Birthday Giveaway Pattern!

It's my birthday today! I am grateful for many things, and so I'd like to celebrate with gifting you lovely knitters my favorite fingerless mitten design:

 Mr. Cratchit's Convertible Mitts

 

Also, ALL other KUAS Designs patterns are 33% off. Why that odd number? I'm not saying why... SHH!!

 

No coupon needed. Discount taken automatically at the checkout process. Reedemable only today until midnight CT. :) 

 

Have a lovely day!

FO: Christmas Project Bag #1

It's December 3rd! Can you believe it? I can't! We have one of the two trees up and I have yet to decorate the outside of the house because it keeps snowing.

Since it's officially December, I figured I would share some Christmas project bags that I sewed early this November. This was my first pull-string project bag (and Christmas bag) made, and the process went smoothly. Win, Win.

The 12'' x 14.5'' size is just right for shawls, hats, mittens, light-weight sweaters, etc. I have been squeezing in my flax sweater for twin B in there, but with the two yarn hanks inside, it's a little snug.

The fabric is festive and playful with a hint of glitter, so it's fun to have this around during the holiday season. Since the fabric was a little busy, I decide to go for a solid cream colored liner.

I hope you are enjoy the joys of the seasons, both in the way you celebrate and with the start-up of vlogmasses, and such. It's such a wonderful time in more than one way.

Next post: Christmas project bag #2 (a quilt-like pull-string bag).

Black Friday 2018 Deal and GRATITUDE

KUAS Designs is offering 50% off ALL knitting patterns WEDNESDAY 11/21 through SUNDAY 11/25 at midnight CT! Plug in the coupon code "halfoffkuas18" at the checkout at my KUAS Designs store. 

Your coupon will bring your price from:

$3.99 patterns to $1.99

$1.99 patterns to $.99

KUAS Designs is also featured here on KNIT like Granny, along with other Black Friday/Cyber Monday knitting deals on patterns, yarn and classes.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! I am trying to focus my mind-set on gratitude as we approach Thursday...

I am GRATEFUL for my family, having all my basic human needs met on a daily basis, my crafting hobbies that I use as therapy, my various musical skills, having a part-time teaching career that allows me to be a full-time mom, plus YOU. I am grateful that you are here, reading and keeping up with my knitting adventures, the support I get from knitters who purchase my patterns, and for those who take the time to drop a comment in the box below. It always brightens my day. It helps me feel that I am not alone in this vast internet space. Thank you, dear reader.

Happy Holidays.

FO: Thanksgiving "Hermione's Everyday Socks"

Project: Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder

Needles and Yarn

Needle

US 1 - 2.25 mm, US 1.5 - 2.5 mm

Yarn

Dreams in Fiber Superwash Sock Kona Base

How much?

1 skein = 400.0 yards (365.8 meters), 100 grams

Colorway

Ratatouille

 Notes

Socks are too loose. Needles might have been size US 2, not US 1.5. 

The pattern is simple and straight forward. You can memorize the stitch texture pattern rather easily and pick up the sock after weeks of hibernating it and still know what to do.

I chose to do a slip-stitch heel for this pair, plus a 1x1 ribbing for the cuff. That's always my go-to ribbing for sock and mitten cuffs. 

I used yarn from a trade done years ago with Erica Lueder when I used to sell yarn. I fell in love with this colorway because it was so fall-like. I felt like this would be the perfect colorway for Thanksgiving socks.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our 50% off all KUAS Designs pattern sale for Black Friday week starts tomorrow! I'll post the details tomorrow!

NEW Pattern Release: the Super Bulky Hat

CLOVER POM-POM MAKER TUTORIAL INCLUDED!

Here’s a wonderfully speedy bulky hat pattern for all sizes, with handy sizing chart columns that you read vertically and a pom-pom tutorial on page 6 for your convenience. This pattern is wonderful for those last-minute gifts that need to be knit up, whether it’s for a baby shower, a Christmas present, or just needing a quick knit when the weather gets chilly!

I spent a long time test knitting my own pattern to have numerous sizes! It all started with my son Sam requesting a Christmas hat (which I accidentally knitted the adult version first).

