Machine Knitting

I decided to try doing stranded work on the LK150. I had somewhat mixed results. The first swatch showed me I'm still learning the technique. The tricky bit of trial and error is the keeping the trial going with all of the errors. 

I was pretty sure the tension was too tight so I changed that to prevent the dropped stitches. It got better but it still dropped some stitches. This try was much better. I'll have to keep working at it but I think this might not be the best yarn for this project. It is still fun to try. 

If you want to see what this pattern looks like successfully knit, check out this post over at The Interior of My Brain: A Knitting and Fiber Arts Blog.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

Silver Reed LK150

Knitting Claw Weights

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Metal Spring Clamps

Machine Knitting

I picked up some of this cute yarn at the local big box store to knit a few hats. First, I knit a swatch at what I figured were the right settings on the LK150. I like the resulting fabric so I did some  stich counting, measurements, math, and cast on. 

I used instructions I'd seen on the Machine Knitting Beginners and Returners Circle to make the crown of the hat in four sections.. I only dropped a single section when working. I had failed to load the yarn in the carriage. 

I sewed it up and it came out okay (even after I dropped stitches and had to pick them back up. The only problem was that it was too small. More of a child's size. 

I promptly cast on another one. This time, I dropped stitches, again, and picked them up, again. I guess I need to be more careful when putting the yarn back into the carriage. I haven't sewn the second one up, but I have so many new ideas about crown shaping from this project.

Have you learned any new knitting techniques? Machine knitting, or hand knitting.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)Silver Reed LK150

Knitting Claw Weights

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Metal Spring Clamps

Crochet Crazy

I finally finished my scrappy star blanket!

It's the perfect size to throw on the couch for when you're a little chilled. It is just fabulous. 

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

It has been about a month since my last post about my scrappy 6-Day Crochet Star blanket. 

It has reached a pretty respectable size that might be a good throw blanket for the couch. I don't think I'm quite done, yet. I keep thinking the scrappy version would make a wonderful poncho.

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Machine Knitting

I picked up some of these Red Heart yarns at a discount store. 

I grabbed this bright yellow to make up a hat on the LK150.

While this yarn is a worsted, the content makes it a really stiff yarn. I think I knitted it at too small a gauge. 

I mean, it looks fin here, but this is definitely sized for a baby. I'll give it another go with some adjusted settings. I want it to work. And if it doesn't work? Well, I can always crochet a hat. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook
addi Express Hook

Silver Reed LK150

Knitting Claw Weights

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Crochet Crazy

This is a slow project. Not that it is difficult, or anything. Only that I don't work on it very often. 

I may only add a row or two in a week. I love how the changing color each row makes for a fun change each row and the overall effect is fun. 

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

This is one of the best choose-your-own-adventure projects I've done. Just three more rounds but I don't work on it very often. I wonder if I could make a sweater like this... 

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

I've decided to not just go scrappy with my next 6-Day Crochet Star blanket. 

I've sorted my colors into 20 colors and when it is time to start a new row I grab my hand 20-sided die and roll for the next color. I selected the first couple (the yellow and grays) colors but I'm all about the random colors now. 

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Knitting: Dotted Rays

I think I made it to the final wedge. I know it doesn't look like much all scrunched up like this but I'm not changing my needle. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Knitting: Dotted Rays

Progress is slower. Still fun. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Knitting: Dotted Rays

A couple more wedges completed.

I shifted to working from both balls or yarn so could keep the color changes from narrowing. I really like how it is working up. This is the part where it starts to take a long time to knit each wedge. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Knitting: Dotted Rays

A friend gave me this fun yarn from Knit Picks a few years ago. I was going away for a weekend and wanted a hand project to take along.

I used my winder to make some fresh cakes and picked a color order. 

The pattern I decided to use is Dotted Rays by Stephen West. I find this shawl to be perfect for those times when my hands need something to do but I don't want to really think about it.

I did the first couple wedges in this orange. 

Then, switched to the rainbow yarn at the orange. 

Each color change is a delight. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Yarn Ball Winder

Crochet Crazy: Friday Finish!

It has been a while since I updated on my 6-Day Crochet Star blanket. 

I ended the same way I started: with light gray. It's nice to finish something. I need to see what I have to make a scrappy version of this one. Some of the one's I've seen are simply stunning. 

Pattern: 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

Each round is taking more time now. 

I missed photographing the last light gray round and I wasn't going to frog for a photo. 

I had to grab a bigger project bag to hold it because my medium bag wasn't cutting it any more. 

Still loving this blanket. Are you working on any long-term projects?

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

Another round on the star blanket. This is a great project. I've almost memorized the pattern. Just a few more rounds. 

I think the next one I make will be a different color every row. Because I like to challenge myself. 

I recently discovered darning needles from Clover (affiliate link). If you aren't a fan of threading your yarn needle, I highly recommend these. Super easy to thread and longer than my other darning needles.

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Clover Darning Needle with Latch Hook

Crochet Crazy

This one is coming in a little late today. I forgot all about it until after my workday. 

At any rate, I've been working on my star blanket all week. 

Some days I get a round finished. 

Some days I don't. I think I almost have the pattern down. I'm having fun and it keeps growing. I see more of these in my future. Perhaps with loads of different colors, or self-striping cakes, and even different yarns for some added texture. Stick around to see how it grows. 

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

Crochet Crazy

Last month YouTube fed me some videos about the 6-Day Crochet Star blanket from Betty McKnit. I decided I wanted to make one. I sat down with my copy of the pattern, and the YouTube videos and got stitching. 

I'm using up some yarn I picked up from one of the big box stores. I have a collection of blues and grays that I'll be using for this project. I'll try to post periodically to show you how I'm progressing. 

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag

This and That

The Charming quilt still doesn't have binding.

I picked up more quilts and batting from Quilts for Kids on Saturday.

I stopped by the big box store and picked up some yarn I didn't need but I wanted it anyway.

My next Charming quilt is coming along slowly. Winter weather may have slowed me down. What have you been up to?

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear

Accuquilt Go! - This is the basic kit that I started with. The cutter, one die, and mat.

Accuquilt Ready. Set. Go! - New to Accuquilt and ready to jump into the Accuquilt Go! with both feet? This is the set for you. It includes the 8 Inch Qube and a strip cutter. 

8 Inch Qube - Already have an Accuquilt Go! and just want to add to your collection of dies?

Granny Cardigan

Another two rounds. It is almost big enough to be a sweater! I'll see what it looks like after I get the next row completed. That first green sure isn't messing around. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg 

Knit and Crochet Tools (affiliate links): You can read my post about these tools in this post from December 2018. 

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold needle, needle threader, and stitch markers)RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader
Clear Toiletry Bag