Free Knitting Pattern: Treasure Pouch

Because you can never have too many hand knit pouches to carry your treasures....

Free Knitting Pattern:  Treasure Pouch

Materials:

Jitterbug in Popcicle ~ Fingering Weight Yarn

Size 3 double pointed needles

Darning needle

Finished Measurements:

about 2" tall

{For a larger bag, you could use worsted weight wool with size 6 needles}

Directions:

CO 29 sts.  Join, being careful not to twist.

*k1, sl 1 wyif  Repeat from * around for 5 rounds.

Increase 1 stitch, k around. {30 sts}

*k2, yo  Repeat from * around {45sts}

Continue to knit around for 1.5"

*k7, k2tog Repeat from * around

*k6 k2tog  Repeat from * around

*k5 k2tog  Repeat from * around

*k4 k2tog  Repeat from * around

*k3, k2tog  Repeat from * around

*k2, k2tog  Repeat from * around

*k1, k2tog Repeat from * around

*k2tog Repeat from * around

Break yarn and sew through remaining stitches.  

Pull tight and darn in ends.

Finishing:

For the cord, make an 8" braid and tie off both ends.  

Feed the cord through the yo holes at the top of pouch.

~Enjoy~

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Leaf Printing

Recently, I had some fun trying a few new printing techniques... screen printing {more on that another day} and leaf printing.

I started by collecting a variety of highly textured leaves and natural objects from around the yard.

I gathered up a basic set of  Jacquard Neopaque Fabric Paints  {I love them because they're non~toxic and water soluble} 

And practiced on a few scraps of linen.

Then I printed a spray of violet leaves on a sturdy cotton tablecloth I found at the flea market.  The plan is to upcycle the tablecloth into several reusable produce bags for the farmer's market this year!

As the boys passed in and out of the kitchen, they too sat down to print a few images with me!

It's really easy, just paint the backside of the leaf with an even coat of Neopaque. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.

 Then turn it over and press gently onto the fabric or paper.  

I'll post pictures tomorrow of what we made with our prints!  Have you ever tried leaf printing?

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this moment

Inspired by soulemama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend~

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Gardens and Such

I'm joining Sara over at Farmama for her weekly "Around the Farm" series.  It's so much fun to see what families are growing around the world!  

We've had lots of warm temperatures and rain this week so the gardens are looking amazing!

The squash are coming up hardy and strong...

Only a couple more weeks and we can make wild blackberry preserves...

 And the flower gardens are in constant bloom!

What's going on in your garden this week?

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Hand Knit Croc Socks

I'm positive that I'm not the only one who feels that the crocs/socks/shorts should NEVER EVER go together. Crocs/socks/jeans, perfectly acceptable.  My husband is an avid fan of the crocs/socks/shorts ensemble.  I may have gently mentioned that this fashion statement looks ridiculous.  He just smiles.  Here's my solution.  Hand knit croc socks for Father's Day {sneaky aren't I?!}

Here are his crocs.

And here's the yarn I dyed.

And here is the sock he received for Father's Day. {yes, singular}

And here is the other sock I will have finished by tonight.  If you're a knitter, you will know that it's perfectly ok to give half a present with the promise to finish it ~ sometime.

What's in your knitting this week?

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SeaShell Garland Tutorial

Our shelves are bursting with jars, baskets, and bowls of various rocks and seashells from the sometimes daily trips we take to the nearby rivers and lakes.  They're almost like a collection of memories, since I can remember exactly where and when we found each one.  The boys love to dump them out on the table, reminiscing...  "Oh, I remember we found that one the afternoon we went swimming in the rain!"

Needing to make room for a new season's worth of shells and nature trinkets we decided upon seashell garlands to hang around the house.  

To start your garland, use a straight pin and poke a hole in the shell.  Our kids had no trouble at all with this part, but little ones may need help.  

Some of the shells were pretty thick, so Cole used a hammer to coax the needle through.

Decide how long you want your garland to be and cut a piece of cotton string {we used some a friend hand dyed for me last summer}, silk cord, or whatever you can find laying around the house.

Thread the string through the hole in the shell and then tie a knot to keep the shell from sliding.  We spaced ours out about every two inches.

Tie a loop at each end for hanging and you're done. 

I imagine many more of these will be made throughout the year using seasonal finds...  flowers, acorns, leaves, dried berries.  What have you used to make garland?

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Peaceful Beginnings

With a cup of joe and a slice of gluten free coffee cake all to myself, I walk around our humble abode and savor the glorious moments of peace before the house begins to stir and the day begins again...

