A very non-sewing weekend here :(

Karen over at Sew Many Ways is having a fun giveaway to celebrate a whole year of her weekly feature Tool Time Tuesday. You really should go check it out. She has some fabulous tips and very clever ideas, and her new sewing space is gorgeous too!

Busy weekend here, but not a stitch of sewing done. Just a few rows of knitting on the fluffy pink cabled poncho. And lots of rain to watch! I'm hoping to catch up on household stuff enough to get back to my sewing room. I have a new purse design that I am ready to start cutting and sewing which I will share as soon as I can, and a few mending projects for friends which I probably won't share. I can't imagine anyone would want to watch me mend someone else's things :)

Have a great week!

Happy Stitching!

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Mitered Squares Baby Blanket added to Sale page

A new item has just been added to my For Sale page - it's item number 11 at the end of the list of items for sale. The Mitered Squares Baby Blanket was crocheted by me using worsted weight cotton yarn in a lovely shade of green, so it would be perfect for a little baby girl or boy.



This blanket has wonderful texture which babies just love, and it is soft and warm too. It measures 38 inches by 28 inches - a nice size for in the stroller or car seat!

All my items are made and kept in my smoke-free, pet-free home and shipped as soon as payment is received, by either first class mail or priority mail, whichever is less expensive.

So pop over to my For Sale Page check out this blanket and other sample items that I am offering for sale, as well as a few items that I will make to order. You just never know what kinds of goodies you will find!

Happy Stitching!

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Goodies - the no-calorie kind - from Green Fairy Quilts!

I love the "Following" feature available on Blogger and probably other blog services these days, although I have not quite figured out how to show who is following Hooked On Needles on my sidebar, but that's ok. As long as I can continue to follow the many dozens of sites I enjoy looking at, I guess it really doesn't matter. If you want to see what sites I find interesting, you can check out my profile by clicking HERE. You will see all the information about me that you would ever want to know!

But to the point, one of the sites I follow is Green Fairy Quilts. Have you heard of them? If not, you should go check them out. Judi has a bright and fun site, lots of great original patterns, fabulous fabric and pre-cuts, and darn it if she doesn't run an irresistible special every now and then as well!

Not too long ago, the special was a free Valentine charm pack with a small minimum purchase. At the same time, a Valentine jelly roll was also on sale. How could I resist? Keep reading and you'll see...


...I couldn't! It was impossible! I ordered my very first ever Jelly Roll, Sent With Love by Deb Strain for Moda, along with that darling jelly roll quilt pattern called Strippin' Time, and two turnovers that were on sale too! See my free charm pack? It's called L'Amour by Sandy Gervais for Moda. Yummy! Sandy is also the designer of the charms I used in my Spring Table Runner Pattern. Love her fabrics!


Aaaaah! Just look at that gorgeous roll of fabric! Oh, the possibilities!


But will I ever bring myself to actually untie that Moda ribbon? Only time will tell!

Right now over at Green Fairy Quilts, Judi has another great offer going on. A free Kansas Winter Turnover with any $10 purchase. That's one of the turnovers in my first picture up above! And guess what is also on sale right now...a honey bun to match each of my new turnovers!

So what do you think? Did I resist the temptation and pass up on this great offer? Or did I break down once again and add to my delicious collection of Moda pre-cuts?

Happy Stitching!

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Introducing My Petite Point Flowers Spring Tablerunner Pattern

Spring is trying so hard to arrive here in New England, and I've just been itching to bring some of it into my house regardless of the amount of snow still on the ground. Perhaps you would like to bring a little spring into your house too, and here's the perfect way to do that...

It's my very own original design called Petite Point Flowers Spring Tablerunner and you could win this very item later this month in the Good Eggs Giveaway which will be announced in a few weeks.


But if you'd rather not wait ...


... to put a cheerful runner like this on your spring table ...


... with all its pretty petite points around the edge ...


... and that wonderful jumbo ric rac, and happy spring fabric, you can now purchase the pattern and make one for yourself!

I have used Celebrate Spring charms by Sandy Gervais for Moda on this runner, but you can use any cheerful fabric you like. This pattern is a great stash buster too! If you have made anything from any of my free tutorials or videos, you know that the instructions will be thorough with lots of pictures!

Just click the Buy Now button below and safely pay through Paypal. I'll send your pattern out by first class mail right away! US postage is already included in the price!

