What I’ve Been Up To….

Revival Blanket

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted. December 2020 to be exact! Whoa! How time flies! I really intended to start posting at the beginning of January 2023. Well…yeah, that didn’t happen! 😣

The photo above is the Revival Square Blanket I recently completed. It took me a LONG time to complete (I started the squares in July of 2020…..😣). If you’re new to my blog, I should let you know, I have a really bad case of “New Project Syndrome”. So the fact that I finished this project at all is pretty AMAZING!

Revival Square

This is what the Revival Square looked like at the beginning. They were really fun to crochet. The colors were so bright and fun! I kept thinking they might be a little TOO bright and fun. Maybe they needed to be toned down a bit.

Revival Square

Just by adding the pale gray color made a HUGE difference to the look of the squares! I’m so in LOVE 💕 with this blanket!

What are you working on right now?

Happy Crafting!

Lori

WIP Wednesday – I’m Not Even Sure How This Happens….

Just so you know, I had NO (as in zero, none, nodda) intention of knitting the knitted version of The Traveling Afghan. I was ONLY going to make the crochet version. As you can see from the above photo, I have completed the first 2 blocks and have started the third block.

Initially, I only intended to knit some of my favorite blocks on smaller needles to make 9″ blocks for my Beat the Winter Blues Afghan WIP.

The first block was designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. It was a basketweave pattern and I thought it would be a really good pattern for the Afghan. I knit the block on size 4 needles and I was able to block it to 9″, but if you let the block “rest”, it settles back to 10″. “It’s okay….it will be fine” I told myself.

Then, along came block#2…. A really pretty block from Nomad Stitches. Since block #1, stitched up a bit on the biggish side, I decided to go down to size 2.5 needles. That should work, right? I mean why gauge swatch? The block itself is a gauge swatch!

Oh! How wrong I could be! Block #2 blocked out at 10″ too! How big would that block have been if I had knit it on the recommended size 9 needles? I think I’m starting to see how my wonky tension affects my knitting! I’m not even sure gauge swatching would have helped with this!

Now, I’m well into knitting block #3 from The Queen Stitch. Anyway, it looks like instead of adding blocks to an existing WIP, I’ve now started a whole, new project!

So far, it’s been fun! We’ll see how well I can keep up with ALL my projects as my knitting/crocheting/crafting time shortens as my workload increases at my job in the garden center (I don’t care how dedicated a crafter you are, there’s less crafting going on when you come home EXHAUSTED from your job!)

Start any new projects lately? How’s your progress on your WIPs?

Happy Knitting & Crocheting!

Loei

FO Friday – The First Three Blocks

The first 3 crochet blocks of The Traveling Afghan are done! This project has been so much fun! I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s not just about crocheting blocks. It’s also about “meeting” different designers/bloggers around the world! Sharing the love for our craft. Whether it’s knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning….all the fiber-related crafts is what draws us all together. We share so much with each other. Patterns, techniques, even bits of our every day lives. We’re a community of fiber enthusiasts! Don’t you just love that?!?!

Here’s the 3 blocks in detail….

Block #1 is a basketweave pattern designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. If crochet is not your thing, Alexandra also designed the first knit block (also a basketweave stitch pattern). The texture of this block is fantastic! Wouldn’t a scarf or neckwarmer be great out of this stitch pattern?!?!

Block #2 is designed by Cecelia Losada of Mamma DIY . This block reminds me of the sun. It was so fun to crochet up!

Block #3 was designed by Wilma Westenberg of Wilmade. V-stitches and Puff Stitches combine to make a Tulip stitch. It’s so pretty! AND. Who doesn’t love tulips?

If you’ve been thinking about making a Traveling Afghan of your own (either knit, crochet, or even both…), it’s really not too late! Only 3 blocks and you’re caught up!

Have you finished any projects this week? What are your knit/crochet plans for the weekend?

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Lori

WIP Wednesday – What I’ve Been Working On

I cannot believe the month of January 2020 is almost gone! What happened?!?! I haven’t checked in quite as often as I had planned, but, I thought I’d give you a little run-down of what I’ve been working on.

