Knitting Up a Storm...

I don't really know what happened this week. I think Spring got the better of me, as did my kids and the knitting. Oh my the knitting! My fingers are flying trying to get patterns ready to be published. I truly love how one collection of patterns in particular are knitting up and I can't wait to show you once they're finished. They aren't dishcloths but are still cotton made and adorable as ever. Thank you everyone for your concern this week, it means a lot to me. I have too many creative thoughts running through my mind to stay away for too long.


I should be back on track with the updates for this week so we can all finish our cloths by Sunday. We're having a huge Easter party at our house this Friday with friends and family so I should have a lot to write about over the next few days.

So.. Without further ado..



March Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 3 & 4

row 22: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k31, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 24: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p4, k8, p6, k4, p6, k2, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 26: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p4, k9, p4, k5, p6, k2, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 28: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p5, k6, p1, k2, p2, k7, p4, k1, p1, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 30: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k2, p4, k6, p3, k2, p1, k7, p2, k2, p1, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x

row 32: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k2, p1, k1, p6, k9, p3, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 34: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p2, k2, p6, k1, p7, k6, p5, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 36: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p9, k2, p7, k6, p5, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 38: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p8, k1, p9, k1, p1, k2, p7, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 40: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p7, k1, p8, k2, p11, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x

March KAL Update!

Just a quick update. I'll post tomorrow with some knitting pictures tomorrow and another update!


March Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 2

row 12: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p2, k1, p3, k25, p3, k1, p2, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 14: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p5, k2, (p3, k1)x5, p3, k2, p5, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 16: (k1,p1)2x, p5, k1, p1, k1, (p3, k1)x6, p1, k1, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 18: (k1,p1)2x, p5, k1, p1, k1, (p3, k1)x6, p1, k1, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 20: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k33, p3, (p1,k1)2x

March Mystery KAL...

It's.. adorable. I hope everyone enjoys this months mystery cloth. My Mother had a hand in helping me sketch out a design so I'm going to give her most of the credit here. I have the entire pattern written out and ready to go for updates every two or three days. There will be six posts in all until the end of the month so we will be able to start April's on the first! It feels great to finally catch up on everything that I've let slide for awhile.


The kids wanted to make some rice crispy treat Easter eggs the other night and they were fantastic. They only took about 5 minutes to make and another 10 to decorate. We're having an Easter party in a few weeks and I'm definitely making these again, there was almost no cleanup. We dipped them in chocolate and then frosted with icing and sprinkles.


I'm still working on the Flower set of washcloths and they're almost ready to be published for Spring. This weekend I'm going to attack my overflowing inbox of emails and answer everything. I really don't like leaving things for too long.



March 2010:

Supplies:

• 1 Ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid
  

I'm using 00093 Soft Violet (Purple), but you can use any color you wish. A light to medium pink, blue or yellow would go well also.

• US #3/3.25mm needles*
• Tapestry Needle *I used a smaller needle size to obtain denser fabric and to make the picture stand out more.
  
  

Finished Measurements : Approx. 10"x10"

Pattern:

co 47s

(k1, p1) to last stitch, k1 repeat for 6 rows

row 1: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, K to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 2: (k1,p1)2x, p1, k3, p1, k2, p25, k2, p1, k3, p1, (p1,k1)2x
row 4: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p1, k3, p4, k21, p4, k3, p1, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 6: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p1, k2, p5, k19, p5, k2, p1, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 8: (k1,p1)2x, k3, p2, k1, p3, k3, (p3, k1)x3, p3, k3, p3, k1, p2, k3, (p1,k1)2x
row 10: (k1,p1)2x, p1, k2, p5, k1, p2, (k1, p3)x4, k1, p2, k1, p5, k2, p1, (p1,k1)2x

Click Here for the Project Page on Ravelry!

Cupcakes & Updates...

My Ella loves to bake. She practically lives in my kitchen helping me with everything. The kids have been begging me to make some cupcakes since we moved. I finally gave in and bought some new baking ingredients this weekend. It was great to use the new oven and decorate the little cakes for spring.

