Yarn Bee Icelandic Jewel

My son has been asking me for months to make him a scarf. I was never sure of what kind of yarn to use. I knew I wanted something machine washable, colorful but not too much since he is a little boy, and something...chunky. So, I went to Hobby Lobby (surprise, surprise) and I purchased him some really great Yarn Bee Icelandic Jewel Yarn in Sapphire.

This scarf is a K2 P2 rib with a small hole in it (yes on purpose) so it wont fall off his little neck when he is running or whatever. It was a really fast knit and I would totally make another one...maybe with some wrist warmers to match!

Yarn: Less than 1 Ball Yarn Bee Icelandic Jewels in Sapphire

Needle: size 9 US

Size: Toddler

Cast On 20
K2 P2 across, turn and repeat until scarf measures about 12 inches.
At 12 inches starting at the beginning of the row, K2 P2 two times (eight stitches) then bind off four stitches, then K2 P2 to the end of the row; turn

*at this point you can make the hole larger if you want to work both sides of the hole separately for a couple of rows.

Meaning you place one side of the work on a stitch holder, work the other side of the hole in the k2 P2 pattern for four rows, then you place those stitches on a stitch holder. Then put the stitches on the other side of the hole onto the needle and work the K2 P2 pattern for four rows. If you have gotten this far from my directions you are pretty good because I think I have confused myself. After both sides of the hole are worked for four rows continue to follow the instructions below to close the hole...the choice is yours*

K2 P2 two times (eight stitches) then cast on four stitches (the backward loop is what I used), K2 P2 to end of row; turn
K2 P2 for each row until scarf measures approx. 36 inches (check your scarf to make sure that when the end in tucked into the hole the sides are even that way you won't have one side longer than the other...if your are lucky the little person you are making it for will model for you while the scarf is still on the needles) and bind off all stitches.

Let me know if you make this!

This Weekend

Isn't it funny how you can have an entire weekend planned out to perfections then one little kink and the plan is ruined? That is exactly what happened to me. I have every intention on writing a really nice post, give some new patterns and get some pictures up here then WHAMMY...all H-E-double hockey sticks happens and here it is Wednesday Morning and I am just now getting on here.

I am so sorry my dears! Many of you have emailed me asking me if I am okay and making sure I haven't succumb to an avalanche of yarn or anything. I assure you, I am fine...just a little rough around the edges.

Anyway, I will get the pictures from last night up on my computer and I will write an entire post about the WONDERFUL NIGHT!

You are just going to have to wait!

Marly

Cootie Central

Sorry for the lack of posting for the past week. Just to give you a little reasoning I have compiled a bit of what I have been doing.

Poopy diapers (which is not that uncommon but what IS uncommon is the amount and the frequent nature of the diapers), barf (usually all over me or something of mine), fevers, kids who won't take fever reducers (hence the red stains all over my shirt from him spitting it out at me...my son is a Holy Terror when it comes to taking his medicine. I finally gave up!), drippy snot noses, sore noses, humidifiers, moaning/screaming/complaining...MY NERVES ARE SHOT!

Then, you all know how it is, your husband comes home and expects to "get a little"! Girlfriend...I am here to tell you...I was NOT in the MOOD...and tonight is not a night I am "taking one for the team"...can I get an AMEN!

So, I promise I will write something this weekend! I have another quick pattern using Yarn Bee Italia Yarn which is on sale this week at Hobby Lobby! I have also been working on some socks.

Okay, I need to go and take some Tylenol Sinus and go to BED before hubby thinks it "his time to shine"!

Good Night.

Marly

Talk to you all soon!

Yarn Bee Soft Delight

It is no secret that I am in love with a particular (cover your eyes) acrylic yarn (okay, you can open them) that is distributed by Hobby Lobby called Yarn Bee. I would like to think that I am very familiar with this yarn since I am there nearly every week picking up a little of this and a little of that (and by a little you all know I mean enough to make a sweater right?).

