Chunky Funky Hat and Scarf

I was given 2 skeins of Noro Oimochan Multi, color #4. This was the thickest yarn I had ever seen. It looks like dreadlocks. I kept staring at this yarn.... loving it but not knowing what to do with it. I searched Ravelry for what seemed like hours looking for what this yarn was meant to be. I finally settled on a slouchy hat. I used this pattern.
It was a really easy pattern and because the yarn was so thick, it knit up in just a few hours. I used the leftover yarn to make a thin scarf.

Now I just need winter to hurry up... heck, I'd take fall right now if I could get it. It's going to be 94* here today. Maybe if I keep knitting winter wear, cool weather will show up. It's worth a try!

Huck Lace Shawl Attempt

I recently tried my hand at knitting with lace weight yarn.

This is lace weight yarn. It's only slightly thicker then sewing thread. I wanted to make a delicate shawl as a Christmas gift. I tried the "Huck Lace Shawl" from the Morehouse Farm, Merino Knits book. I used a size 5 needle. It took me a bit to get the hang of knitting with such thin yarn. I made lots of mistakes... some noticeable and some I could only see if I looked for them. I was determined to keep knitting despite all of the mistakes. I had made pretty good progress.

The lace pattern was looking really nice and it got easier and easier to knit with the thin yarn. I was feeling pretty good.... then I snagged the yarn. A long piece of yarn from the bottom edge of the shawl was pulled out three inches long. No big deal, I thought... I'll just gently tug the shawl each way until that loop of yarn goes back into place.

"SNAP" Lesson learned: Lace weight yarn is really delicate and breaks really easily.

So, because of my many mistakes I had already made while knitting the shawl and now the snapped yarn and unraveling bottom, I decided to frog it (unravel it). So now my ball of Grignasco Regina "Merino Fine", color 431 is back in a ball, just as it started. I guess that's the great thing about knitting. If you make a mistake or it's not turning out how you thought it would, just unravel it. The only thing you've wasted is time but I enjoy my time knitting so even my time wasn't "wasted".

I think I'll give this shawl another try in a few months but I'll knit it for myself so there's no time deadline and no stress about the mistakes I make.

Rainbow Brite Mittens

Does anyone remember Rainbow Brite? As a child of the 80's, I loved Rainbow Brite. I'm pretty sure my love off all things rainbow is due to having loved Rainbow Brite. I love organizing things by rainbow order. I worked in a small country store in college and on slow days would organize the candles in rainbow order.

You can imagine my excitement when I came across this yarn in the clearance bin at my local yarn shop. It's Mochi Plus, Crystal Palace Yarns. Color 551, 80% Merino, 20% Nylon. I bought the 2 skeins that were left and decided to make myself some colorful mittens.

This yarn is so soft and fun to knit with. The colors are so saturated and blend so smoothly from one to the next that I kept watching the yarn as I knit, waiting for the next color to start.

I used the "Easy Mittens" pattern from One Skein Wonders. I changed the pattern a bit by making cuffs of 2x2 rib instead of a rolled cuff. I also knit 16 rounds with each thumb instead of 14 rows to leave room for my fingernails so they wouldn't rub the end of the mitten. I loved this pattern and will certainly use it again. It was very easy to knit and I am happy with the shape of the mitten.

I had to join a second ball of yarn on the second mitten but I don't mind the jump from green to yellow because it's still in order. The first mitten also has a lot of yellow in the finger area and it went back into orange instead of going to green which kinda bugs me but I'll try to get over it.

I think these mittens will brighten any dreary winter day!

A giveaway! {Die cut business cards from UPrinting}

Do you have something that you would like to promote? Your business? Your blog? Your ministry? Or maybe would you just like something quick and easy to hand to people when you want to give them contact information.

If you said yes to any of those questions then would you like to be able to fulfil that need in a special, one of a kind way?

 Would you like some business cards that are unique, stand out and make people look twice at them?

If so, check these out!
                  
UPrinting makes die cut business cards in a number of shapes.. Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side and Circle.Square and slim cards are other possibilities. Check out all the options! Much more interesting than plain rectangular cards. They attract way more attention too!

 Would you like to win some?

One reader will win 250 die cut business cards.

The cards are available in full color on both sides if you want or you can have the back be blank or black.

You can get them in gloss, matte or high gloss or 14 pt cardstock or on 13 pt cardstock, uncoated.

How to win....

1st entry: Leave a comment telling me your favorite way of marketing your business or your blog OR tell me what sort of marketing (advertising) you notice and pay attention too. What has made you want to buy something?

An additional entry is allowed for those that follow my blog via google friend connect, e-mail subscription or a blog reader. Please leave a second comment telling my how you subscribe to my blog.

UPrinting is limiting this giveaway to US residents ages 18 and over. Please make sure to leave contact information (e-mail or blog address)

Full disclosure: I will be receiving 250 die cut business cards as a thank you for hosting this giveaway.

The first person to make a comment Wins!!


                   

A giveaway! {Die cut business cards from UPrinting}

Do you have something that you would like to promote? Your business? Your blog? Your ministry? Or maybe would you just like something quick and easy to hand to people when you want to give them contact information.

If you said yes to any of those questions then would you like to be able to fulfil that need in a special, one of a kind way?

 Would you like some business cards that are unique, stand out and make people look twice at them?

If so, check these out!
                  
UPrinting makes die cut business cards in a number of shapes.. Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side and Circle.Square and slim cards are other possibilities. Check out all the options! Much more interesting than plain rectangular cards. They attract way more attention too!

 Would you like to win some?

One reader will win 250 die cut business cards.

The cards are available in full color on both sides if you want or you can have the back be blank or black.

You can get them in gloss, matte or high gloss or 14 pt cardstock or on 13 pt cardstock, uncoated.

How to win....

1st entry: Leave a comment telling me your favorite way of marketing your business or your blog OR tell me what sort of marketing (advertising) you notice and pay attention too. What has made you want to buy something?

An additional entry is allowed for those that follow my blog via google friend connect, e-mail subscription or a blog reader. Please leave a second comment telling my how you subscribe to my blog.

UPrinting is limiting this giveaway to US residents ages 18 and over. Please make sure to leave contact information (e-mail or blog address)

Full disclosure: I will be receiving 250 die cut business cards as a thank you for hosting this giveaway.

The first person to make a comment Wins!!