Knitting Patterns Blog from SweaterBabe.com

Finished Covetable Cape from Sheila S.

Sheila S. of Aurora, CO knit her version of the #138 Covetable Cabled Cape in Knit Picks Full Circle Bulky. She used the Color Passion, such a vibrant, lovely purple!

Here are Sheila's project comments:

"I am so excited.

The pattern was very challenging in terms of having a cable and lace design going at the same time but as usual the pattern is well written and easy to follow.

I loved it and would make it again. " -- Sheila S.

Thanks, Sheila for sharing your finished project photos!

* * Do you have a SweaterBabe.com Pattern photo (on a body!) that you'd like to submit to the photo gallery? * *
If we select your photo(s), you get a free pattern!

Read about submitting photos to our Finished Projects Gallery.

See more finished projects from this Covetable Cabled Cape pattern on Ravelry:

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More style, less substance - in your knitting, that is! Plus, 15% off all orders of $10 or more coupon!

Enjoy 15% off all knitting pattern and crochet pattern orders of $10 or more with the coupon code below - for one week only! Time to shed the heavier layers and opt for lace, sexy vests, and more!

SHARE COUPON CODE : UpStyle with your friends!      Shop ALL Knitting Patterns Shop ALL Crochet Patterns   Copy this url:  "http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2013/03/more-style-less-substance-in-your-knitting-that-is-plus-15-off-coupon.html"  and click on the icons below.   Then, paste the url onto your favorite social networks so you can give your friends this COUPON CODE.   Coupon code expires March 26, 2013 - so share it right away!

Little Pig Pottery - a Yarn Bowl review and giveaway!

I've long admired ingenious yarn bowls and hand-made pottery. Now, I've had the great opportunity to review 2 lovely samples in person!

Little Pig Pottery makes very unique yarn bowls. They are almost too pretty to use (I said, almost!).

What's nice, is that these bowls easily pass for expensive art objects in your craft room, while being easily accessible when you need to tame that ball of yarn as you knit or crochet!

The concept of a yarn bowl is simple, but these bowls are far from basic. The larger sample is an adorable pig pot! A nice size for any larger balls of yarn and plenty sturdy to sit on the ground by your feet or on a side table to feed you your yarn.

Great craftmanship cannot be faked. These are hand-made and hand-finished and definitely one-of-a-kind pieces.

The smaller yarn bowl is perfect for the smaller balls of yarn that you will get with the lighter weights of yarn. The notches on the side are angled so the yarn can't just slip up and out, which is very clever.

The larger Pig one is quite substantial in height and could handle a fairly big ball of yarn! Adorable pigtail detailing on the back.

Both have very smooth surfaces and edges, of course, so there is no concern about catching your yarn.

Here are the descriptions from Jean Ann, the artist behind Little Pig Pottery:

"Ms. Pig is a smug little character with a lovely satin surface.  She, like most pigs, is of generous proportions. She began as a stoneware cylinder on the wheel and sports a casual cord cut foot.  A curly rim cut for a tail was made to allow a yarn thread to pass through.  Ms. Pig's dimensions are 6" high by 6" diameter. She also is a sturdy weight, around 3 pounds, to help her make a stand with the yarn pulling." Retails for $88.

And her description of the above yarn bowl: "Small Copper Red Yarn Holder that will hold a ball 3.5" in diameter.  Copper Red will also brighten any corner in your home.  It began as three pounds of stoneware thrown as a cylinder. A tight little rim cut was made to allow thread to pass through.  Exterior glaze is copper red; interior is a dark satin mat. Yarn holder is 4" high by 4" by 4” Its mouth is approximately 3.5 inches in diameter and stands on three chunky feet." Retails for $38.

Thanks, Jean Ann, for your fabulous artistry and for sending us these lovely yarn bowls to review and give away!

Be sure to visit https://littlepigpottery.etsy.com for more of Jean Ann's work - she has a wonderful collection of whimsical yarn bowls that you just have to see!

*** The Giveaway! ***

Enter to win the Small Copper Red yarn bowl from Little Pig Pottery ($38 value)!

Here's how to enter*:

1) Make a pattern purchase from now through April 15, 2013, 9pm PST. Choose from all of my knitting patterns or crochet patterns. Each order counts as one entry, so multiple entries this way are ok!

