Painted Rose

Update

grinningmadly — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:23:43 +0000

I have switched the posts from this blog over to http://grinning-madly.blogspot.com/ I’m not closing this blog down yet, but any new posts are at the new one.

Craft insanity

grinningmadly — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:23:39 +0000

Well I added another WIP to my already too big pile. I decided to make a shrug to go with the dress I’m wearing to my cousins wedding next month.
December wedding, might get chilly. The pattern is Shoulderette (http://www.knitting-crochet.com/showom.html) & it’s a really cute vintage shrug. My dress is black up top with black & beige houndstooth on the bottom. I’m rather fond of it. The only yarn I have in my stash that’s the right weight is pink & white…but it’ll contrast with the dress so I think it will still work.

On a different crafty note: I really need to get back to sewing Christmas gifts! I’ve only done one so far & am running out of time. But once I get back into it, I’ll hopefully get a few more done & have it under control & not need to panic about doing things last minute. So far I’ve made an eye pillow & case (pattern can be found on the Amy Butler website-free!) It’s a fun project to sew & I’m going to make a few of them. There were a few other things I was planning on sewing, but I can’t remember right now. Oh! And I was wanting to make myself a cute little clutch purse for the wedding too.

I’m also contemplating switching blog hosts. I’m not sure how user friendly this one is. But we’ll see. I’m still looking around.

OTN

grinningmadly — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:08:38 +0000

I’ve gone a bit knit crazy lately. I usually like to be a one-at-a-time knitter, but I’ve got 4 WIPS & 3 hibernating projects. It tends to stress me out a bit when I’ve got a bunch of WIPS but it’s a nice change of pace at the moment.

I’m currently working on my Granny Squared blanket, Moderne Baby Blanket, my poor neglected Corona, & Central Park Hoodie. I am completely in love with the CPH. Seriously! If you’ve ever thought about making it, you should!

That’s all for now, I think.

2 entries in one day, wow! I think that’s a record. haha

Granny Squared

grinningmadly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:41:47 +0000

I know there are many Granny square patterns out there, but I thought I would write up this blanket guide so I don’t forget it. It’s not a step by step pattern, but it should be easy to follow. I’m writing this up because I’ve tried other techniques & they just didn’t give me the square I was looking for, they always turned out too round. But I was able to combine techniques to give me that nice square shape I was after! I also wanted to modernize the blanket by using bigger blocks of colour.

The square on the left is what I always used to get. Rounded corners & the open work…wasn’t. The one on the right is the one I’ve written up with pointy corners & nice open work.

I’m not giving specific yardage or finished measurements for two reasons. 1)My blanket is still in progress & 2)It’s a guide so you can make it as big or small as you like!

Granny Squared

Materials: (I’m using)
Colour A-Bernat Satin Solids-Mocha
Colour B-Bernat Berella 4-Rich Pink
Colour C-Bernat Berella 4-Dark Oxford
Size J crochet hook (6mm)
Tapestry needle

To start:
With A Ch6, sl st in first ch to join.
Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as first dc), 2dc, *ch3, 3dc * 3 times, ch3 sl st in first ch3 to join. Turn.
Rnd 2: Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch3 sl st into ch3 to join.
After the first 2 rounds are complete, continue the following rows in the established pattern of chain 3 between the double crochets in the corners, and chain 2 between the double crochets along the sides.
I did 7 rounds of A, switched to B & did 7 rounds, switched to C & did 7 rounds & am beginning to start the colour pattern over again.

04/30/09

grinningmadly — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:29:21 +0000

Hello all!
My knitting mojo has been pretty bad lately so that’s why things have been kind of quiet around here.
I’ve still got my Corona pullover on the needles, but I don’t really have the desire to finish it right now. Not sure why. Maybe because it’s out of season and I won’t be able to wear it right away.
I’ve also got a pair of Premavera socks on the needles & I’ve been pushing myself to work on them lately.
I really want to start some spring & summer knits! I should be getting some Noro Silk Garden Lite soon to make a cute top from the Noro Flowers 4 book. Maybe that will get my mojo going again! I can hope.

Anyway, just wanted to post a little something something.

Happy Knitting!

Cappio Fingerless Gloves

grinningmadly — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:38:31 +0000

CAPPIO GLOVES

With their simple construction & fun stitch pattern, these gloves can be enjoyed by beginner & advanced knitters alike!

Materials:
Plymouth Encore/worsted weight yarn
Size 6 straight needles (4.25mm)
Tapestry needle

Size:
Finished glove measures approx. 7″ long & 3.5″ wide. Fits 7″ palm circumference.

IMPORTANT: Gloves are knit flat & seamed. Loop pattern doesn’t translate properly in the round.

Using cable cast-on, cast-on 36 sts.
Work 4 rows of 2×2 rib.
Work 1″ of stockinette, end on P row.
Work 2 repeats of loop pattern.
Work 6 rows stockinette, end on P row.
Begin loop pattern again, repeating 9 times.
work 4 rows of 2×2 rib.
BO in pattern.

Loop Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2: *K1, sl1; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: K2, *sl1, K1; rep from * to end.

Finishing:
Side seam using mattress stitch. Starting at the top, seam 1.5″ down. Test for thumb hole fit & place a marker where you will start seaming again below the thumb. Weave in yarn along edge of hole to where you will seam down the wrist. Weave in ends.

On the needles

grinningmadly — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:37:26 +0000

At the moment I’ve got 4 projects OTN, which is a lot for me.

I’m working on a scarf for my aunt, a pair of slippers, a pullover, & a shrug for myself.

It just feels like as soon as I get something off the needles, I start a new project & end up in the same place. hehe Oh well.

I’ve got some new designs brewing in my mind. So hopefully I’ll get them started & be able to post them for your enjoyment soon!

Checkout Headband

grinningmadly — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:13:10 +0000

CHECKOUT HEADBAND

This headband is a quick knit & the open check pattern keeps your
interest while still being simple enough to memorize.

Materials:
James C. Brett Marble, 100% acrylic, machine washable. (Any worsted or DK yarn should be fine)
Size 6 needles (4.25mm)
Tapestry needle

Size:
Finished headband measures approx. 29″ end to end. Fits 21.5″ head circumference.
Adustments can be made along the way for a larger or smaller fit.

NOTE: pattern can be worked in any multiple of 2.

Cast-on 3sts & knit 8″ of i-cord.

Increases:
Row 1: sl1, m1, k1, m1, k1 – 5 sts.
Row 2: sl1, p3, k1.
Row 3: sl1, m1, k3, m1, k1 – 7 sts.
Row 4: sl1, p5, k1.
Row 5: sl1, m1, k2, m1, k3, m1, k1 – 10 sts.
Row 6: purl

Open check Pattern:
Row 1(RS): purl
Row 2: knit
Row 3: k2, *sl1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: *k1, yf, sl1, yb; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5: k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 6: purl

Rep these 6 rows until pattern section measures 13″. End on row 2.

Decreases:
Row 1: ssk, k2, ssk, k2, k2tog – 7 sts.
Row 2: sl1, p5, k1.
Row 3: ssk, k3, k2tog – 5 sts.
Row 4: sl1, p3, k1.
Row 5: ssk, k1, k2tog – 3 sts.

Knit another 8″ of i-cord.

BO sts & weave in ends.

I hope you enjoy this pattern! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments!

Hello world!

grinningmadly — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:04:06 +0000

This is a blog for the knitting patterns I design + general knitting chatter in my daily life.

I hope you enjoy!