It's been another exhausting but exciting week over here and I'm starting to relax more. All of the boxes are finally gone and everything is organized. I've been working on a Flower Set of cloths for Spring and another special collection of patterns that I really need to dedicate some time to. I'd love to be able to post up a preview of them next week.


Losing an hour this morning has truly taken its toll on us. I'm sure it was the same for a lot of families. I must remember to change the time on the range and the microwave before bed!


This is the last update for the February Mystery KAL. I won't have time to write out the instructions for March's cloth until tomorrow afternoon but I have the design saved and ready to go. If everyone is up for it, the updates for March will be posted every three days so we can finish by the end of the month.


February Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 6

row 52: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p3, k3, p4, k2, p3, k1, p3, k2, p8, k1, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 54: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p4, k1, p9, k3, p7, k1, p3, k3, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 56: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k1, p2, k1, p9, k5, p7, k1, p3, k1, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 58: (k1,p1)2x, p2, k2, p1, k3, p8, k7, p4, k2, p1, k3, p6, (p1,k1)2x
row 60: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p3, k2, p7, k7, p5, k1, p3, k2, p3, k1, p1, (p1,k1)2x
row 62: (k1,p1)2x, p8, k2, p2, k1, p4, k2, p1, k2, p12, k3, p2, (p1,k1)2x
row 64: (k1,p1)2x, p9, k3, p24, k3, (p1,k1)2x
row 66: (k1,p1)2x, p10, k3, p24, k2, (p1,k1)2x

row 68: (k1,p1) to last stitch, k1 Repeat for 4 more rows
next row: bo in pattern

Weave in ends.

Patiently Waiting for Spring...

I'm finally sitting down tonight for the first time in what feels like days. Hopefully everyone isn't too upset with me for the lack of posts with KAL updates. I've been reading all of the wonderful comments on here through my phone when I don't have time to turn on the laptop. I cannot express how grateful I am to hear from everyone. Thank you for taking the time to let me know that you're enjoying the knit and that it's alright to take some family time during the move. It all means so much to me.


I have one more update to post before the weekend when the March Mystery Cloth KAL will start. I'll try to have the update up before Friday night. I don't mind staying in on a Friday, as long as I have some peace and knitting to look forward to. Hopefully the kids go to bed early, I have so much to work on.



February Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 5

row 42: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k12, p3, k12, p6, (p1,k1)2x
row 44: (k1,p1)2x, p7, k2, p2, k7, p3, k7, p2, k2, p7, (p1,k1)2x
row 46: (k1,p1)2x, p2, k1, p9, k5, p5, k5, p12, (p1,k1)2x
row 48: (k1,p1)2x, p1, k3, p9, k5, p3, k5, p13, (p1,k1)2x
row 50: (k1,p1)2x, p2, k1, p5, k1, p4, k4, p5, k4, p13, (p1,k1)2x

KAL Updates!...

I'm sorry it's been so long since the last post. Every day has been extremely long and exhausting and I haven't had the energy to turn my laptop on in over a week. I'm posting up two weeks worth of KAL updates now and there are still two more that I will post before Friday. Next weekend will be the first clue in the March Mystery Cloth KAL.


I want to thank everyone for their patience over the past two months. We're finally unpacked, organized and loving every moment of our new home. I will be updating more regularly from now on and I'm working on a Flower Set of cloths for this month as well as some Spring adult and children's wear.


February Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 3 & 4

row 22: (k1,p1)2x, (p8, k1)x2, p7, k1, p5, k8, (p1,k1)2x
row 24: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k5, p7, k2, p6, k13, (p1,k1)2x
row 26: (k1,p1)2x, p4, k2, p4, k3, p6, k2, p2, k16, (p1,k1)2x
row 28: (k1,p1)2x, (p2, k2)x2, p4, k2, p6, k11, p4, k2, p2, (p1,k1)2x
row 30: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p2, k1, p6, k13, p7, k3, p3, (p1,k1)2x

row 32: (k1,p1)2x, p16, k7, p8, k2, p3, k1, p2, (p1,k1)2x
row 34: (k1,p1)2x, p13, k1, p1, k1, p7, k1, p1, k1, p4, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, (p1,k1)2x
row 36: (k1,p1)2x, p12, k4, p7, k4, p5, k1, p3, k1, p2, (p1,k1)2x
row 38: (k1,p1)2x, p10, k7, p5, k7, p10, (p1,k1)2x
row 40: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k12, p3, k12, p6, (p1,k1)2x

Happy Knitting!

