No-go mojo and a sneak peek

Even though my knitting mojo was a no-go for a few weeks, I did manage some relatively mindless knitting making more scrubbies.I love the top one but dealing with two balls of this scratchy yarn in one row was too much for my hands.  All were made with Red Heart Sparkle Scrubby yarn.

So all the others were two or three color blocks.  Much more interesting than a solid color.  They do hold up well and the best part is they dry quickly.

Craftsy was hosting a week-long series of Valentine crafts and I decided to make a heart-shaped scrubbie.  The pattern is free but you might have to sign up to get it.

My mods were to stop increasing after 36 stitches (34 rows), straight knitting for 10 rows then follow the instructions for the decreases.  It is just too cute for dishes!

I also signed up for the fourth season on The Handmade Sock Society and already have the first sock started.  More on that later this week.

While waiting for the first sock pattern, I decided to sort through all my yarn stash for something suitable.  I found some DK weight yarn leftover from the cowl I knit for my grandson that was enough for the Twist Again Shawl from the Deep Fall 2014 issue of Knitty.

Here’s a sneak peek of the finished shawl.

How is your crafting coming along so far this year?

Patti

Mask holder

This idea is not mine but I’m so happy that someone else came up with it and is offering the FREE pattern.  Lorraine of ikatbag.com fame designed this wonderful Airplane Bag pattern for a bag for airline travel. She has some incredible patterns on her website, some free and some for sale.  Her instructions are great, too!  Granted, I did not follow the instructions as written but adapted her pattern for my own use.  I do plan on making a few of these for family members if and when they decide to fly again. Did I mention the pattern is FREE?!

My bag is a simple version with no extra pockets, secure tie, carabiner slots, or magnetic snap closure.

I used a sturdy cotton fabric (in my fabric stash for 30-35 years!) for the exterior, satiny smooth fabric for the interior, grosgrain ribbon for the hanging loops, and leftover plastic cord from my upholstery projects.  Plus two magnetic hooks to attach the bag to the metal door.face mask holder

The plastic cording used in welting on cushions is pliable but stiff enough to keep the bag open whether full or empty.

The bag is the perfect size for our collection of face masks.

We keep it attached to the metal door that leads out into our garage so we can grab a face mask when we go out the door.

I never thought I’d ask this but where do you keep your face masks?Patti

 

Two pair

Two pairs of socks.  Done.

The first pair is from Helen Stewart’s Handmade Sock Society season 3: Luminary.  It’s the first sock pattern that was issued in February 2020  I got a late start and cast on the stitches on April 21, 2020.  At that point, the third pattern had just been released.

Using Knit Picks Stroll in the Inverness colorway and US #1 (2.25mm) needles, I managed to complete these socks on July 11.  Three months is a long time for me to knit a pair of socks.

But here they are in all their glory.Finished pair Luminary socks

I love the texture and the color.  I just might keep these for myself!texture of Luminary sock leg

The second finished sock pair was a long time on the needles.  I cast on these in March 2019 when I needed something to occupy my time while I was waiting to do something.  I don’t remember what that was, but the distraction was important at the time.

Finished on July 28, 2020.  Seventeen months in the making.

The Twilight Socks is from Melissa Morgan-Oakes book, 2-at-a-time Socks.  My daughter-in-law gave this book to me in 2018 when I expressed a curiosity for knitting two socks at a time.  I didn’t have the required circular needle size (US #1 or 2.5 mm) so I just used my old stand-by: double point needles.  Then I switched to a mini Chia Goo 9-inch circular needle.  And I knit them one-at-a-time.Twighlight socks finished

I didn’t think I’ve mentioned these socks before.  The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll in the Fedora colorway that is no longer available.  It’s a rich chocolaty brown that I cannot truly capture.Knit Picks Stroll Fedora Twilight fedora socks texture

It’s a simple knit-purl texture similar to a waffle weave that will keep one’s feet and legs very warm.

This pair may or may not be gifted.

I could be more productive with everything (knitting, laundry, cleaning, etc.) if I wasn’t addicted to the Matchington Mansion game I play on my iPad.  I even put a time limit on how long I play in one day but I can bypass it so it’s not really helping.  I really need to step away from the game.

What keeps you from being productive?

Patti

Gifted socks

My Birthday Wishes friend, Leah, had a birthday last weekend.Cliff Walk socks finished

We don’t exchange gifts that often but the Cliff Walk socks were perfect for her.  The colors were perfect and the size was perfect so these socks were the perfect gift for her!Stitch count and care instructions

When I didn’t have a color of yarn I wanted to use already in my stash, I hand-dyed the yarn myself.Thank you card

With temperatures in the 90s, she will have to wait a few months to wear them!

Patti