Snow Lies

Normally I can knit and no one pays much attention to what I am making, so I don't have to hide those projects like I do the ones that are in the sewing room, but that was before Miss One learned how to crochet!  Apparently she has developed a yarn addiction that rivals her grandmama's because she spotted this project from across the room and wanted to know what I was making with the "sparkly white yarn".  I had to think quick, because they are actually the fingerless gloves that she has been wanting for Christmas, so I told her that I was making more mittens for the mitten tree. (A friend of mine calls these little white lies told at holiday time "snow lies"...isn't that cute?) Anyway, I guess I'm going to have to be more careful about where I leave my knitting from now on!

Christmas Cover-up

Holiday time sure does make craft related blogging difficult!  Even though my sewing machine was humming along all weekend, I can't post about it because I was working on a gift.  It is also difficult to work on gifts with family coming and going, so have been using this Christmas "cheater" quilt that I made last year to keep a few special projects out of plain view...it adds a festive touch to my sewing room too!

More Mittens

The knitting for the mitten tree project continues!  This pair of mittens was made using a free pattern, Basic Pattern for Children's Mittens, by Elizabeth Durand.  This pattern offers sizes for children from 4 to 14 years old and is very easy to follow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Apple Bread

Apple Bread

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup apple, coarsely shredded
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

In bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, place oil, sugar, egg, vanilla and apples.  Stir into flour mixture.  Add walnuts and mix.  Pour mixture into greased 8x4 inch bread pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until bread tests done.  Cool for 10 minutes on wire rack before removing from pan.

Knittin' Mittens

A friend of mine is collecting new hats, scarves and mittens to be added to a "mitten tree" for the holidays, so of course I volunteered to make some mittens for the project.  All of the donated items will be distributed to people in need.   These mittens were made using the free Chunky Mitten Pattern from The Fabric Addict.  Bulky weight yarn and size 7 needles makes these mittens a quick knit...perfect for charity projects!

Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

This felted acorn will never grow into an oak tree, but it sure makes a cute decoration for fall, doesn't it?  All you need to make this acorn is a bit of brown wool (I used Patons Classic Wool in Chestnut Brown), size 5 double pointed needles, an acorn cap from a nearby oak tree and a few minutes of time!

Cast on 6 stitches.
Divide stitches evenly among the needles and join in round, taking care not to twist.
Round 1: kfb all around. (12 stitches)
Round 2: knit.
Round 3: kfb, k1, kfb, k1...repeat to end of round. (18 stitches)
Round 4-9: knit.
Round 10: k2 tog, k1, k2 tog, k1...repeat to end of round. (12 stitches)
Round 11: knit.
Round 12: knit 2 tog all around. (6 stitches)

Break yarn and thread through remaining 6 stitches.  Stuff the acorn with a bit of wool yarn before drawing the stitches together and then tie off.

To felt the acorn:  Add a few drops of liquid soap to a small bowl of hot water.  Wet the acorn thoroughly in the water/soap mixture and then roll the acorn around in the palms of your hands until you can no longer see the knit stitches.  Rinse in cold water and squeeze out excess water while forming into an acorn shape.  Allow to dry and glue on an acorn cap.  

Tumblers

I have had this 3" tumbler template for awhile and never used it, so during a recent stitching session with a few friends, I took the opportunity to try it out.  As I was cutting, I commented that the template makes the job so much easier than cutting tumblers with a ruler and then a friend had to burst my bubble and tell me that AccuQuilt just came out with a 3" tumbler die to go with their new Go! Baby.  Just think how fast I could have cut out this little wall hanging if I had a Go! Baby!  (Hint, hint...are you listening, Santa?) 

Wavy Wiper Win!

Have you heard about Messy Karen's Wavy Wipers?  If not, they are wonderful little knitted dishcloths that are just about the same size as a sponge.  They are the perfect size for wiping up little spills and the best part is that they can go right in the wash, so they won't breed germs the way a sponge can!  If you are a knitter and would like to make your own Wavy Wiper, Karen has the pattern available for free on her blog, Messy Karen.  If you prefer to have Karen do the knitting, you can purchase a Wavy Wiper from Karen's Etsy shop, Ruthie, Rosie, Norie.  If you are feeling extra lucky, you can try to win one like I did...Karen is very generous with giveaways and has them often!