Pattern: Knit Sunglass Holder

This project was really simple. The hardest part was actually finding a lace pattern I liked that (a) had enough holes to host sunglasses, (b) wasn't boring, and (c) was simple enough that I could finish quickly. This one is the Checkerboard Lace Scarf from Purl Bee.


I measured the frame and checked gauge and turns out that I could make it happen with only 2 pattern repeats. (The pattern is a 10x + 8, meaning any increment of 10 stitches plus 8 stitches for edges. So I used 28 stitches.) I was using scrap yarn from a sweater project - because the color was perfect - but it was bulky, so I upped the needles to 10 (but they knit like 10.5 or 11 for some reason - metal needles).

I just eyeballed to get the length of the frame, and then did a quick steam block.

post blocking

pre-blocking

I already had a frame in mind - an old piece that I painted years ago that no long matches anything in our house. I ended up keeping it there, in case an intrepid observer looked closely, and because the color matches the yarn I used...and I still like it. :)

knit piece and frame - size match!

picture without the matting

After that, some easy sewing with more scrap yarn to get the piece to stay on the glass and such:

just enough stretching to keep the lace taut

Then, it was just about popping it in the frame. Due to the bulky yarn this was actually harder than I expected, and I cracked the glass in the process. Sewing the back to keep the piece tight and in place was definitely important - you can see in the final picture that there are two saggy points, on the top and bottom. That's where I got lazy and didn't sew because I ran out of yarn and didn't feel like getting something else out. Derp...I'll be fixing that soon.

Anyway - tada! I placed it by the front door so I never have to worry about "where the heck are my sunglasses?!?" again. And I can stop trying to smush them into my Plastic Bag Stash-o-matic.

P.S. Here is the link to the Ravely project page.

Flip Flop Knitspiration

I always get sent links or told stories about how "Japanese people are SO WEIRD!" and then asked "WHY?!" because anyone with any Japanese blood is apparently an authority and automatically obligated to give insight to validate or sensationalize whatever obliquely racist idea is floating, half-formed, in their head.

Whoops, that's not what I was going to write.

Hey, different cultures are different! And I happen to be especially proud of mine. Especially when I see something like...

JAPANESE FLIP FLOP KNITTING PATTERNS!!!!

The multi-toe separation ones are my favorite. GENIUS!

Found them here, and apparently you can buy it here. 

There is hope yet, variagated yarn!

To go with my ridiculous choice of yarn I decided to choose an equally ridiculous pattern. Why is it ridiculous? There are so many reasons. But why bother with details.

Take a look:

to DIE for

Obviously, I'm not going to be duplicating this disgustingly gorgeous, gorgeous photo. But doesn't mean I can't have fun.

Bonus perk is it calls for a silk and a kid mohair to be worked together - so perhaps this is my chance to bring calm to the impending color nausea? Or it could make it worse. That's the gamble :) and the fun. Will definitely be buying a neutral companion yarn...can you imagine? Two different color schemes battling it out? YUCK.

This is the yarn I'm starting off with - Schaefer Yarn Andrea in Catherine the Great:

not my picture but EXACTLY what my wound skein looks like

Perks:
The pattern is free and extremely easy to memorize. Low-impact where-ever possible! That's how you set yourself up for success.

PS - just learned that this colorway exists in the same yarn. Love! Must! Stop! Myself!

also called catherine the great? confuzzled.

Boobie Update!

My awesome cousin has already knocked out a knocker!! Inspired by last week's post she found a pattern online and made magic. Check out her handiwork below... I am especially fond of the yarn she used.

looks so soft, I just wanna touch it!

She found a website with a FREE crochet pattern to use and to share - check out the pattern here. The Oxford Family is a really cool crochet and craft blog which is now added to my blogroll (did you see these yarn bowls?! Brilliant!!). I love how easy going the writer is, I feel like I could talk story with her for ages.

Also I don't know if I am biased, but for some reason Kim's beanie reminds me of a kooky Japanese novelty gift. I mean, she's Japanese, I'm half-Japanese, there's not a lot of room for Japanese finger pointing; but I instantly thought of these: 

Japanese boob pudding cups

I think it may also be because she is the person who first showed me boob pudding. (More info here.) 

