free knitting pattern :: tide pool scarf

This is my own pattern for a really soft, textural, circular scarf... I hope you like it!

The yarn is Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in Sea, Fog, and Fennel. You will need just one 50g skein of each color. Use a pair of US 8/5 mm straight knitting needles. You will also need a large needle or a crochet hook for finishing the scarf. Let's begin!

Cast on 40 stitches. We will be working a mock cable pattern of 10 stitches, so the pattern will repeat 4 times across each row.

Row 1: p4, k1, p1, k4 (repeat this sequence until the end of the row).

Row 2: p3, k2, p2, k3 (repeat).

Row 3: p2, k2, p1, k1, p2, k2 (repeat).

Row 4: p1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k1 (repeat).

Row 5: k2, p3, k3, p2 (repeat).

Row 6: k1, p4, k4, p1 (repeat).

These six rows are the pattern for the body of the scarf. To get nice, wide stripes I changed colors after knitting 12 rows. You can make your stripes as wide, or as narrow, as you like.

Keep knitting until your scarf is about 27 inches long, then bind off and cut your yarn. The dimensions of my scarf were 8 inches x 27 inches. Yours could be a little longer or shorter if you like, just make sure to finish you last stripe so it's the same width as the others!

There's just one more step...

We're going to sew or crochet the two short ends of our scarf together to make a circular scarf, but before you do you have to give it a single twist!

In other words, lay the scarf flat and bring the short ends together. Instead of matching up the corners normally, give the end a twist so that the opposite corners are together. It makes a twist in the scarf that you can see in the first photo. Like a moebius shape. Does that make sense? Good.

Now you can choose to whipstitch or single crochet the short ends together to make your mobius-like loop. When you where your scarf, put the twist in front!

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it's a little wonky, but i like it

My finished quilt is a little less than perfect... a little less than "perfectly square" you might say! Ah well, I'm happy with the colors and the work I put into it --- and I definitely learned some lessons that will come in handy on the next quilt : )

I have another knitting pattern to share in the next post, just need to take some photos of the finished product.

And the farmer's market is this afternoon! I look forward to it all week...

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trucking along

The quilt top is 3/4 finished...

Yes, this is the same pair of socks I posted in January. And, yes, I'm still working on them : )

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homemade granola recipe

Each week I make a batch of granola, and each week we eat it all up! It's so easy to make and I like adjusting the spices and fruits to suit my taste. (and no nuts for me!)

Here is my recipe:

4 cups rolled oats

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp salt

3 Tbs olive oil

1/2 cup agave nectar or maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 handfuls golden raisins

1 handful dried cranberries

1 handful flax seeds

1 handful sesame seeds

Preheat your oven to 325 F. Line a big cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a big bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, cloves, salt, flax seeds, and sesame seeds.

In a smaller bowl, stir together the olive oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla.

Pour the sugar mixture into the oats and mix really well! I use my hands to really make sure that all the oats are well coated.

Pour everything out of the bowl and onto the cookie sheet, spreading it out evenly.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir it around a little bit. Then, put it back in for 10 more minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely. Now you can mix in your dried fruit.

Store it in an airtight container or a big ziploc bag.

Delicious! It's great with almond milk!

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bits & pieces

I'm happy to report that my patchwork quilt is coming together nicely, and I'm really enjoying the time spent at the sewing machine! I spent some time at the library yesterday afternoon looking at quilt making books and getting inspired. Alas, Jane Brocket's book was nowhere to be seen...

I also enlarged my patio garden this weekend! I've just been growing tomato, cucumber, dill, and bean plants so far. That sort of filled up all the containers I had! But on Sunday my husband went to drop off the recycling and someone had left six big plant pots by the bin! Of course, he brought them home and we enlarged our garden. Now we have added winter squash, basil, and cilantro --- a bunch of winter greens will be added once I pick up some more potting soil!

Three books that really got me started growing food, despite the fact that I don't have access to a yard, are Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, The Urban Homestead, and an old copy of Crockett's Victory Garden (modern Victory Garden stuff is great, too!). Check them out if you need a little push to get started!

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working on a new pattern...

(the yarn is Mission Falls 1824 Cotton)

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knitting and crochet patterns :: cotton cloths

About a year ago I kicked the paper towel habit. All the spills, messes, and clean-ups that happen everyday no longer end up in the trash (and landfill), but in the sink or laundry basket for a quick wash and reuse. I've made cleaning cloths from various materials (mostly by cutting up a couple of thrift store towels and zig-zagging the edges) but my favorite ones are knitted or crocheted from simple cotton yarn.

They are so pretty and can do a lot of jobs --- dusting, wiping down counters, cleaning mirrors, serving as a dishcloth. I even have a special stack of colorful knitted cloths in bathroom to use as washcloths. And, come to think of it, I made those several years ago and they're still in great shape after all this time! : )

Here are patterns for three basic cotton cloths --- one knitted and two crocheted --- all are made with the ubiquitous Lily cotton yarn, but you could use any worsted weight cotton that you want.

Double Crochet Dishcloth :: 3.75 mm hook

Chain 35 loosely.

Turn and chain 2, double crochet into third stitch and every remaining stitch.

Repeat until your work forms a perfect square.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and knot off.

Weave in loose yarn ends.

Blocking your work will give it a perfect shape.

*You can add a crocheted edging if you want!

Single Crochet Dishcloth :: 3.75 mm hook

Chain 35 loosely.

Turn, and chain 1, single crochet into second stitch and every remaining stitch.

Repeat until your work forms a perfect square.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and knot off.

Weave in loose yarn ends.

Blocking will give your work a perfect shape.

*You can add a crocheted edging if you want!

Seed Stitch Dishcloth :: US 8/5.0 mm needles

Cast on 40 stitches.

Work in seed stitch (knit 1, purl 1, knit 1) until your work forms a perfect square.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and knot off.

Weave in loose yarn ends.

I find that this pattern looks great without blocking, but you can block if you want to!

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finished scarf

I finished my lazy scarf! It's just a wide, garter stitch scarf with a crocheted edging. The yarn is Manos del Uruguay Cotton Stria, perfect for making a simple scarf with a little something special.

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pickles & jellies

I found this book at a used book store...

... and now I'm making pickles and jellies!

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two things

Two more sewing projects - - - another dress from the same vintage pattern and a top that I made up. The dress is made from a lighter-than-air madras plaid...

and I love the print on this one...

I really want to make a top/smock like this!

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some projects : )

My first big quilt (made from fabric scraps) and some pure-pleasure knitting!

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sweet home alabama

The grass under my feet means that I'm not in Arizona anymore. I've left the desert for green, green, green state of Alabama! It was a big move, but worth it.

I'm beginning to find my way around town, my favorite spots being the farmer's market and the yarn shop, of course...

I've been ridiculously slow in the craft department for the last few weeks, but I think that's about to change. There is knitting going on, a quilt in it's first stages, and a LOT of bread-making happening. I've sworn off store-bought bread and have been making all of my own for a few weeks now and - WOW - I can't believe the difference! Well, actually, I CAN believe the difference, but I guess I thought it would be harder to switch, to find time to bake all that bread. I'm pleasantly surprised!

There are great, easy bread recipes here and here.

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