knit and crochet patterns available!

Clearly I am much better about making things than writing about them....Oh well, might as well update my blog before blogging becomes a thing of the past...

​So what have I been up to, besides hiding from all of humanity and their germs?  Writing knit and crochet patterns!  I've thought about doing this for years but didn't quite have the courage to give it a try until I found myself trapped inside with little else better to do.  I now have two published patterns and more on the way.

First I have a pattern for a knitted cat toy.  That is, a toy that looks like a cat, not a toy for cats.  Although if you want to give your cat a cat shaped toy to play with why not?  My kitty has her own clothes, and the plan is to make more outfits when I have time.

​The other pattern that is available is also cat themed - a Gingham Cat blanket done in C2C (corner to corner) crochet.  There is a story behind this blanket that I plan to tell at some point.  Both patterns are available on Ravelry and you can get them through my Patterns page.

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Now I am working on three patterns with yarn I bought from Hobbii.  This is the first time I bought yarn from them and I have to say I'm impressed.  I was able to get enough yarn for free shipping (yay!) and actually got it in less than a week despite being on the other side of the planet and in the middle of a pandemic.  Pretty impressive.

My first project is something I'm calling an "Un-Shawl" because I don't know what else to call it.  Essentially it is a V shaped wrap that reminds me of a triangular shawl with the middle missing.  My sample is done, but I need to figure out how to take decent pictures without contact with other humans.  I used Cotton Kings 8/4 cotton, which is now one of my favorite yarns.  (I'm allergic to wool and don't really like synthetics so I'm a sucker for a good cotton.)  This yarn is about fingering weight, doesn't split and is super soft!

I need to finish writing up the pattern and get it out for testing, which I hope to do any day now.  If you are interested in testing the pattern let me know.  It is made entirely of mitered squares which are super simple to make, and the squares are joined as you go so no sewing!

 
Next up is the canine version of the Gingham Cat blanket.  This time I am using cotton rather than acrylic, specifically Eko Bomull.  This yarn is similar in weight to dish cloth cottons, but softer than any I have used.  It does split and untwist quite a bit though.  My sample is just past half done and the pattern should be out for testing in a few weeks.

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 My final project with my Hobbii haul is a knit wool hat.  I have only gotten as far as the gauge swatch since it is just too hot to work with wool, even for something as small as a hat.  OK, I am making a blanket in this heat, but it is cotton and I only work on it at night.  Plus I usually have to bandage a finger or two when working with wool to deal with the itching and I don't like wearing bandages on hot, sweaty hands.  I've got a lovely purple shade of Mayflower Easy Care which I think will look fantastic once it is done.

Speaking of having to bandage fingers, does anyone else ever injure their right index finger after poking it too many times with the left knitting needle trying to move stitches forward?  I've got this weird callus sort of thing going on at the moment - but I've been known to actually break the skin with my tiny little metal sock needles.  Those things are dangerous!!

Oh, and one more thing before I sign off - I've got face masks for sale.  I've put them in my new store just to make it easy to handle the odd variety of colors, sizes and styles.  You can get to the store here.  I also have set up a donation option in my store for anyone that would like to help me get mask making supplies.  If you know of a place that needs masks and can help with supplies and delivery let me know - I'd be more than happy to provide free labor, I just don't have the cash to get materials. 

​Stay safe out there! - Janene

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Don't be a weasel - wear a mask!