Heaven looks a lot like a Granny Square

I have a surplus of leftover yarn and what i love to do is make Granny Squares with it. So right now I am in Granny Square Heaven!
Granny Squares are great when you have bits and pieces of yarn leftover from a bigger project. Not enough to make something, but too much to just get rid of it. So instead, combine all the scrap yarn and make granny squares. Its amazing how you can take a bunch of mismatched yarn, put it together and make a beautiful afghan. It also has that homemade feel to it that i love.


Have fun with Granny Squares...

1. Make slippers- I have a men's pair in size 11 if any wants them!
2. Make two really big ones, sew then together, stuff it with cotton and voila! You have a granny square pillow!
3. Granny Square Scarf
4. Granny Square Purse- Visit LuciesBags.com and see the ones i have available now.
5. Granny Square Leg Warmers and Wrist Warmers.
6. Table Covers
7. Coasters
8. Any type of clothing- Jacket, Blouse, Halter Top, Skirt... Pants?

The possibilities are endless... From colors to patterns.
Check out your local craft store for granny square pattern books or google "Granny Square patterns" and see what comes up. I like Crochet Pattern Central and i also have a few books with a variety of patterns.

So make your Grandmother proud and start your Granny Squares!

Excuse me while I pat myself on the back

ORIGINAL

I finished the purse that my sister asked me to copy from a photo she saw. I think I did a pretty good job. Let me know what you think?

MY COPY

MY COPY

Fiber! Not the kind that makes you poop...

This past weekend was the 2nd Annual Fiber Festival of New England at the Eastern States Expo. And just like the title says, this fiber is not the kind that makes you poop.

Yes, just like the one from Sleeping Beauty

Fiber is the material you use to make yarn. Whether its sheep, goat, alpaca or rabbit. Fiber is the furry coat or fleece that is trimmed from the animals and then is spun into yarn.

Pygora Goats are a cross between
 Pygmy and Angora Goats

This was my first time at this event and hope it won't be the last. I was surprised when I walked in and it instantly smelled like a barn. A quick glanced showed me that not only did independent farms bring fiber and knitted products, but they actually brought their animals as well. It was so great walking up to the alpacas and actually feeling how soft their coats were.

I fell in love with a pair of pygora goats that let me pet their heads and scratch under their chins just like dogs. I walked away before they could roll onto their backs and start begging for me to scratch their bellies.

I stopped at each booth which had a variety of products and information. From large bags of un-spun fiber, finished products, dye colors, spinning wheels, and buttons... lots and lots of buttons! I was able to find the PERFECT button to compliment a purse i just finished.

The HitchHiker from The Merlin Tree

One booth had a woman spinning fiber into an adorable portable spinning wheel. After watching another yarn enthusiast learn how to spin and seeing how easy and relaxing it looks, I wanted to buy a wheel for myself instantly. Until i looked at the price...
Spinning wheels may be expensive but they're probably worth it. It's just not for me right now. I'm already considered an old lady with my knitting and crochet and i'm not even thirty yet. (I said YET! and yes, i am counting the days).
Anyways, a few hours later and a little less money in my purse, i left the festival and can't wait for next year.

Bacon makes it better!

Yes... I am an adorable squirrel!

My cousin Melissa asked me a few months ago to replicate a neck warmer she saw in a shop in New Hampshire. I forgot about it up until a week ago and became determined to finish the project.

Its a prototype of the neck warmer she saw at the shop. I used a cotton yarn in a espresso color. The buttons I got at WEBS in Northampton. they have a great variety of buttons (a little pricey) but worth it. You can't see it too well in the photo but each button is different. You can really dress up a simple scarf, hat or neck warmer with some really fun buttons or pins.

Right around the time that Melissa asked me about the neck warmer, my sister Caroline showed me this photo of a purse she wanted me to replicate as well. it looks like a simple knit/purl project with a few hardware pieces. I just started the project and will keep you updated on its progress.

On a side note... i took a Sunday drive today and  stopped at a diner called Chelle's. I was told i had to stop and have their Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana sandwich. I've loved PB & Banana sandwiches ever since i was a kid... just like Elvis! I have to say that Bacon does make it better. I suggest you stop by and order one along with some Mr. Pibb!

It doesn't have to be the end

Arthritis can be very painful and can deter you from a great project. A lot of people just give up knitting completely because its just to painful. Well, it turns out the knitting and crochet can be helpful in keeping your hands flexible.
There are a few helpful hints from Arthritis Today on how to keep the discomfort down while still enjoying your hobby.

1. Soak your hands in warm water before starting a knitting session.
2. Knitting in 10-15 minute intervals to give your hands a break
3. Knit with wool or wool blends. These fibers have more elasticity than others.
4. Use circular needles instead of straight needles. The shifting of weight back and forth on each needle can put stress on your arthritis. Whereas the circular needles will balance the weight as your knit,
5. Choose light weight plastic, birch or bamboo needles instead of cold heavy metal needles. The plastic tends to stay warm while using them where as the cold of the metal or the wood will only agitate you arthritis.

I haven't forgotten about Crochet Fans!

1. Use flexible, flattened and square crochet hooks. They are easier to grasp in your hand.
2. Make a hook handle by using a foam sheath or wrap a rubber band around a few times. This will prevent your hand from slipping on the hook.
3. Go to your local yarn shop and ask a professional there to watch you crochet. They will be able to give you tips on holding your hook, and your crochet method.

Famous or not, they know their way around a skein!

You'd be surprised and maybe not surprised by which celebrities know how to knit. Knitting isn't just for the expecting housewife anymore. It's become a fashion statement, a relaxing hobby and a way of life. Here is a list of celebrities that know how to knit.


Sex & the City actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Davis. The ladies of "Friends" Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and her ex-husband David Arquette. Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Julianna Maroglies, Rikki Lake, Rosie Perez, Eartha Kitt, Laura Leighton, Portia De Rossi, and Courtney Thorne Smith. Vanna White loves to knit and has her own brand of yarn called Vanna's Choice. 90210's Jennie Garth, Karen Allen, Dakota Fanning, Felicity Huffman, Tracey Ullman, Madonna and Lawrence Fishburn. Models Kate Moss, Paulina Porizkova and Naomi Campbell. Actresses Katherine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn (no relation)! French singer Edith Piaf, comedian Hal Sparks, Marilyn Monroe, Amanda Seyfried, PINK!, British singer Lily Allen, Joan Crawford, FDR, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and Uma Thurman. Julia Roberts taught Cameron Diaz how to knit. Elizabeth Taylor and the all members of Cold Play.


Here is a funny video where Tom Hanks plays a trick on Julia Roberts on the set of Larry Crowne

Do you know of any other celebrities who know how to knit? Leave your answers in the comments.

She works hard for the money!

So i have been neglecting this blog, but i have an excuse. i started a second job last weekend and truly have been too tired to post. After i got home from work today, i was pretending to forget about posting until i got an email from my lovely cousin. She asked if i could replicate a neck warmer she saw in a small New Hampshire shop. My cousin Melissa has always been a great supporter and i'm more than happy to jump into any project she wants to me to try. So i said yes and now i'm working out the details with her about color, design, etc, while i figure out the pattern.
Here are a few free patterns for very cute neck warmers. i know its summer, but if you start now, it could be ready for when you actually need it!
Burberry inspired neck warmer from the garter girl
Green neck warmer from Kae Knits
White neck warmer from DROPS Design
Norwegian Pattern neck warmer from DROPS Design

PS. Donna Summer sang "She works hard for the money" but i prefer Hank Azaria's version from the movie The Birdcage.