My Thanksgiving Sale

I have been playing with my beads again. Here is the slide show of my latest creations:

Many of these markers are already available for sale in my Etsy Shop. The rest will be posted within the next few days.
So nothing else would do but to have a THANKSGIVING SALE!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
♥ SPECIAL SALE - November 18 - 26 ♥
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Get ONE FREE Laughing Lamb knitting or crochet stitch marker
with any purchase of $15.00 or more (before shipping) or TWO Laughing Lamb markers with any purchase of $25.00 or more(before shipping). For more information please see my Etsy Shop Announcement.
►This is a limited addition marker, available while supplies last.
And here are the Little Lamb markers:


I take PayPal or Money Orders and you can either make your order on Etsy, or contact me at HenyaK@msn.com .
Most of my knitting stitch markers can be converted to crochet version. If you want something, but you do not see it - just ask.
I usually ship First Class Mail, but if you need your things faster, please contact me.
International orders are welcome.

P. S. I do have to tell you that the special markers are going fast.

NORO VERTICAL STRIPE HAT IS ALL GROWNUP

I am finally keeping my promise to finish up and publish the adult version of Vertical Stripe Hat. The hat itself has been actually finished last week. Publishing the pattern on the other hand was a totally different thing.
Now I have finally wrapped my brain around it and fortified by a large mug of super-sweet black tea got it done!
This time I did a few things differently from the Baby Version.
1. I have used the Provisional Cast On.
2. Instead of sewing the parts that had to be attached to one another I used a "Three needle bind off". I intensely dislike seaming my knitted items and I like the look of this Bind off much better.
3. This hat has a modular construction. First, I made the crown of the hat, then, after attaching the cast on row to the last row I picked up the stitches on the bottom of the hat and knitted a brim.

There are so many more fun things I want to try using this sideways hat mode. Will see where it takes me.

THE ADULT VERTICAL STRIPE HAT PATTERN

Here is a pattern for my Adult Vertical Noro Hat. This is a very simple hat. It is knit flat and then seamed up. It looks very interesting and is fun and fast to make.
Even a very timid knitter can do it. Perfect for the adventurous beginner, but fun even if you are more experienced.
Wonderful the last minute gift - it only took me a few hours.

Materials
Noro Kureion (worsted weight) 2 skeins
16" Circular needle #8
16" Circular needle # 6
Crochet hook J or K for the provisional cast on
Some contrasting waist yarn, preferably cotton for the provisional cast on
Tapestry needle to weave in the ends

Abbreviations
K - knit
K1M1 - Knit the stitch through the back loop, but do not let it off the needle, knit this stitch again through the front loop, an increase.
K2tog - knit two stitches together - a decrease
St - stitch

For the Provisional Cast On
Chain 33. Turn your chain over and with the larger needle pick up 30st.
Row 1
Knit all stitches.
Row 2
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 31st.
Row 3
Knit all stitches.
Row 4
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 32st.
Row 5
Knit all stitches.
Row 6
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 33st.
Row 7
Knit all stitches.
Row 8
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 34st.
Row 9
Knit all stitches.
Row 10
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 35st.
Row 11
Knit all stitches.
Row 12
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 36st.
Row 13
Knit all stitches.
Row 14
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 37st.
Row 15
Knit all stitches.
Row 16
Knit to the last 2 st. K1M1, K. 38st.
Row 17
Knit all stitches.
Row 18
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 37 st.
Row 19
Knit all stitches.
Row 20
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 36 st.
Row 21
Knit all stitches.
Row 22
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 35 st.
Row 23
Knit all stitches.
Row 24
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 34 st.
Row 25
Knit all stitches.
Row 26
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 33 st.
Row 27
Knit all stitches.
Row 28
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 32 st.
Row 29
Knit all stitches.
Row 30
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 31 st.
Row 31
Knit all stitches.
Row 32
Knit to the last 3 st. K2Tog,K1 30 st.
Row 33
Knit all stitches.

One peak made. Repeat rows 1-33 four more times to get 5 peaks.

Unzip the provisional cast on and slide the stitches onto the smaller needle. Use the Three Needle Bind Off to attach the Cast On row to the last row. Do you like the tube you got?

Brim
From the inside the tube with the smaller needle pick up 84 stitches on the bottom of the tube (the side without the peaks).
Row 1-10
Knit all stitches.
Row 11-15
K2P2 all around.
Cast off loosely.

Finishing
Pick up the stitches on each side of each the peak and use the Three Needle Bind Off to attach them. Or alternatively just sew them together.

Note
If you want to avoid the Provisional Cast On - no problem. Just use your favorite cast on Cast On and sew the it to the Cast Off.

