A Novice Study in Cables

When I first started knitting, I thought I was pretty badass for starting my first cable project. But I choose something far above my skill level, and ended up very frustrated, and actually walked away from knitting for a couple of weeks. So here's my gift to beginners! Or to the knitter who needs a break from the intricate, and a home for their kindle. :)  A simple, I promise, cable-forward pattern, or really, if you want to cable backward that's up to you, it's a personal choice. But I went forward, because that's just how I live my life. 

I wanted a simple project to break up some of the bigger, more intricate ones I’ve been doing. I also wanted a case to slip my tablet into before thoughtlessly throwing it into my purse whilst collecting the myriad of things that simply must go with me before I leave my abode. So, this little pattern came about. It’s perfect for beginning knitters who have their knits and purls all figured out now, and want to take the next step. 

And without further ado: 

CO 26 stitches with a bulky yarn onto size 9 needles (or whatever size you need to obtain the right gauge for your tablet, each of the panels are a set number of 8 stitches, so adding or subtracting is all you really need to do.) 

1x1 rib for three rows 

k8 p1 k8 p1 k8

p8 k1 p8 k1 p8

Repeat until you have nine rows

Row 9: (right side cable row) k8 p1, cable 4 sts front, k4, k4 from cable needle, p1 k8 

You will repeat the straight rows until you have 18 rows, and then you will need to wrong side cable, cable the purl stitches.  

Row 18: (wrong side cable row) p8 k1, cable 4 sts front (purlwise), p4, p4 from cable needle, k1 p8 

Repeat above twice per side.

I set my 'sock' for 36 rows per side, 4 pattern repeats, for a total of 8 cable repeats for the finished project. 

Once you complete your last cable, knit in (k8 p1 k8 p1 k8 / p8 k1 p8 k1 p8) beginning pattern for 8 more rows, followed by a 1x1 rib for two rows, bind off in the ribbed pattern. 

Kitchener stitch the sides up, and voila! a safe home for your own tablet!

Upcoming Crafts!

Skyrim has been detrimental to my knitting lately. But, really, what's more important, finishing my cowl, or finally unlocking Dual Flurry and Arcane Blacksmith?! Those things are amazingly epic if you're The Listener. Okay, I'm done nerding out here.

Hopefully this weekend I will begin the following:

This: Dovahkiin! is going to go on an item for my always loving and fantastic husband. 

Next:

I love the thrift shop on Nellis Air Force Base, there's always something amazing in there. In this case, this item doesn't look so amazing right now, but I will be making it beautiful, functional, and cool.

Let's just say... the hubby will be on spray paint duty this weekend. :)

Also! I got new storage for some of my knitting notions. I was running out of space in my smaller, compartmentalized storage solutions containers. It was for the best, it seems like every time I need a stitch marker, or a cable needle, I have to get up and find the container... and it's all just very inconvenient. But thanks to Micheal's, and these very affordable and cool looking containers, I have everything within an arms reach.

To top all these amazing weekend plans off, I will be seeing Beauty and the Beast IN THEATERS on Friday, and dinner date with some friends on Saturday. I hope life is well for everyone else, as well!

- Ashley

Hats, and Crafts, and Storage, Oh My!

I've recently been pretty busy with work lately... But I still find time for my knitting, and random crafts.

So here we go!

I recently finished a cabled slouchy hat, just for myself (and a second one that is available on my Etsy page), I find myself knitting so much for others, and very rarely for myself. I used a pattern located here:

http://azknits.azure-m.com/2010/11/free-pattern-quick-cable-slouch-hat.html

I ended up editing the pattern much more than I had expected. I wanted a larger cable pannel, and a more noticeable "flower" on the top of the hat.

For those interested, I will post my pattern tweaks (with credit to AZURE of course), in a later posting.

I have loved slouchy hats for a long time, but somehow never owned one. (I know, how does that happen? :P) I love wearing this hat, it's also the first time I've used a Cascade yarn, and there is no going back for me. I also got a ball of black Merino, I'm currently knitting up a lace cowl with it, and the feel is amazing, but I think after all this lace, I'll need a good solid knitting project.

I also spent a good part of a weekend spray painting the left over containers in my home with my husband.

This lil' baby is a lysol wipes container, turned into a perfect yarn container. I am the type of knitter who is forever tangling my yarn into a huge ball of knots, and this is a godsend. I will definitely be making more.

And last, but certainly not least, these jars were spaghetti sauce jars, and with a little string, hot glue, and spray paint, they've now become well loved, and used decoration/storage. As any knitter knows, we have too many stitch markers, point protectors, stitch holders, t pins, and cable needles to ever be contained in one of those nifty storage solutions.

Well, that's all I have for you for now. Merry Christmas all! 

A Quick Post

I recently bought a Samsung Replenish & I've been through the whole thing of buying phone cases & not being satisfied with the quality. Thankfully, this phone came in pink because I'm pretty sure I'd be an owner of three new cases by now.

My goal with this phone is to protect the heck out of the screen. It's a touchpad phone & I'm not letting this one get wrecked.

My first idea was to cut the thumb off of an unused mitten & then stitch it up & slip in my phone. No one would think to steal a gal's mitten!

Tonight, while brainstorming other crafts - it hit me! I can make a FELT case.

Out came the felt, DMC floss (it's stronger), and some velcro.

However, while I was creating a craft storm, my silly self forgot to take pics!

This is the final result though:

Pink & Purple Felt

I cut a hole on the bottom for the charger & put velcro on the cover.

Thoughts?

UpCycle #1

I have found over the past couple of months that I've been buying cough drops, obsessively. I have coupons, so I use them up. No sense in them going to waste, right? Yes, they're all sugar free. Ever since 2006, I've only used sugar free cough drops. When I'm sick, I usually find myself falling asleep with them in my mouth, so this only makes sense, too.

Enter in an empty peanut container. I thoroughly cleaned it out and I used Goo Gone to get the the manufacturer's label off. Can I say, that is the BEST thing in the world? Next to Mod Podge, of course.

I measured the lid & it was a little under 4 1/2 inches, so I decided that a 4 1/4 circle would do. To my Cricut I went!

I also cut out some letters and cropped a matching scrap for the front. I used my corner rounder & then adhered everything to the container.

What do you think?