Dessert Cloths!...

I needed a good distraction from all of the packing, unpacking, cleaning and organizing that's been going on around here. I had so much fun finishing these up this week. I had forgotten how gratifying and peaceful knitting really is. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things soon and work through my unfinished pile next month so I'll have lots to post and share.

There's also a new KAL clue at the bottom!


This pattern is available as a PDF download and priced at $3.25. There are eight cloth patterns in this set. You can purchase this pattern if you are a Ravelry member by clicking the "Buy Now" button below the pictures. The Dessert Cloths are also available in my Pattern Store here as a Ravelry Download. There are 5 pages total and the download is sized at 5MB. If you have any questions about the pattern or payment options, please feel free to contact me via email at kris@krisknits.com or on Ravelry: KristenKnits.

Heres a link to the pattern page on Ravelry!


Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid:

Lollipop - 01740 Hot Pink (Pink)
Ice Cream Cone - 00046: Rose PInk (Pink)
Pie Slice - 00082: Jute (Tan)

Lion Brand Cotton-Ease:

Sundae - Berry Article: #830-112
Cake Slice - Hazelnut Article: #830-125


TLC Cotton Plus Solid

Cupcake - 3706: Light Rose (Pink)


Bernat Organic Natural Cotton:

Dough nut - Prairie Rose
Cookie - Tan

You don't need a Ravelry account to purchase the pattern. Ravelry will re-direct you to paypal and will email you a link to download the pattern.

I made each written pattern with a corresponding chart for the dishcloth. From the sets that I've already made, I've managed to get about 2-2½ cloths out of one ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid Yarn. Though you can use any kitchen cotton you prefer.

February Mystery Cloth KAL Clue # 2


row 11: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, k to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 12: (k1,p1)2x, p2, k3, p1, k1, p7, k1, p12, k2, p2, k1, p7, (p1,k1)2x
row 14: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p6, k1, p13, k3, p7, (p1,k1)2x
row 16: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k1, p1, k2, p4, k2, p1, k1, p13, k2, p5, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 18: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k2, p8, k3, p5, k1, p7, k2, p2, k3, (p1,k1)2x
row 20: (k1,p1)2x, p7, k1, p8, k1, p6, k2, p8, k6, (p1,k1)2x

Happy Knitting!

February KAL!

So I've been without Internet for over a week now and I apologize. We're living out of boxes and I still haven't moved everything over yet. I'm also slowly building furniture here and there and starting to organize our lives again. Throw in a stomach flu and ear infections, I'm sure you can imagine the week we've been having. Everyone is feeling better and we finally went out this morning to play in the snow. It was a nice break from being cooped up in the house for days.

As soon as I locate my camera's battery charger from whichever box it's hiding in, I will take some shots of the finished January Cloth from the KAL and post up the entire pattern in a blog post. It should help if anyone missed it or just wanted to knit it again without searching through the posts to grab all the clues.

February 2010:

Supplies:

• 1 Ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid
  

I used 00046: Rose Pink (Pink), but you can use any color you wish. A light to medium green, blue or purple would go well also.

• US #3/3.25mm needles*
• Tapestry Needle *I used a smaller needle size to obtain denser fabric and to make the picture stand out more.
  
  

Finished Measurements : Approx. 10"x10"

Pattern:

co 47s

(k1, p1) to last stitch, k1 repeat for 6 rows

row 1: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, K to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 2: (k1,p1)2x, p23, k1, p10, k1, p4, (p1,k1)2x
row 4: (k1,p1)2x, p7, k1, p14, k3, p6, k1, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)2x
row 6: (k1,p1)2x, p6, k3, p5, k1, p8, k1, p6, k2, p1, k1, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 8: (k1,p1)2x, p7, k1, p5, k3, p8, k2, p6, k2, p5, (p1,k1)2x
row 10: (k1,p1)2x, p3, k1, p2, k1, p7, k1, p11, k2, p3, k2, p6, (p1,k1)2x


Here is the pattern page on Ravelry.


