Podge: Do you remember the first time we saw a yarn-bombed tree?
Hodge: How could I forget. You said it was so sweet that someone had knit a cozy for a tree.
Tag Archives: knit
Things Are Blooming at Squirrel Picnic
You may have noticed the new spring diorama grants us a rare look through a garden of crocheted flowers onto Hodge and Podge enjoying a picnic. It will be an ongoing project throughout this spring and summer to update, revise, amend, and polish it. By the end of the summer, I’m hoping that every item in the diorama will be knit or crochet. Keep checking in each month to see how it’s changing. I’m planning on adding birds, butterflies, and a few more flowers. What else do you think I should add?
Spring Fever
These past few weeks, it seems as if I’ve been doing nothing but knitting, crocheting, and sewing, and yet I have so little to show for it. Do you have that problem too? I just can’t seem to keep my attention focused on one project long enough to finish it before moving on to the the next. It must be spring fever! So since I don’t have any completed projects to show you, I’ll just show you all the things I’m working on.
Spring is just about ready to bloom at Squirrel Picnic. I’ve been crocheting leaves and flowers everywhere I go. It’s been especially fun to talk to people on the bus about all these little leaves I’m making. I can hardly wait to get Hodge and Podge into their new seasonal diorama.
A friend of ours wants very much to have a baby, but she’s having a hard time convincing her husband. Her plan of action? To just go ahead and crochet a baby blanket. I love this! It’s her first crochet project and she’s doing great. I crocheted these airplane and flower appliques for her to add depending on whether she has a boy or a girl. Now come on husband, give this girl a baby.
Slowly but surely I’ll get the two summer dresses I started sewn by summer.
The fourth Make It! Challenge is about 95% complete. I should have the pattern for you very soon. It’s the perfect hat for stalking the city at night.
And because I just can’t stop myself from starting new projects, I ordered this fantastic yarn from KnitPicks to start a summer top. Don’t you just love the color!
Well I better get back to work. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
My Favorite Part of Knitting a Garment Is the Last Stitch
The only other moment that can compare is when on the first day that you wear it, you get to tell someone, “I made this!” I still have loose threads to weave in and super-cute flower buttons to sew on and, of course, spring has to arrive… But when it does, I’ll be sure to share a photo with you of its first day in action.
What I’m Working On
I found this amazing merino wool from Malabrigo Yarn in sapphire magenta at Fancy Tiger over Christmas break and started knitting this scarf the same day. Now, a month later, I just really want to finish it so that I can wear it before winter is over!
I’m using the vertical bobbles stitch from The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting. It’s such a fun intermediate pattern. With just four rows, it’s varied enough to stay interesting but simple enough that it’s easy to remember.
Podge: “My doctor told me I should be exercising for sixty minutes a day. How hard do you think it would be to knit on a treadmill?”
Inspiration for the Weekend
Check out this awesome knitted fast food by Bonnie Burton, co-owner of Colorful Stitches in Lenox, Massachusetts. On her Colorful Stitches blog, Bonnie also features knitted sculptures of other favorite foods, including pizza, lobster, spaghetti and meatballs, and a giant chocolate cake. Yum!
A Gift You Still Have Time to Make: Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf
This scarf is the answer for those of us who want to give a handmade gift but are running out of time to make something really special. Bulky yarn, large knitting needles, and a very easy stitch allow for this scarf to be whipped up in under 3 hours (at least that’s how long it took me and I’m not a very fast knitter).
What makes this pattern special, though, is that it creates a fun, unique texture that looks intricate. The lucky person who receives this scarf will never suspect you knit it in an afternoon.
Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf
Finished Size: 6 inches x 76 inches
Skill Level: Easy
Materials
Bernat Roving bulky yarn in Cranberry,
80% acrylic, 20% wool, 3.5 oz (100 g)/120 yds (109 m): 2 balls
Size 35 (19 mm) knitting needles
Note: The yarn is doubled throughout this pattern.
Abbreviations
k = knit
yo = yarn over
st = stitch
Directions
Cast on 10 stitches.
Row 1: k1, *yo, k2, pass the yarn over st over both knit sts, repeat from * across to last st, k1.
Repeat row 1 for every row.
Bind off loosely and weave in ends.
