MY SECRET INDULGENCE....
ALMOST 50 AND STILL PLAYING WITH DOLLS!












Ok, so some kids never grow up! I have this thing about knitting Barbie clothes. The novelty yarns make fabulous outfits for my gal! Not so hard to do once you've mastered the zero range of needles, or use #1's or #2's. I knitted a few things for my church Christmas bazaar, having absolutely no idea what would sell. Maybe next year I'll stick to just knitting Barbie sets, as they seemed to be well received.

For this lovely ensemble I believe I casted on 40 stitches with size 1 DP needles and knitted flat till the length equaled the length of Barbie's outstretched arms. Then I sewed the sleeves till underarms custom fit. SHEEEEESSSSSH! I finished her shrug before mine!

The hat was flat knit a la pattern from Nicki Epstein's Knitting for Barbie. This was knit with a very small amount of Plymouth Flash from my stash.
Any novelty yarn would certainly work for this set. You're limited by only what you have in your stash.

Here are the different items I donated.

The Barbie poncho was knit with Paton's brilliant as the main body and trimmed with Paton's Silverlash. Same with the hat, which was a cast on of 24 stitches on size 1 needle, and knitted circular 1:1 rib for 6 rows before changing to stockinette stitch, knitting circular till I felt it was time to decrease for the crown.

The poncho was a 40 stitch cast on DP needles and knitted circular 1:1 rib for six rounds. Afterwhich, I placed a marker between the 20th and 21st stitches. At the beginning and end of the round I made my increases, as well as at the stitches before and after the placed marker. It might be helpful to place a marker at the beginning of the round only to jog your memory so you don't overlook the increases there. On alternate rows I knit plain without making any increases. Very simple. Stop when you are satisfied with the length and the width.

The Flash hat and scarf were no brainers.

The 2 cell phone bags were constructed by measuring my phone and adjusting the gauge for LionBrand Landscape Yarn. I selected a cabled pattern from an Aran Stitch guide, and knit till I could comfortably fold it over, seaming close the sides with a single crocheted edge. Weave ribbon of your choice through cable twist closest to the top edge and tie into pretty bow. Again, very easy. Consider it a knitted swatch with a mission!

My dear AKSP Maggie sent me another glorious parcel of goodies! Click on the photo and you will see that the Project bag, which I love, is signed by Barry Klein. How cool is that!!!! The coffee cup conveys my sentiments exactly! Wild Rose scented soap will go into the yarn drawer,(doesn't everyone have a yarn drawer in their family room?) and a pretty tin to keep my knitting odds and ends in. The magazine I've been planning to pick up......How does she know these things? My God, the woman lives in Virginia!!!!! Thank- you so much, again, Maggie, for all the wonderful things you send me! I just love this Secret pal exchange, and would feel sorry to see it end. I love selecting and sending things also to my other pal, Judith, from New Jersey. Wish we all lived close!

Here is a photo of Barbie in the poncho and hat. I think she looks adorable.

MAY I PRESENT THE LAST PERFECT ROSE, IN NOVEMBER, NO LESS!






So, I bet you've been wondering what I've been knitting lately?

This is one of the cell phone bags that I made for my church bazaar recently. It was knitted with Lion Brand Landscape and finished with ribbon from Michael's. What do you think?


Started the Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham from Scarf Style sometime in October when it was still 70 degrees outside. Love working with this Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande. I made some adjustments in needle sizes and cast on to accommadate the yarn. I have a quarter of the second sleeve done. Hopefully, to be completed before Christmas as a present to myself!


Another landscape cell phone bag with a pretty pink bow.


Some cool goodies from my wonderful AK Secret Pal! Every month is like Christmas when her package arrives in the mail! I can't wait to knit those Whacky Sox. They are from Dancing Leaf Farms, and I spied them years ago at Stitches East. Been regretting I did not purchase at the time. My Pal came through for me! The Peace Fleace yarn will be made into fingerless mittens for my cold hands. The delicious peanut squares are long gone! The Knitting On The Go box of cards is full of really neat projects! The knitting bag is from Alan Stuart New York, and currently holds my turtleneck shrug WIP Thanks Maggie! Your the best Pal a knitter could ever hope for!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO "AAAAAAAAAAH"!



Been trying to get focused on starting and completing projects for upcoming November 19th Christmas bazaar at my church, but am going in all directions! Prime example is this little purse I knit for myself to carry my cell phone and lipstick in. Discovered that cables are not at all difficult to knit and I love making them!
HMMMMMMMMMMM! I see a sweater in my future.......

I also am knitting the second sleeve to the Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham from Scarf Style. I adjusted it a bit to accommadate both my beautiful ampleness and the chunky Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande that is a joy to work with!

Among the other detours along the knitting path I have taken was my adventure in koolaid dying. While it was fun, I learned that unwinding 600 yards of dk merino to fit into a pyrex dish can test one's patience and endurance!

I now know that dying is best attempted with smaller amounts because it will take the yarn DAYS to drip dry!

Oh, the things we learn in the School of Knitting!


This is Purplemint Twist drying in my bathroom during the heat and humidity of the heat of September. What a mish-mosh mess!
It also spent time drying on my back porch, and my bedroom.

When finally dried, the real fun began!
Oh, what a tangled web, when we wind merino wool into two 350 yard balls!

I learned I am a very patient woman, much to my and my family's surprise!

Next, I have that glorious yarn I ordered from Shadyside Farms waiting in the wings for me to begin knitting their version of the Rambling Rows sweater. Believe me, I can't wait to begin!




Since I am the proprieter of My Very Own Little Yarn Shoppe right here in my home, I continue to struggle with remaining on hiatus from yarn shopping, at least till after the holidays.

We shall see.....

I made it into The Pinwheel Gallery! Go to www.larissmix.typepad.com to see all the lovely additions to her knit-a-long gallery. I am humbled by all the creative knitting that is going on around me!