Christmas Gift Fun

Now that most gifts have been opened, I can share some of my gift projects from Christmas 2016.

First, here is  Werewolf Hat from Vampire Knits  by Genevieve Miller, worked in Bernat Roving:

Next, a Baby Yoda Hat (pattern by Shinah Chang) in Big Twist from JoAnn:

Other items are still in the works for birthdays and such, so I'll share them as I can.  

Good Fiction for Quilters

Perla Phillips has a secret.   Unfortunately, she suffers a stroke around the time she thinks she ought to disclose her secret to her daughter.  Will the family be able to unravel the secret with the clues they find around the house as they care for Perla, quilt together, and deal with some church drama?  Author Sarah Loudin Thomas has crafted a beautiful story.

I received a free copy of A Tapestry of Secrets from the publisher for my honest review.  You can get your own copy here.

Book Recommendation: My Mother's Quilts

My Mother's Quilts is a devotional book with a special twist.  Each 3-4 page daily devotion includes a beautiful quilt photograph along with the story of that quilt.  A Bible verse begins each chapter and a prayer starter ends each chapter. This is a fitting theme for a devotional--God Himself is a Creator, so we, His people, also create.

This book, like the quilts within it, is carefully crafted with a built-in ribbon bookmark and attractive dust jacket.  This would make a wonderful gift for a quilt lover.  You don't have to make your own quilts to appreciate these quilts, the women who made them, and the love to which they testify.

Enter a contest to win the friendship quilt shown or other prizes such as signed copies of the book. above by following this link.

Get your own copy of My Mother's Quilts at Shop Better Books

About the Author of My Mother's Quilts:

Ramona Richards is an award-winning editor, speaker, author of nine books, and a frequent contributor to devotional collections. An avid live music fan, Ramona loves Nashville, which she’s called home since she was ten. Sensing her mother was near the end of her life, Ramona documented her mother’s stories and lessons behind each family quilt. These stories form the devotions in My Mother’s Quilts. Find out more about Ramona and her books by visiting her online at ramonarichards.com.

Potions Master Scarf: Free Pattern

See this project on Ravelry

In the movie version of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" we see Professor Snape bundled up for a Quidditch match.  He's dressed in black, of course, but I found his ribbed scarf actually handsome.  I searched my stitch libraries for something more exciting than my usual 1x1 or 2x2 ribbing.  I wanted the look of Shaker stitch, but without the yarn-overs and other maneuvers.  Enter Katharina Buss' Big Book of Knitting  and the Fake Shaker Stitch--which I affectionately christened "Faker Stitch."  Done in Lion Brand's "Heartland" worsted, I got a black scarf with a heathery tone rather than a flat black and a cushiony soft texture.

Easy Directions for Potions Master Scarf

Cast on 53 stitches (increase or decrease by multiples of 4 stitches) using whatever needles you like for worsted-weight yarn.  I used U.S. size 7 and two skeins of Lion Brand Heartland.

Row 1 (right side) P1, *K3, P1* repeating ** to last 4 stitches, K3, P1.
Row2 (wrong side) P1, K1, P1, *K3, P1* repeating ** to last 2 stitches, K1, P1.

Continue to desired length. (Mine is about 4 feet long, plus fringe.) For fringe, I cut 12-inch lengths and knotted 10 strands together at even intervals, 13 tassels per end.

You may also buy this scarf on Etsy.

Beginning to Sew?

If you have decided to branch out from knitting or crochet and try your hand at sewing, be advised the variety of machines is bewildering!  Resist getting distracted by all the special features on the high end machines. Even professionals use a simple straight stitch most of the time!

While I have been a lifelong Kenmore seamstress (Mom worked at Sears over 40 year) I found a good review of this Brother CS6 machine.  It looks like it has just the features a beginner wants, such as an automatic needle threader, without many expensive distractions.

A word of advice if you are teaching a child to sew: Don't bother with a toy sewing machine.  A good basic machine such as the Brother I mentioned before is not expensive and will enable the beginner to have a real sewing experience.  Toy sewing machines and knitting machines often break after relatively light use.  By choosing a grown-up model, you can use easy-to-find needles and accessories instead of special toy parts, too.  Treating the learn-to-sew project seriously also shows confidence and promotes successful sewing, which leads to more successful sewing....

Check out the What Rocks site for more reviews, too.

Fun Gifts for Knitters from 5amily

Declare to everyone that, "I am a knitting Grandma. Just like a regular Grandma, but way cooler." 5amily has all sorts of delightful products, but as a knitting grandma I like this T-shirt best.  It's preshrunk cotton jersey for comfort and on sale right now for 24.99 (regular 29.99.)

Image from 5amily

Another clever gift for the knitter in your life (maybe yourself?) is a coffee mug that states, "A day without knitting probably won't kill me, but why take the risk?" I have to laugh because I can't remember the last day I did not knit at least a few rows!

Image from 5amily

The 5amily site is full of fun products at great prices, so I wanted to let you know it was out there. St. Valentine's Day may be over, but Mother's Day will be here in May.  And any time is the right time to give a small gift to somebody for no particular reason at all.

Season 18 Scarf Adaptation Done!

Finished scarf, folded many times--it's about 16 feet long

This adaptation of the Season 18 scarf from Doctor Who is shorter (while maintaining proportions in the stripes) and is made of affordable, easily available acrylic worsted instead of the original chenille.  I have no desire to knit with chenille--it requires patience I lack.  I do love the colors and hope to get a good picture in sunlight as soon as I can.  I finished the scarf after dark, so had to make do with artificial indoor lighting.

I used 2 skeins each of : Crafter's Secret in Black Cherry, I Love this Yarn in Terra Cotta, and I Love this Yarn in Purple.  For more info, see this project on Ravelry.