Tuesday, October 31, 2017

On My Hook: Icicles & Puffs

 
 
 
 
First of all, Happy Halloween to those of you who celebrate it!
 
We do not celebrate it here, but as an English teacher I try to bring other cultures and their traditions closer to my students, so Halloween is joyfully expected and as merrily celebrated in an ESL classroom. Needless to say we had tremendously interesting and funny classes today.
 
 
At home, I have my hook inserted into this nice scarf for which I combined both the icicle and the puff stitch. It is coming up nicely, although the colors are much more vibrant and beautiful in reality. This is not one of my usual, comfort color choices, but I've been challenging myself to work with more of such that are out of my comfort zone and I like it so far. 


 
 
Come back tomorrow because we are having a chart reading again!

Monday, October 30, 2017

Insta Love: Misha & Puff





 
Misha & Puff.

Why, I had to force myself to close my mouth and stop drooling when I saw these beautiful knit kids' clothes!
I am sure you too will not resist the beautiful vintage inspired clothes wonderfully presented by these little, adorable models :)




Misha and Puff was founded in 2011 by Anna Wallack after her baby son spent his first New England winter keeping warm and cozy while swaddled head-to-toe in knits she had made. Drawing on over ten years experience as a stylist, as well as personal understanding of what works well for little ones, they have created a collection that is special yet unfussy, a way to share their love of the thoughtfully designed and handcrafted. 

Each Misha and Puff piece is lovingly hand knit in Peru by talented knitting ladies. The knitting work that they do for Misha and Puff either from their home or at M&P's knitting center (which provides day care and meals) allows them to support their families.  

"We have grown to think of this work we do together as a true collaboration. Their talent never ceases to amaze.  Each knitter takes great pride in the pieces she chooses to knit. You will find her name on the hang tag.  When you purchase items from Misha and Puff you are contributing to this collaboration.  Families working together to benefit everyone."

I wish I had these for my kids when they were babies!


 






Friday, October 27, 2017

Crochet Bohemian Scarf - free pattern







Ladies, sharpen your hooks. The weekend is upon us and this is a wonderful project to tackle. This surely makes a great Christmas gift you'd want to give a try.

Supplies:


 
* 5 skeins of different color and size of yarn (I know there are only 4 in the pictures, but I used 5) ranging from sport to chunky yarn
 

* relevant hooks - I used 2 sizes: 7.00 & 3.00 mm
 
Optional: if you want to recreate the looks of my boho scarf, you will need all kinds of different ribbons. I used crochet, lace and sateen ribbons to decorate the fringed edging with the coral/burgundy scarf and also to weave through the blue/beige scarf.
 
To make this scarf we are going to use the Larksfoot / Icicle Stitch. The pattern uses multiples of 4.
 
Measurements of the tutorial scarf: 52.4"/133 cm in length and 7.9" / 20 cm in width.
 
Length of fringes: 6.7" / 17 cm.
 
Important: change color for each new row.
 
Pattern:
Foundation: ch 181
Row 1:dc in 4th st from hook (makes the 2nd dc), then 1dc, ch1, sk1, 3dc. Leave a long tail - do this for every row.
 
 
 
Row 2: {insert new yarn} repeat row 1.
To start it, ch 3 (counts as the 1st dc) and 2 dc in the next 2 sts.  Continue making these sets of 3 dcs.
 

 
Row 3: {insert new yarn}
Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + 1 ch), sk 1, 1dc (over the 3rd dc in the row below), 1 elongated dc (encompassing the space of this and the row below it), 1 dc in the next stitch. This is the pattern for this row.
 


 
ended row 3 by making the first dc of the larksfoot stitch (look closely at the picture). So whatever stitch number you choose (for the foundation) do not get confused if it ends differently (and it certainly will) – you just follow the pattern and be fine wherever it ends.

Mind the next row, though.
 
 
 
 
 
Row 4: repeat row 2 (mind how you finished). As you can see from the picture, I chained 4 and repeated row 2 across.



 
 
 
 
 
Row 5: repeat row 3
 
The repetition of rows 2 and 3 as well as the different yarn sizes makes this scarf greatly textured and appealing.
 

 
 
When you finish the scarf you are left with long tails. Now, you can weave these or tie ones next to one another together because we are going to make fringes which are going to cover these.
 
Add fringes of the same color as in the row, so the edging comes natural.
 

You can leave the scarf with the fringes only or add a bit of glam to it. Cut, place and pin to your own liking the arrangement of ribbons. Using a sewing thread and needle, secure these ribbons by sewing them onto the edge of the scarf. For the blue scarf I weaved the ribbons through.


 
Add bohemian pom-poms. Tutorial for them here.

 
Enjoy your new bohemian scarf!
 
 The downloadable, compressed copy for this pattern is available on etsy.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

13 Free Halloween Crochet Patterns

 


Halloween is less than a bat away and if you are inclined to decorate your place the Trick or Treat Way, I've compiled a nice skelection  of boofastic Halloween patterns. Hope you find something to suit your broom!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Have a Frankentastic time!
 

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Create an Unforgettable Fall Picnic

 
 Images via Pinterest
 
Autumn in all its beautiful and warm colors paints the perfect scenery for a fall picnic.
 
Chose a place where you will create a romantic and unforgettable day out.
Take warm wooly blankets (and pillows) if you plan to sit on the ground. Fill a wicker basket with a thermos filled with your preferred drink (tea / coffee) and cups, or a bottle of white wine and glasses.
 
A platter to tickle the palates: cheese, bread, crackers, olives and seasonal fruit (grapes, apples, walnuts), maybe marmalade or honey for those with a sweet tooth.
 
Spice it up with a good book and good music.
 
 
Via Hither and Thither
 
 
Via Pinterest
 
 
 This post was originally created for TLT.