saranorine.com Journal

Knitted Sewing Toy. Free pattern.

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Necessity was the mother of this pattern invention. My daughter loves to be involved in everything I am doing, so I devised a way for her to sew with me. She started using it at about 18 months old. Now at three, she is incorporating it with other fabrics and using it in new creative ways. I think the knitted fabric was easier for her to pierce with the needle then other fabrics would have been. Any square of knitted fabric would work, but this is what I did.

Using Size 6 needles and Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, cast on 46 stitches.
Work 72 rows in Garter stitch (knitting every row).
Cast off.
Place fabric in a small embroidery hoop (mine was 5 1/2 inches in diameter).
Tie a contrasting colored yarn to a plastic darning needle. Tie the other end to the embroidery hoop.

If you use this idea, I would love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Champagne Korknisse, free pattern adaptation

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Inspired by Manne's Korknisse, I came up with my own outfits for Champagne Corks. Knit in the round on double pointed needles.

For Sweater: With size 3 needles and Noro Kureyon, I cast on 21 stitches, tightly. Knit in SS until your cork sweater is long enough for your cork. Cast off loosely. I dressed the cork in its sweater with the cast on edge at the neck and the cast off edge at the bottom.

For Hat: Cast on 21 and knit in SS for 5 rows. Decrease for one round *k2tog, K 5* repeat. SS for 2 rounds. Decrease for one round *k2tog, K 4* repeat. SS for 2 rounds. Decrease for one round *k2tog, K 3* repeat. SS for 1 round. Decrease round *k2tog, K 2* repeat. Decrease round *k2tog, K 1* repeat. Draw thread through remaining stitches.

The scarf is a croched chain.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

pattern by Hannah Kaminsky

Five Little Pumpkins

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

We did this project today at Waldorf Playgroup. A cute halloween finger play.

5 little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said "Oh my, it's getting late!"
The second one said "There are witches in the air!"
The third one said, "Well we don't care!"
The fourth one said "Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said "I'm ready for some fun!"
Whoo-ooo went the wind
And out went the light
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Cut 2 pieces of orange felt for each finger in the shape of a pumpkin (10 pieces). Blanket stitch around the edge. As you stich the top, add a stem.

Happy Halloween!

Inspiration

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

A clean linen closet and new fabric...

The best gift a knitter could recieve

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

My grandmother recently sent me one of the best gifts ever! It is a beautiful skein of hand dyed yarn. I would have never purchased this for myself, but will consider it a real treat to knit it into something luxuriously beautiful. It is 150 yards of mixed fiber called Fantasia by YarrnSmiths in Spring Blue. Simply lovely!

Strawberry Season

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Happy Easter

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Happy brown easter eggs!

Double Pointed Needle Cases

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

I whipped these up during one of Maya's recent naps. I have a lot of second hand double pointed needles and needed a way to organize them. I also had some fabric strips left over from a log cabin quilt. I wrote the size numbers on popsicle sticks, so I can quickly see what size needles are available.

Grandma's Mittens

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

My wonderful grandmother sent me a large box full of leftover yarn. Most of it is acrylic in what my grandmother calls "cheerful colors." I have made many toys with this yarn and have plans for many more. This box also included and unfinished pair of children’s mittens. They were both complete, but thumb less and unembroidered. I improvised the thumb with #0 needles, with the help of my knitting group, and embroidered the flowers. I do not know any children that could wear them right now, but they are finished and waiting.

Crocheted Cookies for Maya

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

I made theese little cookies for Maya and was trying to photograph them for ravelry when she swiped them. The pictures of her swiping them are cuter then the finished product itself.

Christmas Tree Yarn Cone Cozy Pattern

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

I started with a stash of random single skeins of novelty yarn and went to work knitting for the holidays. I have many Christmas items on the needles, but here is the pattern for some cute little Christmas trees.
I found some cones left over from a recent Elmore-pisgah order in my craft cabinet and decided to knit a cover to make it a Christmas tree. It’s a stash buster and a craft cabinet clearer!

Materials
#5 double pointed needles
One leftover cone leftover from a large yarn purchase
Lion Brand Fun Fur in the color of your choice or Patons Cha Cha or other furry novelty yarn

Pattern
Cast on 6 stitches
Evenly distribute these stitches to 3 needles (2 on each needle)
Place marker to mark the beginning of your round and join.
Round 1-3: Working in the round, Knit.
Round 4: (increase round): K1, Kfb, K1, Kfb, K1, Kfb (9)
Round 5-7: K
Round 8: K2, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K2, Kfb (12)
Round 9-11: K
Round 12: K3, Kfb, K3, Kfb, K3, Kfb (15)
Round 13 – 15: K
Round 16: K4, Kfb, K4, Kfb, K4, Kfb (18)
Round 17-19: K
Round 20: increase

Continue increasing 3 stitches every 4th row by knitting into the front and the back of the last stitch on each of your double pointed needles until you reach the end of your cone. I had 16 stitches on each needle when I got to the end of my cones.

Turning round: Purl
Decrease round: *K2tog, knit until you have 2 stitches left on the first double pointed needle, K2tog*; repeat on each of the 2 remaining needles.
Decrease and Bind off in one round: (I know, yikes!) Bind off the standard way by passing the stitch closest to your right hand over the newly created knit stitch, while decreasing 6 stitches at the same time. Here is how I did it: K2tog, K, Pass stitch over, continue binding off the traditional way (K, Pass stitch over) until you have 2 stitches left on your first needle, K2tog, pass stitch over. Repeat on each of the 2 remaining needles to finish bind off.

Finishing: Weave in ends. Slide over your cone. Use the tip of your knitting needle to "comb" the fur and fluff it up a bit. If you like, decorate your tree with buttons, sequins, beads, or miniature crochet or knitted ornaments.

Happy Holidays!

Tuscon trip

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

We had a really great adventure to Tuscon Arizona to see family. Maya did great on her first plane ride and really enjoyed all the attention she got from her adoring Aunt, Uncle, and Grandparents. My brother John is into photography and took a ton of really great photos. Here are just a few.

Happy Turkey Day!

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

We had a really great Thanksgiving at home. Maya and I did the Turkey Trot with our friends, Janet and Vaughn. We all walked to and from the race making it a 6+ mile adventure. I came home and made a turkey, an apple pie, corn souffle, and green potatoes. Yum!

St. Augustine Vacation

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

We just got back from a family trip to St. Augustine. We got to visit with my mom and a few good friends. The old city was a great place to visit with an 18-month old. We did not drive anywhere during our visit and Maya had plenty of places to walk and climb.

Pinellas Trail

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Today we began the Pinellas trail adventure. We had a really funny day and lauphed a whole lot. The weather was warm, but beautiful! The friendly officers in this picture warned us to beware of the homeless people on the trail. We only met birdwatchers and bike riders...