Archive

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Join me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

Knitting in the Round

Knitting in the round is a way of creating seamless tubes of fabric without having to sew anything together. There are several ways of knitting in the round, but the three key methods are using double point needles, using circular needles, or working in the “Magic Loop.”

Knitting in the Round on Double Point Needles (DPNs)

Learn to bind off on double point needles (DPNs) while working in the round - a knitting lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

To knit in the round with DPNs, you will use three or four needles (with points on both ends) to work in a triangle or square shape. Once it comes off the needles, this knit will be a round tube. DPNs are great for making smaller items like mittens, cup holders, socks, and sweater sleeves.

Learn to Knit with Double Point Needles (“DPNs”) in this Lesson

Knitting in the Round with Circular Needles

Learn how to move a hat top from circular needles to Double Point Needles (DPNs) in this knitting lesson with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Circular needles have two pointy ends connected by a flexible cord. This setup allows you to bring your needle tips together and join the ends of your cast on. Then, you can work around and around creating a seamless knit tube.

Learn How to Knit with Circular Needles in this Lesson.

The Magic Loop Method

For the “Magic Loop,” you will also use a circular needle; however, you will bend the cord into a shape that allows you to knit smaller tubes. This technique is excellent when you need to knit smaller items but circular needles in that size are not available. For example, tiny mittens are far too small to make on traditional knitting needles. The Magic Loop method gives you the ability to make theses tiny things.

Learn to Knit in the Magic Loop Method with this Lesson

Need Supplies? Find everything you need to follow along with my lessons at my Amazon Storefront.

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

Knitting Journals

Write your own patterns in a Knitting Journal designed by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

Introducing Liz Chandler’s Knitting Journals, a collection of meticulously designed notebooks tailored to enhance your knitting experience. Each journal features a unique high-gloss hardcover, allowing you to choose a design that resonates with your personal style. Both beautiful and functional, these journals offer a consistent and practical interior layout. They will give you a structured space to document your knitting projects, patterns, and creative ideas.

All Knitting Journals Feature:

Numbered Table of Contents Effortlessly reference your patterns with a pre-organized, numbered table of contents. No more flipping through pages in search of specific projects.
Notes and Big Ideas Section: A dedicated space to jot down your knitting musings and brainstorm new ideas. This area is perfect for capturing those spontaneous moments of inspiration.
Comprehensive Pattern Sections: Each pattern is allocated its own section. You can neatly list the pattern name, required materials (yarn, needles, and other essentials), and special notes alongside your sketches.
Graph Paper Pages: Visualize intricate designs and experiment with colorwork using the included graph paper pages. Create your personalized knitting blueprints.
Instruction Pages: A roomy instructions page allows you to write out detailed notes. Try writing your instructions row-by-row to keep it very clear.
Durable Hardcover: The sturdy, high-gloss hardcovers not only protects your precious knitting plans, but also add a touch of sophistication. The knitting themes remind you exactly what use these notebooks serve. They won’t blend into the rest of your notes!

Shop Liz Chandler's Books to find a collection of Knitting Journals as well as pattern & lesson books.

Available Cover Designs:

Each journal in this collection features a distinct cover design, allowing you to select one that reflects your knitting personality:

Kitten’s Sweater: Adorned with an adorable image of a kitten attempting to knit, this cover brings a playful touch to your journaling experience. Get the Kitten’s Sweater Knitting Journal
Alpaca Fields: Featuring a serene alpaca grazing in lush fields where the haybales are made of yarn, this adorable design evokes a sense of calm and connection to nature. Get the Alpaca Fields Knitting Journal
In Stitches: Showcasing a vibrant purple knitted pattern, this cover adds a pop of color and celebrates the beauty of stitches. Get the In Stitches Knitting Journal
Fuzzy Blanket: Inspired by the warmth and comfort of a cozy blanket, this design invites you to wrap yourself in creativity. Get the Fuzzy Blanket Knitting Journal
Winter Wonderland: Depicting a tranquil snowy landscape, this cover captures the essence of knitting during the cozy winter months. Get the Winter Wonderland Knitting Journal
In the Garden: Illustrating a lush garden scene, this design brings the freshness of the outdoors into your knitting space. Get the In the Garden Knitting Journal

Shop the best knitting journals online designed by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Not Just Pages of Lined Paper

Liz Chandler’s Knitting Journals are more than just notebooks. With 126 pages designed to accommodate up to 30 knitting patterns or projects, they’re your co-pilots in the knitting universe. They simplify your projects, spark your creativity, and keep everything organized. Transform every knitting season into a smooth and creative journey.

