photo gallery - felted toddler slip-ons.

We absolutely love it when our customers share pictures of their finished projects made from our patterns. Check out these awesome Felted Toddler Slip-ons made by Laura of LKsCreativeThread. 

 

I love them!! The little embellishments are the perfect touch to these slippers. She used ribbon across the top of the foot and handmade the little flowers. How you ask? I was curious too so I had to ask! "The flowers I handmade with wool felt I also got at Joanne s . I made the flowers behind cutting a round (how big I wanted the flower) then cut into it a spiral then rolled it and sewed it together then sewed them on. It was so much fun.. possibilities are endless!" Laura says.

And if her creativity on these slippers weren't enough, here is another pair that she made using the same pattern!

Isn't this little guy precious?? And look at him sporting his new "cookie monster" slippers.  Laura created these slippers using KnitPicks yarn. The eyes were added by using some white acrylic yarn and a bit of black felt.  They are adorable!

As Laura said, the possibilities are endless!  We look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with for their finished projects.  Please feel free to share your pictures with us either by emailing us at knotsewcute@gmail.com or by posting your projects on www.ravelry.com.

Be sure to check out Laura and Kristine's Etsy shop, LKsCreativeThread for more wonderful knit and crocheted creations! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!

tara.

finished project - Spring Bunny

I fell in love with this pattern design, Spring Bunny, from Josephine Wu and I just had to make it. She was so much fun to work on.  She got cuter and cuter with every step and piecing her together became quite addicting.

This little bunny has made her way to the Dominican Republic, into the hands of my sweet little niece.  Aren't the two of them precious together? I think she likes her :)

Here is Spring Bunny enjoying the warm sunshine at a resort, overlooking the pool.  Is it possible to be jealous of a stuffy?? 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and don't forget to check out Josephine Wu's collection of cute crochet patterns for yourself.  You will find her designs on Etsy, Craftsy, and Ravelry.  Enjoy!!

tara.

finished project - seafoam shawl.

I've been eyeing up this one skein of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in my yarn stash for some time now. Although, I tend to stick to more neutral colours I was drawn to this gorgeous colour way, and I've been pondering for a while now about what to make with it. I'm not a big fan of colour pooling so I was looking for a quick, lacy project that would really show off the yarn. I finally decided on the Seafoam Shawl by Kimberly K. McAlindin. Not only did I love the pattern, but it also turned out to be a great match for the yarn.



Seafoam Shawl by Kimberly K. McAlindin

  

Seafoam Shawl by Kimberly K. McAlindin

  

I thoroughly enjoyed crocheting with this yarn as it is amazingly soft, and not at all itchy, which is unlike most metallic yarns. Also, the drape is simply delicious! I used a 3.75 mm (F) crochet hook and if you compare my shawl to the original you will notice that I didn't follow gauge....ooops. I really should of taken the time to work out a test swatch as I would have preferred my finished project to have turned out a bit bigger. Totally my fault, but  in the end it is a nice size for a scarf. To open up the stitches and to stretch it out a bit, I lightly steamed blocked the shawl/scarf when it was done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

kim.

 

photo gallery - pinwheel pouf.

One of our dear customers, Colleen, kindly took the time to send us some pictures of her Pinwheel Pouf that she recently completed.  Along with the photos, she commented "It was a labor of love for sure but couldn't be happier with it!" 

 

We agree!  It is a fair amount of work but it is worth it.  Look at the amazing results she got for her patience and determination!  And now she is able to put her feet up and enjoy the fruits of her labour!

She lined it with turquoise flannel fabric for the purpose of keeping the stuffing contained and discovered that the colour shows through the small holes a bit and gives it a delightful contrast to the white. I might have to try that myself next time around! She then put in a bag worth of polyfil around the edges, set in a throw pillow that she wasn't using anymore, and then filled it in with another bag of polyfil. 

We love your pouf, Colleen! Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing your project with us! 

 tara.

photo gallery.

We love seeing what our customers create from our patterns!! Kerri from Calico Rabbit recently shared her finished item of the Hanging Storage Pouch crochet pattern and we absolutely love it!  Kerri has a true love of all things primitive and this comes across in her decorating style and her artistic handiwork. 

While the pattern calls for 100% cotton, Kerri used jute as her fiber of choice to give it a timeless feel and make it a little more outdoor friendly.  For her tips and experiences in choosing and working with jute, visit her blog posting here.  While there, be sure to browse around...you will find she has many beautiful creations and talents that will appeal to your creative side.

tara.

finished project - #06 bracelets by karen stahlecker.

I recently finished making the #06 Bracelets by Karen Stahlecker. I bought the silver clasps from a wonderful etsy shop called Carrie Gems.  I used DMC Cébélia Cotton size 10 and amber coloured seed beads 6/0 that I had previously purchased from Micheals. This was a fun, easy project that produced great results so I plan on making lots more.

If you are looking for the pattern for this lovely bracelet you can find it in the "Vogue Knitting Crochet Special Collector's Issue 2012".

kim.

finished project - pretty triangle scarf by kim miller.

