Warm and fashionable lace knit accessories for fall

With cooler weather coming to Kansas, my thoughts always turn to knitted lace as a way to stay warm on cooler evenings and morning.  I love to knit with Merino wool blends because this wool is as soft as cotton with the added warmth of wool.  Alpaca is also warm and can be soft but needs to be blended as it has a stretch factor without a blend of silk. merino wool, or angora to keep that from happening.

My newest design is made using a Merino and silk blend with Cascade's yarn called  Venezia Sport.  Ponchos are so versatile and easy to throw on for added warmth.

If you don't want to make it yourself from a pattern, this delightful poncho is available to buy at my Etsy shop and is made with this wonderful yarn.  The pattern can be made with any yarn that is of similar weight and works up quickly and easily.  The pattern is available at my Etsy shop.  The pattern is also on LoisLeigh Ravelry shop, or use the buy now button on the right. LoisLeigh's Creations on Craftsy has my pattern for sale.  If you are from Canada or anywhere in the European Union, you will find it at LoveKnitting.

Do you like wraps or shawls as much as I do?  They add that touch of elegance to any outfit and work up quickly.  This pattern uses Kid Seta Lace weight or any lace weight yarn and is wonderfully soft and lightweight.

The pattern can be found at AndersonsCreations on Etsy.  It is also available on LoisLeigh Ravelry shop or use the "buy now" button on the right.  You will also find this pattern at LoisLeigh Creation on Craftsy or on Loveknitting European buyers.

Do you love to make scarves to keep the cold out?  This scarf was created with the love of evergreens that keep winter green.  This scarf can be made into a hooded scarf if you like.  It uses a DK weight yarn like Misti Alpaca, a soft Alpaca and silk blend.

This pattern can be found at AndersonsCreations on Etsy or on LoisLeigh's Creations on Craftsy.  You will find it on LoisLeigh Ravelry shop or use the "buy now" button on the right of the page.  European buyers can find it on LoveKnitting.

 

Would you like to make a matching fingerless pair of gloves using a DK weight yarn?  I used the same wonderfully warm and soft yarn of Alpaca and silk blend from Misti Alpaca.

This pattern is available for European Buyers at LoveKnitting.  You will find it in AndersonsCreations on Etsy or LoisLeigh's Creations on Craftsy.  Use the "buy now" button on the right or find this pattern LoisLeigh Ravelry shop.



What about the men in your life?  This is a cable pattern I designed as my husband wanted a pair of fingerless gloves that would keep his hand warm and still allow him to feel the wood he is sanding.

This pair is made with Worsted weight yarn that is Pima Cotton/tencel for easy washing and available for you at AndersonsCreations on Etsy. This Winter Tree cable fingerless gloves pattern works up quickly using Worsted weight yarn.  You will find this pattern at my Etsy shop or on LoisLeigh Creations on Craftsy.  European Buyers can find it at LoveKnitting or use the "buy now" button on the right.  If you are a Ravelry member, you will find the pattern at LoisLeigh Ravelry shop.

What about a sweater or shrug that adds glamour and grace to any outfit? I used the amazingly soft and warm Cascade's Venezia Sport which is Merino wool and silk blend. I have several sizes that are already for you at AndersonsCreations on Etsy.

Would you like to make this pattern using your own or Sport weight yarn?  The pattern is very versatile and can be made for different lengths and different sizes from small to 5 extra large.  It can be found at AndersonsCreations on Etsy along with all my knitting patterns.  You can also find it at on LoisLeigh's Creations on Craftsy.  The pattern is available for European Buyers on LoveKnitting or use the "buy now" button on the right.  Ravelry also has the pattern on LoisLeigh Creations on Ravelry

All my patterns have been tested by two other test knitters and comes with my e-mail address if you should have any questions.

I love knitting with quality and luxurious yarns and making them into Autumn accessories that help  others feel glorious wearing them.  What is your favorite type of accessory and what do you love about it?

