Blog - Kimberlees Korner

Leisure Arts Knitting Book Review

Recently I was contacted by Leisure Arts and asked to review some of their new knitting books. These books are new releases and available for purchase from Leisure Arts.

The first book is called Slow Fashion Made Fast by Alexandra Tavel. This book contains 12 different knitting projects all made with super bulky #6 weight yarn. There are a wide variety of projects in this book. All projects are rated easy so even beginner knitters should be able to complete these patterns. You will find a chunky basket, a cowl, scarves, a shrug, a poncho, a wall hanging, a blanket and a cute and easy to knit bag. I really liked the bag – called the Slouchy Tote – and have started knitting that pattern in the last week. I was happy to find some yarn in my stash that would work for this pattern – it is the Lion brand Wool Ease, Thick and Quick.

Slow Fashion Made Fast - 12 Thick & Quick Knit Projects

Below is a photo of the bag I have started. The whole thing is knit in the round so there is no seam. It is knit with big needles, size US 15, so it works up very quickly. If you click on the photo above, titled Slow Fashion Made Fast, it will take you to the Leisure Arts page and you can view a better photo of the finished bag.

The other book I was asked to review is called Casual Weekend Knits by Andi Javori. This book is filled with 25 various projects. There are various cowls, scarves, ponchos, hats and a couple of bags and some boot cuffs you can make from this book. If you click on the image below it will take you to a view of the book at Leisure Arts and more details of the projects that are in this book.

Casual Weekend Knits - 25 Go Anywhere Knit Projects

Most of the knitting projects in Casual Weekends Knits are knit with a #4 weight yarn. There are a few that call for bulky or super bulky but the majority of them are medium weight. There is a cute knit headband in the book seen in the below photo that I will probably start as my next project after finishing my slouchy bag.

I feel like both of these books are a great addition to any knitters library. They both offer a wide variety of projects that would be great to get started on for gifts for this holiday season.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. All reviews are my own opinion.

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Knitting Book Review on Warm Up With Scarves and Cowls from Leisure Arts

I was recently given the opportunity to review the knitting book Warm Up With Scarves and Cowls from Leisure Arts publications. This book contains 9 fun and fairly easy knitting projects for scarves and cowls.

One of the scarves that caught my eye in this book was the Short Row Scarf – which is pictured on the left above. I recently bought some of the Jeans yarn from Lion brand yarn and decided it would be perfect for this project. Below is a photo of the scarf I have started with the Short Row Pattern.

The short row scarf is a great project for an intermediate knitter. It is worked in garter stitch – all knit. It is helpful for teaching you how to wrap and turn and do shaping which is useful in many other more advanced knitting projects. I would think even an advanced beginner could knit this scarf.

The other scarf that I really like in this book is the one pictured above. It is call the Triangle Scarf and is knit with 3 different yarns – 2 solid color yarns and one multi color. I may attempt this scarf as my next knitting project from this book.

There are also a couple of pretty lace cowls in the book and another cowl called the Mosaic Cowl which is in the photo above. The book is titled Warm Up With Scarves and Cowls but there are several projects in it that are lightweight enough that you could knit them for spring or summer weather.

You can click on any of the highlighted text or the photos to take you to the Leisure Arts website to order this book. I think you will really like all the projects it has – there are beginner and intermediate knitting patterns in this book.

I hope you enjoyed reading and learning more about this book.

-Kimberlee

*This post contains affiliate links.

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Stripe It Your Way Crochet Book Review

Recently I was given the opportunity from Leisure Arts to review a copy of the book Stripe It Your Way Crochet for Home & Fashion by Kristi Simpson. This book is a new publication from Leisure Arts.

Stripe It Your Way Crochet is for all levels of crocheters. All of the projects in the book are an easy level so a person who is just beginning to crochet should be able to complete these projects and an advanced crocheter will enjoy working on something simple and quick to complete.

The projects in this book are for fashion accessories and for home decor items. All of the projects use medium weight yarn and a size H, I, J or M hook. I love the look of the various stripe patterns the designer has used with each of the projects.

One of the projects that caught my attention was the Star Blanket. I have always wanted to crochet a motif style blanket and after seeing this pattern I decided I would make this one. So far it is coming along, I am using my own color scheme with Hobby Lobby, I Love This Yarn in 5 different colors. The blanket will look great in our living room when I finish it. The pattern seems to work up quickly and is easy to follow. You have to pay attention to the color changes though at the appropriate times as per the directions in the pattern.

Below is a photo of my version of the Star Blanket that I have completed so far. I am on the third color out of five for the blanket.

