I have come to the conclusion it is time to retire my favorite winter accessory - my beloved earmuffs. I have several pairs that I acquired nearly 20 years ago when they were chic (or at least I thought they were). People are starting to stare, point and snicker.

Perhaps it is because I am known to wear them on a 70º day when it is windy. They have a very functional purpose for me. If I go out on a windy day without my earmuffs on, within 24 hours I will develop a lovely case of the sinus crud.

So I decided to knit some ear-warmers that I could wear year-round and not look like a fool. I took advantage of some free-time during this last snow storm to make two pairs - a lightweight one using Llama Cotton for spring and a wooly one using Ariosa for winter.

These take very little time to make, have a cute little self-button, and take less than a skein. You can easily get two pairs out of one skein.

So my treat for everyone today is the pattern for these Ear Warmers!

Ear Warmers

Yarn - 50 yds worsted weight yarn
Needles - size 7 (or size to get gauge). Crochet Hook - size F
If using straight needles, you’ll need 2 DPNs the same size for button.
Gauge - 21sts = 4″ in K1P1 Rib

K1P1 Rib
Row 1 (RSR) P1 *K1, P1, repeat from * across
Row 2 (WSR) K1 *P1, K1, repeat from * across

Instructions
Cast on 5 sts, leaving a 12″ tail. Mark center stitch.
Beginning w/ a WSR, work 2 rows of K1P1 Rib.

Increase Row - Rib to center st, M1R, P1, M1L, rib to end. (7sts)

Rib 2 rows. Work increase row. (9sts)
*Rib 4 rows. Work increase row. Repeat from * one more time (13sts)
*Rib 6 rows. Work increase row. Repeat from * one more time (17sts)

Work without shaping until piece measures 13.5″, ending w/ a WSR.

Decrease Row - Rib until one st before center st, sl1, k2tog, psso, rib to end. (15sts)

*Rib 6 rows. Work decrease row. Repeat from * one more time (11sts)
*Rib 4 rows. Work decrease row. Repeat from * one more time (7sts)
Rib 2 rows. Work decrease row. (5sts)
Rib 1 row.
SSK, K1, K2tog (3sts) - do not turn.
Work 3 st I-cord for 2″. Break yarn and draw through sts to fasten off.
Knot I-cord to make button and secure with tail.

Using extra yarn from cast on, insert hook into center st on cast on row and draw up a loop. Chain 8. Slip stitch to beginning to make a loop.

Abbreviations

M1R - Insert left needle from back to front into the horizontal strand between the last st worked and the next st on the left needle. Knit this strand through the front loop to twist the stitch.
M1L - Insert left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between the last st worked and the next st on the left needle. Knit this strand through the back loop to twist the stitch.
sl - Slip
psso - pass slipped stitch over
SSK - Slip 2 sts knitwise, one a time to right hand needle. Insert left needle into front of these 2 sts from left to right, and knit these 2 sts together.
K2tog - Knit 2 sts together
RSR - Right side row
WSR - Wrong side row
K - Knit
P - Purl
st(s) - Stitch(es)

©2010 Sealed With a Kiss, Inc. All rights reserved.

As we brace ourselves for another round of frigid weather, I thought you all would enjoy seeing some of the new yarns that have arrived for spring.

Llama Cotton Worsted

A fantastic blend of llama and cotton. The llama isn’t wooly feeling at all - in fact you’d expect the cotton to be blended with silk instead! This yarn is well-suited for year-round wear in our neck of the woods. A great buy at $6.50/50gm.

Fantasy Naturale

This generous sized skein of 100% mercerized cotton is also a great buy at only $4.99/100gm. We have several great free patterns to share with you for this yarn, including an adorable baby cardigan, baby bibs, and a crochet market bag.

Hopefully thoughts of warm weather projects will help warm you up during the cold snap. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow whether the predictions of the big ice storm are accurate or turn out to be a bunch of hype. We’ll be prepared either way!

For those of you who come up to Guthrie on Thursday nights for Knit with Sherry . . . we will be here in the morning and carefully watching the weather. If the storm is anything like they’re predicting we will be closing early. In fact, this will be true for both locations depending on how bad the streets get and how quickly. We don’t want anyone to get stranded.