2) Be a member of the SweaterBabe.com Knitting Club! All members that are still active through April 15th, 2013 will be automatically entered. Not a member? Join by April 14, 2013 for your automatic entry and get all of the April (and March if you join in March!) pattern downloads with your $7.99/month Club subscription!

3) Pin this giveaway (using the Pin It button here: ) and follow SweaterBabe on Pinterest by clicking this button: . One pin per person, please. Pin by April 15, 9pm PST.

4) Post a comment on this blog post telling us what you think of these yarn bowls!  One comment per person, please. Comments must be posted by April 15, 9pm PST.

Sorry, this giveaway only open to those in the continental U.S. If you enter via Pinterest, make sure you are on my email list so you will get notified if you win!

*** WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 4/16/13 ***
And the randomly chosen winner from all entrants is . . .Ita - who posted a comment here on 3/13/13. I've emailed you, Ita. Congrats!!!

Single Crochet Cord

Here are photos showing you a technique I learned a long time ago for making a single crochet cord. It's a flat cord, with one side that looks like a double chain (the front) and the back is more like the purl side of a knit St st fabric.

I like to use this cord because it's fast to make (no turning your work!), and you can just keep going until you have the length you want (vs. pre-planning the length with a long chain, then working a row of sc).

Here's how it's done.

Ch 2, work 1 sc in second chain from hook. DO NOT TURN.
NOW, notice that the "post" of the sc you just worked has one strand at the far left (in the front). Or you may consider this the left side of the finished sc. Insert your crochet hook into that (picking up one strand). See the pink arrow below.

After inserting your hook there, this is what it looks like:

NOW, work a sc by yo, pull loop through (then you will be at the photo above, with 2 loops on your hook), yo, pull yarn through both loops on hook.

You've now done a second sc. Let's go through one more sc just to reiterate.
* DO NOT TURN. Find the far left strand of the sc you just worked and insert your hook just under it (just like you did above). See the pink arrow below.

This is what it looks like once you've inserted your hook under it:

Work a sc by yo, pull loop through, yo, pull through both loops on hook.
Now, you've completed the third sc:


Repeat from * to make a single crochet cord as long as you'd like!

NEW Knitting Patterns coming soon!

Chunky wasn't always a good description . . . but now it's a knitwear trend!!

Here are three upcoming knitting patterns that take full advantage of their chunkiness!

This Eternity Scarf wraps around your neck twice, with the contrasting textures of a thick, chunky ribbing against an intricate lace design. Oh-so-wearable and flattering - all you have to do is loop it once or twice around your neck and you look instantly well put-together!

Then, this sweater is all about chunky cables. Front, back, and sleeves all feature a wide, chunky cable design that is fun to knit and wear!

Boxy fit, with dolman sleeves makes for a fun shape to toss over skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.

This sweater dresses up nicely for work or feels like the modern take on fishermans' sweaters for casual weekend attire.

Third is this beautifully cabled Malabrigo hat in a stunning hand-dyed color, called Fuchsia.

This one is modeled by my oldest daughter, whose head seems to have grown to be pretty close to my head size, makng her an ideal head model! This pattern will include this pink version, which is a more traditional fit, plus a slouchier hat, which is so everywhere this season! PLUS, both hats only use up less than one hank of Malabrigo Worsted!

ALL THREE of these knitting patterns are coming in the next few months. . . so stay tuned!

Meanwhile, see ALL the SweaterBabe.com Knitting Patterns in bulky yarn

Pin It - Win It - Knit It Giveaway

Enter SweaterBabe.com's Pin It - Win It - Knit It Giveaway!

THREE winners will be chosen to receive these great prizes:
1 GRAND PRIZE Winner will win $50 in SweaterBabe.com store credit PLUS a $50 Knitpicks.com Gift Card (Knitpicks Gift Card valid only for U.S. or Canada orders)!

2 ADDITIONAL Winners will each win $50 in SweaterBabe.com store credit.

HOW TO ENTER:

STEP 1: Create your Pinterest Board
After following SweaterBabe on Pinterest - - Create a Pinterest board and include “SweaterBabe.com” in the title (be sure the board is tagged with the DIY & Crafts category).

STEP 2: Start Pinning SweaterBabe.com Knitting and Crochet Patterns!
From the SweaterBabe.com site, pin at least 6 SweaterBabe.com knitting patterns or crochet patterns. Be sure to add #SweaterBabe.com #knitting (or #crochet) to the end of each pin's description. ALL patterns on the SweaterBabe.com site at www.SweaterBabe.com have "pin it" buttons, so you can browse any of the knitting or crochet patterns to add to your Pinterest Board.

