Two poles and some dental floss.....

I've never been a person who likes knitting with BIG needles. To me, they are like knitting dental floss with two telephone poles! Any thing bigger than a size 10 needles and I wave the white flag of surrender!! I don't mean to insult anyone here, they're just not my thing. I know many who love those #13's and can make a sweater in an afternoon, I'm just not one of those. Well, I am invited to be a guest in my friend's home in Seattle next month. And like mothers always tell you, never go to someone's house empty handed! I thought the perfect gift is something handmade! I saw this basic throw called "Dreamy" on the Knitpicks site and thought why not?? The yarn looks nice and soft and it will be light, yet warm. I chose a color, placed the order, and......

Well, it's made on a #19 telephone pole (oops, I mean knitting needle)!!! I sat down this adternoon to South Pacific in concert with my favorite Broadway singer of all time (Brian Stokes Mitchell) and decided I have a month to make this throw, let's get the show on the road! And, I'm not sure....casting on was a chore, and not that it's any complicated pattern, garter stitch all rows (yawn) , I can't tell if I like it. It's furry and lacey and I just don't know.

I have decided to work on it this evening and after getting a hunk done, then decide. I will snap a picture tomorrow so you can see it, but, I don't know.......

Maybe matching cabled mufflers might be better???? I think I'll start cooking supper, and then decide.

*****Later that afternoon.......it wasn't getting any better.....and when Mark came home, he said "what is THAT" and when I told him a blanket, he made a face and said that isn't very nice......and that is EXACTLY what I was thinking...... so the project has been scrubbed. The yarn is in a box waiting to be returned and I will NEVER knit with SURI DREAM FROM KNITPICKS again. I could have gotten better yarn at AC Moore!!! This was definitely a case of you get what you pay for!!!....Lesson learned! Now I need another idea for a gift..hmmm......

Baby Pictures!

No new knitting pictures, but I thought you might like to see I picture of my furry babies!!! We hang out on the back deck on sunny afternoons, knitting and creating jewelry for my website!!

From left to right, they are, Lucy, Gillie and Muzzy

On the knitting front, I did start the clutch bag from the One Skein book for my friend. Lamb's Pride bulky in seafoam green!! I will take pictures of it when I am finished! It won't be long!!! Someday, I am actually going to make one for me!! :)

A quick update.....

Well, I guess it's been a busy week, huh?? No new knitting posts!!! BUT, I have been knitting. I am making great strides on both the cozy and Branching Out. I have to say, for YEARS I never wanted to knit lace but now I LOVE it!!! I am planning on making many more lace scarves. They make the perfect gifts because many of my friends live in warm climates, and their so portable!!!

This weekend, I need to start two more projects though, a clutch from one skein (which has become my favorite gift to give!) and a blanket for my friend. the blanket is that pattern from KnitPicks and the yarn is Suri Dream. I chose a blue color, and hopefully it will be perfect! And the clutch, well, it is for my friend in AZ who I will be visiting in a few weeks!!! Yay!!! I chose a soft green, because green is her favorite color! I should at least get that finished!!! I'll take pictures when I start the projects!!!

Cozy Pictures!!!

Ok, so you've heard me talking about this "Cozy Shawl" that I've been knitting, here it is!! Now bear in mind, I took these pictures on FRIDAY (yes, I am truely terrible about uploading them!) and I am into my second skein of yarn! :) I bought 4 skeins of sport weight but actually think it will take three.....or I'm hoping it will take three because the yarn would make a terrific "Branching Out" scarf! It is beautiful and very fun to knit. I know, it wasn't fun in the beginning......but I LOVE the pattern now! I even got a "close up" for you!!! The colorway did not photgraph as pretty as it is in person!! Hopefully my finished garment will show off the subtle colors!!! I am even making a matching bracelet for it!!

Row Counter Tutorial

Here is the Row Counter Tutorial!!

Before printing, please read the following information!
** I have created this tutuorial to help fellow knitters create beautiful knitting jewelry.
DO NOT copy and paste this to your website or blog.
You MAY link this page directly if you wish.
If you own a knitting or bead shop, you may NOT print this out for your distribution without written consent from me!
Please email me at designsbykatie (at) hotmail (dot) com for questions concerning this!**

Happy Beading!!

Supplies:
1 medium size toggle
4 2X2 " crimps
1 3X3" crimps
1 fancy lampwork bead (bead shown by Melanie Egan)
10 large glass based pearls (8 mm)
15 small glass based pearls (6mm)
4" of elastic beading cord
2 9" pieces of colored beading wire .019" (wire shown from Fire Mountain Gems)
(remember wire will be exposed, colored wire is nicer for this project)
Assorted accent beads and spacers
Wire cutters, Scissors and Crimping Tool

Step 1: Insert BOTH strands of beading wire through toggle and 2X2 crimp bead. Fold over leaving room for toggle to move freely and insert back through the crimp bead forming a loop. Crimp bead - do not trim excess wire at crimp!

Step 2: Add accent beads and lampwork, covering excess wire with beads.

Step 3: Add second 2X2 crimp bead and crimp flush with beads.

Step 4: On one wire, add 9 of the small pearls and on the other wire add 10 of the large pearls.


Step 5: Make Marker. Thread 5 6mm pearls on elastic cord. Thread 3X3 crimp through BOTH ends as shown. Pull tightly, forming a circle and crimp. Trim off excess cording at crimp.

Step 6: Thread marker over BOTH wires.


Step 7: Measure 5 1/2" (for average wrist) from second crimp bead. Add another 2X2" crimp bead at 51/2" mark and crimp.

Step 8: Add additional accent beads and remaining pearl and final crimp onto BOTH strands of wire.

Step 9: Loop beading wire and toggle bar through the crimp and accent beads as shown. Crimp and trim access wire! YOU ARE FINISHED!


To use: For each row you knit, move one of the small beads through the marker. When all 9 beads are on the other side of the marker, move one of the BIG beads through the marker and move the 9 small beads back to the start. Repeat...... will count up to 100 rows!!! this would be very handy for travel! You can keep track of your knitting and still wear a pretty bracelet at the same time!