The Lacy Wrap is another project in the book I may start after finishing the Star Blanket. This wrap is crocheted with an openwork type of stitch and features a border of flower fringe on the ends. I think it will be a great spring or summer project.

If you like to crochet with medium weight yarn and enjoy striped patterns I think you will love this book. You can click Here or on any of the Stripe It Your Way Crochet photos above to take you to the Leisure Arts site where you can order your copy of this crochet book. *The links are affiliate links but all opinions in this blog post are my own.

-Kimberlee

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Weekend Knits Knitting Super Bundle

The Ultimate “Weekend Knits” Knitting Pattern Super Bundle

If there are a few things I know about myself, it’s that I like to stay busy and I’m a knitting fanatic. I like to keep things moving whether it’s work, socializing, or projects.

Sometimes, I need to slow down, and there is nothing more appealing after a busy week than the thought of a cozy weekend in.

But that doesn’t mean I want to just veg out and do nothing. One of my favorite things about weekends in is that I get some time to devote to my knitting projects.

I love big, intricate lace sweaters and cozy throws, but they take time, and with my busy schedule, sometimes it takes months to finish them.

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce The Ultimate “Weekend Knits” Bundle.

The “Weekend Knits” Knitting Pattern Super Bundle

The folks at Ideal Me have worked hard to curate over 30+ patterns in this bundle. They have been hand-picked by top Etsy designers and knitting bloggers, and each pattern is specifically designed to be completed within a weekend.

The patterns range from sweaters and blankets to hats and cowls, and each pattern is both gorgeous and simple enough to knock in a weekend of solid knitting.

Now through March 6th, you can get all 30+ “Weekend Knits” knitting patterns worth over $200 for over 90% off…but make sure to take advantage of this deal now because once the sale is over, the bundle is never coming back.

This bundle is full of amazing patterns from top designers, and it’s a deal you definitely won’t want to miss.

Take A Look At Just A Sample Of What You Comes In The Bundle:

Magic Mittens by Destiny of Knifty Knittings

Erland Mittens by Katrine of Katrine H. Designs

Deluxe Double Brim Hat by Mollie of White Owl Crochet Co.

Roseaux Turban Headband by Teresa of DeBrosse NYC

Bulky Etta Hat by Nicole of Miskunn

Juniper Beanie by Rebecca of RKC Handmade

Alaskan Knot Headband by Mollie of White Owl Crochet Co.

Bit Of Honey Beanie by Ashley of Toasty Tribes Handmade

Little Hearts Fair Isle Beanie by Destiny of Knifty Knittings

Malabrigo Headband by Katrine of Katrine H. Designs

Odenton Hat by Josie of Peony Knits

Cozy Campfire Beanie by Nicole of Woolfield

Cable Twist Headband by Caroline of Richmond Hill Knits

Vintage Knit Bonnet by Becca of Blue Ginger Yarn Co.

Carol Slouchy Hat by Marie of Muki Crafts

Moira Beanie by Angie of Whistle & Wool

Twisted Coil Headband by Chelsea of Hook and Knot Studios

Chamberlain Throw by Teresa of DeBrosse NYC

Easy Knit Baby Blanket by Becca of Blue Ginger Yarn Co.

Easy Knit Cardigan by Jessica of Mama In A Stitch

Easy Knit Hooded Cowl by Tammy of Posh Patterns

Chesapeake Scarf by Josie of Peony Knits

Simple Knot Sweater by Ashleigh of Sewrella

Huggle Hood by Jess of Make and Do Crew

Lace Ripple Scarf by Kimberlee of Kimberlee’s Korner

Drop Stitch Infinity Scarf by Tammy of Posh Patterns

Bohemia Wrap Shawl by Lilia of Lilia Craft Party

Jordan Hooded Cowl by Marie of Muki Crafts

Armor Hooded Scarf by Alexandra of Two of Wands

Super Bulky Leg Warmers by Jennifer of Bromefields

Easy Ombre Tablet Covers by Jennifer of Ladyship Designs

Sheep Coasters and Table Mat by Denny of iKnit Designs

Farmer’s Market Tote by Alexandra of Two of Wands

Aran Cable Booties by Caroline of Matilda’s Meadow

Cable Knit Boot Cuffs by Jennifer of Bromefields

Easy Knit Phone Case by Natalya of Natalya1905

Beginner Boot Cuffs by Caroline of Richmond Hill Knits

Knit Sheep Door Stop by Denny of iKnit Designs

Easy Knit Pants by Becca of Blue Ginger Yarn Co.

