Fleece yarn

Hello fellow yarn lovers! I have a new discovery!
I found this interesting yarn a while ago, but have yet to buy any. It's actually made of printed polyester fleece. Has anyone tried it? It's called Deborah Norville Cuddle Fleece and it comes in either dots or mosaics. Premier is selling it for $6.99 on their site. I don't know if it's available at craft stores yet.
Here's a link from the Premier Yarns Web site:
http://www.premieryarns.com/product.aspx?pid=166412

And here's a pic from their site of the mosaics version in the color called Building Blocks:

I think it might be nice for a kids scarf. You need an S hook or size 15 needles to knit. An S hook is huge! 15s are big, but not THAT big. Not sure why the discrepancy.
Premier also has 12 free patterns for this yarn, including a hat, scarf, baby blanket, pillow and bag.
I would love to hear from anyone who has used this yarn. How did your project turn out? Would you recommend this yarn to a friend?
By the way, I am not linked to this yarn company in any way. I'm just a yarn enthusiast looking for some advice before I buy even more yarn for my stash. :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Washcloths on sale now!

I am having a sale over at justyarning.etsy.com on washcloths, dishcloths, dishrags or whatever you like to call them. Just two bucks! Stock up until the end of the year, after which time the prices will go back to normal.
My cloths are 100 percent cotton and are about 7 inches square. They have lots of texture and can be used to wash your dishes or yourself. I use mine for dishes and love them.

Here's a photo of one little set. The bowl is a separate listing:

 

I also make a dog bone design, like the one below, which is a bit smaller. I made one for cats, too -- with a fish bone design -- which I will list as soon as I can take some new photos.

 

Here are a few links:

JustYarning Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/justyarning?ref=si_shop

 

Aqua and cream dishcloth set of two:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/116200486/on-sale-crochet-cotton-dish-cloths-with

 

Black and white dog bone set of two:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105575309/on-sale-dog-bone-design-crochet

 

Thanks for looking!

 

 

Cyber Monday sale still going

I am offering free shipping in my Etsy shop today, Monday November 26, 2012. It will probably extend into Tuesday morning at the latest. Please stop by and check out my knitted and crochet items. I'm making more and can always make a custom order.
Find the shop at justyarning.etsy.com

Crochet icicles

Check out my new Etsy badge up there! Love it!

I have a few Christmas items in the shop now, including icicle ornaments that are made to order. Here are a few photos:

 

This is what I've come up with so far, but I think any color scheme would work.

 

 



 

 

If anyone is interested in seeing these in my shop, here are the links:

Plain icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115433512/icicle-ornament-in-natural-off-white

Red and cream icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115434035/icicle-ornament-in-natural-off-white

Gold icicle: http://www.etsy.com/listing/115432761/icicle-ornament-in-white-with-gold-trim

Thanks for stopping by!



Pumpkin bucket handle covers

Hi all.
I was just sitting here looking at the abandoned pumpkin trick or trick bucket my daughter left on my bed and realized another use for those handy umbrella stroller handle covers.
Pumpkin bucket handle covers!
Like this:

Probably five or six years ago I made our bucket handle covers out of glow-in-the-dark yarn. I don't think it's available anymore, unless you find it on Ebay or somewhere. Still, you can use any yarn you want. Mine was by Bernat and really does glow in the dark. So cool.
I wanted something to protect my kids' hands, because when those buckets get heavy with candy, the handle really starts to dig in.
The cover solves that.
Or, you can just do as my oldest did this year and carry around a pillowcase, hopeful to fill it. (Not even close, by the way.)
Anyway, here's a refresher on the handle covers. Make one per bucket. When you're done, all you have to do is unhook the handle, slide on the cover and rehook it. Then you're all ready to trick or treat.
Make them now and you'll be all ready for next year!

Pumpkin bucket handle covers

Use whatever yarn you like and an appropriate hook. I used worsted weight yarn and most likely an H hook.
Also, if you are having trouble with just nine stitches around, or it's too tight, start with 10 or 12 chains. Start with fewer chains if you're using bulky yarn and your cover is coming out too big.

Handle covers:
Ch 9
Round 1: Sc in beginning ch and next 8 ch for a total of 9 ch, place marker in last st made
Rounds 2-20: Sc in each sc around, place marker in last st made
Round 21: Sc around, slip stitch in next stitch and fasten off
Weave in ends

If you don't mind it potentially being lopsided, you can just keep crocheting around and around without marking your last stitch, then finish when you think it's long enough. This is probably what I did!

Love of boot toppers

I have been on a boot-cuff making spree. I knitted some pairs and crocheted others and have more planned. I should be finishing my pineapple baby blanket, but this requires a visit to the craft store to buy more yarn, and we all know how dangerous that is. (Just one ball of yarn? But, but... Look at all those great colors that I just have to have!)

Has anyone else found the joy of boot toppers? They're like short legwarmers that cover just the part of your calf that sticks out of the top of your boot, and a bit below. Mine are only about 4 inches long or so. I think some people make them big enough to fold over the boot, but mine are just for the legs.

Here are some pics of one of my crocheted pairs:

I made a few pairs for my girls and they are really loving them. My 5-year-old loved hers so much she wore them to bed one night! They're really cozy.

I tried out a pair, too, and they really did add a lot of warmth. If you live in a cool climate, these are a perfect alternative to full length leg warmers or heavy socks. Of course, I did have on my handknit socks Saturday, and I must say my feet were nice and toasty while the rest of me froze at the morning soccer games. Maybe I can make a bigger pair of boot cuffs and wear them with my handknit socks, boots and jeans. Yeah!

If anyone is interested in checking out my boot toppers for sale on Etsy, here are the links:
Knitted pair girls and women sizes:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111913345/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111912892/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111912667/boot-toppers-or-boot-cuffs-short

And the crochet pair for women:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111671331/boot-toppers-short-crochet-legwarmers-in

And the crochet pair for girls:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111973378/little-girl-boot-toppers-short-crochet

I'd love to know what other knitters and crocheters out there have to say about boot toppers. Please comment!

Free pattern for knitted umbrella stroller handle covers

Here's a nice easy pattern for making knitted handle covers for your umbrella stroller. You will need to know how to knit in the round on double pointed needles. This is a pretty forgiving project if you want to try working in the round, but aren't sure of your skills yet.

I make my covers out of worsted weight cotton yarn, like Lily's Sugar N Cream or Bernat Handicrafter. I have never tried acrylic yarn, so I can't say how that will hold up. I have also used a wool and soy blend worsted weight yarn, like this:

I also make handle coveres out of sock yarn, which is great for warm cozy handles in the winter. Maybe I'll post that pattern another day!

This pattern hasn't been tested by anyone other than me, so let me know if it works or if you need any assistance.

Here's what you need:
*A small ball of worsted weight cotton yarn, or a small amount of different colors if you're making stripes
*Size 8 dpns

Abbreviations:
CO = cast on
K = knit
P = purl
BO = bind off

My gauge is about 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch

PATTERN

CO 12

Round 1: K1 P1 to end of round

Rounds 2-10: Continue in K1P1 ribbing (working in the round, knit the knits and purl the purls)

Rounds 11-50: K

Rounds 51- 60: K1P1 to end of round

BO

I like to use self-striping yarn or make my own stripes, like these:

If you like what you see, but would rather buy them instead of make them, both the covers shown, plus a variety of crocheted stroller handle covers, are available in my shop, justyarning.etsy.com

Let me know how your projects turn out!