November Projects: Fun in the Crazypatterns Craft Group

Continued here:
November Projects Part 2: Crazypatterns Craft Group




Dear users, dear authors,
so here is the thread for the November projects.
More info to follow.

Here is the link to the October projects
October Projects: Fun Crafting + Nice Chats (No Advertising )

Here is the October awards ceremony
Final Stretch and Awards Ceremony // October Edition 2019 (No Advertising )

In your opinion, is this a craft group?

Yes, Josefa, this is a craft group. And it’s really fun to be part of it. There are always lots of beautiful projects to see.

I’d love to join again in November.

Best regards, Monika

Although I’ve been with CP for a long time, I only recently came across this thread, which seems to appear monthly. I found it very exciting, entertaining, creative, and personal. I’ll be joining in for the first time in November and am looking forward to chatting with everyone in the crafting group.

Great :-)

Yes, I think our group is great, too.

It’s always wonderful to see what amazing pieces are created here. I’m already excited to see what you’ll come up with this month.

I’m really happy to be back and will start right away with my moose.

I’ll probably finish my scarf in November and maybe make something small as well.
We’ll see.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish my scarf in October, so it’s carrying over into November.
Also, I’ve finally decided to buy the pattern for the Cosy Winter Shawl by melknits. I have some great yarn (365Yak) here that I want to use to knit it. I’m not really the shawl type, but this one has really caught my eye :)
I also have two sweaters and some socks on my to-do list.
Reading this myself, I’ll be busy until March 2020....

For November, of course, Christmas gifts are the main focus: shopping bags, washcloths, an amigurumi animal, and various Christmas decorations, such as little angels, little Christmas trees, stars… A few little Christmas trees are already lying around half-finished; tonight I crocheted the straps for the shopping bag for my Norwegian friend and weaved in all the loose ends. The little guardian angel for my sister got a wig today. I’m afraid my November would have to have at least 60 days! 

Ina, that hat looks great. Do you need a cable needle for the cable pattern?

Yesterday was a great day for crafting. It rained all afternoon. So I was able to finish my cousin’s birthday gift.



Here it is with string lights, and this is what it looks like in daylight. 




Now I just need to find the right string of lights to go with it—one with a cork on top.

There will be a little Christmas pattern after all—a Christmas tree bookmark.
I’m currently threading small beads for the string of lights.

Wow, you’ve finished some beautiful things! Each one is more beautiful than the last.

Ina, that hat looks great—I love the pattern.
Petra, your light-up bottle is awesome—it looks so cozy.
Marlene, it’s often the little things that are in demand and go over well. The Christmas tree bookmark is a great idea.

I’m currently in training and can only knit in the evenings. Tonight I’ll finish one sock. Since I also knit in the car, there’s a good chance I’ll come home with two finished socks. I’ll give those to my friend, who loves knitted socks.

Hi Petra, with this cable pattern, only 3 stitches are crossed at a time. You don’t need a cable needle for this—I use a safety pin.
I really like your light-up bottle, too. How many LED bulbs does the string of lights need to have to create such a great effect?

Hi Marlene, that’s going to be a lovely little Christmas bookmark. The colorful “Christmas balls” in the shape of beads will be the icing on the cake.

Hi Monika, I’m glad you like the hat pattern. I like it, too. May I ask what kind of training you’re currently taking? But you don’t have to tell me—it’s a very personal question. In any case, it’s good that you have something to keep you busy in the evenings and when you’re in the car as a passenger.

Ina, I really like your hat, too.
Marlene, that little tree will definitely look beautiful with beads.
Petra, the bottle with the lights turned out pretty, too.

I’ve seen something like that at my daughter’s house, though without the crocheted cover. I liked it right away. This morning I went ahead and bought a string of lights like that—I’m
going to put it in a bottle that isn’t completely transparent. 

Hello everyone,

last night while watching “Babylon Berlin,” I finished children’s hat no. 2.



Knitting in stockinette stitch was very relaxing, but I still felt it needed a little eye-catcher—after all, it is a child’s hat. So I knitted on a little point.

I’ve just been invited for coffee and some homemade cheesecake. I’m looking forward to it. Enjoy your Sunday afternoon too.

Best regards - Ina

Enjoy your cheesecake, Ina! By the way, “cheesecake” means something different in Switzerland: it’s a flat cake with a crust made of grated dough and a filling of grated cheese, eggs, and milk or cream.
Your child’s pointed hat looks cute—what age did you knit it for? That might be something for Nicolas (1 1/2 years old) too. 

Thanks :)

After a lot of grumbling, I finally attached the beads:


Now I can get back to working on my scarf.

Hi Marlene, that turned out really nice. It’s often the delicate, tiny details that really challenge us. Are those seed beads between the red beads?

