Elemental Stitches

An Old Free Pattern Renewed - Toms Crossed Cowl

Remember the cowl I knitted for Tom back in Fall of 09?  I have been wanting to make another one since then and I finally had a chance over the holidays.  I went to my favorite yarn shop, Green Planet Yarn in Campbell, Ca and came across three beautiful skeins of Cascade Eco Duo.  At the time I would have sworn that Shalom, a gorgeous sweater I have been wanting to knit required Eco Duo, an Aran weight yarn, but I was wrong.  It needs Eco Wool, a bulky weight yarn.  So there I was with three soft as Peter Cottontail skeins of yarn just dying to be knit into something.  And it would be a shame not to have it next to the skin.  Since the Bay Area rain is freezing me to the core I decided a cowl and a new pair of fingerless mitts (pics coming soon!) were in order.  As for the third skein.  Any ideas? 

I made a few changes to the original pattern.  Enough that I rewrote it for you.

Tom's Star Crossed Cowl

- One Ball of Cascade Yarns Eco Duo or other aran or worsted weight yarn

- 16inch US9 Circular

- Row Marker

- Cable Needle (CN)

Gauge is not too important but in case you need it mine was 5st = 1 in, in pattern stitch.

If you would like to make a larger, loose cowl just increase your cast on stitches by multiples of 9 stitches.

Pattern

Cast on 90 st and join in the round being careful not to twist your stitches.  Place row marker.

Rows 1-5:  [k1,p1] Repeat to end of row.

Begin Pattern Stitch

Row 1-4:  Knit all stitches.

Row 5: *Slip 3 to CN, hold in back, k3, k3 from CN, K3.  Repeat from *

Rows 6-10:  Knit all stitches.

Row 11:  *k3, slip next 3 stitches to CN, hold in front, k3, k3 from CN.  Repeat from *

Repeat Rows 1-11 three times.

Next 4 rows:  Knit all stitches.

Next 5 rows:  [k1,p1] Repeat to end of row.

Bind off loosely in 1x1 rib stitch [k1,p1] and weave in ends.  Learn how to bind off in rib here.

I know all our Pacific rain has buried half the country in snow, so I am constantly reminding myself to count my blessings!  I hope you are all staying warm!

2010 - The Year of Beginnings

Sitting on the couch this morning with a cup of tea I thought about all that happened this year.  For us 2010 has been a year of beginnings.  Starting with Tom's new job, then we moved to a new city.  I finally started a food blog, a photo business on the side and my little one has started Kindergarten.  We have paid off some nagging debts, got another car, grew 100 pounds of food in our little backyard.  We have been blessed this year!

Looking forward to 2011...  I have no clue what to expect.  I feel like I am looking into a fog which has happily settled itself over my plans for the future obscuring them from my vision.  There are many things I would like to do this year, but the timing is not right.  Those dreams must wait a little longer.  For now I am going to take this as a sign that 2011 is a blank slate that I can color in as I wish.  It's in my hands. 

One thing I know for sure, 2011 will be a good year.  We will get through our rough patches with love, we will celebrate our happy times together and I will be here on my blog next Dec 31st wondering what craziness 2012 will bring. 

Happy New Year To You All!

Happy Holidays

Hi Everyone,

The holidays completely swept me up!  I have had lots of yummy food, lots of knitting and hanging out with old friends.  I will try to post some of the stuff I have made this month sometime soon.  And that includes my jacket from our sew a long!  I know I still haven't posted it!

Happy Holidays to all of you! 

I hope that the spirit of Santa has touched you all in some special way this holiday season!

Weekend in Pictures - Deck the Halls

We rested.

We found.

We sang.

We decked the halls.

Our Weekend in Pictures

How to Make Felt Broccoli

Shhhhh!  Don't tell anyone!  I have been gardening and cooking in secret, late at night, when the child is snuggled into bed.  So far I haven't gotten caught and I am getting a lot of food stored up.  Here is what I have so far.

One night I was trying to figure out how to make broccoli.  My searches on the internet turned up nothing so I sat down with some green felt and began to play.  I was floored when I figured it out.  SOOOOO EASY!!!  Seriously, you can make a broccoli floret in 5 minutes and here is how.

Supplies

• small amount of green felt
• scissors
• needle and green embroidery thread

1.  Cut a rectangle out of green felt.  Mine was about 6x9 inches.  It doesn't have to be exact.

2.  Fold in half lengthwise.

3.  Make small cuts (about halfway) all the way down the folded side.  You can see all the cuts in the below picture.  My cuts are about 1/2 inch wide, but again size is not important.  Just do what looks good to you.

4.  Start to roll tightly from one side all the way until the whole thing is rolled up.

5.  The end will have a little bit of fabric sticking out so tuck that under the top piece of felt.  (below photo)

6.  Fold over so its covered.

7.  Sew up the seam with green embroidery thread.

8.  Now make 3 more and enjoy with butter!