crafting everyday

Socks for Soldiers

2011-01-10T18:13:00.002-05:00

I finished another pair of socks for "Socks for Soldiers" this weekend. As I wove in the ends, all I could think of was, did I have more yarn to start another pair? Luckily I did because on Sunday I cast on for a black pair and by the end of the day had knit about 6 inches on it. I will admit that I find it oddly comforting to be knitting on a SFS sock. I have the gauge down pat and the pattern memorized so there is little thinking involved. It's also small and portable and easy to carry with me where-ever I go. Every little bit of time helps makes the sock grow faster and faster.

On Sunday I also took everything out of my craft closet and sorted through all of the projects putting like projects together. I threw away or abandoned about a shopping bags worth of stuff that I will never do again. In the end I prioritized the projects so that the ones on the top of each box were the ones I really want to work on and the ones on the bottom, not so much. I found my box of fabric for a quilt I want to start working on but at the same time found some others also that are almost done but need quilting up. The closet is neat again and I'm ready to work on some of the other projects but in the meantime it's back to my sock bag.

A new year

2011-01-02T15:37:00.004-05:00

I finished Bob the builder with all of his tools yesterday. This is a project that has been sitting in 'complete me' pile. He came out real cute and will be fun for some kid to play with.

I've been working on unfinished and unstarted projects in order to clean out my closets. These are some pincushions that look like carrots. I'm not a big fan of eating my vegetables but it sure is fun making some. I can see on in my sewing basket fun of needles.

Christmas came and went with a bang. Everyone loved all of the homemade socks and cowls I had knitted. Now it's back to SFS and other projects, maybe even a quilt or two. A quiet start to the new year and back to crafting and work.

Another Pair

2010-11-24T09:59:00.002-05:00

I'm working away on another pair of socks. I've got the first one knit and it's half way done on the second. I realize that I like knitting socks when there is a gift opportunity on the way. It's that deadline that spurs me on. I know there is a month until christmas but thinking of the people getting gifts that you knit yourself just gives encouragement to the needles.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we'll be traveling to the cape to be with my mom and sister. It'll be a nice quiet day of talking, sharing and a bit of eating too. My cake will get frosted tonite and I'll gather up all of the items I'm bringing. We get off early from work today so that is an extra special treat for us all.

This weekend I'll be de-decorating the house from Thanksgiving and prepping it for winter. It's getting colder everyday so that gets one in the mood. Last nite on my way home two houses already had their holiday lights on. The christmas music is on the special radio station so you can tune in to get in the mood. But always in the backround the knitting and crafting goes on. It's an addiction, the crafting, and I freely admit it but I'm not giving it up any time soon.

Happy Holidays

Socks,Socks and more Socks

2010-11-19T13:28:00.002-05:00

I finished my second pair of socks from the Stitches East yarn last night. They came out lovely and will fit like a dream. I've adjusted the pattern to knit a women's size that fits a size 8 foot. This means a little more knitting, 6 inches - 7.5 inches on the foot but there won't be so much wear on the toes or the heel from over-stretching.

I wound more yarn into balls last nite in preparation for casting on my third pair of socks. I some feline help with this project as the yarn kept jumping out of the basket and becoming the perfect cat toy. All was well at the end, yarn okay and felines happy.

My mom called and wants to knit a simple cowl. She has charged me with picking out the pattern and the yarn from my local yarn store. It's always fun to go to the yarn store with a mission. She also has put me in charge of making her some loaves of swedish coffee bread for a meeting she'll attend in a couple of weeks. I'll have to make more than one loaf because this is delicious bread that doesn't last long.

