Category: Crochet

WIP for June

June 18, 2014 kimberlee 4 Comments

WIP stands for work in progress and I have quite a few of those for this month. I typically have at least one crochet and one or two knitting projects going at all times but I got involved in a few extra this month and wanted to show what I have been working on lately.

I continue to work on my Noro garter and lace shawl that I started last summer and put aside. I really like this yarn and the project but it is like knitting with toothpicks on these tiny size 4 needles. I have a goal to get it done this summer though. I am a little more than halfway through with it now.

Below is a close up of the lace and garter rows. I now have over 250 stitches on my circular needles so it takes me at least 10 minutes to complete one row. I believe I will end up with over 375 stitches by the time it is finished.

My friend Karen and I decided to knit this advanced lace shawl called My Cat Stole My Heart. It is a pattern from Knit Picks. We usually meet and knit together at Starbucks twice a month and decided to do a KAL – Knit Along – together. She was planning to knit this for a friend and give it to her by September but the pattern is so long and very complex that she has changed her mind and will be knitting something a little easier for her friend.

The yarn I choose to knit this Cat Stole My Heart shawl is from Knit Picks – called Chroma fingering weight yarn. The color is called prism and I love it! The pattern called for lace weight yarn but I just couldn’t find one I really liked and decided to try it with this fingering weight. So far I am pleased with how it looks – this is my progress after about 10 days. I do not work on this every day because it is the type of knitting project that you have to really focus on and pay attention so you can not be talking to anyone or watching TV. I usually sit outside in the morning on my patio with my coffee after my workout and knit a few rows.

The below photo is a close up of the shawl – it is altering rows of a cat paw print and a lace heart design – the hearts go one way the paw print the other.

Around the same time I started the cat shawl I began a baby blanket for a gift for my neighbor who I just found out was pregnant and due any day. They are new neighbors and I had not seen them much the past few months and didn’t know she was having a baby. This is their first child and a little girl so of course I had to go through my stash and find a pretty pink yarn to knit a baby blanket. I never get to make pink things – other than for myself – since I have three sons. I am about halfway done with this little blanket. I am just using a simple diagonal knitting pattern (like for the dishcloths) that has a little openwork edge.

The dishcloths are a new obsession of mine lately since I participated in the May KAL with my facebook knitting group. I started another star pattern dishcloth in this red, white and blue stripe cotton yarn that I found at Joann last week. I like working on this for something simple that I can do while watching TV or talking to someone. Also, these dishcloths are very portable projects and easy to work on anywhere.

One of the other things I have started in the past few weeks is a crochet project using the Patons Glam stripe yarn I got on sale at Michaels back in May. I really like this yarn and I am designing a wrap and a shrug pattern with it. I have already knit a scarf with the yarn and I like how it looks and it is a nice yarn to work with.

I have also continued to watch some of my craftsy knitting class Lace Knitting Basics and Beyond with Eunny Jang. I am already familiar with knitting lace but I wanted to take this class to learn more about knitting lace patterns and reading charts. So far I am really pleased with the class and I like the instructor. She is easy to listen to and understand. You can click on the highlighted link to learn more about the class or click on the craftsy link in the right sidebar to learn more about their other knitting classes.

I would love to hear about your WIP – (work in progress) or any finished projects as well. Click on Leave a Reply to tell me about them.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crochet Knitting

Tags: baby blanket, blanket, Crochet, crocheting, knitting, lace knitting, lace shawl, noro shawl, shawls, work in progress

Crochet Yoga-Pilates Strap

April 25, 2014 kimberlee 10 Comments

If you do yoga or pilates then you know that sometimes there is a need for a strap or belt for some of the poses or exercises. Basically this is a long piece of sturdy fabric. I have a really old purple canvas type of belt that I believe came with a yoga dvd I bought years ago. I decided it would be fun to crochet my own – this is what I came up with:

To make this strap you will need cotton yarn – 2 skeins, and a size US K crochet hook. I just used some leftover yarn from other projects so you will not need the whole 2 skeins – this is a great project to use up some yarn you have laying around. I have written up a pdf pattern that you can download with directions on how to. Click on the highlighted text to take you to the pattern. Crochet Yoga or Pilates Strap Pattern from Kimberlees Korner

I really like how this strap turned out and have used it a couple of times in the past week or two. It is super easy and fast to crochet. The cotton yarn makes this yoga strap nice and soft and washable, too. It would be a great gift for any person you know that does yoga or pilates. I have a few people in mind that I will be making some for as gifts.

