Easter....Ostara....Spring time!

Regardless of what path you follow, this is the time of year for new beginnings, new creations, ect. So, this year, I decided to dabble in knitting dolls. I've been busy making Ostara eggs, owls for a friend, & finally found bunny directions. So very simple, you could even do them crochet, because all you need is a dish cloth, stuffing and a little extra yarn.

I still haven't figured out how to get these pics side by side yet.....one day, lol. Here's the YouTube link for the bunnies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_iJYfsoshE

The Owl is my own creation, I don't have a pattern, I just make an Easter Egg, & stitch the "ears" so they're pointy a little like an owl, stuff and close. Then I add whatever I feel for the eyes & beak.

Fingerless Gloves

These are very simple, beginner level, fingerless gloves. Only using 3 stitches that are extremely easy to learn. I even posted video's from YouTube at the bottom to help understand for beginners.

Here's a link of info on patterns, guide line to follow as far as asking to copy, share, ect.

http://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/article_archive/a_matter_of_principle.aspx

Pattern I wrote myself, so please do not copy to sell, and follow online guild lines about copy rights, ect.
 I did this on the round 24 peg loom, but since they're all flat panels, they can be done on any looms. If done on the round loom, don't go all the way around or it'll be way to big.

I made 4 panels, then sewn 2 together, leaving thumb holes to fit the thumbs.

FK = Flat Knit
P = Purl

Cast on 8 pegs, only work 8 pegs.
Rows:
1. Purl
2. E-wrap
3. Purl
4. E-wrap
5. Purl
6-17. E-wrap
18.-28. Flat Knit (FK)
29. P
30. FK
31. P
 Bind off with yarn needle.

  Here's some YouTube videos if your brand new to looming, or just forgotten how.....

Purl:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYFKncd7iDg
Flat Stitch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gmUY4y2w34
E-wrap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgNMT727w5M
This one is a cast off of a hat, even though we're not making a hat, its a similar concept with the yarn
needle (only not all the way around):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX6AovVGiac

Finger Weaving

Isn't it great to reuse, & recycle? To find new uses for things you have laying around the house? My daughter's have received Cotton Blended Loops for the pot holder loom over the past year, & are getting burned out on making the pot holders. So, I did a Pintrest search on crafts one day, & found directions for this bracelet:

I used these

And followed directions from here http://www.saifou.com/entry/20200.html
                      My daughters have at least 4, maybe 5 bags between them! Perfect for the trips from their dad's to here, or to my sister's (30 minute drive each way)!

Sock Monkey Love

I figured since this blog is all about Sock Monkeys, I'd add the one I grew up with. I remember always referring to it as a "he" or "him", so I'm now naming him, Grandpa. So, here's a pic of the trio together, Clyde, Bonnie, & Grandpa

They're all saying "Goodnight!"

Sock Monkeys.....Bonnie & Clyde

Here's Bonnie, I finished her yesterday. Just now am getting a chance to upload her pics. There is much love between these 2 monkeys, and in the near future, I'm seeing a little girl & boy that'll be going home to a newborn & a 1 year old this fall!

The one on top is Bonnie, and the one on left is Bonnie & Clyde. You remember Clyde, from the
first sock monkey blog I wrote the other day? Well, he's got a family now! They're both ornery monkeys...hence, the mischievous eyes. But, they are snugglable.

Keeping bored hands busy, keeps the owner out of trouble

So, I'm not really a crafty person, on my own, but if I see any idea, and know I can recreate it, I'll attempt it. My mom gave me a sock monkey as a child she made for me, and wishing I knew it was this easy when my girls were little, they would have had one then.....but, they're 10 & 11, so I decided to go ahead and make them one, now that I know how......
This is Clyde. His name may change, but, he's still the same, silly monkey who likes to change seating positions, and places where he is......he completely freaks out my husband, but, that's because his eyes wouldn't round like I hoped they would, to make him a sweet monkey, not mischievous!

 I got directions for him from: http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2
As you can see, they're very simple directions, for silly monkeys! I found these particular socks at my local Dollar Tree, they were well worth it, so I got 2 pair! I'm nearly finished with her, and they'll be a pair! Bonnie & Clyde, epic adventures!