christmas knitting 911 - the Mallory Cowl Pattern

what's this another cowl? yep, it's a cowl..lol.  what can i say?  how could i deny the loving request of my 4 1/2 year old daughter?  she saw me enjoying my many new cowls and begged to have one just for her.  so i thought i would use a skein of cascade 220 heathers that i had in my stash and whip her up a super cozy turquoise cowl!

with yarn  held double you get a squishy, yummy warm cowl.  something fun for them to put on that's big enough to keep them warm but not too big that it won't fit under their coats.  the nice thing about cowls is that my daughter will always rip her scarf off and she leaves her cowls alone.  no knots or ends to strangle on and it's tucked under her coat and out of her way when she plays.

i think she likes it....lol!  the other fun thing about this cowl is it's a simple knit/purl combo rib that is super easy for a beginner to practice knitting on but also a great project for an advanced knitter to use that special yarn they want to showcase.  i also think the pattern would be perfect for both boys and girls to wear.  cowls are versatile and stylish.  wanna make one??

The Mallory Cowl Pattern 

***Copyright 2011 www.luvinthemommyhood.com

All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this pattern unless permission has been given.

Download PDF now.  Pattern notes and more can be found on the ravelry pattern page here.

A fun, stretchy, and cozy cowl just perfect for that special little one in your life!  Wear it as a long cowl for style or wrapped twice for a stylish way to keep your kidlet warm.  Every little girl loves to feel just like mommy in fact I think a little boy would look equally as adorable! So mix it up and have some fun!  This easy basic pattern is a great way to experiment with yarns, needle sizes, working in the round and new techniques.

Yarn: 1 Skein Cascade 220 Heathers in colorway 9322, 220yds/100grams
Needle: US 15 (10mm) 24"Circular
Gauge: 8sts = 4 inches (unstretched in pattern)
This cowl could be made at more than one gauge.  Switch up the yarn and the needle size, add on more stitches to make a longer cowl that could be worn by an adult wrapped (make sure you take into account you will need more than 1 skein of yarn).  Take care to make sure you cast on an even number that works with the K2P2 pattern.   
 Finished Measurement: Approximately 7.5"H by 29"L (full loop unstretched)
 Abbreviations:  sts=stitches

Technique: Yarn held double is simply what is says...yarn held double.  I suggest using both ends of the same skein.  So the inner end and the outer wrap end.  You simply hold both strands at the same time and do everything as normal.  It's easy and fun!

Directions: Cast on 88sts with yarn held double using the long tail cast on.  Place marker (to mark the beginning of your yarn) and join in the round being careful not to twist your stitches.

Round 1: *Knit 2, purl 2.  Repeat from * for the full round.

Round 2: *Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches.  Repeat from * for the full round.

Rounds 3 till end of skein: Repeat the above 2 rows until your skein is used up taking care to leave enough yarn to cast off with.

Cast off in pattern very, very loosely & surprise your wee one with an adorable new cowl!

speaking of kids patterns what are your fave go to ones that you use for holiday gifts?  here's some of my current faves if i had the time and money to make extra goodies for my girls...

1. pepper  2. cinnamon  3. butterflies

nova

1. camilla kid  2. classic raglan pullover

1.yoked cardigan 2. toddler tiered coat & jacket 3. milo 4. in threes baby cardigan

1. swing set cardigan 2. deer dress  3. plain girl hoodie

little house shawl 

1. ruru 2. autumn leftovers 3. sweetheart hat  4. moira's legwarmers

1. ursula & the understanding monsters  2. poppy

what would you make your kiddos if you had months left before xmas?  do you have your xmas crafting list ready?  need some tips?  head on over to my partner in crime rebecca's blog "nook" to get some tips on holiday list organizing and also to see what she would make for her little boy!  and for more boy goodies check out my "comfy sews vs. cozy knits - the boy edition"!

you will always be able to find all things going on for this series here in our ravelry group and here on the blog. 

so do you have your holiday crafting to do list ready? come share your list here in the comments below or in our ravelry group.  the conversation has started & it's lots of fun so join in and let's inspire and support each other!  i can't wait to see what you're all making!

moments in the mommyhood - the end of the 'stache is near!

oh ya...it's that big folks.  that giant, hairy thing above my hubbies mouth is his mustache.  it's nasty...and guess what..this pic is from a week ago at least!  ohhhh.....god...it creeps me out so bad ladies.  each night when he falls asleep all i want to do is shave it off.  i did study barbering in hairdressing school so maybe he wouldn't even notice me doing it?? 

he keeps threatening me that he's not going to shave it off....i'm scared folks...scared.  this momma is shakin' in her boots!

i mean look, even the kids are scared of the thing!!!

we had a good friend come and stay with us the other weekend and my hubby and him so sweetly took the kids out all day one day so i could get some serious rest for my back.  these are all pics they brought back for me to find on the camera.  they also brought me back starbucks, dinner, and some ps3 games to play!  how awesome are they?

we love it when visitors come to stay at chateau cook...lol!

i love these shots of big sis helping little sis.  rare moments that these two are getting along and not fighting.  oh man am i nervous for when these two are teenagers.