I personally LOVE the design this month!

We're Exhausted...

I've never worked so hard on a project this size for this long! Our apartment is finally finished and it's beautiful. I'm looking forward to relaxing and already have most of our things packed to move. A number of good friends and myself have done all of the construction from the very start to finish an I'm very proud.

I've been meaning to post pictures of the murals that I've painted from the paint we picked out at Home Depot. From pictures I had drawn months ago each wall took about a day and a half to sketch and paint. It was a nice break from installing sheet rock and tiling. I just hope the kids keep the creativity to the magnetic chalkboard I built for them in the corner of their room and not on these walls!





I apologize deeply about the KAL this month. I've been spending so much time at the new place that each day was fading into the next. I hadn't realized how much time was going by. I'm going to post the remainder of the rows now and hope that everyone will catch up quickly. I'll be home tomorrow for a little r&r and will post up the first few rows of the February Mystery Cloth KAL by tomorrow night.
I wanted to thank everyone for knitting along and being patient and understanding during this time. It has truly been exhausting to take care of a family and physically build a home for us at the same time.



January Mystery KAL
Clue #5

row 42: (k1,p1)2x, k4, p10, (k1, p2)x3, k1, p3, k3, p1, k1, p3, k4, (p1,k1)2x
row 44: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p5, k1, p7, k1, p8, k1, p4, k1, p1, k1, p7, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 46: (k1,p1)2x, k3, p7, k1, p3, (k1, p2)x3, k1, p5, k1, p3, k1, p2, k3, (p1,k1)2x
row 48: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p14, k1, p6, k1, p15, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 50: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p1, k1, p8, k14, p11, k2, (p1,k1)2x


row 52: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p14, k5, p2, k1, p6, k1, p4, k1, p3, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 54: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p5, k1, p7, k5, p2, k1, p14, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 56: (k1,p1)2x, p12, k1, p2, k5, p2, k1, p16, (p1,k1)2x
row 58: (k1,p1)2x, k1, p2, k1, p11, k5, p2, (k1, p4)x2, k1, p5, k1, (p1,k1)2x
row 60: (k1,p1)2x, p9, k1, p5, k8, p16, (p1,k1)2x


row 62: (k1,p1)2x, p25, k1, p9, k1, p3, (p1,k1)2x
row 64: (k1,p1)2x, p5, k1, p7, k1, p5, k1, p10, k1, p8, (p1,k1)2x
row 66: (k1,p1)2x, p39, (p1,k1)2x
row 68: (k1,p1) to last stitch, k1 Repeat for 4 more rows
next row: bo in pattern

Weave in ends.

Home Depot Can Be Fun...

We ended up picking out colors for the apartment the other day. Though the process turned out to be much longer than I expected, we were there for almost 2 hours. Victor and Ella had a blast and helped me choose which three colors will be on each of their bedroom walls. I have to say thank you to the girl who helped us pick and mix the shades while entertaining my lil' ones. You were a life saver!




January KAL
Clue #4

row 32: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p8, k1, p2, k1, p4, k2, p4, k1, p3, k1, p8, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 34: (k1,p1)2x, k5, (p4, k1)x2, p7, k4, p3, k1, p4, k5, (p1,k1)2x
row 36: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p12, k13, p10, k2, (p1,k1)2x
row 38: (k1,p1)2x, k4, (p3, k1)x2, p3, k2, p4, k7, p7, k4, (p1,k1)2x
row 40: (k1,p1)2x, k2, p13, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p2, k6, p6, k2 (p1,k1)2x


Now I'm on my way back to the apartment to finish painting.
Happy knitting everyone!

Almost There!...

