He creates and builds wonderful things with his hands and his mind! Today, with a little help from me he created a tool, only a boy could want.. a bug net!

He came . . . → Read More: Finished Friday: Where the young people show me how it’s done!]]> My middle son may not be into the academics, he may balk at spelling, and downright muddle through math, but is that boy ever cratfy!

He creates and builds wonderful things with his hands and his mind! Today, with a little help from me he created a tool, only a boy could want.. a bug net!

He came up with the idea, gathered the materials and sewed it together..

And voila! Here it is..

Now this last few weeks have been pretty slow for me in the project dept. so here is one of my young friends to show me how it is done.. We had hat day on Wednesday at our church’s Kids club and so Camilla whipped up a hat..

Quite good for a last minute project! She rocks the needle and thread..

Now I have to confess that I have gotten something done this week. I finished the reverse appliqué for the front of the Alabama Stitch Book style corset I am working on.  

The next step is to seam it together.  I have to decide whether or not to hand stitch it, or to machine stitch it. Stay true to the style, or speed it up.. haven’t decided yet. I am also thinking I need another half flower over there on the left edge.. And I have to decide what to do on the back! ai aiai!

Take two t shirts with stains and voila make something nice out of them rather than throwing them out!

(I had a little help)

Next up is a reverse appliqué . . . → Read More: Finished Friday! Lots to show!]]> Let’s see.. as promised yesterday I will show you the shirt I did. This is my first project from the Alabama Stitch Book and I like it!!

Take two t shirts with stains and voila make something nice out of them rather than throwing them out!

(I had a little help)

Next up is a reverse appliqué corset top from the book. Here is my test piece for that..

Quite fetching I think! Hoping that it will look this good on the shirt!

Here is is with the stencils painted up and drying..

I hope they don’t end up looking like jelly fish.. I am sure they won’t!

And to top it all off I finished a little hat for my neice!! And after a bit of tweaking the pattern will be available in my shop. Sorry loom knitters this one is for needles..

As we were leaving we came across a knit hat lying . . . → Read More: Found on the Street]]> Last night Brian and I went to the opening event at  new Office Space Coworking  site in down town Canton. It’s nice! If you are a person who works at home or needs office digs in the downtown area then this place is for you!

As we were leaving we came across a knit hat lying on the street.

I surmised, and Brian agreed, that it was a loom knit hat. Minutes before, I had seen a woman walk by pulling a suitcase behind her.  I think that she dropped it I also think she was homeless. When we turned the corner she was far off, farther than earshot. So we put it up there on the post. Perhaps she will find it, or someone else who needs it will find it.

All in all a cool little find! Of all people to come across it, go figure!

It was cast off on Wednesday night! I have a few little ends to weave in and such but other than that it is finished!

. . . → Read More: Finished Friday! A baby blanket!]]> Ok details details! The blanket is a little 26×26 baby blanket for a friend’s new addition! It was also my Olympic Knitting though I missed finishing it by a couple days.

It was cast off on Wednesday night! I have a few little ends to weave in and such but other than that it is finished!

It is the log cabin pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting. Easy peasy!! I had started another blanket in other colors but they were vetoed as not being baby boy colors.. but hey they go well with my couch so I might just make a full size blanket!

Next on my list, and already cast on I am reviewing and tweeking the pattern for my O’Reilly hat. It is a needle knit pattern and I am hoping to have it  tweeked  and available next week! Then I might even tackle working out larger sizes for it!

After that what do you think? A tutorial for making log cabin squares on the knitting loom? The only problem with that is if you do it like I did you need a BIG loom.. but if you make individual squares for a ‘quilt’ like blanket.. that could work! We’ll see!

For now, I goofed off at the sewing machine this afternoon, and this is what resulted:

I . . . → Read More: Finished Friday: The Sewing Machine Cooperates..]]> Well, I am NEARLY finished with my latest knitting board project which will be produced into a pattern for my shop. I should have a sneak peek for you early next week, perhaps Tuesday with a little free pattern too!

For now, I goofed off at the sewing machine this afternoon, and this is what resulted:

I think that the sewing machine and I have finally come to an understanding. I want it to work well for me, and it in turn is!