Apologies for not updating the blog

2010-11-08T10:52:00.003-05:00

My apologies to all who have checked in lately and not found any updates. Yes I've been crafting away everyday but mostly I've been knitting non-stop. I've been updating all of the projects status on Ravelry but that doesn't account for all of the crafting goings on in my studio. I say studio but it's really just the desk in the corner of my bedroom and the comfy chair in the den. This past weekend I've been knitting away on a pair of socks for "Socks for Soldiers" . I turned the heels and am nearing the toes on the pair. I made a cute little snowman mug rug for my sister. And in the needlepoint genre I'm almost 3/4 of the way done with my 'Red Sox' shirt ornament. I've run out of white thread so that project will be on hiatus until I can order some more tomorrow.

I'll try to keep up with the crafting updates as best I can. It's the time of year that all of us crafters buckle down and finish up those projects so they can be gifted out next month. Bye for now but Happy Crafting.

More Socks

2010-07-29T17:00:00.002-04:00

On my needles this week is another black military sock. I'm already working on the first heel flap. I still need a lot of light to work on the black yarn. I've put in my request for some olive drab and my sister might have spotted some at her local knitting store. I've also got a prayer shawl that needs working on also.

Yesterday I mailed a large package of supplies to the 'Socks for Soldiers' Headquarters in Ohio. I contained lots of stuff the soldiers need and two pairs of handknitted socks. I enjoyed picking everything out at the store and when I got home the gang of cats enjoyed sitting in and on top of the box.

Back to work

2010-07-16T14:10:00.002-04:00

This week has not been as exciting and fun as last week. I'm back to work and it was waiting in force for me to play catch up with it all. But I made sure I worked on my knitting. I continue to knit about 1-2 inches a day on my black Sock for Soldiers. I've just turned the heel at lunchtime today and am now on to the gusset decreases. My goal is to have it completed by next week so I can mail in both pairs.

The Barnstable County Fair starts today and on Sunday I'll volunteer to sit and watch over the exhibits with my Mom. I entered the Hula Hamsters and she entered a scissor case. It's fun watching all of the people come to see how their entries did and just generally admire all of the talent that shows at the fair. I'm hopeful that the hamsters will win a ribbon.

The Shaker Box I made has been on my show & tell shelf outside my office this past week and has gotten great reviews from the staff here. Such a different lifestyle up in Maine as here at home. I'm afraid I'm not ready to give up all of my amenities too quickly. I like air-conditioning and stores right down the road. Being there makes me appreciate all the more what I have here.

Final day of class

2010-07-09T17:45:00.000-04:00

Today was the final day of woman's woodworking 101 at the Carpenters Boat Shop in Pemaquid Maine. It was so much fun today. Here is a picture of the entire class with their finished Shaker candle stands and the Quaker foot stool. I finished my shaker box and it came out fitting really well. It looks good and I can't wait to put something special in it.
Here is the finished 3-step Shaker stool all oiled and ready to be stepped on. At the moment I don't want anyone to step on it and ruin the finish.

On the knitting front I cast on for the second Socks for Soldiers, black sock. I can only work on that in good light as the black is hard on the eyes. It's also sad because I have to go home to the real world of work tomorrow but this week has been fun, educational, and restful. I'd recommend a learning vacation to anyone. Challenge yourself.

Vacation Day 4

2010-07-08T17:26:00.002-04:00

I finished my three step stool today and it was so fun doing it. All that's left is to stain or oil it and that will be done tomorrow. I learned a lot on this stool.
So I got to start a second project this afternoon. A shaker box. Here it is all nailed together and drying. It doesn't have a top or bottom, just the outside. Again, I'm learning another entire way of woodworking and it is so much fun. Everyday this week I've learned something new. I'm sad that tomorrow is the last day of class.

On the knitting front, the bunny photographer has all of his parts knit so he'll be assembled soon. Luckily I brought along a Sock for Soldier project as a backup.

Day Three of Vacation-Class

2010-07-07T19:06:00.002-04:00

Here is what day 3 of Woman's Woodworking class wrought. A somewhat assembled three step stool.
This is what I started the day out with. I used a drill press, router, chop saw and palm sander today. Everything is going together really nicely with all of the pieces fitting into place. I only drilled one hole in the wrong spot (wrong measurement) but you can't see that hole since it's underneath the step so I'm not worried. Tomorrow should mean the final assembly of the steps and then finishing with an oil of some sort. I'm learning so much and having a great time.

