Watermelon Hand Dyed Sock Yarn

Hello friends!

I have been busy dyeing up a storm... well, some sock yarn really :-)

I've been experimenting with the dyeing process for self-striping sock yarn. I really LOVE knitting with any sort of self striping yarn, it adds an extra dimension to your knitting, and it's fun waiting to see what the next colour will be. Another thing is that you get a lot of bang for your buck, if you know what I mean, you get a lot of fun and colour etc in your knitting with very little effort: you knit and the stripes happen!

You might remember a pair of socks I made last year using some other yarn I dyed so that it would knit up in a "Watermelon" effect. I used a similar method to dye this yarn :-)

The sample photographed is a 60 stitch sock knit on 2.75mm needles, so you can get an idea of what it looks like when it's knit up into socks :-) 

The skein is 100g & 420m and is enough for a pair of socks :-) With 75% soft squishy wool for comfort and warmth and 25% nylon for durability :-)

You can find this yarn in my online store HERE along with a few other skeins :-)

We made a cake!

Hello friends!
Yesterday I had one of my little nephews with me for the day... it was too cold and wet to play outside much... we didn't know what to do with ourselves... so we made a cake! And we put dinosaur sprinkles on it!
It was very delicious with tea :-)
We decided that a good motto is..."When in doubt, bake a cake!" :-)

What fun things do you do to eleviate boredom in rainy weather? Share in the comments! :-)
xo

Little Treasures Envelope

Hello friends!

It's time for my "Pattern of the Month" :-)

Here is a pattern for a Little Treasures Envelope to keep all your little treasures in :-) It's quick and easy and only uses a small amount of yarn. It's perfect for using up all those little bits of lovely yarn at the bottom of your knitting basket that are too pretty to throw away.

You could make a Little Treasures Envelope to hold a little gift you are giving to a friend, like jewellery. You could even use it as a cute "wrapping" if you are giving a Gift Card as a present :-)

Little Treasures Envelope

Materials:

3.5mm crochet hook

50m (55yds) DK or 8ply yarn

Button

Scissors

Tapestry needle to weave in yarn ends

NOTE: Even though 8ply/DK weight yarn is suggested for this pattern you can use any weight yarn & an appropriate size hook to make your Little Treasures Envelope. Heavier weight yarn will make a larger enveope & lighter weight yarn will make a smaller envelope :-)

Tension/Gauge:  Exact tension/gauge is not essential to the outcome of this pattern, however I decided that having a tighter tension than usually worked with this yarn weight would be better for this project as it would stop little treasures accidentally falling out of the "envelope" :-) 

20 treble stitches & 10 rows = 10cm (4")

Finished Size: If your tension/gauge is the same as is listed above then your Little Treasures Envelope will be 13cm x 10cm (4" x 5") when finished.

Abbreviations: (Please note that British/Australian terms are used through out this pattern with a conversion to U.S. terms listed in the abbreviation explanation below :-)

ch : chain

st or sts : stitch or stitches

dc : double crochet (U.S. sc : single crochet)

tr : treble (U.S. dc : double crochet)

PATTERN:

ch 35.

Row 1:  1 tr in 4th ch from hook, 1 tr in each ch until one ch remains unworked, 6 tr into this ch, you will now be working into the other side of the foundation chain (see Picture #1), 1 tr in each st to end. Turn. (70sts)

Row 2: 2ch (to count as 1 tr, here and throughout pattern), 1 tr in each of next 31 sts, 2tr in each of next 6 sts, 1 tr in each st to end. Turn. (76 sts)

Row 3:  2ch, 1 tr in each of next 31 sts, 2 tr in next st, (1tr in next st, 2 tr in next st) 5 times, 1 tr in each st to end. turn. (82 sts)

Row 4: 2ch, 1 tr in each of next 31 sts, 2tr in next st, (1 tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st) 5 times, 1 tr in each st to end. Turn. (88 sts)

Row 5: 1 ch (to count as 1dc), 1dc in each of next 42 sts, 2ch, skip 2 sts (buttonhole made), 1dc in each st to end. Turn. (88 sts)

Row 6:  2ch, 1 tr in each of next 31 sts, 2 tr in next st, (1tr in each of next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st) 5 times, 1 tr in each st to end. Cut yarn. Your piece should look like picture #2)

To finish:

Fold piece, as shown in picture #3. Rejoin yarn, using slip stitch, as shown in picture #4, dc through each st of both pieces folded together, and dc around "envelope" flap, and back down the other side, joining both folded pieces together (taking care that you have the same amount of stitches on both joined sides), fasten off. Weave in ends. Attach button to correspond with button hole. Fill your little envelope with treasures and enjoy :-)

