2013: Tackle the UFO's!

Happy New Year Everyone. I am working on sewing, knitting and needlepoint projects...all at the same time!

Slipper Crazy!

I have gone from socks to slippers! I love this pattern for slippers that look like mukluks! It is by Knitting Pure and Simple. Very fun to knit.

My Grand Daughter Evelyn as Audrey Hepburn

Sock Crazy

I have been knitting socks like crazy this summer. It has been far too hot to knit big projects and we have been traveling a lot, so socks are the perfect project. I have also been working on my charity knitting and a bit of sewing and quilting. Unfortunately, my pain issues don't allow me to do as much as I would like, but I enjoy what I can. Can't wait for Fall!

Colorful socks

The weather has been hot here so small projects are in order! As a break from charity knitting, I am working on these socks made with Plymouth Zino sock yarn.

Finished quilt for Evelyn

This quilt has a kitty theme. The fabrics have either cats or cat words like meow or purr on them. I am happy this one is done. I hated the batting I purchased...live and learn.

Beautiful Easter Girl

Knitting and Quilting and Embroidery Oh My!

I have been knitting and quilting recently. It has been so fun to get back into quilting again. Variety is the spice of life. I am also doing a bit of embroidery.I began with a quilt for my grand daughter.
It is basted and ready to be machine quilted. I am working on a sweater for Evelyn as well, after I just finished making her a bright pink cardigan and a hat.
I can't help but spoil that girl lol!
I also did a pair of peek-a-boo mittens for my daughter.

The Summer of Socks

I recently finished a pair of Malabrigo socks. Just love this yarn. It is a joy.
Also did a pair in Mini Mochi yarn. Loved the colorways...hated the yarn! Splitty and uneven and 3 knots in one skein!! Not good.
(The Malabrigo is in the burgandy shades and the Mini Mochi is in teals).
Now I am on an adventure trying to teach myself to do two magic loop socks at one time, toe up! Yikes!

Evelyn's 3rd Birthday!

She had so much fun. She dressed as Tinkerbell all day!!

Easter Fun and Spring Knitting

We had a fun Easter day with friends and family and our grand daughter Evelyn cleaned up on goodies!
Also went to a family baby shower and gifted several of my knitted items. Now I am working on a spring sweater in hot pink for Evelyn because everything MUST be pink for her theses days!

Yahoo! published my article!

Check out my article on Yahoo!

Karen Spalink http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6104970/the_dog_days.html

The Dog Days - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

Holiday Knitting

Just finished this cropped sweater for my daughter. It was a very pleasant pattern to knit. Free from Lion Brand. Now back to ripping and repairing on the next project which is NOT going as smoothly! lol.

Giant Sweater Happy Dance!

Hallelujah!!! The giant sweater is finally done! I put the buttons on last night! I am doing the knitter's dance of joy!!

My Grand daughter Evelyn the Penguin!

Penguin Costume

Hi, Just finished up a penguin costume for my 2 yr. old grand daughter to wear to a halloween party at the zoo! It is so cute on her. Can't wait to get pictures!
Now it is time to get busy on knitting Christmas gifts. I need more hands!

UFO's Eeeeek!

Well kids, it is time to face it. I am the worst/or best ufo (unfinished objects) collector in America!!! Not only do I have a million unfinished knitted objects, but I have just as many projects of other types in various stages of completion! Everything from jewelry pieces, to scrap-booking, needlework, paintings and who knows what else!
It comes from my endless desire to try something new!! I have to stop being such a spaz and wrap up some of these things before they take over the city!!!

The Giant Sweater!

I have neglected my blog for such a long time! I am currently making a cardigan for my very tall husband. I am using a natural fisherman's wool. I must admit, I am so impatient with large projects like this! I prefer instant gratification! I have to have this sucker done by Christmas..so wish me luck! So far I have competed the back and part of one front panel. Jeesh! LOL. K

Summer Cardigan Baby Vest

I designed this springy vest as just a light little garment for my grand daughter to wear in the air conditioning or on cooler evenings.

Baby Sweater and Booties for Salvation Knitters

Just finished another sweater and a bunch more booties for Salvation Knitters. Will be making another delivery this week! I am so happy to be working with so many talented, generous and fun people!!

Lace Attack

My friend Ed (the star knitter) has been insisting I learn to knit lace. Bugger!! I am attempting a comparatively simple lace pattern for a shawl called Damson. Which is a lovely pattern, by the way. But I got stumped right from the cast on! LOL. So that shows you how bad I am!
I am doing a KAL with my on-line friend Christine on the project. That will help to keep me motivated. Christine also has superior knitting skills. I am surrounded by smarty pants!!
Wish me luck! K

Wanda Wallaby

I had fun making this pattern...mostly due to the fact that I "team-knitted" it with my fun friend Ed. He is my coach for all things knitting! The pattern is very conversational and the pocket is a bit tricky. I am happy I tired it and it fits my grand daughter, Evelyn perfectly-although in the wink of an eye she will out-grow it! LOL. Grandma needs to knit faster!