So, I have been noticing that alot of Google hits have come to my site looking for patterns using Yarn Bee Soft Delight Yarn and other Yarn Bee yarns. It is because of these "desperetly seeking" individuals that I have decided to make an entire section of my blog dedicated to the Marly Design Studio patterns using Yarn Bee. Well, not just for these people but because I simply LOVE the stuff!

Okay, to start. I decided I would make the first one really simple. You work this pattern holding both yarns together throughout. The Soft Delight Extreams mixed with the Fun Fur really gives the scarf some visual depth because of the color variation. Plus, it makes the scarf a litte more hardy and not so whispy since you are using such large needles.

Yarn:

• Yarn Bee Soft Delight Extreams in Green not even one whole skein
• Lion Brand Fun Furn in Lime 2 Balls Exactly

Needle

• Size 19

Stitch:

• Garter Stitch (knit every row)

Pattern:

• Holding both yarns together, CO 12 (24 for larger scarf) using long tail method
• work in Garter stitch until scarf measures 36" (60+inches for larger scarf)
• Bind off; tuck in your ends

See, I told you it was simple. But you end up with two really great matching scarves...FAST! I started both of these at 6:00 at night and was finished by 9:00 the same night.

Why did I make them? It was friendship week at my daughters school and Green (specifically lime green) was her 9th grade friends favorite color. Therefore, I thought it would be great to make her a nice scarf and one for Ally to match (so she felt special). It was a hit!

I can think of a few of my other friends who would LOVE to have this exact scarf. But I am not naming names (KareBear).

I hope you like this scarf as much as my daughter. Please let me know if you make it!

Felted Crochet Bag: Rosewood

Some of you have been emailing me asking to see my newest crochet felted bag that I made last week. So, I am going to oblige.

Meet Rosewood

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool
1 skein Rosewood
1 skein Brown (can't find my ball band to give exact name)
1 pair 6" diameter Purse n-alize-it Handbag Handles (from JoAnn's)

Hook: size I rosewood crochet hook

The bag only took me a day to crochet and felt. So it is a great weekend project.

Honestly, it didn't turn out as large as I had hoped but it is a good size for a teenager, or a woman who doesn't have to carry around this, that, or the other thing for your kids/husband. It is also perfect for a small project. I put a pocket on the inside which can easily be put on the outside just by turning the bag inside out...which would make this bag...wait for it...reversible! That's right!

Most definitely I will be making another one of these in a larger size maybe in some blues, what do you think?

The making of the bag really was quit simple. By incorporating the sewing in of the handle as I made the bag it made it really easy to finish. After I had completed the entire bag (worked in one long piece) and had both handles attached, I only had to sew up the sides and voila, Je suis fini.

Here are some pictures so you can see what I am talking about. The first three are pictures of the start of the bag and the last one is a picture of me crocheting on the other handle on the opposite end of the bag.

After felting the bag (click here to learn how to felt) it was important to block. To block the bag you can see in the picture that I put a hard covered book inside. That way it would have a nice shape after drying overnight.

You can find the FREE FELTED CROCHET PATTERN for the ROSEWOOD BAG here!

Let me know what you think?

Show me some LOVE :-)

10 Things

From Who Put Me In This Minivan

These 10 questions originally came from a French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot. It is probably more familiar to many as the question James Lipton asks at the end of "Inside the Actor's Studio."

********************************
What is your favorite word?
Salivate

What is your least favorite word?
Broke (as in no more money)

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
A good yarn, A good sermon, A good sense of humor

What turns you off?
Toe Up Socks, Judgement, Talking behind backs, being taken advantage of

What is your favorite curse word?
Son of a B*tch (only every once in a while)

What sound or noise do you love?
Children Laughing, Clicking of knitting needles, Popcorn Popping (the smell isn't bad either)

What sound or noise do you hate?
Grinding Teeth, That sound that people make in the back of their throats when they are going to hawk a loogy, My knitting needles being used as drum sticks usually straight out of my work in progress (courtesy of my son)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Today Show Host, Yarn Shop Owner

What profession would you not like to do?
President of the United States, Fire Fighter, Pediatric Oncologist

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Welcome my child, I have been waiting for you & You were a good mom.