 You can use all the little scraps of lovely yarn at the bottom of your knitting basket and make each row a different colour for a lovely stripey envelope. Maybe you have some self-striping yarn left over from another project, that would be perfect for this project! You can make this project using any type of yarn you like. You can use a big, chunky yarn and a larger hook to make a bigger Treasure Envelope, or you can use a lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to make a tiny Treasure Envelope :-) 
Also, just in case you were wondering the little apple buttons are available in sets of 10 in my shop HERE :-)

 © Copyright Shara Lambeth Designs. Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern. Also please be aware that copyright laws vary from country to country (sometimes even from state to state), I am Australian, in Australia, therefore my patterns are protected by Australian copyright laws. This copyright protection still stands no matter what country the item is made in or who makes it. Thank you :-)

If you do want to sell the Treasure Envelopes you make using this pattern at a market, craft fair or in your online store please do ask, as in most cases I will give permission :-)

And please feel free to make as many Treasure Envelopes as you like for yourself, your friends and family :-)

Mystery Moth

Hello friends!

Look at this amazing and beautiful moth I found on my driveway :-)

I have no idea what sort of moth it is... 

 Do you know what sort it? I tried to search for it on the internet, but there are approximately 57 bazillion different types of moths out there...

 It sort of looks like leaves... doesn't it? :-)

Watermelon Sock Yarn

Hello friends!
If you have been following my blog recently you will already know about my obsession with knitting socks.
At first it was knitting a pair of socks from a pattern in a magazine. Then it was writing my own sock pattern. And now I've moved on to hand dyeing my own self striping sock yarn :-)
The base yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (White), and I used various food dyes, using the same method I wrote about HERE to dye the yarn :-)
And if all goes according to plan... when I knit this yarn into a little pair of socks it will resemble a watermelon :-)
If it works I'll show you pictures tomorrow... And if it doesn't work... I'll show you pictures tomorrow :-)

Alegria Socks

Hello friends!
As you may already know, I have recently discovered the joy of knitting socks :-) I am so addicted to sock knitting now that I lay awake at night thinking about all the socks I could knit and different variations I could try and all the gorgeous sock yarn I "need".
Yesterday I decided I would attempt to write my own sock pattern, and I came up with the sock pictured above. I wanted something pretty and lacy but practical and not too tricky to knit... and the Alegria Sock was born :-)
I really need to get some good sock blockers so I can show you the socks at their best. It's a little difficult to really see the detail of the lace in the Alegria Sock in the photograph.
The yarn I have used for this particular pair is Rico Design Superba Bamboo and it is SO lovely to work with and wear! It's super soft and smooth, easy to knit, good stitch definition, pretty colours... all the qualities you want in a yarn :-) Also, just in case you're curious, this sock weighs 19g, the yarn comes in a 100g skein so I should be able to get 2 pairs from one skein! Yay!
The pattern is now in the testing stages and will be available on Ravelry soon!
P.S. These socks work well with my other addiction...clogs!

Little Lost Egg

Hello friends :-)
This little egg was found in a pot plant in my garden. It's been abandoned. I don't know what sort of bird it belonged to, but it's very beautiful.
I have no idea how the egg got in to the pot it was in, as there is no nest in the plant in the pot and there are no over hanging trees... Maybe another animal carried it there?
We are lucky enough to have a very wide variety of birds in your garden: King Parrots, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Rosellas (my favourite :-), kookaburras, Wattle Birds, Owls, Rainbow Lorikeets, Magpies, Bower Birds & Kurrawongs, as well as non-indigenous birds like black birds, starlings, sparrows & mynas :-)
Do you have any birds nests in your garden? What sort of birds do you have at your place? Share in the comments :-)

Sock Knitting Addicition

Hello friends!
Guess what? I'm addicted to knitting socks! Yes, there, I've said it....
Lots of my knitty friends had always talked about their sock knitting addiction, but I never really "got it"... But now that I have almost finished knitting my first pair of "real" socks I can completely understand it. 
I wasn't even halfway through the first sock before I started planning all the other socks I was going to knit :-) 
I have knitted socks before, but they've all been bed socks or tube socks... nothing with a proper heel or that could actually be worn with regular, everyday shoes :-)
This is my very first proper sock! And I'm almost finished it's partner :-)
I used a pattern that I found in Australian Creative Knitting magazine Issue #38 Spring. I don't know if this was a particularly well written and easy pattern or if sock knitting is no where near as scary as I thought :-) (The pattern isn't currently on Ravelry, just in case you were wondering :-)
The yarn I have used is Regia Design Line 4 ply in colour way "Exotic Pool". It's a very nice yarn to use and the colours are really fabulous :-)
The next pair of socks I plan to make are these ones from Purl Bee, and I'm using this scrumptious wool/cotton blend yarn from Rowan in colour way "Aqua".
Have you knit socks before? Do you have a favourite sock pattern or a favourite sock yarn? Share in the comments! :-)

Souri Beret

Hello friends!

