Also making some face cloths

 While on my kick for quick and shorter projects in between my hats, I have also been make face cloths or dish cloth, depending on where you use them. This is my own pattern, but since it is similar to many other pattern, it is free. I change the colors of the yarns as the mood hits me, so have fun.

Using a cotton light yarn, cast on 40 stitches, place marker, cast on 1 stitch, place marker, cast on 40 stitches (81 stitches).

Row 1: K.

Row 2: K to marker. Slip marker (sm), purl 1, sm, k to end.

Row 3: k to 2 sts before marker. SSK, sm, k1, sm, k2tog, sm, k to end.

Row 4: K to marker. Slip marker (sm), purl 1, sm, k to end.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until three sts are left. K 3tog. Cut yarn and pull through remaining st. Weave in ends.

A Slight Break from Hats

 

I got back in touch with an old friend from my working days in law firms and we met for coffee. I remembered that she collected owls, so I took a break from my hats to make a gift for her. It is made with brown and cream cotton yarn in a double knitting pattern. It really turned out cute. She loved it!

Relaxing knitting. Free pattern!

 I have been doing what I call "relaxing knitting." I'm not trying to produce, catch up, get things done, all the things that the holidays make you do. I am just knitting. 

I first did a bunch of face towels. I could just combine colors or make a face cloth in one color. What I love about doing these is that it is a set amount of stitches and I don't have to think, count, or measure. 

I am using size 4 needles and Bernat Cotton Terry. Gauge doesn't matter. 

Cast on 65 stitches. 

Foundation row: K 32, place marker, k1, place maker, k 32.

Row 1: Knit to the marker, slip marker (sm), P1, sm, K to end.

Row 2: Knit to two stiches before marker, k2tog, sm, k1, sm, ssk, K to end. (2 sts deceased). 

Repeat these two rows until there are three sts left.

Remove markers. k3tog. Fasten off and weave in end.

You can make them bigger or smaller by casting on more or less stitches as long as you have an odd number of stitches. You can easily add stripes by just adding another color on Row 2. 

Just have fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all!! May all your wishes come true

This is a free pattern from Lisa Hannan Fox so put it on your list!

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-tree-potholder-8

 

Kitty in front of Christmas Tree

How much do I like Christmas Cat?  Lisa Hannon Fox is the author of this potholder as well as my kitty scarf that I worked on for almost a full year (See September 5). Her most recent pattern is this sweet kitty is sleeping in front of a Christmas tree. I purchased it right away and had it knitted up within a day!

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-cat-potholder

 

Hark, How the Bells! Sweet red and white bells!

Getting all my Christmas potholders out there. A Christmas bell in red and white is always a welcomed sight. Again, this was picked up somewhere on Pinterest. 

 

My Divas gift this year

Every Christmas, my Diva group has a holiday party and gift exchange. Normally, we meet every six weeks or so, but this is the gathering in which we invite our hubbies. It is one of the best celebrations of the year. 

Our group met years ago when our children were in high school and we were all active in the theater and music departments. Our kids moved on to college and careers, but we stayed together. Those kids are now in their 30's and 40's, but we are still together.

I try to make something special for my friend for this Christmas so this year, I got some cotton terry cloth yarn and made face cloths. I also purchased some fancy soaps to go with them. I got wonderful gifts too, such as a hand painted pictures of the five of us, hand soap, socks, a journal, and ornaments. Great Christmas haul! 

 

Christmas Dove

This potholder is celebrating peace for the holiday season. The colored yarn is Hipster in Desert Skies  and the other is dark blue. It came out so beautiful. The pattern is, again, from Pinterest, just typing in "dove."

The dove is flying hoping for all of you to have wonderful holiday season.

 

What a Good Stretch!

This potholder is in honor of our wonderful black kitty Omi. She still misses our kitty Wookie (oh, so do I) so she is more affectionate now. She is in my lap right now, and will stay there until I move her. 

