I'll drink to that!

 

I have to admit that I like wine. I like beer too, but I don't like hard liquor. My husband has always said I was a cheap date. I don't have a problem with drinking (isn't that the first sign?), but I love to have a glass of wine while knitting in the evening. I just have do be careful not to start a sock and end up with a mitten. 

So I loved this wine motif I found on Ravelry. I love how it is cabernet on one side and chardonnay on the other. So here is a link to the chart:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hildes-gryteklut

Ladybug Potholder

 

Truthfully, I am not a fan of bugs, but ladybugs don't really fall into the 'dislike insects' category (butterflies and dragonflies fall into that too). I would not have made this potholder either but I have a friend who wanted a ladybug potholder. It was really a fun one to do and I might even make another one. Just don't ask me to make a spider. 

The pattern is double knitting, but I used Daisy and Storm's pattern as a base and modified it a bit. The link is https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ladybug-square-4. 

Free Shopping Bag Pattern

 

Colorado Shopping bag

 

Colorado now charges $.10 for shopping bags at all stores, including yarn stores and grocery stores. So why not make loads and loads of shopping bags in wonderful colors.

MATERIALS: 250g/9 oz worsted weight cotton

1 5.5mm/9 US 16 in circular needle

1 8mm/11 US 24 in circular needle

 

Bag Bottom

With Size 9 circular needle, cast on 30 sts. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) to make a square, approximately 40 rows.

Pick up 30 stitches along the side, 30 stitches along the bottom, and 30 stitches along the other side (120 stitches total). Mark the beginning of the round. Knit 8 rounds in garter stitch (4 ridges).

Switch to size 11 circular needle.

Bag body

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: K2tog, YO to the marker.

Continue round 1 and 2 for approximately 10 inches. (I counted 18 ‘holes’ or yo). Change back to size 9 needle.

 Bag top

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: Purl

Continue Round 1 and 2 four times.

Next round: *Cast off 15 stitches. Knit 45 stitches* twice

Next round: *Using the E method (www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vYqm13EMlY), cast on 15 stitches, purl 45 stitches* twice.

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: Purl

Continue Round 1 and 2 for approximately three inches.

Cast off. Weave in ends.