Hi Christina, that hearty Swiss cheesecake sounds really, really delicious, too. But I actually preferred the “quark cake with raisins” with my coffee :-)
The pointed cap is for my grandson Oskar, who’s 1 year and 2 months old. I think it’ll fit well—or rather, he’ll grow into it. If it’s too big, I’ll just tie the knot a little lower. He’s coming to visit me next week, so I’ll see then. 

Yes—they’re seed beads, Ina.

Cake and Switzerland: That reminds me of a “cherry cake” I once ordered at a Swiss café and was surprised to find that there were no cherries in it or on top of it.
Only then was I told that the cake contains kirsch.

Hi there, everyone.

You’ve conjured up so many beautiful things again…
I’m actually suffering a bit from craft withdrawal right now…

We spent a few days on the Dutch coast—I had brought my crochet supplies with me, but I never got around to using them. It wasn’t until the drive back that I managed to crochet a few rows, but now it gets dark so early that I couldn’t keep at it for long…
We spent hours on the beach, let the sea breeze blow through us, and even got really wet at times—but it was still a great few days.

In the evenings, we had delicious meals—lots of restaurants there have flickering gas fires this time of year, which is wonderfully cozy...

Of course, I’ve got a few pictures to share:



Now I’m looking forward to my yarn.

Ina, your pointed hat is so cute!
Claudia, sometimes you just need a break, and I totally understand that you enjoyed your walks on the beach in Holland and were able to take a break from knitting. 
My scarf is growing slowly but steadily. Since I’m using mohair yarn with the provided wool, it sometimes snags and doesn’t glide as smoothly over the needle. On top of that, the cable pattern slows down my knitting a bit. I’ve now finished a good half of it. But I’m already looking forward to finishing it so I can finally knit something for myself ;)

Well, I’m finally back home and have a little time again to actively participate here.

Ina, your pointed hat looks cute. You had a nice vacation in Holland. Beach walks like that can be very relaxing even at this time of year. The photos you’re sharing are really beautiful! I attended a training session on health. This topic is very close to my heart—it’s one of my “side jobs” to share my knowledge with interested people.

In the car and in the evenings, I actually finished knitting another pair of socks for my girlfriend—with the mowi heel, of course. Here’s how they look now.



Today I’ll keep working on the cardigan for my husband. In between, I’ll work on the sweater for Linja from time to time. Both should be finished in November.

Hi Claudia,
Your photos of the beach in the fall are absolutely wonderful! I’m so jealous of your lovely vacation. Unfortunately, because of my mobility issues, I can no longer walk along the sandy beach. And yet I love the ocean, especially when it’s not as crowded as it is in the summer. But at least this way I can enjoy your atmospheric photos.

Ina, the idea with the knot in the hat is brilliant—the hat will surely fit for a long time, and it looks so cute!

For now, I’m going to keep sewing the doll dresses for my grandchildren. Meanwhile, ideas for new patterns are taking shape in my head. Let’s see how many of them I can get done in November. After all, my own Christmas preparations are already getting underway (crafting, baking, buying gifts, decorating...)

Last night I found two mistakes in my scarf, which means I’ll have to rip it out again today before I can continue. This really annoys me—at this rate, I’ll never finish it....
I’m always amazed when I read that someone works on several projects in one day. I have a hard time imagining that—this one thing is enough for me.
Today is our daughter’s birthday, and my mother-in-law is coming over soon; we still have to do some shopping. On Friday, there’s a children’s birthday party, and on Sunday we’re celebrating with the family. Tomorrow and Saturday I have to work. Because of that, I’m making only slow progress on the scarf.

Oh, Mel, maybe it’ll comfort you to know you’re not the only one dealing with mistakes and having to rip out your work. Oh well, you’ll finish your scarf anyway. Quieter days are coming up again, with plenty of time for knitting or crocheting.

Hi everyone. 

Lately I haven’t felt like writing. I’ve somehow had quite a lot on my mind. Anton has been going to daycare since Monday, and before that I was so nervous I could hardly sleep. Which, of course, was complete nonsense. 
Somehow, I also didn’t feel like writing to you all.

Anton seems to like it quite a bit, though.  

I’m slowly starting to feel more at ease too, but now I’m laid up with bronchitis. :-(

Dear Sandra, I’m so glad you’re back! We actually kind of missed you here...
But sometimes we all need a break to recharge.

It’s totally fine that Anton likes it at daycare. My granddaughter started going there when she was 3. From age 2, she went to a child care provider two days a week. The rest of the week, her parents split childcare duties. That’s how it’ll be for Juna, too.

Get some rest—I hope you feel better soon!