Here are some of the exercises you can do with this strap:

There are lots of other exercises you can do, these are just a few to give you an idea. This strap is also a great stretching and flexibility tool which is what I was using it for in the photos as I did this after doing a cardio and ab workout. I normally do yoga or pilates without my shoes on.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. I am currently working on a couple of new knitting patterns that I will be sharing soon. What projects are you working on?

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crafts Crochet Exercise

Tags: Crochet Pattern, crochet pilates strap, crochet project, crochet yoga strap, crocheting, flexibility, free crochet pattern, free pattern, pilates strap, stretch belt

Crochet and Knitting Olympic Style

February 18, 2014 kimberlee 4 Comments

The opening ceremony of the Olympics in Sochi inspired me to get busy and crochet and knit some Team USA scarves. I really liked the sweaters the USA team wore and I decided to design my own Olympic knitwear.

The first project I designed last week and crocheted every evening while watching the games was this Infinity Scarf. I used a US K crochet hook so it worked up pretty fast. The scarf is a multi color scarf using 3 different yarns. It was a lot of fun to make. I have already wore it a few times – although our weather in Texas has gotten kind of warm the last couple of days so I am glad I wore it last week.

This crochet Infinity Scarf can also be worn long – the above photo it is double wrapped. I wore it to church the other day the long way since it was a little warmer that day.

The other scarf I designed is a knit version. I knitted this one in a pretty feather and fan stitch. It was fairly easy and I think it actually went faster than my crochet version – which is unusual because I think I crochet faster than I knit. I used size US 10 needles for the knit version and again 3 colors of various yarns – 2 of them the same as the crochet version. This too was a lot of fun to create. It could also be made in other color combinations for various holidays or seasons.

Both of these scarves are patterns I have designed and they will be coming soon to my etsy shop and to my craftsy pattern store.

I have been in Team USA creative mode and also made a really pretty wreath. I will be posting that in the next couple of days with instructions on how to make it so be sure to subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS by clicking on the icons in the sidebar.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crochet Knitting

Tags: crochet infinity scarf, crochet project, crochet scarf, knit scarf, knitting project, olympic color scarves, red white & blue scarves, tri color scarf

Red Crochet Tunic

February 14, 2014 kimberlee 3 Comments

This week has been filled with crochet projects. I recently finished this crochet tunic design and figured today was a great day to share it since it is red and today is Valentines Day!

This project took me a while to complete. I think it was because I made it quite long and you have to crochet a front and a back. The one side I got crocheted pretty fast but I kept putting the other side in my UFO (unfinished objects) pile and would work on other designs and ideas. Once I finally finished both sides they sat there for a week waiting to be sewn together. That is one of the things about making a garment – you have completed all the crochet or knitting and then you still have to sew the pieces together…

Well, I finally got the pieces sewn together and even wore it the other day to church with the black leggings I made a couple of months ago. I really like how it looks with leggings or with jeans. I am also thinking it will look good with a tank top or camisole underneath it for spring and summer.

I will eventually have this pattern available in my etsy shop and on craftsy. I was so happy to get it finished I wanted to share it on my blog first.

What crochet or knitting projects have you recently completed? Click on Leave a Reply and tell me about them.

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crochet

Tags: Crochet, crochet tunic, crocheting, red crochet tunic, red tunic, tunic

Crochet Cowl – Infinity Scarf

February 11, 2014 kimberlee 9 Comments

I recently stumbled upon a facebook page called Frayed Knot by Jonna and learned about a crochet challenge. The challenge is called the Design Wars Challenge . The challenge is to create a crochet item using Red Heart With Love yarn. I decided to design a new crochet pattern for a cowl, or infinity scarf, since I happen to have one skein of this yarn in a deep purple color. Here is the design I will be entering in the challenge:

I really like how my pattern turned out and it can be worn long or double wrapped for warmth. The yarn is a worsted weight acrylic yarn and very easy to work with. I plan to have the pattern available soon in my etsy shop and on craftsy. I was so excited about finishing it and I wanted to get it entered in the challenge and share it here on my blog first.

This challenge is for the whole month of February and you can click on the link above to learn more about it if you are interested in entering.

What crochet or knitting projects are you currently working on? I am crocheting a new infinity scarf that is in Olympic USA team colors. I got inspired to make something red, white and blue after the opening ceremony and seeing their cool sweaters and hats that they wore. I have been working on it the last few nights while watching the games. I hope to have it done in the next few days and share it on my blog soon. Be sure to subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS to receive future posts. You can find the icons in the sidebar.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crafts Crochet

Tags: crochet cowl, crochet scarf, design wars challenge, design wars project, infinity scarf, purple cowl, purple infinity scarf, purple scarf, with love yarn

Knitting Scarves with Ruffle Yarn

January 16, 2014 kimberlee 5 Comments

Ruffle yarns have been around a while now. I know I have knit a lot of scarves with them in the last two or three years. I knit so many I kind of got tired of making them. Although they are an easy thing to work on especially during my knitting meeting night once a month.

