Mariannes Motifs

I made .48 cents!

When I posted my new free loom knit mock cable dishcloth pattern I put a pretty Amazon carousel widget underneath the download link.  The carousel spins around and lists a bunch of different books about loom knitting and simple knitting patterns.  Loom knitters tend to like simple patterns to work with the strengths and weakness of loom knitting.  For example, loom knitting is easier to learn than needle knitting, but the need for the correct number of pegs on the loom to match the pattern being made sometimes makes complex increasing and decreasing more difficult. (This is why I love my adjustable Wonderloom from DA Looms, by the way)

Well... I sold a book from my carousel widget - No Pattern Knits: Simple Modular Techniques for Making Wonderful Garments and Accessories by Pat Ashforth

Hurray for the Amazon Associates.   .48 cents isn't much, but over time I will end up with a nice Amazon gift card in payment and that makes me happy.  It's my own little ecommerce merchant account.

Loom Knit Mock Cable Dishcloth Pattern

Loom Knit Mock Cable Dishcloth

Designed by Marianne Case  ©2008

 Moderate / Easy

Measures approx. 8” x 8”

 This mock cable dishcloth looks nice on both sides.  This makes a nice gift washcloth paired with some handmade soap, or make in a baby color as a baby washcloth.  It could also be used as a square for a blanket in the manner of Mason Dixon knitting. Give yourself a smile when you do the dishes, wash your face, or clean counters.

I am so pleased that my very first pattern, the Mock Cable Dishcloth Pattern will be the October Loom-A-Long project for the Ravelry "Loomin' Dishcloths" group.  This pattern is free for all use, so enjoy.

Download loom_knit_mock_cable_dishcloth.pdf

 

Dr Seuss Knitting Ideas

Without breaking any copyrights, here are some ideas for some Dr. Seuss themed knitting projects:

Yertle the Turle:  Here is a free pattern from Knitty called Sheldon the Turtle.  Change the shell color to blue and make yourself a Yertle!

Cat in the Hat Scarf:  From Not Martha, here is a fun fur red and white striped scarf reminiscent of our very bad friend the Cat in the Hat.

Who doesn't need Grinch Gloves, like these from blogger Susan B. Anderson?

How to Crochet a basic Granny Square - Crochet 101 from KnitSimple Magazine

I only know the most basic crochet, but I think I could manage to follow these simple instructions for making a basic Granny Square from KnitSimple Magazine.

Coupled with the information found on Coolest Knitting Patterns using just squares and rectangles the humble Granny Square could become a building block for some interesting things. 

Coolest Knitting Patterns using just squares and rectanges

Don't forget to check out my Squidoo Lens:

Coolest Knitting Patterns using just squares and rectangles

And my Loom Knitting Lens.

Coolest Knitting Patterns using just squares and rectanges

I started a new Squidoo Lens called Coolest Knitting Patterns using just squares and rectangles.  I am pretty proud of this little piece of work - its a listing of patterns you can make that require no shaping!  Everything from the traditional poncho, to the ever so cool "squares slippers" I am making for the kids are listed.  I've even tried to focus on a lot of things in garter stitch so this is a great listing for beginners who want to go beyond scarves, but want to avoid doing decreasing, increasing, and all that sort of complicated finishing that lazy knitters (like myself) just don't like to do.

Of course these patterns are perfect for loom knitters, even though it is perfectly possible to do shaping on the looms, sometimes its just easier to stick with squares and rectangles!

Video showing off my loom knit shrug and pearlparadise.com necklace.

Folks, this is where it all starts to PAYOFF.  The hard work on my blog and hard work knitting.  Here is a video showing off the loom knit shrug I made using a pattern from the provocraft.com website.  I made the shrug on the green knifty knitter long loom.  The yarn is called soft boucle by Bernat. 

I am so excited that I got the opportunity to review these freshwater pearls from Pearl Paradise.   They gave me a choice of all different coloros of pearls, bracelet, necklace, white gold, yellow gold, etc.  I am a yellow gold kind of girl so that's what I chose.  These freshwater pearls are just about PERFECTLY ROUND and have a natural lavender luster to them.  They are not dyed - its a natural color.  They are smooth and gorgeous.  To me they look more like a salt water cultured pearl than what I was expecting from freshwater pearls.  I am so happy with the necklace I plan to buy the matching earrings to go with it!

Here is a photo of the box these came in - you really get a great presentation with this company.

