new free pattern back scrubber

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Materials

worsted weight cotton yarn such as sugar and cream

Bulky or hobbie machine

tension on 8

Cast on  11 stitches

 knit 10 rows transfer the middle stitch to the right or left and make sure needles are in working position.

knit 10 rows

repeat 6 more times ( 80 rows)

   Now change to another color and repeat the whole thing until you have 80 rows. cast off.

 Now fold in half.

 You have holes every 10 rows up the middle.

Take one side and thread it through the hole at the top.

 For instance if  you have red and black thread the red through the black then thread the black thru the red.

 Keep repeating until you get to the end.

I cord for looped handle on each end:

With the end of your braid with the wrong side facing you hang 4 stitches on the machine

knit 96 rows

hang   the last 4 stitches of the I cord to  the first row of 4 stitches where you began your I cord

knit one row cast off

hide all your loose ends tie a slip knot very close to the braid

This  technique can be used  to make a great dog leash. It also makes a great bag handle very firm and sturdy just leave off the I cords on one end for the leash and make it longer for the lenght you need for your dog. Make smaller loops on each end for a bag

shrink art buttons washed and dried

These got washed and dryed with a pair of jeans and they are none the worse for it.

I am considering them a sucess

big button shrink art

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36 years ago I was art major ,I took copper enameling. You had to beat on copper throw it acid no oil could be on it.A coat of glue solution followed by a tiny sifter screen with glass powder. Then it went into the kiln

Embossing powder, shrink plastic and a heat gun. looks darn good! I messed up the button hole with the wire. Hey I am messy

button from #6 salad container

http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/11/shrink_your_trash.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

I read this this morning about using plastic salad/take out food containers . This person makes shrink art from #6 plastic containers. You can find the number on the bottom in the recycle triangle?

Here's my button I made I cut a circle. It shrinks. A 1"and 3/4 inch circle shrunk down to a half inch button. I used a paper punch to punch the hole in before I shrunk it.

I sanded my piece (you have to) used a cotton swab and I put embossing powder on it. The plastic shrunk before the embossing powder got shiny. I had to use my heat gun on it. I held the plastic through one of the holes I punched with one of my stem wires, or it blows away.

You can use colored pencils, sharpies, anything thats permanent. If you use non-permanent it washes off.

To had to experiment for size. You can stamp on texture right after its shrunk before it hardens again.

I don't know how it will be for washing. Maybe you can tell me!

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www.knitting my life away.com

for my patterns and freebies http://www.freewebs.com/artknitter/

Today I thought I was going to accomplish probably what would take days. I did start 2 new projects, I made a doll it was too loose you could see the stuffing. I made a pincushion it was too tall and too loose too.
Worsted yarn is all different weights It can be the same brand and be thicker. I had brown knit up tight, I used a pink and beige it was loose. I had to really tighten up the tension.
I guess I'll have to set up the mid guage again.

Early 90's Mop dolls

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Remember mop dolls? I made a lot of them back then.I can't find a picture right now I made cheerleaders in school colors. They had big hair. I'll have to look they were cute and easy to make.

sideways knitted vest

It needs a lining ribbing on the bottom and button bands Then it will be done. I used a lot of different novelty yarns. I knit this on my 7mm knitting machine

Holidays approaching,Mine is Christmas it is coming!

Yesterday I designed a wreath I am pretty excited about it. I can't finish it today.
I have to work on a job that pays first the couch I am reupolstering.
I am having fun designing fun knitting projects. I don't get much feed back I look at the traffic and I am amazed how many people looked.

I have added some free patterns

for my patterns and freebies http://www.freewebs.com/artknitter

My zen foliage

These were done on a midgauge

Begining, middle, and end
Purple for cleansing and healing
white for hope

These will last have no odor and my cats won't chew them. I remember to relax when I look at them I try!

ok update Cats will chew them and yank every one out of the arangement and ruin them.

Zen grass

I neede some peace in my life so I knitted these an uneven number green for truth