New Crochet Slipper Pattern! "Options"

I have been at it again with the whole "options" thing! The knit version of the Options Slippers has gone over so well that I decided to do a crocheted version. Not only are they cute but they are just about the fastest things I've ever made.
The Options that you get with this pattern are that you can choose to:
1. crochet the whole slipper, which is done flat, then folded and either stitched or crochet together.
OR
2. you can crochet the tops, then use a sole that you cut out of a pre-felted sweater. Talk about fast!
I crochet kind of fast perhaps, but I can make one slipper (all-crochet) in about an hour.
My pattern include full written instructions, pictures, hints & tips, and my top-secret (shhhh...) method for making you slippers non skid.

Here is the link to the pattern: LINK

New way to make crochet purse straps!

I had made a purse several years ago, it was a flukey thing. I intended to start a crocheted beanie hat when it occurred to me that it was going to end up being huge because the yarn I'd chosen was bulky and I wasn't using a pattern just going along freestyle. I decided to keep going and make a purse! The off-white with rust is that purse. I found a nifty snap & leather closure for it that I LOVE! -wish I could remember where I got it from. sigh. Anyway, every time I carry this purse people give me good comments about it. Decided I should make a few more. I made one larger and one smaller. I used black store-bought handles for the smaller one, not too crazy about them. On the larger bag I made my own handles which is what I am going to tell you about:

Using Bulky yarn I chained double the length of the strap I wanted. I then hdc across the chain. Then fold the whole thing in half and join the two ends. Just stitch them together the best and flattest that you can, weave in ends.
Next make sure that when you have it folded in half that the stitched edges are in the middle, not at either end. (see my lame drawing).

Now you will begin to sc around the doubled length. Start about 1 1/2" from the end and end leaving about 1 1/2". Make sure you tie off and weave in your end when you are done sc-ing. Make a second one to match.
To make it super secure I then did a running stitch from end to end, maybe it was because it was black but you couldn't even see it. I hope I have explained this well enough to help someone else make this strap.

Machine Knit Cowl

So the other night we were all out for a family dinner, my niece gave her sister a birthday gift which was a knitted cowl. It was a very nice red knitted cowl - very simple for us MK'rs. I decided to throw one on my standard gauge knitting machine last night and use my garter carriage to knit it.
Here is how I did this one:
T7
76 stitches
Using Knitking "Panache" cone yarn. I got about 9sts to the inch. (don't know the weight as the cone didn't say)
Pattern #539 on my KH-965i
I cast on with waste yarn, then knit 500 rows. After the last row was knit I picked up the cast on row and hung it on the working needles. I then knit tog. and cast off. I then lightly steamed it with my steamer.
I really like the cowl! It started snowing here in Montana minutes after I took the pictures so I guess I'll NEED to wear it soon!

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