Lizard Ridge Square Made Easy

I could not wrap my brain around "The Lizard Ridge Pattern" until a lovely lady on ravelry wrote it out for me in a way that the wraps are shown with (*) so that I dont need stitch markers to know where the wraps are and she wrote it out in a way that is simple to understand.I want to give credit for these instructions to: magerber
With my first square I didnt know about Cat Bordhi's terrific video about wrapping and turning (W&T) and concealing your wraps but have added the link to help you.In my next post I will show you how Iam doing mine in strips instead of squares for less seaming.

Please read through the instructions before starting your square


Lizard Ridge Instructions for Each Square

MATERIALS: Noro Kureyon [100% wool; 109yd/100m per 50g skein]

Needles: US #8/5mm straights

Gauge: 18 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Gauge is not critical for this project.

Begin working using the end from the outside of the skein and Cast on 43 stitches

Rows 1: K43
Row 2 [WS]: P43
Row 3: K43

Please watch the video before starting row 4
(Cat Bordi's Video wrapping and turning (w&t) and concealing the wraps)

Row 4 [WS]: P12, (w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, p3*, p13), (w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, p3*, p13). You should have 3 stitches left in this row. Now, w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, p3*, p2.
Row 5: K9, k3*, k11, k3*, k11, k3*, k3
Row 6 [WS]: P43

I have used this technique Spit-Splicing to join the next color


Row 7: (Change to new color at this point, begin working using the end from the inside of the skein)) K43

Row 8 [WS]: P43
Row 9: K43
Row 10 [WS]: P5, w&t, k5, turn work, p4, w&t, k4, turn work, p4, p2*, p13, (w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, p3*, p13). You should have 10 stitches left in this row. Now, w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, p3*, p8,k1 turn work, k5, w&t, p5, turn work, k4, w&t, p4.
Row 11: K4, k2*, k10, k3*, k11, k3*, k10.
Row 12 [WS]: P43
(change colors on next row resume using the end you had started with)
)

(*) These stitches are already wrapped. Work them by picking up the wrap with the stitch you are working, and either knit or purl the wrap and the stitch togetherRepeat these 12 rows four times for one square (Then you will have used most of the skein with a little left start next square with a new skein).

(Note: On Row 4 and Row 10, I have enclosed some of the instructions in brackets like this-( ). This is to show where the pattern repeats in this row. If you want to ignore these brackets, just work along, following the stitch instructions as if the brackets weren’t there.

All Hallows Eve Swap Package

I received at the beginning of this week a package it was from my swap pal Barb S.
There was a lovely post card from where she lives everything was wrapped in pretty tissue paper:)
There was a Dumpling Bag it is a pumpkin so cute I love it!!!
There was a skein of autumn colorway yummy yarn and a shrug pattern to go with it. Barb sent also a lovely loaf of bread and some good and plenty my favorite candy.
I have always wanted to knit a ball band dishcloth and there was one in the package knit in yummy autumn colors and a pumpkin dishcloth to:)
She also surprised me with a stitch saver keychain from 5elementknitr , and a set of pumpkin stitch markers with cute little faces.I love wooden crochet hooks and she sent me a lovely Brittany H hook, and my favorite locking stitch markers.
Barb spoiled me with lotion, shower gels, and lip balms in spiced pumpkin and 2 scrubbies. She also sent my girls gifts which they enjoyed.There was also a plush pumpkin toy holding pumpkin socks.Thank you Barb you are an awesome swap pal.

Halloween Pumpkins And Pirates:)

I took these pictures at my hubbies squadron harvest party on my birthday wanted to share them with you cute little doggies dressed up for Halloween;)

It's My Birthday "Oh What A Birthday!!!!!"

I received a package yesterday from Grace/lovin comfort knits.There was a tea time soft yummy cloth for taking part in Grace's birthday contest.A tea cozy to match my tea set so cute and a soft yummy autumn tea wallet with tea bags in it for my pay it forward gift.
The Ice Queen with grace's own scalloped edge embellishment and the mystic lights shawl and everything else were for my birthday.There was cocoa in different flavors ,chocolate malt balls which are almost all gone some yummy mohair dyed by Grace's hubby Tom.There was a leaf tray for sitting my tea bags on a cone of dishcloth yarn, and halloween baking cups ,and a box of crayons for both the girls which they have put to good use and the cutest birthday card that made me chuckle:)Thankyou Grace I love everything this was a very special birthday package.
Here are pictures of all the wonderful goodies and to get my Tom to pose with the mystic light shawl I just had to get him a case of beer.lol

A Birthday Surprise!!!