Whether you’re in your garden or cozied up indoors, these journals are ready to accompany you on your knitting adventures. Embrace the joy of knitting with Liz Chandler’s Knitting Journals and keep your creative process as warm and comforting as the projects you create.

Explore the full collection and choose the cover that speaks to you at PurlsAndPixels Knitting Journals.

November 6, 2024February 2, 2025

5 Simple Tips to Keep Your Homestead Running Smoothly (Even When Life Feels Chaotic)

Keep Your Homestead Running Smoothly (Even When Life Feels Chaotic) with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Running a homestead can feel like a never-ending list of things to do, especially when life’s other demands creep in. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that keeping things simple usually works best. Here are five ways to make sure your homestead doesn’t just survive, but thrives, no matter what the day throws at you.

1. Make a Plan, But Be Ready to Improvise

Every day starts with a plan, at least, in theory. I always have a mental list of what needs to happen, whether it’s feeding the animals, pulling weeds, or trying to convince the chickens to lay their eggs in the coop, not the garden (they have their own opinions, of course).

Let Liz Chandler @ PurlsAndPixels help you stay organized even on busy days. To do Lists help with running your homestead.

Plans are great. Flexibility, though? Essential. Think of it like a recipe: you follow the instructions, but you know when to add a little more spice.

2. Do What You Can, When You Can

I’ve found that homesteading is all about momentum. You don’t have to clear the whole garden in one day. Just start where you are – harvest one row of carrots today, maybe the squash tomorrow – and keep moving forward. It’s like knitting: you don’t finish the sweater in one sitting. But stitch by stitch, row by row, things come together.

When running your homestead feels hectic, remember to take on one little task at a time. Harvest some carrots, then move to the next step.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly it adds up if you don’t count every minute.

3. Let Systems Do Some of the Work

There’s a reason drip irrigation is a thing. The more you can automate, the less you have to remember, and frankly, there’s already enough rattling around in our heads. Setting up systems, whether it’s a watering timer or a routine for feeding the animals, creates a little breathing room for the unexpected. Because something will always come up.

And when you have that moment of extra time, use it wisely. Or just sit down. Sitting counts.

Find ways to automate your homestead systems, so running your farm and home don't take up all your time. It's ok to relax. Learn more tips with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Did you know that you can automate so many things on the homestead?

Here is a list of my favorite time-saving homestead gear on Amazon.com. Hopefully, one of these things will save you a bit of time!

4. Community Is Your Best Resource (Even If It’s Online)

We all like to think we can manage it all solo, but even the most independent among us benefit from a little help now and then. Maybe your neighbor has a tip for getting rid of bindweed forever, or maybe your kid has discovered a faster way to gather eggs. Either way, sometimes a fresh perspective or extra set of hands makes all the difference in keeping your homestead running smoothly.

Tips for Navigating Challenges with Animals, Land, and Nature when You’re the only Adult running a homestead. I know you want to do it all, but take help when you can.

You don’t have to be an island just because you want to live a quieter homestead lifestyle.

5. Celebrate the Wins, However Small

Sometimes the victory is in the details. Maybe you finally got the hens to stay in their pen for a full 24 hours (we’ll call that a miracle), or you managed to bake a loaf of bread without the dough sticking to everything in the kitchen. Whatever the win, take it. Celebrate it! After all, if you don’t, who will?

Celebrate the small wins on hectic days. Look! I got a green egg! Read more about homesteading under pressure from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

And besides, the next challenge is always waiting as you keep your homestead running. Might as well enjoy this one while it lasts.