Autumn knit patterns and items

It has been a very busy summer with almost a complete month of vacations.  We got to spend a lot of time with our grandchildren.  What a treat.  Then, off to the mountains, where I get so very many ideas.  I love pine trees and the wonderfully delicate flowers

With the cooler weather of Autumn I thought I would showcase some of my knit designs and items for the Fall.

I love knit lace and designed a fingerless gloves pattern and a matching scarf using DK weight yarns.  I designed the fingerless gloves pattern that fits so well because of the stretching ability of knits and the designed shaping in the pattern.  This pattern includes charts along with written instructions.

This pattern can be found at Craftsy,  AndersonsCreations at Etsy.com, Ravelry shop or use the buy now button at the right for European buyers.  For Canadian and European buyers, I now have a LoveKnitting shop.

The matching scarf has written instructions and charts and includes instructions on making the scarf into a scoodie if wanted.

This pattern is in my Etsy shop, on my craftsy shop and my Ravelry shop.  For Canadian and European buyers please use the buy now button on the right hand side or out of my LoveKnitting shop.  My Etsy shop offers a discount for buying both these patterns together here. 

 

My latest lace knit pattern is the De-Vinely Bohemian Lace Shrug.  Again this pattern includes charts and written pattern instructions.  It is made to be flattering to just about any shape or size with different lengths for taller or shorter and has sizing for Women's size small all the way to 5 X-large.

What a glorious way to add warmth and elegance to any outfit for cooler Fall evenings.  Again, this pattern can be found at AndersonsCreations, my Craftsy shop, at Ravelry or my LoveKnitting Patterns or use the buy now button on the right.

 

If you don't like to knit and would love the own this glorious shrug I have made some using a wonderful yarn that is Merino wool (a very soft wool) and silk.  The burgundy and charcoal short shrug is for Women size small to large at my Etsy shop

If you are interested a longer version, because you are taller that most people, in women's size small to large you will find it here.  I used the same wonderful yarn with orchid and cream lace edging.

I also made this pattern for us larger women in size 3 X to 5 X large.  I love the teal color with the light gray lace edging and it can, also, be found in my Etsy shop.





What about the men who would love fingerless gloves.  My husband loves his because as a wood worker, he needs to feel the wood grain to work on it.  The Winter tree cable knit fingerless gloves pattern works up quickly and includes charts and written instructions.  Again because of the stretch in the knit fabric this will fit men's hands and includes shaping so that it will wrap their hand in warmth but their fingers free to feel what they are working on.

This pattern is available at AndersonsCreations, my Craftsy shop, at my LoveKnitting designs, at my Ravelry shop or use the buy now button on the right side of this post.

 

If you would like a pair of these fantastic gloves already made for you, I made a pair using a rust colored cotton yarn for easy washing. 

My Etsy shop



 

All my knit designs can be found at AndersonsCreations, Craftsy shop or on Ravelry or use the buy now buttons on the right of this post.

 

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year in Kansas with the heat cooling down to comfortable without air-conditioning.  What is your favorite way to add warmth to outfits with the cooling temperatures?







Summer crochet and knit patterns.

We had had so much rain this past month that everything is blooming.  I love this time of year.  Flowers are so inspirational.  Here are some pictures of our various gardens and the patterns that they helped to inspire.

Iris are so beautiful and was the inspiration for this luxurious iris lace scarf.  You can find the patterns on Craftsy here or on Ravelry with the buy now button or from this link. 

Morino wool and silk long scarf

This is very long scarf [100 inches (254 cm) long] and is made with a wonderful yarn that is not only soft but also has the wonderful shimmer than goes with silk.  The scarf keeps the iris alive all year long.





 Columbine are my absolute favorite flower and so I had to try and make some accessories that included this flower.  In honor of our granddaughter I made a headband or hair clips that include this wonderful flower.

Pre-made hair clips on Etsy

This pattern includes instructions for making the headband for any size head and can be found with the buy now button on the right, or on my Ravelry store or at my Craftsy store. Of course I had to make some bookmarks for my Etsy shop.  I love how they came out.