Petite Point Flowers Spring Tablerunner Pattern
$6.00 (includes US postage)
International orders will be billed an additional $2.00 through Paypal)

Be on the lookout around March 24th for the announcement of the Good Eggs Giveaway where you will be able to sign up to win the Spring Tablerunner in the pictures and lots of other great prizes from other wonderful sites.

Happy Stitching!

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Closure solution for Authentic Bag - A Toggle Button!

Remember the super fabulous Bagalicious Club I joined? And that lovely little bag I made from the first kit, which was called Authentic for the fabric line that was used? I was not entirely happy with the fact that there was no closure included in the pattern, and was thinking of adding a magnetic snap during construction of my bag. But I forgot in my excitement to finish the bag!

Well now I have a solution that I think looks great and works well for the bag. What do you think?


I found this black toggle button at Joann's and thought it would be a nice addition to the bag with its black outer shell.


I sewed a strip of leftover fabric just as the instructions said for the straps, only shorter, and made a little loop to sew onto one side of the bag. Then I sewed the toggle button on the other side. Now that the bag won't open on its own, I would feel more secure using it to carry things like my wallet and cell phone.

I've seen this fabric popping up in other projects lately too and it looks great. One was a quilt that used more than these four fabrics from the line and it was really a fun quilt.

I should be receiving my next Bagalicious Club kit in the next few weeks so I need to wrap up a few other projects to make room for sewing another fun bag. How exciting!

Happy Stitching!

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Make Do Memories Vintage Quilt Blocks

Here's a look at the vintage hexagon quilt blocks that Lyn sent me for her Make Do Memories Miniature Quilt Challenge. They are very old and the edges are not in very good condition. Plus they needed a good cleaning, so here's what I did...



Here they are fresh out of the package.


Some of the edges are so frayed that I don't know if I'll be able to salvage them. We'll see.


First I gave them a gentle bath in a bowl on the kitchen counter. I let them soak for a few hours in Oxyclean and warm water. The water was pretty gross when dumped it, so I guess this was a good thing to do. I just hope it doesn't do any long term damage to the fabric. I don't think it will though because it is all cotton and seems to be pretty sturdy, except some of the edges.


I rinsed them over and over again in cold water and spread them out on a clean towel to dry. They looked much better after their bath!

I did a little more work on them this morning, but no pictures yet! I think I might finish up my little piece before showing any more, so you'll just have to wait!

Happy Stitching!

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Pink Fluffy Knitted Cable Poncho

After finishing the knitted helmet liner I was working on during the Olympics, I needed another project to keep my hands busy for the remainder of this exciting viewing event. I checked the shelf in my sewing room cabinet where I keep projects still to be done and found a wonderful little knitting kit I had purchased a while back to make a fluffy pink poncho for my little girlie girl. So I pulled it out, gathered the appropriate needles, a little yellow sticky note to keep track of my rows, and I was ready to continue being productive while enjoying the last few evenings of Olympics coverage.

It's the cutest pink fluffy double cabled pattern from Patons, and it's worked on size 10 1/2 needles so it is working up pretty quickly.


It will be the perfect cozy covering for Gracie to wear to a spring tea party, or to storytime at the library, or just running errands with Mom. That is supposing that it fits her when I am finished with it of course. She's growing so fast, and as I've mentioned here before, I am a slow knitter! But if it's too small for her, I'll just post it for sale on my new For Sale page and let someone else's little girlie girl enjoy it.

The pattern is a simple one, just two rectangles each with two double cables going up the sides. Then you sew them together to make the poncho and add fringe.


You can see here one of the cables twisting its way up the side of the first piece. The yarn feels like the lightest fluffiest cotton candy, and looks like it too! It's Patons Be Mine yarn in Plushy Pink...love the name! Let's hope I finish it before the warm weather arrives!

The spring time giveaway prize that I showed in sneak peek format recently is now complete and ready for the "Good Eggs Giveaway." Be on the lookout for it here at Hooked On Needles and other crafty websites between March 24 and 28th. I'll be showing it off soon when I announce the sale of my very first pattern. It's an original, not my first original, but my first that I am producing to sell. This is very exciting for me so I hope you'll come and check it out.

I've also been working on preserving some very old quilt blocks for Lyn's Make-Do Memories Miniature Quilt Challenge so I'll be sharing that with you soon as well. My fingers have been very busy lately with all this, and a few paid sewing projects that I don't plan on showing - making valances out of leftover drapery panels, dropping dress hems and fixing holes in sweaters - not very exciting stuff, but it keeps me busy and helps people continue to use what they have. Definitely a worthwhile Make-Do challenge for all of us!

Happy Stitching!