This little toy is going to be dropped at an undisclosed location, as a Toy Society toy drop. This is my fourth toy drop.  So far, even though I only know of one toy being found for sure, it’s been fun!

I enjoy making these little toys, it gets me and my sewing machine and I cooperating and hopefully brings a little joy to someone out there!

My bling ring arrived! A little giftie from Denise Litchfield for  my participation in the Stitching Up the NGA project!

There are more photos being added daily on the National Gallery of Australia’s flickr account! You should check them out!

Also.. in case you have been sitting around wondering just . . . → Read More: Fun Friday! Since Nothing is Finished!]]> I got a package today from Australia!!!

My bling ring arrived! A little giftie from Denise Litchfield for  my participation in the Stitching Up the NGA project!

There are more photos being added daily on the National Gallery of Australia’s flickr account! You should check them out!

Also.. in case you have been sitting around wondering just why I needed a drill or a knitting project, here is the work in progress:

Don’t try this at home kids! It’s tough, slow tedious knitting! But I hope in the end it will be worth it. (and usable for that matter!)

Time to start deep cleaning the house after 9 months . . . → Read More: Finished Friday: Last Day of the Home School Year!]]>

Time to start deep cleaning the house after 9 months of neglect!

It grew a bit in the blocking, but not so much that it is horrible.

The specs:

Pattern: Basic Chic Hoodie from Chic Knits Size Medium.

Yarn: Loop d’ Loop Moss, in color Brown. 9 balls used.

Needles: Size 7 various used.. Addi circs, and bamboo DPN’s

Got the . . . → Read More: Sunday Sweater Update! Finis!]]> Here it is all finished with the buttons and everything.

It grew a bit in the blocking, but not so much that it is horrible.

The specs:

Pattern: Basic Chic Hoodie from Chic Knits Size Medium.

Yarn: Loop d’ Loop Moss, in color Brown. 9 balls used.

Needles: Size 7 various used.. Addi circs, and bamboo DPN’s

Got the yarn at Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers in Hudson Ohio

(Most of it was the free yarn I won in the hat contest)

I followed the pattern to the T with the only exception being the length of the sleeves, being that I have short arms and all.

Great pattern. Easy to follow, well written. This is going to be a great daily wear sweater, I just hope the yarn doesn’t pill..however I fear it will a bit as it is soft soft soft!

I have one ball of the yarn left over.. if you want it let me know! Again it is Loop d’ Loop Moss color 02 dye lot 6373 enough there to make a nice baby hat or a pair of fingerless gloves or something… this stuff seems to go really far!!

This means the cupboard gets bare faster, and so on occasion meal time is an exercise in creative desperation!

Today was one of those days.. and it turned out pretty well!

What I did:

I . . . → Read More: How About a Foodie Friday? Desperate Lunches..]]> I have figured that with a family of 6 I have about 33% more laundry/cooking/cleaning etc than the average family in my circle of friends.

This means the cupboard gets bare faster, and so on occasion meal time is an exercise in creative desperation!

Today was one of those days.. and it turned out pretty well!

What I did:

I took the 3/4 pound of ground beef I had in the freezer and browned it.

While doing that I threw in a bunch of frozen broccoli, in my 9×11 glass pan and cooked it up in the microwave.

I sliced in some Hillshire Farms summer sausage into the ground beef to heat along with it.

Diced half a tomato.

When the broccoli was cooked, I pulled it out, tossed on some shredded cheddar, and the diced tomato.

Cooked that in the microwave for another minute.

Pulled that out, topped it with the meat, and more cheese and popped it under the broiler till it was nice and gooey and melty..

YUM!

The thing that would take it over the top would be a couple slices of bacon fried up crisply and crumbled over the top!

Azia also suggested mushrooms might have been good in it as well. Jaxom an Brian suggested that more of it would have been good too…

Hey, it’s good, it’s fast, its yummy and Gluten FREE!!

MMMMM MMMM!

Not the best photo, but here she is! That’s two sweaters finished for NaNoSweMo (National Sweater Knitting Month)!! Ok.. so I didn’t start them in November.. but hey.. I did all 4 sleeves in November and a good portion of my sweater.. as well as knitting an entire intricately cabled sock!