Hi Sandra,
I understand your anxiety. My son and daughter-in-law are also going through this phase right now. After all, it’s the first big step where you have to let go of your child. Get well soon from your bronchitis.

Hi Claudia,
a vacation like that is wonderful. It gives the yarn a chance to rest for a while, too. You really enjoyed your vacation, and that’s exactly how it should be. Thanks to your pictures, I could really picture the scenery.

Hi Ruth,
do you think you’ll show us the sewn doll clothes for your grandchildren once they’re finished? I’d love to see them. Are those already Christmas gifts?

Hi Mel,
don’t put pressure on yourself about the scarf. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now and have to take care of everything. That just leaves little concentration for knitting. After the celebrations, you can continue working on your scarf in peace. And before you know it, it’ll be done.

Hi Moni,
you have very wide-ranging interests if you have several “side activities” to pass on your knowledge to others—and also take the time and effort to do so. Very commendable.

++++++++++

In the meantime, my grandson Oskar came to visit and tried on the gray pointed hat. It fits well, but I still need to reinforce the cuff on the inside with elastic fleece. Otherwise, he’d pull it off his head because he doesn’t like hats. Ties and strings for tying are not allowed at daycare.

Last night, I finished hat No. 3 using my own pattern (Spiralibus). The cuff is double-layered and knitted much more tightly, so it fits perfectly on the head. The spiral-knit pattern automatically adjusts to the head circumference. That way, it can grow with him.

Hi Sandra

I hope you feel better soon and get back on your feet.
It’s true—we’ve missed you here.

Hi Sandra

I’ve missed you too! I hope you get well soon, and I hope Anton has a great time at daycare. Our two older grandchildren were still in daycare in Germany; the little one in the U.S. was sent there when he was just a few months old—now he’s with a childminder (unless she’s just broken her arm). None of them have had any problems, and I think they can benefit a lot from it.

Thank you so much for the kind words. It really makes my day to hear that.

And now that the time has finally come, I’m feeling much better, too. I can see how much he’s enjoying it. Today he didn’t even want to go home. :-)

My Christmas decorations are piling up, too. But you’ll have to wait until the end to see photos of them :-)

Ina, thank you so much for your kind words! I actually haven’t knitted at all in the last two days—I was lacking concentration and patience. I always put unnecessary pressure on myself—in this case, because I really want to finish it quickly so I can focus on my own projects. I haven’t been able to write up the pattern at all right now :( But there will be calmer times again.
Sandra, I hope you continue to get better! I also had a hard time with our oldest when he started kindergarten. But the first phase goes by quickly, and then you’ll feel more at ease—especially since he’s enjoying it there!

Ina, your Spiralibus looks great. What a great idea.

Mel, I hope you get some quieter times very soon. I totally understand—I feel that way sometimes, too. Right now, I really only get to knit in the evenings.

The cardigan has grown again. I’ve now reached the hem, so I’m sure I’ll finish that tonight. Then just the sleeves and the inside pocket—well, and the buttons. My husband is already looking forward to it. This is what the cardigan looks like now.



To live up to the “Swap Queen” title again this month, here’s the first part of my swap shopping. The yellow cotton will likely become a summer jacket for Linja or Juna. I’m not sure yet if I’ll have enough. The yardage is 89 m / 50 g. What do you think—how far will that go? Could it be enough for a jacket in size 110/116? Maybe I’ll find some yarn in my stash to combine it with. The yarn cake will be the first one I use—I’m already excited. I’m still thinking about what I might make with it. 



Eight skeins of blue merino wool are still on their way. I’ll use them to make a jacket for my granddaughter, who’s really into blue right now.

Thanks first of all for the kind words.
Ruth, it’s really too bad you can’t enjoy it as much anymore...
Sandra, starting a new chapter is a big step—it’s only natural that you’ve been worrying about it. Maybe now that things are going well, you can even enjoy the time for yourself.

By the way, the yellow hat turned out absolutely beautiful... maybe I should give knitting another try? But there are still so many other ideas just waiting to be brought to life...

I’m currently battling my crazy head and an infected tooth—I’ve been to the dentist several times this week. Next week I might have to go to the hospital so they can finally take it out—apparently, there’s not enough left to just pull it, and they have to get the infection out first. It’s really just a minor thing, but my head always makes a huge deal out of it…

I think I’ll go back to crocheting my blanket—my concentration is pretty much nonexistent right now. A waffle pattern like this is nice and simple…

Oh, and I’ll probably use the blue yarn to make hats… Linja will most likely get one. There’s no rush right now, so I’ll have plenty of stash for a yarn diet in 2020.