Simple Knit Pillow Covers by Jennifer of Ladyship Designs

Knitu by The Ideal Me Network ( idealme.com, dabblesandbabbles.com, simplycollectiblecrochet.com , creamofthecropcrochet.com and Stitch11.com

With this bundle, you can create so many awesome knitting projects that are perfect for gifts or as a quick project to knock out on the weekend.

You’ll be able to seamlessly work through this bundle and always have a ton to show for it. No more half finished projects.

Grab Yours Here

The “Weekend Knits” Knitting Pattern Super Bundle has over $200 worth of resources and you get it all for 90% off retail because we all need a little more “me” time.

With this “Weekend Knits” Super Bundle You’ll Get Everything You Need To:

— Create gorgeous, handmade knitting projects

— Kickstart your creative inspiration

— Learn new stitches

— Save time, money & energy

— Unwind & finish projects

There are so many knitting goodies in this bundle, and I can’t wait for you to see them.

You’ll want to snag yours now because the package is only available through March 6th.

Get Your Bundle Here

Plus, there’s no reason not to check it out since it’s backed by a 30 day money back guarantee.

They take the risk, you get the reward. Isn’t that how business should be?

If you’re a knitting lover of any level, I know you’ll love this super bundle as much as I do, and I can’t wait to see all of your finished projects.

It has the power to transform your knitting arsenal with tons of cute, trendy, and original patterns that you can use over and over again.

Who’s ready for a weekend in?

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Red Polka Dot Bathing Suit

I recently finished sewing this red polka dot bathing suit. This is one of the many sewing projects I wanted to complete this summer.

The pattern I used to make this bathing suit is a vintage pattern that I bought last summer from an Etsy seller. If you go on Etsy and type in the search “bathing suit pattern” you can find lots of sellers that have patterns. It seems like it is hard to find a pattern in the store these days – I guess it is not popular to sew your own bathing suit anymore. I actually prefer to sew my own bathing suit as I can get the fit the way I want it. I will admit sometimes you have to make the pattern a couple of times before it is exactly how you want it but the result is worth it – a good fit and a bathing suit that will last for several years, most likely.

The pattern was made back in 1973 according to the pattern information. As you can see it was only a dollar back then. I think I paid around $6 or $8 for it on Etsy. I have made version 2, in the right hand corner, three times now. I made one last summer and had to make a few adjustments to it and I made two this summer. I recently finished a turquoise bathing suit in addition to the red polka dot bathing suit.

The fabric I bought for this bathing suit was from Spandex World. I also bought it last year at the end of summer so it was on clearance. The fabric I used for the lining was panty spandex from Sew Sassy. I think it only cost me about $15 to $20 to make this red polka dot bathing suit and that includes the elastic and back closure.

Some tips for sewing your own bathing suit:

Use decent quality swimwear fabric and purchase a little extra in case you need to make another top or bottom with adjustments to your pattern
Be familiar with sewing on stretchy fabrics that have spandex or lycra in them
Line the top and the bottom for best results – you can use swimwear lining or panty spandex
Use a stretch sewing machine needle size 75/11
Use a narrow zigzag stitch for topstitching the elastic as it will stretch more

Places to order supplies for making your own bathing suit:

Spandex World – lots of swimwear fabric at reasonable prices
Etsy – for swimwear fabric and bathing suit patterns, also the back closures
Sew Sassy – good quality elastic that is reasonably priced, plastic back closures, swimwear lining and thin foam cup inserts for the top

What sewing projects have you been working on lately? Let me know in the comments.

– Kimberlee

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Cotton Knit Tunic

It is the beginning of August and very hot here in Texas. Since the weather is warmer I try and knit with lighter yarns that are made of cotton. Knitting with wool or chunky yarn is not very appealing to me when the temperatures get above 90 degrees.

I recently finished this design for a cotton knit tunic. It is knit with a yarn from Hobby Lobby called I Love This Cotton – perfect for lighter weight summer projects.

This cotton knit tunic features a drop stitch pattern in the lower half and a scoop neckline. It can be worn as a tank top or with a shirt underneath as a vest when the weather is cooler.

In the above photo you can see a close up of the scoop neckline design which features a garter stitch edging.

The Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton yarn works well for this knit tunic pattern. I think other 100% cotton yarns would also work well that are a medium weight. I will probably be knitting another one soon in a cotton and acrylic yarn blend that I have in my stash from Knit Picks yarn company.

The pattern for this knit sweater is available in my etsy shop or on craftsy.

