First Weekend Back at Mohave Trading Post

So last weekend was the first one back at the Mohave Trading Post. 3 Busy Sisters, the is Karen, Kristi and me are going have a booth there for the next 2 months. I thought this first weekend went okay. I wasn't completely skunked after all. See the lemon kitchen towel in the picture on the right? I sold that. I know it is not much, but it is a start. The ice has been broken.

If you happen to be in the Bullhead City/Laughlin area come on by. We have a booth filled with Karen's woodwork, Kristi's tremendous sewing skills and my knits and crochets.

This week I have been working a new pattern, Icing Scarf, from Ravelry.com and some interesting yarn I found at Joann's. I'll show that knitting of when I get it done and blocked.

BTW any of my readers sad at finding out that Joann's will be going out of business?

Over on Blue Sky this week I posted some affiliate linked aquamarine jewelry for gift ideas for March birthdays. I was on such a daily hamster wheel posting all the time on X before I left and I don't want to repeat that in the new place. I am thinking I will check in there with my own new posts and reposts of my followers on Wednesdays for now. That frees up about 8 hours a week for more knitting (certainly not for housework LOL). You can find me there if you are interested at @CozybyKathy I follow back and repost if you follow or repost me. I think sharing that way is great for all of us.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

Another Finished Crochet Project

Yes, that's right. I have another finished project to share here today. This is based on the Summer Sprig Lace Scarf. I say based on because I did the main body according to the pattern, which you can find on Ravelry.com by the way. Because I was in serious danger of running out of yarn trying to do the edging pattern as written I modified it. In other words I made up a kind of shell and loop pattern and had just a tiny bit left when I finished that row. I do like how it turned out.

The yarn used is from Joann's. (It looks like lots of their stores will be closing soon, did you hear about that? https://knitting.craftgossip.com/joann-bankruptcy-updates/2025/02/14/). It is 100% cotton in the k&c line. It comes in hanks that have to be wound and has about 400 yards in a hank. Last time I saw it in Joann's it was marked half price, originally $10 down to $5 and because it on clearance you can't get any more discounts on it.

In other ugly news and for once I don't mean the current state of our dying democracy, Jim has a lot of little things going on that are taking lots of appointments to sort out. He started with fluid on his lungs, then stubbornly high blood pressure, a blood clot in his heart, some spots on his lungs that could be from Valley Fever and oh yeah, a mass on his right kidney. There have been MRIs and PET scans and sonagrams and blood draws. He is getting weary from all the appointments that don't lead to cures but just more tests and a new appointment at another specialist. It is worrying but I don't even know what to worry about most. I say he is going to pieces. He says, "How can so many things be wrong when I feel pretty good?" He did feel good until yesterday when he got what seems to be a terrible head cold and I have no idea if this could be related to his Vasculitis or any of the other issues that are being investigated. 

Enough for now.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

Fresh Off the Hook

My scarf is done. As I said in my last post, this is the Summer Sprigs Lace Scarf pattern you can find on Ravelry.com. This was crocheted with Lion Brand's discontinued Summer Nights yarn. I hope to sell these at craft shows this spring. 

If you live in the desert like I do sometimes you need just a little something to put on your neck and shoulders to keep the air conditioning from making you chilled. This can happen in restaurants of casinos if you end up under a vent. These scarves would be perfect for that purpose. 

I am considering buying or making small bags to put them in to carry them in your purse. It could keep them cleaner and keep the scarves from getting snagged on things like your keyring, or combs or brushes if you carry those too.

When I get those last ends woven in it will be ready to go. I am thinking of pricing at $35 to $40 with the bag. Thoughts?

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

National Bobblehead Day and Other Stuff

I am an Amazon Associate and like to find fun things to share in affiliate links. Below you see my post on Blue Sky today. I used NationalDayCalendar.com to let me know it is National Bobblehead Day. This bobblehead of Bernie has 5 stars in its reviews. I remember seeing him sitting there in his mittens waiting for the inauguration ceremony to start, do you? I think you may even be able to find a reverse engineered pattern of those mittens on Ravelry. 

