Basketweave Knitting Stitch

Before my daughter was born, I used to knit more frequently.  Mainly scarves and baby blankets for friends.  My daughter is now 12 and it's been about that long since I last knit.  For the last month, I have been trying to reteach myself with the help of a knitting book and some youtube videos.  After casting on, knitting has been a little like riding a bike.  My fingers just knew what to do.

I had to spend quite a bit of time working on making that first stitch and casting on. This was one of the videos I watched to help myself remember.  I made a few small scarves for stuffed animals as practice.



After practicing casting on, binding off, and combining different stitches by making a blanket for a Littlest Pet Shop and three scarves for Build-a-Bears I decided to work on more advanced stitches.

This is where the basketweave stitch comes in.  You can see part of my project above.  I had some leftover pink yarn that I used and it turned out great. 

To create a Basketweave:
Cast on 43 Stitches.
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: k3, *p5, k3; repeat after *
Row 3: p3, *k5, p3; repeat after *
Row 4: repeat Row 2
Row 5: Purl
Row 6: p4, *k3, p5; repeat after * but end last repeat p4
Row 7: k4, *p3, k5; repeat after * but end last repeat k4
Row 8: repeat Row 6

Repeat rows 1 through 8 (as many times as you want.  If you repeat the rows 7 times you will have a square piece.  You could repeat more for a scarf)
Knit row 1 - 4 and bind off on the Purl row, purling all stitches as you bind off.

Taking the Goats for a walk

Willie is leading the pack as I take some of the goats out to where my neighbor delivered some hay.  Willie is one of my favorite goats!  When he was little I spent a lot of time with him because I had to bottle feed him.  Now that he is grown he is so affectionate.  He always comes to greet me and follows me everywhere.

Here is a little video I took today:

Alex Acres: Lemongrass Sugar Scrub

Alex Acres: Lemongrass Sugar Scrub: Like I mentioned in an earlier post, Lemongrass is my favorite scent right now.  I can't get enough of it!

I LOVE this scrub!  It is made with a few ingredients which makes it quick and easy to make.  As somone with dry skin, especially this time of year, the coconut oil used in this scrub leaves my skin soft when I get out of the shower.

I posted the recipe on my other blog:  Alexacres.blogspot.com.  Try it out!  I'm sure you will love it!