Latest Forum Posts by: mowi 19

Do you remember those crocheted toilet paper roll covers that used to be in cars? How about a cover for the tissue box? It’s not just Grandma who’ll be happy about this. This pretty decoration—adorned with butterflies and hearts—even looks great on the dining table during a coffee gathering. 

This cover is very easy to crochet and is explained step by step. You can choose any colors you like, and even leftover yarn will do.

To the crochet pattern

This vest creates a slimming effect thanks to its vertical stripes. A lovely piece for any occasion and any season. Experienced knitters will find this a beautiful project that’s sure to be a favorite. The measurements in the pattern are for size 40–42.

View the knitting pattern

This poncho + shawl with a lace pattern and waves is a touch of elegance in pink—perfect for the first spring walks and summer evenings. It’s best to start knitting now, so the shawl will definitely be finished by Easter.

A lovely project for experienced knitters.

To the knitting pattern

This pretty infinity scarf with a lace pattern goes with almost any outfit. It can be knitted in any desired length and width. I knitted it with very thin, hand-dyed yarn. But it also looks great with gradient yarn or sock yarn.

Experienced knitters are sure to have a lot of fun recreating this project.

Knitting pattern

Watch a knitting video on YouTube

Dear Ina,
yes, you’re right. A Mac is expensive by comparison, at first glance. I also always think long-term and don’t want to have to buy a new computer every few years. Everything Windows is putting out right now is just no good. A new operating system every few years—I’m not going along with that anymore. The future is heading toward having to pay monthly fees for software. In the end, that ends up costing a lot of money, too.

I’ve also looked into Linux in depth and came to the conclusion that it’s not the right fit for me either. A computer is my main work tool (except for crafts, of course), and I want one that will serve me well for at least the next 10 years. I used to work with a Mac at my job, and despite its age, it always ran perfectly, without any crashes. I can’t say the same about Windows. By now, I’ve already got three Windows PCs sitting around that are completely outdated. That’s finally coming to an end.

On top of that, we’ll be traveling more often in our RV again this summer. With the Mac, I can work for 12 hours without needing to plug in. That alone is a huge advantage. My PC gives out after just 1.5 hours.

Since I’m currently using a Mac as my work computer, I already have some experience and know what I’m getting into. Yes, it really is love. :-)

Happy birthday, Edeltraud! I hope you have a fantastic day with loved ones and gifts that bring you joy.

Warm
regards, Monika

Dear Ina,
yes, you’re right about that. With men, the technology has to be just right… grin. When it comes to a car, though, my sweetheart does pay attention to a lot of details. ;-)

My new Mac currently costs just under 1,300 euros—that’s quite a sum. I’m happy to save up for it, and it might even be available for less soon. I still have time—my good old PC is still running great, thankfully.

We’re planning to take our good old RV out to explore the east a bit more closely around Easter. There are such beautiful areas there that we haven’t seen yet. And who knows, maybe we’ll even end up near you. Let it be a surprise… ;-)

Warm regards, Monika

Knit or crochet the front side

Thank you, dear Ina, for this great tip and for sharing your enthusiasm. That really is a great tool!
I rarely block my work, and so far the ironing board has worked very well for that too.

Yes, I know that feeling too, when you simply have to have something, and then I treat myself to it. Usually it’s only little things. The last ones were a template for counting stitches and rows and a template for needle sizes. Both have been very useful to me.

At the moment, I’m eyeing something again that I absolutely have to have. This time it’s quite a bit bigger... I’ve fallen in love with a particular MacBook in gold. Since my PC is now 10 years old and I really want to get away from Windows, it’s only a matter of time before I can call this wonderful thing my own.

Ina, by the way, you have a really, really beautiful home! Who knows, maybe we’ll see each other in person this year. ;-)

These cute baby pants are knitted to grow with your child from about 6 to 18 months. They fit perfectly and can be knitted in any length, so they can be worn in any season.

The pants are very easy to knit if you have some knitting experience.

View knitting pattern

This cute hooded baby cardigan features a lovely heart lace pattern and can be worn right after birth. Depending on the child’s size, it fits up to about 3–4 months.

This gives you a very lovely gift for a birth, which the parents will surely be happy about.

View the knitting pattern

Even the chubbiest diaper bottom should fit comfortably into baby leggings. These leggings made from sock yarn fulfill that wish and a few others, too. My granddaughter’s mother is absolutely thrilled.

If you have knitting experience, these leggings are very easy to knit. You’ll find all the details in the pattern.