Thanks for sharing, Kim!! Awesome work!

Boobie beanie makes one proud to breastfeed

I just saw this new take on boobie knitting - and it's adorable! What better way to show confidence without showing an actual breast.

I'd love to see this modeled with twins

Not sure where it originally came from, but had it passed to me on Facebook via a friend.

UPDATE: Kim found a free pattern for this beauty and made one herself! Check out both here

New Pattern Teaser

Here it is! A Hello Kitty patch I made for a darling baby who just turned one.

Hello, Headband!

This ended up being a mixed-media project, but you could easily make it a knit-only project and applique it onto your favorite sweater, hat, or glove project. Pattern coming soon, with pictures!

I know what you're thinking and yes, I am a terrible mother

The party was a blast! There was a Hello Kitty theme, toys, pizza, games, animatronic rodents, balloons, music - and of course, CAKE! The best cake EVER:

Hello, welcome to AwesomeTown

Sure, you can shrug off this amazing masterpiece because you are desensitized by reading celebrity blogs and watching Cake Boss but this isn't no bullshit hoity-bakery purchase friends - this is HOME-MADE by an amazing chick who did it in her own kitchen, BLINDFOLDED! 

Ok she hasn't confirmed the blindfolded part, but she could totally do it blindfolded and that's all that matters. She rocks!! And she happens to be a friend of mine!

You can check out more of her amazing work here - she is just getting started but so freaking talented. I've already done the math, though - stabbing her with a knitting needle is a BAD idea because then she might stop making cakes that are delicious that I can eat. 

Happy rainy Monday, all! 

Domo Mittens Pattern

Who doesn't love a good anime-inspired knit up?! Here is my completed Domo Mittens pattern for your delight. (You can also download the PDF by clicking right here.)

Domo - Domo

There are two different charts - one for the authentic Domo mouth, and one that unintentionally couches a batman logo between the teeth. Blame it on my son - I definitely seem to have Mr Wayne on the brain. It's not horrible, though, so I've included it with the pattern.


This is a first-go at a pattern, so...be kind! Let me know if you run into any trouble or if I can improve things. Also, feel free to comment or post pictures of any projects you finish using the chart or the full mittens...I love seeing other peoples' works.


Enough rambling. Enjoy!

Domo-Kun Mittens

Materials

Yarn: 1 skein Stitch Nation Alpaca Love (132 yards/85 grams) Espresso Bean; black, white, and pink OR red yarn for accents.
Needles: US 7 double pointed needles

Sizing: One size fits most.

These mittens are knit in the round; Domo’s face is accomplished with duplicate knitting.

Pattern

Cast on 32 stitches; join in the round 
Work in K1, P1 rib for 14 rounds (2.5”)

Round 1: M1, K2, M1, k around - 34 sts.
Round 2: K around
Round 3: M1, k4, M1, k around - 36 sts.
Round 4: K around
Round 5: M1, k6, M1, k around - 38 sts.
Round 6: K around
Round 7: M1, k8, M1, k around - 40 sts.
Round 8: K around

K until mitten measures 5.5" from start

Next Round: Cast on 3 sts, place next 10 sts on holder for thumb, k to end (33 sts)

Fingers 
K around until piece measures 8.5”

Next Round: K1, k2tog, k10, ssk, K3, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1 

Next Round: K1, k2tog, k8, ssk, K3, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1 
Next Round: K1, k2tog, k6, ssk, K3, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1 
Next Round: K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, K3, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1 
Next Round: K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, K3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1 
Next Round: K1, k2tog, ssk, K3, k2tog, ssk, k1

Cut yarn and seam the ends with Kitchener stitch

Thumb
Knit 10 stitches from the holder
Pick up 5 more stitches from the cast on stitches and joints between, connect in the round

Work in stockinette stitch for 1.5”, then
Next Round: (K2tog) 4 times, K1, (K2tog) 4 times

Cut yarn and seam up using Kitchener stitch

Domo time

Using the accent yarn and the charts below, duplicate stitch Domo-kun’s face onto the palm.

Weave in ends and block.

Charts

Updated Chart

Accidental Batman Surprise Chart

Domo is le tired