The bunny photographer got some arms knitted today and now his jacket is being worked on. He's got a lot of little pieces left to go but he's coming along.

Project Day 2

2010-07-06T20:11:00.003-04:00

Here is what my project will look like when it is completed.
Here is how my project looked like at the beginning of the day. All glued up and ready for cutting out the many pieces. We started off learning about planes and how to use them and got right to work planeing. That was fun and useful towards the end of the day. I ripped boards to the correct width, chopped them to right length and them used both a jig saw and belt sander to do the fancy work at the bottom of the step stool. At the end of the day I still had a pile of boards but now they are all the right size and shape and are ready to prep for assembly.

I did get a little knitting in during the day at break times and after classes on the patio. The bunny photographer now has the beginnings of trousers. My daughter finished plying her yarn and ended up with 2 skeins of beautiful gray yarn with about 173 yards in each skein. This is all from one fleece and there is still more to be spun. It was exciting seeing it in the finished skein after first seeing what it looked like coming off the sheep.

Vacation at the Boatshop

2010-07-05T19:50:00.002-04:00

I started my vacation today at the Carpenters Boat Shop in Pemaquid Maine. I'm taking the beginners woodworking course for women and it is going to be so much fun. Today was the first day and we started off learning and trying out all of the power tools at the shop. They included, the drill press, joiner, band-saw, planer, chop-saw and rip saw. After lunch we selected our projects and started to work using the planer, joiner, chop saw and rip saw. I got enough pieces cut to size that I could glue up a couple of my boards in preparation for tomorrow.

I selected to build a shaker, three step stool with handle. It's similar to ones from the Hancock Shaker workshop. It's so much fun working with all of the power tool and the instructors are very patient with all of us beginning wood workers. I can't wait until tomorrow to see what the next step is.

I'm staying with my daughter so it's very relaxing at the end of the day. I got out my knitting and started another member of the Bunny Bridal Party, the photographer. He'll have dark gray fur and a chocolate colored suit. He even has a knitted camera. My daughter brought out her spinning wheel and was plying together the yarn that she had spun earlier. It's a beautiful gray color from one of the fleeces we helped clean earlier this spring. Her spinning skills have improved dramatically as she showed me three different yarns she has spun. Watching her makes you appreciate how much work goes into a skein of yarn.

The Bunny Couple

2010-06-30T18:44:00.002-04:00

I finished the bunny couple up this weekend. They came out looking really, really nice. I wish the groom could put on his hat though, it's only for show. There aren't any holes for the ears. At work everyone was asking if these are for someone getting married that I know but the real answer is that I just love knitting up the bunnies. There will be a photographer and bridal party to be knitted over the summer.

At our home we had some sad news. One of our real life bunnies, Lily had to be put to sleep this week. She had stopped eating and was just fading away even with all of the special care and attention she was getting. The vet said she had a touch of bunny pneumonia and wouldn't have lasted much longer. We had a nice burial for her and everyone was crying. She was much loved and will be much missed. The bride bunny is knitted in yarn the same color as Lily was.

Bunny Bride

2010-06-24T07:59:00.002-04:00

The bunny bride is coming along nicely. She needs a lot of work on her head and all of her accessories. The helper cats like to lay on the table and watch her being worked on.

Bunnies

2010-06-20T18:24:00.002-04:00

I had to start on a new project once I completed the gray elephant. I selected a pattern from my collection and decided on another bunny. It's the bridal bunny set from Alan Dart. I'm starting off with the bride bunny and using all yarn from my stash. I'm always amazed that I have just the right color. I've knit all of the body parts and just have the veil and bouquet to go. It's been raining this afternoon so that has encouraged me to keep the needles humming. I've got the cat helpers surrounding me and keeping me company. Now it's back to the workbench for some assembly.

