Two Things Today

Two things today:

Thing #1: I finished the Cherry Corners Quilt (otherwise named the Perfectly Imperfect Quilt by a friend of mine) late last night! WOOT! Popping in a few thread ends, and then a good wash, then pictures and a listing in my Etsy shop!

Thing #2: I finally took my Etsy shop LIVE!! Knit Knack Patty Shack is ALIVE and RUNNING! Not currently a whole lot listed, but that will change as I build up stock. As always you can request a custom item!

Finishing the Cherry Corners Quilt

Yup! I'm in the home stretch!  It has been quilted and the binding is machine sewn to the front. Now, I'm hand sewing the binding to the back!  Woot!

Things, They Have Changed

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that things were changing. Specifically, the name, but mostly me.

 I have (finally) come to the conclusion that I need to open an Etsy shop. I have never built up stock before, but here lately I have been. It only seems appropriate that the only way to get through my stash of yarn and fabric and jewelry stuff is to make stuff with it and then sell it. That's what most of my summer will be spent doing.

   Currently, there is a quilt in my machine being straight line quilted.

The Cherry Corners Quilt Top

There it is in all its glory as a flimsy (word for quilt top that isn't sewn to anything)! It took me forever to find a backing I liked. But, I did, and am currently quilting it. There will be pics when I am finished!

Things, They Are A Changing

In the process of opening an Etsy store, finishing quilts, and wrangling kids in their summer break. Yup! Things are a changing!

Pinterest is my ADDICTION. . . literally!

I am so serious about that title. I am addicted. And most of the stuff I pin, I actually do. Well, I should say if it ends up in one of my crafty or food boards, I do it. Some of it I can't do right at this moment because of circumstances preventing one thing or the other, but they will be done at some point in my life.

That being said, I really really really really really like Pinterest. The downturn in the economy caused people to turn back to their roots and figure out how to survive on what they already had. It taught a new generation (and some of us older ones) how to literally recycle everything our grimy little hands came into contact with. No, we didn't turn into a generation of non-bathing-pot smoking-hippies (no offense to you if you are one, I was born in the '80s, so different set of peeps), but we did figure out how to live. And how to give our kids the childhoods they never had. We figured out how to make old clothes like new, how make clothes into heirloom blankets and quilts, and how to make dinner out 2 or 3 simple ingredients. My husband even managed to find new inspiration for tattoos, something he was losing passion for fast. And all this happened because our country was running out of money fast!

I learned to sew on a machine. I learned how to make quilts. I learned how to measure an item and sew something for it. I learned how to take clothes apart and make purses and wallets and skirts. I learned, I learned, I learned, and at the end of the day, I learned.

So what's your story for today? Have you found yourself again? Have you found new ways to spice up the old you or old things in your life? Let me know! I wanna share in your joy, too!

Norwegian Purl

Norwegian Purl saved my American butt!

And as funny as that statement is, I'm being extremely serious! I hated all ribbing and seed stitch and any other combo that involved purling. I actually tried to avoid it all costs because I am a continental knitter. This means that I hold my yarn in my left hand. And this is only because I was a crocheter long before I was a knitter.

So, back to Norwegian purling.

This stitch is so simple for me as a continental knitter because I am able to move more quickly through a project and I don't spend so much of my time dreading it. If you hate purling in the traditional method, try the Norwegian Purl, you won't be sorry.

Looking for Something Easy to Knit?

Every knitter/crocheter/sewer (so-err, not sue-err) is always on that constant hunt for the easy pattern to do over and over again without pattern papers laying everywhere and difficult calculations to memorize. Today's post focuses on my love for a knitting project that is so simple I'm currently on my fourth one in the last four weeks. If you are a Raveler the pattern is here: link. If you are anyone else, the pattern is here: link.

In Ravelry, the pattern is notably called A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend. Cute, to the point, and informative. This title tells you what you're knitting and who it should fit. Perfect for me. I have a large head, like the size of a man's head large. And I have LOTS of hair. So finding a hat knitting pattern that will cover my ears is not an easy feat.

During my first attempt I had fallen in love with the Broken Rib version of knitting. It's still as springy as basic ribbing, but it lays a little flatter and a little more open like stockinette. Essentially, it's the perfect mix of stockinette and ribbing. This stitch pattern worked great on this hat. And didn't look bad at all to boot. 1st Boyfriend Hat.

I decided I indeed loved this stitch pattern so much that I would just keep doing it. AND I DID! TWICE MORE! 2nd Boyfriend Hat 3rd Boyfriend Hat And I love it so much, I'm doing it again! 4th Boyfriend Hat

Here's what you need to know:

• Pattern is worked in the round
• A 16" circular OR DPN's OR 2 circulars OR knowledge of working an item flat and then sewing a seam is required. Note that if you use a single circular you will have to have DPN's to do the decreases with. Pattern calls for a US8, but you may change this to suit your needs
• Pattern is worked in Worsted Weight yarn, but can be worked in any weight yarn you so desire
• Pattern calls for 100 cast on stitches, but can be adjusted  by 10 stitches up or down depending on size you are aiming for
• As of this posting, Ravelry reports that this pattern has made it's way into 5,804 projects!

So, my advice to you is to just get it on. If the first one is to big for you, gift it to a man of your choice and lessen the cast on stitches to fit the next recipient (or just keep knitting for men). I stuck with the 100 in my first hat because I used a lighter weight yarn, but shrunk down to 80 stitches for the worsted weight. All of my hats fit my head and my kids' heads and my husband's head. Literally it is one size fits all. I should also tell you that I knit to 6" before the decreases (no exceptions) simply because we all like our ears covered. If that's not your preference, just knit to 5.5" and then decrease.

Until next time, toodles and oodles of noodles!