Rest & Relaxation

What a wonderful week of holiday festivities, food and family.  Now... time to relax with a cup of tea and lose myself in a yarn project.

After exclusively crocheting for the last 6 months, I've switched gears and picked up my knitting needles.  Someday I'd like to try knitting cables, but haven't worked up the courage to try yet.  In the meantime, I came across this "mock cable pattern" and enjoy it immensely.  Not difficult, soothing to work, yet just enough concentration needed to make it interesting and satisfying.

A scarf in the making, using one of my favorite acrylic yarns, Caron Simply Soft.

I discovered this pattern through the lovely blog, My Sewing Serenity.  Here's the pattern if you'd like to give it a try:

Mock Cable Rib (Pattern Stitch)

(Multiple of 4 sts plus 2)

Row 1:  (RS) *P2, k2; repeat from *, end p2

Row 2 and 4:  *K2, p2; repeat from *, end k2

Row 3:  *P2, k2tog without slipping sts from needle, then k first st again, drop both sts from needle;  repeat from *, end p2

Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern st

Example:  Worsted weight yarn cast on 46 sts.  Work for desired length.  Bind off.  Approx. 240 yds for ~ 9 1/2 " x 49" scarf.

Enjoy some down time and quiet moments :-)

I 'Heart' Hearts

Heart = Love

This festive heart is perfect for the holiday season, but it hangs in my home all year long!

I found this heart recently by accident.  Went to a store selling handmade items and it was stuffed in a little basket on the floor.  It's a felted beauty embellished with ribbon, yarn, buttons and felted bits.

Turn it over and the back is knitted with stripes.  Such wonderful handmade goodness.

And just a final thing to share with those who need some last minute gift tags.  I found these via My Sweet Savannah, but you can go right over here to download the free template.  They're really wonderful.  Make a bunch of them to have on hand any time.

Merry holidays, blessings and joy to you all :-)

Giving

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

~ Maya Angelou ~

Completed granny throw for my sister

Thinking of her with every stitch

Ready to be wrapped and sent with love

Beanies for a wonderful young couple I know who will be spending the holidays in the chilly Northeast

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Size N hook

Simple sc rib pattern from Lion Brand:

Tweed Hat
Lion Brand Tweed Stripes Yarn, 1 skein
Gauge:  11 sc = about 4 inches (10 cm)

Ch 26

Row 1:  Work a sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across - 25 sc

Row 2:  Ch 1, turn, working in back loops only, sc in each sc across

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures about 19 inches (48.5 cm) from beginning.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail.  Thread tail through ends of rows along one long edge and pull to gather for top of hat.  Knot securely.

Since I used a super chunky yarn, I adjusted the foundation chain to 22.  Very quick and simple to make.


Have a lovely season of heartfelt giving :-)

Little Luxuries :: Soap

I'm off to work shortly, but wanted to share some purchases I made this past weekend.  I love a good deal and am always looking for bargains.  So off to my local Ross store I went - prepared to face brutal parking and crowds this time of year.  I was pleasantly surprised to find neither (I must have gone at the right time!).  My aim was to find soap to go with the washcloths I've been making as gifts.  Oh my, I wasn't disappointed...

Handmade and triple-milled soap made in Italy

Sweet-scented rose and lavender

The loveliest vintage-y packaging

And the best part was the bargain:  nothing above $8.00 (and that was for a box of 12)

My photos don't do these soaps justice, I'm still working on my photography skills and will get the lighting right one of these days...

Make your day a beautiful one :-)