Another note
For those, who want the stripes, but are not found of Noro, or allergic to wool,
here is the list of yarns that might work as a Noro substitute:
South West Trading Company - Karaoke - 50% wool, 50% soy silk
Knit 1, Crochet 2 - Paint Box - 100% singles wool
Trendsetter - Tonalita - 52% wool 48% acrylic
Knit 1, Crochet 2 - TY-DY - 100% cotton
Kertzer Yarn - Marble Chunky - 100% acrylic - this you might have to fiddle with

All these yarns are available from the YARN BARN of KANSAS, Inc.
I have to say that I have not tried any of this substitutes myself, take a look and use your judgement.
Good luck.
Enjoy.

Am I a Mad Hatter?

It just might be possible. I have been making a lot of hats lately. So, what is so mad about it? After all "it's the season..." to want to protect our heads from the cold and wind. Well yea, when you look at it this way it would make sense to get warm toppers for the family heads. The only problem is - my hats are kind of theoretical. Meaning I have made at least three adult hats lately and I do not have anyone, who will wear them. I do not wear hats - at least normal knitted hats, and my DH wears his trusty Borsalino (the chasidic variation on your basic cowboy hat), unless it is so cold that there are icicles hanging of his beard.
So a mad hatter I am . Got to start making something practical. Like hats, that will fit my kids. And mittens that will fit actual hands - And socks - that will fit my very cold feet. I have two sock embryos living on my bed now. One is DK weight 100% purple cashmere:


The other is an amazingly soft merino/cashmere/nylon blend dyed by the "yarn cook extraordinaire" - Yarnerian:


Yes, you are not mistaken, they are both purple. Did I ever mentioned to you that I love purple? No? Well, I LOVE purple. And I love soft yarn. Now I wish I could find some angora that can be made into bed sock. Then I just might become a "Mad Socker". Hm, somehow that did not sound quite right... Wonder why?..

New contest - Name my sheep

A few days ago I have posted a photo of an unidentified subject, asking to ID it.
Here it is.


Unfortunately many things interfered, I got destructed and so on and I did not follow up right away.
Well as they say - better late than never - here is a regular photo of the subject above.


Yes this IS a sheep. It is one of my newer stitch markers. And yes, it does glows in the dark.
And here is his crochet buddy:


They are both miniature glass sculptures hand made by Czech artisans.
The only thing missing are the names. Now, since my idea for a name, for a glow in the dark sheep - was
"Chernobyl Ram", my husband has gently suggested asking for other opinions.
So, I am asking.
Can you help me name this sheep?
The rules of the contest are simple:
1. Leave a comment on my blog suggesting a name for either one or both sheep (please specify which sheep are you naming).
2. Follow this link to my Etsy Shop and add my shop to your favorites. ( In the right column click on "Add seller to favorites" )
3. If you have a blog - post about this contest there.

Next Wednesday, November 18th, I will post the poll with the prospective names, you get to vote - and the two winners will get a sheep of their choice.
Good luck to all.

SPECIAL SALE IN MY ETSY SHOP!

TWO DAYS ONLY!!!
Tuesday 11/10 - Wednesday 11/11
GET THEM FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE OF $18.00 OR MORE (before shipping).

Now also available in crochet version.
"Rainbow beads" are made of glass beads encased in silver-plated wire cages.
Those sparkling bright markers would be welcomed by any knitter or crocheter. Light, and highly noticeable they will be a joy to use.

Knitting Princess

This Summer for a few hours I had to entertain both my own kids and my niece and nephew. What did we do? I pulled out a bunch of knitting looms and we all learned to "loom" (is that the verb?). DD #1 has started a hat for "a baby". After we came home her loom was abandoned in favour of her knitting and beading projects. Is not heredity wonderful? Nice to know that we pass on our crafting ADD to our kids.
Today DD #3 has discovered the abandoned almost-hat. Here are the pictures.

Shell Shocked

It is late at night, or maybe early in the morning. I guess it all depends on your point of view. I feel totally wrecked. I had some errands to run today and as I stood in line in one of the stores I heard something that my brain is still refusing to process.
One of the women told all who would listen about a suicide she has witnessed. A young man has jumped out of the window. He was just married. As in two days before.
I am so numb.
And no, I am not usually that sensitive to the tragedies. But this one got me. How dark and scary and horrible the place this poor young man was. I am not willing to speculate "Why?". Lots of people will do it. At this time I am thinking about him, and the horror and pain, real or imagined, that pushed him to do this. I am thinking about his parents. You carry the child for many month, give birth and watch him grow. You laugh at the funny things he does, cry when he is in pain and pray over his future. And then...
I remember when as a teen I have flirted with the idea of suicide. We discussed it with friends over cheap wine and were quite taken by the romance of "cutting all the boundaries and setting ourselves free". And then I was somewhere with my Father and he pointed out to me his coworker, who was pushing a wheelchair. In it was a girl about my age. My Dad told me that she jumped out of forth floor window, but survived. Unfortunately her spine was crushed. She would be in that wheelchair forever. This story cured me fast of any romantic notions.
I am thinking about my kids. Please, G-d, spare them this kind of pain. Please give us, me and DH wisdom to see and feel if our child ever enters this dark place. And give us a way to help them and ourselves.

