Happy New Year

I am so happy to start this new year out being able to crochet lol

 

It has been hard year full of tough lessons....

 hearing this for over and over....

Thanking all those who helped me in these dark times...
Many blessing to you and yours

New photo of 1 by 1 fingerless gloves free knit pattern

1 by 1s fingerless gloves

Basic relaxed fit hat

mens basic relaxed fit hat

 

Colors changed up a bit for women :D 

Black Magic Cuffs

Black Magic Cuffs

Size 10 and 9 US dpns needles

Gauge 4.5 stitches by 5.5 rows per inch in stockinette

on Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/black-magic-cuffs

Black Magic Cuffs

Black Magic Cuffs

Size 10 and 9 US dpns needles

Gauge 4.5 stitches by 5.5 rows per inch in stockinette

on Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/black-magic-cuffs

Tied Lace Fingerless Gloves

                     
Can be worn with lace facing top of arm or under, laced from top or by wrists. Made with size US 10 dpns, knit both flat ( the lace part ) and in the round ( hands )


Buy pattern at
                    
                  Ravelry
                  

Back in Black Creative Services

Check out these photos of some of my knit items

                   




Wow Right?? :D
         you are looking at the knits right lol

 modeled by a member of The Sun City Girls Professional Dance Team

 Sabine a good friend of mine who works with the photographer ( see photo below ) asked him to take a few shots of some of the knit items I made for her ( Thank you both )

They do all kinds of photography not just knits ;)

    I'll be adding these patterns to my blog soon, I had to share a few of the photos first :D

one of the hardest things about making
and sharing patterns ( other than naming them ;) ) is taking a good photo of them...

Frank makes it look so easy, however I know it is all about the talent and skill... he has plenty of both

this photo was taken by another friend Leti Ortiz who was kind enough to let me share her work of them working lol.. I am blessed with many talented good people in my life.... Life is Good

  Check out the web site here

             Back in Black Creative Services
 

Randy Granger

I've been posting some quick knits with easy gifting in mind... if you are still in need of gifts try getting a few of Randy Grangers cd's. I've done this myself and never disappointed the person I gave them to :D here are a few links to make it even easier... check out his videos on you tube the guy is really good.. he even has Christmas music :D

Randy Granger

on amazon

you tube LoneGranger



 

Eyelet Cuffed Fingerless Gloves

Size 10 US dpns needles
Both gloves made the same
Gauge 3.5 stitches by 4.5 rows per inch in stockinette
54 yards of Aran weight yarn approximately

k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p = purl
kf/b = knit into the front and back of the next stitch
ssk = slip one stitch knit wise, then slip the next stitch knit wise as well, knit both stitches together
yo = yarn over needle
** repeat instructions to end


on Ravelry




　

Right Twist Warmers

Size 8 US dpns needles
Both gloves made the same
Gauge 4 stitches by 6 rows per inch in stockinette
72 yards of worsted weight yarn approximately
14 beads optional

k = knit
p = purl
pf/b = purl the stitch like normal but before taking off of the left hand needle purl through back loop as well
rt = knit 2 stitches together leaving on left needle, going between those stitches, knit first stitch again
yo = yarn over needle
** repeat instructions to end

on ravelry

Lace and Ribs Fingerless Gloves

Lace and Ribs Fingerless Gloves
Size 10 US dpns needles
Both gloves made the same
Gauge 3.5 stitches by 4.5 rows per inch in stockinette
50 yards of Aran weight yarn approximately

k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p = purl
pf/b = purl the stitch like normal but before taking off of the left hand needle purl through back loop as well
ssk = slip one stitch knit wise, then slip the next stitch knit wise as well, knit both stitches together
yo = yarn over needle
** repeat instructions to end

on Ravelry

Cuffed Fingerless Gloves take 2

Size 8 US dpns needles
Both gloves made the same
Gauge 4 stitches by 6 rows per inch in stockinette
28 yards of worsted weight yarn approximately ( multi colored )
46 yards of worsted weight yarn approximately ( black )

k = knit
kf/b = knit into the front and back of the next stitch
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p = purl
psso = pass slid stitch over
sl 1 = slide one stitch 
yo = yarn over needle
** repeat instructions to end

pattern

on Ravelry

Winter wonderland

We don't get much snow in these parts but when we do it's beautiful...I could really live without the cold part of it lol but must admit it great for wearing my knit items :D

