Made a mistake??

Correcting mistakes with double knitting. I recommend that you check your work after each row. If you made a mistake in the previous row, it can be corrected without too much trouble.
I came across the site of Stitch Diva Studios.
As well as some beautiful things, there is a really good page with excellent pictures to show how to correct your mistakes. You'll want to add it to your favorites.
http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=147

I'm working on an unusual sweater. Sure hope it turns out the way I want it to, or at least close.

I made dandelion wine again this year. I just got it bottled and now I see that the choke cherries are beginning to ripen. I plan on making as many gallons as I can. I drink white wine as a rule, but I do like the choke cherry wine. It should all be ready for Christmas and New years. (that's as long as we can wait) I heard that strawberry wine is really good. I planted strawberries this year, so maybe I'll give that a try next summer. Nothing like a good meal, good wine and good friends. Another I've been meaning to try is rose hip wine. Maybe try that before this summer is out.
The last time I made choke cherry wine, I went out and picked a garbage bag full. I had berry juice from one end of the kitchen to the other. What I mess I made. I swore I'd never do it again. (wine was good though) This time...one gallon a day and that's it. Taking the pits out of a garbage bag full of choke cherries...is the pits!!.

Lynn's No-Sew Purse Pattern



Using a double weight yarn and double pointed needles..I used #5
Cast on 60 stitches
Slip half of the stitches back on to the other needle.
lay the needles side by side
rotating one stitch from each needle...and using a third needle..
place the stitches all back on one needle.
this will leave the end open. You will be knitting inside out,
so don't worry about how it looks.

Knit one, slip one (slip stitch MUST be slipped as if to purl) across the row
repeat this row until your work measures 6 inches

Knit every stitch across the row for the next 6 rows
This closes the end and forms the floor of the inside middle pocket

Knit one, slip one (slip stitch MUST be slipped as if to purl) across the row
repeat this row until your work from this point measures 6 1/2 inches.


Starting with the needle furthest away from you,separate onto two needles by alternating one stitch to one needle and the next to another
This is not hard once you get the hang of it.



Take the first part of your knitting and bring it up through the centre of the two needles.
Push the lining down inside the outer purse.

Your purse will be right side out and you will have 3 sections inside.

Starting with the needle furthest away from you...Knit off all the stitches on one side,
leaving 30 stitches on the other.


You are now working in regular knitting
Knit one row, purl one row for 6 rows
knit (or purl) two together at the beginning of the next rows until you have 24 stitches on the needle.
knit one row, purl one row for 6 more rows

Knit off all the stitches

Measure the length to the bottom of the purse from the bottom of the flap
cut 12 threads 8 times that length

Take 4 of the threads together....fold them over and where the fold is..
hold it just below .
This forms a loop.

Using a crochet hook..poke through the 1st, 3rd, and fifth stitch
on each end of the bottom of the flap...each time picking up a loop of 4 folded threads and pulling it through.
The other end of the threads have to be pulled through that loop to attach it
but first put the ring under the loop
and run the threads through the ring and then through the loop, attaching both to the purse.
It sounds complicated but it really isn't.

I used square macrame' knots..looped through the bottom of the ring..
added a few more knots and trimmed the threads.

For the rope, I used 12 stands of yarn. 8 times the length I wanted. Using the crochet hook,
I poked through the end of the purse and through the inside section to help hold it in place as well. I picked up the loop as before.
Once attached, I worked a half square knot to make a twisted rope. About half way through, I switched the inside 8 strands of yarn for the outside 8..
or you will run out of yarn.
When it was the desired length, I looped it through the other side of the purse and left a little fringe
as I did on the front.

You have a couple of threads to weave in....and you're done. I hope you like it.

If you wish to use Macrame' as I did, you can get free intructions here
http://www.elainecraft.com/index.html
There are many other sites that show Macrame' knots.

You can adjust to whatever size you would like. Working with an even number of stitches makes it much easier, especially if you are not used to this method.
Happy knitting and email if you need help. You may use this pattern for your own personal use, but please refer interested people to my blog or link to it if you have a blog or site of your own. Thanks

Socks are finished

I don't have any models to try on the socks, so please keep in mind that they are not my size. I take a 7 1/2 and these would fit a 5 1/2.



Here is the little flaw I was talking about earlier. When I turn the heel I get these little holes. They are more obvious on my big feet.

Maybe I'll just say that I do that on purpose so my feet can breath. I remember my mother saying that your nose should smell and your feet should run. Not the other way around.

The socks feel very comfortable and made with a chunky yarn, they would make nice cosy slippers.

Table Legs

A couple of years ago I was wandering around a department store in town. They were closing down and had a sale. I noticed a pile of styrofoam feet piled in a corner, marked $2.00. Then I noticed a pair of legs off by themselves. I tracked down the manager. He said.."oh no..I can't sell those" After much bugging, he said " ok,ok..20 bucks. I said.."give you $10.00". I got the legs and he got me off his back.
Now if you are looking for a little attention. Just walk around a plaza carrying a pair of legs. Adults stare and move away a bit, but kids come right up and ask "What are you going to do with the legs lady?". I didn't have an answer. I just knew that I had to have them.

