Crochet me has a mini edition up for Valentine’s. I’m definitely making that  pillow, baby! Enjoy!

Oh I’d love to crochet these Penguin Mittens for me!

NEW 30 Free Patterns Spring/Summer 2006 from Berroco.

On my "In Love With" List:

Bronwin in Suede (I'm not a fan of the pockets, but I am a huge fan of the skirt!)

Aphrodite (I'm imagining this in an oceany, bluey-green on top and brown on the bottom with a sandy beige middle or some variation of those colours.)

Persephone (I love this sweater. Not the colours mind you, but I love the funky style. Maybe in some earthy tones with a wee bit of sparkle... hmmm...would look great with Bronwin!)

Also some cute knits for the wee ones..

WorldKnit.com has some great tutorials if you're in a bind. They even have an area for those wishing how to learn garment design.

Stuff you’ll need:

• waste yarn in a contrasting colour, preferably same weight as project yarn
• set of smaller needles (smaller than required for the pattern)

Method:

Look at the pattern to see the number of cast on stitches. Using waste yarn, cast on 1/2 the required  number of stitches. (If pattern calls for odd number, then cast on 1/2 the number of required stitches + 1).

1st row: Purl to end

2nd row: Knit to end.

Join in main colour yarn. Cont in stockingette st for 4 more rows so that the purl side is facing.

P1. Look down the four rows to the contrasting yarn and you’ll clearly see your project yarn as “purl bumps”. With your left needle, you will pick  up the first bump in the row, four rows down from where you have just purled. Knit into the back of this picked up stitch. Purl the next stitch; with left needle, pick up from 4 rows below, knit into the back of the stitch and so on. Cont in this manner to the end of the row. When you finish your last purl stitch, you’re not finished.  There is still one more to pick up and knit, although you may not see that. The end of the row is basically a knot. Just shove your needle in there and knit into the back for that final stitch.

Now you may remove the contrasting waste yarn as it is no longer needed. You can cut the contrast yarn, just don’t cut  your project yarn! Now, if your pattern calls for a 1 x 1 (K1, P1) rib, then you’re off to the races and you can ignore what comes next.

For anyone needing a lovely 2 x 2 rib, like I did ——> follow me. Here comes the tricky part. You now have to twist every other stitch. Just like cabling. In fact, I use a cable needle to bring the knit stitch forward. I do this as I go as well. So I’ll purl, then twist, then purl, then knit, then twist…. and so on. All of this may seem like a major pain in the ass, but  once you do it a couple of times and once you see the fruits of your labour,  you’ll feel triumphant! One side of the 2 x 2 rib, in the first row will look slightly wonky, but no matter, that’s the backside. Yay! I’ll post tutorial photos when I get a chance. I promise.

Patons Chunky Knits (Book # 500948)

Pattern: Cabled Pullover With Hood

Yarn: Shetland Chunky in High Plains Variegated.

Needles: 6mm Bamboo Circulars (divine)

Pattern book, 10 balls of yarn and the needles, were all Christmas gifts! My family thought it was time I made something for myself.

Completed to date: Back and part of the front (with right pocket). I'm about to join on the left pocket. I used the tubular cast-on method for the bottom ribbing. It's perfect. :)

Pictures coming soon....

Tubular cast-on links:

Amelia Raitte: My Fashionable Life

Knitting Techniques by Mary Ellen Meisters

Note: I'll write out my method later and post it for everyone since I like a little bit of this and a little bit of that. :)

You have to check out the Strawberry ‘Jamma Bag to crochet. It’s so adorable! I have to make one for my niece!

1. January 18th is Her birthday.

2. I’m a Monday’s child.

3. I have 4 brothers and sisters, just as many parents and I’m an only child.

4. I am older than my husband.

5. When  I was a little girl, I used to beg my mom to buy me red patent leather shoes. I never did get those shoes. But when I was in my 20’s, I did buy myself a pair of red suede boots and I still have them. So here’s to the girl in the little red shoes….

6. Knitting is my own meditation and relaxation. It causes a muscle between my shoulder blades to spasm and causes me much discomfort, but it also brings me much joy.

7. I can knit without looking at my work. Not all the way, but I am working on it! If it’s garter or stockingette, I don’t have to look at all. :)

8. I’m currently addicted to Harry Potter. I’m on book number 5. I find there is more negativity in this book than I like.

9. One of my great passions in life is working with seniors.

10. I love dragon boat racing!

11. I cannot swim.

12. I don’t have my license.

13. My parents nicknamed me Miss Muffett when I was a baby. I have no idea why, but it has stuck.

14. If you say my first and middle name together five times fast, you’ll discover that it is the name of a musical instrument.

15. I love Royal Doulton figurines and am now up to 5!

16. I have lived in Toronto, Kingston, Napannee, Windsor, Haley Station, Pembroke, Pickering, Toronto, Etobicoke, Toronto. I have only lived in one province.

17. I have been to New York, New Hampshire, through Vermont, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Manitoba, Mexico, Costa Rica and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

18. This year will be our 10th wedding anniversary.

19. I can hardly believe it’s been 10 years already.

20. What was I doing again?

21. When I put my mind to something, there is no stopping me!

22. If I don’t do something that I say I’m going to do, it’s because I haven’t “put my mind to it” yet.

23. My cat likes to sit in my lap with her paws on the desk and usually her head resting on my arm as I type. I enjoy her company.

24. I love the sound of the rain on the window, or a tent or on a camper. Pit-a-pat. Pit-a-pat.

25. I love that earthy smell after it rains.

26. I love handmade gifts. Or gifts that are about to be handmade. (like bags of yarn!)

27. I’ve never been very good at taking care of myself. And I don’t remember being 27…. What happened to that  year? Sheesh…

28. I don’t understand women who go and get their finger nails and toenails done regularly. I can think of things I’d rather do with all that money, though!

29. When I was a kid, I used to dream about riding horses and some day having my own. So I guess the moral of that story is, dreams don’t really come true. Unless I suppose, you put your mind to it!

30. I’ve learned that if you don’t take care of yourself, no one else is going to do it for you.

31. Although I love email and blogging and all that techno-mumbo-jumbo, I treasure a letter sent the old-fashioned way.

32. I absolutely hate the continuous flow of mail that arrives at our house that is not for us. Enough already! We send it back, they send it back with our handwriting on it. Like, are we SURE that that guy doesn’t live here with us? Did we check? Perhaps he’s in the attic? DUH! (major pet peeve, can you tell?)

33. I love lazing around with family. You know, the days where you just don’t get dressed, watch movies all cuddled down together or playing cards and games all day….those days that you eat chips and dip and whole pumpkin pies with whipped cream for breakfast…..

34. I love Christmas in August. Who wouldn’t?

35. One year for my birthday, my mom asked me what kind of cake I wanted. Not being a fan of cakey cake, I asked for her pineapple-upside-down cake. She looked at  me like I was nuts, but said, “ok….” She even went out and ordered me blueberry ripple ice cream because that’s what I wanted to go with it! It was the yummiest cake! For my 16th birthday, my mom made me a chocolate cake with heart-shaped chocolates that she made herself all over it. It was the most beautiful cake I ever saw. Oh, and I really love those little silver ball toppings for cupcakes and cakes. This is more like 40 things about Her….. hmmm…….