Pumpkin Patch and park............

 

Just popping in quickly to show you my very own pumpkin patch.  I made the first 12 last weekend and 9 more this weekend.  The first batch were made with a 3/2 rib, so knit 3 and purl 2, the next side is knit 2 and purl 3.  I varied the stitch count, 35 being the largest, knit until it was 9 inches.  I liked the 25-30 stitch range working to 6 or 7 inches.  I even did a smaller version of 15 stitches knitting until it was 5 inches long.   After making the rectangle of your preferred size, sew up the side seams and then catch the bottom stitches every other stitch so you can pull it all together tightly. Next turn it right side out and stick that long tail through the bottom, right at the center, it will look like a little hat at this point with a tail sticking out the top.  Stuff your pumpkin, place the long tail on a needle and pop it thorough the stuffing right in the middle.  Catch the top stitches and pull tightly, use a bit of a knot to hold it all together and there you have a pumpkin shape.  Be sure you leave long tails of yarn at the beginning of the cast on and after casting off for sewing up the sides and shape making. I made 4 stitch I-cords of various lengths for the stems.  You could also use bits of sticks, crochet a stem, whatever works for you.  Sew the stem on and there you have it, a fun pumpkin.  This weekends patch consisted of 5/5 rib.  Five knit, followed by five purl, following the pattern on the alternate side.  Most of these were 25 stiches and about 6 inches long, but there were a few smaller.  I have given almost all of them away, just a few left for myself.  Pumpkin making is so much fun and a lot less messy than dealing with real pumpkins.

I used Lion Brand Wool Ease for this project.  Two skeins each of Mustard, Spice and Kale.  Size 13 needles for the body and size 11 double pointed to make the stems.  I-cords are super fun to make.  So just shy of about 600 yards of yarn used over two weekends to make my pumpkin patch that is no longer in my house.  

Funny, I was watching Gilmore Girls this weekend and happened upon the episode where Stars Hollow has a Knit-a-thon, perfect episode to knit to!

Little Boy and I had a trip to the park today.  It was the first day that it wasn't horrendously hot and humid.  We went on the playground and then took a walk by the lake.  It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Have a good week my friends. I am still not really pulling it together so know I am reading about your wonderful lives, just not commenting or spending a lot of time on the computer.