A friend and neighbour and I used to build lawn chairs and other wood items to sell. He had a look when I got home. "What are you going to do with the legs lady?"
By then I had an answer. "I'm going to make a table", I said.
"You can't make a table with two legs!!", he says.
I hadn't thought that far ahead, but now it was a challenge.

It's a hit!! Amazing what you can do with a little cement. People stop their cars and back up for another look and sometimes even take pictures.
My friend Tom checking out the two legged table.

Tom and his wife have moved to an apartment 50 miles away. I don't get to see them as much anymore and I miss the days spent in his garage building things. We also worked at the local school for a couple of years, teaching the kids a little wood working. Tom is always interested in any new ideas and is still always trying something new.
Right now, he's bought a heap of old golf clubs and is making them into canes. They make a novel gift for golfers.


Back to my socks.....

Half way there

I had mixed feeling today. I love to play poker and I also love to watch it on TV. It makes me want to sign on as soon as they are done and get playing because I know I can win all the play money on there. (very good at losing it too) I also wanted to knit. Now I know if I ask the other players to wait while I finish a row...they're going to get real nasty. I suspect there are already a lot of knitters on there. Anyway the knitting won out and I am just about to start turning the heel of my socks.


I used the scanner...no blur. These are inside out of course.


So I turned back the cuff to see if I could show the inside..turned out not too bad.


Now I'm going to play poker.

Two Socks on One Needle

I thought I'd be away for a day but it turned out to be three days. Would you believe I sat in the hospital for over six hours while my hubby had a few tests and I didn't think to take my knitting ?? I could have had these socks all made. Sitting in a hospital with a hubby who has not had his lunch or supper, isn't feeling great and who thinks he is the only patient in the place. Who can't understand why everybody is not running around as fast as they can so that he can be out of there in less than a half hour. I could have pretended to be counting stitches and not having to look at the nurse's who glared our way every time hubby said in a very loud voice.."this is ridiculous..I'll wait another 10 minutes and I'm out of here".

It's been years since I made these socks. I had to sit for quite a while thinking of how I did it. I know I had one minor problem that I was trying to figure out back then. Maybe I've gotten older and wiser (not likely). Maybe someone out there will have some idea's for me when I get to that part. I did finally get them started though. Here's the first pic.

blurry..why can't I take pictures that aren't blurry. Get someone else to do it..Now that's a plan.

Give it a Try

In case you can't tell, I am still trying to figure this all out. I have to be away tomorrow but I will be thinking of another double knitting idea. I do have a few things in mind, but making them is another story. That's the fun part. I would love to hear from other's that like to make their own unusual patterns. This double knitting takes a little time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, there is not very much that you can't make without seams...I hate sewing seams.
If you want to give it a little try...just cast on an even number of stitches...say 24.
Knit one, slip one (purl wise)....continue across this row and each row until your work is a few inches long. Pull it off the needle and turn it inside out...and you have a little bag that looks fine on the inside. When you knit a stitch you can pick up the slip stitch at the same time when you bring the needle back...saves time...the knitting is neat even if you are not a neat knitter. This is good!!....You just have to keep in mind that you are working both sides.

Lynn's double knitting and stuff

No-sew purse


Well.....Here I am...I finally started a blog. How is that pronounced?? I hope there is spell check on here. I'm 64 now and simple words escape me sometimes. Feel free to correct my spelling.
I am not a fantastic knitter or designer either. I like to knit by ear. I'm one of those people that is just not good following patterns so I like to make my own.
I dug out the knitting needles and decided to make a purse..my way...I've never made a purse of any kind..so, I'm hoping for opinions of this design.
I have bags of old yarn to use up so if you wonder at times about my use of wool and colours, it's because I have decided not to buy any yarn until most of what I have has been used up. Besides, I'm fifty miles from any stores, so I've learned to make do with what I have.
This purse is made on straight needles...double pointed work best...There are no seams to sew up and it has 3 sections inside for your "what have you "...change purse..keys..makeup. I used drapery rings for the the flap and made the design on the rings using a macrame' square knot and for the strap I used a half square knot which makes a twist. It could have been braided or knitted or crocheted...

I made a macrame wall hanging a long time ago and I'd been thinking of trying it again. I have a bag full of these drapery rings so I decided to combine the rings and macrame' with my knitting. You could also use costume bracelets or what have you. I didn't want to add buttons or anything you have to be doing up and undoing. Just flip it over and back and the weight keeps it closed.





Doesn't look like much but this is the purse and the inside sections. When you fold it back on itself...it will be right side out and ready to knit the flap.
Like so.....I don't take very good pictures. In the picture below, I'm trying to show the sections inside the purse before I added the flap etc.




So here it is...my no-sew purse, complete with 3 inside pockets, all made in one piece. I think it might be cute on a teen and would go well with jeans.