Ten-stitch Blanket

I have several unfinished knitting projects, a poncho, a shawl, a scarf, and a sweater are here with me in LaRibera, B.C.S., México. All four of those WIPs (works in progress) are well past the half way mark, and typically, I would be all in to finish. But, here I am, plugging along on my ten-stitch blanket. Go ahead, look it up on Ravelry. It is a free pattern.

Looks easy, doesn't it? Well, it is easy, requiring very little thought on my part, as well as using up my embarrassingly large stash of left-over sock weight yarn. I did not bring the entire amount of sock weight yarn with me, though, and I guess I will probably run out sometime next week. Sigh. 

Sidewalk Sale

Some Seward Merchants are having a Sidewalk Sale this weekend. I think most of them will be staying in their stores because the weather forecast points to continued HOT temperatures. Roxann (My business associate and owner of Cosmic Cow's The Udder Store) has lots of fabric, and also lots of yarn, for heaven's sake, for sale. Well, originally I thought I would have finished my stash busting moves at home by this time and have some of my own aged yarn to dump, I mean sell, at terrific prices, but I have not made any progress on that front.
Therefore, these yarns from Weedy Creek Yarn are on sale for the foreseeable future:

Here are some specs on the sale yarn:
Abracadabra: This is a yarn from Hikoo that changes colors when exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight). We have two colors left at the store, white to blue and white to pink. The fiber content is 35% Superwash Merino, 50% Polypropylene and 15% Nylon. It comes in a 50 gram hank of 100 yards. US needle size suggested is 4-6, and the gauge is 5.5-6 stitches per inch. It is a DK weight yarn, machine washable. Nice for shawls, hats, mittens, kids items
Piccolino: This is a 4-ply fingering weight yarn of 80% Merino Superwash Wool and 20% nylon. the gauge is 28-32 stitches per inch on size US 1 needles. Nice for baby items or socks. Machine wash.
Recycled Silk Ribbon (5 yard package): This yarn from Darn Good Yarn was made in Nepal or India from recycled silk saris and other materials that would otherwise go to waste. Great for crafting and embellishing.
Tee Cakes: Hikoo's Tee Cakes is constructed using strips of waste left over from the manufacturing of tee shirts. Colorful! Fun! Unique! 51% Cotton scraps, 49% scraps of undetermined fiber content. 225-300 gram cake contains about 75 yards. Use in knitting or crochet projects to make an interesting shawl or cowl, baskets, rugs, bath mats.
Tiara: The fiber content of Tiara yarn is 10% Kid Mohair, 5% Wool, 49% Acrylic, 22% Nylon, 10% Bead, 4% Sequin. Knit or crochet with beads and sequins without all the effort of threading each one! A one-skein shawl pattern is printed on the ball band. US 7-11 needles produces a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch.
Macaibo; Macaibo and Macaibo Print offer amazing color, texture and pattern changes all in one yarn. The yarn does the design work while you knit or crochet. It is a good choice for lightweight scarves, and a knitting pattern is available at the store. Made up of 51% cotton and 49% Viscose the 175 yard, 50 gram ball knits up to 5.5 stitches per inch on US 6-7 needles.
Starbella: This 100% Acrylic yarn is a richly colored, tape-style yarn used to knit or crochet beautiful scarves, accessories and trims. It is considered a super-bulky weight yarn that comes in a 100 gram ball with about 33 yards. Use crochet hook H8 or US 6 needles for 3.5-4 stitches per inch. Machine wash and dry. Here is a link for knitting directions for a scarf, and a link for a crochet purse.

Rub-a-Dub!

Toddler Hooded Towel

Rub-a-Dub is a 100% microfiber yarn distributed by Skacel Knitting. It is very soft, highly absorbent and dries quickly, making it a perfect choice for this "Squeaky Clean Toddler Hooded Towel". The pattern knits up quickly on size 11 needles, with a gauge of about 2 stitches per inch. I used one plus part of a second skein, with enough yarn from the second skein to make two washcloths. What a nice gift for a new Mom! This yarn retails for $16.
Stop by Weedy Creek Yarn and check it out!

Ringed Slouch Hat

Ringed Slouch Hat
Joanne Neeley, Weedy Creek Yarn, Seward, NE

This is a basic hat pattern knit in the round on a circular needle and double pointed needles. The pattern starts with 2x2 ribbing and then alternates between rings of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitch. The decreases make a five point swirl pattern and end with an I-cord top knot.

Size: one size fits most.
Yarn: Splatter Dash, 100% Superwash Merino, 1 skein Fall Mountain (220 yds., 3.5 oz.)
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
Needles: 16" US size 5 circular and set of size 5 double point needles
You will also need stitch markers and a tapestry needle.

Using the circular needles, cast on 100 stitches. Place a marker and join the stitches to knit in the round.
Ribbing rounds: *K2 P2* Repeat for round one. Repeat ribbing rounds for 1.5 inches.
Knit for 8 rounds.
Purl for 8 rounds.
Knit for 8 rounds.
Purl for 8 rounds.
Knit for 8 rounds.
Purl for 8 rounds.
Knit for 8 rounds.
Purl for 8 rounds. On last round place a marker after each group of 20 stitches.
Decrease rows. 
*Knit to two stitches before marker. K2 together.* Repeat around. (5 stitches decreased)
Repeat this round until 5 stitches remain. You will have to switch to double pointed needles after several of the decrease rounds have been knit.
Top Knot
Using the five remaining stitches and two of the double pointed needles make an i-cord approximately 5-6 inches in length. An i-cord is made in the following manner: knit 5. Do not turn. Slide the stitches back across the needle. Pull the working yarn tight and knit. Here is a video from Michele Hunter showing the technique. i-cord video . Work until about 5 inches have been completed. Bind off.