nails, etc. - gold spots

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I wanted to share my trick for adding a little holiday sparkle to any outfit: gold spotted nails! I'm in love with this new gold glitter nail polish from Milani that I picked up at CVS. It reminds me of these - holiday appropriate - gold glitter items from Kate Spade. So cute!

  

anna knits - cable knit headband pattern

I finished my cable knit headband a few weeks ago, and I am now getting around to posting the pattern. It is a quick knit, and a great way to practice cables. See my progress here and my inspiration here. Enjoy!

~ Cable Knit Headband Pattern ~

I used 2 strands of Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply yarn in Toffee (453) together on a size US8 needle, but you could also use a single stand of worsened weight yarn, or even a thicker yarn for a chunkier headband.

Cast on 18 stitches

Round 1: K6, P6, K6

Round 2: P6, K6, P6

Round 3: K6, P6, K6

Round 4: P6, K6, P6

Round 5: K6, P6, K6 

Round 6: P6, K6, P6

Round 7: K6, P6, K6

Round 8: P6, slip 3 stitches to cable needle or double pointed needle and hold in the back, K3 from the left hand needle, K3 held in back from the cable needle or double pointed needle, P6

Repeat rounds 1-8 until your headband is long enough - you can test it around your head, but know that it will stretch out after it is blocked. My headband took 13 rounds.

Blocking will help to flatten out your headband, although I like a little curl to the edges. 

After blocking, attach the ends with mattress stitch. 

See the Ravelry posting here.

anna knits - braided knit headband

Last week a reader reached out to me to commission a braided knit headband (thanks Jessica!). I made a few braided headbands last winter, but this was my first of this season. I used two strands of Ella Rae Classic in Silver Heather (104) held together on size US15 needles with this pattern from the blog LuluKnits. I completed ten rounds of the pattern to get the right length - including the 1/2 inch that came when I blocked the headband. Blocking really helped to flatten it as well. 

I hope it helps to keep Jessica warm this winter!

If you have an idea for a custom order, don't hesitate to email me: annaknitsetc@gmail.com

knit picks, etc. - last days of fall

   

(mini pumpkin pies) Cute twist on a fall must (yarn) Changing leaves, Thanksgiving golden turkey, and flakey pie crusts are just some of the things this yarn brings to mind (yum) Pumpkin and Apple Cinnamon donuts from NYC's Doughnut Plant (read) Interesting article about Norman Rockwell’s New England

anna knits - first snowfall

Today Boston saw its first snowfall of the season. The flakes did not stick, but they were a sign of what is sure to come. It is fitting then that I should today be finishing up a knit snowman ornament from one of my favorite knitting books, 55 Christmas Balls to Knit. I will have more to share soon!

Check out some of the ornaments I made from the book last year:

Eight-petal rose

Christmas pig

Selbu

Christmas stocking

knit picks, etc. - slouchy hats

   

(knit) Free Ravelry download! (braided) This hat looks so cozy (slouchy) Knit bonnet with pompom from Zara  (netted) I'd hope to do a DIY for a netted beanie soon

anna knits - cable knit headband update 1

I have to admit I have been very busy this month - and it is only November 5th! - but I wanted to give a sneak peek into my current knitting project: a cable knit headband. It is based off of this french headband I originally saw on the blog you are my fave. I have not knit cables in a while, but it has been fun getting back into it. More to come!

PS: Do you like my doggy knitting needles? They were a gift!