Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to all our fellow bloggers and their families out there.



Exciting time for little ones dressing up and door knocking. Our neighbours are off to a Halloween party tonight, and the kids are coming early, so here's their treat.





All I did was some lunch bags, poped in a few lollies, tried up with a red ribbon.

Knitting needle holder

Here is the solution to knitting needles always going missing, mine go walk abouts but not anymore. Saw a lady on TV making one, never got the pattern for that one, so I designed my own from memory. In hind sight I should have checked out how many needles I got and made it a little bigger. That was before Mom gave me her knitting needles as well, now I really need to make another soon.

This is my crochet version but I want to knit the next one.

This is not a beginners pattern, not because it's hard but it's a big project to start with! This pattern is great for all those left over bits from other projects, just make sure you have enough for the first section, then you can swap to a contrasting colour for the 2nd section. Accomodates 14 sets of needles.

You will need a chunky yarn, or 2 strands of 8 ply no5/6 knitting needles

There are 3 different steps to follow

First section: Cast on 100 sts and knit in stocking stitch or what ever design takes your fancy, I like strips so that's what I will do. Changing colour every 5th row. Place a Marker at 6 cm on both sides of the piece. Knit a block/piece long enough to accomodate your longest knitting needle, then cast off.

2nd section: Cast on 100 sts and knit 6cms in the design of your choice again mark it.

We need to make holes for the needles to fit in, continue following

this pattern:

Both sections can be crocheted if prefered.

Row 1: knit 2 sts, knit 2 together, wrap yarn around needle (to make up the lost stitch), knit1, knit2 tog, wyan, knit 1, knit 2 tog, 32 times .... to the end ending with knit 2.

Row 2: Purl to end

Row 3: Knit as per row 1 to end

Row 4: Purl to end

Row 5: Knit to end

Row 6: Purl to end

Row 7 + 9: Knit same as 1 + 3

Row 8: Purl to end

Row 10, 11 + 12: knit as 4,5 +6

Continue until with pattern until block/piece measures same a section 1.

End with 2 rows stocking stitch, then cast off.

Lay blocks on top of each other, sew/tack together depending on how you want to finish it off, I would crochet them together with a frilly edge, or you could blanket stitch them together, as part of your embelishment. Sew on a loop, place needle through the holes, roll it up, giving you the correct spot to place your button, careful not to sew it through both blocks. Or you could just tie a ribbon or cord around it.

Crochet version:

Now to continue block 2, cast off after 6 cm. Pick up stitches on section 1 with your hook from the 6 cm mark. Or you could just skip section 2 so far and pick up stitches on the side

of section 1.

Row1: crochet to the end

Row 2: cro. 2 treb. st. make 2 chain st. 2 treb. st. 2 chain st. 2 treb ...... to end

Row 3: continue with row 2 until the section is the same as section 1, finishing off as Row 1. Fold over and tack sides.

Finish off as above.

Now I still need to figure out what I am going to do about those hooks that go missing.

Veggie garden update .....

Let take a little peep into the veggie patch, it's new so don't expect to much yet!



Tub of potatoes have a few flowers on them, Italian parsley is going to seed and the oregano is growing well.



Sweet corn seedlings, a few beans and still waiting for the squash seed to germinate.



Tomato seedlings are thriving, Curly parsley is going to seed and mustard plant is getting a flower.



Mustard seedlings and selfseeding Rocket coming up.



looking good so far!

Another Bed Sock Pattern

Lets make some bed sock/slippers.

Here's an easy one for you, you will need 2 balls or 100 gr of yarn 8ply and size 5 knitting needles. In this pair I used two colours to start with then changed to one colour. Using double thread through out cause I like thick socks.

Cast on 40 sts using double thread.
Knit 2 rows plain
3rd row knit 2 st, wool over needle and knit 2 tog ( to make a hole for the cord) and same on the other side Knit 2 tog, w o n, knit 2 sts.
Knit 3 rows plain and 4th row make holes for the cord again.
9/10 holes down the side should be enough.
Change pattern by knitting a rib ( 1 plain ,1 purl)or double rib2 plain ,2 purl)
knit about 36 rows ( measure your foot on the knitting piece, should be half way up your toes) next row: knit 2 sts together across the whole needle 20 sts.
Knit the next row, turn and knit 2 together again 10 sts.
Cast off. to sew the sides up, fold work and sew the heel closed, then sew the toes closed up to the holes for the cord/ribbon.


Kids slippers.

Just cast on 32 stitch follow pattern as above 5/6/7 holes according to kids foot and so on..........

Wishing everyone warm toasty feet
Until nexttime
Rina