To the knitting pattern

Have you always wanted to knit socks but held back because of the heel? That’s a thing of the past now, because the mowi heel makes it super easy. It’s also explained using the CraSy Trio—that is, with 3 needles. Just give it a try—you’ll be amazed. The pattern is described in great detail in 4 different sizes.

View the knitting pattern

This sweet cardigan and hat fit dolls and teddy bears sized 45–50 cm, and also small newborns. It will warm every doll mom’s heart when she gets to dress her favorite in such a cute outfit.

It is knitted top-down with raglan shaping. Everything is well explained. If you have knitting experience, it’s very easy.

Go to the knitting pattern

Leggings are perfect for children at this time of year. They’re comfortable, keep them nice and warm, and are easy to knit.

These are knitted from sock yarn and will grow with your child for a while. They fit sizes 98–104, and possibly even up to 110.

To the knitting pattern

I wish you all the best on your birthday and a truly wonderful new year of life.

Warm regards,
Monika

All the best for your birthday and lots of joy in the new year of your life.

Best regards
Monika

Crocheting shawls

Open-loop cast-on

Dear Claudia,
today is your very own special anniversary, and I wish you all the best and everything wonderful. Let your sweetheart spoil you and shower you with gifts—everything that brings you joy.

For this new year of your life, I wish you, above all, good health and that you can continue to radiate your zest for life. And, of course, lots of great new ideas and much success!

Warm regards,
Monika

I just calculated how much yarn I’ve used so far this month. It’s actually about 600 g of yarn. That’s more than I would have thought.

My goodness, Sandra, you’ve been so busy. You’ve crocheted so many great things—they’re all beautiful. The sword turned out fantastic. The photos from Rome are great, too. You really earned that vacation after everything you’ve been through lately.

I missed you here right away. It’s great to have you back! :)

purl stitches

Petra, the start of your shawl looks very promising. Just imagine right now how it’ll feel when you wear it. That’s sure to motivate you to keep going. The neck roll looks very pretty, too.

Claudia, I felt the same way a while back. Just treat yourself to a creative break. You’ve been working really hard so far, so you deserve to take a break. Then things will just fall into place on their own—you’ll see.

I started my second collar scarf yesterday. I really like it, too, because the yarn has a bit of a sheen. I’ll take a photo tomorrow.

This afternoon, I sat in the living room with my husband, just relaxing. It was really nice. He made the pom-pom for his hat (yes, that’s hard work), and I finished knitting the hat and weaving in the ends. Now all that’s left is to sew on the pom-pom, and then he can wear it out on a walk tomorrow. :) He’s really excited about it, and he likes the pattern, too.

I also prepared the soles for Linja’s next pair of shoes this afternoon. I ordered the moccasins from Ina. I just can’t seem to get them to turn out as nicely, and I don’t have the right color of yarn on hand either. I’ve realized that felting just isn’t one of my favorite crafts.

My sweater is still on hold. I’ll get back to it in the next few days and hopefully be able to finally finish it in February.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

All the best as you celebrate another year, Silvia! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! Have a really great time.

Warm
regards, Monika

Knit a Janker

A romantic triangular shawl with a lace pattern and pink waves that can also be worn as a poncho. Experienced knitters can easily finish this in time for Valentine’s Day.

View the knitting pattern

A headband for babies with a heart - perfect for Valentine’s Day, too. It’s very quick to knit from leftover yarn.

View knitting pattern



And here’s the matching little dress with a knitted heart pattern. It has no seams and is very easy to knit.

What makes it special: This little dress grows with your child. It fits a 6-month-old baby and even a 3-year-old.

View knitting pattern

Doll clothes are easy to knit in a weekend, and the doll mommy will be delighted when she can dress her favorite like a real baby. These clothes fit dolls measuring 45–50 cm, as well as small newborns.

To the knitting pattern for 2 different pairs of doll pants




To the knitting pattern for the matching Schlüttli with hat




To the knitting pattern for the matching sweater with side button placket

Socks are always a good idea, and these are especially easy to knit, even if the heel has held you back until now. The mowi heel is especially easy to knit. It’s explained using the CraSyTrio, which makes knitting even easier.

To the knitting pattern




This round collar / shoulder warmer is very easy to knit and perfect for beginners. One skein of cotton is enough for it. It’s finished quickly and is also a great gift.

To the knitting pattern




Children’s clothing should be comfortable and warm. Leggings are almost perfect for toddlers. And they are simple and quick to finish knitting. These are made from sock yarn and fit size 98–104.

