One Ball Wonders...

Happy Monday and dare I say that in Wisconsin, spring has sprung!?  Although my backyard is still covered in snow, it is a sweltering 44 degrees today, and I have high hopes of it melting.  Even with warmer weather in sight, if you are like me, you just keep on knitting or crocheting the whole year through.  I still knit hats and cowls and other toasty warm things, as Christmas is always coming and they make great gifts.  The warmer weather does put me in the mood to also knit lighter things, which has inspired me to choose this week's One Ball Wonder pattern.

Today's pattern is a beautiful shawl pattern from Maggi Magali that uses fingering weight yarn.  This shawl is perfect for spring days and summer nights and would look beautiful in solid, ombre or variegated yarn.

 

Ginko Shoulderette Shawl - Click here! 

 

Creating with Sticks Pink Poppies yarn

Creating with Sticks Clean Slate yarn

One Ball Wonders, a Hat...

Today's One Ball Wonder is a hat.  I love hats, I love making them and wearing them, I love giving them away.  Whether it be a simple knit stocking hat or a fancy feathered felt hat, a hat has a personality all of its own. 

When it comes to knit hats, the design possibilities are endless and in general they are knit in the round, so they are quick to make.  Today's hat pattern is by Johanna Yli- Muilu, it takes simple techniques and puts them together to form a modern pattern.  This hat would look good in solid, ombre and variegated yarns.  Try with Creating with Sticks Superwash Merino for a supersoft, super washable hat.

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/viiru

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174478476/green-green-grass-superwash-merino-yarn?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174498421/sand-dune-aran-weight-bluefaced?ref=shop_home_active_16

*Featured yarn is on special for $2.00 off each skein.  Hurry, these are one of a kind skeins.

Technique Tuesday...

The Large Horn Cable Stitch

Today's technique is a beautiful intermediate cable stitch that would be great for sweaters or blankets or even a big chunky cowl.  Before I learned how to knit cables I was very intimidated by them, they seemed quite scary to me.  I forced myself to learn the basic cable forward and cable back techniques and instantly was hooked, it was so easy and the work was beautiful.  If you haven't yet tried knitting cables, I urge you to try to today.

I have included a video for the Large Horn Cable Stitch by New Stitch a Day.  All of the videos on his site are very thorough and easy to follow along with.  If you go to New Stitch a Day, the written instructions are also included beneath the video for those of you that need to read them as well as watch.  I will include them here too.

TECHNIQUES USED IN THIS STITCH:

Knit Stitch- K
Purl Stitch- P
Cable Four Front (C4F) – Slip next 2 sts on needle onto a cable needle and hold in front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.
Cable Four Back (C4B) – Slip next 2 sts on needle onto a cable needle and hold in back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.
  
Cast on: worked over multiples of 16sts on a background of reverse stockinette stitch

Pattern Instructions

1. Row 1:  (right side) k4, C4B, C4F, k4.
2. Row 2:  P16.
3. Row 3:  k2, C4B, k4, C4F, k2.
4. Row 4:  P16.
5. Row 5:  C4B, k8, C4F.
6. Row 6:  P16.

Repeat rows 1-6 until you have reached your desired length.

Favorite Etsy Shops...

I am going to start something new.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I am going to feature some of my favorite Etsy shops and some of their products.  Today I am going to introduce you to Holly Beeez and Vera Jayne.

Holly Beeez is a cute new little shop that has a wonderful assortment of fabric covered buttons, earrings and brooches as well as handmade tied fabric garlands.  Rumor has it, she will even make a garland in custom colors for you.  Holly Beeez can be found on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HollyBeeez or like her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holly-Beeez/243917979116929

Here is a taste of what Holly Beeez has to offer

The second shop I would like to introduce you to today is Vera Jayne.  Vera Jayne makes a gorgeous variety of knit and crochet accessories like infinity scarves, cowls, hats, baby shoes, brooches and ponytail holders.  Winter is still upon us, so treat yourself to something beautiful from Vera Jayne today.  You can find Vera Jayne's Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/VeraJayne or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VeraJayne

Here are some examples of the lovely works of Vera Jayne

I hope this has helped you discover something new and you enjoy visiting these shops as much as I do.