Knitted Poinsettia

I like  poinsettias its good to see flowers in the cold winter months, this pattern makes a nice corsage or brooch. use as a decoration for a bag, hat or present, add a ribbon for a necklace or bracelet, have fun and enjoy

Crocheted version of this pattern is at nezumiworld.blogspot.com/crocheted-poinsettia remember to check out both the NezumiWorld Blog and the NezumiWorld main site for more patterns and information

Materials  

DK (Double Knit) yarn/ Light Worsted Yarn in red and green (poinsettias also come in white and green)

3.75mm/ No.5 (USA) Knitting Needles

Yellow seed beads (I used size 6)

 Pattern 

Red Leaves (make 3)

Cast on 5 stitches

Rows 1 & 2: k5

Row 3: k2, inc3, k2

Row 4: k7

Row 5: k3, inc3, k3

Row 6: k9

Row 7: k4, inc3, k4

Rows 8, 9 & 10: k11

Row 11: k4, k3tog, k4

Row 12: k9

Row 13: k3, k3tog, k3

Row 14: k7

Row 15: k2, k3tog, k2

Rows 16, 17 & 18: k5

Row 19: k1, k3tog, k1

Row 20, 21 & 22: k3

Row 23: k3tog

Fasten off yarn leaving a length to use for sewing (approx. 15cm/ 6inches)

Green Leaves (make 3)

Cast on 5 stitches

Rows 1 & 2: k5

Row 3: k2, inc3, k2

Row 4: k7

Row 5: k3, inc3, k3

Row 6: k9

Row 7: k4, inc3, k4

Rows 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12: k11

Row 13: k4, k3tog, k4

Row 14: k9

Row 15: k3, k3tog, k3

Row 16: k7

Row 17: k2, k3tog, k2

Rows 18, 19 & 20: k5

Row 21: k1, k3tog, k1

Rows 22, 23 & 24: k3

Row 25: k3tog

Fasten off yarn leaving a length to use for sewing (approx. 15cm/ 6inches) 

To make up

Using the end lengths sew the red leaves together

Add green leaves

The leaves are shaped and should bend inwards, if you prefer flat leaves steam and flatten before adding the beads.

Add the beads as little or as many as you like

Intwined Pattern Studio

Last month I purchased Intwined Pattern Studio at just $44.00 . I have bought programs in the past for much more, but have had little problems with them. So have a tick list of items I want with this type of software.

Screen shot cables scarf

1.  Ease of use - This is very easy software to use, pick a stitch and click on chart, it has easy menu's that are clear, it also writes out the written directions or you can type them in to create a chart.

2. Saving formats - I like to have a choice of file formats I don't like having to save than convert to a format I prefer- This program offers a variety of different file formats to save in including BMP, JPG, PNG, TIFF, and SVG so lots of choice even creating a pdf although this is something I prefer to do myself (its the control freak in me) its a nice feature. Plus you can save the different parts of your pattern the chart , the key all separately.

Custom crochet stitches added

3. Been able to adapt/ change stitches & colours - I said earlier I had purchased programs in the past and the main problems (other than them not working correctly) have mainly for me been there is always a stitch missing (usually a cable) or you have to use a set limited palette of colours. This programs offers the choice of adding custom stitches (this was the selling point for me buying this program), I am still experimenting with this and have added .gif files so far as I am having problems creating .svg files (some work some don't) which will make a nicer looking stitch (I will keep experimenting). You can also create custom colours to use on your charts, again a nice feature.

I think this is a good program which is very affordable I am having fun creating my charts with it.

Look out for my knitted & crocheted poinsettia flowers and crocheted shell scarf patterns (with charts) coming soon. : )

Footprints in the snow

The cold and snow are back (I don't like the cold) and when I popped outside to take some snaps I noticed just how busy our little garden is. Lots of footprints well pawprints everywhere.

VIP DAY

Today I was at VIP Day (Very Important Pedestrains) @ Oxford Street and Regent Street. The streets were closed to traffic and it was strange been able to walk in the centre of the road and not having to worry about the traffic. There were discounts in stores for the day and attractions on the road with a small funfair, live music and singing with lots of other events in stores.

November

Flower 4 stages

Time seems to be speeding by I was sure it was only a week ago I blogged. The clocks may have gone back and the winter is approaching with the weather getting cooler and wetter, but in our little garden there is a large green plant that's just got bigger! Up until now it has never flowered (its been there for many years getting wider and wider), but last month it started to sprout a large centre stalk, its about 5 feet high and than it started to open out, we are hoping it flowers this week. Does anyone know the name of this plant?
For a larger photo of the plant click this link
I will post more photos when it fully flowers it a very interesting looking plant (eeek! maybe a triffid).

Mini mochi scarf

This is a busy month I am making lots of crochet friendly stitch markers hopefully they will be on folksy and etsy soon.
I have have been using my yarn stash to make scarves, wanted to show of the beautiful colours of mimi mochi  yarn I had by making circles but using a continuous yarn so no sewing together, it took a little working out but this is the progress so far.

Plus I am planning of doing some crochet and knit-a-longs.
Have you ever taken part in crochet-a-longs or knit-a-longs?
What would you like to crochet or knit-a-long to ie. I am thinking of learning a new technique or
follow a pattern/ diagram?
It may take place on my blog here (or I may make a new blog just for this) or the main web
site, still in planning mode.
Thinking of maybe using one simple design idea, than each month using it with a different technique ie. tapestry crochet, filet, beaded filet, knitted filet, fairisle, two colour tunisian, tunisian filet, beaded tunisian etc. maybe make squares to create a cushions, blankets, bags
Any feedback ideas would be appreciated.

The hook arrived

EEK! the hook arrived

Last month I posted about International Crochet Day and Jimbo over at jimbosfrontporch.blogspot who held a competition to win one of his beautiful custom made hooks. Well it arrived yesterday, the whole process has been very exciting and opening the box and unwrapping the hook which was neatly wrapped in a red cloth, eeekk!

 

The hook is a beautiful colour, well balanced, so smooth and the shape is perfect, I love it. Plus it grasps the yarn with ease, I have been making some leaf inspired scarves and the yarn I have been using splits (a bit to loosely spun but looks and feels great when made). No problem with this hook it crocheted the yarn like a dream.

I know who I will be ordering my next hook from.

Amulet (Dubsounds Mix) by tokyohunter

Amulet (Dubsounds Mix) by tokyohunter

My brother has just put up some of his demo tracks up over at CloudSound so if you like electronic music pop over and have a listen. I have added the track Amulet here as a taster.