On The Needles - November 29, 2013

For the month of November I chose to knit the "Checker-Square Garter Dishcloth" designed by Kala K.  If you are interested in the pattern, I found it Here.  

This pattern has a total of 24 rows which are repeated 4 times.  I'm using size size 7US dpns and 100% cotton yarn in two colors - white and psychedelic (by Sugar 'n Cream).  I absolutely love the bright variegated yarn in contrast to the white.  

Presently I'm on my last pattern repeat with only about ten rows to go.  The pattern says it finishes at about 10-1/2" square, but mine will be slightly larger.  

I'm also still working on finishing up the Holden Shawlette.  I chose to do the picot bindoff which takes a lot longer to do.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Check out Patchwork Times for more On The Needles links.  

Happy Knitting,
     ~Diane

On The Needles - November 7, 2013

In my quest for dishcloth/washcloth patterns to try I stumbled upon the Yahoo Group - "Monthly Dishcloths".  I've only been a member for a couple of weeks, so I haven't had a chance to look at all the member photo albums.  What I have seen so far is awesome.

Each month members get the pattern clues for two KAL's (Knit-A-Longs), one at the first of the month and the second one starting around mid-month.

Soon after getting the clues for Day 1, I got out my yarn (Sugar N Cream 100% cotton yarn......White and Blue Jeans) and size 6US needles and began knitting up the November 1st KAL.  There were a total of six daily clues and each one covered about 10 rows.

Here's what it looks like from the front side.  Pretty unassuming, Huh?

Looking at it from a different angle, the design magically appears.....

I think the snowflake would show up better had I used a darker blue.

Here's what it looks like from the wrong side.

This was a very simple pattern for work with only two different stitches - knits and purls.

If you haven't done this kind of knitting, I suggest you do.  My friend liked it so much I decided to give it to her so now I have to make another one to keep for myself.  These would be great little gifts for special friends.  I'm thinking I'd like to do this pattern with a different contrasting color.....perhaps red or green for the holidays.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Knitting,

          ~Diane

Got It Done–October 2013

Here is my list of goals for October:

1.  Piecing the Scrappy Asterisk baby quilt.

2. Quilting the Scrappy Asterisk baby quilt

– Not even started.

3.  Knitting October washcloth.

 
Another fun washcloth knitting experience.  If you want more information about this project, check out my previous blog post Here.

4.  Piecing Craftsy BOM. 

This month the blocks are flying geese and half-square triangles to use as fillers in assembling the sampler quilt.  I am not creating a sampler from the blocks I made so I passed on this month’s exercise.  I did, however, work on two other Craftsy BOM items from previous months.
I did free-motion quilting on my applique Flower Basket block. 








I also turned my Tumbling Blocks block into a baby quilt by designing and piecing a border of smaller blocks.  For more information about this, check out my previous blog posts, Here and Here.   The quilting is partially done.




There are several other quilty projects I worked on this past month.  For example, a friend donated flannel pieces, enough to make 10 boy and 10 girl baby quilt backs.  Then I was given a whole bunch of fabric from an estate sale.  In that box of goodies was 9 baby quilt fabric panels, most of which were from Daisy Kingdom.  I spent the better part of a day washing and ironing the fabrics and matching up the panels with flannel for the backs.  So now I'm ready to make donation baby quilts as soon as I get the batting.


Thanks for stopping by.  I'm participating in the Getting It Done challenge over at Patchwork Times.

Happy Crafting,
     ~Diane

On The Needles - October 18, 2013

It's a Finish!!!   The "Just Like Honey Dishcloth", the pattern I chose to knit this month, is done.

My gauge must be really off, because the finished size is supposed to be approximately 8-inch square and mine turned out 11-inch square.  That's O.K. because I have big hands.  The pattern was easy to do.  I like the thickness to the fabric, it's heavier and denser than most of the other patterns I've made.  For more information about this washcloth see my previous blog post Here.  

I've also made some progress on the test shawl I'm knitting.  I still have about 15 more rows of stockinette stitch to go before I start the actual lace rows.

So, what's On Your Needles today?  I'm linked up with Patchwork Times.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Knitting!!!
             ~Diane

On The Needles - October 4, 2013

For this month's washcloth I'm making the "Just Like Honey Dishcloth" pattern by One Crafty Mama.  I found the pattern Here.

