We Press On

Such a rainy dreary day! Buckets of rain are pouring down here in the Midwest. My son had a makeup baseball game today - for a tournament game that was supposed to be played yesterday. I don't know how it happened, but they managed to get it in between the buckets. The outcome was a loss, though. The good news is that he was able to play at multiple positions! He has been a catcher forever - and a very good one. Being very good, one can get cornered into that position all year long, without learning the valuable lessons that playing other positions bring. Today he played short, second base and tried his hand at pitching - and did fabulous! The Lord has blessed him with ability and a true love for the game. Perhaps that is the most important thing of all. He has had a busy week - with eight grade graduation on Thursday evening  Boo hoo... my baby! I can not truly feel somber because each and every new milestone brings joy! All the way to adulthood. I will be posting the Alpha Stripe Dishcloth pattern very soon. I hope to have it up by Monday evening - but it is possible that it will be a tad bit later than that. Keep checking in!   Be joyful and keep pressing on, even though you may feel like giving up! Hand it to Him! He is there to carry on. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ...

Our Summer Begins - Cottage Squares Dishcloth Pattern

~:~      I have been working on this pattern for a few days. As I mentioned before, the style is a bit different from most all of my other cloths. I thought that this cloth would be better fitting for a contemporary kitchen. Contemporary is such a huge decorating factor right now. Even with my cottage look, little bits of modern elements are thrown in here and there. This cloth does mix in with my cottage look as well - and I was pleased about that!      Keep in mind - I am a beginner - therefore my writing style is a bit unorthodox. If you have any questions about this pattern, please feel free to contact me. I consider myself a work in progress.  I would absolutely love to see any finished cloths you create from my patterns. I will post them here in my gallery when I have the opportunity. Here is my Cottage Squares Cloth aka: Colorblok Kitchen Cloth     This cloth is knit using the Intarsia Method. It is an excellent lesson for the begginer or intermediate. Why not give it a try?! Materials: Size 6 US needles (4.5mm) One Cable needle for center hobnail stitch. 4 colors of your favorite worsted weigh cotton yarn. Stitches: knit, purl, slip stitch, one hobnail stitch for center of cloth. Begin by taking your two main colors - a & b - and split them into 2 smaller balls of each color. You then have colors a1, a2, b1 and b2 , a small ball of color c and a scrap piece of color d. This pattern tells where to join the new balls of color, but for simplicity, after the initial join, refers to each ball simply as their original colors of a, b, or c. You simply pick up the color where it is left off. All slipped stitches are slipped knit-wise. CO 40 sts with color a1 1 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 2 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 3 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 4 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 5 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 6 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 7 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 8 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 9 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 10 k5, sl2, (begin color b1) k26, (begin color a2) sl 2,k5 11 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 12 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 13 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 14 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 15 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 16 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 17 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 18 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 19 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 20 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 21 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 22 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 23 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 24 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 25 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 26 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (add color c) k12, (add color b2) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 27 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 28 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (add ball b2) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 29 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 30 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (add ball b2) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 31 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 32 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, color c) p12, (add ball b2) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 33 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 34 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) k12, (add ball b2) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 35 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k7 [remove 2 sts from right needle onto a cable needle. Wrap color d around these 2 sts 6 times. Return sts to right needle, (color c) k5, (color a) p2, k5 36 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (color b) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 37 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 38 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (color b) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 39 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 40 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (color b) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 41 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12, (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 42 k5, sl 2, (color b) k7, (color c) p12, (color b) k7, (color a) sl 2, k5 43 k5, p2, (color b) p7, (color c) k12 (color c will now be complete), (color b) p7, (color a) p2, k5 44 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a)sl 2, k5 45 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 46 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 47 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 48 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 49 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 50 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 51 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 52 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 53 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 54 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 55 k5, p2, (color b) p26, (color a) p2, k5 56 k5, sl 2, (color b) k26, (color a) sl 2, k5 57 k5, p2, (color b) p26 (end color b), (color a) p2, k5 58 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 59 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 60 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 61 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 62 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 63 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 64 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 65 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 66 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 67 k5, p2, k26, p2, k5 68 k5, sl 2, k26, sl 2, k5 69 Bind Off Finished Cloth (after washing) measures approximately 8 1/2 square. Notes: The sample cloth pictured in blue and green has a border knit with the k5, p2 (w/s) odd row and k5 sl 2 even row pattern. This can easily be added to the pattern. Please alert me if you should find any errors in this pattern. I will make every effort to correct them ASAP.  Click here for the .pdf version Don't forget to stop by and take a look at Elvish Leaves! It's wonderful! ...

Happy Mother's Day

Oh the blessing it is to be a mother - or thought of - or loved and lifted up like a mom. Funny how one day we can feel like the best mom in the world, and other days we wonder if we can make it through. I lost my own mother nearly 12 years ago and although I have gotten used to her not being here with me on this Earth, is debatably at times, no easier. We simply need to trust in Him. He promises never to leave our side. I was reading once again about the Proverbs 31 woman and realizing how far from her I am. I thank God that he continues to mold me. Her children rise up and called her blessed. A member of my KAL group requested the pattern for this simple Windowpane cloth. Although, it indeed is very simple, it is great therapy knitting - and that can be so good for us! If you should find errors in this pattern, please let me know and I will correct them as quickly as possible.   Windowpane Cotton Dishcloth   1 ball kitchen cotton yarn of your favorite solid color. Needle size U.S. 5 (3.75mm) Needles Stitches: Knit, Purl Difficulty: Simple Each odd row is worked on WS *Finished cloth measures approximately a rectangular 9" wide by 8" high. If desired, an extra pattern set can be knit for a square cloth. I prefer a bit more of a rectangle to keep the size comfortable for use. Cast on 45 stitches Row 1 - Knit Row 2 - Knit Row 3 - Knit Row 4 - Knit Row 5 - Knit Row 6 - Knit Row 7 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 8 and every even row: knit accross Row 9 -  *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 11 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 13 - Knit Row 15 - Knit Row 17 - Knit Row 19 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 21 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 23 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 25 - Knit Row 27 - Knit Row 29 - Knit Row 31 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 33 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 35 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 37 - Knit Row 39 - Knit Row 41 - Knit Row 43 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 45 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 47 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 49 - Knit Row 51 - Knit Row 53 - Knit Row 55 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 57 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 59 - *K5 P5 reapeat to last 5 sts K5 Row 61 - Knit Row 63 - Knit Row 65 - Knit Bind Off Weave in ends. Click here for the .pdf version *correction on 6/14/07

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

Take my survey - see? Right over there... on the left column. I have had some questions on patterns for a few of the dishcloths that I have knit. Here are the cloths that have gained interest. I will be sure to post the patterns in a few days - so be sure to check back! And don't forget to leave a note if you have any questions OR, as always, ideas.  ...