What knitting projects have you finished this summer?

-Kimberlee

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Dashes Knit Sweater

The Dashes Knit Sweater is a knitting pattern I recently designed. This sweater features a textured stitch pattern, short sleeves and a scoop neckline.

The yarn used to knit this sweater is from the Plymouth yarn company. It is called Monte Donegal Hand Dyed yarn. The yarn is a blend of Alpaca, Merino Wool, Acrylic and Rayon. It is not super soft but it is comfortable against the skin and has a nice drape for a sweater. Other cotton or acrylic weight yarns would also work well for this sweater in my opinion – maybe even a Noro yarn.

The sweater is knit with a size US 7 knitting needle. I used circular knitting needles but straight could also be used – although once you get to the sleeve area you may want circular needles to accommodate the larger stitch count.

This sweater is knit in two pieces and then sewn together. If you are familiar with knit and purl stitches, casting on stitches in a project and seaming knit pieces together then you can complete this sweater.

The photo above is a close up view of the stitch pattern. It is easier to see what it looks like on this solid color yarn than the Monte Donegal yarn I knit the sweater with. The pattern is a four row repeat and very easy to follow.

To learn more about the pattern you can visit my Etsy shop. I will also have it available on Craftsy and Ravlery and here on my website.

I am currently designing another short sleeve sweater pattern in a cotton yarn that will be coming soon to my Etsy shop and website.

Have a great day!

-Kimberlee

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New Workouts For Spring 2017

I have been doing some new workouts for Spring 2017 and wanted to share them on my blog. The workouts are called Classical Stretch, by Miranda Esmonde-White. They are broadcast on many PBS stations but I had never heard of these workouts until a friend from church recently told me about them.

I found out my local library had the book Aging Backwards by Miranda Esmonde-White and I checked it out. The first half of the book is about aging and a lot of information on your muscles and cells and joints and how they age. The book goes into a lot of detail on the Eccentrics, or Classical Stretch, exercise program and how she developed it and why. It explains how and why exercising and doing the right type of full body exercises can make you feel better, prevent injuries and keep us young even in our old age. The second half of the book are the exercises with photos and explanations on how to do them.

After checking the book out I decided to order one of her dvd sets. They are around $65.00 for a set of 4 dvd’s with a complete season of Classical Stretch. I ordered season 10 – Strength and Flexibility. It is one of the more recent seasons. You can go on to the classicalstretch.com website and when you click on store on the left side there are options that you can plug in like your age and fitness level and it will give you suggestions on what workouts are best for your level. The strength and flexibility one came up as one for me so I chose it.

So far I have done about half of the workouts out of the 30 workouts on the dvds. Each workout is approximately 23 minutes long. I really thought they were going to be too easy for me since I workout regularly – like 5 or 6 days a week – using some pretty hard workouts sometimes. But, I have been pleasantly surprised that the workouts are not what I expected. They are easier than my Cathe Friedrich and P90X3 workouts but they seem to work and they are lengthening and strengthening my body – especially my waist and my hips.

I have never done Tai Chi but I believe the exercises are part Tai Chi (as she mentions that the stances are in a couple of the workouts) part stretching, moving yoga and pilates all combined. At least that is how I describe it. I have been using the workouts about 3 days per week and some days I actually do 2 of them since they are shorter than what I normally do – if I do 2 workouts then it is about 46 minutes and I really feel a total body conditioning.

The workouts are all done in bare feet with just your body weight and minimal to no equipment. They are divided into All Standing, All Barre, or All Floor. When you do the All Standing it is just your body weight. If it is a Barre workout you need a chair. The floor workouts it is nice to have an exercise mat and she also uses some risers with a few exercises that look like large yoga blocks but she also says you can use a phone book or an encyclopedia.

I would recommend these workouts to anyone who is looking to get an overall total body workout, improve their posture and get more toned. I think the workout dvd’s I bought are possibly for a more experienced exerciser but I believe there are many others that are suitable for beginners.

So, I have now incorporated Classical Stretch into my weekly workout schedule – at least 3 times per week. The other 2 or 3 days that I workout I am still doing my Cathe workouts doing cardio or weights or a combination of both using her Strong and Sweaty series and Low Impact Series.

What workouts have you recently tried?

Have a great week!

-Kimberlee

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Health Documentaries I Have Recently Watched

Recently I have watched quite a few health documentaries. Good health is important to me and I like to be informed and keep up with the latest info on health.

Here is a list of the health documentaries I have seen – some are available on Netflix and others I checked out from my local library. The library is a great source for books and dvd’s on health and well being, in my opinion.

