Heatwave

When it's 105 degrees outside I feel like going swimming, I don't feel like knitting. I have made a few more afghan squares, just to be able to say that I did knit something this week.

I like the feel of the bamboo needles I got to replace the old Balenes that broke last week. They feel so pleasant in my hands while knitting that I am sure I'd be knitting up a storm with them if we weren't having such an icky heatwave. I'm sure the toddler agrees, since he grabs the needles at every opportunity. When challenged he shouts, 'Mine!' and tries to make a getaway with his booty. I have yet to meet a little boy who doesn't develop a fascination with knitting needles at first sight. They become drumsticks, swords and archaeology tools in their imaginative hands.

Speaking of imaginations, the person who came up with these little visors made of craft foam is a truly creative person. I would never have thought about turning a child's sun visor into a turtle. The toddler just loves it, and he doesn't even know what a turtle is. We found this at our local Joann's. It's a fine little hat to wear to the pool since water doesn't damage it and most importantly it floats and is easy to retrieve.

I have been admiring some patterns for crocheted afghans. I have no idea why, since afghans are the last thing I want to use in this heat, but I seem to be getting a hankering to crochet one. So, I may begin planning one. Maybe.

I will be making some stitch markers this week, but I won't be able to post pictures of them for a while in order to keep them secret from my swap buddies. Don't you just love surprises?

Too Hot to Knit

It's much too hot to knit with much enthusiasm, but I have made a few more afghan squares. I find this green a very boring color to knit with for some reason, but find the pink more pleasant and interesting. I don't know why. Maybe it's just because I like this particular pink better than than this particular green.

I broke a needle while knitting one of those green squares. While knitting 2 stitches together, my left needle suddenly snapped, leaving 3 shards of Balene stuck in my knitting for me to fish out. I guess after 15 years they start losing some of their flexibility. This has been a bad year for needle breakage-and it isn't over yet!

This heat is making more than just the people wilt, we're having to take extra care to keep the garden in good shape. Some things are showing signs of sunburn and we'll have to give the area a bit more shade in addition to the extra waterings.

The tomatoes seem to be happy with the heat, though. Here you see the first tomatoes from our patio garden. These little darlings came from one cherry tomato plant. That one plant promises to keep us supplied with all the salad tomatoes we can eat for the next few months.

According to the weather report we won't be getting any relief from the heat until Sunday, when the temperature will come down to the 90's, but we can expect a return to triple digits soon after.

Stitch Marker Swap Questionnaire

Yes, I've joined the Stitch Marker Swap. I can't wait to play with beads and wire again, and use up some of my bead stash to boot.

Here are my answers to the questionnaire. I hope my swap buddies find them helpful.


Q. Do you prefer shorter or more dangling type of markers?
A. I don't have a preference.

Q. Is there any kind of markers that you would absolutely NOT want to recieve?
A. Hmmm, I can't think of any kind of stitch marker that could possibly be offensive.

Q. Colors you like most?
A. My favorite colors are in the purple-to-blue range, but I also enjoy jewel tones, the subtle colors of natural materials and fun metallics.

Q. Colors you like least?
A. The decorator colors from the 70's, you know, avocado green, burnt orange, harvest gold and the like; but I have to admit there are times when I enjoy using them, like when I'm doing autumn scrapbook pages.

Q. Would you prefer markers for smaller or larger sized needles?
A. Most of the knitting I do is with worsted weight or finer yarn, so I'd have to say smaller sized markers would be more practical for me.

Q. Do you want your sender to reveal themselves when they've shipped or at a later date? How would you like to find out if at all?
A. I don't really have a preference here either, although I do want to find out eventually. I wouldn't mind waiting until the end of the 3-month swap period for a big reveal on the swap website.

Q. Anything that you like your sender to know that would be helpful for them.
A. I have very eclectic taste and enjoy many different things. I particularly enjoy different ethnic styles. I just love handmade things and will enjoy just about anything you care to make.

Catching Up with BackTack

We've been taking turns coming down with stomach 'flu around here and I have gotten a bit behind on my posts.

I have both sent and received my BackTack packages for round 2.



This is the BackTack project I sent to my buddy in Texas. I made a tote bag using that Simplicity pattern I posted about previously, a pair of apple-shaped pin cushions (pattern here) and a needles and notions pouch.



Here you can see the inside of the pouch stuffed with sample needles and notions. It will hold 10" straight knitting needles, double pointed needles and circular needles as well as measuring devices, snips, tapestry or sewing needles, buttons and other embellishments. It zips all the way around to hold everything securely. I hope my buddy enjoys it!

Here is the notions roll I received from my buddy, isn't it pretty?



What a great little sewing kit, so handy to have around and toss into a tote bag along with whatever project I'm taking with me! Best of all, it's my favorite color, purple. Thank you BackTack Buddy!

Apple Pincushions Pattern

This pattern will make pincushions shaped like an apple half and an apple wedge. I've used acrylic felt to make mine, but they would be cute made in calico too. My half apple measures about 4 inches across, but you can reduce or enlarge the pattern to make a different size. Just remember-the smaller it is, the more difficult it will be to sew together.

