February 28, 2012

Knitting for Health




I've already told you about stress relief and knitting about how knitting helps us to relax, puts us to the meditative state, which is so important for stress relieve and the optimum health. Today I found a curious website and feature in this direction, posted in KY and I'll tell you about it today!

The first few times a person knits can be a little stressful. You have a tendency to concentrate perhaps a little too hard. Stitches sometimes get dropped and other times they seem to appear out of nothing. However, once a person has been knitting for a while, things change. An experienced knitter is comfortable with his or her needles. He or she can work peacefully for hours at a time.
It turns out that there is something about the hand motions associated with knitting yarn (and other activities) that helps to boost cognitive skills.  While this doesn’t mean that you should give up studying and focus on knitting, but it does mean that knitting in your free time might help you to retain the information that you’re learning in class.
Knitting doesn’t simply have educational benefits. Former physiotherapist Betsan Corkhill has taken up the cause of knitting for health. She has started an online community known as Stitchlinks that is dedicating to discovering how knitting can help people dealing with all sorts of different health problems.

It turns out that knitting is good for just about everyone. Picking yarn in bright colors and visualizing your finished project can help people with depression. Knitting groups will help those who aren’t able to get out much. Knitting helps those with chronic illnesses feel useful during periods in which they have to rest. Knitting can even help sooth pain.
On Stitchlinks, Corkhill discusses many of the different ways that knitting can help people from all different walks of life while providing them with a place to come together to tell their stories. The site also includes a great deal of resources for anyone who is looking to use knitting as a form of therapy.
Of course, everyone who knits does so for a reason. It doesn’t always have to be something so clinical or serious. Perhaps you just like making things for your friends and family. Maybe it’s a way to carry on a tradition that you find important. Regardless of why you knit, the simple act of knitting can help your mind and body become stronger. Think of it as a knitting bonus.


February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day

Cherry Photo Frame



To make the cherries I used this pattern:
Abbreviations:
  • CO = Cast on
  • K = Knit
  • P = Purl
  • K2TOG = Decrease – Knit two stitches together through the front of the loops.
  • P2TOG = Decrease – Purl two stitches together.
  • KFB = Increase – Knit twice into the front and back of the stitch.
  • SSK = Decrease – Slip the next stitch on the left needle knitwise, then slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise. Take the left needle and knit through the front of the two slipped stitches on the right needle.
  • […] = Repeat the stitches in square brackets by the number indicated.
  • (…) = The number in round brackets indicates number of stitches per row.
Cherry

Make two. Start at the top of the cherry. Knit in red. CO 6
  1. P (6)
  2. [KFB] X 6 (12)
  3. P (12)
  4. [KFB, K1] X 6 (18)
  5. P (18)
  6. [KFB, K2] X 6 (24)
  7. P (24)
  8. K (24)
  9. P (24)
  10. [K2TOG, K2] X 6 (18)
  11. P (18)
  12. [K2TOG] X 9 (9)
    Break the yarn leaving a tail. Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight to gather at the base of the cherry. Secure the thread.

Leaf and Stalk
Make 2. Start at the tip of the leaf. Knit in green. CO 3
  1. P (3)
  2. K1, KFB, K1 (4)
  3. P (4)
  4. [KFB] X 4 (8)
  5. P (8)
  6. K1, [KFB] X 2, K2, [KFB] X 2, K1 (12)
  7. P (12)
  8. K2, [KFB] X 2, K4, [KFB] X 2, K2 (16)
  9. P (16)
  10. K (16)
  11. P (16)
  12. K (16)
  13. P (16)
  14. K2, K2TOG, SSK, K4, K2TOG, SSK, K2 (12)
  15. P (12)
  16. K1, K2TOG, SSK, K2, K2TOG, SSK, K1 (8)
  17. P (8)
  18. [K2TOG] X 4 (4)
  19. P2TOG, P2 (3)
    Transfer the 3 stitches to double pointed needles (DPNs) to knit the i-cord stalk. Start with the right side facing you. Knit i-cord on 3 stitches for a length of 4cm. Cast off all stitches. 
This pattern is for personal use, knitting pleasure and fun.You are not permitted to sell whole or part of it. 

There is another idea for photo frame:

Swan Photo Frame

   I made this picture frame for my mom and dad. It is very simple and easy to do and I will show you how. This is all you need:

The method I use here is decoupage technique.

To make the swans I used this pattern:

You need:
-acrylic yarn in white and yellow
-3,00 mm or 3,5 mm needles
-tapestry needle
-short lenght of black yarn
-four white craft pipe cleaners
Tension: 22 sts and 16 rows over 10cm st st 