Recently I designed a new scarf that has the ruffle yarn just on the edge and the rest of the scarf is knit with a worsted or sport weight yarn. The one below I made for a gift for a family member that is an MSU fan.

The idea of making a knit scarf design came to me when a lady requested a pattern for one. I have had a pattern design for a crochet version for a while but not a knit version. The crochet scarf is in the photo below – in blue. My mom has this scarf and says whenever she wears it people stop her and ask her about it.

Any type of ruffle yarns can be used for the edging on these scarves. The white one above is a Boutique Sashay yarn and the blue one is Paton’s Pirouette yarn.

The other version I recently knit for a friend is done in team colors. Another great way to show your team spirit with a pretty ruffle scarf. This one is done in Texas Tech colors since her daughter is going there.

I am calling these scarves Spiral Knit Scarf with Ruffle Yarn Edge. They are really fun and easy to knit if you have basic knitting skills and are familiar with working with the ruffle yarns.

I have also been working on a lot of other new knitting patterns and crochet patterns. Please subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS feed to receive updates on my latest patterns.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Crochet Knitting

Tags: Crochet, crochet scarf, knit scarf, knit scarf pattern, knitting, lacy scarf, ruffle yarn edge, scarf pattern, scarf with ruffle yarn

Fleece Scarf with Crochet Trim Edge

January 8, 2014 kimberlee

I have been busy creating lots of new crochet, knitting and sewing patterns. I had to make some time to post my new fleece scarf with crochet trim. This scarf is very easy to make if you know how to crochet and can cut some fleece fabric. There is no sewing required with this scarf only cutting fabric and crochet.

Supplies needed to make this scarf:

3/8 yd of fleece fabric
worsted weight yarn in multi color – I used Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn in Denim Plus
size US H crochet hook
applique scissors or some small very sharp scissors
fabric cutting scissors

Cut the fleece 12 inches wide by the width of the fabric. Trim off selvage ends.
Using the applique scissors poke (or make a very tiny clip) across the lower edge of each scarf end approx. 1/4 in. from the edge and 1/2 in. apart – I made about 20.

Using the size H crochet hook and a yarn that works well with this size hook follow these instructions:

Row 1: Pull yarn through one corner hole (leave a 6 in. tail to weave in later), ch 5, *slip stitch into next hole, pull up yarn and through ch on hook, ch 5, rep from * across, slip stitch in last hole at the end, turn.

Row 2: *ch 6, sc in next ch 5 sp, rep from * end with sc in last ch 5 sp, turn.

Row 3: *ch 8, sc in next ch 6 sp, rep from * across end with sc in last ch 6 sp, turn

Row 4: *ch 10, sc in next ch 8 sp, rep from * across end with sc in last ch 8 sp, turn

Row 5: ch 1, *9 sc in next ch 8 sp, rep from * across to last ch sp. Fasten off, Weave in ends.

Pattern Abbreviations: ch – chain ch sp – chain space rep – repeat sc – single crochet sp – space

I really like how this turned out. The crochet trim gives some color and fun to a plain fleece scarf. I hope you enjoy the pattern. Please follow my blog for future updates and patterns. The buttons for bloglovin, email or RSS feed are on the right.

Have a great day! Kimberlee

Categories: Crochet

Tags: Crochet, crochet project, crochet trim, fleece project, pattern for crochet trim scarf, scarf

Burlap Gift Bags

December 24, 2013 kimberlee

Recently I saw a cute idea on pinterest for wrapping gifts with burlap. The idea came from the craftsalamode blog. I remembered I had some leftover burlap from a project I made several years ago. I pulled the burlap out of my fabric closet but decided I didn’t really have enough to actually wrap many gifts. So, I put my scissors and sewing machines to work and came up with these simple and very easy to make gift bags.

If you have a serger or sewing machine and know how to make a simple crochet chain you can make these bags in less than an hour – both of them.

Supplies needed:

1/2 yd burlap
fabric scissors
yarn – just a bit of scrap yarn or ribbon
serger set up for 3 thread overlock
sewing machine set up for straight stitch

Directions:

Cut your burlap desired size of bag you want to make. I cut mine 12 in. by 12 in. or 12 in. by 10 in.
Use your serger to serge up sides and bottom of bag OR you can use your regular sewing machine if you don’t have a serger but you will want to go back and zigzag the edges
Sew the lower bottom corners to “box” the bag, if desired – approx. 1 in. on each corner
chain 65 to 75 chains with a size K, L or N crochet hook – or whatever size fits the yarn you are using – with your scrap yarn
Fold crochet chain length in half and sew at that halfway point to one side of bag, approx. 1 1/2 to 2 in. from the top edge Note: you could also use ribbon in place of the yarn if you wanted to

I took a white elephant gift to a party recently in one of these little bags and was surprised when it was the first gift picked. Everyone thought the bag was a cute idea and were amazed I had just made it that afternoon. They are really simple to make.