Oh dear, Claudia, I totally get where you’re coming from. The dentist—that’s an absolute nightmare for me! Next year I’ve got something bigger coming up that I’ve been putting off since last year. But it has to be done, and the longer I wait (yeah, yeah, my head…), the worse the thoughts get. In my case, it’s not just one tooth that needs to come out, but several.

I hope everything goes very smoothly for you.

Have you ever thought about nitrous oxide? My dentist uses it for anxious patients—in addition to the anesthetic. It’s completely safe, and it takes the fear away. I’m definitely going to do that.

Monika, I really have no choice now—I woke up with swelling, so I had no choice but to take action. My jaw and tooth were drilled, and I’m taking antibiotics—a tooth that had been filled for ages has apparently broken now. Right now, I look like I’ve shoved a hard-boiled egg into my cheek… luckily, I’m not in much pain. If only my head wouldn’t be thinking so much…

I’m curious to see how it’ll go at the clinic. My (new...) dentist said it’s best to have the procedure done at the hospital under light anesthesia—because what’s left of the tooth isn’t very stable anymore and will probably crumble. On the one hand, I like the idea of not being aware of any of it; on the other hand, it also scares me.

In any case, I hope everything goes smoothly for you and that you can stay as relaxed as possible.

Claudia, I wish you all the best and hope it’s over quickly.
A light anesthetic is definitely best—I’ve become such a “wimp” myself that I’d rather have that than be fully aware of everything.

So, I’ve now finished sewing the ethnic-style doll dresses. As I mentioned in another thread (which one?), my grandchildren are getting baby dolls. They want a doll family “where every child comes from a different continent.” They already have dolls with dark skin (from Africa). Now there’s an Asian girl and a South American boy. They should be dressed according to their origins.
So the girl gets a kimono and the boy gets a poncho. I’d also like to make a fan for the girl.
Here’s what they look like now:

But they’ll also get “regular” clothes—romper suits—though I still have to sew those.

Ruth, those look great! Is the poncho woven like a real one? It sure looks that way. My compliment!

No, unfortunately, the fabric is just printed.

Ruth: The dresses are absolutely beautiful. Your grandchildren will definitely be thrilled.

Claudia: All the best and get well soon

First of all, I wish everyone who needs it a relaxing weekend. The weather is practically begging you to relax on the couch.

Ruth, the dolls look absolutely adorable in those outfits. You did a really great job. Hats off to you! Are they wearing wigs, or did the dolls already have hair like that?

@ruth

Both dolls are simply gorgeous! Your execution is AMAZING! And the whole idea is soooo great!
I immediately clicked “Like,” but nothing shows up. 

First of all, thank you for your kind wishes.

Ruth, your doll clothes turned out great... and I also think the idea of incorporating different cultures is really great.

I kept working on my felt hat and had a lot of fun with the result after the first wash.
Since it definitely has to go back in the washing machine to shrink some more, I played around with the shape a bit... my husband’s been calling me “Charlie” all evening—the one from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” he said.

Let’s see how much more this little gem shrinks...

Ruth, I think the dolls turned out absolutely fantastic. I like them exceptionally well.
Claudia, I’m sorry to hear about your tooth. I totally feel for you—I’ve had similar experiences with dentists and the like, but after years of searching, I finally found a really good one. I wish you all the best with your treatment!
Monika, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your treatment too—I’m sure it’ll go well.

I finished the carousel for my mom today—it’s a pretty wobbly little thing. My son said the little horses actually look like lions or dogs—he couldn’t decide. I’ll send photos later when the light is better here—for now, it’s raining and it’s totally dark here, so there’s no chance to take good photos today.

Hi Ruth,
the dolls are absolutely enchanting. I’d love to be your granddaughter, too :-) I think the dolls are so beautiful on their own, but with the clothes you sewed yourself, they’re just even more authentic and endearing. You fall in love with these dolls right away!

Hi Monika,
I’m amazed that your husband wears a cardigan in such a bold color. Is he that trendy, or does he just like bright colors? My husband is more on the conservative side. The cardigan is sure to be really cozy, and I can totally imagine him looking forward to it. What kind of yarn are you using for it?

Hi Claudia,
I hope you feel better soon. Thanks to the antibiotics, the swelling might already be gone, and the specialists will be able to fix the problem soon. After that, it’ll heal, and you’ll be free of your worries. I always ask for anesthesia so they can work on me in peace. Then it just has to heal, but the worst is over.

It’s great that you’re keeping yourself busy with creative projects. That felt hat is already looking great. I really like the shape and the brim. Did you crochet it freehand or follow a pattern? Will it stay the way it is in the pictures, or will it shrink some more?

I wish all the readers of this thread a lovely, cozy weekend—without toothaches or worries—and with plenty of time for knitting and crocheting.

Warm regards—Ina

The early darkness and dreary weather of the last few days have sparked a desire in me for some atmospheric lighting...