So you might give us a ringy-dingy if you plan on sliding our way on cruddy roads to make sure we were brave enough to get out in the weather. I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted as the weather develops.

We’re happy to announce that Kari’s baby has arrived. Kaylynn Azmyth was born January 18. She weighs 7 lbs 5 oz, and is 20″ long. Mommy & baby are doing well. You’ll be seeing much more of me at our OKC store on weekdays during the coming months while Kari is off on maternity leave.

We’ve also received some fabulous new baby yarns. Cotton Kisses is a nubby cotton blend. Each skein includes 2 baby sweater patterns, 3 duck buttons, and enough yarn to complete one of the sweater designs.
Big skeins with lots of yardage (396yds) for only $13.99!

Baby Boutique is a yummy microfiber/nylon worsted weight yarn that comes in an array of fun shades. Great for wee ones and big ones too!

For traditional baby things, Dreambaby DK is hard to beat! It is a soft blend of microfiber & nylon and is available in soft baby shades.

One of our all-time favorite baby patterns is our No-Tie Baby Hat. This unique and practical hat is always a hit, and includes instructions to knit and crochet.

Our gift for our loyal readers today is a free copy of this pattern. Print or download it now, for it will only be available through next Thursday (Jan 28). It takes 2 skeins of Baby Boutique for the knitted, and 1 skein of Dreambaby DK for the crochet version.

Did you miss out? The pattern is available for download on our website for $5.

Speaking of babies, don’t forget to bring by a donation for the knitters at Emerson School or Infant Crisis Services by January 31. With your donation you will get to spin the wheel for a discount on your purchase that day. Discounts range from 5-20% off so don’t miss out!

Mason turned 3 yesterday so we had a party for him last night. When I asked him what kind of birthday cake he wanted a few months ago he replied “Pierre the Paris Policeman”. This is a character from one of my obscure out-of-print Richard Scarry books from the 1960’s, so good luck with that theme.

Fortunately mom bought me a bug cake pan at Williams Sonoma before Christmas, so I was able to talk him into a bug party instead. My cakes turned out super cute -

I was able to win him over to the bug theme with a promise of a lime sherbet caterpillar. It didn’t turn out as cute as the cakes, but it got me out of trying to pull Richard Scarry characters out of the air.

When I asked him what the favorite part of his birthday was, he said “all of the presents for me” and “the lights going on & off”. It was storming outside during the party and the electricity flickered. Who knew that would be such a hit?

I tell you what was a huge hit for me - Wilton’s Cake Release. I picked this up at Wally and my bug cakes came right out of the pan. You just squirt it in the pan and spread it with a brush. From now on I will use this for ALL of my cake baking.

On a totally unrelated note, I am selling some super cool chairs that I acquired when one of my upstairs tenants died. They appear to have been custom made, from the labels still affixed underneath the cushion and are most likely from the 1940’s. They are really in pretty good condition for their age. I just listed them on eBay today, so check them out if you’re interested. Here’s the link for red & green chair.

Congratulations Melissa & Heather. You are the winners of the gift enclosure cards.

A big thanks to all who shared their useful tips!

The day after I baked dad’s coconut cake I awoke to discover a big white spot on my dining room table. Like a num-nut I put one of the cakes to cool on my table and didn’t put anything under it to protect the table. That’s what happens when you get in a hurry I guess. I remembered someone told me once that peanut butter would take out drink rings. We don’t have that problem in my house since I am the coaster patrol, but I wondered if it would work on my table.

So while I was feeding Mason breakfast, I spread peanut butter on the unwelcome spot. Naturally he thought this was hilarious. A little bit later I rubbed it away and was thrilled to find that my spot was gone! It’s always exciting to find quirky little tips that actually work. So to the peanut butter tipster out there, whoever you are - THANK YOU!

I have a few little quirky tips that I use frequently. In my kitchen drawer you can always find one fat rubber band. Just one - I have an aversion to congregating rubber bands but that’s another story. Any jar, bottle, whatever that needs opened - I just put my trusty rubber band around it and can open it with ease. I can even open jars that Keith can’t with my rubber band. Go girl power!

I keep sugar packets in my desk drawer too. There is nothing more irritating than getting the hiccups, and a spoonful of sugar is the cure! It works every time. Sometimes it takes two spoons, but they disappear quickly.

