Wool & The Gang - Fearless Cardigan

I've had this obsession with Wool & The Gang ever since I came across their website. I finally treated myself to one of their projects - this gorgeous Fearless Cardigan

This project is perfect for beginners. I knit this and did the finishing all in one day.
No joke. Just one day.

If you want a sweater to impress and you want it fast- knit this!

Cable Knit Headband Pattern

Just finished adding this new pattern to my Etsy site. These headbands are one of my favorite projects. They are fast and easy with just the perfect amount of difficulty to keep you entertained. I can whip up one of these beauties within an hour. If you love fast and adorable projects, then this is certainly for you!

You can purchase the pattern here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/253703898/cable-knit

Spiral Cowl

In love with this new pattern - I knit this cowl in one day. As much as I enjoy knitting socks and sweater, I can't resist patterns that only take me a day! 

-cast 119 stitches onto a size 9mm circular needle. 

Row 1:   *K3, P3 (repeat from *) 

It's that easy. 

I love it. 

Simple Cowl

Extra chunky yarn is great for quick projects. I literally knit this cowl in an hour. I used some lovely alpaca Illimani yarn.

For the cowl, I cast 22 stitches onto size 15US needles. I knit until I ran out of my 2 balls of yarn.

Each row, I knit 3 stitches on each side of the cowl. I did two cables (6 stitches each) and purled the 4 stitched in between the two cables.

If you're scared of cables - don't be! They are easy. Really.

Here's a video to get you started https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG3E1-pacI0

Cable Knit Infinity Scarves

My newest addiction- CABLES! I can't get over how gorgeous they make the simplest knitting projects. They turn a plain infinity scarf into a gorgeous accessory. I can't wait to make one for myself after Christmas.

Tips for Knitters: Knit Gifts for the Holidays

Being a crafty person, I love to give others gifts I've hand-made myself. There are many difficulties when it comes to giving hand-made gifts.  One problem is giving people something they'll really enjoy that is actually good quality. Another problem is coming up with something that isn't too expensive (us knitters know that good quality yarn isn't cheap!). One of my major problems is coming up with something that won't take me too long. When I have over twenty people on my gift list I can't just knit them all a new blanket or a sweater. Since I give my friends a knit-gift every year, I have come up with a great list of knit gifts that are easy, quick, good quality, and reasonably priced.  Who doesn't love a good hand-made gift?

1) Knit Bows

I love knit bows because they have so many different uses. They can be used as ornaments or hair bows. You can also use them to wrap your gifts. They take up barely any yarn and they are obviously easy to make. I add lace or ribbon to mine to make them a little fancier.

Here's an easy knit bow tutorial: Knit Bow Pattern

2) Knit Mug Cozy

Knit mug cozies are another easy gift that have been very popular this year. You can make one for a normal mug or a handle-less mug. I like to buy cute mugs online and then give them as a gift with the mug cozy. 

You can find a free mug cozy pattern here: Mug Cozy Pattern 

Or here: Linen Ridge Mug Sweater

You can find a simple free coffee sleeve pattern here: Left out of the Phase Coffee Sleeve

You can look at or purchase my mug cozies here: Lexalex Mug Cozies  

3) Knit Leg Warmers 

During the holiday season, chunk yarn and large needles are my best friends. You may think leg warmers or socks would take you far too long but I knit these leg warmers in one day. Just get some large sock needles (I use size 12.0 needles) and very chunky yarn. I like leg warmers because they are like socks but I don't have to worry about doing the heel. 

You can find a great free leg warmer pattern here: Chunky Knit Leg Warmers

 

4) Knit Pouch 

This cute little knit pouch can be used for many different things. It could be used as a coin purse or a sunglasses case. Just add a cute button to close it up. I knit this one with chunky turquoise yarn. 

You can find a free knit purse pattern here: Knit Purse

5) Chunky Knit Slouchy Hat

I love slouchy hat because they are an item almost all of my friends love. They are great because you can knit them with big round needles and chunky yarn so they don't take much time at all. Also, you can use up a lot of left over yarn by making striped slouchy hats and hiding the knots on the inside.

You can find a free chunky slouchy hat pattern here: Easy Slouchy Hat Pattern

You can look out or purchase my knit slouchy hats here: Lexalex Slouchy Hats

6) Knit Washcloths 

Washcloths are great knit gifts for mothers, grandmothers, or friends. Washcloth yarn is a reasonable price and you can even buy it at Walmart. I never use patterns for washcloths  because you really just have to knit a square. You can find any fun stitch pattern though and use it. 

You can find bulk washcloth yarn for sale here: Peaches and Cream Washcloth Yarn

You can find knitting stitches here: Library Of Knitting Stitches

You can find free washcloth patterns here: Washcloth Patterns

You can look and or purchase my washcloths here: Lexalex Washcloths

7) Chunky Knit Pillow

This adorable turquoise pillow only took me a few days to knit. I just knit a giant rectangle, folded it in half, sewed the edges together, and filled it with pillow stuffing. Once again, large needles and chunky yarn helped me finish this project very quickly. I've given this as a birthday gift and my friend loved it.

You can find a free pillow pattern here: Pillow Patterns

You can look at or purchase my pillows here: Lexalex Pink and Turquoise Pillow

8) Knit Headbands

Knit headbands are quickly to make and there are many different ways to knit them. Headbands are the main thing I sell at my Etsy Store. They make such great gifts. 

You can find free headband patterns here: Headband Patterns

You can look at or purchase my knit headbands here: Lexalex Knit Headband

Vanilla Coconut Crepes

This morning I made myself a gluten-free vanilla coconut crepe with greek yogurt and nectarines. And guess how long it took me to make this scrumptious breakfast for myself? Only 5 minutes! Originally, I found this recipe for a flaxseed wrap here: Wheat Belly: Flaxseed Wrap. I made this wrap for lunch and it turned out delicious (you should try it!). After thinking, I decided that it would make an amazing crepe.

Here’s how I did it:

Vanilla Coconut Crepes 

3 Tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (you can add a little more if you want more vanilla flavor)
1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 Tablespoon water
1 large egg
Pinch of salt

1) Mix all the ingredients together until smoothly blended.
2) Grease a microwave-safe pie pan with butter or coconut oil
3) Pour batter into pie pan and spread evenly
4) Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked
5) Let crepe cool for a minute or 2

Crepe Filling

This is where you can get creative!

1) Spoon a yogurt or whipped cream of choice onto crepe (I used creamy plain greek yogurt)
2) Chop up one fresh nectarine (or any other fresh fruit of choice!) and place onto the crepe
3) Finish off the crepe with a drizzle of syrup or honey (I used honey)

See how easy that was? Once you get the hang of making them you can whip 'em up in no time! This is a perfect breakfast for when you want something filling and healthy but have limited time. You could even make this sugar free by adding honey or syrup in place of the sugar.