BeFri

Cabled Cowl

2009-11-16T14:16:00.003-05:00

The Cabled Cowl is finished and ready for wearing. Above are pictures. This is a relatively basic crochet cable pattern that repeats all the way around the cowl. The pattern will be available shortly on Ravelry.

I Forgot

2009-10-01T08:22:00.001-04:00

Both patterns are available for download on Ravelry or at Knit Las Vegas 702-616-9050 and Anneke's Needleworks 305-665-6222, if you would like hard copies.

2 New Patterns

2009-10-01T08:18:00.003-04:00

We have finished 2 new patterns recently and I wanted to upload the photos. Both are vests-one knit, one crochet. Both work up very quickly and would make great holiday gifts. I'm just saying. We also have a few other projects in the works right now that would make great gifts, so stay tuned.

Crazy Crochet Scarf

2009-08-30T13:06:00.002-04:00

I was looking for mitered squares online but ended up finding a pattern for a really fun to make scarf that is easy and fast and would make a great Christmas gift. I have posted a picture of my final product. It is from the Bernat website and you have to join their website to find the pattern but it is definitely worth it.

V-Neck Party Sweater Complete

2009-08-19T09:03:00.001-04:00

Finally, I have finished this sweater. It has been a long time in the making, having picked it up and put it down for the last several months. I think it turned out really well and the pattern is almost ready to post which is even better!

Non-Be Fri Projects

2009-08-10T07:36:00.004-04:00

Even though we mostly focus on our own patterns, we have been known to indulge in following someone else's pattern from time to time. I found this pattern online at Drops by Garn Studio and, although did not like the yarn they used, the shape was really cute so I used it as a crochet-a-long in the knitting store where I work. Below is the finished product. I think it's pretty cute....

I will be wearing it as a bathing suit cover-up and did have to make a few modifications to the pattern but overall, it was a fast and fun project.

Minor Progess

2009-08-08T22:01:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you just need to see some progress to buoy your spirits. I finally put together the shoulders of this sweater I have been working on for what seems like forever. The pattern is totally written up to this point, so it feels like I have accomplished something. Below are some pictures. Now for the sleeves and collar. Maybe by Monday.....

New Logo

2009-08-06T16:57:00.004-04:00

We finally have gotten our act together and had a logo designed. Any comments?

Why Doesn't My Sweater Fit Me?

2009-07-30T19:04:00.003-04:00

Working in a knitting store, I come into contact with lots of knitters. There are a few great knitters who make their own patterns and can create whatever they want when it comes to knitting. There are intermediate knitters who can follow a pattern and often can figure out when they have made a mistake, but really can't think outside the pattern, so to speak. And then there are the knitters who knit to pass the time, usually making scarves or very simple projects, unwilling or uninterested in investing the time to learn other techniques. This post is a plea to the beginning and intermediate knitters. Read on if you blindly follow a pattern totally ignoring all preliminary warnings that the garment you are making doesn't look like it is quite going to fit you .

Part of the reason we started this blog was that in the long term, we wanted to be able to help knitters learn to adapt patterns to fit their bodies. There are a handful of knitters who can already do that, but for those who can't, please take the following advice.

So, the question posed is "Why doesn't my sweater fit me?"

This is a very good question and there are two common answers.

The first part of the answer is......you didn't take time to check your gauge. Gauge is a very simple and often overlooked part of the knitting process because people want to rush through their project and get to the end result. But, the downside of rushing and not checking your gauge is that the outcome is an ill fitting garment. If the gauge says you should be getting 4 stitches to the inch and you are getting 5, your sweater is going to be snug and too short. If the gauge says 4 stitches to the inch, and you are getting 3, it's going to be a baggy mess. Check it. If you aren't getting the gauge the pattern calls for, try switching your needle size or if it's a basic pattern, do some simple yarn math-we will cover that in a future session. But do it, or your project is going to be a hot crafty mess.

Reason 2: You have totally ignored your body measurements in favor of doing EXACTLY what the pattern says. For example, if the pattern tells you to cast on and knit for 15 inches, then bind off at the armhole, that's great. Unless you have a long or short torso, and then you will either look like you are wearing an ill fitting tunic or like Kelly Kapowski (for those of you who don't know who that is, she was on the 80's television show and had a penchant for floral prints and midriff baring tops). You need to measure yourself and decide if the length of the sweater works for you, and if it doesn't, lengthen or shorten it to fit your body. In a basic sweater, that is not difficult. In a more complicated sweater, go to your local knit shop and ask for help. Someone there can help you. The same goes for sleeves-long an loose; not cute, short and tight; even worse. Measure your body-why put all that time into knitting something that looks like it belongs to someone else.

Back in the Saddle, so to Speak

2009-04-01T18:06:00.004-04:00

It's been a long time since we have posted, and it's mostly my fault because I do most of the posting. Things have been a little crazy the last few months. There have been several airplane trips, a vacation, and a hospital stay, but now everything is back on track.