Please feel free to answer the same questions on your blog!
I would love to see what you all say.

And the Winner is...

With a total of 21 people voting (which is not that many considering I have had several HUNDRED look at my blog) and 7 of them choosing FRAGGLE ROCK which was submitted by my friend LAIN, it is the winner!

*golf clap for Lain*

What does she get, Bob? Well, Chuck, she gets an all expenses paid package of stuff (I know, I can't think of a more clever word). Sponsored by my stash. A value estimated at $25.00.

What a great prize Bob! Lain, I hope you enjoy your gift!

WoW Factor

How do you know if something you made has that Wow Factor? You might think it has it, and your family might think it has it, but unless some stranger actually gives you a wow compliment you don't really believe that what you made has it!

For example: I love my bag (yet to be named...you better vote) my family loves my bag, my friends want the pattern so they can make my bag; but they all have to be nice to me. They know that I am a delicate soul who needs constant reassurance and positive affirmations (it get tiring I am sure). However, a total stranger knows nothing of me or my short comings. He or she only notices whether or not what I have made is aesthetically pleasing to them or not. They don't have to spare my feelings or caress my emotional button. You know what I mean?

What do we do in order to get these strangers to take notice? I will tell you what we do; we search for the obscure compliment by using or wearing our wonderful handmade item everywhere we go. We purposefully plop our new handbag on the checkout counter and take a little extra time searching for our wallet waiting for an acknowledgment from the cashier or the people waiting in line behind us (who are only irritated that we are taking so darn long). We walk around the mall and check to see if people walking by us are taking a double take: caution though...your zipper could be down and that is the reason of the second glance, not that your shawl is stunning. We make a point to mention to the other people we are with that we not only made the item we are using/wearing but designed it ta boot(said people are tolerant of this repetitive statement because they are aware of our emotional instability when it comes to our handmade items). We may wait all day for that one compliment but when It comes...man what a feeling!

That one moment that we have been waiting for...that moment when a complete stranger, with no ulterior motive other than to pay a compliment comes up to you and says "I love your bag, where did you get that?"

You gleam with pride when you say that you made it and designed it...what a moment! Complete validation! I am worthy of being called a designer!

For me, I only had to take my bag to the pediatricians office yesterday in order to have his nurse get so flubber minded over the bag that she couldn't hardly write down my son's height and weight. She even brought in other nurse to take a look! Wow, what a compliment! But that was not all...she asked me if I would make her one half the size in red, white and blue. I said yes but wasn't sure what to ask for as far as price. When I suggested 75$ she said that was reasonable and gave me her name and number.

Now, that is what I call a Wow of a compliment!

Name That Bag!

Hey, I have picked five names from all the suggestions! Thanks for all the great names to choose from; gotta admit it is really nice to see people actually take the time to comment (hint, hint).

I have created a poll in my sidebar. Take a minute to vote on your favorite one. I will have the voting open until SUNDAY.

Marly

Total Groupie

*Photo Heavy Post...sorry dial-up!*

OH, where do I begin? This past weekend I went with my friend Jill to the Creative Festival here in Denver, CO. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a huge Merchandise Mart full of Fiber, Quilts, Buttons, Scraping Booking Material, Fabric, and did I mention Fiber that will get my bowls moving like a U-haul truck down a steep hill! The minute I walked into the place I made a mad dash to the bathroom! Does that happen to any of you?

Okay, that is a lie, the Creative Festival is NOT the only place that happens to me...anytime I walk into a yarn store at least 15 steps into the place I am so full of excitement that I RUN not walk, RUN to the restroom. My mom laughs at me and my husband thinks I am crazy...I just think my body can't contain the joy so it does the only thing it can. Kinda like my bodies way of saying "Hallelujah"!

Marly and Jill

Anyway, I got there just as the doors opened to make sure that Jill and I could do a good bit of walking around before our first class. We shoved our way through the roto-tilly thing and started to walk...almost prance down each row. Smiles on our faces from ear to ear (total dorks). I just kept telling her how happy I was, and she would look at me and say ME TOO!

