Tag: knit

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A Slight Reintroduction

Welcome!

I am Chauntel, Firebrunette Knits, a knit, crochet, and spinning instructor living in Arizona.
I work part-time at Tempe Yarn & Fiber for a much-needed hands-on fiber fix.
I have been teaching one-on-one lessons, classes, and workshops in person since 2004 and online since 2018.
While knitting is my number one passion, crochet and I have the longest relationship spanning almost 40 years. I picked up spinning in 2005 and haven’t looked back. It is my place to rest and absorb wool’s magical powers.

Currently, I am reinserting myself in this space; a blog about current projects, collaborations, and teaching experiences.
Life took a turn for most of us a couple of years ago. I am still trying to find my place in the fiber community after moving 1,000 miles away in the middle of the pandemic. I still teach classes and host make-alongs virtually, and I have found growth in this medium.

I have a UFO Friday Make-Along coming up.
Starting June 24th, we will meet live via Zoom for 6 Friday nights to work on unfinished objects that have us feeling a bit guilty or frustrated.
You can register here.

I am a process maker, so I jump from project to project and craft to craft. I have at least 40 projects happening at any given time between knitting, crochet, spinning, and rigid-heddle weaving. I have my eye on needle felting and have dabbled in macrame and watercolors in the last few months.
There is not enough time in the day!

Today, I am working on the Why Knot? by Unwind Knitwear. I love their patterns, and this one does not disappoint me. Wonderful stitch textures are happening in the yoke, and the yarn from Dyelicious is doing a beautiful speckled fade.

copyright Firebrunette Knits 2022

A current class I am teaching is another project I am working on, the Vitamin D cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier. I am using Coast to Coast yarn and thoroughly enjoying it.

copyright Firebrunette Knits 2022

For now, I will sign off. Watch for more posts, updates, and news to pop up.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for class, events, and make-along news.

Chauntel
aka firebrunette

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Guitar String Beader Tutorial

I am putting this a few places for easy reference…
Okay, so tonight I started a shawl with beads and I am using the guitar string method and I must say I think it’s brilliant.
Here, let me show you…
First I took a 6” piece of thin acoustic slinky guitar string that just so happened to be on my table next to me from Josh playing & adjusting his guitars the other night.
Second I bent one end about an inch up, all the way over 180 degrees.
Then I strung beads on the other still straight end. I was able to get about 90 8/0 beads on the wire.
Finally I took an eraser from a pencil and slid it as a stopper on the straight end. I did bend that end but now I am thinking I should have left it straight for taking off the eraser & reloading beads.

To use:

  • Once the beads are on, you knit to the stitch that needs the bead.
  • Hook the stitch with the bent crook of guitar string & remove from needle, move a bead up on to the 2 pieces of string and off on to the stitch. It’s much easier to move the bead than pull with the guitar string.
  • Put the stitch back on the left needle and knit the stitch.
  • Using the bent end of the guitar string, hang from your knitting so it’s right at hand.

VOILA!!!

Here is a photo collage to help.
Guitar String Beader Tutorial

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Swap Package for Caffeinatedfrenzy

I love swaps! I sent out a package last week & in my excitement I forgot to take pictures!
Luckily, the recipient, Caffeinatefrenzy on Ravelry, took a ton of photos & posted them.While my next batch of coffee is brewing, I thought I’d share (read: brag) about some of my goodies. I took sooo many pictures.
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Everything was wrapped in polka dot paper :). This package had absolutely perfect timing. I threw a little tea party last night where I got all dressed up, and was able to use my new nail polish (these are like little stickers with bright flower designs on them, made out of nail polish. They smooth right onto your nails, and voila!), my new burt’s bee’s lip balm (the natural hue is absolutely perfect for my pale skin) and serve tea on my cute new coasters! I also cooked with my hot pink new spoons and measuring spoons.

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(http://www.flickr.com/photos/94701810@N05/8623859235/in/p…)

And look at these little boxes! They were filled with gorgeous stitch markers she made herself, a pin, a keychain, some handmade face scrubbies.

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(http://www.flickr.com/photos/94701810@N05/8624956072/in/p…)

The cowl she made me is in almost every photo I took, because, well, look at it. 🙂 (I wore that to my tea party, too!)

I haven’t even gotten to the deliciousness and all the handmades and fun little things yet, but I have to run off to work. But I felt this package deserved a thank you thank you thank you as soon as possible!
But wait, there’s more! 🙂 I’m probably not the easiest swappee, I have no blog, twitter, and am always deleting my facebook, and don’t post all that much on here. But firebrunette still nailed it!
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Socks that match the scarf! And some gorgeous sock yarn in pink and a painted white/pink that coordinates. A lovely little notebook, marshmellows shaped like cupcakes, some mike and ikes, tootsie rolls, and some of them were wrapped in a cute little reusable pink bag.

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She also made me a mug!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94701810@N05/8624950976/in/p…

She also found a book filled with poetry/art and illustrations that I’ve been drooling over on amazon. It will definitely be great inspiration! And the coffee! I tried it for the first time this morning. It’s super fresh, brewed 3/29, and tastes amazing. I don’t typically put anything in good coffee but creamer, but those cupcake marshmellows, I couldn’t resist 🙂

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This Girl Got Goodies!

So once a year I do one of the Caffeine Addicts group swaps. It tends to be the spring swap for some reason. I had so much fun putting together the package for Kelsey, which I will post next.