We have a Facebook fan page, for starters. It's Be Fri for those of you who want to join. We have begun the process to sell patterns on Ravelry, and we are hoping that happens soon. We have tons of new patterns to get out there. Below are some pictures. Tell us what you think. All combine knit and crochet!

Megan

First Knitting Machine Projects

2009-01-22T08:30:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a very productive day in spite of the several hours that were dedicated to the new knitting machine. I "made" 2 projects on the machine and these are the photos.

The yellow square was the tester piece that I first knit, and as you can see, it is a work of art. It is curling in the at the sides- those are not wiggly edges. The second two pictures are a scarf that I made, and then dropped a bunch of the stitches, in a pattern. It may be slightly longer than I anticipated, but it is still nice looking and after it's blocked it will look even better.

I also began the hairpin lace shawl in Katia Jamaica, and it looks really nice. I'm on the first strip of lace, and I'm trying to chart my progress on ravelry. We'll see how that goes.

Knitting Machine

2009-01-21T10:25:00.003-05:00

Be Fri is now in possession of a knitting machine. Well, the Megan half of Be Fri. It's not a high tech machine by any stretch of the word. In fact, the word machine might even be a stretch, but it was on sale at Joann Fabrics and I thought it might help us get through ribbing and stockinette faster. So stay tuned. Later I will be posting some pictures of the yellow acrylic scarf in stockinette that am in the process of doing. It will be ugly, but it will be "machine" made.

New Item on Etsy and Ravelry

2009-01-20T16:21:00.004-05:00

The image at the left is a slouchy hat that will be available soon in both chunky and thin yarns. The picture on the left is the chunky yarn. I don't have a picture of the cap with thin yarn because it was a Christmas gift and I gave it away! So I need to make another so I can photograph it before we put it up as a pattern.

The photograph on the right is now available for purchase at http://www.befri.etsy.com It can also be purchased at Knit Las Vegas. Stay tuned for some more designs soon.

I've been missing

2008-12-12T08:31:00.001-05:00

Christine and I have been finishing off several projects. Unfortunately, we have not posted any of these projects for various reasons. But we will soon. The holidays are particularly busy for both of us, as any knitter/crocheter can attest. With projects piling up and very strict deadline, there is not much time for dilly dally. So that's our excuse. We promise to get some more pictures up and we are launching a website soon as well. So we are working feverishly on both. A happy Holidays to everyone.

Megan

New Scarf

2008-12-03T15:51:00.003-05:00

This is the easiest pattern ever and it crochets up so quickly.

I did it in Karabella SuperCashmere and it's so soft and spongy, I love it.

Megan

Hairpin Lace Shawl

2008-12-03T12:23:00.003-05:00

Ok, unclear why these images aligned themselves in this way, but since I'm new at this, I'll just go with it.

To the right are three pics of one of our designs. It's a wrap with sleeves using our favorite hairpin lace. I know this seems basic, but have you tried to find a shawl that doesn't fall off your shoulders? There aren't great options out there. So this way, you can gesture when you talk and still stay warm. Also, I am going to be adding a button on each side so it can be buttoned in multiple different ways. And, it's really simple to make. And now you all know what my bathroom looks like. And me.

Megan

Ta-Dah!!

2008-12-02T12:56:00.003-05:00

I have been working on this bomber jacket for what feels like forever. Mostly because it has been a case of pick up, put down, pick up, put down, but now it is done!! I must warn you, the colors aren't for everyone and it looks exceptionally long on the mannequin because I have a long torso, but I am obsessed with it, and if you happen to be walking along the streets of Miami, you will probably see me in it because I plan to wear it everyday. That was a run-on sentence, but I wanted you all to feel my excitement.

There are double point needles in place of a zipper for the moment but I put myself on a deadline of today to finish, so I just wanted to get the images up and have not yet had time to go to the store. Once the zipper if firmly in place, I will put up a detail of that. The zipper will be double ended and run from top to bottom, so I can open it either way.

What does anyone think of this?

Megan

First Etsy Pattern

2008-11-27T12:55:00.002-05:00

I successfully uploaded a pattern on to Etsy. We are http://www.befri.etsy.com/

The pattern picture is at the left.

I am absurdly excited.

Crocheting in a golf cart

2008-11-27T12:49:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I don't know about anyone else, but I am really excited for turkey and stuffing.

But on to the golf cart. We are visiting my fiance's family in Palm Springs and yesterday the three of them were going out to play golf and I was asked to join. So I spent the afternoon crocheting my bomber jacket riding around in a golf cart. It was actually really fun and I got a ton done. If you have the opportunity, I recommend trying it.

I will be posting pictures of my bomber jacket tomorrow. It looks awesome/Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat. I guess it depends on your point of view.

Megan

The Bomber Jacket

2008-11-24T12:23:00.004-05:00

I am working on another version of the bomber jacket and I am very excited about turning the squares into diamonds. The diamonds make shaping and finishing very simple. Both motifs we have been working with lend themselves easily to both squares and diamonds.