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One more sneak peek at spring giveaway

We are still covered in snow here with a fresh many inches having fallen overnight. The sun is trying desperately to come out from behind those gray clouds, but there is a bit of spring time taking shape in my sewing room. Here's one more sneak peek at what I'm cooking up for a fun giveaway which will be announced very soon...


Doesn't that pile of pretty fabric brighten your day? It's called Celebrate Spring by Sandy Gervais for Moda. It's been keeping me busy all week, and in a few days, you'll be able to see what it has become. Any guesses?

Happy Stitching!

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Sneak Peek at Spring - But it's still Winter outside!

Spring is on its way, but you could never tell by looking out our windows this morning! We are snowed in! It's quite beautiful to look at, but I wouldn't want to be out there shoveling it or driving in it! Schools have been canceled for both our resident college student and first grader, so it should be a nice cozy day at home.

Recently I was invited to participate in a spring-themed giveaway which has not yet been announced by the hostess, so I can't say too much about it except maybe just to keep an eye out for it in the coming weeks! I'll give you a little sneak peek of the prize I will be offering if you promise not to tell anyone...


That's it! That's all I can show you for now. As you can see, it's not finished yet, but it's getting there. This is an original design which I have been wanting to make for quite some time, so this was the perfect opportunity to introduce it in this giveaway. But don't worry, if you don't win it, I'm thinking about offering the pattern for sale so you could make one of your own to bring a little spring into your home!


And in case you were wondering what 'almost spring' looks like here at our house, this is the view out our back window looking onto the deck and into the backyard. That is the very same swing set that was encased by the fallen tree during the big ice storm of 2008. HERE's the same view from that great event!

I think we're ready for spring. How about you?

Happy Stitching!

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Mail Call!

Look at this lovely package I received from Stephanie at Loft Creations...


Simple white tissue paper and a little piece of pink ribbon make receiving this purchase extra special.


I purchased three little teapot buttons which I am going to use on future tea cozies. I thought they would be just the perfect finishing touch. What do you think?

Happy Stitching!

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Knitted Helmet Liner Complete!

The Knitted Helmet Liner, started less than two weeks ago, is now complete and ready to send back to Patternworks. Here's how it turned out...

My ever-patient husband modeled it for me...can't you see the smile under there?

This pattern is free with purchase of yarns approved for making these helmet liners for the troops. Just go to Patternworks and click on the little ad towards the bottom of their main page.

I've been working on this project in the evenings while enjoying coverage of the Olympics, so now I guess I'll have to find another project to work on. I really thought this would take me much longer to knit since I am a slow knitter, but I was able to finish it pretty quickly. Those of you who are fast knitters could probably work one of these up in just a few days. The price was right too, just the cost of one skein of yarn. I hope the person who gets this one wears it well, stays safe and comes home soon to family and friends.

Happy Stitching!

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The Other Tote Bag I wanted to show off!

Last fall I made a tote bag out of some fabric I had purchased on this trip to Pennsylvania, but I couldn't show it since it was a Christmas gift for Mary Corbet of Needle'n Thread.com. Silly me forgot to take any pictures of it before packing it up and mailing it off, so I asked Mary to take some for me. She did that, and more! She showed it off to all of her readers!

Here's one look at it...you'll recognize the basic shape of it and some of its features...



...but there's so much more to it than you can see in this picture! Hop on over and see what nice little extras this bag has, and read about how Mary is using it for her embroidery projects.

And just so you know, she's not a fink! The gifts she sent to me and my family were equally as thoughtful, and a lot of it edible to boot! YUM! And for those times when my eyes and hands are busy and I can't sit down and read to them, the audio stories for the kids are fabulous! Thanks again, Mary!

Happy Stitching!

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Knitted Helmet Liner - aka My Olympics-Watching Project

Whenever there is a major viewing event, such as the Super Bowl or the Winter or Summer Olympics, I like to have a project ready and waiting so that my hands will not be idle as I sit and marvel at other people's talents and abilities. Since I had already finished my sweater, and I am not quite ready to begin another long term project like an afghan, I brought up a little knitting project purchased from Patternworks a few months ago. It's a helmet liner which I will send back to Patternworks once it is finished, and they will send them along to the troops. There is a link on the Patternworks main page if you are interested in more information about the project.


There are several yarn choices for this project, but I chose Nature Spun worsted weight wool, made in the USA, and my color choice was Latte. It really does look good enough to drink! The pattern comes free with the purchase of approved helmet liner colors.


