Parakeet Bead Loom Bracelet for my Granddaughter

My granddaughter has a parakeet named Chip, so I made her a bracelet with a parakeet that looks like Chip.  She helped weave a row of the bracelet, and her brother also wove a few rows.

I added an adjustable closure with a lobster claw.

My notes:  Light blue above beak.  Wrist size 5 1/4" for N.  Clasp adds about 1 1/4" so beads should be about 4 1/2".  Parakeet is 21 rows divided by 9 rows per inch, so 2 1/3".  4 1/2"= 4 x 9 = 36 + 4 =40 rows.  Decrease each side: 11-9-7-5 each side.  6 rows + 21 = 27.  40-27 = 13 rows so add 6 more rows per side before and after pattern.  Clasp: lobster and beads.  New thread, weave in well and come out center bead.  Make a chain of jump rings for one side.  Size 8 beads make a circle of 8 or 9 beads and add closed jump ring which chain is attached to. Other side: also about 8 or 9 beads with a jump ring attached to the lobster claw.  I used heavy duty jump rings from Hobby Lobby.  One G thread. When weaving in threads, I added a knot after weaving in about 10 rows and then went through a few more beads and cut thread.  Add a charm onto the last jump ring.  4 rings and a charm.

Warm Socks for my Grandson

These are really warm heavy socks.  I've made these for my husband, and he loves wearing them every winter. 
Long ago when there were just "knitlists" online, Joan's Socks became a popular pattern.  It is now available through Lion Brand Yarns.  The socks use 2 strands of Wool Ease yarn held together to create a very thick knitted sock. 

These socks are pretty fast to knit.  They'll keep his feet so warm this winter.

My notes: Foot size about 10 1/2.  I used 2 balls of Wool Ease yarn. Size 7 needles for the cuff in K1, P1 rib for 12 rounds. Size 9 needles for the sock. German Twisted Cast on. Cast on 32 stitches. Work leg for 7” including cuff. Heel flap 16 stitches. Sl 1, purl 7 plus 8 from needle 3. Right side: (Sl 1, k1) across. Wrong side Sl 1, then purl across. 8 slipped stitches on each side of heel flap.
Heel: Sl1, P8 p2tog, p1, turn, sl1, k3 k2tog, k1, turn, etc. 10 stitches left at end of right side row.
Pick up 8 stitches on each side of flap. Gusset: K to within last 3 stitches needle 1, k2tog, k1. Knit instep. K1, ssk on 3rd needle. Round 2 knit even. Repeat until 32 stitches. Foot: 8 3/4” for K then work toe. Decrease first round, knit second round until 16 stitches are left. (I did knit the last row before kitchener stitching them together.) Wool Ease 3 oz. 197 yards, 2 balls. 80% acrylic, 20% wool.

A Fisherman's Kep for My Granddaughter

I learned about the Fisherman's Kep pattern by Anne Sinclair from the knitters on Fair Isle who were selling the pattern to buy new windows for their local museum, the George Waterston Memorial Centre and Museum.  They have a Facebook group, The Fair Isle Fisherman's Kep Page, where knitters can ask questions and receive help with the pattern, and also post pictures of their finished keps.

So, I made this fisherman's kep for my granddaughter.  This will be so warm for her this winter.  This is a fun pattern to knit.

C

Fair Isle has a long history of trading their textiles, including their handknit keps, with passing ships for goods that were not produced on Fair Isle.

My notes:
I used Galway sport yarn and Cascade 220 sport in light pink. I used size 2 (2.75) needle for ribbing. 144 stitches and size 3 (3.25) mm for the body of the hat.
When turning the brim, p 1 row and then purl 1 row after turning so 2 purl rows aren’t at edge.
Next time, use a smaller needle for the outside ribbing on the brim so it holds in a little more.
I used a centered double decrease at the top so the pink thread would be on top of the stripes. So, slip 2 stitches together as if to k2tog, and then k1 stitch. Slip the 2 stitches over that stitch. Knit the stitch in pink, and each row, knit the stitch above the decrease in pink.
My decreases start with 112 stitches, decrease every other row to 16 stitches (all pink). 6 decreases.
Motifs from any of these books: A Shetland Knitter’s Notebook, A Shetland Pattern Book, or Traditional Fair Isle Knitting.

A Pretty Afghan for my Granddaughter

I love this feather and fan crochet afghan pattern called Feather and Fan Baby Blanket, by Alexis Middleton.  I crocheted it for my granddaughter and made it larger.  I used Caron Cakes, color Mixed Berry.  I used 5 skeins.  I love the sequence of colors.

I cast on 187 stitches using foundation crochet.  It's a little over 42" wide, and about 62" long.  I ended with a row of single crochet instead of single crochet in the front loop because I think it will be a bit stronger at the top edge. 

She loves her new cozy afghan!

Victorian Lattice Square Afghan for A.

I'm crocheting an afghan for my granddaughter.  I'm using Stylecraft Dk acrylic yarn, and she chose the colors Lapis and Mushroom.  The squares will alternate in the afghan and be joined by the Lapis color, and I'll add a border in Lapis.

I love this pattern, and it's perfect for her. 

My notes:
I’m using Stylecraft DK yarn in Lapis blue and Mushroom and a size E 3.5 mm hook.
I am using the sc, ch1 as the first DC where the pattern says it. It makes a smaller DC which blends in well with the join each round. Round 9 is SC around. This is 14 sc, ch1 in space, 14 sc, then the corner of 2sc, ch3, 2 sc.
I’m adding a round of blue around each square, so the mushroom squares will have a round of blue. This is 16 sc, 1sc in center, 16 sc, 3 sc in corners around. I will join the squares with blue. So, the squares are now 7 1/2”.
Design:  6 squares wide by 8 squares long before border.  48 squares.  SC join in Lapis.

Cozy Socks

I love making these cozy socks for my granddaughters.  The pattern is called Cozy Toes by Christiane Burkhard.  The pattern comes with child and adult sizes, and these socks are in worsted weight yarn for cozy warm winter socks.

The yarn is Red Heart Gumdrop in the color Licorice.  It's an acrylic yarn.  These socks are so fast and fun to knit.

My notes: K's foot 9 1/4". Cast on 40 with size 3 needles.  K2, P2 cuff for 2 1/2". Size 4 needle for sock.  12 heel stitches to pick up. 7" leg total length. Foot is 7 3/4" long before toe.  12 stitches to kitchener (6 + 6). German twisted cast on.