Yes, it's that time again, for my Pattern of the Month :-)

The Souri Beret is a very easy hat to make, even beginners will have no trouble and will have a beautiful beret in a few hours :-)

Perfect for a last minute gift, the Souri Beret only uses a small amount of yarn, so it's a great stash buster as well :-)

P.S. This is also my 100th blog post! :-)

Abbreviations: 

(Please Note: this pattern uses British/Australian crochet terms, U.S. crochet terms are different) 

ch: chain stitch

tr: treble stitch

dc: double crochet

st or sts: stitch or stitches

sl st: slip stitch

sp: space

Designed to fit an average woman's head 54-58cm.

Materials: 110-120m of 8 ply or DK (Double Knit) yarn & a 5mm hook (or size to give correct gauge/tension)

Gauge/Tension: 14 stitches & 8 rows Treble to 10cm (4") (if you have more stitches, use a larger hook, if you less stitches, use a smaller hook)

PATTERN:

ch 4. Join to form a ring using a sl st into the first ch you made.

Round 1: 3ch (to count as 1tr st, here and throughout pattern), 11tr into ring, join using a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (12 sts)

Round 2:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, (2tr into next st) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (24 sts)

Round 3:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr into next st, (2tr into next st, 1tr into next st) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (36 sts)

Round 4:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 2 sts (2tr into next st, 1tr into each of the next 2 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (48 sts)

Round 5:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 3 sts (2tr into next st, 1tr into each of the next 3 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (60 sts)

Round 6:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 4 sts (2tr into next st, 1tr into each of the next 4 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (72 sts)

Round 7:  3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 5 sts (2tr into next st, 1tr into each of the next 5 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (84 sts)

Round 8: 3ch, 1tr into the st at the base of your 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 6 sts (2tr into next st, 1tr into each of the next 6 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (96 sts)

Rounds 9 & 10: 3ch, 1tr in each st  to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (96 sts)

Round 11: 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 6 sts, dcr over next 2 sts, (1tr into each of the next 6 sts, dcr over next 2 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (84 sts)

Round 12: 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 5 sts, dcr over next 2 sts, (1tr into each of the next 5 sts, dcr over next 2 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (72 sts)

Round 13: 3ch, 1tr in each of the next 4 sts, dcr over next 2 sts, (1tr into each of the next 4 sts, dcr over next 2 sts) repeat to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beg of round (60 sts)

Rounds 14-17: 1ch (does not count as st), 1 dc into same sp as 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st in first dc of round.

Fasten off, weave in ends, enjoy your beret!

ALSO, a few people have asked, and YES, I will be adding babies and childrens sizes of the Souri Beret pattern at a later date :-)

© Copyright Shara Lambeth Designs. Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern. Also please be aware that copyright laws vary from country to country (sometimes even from state to state), I am Australian, in Australia, therefore my patterns are protected by Australian copyright laws. This copyright protection still stands no matter what country the item is made in or who makes it. Thank you :-)

If you do want to sell the berets you make using this pattern at a market, craft fair or in your online store please do ask, as in most cases I will give permission :-)

And please feel free to make as many berets as you like for yourself, your friends and family, and for local charities :-)

Autumn Möbius Cowl

Hello friends!

This is my February pattern in the "Pattern a Month" challenge I have set myself. I know, I know, I'm cutting it fine this month, the only reason I made it in time this month is because it's a leap year and I got an extra day :-)

This pattern for a simple cowl is great for beginners (and more experienced crocheters :-), it works up quickly, with a small amount of yarn, so it's a good stash buster :-) It also makes a great last minute gift.

I've included instructions at the end of the pattern on how you can easily modify the size of the cowl to make it as long or as short as you like.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry HERE

Have fun!

Autumn Möbius Cowl

This pattern is written using British/Australian crochet terms, with U.S. terms in parenthesis.

Abbreviations:

ch : chain

sl st: slip stitch

tr: treble (U.S. dc: double crochet)

Materials:

4.5mm crochet hook.

Approx. 105m (115yds) DK or 8 ply yarn

Scissors

Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Tension/Gauge:

14 sts & 10 rows in tr = 10cm x 10cm

Although tension is not essential in this project if you have less stitches across 10cm, your cowl will be larger and require more yarn and if you have less stitches across 10cm, your cowl will be smaller and may require less yarn :-)

Finished size: 66cm around, and 13.5cm high.

Pattern:

Ch 92, join with a sl st in first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist your chain.

