Summertime

Finally figuring out how to go forward with my online sites. Sometimes things take time to muse through; and I'm glad I waited, because this way is the best way.

It has been hot here in northeastern PA; too hot for June. I'll take it though; when I think on those endless winter months, which start in November and go right through April sometimes; Nature seems to be playing cruel tricks on us. It's nice to walk down the gravel roads with doing nothing more than spraying on a little bug spray; no gloves, no coat, no scarf, no hoping you don't fall on your head on the ice. Winter's are no picnic around here.

So, I just keep busy. Like this little hummingbird here; looking to sweeten its day.

Sitting for just a few seconds, then flying away, then coming back to do it all over again. All day, every day. The birds have their work, and we have ours.

I love creating new things to use around the house. Below is a pattern for a Gingham Placemat, which I did up in Sugar N Cream Country Red. All you need are 2 regular skeins and a size 4 or 5 needle.

Border Stitches *: Row 1: Sl 1, k4, p4, k3, last 12 stitches are k3, p4, k5.
Row 2: Sl 1, k1, p10, last 12 stitches are p10, k2.
Repeat these 2 rows for the entire pattern.

*These stitches will be referred to as B12, in the Main Pattern.

Main Pattern: CO 89 sts.
Purl first 4 rows.
Row 1: B12, *(K1, p1) 4x, k1, p5; rep from * to last 9 sts,
(k1, p1) 4x, k1, B12.
Row 2: B12, (K1,p1) 4x, k1, * k6 (p1, k1) 4x,; rep from * to end,
B12.
Row 3 to 5: Repeat rows 1 and 2 once more, then row 1 again.
Row 6: B12, P9, * (p1, k1) 2x, p10; rep from * to end, B12.
Row 7: B12, *K9, (p1, k1) 2x, p1; rep from * to last 9 sts, k9, B12.
Rows 8 to 15: Repeat rows 6 and 7 four more times.
Row 16: Repeat row 6.

Repeat this pattern 4 times more, then purl 4 rows and bind off.

What could be easier, and they look so fabulous on your kitchen table!

If you don't like that pattern, and what's not to like, here's another.

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This is a Diamond Lace Placemat.

I used Sugar n Cream Hot Green yarn, 2 skeins.
Size 4 or 5 needle.
I used the same Border Pattern as for the Gingham Placemat.

CO 97 sts.

K1, P1, for the first 4 rows. (Seed St. border)
Row 1: B12, K1, yo, *k3tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2tog, B12.
Row 2 and all WS rows: B12, Purl, B12.
Row 3: B12, K1, k2tog, * yo, k11, yo, sk2po; rep from * to end, ending ssk, k1, B12.
Row 5: B12, K2, *(yo, ssk), 2x, k5, (k2tog, yo)2x, k1; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 7: B12, K2, *k1, (yo, ssk)2x, k3, (k2tog, yo)2x, k2; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 9: B12, K2, *k2, (yo, ssk)2x, k1, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k3; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 11: B12, K2, * k3, yo, ssk, yo, sk2po, yo, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 13: B12, K2, * k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5: rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 15: B12, K2, * k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to last st. k1, B12.
Row 17: B12, K2, * k4, yo, ssk, yo k3tog, yo k5; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 19: B12, K2, * K5, yo, sk2po, yo, k6; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 21: B12, K2, *k2, (k2tog, yo)2x, k1, (yo, ssk)2x, k3; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 23: B12, K2, * k1, (ktog, yo)2x, k3, (yo, ssk)2x, k2; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 25: B12, K2, *(k2tog, yo)2x, k5, (yo, ssk)2x, k1; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 27: B12, K1, k2tog, * yo, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, yo, sk2po; rep from * ending ssk, k1, B12.
Row 29: B12, K2, * yo, ssk, k9, ktog, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 31: B12, K2, * k1, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1, B12.
Row 32: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-32 once more, then Rows 1-16.
K1, P1, for 4 rows, BO all stitches.

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Here is a dishcloth pattern that is as cute as a button! I call it the Daisy Dishcloth.




I used Peaches N Cream Daisy Ombre and a size 4 needle.
All you need is one skein.

CO on 38 sts.

C8P: Sl4 sts to cable ndl in front, p4 from left needle, then p4 from cn.
C8K: Sl4 sts to cable ndl in front, k4 from left needle, then k4 from cn.

Knit first 4 rows.
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11: *(yo, k2tog)4x, k8; rep from * to end.
Rows 2 & 4: Purl.
Row 6: *C8P, p8; rep from * to end.
Rows 8 & 10: Purl.
Rows 12, 14, 16, 18, & 20: *(p2tog, yo)4x, p8; rep from * to end.
Rows 13 & 15: Knit.
Row 17: *C8K, K8; rep from to end.
Rows 19 & 21: Knit.
Row 22: Same as Row 12.
Repeat Rows 1-22 once more, then rows 1- 10.
Knit 4 rows, and BO all stitches.


There's nothing like knitting and seeing something to show for it when you're all finished.

With these patterns, you can't miss.

Sometimes life hands you icing. The least you should do is put it on a cupcake.