STEP 2: Enter Your Board!
Submit your SweaterBabe.com Pinterest Board by copying it's url (the link to it) and entering it as a comment on this blog post. All entries must be received by 9pm PST, Thursday, January 31, 2013.

That's it!  THREE winners will be randomly chosen from all valid entries*. ONLY one entry per person, please.

HAPPY PINNING!!

*Winner must be following SweaterBabe on Pinterest. Submitted Pinterest Board must have "SweaterBabe.com" included in the Pinterest Board title and be tagged with the DIY & Crafts Pinterest category. All pins within the submitted Board must be SweaterBabe.com patterns. Winners will be announced here on the SweaterBabe.com Blog site. Winners will be posted in the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group on Ravelry.com and may also be featured by SweaterBabe.com in its newsletters. Store credit will be added to winner's SweaterBabe.com store account (if winner does not have a pre-existing store account, one will be created).

SweaterBabe.com store credit can be applied towards the purchase of ANY SweaterBabe.com knitting or crochet pattern sold at SweaterBabe.com. Store credit cannot be used towards the purchase of membership in the SweaterBabe.com Knitting Club. Store credit does not expire.

Knitpicks $50 gift certificate valid only for shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

SHARE this giveaway with friends!

 

*** 2/3/13 update: Thanks for all the Pinterest Board Entries!!! I'll choose the winners in a few days. . . ***

*** WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!! ***

The GRAND PRIZE winner is Anne Burrows, who wins $50 in SweaterBabe.com store credit + $50 Knitpicks.com Gift Certificate!
TWO $50 SweaterBabe.com Store Credit winners are:
Mari Bigler (who entered on 1/27) and Pat (who entered on 1/24).

Winners have been emailed to claim their prizes. Congrats!!!

Curious to see all the SweaterBabe.com Pinterest Boards?:
http://pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=%23Sweaterbabe.com

Resolve to knit and crochet more this year!

Take advantage of our 20% OFF coupon offer on all orders of $10 OR MORE and Resolve to Knit and Crochet more this year!

Enjoy 20% off all knitting pattern and crochet pattern orders of $10 or more with the coupon code below - for one week only!

Kick off a new year with new, fun projects that will keep your fingers busy (and busy fingers can't reach for any of those leftover holiday treats, which might help you with that other resolution, ha ha!).

 

 

 

Start shopping all patterns now!

 

SHARE this COUPON CODE with your friends!    Copy this url: "http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2013/01/resolve-to-knit-and-crochet-more-this-year.html" and click on the icons below.  Then, paste the url onto your favorite social networks so you can give your friends this COUPON CODE.   Coupon code expires January 11, 2013 - so share it right away!

Last-Minute Gifting made easy with a 15% off coupon!!

Take advantage of our 15% off coupon offer for Last-Minute Gifting made Easy!!

Choose a SweaterBabe.com pattern (or two) to purchase and print. Dive into your stash or include a card promising to purchase the yarn for or with your recipient (genius move - you get another trip to the yarn shop AND your recipient can chose their fave color. It's a win, win!).

Then, just wrap the pattern up (add a sheet protector and/or roll it up loosely and tie with a ribbon) in a nice basket or box!

AND for your knitting and crochet buddies, download and print a few patterns they would enjoy and include some stash yarn (or not!) to complete the gift.

You might even offer to knit the projects along with them or help them to knit a more challenging project with your expertise (if you're feeling really generous!). OR, there's always the tried and true option of a SweaterBabe.com Gift Certificate!

Start shopping all patterns now!

Shop for a gift certificate
(sorry - 15% off coupon code does not apply to gift certificates.)

 

SHARE this COUPON CODE with your friends!      Copy this url: "http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2012/12/last-minute-gifting-made-easy-with-a-15-off-coupon.html" and click on the icons below.  Then, paste the url onto your favorite social networks so you can give your friends this COUPON CODE.   Coupon code expires December 26, 2012 - so share it right away!

A little embellishment to "cute-ify" a hat!

The #67 Basketweave Crochet Hat is my "go to" pattern when I need a super fast baby gift!

My daughter's teacher is expecting her first baby and it's a girl!

While the red color and this pattern is already cute IMHO (I think chunky hats make baby heads looks all that much bigger, rounder,  and cuter!), I wanted to add this simple crochet flower to give it that extra little bit of girlishness! (is that a word?).