Calling CaffeinatedFrenzy!! I got a package!!
And it’s filled with goodies!
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
Sewing notions! The cutest yellow ribbon, buttons!! I love buttons! And the zipper is so cool I will have a hard time finding a project worthy of its use.
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
How cute is this ribbon bag that contained all of the sewing notions? I am hoping I can use it to hold a sock project & not have the needles ruin the ribbon. I guess I am going to actually have to use point protectors!
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
The yarn is smooshy & soft & there is enough to make myself a nice fat cowl/infinity scarf. The second I saw it I knew what pattern I wanted to use but I have work to do so I can’t cast on yet, dangit.
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
Kindle/tablet stand…
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
Look how cute the kindle cover is!! I have a great button to put on it. I am so happy I don’t have to knit one for myself ;o)
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
This beaded bracelet is gorgeous! And the perfect color to go with pretty much every single thing I wear.
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap
This basket will be perfect for me to keep my set of crochet coasters in.
Caffeine Addicts Spring 2013 Swap

Thank you so much Kelsey!!
It’s such a fun package. Now to put all of my goodies to use…

 

 

 

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Comic Con Geurilla Yarn Bombing

I am starting squares soon!! I have a couple of projects already on a time deadline so it may be a week or two but I am so doing this. I think I will dedicate one skein of at least one color. How many squares do you think I can get out of a Super Saver Red Heart skein? We’ll see!!

YARNBOMB PROJECT: “RUBIX CUBE PARK”

I haven’t finished making up the advertisements to go with the Comic Con project, however the ball needs to get moving! I will need 2,700 squares and ANYONE/SKILL level can help. I need 450 squares in each of the colors listed below. I chose a specific brand and colors for this project to keep it all cohesive. Who doesn’t have a skein of Red Heart laying around, right?

Yarn: RED HEART

RED: Hot Red ID# 0390 (Super Saver)

YELLOW: Bright Yellow ID# 0324 (Super Saver)

ORANGE: Pumpkin ID# 0254 (Super Saver)

GREEN: Paddy Green ID# 0368 (Super Saver)

BLUE: Blue ID# 0886 (Super Saver)

WHITE: White ID# 0311 (Super Saver)

SQUARE PATTERN

Hook: I

Form a magic ring OR ch 6 and join with SL ST

Round 1: Ch 3, 2 DC in ring, TR in ring, * 3 DC in ring, TR in ring, repeat from * twice more, join with SL ST to the top of beginning Ch 3

Round 2: Ch 3, * DC in each DC to TR, ( 2 DC, TR, 2 DC) in TR. Repeat from * three more times

Repeat round 2 until square reaches 7.5 inches

Finish off and weave in ends!

Squares can be mailed to:

Crochet Grenade

PO BOX 17188

San Diego CA 92177

Deadline for squares: June 25th

It will be installed guerrilla style, w/no permission, in the middle of downtown San Diego, during Comic Con. I am asking for 2,700 7.5 inch crocheted squares. I will be making an event page for all who want to help. More details about it will be made available in the upcoming days or week, but if you’d like to participate then let me know so I can send you an event invite.

Thanks so much for your interest and I look forward to collaborating!

Crochet Grenade

via Comic Con Bombing – chauntelensey@gmail.com – Gmail.

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Baby Sundress…Just in time for Spring

I love how this precious little dress turned out.
I used a feather & fan stitch pattern for the skirt, decreased to a seed stitch ‘belt’, worked the yoke top and then another additional green seed stitch border at the top. I-cord ties with leafy shaped ends and a bit of a frilly crochet edge along the top edge.

Obviously you can see I had a difficult time getting accurate color in the photos. The second photo up is the most accurate for both the green and the lavendar.

This is a custom piece commissioned by my sister in law for the baby girl in a set of twins that will be born to a family in Cambodia in June.
Next up, finish up the boys outfit…

Flickr: Your Photostream.

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Introducing the Chevelle SS…no, not my dream car…

I love how squishy and cuddly brioche knitting is. The technique is rhythmic (although it does take half a dozen rows to find the rhythm sometimes) and interesting but not too fiddly.

The pattern is available for purchase in the left sidebar.
It includes detailed instructions including step by step photos for both a cowl and an infinity scarf.

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I am teaching a brioche class at Twist Yarn Shop here in Wichita.
Lovely shop, lovely ladies (and men, I just haven’t had any men in my classes yet) and extra lovely yarn!

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Zig-a-Zag Glovelets PDF Pattern $4

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I love this glove pattern. Meshy, squishy zig zag lace, knit in the round magic loop style and using just 35 grams, ONE 50 gram ball of fingering weight yarn.
(You know you all have those leftovers from socks or shawls that would be perfect for this pattern.)
The nice thing about this meshy pattern is that variegated yarns work perfectly without too much crazy pooling happening.

Go ahead, buy it, cast on & love it!

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New Patterns!!

Over there in the left hand sidebar there are some new Buy It Now buttons for patterns.
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Mesh Boot Topper~ $3
Simple crochet boot topper/cuff pattern that would be great for a beginning crocheter to show off. Single crochet through the back of the stitch and a simple mesh pattern on the top. Adorable popping out the top of any height boots!

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The crochet Mesh Boot Topper on the left, the knit Monkey Boot Topper on the right.
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Monkey Boot Topper~ $3
These knit boot toppers are adorable under your short or tall boots keeping your legs warm from that cool draft that likes to creep in. You can flip them inside out and fold the lace top over the cuff of your boots as well. There are tons of ways to wear these beauties!