1 – Creative block – start something, get bored, it goes wrong, start something else, knit something I will never wear, start something else… & so on – its been driving me nuts lately!

2 – Stash intervention – the basket in the pic was just the start, I have five of those now plus 2 curver boxes, 2 shopping totes, 1 trunk all full & dont even venture behind the sofa…..

So the challenge I have set myself for the next month is to knit 100 meters a day as I have a lot of 50 gram balls of D.K. weight which is about that meterage – so a ball a day!

Please feel free to join in & do the same & let me know how you get along either here or on ravelry – I will be through those baskets in no time …….(she  hopes)

Quite possible the coolest video I have come across on Youtube! While nosing around at the Henson vids to show the kids I found this & just had to share! It’s nice to know Doozers get the grumpies with their knitting too ;P

So whats the big deal with knitters & dishcloths? I couldn’t understand it until I gave one a go. Not only are they the perfect size for testing out new stitches & the perfect size to stop you getting board mid project, but they work really well as dishclothes. You will never use a shop bought one again! (plus you can make them in cute colours to match your kitchen )

Thanks to Rhonda White this fab apple dishcloth pattern is available for free from:

http://www.knittingknonsense.com/applecloth.html

& is also in Ravelry here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-apple-cloth

Ravel it here!

You will need:

50 grams d.k yarn
4 mm straight needles
2 small stitch holders
darning needle
2 decorative buttons
stitch markers

Size – small (medium)

Tension/Gauge – 4” x 4” 24 sts & 28 rows in stocking stitch

Abbreviations
k – knit p – purl st – stitches rs – right side of work ws – wrong side of work sl1, k1, psso – slip the next stitch knitwise to right needle, knit following stitch, pass slipped stitch over the previously knitted stitch k2tog – knit the next two stitches together st st – stocking stitch, knit on right side, purl on wrong side m1 inc – make 1 increase, with right needle pick up thread between stitches & place on left needle then knit into back loop pm – place marker

Directions

Mittens (make 2)

cast on 35 (39) stitches using the long tail cast on method.
row 1 – k1, p1 repeat til end of row.
row 2 – p1, k1 repeat til end of row.
these two rows form 1 x 1 ribbing, continue in 1 x1 rib until piece measures 2 cm ending with a ws row.

next row – k1, sl1, k1, psso, k10 (12), sl1, k1, psso, k5, k2tog, k10 (12), k2tog, k1.

next row – purl.
next row – knit.
these two rows form stocking stitch (st st). continue in st st until piece measures 5.5 (6) cm  ending with a ws row.

Shaping:

next row – m1 inc at each end of this & following alternate row [35 (39) st]

continue in st st until piece measures 10 (10.5) cm ending with a ws row.

Start thumb shaping:

next row – k17 (19) st , pm, m1 inc, k1, m1 inc, pm, k to end. continue in pattern increasing one st after fisrt marker & a second st
before last marker on every knit row until 13 (15) st between markers.
next row – p to marker, place 13 (15) st on st holder, purl to end.

work st st for another 4 cm ending in a ws row.
work 3 rows in 1 x 1 rib.
bind off in pattern.

place st from holder on needle & work 2 rows in 1 x 1 rib.
bind off in pattern.

Wrist bands (make 2)

cast on 10 st.
knit 1 row.
next row – sl1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k3.
*next row – sl1, k to end.
next row – sl1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k3**

Start buttonhole:

next row – sl1, k3, bind off 2 st, k3.
next row – sl1, k2, p1, cast on 2 st, k the 2 cast on sts , p1, k3.
repeat from * to ** until piece measures 14 (14.5) cm.
bind off.

Finishing up:

sew up thumb seams. pin wrist bands into place & sew up side seams at the same time sewing wrist bands into seam as well. attatch buttons. block as ball band dictates.

enjoy your new mitts!

Copyright to craftylittlesewnsew 2010. Please feel free to use this pattern for personal or charity use. Please do not use for making profit or selling/publishing as your own. Please link back if you would like to share this pattern.

If you notice any mistakes or have any questions please let me know by leaving a comment – thanks x

Just had to share! Pattern from Tiny tots & textures by Sirdar.

Truly inspirational!

http://www.missoni.com/ing.html

Something happened during my pregnancy this time & I felt the need to create more than ever. One of the crafts I have always wanted to try my hand at was knitting. Back last year on my payday trip to my craft mecca (see them online here – talkcraft.blogspot.com) I had a chat about it to a fab lady called Tamara who runs the business & she very kindly taught me how to knit!

So after many a coffee (& a few choice words) I think I’ve got the hang of it – so grab a pen & the form & sign me up to the ‘CHICKS WITH STICKS BRIGADE” because I love it!!!!

Will be back soon to share some more crafty treats …

Ingredients:

• 150g butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup of caster sugar
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 2 cups of self raising flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 of a cup of milk
• Pretty things like sprinkles to decorate

Makes about 24 

Pre heat your oven to 180* C /350*F/Gas mark 4 & line two 12 cup cake tins with paper/silicone cases.

Beat butter & sugar in a mixing bowl until light & fluffy, add in eggs gradually – mixing well after each addition.

Add vanilla & lemon juice & mix well.

Use a metal spoon to fold in sifted flour combined with baking powder & alternate with milk, mixing lightly after each addition.

Spoon 1 level tablespoon into each cake case & bake for 10-15 mins.

Leave to cool & decorate any way you like x x x

Yippeeeeeee I love nothing better than having a baking day Just because it is not quite pay day, & there is zip-dee-do left in the fridge or cupboard, does not mean you cant have a treat! I made up a batch of fairy cakes so I made little flowers from icing mixed with a few drops of pink & blue food colouring & sat them on butter icing sprinkled with hundreds & thousands. It’s a great one for rainy days & for getting the kids involved (by involved I mean er MESSY)! I’m no pro by a long shot so really chuffed with how pretty they turned out x x x

Think I shall also add a page for recipes on here too…