The Traveling Afghans. This has been an AMAZING project! Not only have I gotten to crochet blocks for an upcoming afghan (okay, it’s only January, I’ve only gotten to work on 2….), but I’ve gotten to “meet” several designers/bloggers and “hear” their stories about some of my favorite topics….Knitting, Crocheting and YARN! That’s kind of AWESOME!

When I first started this project, I was a little impatient waiting for the blocks to be posted (well, in my defense, it was a NEW project and I was ready to just get with the crocheting….). I had to remember, the Afghan is traveling all around the world to all the designers so they can add their block. I decided I would use the “in between” time to work on some of my WIPs. Then, when a new block comes out, I work on the block. It’s really a good system! I get to work on something new AND get lots of progress on those WIPs!

 

You might remember this sweater. My 2019 version of “I will complete a sweater THIS year”. Yep. It’s still not finished. But. If you notice, the FUN part is finished! I just have to complete the mundane MILES of stockinette, sleeves and then I’m ready to cut that steek! Should be any day now….Maybe I’ll get this done by the end of 2020. Maybe….

I also started another NEW project….The Bernard Houndstooth Scarf. It’s not really my fault, I was spending quite a bit of time on Two of Wands site looking for afghan squares and I fell in LOVE with the simplicity of this scarf. I had some beautiful Pure alpaca (that a friend had given me) that needed a special project. I paired it with some Shawl in a Ball Metallic (that I’ve tried and failed in a couple of other projects…..) and, yep! It makes a perfect project!

My final project is more Afghan blocks. This time I’m knitting SOME of the Traveling Afghans Knit blocks. But. Instead of knitting them for the Traveling Afghan, I’m knitting them for my Beat the Winter Blues Afghan. Sort of knitting something NEW for an old project. I should be knitting from stitch patterns, but, these patterns are all done for me! I do have to knit on size 2.5 needles to get the block down to a 9″ size, but HEY! It works!

How are your old and new projects coming along? Making progress in 2020?

Happy knitting and crocheting!

Lori

 

 

Tunisian Tuesday – Afghan Blocks

I finished 3 Tunisian Afghan blocks over the weekend. I used the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) that I learned in this crash course (from the Make & Do Crew) in all 3 blocks. Isn’t it interesting how different each block looks just by varying the colors and color placement?

The solid grey block just uses one color throughout the entire block. The center grey/ turquoise block changes color on every return pass row (as shown in this tutorial). The charcoal/grey block changes color on every forward pass.

Afghan blocks (or dishcloths for that matter) are such a good way to try out new stitches. It won’t be long now before I have enough blocks to complete that Beat the Winter Blues Afghan WIP.

How are your 2020 projects coming along? Finishing up any WIPs?

Happy Crocheting!

Lori

Stitch Pattern Saturday – Block Challenge #7

 

I guess it was bound to happen at some point….life got REALLY busy for me this week and I didn’t get a Stitch Pattern Block started (actually, I didn’t even get my last week’s Mosaic Tiles block finished….it was really almost impossible to get any knitting in at all!  😦  ). Don’t worry though, I have a cop-out, solution….A Block Challenge! Let’s make this one Gambler’s choice! Knit a block of your choice of Stitch Pattern. OR. Knit an extra block of your favorite Stitch Pattern I’ve posted so far (you can find the Stitch Patterns listed here.). I’ll try to do better next week, but, I have to forewarn you, next week doesn’t look any better…. 😦

Happy Knitting (Do some for me, will ya?!?!)!

Lori

 

Stitch Pattern Sunday – Challenge #6

 

Since we talked about Mosaic Knitting yesterday (this post), I felt it only natural to make the challenge block any Stitch Pattern that uses Slipped Stitches. Whether it’s a single color, two color, texture, let’s see what we can do with slipped stitches! Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Happy Knitting!

