❤ Noro ❤

My obsession love of all things Noro continues…

I love the textures, long colorways, and pure joy I derive from working with their amazing yarns. I love looking on Ravelry to see what other people are creating using Noro, I Love looking  at boards on Pinterest to see even more Noro completed projects. I love typing in the hashtag Noro Yarns on Tumblr too, to see all the colorful knit and crochet creations that have been made using Noro.

It is at the top of my list of go-to-yarns.  If you haven’t experienced Noro, I recommend picking up a skein and give it a go…Very therapeutic after a long workday. I repeat, I L-O-V-E this Yarn ❤

My latest project; Caplet, featured in Noro magazine, Spring 2013, by Designer; Kazekobo, aka Yoko Hatta is made using (3) balls of Noro Silk Garden Light in the colorway #2088 and a G size crochet hook. 

This project is intended for my dear Mother, who will turn the big eight-o this year.

She is a darling and I can’t wait to see her expression when she opens the package.

I wish her many years of enjoyment wearing this cozy, warm piece.

I’m currently working up another crochet piece from the same magazine, “Butterfly Sleeve Dress” using Noro Silk Garden Sock.  I’ve piles of crochet squares that need to be sewn together before I post pics.  Soon, I hope!

sweet Leia bonnet

I’m so excited to be headed up to northern California tomorrow to attend my niece, Hailey’s baby shower and visit with family. I’m hoping that there is a bit of a chill in the air as it has been way too summer like this winter in southern Cali…(seriously what is the point of making cozy knits if ya don’t get the chance to use them?) I’ve completed her gift, a Leia Bonnet along with a pair of matching booties. 

The hat Pattern is from designer Mel Clarks book, Knitting Gifts forBaby. I used the suggested yarn, The Fiber Company; Terra in the color way Acorn.  It is 40% baby alpaca/40% merino wool/20% silk.  And oh, it is so soft, perfect for a babys precious skin.  It is a quick knit and the construction is really unique in that it is knit in two pieces then kitchener stitched together before the final edging is completed. I did watch a youtube video on kitchener, to make sure I got it.    Since we know Hailey is having a girl, we are decorating in pinks and having a baby bird themed shower.  So sweet!  I also completed the basket weave blanket that I promised a ta-da for in a previous post...

...Hope she likes her gifts!

winning...

And the winner is:  #3, Quinn of Comptonia.  Congratulations Quinn!  Please send me an e-mail with your snail mail address and I will mail you the mitts. Again, I wish to thank everyone who participated and especially thank Vicki for hosting this years Grow your Blog party.  It was an amazing event and I look forward to participating again next year.  Enjoy your weekend.

A sweet valentine

Happy Valentines Day

I will post the Grow Your Blog Party drawing winner tomorrow, good luck!

  Thank you to all the sweet bloggers who visited Knitalatte during this years event.  It was great fun meeting all of you...

gyb party

Vicki is our gracious host!

I’m honored to be apart of this years Grow your blog party hosted by Vicki at          2-Bags-Full. Be sure to stop by her blog and check out this year’s list of participants. You won’t be disappointed as there are so many different types of blogs to visit and enjoy. And thanks for stopping by knitalatte where there is always something on the needles. I’ve been busy with finishing up a baby blanket for my niece Hailey’s expected arrival. I hope to have a blog post up soon with the fo pictures.  

Giveaway, did someone say giveaway?  Well of course!  I’ve a pair of knitted mitts to give away this year.  I’ll draw a number and announce on February 15.  Happy blog hopping trails to you...

Mitts

  Like many of us knitting obsessed folks, I follow Stephanie the ‘Yarn Harlot’ blog on a regular basis.  I’ve attempted to make a few of the projects that she herself has made and blogged about.  Most recently, the Sakura fingerless mitts. (Oct 9th post)

  I'd been looking for a pattern to make a pair of mitts to go with a scarf I completed using Noro yarn and when I saw the Sakura mitts, I thought, perfect!

  The free pattern is by designer Kate Atherley for Estelle yarns.  It knits up quickly except for the matchy thing…it made me a bit crazy. Stephanie had even warned about this in her write up, but I didn’t know how much it would bug me till I was in too deep! 

  I do love Noro yarns super long color ways most of the time but after almost completely unwinding the remainder of the ball of yarn, I rewound it to try and start at the same point of the color way I had originally started with on mitt number one…and after a couple of false starts, I just decided to ‘go with it’ and completed mitt number two, close enough…

  I don’t know if my sister Diana, the recipient noticed that they are not exactly matchy, and I didn’t ask, but she does wear them and that’s good enough for me!

a word, my word

The word I've chosen for 2014 is acceptance.  It’s a big one…

I need to face up to the fact that I’ll be turning 60 this year, as I’m approaching a kicking and a screaming.  I know my feelings about it are much more dramatic than need be, I learned that when I turned the big 5-0 ten years ago.   How does one prepare for such milestones? I guess it is such a personal journey for each of us.

I know I’ve much to look forward to, as changes are a coming big time…

I’ve joined in with Kim Klassens’ 14 in 2014 this year – What fun!