 

Here's how I made the flower:

Using the size L hook (same as I used for this #67 Basketweave Crochet Hat Pattern), I made a loop around a few fingers so I could create a ring to crochet my first round into. Insert the hook into the ring and pull through one loop to begin.

Then:

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 5 sc in middle of ring. Sl st to first sc to close Round.

Since the ring was just a strand of yarn that I crocheted into, it can be pulled closed with the yarn tail to make a nice, right center for the base of the flower.

Rnd 2: Ch 5, sl st in same sc as last sl st, [ch 5, sl st in next sc] 4 times.

Rnd 3: [1 sl st, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st] in each ch-5 loop around. Sl st to first sl st to close Round. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Sew to hat!

Sassafras Creations Jewelry - a review and giveaway!

 

Reduce, reuse and recycle - great words we should all try to live by.

And apparently, the mantra can apply quite beautifully to old knitting needles!

Sassafras Creations is a company that caught my eye for it's very unique reuse of used aluminum knitting needles and crochet hooks.

I have my stash from my younger knitting and crocheting years (My two Boye Needles Master sets were my prize possessions. I had to save up lots of allowance $ for those!). These aluminum needles came in many shades of really nice jewel tones. Guess I wasn't the only one who thought they were pretty!

Nancy Thompson, the ingenious designer and jewelry maker behind her Sassafras Creations etsy shop, has created a very unique line of jewelry taking full advantage of these pretty jewel-toned needles.

She cuts them into small rings, tubes, or other clever shapes and adds sterling silver to create cool bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and even watches. My favorite is the bracelet she sent me, shown here.

I love it for it's simple beauty and charm! Small rings cut from knitting needles of varying sizes are linked together to form this bracelet. A longer piece is used with a ring cut from a bulky needle to create the toggle clasp closure. So clever!

The edges of the cut pieces are carefully polished and the sterling silver rings joining them are a nice, heavy gauge so this is not a bracelet that would snag on my knits (so thoughtful!) or catch on something and come apart (such a pet peeve!). She definitely pays attention to the details and produces high quality jewelry!

This is a nice everday bracelet for me, as it's not too dressy, but definitely has a pretty style to it. I'm not a fan of wearing too many colors at once (you can tell from my knitting designs, eh?), but this bracelet is perfect because the jewel tones are all such pretty, sophisticated shades that they work together. Plus the color is only on the outsides of the rings, so the rest of the bracelet is a goes-with-everything silver tone. It's my jangly, fun bracelet that I like to wear with my leather wrap bracelet and silver bangle, completing that layered jewelry look that is so very now.

 

The earrings Nancy sent for me to review (see photo up top) are very pretty as well! Just enough needle "beads" dangling from each earring to give them movement and let the jeweled tone parts catch the light. This is a nice pair of earrings for any age.

So, yes - I definitely recommend that you check out Nancy's complete Sassafras Creations line. Lots of fun stuff and the prices are quite reasonable.

These are ideal gifts for your knitting friends or yourself!

I couldn't resist sharing photos of a few other items from her line that show you her creativity (the Christmas tree earrings are strung on needle tips!) and the range of jewel tones (see the cuff bracelets below!)!

So be sure to check out the rest of Nancy's Etsy shop at www.sassafrascreations.etsy.com and you'll be inspired to send her your old needles! Tell her SweaterBabe.com sent you!

** AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS! **

One lucky winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants to receive the Sassafras Creations earrings (the dangly ones shown at the bottom of this post)!

To enter this giveaway, please do one or BOTH of the following by 9pm PST, December 22, 2012:

1) Use Pinterest to pin this blog post and in the "describe this pin" area, enter #SweaterBabe.com (required, or I won't be able to find your entry!). Click this to pin the Sassafras jewelry photo.

* PLEASE be sure you are on my email list, so that when I announce the winners, you can claim your prize if you entered through Pinterest (as I can't contact you directly).

(If you don't know what Pinterest it, then skip to 2!)

2) Enter a comment on this blog post telling us what you think of this jewelry line.

After December 22nd, I'll pick a random entry to win.

Good luck to all!

*** WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 1/2/12 ***
And the randomly chosen winner from all the entrants is. . . Rebecca Boardman, who posted her comment on 12/1/12. Congrats! I've emailed you so you can send me your address.