New Toy Elephant

2010-06-17T20:32:00.003-04:00

I started this little (10 inch tall) elephant last week from a new book I had purchased. "Knitted Wild Animals" by Sarah Keen. I worked up fast and came out quite adorable. I can imagine some child playing with it in their jungle. The designers instructions took a little bit getting used to but where clear and instructive when followed line by line. I look forward to doing another 'wild' animal. I've already ordered the second book in the series.

Library Exhibit Pictures

2010-06-15T12:56:00.002-04:00

Medieval Mice, Sheep, Spot the cat and the dachshund.

The Circus Mice

The trapeze artists on their tinker toys.

Here are some pictures of the exhibit at my local library. It's hard to take pictures through glass. I'm getting lots of good comments and the staff report good vibes and a lot of pointing and laughter from both children and grownups alike.

I've almost finished up all of the pieces for my elephant. Just the tusks to go and it's on to assembly. The other item for my needles is a black sock for SFS. It's hard to knit on black yarn but I've got enough for 2 pair, so that is what is next. My knitting bag is ready and at hand and I'm set to go.

Rainy days don't get me down

2010-06-12T13:49:00.004-04:00

A rainy Saturday here at my house. I'm at my work table with one cat helper stretched out on the table and another cuddled up in the chair. They help out so much just giving me company. I do have to de-fur a lot but it all balances it out. In-between doing loads of laundry and cleanup binges around the house I've been working on finishing up some projects that have been piling up.

Finished this week is an baby alligator scarf, a triangle neck scarf and a dalek wash-cloth. I started an elephant from the book, Knitted Wild Animals' and that is fun to knit. I'm washing and blocking finished objects so the work room is full up with all kinds of stretched out things. Having it raining outside makes me feel good about staying inside and working on the many projects. So it's back to work with a new dvd and some popcorn and another project in the finished pile.

My Exhibit

2010-06-02T19:19:00.002-04:00

I've been bringing in all of my knitted toys and animals to work for the last couple of weeks. Well today it all came to pass and I was able to put them on display where I work. They'll be there for the summer. It's great to see so many of them all together. I was worried that there was to much space and not enough creatures but there are plenty. They really look all nice on glass shelves.

It's hard to believe that I've knit that much, but it's true. And that doesn't even count the socks, scarves and other items that have come off of my needles the last couple of years. I loved taking them out of their boxes and arranging them carefully each in their own vignette. Already the staff where I work has told me they love the exhibit and marvel at the amount of work I've put into it.

There's more to be added but I have to finish them up.

Hot

2010-05-25T15:42:00.002-04:00

It's hot in New England today. The bank thermometer read 92 degrees. But people are out and about enjoying the sun and heat. At lunch I took my beach chair across the street to the town common and enjoyed my leftovers and a cold drink. I worked on my sock for soldiers and got another 4 inches knitted. It was just nice to sit in the shade, not worrying about anything, watching the kids run and play in the grass and just knit round and round.

Knitting, it's a great thing.

Some assembly required

2010-05-22T20:07:00.004-04:00

It was a lovely day today, warm and sunny with just a little breeze in the air. I had done all of the housework and swept off the patio so I could sit outside and do a little crafting. Ada the Haitian solenoid and Daddy Bunny got finished today. They both went together quite quickly and look really cute. Daddy has more family members that need knitting but they are going together slower. I have some others to put together first. It's fun sitting outside and sewing. The cats kept me company for a little while and enjoyed their times in the sun. The rest of the day they lazed around and slept in the sunny windows or on comfy blankets. So back to work on the next project. Socks or sewing? Knitting keeps winning out these days.

Shaun the Sheep

2010-05-18T17:18:00.002-04:00

I assembled and finished Shaun the 9 inch tall sheep today. All of the animals are going into my work, box by box with and without stands. It's fun looking at them all and remembering making them. I still have more to finish up and others to find in the attic. It's going to be a great exhibit this summer.

