Getting back in touch

Life with a baby in the house is unpredictable, joyful, random, and beautifully engaging. Add to that the many temptations and demands of a brief beautiful summer and little time is left for knitting and posting updates about knitting. Nevertheless, I do have some knitting specific news to share.

Earlier this summer I knitted this pretty new Biscuit Blanket for a special friend of mine.

I did a couple of things to dress it up:

1.  Added a single crochet stitch border in a contrasting accent color.  The main color for this blanket is, appropriately enough “Biscuit”, and the accent color is “Old Blue Cupboard” (two of the ten colors of super soft cotton yarn I offer in the Biscuit Blanket kits).

2. Made the I-Cord tie out of the same Old Blue Cupboard color. I also sewed three old blue buttons (I had three very cool antique wood buttons in my supply of magic buttons) on the I-Cord (one is sewn on at the exact middle of the I-Cord, the two others are sewn one inch on either side of the first one). I did this so that the I-Cord could be buttoned right onto the Biscuit Blanket using the knitted button holes. It makes for a bit of a nicer closing and is kind of a cool feature, I think.

Speaking of Button Holes … I have posted a Biscuit Blanket Errata for the Button Hole Row — my apologies to anyone who knitted this item and experienced some frustration with the Button Hole Row.

To make up for it, here is a link to a free pattern for the cute little Leprechaun hat pattern I made for Sweet Pea back in the spring.

4. I noticed when this Biscuit Blanket had the I-Cord buttoned on it and tied in a bow,  that it is very easy to pick the piece up in the air and have it fold itself neatly for storage in a drawer or basket

I also noticed along the way that a Biscuit Blanket could be used to wrap up more than just food …

Well, there you have it … the Biscuit Blanket updated for Summer ’09. Hope you enjoy these ideas.

All Content on this blog: Copyright © 2009 J. L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Biscuit Blanket Revisited

I am in the midst of (and nearly complete with) knitting one of my own Biscuit Blanket™ as a gift for someone who will, for now, remain unnamed.  I’m adding a pretty crocheted edge in a pretty colonial blue and have some other ideas of embellishments I made add.

Also in the “Biscuit Blanket” category of creativity I am putting together some kits for them. So many people have been making these Biscuit Blankets as gifts for people that I thought it might be nice to offer a kit with the pattern, yarn, recipe for my Blue Ribbon Biscuits on a bookmark, a gift card featuring one of my photographs, and a gift bag all together as one package.  The yarn colors in this photo (above) will be available for the kits, and each kit will include the main color of yarn plus your choice of accent yarn for edging and a decorative I-cord.

I might even offer an option of ordering the kit with my recommended needles for the project (if needed).  A few of the kits will be available with a jar of my homemade preserves to make the gift even more special. For those of you who have already purchased the Biscuit Blanket pattern, you will also have the option of buying the kit but substituting a different pattern to add to your library.

I am enjoying putting the kits together but I could use your help with something.  I would like to survey my readers and the people on my mailing list to find out more about the knitting needles you have on hand already, what brands you like to use most, and whether or not the option of choosing a kit that includes needles would be needed and wanted.  This will help me decide whether or not to make the investment in inventory that would be necessary.  If you are willing to participate, here is a link to the survey.

As my way of saying thank you, at the end of June I will hold a drawing from all survey participants (who wish to participate in the drawing) and send one Biscuit Blanket kit (without needles) to the winner.

Other creative projects I have been designing include this 2″ tall crocheted sachet necklace and matching teeny tiny knitted “envelope” purse to go inside. It is embellished with a very small needle felted flower. I hope to create a kit for this project that would include everything needed to complete it too. I made this one for my sister-in-law as a little, “Just because I Love You” treat.

Here is a needle felted flower brooch I made for use as a shawl/wrap closure or hat embellishment. It features a silver kilt pin securely fastened on the back side. This one will probably end up being offered for sale in one of my Etsy Stores (patterns / studio).

There are plenty more, but I have to run so will have to post again early next week to try to get more up to date with my readers.

I hope all of your creative juices are flowing, and that your spring is sliding right on into a beautiful and relaxing summer up ahead!