Booties for April who's due in May

Booties for L.T.

Pink Stitch Markers - Prize

Grey Stitch Markers - Prize

Falling Leaves Wrap

This rectangular wrap is just the thing for a cool summer evening or to take the chill off in an over-air-conditioned restaurant or office. The original was knit in a merino yarn which is soft and lightweight. It’s sproingy, wonderful to knit with and blocks beautifully. Gauge isn’t critical because the wrap can be blocked to your desired dimensions. The pattern can easily be changed to accommodate different yarn weights by adjusting the size of the knitting needles used and by working fewer or more pattern repeats horizontally and vertically. The 16 row pattern isn’t daunting; after you’ve completed a 16 row pattern, you should be able to visualize what the stitches on each row are "doing" and you can easily find your place should you lose your row count.

Approximately 24"wide x 66" long (60 cm x 170 cm) after blocking.

Yarn: 2 skeins Colinette Jitterbug (640 yards) (585.2 meters) or any merino wool that you love the feel of.

Needles: U.S. size 6 (4 mm.)

Cast on 83 sts. loosely.

Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, k3, *yo, k1, yo, k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3; repeat from * to last 7 sts, yo, k1, yo, k3, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 2 and every alternate even numbered Row: Purl.

Row 3: K1, k2tog, k2, *yo, k3, yo, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2; repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, k3, yo, k2, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 5: K1, k2tog, k1, *yo, k5, yo, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1; repeat from * to last 9 sts, yo, k5, yo, k1, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 7: K1, k2tog, yo, k7, *yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k7; repeat from * to last3 sts, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 9: K2, yo, k3, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k2.

Row 11: K3, yo, k2, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k3.

Row 13: K4, yo, k1, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k4.

Row 15: K5, *yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k7; repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k5.

Row 16: Purl.

Repeat these 16 Rows until there's not enough yarn left to allow you to complete another 16 Row pattern, making sure to leave enough yarn for 36 strands each 10" long for the fringe. Bind off loosely.

To make fringe: Cut 36 strands of yarn, 10" (25 cm.) long. Attach these at the 9 points at each end of the shawl, by taking 2 strands, folding them in half and pulling the folded end through each point, using a crochet hook if desired. Secure the fringe, by pulling the 4 cut ends through the loop tightly.

To block, place wrap in lukewarm water until thoroughly soaked, being careful not to agitate the fibres. Place between two layers of thick towel and gently press to remove excess moisture. Stretch the wrap into the desired shape, pinning onto a flat surface and allow to dry. Weave in loose ends. Here’s a link to the Yarn Harlot’s technique. It will make the straight edges of the wrap easier to block and then all you have to do is pin the 9 points at each end.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/08/23/walk_around_the_block.html

Abbreviations used:

sl1 - slip one stitch as if to knit

psso - pass slipped stitch over

Turquoise Cuff

Turquoise and silver has to be the most beautiful

colour combination when it comes to jewelry.

I used 16 gauge wire for the frame of the cuff

and then placed the various beads on 20 gauge

wire and wrapped it around the frame.

Amethyst Pendant

I used 20 gauge wire for the frame of the

pendant and 24 gauge for wrapping the amethyst

chips onto the frame.

Egyptian Coils Bracelet

I found the book, "Making Wire Jewelry" by Helen Clegg & Mary Larom which has the instructions for this piece and many other interesting designs. The book

includes actual size illustrations against which you can

compare the jewelry components you've made. I used 20 gauge copper wire. I think this bracelet would benefit from being antiqued. Rather than use the liver of sulphur method, I'm going to try using the hard boiled

egg method described here.

First Time Using a Jig

I made this bracelet using 20 gauge silver

wire and a jig. Since the wire flowers were a

bit uneven, I decided to use amethyst chips

instead of perfect little round amethyst beads

in keeping with the naive look.

I hammered each of the flowers before

connecting them with jump rings.

Unfortunately, between hammering and

trying to flatten the wire with pliers, I

managed to break more than one of

the amethyst centres.

Baby Booties

Chelsea and Julia are both due in December and

Kristen in January. It's the first baby for each of them

and the first grandchild for each of their parents.

We know Julia's having a girl!

All the booties were knit on size 3 mm. dpn's

using Bernat Baby Softee.

Each pair is slightly different from the others.

I forgot to photograph the last pair before I

wrapped them and gave them away, but

you get the drift.