Ribbed Hat
Size 8 US dps needles or cable
Gauge 6 rows by 4 ½ stitches per 1 inch
Adult size
165 yards worsted weight

Pattern stitch
K1, k f/b, knit to last 2 stitches on needle, k f/b, k1 repeat for each needle. It may help to place stitch markers by increases, after a bit I increased to 8 dpns to keep stitches from sliding off needles.

Knit next round all needles
k = knit
k f/b = knit into the front and back of the next stitch
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
1 by 1 ribbing = knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, repeat always purling the purl stitches and knitting the knit stitches. Continue in this manner


Cast on 8 stitches

k f/b all stitches placing evenly on 4 dpns, join in the round

knit round

k1, k f/b x 2, k1

knit round

Start pattern stitch

Repeat until you have a total of 136 stitches ending with a knit round

k2tog repeat to end of round

knit round

1 by 1 ribbing for 2 1/2 inches

Bind off in 1 by 1. Weave in ends, using tail to close gap in top of hat.

1 by 1’s fingerless gloves

The larger needle size makes these very quick and easy,great for last minute gift. The ribbing gives them enough stretch to fit a wide range of hand sizes. Beads add a bit of flare but are optional. 

 

1 by 1’s fingerless gloves 

Both gloves are made the same
Size 10 US dpns needles
Gauge 4.5 stitches by 5.5 rows per inch 
50 yards of sport weight yarn ( for both )
26 size 11 clear seed beads
k = knit
m1 = make new stitch by picking up bar between stitches and knit through the back loop
p = purl
1 by 1 ribbing = knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, repeat. Always purling the purl stitches and knitting the knit stitches. Continue in this manner
** repeat instructions to end of round

Cast on 26 stitches using alternating knit one purl one long tail method after placing 13 beads on thumb side off cast on tail sliding beads in place with the purl stitches, join in the round

1 - 7 ) *1 by 1*

8 ) k1, m1, p1, *1 by 1*

9 ) *1 by 1*

10 - 13 ) repeat rows 8 and 9 twice more

14 - 16 ) *1 by 1*

17 ) Bind off 6 stitches in 1 by 1, *1 by 1* turn ( next few rows are knit flat )

18 ) *1 by 1* turn

19 ) *1 by 1* rejoin in the round knitting

20 - 26 ) *1 by 1*

Bind off in 1 by 1, weave in ends.

Phoebe's quick knit sweater

Phoebe lost some weight this year, her last sweater is huge on her.
 It wasn’t the easiest to put on anyhow  she didn’t like me buttoning it up, took too long lol. So this years model is taking in account all of the new and old dislikes ;)

No buttons

No sleeves or anything between her front legs at all

Not too warm

No fun fur around the neck

I went totally basic and easy with this one.. nothing more that a tube with a hole in it lol
I didn't get the gauge or yardage so this is more of a pattern idea....

Size 11 Us needles

Cast on 38 sts using 2 strands of worsted weight yarn, join in the round

1 by 1 ( knit one, purl one repeat to end of row ) for 6 inches

Bind off in pattern 10 stitches

Knitting flat 1 by 1 ( knitting all knit stitches and purling all purls ) for 4 inches

Make 10 stitches rejoin in the round

1 by 1 for 4 1/2 inches

Bind off, weave in ends.