 

 

Looking for Big Foot, the safe way

If you know me, you know I have a healthy interest in Bigfoot. I have never seen one, nor had any occurrence that could be construed as possible. Actually, the only way I would want to see one is if one was passing in front of us while driving, and I would like to catch it on our dashcam. 

However, they fascinate me to the point that I have been to the Sasquatch Museum twice. If you have a chance, visit it in Bailey, Colorado. www.sasquatchoutpost.com. Bailey is a small town in the mountains southwest of the Denver area. I bet you will leave that place believing there is a good chance Big Foot exists. It is really a blast!

 

Lady Bug Potholder

Basically, I have a bug phobia. However, my son points out to me that my phobia is not pure. I like butterflies, dragonflies, and lady bugs, and I tolerate bees. Okay, I'll give him that. Just don't make me like any other, and especially spiders. I cherish my phobias (bridges make me very nervous).

I got this design from Pinterest so I don't have link to the pattern. However, type in "ladybug chart" in the search engine, and you will get many sizes and designs. I also have a lot of red yarn to use up.

 

Tree of Life potholder

I am not sure where I got this pattern, probably Pinterest. I wasn't able to find it again to give credit. There are lots of Tree of Life patterns though. I am not crazy about the colors, so I will probably make it again down the road.

 

The Only Turkey I Made Today!

Today is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, the day we celebrate turkey and food. I have made turkeys for years for family and friends. However today, it is just our son who came down from Fort Collins, his two dogs, Ken, and me. We will zoom with our other son and his partner, who live in LA later today. 

We couldn't see making a big turkey for the three of us, so I am making chicken, potatoes and a circus salad. Our son brought a pecan pie. No pumpkin. Not a big fan.

This turkey potholder is a free pattern, so use the link to download your own pattern. It was a fun pattern.

Free pattern on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/potholder-turkey

Hibiscus potholder

Another potholder in the flower series. After the holidays, I plan to do a bunch of flower-related potholders. I have a lot of colorful yarns that does not work well with animals. I will use them up with flowers

Peacock not so much fun

 This peacock was actually not as much fun as many of the other designs. It was the tail. Even though it is a silhouette, it seemed to change yarn just about every other stitch. My eyes were crossing by the time I was done. It is cute though, but I doubt I will ever do it again.

Up, Up and Away

Okay, it is not exactly the southwest theme, but it would be if you have ever been to Albuquerque, New Mexico in October. It is the Balloon Festival and it is really a sight to see. Hundreds of hot air balloons in all sizes and shapes.

New Mexico is one of our favorite places to vacation, not only because it is close to Colorado, but also because there is so much to see and do. From Chaco Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns to the wonderful cities of Santa Fe and Taos, it is a wonderful paradise.

The background is again Premier Hipster, this time in Summer Splash. 

 

Howling in the Southwest with a Coyote

This picture does not do justice to this cute little coyote howling at the moon. The colors are more dramatic in real life. If I had a darker brown, it probably would have been better, but this is as dark as my stash had. There background is again Premier Hipster in Desert Sunset.

Here is Colorado, we have coyotes, and they are not as cute as the one in this potholder. It is why we need to keep our kitties and dogs in at night. Coyotes, as well as owls, bobcats, bears, and cougars. Our pets are just safer inside.

 

Keeping with the Southwest Theme

I have to admit this is one of my favorite patterns to make. It goes very fast because of the straight lines, but the true fun is the sunset colors. I use Premier Hipster cotton yarn and this color is even called Desert Sunset. Using a darker color for the contrast, it makes a very dramatic scene. 

There is another southwest theme potholder coming up in another couple of days so stay tuned.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/southwest-potholders

 

Sun Spiral Potholder

I love southwest designs, and this is one of my favorites. I have made this design several times and every time, I end up selling it or giving it away. Let's see how long this one lasts this time. Stay tuned for my cactus that I am working on now.

 

Moon and Stars

 Sometimes my potholders don't turn out well, and this is one. I think it was that I used sport-weight cotton yarn instead of a heavier weight. Anyway, I still liked the moon and stars design, which I found on Pinterest. Not sure what I will do with it though.