To the knitting pattern




Doll mommies are especially happy when their little darling is tucked into a sleeping bag in the evening too, just like a real baby. This one fits dolls measuring 45–50 cm as well as small newborns. 

To the knitting pattern

Oh Mel, reading books—I really enjoy doing that every now and then, too. And I love holding real hardcover books in my hands. It’s just so nice to get away from the computer for a bit and go offline. :)

Today I’ve made good progress on the hat for my husband. Tomorrow it’ll be finished—except for the pom-pom. Here are the photos from this afternoon:



And here’s a photo of the finished shawl collar. It’s very comfortable to wear (made from baby merino), and I like that I can wear it in different ways—as a turtleneck or an open collar. I’m going to knit another one for myself now, this time in beige cotton. That one will go with almost everything.



Oh, and I also knitted a few pairs of little socks for Juna on the side. She just needed them. This time, for the first time in a long while, I knitted a regular heel and realized that I actually still know how to do it—even after all this time. :) They look totally cute:

Happy Birthday and have fun celebrating. Really enjoy your day today.

Best wishes,
Monika

Happy birthday and have a great celebration!

Warm regards,
Monika

My shawl collar is finished—it was a UFO. And I’m working on the hat now; that should be finished too.

Mel, you’ve been busy too—you’ve finished another item with the hat.

Crocheting dragons

How about giving Teddy (25-30 cm) sporty summer clothes—knitted up casually from leftover yarn. I designed this outfit for my Fynn, and it looks really good on him.

Easy to knit and well suited for beginners, provided they have some knitting experience.

To the knitting pattern

These fun “lucky beetle” pot holders are super easy to crochet on the side. They’re also great for beginners with basic skills.

By the way… you’ll really score points with a gift like this. It’ll be a real eye-catcher in the kitchen.

Go to the crochet pattern

This poncho is great to knit while watching TV. I knitted it in the car while traveling. It is made from 2 balls of fluffy, soft sock yarn and keeps you super warm. Plus, the poncho is very easy to knit and even adjustable thanks to the button placket at the front.

To the knitting pattern

Our men need warm clothing too. How about a vest with a cable pattern? It can be worn for almost any occasion. You choose the color yourself as you knit.

For experienced knitters.

View knitting pattern

Even babies need a cozy, warm jacket right after they’re born. This one is somewhat reminiscent of traditional folk wear. It features a pretty lace pattern and a hood. It was knitted from thicker cotton, which can easily be swapped out for merino wool, depending on the season.

The jacket fits a newborn right away and, depending on size, up to about 5–6 months.

To the knitting pattern

This colorful raglan jacket will be needed soon, when the little ones are playing and romping outside again in spring. It’s comfortable and has everything needed outdoors, such as pockets and a hood. 

The jacket grows with the child a bit. It fits from about size 92 up to at least 104.

To the knitting pattern

There’s no secret formula, but the “Knitting Calculator & Abacus” always helps me with the calculations. Try searching for it online. I bought mine at am... It always comes in handy when I need to do the math.

Seaming

Crocheting an XXL shawl

Well, here’s how I’d approach it:

If she has a gauge swatch, she’d need to calculate how many stitches are needed at the top and how many at the bottom. Then take the difference between those two numbers. Those stitches need to be decreased evenly throughout.

Next, she needs to determine the length of the sleeves and calculate (based on the gauge swatch) how many rows that is. I’d leave out the cuff when measuring.

Then divide the number of rows by half the number of stitches, because 2 stitches are decreased on every decrease row.

This will tell you how many rows to work between the increases.

I hope this doesn’t tie your brain in knots. ;-)

This triangular shawl also doubles as a poncho. It can be worn in various ways and is a real eye-catcher with its pretty lace pattern and pink waves. If you love blue waves, for example, you can simply swap out the colors. 

A lovely challenge for advanced knitters.

Go to the knitting pattern

Whether it’s a stole, a scarf, or a loop—you can decide that for yourself when wearing it and while knitting. The width and length can be adjusted to suit your own needs.

Here, the piece was knitted using hand-dyed, thin gradient yarn with a pretty lace pattern. The effect will be different with every type of yarn.

Just get started and be amazed.

To the knitting pattern

Weaving in ends

Dear Kirsten, I wish you a wonderful birthday with lots of joy celebrating, and many new ideas in the coming year of your life — and above all, the time to bring them to life.

Best wishes
Monika