HEADY AND BODY:
(make 1 for each swan)
Using 3.75mm needles and yellow yarn, cast on 3 sts. 
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2: [Inc 1] twice, k1. (5 sts) 
Row 3: Inc 1, p2, inc 1, p1. (7 sts) 
Row 4: Inc 1, k4, inc 1, k1. (9 sts) 
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch. 
Break off yellow yarn, join in white yarn. 
Row 8: [Inc 1 knitwise] 9 times. (18 sts) 
Row 9: Purl. 
Row 10: [Inc 1, k2] 6 times. (24 sts) 
Work 7 rows in stocking stitch. 
Row 18: Inc 1, k9, [k2tog] twice, k8, inc 1, k1. 
Row 19: P10, [p2tog] twice, p10. (22 sts) 
Row 20: K9, [k2tog] twice, k9. (20 sts) 
Row 21: P1, p2tog, p5, [p2tog] twice , p5, p2togtbl, p1. (16 sts) 
Row 22: K1, k2togtbl, k3, [k2tog] twice, k3, k2tog. (12 sts) K1 
Row 23: P1, p2tog, p1, [p2tog] twice, p1, p2togtbl, p1. (8 sts) 
Work 34 rows in stocking stitch, ending with a purl row. 
Row 58: K3, [inc 1] twice, k3. (10 sts) 
Row 59: Purl. 
Row 60: K4, [inc 1]twice, k4. (12 sts) 
Row 61: Purl. 
Row 62: K5, [inc 1] twice, k5. (14 sts) 
Row 63: Purl. 
Row 64: K6, [inc 1]twice, k6. (16 sts) 
Row 65: Purl. 
Row 66: K7, [inc 1] twice, k7.(18 sts) 
Row 67: P8, [inc 1] twice, p8. (20 sts) 
Row 68: K9, [inc 1] twice, k9. (22 sts) 
Row 69: P10, [inc 1] twice, p10. (24 sts) 
Row 70: K11, [inc 1] twice, k11. (26 sts) 
Row 71: P12, [inc 1] twice, p12. (28 sts) 
Row 72: K13, [inc 1] twice, k13. (30 sts) 
Row 73: P14, [inc 1] twice, p14. (32 sts) 
Row 74: K15, [inc 1] twice, k15. (34 sts) 
Row 75: P16, [inc 1] twice, p16. (36 sts) 
Row 76: K17, [inc 1] twice, k17. (38 sts) 
Row 77: P18, [inc 1] twice, p18. (40 sts) 
Row 78: K19, [inc 1] twice, k19. (42 sts) 
Row 79: P20, [inc a] twice, p20. (44 sts) 
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch. 
Row 82: K20, [k2tog] twice, k20. (42 sts) 
Row 83: Purl. 
Row 84: K19, [k2tog] twice, k19. (40 sts) 
Row 85: Purl. 
Row 86: K18, [k2tog] twice, k18. (38 sts) 
Row 87: Purl. 
Row 88: K17, [k2tog] twice, k17. (36 sts) 
Row 89: Purl. 
Row 90: K16, [k2tog] twice, k16. (34 sts) 
Row 91: Purl. 
Row 92: K15, [k2tog] twice, k15. (32 sts) 
Row 93: Purl. 
Row 94: K14, [k2tog] twice, k24. (30 sts) 
Row 95: Purl. 
Row 96: K13, [k2tog] twice, k13. (28 sts) 
Row 97: Purl. 
Row 98: K1, k2togtbl, k9, [k2tog] twice, k9, [k2tog], k1. (24 sts) 
Row 99: P1, p2tog, p18, p2togtbl, p1. (22 sts) 
Row 100: K1, k2togtbl, k6, [k2tog] twice, k6, k2tog, k1. (18 sts) 
Row 101: P1,p2tog, p12, p2togtbl, p1. (16 sts) 
Row 102: K1, k2togtbl, k3, [k2tog] twice, k3, k2tog, k1. (12 sts) 
Row 103: P1, p2tog, p6, p2togtbl, p1. (10 sts) 
Row 104: K1, k2togtbl, k4, k2tog, k1. (8 sts) 
Row 105: P1, p2tog, p2, p2togtbl, p1. (6 sts) 
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch. 
Cast off.
This pattern is for personal use, knitting pleasure and fun.You are not permitted to sell whole or part of it.  

Sea Photo Frame

     I made two or three sea photo frames. When I'm on vacation I always collecting sea shells and pebbles. Also last year I took a little sand.
You need:
-photo frame
-glue
-sea shells and sand
      First I glue, then sand the frame. I arrange the shells, also you can add some pearls for magnificence! 



Happy Valentine's Day!

February 12, 2012

Lovely Knitting Set

 




   During my web surfing I came across this adorable knitting set by Moulin Roty. It is designed for little girls. It is so lovely and old-fashioned! I'm completely in love with it! You can find it in this french site Madame La Marchande. I also found it Here.
   Very nice bag sewing containing all the elements needed to learn: a knitting mill, six balls of yarn, embroidery threads 4, sewing scissors, a meter, needles for knitting.
    A nice gift that will appeal to girls, moms and grandmothers. The bag is personalized with the name of the child.
A nice way to pass on his knowledge and spend quality time with his children and grandchildren.

   Trés belle valise de couture contenant tous les élements nécessaires pour apprendre : 1 tricotin, 6 pelotes de couleur, 4 fils à broder, 3 fils à coudre, des ciseaux, un mètre, des aiguilles pour tricoter...
   Un joli cadeau qui plaira aux petites filles, mamans et grands-mères. La valise est personnalisable avec le nom de l'enfant.
   Une façon sympa de transmettre son savoir et de passer du bon temps avec ses enfants et petits enfants.




There is a Kit pastry, if you prefer to make cookies:
Kit pâtisserie:
 The gardener Kit:
Kit le jardinier:
Jouir de la vie!
Enjoy!


  

February 09, 2012

February 06, 2012

Embroidery

   Today I ran across this cute computer embroidery.
 I didn't imagine they are creating such a nice things!












February 04, 2012

February 03, 2012

What Dreams May Come:




   "Sandra Foster turned a Catskills hunting cabin into the romantic Victorian cottage she had always wanted.
    Ms. Foster has her own shabby-chic retreat. It may not have a bathroom or a kitchen, but it is a dream of Victoriana: stacks of Limoges china with tiny rosebud patterns; chandeliers dripping crystal; billows of tissue-paper garlands. This is all the more impressive because she renovated the 9-by-14-foot cottage, an old hunting cabin, herself. The cost of renovating and furnishing it: $3,000."