However, while Jin and I were outside filming the little "movie" the kids got a hold of the display box and decided it made a good "stage" for some little people and little petshop pets.  :::shakes head:::  Oh well, so much for the glamorous life.

Bethany's Blogaversarry Party

Bethany of "Gettin' It Pegged" is having a blog anniversary party and contest today. One of the ways to partipate is to fill out this little questionnaire, so here is my entry.

1.  What was your age when you first discovered your love of yarn?  What (or who) was it that introduced you to all that fibery goodness?

My grandmother was a fast and furious knitter and I always watched her knit in awe.  I tried to learn when I was in high school but didn't quite get the hang of needle knitting.  Loom knitting has been really fun for me in the last 6 months or so.

2.If you could sit down with anyone in the world to have a little knit along, who would it be?

My grandmother, but alas that is not to be.

3.  What is your favorite comfy place or position in which to work with yarn?

I usually am sitting up in bed to knit.

4.  Like our heroine in the story below, do you ever dream about soft fuzzy goodness?  Or how to do a particular technique you’d never thought of while awake?

I do dream of new ideas.  I get a lot of my best ideas in the shower, too.

5. What type of loomer/knitter/crocheter are you?  Do you like long involved projects, or quickies full of fast satisfaction?

I like fast projects.  I have trouble sticking to bigger projects but I am getting ready to try an afghan so we'll see!

6. Have you ever guiltily postponed dinner due to your involvement with a project?

Nah, just order Chinese!

7.  What is your ultimate goal in your yarn life?

I would like to be able to design patterns.  My first pattern (a mock cable dishcloth) is under consideration for the September Loom-Along for the Ravelry Loomin' Discloths group.

8.  Do you have a favorite snack you like to munch while working with yarn?

Not really.  It's kind of hard to nibble and loom, isn't it?

9.  What is your all time most favorite yarn tool/accessory that you absolutely could not live without?

I like my ergonomic loom tool/crochet tool from provo craft.

10.  What is your favorite movie?

Recently I realy enjoyed seeing WALL-E with my boys.

11.  What is your favorite book as an adult…and what was yours as a child?

My favorite author is Jayne Ann Krentz.  I also am terribly fond of the Lord of the Rings.

12.  What are you working on right now with your yarn?

I am designing and knitting a Loom Knit Market bag on the Blue KK long loom.  I am working on version 2 right now.

13.  Is there a special project that you’ve been just dying for someone (or yourself) to design?

I am thinking about afghan stitch patterns right now.

14.  Did someone invite you to join in on the party today?

Nah, I just showed up.

Well, I feel like I have talked about everything including the kitchen sink as well as the kitchen faucets. If you got this far, thanks for reading.

Someone likes my bag!

I was cruising though my list of Loom Knitting blogs and when I got to Craft Junkie's blog what did I find but my name mentioned!  Wow!

She has my Loom Knit Market bag on her to do list.  Woo hoo.  I am making another one also.  This time I am using the blue Kifty Knitter long loom so it will be a bigger shopping bag.  And I am taking notes as I knit so that I can write up the pattern.  Ravelry members can see the write up for how I made the bag in my Ravelry projects list - my id is Mar1anneC.

Finished the Loom Knit Market Bag

Last night I finished the loom knit "market bag" I have been working on for the last 2 weeks.  I designed it myself based on a looking at other patterns.  One of the patterns I used as an inspiration is from the Rostitchery blog found here -- Loom Knit Market Bag. But I wanted mine to be a little bit more like the Knitty BYOB pattern.  Also, since I am sort of pattern reading impaired, it was really just easier for me to do my own thing.

It came out a little on the small side to use as a shopping bag for a large grocery trip, but I was able to fit a 1/2 gallon of OJ, packet of pasta, jar of Peanut Butter, crackers, and a box of tea in there with no problem whatsoever.  I think it might stretch out with use, so who knows maybe it's fine.  I just don't think a whole big box of cereal would fit well in there - the bag has a lot more stretch up and down than it does width-wise.  Next time I will use the Blue Long loom instead of the Green one.  I think its longer, but I am not sure where it is so I used the green one.

I am glad I got this project done last night.  (No, I am not taking any Phentermine - I just stayed up a little late watching the Braves game)  The next thing I am going to try is the Mitred Corners dishcloth from Loom Knit Circle Magazine.  I always finish a project before I start another so it was a good feeling to bind this off the green knifty knitter.  I also bound it off with the "super stretchy bind off" method, which I have never tried before so I learned something new.