Man, the uber amounts of craft stuff...almost too much eye candy to take in. Just when I thought I needed a break I saw the most beautiful Fair Isle sweaters I had ever seen! The color palettes were to die for.

I immediately walked over there to ogle over these pieces of art when I noticed that it was a booth hosted by Philosophers Wool. The same people that I was taking my first class with to learn how to do Fair Isle! Yippee!

But wait, that is not all (I sound like an infomercial)! There was a man at the booth knitting behind the cash till. I kept looking at him, not because it was a man knitting but because he looked really familiar. Then I thought it was the woolly fumes getting to me and making my imagination play tricks. I just shrugged it off to the fact that he looked a bit like Bob Ross. Oh, but then I saw it. This Book...this is THE book that made me want to learn how to Fair Isle, this is THE book that made me want to learn how to make socks, this is THE book that I had looked at so many times the binding was starting to wear thin...it was HIS BOOK!

I am telling you, I could not contain myself! I was talking to him faster and faster with a voice that was getting higher and higher with each word. Jill was looking at me like I was crazy! I was almost dancing on my tip toes and my hands (because they didn't know what else to do) were flailing about at my sides! And then...It dawned on me that HE was teaching my class! BE STILL MY HEART! Okay, so it was his wife Ann who taught my class but same difference. SHE is the other half of Philosophers Wool and SHE is the other author of THE book!

Jill and I got to the class five minutes early and got a front row seat. She and I looked like little kids waiting for a mid-afternoon treat only it was 11:30 in the morning and we were learning how to knit. Surrounded by fellow knitters all eager to learn. For that one hour I did not feel like a weirdo who always knits. I was part of a community! One that was full of people just like me. I was validated in some way! Man, I love being around other knitters!

The class was great! I completely understand how to Fair Isle now with no problem. Before, I was having trouble with holding one of the colors in my right hand (I knit continental) but by the end of the class I was a pro! I can even weave in my floats as I go...advanced knitting no?

So, after the class I asked Ann and Eugene (first name basis all the way baby!) for a picture and they obliged me!

(Gotta get ready right? That is me putting on lip gloss. I am ready for my close up Mr. whoever)

Man, I felt like a total groupie! I even asked them to sign my book that I purchased (Great Book btw! Get it if you LOVE Fair Isle).

Ann wrote: Marlaina (she knows my name)

Remember you want to finish so start soon!

Ann and Eugene 2007 Denver

Cloud NINE, I tell you, Cloud NINE! Next year I am going to purchase one of their kits to make my mom a cardi. I think she would love one in the Fall Pallete.

I could have left the show right then but I had signed up for a couple more classes on Needle Felting with Barbara Crawford of Crawford Designs ( have a picture of me standing next to her but it is a bad picture of me so...too bad). There is a large article about her in Sew News February issue. Check it out. She is a really funny lady! A real hoot...take her class if you ever get a chance...you will enjoy it!

Other than that, after all the Hobby Lobby purchases over the last few months, I was out of money. But I had to get something, right? Well, who can resist some great hand dyed sock yarn? That is for Moi!

Isn't it lovely!

All in all, we had a great time and think that next year Jill and I will get a booth ourselves. Yep, I am going to be that big. Then, all of you can come to my class and take pictures with me like a groupie :-)

Positive thinking, ya' know?

You know what else, I got a LOT of compliments on my BAG while at the show too. Don't worry, I didn't forget about the contest. If you haven't submitted a name you still have time. I am going to pick my favorites tomorrow and then let you all vote on which one you like best!

I have also started another bag so I will have pictures for you soon!

Have a great day ya'll!

Marly

Felted Wool!

I have been crocheting for nearly nine years now and knitting for almost three. I have made a zillion different things but there are those few things that are still on my New Years Resolution: Knitters Style list to accomplish this year. One of them is to design. Well, I combined two of my resolutions and decided that in all the years I have been "crafting" I have wanted to make something for the sole purpose of felting it. There is something about creating a very dense fabric that appeals to me. Like a bag for example: the way the yarn is just flimsy and has no definite shape before it hits the Hot water. Then like magic, the wool begins to form something totally cool...FELT!