Unknitting and some finishing

2010-05-16T13:57:00.005-04:00

I started off my crafting time by unknitting, using my swift a sock that was 50% finished. It was hard to do but it had to be done. I had knit the gauge totally too tight and the sock could not be saved. I was supposed to have 8 spi but I knit 10 spi. Way, way too tight. You couldn't get the sock on your foot. I was knitting while anxious or upset and it shows. The moral of this tale. "Don't Knit Angry"

So I skeined up the yarn, tied it up and soaked it in my sink for a little bit and it's now hanging up in my shower, weighted down, drying up. I'm hoping this will take the kinks out of the yarn. I've never done this before but have read about it so I'm hopeful it works. In the meantime I'm working on the mates heel and it is knitting right on gauge.

Next up was finishing another project that I've been trying to get to the last couple of days. My problem was my helpers lying right in the middle of my work desk. Magpie, the cat would lay down and then push at my hand for cuddling and attention. But in the end she was good help and settled down to just nap.

Here she is giving me guidance on attaching the ears and the front paws. I love that she just wants to be where I am. She helped me next when I was finishing a teddy bears face. She kept playing with the yarn and just having a good time. It's nice to have a helper right at hand.

Meetings and Knitting

2010-05-14T13:55:00.002-04:00

I had a meeting this morning and I arrived a few minutes early there being no traffic. I got settled and pulled out my SFS sock project out of it's camo bag and set to work. More people arrived and a women sat next to me and pulled out her knitting and got to work on a shrug. Across the table I could see another attendee pull out her project. A few people came over and asked about my project and were interested to learn about SFS.

I knit throughout the meeting but still took notes and answered questions. I left with 9 inches of sock and a feeling of accomplishment from the knitting and knowledge gained from the meeting.

I haven't heard of any specific knitting etiquette for meetings. I know I only work on small projects, with quiet needles that don't click and clack away. It gets put down or put away if anyone asks. So far I've never had an issue with this. I think people expect it of me now and like to see what the finished project will become. Meetings and knitting just go together.

SFS

2010-05-12T17:08:00.002-04:00

I watched the movie "the Hurt Locker" over the weekend and it made me think of all of those soldiers over there that needed to know, that we here, back in the states, still care and think of them. So yesterday I cast on for a pair of olive drab socks in Regia Stretch yarn. It's the favorite yarn for Socks for Soldiers and I'm knitting a men's pair. It doesn't hurt that I had an appointment to go to today and a meeting on Friday in which to get some knitting done. I've almost knit 4 inches on size 00 needles. It's soothing knitting a sock. It's just round and round for about another 8 inches so I don't have to keep track of rows or a pattern. Take anywhere knitting.

Patience and Pets

2010-05-11T18:17:00.003-04:00

I didn't have to go into work today until 1 pm so I thought I'd sit at my work desk, watch some daytime tv (regis, the view, martha) and assemble some projects, thus getting them out of my to be done basket and up on the shelf finished. I had already cleaned the house and did the laundry the day before so there was not excuse.

I hadn't counted on my 'helpers' though. Magpie my black furry cat came up and laid down right in the middle of my worktable within minutes of me getting set up to work. She purred and purred and looked cute and begged for a cuddle which I gladly gave her. She just rolled around, getting fur over every thing. After a while I picked her up, gave her a final cuddle and put her down on the floor.

Next up was Sailor the male cat. He got his pet and went away to get ready for his nap time. I had pulled out yarn to make some socks and was printing out a copy of the pattern when out of the blue the little cat, Sadie, flew up and attacked the printer. I had to physically pull her off the printer and she watched the remaining pages spit out from the back of my office chair, mesmerized by the whole endeavor.

At this point I thought I'll just go downstairs with my basket of stuff and watch tv in a comfy chair before going to work. My knitting, drink and other accessories went into the basket and down the stairs. The entire gang of cats followed me down. I put the basket down and immediately Magpie was climbing into it getting settled for her nap. I just gave in and took everything out of the basket (she adjusting herself nicely) and finally got to knitting.

