Donna's Knit Kits - Week 9

It sure does feel like fall this evening. 

In honor of that here is a fall themed scarf that Donna made from some yarn she got from one of her knit kits.

When Donna received this kit she said they suggested making socks with this yarn. Well, Donna nor I make socks and Donna thought this yarn was too nice to hide in shoes. 

This scarf is made using yarn called Mountain Colors Crazyfoot - the color is Poppy Trail.

This scarf would be very nice on a crisp fall day.

Donna's Knit Kits - Week 8 - The Deadline

One of the knitting clubs that Donna belongs to has a deadline attached. If you meet the deadline you get a discount off your next order at Paradise Fibers.

In this case they give you a month to finish your project. It is due by the 20th of every month. This month Donna just made the deadline and made this lovely Blooming Cowl.

The pattern says that this light, elegant and feminine cowl is a great accessory for spring and those chilly days when you need a wrap around your shoulders, neck and/or head.

The Cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up. It alternates sections of lace and stockinette stitch  at the same time that it changes colors.

As for the deadline ... as midnight loomed Donna figured out they are on the west coast and hoped that would be the time they were going to go by. I am happy to say that she made it by the deadline - midnight eastern standard time.

4th Annual JulyFest at the Swissvale Library

If you are out and about in Swissvale this Saturday there are two place you have to visit - first the Swissvale Farmers Market and then the Swissvale Library for the Friends of the Library's summer fundraiser, JulyFest. This event is a craft, art and bake sale. It's located in the senior center in the lower level of the library. The hours for the show is from 10a - 3p.

Besides Knitting by Pam and Donna there will be 15 other local artists and crafters showing and selling their work.

Here's an idea of the types of crafts that will be represented:

• Several Sewers
• Knitting and Crocheting
• Wooden Toys
• Photography
• Rock Candles
• Soy Candles
• Corn Bags
• Art
• Soap
• Handmade Fashion Handbags
• Cross Stitched Gift Jars
• Jewelry
• Kids Books

Here are some pictures from last years event.

All of the crafters and artists in these pictures will be participating in this years event.

By the way, there are some wonderful bakers who are members of the Friends of the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale. They put in a lot of hours baking all these goodies.

Please Stop by and Support the Library!

Donna's Knit Kits - Week 7

Donna still hasn't run out of knit kits that she has completed. 

This week we are showing you a cowl that she made.

This lovely cowl was made using Mountain Colors Hand Painted Yarns from Corvallis, Montana. 

The color of the yarn is called Evening Star. 

Once again Donna did a great job!

Help in the Kitchen!

It's Thursday again! That means it is time to reveal the item of the week for the Swissvale Farmers Market.

This week we are featuring some kitchen items.

Back by popular demand - the crochet potholder sets. We stopped making these for a time and we have had some requests ... so they are back!

Last night I blogged about the woven potholders. They are also an item of the week.

For those of us who use the cast iron skillets ... we have the crocheted skillet handle.

As always we will be at the Swissvale Farmers Market from 9a - 1p on Saturday. 

Hope to see you there!

Vintage Craft

Here's a craft that will take you back to your childhood.  

Most people remember weaving potholders. 

Here are pictures of the cotton looms and Pam weaving them into a potholder.

We have taken the woven potholders to the next level.

Donna has crocheted around the edges making them a lot flatter and better looking if you ask me. 

This came about when someone at the Swissvale Farmers Market asked if we ever made woven potholders. 

You will see a picture of this again tomorrow when I reveal the items of the week for the farmer market.

Knit Duster Cover Update

A couple weeks ago I did a blog on the knit duster cover.

A couple of our neighbors wanted to try it out. It seems it is truly a duster. When it gets wet it tends to grow which makes it rough to clean as it wants to come off of the broom.

Tianna tried spraying a bit of cleaner on the pad so it would be moist and have more cleaning power. She found it worked more like a broom pushing the crumbs around. She said that it picked up dust nicely. Another friend Sharon just got a new bamboo floor and wanted to try the duster. She wet it a bit as well and she said it wanted to come off the broom. She also said it would be a good duster. 

So there you have it - real comments from real customers - it is a duster .... not a mop.

Donna's Knit Kits - Week 6

It's Monday and that means it's time to showcase one of Donna's knit kits.

This week we are showing the Peek-A-Boo-Mitts.

As I remember, Donna worked pretty hard on these as the whole thing was done on double pointed needles and it was the first time she knitted a thumb.

She did a fabulous job - wouldn't you agree!

Which came first ... the chicken or the egg?

While I can't answer that question - the item of the week at the Swissvale Farmers Market does involves chickens and eggs.

This first item is a stuffed chicken. These chickens are almost like a bean bag as they are weighted with popcorn kernels.

The second item of the week is dishcloths shaped like eggs. You see we have white, brown, blue and speckled eggs. 

Have a Happy 4th of July and we'll see you at the Swissvale Farmers Market on Saturday from 9a - 1p.