For years now, I have been looking...no, searching for the right bag to make. It has been agony; this one too small, this one not pretty, this one not cool, that one is just wrong. Really, I haven't really liked any bags that I saw crochet felted and didn't feel comfortable enough in my knitting to spend that much time making a bag to felt since I had never done it before. (at least not on purpose: Dad's Socks)

Okay, if there are no patterns I liked what was I supposed to do? That is right, desperation breeds ingenuity. With the encouragement from Jill and Jenn I decided to delve into the world of designing handbags. Not just crochet handbags but FELTED Crochet Handbags. Now, after a long awaited introduction, here is my first design.

What is her NAME?

She needs a name.

Help me name this bag! Please leave your suggestion in a comment along with your email address.

The Name I pick will win a Prize from my STASH!!

Smite Me!

Reenactment:

Scene: 15 degrees, starting to snow, 1:30 pm, nap time for the kids, Comcast supposed to come and fix my phone between 1-5pm...

Ring, Ring:

Marly: Hello?

Jill: (the enabler) Smite me for I have been a bad, bad girl.

Marly: (in an elevated voice full of excitement) what have you done?

Jill: I went to JoAnn's today to get some more purse handles and decided I would check out the Dollar Tree and see if they had any yarn.

Marly: Well, did they?

Jill: (almost unable to contain the joy)YES! They had Lion Boucle and the Fun Fur with the slubs in it. Bins FULL! Right there, just as I walked in the door, calling my name. I knew I was in trouble!

Marly: NO! (said in disbelief) How much did you buy? Tell me you left some for me? (about ready to have an anxiety attack knowing that I had to get there)

Jill: Well (long pause) I purchased...(drawn out word) E-N-O-U-G-H. (giggle, giggle) I have been a very bad girl!

Marly: Oh, Oh, Oh, I wonder if the one by me has some too (said quickly reaching for the phonebook to retrieve the number to the store on 88th). Are you in my neck of the woods?

Jill: Yep.

Marly: Come on up here, K? I am gonna call the Dollar Tree up the road.

Jill: Okay, see you in a bit.

*Click*

Ring, Ring

Store: Hello, Dollar Tree.

Marly: Hello, I am calling to find out if you have Lion Boucle yarn for sale at your store.

Store: Um, let me go and take a look. (long pause...then reading the label out loud) LION BOUCLE. Yup, we got it.

Marly: (so excited I nearly wet my pants!)Do you have a lot or is it starting to dwindle?

Store: Um, well, we have about three or four colors...yeah, I would say there is a lot (note: a man, who does not knit or crochet, should not be trusted in the category of yarn quantity).

Marly: I will be right up.

*Click*

Ding, Dong

Marly: Drop your stuff and let's go to the Dollar Tree!

Jill: Okay, Kids, let's go!

Marly: (already in car in record time with three kids...all in car seats) Close the door behind you!

*SLAM*

We got to the store, I purchased some yarn, got home in time to wait for Comcast to come and fix my phone at 5:15pm. Life is Good!

Lion Boucle at the Dollar Tree in Denver Colorado...it is going FAST!

Wait for it!

Hey all, I am working really hard to finish a crochet felted bag that I am designing. For some reason, every time I start to work on it my kids start to ransack the house! Therefore, what should have been done in a few days is now dragging on for almost two weeks....just a bit longer than I expected. Anyway, I am going to the Denver Creative Festival this weekend and really want to bring it. So that means I have to get it done today so I can felt it tonight, let it dry tomorrow and it will be ready by Saturday.

Once I get the bag put together I will take some pictures so you all can see the process from start to finish. After that I am going to put the pattern on my blog if you like the bag.

So, stay posted...actual fiber content to come!

P.S. Tonight is the Monthly Needle and Thread at Red Rocks Baptist Church is CANCELLED!