This project is turning out to be what I would call 'small knitting' because it requires 16inch circular needles and only one skein of yarn. I've been knitting on it for several days now, and it still isn't very big or heavy. So it's small!


The first six inches are a 2 x 2 rib, meaning knit 2, purl 2 ribbing, on size 6 16 inch circular needles, so it's very rhythmic and relaxing and the whole thing fits right in my hands. It's also easy to handle because, like I said before, it's small - no large pieces to maneuver around in my lap! I like a project that requires very little thought when I'm trying to enjoy the Olympics coverage.


Another benefit of starting this project was that it required a needle that I did not have, so I had to visit my favorite little local yarn shop, The Merry Weaver right here in Leominster, and make a purchase! I could not believe I did not have one 16 inch circular needle in size 8 among all the dozens and dozens of needles in my collection! That was fine with me though since I have become quite a fan of the addi Turbo line of circulars with their very flexible and soft cables and the nice feel of their needles. Just something about them! Have you ever used them? What do you think of addi Turbo knitting needles?

Spring is on its way, slowly but surely! The sun was actually shining this morning while it was snowing! That's progress! And I just got word of a fun Easter/Bunny/Springtime giveaway that I was invited to join. I'll be sharing information on that once I decide what lovely little item I am going to make for the occasion. This weekend I will be visiting a new quilt shop so while I'm there, I just might look for some Easter inspiration for my giveaway item. I'll keep you posted!

Happy Stitching!

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Samples for Sale! Get your Hooked On Needles Samples here!

Hooked On Needles has been around for close to two years already! Hard to believe! In that time, I have made samples of all sorts of things in order to show a stitch or technique, or just to try out a pattern so I could explain something about it. Some of these items I actually make for a purpose, but some of them, although perfectly usable and wonderful handmade items, are not things I plan on keeping or using for myself or my children. So I have decided to list them for sale on this post, along with some items that I will make to order, updating it as new items become available and old items sell or are passed along in other ways. I will add a link on my sidebar too.

Each item will have a name and a picture, and if possible a link to the post where it was originally presented. A price will also be listed, which will not include shipping charges. If you are interested in purchasing or ordering a particular item, just email me at HookedOnNeedles {at} gmail {dot} com and include the name and price of the item along with your shipping information. I will calculate your total with shipping and send you an invoice through paypal. I will ship the item once I receive notification of payment. Charges for shipping will always be the exact shipping charges that I pay to mail the package, never a packaging or handling fee! If you would like your package insured, let me know that as well and I will add that charge to the paypal invoice.

Most sample items can also be custom made in your choice of colors or sizes. Just email for information!

Now on to the goodies available...


Item #1 ~ $30 ~ SOLD
Purple Knit Baby Jacket
Read all about it, including size information, by clicking HERE.




Item #2 ~ $25
Knit Colorful Rings Tube Scarf - an original design
Read all about it by clicking HERE.




Item #3 ~ $20
Jacob's Ladder Crocheted Scarf
Read all about it by clicking HERE.




Item #4 ~ $50 ~ SOLD
Extra Large Patchwork Tote Bag
Read all about it by clicking HERE.




Item #5 ~ $8 ~ SOLD
Fabric Origami Drawstring Bag
Read all about it by clicking HERE.




Item #6 ~ $40
Hand Embroidered Personalized Christmas Stockings
Made to Order!
Read all about them by clicking HERE.
Contact me to discuss colors and fabric preference.
Stockings in photo are not for sale.




Item #7 ~ $30
Remembrance Pillows
Made to Order
Read all about them by clicking HERE.
Contact me to discuss preferences.
Pillows in photo are not for sale.




Item #8 ~ $50
Large Lined Tote Bag with zippered extension and other little extras!
Made to Order
Read all about them by clicking HERE.
Contact me for fabric preferences.
Tote bag in photo is not for sale.




Item #9 ~ $60 + cost of yarn
Crocheted Baby Blanket
Made to Order
Read all about them by clicking HERE.
You purchase the yarn and I make the blanket.
Can be solid or stripes, square or rectangle, your choice.
Baby blanket in photo is not for sale.




Item #10 ~ $125 + cost of yarn
Crocheted Afghan
Made to Order
Read all about them by clicking HERE.
You purchase the yarn and I make the afghan.
Can be solid or stripes, your choice.
Afghan in photo is not for sale.




Item #11 ~ $45
Mitered Squares Crocheted Cotton Baby Blanket
Read all about it by clicking HERE.
The blanket in the photo is for sale and ready to go!



That's it for now, but I'll add more as items become available.

Happy Stitching!

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