I also thought they looked cute with the other bags I made in the past couple of years out of Christmas fabric. These bags were created totally on the serger. The pattern came from a great book I have called Ready Set Serge by Georgie Melot. This book has lots of fun serger projects in it.

I like the idea of the burlap gift bags since they are rather simple but can be used for any type of holiday or gift. You can always put a different color of yarn or ribbon to coordinate with the occasion. I know they also have colored burlap and I think I will get some of that in the future to make some in various colors.

Well, all of my gifts are wrapped now and ready for Christmas day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday – Merry Christmas!

Categories: Crochet Sewing

Fun with Fleece and Yarn

December 18, 2013 kimberlee 3 Comments

Recently I made these fleece hats for us to take a family photo in this year. The hat idea came from one of my twin sons when I made his Halloween costume. He was Toonlink – a video game character -and needed this long pointy hat. His twin brother liked it so well he wanted one in his favorite color yellow. I decided it would be fun to make all 5 of us one each in a different color for a photo. Well, the idea was all good but getting 3 teenage boys to wear them and have their photo taken was another issue. So, we just took a family photo without the hats. Below is me wearing my hat.

When I went to Joann Fabrics to buy the fleece I got carried away – as I usually do when buying fabric – and bought extra with some other ideas in mind. So I got busy with my one idea and here is the result – a fleece scarf with yarn ruffle trim.

I cut the fleece approximately 11 in. wide by the width of the fabric. I then serged the edges using a variegated blue thread in the upper looper. I crocheted this big loopy ruffle and then sewed it onto the fleece scarf after serging the edges. This yarn was just some I had leftover from another project I made in the past. It only took about 75 yards of yarn for both ruffles.

After making my above “sample” version and seeing that it turned out I decided to use this dark green fleece and make a couple of gift items. I have a lot of family up in Michigan, where I am from, and they are all MSU fans. I decided since MSU is going to the Rose Bowl this year this would make a fun gift.

This scarf I decided to add a pocket on each side so you can have a place to keep your hands warm or hold your cellphone, ipod, etc. The ruffle was then attached to the lower part of the scarf. This particular ruffle was crocheted using 2 colors of yarn held together. I really like how it turned out.

I also made another version of a hat for a gift. It was super fast and easy. I used my pointy hat basic pattern and shortened it and made a curved top then just serged the curved edges and turned up the lower edge and used a zigzag stitch for a small hem with white thread so it would be in MSU colors. My son is modeling it in the below photos.

I still have extra fleece to use up and have another idea for a scarf. I am hoping when the Christmas rush calms down I can get it done and post it on my blog before the New Year gets here.

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday season. I have been a bit overwhelmed with completing my shopping and getting all my packages mailed out. I feel a little better now that I got the last of the gifts mailed yesterday. I am hoping they get there by Christmas.

Categories: Crochet Sewing

Tags: crochet project, fleece hat, Fleece Scarf, fleece scarf with pockets, fleece scarf with ruffle, MSU color scarf, sewing project, yarn ruffle

Crochet Pattern for Boot Cuffs

December 10, 2013 kimberlee 6 Comments

Boot cuffs are everywhere these days. I decided it was time I got around to making some so I designed this pattern with a lacy type of crochet stitch. They crochet together super fast!

Here is the pattern pdf – Crochet Boot Cuff Pattern from Kimberlees Korner

The pattern uses a larger hook – size L or 8mm. I decided to use Homespun yarn for this particular pair but other bulky yarns would also work. The yarn I used was leftover from making a mobius wrap a couple of years ago. I was so pleased with how they looked together when I wore them the other day.

These crochet boot cuffs would make a great last minute gift since they are so quick and easy to make. I would classify this pattern as an advanced beginner level. You will need to know basic crochet terms and be familiar with how to chain, skip chains and double crochet to complete these boot cuffs.

If you decide to download my pdf I would just appreciate a follow back on my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS or just Like my facebook page. All the icons for these are in the sidebar. Thank you.

Have a great day!

Categories: Crochet

Tags: boot cuff pattern, boot cuffs, Crochet Pattern, easy to crochet pattern, homespun yarn, lacy crochet boot cuffs