But it’s still too early for me to put up Christmas lights, so I needed something else—so I simply crocheted a cover for a battery-powered LED string of lights—I like it.
The flower garland will definitely look great next summer as balcony lighting on long summer evenings...

Ina, thanks for the encouragement...

I’m definitely going to shrink the hat some more and give it a different shape—the brim is too curved for this shape, I think. It’s still far too big and slips over my eyes with every movement.
It was actually supposed to turn out like the first hat (the blue one), just in a different color and a little longer... or rather, that was the idea.
I don’t have a pattern for it; I’m just tinkering with my felting wool and gaining experience.

Have a great weekend too.

I’m in the process of sorting through my existing yarn: There’s definitely enough for the “yarn diet.” And that goes for both small and larger projects.

I’m just looking for a tangle-free solution, since otherwise the yarn is just lying loose in a box.

Claudia, that’s funny about the hat. I think the idea of crocheting around the string of lights is absolutely great. I like that better than if they were just hanging there on their own. By the way, I have a colorful string of lights hanging from a beam above my desk all year round—it doesn’t just look good at Christmas.

Sofi, thanks for sympathizing about the dentist. Luckily, I found a good one too, 70 km away from us. But it’s worth the drive. It’s still a little while until spring. But then it’ll have to be done.

Ina, the colors of the jacket don’t come out right at all in this photo. It’s wine red, so pretty dark. The bottom has dark gray and light gray stripes.

My husband actually does like bright colors, though—like orange or bright red. He has a cardigan in a gorgeous red with blue and green stripes. He loves that one, too.
I already had the yarn for this jacket, though. It’s Eskimo by Drops. But I won’t be knitting a monster project like that again anytime soon. I’m really looking forward to working with thin yarn. I’ve measured the sleeves, and tonight I’m starting on the first one.

Marlene, that’s great that you’ve decided to join the yarn diet after all. Awesome!

By the way, the rest of the yarn I traded for arrived today. Eight skeins of dark blue 100% wool. I’m still thinking about what project to use it for. I’ll combine it with white and gray scraps. My two granddaughters will probably be happy again.

Here’s another recent photo of the jacket. It’s getting an inside pocket on the right side.



And here’s what the yarn that arrived today looks like:

Oh yes, Monika, the burgundy color of the jacket looks wonderful! I think it looks great on a man, too. Combined with the gray and white, it looks fresh and elegant at the same time. I already like it. I totally believe you when you say that big projects like this take a while and you can’t wait for them to be finished. But I guess there’s no other way to do it. And your husband will enjoy it for a loooong time.

Dear Claudia, I think the string of lights covered in crochet is wonderful. Will you show us a picture where we can see them lit up? I can’t quite picture whether the LED light manages to shine through the green crochet stitches. Or do only the flowers light up?

Ina, exactly—it’s actually only the flowers that light up; through the wool, it definitely wouldn’t be bright enough.
These LEDs, which are now very small, can be integrated into it really well.

Monika, the latest photos of Jake actually show completely different colors now. Absolutely beautiful—and you’re really fast...
We also have a few small light sources here all year round, but after the clocks change, I somehow always switch into “cozy mode”—I need an extra dose of coziness to feel comfortable. That’s why we always go all out with Christmas decorations here—I’m really glad my sweetheart doesn’t mind!

Monika, I admire your patience with the jacket. The color looks great. It’s nice when men are a little bold with color, too.

Claudia, the hat really has a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” vibe. I’m curious to see how it’ll turn out in the end.
I really like the string of lights, too.  It’s perfect for all year round. I’m sure it’ll look great on the patio in the summer, too.

Sofi, I can’t wait to see a photo of your carousel.

The string of lights turned out absolutely beautiful. In white, I could even imagine it for the Christmas season.


In the color you chose, it’s super pretty for spring. It’s foggy here and everything’s wet.

Wishing you all a lovely, creative, cozy Sunday

I like the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Claudia :)

For some projects, I won’t be able to name the materials since the labels are no longer available.

I totally get what you mean about the jacket, Moni.

On Friday, I took some photos of mushrooms—for example, this one:

I’ve finally finished the scarf: 114 cm long and 30 cm wide—no small feat with 2.5 mm needles.

I’ve already had my first dentist appointment of the week; now I’m relaxing on the sofa with a hot cocoa...

Marlene, I can well believe that the scarf made with size 2.5 needles took quite a while... but the work was worth it - it looks great.

I find the mushrooms fascinating this year, too.
Even in the raised garden bed on our balcony, a few are growing now...



