Autumn Favorites

I've been very busy this season with house chores, knitting pieces for a ladies luncheon bazaar at church this month! Below are my favorite things I found on this colorful chilly season!

Favorite Food⭐

 

The nutrients like vitamin C and fiber play a very important role in cranberry's health benefits. Most people commonly consumed this food in a form of juice processed from the berries, instead eating them whole. I've been enjoying by eating them on cereal, oat meal, or just on the meals. I absolutely love, love them and they are not acid anymore to me!

Favorite Kitchen Tool⭐

We recently bought a KitchenAid Artisan at Bedbathandbeyond. This stand mixer is the best thing in my kitchen, not doubt, it is helping me to make bread recipes in a professional level. It also has a quiet sound, and keeps mixing mess-free when using the pouring shield, which is a nice feature. This season for holiday baking, the mixer is my essential tool for producing incredible breads, cakes, etc. It is also taking my baking skills to the next level, and it definitely is helping me to change the way I used to make the gluten-free bread for my hubby. With this essential machine effortlessly knead whole-wheat bread dough without straining on the counter top! I am not buying bread anymore, since I can make my own bread at home! 

Favorite Article⭐

Writing patterns are the challenging part for me. When a project is done I feel very happy. However it demands a lot of thinking and writing. I found this clever and amazing article which helps on how to do an order list of things when patterning a crochet piece. I would like to apply it on my knitting as well.

Lillabjorn Crochet World shares everything you need when writing patterns from sketching to testing them, which inspire me yet more! I like this practical advice. It is marvelous, and I am really fascinated with it!

Favorite Yarns⭐

The highest quality of yarns are my priority. Knit Picks is currently my favorite choice. The fibers are Peruvian and they have nice blends. I love to use those that are 100% such is alpaca, wool or blends that are only from animals, or the ones that are only from plants. I am working with my favorite ones this season like alpaca, and merino wool. The pieces that will be done are slippers, socks, mittens, a hat, and a cowl neck. Over all, I learned that Knit Picks have a nice selection of yarns, enhanced comfort in knitted garments, and are low in price.

Favorite Quote⭐

I think it is healthy to spend time with God daily. It is always inspiring. I like to balance by spending value time with people who are close to me such is my family, and friends and work. I like to analyze what really matters in a conversation and what constructive can be in order to stay or leave it. I was taught when growing up to be wise on choosing anything in my life, as well to have the chance to do well or bad. I love to learn from the scriptures, which fill me with knowledge in the way to be oriented on doing things right. 

Who you like to choose to spend the time with?

Favorite Boots⭐

 

We were looking for Uggs at the local store of Nordstrom Rack on Jan of this year but my husband and I couldn't find my size. Amazingly, we found these wonderful boots branded Bear Paw. They are super comfortable and soft, and warm to my feet. They are made in leather with a softest fur of merino sheep! They are also affordable. Since then, they have been my best friends for the chilly days of the year, and especially this season.

Favorite Movie⭐

I was fascinated when we went to the local amc Square 7 theater. I felt like it was in a mansion home theater, especially with those soft chairs where you can relax and be comfortable. Anyway, the movie is an outstanding film directed by Mel Gibson called Hacksaw Ridge! Based on a true story of a true courageous hero Desmond Doss, who refused to bare arms, and was awarded with the Congressional Medal of Honor. The actor Andrew Garfield plays it spectacular, and he is now one of my latest favorite actors as well.

Favorite Knitted garment⭐

I finished knitting this piece the last days of September and I can not wait to wear it on tanks and dresses. The top fits me just right and it goes well on some of my autumn/spring outfits. It is made in blends of cotton's fibers. I like it very much for the shine, texture, and draping

If you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know, I will be more than happy to answer, this concludes this post of my Autumn favorites!

Blanca😚

Mug Warmer

The feel of this textured warmer brings traction when holding up your mug. Knitted in a seed stitch, and for a bit of lace detailed with a picot stitch.

Size

For a mug of 4 inches in diameter

Length 10 inches

width 2.5

Materials

Bulky yarn, scraps or approximately 35 yards.

Straight Needles

1 Size 10mm, and a crochet hook J10 (6mm)

Notions

yarn needle, button

Gauge

8 stitches and 55 rows in seed stitch.

Feel free to use the pattern to make gifts for friends or family. Download a PDF pattern

Happy knitting ☺

Blanca

Appliqué Mittens

The soft touch of merino wool gives these mittens the comfort and wear-ability for the chilly and cold days of the year. Detailed with embroidered steams and bullion, and crocheted applique leaves placed over side-way to embellishing them. Worked in stockinette stitch using a stripe pattern of two colors. The thumb is placed underneath the hand rather than the side.

