Hankering for Yarn » Adelle Tilton

Crocheted Rosaries

Adelle Tilton — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 02:48:19 +0000

I have received a couple of emails about crocheted rosaries. Finally I have found a Web site that will have what you want; you can order a pre-made rosary, a kit with everything you need (except the hook, of course), or just the pattern.

I like these kits. They are complete and there is a wide variety of colors. I was rather partial to the pink one (big surprise there) and the Christmas rosary. These would make lovely gifts for a birthday, Christmas, first communion, or just to say how much you care.

Crochet Rosaries at Crochet…Gotta Love It!

Technorati Tags: crochet, crochet patterns, crocheted rosaries, crochet rosary

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Pink Knitted Tank

Adelle Tilton — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 07:59:09 +0000

When I read that there was a knitted pink tank on a blog, I went expecting to find a great summer top. I love pink, as you all know. I love to knit – that much is obvious. And tank tops are just the ticket for summer.

I didn’t expect to see this …

Technorati Tags: knit, knitting, knitted pink tank

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Bear Skin Rug or Is It A Bare Skin Rug?

Adelle Tilton — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:25:31 +0000

Do you remember the fold-out photograph in “Knit 1″ that reminded us all of the Burt Reynold’s “Cosmo” layout a few years… er, decades, ago? It became such a popular photo that it was turned into a poster. But I digress. I am not here to discuss half-naked men on bear rugs.

However, I am here to discuss the bear rug! This is a pattern designed by Nicky Epstein, one of my personal favorites in knit design, and it is absolutely free!** It takes a fair amount of yarn, but hey – it’s worth it. It is not a difficult pattern; the instructions are clear and easy to follow and a schematic is included to put the bear together properly.

You will have to find your own hunk to photograph on the finished project though. And for that, you are on your own!

Bear Skin Rug

Technorati Tags: knit, knitting, free knitting patterns, Nicky Epstein, Knit 1, Knit1, Vogue Knitting

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Do You Like My Hat?

Adelle Tilton — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:13:16 +0000

Do you like hats? I do too. It may seem the wrong time of year for hats, and in many ways it is, if you are talking wearing them. But knitters and crocheters are always working in the opposite seasons (theoretically), so maybe it is time to think about making quick Christmas gifts. Hats are a perfect solution. They are fun, fast, inexpensive, and a great way to try new pattern techniques, color combinations, and yarns.

Hatternique is a great stop for both knitters and corcheters for a wide variety of hat patterns. Some of them carry a fee for a collection, but it is a reasonable cost. $12.00 gets you a .pdf file of five patterns. They also have patterns for accessories: Pillows, a case for glasses, and a scissor case are among those choices.

There is also a section that has a few free patterns for you to try out. One of these patterns is the popular Kufi crochet hat pattern.

Hatternique – A Unique Hat Pattern Boutique

Technorati Tags: knit, knitting, crochet, free patterns to crochet, knitting patterns, hats to knit, hats to crochet, Kufi hat

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These Can’t Really Be Knitting Patterns!

Adelle Tilton — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 02:16:35 +0000

I found, through a wonderful podcast, Knitting Newscast, one of the funniest blogs I have ever seen. I went to just take a look. An hour later, I was still surfing around in it. It is called, “You Knit What?” and it is a collection of photographs, and very funny comments, about the ugliest knitting patterns ever. Some of these had me laughing out loud. You really need to see this site. Be warned, there is use of four-letter words, but I think we are all adult enough to handle that. Besides, in many cases, those are the only words that will do for these patterns.

You Knit What?

My favorite of the photos – and I had a hard time choosing!!

Sites like this remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. And it is good to take a break and just laugh.

KnitNewscast

Technorati Tags: knit, knitting, you knit what?

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Blocking Socks or Socking Blocks – Whatever!

Adelle Tilton — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 21:45:16 +0000

When you have finished a perfect pair of socks, do you block them? I must admit, I sometimes fudge on that part because I have never found a really good way to block them and have them come out right. There is a solution though and it is easy. Best of all it won’t cost you a dime.