Photo ID

He is cool! He is hot! He glows in the dark!

He glows in the dark!

Can you recognize this dude?

Are we there yet?..

I am practically done with my "Nap Saque", the only things left are the second sleeve, the I-cord around the neck band, a few more rows on the bottom and closures. OK, so there is plenty left - by the way - has any one here suffered from the "second sleeve syndrome"? I know I did, but in this thing WILL be done tomorrow, or is it today already? OK the latest is by the end of the week... I have tried it on on the hapless victim, also known as lucky recipient. She liked it so much, even with needles pocking out and all, that we had a serious, and somewhat scary (think stitches escaping from the needles) tussle to get it off her.

And while I have been steadily knitting the "Nap Saque" I have to keep fighting my new "Hat Kick". I have started two more hats today, also one of them will get frogged, because I decided that I want it to have a different Cast on. No problem. I only got about ten rows done. So no big loss here.

We have finally went out and got the winter coats for the kids. All six of them. Somehow it seemed easier to do it in one shot. Now I have to get them winter boots. And then I will have to start on the mittens. Six kids - twelve mittens! Thick yarn!

Am I the only one who has procrastinated like this? After all I knew the Winter was coming.

OK, enough playing with the computer. I am off to knit. Or sleep. Whatever happens first.

Now The Vertical Stripe Noro Hat Is Crochet!

I did not want anyone to feel left out, so I have played with my yarn and have come up with a crochet version of my Vertical Stripe Noro Hat Pattern.
Being crochet this hat works up even faster than her knitted sister. Because I have used the simplest stitch - Single Crochet even a beginner can make it. At the same time, because I have chose Noro, the yarn, famous for the wonderful striped effect the hat looks amazing. I hope you will have fun with it.
This hat will fit a toddler between 12m and 2T.

Materials
1 Skein of Noro Kureion - I used almost the whole skein.
Crochet hook size 5.5mm
Tapestry needle for the seams.

Abbreviations
Ch - chain
SC - single crochet
st - stitch
SK - skip

Crochet Vertical Stripe Noro Hat
Ch 22,
Row 1
1 SC in the second chain from the hook, and in each chain to the end of the row, Ch1, turn - 20st.
Row 2
1SC in each st of the previous row to the last st, 2SC in the last st. Ch1, turn - 21st.
Row 3
1SC in each st of the previous row. Ch1, turn - 21st.
Row 4
1SC in each st of the previous row to the last st, 2SC in the last st. Ch1, turn - 22st.
Row 5
1SC in each st of the previous row. Ch1, turn - 22st.
Row 6
1SC in each st of the previous row to the last st, 2SC in the last st. Do not Ch1. Turn - 23st.
Row 7
Sk first st, 1SC in each st of the previous row. Ch1, turn - 22st.
Row 8
1SC in each st of the previous row. Do not Ch1. Turn - 22st.
Row 9
Sk first st, 1SC in each st of the previous row. Ch1, turn - 21st.
Row 10
1SC in each st of the previous row. Do not Ch1. Turn - 21st.
Row 11
Sk first st, 1SC in each st of the previous row. Ch1, turn - 20st.
One peak made.

Make three more peaks, repeating rows 1 - 11 three more times. Sew the foundation chain and the last row together to form a tube.

Then seam up the tops of the peaks individually.

Turn up the bottom of the hat and add the edging of your choice. I like picot edging - (1SC,Ch3,1SC) in each stitch.
Enjoy.

Note:
Noro Kureion might seem a bit scratchy for the next to the skin wear, especially for a child.
I find that hand-washing it in hear conditioner softens it up very nicely.
Another note:
For those, who want the stripes, but are not found of Noro, or allergic to wool,
here is the list of yarns that might work as a Noro substitute:
South West Trading Company - Karaoke - 50% wool, 50% soy silk
Knit 1, Crochet 2 - Paint Box - 100% singles wool
Trendsetter - Tonalita - 52% wool 48% acrylic
Knit 1, Crochet 2 - TY-DY - 100% cotton
Kertzer Yarn - Marble Chunky - 100% acrylic - this you might have to fiddle with

All these yarns are available from the YARN BARN of KANSAS, Inc.
I have to say that I have not tried any of this substitutes myself, take a look and use your judgement.
Good luck.