Round 1: 3ch [to count as 1tr (1dc), here and through out pattern], 1tr in each ch to end, DO NOT join with a sl st as you normally would when working in the round. Now you will flip the beginning of your work forwards and down, as shown in the picture below:

Now you will be working into the other side of the foundation chain, as shown in the picture below. Work 1 tr into each st to the end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch at beginning of round.

Round 2: 3ch, 1tr into each st to end, join with sl st in 3rd ch at beginning of round.

You will notice here that each Round is essentially 2 whole Rounds (this might not make much sense unless you're looking at your work :-)

Rounds 3-5: As Round 2.

Fasten off, weave in ends. Finished!

You can easily make this cowl larger or small by using more or less chain at the beginning, and by completing more or less rounds. You could make a smaller one for a child, a cowl like this is great for kids as it doesn't have any long bits hanging down, like a scarf, getting your way while you're playing :-) Or you could make yourself a longer one, more like an infinity scarf rather than a cowl. Below are instructions on how to adjust the length of your cowl, and how to work out how many stitches you'll need to make a cowl if you want to use a different weight yarn & different size hook :-)

To work out how many chain stitches you will need to start with to get a particular length cowl/scarf you can use the following method:

Make a tension/gauge square with yarn and hook you are using, count how many stitches fit into 10cm. Then divide the desired finished length of the cowl/scarf by 10, then multiply that number by the number of stitches that fit into 10cm, according to the tension/gauge you have. This will give you the number of chain stitches you need to start with. Sound confusing? Here's an example:

The finished length of the cowl in the pictures is 66cm, the tension/gauge using this yarn and hook is 14 sts in 10cm. 66 divided by 10 = 6.6. Then, 6.6 multiplied by 14 = 92.4, so I started with 92 stitches. I hope that helps!!

If you have any questions, queries, need assistance to complete your cowl or find an error, please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll gladly help where I can :-)

Copyright is held by the author (SharaLambethDesigns). Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern. Also please be aware that copyright laws vary from country to country (sometimes even from state to state), I am Australian, in Australia, therefore my patterns are protected by Australian copyright laws. This copyright protection still stands no matter what country the item is made in or who makes it. Thank you!!

If you do want to sell the cowls you make using this pattern at a market, craft fair or in your online store please do ask, as in most cases I will give permission :-)

And please feel free to make as many cowls as you can, to donate to your local charities.

Cat in Sunshine

For those of you who know me well, you will know that I am a "dog person" however I think I am slowly turning into a "cat person" as well... (No, no, I don't mean I am half cat/half girl). You see, there is a stray cat that lives under the house. He's been living there for over 3 years, but it's only been in the past year or so that he has decided to let us pat him. And now he's in love with us (especially me... in fact I have a feeling he may propose any day now! ;-) We decided that we should give him a name, and we chose: Nima. It's an Indian name that means white hair (seemed like an obvious choice). This name has evolved into a few different variations, such as Nimmy, and NimNim... but I think my favourite is NimmyNoodle (I think he likes this one the best as well :-) And if he's being cheeky I call him MouseBreath.
He's not allowed inside (because of allergies, and me being scared that he'll eat one of the drums or tambourines), although he does occasionally invite himself in... like when we're bringing in the shopping from the car or loading drums and the door is left open. Sometimes if it's raining he scoots in behind me without me even noticing. I tell him he's a naughty cat, but secretly I think it's cute and funny.
He has a nice little "nest" that he has made himself under the house, and he talks to us through the floor. Sometimes it actually sounds like he's saying: "Helllllllllllooooooooooow". No, really, it does! And sometimes he talks to us through the bedroom window at 2 in the morning... I don't find this quite as cute.
He's a very affectionate little creature and as soon as there is even the hint of a human lap he's up onto it. Sometimes we sit out in the sun and he snuggles up in my lap and snoozes. Sometimes when I give him lots of cuddles and a good ear scratching he drools on me.... awwww.
Sometimes he gets into fights with other cats, and comes home with scratches on his face... and once I pulled someone else's claw out of his scalp! Eeeek! I totally freaked out and squealed a little bit when I realised what it was. But Nima was pretty happy about me removing it for him. And the funny thing is he only ever seems to get into fights on the weekend... just like people... weird.... do cats go to the pub?
Anyway... my new found love for cats inspired this weeks featured finds from Dawanda. It's all cat and it's all good :-) Click on the title of the item to go to the shop where I found it.

Cats Print from Terese

When a Cat Smiles T-shirt from Akumulnk

Purple Cat Brooch from Oletuscolores_shop

Walking Cat Pin from DeliciousMuovi

Red Bag with a Cat from Violettcat

Kitschy Kitten Skirt from Kinchi