Gettin' My Craft On!: February 2016

Blanket Scarf

Another Pinterest idea! A blanket scarf can be worn several ways and even used as a shawl. Or a throw! And it's a brainless project that can be done while watching a movie. (and the threads can be used in a "birdnest helper")

I got 2 yards of flannel --- shirting flannel so that the print is the same on both sides. Even it up with rotary or scissors and begin fringing the ends. Just use a stitch ripper and take one row of thread out at a time until the fringe is as long as you want. I also barely fringe the sides. I've seen a suggestion on Pinterest to use your sewing machine and stitch across where you want the fringe to stop. I may try that, but for now, I'm doing what most of the patterns instruct and just fringing til I want to stop.

For a true blanket scarf, 2 yards works perfectly. But this fabric can also be cut in half lengthwise for 2 long scarves that aren't as wide. I like that look also!

I think some Pleasant Grove peeps would like this one

More to come!

September 2016: I gave my first blanket scarves to my Spearfish peeps: April, Ashley, Amy, and Jan.

April modeled hers for me, and hopefully I'll get pix from the other 3!

October 2016: Brooke got one for her birthday.

Chloe, her sister, and her mom got matching ones in PG colors!

November 2016: A few given for early Christmas this year!

Really Easy Wristers

Gina, Ranger Holly, and Shari

The pattern for these fingerless mitts was on a Red Heart yarn label. I gave them a try so I could knit our volunteer coordinator, Ranger Holly, a "good-bye" gift. She's been so wonderful to us at South Llano River State Park and is an Oregon girl, fairly new to TX. I thought she needed some burnt orange mitts as she get acclimated to TX.

I had enough to include earwarmers, too

quick pattern, worked flat instead of in the round

without internet, I had to wing it on the stitching togeter
(next time I will use the mattress stitch)

Iced Tea Scarf

December 2015: My sweet Michigan friend, Dawn, gave me the above as our "Pay it Forward" challenge for the year. It's yarn, dyed in tea, in a tea glass, with a pattern called Iced Tea Scarf. She purchased it in South Carolina at the "Sweat Tea Capital".

I'm super excited to start this pattern. It'll be my first to work on from a chart. And it'll get me going on cabling again!

can ya see the beads?

January 2016: I lost count of how many times I started this pattern. I would work half of it or more and completely frog it and start over. It challenged my brain to try to understand the chart. But eventually, everything clicked and I'm so happy with how it turned out. It might end up being gifted.

I'd never added beads to a scarf until now. I had no internet service at South Llano River State Park, so I couldn't google how to add them in while knitting. So I did the scarf, then used one strand of embroidery thread, per Dawn's suggestion, to sew them on one by one. Love the look.

Thanks again, Dawn, for such a thoughtful gift! And......it's eased my fear of cables. I immediately started another pair of Owling fingerless mitts, which require cables AND beads!

Prayer Shawl

A fun, easy knit that can be used as a shawl, scarf, or even a throw! And it refreshed my memory on how to make and add tassles! Great gift idea for someone who just needs a hug.