What could be better

than enjoying my hot chocolate with a candy cane?

I love chocolate-mint combos, and this feels so festive :) So what could be better than my peppermint-hot-chocolate?

Ahhh, knitting a sock out of some very soft, sweetly striping yarn! And we all know how much I LOVE knitting socks, but what could be better than sock-knitting?


Perhaps finishing both socks. And then finding this cute, it-matches-the-gift, leftover-from-a-few-years-ago tag to use for all the pertinent sock care instructions.


So what could possibly be better than all that?


Crossing one more gift off my list. Actually, even better yet, I've been crossing several gifts off the handmade list this weekend! (Sorry, not gloating. O-kaaay, maybe just a smidge of gloating, lol!)


Thanks everyone for all the great feedback about the beading tutorial. Try it, you won't believe how easy it really is...and then you look like a finishing wizard :) There were a couple questions, so I'll answer them quick:

I was asked about knotting the tail after weaving...I don't bother with a knot and I don't worry about it coming loose. But if you want to knot the end, by all means, I think you should.

I trim the edges to within 3-4 "squares" (or 6-8 "threads). And I've never had any problems with those fraying once they're inside the ornament (or pincushion.) I backstitch the edges and that's it. But if you're worried about it coming apart at the seams, you can always use fray-check or such on the edges.

My tutorial is just how I do the beaded edges, I'm sure everyone has their own way. I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with, that gives you the results that you want :)

And to answer a quick question about the dishcloths...I can get 2 dishcloths out of a solid-colored ball of yarn. There isn't much left over, so I only leave tails about 6-8 inches long to weave in at the end. If you use the variegated yarns, 2 balls will make 3 dishcloths. The washcloths I made use more yarn than the dishcloths because of the larger size.

The dishcloth pattern is a great beginner pattern, it's how my grandma taught me to knit. You learn how to cast on, increase, decrease and bind off. It's all knit stitch, no purling. Google knitting tutorials, there are tons out there. And so what if they're a bit wonky, they still work great in the kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods! It's Monday, so I hope you have a great one! And if I don't make it back here before Thursday...Happy Thanksgiving dear friends, I have much to be thankful for and that includes all of you!!!

About those edgings

I've been receiving lots of questions about my ornament edgings, so here's how I do them.

Backstitch matching fronts and backs. I always do these over 2 with two threads.

I always start the whipstitching with a loop.

And then you just whipstitch through the front and back stitches. Adding beads every other stitch or every third stitch...or however you want the beaded edging to look. I use Piecemaker size 28 needles, the beads fit right over the eye. (The beads also fit over the John James size 28's too.)

Edgings like this are just without beads (whipstitched through the backstitching.)

When I get to the hanger, I put a small knot in my ribbon or cording, so that the end doesn't accidentally get pulled out.

Then, I weave a stitch or two through the backstitches and ribbon.

And then continue on with the beading.

My last stitch is always stitched through the beginning stitch. And then I thread the needle under the whipstitches and clip the end close.

Ta~Da! So simple, but so effective :)

The top ornament has beads every other stitch. The bottom ornament has beads every third stitch.

Happy Stitching!!!

About those dishcloths (and washcloths)

Hello there! I've had lots of terrific feedback and some questions about my dishcloths and washcloths, so here's all the info...

This is the cotton yarn I use for all my dishcloths and washcloths. Sugar and Cream by Lily. They always have free patterns on their labels. And Peaches & Creme by Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co. I honestly think they're exactly the same and can't tell a difference in the two. The bright/dark colors are not colorfast, and they will bleed a bit the first use or two. They're machine wash and dryable, and they wear like iron. I buy mine at Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Walmart.

The Dishcloth Pattern. I use size 10 needles because I'm a pretty tight knitter, you can always use size 8's or 9's. These come out roughly 8 1/2 inches square, but you can make them any size you desire.