November 5, 2024November 5, 2024

Harvesting Carrots

A Mystery Critter and a Happy Haul

I offered to harvest carrots while Mom was out of town, figuring it’d be a quick task. Loosen the soil, pull them up, rinse off the dirt, and done. But, of course, that’s not how it went.

Using a pitchfork to loosen soil around the carrot bed and harvest carrots. Learn with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Loosen the Soil

For this carrot harvest, I started with a pitchfork, working along the rows to loosen the dirt. Almost immediately, I noticed something strange: crisscrossed burrows twisted through the soil. It looked like something had dug out an entire little tunnel system under the garden. Whoever had moved in there had really settled in and helped themselves to quite a few carrots in the process.

Something made a tunnel under the carrot garden and has been eating the food. harvest carrots. Learn with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Guess the Intruder

I never saw the culprit, but the signs of the carrot thief were all over the harvest zone. Some carrots had been gnawed on from the tops; others had bite marks from underneath. From the size of the tunnels, I started to guess: maybe a rabbit, or possibly a ground squirrel. Then again, prairie dogs are known for their underground communities and are no strangers to garden raids. Voles could be the culprits, too; they’re notorious for snacking on roots from below. Whatever it was, it definitely knew its way around a carrot…

Something has been eating my carrots in the garden. harvest carrots. Learn with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

A Nice Carrot Harvest

Despite our mystery visitor’s appetite, there were still plenty left to pick. I finished up the patch, filling two big, overflowing bowls for this carrot harvest. I left behind quite a few damaged carrots. The critter will still have something to eat. Or, if my digging scared it away, the carrots will rot over the winter and add their composted nutrients back into the soil for next year.

A decent carrot harvest despite tunneling garden pests. Learn with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

So, no showdown with the carrot thief, but still a happy ending to this carrot harvest: two bowls of fresh carrots for the family, plus a bit of garden intrigue. It’s a reminder that even a quick garden chore can turn into an unexpected adventure.

Grab some of my favorite gardening gear in my Amazon storefront.

A giant root in the harvest of carrots. Learn with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

Cozy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Fall is in full swing and there is nothing better than a warm and cozy bowl of chicken and rice soup. Make this soup quickly by using leftover chicken and my recipe; you can hip up a pot in as little as 45 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Don’t have already cooked chicken? Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a glass or ceramic oven dish, bake one (or two) chicken breasts for about 30 minutes. Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the inside temperature reaches 165 degrees to kill ensure food safety. Let it cool a bit, then you can dice your chicken and start your soup.

Chicken Broth

Bring a pot of chicken broth to a boil, then reduce the heat on your stove to a simmer. If you do not have chicken broth on hand, you can make your own with bullion. I like to keep Premium Better than Bullion Roasted Chicken Base on hand; this is what I used. Follow the recipe on your bullion package to create enough broth for your soup.

Carrots & Celery

Slice about three large carrots and two large celery stalks into even pieces. Put them in the simmering broth. Add the chicken to the broth, as well.

Chop carrots and celery for your Cozy Chicken and Rice Soup.

Seasoning

Next, add your seasonings. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your tastes.

Salt (I like fine Pink Himalayan Salt),
Ground pepper (I love rainbow peppercorns freshly ground with a pepper mill),
Litehouse Poultry Herb Blend, and
Minced garlic.

Minced garlic for Chicken and Rice Soup.

Add Rice to Your Soup

After all the other ingredients have had time for the flavors to meld, add rice the soup. It will complete cooking while the other ingredients simmer. I used Mahatma Extra Long Grain White Rice in this recipe, but other rice might be a suitable substitute.

Simmer the Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Allow your soup to simmer until the rice and vegetables have become tender, but not yet soggy. This is especially important if you are planning to meal-prep this soup and freeze it for later. You don’t want overly-mushy soup after it is re-heated.

Liz Chandler's Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe on PurlsAndPixels.com

Serve and Enjoy

When your Chicken and Rice Soup recipe has finished cooking, you are ready to eat! Let it cool a little, then serve cozy meals to your whole family. Or, save the batch in individual soup containers and freeze for later.