On another note, I received samples of these super cute gift enclosure cards. The one with the pea pod says “You made that. I made this.” How cute is that for a baby gift? There are three other styles too - “I made this. You don’t have to wear it.“, “I made this. xoxoxo.“, and my favorite - “I made this. I expect to see you wearing it.”

We’ll be receiving these cute notecards soon, but in the interim I have two sample packs with one of each style to give away. Simply comment to this post with one of your tried-and-true quirky tips, and we’ll randomly select two lucky winners. Comments will be open through Sunday at midnight.

I fell off the blogging wagon this week thanks to an unwelcome visit from a sick-bug, but I am happy to report that I have recovered and am back in action! This next installment of yarns I have to tell you about is quite exciting . . . and quite posh!

Mulberry Merino
This blend of mulberry silk & merino wool is amazingly soft, heavenly to work with, and not pricey. At only $7.99/50gm, everyone can afford a bit of posh! We have a few great project ideas for you…

You will want to snuggle up with this yarn, so why not make a cuddly neck cowl? This 2-skein cowl is a snap to make, and I’ll even include the pattern for you at the end of this post!

I also think this yarn is PERFECT for chemo caps. Choosing a wonderfully soft yarn is key to making caps for chemo patients, and I can think of nothing more yummy than the Mulberry Merino! You can find a complimentary cap pattern at the end of this post as well.

Baby Alpaca DK Paint
It doesn’t get much yummier than pure baby alpaca! This Peruvian painted luxury alpaca is a great buy at $7.99/50gm. The pattern for this beautiful scarf can be found at the end of this post.

Hillside Linen
Posh goes au naturale with this soft blend of alpaca & linen. With an array of undyed shades, this earthy yarn is a great buy at only $11.99/100gm skein.

Check out this cute shell and shrug! The shell takes 3-5 skeins, and the shrug takes 2 of the Hillside Linen. Both pieces are great separately or as a pair.

All three of these new posh yarns are available at both SWAK locations. Come in and check them out! And now without further adieu, we have three free patterns for you….
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Mulberry Merino Cowl
Gauge - 14sts = 4″ in stockinette stitch
Needle - US 10.5, 32″ circular or size to get gauge
Finished Size - 30″ circumference x 12″ (requires 2 skeins Mulberry Merino)

Cast On 105 sts. Join in round. Knit 5 rounds. Purl 5 rounds. Continue alternating 5 knit & 5 purl rounds, ending with 5 knit rounds until cowl measures desired width. Bind Off loosely.
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Chemo Cap
Gauge - 20sts = 4″ in stockinette stitch
Needle - US 7, 16″ circular and DPNs or size to get gauge
Size - average woman’s
Yarn - 2 skeins Mulberry Merino

Cast on 88 sts and join in round. Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 5.5″.
Begin crown decreases, switching to DPNs when necessary.
Decrease round - *K2, K2tog, repeat from * around (66 sts)
Work 10 rounds without shaping
Decrease round - *K1, K2tog, repeat from * around (44 sts)
Work 3 rounds without shaping
Decrease round - *K2tog, repeat from * around (22 sts)
Work 1 round without shaping
Decrease round - *K2tog, repeat from * around (11 sts)
Cut yarn, and draw through remaining stitches to fasten off.

———————————————————————————
Baby Alpaca Scarf
Gauge - 21sts = 4″ in alternate rib pattern
Needle - US 9 or size to get gauge
Finished Size - 5″ x 50″ (requires 2 skeins Baby Alpaca DK Paint)

Cast On 25 sts. Work in alternate rib as follows:
Row 1 - *P1, K3, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1
Row 2 - K2, *P1, K3, repeat from * until 3 sts remain, P1, K2
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until desired length, then Bind Off in pattern. Add fringe.

Rubydoll was my great-grandmother. Her real name was Ruby but EVERYONE called her Rubydoll. She lived well into her 90’s, so I had the unique pleasure of having her present throughout much of my life. This queen-mother matriarch of the family was independent, yet high-maintenance…very high-maintenance. One year during a bad snowstorm she called my dad claiming to not have a “nibble of food to eat”, then had him drive her all over town for one item - a fine dusting mitt. Yes, she was very particular too. She was quite charming, yet very outspoken. I think you could say I inherited my lack of tact from her as well.