I received a birthday package yesterday from Cheryl/wildflower38.My Birthday is tomorrow but Cheryl gave me permission to be knotty;)and open it early everything was wrapped in yummy purple paper with confetti all around it and a lovely card:) There was a skein of Dream in color smooshy sock yarn in visual purple the color is amazing and one I have been dying to have. There was the little box of scarves 2 and the little box of knitted ponchos and wraps alot of inspiring projects for this winter. I found also in the package a box of cards with envelopes with daisy's on them. In the package some tazo tea earl grey,ravelry pin and some harry mason earrings love'm and a special bag of heart of Texas praline pecans which my girls and I quickly ate.Cheryl knits the most gorgeous socks and she is the loveliest person. Thank you Cheryl I feel totally spoiled;)

My Swapee Received Her All Hallows Eve Package:)

I had the pleasure of spoiling BubblesKnits/JessiS in the All hallows Eve Swap.She received the package yesterday here are pictures of the goodies i sent also there were 2 patterns for dishclothes a bat and an ogre:)

Fall Is Everywhere

I live in the Mojave Desert so fall has just in the last couple of weeks hit my area the leaves are gorgeous,
yellow, greens, and browns the air is crisp the nights are chilly. I just knit a quick easy Ponchette for charity.This pattern can be found in "The Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar 2007". I used size 13 needles and 2 skeins of Noro Iro.

Memories Of San Francisco

The last day of our trip BFF and I went to the mall to get a starbuck's.The entrance to the mall had beautiful trees in front of it.The fall leaves were gorgeous we scooped up some to take home there were yellows and reds and browns.I decided to knit a present for my BFF to always remind her of our trip.Here is a dishcloth pattern I knit but I did a different leaves pattern for my leaves and I used scrap dishcloth yarn for the leaves.

SewSpun Is So Awesome!!!!

As you know I won a skein of Hand Spun From Mandy at Sew Spun for naming a skein of the hand spun she was putting in her etsy shop.I knew it would be gorgeous knit up into the pattern Urchin.
When I realized I needed more for my hat I wrote Mandy and she said she would be happy to spin up more for me so I could finish my hat:)she is a super sweet person it arrived today!! I will be able to finish my hat in time for my birthday in 8 days.This is really special to me as it is my first time knitting with Hand Spun it is such a treat.If you get a chance please check out Mandy's Etsy Shop

More From Our Road Trip

Click On Photo To Read





"Learning and knowing is the best thing my life has yet found. I think I had no life until I started learning and knowing on this journey." From a Liberian folktale

The "Knit More Girls" Jasmin, and Mom Gigi were interviewing knitters standing in line waiting for the book signing and were also there to interview the yarn harlot so be watching their blog for the podcast:)

Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone

Stephanie isn't just my favorite Author, she is also an inspiration to me.Stephanie will tell you she isn't comfortable with public speaking but you will find you are hanging on her every word and laughing with her as she tells you a knitterly story. When I have to think outside the box step outside my comfort zone I always remind myself that Stephanie does it all the time and so can I.Dolores and I both stepped outside our comfort zones to drive the 7.5 hours to San Francisco for the "Free Range Knitter" book signing. We felt terrified, proud, and then exhilarated by taking such a big trip.I clipped my pepper spray to the outside of my purse just in case we needed it.lol
When we arrived back home from our road trip we were grinning from ear to ear and planning our next adventure;)

All Hallows Eve Swap Weekly Topic #5

If you could go anywhere at all to enjoy a wonderful fall vacation - where would you go and why? Somewhere you've been? Somewhere you've heard has amazing fall colors? Somewhere that's LESS fall-like than where you are?
"I would love a fall vacation to the Red Wood Forest".

San Francisco Treat:)

Dolores and I had such a great time with Alison, Jasmin, Gigi, and Rachel. Meeting and getting to know other knitters is so much fun and it made the trip all the more special. Alison was wearing her "Peace Of My Mind Shawl" from her book "Wrapped In Comfort". She was knitting her pattern, "Michelle's Shawl" out of Seasilk in a lovely blue/green colorway. Rachel was knitting the "Febuary Lady Sweater" in Noro Cash Iroha in a lovely gray/blue and I was knitting on Grace's "Easy Flame Lace Scarf" in Malabrigo color Geranio which is in route to her as we speak. Dolores was knitting a "Ballband Dishcloth" from "Mason Dixon" in "Summer Splash" sugar n cream. Jasmin was knitting on her sock. "Pattern
Houdini Socks by Cat Bordhi" in rainbowy. Gigi was knitting a sock in "Slip Stitch Cable Pattern" from Little Box of Socks
colorway little devil.
sockyarn
Lisa Souza Sock.