Pretty Triangle Scarf

I was inspired by a knitter/crocheter on Ravelry that gets as many hearts♥ for her finished projects as many designers get for their designs. She has this wonderful, classic, bohemian style that that I love and this style is reflected in many of her projects. If you are a member of Ravelry.com then I would recommend checking out her projects here. If you have not yet discovered Ravelry it is a wonderful community of knitters and crocheters, and it is a great resource for patterns and everything fiber related.

The yarn that I chose is Noro Taiyo Sock (colourway S25), and the crochet pattern that I used is one of my own called the "Pretty Triangle Scarf". I only needed one ball of yarn and I easily finished the project in a day. The pattern suggests blocking, but I loved the look of this scarf as is.

If I had read the comments on Ravelry about the Noro Taiyo Sock yarn prior to my purchase then I may have never bought it. The general complaint is that it tangles and twists like crazy. Although, the Noro Taiyo Sock yarn definitely does have a tendency to kink and twist back on itself I personally never had a problem with it tangling. I love that the yarn has thin and thick spots giving it that homespun feel, and the colourways are absolutely amazing so despite the "twistiness" I will definitely be purchasing this yarn again.

kim.

finished project.

It's pretty much impossible to find a contemporary footstool that is low enough to slide under a chair so I was thrilled when Tara came out with her latest design for the the "Pinwheel Pouf".  Tara's always had a good eye for home decor and whenever I want to know what the hot new trend or colour is I just ask Tara.

To create the footstool that you see pictured I just eliminated a few increased rounds as well as some plain rounds from Tara's pattern for the Pinwheel Pouf. I then stuffed my pouf with thick foam topped with a layer of quilt batting. Thanks Tara for another great crochet design!

kim.

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.

day seven of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day seven, the last day, in a seven day series :)

Not only did I get all 7 projects completed but I also managed to sneak in an extra project, so I'm doing a happy dance!

Here are my last few projects...

I finally lined the "Touch of Africa Shoulder Bag"!

I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I released the crochet pattern for the "Touch of Africa Shoulder Bag" way back in August of 2010 and the bag has been sitting ever since just waiting to be lined. I wasn't sure if I would get this project done this week so I'm pretty excited and so is my daughter as she is the happy recipient.

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern for the Touch of Africa shoulder bag you can find it here.

A Touch of Africa Shoulder Bag

I also finished the "Ladies Felted Chapeau"!

Ladies Felted Chapeau

On October 5th, 2011 I posted a felting tutorial and at the end of the tutorial I showed what the Ladies Felted Chapeau looked like after it was felted but there was still some finishing work to be done. At the time I was a little discouraged as I got so involved in the tutorial that I shrunk the hat a bit too much. I tried steaming it and stretching it but without a head form I really wasn't getting anywhere. I figured that I would finish as is and pass in on to someone with a smaller head, but after I added the cording and the top stitching I gently washed the hat in lukewarm water and I found that I was able stretch it while it was drying and now it fits perfect!

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern for the Ladies Felted Chapeau you can find it on our blog under hats.

Other than a couple of patterns that I am working on I am officially caught up....yay!!! Now as a reward I have my eye on the Lacy Shopping Bag by mycraftyideas :)

kim.

day six of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.


This is day six in a seven day series...

Whenever I design a pattern I usually make several test samples. I just finished the crochet pattern for the "Honey Bee Beret" and this is the last test sample that just needed a bit more work to finish up.

Only one more day left of "7 days - 7 unfinished projects" and I can't believe how much lighter and more organized I feel. I am not allowing myself to start any new projects until the end of the 7 days so I am getting very excited and can't wait until Friday so that I can start on a new project...I already have a new pattern picked out :) I hope that this series has helped to encourage others to complete some of those nagging unfinished projects.

kim.

day five of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day five in a seven day series...

Originally, this "Bottoms-up Felted Coffee Cuff" was one of Tara's unfinished projects. My daughter really wanted one of these coffee cuff's so Tara generously offered me this one (some assembly required). Of course I snatched it up.

All I had to do to complete this project was to needle felted the swirls onto the pockets, attach the pockets and the pink heart, and buy and attach the belt buckle. All went well until it was time for me to sew the belt buckle on. You can automatically add a month onto any project that requires me to fire up the sewing machine.

Completion of this project took me all of 10 minutes most of which consisted of gathering the supplies and threading the sewing machine. It's amazes me how a bunch of small unfinished projects can start to add up and weigh on your mind...

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern for the "Bottoms-up Felted Coffee Cuff" by Tara Schreyer you can find it here. Please note that the instructions for the little felted pink heart shown on the front are not included with the pattern.

kim.

day four of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day four in a seven day series...

Some time ago in "current projects" I posted about this gorgeous, artsy, handpainted wool from "Hand Painted Knitting Yarns". I had planned on trying my hand at free form crochet but part way into the project I realized that it was not going to work. Either that or free form is just not my calling.