　

 

Cloth # 18

　

Cloth # 18

Size 8 US needles

8 ½ inches by 8 ½ inches
Exact gauge is not essential to this project
62 yards of 100% cotton worsted weight

k = knit
k tbl = knit stitch through back loop
p = purl
p tbl = purl stitch through back loop
yo = yarn over needle making new stitch

( )x = repeat instructions between as many times as indicated

Cast on 38 stitches

1 -5 ) knit

6 ) k5, ( p1, k tbl, p1, k2 )x5, p1, k tbl, p1, k5

7 ) k6, p tbl, k1 ( p2, k1, p tbl, k1 )x5, k5

8 ) k5 ( p1, k tbl, p1 k1, yo, k1 )x5, p1, k tbl, p1, k5

9 ) k6, p tbl, k1,( p3, k1, p tbl, k1 )x5, k5

10 ) k5 ( p1, k tbl, p1, k3, pass 3^rd stitch on right needle over center 2 stitches )x5, p1, k tbl, p1, k5

Repeat rows 6 - 10 eight more times for a total of nine repeats



Knit 5 rows bind off, weave in ends.

My quest for easy to peel fresh boiled eggs comes to an end

It worked WOO HOO easy to peel fresh boiled eggs :D

Room temp water to start add salt, boil... while boiling eggs get a bowl of ice cold water ready to place eggs in...
move eggs from the pot straight to the cold water, adding more ice as needed to keep really cold.. 
 we never have an on hand supply of ice so I used frozen water bottles ( took 3 of them to keep the water cold )
I've tried the ice thing before but guessing I didn't keep the water cold enough long enough... I got busy and left them in about 30 minutes.... worked great :D

Black Cat seed bead earrings with free chart

little ones

We have wanted Jersey Giants from the start of our chicken keeping...

 

a few weeks ago hubby sent the guys and I to get layer feed thinking it was safe as they haven't had any chicks for awhile now...
well he would have been right if someone hadn't placed a special order that the owner added a few extra to just in case..
         we were at the right place at the right time :D





meet our new pullets :D







Just before this happened two of our hens went broody
our game hen and one of our production reds
after fighting them for a few days I gave up thinking they would give up themselves as they have before
not this time...the game hen was clearly stealing eggs from some of the other hens.. we found brown and green eggs under her ....still not sure how she pulled that off....lol

After a few days with less eggs in the other nesting area we went looking under the red...some of the other reds were laying along side of her and she just took care of them....we found 41 eggs in the nest with her...we pulled 31 and marked the ones we left thinking we could tell the new ones from the old...all the other eggs we placed in the incubator...I couldn't just leave them to die..it worked for a few days...but the markings came off...at about this time we found a chick by the game hen...she wanted nothing to do with it...into another brooder area for it as it was too small to go in with the others...the next day one hatched in the incubator...cool it wasn't alone.. such a sweetie needed a friend...while we were working inside with that one another was hatched in the coop...well almost hatched...the game hen sat on it poor little guy...at this point I got tired of not getting any eggs to eat ( what can I say I'm hooked ) we pulled all of the eggs under both of them...the red had managed to get another 20 or so eggs under her.. plus the 10 we left...
We removed the rooster weeks before this as he was getting really ugly...thinking it was a pure waste of eggs we wanted it over with....not knowing what ones were old or new coupled with being out of time and no batteries for the flashlight we just put all of them in the incubator.....without candling them

these 2 hatched earlier today  

 

these two are now out of the shell drying

 

 

 

soon to be put in by these guys

so far we have 16 not counting the two who didn't make it out of the shell....with more peeping going on...they are so cute and sweet even though daddy was mean. They look like him he was an australorp although some have red around their combs....

free seed bead earring charts 7 across brick stitch

earring charts for 9 across brick stitch

 

 

Jorden's garden

Jorden has made a lot of changes to the garden this year, some due to our pets...like the repurposed wood fence to keep our doggie from eating all the chili and tomatoes lol

 


We saw a post on FaceBook where they were using their empty feed bags as planters...we needed to give that a try...works great...he wanted some onion seeds so we let a few flower :D

The garlic chives, parsley, catnip and oregano are coming along nicely

Our white sage is doing great

The red sunflowers came up on their own this year...the grapes are doing better than ever thanks to the chicken droppings :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

common sage is flowering again

 

 

 

 

 

The only issue right now is this little guys they are so small they can get through the fence right into the garden...so we need to replant a lot of the greens...at least they had a good meal if it lol

 

Seed bead earrings with chart ( 9 across )