of it falling off.  It is just perfect and has a professional look and feel when completed.  I look forward to creating some felted ones with some fantastic designs myself.

On the more lacy side of life I have worked this first attempt to do Estonia Lace Work.  Pattern here can be found on Interweave Knitting site or on Ravelry

Lace work (Lilly of the Valley pattern by Nancy Bush) I am so happy when doing lace work!

Working on felt till 11PM last night! It's coffee this AM oh and did I mention a trip to the vet for meds. Throw in a stop at the grocery store and the whole day is shot to hell!!!!

I am working on a Scandinavian Jacket designed by Debbie Bliss from her book the "The Family Collection". I have changed the color pallet to an off white and ice blue. Pictured here is the back. It took me a few hours to knit up. Now I am taking a break to work on some treats for Halloween!

Poets Lace and Frills

Last week I finished some very cute cuffs.  This has inspired me to do some more.  An easy project with a big effect.  I love the fact that these can be hidden up under current shirts, sweaters, jackets etc. and provide the outfit with a new look.  In this day when every penny counts this is a fantastic way to give old sweaters an upgrade with out busting the bank.  They also provide warmth.  Yes even though it is a small item this little bit of wool with go right on your wrist and keep all that warmth in your body just the same effect has a simple scarf around your neck keeps the chill off so will these little babies.  So cast on with some fantastic patterns.  I got this one from Ravelry from Stephanie A Smith.  I used a slightly larger needle to acquire more lacy look but otherwise followed her brilliant pattern! Stephanie also has a Word Press blog so be sure to drop by and check her out.  She can also be found at Etsy Strings and Things  She has a wonderful assortment of beautiful yarns just waiting to be snatched up and creations made from them. 

For this project I had some wool that had been given as a gift from Germany.  I decided to use it to create these cuffs.

Was it K1 or P1 I forget **!??##

Oh that happens all the time!  I would purchase those awful stitch markers.  You know the one ones that are simple rings that fit on your needle.  They are hard to find in your knitting basket and lets face it you don't have to be 100 years old to have a hard time getting your fingers to work to slip those puppies on.  Now perhaps you know or don't know that I am a knitter but also I love to do digital work as well.  I also do quilting and sewing and work with other crafts.  It is this love for other crafts that I began to see a lot of stitch holders done by some great crafters.  But like when I see sweaters in the store and the words "I can do that" fall out of my.... well I am sure you understand.  But my mind started to go and go it did.  I started to think of stitch holders, buttons, embellishments...... Oh you see where I am going now!!! Yes.  So here I am with some new little bells and whistles in my knitting basket and wanting to share them with my fellow knitters.  But the way, at the bottom of this entry you will find a place to put your creations.  Do you have something that you have made that you want to show off well please do.  Who knows you may just inspire someone else or make a new friend.  So pull up your basket and grab a cup of tea and upload or connect a link and share your creations.  TTFN

Available at Frogs Attic

I just created these wonderful place minders for knitters think I may sell some.

Baby Sweater and Bootees with Picot Edging

Finished this one up today and just could not wait to post it.  Done in Cotton Glace this plum/ brown color is just perfect for fall weather.  

Booties size: 0-9 months
Sweater (chest) size: 53 cm or 21 inches fits 3-6 months
Sleeve: 20 cm / 8 inches
Color: plumb/ brown
Buttons: Silver
Washing instructions: Hand wash cold water dry flat .
Done in stocking stitch with Picot edging on collar and bootee cuff.
Made from 100% cotton from high quality yarn.

SOLD

Finished and ready to sale

Sold

This great little gift has been created from 100% cotton using several different patterns that I have altered to create this little set for you bundle of joy.  Lace work combined with a white ribbon makes for not only a finishing touch but a delicate look for your infant.  Items fit 0-3 months and booties will fit up to 0-9 months.  Blanket 29 x 23 inches.  Hand wash dry flat.  Instructions for washing included.