Charity Knitting is Fun and Rewarding

I am so happy with the positive response to Salvation Knitters; an effort I began to support needy young expectant moms and babies in the Salvation Army Family Services Programs. I have finished a number of baby items myself. What a great way to use up stash yarn and do something meaningful at the same time. drop me a note if you would like to get involved.
P.S. Baby items for charity make great take-a-long projects and they work up quickly!

Montana Mobius

The Montana Mobius is a very nice pattern. It is designed to be used either as a wrap or as a hood. The pattern is available for sale through Ravelry.
It is snowing like mad here in Michigan with gale force winds! Perfect day to stay in and knit!

Pidge, neckwarmer FREE pattern

I had no idea what a “Pidge” was and truly had no idea I was creating one, until I decided to look for similar garments on-line. I discovered that a neck wrap that is like a short scarf and fits snuggly around the neck has a name: “PIGDE”! I don’t know the derivation of the word, nor do I know if I am stepping on anyone’s toes by borrowing the term (although it seems to be a recognized general term). Who knew? Anyway, here is a simple, quick, and much appreciated last minute gift for any man, woman or child on your list. Enjoy. Don’t forget to whip one up for yourself!

NECK-WARMER/PIDGE PATTERN

Materials:
1-2 Skeins Lion Brand Woolease Thick and Quick
Size 13 needles
2 3/4 inch buttons
tapestry needle
Note: length and width of warp may be adjusted to fit. The piece is worked in a 3 stitch rib so cast on enough stitches in multiples of three. This pattern is written for a size large which is suitable for men or for a less snug lady’s size.

Cast on 24 sts.
Work in K3,P3 rib until piece measures approximately 11/2-2 inches shorter than desired finished length.

* K3, P3 * (3 times) Bind off one stitch. K2, bind off one stitch, P2, then continue to work rest of row in rib pattern.

Resume working in rib pattern, cast on one stitch in this row for each stitch cast off in prior row. (this creates the two button holes).

Then continue in pattern until piece measures desired length.

Cast off all stitches in pattern.

Place and sew on buttons.

That is it! Scratch another item off your list!

Waterfall Shawl

Waterfall Shawl
Size 11, 24” circular needles
Yarns:
Yarn A: 2 skeins Lion Brand Homespun in Color 329:Waterfall
Yarn B: 2 skeins Paton’s Twister in Bongo Blue
Yarn C: 2 skeins hobby Lobby Brand, Haute Fur in color: River Iris

Row 1: With one strand each of yarns A & B held together cast on 30 stitches. (this piece is not knit in the round, but worked back and forth on the needle in rows; the circular needle is simply used to accommodate the large number of sts.)
Row 2: K1, M1, K to last 2 sts. M1, K1
Row 3: Knit across
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 6 inches from cast on row. Place marker.
Drop yarn B and then with one strand each of yarns A and C held together repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 4 inches from marker.
Place second marker.
Drop yarn C and with one strand each of yarns A & B held together, repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 3 inches from second marker. Place third marker.
Drop yarn B and add an additional ball of yarn A. with two strands of yarn A held together work s follows:
Row 1: K1, M2, K to last 2 sts., M2, K1
Row 2: Knit
Repeat rows 1 & 2 (6 times)
Drop one strand of yarn A. With one strand each of yarns A & C held together work as follows:
Row 1: K 1, M1, K to last 2 sts., M1, K1
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 & 2 (6 times)
Drop yarn C. With one strand each of yarns A & B held together, repeat rows 1 & 2 (3 times)
Drop yarn B. Add additional ball of yarn A. with two strands of yran A held together, K 8 rows.
Drop one strand of yarn A. With one strand each of yarns A & C held together, K 16 rows.
Bind off all stitches.

Luscious Grapes Wrap

Luscious Grapes- Easy Knit wrap

One size fits most.

Amazing textures and rich lush colors make this wrap a delight to wear. You may make one as a gift, but you’ll wind up wanting one for yourself as well!

Size 9 circular needles
Yarn: 2 balls Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Infusion Kid Mohair in color 614
2 hanks Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Lavender Mix #6283

Cast on 56 sts.

Holding one strand each of yarns a & B together, work in rows in K2, P2 rib until piece measures approximately 11.5-12 inches from cast on. (to make life easy I knit until the ball of yarn A ran out).

Drop yarn A and continue with one strand of yarn B only.
K4, knit across
K4, purl across to last 4 sts., K4
Repeat these two rows 5 times

With next right side row begin K2, P2 rib pattern again and continue for approximately 12 inches ending with a wrong side row.

K4, knit across
K4, purl across to last 4 sts., K4
Repeat these two rows 5 times.

With next right side row, using one strand each of yarn A and yarn B held together, begin K2, P2 rib pattern for approximately 8-9 inches, ending on a wrong side row. On next right side row, (K2, P2) 3 times, bind off next six stitches, then continue in K2, P2 rib to end of row. On next row (K2, P2) 3 times, then add on/cast on 6 stitches to create buttonhole.
Beginning with next row, continue to work in K2, P2 rib for approximately 3-4 inches more (or until yarn A runs out).

Bind off all stitches.