***Fixed the small error on Row 30, it's updated on the bottom of this post.***

I guess I should explain the temporary lapse. It's a pretty good excuse and I'm quite happy about it. We've been over at the new apt everyday since last Wednesday getting things ready for us to move in next week! Such long days and lots of coffee but it will all be worth it soon.

I'm 90% done with the kids' room and can't wait to share some pictures with you. I ended up painting murals on both sides of the room for each of my little ones. It was difficult keeping it a secret from them but so far it's working. They like the idea that Mommy has a "secret room" for them.


So.. without further ado,

January KAL
Clue #3

row 22: (k1,p1)2x, k7, p7, k3, p4, k3, p8, k7, (p1,k1)2x
row 24: (k1,p1)2x, k4, p10, k1, p3, k2, (p3, k1)x2, p7, k4, (p1,k1)2x
row 26: (k1,p1)2x, k6, (p3, k1)x2, p4, k2, (p4, k1)x2, p3, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 28: (k1,p1)2x, k3, p7, k1, p2, k1, p10, k1, p3, k1, p7, k3, (p1,k1)2x

row 30: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p2, k6, p4, k2, p4, k6, p2, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 30: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p2, k6, p4, k2, p4, k7, p2, k6, (p1,k1)2x

There will be 3 more updates spaced out between the next 10 days. I promise with my whole heart that I will get them up for everyone so that we can have a finished cloth by the the 31st. February's Mystery Cloth is already designed, charted and ready to go on the first of the month so no worries!

KAL Update!...

Here's a shot I took while coming home with the kids tonight, the sunset was so peaceful.

I'm trying to finish up the dessert set by tomorrow. It's been such a busy weekend I haven't had any free time to knit up the last cloth and take pictures. I really need to sit down and sort through my unfinished projects, they're just piling up too quickly.

January KAL Update #2:

Starting from (rs) right side of the cloth:

row 11: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1) 2x, K to last 4s, (p1,k1)

row 12: (k1,p1)2x, k6, p5, k1, p14, k1, p6, k6, (p1,k1)2x
row 14: (k1,p1)2x, k8, p3, k1, p14, k1, p4, k8, (p1,k1)2x
row 16: (k1,p1)2x, k6, (p5, k2)x3, p7, k5, (p1,k1)2x
row 18: (k1,p1)2x, k8, (p4, k2)x3, p3, k1, p1, k8, (p1,k1)2x
row 20: (k1,p1)2x, k4, p5, k1, p3, k12, p10, k4, (p1,k1)2x

It's so great to see everyone knitting along together!

Here is the pattern page on Ravelry!

Holiday Shots...

This is going to be a picture heavy post. I took some cute shots of the kids over the Holiday's. We had a great time on Christmas and they got everything they wanted from Santa. I can only wish that every year will be just as special. I feel truly blessed!

We have a big family and all of us come together at an uncle's house Christmas Eve. Santa Claus makes a special appearance around midnight to give each child one gift before leaving to bring other children their toys and then stop at our house before morning. My daughter was getting grumpy waiting up for him so she might not be too happy in the photos but I love that it's just her. Ella has some attitude if she's over tired!


I made snowflake sugar cookies from scratch that morning with the kids. I let them decorate for awhile but after noticing that none of the icing was making it onto the cookies I did take end up taking over. I think they ate half of them before leaving for the party.

**KAL update tomorrow!**

Another Hobby Another Love...

For as long as I can remember I have always drawn on everything. Never having any formal training, it has always come naturally and been just for fun. My kids love to sit down and scribble with me in coloring books and finger paint toddler masterpieces. Sometimes if I have half a day I can start and finish a photograph that I've been asked to draw. Though I'm sure when the kids are in school soon I'll be able to find more time for my craft. I wanted to share a few pencil drawings that I've done. The family was done recently and the Staffordshire Terrier was done a few years ago.


In both photos the original photograph is on the top and my drawing is on the bottom.

For some knitting news the Dessert Cloths should be available on Thursday or Friday and I have so much knitting to show you it's ridiculous!

Thank you to everyone who has started the KAL! The more people we have the more fun it will be. It's also keeping me motivated to design more.