Sizes S/M (L)

Finished measurements 6 (7)" hand circumference; 8” long

Materials

Yarn: Knit Pick Swish DK (100% super-wash merino wool) 123 yards/50 gram ball; 1 ball of Green Tea Heather (A), or color of your choice. Denis Nordique (100% wool) 150 yards ball; 1 ball of Bottle Green (B), or color of your choice.

Needles: 1 set of 5 dpns, size 3 and 5 (3.25 mm and 3.75 mm )

1 crochet needle G6 (4 ¼ )

Notions: Stitch marker, waste yarn, darning needle

Gauge 12 sts and 16 rnds to 2" in St st

Download Free Instructions Here!

Note: When changing colors for stripes, hold yarn to the left and pick up new color from underneath. This twists yarn so there are no holes.

Blanca ♥

Back to School Bracelet and Hair Band

These little accessories for teenagers girls are cute, fun to make, and to wear at school. They can be personalized with your favorite words! Features picot stitches for a bit of lace, and a delicate finish. Thread can be in other color, too. Made in linen.

Both:

Sizes: bracelet 7 inches long aprox.; hair band from 18 inches to the desire length.

Materials: Knit Picks Lindy Chain Linen. 1 ball 180 yds/ 50 g. About 40 yds used for these two little projects.

Notions: Crochet hook US 1B or size for gauge, beads with letters, scissors, two claps.

Gauge: hair band *2 repeats = about 2 in.

bracelet * 2 repeats = about 2 in. Gauge is not critical

Abbreviations:

single Crochet = sc
Chain (s) = Ch (s)
Slip stitch = Sl st
Continue = Cont
Repeat = rep
Round = Rnd
Bo = Bind off
Approximately = aprox
Yards = yds

Instructions

Download PDF Here

Click here for support

I thank you for your time and please let me know if you have any question.

Blanca+

Cute ideas on organizing

Wishing a happy week for you all!

It is time to get organized!  I have to show you what can help with cute ideas, and this  special issue from December 2010 on cloth.paper.scissors studios offer many, many creative ways on organizing small to big spaces for wherever you can call it; studio, art space, work space. I got it from Barnes & Noble back on 2011. It is very handy for teachers, students, especially at this time of the year! It illustrates infinity of possibilities, and it is helping me the way how to keep organized specially my yarns, needles, fabrics, books, art projects and many things.

There are inspirational ideas that artists can use to update your art corner over and over, and now I am picking up this magazine again to get inspired on how to reorganize my tiny creative space. I just wanted to let you know that there are many ways to explore on get a nice clean environment for your creativity. The editor's letter explains that some small work spaces measure even as 3 feet wide so from that, you can imaging what you can do if have more room! My favorites pages are the 62 which is same as the cover, 91, 92, 112, 113, 128, 136. On the link you can find more info related to this special issue.

I let you with this beautiful video...




Blessings,

Blanca

Linen project in progress

Hi everyone, picking up this project again to continue stitching it. I have been stuck thinking all the time, when can I be finished with this one? I told my mom I started making it for her. She asked me long ago about she wanted a crocheted nice breezy top, and there we go here is in progress. I feel urged to finish it and send it to her for the last days of summer in Florida, but I think I still can have time since the fall weather there continues warm but no, there are not more excuses, I need to try keep going anyways :). So here is the lace fabric looks like, the linen thread is very fine but it is pleasant to work with, the feeling of the linen is just wonderful, it drapes beautiful. I just cannot wait to accomplish it soon. Eventually the pattern can be released. This is an easy, breeze design to try. Can be worked on any other yarn or thread, too!

Have a wonderful afternoon,

Blanca

Basil

I started this project of basil top since last year, and had to stop it because yarn was over. I decided to order it later but took me long time to do so; meanwhile I decided to jumping onto another project at that time, and that is what was happening since I posted it back on April 22, 2015,  sounds crazy, right? That is why some times it takes for ever some of my knitting projects to be done. Well, recently I just got my ball of yarn to continue with this piece, and wanted to share how it goes. Here it is pinned on dress form and hopefully will be ready at least for the last days of summer.

I need to work the collar and has to be accomplished with that. I love this color, it is very handy to match clothes in different colors, and I think fall colors can be perfect to integrate this garment! 

Now I want to tag this quote I like very much from a Canadian novelist, and let you with a bit of the tvfilm that amazes me, and reminds me those days of young hood when we dream to have a Gilbert, too! that later became a reality in my life, never is too late I think, right?...

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Tumbler Cover

Tumblers are very handy to have on the go with cold drinks. They also are very special when are personalized. Being outdoors or indoors their straws are exposed to particles in air so this crocheted cover helps to protect them!

