Easy Seed Stitch Boot Cuffs

Boot cuffs make a fabulous last minute gift! They're fast, easy, and the pattern possibilities are virtually limitless. Funny enough, my calves are big enough that I don't need any extra bulk, so I never wear them, but they look adorable on others! (If your calves are as big as mine & you rock them anyway, more power to you!) Still, boot cuffs seem to be a popular item with most of my friends. My family requests these frequently when the weather gets cold & Etsy is plagued with them this time of year!

Here's the pattern..
*I think this size will fit most calves, but decrease or increase by 4 stitches for smaller or larger sizes*

Materials:
US Size 7 double pointed needles or round needles (I used magic loop method)
Lion Brand Heartland Wool (I used the colorway Isle Royale)
Stitch Marker (to mark beginning of round)
Yarn Needle (for weaving in ends)

Cast on 40 stitches.
First seven rows: K1 P1 ribbing to end of row
Row 8 & all even rows: P1 K1* repeat from * to end of row
Row 9 & all odd rows: K1 P1* repeat from * to end of row
Finish with K1 P1 ribbing for seven more rows, then bind off.

*Tips: I used "tubular" cast on to make the ribbing extra stretchy so these cuffs would slide on & off easily. It was tricky & took me a few tries to get right.
For bind off, I used something called suspended bind off. Though I ended with ribbing, I knitted all the stitches when binding off.. seemed to work fine & was easier ;)
I learned these methods from Youtube videos. Links below!

Tubular Cast On
Elastic Cast Off

**If you want a boot cuff that's a little bit fancier, I also wrote up a pattern for a cute cabled & seed stitch boot cuff. You can check it out here:
Check out my FREE Seed Stitch & Cable Boot Cuff Pattern HERE.

Knitted Pumpkin Pattern

... Happy Fall!...

(...to all my fellow basic white b*****s!)

What better way to celebrate than by knitting pumpkins?? I just think these are the sweetest decoration for your home this season!

The best part about this pattern is that you can knit or crochet! Plus, I used chunky yarn to make things even faster. It was instant gratification, and I had plenty of time to cruise through the Starbucks drive thru afterward for a pumpkin spice latte. I also have this great idea of making six or seven in different sizes/colors & attaching them all in a line to make a draft guard for my doors. My house isn't particularly draft-y, but who cares? All the basic white b*****s are gonna want one..

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE PATTERN 

by Hannah Maier  for Knit Picks

Weasley Sweater Fail

I finally finished my Weasley sweater! Well, except for weaving in the ends. I totally enjoyed this as a learning process, but, sadly, I don't think this sweater will ever get worn. The sleeves are ridiculously big, and I know this sweater ain't exactly supposed to be pretty, but it's just altogether ill fitting on me. Arms too long, torso too short, too boxy & bulky all around. It doesn't even pass as "oversized" or "comfortable" or "to wear to bed this winter," just BLURGH. It might be passable if the sleeves were re-done. There's a thought. A rather painful one, though.

I did purchase an official Weasley sweater kit from New Lanark Wool & Textiles, however, so I might just try again. This time, I'm going to look for a top-down raglan jumper pattern rather than piecing it together. That way I can test the fit as I go. Plus, I won't have to seam everything. What. a. pain.

For anyone curious, you can check out the FREE pattern HERE.

Monday Mini Knitting Haul

I ain't gonna lie, y'all. Mondays are poop. But I think I've found the remedy. Just order things with Amazon Prime on a Friday, use the free 2 day shipping, and when you get home from work Monday at 5pm: PRESENTS! At least the evening will be slightly less poopy.

Here are the details of my Monday Mini Knitting Haul:

The Yarn is from New Lanark Wool & Textiles. I purchased the Adult Harry Potter Kit in Medium from them in Forest Green with Soft Gold Contrast for the initial. I'm already knitting a Weasley sweater, but this is for the next one, which will be screen accurate according to what Harry, Ron, Fred, George, etc. wore in the movies...and it will have the L for Lexie. I'm so excited! I'm hoping to finish my first one and make the next in time to wear to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando sometime this fall. Feel free to check out my progress on my first Weasley Sweater or view the free pattern from Canadian Living here.

Second, I finally ordered a set of interchangeable knitting needles. I've done research online for awhile, but there are so many to choose from, and I finally just went with this Knit Picks nickel plated set. Definitely on a frustrated whim. I haven't tried them out yet, but one of my main motivations was to get a set that I could practice magic loop with, and I've heard good things about these. All the "round" needles I've purchased in craft stores have cables that are too hard or inflexible to effectively knit magic loop. Review to come!

And finally, I guess I snuck some non-knitting items in this haul, too! My Birchbox came in the mail, and that Ageless Body Cream by Harvey Prince smells DIVINE. Also, I finally ordered the18" gold plated Circle necklace from Dogeared. I've been lusting after it since it came out, and after other Dogeared jewelry since long before that. It's dainty, feminine, and the perfect amount of sparkle for every day! Go treat yourself to something special, friends..we made it through Monday!

WIP : WEASLEY SWEATER, Part 1

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Harry Potter. Like, for life.

I'm sure my credentials will check out just fine:

• I've read all the books multiple times. 
• Attended midnight premiers.
• Book Releases.
• Unlocked all the secrets on JK Rowling's old website.
• My parents, unbeknownst to the other, each pre-ordered me copies of books 5-7.
• I was gifted the deluxe edition DVDs each Christmas until I could afford to buy them myself. 
• I've visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando twice.
• My niece totally got chosen to get a wand at Ollivanders (my proudest moment, obvs).
• I'm already planning my third trip to the new Diagon Alley! (!!1!!!!!!!).
• When the first movie came out, I was exactly Harry's age, and consequently had a mad crush on Daniel Radcliffe..which lasted until Chamber of Secrets came out and I developed a crush on Tom Felton, whom, naturally, inspired my secret Myspace & AIM passwords.
• I was an avid reader of Mugglenet.com (y'all don't even know how much I miss 2004).
• I was also an avid reader of Harry Potter fan fiction (oh, the things I cannot un-see).
• I loved Robert Pattinson (RIP Cedric Diggory) before he was R Patz.
• Did I ever do a book report not on Harry Potter?
• I now have to buy every magazine with Emma Watson on the cover & keep it forever.

I could go on, but I doubt you find that as interesting as I do. The point is that once my sweater is finished, I will officially be part of the Weasley family.

I started the sweater about a week ago using Patons Classic Wool in Natural Heather, finished the back over a weekend & have finished the front with an intarsia "H" over this week. Shoulder shaping is done & I've seamed them together. For my first sweater, it's been pretty painless to this point. Of course, it's far from perfect. I got too distracted by an episode of Gossip Girl & accidentally knit the back too long (whoops!). And I really hope blocking takes care of that wonky intarsia initial!

Now to knit the arms & finish the neck & all the seaming/weaving in. Can't wait to show you the final product! If you'd like to join the Weasley family, here's a link to the free pattern.