Instructions: For each type of cushion, cut 1 flesh piece, 1 skin piece, one seed and 2 leaves.

Pin the flesh and skin pieces wrong sides together aligning the top and bottom points. Sew together using blanket stitch (being careful to ease in the fullness along the outer curve of the skin on the apple half) leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff the cushion firmly and finish sewing until the opening is closed. Position seed and leaves where desired and tack in place.



Click on photo to see full size pattern for printing.

African Knits and New Needles

The hats and scarves are on their way to Kelli and will soon be on their way to an orphanage in Mozambique. Here they are, just before being stuffed into a box for shipping. This is what I managed to get knitted in 2 weeks of spare time, see how fast the chunky yarn and garter stitch work up?

You know, I think it's almost magical the way the internet has made it possible for ordinary people to get together and do something extraordinary, like helping some kids on the other side of the planet. Wow.


See what I found in my mailbox today? My replacement needles for the one that broke while knitting little 2-stitch cables. Brittany no longer makes the victorian style walnut needles, so they sent me a pair of their art deco style birch needles instead. I think they're wonderful! They feel very good in the hands and the simple elegance of the turning is quite lovely. I'm sure to enjoy these needles very much. I have to say, I am most pleased with the Brittany Needle company, they make a quality product and they made good on their guarantee cheerfully and without question. Makes me want to go out and buy more of their needles! (hubby groans and wonders where I'm gonna put even more needles)

EZ Knitted Scarf and Hat

These scarves and hats are so quick and easy to knit I'm tempted to call it an un-pattern. Simple garter stitch rectangles become warm and toasty accessories perfect for charity projects.

Knitted flat with 2 strands of Lion Brand Homespun on size 15 US/10 mm needles, you can play around with leftover yarn to make interesting stripes and color combinations. 2 skeins required to make a set, any size.

Sizes: Small (2 years), Medium (8 years) and Large (teen to adult). Pattern written for small size with changes for medium and large sizes in parenthesis where appropriate.

Gauge: 9 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch (knit every row) using size 15 US/10 mm needles of any style. Also required: large-eyed tapestry needle.

Scarf: Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 12 (12, 15) stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 126 (144, 160) rows. That's 63 (72, 80) ribs.
Bind off. Weave in ends.

Note: To recreate my striping pattern, change the color of one of the strands of yarn every 18 (18, 20) rows or 9 (9,10) ribs.

Hat: Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 30 (36, 40) stitches.
Knit in garter stitch 24 (28, 32) rows or 12 (14, 16) ribs.
Final row: Knit 15 (18, 20) stitches and stop, leaving the stitches on the needles. Cut the yarn, leaving a 24" tail for seaming. Fold the hat right sides together and using a large tapestry needle weave the front and back stitches together using kitchener stitch. Turn hat right-side-out and continue seam along side of hat using mattress stitch. Weave in ends.

Note: To recreate my striping pattern, change the color of one of the strands of yarn every 6 (6, 8) rows or 3 (3, 4) ribs.

Bonus: Toddler Thumbless Mitts
Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 12 stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 20 rows, or 10 ribs.
Row 21: *K2tog, knit 2, K2tog* twice; 8 stitches.
Row 22: Knit
Row 23: *K2tog* across row; 4 stitches.
Row 24: Knit
Cut yarn leaving 14" tail for seaming. Using large tapestry needle, draw yarn through 4 remaining stitches and pull up tightly. Fold sides of mitt together, wrong sides together, and seam using matress stitch. Weave in ends.

Note: I played around with stripe patterns with the mitts using the leftover bits of yarn. I started with dark colors and ended with light colors, but didn't do the same thing twice.

This photo shows the small size set, appropriate for a toddler of 2 years. The colors I used for this set: #368 Montana Sky (darker blue), #391 Blue Sky (light blue) and #300 Hepplewhite (white).

Stripe pattern:
A: 2 strands dark blue.
B: 1 strand dark blue, 1 strand light blue
C: 2 strands light blue
D: 1 strand light blue, 1 strand white


This photo shows the large set, appropriate for a teen or adult. The colors I used for this set: #368 Montana Sky (dark blue), #391 Blue Sky (light blue), #369 Florida Keys Green (dark green) and # 389 Spring Green (light green).

Stripe pattern:
A: 1 strand dark blue, 1 strand light blue
B: 1 strand light blue, 1 strand light green
C: 1 strand light green, 1 strand dark green
D: 1 strand dark green, 1 strand dark blue


The red colorway uses # 375 Candy Apple (dark red), # 370 Coral Gables (light red), and # 300 Hepplewhite (white).

A: 2 strands dark red
B: 1 strand dark red, 1 strand light red
C: 2 strands light red
D: 1 strand light red, 1 strand white

The green colorway uses #369 Florida Keys Green (dark green), # 389 Spring Green (light green) and #300 Hepplewhite (white).

A: 2 strands dark green
B: 1 strand dark green, 1 strand light green
C: 2 strands light green
D: 1 strand light green, 1 strand white