Heart Pot Holder

I just finished knitting a heart shaped pot holder. I got the free pattern from Lion Brand's website: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/BK4K-0602002.html?noImages=
I am trying to use what I have in my stash. So I used 2 different types of red yarn (one being Lion Brand's Homespun) and one acrylic white yarn. I used size 8 knitting needles (too small, so it is really tight). Now I just need to weave in the ends. It turned out pretty good. Next time I will just use 2 strands of yarn with the same needle size.

I have also been making plastic bag yarn.

Winterfest, Winter Rest

I had a table set up at the UU Church for Winterfest from 9 am - 2 pm today. I showed people how to make things out of recycled materials.
-make yarn from plastic bags (with examples of knitted and crochet tote bags)
-make a wreath from plastic shopping bags and coke bottle caps
-things from juice pouches (the notebook being the easiest to make)
-t-shirt bags
-blue jean purse
-I had a change purse made from potato chip bags (like a gum chain)
-notebooks from cardboard boxes
-pencil holder made from plastic soda bottles
-file box made from a cereal box
-fused plastic bags turned into small bags (good for produce)

How tos can be found through HGTV.com or diynetwork.com
-Creative Juice: juice pouch notebooks
-Craft Lab: potato chip bag purse
-Carol Duval: How to make yarn from plastic bags
-Also Martha Stewart shows how to make bags from t-shirts
You can also do a Google search and find directions, or just ask me. I can give directions or links on here if anyone is interrested. Just let me know. On a previous post I explained how to make a juice pouch notebook.

Anyway... There weren't as many people there as there was last year. I enjoyed showing people how to make things out of recycled materials. When everyone is trying to save money, it's nice to be able to make a present for little to no money. Make a gift out of a recycled item, and save money, help our planet, and give a very unique gift. Not enough hand made gifts are given anymore. Those are the most treasured gifts in my opinion.

Come see me at Winterfest on Saturday!

I will be doing a recycling demo at the UU Church in the middle of Chelmsford, MA from 9am - 2pm this Saturday (2/7/2009). I was able to get in just this week. I also have 3 juice pouch items up for auction there as well. I will defiantly be showing people how to recycle plastic shopping bags. I might also show how to recycle juice pouches and their boxes. I will not be selling anything, but I will have my business cards available and I can take orders. The important part for me is showing people how to recycle things in their home and turn them into useful items. It's even more important in times like these when every penny counts. You can make a gift for someone for zero to $5 from using things in your home. Velcro and ribbon can cost as low as $1 each, and zippers are just a little bit more. Of course you do need to have certain basics: a crochet hook or knitting needles, scissors, and a needle and thread (hand sew or machine stitch).

You can't change the world, but you can make a dent :)

Knitting group & Bee Stitch

While on Ravelry, I discovered that there is a knitting group that meets in my town every Wednesday night. The time frame was perfect since I can't leave my house until later. There were about 9 people there. I was so happy to see such a large group. I was not the only new person either. People were knitting and spinning and talking. I had fun, and I finished that dish cloth that I had started knitting on Tuesday night.

I started a new dish cloth last night after I got home. I am using the bee stitch to knit it. It's a favorite of mine when making dish cloths. I like the way it looks. I'm using the same yarn and needle size as before (US 10, Lily's Sugar'n Cream cotton). I cast on 29 stitches for mine.

Bee Stitch

Multiple of 2 sts + 1

Row 1: Knit across

Row 2: (right side) K1, * K1 below (go through the knit stitch in the row below), K1; repeat from *

Row 3: Knit across

Row 4: K2, K1 below, *K1, K1 below across to last 2 sts, K2

Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern.

Twisted Texture knit pattern

I have been hand sewing the Valentine's Day log cabin blocks. It's nice to be able to do this while watching tv or while my son is playing in the bath tub. I have also been knitting a dish cloth. I like to try out new knitting patterns while making something useful (a dish cloth).

I am knitting the "Twisted Texture" pattern on size US 10 needles, using Lily's Sugar'n Cream yarn (cotton). The yarn company says that gauge is US 7 needles, but I like having some air holes in my dish cloths (they don't smell as much).

Multiple of 3 sts + 1 (I cast on 28 sts)

Row 1: Purl across

Row 2 (right side): P1, * work Back Cross (knit in 2nd st on left needle, knit in 1st st, then let the 2 left hand needle sts drop), P1, then repeat from *.

Row 3: (The opposite) K1, * purl in 2nd st on left needle, purl in 1st st, then let the 2 left hand needle sts drop, K1, repeat from *

Row 4: Knit across

Repeat rows 1 -4 until you achieve your desired length.

Ravelry

I'm on Ravelry.com now!!!!! Woohoo! My name on there is KristyRecycles. I'm so glad that now I can participate in topics and other things that my favorite knitting podcasts do. What are my favorite knitting podcasts? Y Knit, Knit Picks, Yarn Craft (by Lion Brand), and Stash and Burn. I love Knitters Uncensored, but it seems like they are done podcasting.

Steps to the Stars Quilt

I added the border to this quilt. The smaller, inner border is the red floral fabric that was used in the quilt blocks. The outer, larger boarder is mainly purple with some white. It features small birds (doves I think). I bought this fabric in high school before I knew how much fabric was enough fabric (about 14 years ago). Which means I bought way too much fabric. I never knew what to use it for, but I really liked it. I still like it. So it seems fitting that my 1st use of it will be for my grandmother's quilt. The picture was taken while I was pinning the last of the border on.