I still needed a little something as a gift, so I crocheted a mug warmer and made some drinking chocolate to melt in warm milk.
For hot chocolate, I like to mix milk chocolate and dark chocolate with a pinch of chili powder - when giving it as a gift, I pour the mixture into pretty chocolate molds. Quick to make and delicious... it has always gone down really well so far.




I also crocheted and felted a little basket out of felting yarn. Pretty and practical, I think.

Marlene, your scarf is great—I really like it! The scarf for my friend was also a long-term project with that thin yarn, but it was still fun.

You’ve crocheted some beautiful things, Claudia. Those are great ideas for felting wool. As you know, I’m using mine up in a giant jacket. :-)

I think your yarn cake basket is brilliant!

I almost finished knitting one sleeve of the jacket last night. Today I’m starting the second one. If things keep going this well, I’ll have the jacket finished by the weekend. My husband is already looking forward to it. He’s always more than happy to help me with fittings. That way, I can knit it to fit him exactly the way he wants.

Thanks, Claudia :)

I’m going to try using this bubble yarn now.
It’s supposed to become a knitted dishcloth.





My cup holders for this year’s “Knitting Against Forgetting” campaign are now finished, too. (The one on the green cup with the red lid is staying with me)

What exactly is the “Knitting Against Forgetting” campaign?

I really like your dressed-up mugs

I’ve just read through and followed this thread for the first time. You’ve all made such great things and been so creative.
I would never have thought of crocheting around a string of lights. It looks really pretty.
Now that it’s this dark time of year, I’m all for any and every colorful source of light.
I always have my blue string of lights on in the evenings. Unfortunately, I don’t have a colorful one—just on the Christmas tree—but there’s still time for that. Somehow, lights like that create a cozy atmosphere when it’s cold and dark outside. Add a hot drink of your choice, some crafting time, and you’ll feel great in no time.
I’ll see what I can finish to show you all.
Have fun here, everyone!

WollwunderPetra: The “Knitting Against Forgetfulness” campaign was launched by Pro Senectute and Alzheimer Switzerland to raise awareness about dementia and its impact on daily life. The knitted cup holders will be distributed free of charge on January 22 at locations that offer takeout coffee. 

Thanks, Christina, for the clarification. It’s a great idea to knit for such a good cause. The mugs with the covers look really cozy.

Bastelfan, I think it’s great that you’re joining us here now, too. The more of us there are, the more fun it is. Yeah, there’s always plenty to see here. :-)

Thanks, Moni :)
I’m not the most patient person when it comes to knitting scarves.
I’m surprised I’ve stuck with it this long.

I’m not even thinking about Christmas decorations yet—maybe that’ll come later.

Hello everyone,
if you don’t check in here for just one day, there’s already so much new stuff to read and see. I’m delighted by how creative you all are.

Dear Marlene , I really like your scarf in those three shades of green. Anyone who knits with such fine needles really has to be patient—and pay close attention, too. If you drop a stitch and have to unravel a section, it’s especially painful. I hope you enjoy wearing it—the weather is already perfect for it.

Dear Claudia , I’m really taken with your felted yarn cake holder. A very nice idea and execution. Did you achieve that perfectly round shape using something like a mason jar—by stretching it over a round mold to dry? It’s felted, right?

Dear Christina, I think your cup holders look very cozy. They immediately make you want to pick one out and warm your hands on a mug filled with hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. It looks really snug. I also like the little pom-poms. I think it’s great that you’re raising awareness about dementia through this gift-giving campaign.

I only made a few small items: When I tried the gray pointed hat on my 1-year-old grandson, I realized the cuff was too loose. So I sewed in a fleece cuff. Since it isn’t stretchy, you have to measure the head circumference precisely beforehand and stretch the ribbed cuff to the desired head circumference before sewing it on. The ready-made cuff, which also fits adult heads, is 9 cm high, so little Oskar’s ears will be “windproof” from now on.





I hope you have a wonderful day.
Best regards—Ina

Ina, the inner cuff is a great idea, especially since it won’t pull on the ears anymore. My husband could really use that—he’s pretty sensitive there.

Where can you buy these cuffs?

I started the second sleeve of the thick jacket yesterday and am slowly making progress. But right now, I only get to it in the evenings. Once both sleeves are finished, I’ll post another photo.

I’m really looking forward to knitting with thin yarn again. It definitely suits me much better, and I’m making good progress very quickly.

I wish all of you here a wonderful day and lots of joy in whatever you’re doing right now.

Well, everyone, I actually did it. The jacket is finished—yay! It even has an inside pocket. Now I just need to sew on the buttons; I plan to do that tonight. That way, my sweetheart can start wearing the jacket as early as tomorrow.

Here are a few photos (the buttons are just placed on top for now).