 

Another favorite flower is the rose and with our recent rain, our roses are blooming like crazy.

I love to crochet roses.  They are fun to make and they never lose petals to the Kansas wind.  Here is a doily pattern at my Craftsy store or on Ravelry.

already made for you on Etsy

 

Here is a pattern that has more blooming roses. If you follow the instructions and add a prism you will have rainbows on your wall when you hang this from a southern facing window.  (I love rainbows on the wall.)

pre-made window sun catcher

 

If you would like to make one of these for yourself, using the colors you would like to see, the pattern can be found at my Ravelry shop or on my Craftsy store.

 

With Father's Day coming up, how about making Dad a pair of fingerless gloves?  I made this pattern for my husband who wanted a pair using cotton yarn which is so much easier to launder. 

 





pre-made for you in my Etsy shop

 

If you like to make cable knits, this fingerless gloves pattern has both a chart and written instructions and as with all my patterns has been tested by two other people to find mistakes in the instructions.  The pattern can be found in Craftsy here or at my Ravelry store.

 

 

I am still designing bookmarks and should have a new one out soon.  In the meantime, I just found a Russian blog that is featuring my bookmarks.  The Google translate does a pretty good job and I was so honored to be featured.  Here is the here,  My designs are now international, lol.

 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful spring and that you are now ready to for summer.







Warm knitting patterns for January

Brrr... It is cold in Kansas this January and it looks like a large part of the world is dealing with frigid temperatures.  So what do I do when it is so cold?  I sit next to our fireplace in a very comfortable chair and knit with Merino wool yarn.  The yarn I am using currently is Merino and silk yarn.  (I like warm and soft wools, hence the choice of Merino)  This way I stay warm and comfortable and provide a warm choice for others looking to stay warm.

Here is a wonderful pattern that I made my husband.  He wanted a fingerless glove so that he could continue to feel the wood he works on in his heated shop.

buy from Craftsy with this link. Use the buy no button on sidebar to buy from Ravelry

 

I  made a pair to sell in my Etsy shop using cotton and tencel to add to the ease of washing.  I love the color

pre-made mens fingerless gloves

Of course, I couldn't forget the women out their who love to make warm fingerless gloves.  I love pine trees and see very few of them in Kansas so I decided to design some in this lace knit pattern.

Buy pattern from Craftsy using this link. Use the buy now button to buy from Ravelry.com

 

 

I loved this lace pattern so much I just had to design a scarf to go with it.  I used Misti Alpaca lace weight yarn which is quite warm and soft. 

Buy pattern from Craftsy.com



 The pattern also gives directions for making it into a hat/scarf called a scoodie if you wish.





Use this link to buy this pattern from Ravelry.com

 

Last year, my neice asked my to design a scarf for her using purple as the color.  I came up with lace knit design for people who love the wonderful iris flower.  I used Cascade's Merino and silk DK weight yarn for this pattern

Use this link to buy the pattern from Craftsy. Use the buy now button on the side to buy the pattern from Ravelry.com

 

If you don't want to knit the pattern your self I have a long scarf already made for you out of this fabulous yarn in my Etsy shop.

luxurious lacy merino and silk iris scarf in Etsy shop

I am currently working on a shrug design I hope to have out soon using the same wonderful Cascade Merino and silk yarn.  It is so soft and warm.

 

What do you like to do when the temperatures turn cold to help stay warm?

 

Christmas knit and crochet patterns.

Time has zipped by here in Kansas and it is now my favorite time of year.  The weather is very nice and cold and I get to sit by my fireplace and knit and design another scarf, fingerless gloves and other warm accessories. Here is the set I designed last year.



Right now I have these two patterns at a special price for those who would like to buy them both at my Etsy shop bundle price sale.  I have several patterns at special bundled prices in this section including the wizard of oz series of bookmarks.sale patterns

 I love the lights on houses and Christmas trees.  I love getting the nativity sets out and using them all over the house.  I have so many that I had to design a new one that can work as either ornaments or as a wall hanging.