As a kid I would spend time with her at the senior center learning from the master - she was a card shark at canasta (and always won, always.) She never drove, but was an expert backseat driver. I take that back, she drove once. She started the car, ran up over the curb and hit a tree stump. My grandfather took the keys away and that was the end of Rubydoll driving.

So you can see why many in my family refer to me as “little Rubydoll”, a title I am quite proud to hold. My husband says it’s like being crowned the PITA queen, but she was a lovable pain. I can only hope to live as long and full of a life.

A few years ago when I blew the dust off my oven and started cooking like a madwoman, I decided to make my dad a birthday cake. Rubydoll made him a coconut cake every year for his birthday. Just like her, this cake is a PITA to make. And in usual Rubydoll fashion, it is more of a pain for those who have to assist in the making of the cake.

The key to Rubydoll coconut cake is FRESH coconut. Have you ever cracked a fresh coconut? Neither have I. Instead I enlist the help of my not-so-thrilled husband. A few foul words and cut fingers later, I have fresh coconut. The other key ingredient - boiled icing. The sticky stuff spatters all over the stove as you’re mixing, and if you don’t hold your mouth right or if the weather is non-cooperative you may wake up the next day to find the icing has suddenly has disappeared from the cake.

Dad’s birthday was this past Sunday, so in honor of Rubydoll I made him his annual coconut cake. Unfortunately she is no longer here to share her recipe, so here is my adaptation.

Cake - After trying a host of cake recipes, I have settled on Barefoot Contessa’s recipe for Coconut Cupcakes. All other coconut cake recipes pale in comparison. I have used the fresh coconut with this part of the recipe, but think packaged works best (don’t tell Rubydoll, she might just roll over in her grave).

Rubydoll Frosting
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 T light corn syrup
Freshly grated coconut (1 coconut does the trick)

Combine all ingredients except coconut in top of a double boiler. Beat 1 minute to blend, then place over boiling water and beat until stiff peaks form, stirring mixture up from bottom and sides occasionally. Remove from heat. Beat 1 minute more, or until thick enough to spread. Frost cake, then sprinkle generously with grated coconut. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t disappear the next day leaving you with a bare cake surrounded by coconut.

It really is delicious and worth the trouble, plus Rubydoll would be quite proud to know that her tradition is being shared with others (and their unsuspecting coconut-crackers).

New from Namaste! Organize in style with the Monroe bag, featuring a unique 3-compartment storage design fully equipped with extra pockets and strong magnetized closures. The Monroe bag also features a rear document pocket, sturdy construction, and eye-catching good looks.

Also new from Namaste - the Wallet, featuring a front zipper for easy access, and plenty of credit card slots and interior pockets for your money, receipts, etc. Sleek, spacious and sophisticated.

Both the Monroe and the Wallet are available in the following colors:

Red
Black
Peacock
Hollywood Pink
Lime
Eggplant

These hot new bags will be arriving next week. Reserve yours today!

We’re still sifting through all the new yarns that arrived just before Christmas. Today’s report is on our delicious new sock yarns.

Sockin’ Sox
a fabulous bamboo blend sock yarn that comes in scrumptious shades!

One skein makes a pair of socks, or gloves, or mitts, or. . .

Happy Feet
a yummy superwash merino with solid and multi shades.

Two skeins make for a pair of happy feet!

While sock yarns aren’t just for socks, we also found a garment yarn that will make awesome socks!

KnitCol
We were on the hunt for a funky yarn to knit a pair of heavier socks when we stumbled upon this fun yarn from Adriafil. Great for sport-weight socks! In addition to the colors we just received, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of more new shades too.

You’re going to love the way this merino yarn knits in garments too. Adriafil has stylish free patterns for this yarn on their website including this trendy jacket, a cowl-neck pullover and a kicky cropped top too.

The label lists this yarn as aran weight, but I think you will like it much better at a sport/dk gauge. Even the patterns listed on Adriafil’s site are worked at the tighter gauge.

I still have much, much more to tell you about so stay tuned. I’m busy knitting up a couple of special projects for the next group of yarns. That can only mean one thing . . . more cool free patterns to come!