English Tea Cosy

Just finished, as of today, my English tea cosy. The loft in this little sweetie is fantastic, coupled with the fact that I used 100% wool should keep my little brownie warm as toast. I did forgo the use of pompoms and placed a poinsettia on it's crown with pearls in the center for it's pestles.

Some Mittens and Hat for Christopher

I had just finished a lovely cap and mittens for Chris's nephew George and low the ole faithful statement " I want some too". So back to the ole pattern I went and this time I added some vibrant orange. With the onset of fall the orange would be just the ticket. This makes a great hat for yard work and since it is hunters orange and we live near the woods... Well it can't hurt.
This was made with a mitten and hat maker that generates the pattern for size etc the actual strips I free handed.

George's Mittens

Just finished up the lovely mittens and cap. I created a simple stripe and made some reverseable mittens with a simple stocking stitch cap for a sweet little boy who just happens to be my grandson. Cheers George and happy Birthday!

Pulling Out Old Projects

It's almost gift giving time and with that I am looking for some projects that are good for some great gifts. I love revisiting old projects they seem to improve. I pull some out and say "hey why did I stop this" Or "I am almost finished"!! Perhaps the yarn elfs work on them who knows!! This is one of those projects. I was thinking about making a kimono out of this pattern. It knits up quick and it lacy in look. It would also be great for a trim on a jacket or dress/paint leg.

Working with Stash to Create Stash

As this summer draws to an end, and I am cleaning out the studio, I am ever reminded that Christmas approaches.  Not only Christmas but Birthdays and other opportunities to give something.   Usually that something, is  a little something that I have made.  Now in order to do that you HAVE  to think ahead.  It's not that I don't think ahead that is the problem. Yes I know that birthdays as well as holidays come every year and at the same time every year.  So planning can be made.  It's not like a surprise.  Usually I will put something off and off until it is too late or a mad dash to get it done.  But as time has gone by and hurrying to get something made or created in time is usually punishment enough, I have started to get things done well in advance.  With out revealing too much as to "whom" the items have been knitted or crocheted for, I will give you a peek at it. 
Today I am showing off a newly knitted scarf.  I have yet to block it and tidy up the loose threads, (Nothing like saving something for another blog entry to have something to talk about)

The Pattern

The pattern that I have  chosen was a simple one.  I believe that a committed and established beginner could compete it with satisfying results.  It is called Lilly of the Valley.  The source of this pattern is "Knitted Lace of Estonia" by Nancy Bush.  I used the DVD but relax they do proved the link for the pattern.  And if you have purchased the DVD the pattern is Free.  Or if you don't want to purchase the DVD then hold your horses here is the link for the patter and it is just 5$

Click on image or here for Pattern

Now I will say that I did not use fingering weight so the look of my scarf is not as airy or light but the effect of the lace work did still show through and I thought that it made for a nice weight for someones neck to stay warm in the winter months.

Now I am off to tidy up those loose ends and block this baby.  I'll take a few picks and let you know how it turns out.  In the mean while join me on ravelry  Just follow the link or look up, who else but jeweledfrog. 

knitting in the yard! Just wonderful!

#knitting in the yard! Just wonderful!, a photo by Jeweledfrogcreations on Flickr.

Finished up this little bootie! Can't wait to post the next one.

Working on some socks. Lovely colors and in a cotton mix with a touch of elastic so the fit will be nice too. These are for my son Christopher who is 11 . I created the pattern with a sock app.

Looks like a Halloween sock in summer!!

Arsonal of Techniques

Before I could knit I crocheted.  I would not call myself proficient but I can create what I want and what I don't know how to do I research and learn quickly.  I believe necessity will drive anyone to learning something new.  I was cruising flicker and came across some great images for some simple creations using crochet.  This got my mind going in a multitude of directions.  Primarily driven by color combinations and vintage looking patterns, I soon found myself in my favorite chair with hand feverishly working a new found pattern for vintage inspired hot pads. 

This was my out come using some yarn that I already had. Here is the link for the pattern, FREE PATTERN I might add. Your Nana's PotHolders
Crochet is a fantastic way to trim or add some great flowers to a knitting project.  So hook up today on some of these fantastic patterns.  Join  me on Ravelry - jeweledfrog

Little wool cap

Just had to post this sweet little cap I designed.  It reminds me so much of a spring day in the garden.

Available at Frogs Attic on Etsy

Created with wool from Ireland this little thing is so soft.  Just a pleasure to knit up.  With it's rolled edge I can just see a little pair of eyes looking up.

Frogs Attic Etsy

Garden colors, from carrot orange to garden green this little cap is great for those spring morning or evenings.

Listed at Frogs Attic

To see this listing and all my other products just click on the link or add this item to your amazon wish list by clicking on the button under the image at the top.   Thank you for stopping by. 

Wee Willie Winkie

And a great day this is.  I have just finished another little baby cap and this one is so cute.  It reminded me so much of one of my favorite rhymes  from my childhood.

"Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown,
Tapping at the window and crying through the lock,
Are all the children in their beds, it's past eight o'clock?" 

 I had been so stuck as to knit design and seeing all the the ways that I could work things.  Kinda like seeing the forest for the trees.  I am now currently working on putting this in pattern form for all those who love the joy of knitting.  I am sure there will be a pattern give away here on my little blog.  (translated that means to be sure and sign up and start following something big is about to happen) 

 In working with this simple little design with soft sage and natural colored organic cotton I noticed that it was a little plane.  So I created this sweet little star that I doubled and knitted twice to create a front and back.  It worked well in that regards but also added some a slight bit of weight to the top creating that sweet little drop of the point. 

