finished project.

 

I just finished crocheting another one of Kalurah Hudson's "Through the Woods" hood. I made one awhile back which you can see here. I loved the previous results so much that I just had to make another one. I again used Berroco Vintage but this time I chose the colour Oats (5105). This hood turned out a little smaller then the last one I made as I tightened up my gauge a bit. The designer in me knows the importance of following gauge but the crocheter in me just wants to relax with yarn and hook...besides I'm sure I know someone that it will fit :)

kim.

new crochet pattern - pear accent by kim miller.

 

Add a touch of cottage chic to your favorite space with this lovely accent pear. Whether you are looking for a quick gift or planning a dinner party, and you want to add your own personal touch, we're sure that you will agree that this crochet pattern for the Pear Accent is a great way to use up those leftover bits of luxury yarn.

The crochet pattern for the pear calls for 1/3 of a skein of Knit Picks® Gloss Sock Yarn, but some alternate yarns that I have tried are Patons Lace, Patons Grace, Sirdar Flirt and Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour. The finished pear measures approximately 3.5” (9 cm) tall excluding stem, and the pattern used the following techniques and stitches: adjustable ring, double crochet, front post double crochet, and front post double crochet 2 together.

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kim.

sneak peek.

I was lying on my couch, probably tired from a long day of crocheting, when I spotted something in the back corner of my book shelf. It turned out to be the remnants of a ball of Knit Picks Gloss Sock yarn in the colour Robot. There wasn't much yarn left on this tiny ball, and I'm not sure how the little guy ended up tuck away in the corner, but I imagine that it was because I just didn't have the heart to throw out a wool/silk blend no matter how little was left. I set the ball in my current projects basket, and about a day later I picked it up and found myself making this tiny pear that you see pictured.

I showed my husband what I had made and he said, "What is it?" I gave him a puzzled look and I said, "It's a pear". My husband said, "I can see that, but what is it used for?" Well....this is where my husband's brain and my brain differ because I can think of tons of uses for a crocheted pear. The only thing limiting the amount of uses that you can come up with is your imagination. I started listing some of my ideas and the funny thing is about a day or so later my husband comes up with his own brilliant use. He suggested filling the pear with coffee beans and using it as an air freshener in your car. How clever is that?

I've been trying to catch some of my ideas on film and I will share them with you when I release the crochet pattern for this adorable little pear.



Update February 20, 2012: Pear Accent - Crochet Pattern

kim.

photo gallery.

We are always excited when customers send us photos of their finished projects!!! It is especially exciting when the customer takes the design to the next level. When you see this next picture we are sure that you will agree that Elisabeth of NineLadiesDesign did more than take the crochet pattern for the Classic Cables Ladies Tam (designed by myself, Kim Miller) to the next level...she came up with her own amazing design and we are very happy to be able to share this picture with you.

Elisabeth used Knit Picks Palette yarn to make both the tam and the Braided Fingerless Mitts. Elizabeth found that the fingering weight yarn didn't show off the cables on the Classic Ladies Tam so she used the cable pattern from the fingerless mitts and came up with her own design for this gorgeous hat featuring 5 braided cables. Great job and thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!!!!!

kim.

and the winners are....

Thanks to all who commented and participated in our February giveaway! We had a total of 46 entries...some though our blog and some via email. Also, thank-you for your wonderful and encouraging comments :)  It is such sentiments that keep us going!!

Well, we won't keep you in suspense any longer...

The first giveaway of 3 crochet patterns of their choice goes to Laude Arts and Gifts who gave us a shout out via Twitter and left the comment "I think your random Friday give away is a great idea! :)"

The second giveaway of 2 crochet patterns of their choice is to HappyBee who also shared our giveaway with everyone through Twitter and commented "hello!!! what a lovely idea!!!!!!!!!!!!thanks for this chance and...happy week end!!!" 

And our last giveaway of 1 crochet pattern of their choice is for Cheryle who shared our giveaway on facebook and said "I've got my eye on the pom pom scarf! Really like your patterns....very elegant"

Thanks to everyone for spreading the word and for personally participating in our little giveaway.  To you that won...check your email for details on how to claim your prize and enjoy browsing for your next projects!!  For those that unfortunately didn't win this time around, please don't let it deter you from joining us again in the future.  Another giveaway will be here before you know it and you never know what you might get your hands on in the next contest!!

We look forward to hearing from you all again soon!

tara and kim.

random friday freebie.

Today, February the 10th is our first "random friday freebie"!!! We were finding that life was just too random and the first friday of every month did not always work with our busy schedules, so, we decided to phase out "first friday freebie" and replace it with "random friday freebie". We have lots of free patterns planned for today's giveaway and we are excited to announce that this month we will be featuring three seperate giveaways!!!

The first giveaway is 3 crochet patterns of your choice from our etsy shop and...

The second giveaway is 2 free patterns of your choice from our etsy shop and...

yes you guessed it...the third giveaway is 1 free pattern of your choice from our etsy shop.

The draw will begin today and it will extend to Monday, February 13th at midnight (Pacific Standard Time). The winners will be randomly picked using random.org on Tuesday February 14th and they will be contacted the same day by email. A PDF of the pattern(s) will be emailed to each of the winners the same day.

To enter the draw:

Just comment to this post, even to say "Hi". Please make sure to leave us your email address in your comment so we can contact you if your name is drawn. If you prefer to keep your email private, just email us at knotsewcute@gmail.com

To receive a second chance to win, simply tell your friends about our blog via facebook, twitter, personal blog, whatever and come back and share the link with us in another comment. Again, please leave us your email address.

Maximum of 2 entries per person. Each entrant is eligilble for one prize only. All entries must be in by Monday, February 13th, 2012 midnight PST to be valid.

Be sure to check back on Tuesday to see if you are one of the three winners!! 

kim and tara.

new crochet pattern - grab and go project bag.

Not only is this bag practical and fun to make but it is perfect for transporting your current crochet project!!! This bag opens up nice and wide for easy access and keeps your yarn clean and secure while you are crocheting. Then when it's time to run, simply toss in your project, grab the drawstring handles and away you go! This bag would also work great as a purse or a lunch bag.

This detailed crochet pattern calls for 1 ¾ balls of Patons® Classic Wool in Natural Mix, scraps of Deep Olive, eight 1” eyelets, and one 1½” button. The felting process creates a beautiful dense fabric so there is no need for lining. The pattern is complete with colour illustrations and directions on attaching the eyelets. The finished bag measure 29" in circumference and 11" from the bottom center to the top edge.

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kim.

how to work into the back humps of your starting chain.

A crochet technique that I've recently learned and quickly fell in love with is to work into the back humps of the starting chain.

Normally, I was working into the front of the starting chain as shown.

To work into the back hump of the starting chain simply flip the chain over and insert your hook into the back hump.

Not only does this make for a nicer finish but it also makes it easier to see your stitches later on when you are adding an edging to your crochet project.

Also, if you want to make a nice even cord simply slip stitch into each back hump of your starting chain (starting with the second chain from the hook).

As you can see from the photo below this makes for a pretty symmetrical cord that is perfect for ties and bag handles.

kim.

sneak peek.

grab and go project bag by kim miller 

 

 

Perfect for the crafter on the go, the crochet pattern for this wonderful felted project bag should be ready for release any day now...

kim.