Dear Monika, I also tried the fleece cuffs for the first time and am very happy with them. The package contains 3 pieces (gray, cream, and black). They’re all 9 cm high and hemmed all around. You stack them on top of each other depending on your head circumference and sew them into the hat. This is explained on the package, and it even comes with sewing thread. It’s something you can figure out intuitively, too. The cuff isn’t elastic. If you wanted an elastic one, you’d have to buy fabric, cut it to size, and hem it. That would be too much of a hassle for me, so I went with the ready-made version. I think the price is fair for three cuffs.

I hope you keep up the momentum on the second sleeve of the cardigan. You’ll be done soon! Then your husband will be all set, and you can finally turn your attention back to other projects :-)

Best wishes—Ina

Oh, two posts overlapped there. The jacket for your sweetheart is finished! Really well done! I’d wear it too ;-) Your husband can consider himself really lucky that you knit something like this for him. He’ll be amazed tonight—he’ll put it on and never want to take it off. What a proof of love ;-)

Dear Ina,

thank you so much for the info on your cuff for the hat. That’s a great solution for making hats windproof. As you’ve already noticed, my sweetheart likes to stay warm. And that goes for hats, too. ;-)

Yes, he really does consider himself lucky. When he tried it on, he would have loved to keep it on right away. Now I’m going to sew on the buttons right away. After 31 years together, our love is still just as strong as it was in the beginning, and we really enjoy making each other happy.

I’m glad you like the jacket, too. I think it turned out great as well. By the way, I used 22 skeins to knit it. It weighs 1100 g.

Moni, that jacket is really gorgeous! I’m sure your husband feels very comfortable in it :)
It’s wonderful that you two still love each other so much after all these years! 

Hi, I’m checking in again.
I had to read through everything first—a lot has happened here.

You’ve all been soooo hard at work again; I love everything, and there are some wonderful ideas here once more.

That jacket was finished in no time. With this weather, it’s definitely needed.

I’m still not done with my moose. All the individual pieces are already crocheted, but I still have to sew some of them together. However, something else has come up that needs to be finished first. But I’ll get it done this month.
Hopefully 😉

Hi everyone,

my best friend asked for a new warm wool beanie and a matching cowl for Christmas. Of course, she doesn’t know what the whole thing will look like… but you guys can take a peek! The yarn has such beautiful, warm color gradients—I’m completely in love with the colors—and I was almost a little sad that she didn’t ask for a scarf. Because then I could have kept knitting with this lovely yarn.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and plenty of time for your crafts.

Warm regards—Ina

That looks really great! Maybe you could knit some gloves or wrist warmers to go with it?

Yes, Ruth, that’s a good idea—especially since I still have some yarn left over that isn’t enough for any other big project.

Wow, Ina, that looks absolutely fantastic. I really like the colors, too. I can totally see why the yarn is so easy to knit with.

By the way, my husband loves his jacket. He gets cold very easily in our somewhat chilly office, and now—finally—he’s not cold anymore! It was really worth the effort. :)

I’m continuing to knit the sweater for Linja now. It felt really strange last night to have such thin needles in my hands again. I’ll show you the result once it starts to take shape a bit more.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, and plenty of time for knitting!

Hey Ina, this color gradient is truly a dream. It reminds me of those wonderfully colorful fall trees that I love. I’d love to have a scarf like that, too.
What kind of yarn is that? But I’m sure I won’t be able to find it here.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Ina: I’d also be interested to know what kind of yarn that is—it looks really great

Monika, that’s great that your husband loves the jacket. I knitted one for mine once—it was a lot of work. But it was always too warm for him. (He even walks around in just a shirt in winter.) He wore it a couple of times while shoveling snow, and that was it. What a waste of effort!

Ina, your set turned out absolutely gorgeous. A wonderful gift that will bring joy for a long time. I really love the pattern

Ina, your set looks great—the colors are gorgeous.
That’s a beautiful gift.
Monika, it’s great that your husband is so thrilled with his new jacket.
It turned out really nice, too.

Ina, I really like both the colors and the pattern. What kind of yarn did you use, and what needle size did you use? I’m still looking for a hat pattern for myself—I still have some yarn left. 

My little fruit and vegetable net:

Dear all, I’m glad you like the set.

The yarn I used for the hat and loop is called “Fano Linie 359” by ONline. It’s a bit thicker, and needle sizes 7 or 8 are recommended. But I prefer to knit with thinner needles. For the scarf, I used a size 6, and for the hat, I even used a size 5 needle. With the braided pattern on the hat, you do have to put in a bit of effort with such thick yarn, but the hat turns out really thick and warm—no wind can get through it. If you want to know how much yarn I used, I’ll have to weigh it first.

Best wishes and have a lovely evening, everyone—Ina





Dear Marlene, I really like your little produce bag!

