Stitchy Saturday: Knitting Stitch Pattern of the Week: Dandelion Stitch

Hello Friends,

I hope you are doing well. This week I decided to knit the dandelion stitch pattern because I think it looks so nice and perfect for this time of year when there are more dandelions. I think this pattern would add a nice detail to a pillow cover, garments, a scarf, and hat. I hope that everyone attending the 2017 Maker Meetup that is being held by Our Maker Life in Toronto is having a wonderful time! I hope I can make it next time!

Swatch of three repetitions and a few extra knit rows 

Pattern:
Knitted in a multiple of 8 sts  + 1 and 12-row repeat.

Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.

Row 2: Purl all sts.
Row 3: Knit all sts.
Row 4: Purl all sts.
Row 5: K3, flower(see below), * k4, flower; repeat to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: P2, (p2tog, p1) twice, p2tog, * p3, (p2tog, p1) twice, p2tog; repeat to last 2 sts, p2,
Rows 7 through 10: Repeat rows 1 through 4.
Row 11: K7, * flower, k4; repeat from * to last 2 st, k2.
Row 12: P6, * (p2tog, p1) twice, p2tog, p3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, p3.

Flower: Insert right-hand needle into the third stitch down from the second stitch on left needle (this space forms the centre of the flower) and draw through a loop, leave loop on right-hand needle and knit 2, make second loop into same stitch, knit 2, make third loop into same stitch.
Note: Make sure that your loop stitch is loose enough to lie flat and not distort your work.
Knitting abbreviations:
Knit: K | Purl: P | Purl 2 sts together: P2tog.

Knitting pattern from Knitting Stitch Patterns

What I thought:
I enjoyed knitting this stitch and liked how the "flower" part of the stitch pattern turned out with the stitches resembling dandelion petals. I can see myself using this stitch in a summery tank top or in a pillow cover.  

Knitting level:
Intermediate: the flower part of the pattern can be a bit fiddly and tricky to knit and would be a bit challenging to a beginner knitter. I think with practice of the flower part it gets easier.

Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you liked the stitch pattern tutorial and come back soon to visit! if you would like to follow my blog, you can follow me on Bloglovin' and Google Followers.

Have a great day!

Summer Bucket List 2017

Hello Friends,

I hope you are doing well. I have been getting my course work wrapped up, they end in mid-August, and then I will be done the first three of the online Office Administration certificate. I have been working on knitting and finishing off my projects. I am now looking forward to the blocking process for both my sweater and my kerchief.  I am looking forward to starting to knit up some socks, which are on bucket list I created of things I would like to to do this Summer. I decided to make a list of things I would like to do this Summer since the Summer can fly by and I could miss out on doing things I would like to do! It is helpful to write a list to get ideas flowing and to come up with a plan. So I wrote down a list of ten things I would like to do this Summer to share with you!

Summer Bucket List 2017

1. Go camping
I have gone camping with my family every summer for many years and we love to be outdoors and enjoy nature. I love spending time at the campsite, going to the beach, having delicious barbecues and enjoying each other's company.

2. Roast marshmallows on the campfire
This is something I do every year when I go camping with my family and my boyfriend. I love the taste of roasted marshmallows, and love making s'mores with them. Yummy!

Campfire at a cottage last Summer

3. Knit socks
I want to get started on knitting socks for Christmas gifts as I love knitting socks for my family. I will probably knit my boyfriend socks too this year so I have to get started soon! Socks are also a great project to carry around during the Summer. They are a light project and easy to throw into a bag to go to the beach or sit by the pool.

4. Go on a trip with my boyfriend 
We have been talking about going to Montreal and staying in a hotel downtown. We are still not sure exactly when but sometime this summer for sure!

5, Make Summery treats
I have seen so many fun summer treats that you can make at home. Like popsicles, smoothies, and other refreshing treats that also be fun to share with you!

6.  Have a picnic 
There is a wonderful park nearby and whenever I walk there, I think it would be fun to make some sandwiches one day and go have a picnic with my boyfriend or some friends.

A photo from a fun picnic with friends back in 2010

7. Go to the beach 
I feel like the summer is not complete if I don't go to the beach. It is so nice sitting and reading on the sand, sunbathing, or going into the water. I would love to knit on the beach this year, that would be so relaxing and enjoyable. The weather just has to cooperate!

8.  Read three books
I am always reading, but in the summer there is more downtime on vacations to read. I hope to get a lot of reading in this Summer! maybe I will look for a fun Summery book to bring on my vacations.

Reading on the beach in the Dominican Republic in April 2017

9. Watch a baseball game 
I have gone to a couple games so far and I would like to go again this year. It is fun to just hang out and have a beer and maybe some popcorn and kick back. 

10. Go Kayaking 
I have not gone kayaking for about four years now, and it would be fun to go again.

Kyaking in the Summer 2013

I will make a summary post at the end of the summer to let you all know how I did with my bucket list, and if I accomplished all the things I wanted to do this summer.

What are some things you would like to do this summer?  

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Have a great day!

Sweater Pieces Knitted and What I Am Reading

Hello Friends,

I hope you are all doing well. Yesterday I went with my dad to Evergreen Brick Works for a second time this summer to ride our bikes on the trails. We were cycling for quite awhile and I was getting pretty tired, but it was such a good workout. I was happy the weather was so nice yesterday too, it was sunny all day and warm. Today we are expecting some showers soon, and maybe a thunderstorm.

I finished knitting the second sleeve for the sweater! so now I am finished all the pieces for my 3timesChic sweater.  It feels great to be done knitting all the pieces.  Next, I will have to cold block all the pieces and then seam them together. I still need to pick up some blocking materials like the blocking mats, the T-pins, and maybe the wire. I might buy them online because I looked at Michael's and did not see the pins or wire, and the blocking mats were very expensive for just one 12 inch square piece.

Top and left pieces: sleeves, middle:front piece, and right: back piece 

I had finished the kerchief and was so excited until I realized it was a little small for my liking, so I had to take a few rows out and I am adding another stockinette section. I have been working away at this lately and I am almost finished knitting the kerchief.  I am knitting a scarf with last Saturday's stitch pattern: chevron lace. I continued knitting and it will be a lighter scarf to wear closer to the fall. I love how it is turning out.

I am still reading Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy by Helen Fielding and Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. They are both so good in different ways and if I am in the mood for a light, fun read then I will pick up Bridget Jones, and if I want a more serious, dark, mystery, then I pick up Into the Water.

Scarf using lace chevron stitch pattern and kerchief

Speaking of books, I saw this cute "Little Free Library" box while on a walk last week and had to snap a photo of it. I didn't grab a book this time, because I already have enough on the go right now. I might pick one up while on another walk soon. Do you use a little free library in your neighborhood?

Little Free Library box

At a park nearby, I could sit here all day and look at this view

Joining along with Frontier Dreams for Crafting On and The Little Room of Rachell for Yarning Along.

Thank you for visiting my blog today! I appreciate the time you take to visit me and I love reading all of your comments. You can follow me on Bloglovin' and Google Followers to be updated on when I post blog entries.

I hope you have a great day!