By the way, I am terrible at finding things to say, but find I have a lot to say...meaning I am not sure what is blog worthy, but I have read other blogs and maybe everything is blog worthy? I will try to keep things interesting and constantly changing.

On Friday, I finished a child's crocheted hoodie! I love it and want one for myself so I am writing a pattern for every size from toddler to adult. I will have the pattern on Wednesday this week in response to many requests here in the store.

I am also working on a Noro (Kureyon sock) part crocheted, part knit cardigan. I guess I should explain my love for crochet first. I have become obsessed with bringing crochet a new life and a trendy, yet classy look. Both Megan (Megan I hope I can speak for you) and I feel that the look of the combination of Knitting and crocheting together in the same garment brings a whole new life to both skills. It opens up all kinds of new doors and allows those of us who are attempting to master both techniques a way to use them in unison.

I would love input!!!!!

Knitting Sweat Shop

2008-11-21T09:25:00.003-05:00

I have been on my own all week because my fiance is travelling for work, so the knitting has encroached all over the apartment and it looks like I live in a knitting sweat shop. See below pictures. I kept them far away so that no one can tell that every single thing in the pictures relates to knitting somehow (except the tv in picture 2)

I have to start cleaning immediately. But it occurred to me when some friends came over last night to pick me up that to an outsider, my apartment looks like that of a crazy old woman. I mean, bring on the cats. So the knitting has to get back under wraps before the day is through. But please enjoy the sweat shop scenes below.

Megan

Not Much Accomplished

2008-11-20T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today was not my finest days in terms of productivity. I did make some progress on a few projects, but no real headway that I can talk about. I did manage to run a few errands, pack for Thanksgiving, and do my hair for a night out with some friends. Even that didn't go so well, I kind of look like a tranny. (my hair, not me)

Oh well. There's always tomorrow.
Megan

Hot Mess

2008-11-19T12:26:00.003-05:00

I love this scarf because I made it, but I feel like its the same way parents love all their children, even the ugly ones.

Anybody have an opinion?

Loop Scarf

2008-11-18T16:25:00.003-05:00

I have gotten a few positive comments on this hairpin lace scarf, so I am posting pictures and will try to have a pattern up shortly. If you are familiar with hairpin lace, this is a VERY easy scarf. Basically, it is one long strip of hairpin lace, folded in half, connected, folded in half again and connected leaving a 4 inch opening. I will try and make a more comprehensive pattern. And on a side note, color changing yarn is a really good option for this pattern.

I am researching a knitting machine at the moment and trying to buy one online because there don't appear to be any dealers within a 5 hour drive of my apartment. This has become a very time consuming process and after several hours of internet research and no progress made, I realize how easy it is to waste the day online. Oh well. There is always tomorrow.

Megan

When you are visiting family, productivity is low

2008-11-13T11:11:00.002-05:00

So, I know Christine is in the same boat as I am when it comes to having family that takes a lot of time and attention. In a great way, that was not a complaint at all. She has some of her family near by, I have to fly to mine. But I am at home for a long weekend, and as I was packing, I was shoving my bag full of knitting and crochet paraphernalia with the best intention of dedicating several hours to work. I know she does this when she leaves the shop at night thinking she will be able to get something done when she is at home. I know this, because we have done this together several times. We do have good intentions.....

Since I have walked into my parents house I have done approximately 2 hours of work in the last 24 hours. Family takes up a lot of time, and particularly when you have very active parents. For example, they were awake before I was and I got up at 6:45, then we had coffee, ate breakfast, did all of the word/number games the newspaper has to offer, then we drove downtown to workout with their trainer. I have not been in a gym for some time, so if I can lift my arms at all tomorrow, it will be a miracle. Needless to say, it is 11:15 am and I have done nothing remotely having to do with knitting. And next on the agenda is running errands with my mom, because when I'm in town, we spend almost all day together. Again, not a complaint, entirely my doing.

So, I was hoping to post pictures of a scarf I am working on, but it's a midget scarf at the moment, so I will have to hope to do some work today and post tomorrow.

Christine, I hope you are more productive than I am today.

Megan

Our First Try

2008-11-11T13:48:00.003-05:00

Welcome to our blog!! Who's excited? We are. Probably no one else.....yet.

Let me explain. Christine and I collaborate on knit and crochet patterns. Actually both knit, crochet, and patterns that combine knit and crochet. When we started this venture, we were both living in Vegas.

Fast forward a few months, I live in Miami Beach and she is still in Vegas. But we still really enjoy working together, so we decided to have a long distance work relationship. I know, could we make things any harder on ourselves? With our normal lives as busy as they are, do we really need to work together when not only do we have to get on plane to have lunch, but also, a 3 hour time difference?

The answer is simple. YES. We have to work together because the patterns we design are really exciting and now that we've started, we just can't stop.

So we created this blogspot for 2 reasons.
1) So we can talk to each other, leave each other comments/encouragement.
2) So you can read about it/us.

So that's it. You'll see our ongoing conversation. All the good, bad and the ugly. At first, it might just be ugly, but that's for you to decide.

Next time, I might even talk about knitting.

Megan