More Embroidery

 Salt & Pepper Buddies! I made this as a "thank you" for a friend of mine:

We were invited to a summer wedding, so I wanted to make a more detailed towel that I could still finish within a week.

During this project, I discovered that I REALLY like using variegated embroidery floss. It made the project deadline easier since it was so interesting, and I like how it worked on the flowers.

Finally, this towel was for a small housewarming gift. I'm really happy with how classy the red turned out with the monogram.

Quick Project

I'm really excited about this project. I bought a permanent transfer pen and a small cotton drawstring bag.  With some tracing paper and practice, I made myself a personalized project bag for my knitting/crochet. The flower image is not my original, but "Frances and the Bee" is! You can see my new blog about beekeeping and life in Minnesota at www.francesandthebee.blogspot.com.

 

Also, I'm working on getting some more items up in my Etsy store, FrancesandtheBee. I'm especially excited about this little project bag because it gives me some inspiration for some items to sell in the near future.  So... please check out the links! 



First Taste of Honey from our Hives

More Busy Summer Photos

We've been getting in as much fun time this summer as we can... I haven't had much time for pattern designing, but I have been working on projects like crazy to try and get everything finished before Baby arrives (in approximately 5 weeks or less).  




Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.exploresherburne.org/

Sasqauatch Knitting Party that a Friend and I hosted...
A LOT of fun.

 

Baby Gift for a Friend

 

In Case it's a Girl... Attach a Flower

Making a gift for someone who doesn't know what they're having?  This is a spin-off of an idea I saw called, "In case of girl, attach bow." I can't seem to find that pattern again, but if I do, I'll come back and link it.

Anyway, the trick here is to make something that could work for a boy

...and then making a nice flower that the mom-to-be can attach easily if she finds she's had a girl.

This is a fun way to get out of the normal colors we sometimes feel stuck with when we don't know whether it's a boy or girl - not that I have anything against those colors.  It's just nice to have choices! It also makes the piece a little more unique because it is given in pieces and you can make a neat little card if you want (see pattern below).

In Case it’s a Girl… Attach a Flower
By Erica Knudson

Materials Used: The example flower in the photo was made with worsted weight yarn, size J crochet hook and a blunt needle.

Larger Flower:

1. Ch 4, sl st in first ch to make ring.

2. 12 sc in ring, sl st to join.

3. *Ch 3, skip one st, sl st in next st* around. At end, join with sl st.

4. Ch 1, *7 sc in ch-3 space* around. At end, join with sl st.

5. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Smaller Flower:

6. Ch 4, sl st in first ch to make ring.

7. 12 sc in ring, sl st to join.

8. *Ch 3, skip one st, sl st in next st* around. At end, join with sl st.

9. Fasten off and weave in ends

Finishing:

10. Fasten flowers together with coordinating yarn and blunt needle.

11. Attach 10-12 inch piece of coordinating yarn to back of flower piece.

12. Include a note or tag – “In Case it’s a Girl… Attach a Flower”

Key:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
*…* = repeat

**Please don’t sell this pattern.

Baby Ripple Hat

Baby Ripple Hat

Baby Ripple Hat
Erica Knudson

By Erica Knudson

This pattern is a simple but textured hat for babies 0-6 months and 6-12 months (more sizes coming soon!). It can be made for a boy or girl by choosing one finishing row or the other (explained below).

Materials used: Size J hook, worsted weight yarn, and a stitch marker.

All sizes start the same and you will see instructions for varying sizes in the pattern.

Start with an adjustable ring.

1. Hdc 8 into loop. – 8

Place st marker and move up with each round.

2. In the front loops only, (2hdc) in each st across – 16

3. In the front loops only, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next st) repeat around – 24

4. In the front loops only, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) repeat around – 32

5. In the front loops only, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) repeat around – 40

6. In the front loops only, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) repeat around – 48
**For size 0-6 months, proceed to step 9. For larger size, continue with step 7.

7. In the front loops only, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts) repeat around – 56

8. In the front loops only, hdc around.

9. In the front loops only, hdc around.

10. In the front loops only, hdc around.

11. In the front loops only, hdc around.

12. For 0-6 month size: In the front loops only, (hdc2tog, hdc in next 4) – 40

For 6-12 month size: In the front loops only, (hdc2tog, hdc in next 5) – 48

13. In both loops, hdc around.

14. In both loops, hdc around, sl st in last st.

“Finishing Row”(could be changed to a standard sc around for boys):

15. (Ch 2,sl st in next st) around. Sl st to end.

16. Fasten off and eave in ends.

**In the photo here, the pink and white hat was made using the Finishing Row.  The smaller multicolor hat was finished using a single crochet border only.

Key:

ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sc = single crochet

**Please do not sell this pattern.

Skill Crane

Skill Crane, by D.L.
Photo by Erica Knudson

This is a painting done by my dad.  I remember staring at this with fascination when I was young, and now I have the pleasure of staring at it in my little hallway.  I enjoy it even more when my girl smiles every time we pass by it.