Thursday, October 4, 2012

Pinterest is my ADDICTION. . . literally!

I am so serious about that title. I am addicted. And most of the stuff I pin, I actually do. Well, I should say if it ends up in one of my crafty or food boards, I do it. Some of it I can't do right at this moment because of circumstances preventing one thing or the other, but they will be done at some point in my life.

That being said, I really really really really really like Pinterest. The downturn in the economy caused people to turn back to their roots and figure out how to survive on what they already had. It taught a new generation (and some of us older ones) how to literally recycle everything our grimy little hands came into contact with. No, we didn't turn into a generation of non-bathing-pot smoking-hippies (no offense to you if you are one, I was born in the '80s, so different set of peeps), but we did figure out how to live. And how to give our kids the childhoods they never had. We figured out how to make old clothes like new, how make clothes into heirloom blankets and quilts, and how to make dinner out 2 or 3 simple ingredients. My husband even managed to find new inspiration for tattoos, something he was losing passion for fast. And all this happened because our country was running out of money fast!

I learned to sew on a machine. I learned how to make quilts. I learned how to measure an item and sew something for it. I learned how to take clothes apart and make purses and wallets and skirts. I learned, I learned, I learned, and at the end of the day, I learned.

So what's your story for today? Have you found yourself again? Have you found new ways to spice up the old you or old things in your life? Let me know! I wanna share in your joy, too!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Norwegian Purl

Norwegian Purl saved my American butt!

And as funny as that statement is, I'm being extremely serious! I hated all ribbing and seed stitch and any other combo that involved purling. I actually tried to avoid it all costs because I am a continental knitter. This means that I hold my yarn in my left hand. And this is only because I was a crocheter long before I was a knitter.

So, back to Norwegian purling.

This stitch is so simple for me as a continental knitter because I am able to move more quickly through a project and I don't spend so much of my time dreading it. If you hate purling in the traditional method, try the Norwegian Purl, you won't be sorry.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Looking for Something Easy to Knit?

Every knitter/crocheter/sewer (so-err, not sue-err) is always on that constant hunt for the easy pattern to do over and over again without pattern papers laying everywhere and difficult calculations to memorize. Today's post focuses on my love for a knitting project that is so simple I'm currently on my fourth one in the last four weeks. If you are a Raveler the pattern is here: link. If you are anyone else, the pattern is here: link.

In Ravelry, the pattern is notably called A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend. Cute, to the point, and informative. This title tells you what you're knitting and who it should fit. Perfect for me. I have a large head, like the size of a man's head large. And I have LOTS of hair. So finding a hat knitting pattern that will cover my ears is not an easy feat.

During my first attempt I had fallen in love with the Broken Rib version of knitting. It's still as springy as basic ribbing, but it lays a little flatter and a little more open like stockinette. Essentially, it's the perfect mix of stockinette and ribbing. This stitch pattern worked great on this hat. And didn't look bad at all to boot. 1st Boyfriend Hat.

I decided I indeed loved this stitch pattern so much that I would just keep doing it. AND I DID! TWICE MORE! 2nd Boyfriend Hat 3rd Boyfriend Hat And I love it so much, I'm doing it again! 4th Boyfriend Hat

Here's what you need to know:

  • Pattern is worked in the round
  • A 16" circular OR DPN's OR 2 circulars OR knowledge of working an item flat and then sewing a seam is required. Note that if you use a single circular you will have to have DPN's to do the decreases with. Pattern calls for a US8, but you may change this to suit your needs
  • Pattern is worked in Worsted Weight yarn, but can be worked in any weight yarn you so desire
  • Pattern calls for 100 cast on stitches, but can be adjusted  by 10 stitches up or down depending on size you are aiming for
  • As of this posting, Ravelry reports that this pattern has made it's way into 5,804 projects!
So, my advice to you is to just get it on. If the first one is to big for you, gift it to a man of your choice and lessen the cast on stitches to fit the next recipient (or just keep knitting for men). I stuck with the 100 in my first hat because I used a lighter weight yarn, but shrunk down to 80 stitches for the worsted weight. All of my hats fit my head and my kids' heads and my husband's head. Literally it is one size fits all. I should also tell you that I knit to 6" before the decreases (no exceptions) simply because we all like our ears covered. If that's not your preference, just knit to 5.5" and then decrease.

Until next time, toodles and oodles of noodles!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Summer Starghan: Lemon Meringue

Many years ago (probably four, closer to five) my hubs dared to make a starghan (an afghan in the shape of a star). He went on to say that he didn't think I would because it involved stitches I had never done, and was thus totally new to me. I set out to prove him wrong, and did it rightly so.