Today is National Bobblehead Day. With the snow in DC I remembered Bernie with his mittens. Who knew you could get him as a bobblehead? Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day Bobblehead Limited Edition amzn.to/40nduv1 #affiliatelink

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— CozybyKathy🌻 (@cozybykathy.bsky.social) January 7, 2025 at 8:28 AM

And speaking of Ravelry...

This is one of many current WIP's. The pattern is Summer Sprigs Lace Scarf. I am making it with Lion Brand Summer Nights and a size 4 steel hook. It is a one skein project. I am hoping to make these in lots of colors. This type of item that can be folded very small to carry in a purse can be just enough to keep the chill of air conditioning off your neck and shoulders in the Arizona summer. At other times it can dress up a plain top and make your outfit look just a bit more special. 

First post of the year. Not even gonna talk about blogging intentions. I, as always, want to do more. We'll see how it goes.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

 

Always Something New

I finished a baby blanket recently, the teal one that I showed you here in this post. By finished I mean the knitting is done but the ends need to be woven in and I am considering a steam block too. I am a little afraid of trying that but you only live once, right? 

The new start you see above is a bold and cheerful red. Another baby blanket and I have yarn and patterns for a few more because I don't know how to stop making stuff. The pattern is called Making Plans. I am very pleased with the pattern and my knitting of it so far. If you want to check about more patterns like this, the designer, on Ravelry where I bought my pattern, is Fifty Four Ten Studio. I bought 3 patterns because at the time I am writing this, if you buy 3 or more patterns you get 15% off your order. To make up my 3 I also got Stay On The Ridge and Piece of Home afghan patterns. The nice thing about these besides the lovely design work is that you get information to make these afghans in multiple sizes from very small baby to large blankets. I love having this when I am looking at afghan patterns! And if blankets aren't your thing check out the pillows, small things or hats, scarfs and shawls patterns.

Hey, if you are starting or finishing or even thinking about making a great pattern from a Ravelry designer share all about it in the comments. Let's inspire each other!

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

 

New Knitting

Yes, I did. I have started a new project. This is the first of a pair of yoga socks. No toes to make or heels to turn. I haven't ever made these before. The pattern is from Stitchcraft and Wizardry and is called Knitting is My Yoga Socks. You can find it on Ravelry and you don't need an account to check it out. 

Since I am in a stash busting mood I have decided to knit some hats during movie time after dinner. Nothing is cast on yet but when that happens I will let you know. The yoga socks will be worked on upstairs where I can concentrate on the pattern without distractions.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

Saved On A Sunday: Some Shetland Lace

When I grow up as a knitter, I have a goal in mind. I want to do a masterpiece Shetland Lace Shawl. Those are traditionally very large garter stitch lace squares. A main lace body is knit and then a lace border is added on all four sides. 

I found the pattern for the cowl you see below from Luba Chambers on Ravelry. Luba also has and Etsy shop which sells yarn and other knitting supplies. I am thinking that this could be a good starting project for knitting Shetland lace. One of the things that appeal to me about Shetland lace is that it is done in garter stitch. With the lovely squish factor of garter stitch and the delicate look of lace you get the best of both worlds in one project. 

This cowl is waiting for me my favorites on Ravelry. I have a mountain of WIPs and saved patterns to be done some day. This will be put on the top of the mountain so I can try it sooner rather than later. I do need to look for the perfect yarn for this also because in my stash right now I don't have anything worthy of the effort.

If you are a creative type with busy hands and a busy mind, do you have something you want to do that will be a masterpiece lifetime major accomplishment? Put it out there to the universe in the comments. I would love to hear from you.

Back with more again soon. 

Take care and stay cozy! 

Exciting New Beginning

Last night I finished the knitting on the last modified by me, Reynas that I have planned with the yarns I have on hand. Of course, weaving in the ends and blocking are yet to happen but they will soon because those pieces are destined for eBay listings.