HAT MEASUREMENTS:

0-6 months: 5.5’’/14 cm long; 6.5’’/16.5cm wide

6-12 months: 6.25’’/15cm long; 7’’/18cm wide

12-24 months: 6.75’’/17cm long; 7.75’’/20cm wide

2-5 years: 7.25’’/18cm long; 8.5’’/21.5cm wide

6-12 years: 8.25’’/21 cm long; 9.25’’/23.5cm wide

Teen/Adult XS: 9’’/23cm long; 9.75’’/25cm wide

Adult S/M: 9.25’’/23.5cm long; 10.25’’/26cm wide

Adult L/XL: 9.5’’/24cm long; 10.75’’/27cm wide

From left to right: size 0-6 mos, size 6-12 mos, 12-24 mos

From left to right: size 6-12 yrs, 6-12 yrs, Adult S/M

MATERIALS:

YARN: Super Bulky (6WPI) yarn

0-6 months: 38yds/67g (plus 10-12g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

6-12 months: 45yds/75g (plus 10-12g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

12-24 months 50yds/80g (plus 10-12g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

2-5 years: 52yds/85g (plus 10-12g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

6-12 years: 68yds/110g (plus 15g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

Teen/Adult XS: 85yds/140g (plus 15g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

Adult S/M: 90yds/145 (plus 15g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom

Adult L/XL: 100yds/165g, plus 15g of worsted weight yarn for pom-pom)

NEEDLES: Set of 5 dpns, or 1 long circular needles in sizes US 10 (6mm) and US 11 (8mm) needles

NOTIONS: Beginning of rd st marker, darning needle, sharp scissors, and (optional) Clover Pom-Pom maker (Size 46mm /Yellow=medium; Size 65mm/green=large)

I hope you have a wonderful start to the week! I will be announcing the Black Friday week deal very shortly!

Copycat Fringe Supply "Field Bag"

Friends, I don't know about you, but I caught the "Field Bag" project bag bug from constantly seeing knitters show off their bag on my Instagram feed.

I looked up these supposed bags online at the Fringe Supply Co., and they are priced at $65, not including shipping! Yikes! (They are really well made, I'm sure they are worth the cost, but I'm too cheap to spend over 70 bucks to ship one to my door.) The maker in me accepted the challenge to find material similar to the original Toffee version (and others) and voila! A really close copycat version! Thanks Joann Fabrics!

^^ LEFT column photos coypright: http://www.fringesupplyco.com

Photos on the left column are the original bags, and photos on the right column are my re-creation. Aside from the lighting in the photos, and a couple of subtle differences such as width in strap, the label and minute differences in dimensions, I have to say it is really close! I added a "KUAS" tag so it wasn't naked in the front. Heck, I even folded the bag and ironed the vertical crease and included pockets in the inside because you have to have the little details if you are going to go all out anyways!

 I am very pleased with this bag. I will be creating more in the future, but I still have to work on another Christmas project bag before it gets too late in November.

Not bad for not having a pattern. I have made bags in the past, and took those templates and made the bottom boxier for this one. My one gripe was that after changing my sewing needles out for the "heavy duty" ones, because I was using canvas fabric AND thicker thread, the machine kept eating the fabric and kinking up the thread and I must have re-threaded that machine 30 times (and unpicked dozens of stitches) before I realized that I inserted the needle in the wrong direction, and that does make a difference in performance!!

My next bag will have a "webbing" strap and slightly thinner rope for the pull-string. I'm a happy knitter! Have a great weekend!

WIP: Beacon Hill Scarf--Shortie Version

A long, long while back, I casted on for a aqua/teal version of my Beacon Hill Scarf with some leftover yarn from my stash. The yarn I used for the original scarf was so silky and squishy, that the texture didn't "pop" as well as I would have liked it to.

This version will actually be a "shortie" version that doesn't wrap around the neck twice.

I love the "little tents" that pop out among the garter stitch. It's a very unique stitch texture that looks great vertically or horizontally.

Pattern: Beacon Hill Infinity Scarf

Needles: US 9 (5.5mm)

Yarn: I'm not even sure. I have lost the band years ago.

Guys, can I just point out that my nails were painted for this picture? I NEVER paint my nails. Between the stubby nails as a stay-at-home mom AND being a pianist, there are always in the nude. Aw, this makes me want to paint them again. Too bad they chip almost immediately, no matter how great the brand or no-chip gaurentee is.

I'm further allong with this scarf, but I haven't taken any new photos. I figure that I'll just post the FO later. I can devote more time to this once I get some Christmas knits out of the way.

FO: Sunday Slippers

This was a super-quick project that was completed within 2 days. They are warm, cozy, and do not slip off your feet (well, at least with my modification). I adapted the pattern to have an I-Cord edging to not only help it keep it's shape (and stay on), but it looks really sharp!
Honestly, if you look at the original and this pair...you'll see why the I-cord edge stands out! Garter stitch needs a tidy edge if it's a garment.