Sew a cool button on to the side of the shawl that does not have the buttonhole.

Cuddle up!

SLIP AND SLIDE SOCKS

Cast on 42(48) stitches
Divide on 3 dpns as follows; needle 1-14(16), needle 2-14(16), needle 3-14(16)
Join and begin knitting in the round.

Cuff/Leg:
Round 1: *K1, SL1pw, P1* repeat around to last st. K1
Round 2: * P1, K1, SL1pw * repeat around to last st. P1
Round 3: * P2,K1,* repeat around
Round 4: *K1,SL1pw,P1 * repeat around
Round 5; P1, k1, * P2, K1* repeat around to last st., P1

Repeat rounds 1-5 until cuff/leg equals desired length; ending with a round 5.

Divide for heel:
Divide from 3 needles to 2. Divide stitches from needle 2 equally placing half the stitches on the back of needle 3 and half the stitches on the back of needle 1. The total number of stitches is now equally divided on two needles. Needle one becomes the heel needle and the other needle will be used later for the instep. For now work only the heel stitches.

Row 1: slip 1 pw, K1, *slip 1kw, KI* repeat across row
Row 2: slip 1 pw, purl across
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until heel measures approx. 2.5 inches. End with a knit row.

Turning the heel:
With the purl side facing you, follow the instructions for each row as follows: (Use the handy row chart to check off your completed rows as you work.)

Sock 1 Sock 2 Row 1-purl first 13(15,17) sts., P2tog, P1, turn
_____ _____ Row 2-slip 1 pw, K5, K2tog TBL, K1, turn
_____ _____ Row 3-slip 1 pw, p6, P2 tog, P1, turn
_____ _____ Row 4-slip1 pw, K7, K2 tog TBL, k1, turn
_____ _____ Row 5-slip1 pw, P5, P2 tog, P1 turn
_____ _____ Row 6-slip 1 pw, K6, K2 tog TBL, K1, turn
_____ _____ Row 7-slip 1 pw, P7, p2 tog, P1, turn
_____ _____ Row 8-slip 1 pw, K8,K2 tog TBL, K1, turn
_____ _____ Row 9-slip 1 pw, p9, P2 tog, P1, turn



Heel gusset:
Back to 3 needles, with right side facing you, Use the heel needle (this will be needle 1) to pick up and knit 11(13,14) stitches along left edge of heel flap (side w/yarn attached)
Then use an empty needle to knit across needle 2.
Use another empty needle, (this will be needle 3) to pick up and knit 11(13,14) stitches down right side of heel flap, then knit 7 stitches from needle 1 onto this same needle.
There are now and equal number of stitches on both needles 1&3 and needle 2 remains unchanged.

On next round, starting with needle 1, begin heel gusset decreases as follows: (decreases are made on needles 1&3)
Sock 1: gusset tally:
Round 1: 1___2___
needle 1- K across to last 3 sts, k2 tog, K1 1___2___
needle 2- knit across all stitches 1___2___
needle 3- K1, K2tog TBL, K to end 1___2___
1___2___
Round 2: 1___2___
Knit across all needles 1___2___
1___2___
repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 11(13, 14) sts. remain
on both needles 1 & 3.

Foot:
knit plain rounds to desired length. Sock 2: gusset tally:
1___2___
Toe: 1___2___
Round 1: 1___2___
Needle 1-k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1 1___2___
Needle 2-K1, k2tog TBL, k to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1 1___2__
Needle 3-K1, K2 tog TBL, knit to end 1___2___
1___2___
Round 2: 1___2___
Knit across each needle. Repeat.

Sock 1: toe tally: Sock 2: Toe tally:
1___2___ 1___2___
1___2___ 1___2___
1___2___ 1___2___
1___2___ 1___2___


Finishing:
A toe is a personal thing!

The toe I like to use is a bit pointy; giving almost a slipper look. If you prefer a rounder toe, simply stop decreases a few rows before the pattern suggests. Use the kitcheneer stitch to sew your remaining stitches together.

If you choose to use my toe shape, just cut your yarn leaving a tail and use a darning needle to thread the tail through the remaining few stitches and pull it tightly and secure.

Turn your sock right-side-out and wear it or give it proudly!

If you have questions or suggestions about this pattern or any of my work, please e-mail me at busyknitting@mac.com.
For more free patterns and knitting information visit my website and blog at: http://web.mac.com/busyknitting/iweb

Peas-In-A-Pod Free Sock Pattern

PEAS-IN-A-POD SOCK PATTERN

Round 1: * K1, P4 * across to last st. K1
Rounds 2 & 3: * K1, P1, K2, P1 * across to last st. K1
Round 4: * K1, P4 * across to last st. K1
Round 5: * K1, P1, K2,, p1 * across to last st. K1
Round 6: K across
Round 7: * K1, P1, K2, P1 * across to last st. K1
Rounds 8& 9: K2, P2, * K3, P2 * across to last 2 sts. K2
Round 10: * K1, P1, K2, P1 * across to last st. K1

Divide for heel: use heel and toe instructions from basic pattern in previous post.