Thanks, dear Ina :)

I really like the color combination of your yarn.
Warm hats are just the thing for me again now.

Glad your husband doesn’t have to freeze anymore, Moni.
I’d wear that jacket, too.

I’m still working on the crochet chart for my crochet net.
So far, I’ve always struggled with the round version.

Good morning, everyone!
You’ve all made such wonderful things—each one more beautiful than the last!
Since the weather here isn’t getting any better—not a ray of sunshine in sight—I had to take photos inside my apartment, and here’s the finished horse carousel I made for my mom’s birthday.

Your mom is definitely going to be thrilled with the carousel, Sofi :)

Thanks, Ina, for showing us the yarn. I’m well-stocked right now, but who knows… maybe someday.

Thanks for your feedback on the jacket. It’s in constant use and is dearly loved.

Marlene, your little net is super practical. I like it, and I’m sure it’ll find lots of fans.

Sofi, your horse carousel is awesome! I’m sure your mom will really love it.

As soon as I finish the first sleeve on the sweater, I’ll show it to you all.

I wish you all a wonderful Sunday! 

Sofi, you did a great job on the horse carousel! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise—those are definitely horses!
In the meantime, I’ve set my embroidery aside for a bit and crocheted this candy jar for a friend. I’m invited over for coffee next week, and I’ll bring it along.


Then I’ll make some pajamas for my grandchildren’s dolls, and if nothing comes up, I’ll get back to my embroidery.

Right now, I’m getting ready to go to my granddaughter’s dance recital.
Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone!

Thanks, dear Moni :)
I’m already looking forward to seeing your sweater.

Right now I’m working on a thicker crochet hat.

Since I’ve combined two different bobbles—or rather, the leftover yarn from them—I’ll see if I have enough yarn for the pattern.

CreatOwl: Awesome, your little vegetable net! I’m going to make one for myself right away! I can never have enough of those!

Sofis-Welt: You guys always have such great ideas! I think the horse carousel is really pretty!

Ruth, your knitting snowman is such a super cute idea. It’s sure to bring joy.

Marlene, I’m looking forward to seeing your hat.

Actually… I thought I was done with the thick yarn for now. Buuut… my husband had the idea that I could use the leftover yarn to knit a hat for him.

Well, the things we do for love! He’ll get his hat, and I’ll see if I can get that tape for sewing in, so his ears stay warm. ;-)

You guys always have great tips here.

And I just tried something cool. I suddenly had the idea to use a crochet hook to bind off the stitches. I’m telling you, it works great! I’m going to do it this way from now on.

Have a wonderful Sunday evening, everyone! I’m going to get right back to knitting my sweater so I can finish the first sleeve.

I’m now one tooth lighter and back to “normal”—that took a few days… though everything actually went pretty smoothly.

Ina , I just shaped the little basket right after felting it—it works really well while it’s still warm from the machine. That’s really all it takes.

Monika , the jacket is great—bring on winter! Kudos to you for sticking with it, given the weight.

The other items turned out really nice, too...

I just did a little crocheting on my blanket and put up some Christmas decorations over the weekend—yes, a little early, but I felt like it.
I’m really in the mood for an extra cozy atmosphere right now…

I’ve also packed a few Advent calendar fillers; I’ll be mailing them out as “refill packs” to dear friends—I’ve also set up and filled one for my sweetheart—I think the forest scene is absolutely beautiful; it’ll definitely be with us for a few years.

The forest is beautiful—I really like it.

Oh wow, Claudia! Your forest is a great idea and looks fantastic. I think I’ll make something like this for us next year, too. It’s a decoration that can definitely stay up all winter. And I love that kind of thing.

Right now, I’m brainstorming other ideas. In the next few hours, I’ll have Linda’s sweater finished and can show it to you then. All that’s left is the buttons and the tedious task of weaving in ends.

My next projects will be hats for my husband and me made from leftover yarn. And, of course, I also want to design and knit that thick jacket for Baby Juni. For me, the designing and figuring out the sizes always takes longer than the actual knitting.

Claudia, I wish you a continued speedy recovery!
Your forest looks fantastic!
I’m always looking for ideas for a “permanent Advent calendar”—that is, a decoration that can stay up even after the Advent season is over. Your forest is perfect for that. And maybe you could add little figurines and set up different scenes every day...

So, it’s done now! The scarf is finished now. It’s 1.95 m long plus 20 cm of fringe and 26 cm wide. 
I also knitted a few baby socks today

The forest looks great. I really like it. A lovely idea.

I have a large commission at the moment. My grandchild wants Christmas hats for their stuffed animals. Only 3 are finished so far.

Continue here:
November Projects Part 2: Crazypatterns Craft Group