My list includes;

-De-clutter, especially my closet

-Tidy up computer use, including

   Unsubscribe to sites that continually send me e-mails that I systematically delete

   Un-follow the blogs, twitter and instagram sites that I no longer read on a

   regular basis

-Organize files for 2014 including photos, patterns and documents

-Continue to work on strengthen my left knee since I’ve a ragged meniscus (what

  ever that is)

-Exercise regularly to strengthen core for an upcoming trip

-Find a common interest for hubby and I to enjoy outside the home

-Learn more about retirement and begin planning my own

-Knit a pair of socks (I planned on this last year, but didn’t get er done)

-Decide what projects I want to knit and/or crochet this year and try to not get side-tracked when I see something new that I just have to make

-Continue learning about knitwear design, take an on-line class and read all I can about the craft

-Make time for friends and family

-Paint my bedroom – as I’m ready for a new color to wake up to

-Continue to learn and improve my photography skills

-Watch more sunsets...

Cheers to 2014!

I know, I know, where the heck have I been?  It has been way too long since I've checked in here at Knitalatte to let you know what I've been up to.  Since my last post, I learned that the baby I've been making the crochet star blanket for is a GIRL!  So down with the stars and up with the basket weave knit blanket in pink (more on that later)...

Can you believe it?  2013 is coming to a close.

I love this time of year, when we allow ourselves to reflect on past accomplishments and failures.  To let it go of it all and look forward to the New Year.

I’ve had such fun with the knit and crochet projects that I worked on (completed, ufo’s and frogged items too).

I’ve bought way too much yarn, I mean seriously, do I think I can really produce mass quantities of knit objects within the timeframe that I’m not working, taking care of things or sleeping?  Jeeze!

I thought it would be fun to share with you the books that have peaked my interest and I plan on diving into in 2014.

Woodland Knits by Stephanie Dosen

Stephanie has been one of my favorite knit designers for some time.  I was so excited to see that she put together a collection of her patterns into one book.  I want to make the Dragon Watchers hood, and can’t wait to get started.

Knitting Gifts for Baby by Mel Clark

Who can resist baby knits?  I love Mels patterns and baby knits work up so quickly. The finished product is well received by the proud parents to be, a win-win in my book!  I’m crazy for the Leia Bonnet and have already gotten the yarn to make this up for a special baby.

  

The Yarn Whisperer by Clara Parkes

I’ve read such good reviews about this little book and I’m sure it will be a quick, satisfying read for a Sunday afternoon by the fire.

Knitting Yarns by a collection of writers and edited by Ann Hood

I’ve already read the Knitting Circle by Ann Hood and loved it, so I thought I’d give this a go.

And for pure inspiration; Running with Nature by Mariel Hemingway & Bobby Williams. My sister suggested this read and I’m glad she did!

So I’m wondering what is on your reading list for next year?

I want to thank each and every one of you who have stopped by for a visit, left a sweet comment and allowed me to be apart of your blogging adventure this past year.

Have a safe and Happy New Year.  Cheers to 2014!

some patterns are just magic...

I recently learned some wonderful news, we have another great niece or nephew on the way.

How lucky are we that our family keeps growing!  My lovely niece Hailey is expecting her first child.  Now what is a great auntie to do when the parents to be are not going to find out if it is a boy or girl?  Why create two blankets of course.  I’m knitting a pink basket weave patterned blanket for a little girl.  I’ve knit the pattern numerous times so a pink version will be a fun easy knit.  For a baby boy? 

I found this adorable pattern ‘all star blanket’ by designer Doris Chan to crochet.

The yarn is elsebeth lavold Eucool that I've in stash.  The colors; blue, red, tan and creame for the squares and brown for the connecting rows and trim.

 The magic of this pattern is how the shapes of the individual squares change with every round; Round one a circle, round two creates the star, round three a circle again and round four the square shape that will make up the blanket. 

Magic!  

I'm thinking 30x30, so I'll need about 36 squares.  I’m loving watching it progress.  Stay tuned for the ta-da…

oh chapeau

Did you notice the change this morning?  It really felt like fall!  The outside air so crisp and clear.  The perfect time for hats...  

abbey, zoe, libby, mara and sam model their new hats

My girls insisted that I make them each a new one and with that, I worked up a crochet hat pattern using noro sock, oh how I love noro sock yarn.  So pretty, long colorways, the texture is rustic and soft at the same time…If any of your blythe girls are in need of a new hat, the pattern is below...have fun!

Blythe doll Chapeau

Construction

Crochet

Abbreviations

ss…slip stitch

sc…single crochet

hdc…half double crochet

st…stitch

sts…stitches

Gauge

7 stitches and 7 rows = 1”
Finished Size 9-1/2” circumference at hat band and 3” tall

Difficulty

Easy

Material

Sock yarn- stash is good! I used Noro silk garden sock in the color way 269

Equipment

Crochet hook size 3.5/E

Darning needle (for sewing in ends)

Pattern

Create an adjustable loop and sc 6 into the loop.