That’s pretty good for me!

The . . . → Read More: Finished Object Friday: My Sweater!]]>

Not the best photo, but here she is! That’s two sweaters finished for NaNoSweMo (National Sweater Knitting Month)!! Ok.. so I didn’t start them in November.. but hey.. I did all 4 sleeves in November and a good portion of my sweater.. as well as knitting an entire intricately cabled sock!

That’s pretty good for me!

The Specs:

Pattern: Eyelet Garter Ridge Cardigan by Ewe & I Originals. They don’t have a website as of yet but they are employed at Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers in Hudson Ohio. So you can contact them there if you want your own copy of the pattern!

Yarn: Sean Sheep Armytage, obtained at a sinfully low price from a Canadian Walmart (it is only distributed in Canada) with the help of a nice Canadian Raveler!

Modifications.. none.. absolutely none! I followed the pattern to the T! Though I might knit another tab on the other side so that the button is centered.. thinking about it.. Opinions?

Button: That is the Briar Rose button I purchased at Rhinebeck last year! LOVE IT!

This sweater was so easy to make! It went fast! I love it! It would be very simple to knit up on a knitting loom, provided you have the right gauge and # of pegs, which you should if you have an extra small gauge adjustable loom.

To reality  a slightly different top but I think it looks pretty . . . → Read More: Finished Friday! Blythe Swap!]]> I recently joined a little swap to make items for Blythe Dolls! My swap partner has a  which is a beautiful doll with long wavy pastel green hair! Well I envisioned her as a mermaid, and so the mermaid dress went from sketch:

To reality  a slightly different top but I think it looks pretty good! (btw this is just an image hitting the play button will do nothing!)

Here you see it with my new toy! the Pinnacle Studio 10 program for editing movies! I am so excited to be able to do green screen effects this is one of my first attempts. It’s so easy!!

My swap partner made my doll a cute set using some really super soft handspun yarn!

She likes it!!! ‘Check out my new pad! And my new outfit. Just right for these chilly North East Ohio days!’

I whipped this little hat up for my Blythe doll Claire and thought I would write down what I did so anyone could make it! Keep in mind this is my first attempt at a crochet pattern! This should also fit any American Girl I think as the dimensions of their heads are the same as . . . → Read More: Freebie Friday! Blythe Crocheted Hat]]>

I whipped this little hat up for my Blythe doll Claire and thought I would write down what I did so anyone could make it! Keep in mind this is my first attempt at a crochet pattern! This should also fit any American Girl I think as the dimensions of their heads are the same as Blythe dolls I hear! I actually started out using MK’s Beanie pattern for Pullip dolls and veered in my own direction to end up with a beret!

Materials:

Hook: K

Yarn: Small amount of heavy worsted weight yarn. Sample made with Plymouth Bella Colour in color #16. It only took a very small amount to make the hat I will probably use the rest to make her a matching dress.

Notions: removable stitch marker, tapestry needles.

Abbreviations:

hdc: Half Double Crochet                                                                                                        sc: single crochet

Make a slip knot and work 6 sc into it, pull the slip knot to tighten. Mark beginning of the round!

1. work 2 hdc into each sc (12 stitches)
2. * work 1 hdc, then inc 1* , repeat to end of row
3. *work 2 hdc, then inc 1* , repeat to end of row
4. *work 3 hdc, then inc 1 * , repeat to end of row
5. *work 4 hdc, then inc 1* , repeat to end of row
6. *work 5 hdc , then inc 1* , repeat to end of row
7. Work 2 rounds even in hdc.
8. *work 5 sc, then decrease by 1*, repeat to end of row
9. *work 3 sc, then decrease by 1*, repeat to end of row
10. *work 2 sc then decrease by 1* , repeat to end of row
11. work 1-2 rows in sc as desired for depth.

Break yarn, and weave in the ends!

Show it off on your girl!

You may use this pattern as you will.. make hats for your dolls, sell them whichever! Please do link back to this site if you make hats and have a website or blog! I would appreciate it!!

