Crochet is So Much Fun!

Here is a great video showing some fun little animals you can make in a day.  It is a great way to connect with your kids, a neighbor, or just a way to make some fun gifts for any occasion.  The animals are your invention, so keep in mind you are just chaining, and it is so easy, any level of crochet expert can do it!

Making a Buttonhole

If you are knitting, you can easily make a buttonhole, by deciding where in your body of your work it needs to be, and then simply bind off(BO).  The transition back is as simple as the binding off, and then beginning to knit again, when you end the row.

Simply turn the row around, and then continue knitting or purling, whichever your pattern calls for, and then when you get to the bound off section, where your button hole is, become a button hole expert, and try the following trick:

Switch your needles from left to right hand, and vice versa. Then, cast on the same amount of stitches, and be sure to bring your yarn forward, upon your last cast on(CO) stitch, to transfer back your needles right to left, and left to right.  Continue your purl or knit, and you have the best darn buttonhole.

Creating a Knitted Kitty Sweater

Easy peasy!  You can create this great sweater for your dog or cat.  I just won't promise that they will love it.  I made this for our 20 year old cat last year, and it was really long for her, but I just rolled it up, and stitched it shorter, making it even more warm around her belly.  We had to let her go last November, so this was something that got her through a period of 20 below weather.  She would sit in her sweater, on my lap, and just purr.  It moved with her well, and she only wore it when she needed to.  Here are my directions!


Measure your pet, (1)around the neck, (2)from neck measurement-to front legs, (3) around the belly, (4)from neck to belly, and (5)down the back from head to tail. Start with a cotton or wool, and never use acrylic, as some animals can be allergic.   I always use the economical Paton Classic Wool Yarn, so if you are looking for a match to Sheeba's sweater, I believe the color is called Rosewood!  I only used less than one ball of yarn for this project.  You can join together colors, and use up some of your stored yarn, be creative!

Start with a US needle 11, and cast on enough to match your neck measurement.  You are going to create a big rectangle, and then drop some stitches, and add some to fashion your sweater.  It is really easy, so do not worry too much.  Continue with your knitting by turning and knitting one row, and then one row purl. Continue k,p until you have enough knit rows, and enough purl rows to reach the legs.  You can really see how this is going to work now!

Now, you are going to skip some stitches to create a button hole for the legs.  The seam for the sweater is on the underneath or belly of your pet, so the leg openings will be on the  edges of the rectangular piece. 

SEE NOTE BELOW ****When you are ready to knit, and you have reached the measurement where the openings will be, Go in 5 stitches, and then bind off 10 stitches.  Continue to the end of the row, and be sure to watch, that you bind off 10 when you get to 15 from the end, and then knit 5 more.  Turn, and Purl 5, bind off 10, and continue to the last 15 stitches, 10 BO, and then P 5.   SEE NOTE BELOW***

Continue on, completing two rows K and P to even it off!  Now, you are going to increase or decrease towards your belly measurement(3).  You should now refer to measurement (4) and see where you are from your leg openings.  Compare your Belly Measurement(3), and see how much your increase or decrease is.  Some animals have a decrease, like a bull dog or a doberman.  You should add 2 K and 2 P until you get to the belly measurement, and do it so that it is fashioned at the right point.  Do not worry if measurements (3) and (4) do not meet perfectly, as it is a stretchy garment.

Now, measure your fashioned piece, and see how much more you need to stitch.  If you are knitting for a boy dog, you might want to stop shorter, to allow some freedom for bathroom breaks.

BO when you reach the end of your measurement length (5), and if it is still too long, you can roll it over, and stitch to make it work.  You should then stitch it closed at the ends, near the leg openings, and then roll it over your pet's head, and pull out their little legs. 

***NOTE: Before performing the leg opening step, check your pet!  If you find the legs are too close together, using the example of knitting 5, then BO 10, then continuing,  you can rework your work, and move then further into your square.  Meaning, instead of 15 st into the work, try 20, or 26.  It is going to be a custom piece for your pet, so try to imagine how much space you will need for their legs to move and be comfortable.

The best way to keep this clean is to just brush it off, and if you find it is really dirty, a hand washing may be in order!

Kniting during the Holidays

If you are like me, you have knitted your way through the holidays, gifts, and enjoyed yourself very much! Do not get burned out, but take some time to think about your self now.  In January, I find it is the best time to work on your own sweater, cape or skirt.  It is me time now, and what better way, than to find a great wool, and make some short work of it!

Find some great patterns, and buy a new book.  There is nothing like having a new knitting book, and sitting in your lazy knitting chair, with some tea, and working through your next dream.  Find your pattern, and decide.  Wow, isn't that hard?

 So many patterns, so little time!  Make a decision, and then make a second decision, just in case your wool or silk or cotton is not available.  You can find great wool online, but it is fun to really see and feel the wool.  Keep your plan, bring the book, and get help at the store on how much wool to buy.  Be sure to buy two extra balls, as you can not come back and expect the same dye lot, but you can always return the extra.

Now, take your time with the pattern, and learn some new steps if you can.  It is for you after all!

Holiday Gifts are Best when Handmade

Making holiday gifts is always best when you can do it by hand!  You can make something that everyone will love, and here are some great ideas!

If you are crocheting, use cotton yarn and make:

1. Washcloths
2.  Eyeglass cleaning tool
3.  Eyeglass case
4.  A cute fun long crochet tassle to hold curtains back, or a long belt!


If you are knitting, use wool, and make:

1. Mobile Phone Protection Case
2. A Long thin scarf for your niece in a bright color
3.  A pair of mittens lined in polar fleece
4.  A brightly colored square hot plate trivit.

Do not let time stop you, you can always start with one gift and see how quickly you can complete it.  The time you spend thinking of your gift receiver, while you make the gift is a great way to send your love.

Moose Valley Winery: Our Journey in Home Winemaking: Beaujolais Nouveau

Moose Valley Winery: Our Journey in Home Winemaking: Beaujolais Nouveau: "I had no idea what this was until a few years ago when my aunt brought a bottle of this to Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a tradition for her ..."

How do you create a new row of color?

If you are knitting or you are busy with your crochet, you are going to want to end one color and join in another!  This is scary for a new knitter, or happy crochet queen, because you are actually going to have to cut that beautiful wool yarn...it always makes me cringe.

The thing you need to do, is end a color at the count of the row, or at the end of the row.  Then, just bring into your work the new color.  Keep the old color long and still tied to your yarn ball, and just work in your new color with a new stitch or a a new hook.  It is that easy!

Once you have the yarn new color worked in, and you like what you see, you can clip that old color.  Or, bring the old color up and create a series of stripes.  It is nice to have the variance, and this is great practice.  If you are worried about the end, tie a snug knot, and then at the end of your knitting or hooking performance, bring it up and work it again.

Do not worry too much about your finishing until you get there.  The real test of any crafting project is to try new and different things, find a challenge, and give it go! 

Stripes are great fun!  Enjoy yourself!