Lori

Stitch Pattern Saturday – Mosaic Tiles

Well…..we all knew it was bound to happen…..this week’s Stitch Pattern does not have my “regular” photo. You know, the one that has the instructions all neatly included on the photo. Yeah. This week’s Stitch Pattern’s instruction wouldn’t fit on the photo format. There’s just a LOT of wording in the instructions!  😉 Don’t be scared though, this really is an easy Stitch Pattern….just VERY word-y!

This week’s Stitch Pattern introduces a “new to me” technique. Mosaic Knitting. I have to admit, I’d never even heard of Mosaic Knitting. But. I took the Colorwork Catalyst 5-day mini course to learn more about colorwork. Not only did I learn what I was doing wrong when working Intarsia (who knew my problem was so easy to solve?), but I also learned about Mosaic Knitting. If you’re new to Mosaic Knitting, I also found this video really helpful.

I created this chart for those who want a chart….

The really only tricky thing about Mosaic Knitting, is realizing that each row in the chart is worked twice. You work the chart from right to left, then when you get to the end, you turn and work that same row of the chart back to the beginning. Okay. Let’s get started….

Mosaic Tiles

With your Main Color (MC) Cast-on a multiple of 5 +2 edge sts each side. (for the “Beat the Winter Blues” KAL cast-on 34 sts.)

Set-up rows:

Row 1 & 2: Knit all sts.

Row 3: K2 (edge), purl across to last 2 sts, k2 (edge).

Begin colorwork:

Row 1 (right side): With CC, k2 (edge), *with CC, k2, sl1 purl-wise(MC); across to last 2 sts, k2 CC (edge).

Row 2: With CC, k2 (edge), *with CC yarn in front, sl1 purl-wise(MC), p2; across to last 2 sts, k2 CC (edge).

Rows 3 & 7: with MC, knit all sts.

Rows 4 & 8: K2 (edge), purl across to last 2 sts, k2 (edge)

Row 5: With CC, k2 (edge), with CC, k1, sl1 purl-wise(MC); across to last 2 sts, k2 CC (edge).

Row 6: With CC, k2 (edge), *with CC yarn in front, sl1 purl-wise(MC), p1; across to last 2 sts, k2 CC (edge).

Repeat rows 1 though 8 for pattern.

Knit to 3 rows before desired length (ending with row 8), knit 2 rows (garter), then BO in knit.

I can’t wait to get your feedback on this method and Stitch Pattern!

Happy Knitting!

Lori

 

Stith Pattern Saturday – Garter Ridges

Today’s stitch Pattern is Garter Ridges. Oh! How I LOVE this stitch! It makes a very spongey fabric. A full-size blanket made out of this stitch would be very cozy! Have I convinced you yet to knit this Stitch Pattern? Well….you definitely should!

Garter Ridges

Cast-on any number of sts (for the “Beat the Winter Blues” KAL,  cast-on 34 sts)

Row 1 (right side), 3, 4 and 6: Knit all sts

Rows 2 and 5: Purl all sts.

Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern.

Happy Knitting!

Lori

Stitch Pattern Saturday – Double Fleck Stitch

I really enjoyed the texture of this Stitch Pattern. Once again, a simple 4 row repeat. Easy to memorize. I found out you do need to pay attention to which row you are on (I’m pretty sure I already knew this…..). I made a mistake as to whether I was knitting row 2 or row 4 and threw the whole pattern off. Did I catch it right away? NO. No, I did not! I realized it about 12 rows later. I thought about leaving it. But. I just couldn’t! I took the project off the needles (this always make me feel so brave!  😉  ), ripped back to the mistake and put the needles back in (this always lets me breathe a sigh of relief!). Then , I knit along as if nothing had happened! That’s right! Take THAT knitting mistake!

Double Fleck Stitch

Cast-on a multiple of 6 +4 sts. ( for the “Beat the Winter Blues” KAL, cast-on 34 sts.)

Rows 1 &3 (Right Side): K all sts.

Row 2: P4, *k2, p4; repeat across.

Row 4: P1, *k2, p4; repeat across to last 3 sts, k2, p1.

Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern.

Happy Knitting!

Lori