 

 

I  love the old Christmas carols that are playing everywhere. Naturally, I had to make a wall hanging to commemorate that love.

 

 

What makes Christmas so special to me?  I think it is the wonderful and very powerful message sent to us via angles to the shepherds on a hill many, many years ago.

 

 



 

The gift that our family celebrates at this time of year is God's gift of His Son to us.  What a miracle He gave us. When the world looks like it is spiralling out of control, I have learned to lay it at God's feet and sit back to wait and see how he weaves it into a beautiful solution.

 

 

What is your favorite part of this very special season?





Trees and Men's Fingerless Gloves

The weather has been glorious this year and I have gotten some pictures of the trees in our area.  The bright yellow one is a cottonwood.  I love the feel of the air and the cooler temperatures.  We have even gotten rain this week which is almost always an event in this part of Kansas.  During this time of year, I am always wanting to knit.

When I was working on the Pine Tree and Cones Fingerless Gloves, my husband said he would love a men's pair as it would allow for warmth in the hands but dexterity and feel in the fingers.  I thought, "Why not.  That should be relatively simple."   If I had only known, I am not sure I would have started this project.

I love knitted lace but that wouldn't be something my husband would be interested in.  So I thought maybe some sort of cable design.  That seemed like more of a male design that I could get into.
I started looking through patterns to see if I could find something.  What I found is that just about every cable stitch I would come up with has already been done in fingerless gloves.  So then I thought I will just have to come up with a new cable design.  Silly me.

Also, he can wear his clothes pretty hard so I needed to find some yarn that would wear hard and be much thicker so that he would not snag the glove and break the threads.  So I went to our local yarn shop to look at what I could find that would wash easily and wear well. (I love doing this part of the design process.  I usually have to stop myself from buying out the store)  I thought worsted weight should be heavy enough to handle his hard use.   I found a light worsted weight in tan that should wash easily but was really soft next to the skin.  I also found some rust cotton that would work.  Both colors are good for him.

With the yarn colors and the cable design I set down to draw out different ideas.  I love trees of all seasons and I thought of the gnarly hedge rows around the wheat fields in our area.  In the winter with no leaves, these Osage-orange trees are really fantastic to see.  We appreciate their wood for burning in our fireplace as it burns hot for a long time.

With this in mind I set out to design a cable that would twist and divide into the branches that these trees do.  I have been working on this design for 2 + months and have been tempted to give up on it.  However, I hate to admit defeat and have had to take it out, try something else, take that out, try something else, etc.   I am excited because I think I have finally figured this design out.  I will be introducing this pattern for others to make in 2 or three weeks.

Have you ever had a project that you just refused to give up on? 

Passionate about Pine Trees

As I mentioned before, I love Pine trees.  I think my love of them came when I was going to college in Flagstaff, Arizona at Northern Arizona University.  It was, at the time, a small mountain town.  Outside my dorm was a small piece of the Ponderosa Pine forest that surrounded the community.  Every morning, weather permitting, I would go out and sit under a Pine tree to have devotions before my day started.  I also brought a handful of sunflower seeds to put on a stump that was not far from the tree I used.

I would lean against this wonderfuly tall tree and smell the sweet smell that this tree puts off.  I would notice the soft carpet of needles that I was sitting on.  I would watch the little ground squirrel, that had come to expect that little handful of seeds, stuff his mouth and run off to return for more.  I would see birds perch on the tree I was sitting under and get a close up view.  If a mountain shower would come, I and the birds would stay dry under that tree.  I was amazed at the beauty that God had created in this little area.

I now live in rural Kansas and I miss those wonderful pine trees.  I decided to make something to commerate that love and came up with the Pine Trees and Cones Scarf.  I also decided to make a fingerless glove to match that scarf. 

I thank the Lord that he gave me this time in the mountains.  When I am really stressed today, I have learned to find a room that is quiet, close my eyes, remember the sights and smells and talk to God about my stresses under the Ponderosa Pines in my mind.

What wonders of nature do you have that helps you know God's love?