This free pattern from Lions Brand has a version of the "Willow Edging " pattern. The white ribbon breaks up the the color and adds a bit of a pop!

Knitting up some "Willow Edging" to go on a baby blanket. Easy lace and dresses up any project. You could run a ribbon through the open work to add an extra touch. Pattern found in Debbie Bliss Book pictured here "How to Knit"

Just finishing up with some hand work on this sweet little baby dress for my niece who is expecting her first baby! The laced edging is all hand tatted by myself. I will be adding a slip and booties as well as a sun bonnet. I will post those as I do them. I have used French seams to make the outfit neat inside and out. The material is shear with lovely large white plaid design. I have used white batiste for the sleeves and collar to add contrast and to accentuate the white lines in the soft pink material. Pin tucks done on the front and back just make this little dream pop.

Just finished up these socks for a dear friend! I created these with sock wizard program

                                    

Socks perhaps my favorite thing to knit.  It might be that it looks so terribly difficult but in reality it really is not.  I use 4 double point needles and a program called Sock Wizard.   The great thing about this program is that you are given fields to plug in your gauge, type of construction, size and pattern.  This is fantastic for doing things like these socks pictured here for friends.  You can save the pattern and do it again and again.  I copy and past my pattern into my notes and then email it to myself to pick up on my Iphone then I put it into one of the knitting apps that I have and then I have this wherever I go.   These fantastic socks are made with Deborah Norville Collection , Serenity Sock Weight  50% superwash merino wool, 25% bamboo, 25% nylon. This yarn can be purchased at Premier Yarns

Promises Promises from a Delinquent Knitter

Just sitting back down here in the studio after a wonderful visit from my son who has been in Iraq these past months. This time he brought home his wife to be!! It has been a very happy time here and unfortunately when life moves it tends to move me away from the computer and the studio! That doesn't mean that I quite work all together but it does mean that the ole I'll get to that tomorrow does kick in. Now if you want to keep up with my other blog at Jeweled Frog Creations then by all means hop on over there and see if something strikes your fancy.

Knit one and Read Two

If you are looking for some blogs that encourage your creative juices then here are a few of my favorites:
The Purl Bee is always a favorite. Full of bright colorful pics of projects that is sure to inspire and get you to thinking of your own versions of interesting creations. Check it out for quick gifts that you could make for someone special!

Spud and Cloe is another favorite blog and web site. Filled with great eye catching tidbits and fantastic yarn supply. Just subscribing to their news letter fills my in box with great projects!

Knitting Daily! What can I say if you don't subscribe to this news letter you should! Filled with free e-patterns this great e-mail can give you wonderful tips and inspire you on even the darkest winter days. (while your at it check out the magazine offers)

There are so much more so check on each of these websites for their links chances are that if you like these then your taste run the same and they will have links to other "like" minded sites.

Iphone picks

I am addicted to my IPhone and any time that I can consolidate helpful tools I do it. Why have a million tools at the bottom of you knitting bag that you have to dig for when you can have one useful tool in your IPhone that you carry with you anyway? I have downloaded Stitch Minder and Knit Minder! Both great apps! I like the Knit Minder because you can put a great pattern in like a sock pattern that just gives you the basic stitches so you don't forget. Now from what I can see you have to enter this information in all by hand. I wish that you could just filter it in. I do have an Adobe pdf reader in my phone and I have used the cut and past method but it does take time and so usually I will just use these as reminders on projects. You can post images of your completed favorite projects and needle sizes etc so these are very useful when you are out shopping and what to pick up some more yarn. You have to get used to using these programs instead of grabbing a pen and paper to jot things down but I have love the stitch counters in them. Stitch minder has an area that has the the increase and decrease rows as well as keep up with the count so this is great and the large readable face of the IPhone makes for a wonderful addition to my knitting basket. I also like the fact that while these programs make of a fantastic and easy stitch counter that you can also listen to your ipod selections of music or books so I can create that perfect world in which to knit.