Project: Sunday Slippers by Cleo Malone

Needles: US8 (5mm)

Yarn: Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller Full O' Sheep in the color "Passionfruit"

Notes: I was given the “60 Quick Knits For Beginner” book to review. I decided one of the best ways to review a book was to knit from it, and show it off!

Modifications: I-cord edge--on the side you need an I-cord edge, sl 3 sts and purl those same 3 sts on the following rd. 

I will most definately be knitting more of these in the future. The make great house slippers/socks and gifts when you are in a pinch!

WIP: USA Socks

One guess as to which time of year I casted on this pair of vanilla socks...

Project: Rainbow Stockinette Socks, no pattern

Yarn: Cascade Yarns® Heritage Prints "52 Indepedence" colorway

Needles: 2.0mm and 2.25mm

CO: 72 sts

Started: July 1st, 2018 

Notes:

Short Row (W&T) Heel Tutorial used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNdZOhYF5V0

12 W&T-10 unworked sts-12 W&T

The great thing about patriotic socks is that you can knit (or wear them) around the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and where we are currently at now, Election Week and even Veteran's Day. 

WIP: tweedy Flax Sweater

I have many Flax sweaters on the needles. Besides this, I also have two Christmas sweaters in the works. These last three sweaters will make my grand total 5 between Flax and Flax Light Sweaters. I enjoy the simplicity of the textured arm.

Pattern:  Flax by tincanknits

Size M

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Tweed

Needles: 4mm and 5mm

Started: February 2018

I can't wait to wear this during the colder months. I've been wanting a tweedy sweater for a while. This should go with anything.

WIP: Rainbow Socks

Happy Friday, Friends! How's it going? Knitting anything fun lately?

I'm still determined to play catch-up on the last 11 months since my post last New Years. Here's one of the few socks that I casted on this year. I decided to do these pairs one at a time via magic loop method.

Project: Rainbow Stockinette Socks, no pattern

Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal Mein Sockendesign

Needles: 2.25mm and 2.5mm

CO: 72 sts

Started: June 20th, 2018 

Notes:

CO 72 sts onto 2.25mm/US1. Cuff to Toe method.

1x1 rib for 1.5’’ 5 colors, then dec round in larger needle: (K16, k2tog)-2x, so 68 sts left.

Knit leg until 7.5’’ from CO edge.

I used Arne & Carlos’ Short Row Heel pattern:
https://arnecarlos.com/how-to-knit-a-short-row-heel/

I worked on these socks a lot during park visits, driving to Michigan and little bit at Lake Michigan beach during a family reunion. I ended up setting these aside while I started my patriot socks when it was closer to July (post to come), but I have been slowly chipping away at the second sock here and there. I'm in no rush to finish these cheerful socks. I enjoy the process of them. I only wish the yarn was a bit softer.

The colors are so cheerful. You can't help but smile a little bit while knitting up this colorway. I specifically saved this skein for the summertime. The colorway is satisfying because the color repeats are only 3 rds deep, so the constant color changes is rewarding, and makes the sock feel like it's flying by faster.

This was my first short row heel using Arne & Carlos's method. Some parts of their video tutorial was not crystal clear for picking up and knitting stitches together, so my sock could use a little more finesse for the second sock.

All Things Halloween

Happy Halloween, dear friends!
I've got to head out trick-or-treating with the kiddos, so here's a quick collection of all things Halloween that describe my week leading up to today:

 A Halloween project bag, sewn by yours truly.

I was really pleased with the results from the comination of the contrast fabric (liner) and the main outer fabric.

As a side note, I teach piano lessons, and every year I try to make reviewing Music Theory fun and exciting by changing the up the scenery. The holiday is the best time to squeeze in extra reviewing because I can make it fun like this.

Welcome to the haunted music trail! It's not the best lighting, and looks better when it's a bit darker, but here's the jist of the trail leading up the haunted graveyard.

After every short excercise they get to trick-or-treat in my pumpkin buckets.

Hey, my twins just turned 8! Can you believe it?

 I have never made fondant for a cake, so of course I tried my hand at making them Minecraft cakes. Yeah, two cakes. And I've never make two cakes, let alone two fondant cakes. LOL.

It took a total of 10 hours (1.5 days), and the fondant got a little distored while picking the little squares up after cutting them. Oh well. The boys loved them and that's all that matters.

Finally, these were photos taken today of my burning bushes and Sunset maples. Ah...

 

 Have a wonderful and safe Halloween folks! We are about to go trick-or-treating now!