Cozy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Serving Size:

1.5 cups
(serves 10)

Time:

45 Minutes

Difficulty:

Easy to Intermediate

Ingredients

8 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (about three large carrots)
1 cup sliced celery (about two large stalks)
1 1/2 cups fully cooked, diced chicken (about one large chicken breast)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons Poultry Seasoning Blend
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2 cups rice

Directions

Bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer (low to medium low heat).
Add carrots, celery, diced chicken, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add rice and cover. Continue simmering for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
Let cool slightly, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

This chicken and rice soup recipe freezes well. Once the soup cools, I put mine in disposable paper soup cups then toss in the freezer. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove and you have a cozy meal in no time!

October 27, 2024October 15, 2025

School Colors Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Learn to knit chunky School Colors Scarves with this free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels. Join the knit-along and make your own Harry Potter Wizard inspired Halloween costume scarf today.

Hello, friends! Halloween is right around the corner (this week!), and my son has just decided on his costume: he’s going as Harry Potter! Since we’re short on time, I won’t be able to knit the traditional Hogwarts house scarf without adding a bit of creative flair. Instead of the typical scarf, I’ll be making one inspired by my old college colors, maroon and gold. Fun fact: I had a similar school colors scarf back in the day!

This version will still fit his costume perfectly, and the pattern works great with any color combination. If you’d like, choose your favorite house colors and knit along with me as I race to finish this fluffy, chunky scarf before the Halloween deadline. (Better photos to come once it’s done!)

Knit along with me as I try to recreate my School Colors Scarf for my son to wear with his Harry Potter Halloween Costume. Free Knitting Pattern at PurlsAndPixels.

Post-Halloween Update

Knit a scarf in your favorite school colors. Wear it for Halloween or to the next sports match. Free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

I did it! It came right down to the wire, as far as time goes. I was tying up loose ends at 5 o’clock on Halloween evening, but I got it done! My son’s scarf turned out amazing. He got lots of compliments and everyone knew who he was trying to parody. Here is a little video of the trick-or-treat fun:

How this Chunky Striped School Colors Scarf is Made

This scarf is knit flat, turning after each row.

You will need to know how to:

Materials

Two 129-yard (8 ounce) skeins of super bulky weight (No. 6) yarn* for your main color and (shown in “Tampa Spice” Hometown Super Bulky Yarn by Lion Brand)

One 129-yard (8 ounce) skein of super bulky weight (No. 6) yarn* for your secondary color (shown in “Madison Mustard” Hometown Super Bulky Yarn by Lion Brand)

A 6-foot scarf uses about 258 yards (16 oz.) of Color 1 and 129 yards (8 oz.) of Color 2

Needles

US No. 13/9.0 mm straight knitting needles or 16-inch circular needles

Notions

Darning needle (for weaving in loose ends)

Gauge

12 stitches x 15 rows = 4 x 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch on No. 13 (9.0 mm) needles

School Colors Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Instructions: Use the long tail cast on. Knit flat, turning after each row.

[With Color 1] Row 1: Cast on 22 stitches. (22 stitches) Turn.

Rows 2 – 24: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

[With Color 2] Rows 25 – 28: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

[With Color 1] Rows 29 – 34: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

[With Color 2] Rows 35 – 38: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

[With Color 1] Rows 39 – 58: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

Rows 59 – 264: Repeat Rows 25 – 58 x 8 or until scarf measures approximately 5 inches shorter than your desired length.

[With Color 1] 265 – 287: k 22. (22 stitches). Turn.

Row 289: Bind off loosely.

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20.32-cm) tail, and pull through. Weave in ends. Block if desired.

Printable School Colors Scarf knitting pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels

Chunky school colors scarf free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

Size Notes

This School Colors Scarf will be a 9-inch by 72-inch rectangle. You can make it shorter or longer if you wish; just add or remove repeats in rows 59-264.

Care

If you use the materials called for in the School Colors Scarf Free Knitting Pattern, your final product will be machine washable. To keep your scarf looking its best, hand wash or machine wash separately on delicate cycle in cold water. You may tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to dry.

If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.

I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.