Cast on 3 stitches. Row 1: knit across. Row 2: knit 1, yarn over, knit across. Repeat row 2 until you have 45 stitches. Knit one row even. Decrease Row 1: knit 1, knit 2 together, knit across. Repeat decrease row until there are 3 stitches left. Bind off all stitches and weave in ends.

That's it. Simple, Simple, Simple.

And my favorite way of wrapping them is putting a stack in one of these cellophane treat bags. You can find these with the kids party supplies.


I've been using 3 different washcloth patterns and they're all approximately 10 1/2 inches square:

1) The Wedding Washcloth freebie pattern by the Purl Bee. The changes I made to the pattern are: using the above cotton yarn and size 8 needles, cast on 45 stitches and working only the first and last 4 rows in seed stitch.

2) Not Your Average Washcloth from the book 101 Designer one-skein Wonders. My changes to the pattern: cast on 46 stitches with size 8 needles. Work first half of pattern till approx 5 1/4 inches, work 2nd half of pattern for 5 1/4 inches also.

3) Basketweave washcloths. Cast on 45 stitches with size 8 needles. Row 1: knit 5, purl 5, repeat across. Row 2: purl the purl stitches and knit the knit stitches. Repeat for 4 more rows. Row 7: purl 5, knit 5, repeat across. Row 8: knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches. Repeat for 4 more rows. Begin with Row 1 again and continue until washcloth is square.

I hope I've answered all your questions regarding the dishcloths and washcloths. Happy Knitting!!!

Merry Winter

It feels like winter out already. 7 inches of snow this weekend. There isn't nearly that much on the ground now and the streets are dry. The sun is shining and the skies are a cloudless blue, but it is cold!

A Quaker Year "Merry Winter"

by Homespun Elegance

fabric: 32ct "staci-dyed" linen

fibers: CC Bandana & DMC 731

back

I've stitched this before. And someday I'll stitch it for my tree. But for now, it's one more gift I am happily crossing off my list :)

Thank you for all your sweet comments about my knitting finishes. It means so much to me that you take the time to visit! I've received several questions on various topics, so I'll be posting later this week some answers and such. Toodles for now!

Nine!

Check it out......nine knitty finishes crossed off my holiday list! My favorite scarf pattern this season. And to top it off, they've all used stash yarn :)

These dishcloths remind of rolls of Life Savers. And hopefully they'll make kitchen duty sweet and cheery! And even sweeter, over half the yarn came from my stash.

And we certainly can't forget these washcloths and all natural soaps for some bathtime pampering. And bear with me because I just have to say that all the cotton yarn except the gold-colored one came from my stash too! (I guess that explains my blog's name, lol!)

Before I start feeling too smug, I must remind myself I'm only halfway through the list. And I MUST RESIST the temptation to start some humongous, elaborate holiday cross stitch project in hopes of displaying it THIS YEAR. 'Tis a very difficult thing since I have quite an avalanche of mojo (would that be the opposite of a "lack of stitching mojo"?) Well, whatever it's called, everytime I turn around I see these Great Big Projects just screaming my name. Literally, haunting my thoughts and nights. "MUST RESIST. Must Resist. must resist. must..."

A New Week Begins Again

Good Morning dear friends. I'm feeling quite chipper :) The weekend was busy with football games (flag and high school playoffs) and practices. And work. And a bit of cleaning. And raking leaves...Way Too Many Leaves! I've sent all my darlings to work and school. And while the washer and dryer are busy, I'll be stitching away. Well, as soon as the bathrooms see my attention, lol.

Was checking my archives, and this time last year I hadn't even started ornament stitching yet. But I was still ahead of the game since I had stitched-but-never-finished ornaments tucked away in a drawer :)

This was my first time making my own cording. I'm so lazy that I just buy it. Now I know how easy it is to do!!!

Quaint Sampling and Heirloom Ornaments

Leisure Arts' Best 250 Christmas Quickies

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fibers: DMC

Mill Hill Seed Beads #02012

Well my lovelies, I'm off! Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods and for all your wonderful comments! Sending you all a little Colorado Sunshine!!!