So, with Netflix on, I finished the newly released episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer, I started the next pattern in a series of planned projects. I am changing skills this time. This pattern is crocheted rather than knitted. I have crocheted longer than knitted so it is a bit like coming home to a friend. I really do enjoy the rhythm of the hooked stitches being worked and I haven't done much crocheting since I worked on market bags and some potholders.

The pattern this time is Summer Sprigs Lace Scarf by Esther Chandler which is a free download on Ravelry. The scarf starts with a long, an oh so very long, chain, 386+1 stitches. I have single crocheted across the chain and have begun the first patterned row which I think gives the scarf it's sprigs that are in the pattern name. The pattern is written for lace weight yarn but in the projects, I found that someone did it with Summer Nights by Lion Brand Yarn. Searching for patterns made with that yarn is what led me to this lovely pattern. It has over 500 projects recorded on Ravelry and lots more have been made I am sure because like me many yarnies may never get around to recording their projects. I think about it and then never get around to doing that.

So today I leave you with this question. What new beginning has been a part of your life that gave you a sense of excitement and joy? Large or small beginnings, doesn't matter, it is the joy and excitement that I would love for you to share in a comment.

Back with more again soon. 

Take care and stay cozy! 

Started New Knitting and New Plans

I started new knitting yesterday. I did it because I finished the Wildflower Colorway Reyna shawl. The new one is the same pattern but in a very soft, very pretty color in the Summer Nights Yarn called Ocean Cove. It is one of the 6 colors I bought in this yarn when they were on clearance. 

I have at least 2 skeins in each of the colors. Finishing this shawl will give me one knitted Reyna in each color. 

Next up will be one of each color in a crocheted shawl pattern I found on Ravelry. This one is called Summer Sprigs Lace Scarf.

We have another road trip coming up. This one for us celebrating our wedding anniversary. I will probably use this pattern and my intention of making one in each of the 6 colors as my goal. I am looking forward to the project and the trip. 

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If you shop on Amazon, eBay or Zazzle you can use the affiliate links below if you wish. I could earn a bit from qualified purchases and that means more yarn for me and many thanks to you! 

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Back with more again soon. 

Take care and stay cozy! 

 

Currently Crocheting Dishcloths

The last time I visited my son's home I was told they were out of dishcloths. I decided to do something about that and give myself something to do with my hands during TV watching time. I chose this colorway because 1) it was cheaper than others and 2) he likes blue, she likes green and the purple and white add sparkle.

I do worry about how much or how long these will be useful. The have a sneaky but very cute dog in their home that likes to take things to the backyard and chew them up. That is one of the reasons why these are so simply made. 

I have created my second ever Ravelry project page for these dishcloths simple though they are. I have been on Ravelry for years, lurking and learning in the forums. One of the things I want to do this year is start making more digital records of things I make and do. It is a shame that over 50 years if making there are very few records. These memories are important to me whether they mean anything to anyone else doesn't really matter.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

What To Do With Scrap Yarn

I am trying not to add to the collections of odds and ends of yarn and fabric I have boxed away in a very big closet in my house these days. Without buying anything new I could keep myself busy and happy for years. In my 60s now I may have reached SABLE. If that term is new to you let me explain. It is an acronym for stash acquisition beyond life expectancy.These materials have built up over the years in little bits at a time and will be used up in the same way.


I ended last year by making a baby blanket to be given to the first baby of the new year at the local hospital. You can see here all the ends I had to weave in to get it done in time. While I loved the pattern that I found on Ravelry, Baby Bonanza Blanket, I did wonder what the heck I was thinking when I chose a pattern with so many color changes. I loved the yarn too. It is a machine washable 100% cotton that I got from Yarn.com named Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima. The softness of this yarn, the rainbow of colors and the squishiness of garter stitch made a beautiful blanket. The hospital's first baby of the new year was a boy who I imagine being very cozy in his new blanket. Of course I had bits of leftover yarn after the blanket was done so......


I started the new year with a scrap project that has managed to use up almost every little bit of that leftover yarn. I now have a stack of brand new washcloths and bright and cheerful rainbow colors. I haven't reduced my stash with this project but I haven't added to it either. I call that a win.

Back with more again soon.
Take care and stay cozy!