best friend butterfly blanket

featured

 I don't think I have mentioned this blanket in this space before.  Only on my YouTube channel.

However, I want to make sure you have access to it also!

This baby blanket was born of a love for my grandmother, Lillie, and her butterfly blankets.  If you were lucky enough to be my grandmother's friend, then you were lucky enough to receive a butterfly blanket and most certainly had one on thrown on the back of your sofa.  My sister and I decided to rework the vintage style into a more modern solid color version and gift it to the newest generation: babies!  We like working it in acrylic yarn.  That way, the parents of the baby don't have to be too fussy and the blanket can be dragged just about anywhere and everywhere.  Then it can be thrown into the washing machine without any worries.  Trust me, the new mother will thank you! 

Head on over to grab a free copy of the pattern.   

P.S.  I have a tutorial demonstrating exactly how to make the butterfly stitch here.  

the classic

featured
The Classic.  Truly a sweater I can't recommend enough.
I love everything about this sweater. 

It hit the sweet spot on needle size, on yarn choice, on wearability and on a piece that will fit into my wardrobe for many years.   
I'm not going to lie.  The twisted rib is a bear.  Even more so trying to rip it out.  I mistakenly took the back for the front and the front for the back, ribbing for 4.5" on the front which the pattern didn't call for and had to rip out 2.5" of twisted rib.  Ouch!  I tried the freezer trick but this did not help one little bit.  
I ended up cutting off the extra 2.5 and miraculously getting the stitches back on the needles.  
A simple raglan sleeve is my favorite fit.  


Pattern:  The Classic by Espace Tricot  (Free pattern!)
Yarn:  Held Double:
           Sonder Yarn Co. Sunday Morning 4 ply.  3 skeins in Cover to Cover.  
           Sonder Yarn Co. Halo.  3 skeins in Rocket
Needle Size:  US 7
Size:  I knit a smaller size than I normally wear because I did not want the 10" of positive ease.  I have about 5" of positive ease.  
Modifications:  I knit 2" more on the sleeve before starting the twisted rib.  

summer of stripes KAL part 3

featured

Welcome to the accessory portion of the Stripes Inspiration for the KAL that will be starting on June 21!  Grab your scraps, your stash or head to your LYS and join Gina and I for some summer fun!  There will be fun prizes and you may even meet a new friend!  
I found a few stripy socks and accessories that caught my eye!

Top Left:  Weekend Shorty Socks by Summer Lee.  Are these the cutest or what!  I downloaded this free pattern immediately!  I think I need a pair of Weekend Shorty Socks!

Top Right:  Spotty Socks by Paintbox Yarns.  Another free pattern.   I mean, come on!  Aren't they just the cutest?

Bottom Left:  Trusy Toe up Socks by Tanis Lavallee.  Okay.... If you need a basic sock pattern with just enough instruction this is it!  And talk about a scrap buster!  If you need any inspiration just head to the project page.  SO many fun socks!  Again, a free pattern.  

Bottom Right:  Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes.  The name has me craving a latte every time I read it!  I've knit these socks as a solid version but have always been drawn to the detail and the stripes that are present in this recipe!  Again, head to the project page if in need of some inspiration! You guessed it, a free pattern.  

Top Left:  Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki.  I just adore Julie Hoover's version of this beauty.  Something I would love wrapped around me on a cool summer night!

Top Right:  Ashford Baby Blanket by Kaleidoscope Knits.  Looking for a fun baby gift that uses your stash?  This is it!

Bottom Left:  Agate Cowl by Nick Davis  This totally caught my eye.  There is just something about it.  Sort of like a updated Little Red Riding Hood!  This is made in a self striping yarn.  No need to weave in all those ends!

Bottom Right:  Stria Hat by Andrea Mowry.  This is Andrea's latest pattern which was knit during her latest KAL. A great pattern to try you Half Fisherman Rib skills.  I love it.  Another perfect scraps knit!  

Happy Weekend, friends!