This yarn was a giant collection of 12 mini skeins ranging from fine merino to boucle and glitters and all handpainted in the same gorgeous colours. I was planning on making motifs and joining them together to form a shawl, but as I was working on my third motif I realized that some of the motifs would work up rigid and stiff while others would work up soft and floppy. I didn't want the different weights and textures of yarn pulling the shawl into some weird mishap so I ditched the project.

My daughter came up with the idea of a vertical striped scarf. As soon as she said it I started thinking of all sorts of different designs when I remembered that I already had a scarf pattern that would work great.

Easy Striped Scarf - Crochet Pattern

The Easy Striped Scarf was the perfect match for the yarn. I added some random beads tied at different heights and in the end I even liked this finished project better than the original. If you are interested in purchasing the pattern for the Easy Striped Scarf you can purchase it here.

What does this have to do with "7 day - 7 unfinished projects"? Well, when I had finished the first scarf I realized that I had enough yarn to make a second scarf. It was the second scarf that took me some time to complete. For at least a month it alternated between decorating the top of my coffee table and the top of my TV stand. I had originally planned on adding a few more rows, but in order to get the project done I finished off where it was, I blocked it, and I trimmed the fringe. Excluding the drying time and the beads the finishing off part only took me about half an hour.

Now, not only did I finish up another project, but I also finished up the blog post that I had originally promised...yay!

kim.

day three of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day three in a seven day series... 

It's not that this project has been in the works for long it's more that last summer a friend asked me to make the Vintage Inspired Felted Cloche for them and I just didn't have the time until very recently. I feel bad that it has taken me so long, but I happy that it is finished and I can't wait to give it to her :)

If you are interested in this pattern you can find it in the hats section of our blog.

kim.

day two of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day two in a seven day series... 

This project wasn't actually on the hooks that long. I found this yummy yarn on sale and I just couldn't wait to make something out of it. The yarn is called "Panguipulli by Araucania" and it is a super soft merino wool that is delightful to work with. Although, I should add that I would have been a little disappointed if I had paid full price for the wool. The 2 skeins that I bought had several joins and imperfections that had to be cut out:( 

All in all, the yarn was still dreamy to work with and "The Boyfriend Cowl" was the project that I started when I should have been working on finishing all of the other projects.

kim.

day one of 7 days - 7 unfinished projects.

This is day one in a seven day series. My goal is to complete 7 unfinished crochet projects...one a day for 7 days.

I made this bag using the Scallops and Ruffles Felted Purse pattern (which you can find under free patterns in our blog). I had a vision of autumn coloured leaves blowing across the front of the bag, but I just couldn't get the leaves to look right so, frustrated, I removed the demented leaves and the needled felted swirls that were suppose to represented the wind and I tossed the bag into a basket. This is where the bag has remained neglected and unloved for well over a year.

I gave the bag a good washing to ensure that all remnants of the needle felted swirls were gone and then I reshaped the bag and allowed it to dry. I found these felted flowers for $2.49 a piece at Michaels and I thought that they would be a quick and easy way to embellish the front of the bag. I needle felted some different vine like swirls onto the bag, sewed on the flowers and voila...my first of 7 completed projects. I am already feeling lighter!

kim.

finished project.

I am not the fastest crocheter so when I get a project done, I am EXCITED! Thought I would share my latest.  This is one of Kim Miller's most recent patterns, called the "Boyfriend Cowl".  I did it up for my guy but I have every intention of stealing it :) Okay, that sounds bad...borrowing it...at least until I have one to call my very own.

I love this pattern! It looks great on girl or guy and created using a simple stitch. The finishing construction is genius and creates this funky cowl.  Love it!

I used approximately 1.5 balls of "Stylecraft Life Aran" in "Granite Marl" to create this cowl.  It is 75% acrylic and 25% wool.  Just the right combination of fiber for our mild winters.
 
To get your hands on this pattern, click here. Thanks Kim, for another great design!

tara.

finished project.

Wrapped in Lace Shawl

by Kim Miller

I made this shawl using Knit Picks Aloft which is a lovely lace weight blend of 75% mohair and 25% silk. I am extremely happy with this soft, pretty yarn as it blocks beautifully and it is very similar to the Rowan Kidsilk Haze but at a fraction of the cost. 

The downside of mohair is that it is usually impossible to frog and the Knit Picks Aloft was no exception. I messed up on the shawl border as there is suppose to be a scallop on either side of the center point as opposed to one scallop in the very center. I managed to rip out about half a dozen shells before I gave up and realized that I would end up wrecking the shawl if I tried to take out anymore.  Besides the edging looked just as pretty either way.

Once again...yay to Knit Picks for their gorgeous selection of affordable luxury yarns!!!

kim.

finished project.

"Through the Woods" crochet hood by Kalurah of "While They Play".

I love this pattern!!! This was a very satisfying project to work on and everything went smoothly once I clued in and came to the realization that I should be ignoring the ch 2 like it didn’t exist (the same as if I was working in sc). The hood construction is brilliant and it was fun to see how it all came together.

For this project I used 3 skeins of Berroco Vintage in "Butter Cream". This was my first time using this yarn and even though it was slightly splitty I was delighted with it. The yarn is so soft and it has a lovely drape.

kim.