How To: The Magic Knot (Yarn Join) - Easy Tutorial

Snowflakes and Icicles Blanket

Finally finished, the Snowflakes and Icicles Blanket will warm up your coldest nights.  You can make it with any Super Bulky yarn, but I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick.  It is machine washable, so if you have dogs, cats, children or people who act like children, you can maintain it by just throwing in the washing machine.  You will find the pattern on the HOME DECOR tab and the chart on the KNITTING CHARTS page.  Below are some pictures. Enjoy and Happy Knitting.

It's Almost Here - Snowflakes and Icicles

It's going to be just about out of season, but my new Snowflakes and Icicles afghan/blanket is so cozy you can start one for next winter and make a bunch as gifts.  I used Lion Brand Thick & Quick, which keeps changing the colors they offer, so just choose the colors you like the best.  There are only two colors, and it will take about 8 skeins of the main color and 5 of the contrasting color.  Just another day or so and I'll post picture and a brand, new pattern!!!

Bring on Springtime!

Basic roll brim hat with lily applique.  HappySpring!

Happy Easter!

Quick as spring, this little Easter hat knits up quickly for not too chilly Easter days.  Just make the basic roll brim hat, but change up the brim to a feather and lace brim, followed by a stripe of yellow and complete the hat in white.  The daisy is an applique you make separately, and is the same round shape as used on the mouse ear hat.  Then, embroider the daisy with, what else, a daisy stitch!

Cute Little Easter Bunny

This is one of the cutest little Easter Bunnies you ever did see. Thank you Joyful Toys!  And, it is a quick knit 12" toy made with worsted weight yarn.  Go ahead and make a whole fluffle of bunnies! Once you start, you might not be able to stop!

Find the pattern on the new Toys page.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Just in time for some chilly St. Patrick's Day weather (up north though, not here in sunny Florida), is a lovely shamrock themed beanie from the All Kinds of Knitting blog, called the IRELAND RUGBY HAT. I love this hat and what a great website to check out!  The free pattern is a link under the picture and also listed on the Hats page.  Check out the All Kinds of Knitting website. She has lots of fun patterns!

https://allkindsofknitting.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/ireland-rugby-hat/#comment-4359

Vintage Coin Purse

I made several of these crocheted Vintage Coin Purses from Richella Duggan's Ravelry Store.  They are super cute, and easy, even if you are a knitter, not a crocheter.  I love making them in different colors.  They look just like the one I had as a kid.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

See the pattern on the Accessories page.

Air Force Afghan - USAF

Air Force Afghan - USAF

Having received emails requesting this pattern, which was only on Ravelry for a very short time previously, I am re-submitting and re-posting the new and improved pattern for your favorite USAF Airman/Airwoman.  You will find the pattern on the Home Decor page.  Happy Knitting!

Penguins and Snowflakes Baby Blanket

This modern, geometric Penguins and Snowflakes Baby Blanket Pattern is perfect for the Baby to Be (especially if you don't know the gender!)  It's fun to knit with wide garter stitch edges and the pattern in the middle in stockinette. Baby will be cozy, but not hot in super, soft cotton.  Find the pattern on the Home Decor tab.  Enjoy and Happy Knitting!

Top Down Split Neck Raglan Knit Bear Sweater

This is just in time for winter, in case your bear is cold! The pattern is on the Doll Clothes page. I feel very sympathetic to the chilly bear cause, especially considering the current bear hunt that is going on in my lovely state of Florida.  Bears unite!  With these cute sweaters, who would want to hunt you?  I knit mine with Lion Brand Baby Wool: it's machine washable!  The snowflake pattern is very simple and make it kind of a Holiday Bear!  Yay!  You can find the pattern on the Doll Clothes tab.  Enjoy and Happy Knitting!

Best Knitting Educational Site

Knitting Nuances is the best educational knitting site I have found so far.  Just as the name implies, you will find details on knitting specifics like increases, decreases, cast on, cast off and much, much more.  Try it and you'll be inspired to try some of the techniques.  My favorite so far is the new way to kfb (knit front and back).  Instead try knitting back to front.  So simple, it's genius.  I love it!  Enjoy.

My New Jamberry nails

I can knit with them!

Another Great Knitting Blog - Glenna Knits

Not only are her patterns luscious, but her blog is equally well designed.  It's a work of art. I love the flow of this blog and Glenna offers several free patterns.  Her designs are absolutely lovely!  Check out Glenna Knits and let me know what you think.  Happy Knitting!

Knitting Patterns Galore

Under the list of sites for FREE KNITTING PATTERNS is Knitting Patterns Galore.  Unlike Ravelry, all of the patterns on Knitting Patterns Galore are free.  They pull free knitting patterns from all over the internet.  And, it's very easy to search.  It's a simplified database for every knitter.  They have a crochet database, as well, appropriately called Crochet Patterns Galore.  So enjoy and this will be added to my list of Favorite Sites.

1958 Women's Size Charts - Different from Today!

The Botany book I found from yesterday, the one published in 1958 has a really interesting first page.  Check out the women's size charts from this era.  They look nothing like today's size charts. The last time my waist measured 25 inches, I was about a size 2 or 4; definitely not a 12!  Did we all get larger?  Or did they rename the sizes with smaller sounding sizes for women's egos?  I don't know, but it sure is fun!

women's body measurements

Sizes	12	14	16	18	20	40	42	44
		(32)	(34)	(36)	(38)
Bust ..........................................	30 ins.	32 ins.	34 ins.	36 ins.	38 ins.	40 ins.	42 ins.	44 ins.
Waist ........................................	25 ins.	261/2 ins.	28 ins.	30 ins.	32 ins.	34 ins.	36 ins.	38 ins.
Hip (7 ins. below waist) . . . .	33 ins.	35 ins.	37 ins.	39 ins.	41 ins.	43 ins.	45 ins.	47 ins.
men's body measurements
Sizes	36	38	40	42	44
Chest .........................................	36 ins.	38 ins.	40 ins.	42 ins.	44 ins.

Favorite Knitting Blogs

It's time, I think to start coming up with a list of my favorite knitting blogs that include Free Patterns.  Naturally, I started with Blogger, where I host Vintage Knit Wit for free.  Today, I found a long time favorite designer that I didn't even know had a blog, Susan B. Anderson.  I have admired her design work on both Ravelry and Craftsy, and love her book, "Itty Bitty Toys".  Just a few weeks ago, Susan published some new patterns on Woodland Animal Patterns that is too cute to be believed!  Such talent!  And, she includes a list of free patterns.  Check it out!

Vintage Knitting Picture of the Month

To toss or to keep.  That is the question I ask myself every time I see my knitting magazines.  This is one of a collection I found on eBay.  It is vintage (and so am I).  Botany College Hand Knits was published in MCMLVIII, which if my Roman Numeral teachings from grade school serve me, was 1958.  Cute pic, right?

Simply Mink Scarf (it's the better than your grandmother's mink stole)

That's right, Simply Mink Scarf is made with Mink.  No, they don't have to hurt the minks, the minks get a vigorous brushing and the fibers are used, along with mohair and cashmere, to create this rich yarn with a depth of color like no other.  When knitted into this scarf, the result is elegant and sophisticated.  Enjoy the luxury of Mink without the guilt!

Find the pattern on the new Scarves page.

Petit Chou in Yellow and White

I made the little Petit Chou baby shoes and they are absolutely adorable.  What a great stitch pattern to use in a little shoe!  I love the weaving of color that adds a different dimension of sophistication to such tiny shoes.  Here is the finished product.