CHRISTMAS ERASER NECKLACE TUTORIAL

I needed a cute and fun necklace to wear to our library's Children's Christmas Party.  I didn't want to spend too much money because let's face it, where else do you wear an eraser necklace?  But I wanted something festive and quick to make.

I found this 12 pack of Christmas erasers at our local Dollar Tree.  Total $1.00!!!

I thought I would use an upholstery needle to string the erasers.  1)  It's REALLY hard to push a needle through an eraser. 2)  When you do get it through it compresses and doesn't leave a hole.  So I asked my dear husband if he could drill a little hole.  One Dremel + One Very Helpful Husband = Perfect little holes in my erasers.

Add plastic beads and pearls........

And string them as you please.........

KNITTING BASKET ORNAMENT

CUTEST

ORNAMENTS

EVER...

I found this cute pattern on Ravelry here if you want to make your own miniature knitting basket.  You could fill it with all sorts of things........candy, presents, gift card, etc.  You can knit one up in about 30 minutes, wrap a few scraps of yarn into balls and make your knitting needles out of toothpicks.  My LYS really needs a whole tree full of these!  Merry Christmas and keep knitting!

YARN BASKET ORNAMENT

Total size about 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" = TOO CUTE!

Knitting needles are toothpicks!

MORE BELLA'S MITTENS

I just love making these mittens.  Partly because of the cables but also because this yarn, Vintage Chunky by Berroco is so soft and warm.  If you want to make these mittens here is the pattern.  You only need two skeins of yarn and a couple of nights in front of the tv.  Hope it snows soon!  

THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE

and the Pilgrims are all in place..............

THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE....

Ingredients purchased for the Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake - check!

THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE.....

table is set..........check

BELLA'S MITTENS FOR KELLY

I just finished another pair of Bella's Mittens for my daughter.  I LOVE this pattern.  You can whip up a pair in just a couple of days.  I love making cables and this horseshoe cable is instant gratification.  Every time I knit a cable, I thought, "Wow, I love how this cable looks, I'll just knit another one."  And in no time, the mittens are finished.  I had never knit mittens before this pattern and was intimidated about making the thumb, but the directions on this pattern are excellent!  Come on cold weather!!!

CAPSTONE PROJECT

Seniors in high school now have to participate in a Capstone Project in Cherokee County.  The students  choose a subject that they are interested in pursuing as a college major or they may choose something that they have always wanted to try.  I am mentoring a high school senior from Sequoyah High School who wants to major in art in college.  I am teaching her the basics of several mediums.  Below we are working on watercolor.

Learning wet on wet method and how to add texture and shadows.......

and this was her first try at watercolors.......I think she did pretty well!

MY LATEST OBSESSION - MITTENS

These mittens are called Bella's Mittens and the pattern can be found for free on Ravelry here.  I've wanted to make them for a long time and now that it's getting colder and the leaves are changing I thought it was the perfect time.  I have always loved cables.  I took a knitting class about 30 years ago.  We had to pick out our own pattern and yarn.  Of course I didn't know what I was doing then.  I probably picked out the hardest pattern and most expensive yarn.  I never finished the sweater and didn't pick up knitting again until about a year ago.  I learned a lot making these mittens.  The instructions were very easy to follow and I think they are so cute.  The designer, Marielle Henault of subliminalrabbit.com, copied the mittens that Bella wore in the movie TWILIGHT.

The mittens are nice and long and will easily go over a sweater or sleeve.  I love the look of the big chunky horseshoe cables.  I think you get a lot of bang for your buck.

The pattern calls for you to use the Magic Loop method with a circular needle.  I decided to knit mine on size 8 double pointed needles.  Mainly, because I don't know how to do the Magic Loop method!  By using the DPNs, I think I knitted my gloves a little looser.  Many people have said the pattern knits up too small, but mine turned out perfect!

Below you can see how I have started the thumb gusset by moving stitches onto a holding bar.

Here I have finished the top of the mitten and now going back to knit the thumb.

And, here is the finished mitten.  Now bring on the snow!!!