Recent Posts
Handmade Holidays: Soy Candles
My family is doing a handmade gift swap this year, and while you’d assume I’d be knitting something, the lure of trying a new thing was too strong (I may throw in a handknit hat, if I have time). This summer I tried out cold-process soapmaking, which I now love, and I quickly stockpiled a year’s worth of soap in a few weeks. I was left with lots of partial bottles of essential oils, which made jumping into candle making much cheaper than it normally would be. Also, because I didn’t do as much canning this year, I had a lot of empty jam jars that I could use as candle containers.
I used instructions found online and I had $35 in credit from a Amazon return, so I tried to stay within that amount when ordering these supplies. Remember, you’ll also need essential oils if you don’t have them. I have tons of wax and wicks leftover for several rounds of candle-making in the future.
(full disclosure: I use affiliate links to try to help pay for hosting this blog. I made around $1 this year).
–wicks, with centering device and adhesive dots
–melting/pouring pot (I placed it in a pan with boiling water, used as a double boiler)
After I made my first set of candles, I realized that these wick centering tools made things much easier, and I regretted buying only one, so I ordered more since I’ll usually be making several candles at a time.
I didn’t love cleaning up wax or smelling like patchouli all day, but the process was easy. The wicks can be a little tricky; those adhesive dots do not keep them in place, so I may try a dot of super glue next, but the centering devices really helped make it easier.
In the end, I have these, and I’m pretty happy!
New pattern: Little Hiker’s Pullover
A while back, I accidentally felted my 4-year-old daughter’s favorite sweater, her Little Hiker’s Cardigan. I know, I know, I should definitely know better. It had gotten balled up in a pile of muddy clothes, and being a distracted mom, I tossed them all in the […]
Good Cheer
I have a new pattern out this week! Good Cheer is an adult-sized hat, knit in Madelinetosh Farm Twist in “Hydroponic” and “Candlewick”. The pattern is 50% off for the first 3 days, no code needed. See it here. I used a simple tool to […]
Stacia Bonnet
My new Bonnet pattern is now available on Ravelry. Stacia Bonnet uses less than 1/2 skein of Yarn Collective Pembroke Worsted in Bumblebee Jasper. You can take 50% off this or other patterns in my Ravelry store with the code SALE at checkout. All eligible patterns are listed here.
Sized from newborn – 4 years!
Skills needed: 3 needle bind off, knit, purl, centered double decrease (s2kp), yo, m1R, m1L, i-cord.
Bring on Fall: Agnes Cardigan
In 2011, I knit what would become a favorite sweater of mine. Agnes, in cozy Quince and Co Puffin is a classic top-down raglan pullover with a little something extra…contrast-lined pockets! At 3 sts an inch, it flies off the needles. The original Agnes pattern […]
Elm Blanket
My new pattern in the Miss Babs fall collection is here and my Elm Blanket is in it! It uses one massive skein each of 2 colors of Killington for baby or lap blanket sizes. The pattern is $2 off until August 27th with the […]
New patterns for kids and adults!
I’ve been a neglectful blogger, and 4 new patterns have come out since we last spoke! I’ve been busy trying to balance my time between this work that I need to do, and enjoying some time with my 4 and 6 year old daughters, as they’ll both be in school very soon.
These patterns, and the others in my Ravelry store, are 40% off until August 3rd, no code required. Eligible patterns are here.
Bean Cardigan is a top-down, round-yoke cardigan, sized from 6-12m to a child’s size 12. It uses 2-4 skeins of Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in “Conference Call”
The Apex Pullover is also knit from the top-down, in Willow and Lark’s dk superwash, Ramble. The same stitch pattern makes a simple, but fun colorwork project, in the Apex Hat.
Finally, also in Ramble, the Windham Hat uses just knits and purls for lots of texture in a fun geometric pattern.
I have a few more patterns coming out this month, plus some new tutorials in the works. Check back soon! Thanks for being here!
New Pattern: Pines Cardigan
When your handknit loving 3-year-old asks you to knit her a sweater, how can you say no? My daughter V spotted some dark blue Berroco Remix in my tiny stash and requested a “blue sweater with a little bit of buttons”, so I thought it’d […]