I have decided to revisit this pattern and redo it with summer colors that remind me of pie, well sort of like pie. So Wednesday ended with my fingers wrapped in Banana Berry by Red Heart Yarns from their Super Saver line. The other two colors are Bright Yellow and Aran, both from the same line. I've used an H hook (US8, 5.5mm) in case anyone wants to know. And, if you would like to follow along, here is the link to the pattern: clicky.
Rounds 1-6


Rounds 1-9

Thursday, May 3, 2012

A Bit of An Update

Last time we spoke, I had finished my cardigan. My sister didn't like it, so my mom got it. Since then, I have resurrected several sewing projects and began to finish them. I am currently in the process of completing a patchwork pillowcase for a body pillow. And once that's done, I will be finishing a messenger bag, maybe.

I still knit and crochet. I find that doing one craft and then switching to another for awhile keeps me from getting too burned out on either one at any given time. Needless to say, I am quite busy a lot. My mind is always thinking, always turning, always finding a new way to do something.

I leave you for now, with the end of school for my kiddos fast approaching and the beginning of summer right along with it. I should have more time in my day once I don't have to get up at 6AM every morning. So, until I see you again, have a nice day and be crafty in some way.

Monday, April 2, 2012

The Cardigan Fits. . .My Sister

The cardigan turned out beautifully. I learned to machine sew a button hole (I had always wondered how it was done) and a button (I always did mine by hand until today, much easier with a machine). I also learned that the V in a V-neck doesn't always line up in the middle (face palm). And since we're talking about learning, I learned that when you cut a T-shirt up the middle with the intent to turn it into a cardigan, make sure that it still comes across your boobs. Or you will have to donate it. To your sister. Whose boobs are smaller.

So, enough with the learning, let's discuss tips. I have none, other than the boob thing. And since there are no tips, I'll post pictures. Yay for pictures!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Learned Some New Stuff

I did it! I really did it. I learned how to use a sewing machine. Now I'm a triple crafty nerd: I can knit, crochet, and sew. And I like to combine all three into a single project whenever possible! YAY!

So far, I have made box bags and headbands (Google or Bing search for tutorials on either) and starting Monday, I will be working on two projects simultaneously: a DIY cardigan (tutorial here) and a messenger bag (made from a variety of tutorials of different bags).

I am most looking forward to the DIY cardigan because I have never sewn a garment before. And the tute seems simple enough with my (so far) basic skills. I am making a short sleeved cardigan from a Men's Medium V-necked Fruit of the Loom t-shirt. I will be using contrasting thread and buttons, most likely in blue or aqua, maybe even white.

Many of the items I make are for sale, but currently just for people I can meet face to face--that seems to be the best business method for me at this present moment, though I hope to make a leap online in the future.

If you have any questions about any of the things I do, let me know. I'll gladly answer you.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wool-Eater: Day 2

Wool-Eater rounds 1-4,
pic taken with rear facing camera on Acer Iconia A500 tablet.
Rounds 1-4 are done. I must say that I  was a little lost at first, but after a bit of searching, I found some helpful videos on YouTube.

Until tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Wool-Eater: Day 1

I thought I would begin with the oblong version, but the beginning section was a little tedious to work considering I have never done this stitch before. So I'm going with the original square version.

My materials list:
H hook (5.00mm)
Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Aran, Coffee, and Turqua
Large eye blunt needle
Patience

The terminology is in Australian format. So all DTRs are actually TRs and all DCs are actually SCs and a cluny is a cluster.

As of the moment of this posting I have one complete section done.

Until tomorrow.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Wool-Eater CAL with Sarah London

Sarah London's Pinterest.
Sarah London's Ravlery design page.
Sarah London's Blog.

I'm so late to this party, but I am happy to join along. Sarah London is hosting a CAL (crochet-a-long) of her famous Wool-Eater blanket (so named because it eats up yarn as it goes) on her blog here. There you will find instructions for the square version and the oblong version of the blanket. She has also posted the schedule she will be following as she goes. I am wavering from that schedule by posting on Mondays instead of Wednesdays. My notes will be posted here and in my Ravelry project page.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Update, of Sorts

So i put the color knitting down. For now. I did knit a twisted stockinette clutch. Easy. Simple. Not happy with the way I sewed the zipper in. Guess I'll have to find a way to improve on that. It may be easier to sew the zipper into the lining and then sew the lining into the knitted item. Hmm. Not sure, but when I do it again, I'll let you know.

At the moment, I don't have an itch to knit or crochet anything. I have things to finish and even some to start, but I can't find the inspiration or motivation to do so. This probably has something to do with being sick for the last two or three weeks, though.

Ughh.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year, New Teechnique

So, today (yesterday, actually), I decided that I would do something I have not done in my knitting adventures: color-work. And not just any color-work (seeing as I have already done stripes), but Fair Isle!

Go ahead, re-read that. I'll wait.

I know, right?!? What has possessed me to tackle such a complicated thing? Because I've done everything else. Now it's time to interpret in color and not just stitch. I'm smart enough to just find a basic design and do a square. No sweaters here!

So, bear with me 'cause I'm bound to get frustrated with it, put it down, and then pick it up again.