i even got to check out some pics of mack whooping it up at her soccer game.  cold...but fun!

i love how happy she looks here..

and i'm dying to know what caused the look on the kids faces!  maybe it was the shock of the size of my hubbies mustache??? i'm so thankful it's so very close to december 1st and i can have my non-porn star, non dirty cop, non creepy man hubby back...hahahaha....sorry hun :P

so what about you guys?  did the rest of you manage to survive movember?  are you all as happy as i am to see the hairy caterpillars go?  let's chat 'stache mo'sistas!

p.s....for all you sewing lovers i've got a great and oh, so talented guest poster coming on next week with a to die for tutorial!  so stay tuned...i  haven't forgotten about you all.  i figured since i can't sew right now i would enlist the help of others to help feed your habit!

Keeping It Organized - Tiny Prints "Lifeplanner" Review!

one of the questions i get asked the most is "how do you do it all?" and the answer i most commonly give is "i don't sleep much and i try to stay organized".  how do i stay organized?  i use an organizer. yep, not a cell phone or blackberry or computer program - an actual organizer.  it keeps track of my appointments, play dates, birthdays and most importantly - my blog!  i keep all my notes, ideas, blogging calendar, goals, to do's etc...all in one easy accessible place.  it's always right beside me and i'm always using it.  i like being able to hold it in my hands, that it's not electronic and does not require batteries.  i can sketch, jot down ideas, and much more with ease.

so when tiny prints contacted me about doing a review of one of their products i jumped at the chance - firstly because i love their shop and secondly because i have been eyeing up their organizers for months.  i scooped my fave one up without blinking an eye.  i knew i wanted a week-at-a-glance on the go lifeplanner by the fabulous designer erin condren.  i adore the modern lines, customizable covers, and overall graphic styling of her organizers.  it has a hard laminate cover with sturdy pages inside.  it's ringbound (yay!) and the monthly tabs on the side are a life saver!  i was one happy momma.

when my organizer arrived i have to say it was pretty close to when fabric/yarn show up at my door.  i squealed, did a happy dance and freaked out my kids with my excitement over an inanimate object.  i now accost anyone who comes in my home to show it to them.  LOVE it!  it is the organizer of my dreams.  seriously...it puts my old one to embarassing shame.  i will never...EVER...go back :)  wanna know what's inside?

*sturdy laminate plastic cover  *ringbound  *monthly tabs  *sealeable pocket  *folder pocket  *gift labels  *stickers  *specials dates section  *days of the week split by morning/day/night  *month at a glance  *year at a glance  *party invites  *lots of space for notes, memos, to do's & goals and more!!!!

wanna see?



i love the inspiring quotes....

the yummy stickers...

perfect for adding some color to your day...

 

and to mark all those special dates!

i like having the option of month at a glance pages...or seeing my mornings, days & nights with room to keep track of goals & to do's as well!

there's also space to organize all my papers, receipts....

and a special spot to keep other items safe...

that came filled with fun goodies!

i LOVE being able to keep it together.....well..sometimes that is :)  i am a mommy after all.  life is never "kept together" all the time...lol!

but it's fun to try to stay on top of things and have the tool that helps me function day to day to be pretty darn cute and lovely to look at to boot!

bonus is while you are shopping over at tiny prints you can also drool over their gorgeous shop filled with:

greeting & holiday cards...

party invitations...

address labels...

and birth announcements...plus a ton more fabulous lovelies!

this momma gives tiny prints two thumbs up!  so whatcha waiting for?  go get organized and head on over to tiny prints and use coupon code "PLAN1011" to save 10% off your order!  they also have a great 3 day cyber sale on as well.  happy shopping!

do you use a personal organizer?  are you a month by month or week by week kinda girl?  what's your fave way to keep your days organized? do you have tips to share?  i'm always looking for more ways to keep life simple :) 

shoeology cyber monday sale!

one of my favorite long time sponsors - shoeology, has a special cyber monday sale going on today! check out her fabulous new women's slouchy boot sewing pattern!  that's right....sew your own slouchy boots!  omg!  fahhhhhbbbuuulous!  use the code "CYBERMOM10" to get 10% all orders today till midnight only! 

whatever color, fabric, style you want - sewing your own shoes is sure to be addicting! trust me...we love them in our house!  soft and comfortable & you can wear them outside to boot!   shoeology also sells soling and felt to make your shoes wearable with waterproof soling!

shoeology patterns are filled with full color pics, paper patterns, clear explanations, and easy to follow step by step instructions that cover every step in detail and best of all you don't need any fancy gadgets to make shoeology patterns.  you just need your sewing machine and the right needle for the materials you are working with.

gilligan shoe pattern

not just handmade custom shoe patterns for momma though, but also for the kids and the babies!  both boys and girls!  i know...it's fabulous right!   wouldn't handmade shoes & slippers make awesome xmas pressies or stocking stuffers?  you can find shoes for boys/girls, babies and women all here at shoeology or at the following etsy shops:

sweet pea patterns | sweet pea kids | shoeology  

owl & chicks kids slipper pattern

happy shoe shopping!