R1: 2 sc into each stitch around (12)

R2: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into the next st) (18)

R3: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1sc into each of the next 2 sts) (24)

R4: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into each of the next 3 sts) (30)

R5: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into each of the next 4 sts) (36)

R6: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts) (42)

R7: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into each of the next 6 sts) (48)

R8: (2 sc into the 1^st st, 1 sc into each of the next 7 sts) (54)

R9-R16: sc into each stitch around

R17: sc around and decrease 4 stitches evenly

R18-19 sc around

R20: hdc around

R21: (2 hdc into the 1^st st, 1 hdc into the next st) around

R22-24: hdc into each st around

R25: (2 hdc into the 1^st st, 1 hdc into the next stitch) around

R26: sc around

R27: ss into each st around

Finishing

Break yarn. Use a darning needle to sew in ends.

a bit of summer knitting

Want to make some cool washcloths?  Yes, I do…I was visiting the Yarn Harlots blog back in August and read Stephanie’s post about knitting up some washcloths and it sounded to me like the perfect summer knit.  Holding cotton in lieu of wool during this heat, how refreshing!

After stash diving I found my Sugar n cream yarn and started in on a very simple yet satisfying knit using the Bee-Stitch pattern.  Our really hot spell starts late August and goes till about the middle of October.  Another 6 weeks, oh boy. I imagine I can make up a pile of these...

As Stephanie suggested, cast on 31 stitches, knit 6 rows, then on the next row follow the 4-row Bee Stitch pattern, leaving the 1^st 3 and the last 3 stitches as knit. When almost square, finish up with 6 rows of knit before bind off.  Give this pattern a try if like many of us, you need a break from wool. 

The Bee-Stitch gives such a nice puffy texture, perfect for soap and water to mix into a nice lather before using, sweet as honey! Thank you Stephanie i.e. Yarn Harlot for such a great idea.

a bit of cozy for the girls

I found an adorable little bed frame that came with a mattress and pillow inserts on the bay and I thought they’d be perfect for a makeover.

Zoe and middie girl hanging out

After a good cleaning and light sanding, I spray painted the bed frame off-white.

Then once I had the dimensions, I made a dust ruffle out of a bit of stash cotton fabric.

The mattress and 2 pillow covers are sewn from a set of cloth napkins I purchased from the Rachel Ashwell collection (love the little flowers). The accent pillows are knit with crochet trim out of bits of Noro left over from the bedspread.  

The bedspread is crochet, single crochet using Noro silk garden sock yarn.  The fringe was added for a bit of whimsy. 

 Zoe seems to like sleeping on her new bed way more than the box she was put away in. haha… Such a fun little project and I’m glad to see that she is willing to share too! 

he is a diver boy…

I’ve completed the Dustland mitts for hubby, and I think he must like them,

as he let me take photos. 

It was a really fun photo shoot.  We went down to the boat at Oceanside harbor and I posed him in various positions. He turned out to be a very cooperative model, which I wasn’t expecting, haha…I think he will like these mitts because they are so lightweight and warm. 

Brooklyn tweed yarns, both shelter and loft are, in my opinion, the best for these qualities. Loft yarn along with this pattern by Stephen West are a great combination.

I’ve asked my diver boy to put them to the test this week and report back if they are doing the job I’d envisioned for him, warm hands after a cool dive in the beautiful pacific blue.

cuffs

Zoe is back from her spa vacation.  She spent a week in beautiful Idaho with Sarah Glahe of Kalidescope Kustoms.  Do check out her site to view some of her outstanding custom work with Blythe dolls. Sarah made sure that Zoe got lots of rest and sent her back to sunny southern California feeling refreshed and well, down right beautiful!  Thank you dear Sarah for taking such good care of her.  Now all Zoe wants is for me to make her new clothes and take pictures of her wearing them.  Lucky for her, I thinks it is so much fun to do...

I made her this little pair of blue knit boot cuffs to wear with her 'I'm heading outside' boots. Really easy to make and only takes but a bit of stash to whip up.  Enjoy…

Pattern below;

Blythe boot cuffs

Construction

Knit with sewn edge

Abbreviations

k…Knit

p…Purl

co…cast on

Gauge

10 st = 1”
Finished Size 2-/2”

Difficulty

Easy

Material

Sock yarn- stash is good!

Equipment

Needles size 0 and size 2

Darning needle (for sewing in ends)

Pattern (Make Two)

Using size 0  needles, CO 10 stitches

Row 1 knit

Row 2 purl

Row 3 KFB, K8, KFB 12 stitches

Continue in stockinette  till piece measures 1” from CO edge

Next row KFB, K10, KFB 14 stitches

Continue in stockinette until piece measures 2” from CO edge, ending with wrong side row

Change to size 2 needles

Right side row (K1, P1)*

Next row  (P1, K1)*

Repeat the last two rows two more times

BO in stitch pattern

Finishing

With darning needle and starting at the top stitch slip stitch sides on down to the cast on edge

Fold over top of cuff. 

Pattern Copyright © Karen Case

For personal use only. Do not reproduce or sell the pattern.

Any questions? Contact Karen kace520@cox.net

Karenlcase.blogspot.com