Features a motif with an attached mini hat for straw tip. It can be made in neutral or vibrant colors to match monograms, and are great as a gift

Click here to find the pattern on Ravelry for free!
Do not forget add your finished project ;)

Now you can sip without worry and happy knitting:)

Blanca

Inge's Slippers

Hi, here I am again. Thought these slippers could help my mother-in-law to get warm during the chilly evening days as well to get some comfort to her feet. The inspirational idea started when I found last month some videos of knitting Tiny Owl Knits, and caused me curiosity all the interesting pieces the designer makes. One of them are gorgeous like the Alice March Slippers! very fast project to make. So here is my version.

Made in bulky yarn. From toe up method, I used an invisible increase technique for toes, and a German short heel rows for heels. It worked out smoothly and invisible without holes. I stitched soles of sheep skin leather from an old jacket I got in a state sale. The bows are from an unfinished knitted piece of mohair yarn, and contrasted ribbons that I had in my stash. After all, I think they are special, and are great for gift!

She really loves them, and think even to sleep with them on!

Thank you for your time,

Blanca♥

Natural Fibers

Fiber is a natural substance produced by plants and animals that can be spun into thread or rope and in a next step woven, knitted, matted or bound.

For clothing natural fibers can give some benefits, such as comfort, good for us and our planet.

Here are some of the natural fibers that develop or occur in the fiber shape. They can be classified according to their origin:

• Vegetables fibers: include among others cotton, jute, flax, hemp, and bamboo

• Animal fibers: include among others silk, wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, and angora.

Fabulous fibers features for knitting among others are:

Cotton

It is a soft, fluffy fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will tend to increase the dispersal of the seeds. The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and is used to make a soft, breathable textile.

Jute

It is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads, Jute is one of the most affordable natural fibers and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses of vegetable fibers.

Flax

It is also known as common flax or linseed. The textiles made from flax are known in the western countries as linen, and traditionally used for bed sheets, underclothes, table linen, and for hand-made knitting garments.

Silk

It is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvaer of the mulberry silkworm. Silk is produced by several insects, but generally only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for textile manufacturing.

Wool

It is the textile fiber obtained from sheep. Wool has several qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it is crimped, it is elastic, and it grows in staples (clusters). Wool's scaling and crimp make it easier to spin the fleece by helping the individual fibers attach to each other, so they stay together. Because of the crimp, wool fabrics have greater bulk than other textiles, and they hold air, which causes the fabric to retain heat. 

Cashmere wool
 

It is a fiber as wool but is finer and softer, giving its characteristics as compared to sheep's wool. Cashmere is fine in texture, strong, light, and soft. Garments made from it provide excellent insulation, approximately three times that of sheep wool.

Mohair

It is usually a silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the angora goat. Both durable an resilient, mohair is notable for its high luster and sheen, which has helped give it the nickname the "Diamond Fiber", and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair process dye exceptionally well. Mohair is warm in winter as it has excellent insulating properties, while remaining cool in summer. It is durable, naturally elastic, flame resistant. It is considered to be a luxury fiber, like cashmere, angora and silk, and is usually more expensive than most wool that comes from sheep.

Angora hair or Angora fiber

Refers to the downy coat produced by the Angora rabbit. While their names are similar. Angora fiber is distinct from mohair, which comes from the Angora goat. Angora is known for its softness, thin fibers, and what knitters refer to as a halo (fluffiness). It is also known for its silky texture. It is much warmer and lighter than wool. It also gives them their characteristic floating feel.

Alpaca

Is a domesticated species of  American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance. There are two breeds of alpaca; the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca.

In the textile industry, "alpaca" primarily refers to the hair of Peruvian alpacas but more broadly it refers to a style of fabric originally made from alpaca hair.

Thanks for your time,

Blanca☻♡

Socks for a gift

As you see, I miss followers here. Nevertheless I am pleased that my dear family had been checking on my knitting and things  for the past months letting down kindness comments😉.

I like to give away little knitting pieces I make as presents to family, and friends during the holidays at the end of the year, and have not time to post at least some of them.

Now. I present this little project I made to my husband for Valentine's day. Toe Up Socks!

Again he loves my knitting socks because I make them customized to fit his feet properly without being tight, I would say very roomy as you see.

Here is a helper that makes my knitting go faster!

Recommended yarn: Stroll from Knit Picks. It is versatile, and because of the merino wool, it gives a super soft feeling! Constructed from toe up, and patterned in two colors. You will need just two balls combined in fingering weight to accomplished this project! Finished in size Medium +customized fit. Made base on method of “Bulky Winter Socks" a pattern which eventually will be released.

Cheers,

Blanca