Print out this tutorial and put it in your notebook of techniques. You will be glad you have it. I am going to make sure this becomes a regular part of my sock making ritual – it seems that if we cheat on the blocking, our projects just aren’t as perfect as we’d like. This is a solution I can live with!

Easy and Inexpensive Sock Blocking

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Happy Earth Day!

Adelle Tilton — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:52:54 +0000

Everyone is celebrating Earth Day today. It is something we should do everyday, but today is the day we acknowledge our home planet and pay tribute by our activities, or in this case our crafts. I found two classic patterns by “Vogue Knitting,” that do this better than any others I have seen. I love this pattern myself – I have since the day it debuted and someday I will make it.

The most famous of the patterns I am referring to is the “World Map Sweater,” by “Vogue Knitting.” It is perhaps their flagship sweater – it has never lost its popularity since its original debute in 1991, and I can’t think it ever will. It continues to be reprinted in a cardstock leaflet and can be purchased by one of my favorite retailers, “Oregon Trail Yarns.”

If you decide to make this sweater, there are color and yarn suggestions, but don’t be afraid to be bold. There are many colors you could use, and several different yarns. I like the sweater as it appears but I could also see it created to resemble an antique map or with different shades of the colors shown. Warmer colors might suit a redhead better and cooler colors might be better on a brunette. Just be sure you consider the finished project and how the colors will work together.

Another variation of the world map from VK, is the Map of the World Afghan. This was presented in the Fall 2002 issue of “Vogue Knitting.” I have provided a link below to purchase this issue if you don’t already have it. It is really a gorgeous work. Visiting this Web site, Weird Kids, will take you to some photographs of it – scroll down and find those pictures near the end of the page. I love how they are planning the buttons for decoration.

Another version can be seen at FreeFriends.org. They have some large photographs of the afghan done in slightly different colors, plus on the upper right of the site there is a smaller photograph of this afghan done in a completely different color scheme.

If you don’t have the Fall 2002 issue of “Vogue Knitting,” you can buy it here. Within the magazine you will find the information you need to buy the pattern for next-to-nothing. It is a good issue and I am sure you will find other things in it as well.

Map of the World Sweater Pattern from Oregon Trail Yarn

Weird Kids – Photographs of Map of the World Afghan

FreeFriends.org – More Afghan Photos

Buy the Fall 2002 “Vogue Knitting” Issue

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Knitting a Crochet Pattern

Adelle Tilton — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 01:59:27 +0000

Every now and again, there comes along a pattern in crochet that I would love to make, but I would prefer it knitted. In the back of my mind, I have an afghan pattern that I love – it is all double crochet stitches and there is a scene created through the color changes.

I found a guide that helps the knitter convert crochet instructions into a knitting pattern. It isn’t difficult but having instructions in front of you, makes the process a little bit easier. Be sure you print out a copy and file another one away in the computer.

Convert Crochet Instructions to a Knit Pattern

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Fingerless Gloves in Crochet

Adelle Tilton — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:59:24 +0000

Fingerless gloves are very popular but not everyone knits. I have heard from some crocheters who would like a fingerless mitt or glove pattern in crochet.

I found one. It is easy and a fast project. If you have hands that chill easily when typing or doing your yarn crafts, consider these as a solution. Crocheting up a pair shouldn’t take you any time at all!

Crocheted Fingerless Gloves

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Toe Up – Short Row Method

Adelle Tilton — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 08:55:26 +0000

I found a nifty tutorial on a technique for knitting yarn-over short-row toe-up toes on socks. In other words, you can get around grafting the two together at the end if you are used to working cuff down. Try the toe up method – it is a great way to eliminate holes when picking up stitches and creating a sock that fits perfectly.

This particular tutorial is very explicit and is amply illustrated with photographs to aid instruction. It is from “Purly White,” a blog by a self-proclaimed “high-maintenance” knitter.

Yarn-Over Short-Row Toe-Up Toe

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