Updated patterns!

I'm in the process of updating my old patterns, particularly the bibs, to include charts. I'm rewriting some of the directions to make the patterns even easier and including alternative methods for beginning the bibs and for making the ties. Look for these patterns in the sidebar to see which ones have been added. It's a slow process, but eventually, they'll all be there!



Thursday, January 3, 2013

Happy New Year!

Wow, by now I'm surprised that any of you are even reading this.  It's been a long time since my last post.  It seems that we've had so much family drama around here lately.  My husband is still recovering nicely from his accident, although not fast enough for him.  I still have to deal with everything around the house, which now includes shoveling snow!  Ugh!  At least he can get himself dressed now (except for one sock), which is a big help!  My dad had major surgery right before Christmas and he's still not home yet.  My brother-in-law fell and broke his hip and had to have it replaced the same day as my dad's surgery!  He's also in rehab but is doing well.  Of course, I also had Christmas to deal with and all that goes along with shopping, wrapping, etc.  Oh, and do you remember that I also have a "regular" job?  Do you feel sorry for me yet?  Well, don't because I'm doing just fine, although my knitting time has been severely limited. 

In any event, to make up for my absence and to hopefully, start this new year off on the right foot, here's a new pattern for you.  I had a young gal contact me on Ravelry and ask for a squirrel.  Well, she didn't exactly ask for it, but she told me how much she was hoping I'd do one.  She's only 13 and is quite the knitter.  I was trying to come up with something new and decided to give it a whirl!  So Charlotte, if you're reading this, here's your squirrel:

My good pal, Tunie, in Australia, test knitted the pattern so I think it should be fine.  I've included a chart with it as well.  The links to the patterns are in the sidebar under the updated patterns.
 
I have to admit that squirrels are not one my favorite creatures.  Those pesky varmints raid my bird feeders to distraction.  They even go into my garage to try and get at the bird seed that I have stored there.  This past summer, I had no less than ten of them in the backyard.  I decided to stop filling the feeders for awhile and let them move on to some other yard!  I miss the birds though, so I'm sure I'll go back to the feeders before too long.

 I have a couple of neat projects to share with you, but for now, I'll just say that I hope everyone has a wonderful new year and I thank you for all your support!

16 comments:

tiffstitch said...

Cool! I will have to make the dishcloth and send it to a friend of mine. They don't have squirrels, so they think they're cute. :) I know better, like you. Still a great pattern and I'm glad to hear everyone is recovering well!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful pattern as usual. Hope things settle down for you. Love your patterns and your kindness for sharing.

Vicki

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Elaine!!! I am getting started on the squirrel right now!!! Cutest thing ever!!!!!!
Thanks a bunch!!
Charlotte :)

Linda J said...

Thanks for the new patterns. I just finished up your owl and bird bib patterns for a shower for my daughter-in-law......due soon with my first grandchild!!

Kathy... said...

Good to hear from you! Hope 2013 is a bit "calmer" for you and yours.

Cute pattern! I know all about those pesky squirrels!! My plan is feed them - separately from the birds - and then they leave the bird food alone. That's my plan anyway....not sure they are ever "full" though.

Take care - Happy New Year!

Jean said...

So glad you're back with us! Thank you for the squirrel pattern, and best wishes for a less hectic new year!

PurlingPenny said...

My goodness, all of that going on and still you had time for a new pattern! I'm very impressed, and it's a very sweet squirrel, it wouldn't steal one bit of bird seed.

Freda said...

Have missed your posts but I must say you have had reason to be absent for awhile.I hope your family is much improved.Our Lords blessings on you and yours.

Unknown said...

For a little over a year my sister and I have been knitting bibs for all the new parents that we know. We have a boatload of boy babies coming up in the spring. One is my cousin and he is already born, but I'm almost done with his final bib. Then we have two more friends of my parents that are having boys. As you can imagine we are running out of boy patterns that we haven't done yet. I don't overly like squirels either, but I think this bib is just adorable. I can't wait to start knitting it after I finish my latest project. I have yet to do the cat pattern yet either, but I feel like we need some girl babies for that one.

Unknown said...

I have only just discovered your blog and think it's fantastic. My friend knitted the Hippo cloth for my 3 year old son, as he loves hippos. In the meantime, on Christmas Eve at bedtime he announced that he would like Father Christmas to bring him a scarf. Thankfully, he was satisfied when I suggested that we went to choose some wool after Christmas and I would make him one instead. Then we hit upon the genius idea of using your hippo design in the scarf. My friend sent the link to the pattern, and we discovered all the other animal designs you've done. We had some fun picking out different animal designs which could be included, and he has chosen the hippo, crocodile, giraffe, lion, monkey, bear, polar bear, penguin and elephant. I've done three so far. Just wanted to let you know that your blog has given us so much pleasure (and we are reading it in the UK). Maria

luvnlaff said...

Just came across your squirrel pattern. Love it and will hopefully make it soon. We, too, have lots of squirrels around - red, brown, black, and silver. They're due to start harvesting pine cones around here - a noisy season. And it's a constant battle to keep them from relocating my flower bulbs. Yet,, I can't help but admire their industriousness. :). Thanks so much for the pattern.

Unknown said...

Where did the pattern go?

Squirrelly said...

Is the go nuts pattern still on your blog, I can’t seem to find it.

DonnaMac said...

Not understanding location if sidebar to DL patterns.

DonnaMac said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DonnaMac said...

Wondering where the patterns reside for this design. So cute. Also when you refer to sidebar as a location for patterns, where is that?