Technorati Tags: blythe hat,free blythe hat crochet pattern,blythe,free crochet pattern,american girl hat crochet hat pattern

I restarted on Brian’s Sweater! It is slow going I need to get through one repeat of the cables and then I will have a solid picture of . . . → Read More: Nearly Finished Friday!]]> I should be able to finish these up tonight! Which is good, I need to show them off on Tuesday.. and then sell them on Sunday!

I restarted on Brian’s Sweater! It is slow going I need to get through one repeat of the cables and then I will have a solid picture of what I am doing so it will get easier!

And with this weather he will need it soon!

Pattern: Fiddlehead Scarf from a Kit by Morehouse Merino

Yarn: Morehouse Merino laceweight.. also in the kit!

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars size    32″

Notes: I didn’t alter the pattern at all. It was fun to knit, and I could have . . . → Read More: FO Friday…]]> Ok.. well I did finish it on Friday.. just took till today to tell you about it!

Pattern: Fiddlehead Scarf from a Kit by Morehouse Merino

Yarn: Morehouse Merino laceweight.. also in the kit!

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars size    32″

Notes: I didn’t alter the pattern at all. It was fun to knit, and I could have kept going but I decided to stop at 8 fiddle-heads..I still have to block it.. wishing I had blocking wires for this one! Oh well.. pins it will be, but probably not till Monday I wanna wear it tomorrow!

Looks like I will be doing some surprise travelling this week.. tell you about it later!!!

Her name came about by accident, as Brian mis-heard that we where calling her ‘shirty’. I sort of liked the little bit of sci-fi girl Cylon reference.. because of the character Sharon from Battle Star Galactica and so it stuck. I think she looks . . . → Read More: Random ramblings…]]> Allow me to introduce the latest member of my personal design team…. Sharon..

Her name came about by accident, as Brian mis-heard that we where calling her ‘shirty’. I sort of liked the little bit of sci-fi girl Cylon reference.. because of the character Sharon from Battle Star Galactica and so it stuck. I think she looks rather good in my Ballet Top don’t you? She is nearly my double.. if I slim down in the middle that is..

In a little slice of life.. Caleb was REAAAALY thirsty last night…

I am making up my shopping list for the Great Lakes Fiber Festival. I might be accepting a ride there from Kraftie, so I might move the meetup up a bit. We will see. That might be best since Azia can’t go, and I sure don’t want to drive the truck all the way there. And with the record of Brian ALWAYS getting himself hurt or stung or something on show day every year I want him to have the van available. But like I said we will see.. I might just drive myself down and be freeeee! Well List tomorrow… booty on Saturday and then some!

Bop on over to  my Lion Blog to see my latest finished object. I just cast off last night and I think it needs a slight bit of tweaking.

PS. One last note.. I have gotten alot of great comments and feedback on the knit as you go I-cord.. all on the boards and forums.. just in case you havn’t seen the comments link since I switched themes.. it’s up at the top of the posts now!! So please drop me a line!

And one in progress! No SSS here!

Of course I have taken to distracting myelf with other projects you know how . . . → Read More: Progress on the Coriolis socks]]> I have been neglectful in showing the progress on the Coriolis socks! I have one done. Though I need to redo the bind off.

And one in progress! No SSS here!

Of course I have taken to distracting myelf with other projects you know how it goes!

Wife: That’s it, I need to go down and sit at the table to do this!

Husband: Ok.

Wife: (picks up supplies . . . → Read More: Unseamly-A Play in Two Acts]]>  Act One: In the family guest room/office. The husband sits working on the computer at his desk. The wife, stands behind him at a makeshift table made out of a ironing board topped with a blocking board.

Wife: That’s it, I need to go down and sit at the table to do this!

Husband: Ok.

Wife: (picks up supplies and sweater, and starts to leave the room) I’ll likely be dead by morning.. this seaming is going to kill me!

Husband: Oh, well if I don’t hear from you in ten hours I will send in the sheep.

Wife: You better send in a llama, at least it can carry me out!

(the wife exits the room) Fade Out

Intermission.

Act Two: It is 11:30 p.m. The wife is seated at the breakfast room table, bent over weaving in a billion yarn ends in the project she has just finished.The husband enters the room.

Husband: Weaving in the ends eh?

