I just got some wool yarn and tried my hand at felting. There is a purse on ¡The AntiCraft! that I really wanted. (click here to see the purse) I got the yarn in today and knitted a swatch and tried hand felting (I don’t have a washing machine so the bathroom sink has to do). At first I tried with cold water and nothing happened so I switched to hot water. It still seemed like nothing was going to happen then BOOM it happened. It came together so beautifully. I can’t wait to try some actual projects with felting now.

I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting with things lately and I’m not sure if I mentioned before that I’ve never really made patterns or tutorials or anything like that before. I started this blog because I want to share ideas for the things I make but please don’t be disappointed if there is a lag between posts. I will try hard to get things up here regularly so just bear with me. As I get more confident I will post more. Anyway, on to a set I just made that I think y’all will like.

With 4th of July coming up I wanted something unique to wear to the firework shows and such so here it is. This is a set of matching cuffs and hat. I would consider this a beginning level project and a great way to learn to use double pointed needles (my first time using them).

For the cuffs I used size 8 (US) (5mm) double pointed needles and worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Cherry Red, Royal, and White). Cast on 30 stitches of White, 10 on each of 3 double pointed needles, knit around for 6 rows. For the next 6 rows of white you are going to work back and forth (not in the round) knitting on the right side, purling wrong side. Change colors to Royal and continue knitting and purling for 6 rows. Go back to knitting in the round for 6 rows. Change color to Cherry Red and knit 11 rows and bind off on the 12th. If you want to dress them up a bit like I did you can crochette a little fun fur in red around the top and Red Heart Super Saver Stars and Stripes around the thumb.

For the hat I used the same colors and size 10 (US) straight needles. Starting with Royal, cast on 40 and knit 48 rows in Stockinette (knite right side, purl wrong side) and bind off. Using a needle and the duplicate stitch sew stars (chart coming soon) all over. With White, cast of 40 and knit 6 rows in Stockinette then switch to Cherry Red for 6 rows. Continue like this for 48 rows (4 stripes of white, 4 stripes of cherry red). Sew ends of the red and white to the sides of the blue forming a tube then sew across the top and embellish by hanging tassels made of the Stars and Stripes from the top corners. [Edit: My mom stole the first on I made before I could take pics. The one I am working on now I used the Garter Stitch (knit both sides) for the first 6 rows on each side to keep it from rolling up]

I know this description is rough. I will try to re write it later with pictures and charts, I just wanted to get it posted before I forgot it. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

The first thing I learned how to make was arm warmers. They are what prompted me to learn to knit. I needed a set for a Cats costume and my mom refused to make them for me. Since then I have made several different styles of arm warmers and I plan to put up instructions for all of them here. Since arm warmers are what I started with it is only fitting that my first try at making a charted pattern is a set of arm warmers.

Before you get started there are a couple of techniques you should know. They may seem complicated but with just a little practice you will do fine. If I can do it anyone can. I will give links to a place you can go that shows video on how to do these things. Ok, lets get started.

As for supplies you will need at least 2 different colors (black and white are what I will be practicing with) of worsted weight yarn, one set of size 10 knitting needles plus one size 8 needle.

You start by doing a Provisional cast-on of 45 stitches. Once you cast on, the pattern will be worked in a stockinette stitch. Just follow the pattern below until you reach the end and bind off with a 3-needle bind off.

As soon as I finish I will post pictures of mine here.

This pattern was based on the bmp socks at Knitty.com. These arm warmers would make a perfect set along with the socks for that old-school video game junkie in your life.

Welcome to the new Rayney Daze Blogs. This has just been uploaded and I need to do  a lot of tweaking but hopefully soon it will be looking good and running smooth. Keep checking back for updates.

Right now you must be invited to have a blog here. If you wish to have one  leave a comment on this page with the username you would like and your active email address. If I choose to give you a blog you will be sent a password which you can change as soon as you log in the first time.