As you can see I'm using Sugar 'N Cream yellow 100% cotton yarn and size 6US needles.  Actually, I'm using a 16-inch circular double-pointed needle, but slipped the stitches onto a straight needle to take this pic.  The straight needles make the work lie flatter for the camera, but I prefer using the circular needles for this kind of project.  I've been using circulars for so long now that when on occasion I use straights it feels like I'm knitting with broomsticks.

So far, I like the fabric this pattern is creating.  It's thick and tight so it should be great for dishes.  The pattern is easy to follow and only requires knit, purl and slip stitches.  If you're looking for a new dishcloth to knit, try this one.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm linked up with Patchwork Times and this week's On The Needles postings.

Happy Knitting!

       ~Diane

On The Needles, Sept 6, 2013

After last week's honeycomb scrubby I found this dishcloth pattern online at Little House In The Suburbs.  The stitching that creates the honeycomb effect is different so I thought I'd try it.  I used size 7US needles and Sugar'n Cream Blue Jeans 100% cotton yarn.  The finished cloth measures 7-1/2" x 7".

Recently I watched a YouTube video on the Buterfly stitch which helped me out when I came to row 6 in the instructions.  I hope that I did it right.....looks like to me.   

I'm linked up with On the Needles over at Patchwork Times.  

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Knitting!

         ~Diane

On The Needles - Jun 21, 2013

For the month of June I chose to knit the Sanquar Check Washcloth.   Recently I purchased a 14 ounce ball of Peaches & Creme variegated cotton yarn that I thought would work well for this pattern.  The background yarn is white.  I don't think the design shows up as well as it could, so in future I would probably use a dark, solid color yarn to achieve a better contrast.  

This was not a hard pattern to make and I'm glad I tried something new.  

Be sure to visit Patchwork Times for links to other On The Needles blog posts.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Knitting!

                 ~Diane

Off The Needles - April 12, 2013

This month's washcloth is done!

This was an easy pattern to make.  There are twelve rows that are repeated several times.  For more information about the pattern and materials I used, check out this link.

Soon after I finished weaving in the bits of yarn ends and taking these pics to share with you I dunked this cloth in hot water.  I wanted to see how well it held up when being used.  It did not stretch out much at all like some do.  This should be a good one.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, for more On The Needles blog posts.

Happy Knitting,
      ~Diane

On The Needles–Apr 5, 2013

The pattern I chose to make for this month’s washcloth/dishcloth is called “Ball Band Dishcloth” by Peaches and Crème.  You can find the pattern here.  The name of this pattern is not very creative.  I believe it has been printed on the back of the band of their yarn for years and the style appears to be old-fashioned. 

I’m using size 7 US needles and two different colors of 100% cotton yarn – white and the  purple/teal/brown leftover from the circular washcloth I made last month.




Things are going well so far.  The pattern is easy enough, but I don’t LOVE it.  Perhaps I’ll feel better about it once I get it wet and use it. 

I did some more internet searching for washcloth patterns and found a couple that I want make in the coming months. 
So, what’s on your needles?  Be sure to visit Patchwork Times for links to other blog posts.

Happy Knitting! 
         ~Diane

On The Needles–Feb 8, 2013

February Washcloth

This month I chose to knit the Hostess Gift Dishcloth, pattern by Lily “Sugar N Cream”.  I got the pattern online from the Lily website.
This looked to be a fairly simple stitch pattern so I thought I’d try it. 


I didn’t do a gauge swatch because I figured it wouldn’t matter like it does with garment knitting.  Last night I finally got out the tape measure and discovered that mine is about an inch wider than the pattern.  In order to make it square, which really doesn’t matter to me, I still have about a couple inches to go.  It’s supposed to be 10-inch square, but mine will probably be 11-inch square. 
 
I’m not certain which is the back and which is the front.  I like the patterning on both sides.
Being the visual person that I am, I found it much easier for me to follow the pattern after I converted it to a chart.  I kept getting lost between the commas and had to frog several times. 

By the way, I started using the washcloth I made last month and love it. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to visit Patchwork Times for links to other On The Needles posts. 

Happy Knitting,
    ~Diane