 Now it has that splash of color that every Wee on needs. 

This cap was designed to use as a night time cap but it can be worn at any time of day. 

 Thanks for joining me again today.  
Hat is available for purchase now at my Etsy Store. 
Frogs Attic 

Squash Beanie Baby Hat

Well, these are my newest finished creation.  This is my design from start to finish.  I have created this little cap in an infant size using Cotten yarn with chenille toper.  I designed my own leaves and gave them a bit if a twist in the leaf using a cable stitch.  The chenille had just enough structure to bend and shape into little leaves.  I call this little creation a Baby Beanie Squash cap. 

As an after note I have just gotten this little beauty picked up on Tumblr  and it was featured in their craft section. 

Flower on top of baby cap

Flower on top of baby cap a photo by Jeweledfrogcreations on Flickr.

Ok I have now finished my little cap. I love the color of read that I used for the flower. I created this flower larger then usual for the little cap. I wanted it to look like a giant flower landed on top of the baby. Like the flower was the hat itself. This is going to be great for spring I just can hardly wait for that in itself. Well I am going to work on another flower for the next cap. My inspiration for this was the "Flower Fairies" (if you have not heard of this there is a fantastic book available on amazon.com called "The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies"  I loved this book and have always just loved the drawings and colors of these little sweeties. It is fantastic to be able to put some of the ideas that have bloomed in my head into my knitting. So on to design the next little beanie hat with another little flower. I believe the next one that I do will be offered as a finished product and as a pattern. Until next time. Please leave a comment I would love to know what you think. You can also view my little creation at my etsy store Frogs Attic

Knitting up a little baby cap. It is now being blocked and I will add a flower for a whimsical touch

Taken by Jeweledfrogcreations http://www.flickr.com/photos/24516771@N04/5532371126

This was the start to my little cap.  This pic really shows the shimmer of this yarn and you can almost feel the texture with your eyes.

Just a bit of News

I have been published in the latest Somerset Digital Studio Mag.  I was so excited to receive my copy this morning.  I have been an admirer of this magazine for a while now always making a bee-line to the back of the book store to see the newest issue (only printed twice a year) culling over the pages and getting inspiration for the artist that where chosen.  I would turn to my daughter and say one day I will be in here.  One day I will open the pages and here I will be.  I  went home last year and took what I felt was an image to submit.  It had the look and feel of what the editors would choose and I submitted one image.  The rest well you can see.  

Look familiar?  It should I first blogged about this image back in May of 2010.  I was pleased with this image.  I had used an old vintage image that was offered on the Graphic Fairy and combined it with an image that I had from my photography. You can view this and more of my photography collection at Jeweledfrogs Flicker.  The process as I described in the short blurb, was a simple one and took me all of about 5 minutes.  Just positioning the image and creating the correct color and layering technique.  I wanted it to look like a memory or a clip of film caught in between frames.  The finial touch was the poem (one I composed myself)  showing up behind the two images.  This image of the woman meant  a lot to me due to the little dog.  It reminded me so much of my little terrier. 

I want to convey to you readers the importance of standing in your own truth.  Believing in your selves as creators and artist.  This image never did receive much interest when I posted it on my blog  but I knew that it had the quality that the editors at Somerset Digital Studio where looking for.  I watched the magazine and looked at the talent and made notes and then came home and applied what I had seen.  I want to encourage you all to submit your work to your favorite publication. Be vigilant and observe the trends, improve you skills and push yourselves.  You never know.  Thank you Digital Studio for all you have done for one artist.  

To get your copy of my design you can head over to the Frogs Attic on Etsy
or visit me here at Jeweled Frogs Zazzle Store  for anything from posters to ipad covers.

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Finished my sweater and have been making buttons!!

Seed Stitch

Little Christopher Caps

A simple twist of the thread and a purl here and there and suddenly you have a cable knit cap for a little boy.



 
Here is how to make a cable stitch!

Cast on Electric Blue

If you follow me on my other blog Jeweled Frog Creations, you will have been awair that I have lost my computer to age (fear not I am getting it repaired) But I have had to busy my self in other directions instead of relaying on my digital art.  In the coarse of this period I have been drawn back to my meditations and have offerd a giveaway on the Jeweled Frog Creations, It will be ending in a week so hurry and sign up by leaving and following my blog.

But for all you yarn lovers here is my latest creation that I am working on.

A true delight this book.  Simple designs that you can take and put your own twist on.  I love it and who is it by well Interweave of coarse.

I am creating this pattern here.

But useing this great yarn 


With little flicks of gold this is knitting up to be great!

Casting on Norwegian Style

Ever knitted a pair of socks and then went to slip them on and they be tight at the cast on?  Well no more this is a great way to cast on and have some fantastic stretch.  

Knitting Left Handed

I am always unsure when I post things because everyone has their own style.  But I believe you have to start some place.  Here is what I learned from a very nice German woman who visited one year.  She spoke no English but as you can see she passed on quite a tip with no trouble communicating. 

Working on some socks for my 10yr old. I am using a waffle pattern to add loft and warmth. It is a simple repeat 6 +2 for a small waffle. Knit one, slide one on cable needle and hold to the back, knit 2 knit the one from cable needle, slide two on to cable needle hold in front, knit one, knit the two from cable needle. Next two rows are knit. Third row knit one place two on cable needle hold to front knit one knit two from cable needle. Place one on cable needle hold to back knit two knit one from cable needle knit one knit two rounds.