Wife: (mumbles a positive sounding reply, as she has the tapestry needle held between her teeth)

Husband: Hey that’s kind of like adding the comments at the end of your code when you write a program.

Wife: (with a heavy sigh) Yes is is.

Husband: Well, of course when you write code you are really supposed to add the comments as you go along.

Wife: MmmHmmm

Husband: I don’t suppose…

Wife: Yes there are ways to do it as you go along.. I just don’t know how yet. I guess I have some things to learn.

Husband: I guess so (grins)

Fade Out.

Just a little fun. My thumb hurts so I have been taking it easy and just reading the 1884 loom knitting book to the computer. More on that tommorrow I hope!! And hopefully some . . . → Read More: The Washing of the Greens..]]> In honor of St Patrick’s day (yeah I know I am late) I give you the washing of the greens…

Just a little fun. My thumb hurts so I have been taking it easy and just reading the 1884 loom knitting book to the computer. More on that tommorrow I hope!! And hopefully some knitting too!!! 

The booklet is called Learning to Knit on Circle Looms and is published by American School of Needlework. It is 32 pages, full colour and should be awsome.. if I do say so myself!! . . . → Read More: Sneek Peek.. the first!!]]> Well, in celebration of my booklet coming out, I thought I would give you all some sneek peeks of some of the projects!

The booklet is called Learning to Knit on Circle Looms and is published by American School of Needlework. It is 32 pages, full colour and should be awsome.. if I do say so myself!! It should be available at Micheals, Hobby Lobby and other retailers who carry American School of Needlework  booklets. It will also be available through AnniesAttic.com. The projects are all kept at the beginner level with the acception of one. 

There be no holes in those heels matey!! Thanks go to Gail for teaching me the technique and allowing me to make use of it!!

 The reogranization of the school room is nearly complete. I need to clean around my desk. Here is a little montage of the new improved room! Click on it for a bigger view!

The little guys are not so sure about their new gated community..

Well tonight’s swatch is.. well … a hat. And it needs a bit of a do over. It’s not quite what I wanted. so I need to make a little adjustment and try it again.. The contrasting colours are just to show the pattern. And in this case they showed me . . . → Read More: Hattie says ‘Eh?’]]> Gimme the Mickey Mouse Ears back!!

Well tonight’s swatch is.. well … a hat. And it needs a bit of a do over. It’s not quite what I wanted. so I need to make a little adjustment and try it again.. The contrasting colours are just to show the pattern. And in this case they showed me a pattern flaw! How about plain pink this time? Waddya think?

The last two days have had mini swatches. Of ripple stitch.

They are not too bad. I chose the totally wrong yarn for the loomed one. That blue fuzzy yarn is just not the one to use.

I also did some playing around with swatches for a booklet proposal, which I will be putting off till May. There is just not enough time this week to get one together.

I have also done a major overhaul on our school room. The air hockey table is gone..

I will take some pics of the new improved school room tommorow. Off to watch the skating finals!! Go Kimmie! Go Sasha!!

I’ll have to see if I can post it . . . → Read More: Sweater pattern posted!]]> Well my sweater pattern is posted! Check it out!:mrgreen:

I’ll have to see if I can post it here too!

I am writing this blog to promote knitting without needles.. the art of using knitting boards and looms to create knit garments and items. I started knitting with . . . → Read More: Welcome to my knitting without needles blog!]]> Well Here I am trying to start this blog!! I had it started and then I killed it! Then my dear husband fixed it for me so here we go!

I am writing this blog to promote knitting without needles.. the art of using knitting boards and looms to create knit garments and items.
I started knitting with knitting boards and looms nearly a year ago when my husband handed me $300 in mad money! Well a year later I have a hobby that I wouldn’t trade for anything! The money was well spent!

I have made many items, scarves, dishclothes, socks, bags, hats, ponchos etc..
I am now getting ready to cast on the second half of my first sweater!
I have also creating a pattern for a knitting board.
I’m keeping it top secret for now, but I might give you a peek if you are good!!

So exciting things are happening!!
I’ll fill you in as we go along!
Any comments or questions are welcome! I’ll probably have some questions for all those knitters out there.. and loomers~!