It makes me smile every morning, because I never know where the boys will be when I wake up.  Lately, it's in a nest they've created on our been our bedroom floor.  Somedays it's the couch.  Some days it's under the coffee table. In the winter, it's often in front of a heat register.  In the height of summer, it's usually under the big screen living room window.  Luke and Cole always together {they're joined at the hip}. Rarely in their own beds.  Although that's where they always start.  

I suppose it's because they spent most of their nursing years co~sleeping with us.  Our main routine was when they grew tired, we laid in bed to nurse, and when they nursed, I fell asleep.  

It worked for us then and it works for us now.  Our families think we're a bit crazy for not forcing them to sleep in their own beds, but then they'd probably scoff at me eating cake for breakfast too.

Wishing you a peaceful start to your day~

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Free Crochet Pattern: Organic Cotton Flower Hat

It's been a little chilly around these parts this week {like break out the fleece chilly} and my poor little niece came to visit without any warm clothes.  What's a knitting auntie to do?  Why whip up a quick organic cotton crochet flower hat, of course! {try saying that three times fast}  Off to the stash I went in search of a hook and a skein of soft blue cotton to match her eyes.  

Free Crochet Pattern:  Organic Cotton Flower Hat

Fits 6-12 Months

Materials:

One skein of Nature's Choice Organic Cotton ~ Blueberry

One skein of Nature's Choice Organic Cotton ~ Almond

One skein of Nature's Choice Organic Cotton ~ Pistachio

One skein of Nature's Choice Organic Cotton ~ Walnut

Size I crochet hook

Abbreviations:

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

ch = chain

Directions for Hat:

Ch 2.  Work 6 sc into the second chain from hook.  Join with sl st into first sc. {6 sts}

Ch 1.  Work 2 sc in each stitch around.  Join with sl st {12 sts}

Ch 1.  *1 sc in first stitch,  2 sc in next stitch  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st  {18 sts}

Ch 1  *1 sc in each of the first 2 sts,  2 sc in next st  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st. {24 sts}

Ch 1.  *1 sc in each of the first 3 sts, 2 sc in next st  Repeat from * around. Join with sl st.  {30 sts}

Ch 1.  *1 sc in each of the first 4 sts, 2 sc in the next st  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.  {36 sts} 

Ch 1.  *1 sc in each of the first 5 sts, 2 sc in the next st  Repeat form * around.  Join with sl st.  {42 sts}

Continue to crochet around, without increasing, for 13 more rounds.  Fasten off.  Darn in ends.

For the crochet flower, I used the free pattern from Attic24.  

{Lucy's blog is beautiful, you really should check it out!}

Sew the flower on snug with a piece of yarn and you're all set!  

These little hats are so quick to work up, I think I'll make a few to sell at the farmer's market.  Maybe even a few without flowers for the little guys too.

I'd love to see what colors you choose, so feel free to leave a link 

in the comments if you post any pictures~

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Mountains of Soap

Yikes!  It's like Mount St. Soap in my kitchen right now {but it smells amazing!}  

I'll be stocking up the shop all week, so check back often~

New Scents:  

Lavender Chamomile Baby Soap {a gentle shampoo and body bar}

Sandalwood and Orange

Grapefruit and Ginger

Rosemary and Mint

Oatmeal and Honey

If you'd like something before it's listed just shoot me an email sittingtree@frontier.com and we'll get you taken care of!  Thanks again so much for all your support~

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The Meadow {in Macro}

With the fresh new growth of native grasses and an array of wildflowers, my favorite place this spring has been the meadow at Willow River State Park, {especially with my new macro lens}.

I imagine that learning this new photography skill must be what it's like for a very young child first learning to crawl around.  Finding every minuscule crumb bit and creature low to the ground,  strengthening different muscles, finding the balance and coordination to direct your body where you want to go, mastering spacial relationships...

It's a little unnerving trying to adjust to it all,  but somehow we work it all out, don't we.  It's so satisfying and rewarding to gain new skills, I can't wait to see what this new stage in my photography unfolds!

What new things have you been working on lately?

p.s.  Make sure to stop back on Wednesday for another free pattern!!  I just know you're going to love it~

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Winter's Come and Gone

A little Gillian Welch for you on this fine Sunday morning...



Wishing you a beautiful day~

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this moment

Inspired by soulemama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Read More

Gratitude

In this week of extreme heat, I'm trying to remind myself to be present and grateful for every moment of the sweltering, sticky temperatures because they never last long and we'll be missing them soon enough.

This week I'm grateful for...

...the giant compost bin full of plump healthy worms to fuel the flourishing garden.

...courage and bravery to try new things.

...a quiet moment in the shade of the sun to watch my boys soak in all the creative energy at our first art fair of the season.

What are you grateful for this week?

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