Hat to Match Blue Variant Scarf

With leftover yarn from my Blue Variant of the Dr. Who Scarf, I made this hat inspired by the big, slouchy shape of Scotty's hat from the first of the new Star Trek movies.  All the garter stitch in this cuffed slouch hat make it super cozy warm.  I used the gray and two of the blues from my scarf.

Next winter I will dress up my navy blue coat with this Star Trek/Dr. Who combo.

Check Out this Crochet Scarf Pattern!

Even though the Twilight movies are old news by now, those movies did have some great knitwear in them--thanks to the cold, damp climate of Forks, WA.  I found this pattern and want to thank the blogger for crocheting this Carlisle baseball scarf lookalike:

Crochet Every Day: Carlisle Cullen's Baseball Scarf Pattern: This pattern has been over a year in the making, so you can imagine how excited I am to share it with you today!

Pom Poms with Ease

I found a great video showing how to make pom poms with a hairpin lace loom.  It looks much easier than threading yarn through the hole in the middle of a pom pom maker:

I'll be trying this today, as I have to fill a large order with 20 pom poms.  I'll be sure to let my readers know how I like this technique.

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.