Knitting Handy Hearts

I love knowing the faces behind knitting and crochet patterns-probably one of the reasons I enjoy being a pattern tester! So, when a friend publishes a pattern, I have to give it a try. Recently my friend Linda (half of the Knitworthy Podcast Duo) published her very first Ravelry pattern Handy Hearts.

Now these are cute little useful projects to knit. But, what makes this pattern shine are all the amazing embellishments that 'Mama Linda' creates for each OOAK piece. Really, it's worth downloading this free pattern just for the embroidery inspiration! And, yes, did you catch that this little jewel is a FREE pattern!

So, the perfect project trio: quick and easy to knit, endless possibilities and a great use of 'scrap' materials!

Here's some of Linda's unique hearts:
                                     

                                                     
I had so much fun stitching up my own little Handy Heart! I used several scrap pieces, literally from frogged swatches of an old test piece. the edging is a simple blanket stitch. A lazy daisy floral center finished off with a quick French knot center.

I enjoyed that I had scraps that matched my HiyaHiya Stork scissors fairly well!


Linda's directions have a wonderful crocheted and buttoned scissor leash.  I love the look of all the Vintage buttons she uses! But, my button collection lives in my Craft Cottage which is situated in my back yard where I can watch my chickens as I work. I was stitching on this very late on a very very cold evening.  So, it was time to get inventive. (I knew if I left this simple step undone, it might not get restarted for some time. Can I get an 'amen' on that one?!)

My solution was to start with a crochet flower, then work down the lanyard, including a buttonhole part way down. The floral 'button' slips through the scissors and through the little buttonhole. So far my scissors have stayed nicely contained with this little addition. I would bet this little lanyard could be added to a whole host of knit or crocheted minis. This way any small toy could safely be added to a child's backpack, baby carrier, etc.

Crocheted Flower-ButtonLanyard

Ch 4 and form into a ring with slst, (ch 5, sc into ring) 5 times.
Working into ch5 loops work *sc,hdc,dc,hdc,sc, slst into sc of base. Repeat from * 4 more times.

Ch 40. Join lanyard to item with a slst or two. Ch 1, turn.

Work sc in first 32 chains. Ch 3, skip next 3 sts then dc in remaining 5 chains. Secure with slst to base of flower. Finish off.

A bit more organized now!

If you have listened to even one episode of The Knitmore Girls you know all about #OperationSockDrawer! It's an ongoing contest to make your personal drawer of socks contain a better supply of comfy, cozy, hand-knit socks.  Now, I have some but not many pairs from the typical Raveler's perspective.  Truth be told I wasn't all too sure what I owned.  And a picture of this particular dresser drawer is not something I would publish on Instagram! 

It was probably a normal middle-of-the-night-when-I-should-be-sound-asleep kind of thought. It's after Christmas and they usually have those ornament organizers at all the big box stores! Yup, they work quite nicely for socks!

Fiber Daze at Neosho, MO

What a weekend!  Two days of fiber fun with new and old friends.  There was lots of fur flying at the Crowder Agriculture Building in Neosho!  60+ knitters, spinners, weavers all in one place. 

Of course the vendors were wonderful.  I won't hold it against them that they way over tempted me (or show pictures of what I bought!).  We limit to Missouri fiber vendors and it always amazes me at what variety, quantity and quality we have right here.

I finally got up the nerve to join a class on knitting socks on 2 circular needles.  Now, I am a devoted DPN fan but our instructor Adrienne Rieck was great at explaining this and ....well I may consider it now.  She invited me to join the Ravelry group Year of Sock Stash.  Check out her blog:  http://www.knitandrun97.blogspot.com/.  By the end of the class I think we all had it figureed out!

The folks at Sarah Kate Fibers (http://www.sarahkatefibers.etsy.com/)
encouraged me to try Gottland wool...
ummm, so soft!

Another new to me vendor was Morning Moon Alpacas from Monett, MO.  I fell for her carmel colored batt of blended alpaca, merino and silk.  She had an alpaca cria born Friday and we got to see pictures!

Stay tuned for info on next year's Fiber Daze events.  Held the 4th weekend of September 2012.