Hungry For Change – I have seen this before in the past but it was good to review it again
Food Matters
Food Choices
Cowspiracy
Plant Pure Nation
Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue
Carb Loaded – A Culture Dying to Eat
In Defense of Food

The above, Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue I found at my local library. It is about a Texas firefighter, Rip Esselstyn, who eats a plant based diet and he goes to two different families homes to convert their pantries and their eating habits. I found it interesting and a good health documentary for someone looking to convert to better eating habits. He has also written several books based on the Engine 2 Diet. I am on a wait list at the library for his newest book called The Engine 2 Seven Day Rescue Diet. If my library has the book then I like to check it out there first and see if it is something I am interested in buying.

In Defense of Food is the most recent health documentary I have watched. I also found this at the library. This health documentary is a fairly recent release – it says 2015 on the back of the dvd case. I like the philosophy behind this which is “Eat Food – Not Too Much – Mostly Plants” -Michael Pollan. I find the information in this documentary reasonable and an easy to follow plan compared to some of the other health documentaries I have recently viewed.

Overall, these health documentaries all have a common thread – too many people are not eating the right foods and the health of our children and society in general is suffering. If more people focused on eating a plant based diet, avoiding processed foods and excess sugar then there are many conditions and health problems that can be avoided, or even in some cases reversed, according to claims in many of the health documentaries I have recently watched.

One of the reasons I have watched so many of these health documentaries lately is because I have an interest in maintaining good health and teaching my children to be healthy and be conscious of what they eat. Today there are so many food choices and lets face it – a lot of them are just really not that good for you. If I can influence my kids to have some idea of what is a healthy food and what isn’t then I feel like they are more likely to make better choices in the future as they get older.

After watching the Plant Pure Nation documentary on Netflix I found out that there are several cookbooks that go along with the documentary. I found the one above, Plant Pure Kitchen, at Barnes and Noble a couple weeks ago. I have already made a few of the recipes and they are good. (As you can see I have several marked to try with sticky tabs) My kids even like the nacho cheese sauce which is actually made without any cheese or milk and tastes great. There is a page that explains how to build, or make, veggie burgers that is informative and there are a few veggie burger recipes in the book, too. I have been making my own veggie burgers for the last six months and really do not miss beef.

The Get Healthy Go Vegan Cookbook was one I had checked out from the library and liked so I found it at Half Price Books last week and decided to purchase it. There are a lot of good recipes in this book as well and I have tried a few and enjoyed them. They are all plant based and easy to follow.

So, as far as going Vegan – as it seems many of the health documentaries suggest as being the best diet – I am not there yet. I am trying to eat less meat each week and to be honest with you I don’t really miss it. I think going without any type of cheese or dairy is a little harder though. Also, my husband and my three sons are probably not going to be too thrilled if I totally quit cooking meat or buying cheese. It is hard to change habits of others – probably harder than changing your own habits. So for now we are focusing on eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains and I am sneaking in vegan or vegetarian recipes when I can.

-Kimberlee

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Knitting Projects Using Chunky Yarns

The last couple of months I have created some new knitting projects using chunky yarns. One of the projects is a scarf and the other two are cowls.

The scarf in the photos above was knit with Lion brand yarn – Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn. It took two skeins to complete this scarf. It works up really fast on large size US 13 knitting needles. I really like the stitch I used to design this scarf as it is reversible – meaning it looks the same on both sides.

The purple cowl above is another knitting project using chunky yarns that I have recently completed. The yarn used for this cowl was from Michael’s. It is their brand of yarn called Country Loom from Loops and Threads. This is a nice yarn for a reasonable price and it knits up quickly. I used a size US 15 to knit this cowl. The cowl is knit in the round using circular knitting needles so there is no seam. This knitting project also took 2 skeins of yarn.

My most recently finished knitting project using a chunky weight yarn is the cape – cowl in the photos above. This design is also knit using the Loops and Threads Country Loom yarn from Michael’s. It is knit using size US 15 and size US 13 circular knitting needles – it is knit in the round. This cowl – cape is knit using a different stitch than the purple cowl and it is slightly wider so it can also be worn as a cape to keep the shoulders and back warm. I love how it turned out with the big large wood flower button at the top.

All of the above designs can be found in my etsy and craftsy shops. I will also be putting them in my ravelry store and on the Love Knitting site. You can click on the highlighted text to take you to those links for my patterns.

What are some of the chunky weight yarns you like to knit or crochet with? Let me know in the comments.

Have a great day!

-Kimberlee

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