Gathered headband

November 18, 2013July 24, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

My last couple of knitting projects has been gifts for other people, so I wanted to make something for my daughter that could be completed quickly. I found this basic headband here. I took basic idea and made it my own.

As I said this was supper easy and can be explained best in 3 steps.

STEP 1: Use size 8 needles, I cast on 20 stitches using a long-tail cast on. I used a simple garter stitch until I reached 18 inches. To create a nice edge I slipped the first stitch in each row purlwise. When you reach 18 inches be sure that you have knitted an even number of rows so when you cast off your tails are opposite each other. Then cast off as usual but leave a long tail.

STEP 2: Use one of your tails to join the cast on and cast off edge. Then pull gently until it gathers in the center. This will put both tails on the same side of the project.

STEP 3: Hold the two tails together and wrap the section that you have gathered until you have covered the center. On the back of the headband tie off the tails.

A different ribbed hat

November 4, 2013July 24, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

In between celebrating my birthday and getting ready to move to Florida, my needles have been busy clicking away.

I found this pattern with the help of Pinterest. The full pattern can be found here.

I made this hat (along with a scarf and headband) from a skein of Red Hear Super Saver turquoise acrylic yarn. Unlike a traditional ribbed brim were the rows line up vertically, these are staggered to create a diagonal pattern. I am pleased with the overall look of the hat. However it was a little larger than I had hoped. I made the adult small for my 10-year-old niece’s birthday. While it should fit (based on my daughter’s head) it was not overly snug. If I make this hat again I will use a smaller gauge needle and/or decrease the number of stitches.

More Dishcloths

August 19, 2013December 31, 2016 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Just when you think I am done with dishcloths, I knitted a few more. My husband asked me to knit a set for his mother for her birthday.

For my mother-in-law I started with a size 6 needle and some sunny yellow Sugar and Cream cotton yarn. I whipped up 5 dishcloths.

From left to right I knitted 2 seed stitch dishcloths, a letter B dishcloth, and 2 basketweave dishcloths. All of these I have used before, however I did change the edging on them. I found that if you slip the first stitch on each row instead of knitting it you get a nice smooth edge.

If you are looking for the original patterns you can find them here (seed stitch, Letter B, and Basketweave). But if you want them to turn out like these, the patterns are below. Continue reading “More Dishcloths” →

Keep Calm and Carry a Backpack

August 14, 2013January 27, 2015 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Include in your essential list of items for summer camp is a backpack. Every camper needs a small bag to throw over their shoulder to carry their stuff around during the day.

I have to admit this was not one of my SWAPS, but rather it was my daughters. She too has just learned to knit and wanted to hand knit all of her SWAPS for camp. What began as a simple square developed into a cute SWAPS. I must admit she worked a lot harder to complete this than I did on all of mine combined. However, I think they are absolutely adorable and she was able to make them with all the left over yarn I had piled up.

The knitting itself was quite easy. Just cast on 6 stitches using a long tail cast on, then knit 5 rows and cast off leaving a tail of several inches. Using a yarn needle the tail were brought to the opposite side and tied with a square knot to create the straps of the back pack. The tags were printed on card stock and attached to each piece. A copy of the tag is below for your use.

Keep Calm And Carry a Backpack

Note: the backpack did not open but were more like flat rectangles with loops.

Diagonal Dishcloth, #12 of 12

August 5, 2013July 24, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

We have reached the end of this series. When I learned to knit I decided to knit a series of dishcloths. This would allow me to learn a few basic patterns and improve on the fundamentals and give me something useful at the end. I figured it was better to spend my time on a dishcloth that looked a little off then a sweater. So off to the store I went and bought the most neutral color I could kind… Ecru!

And then the knitting began. Well, 6 months later I have completed all 12. The final is a diagonal pattern that allowed me to practice increase and decrease.