Ladder Scarf

I knitted this cute little ladder scarf one afternoon/evening - it was a fun and quick knit using a dropped stitch which was new to me. Awkward at first but really got the hang of it and now I love doing the drop stitch.

Unfortunately I was just "playing" and grabbed a ball of yarn that I only had one of so the scarf is short, maybe it will work for a child. I'm also not sure of the type of yarn I used since I no longer had the label but I think it is a chenille by Lion Brand. It is soft and warm!

Felted Knit Bowl

I made this felted knit bowl along with the vase that was previously posted from the same yarn.  The bowl looks much better, the vase did not stripe like the bowl did.  Will have to adjust the pattern to fix this next time since I still have more of this type of yarn to use up.

The yarn:  Patons Classic Wool in Rosewood

Felted Knit Vase

I recently made this felted knit vase using Patons Classic Wool in Rosewood. This was my first time using this yarn, it was all they had available locally.  I'm not so crazy about it, I've been spoiled learning to knit with Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride wool.  Still good to try new things!

Felted Mini Totes

These fun little totes knitted up quickly and required me to learn a new technique as the bottoms are square. I learned to pick up stitches!

I think they would make a great little gift bag. I can already see holiday colors and maybe embellishing them with decorative buttons and/or gems. If I start now I might have enough for myself as well as a few to sell since some of my online friends have expressed an interest in my felted knits.

 

I did learn a valuable lesson from this project. I made four bags in total and felted them two at a time, the first two came out great (at least I think so) while the second two were a tad to "fuzzy" and looked worn. What caused the difference in the final result when everything appeared to be the same? The first two were felted in separate pillow cases and the others were felted in separate mesh laundry bags. I tried the laundry bags after spotting them at the dollar store, I remembered reading in a book that this is what the author used. I honestly believe that the bags are better protected in the pillow cases and will be using them from now on, maybe the mesh bags could be used inside one laundry bag - keeping them separate from each other but still protected.

Playing with Yarn

Yes, I'm still playing with yarn and having lots of fun with it. I recently made a drawstring bag and a small bag. The small bag was just made from the left over yarn from my first project, I wanted to make a test piece as I have never felted anything on my own. It was a success!

Feeling confident that I could do this on my own I decided to try a drawstring bag. It required me to knit button holes for the drawstring which was a new technique for me. I think it turned out okay, would have been better without the "fizz". Time to move on and get over the fizz!

Before felting...

After felting ....

My First Felted Knit

So I've been learning to knit, its been a slow process and not something that got my full attention. I have a friend who is teaching me and she's been great. The goal of this project was for me to learn how to knit and how to felt it when it was done. There was no pattern to follow as we were just going with the flow and taking it step by step.

I used Lamb's Pride which is 85% Wool 15% Mohair and the color is Ocean Waves, made by Brown Sheep Company.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome and just love the color, the tropical fizz adds a fun touch. I'm not sure what it is exactly ... to round to be a purse, handles to long to be a basket - hmmmm maybe I'll use it as my new knitting basket.

This was a fun learning experience and can't wait to jump into the next project. My friend and knitting teacher will be on vacation for 5 weeks so I'm flying solo on this next one. I think I'll try a purse or a pillow from the book Felted Knits. I need a simple pattern as I'm not 100% sure what all these abbreviation mean yet. Wish me luck!

Something New

Yes, I'm learning something new ... I'm learning to knit.

A friend of mine makes these wonderful creations, she knits and then felts them. Honestly I had no idea what felting was until she opened my eyes. I always thought felted items were just cut and stitched from pieces of felt you got at the craft store. I had no idea how much work goes into something like this - amazing!

I think I was supposed to be making a chick for Easter but I haven't had my second lesson yet so I've just keep on knitting and probably have gone beyond what was needed for the chick. I still kinda feel like I'm "all thumbs" but after a few rows I can usually get a good rhythm going.

Stay tuned for my knitting adventures ...

:)