knitting etc. - cable knit headband

I first saw this cable knit headband on the blog you are my fave.

It came as part of a monthly subscription called My Little Box, which sends boxes full of goodies. The subscription is currently only available in France and Belgium, but if you are not in those areas, you should check out the affiliated website, My Little Paris. 

I love the simplicity of this cable knit headband. I hope to make something similar with this really soft Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply yarn I have in "toffee." 

The yarn says to use a US size 3 needle, but I might go with something bigger to achieve the relaxed look of the headband in the picture.

Check out the braided cable knit headbands I made a few weeks ago here and here. 

anna knits - knit bulldog update 2

Thanks to the Oscars - which had me sitting for a few hours - I was able to finish knitting and sewing together my knit bulldog last night!

I was vey nervous about sewing it together, but it turned out super cute!

Here is an idea of my sewing process:

This chart from Ravelry user Spookloops really helped me get the face, as well as looking at pictures uploaded by other users. 

I still need to add the collar, and perhaps a little T-shirt, but the hardest parts are over. See my progress and where I got the pattern here. 

anna knits - knit bulldog update 1

I've embarked on another knit dog from the book Knit Your Own Dog. I made a knit pug a few months ago, and while it was challenging, I was happy with the result. See my knit pug progress here, here, and here.

A few days ago, my bulldog looked like this:

Now he looks like this:

I just need to finish making the ears. Then all the parts will be done and I will be ready to sew and stuff.

There are a bunch of great posts about this pattern on Ravelry. Here is one of my favorites by Ravelry member justmichelle:

Overall it seems like it is going to be a challenge to put it all together. Wish me luck! 

anna knits - 4 and 6 cup tea cosy patterns

Today I finished two spiral top tea cosies. I was asked to make one medium and one large cosy by a family friend, and I took the opportunity to update the Spiral Top Tea Cosy pattern I posted on this site to include sizes medium (4 cup) and large (6 cup). Check it out here!

anna etsys - heart bookmarks

Crochet Heart Bookmarks are now up on my Etsy shop: anna knits, etc.!

Pair one with a great book to make the perfect gift for your favorite bookworm - or yourself!

Want to make your own? I posted the pattern (free!) here. 

anna crochets - heart bookmark

Since it is Valentine's Day week, I've been experimenting with crochet hearts. I ended up making a bookmark, which I am really happy with. Here is the pattern for you to try:

~ Crochet Heart Bookmark Pattern Idea ~

I used Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn in red and pink and an H/8 5.00mm crochet hook. Please note that this is less of a pattern and more of a pattern idea as you will be required to crochet a heart based on your own preference. There are many tutorials out there for crocheting hearts. Good luck!

Step 1: Crochet a heart. I used this photo pattern from the blog Cornflower Blue Studio  Please see below**.
Step 2: Crochet a second heart.
Step 3: Attach a second color yarn with a slip stitch to one of the hearts.
Step 4: Chain 30 (or as long as you like).
Step 5: Attach the other end of the chain to the second heart.
Step 6: Tie in loose ends.

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

** (12/10/14) A reader alerted me that the Cornflower Blue Studio pattern is no longer accessible. I found the same pattern with great instructions on another blog, a creative being.  Enjoy!

*** (2/12/17) Unfortunately the link from a creative being is also no longer accessible. Thanks to reader Madeleine for letting me know! I found a tutorial for making the same type of crochet hearts on Youtube from Chic and Cheap (Easiest Crochet Heart Tutorial). Happy Valentine's Day!

anna knits - braided headband 2

After knitting my frist braided headband, I ordered some super bulky wool from Jimmy Beans Wool. I went with the Rowan Big Wool Yarn in black. This pure merino wool is so soft, and super easy to knit.

I used the same pattern from LuluKnits that I used the first time, but this time I used size 15 needles with my super bulky yarn. It only took me a few hours to knit up yesterday -- which I had due to Nemo!

I have enough yarn left over from the 100g skein that I think I can knit up another headband. Or 'll try a different project... perhaps an infinity scarf?

For real time updates on my knitting projects, follow me on instagram @annaknitsetc!

anna knits - spiral top tea cosy (large)

If there is one thing Nemo the storm is good for, it is knitting. I finished this spiral top tea cosy today. It is a large (6 cup) tea cosy. You can get the free pattern for the small (2 cup) size here -- I plan to update the pattern for medium and large pots this weekend!

This is made with Cascade 220 yarn from Jimmy Beans Wool.

anna crochets - crochet heart

Valentine's Day is approaching, and I thought I'd get in the spirt by crocheting a heart. Not sure what I am gong to do with it yet, but I'll keep you posted!

You can learn how to make your own crochet heart with this great picture tutorial on the blog Cornflower Blue Studio. 

anna cooks - muddy buddies

Are you excited for the Super Bowl? I am - perhaps more for the food than the game, but that's all part of the fun. I'm heading to a Super Bowl watching party and I offered to bring a dessert I hadn't had in years: Muddy Buddies. Here's how I did it:

Muddy Buddies: A Photo Recipe

Get the full recipe here. 

anna knits - braided headband update 2

I finished my braided headband!

Used this pattern, knitting the headband until it fit around my head tightly and then joining it with mattress stitch. 

Next time I'd like to make one that is really bulky. It is so cold her in Boston, I'll need it!