Final count, Sailor in his favorite chair, Sadie in her favorite chair, Magpie in the basket and little Fern in her kitty carrier, all napping and content. Me I got about an inch worth of my newly cast on sock done as well as my gauge swatch so all in all it was a productive morning. I do love the entire little gang.

Preparations

2010-05-08T13:43:00.002-04:00

I spent last night making stands for the circus mice set. They are very nice foam core rounds with large red stars on them. We thought this was most appropriate for the circus and made the ringmaster mouse look very happy and dashing.

Then I went into the attic and found the box of Tinker Toys. With that I made a trapeeze for the acrobatic mice. It looks like something a mouse would have made. Now I have to figure out how to attach the mice so they swing together (their paws are a little short) and stay on the trapeeze bar. A little hidden wire and they'll be set.

I have some wooden embroidery hoops to use for the circus rings, a lion from the Noah's ark set will be in the ring with ? some mice. I've printed out a circus background so they'll look nice in the display case.

After the circus set is sorted out, it's on to the medieval mice. They need a castle set. I'm thinking of the Harry Potter Lego sets for this display. A few balconies and maybe a throne will do . This set will need stands with stone paths on them so they'll blend in.

The Dickensian set is after them. I've printed out wooden flooring for their stands so they can look like they are in a mansion decorating a Christmas tree.

I've got a lot to prep in the next 3 weeks, and I haven't even finished assembling Bob the Builder or the dachshund. This month is going by faster than ever but I'm looking forward to getting all of the toys together and putting them in the display cases. Even I am amazed at how many there are in total.

New Discoveries

2010-04-29T11:27:00.002-04:00

Tuesday I had to go to the dentist office and have some work done on my teeth. Afterwards I could only eat soft food and was told not to do anything strenuous. I had a lot of yarn laying around in baskets that needed to be put away so instead of knitting I organized my knitting.

In the process I discovered I had a lot of yarn. I keep giving away boxes of it but I still have a lot. I have enough yarn to knit 3 or 4 pairs of socks, unending shawls and scarfs and numerous sheep, Alan dart patterns and loads of knitted toys and animals. I have numerous projects set aside with the pattern and yarn ready to go and somewhere along the line I've misplaced some of my needles but I think they are just in with those UFOs in the other closet.

In the end all of the yarn went into large tubs grouped together by

cottons
sock yarns
fuzzy and decorative yarns
dk weights
heavy and bulky weights

It's amazing to me that I have an entire tub just for sock yarn. Lot's of it is the leftover remnants of socks previously knitted but I still can't get rid of it. It might turn into baby socks.

Now all of the tubs are in the utility room, ready but out of sight. The current projects are in the picnic basket hanging out in my bedroom closet, close at hand and at the ready.

Timmy the sheep

2010-04-25T18:10:00.002-04:00

Today was Sunday and after cleaning the house yesterday I cleared my desk for an assembly party in the work room. Timmy the sheep went together wonderfully. I also finished another party mouse and a Christmas tree. Lots of accessories for the party mice still need to be knitted before they are complete.

At the same time I'm knitting on an eight hour baby blanket. I figure if I can do 18 rows (one repeat of the pattern) than the blanket will be done in a week. The Plymouth Encore worsted weight yarn feels nice and soft and knitting with 2 strands held together on size 13's also help in the speediness.

So many projects I want to knit on but one does have to balance them all out.

Artists show

2010-04-21T17:53:00.002-04:00

I just learned last week that I'm going to be the featured artist for the summer at my local library. It's going to be all of my knitted mice, sheep and assorted characters in 3 large cases. I've been given lots of advice on how to display them (backrounds, flooring etc) so I'll have to get cracking on it.

I have a few more bags of animal body parts that need assembling so they can be in the show too.

Knitting progress

2009-07-29T22:22:00.002-04:00

I took my knitting outside at lunch today and mastered provisional cast ons. I've been struggling with that cast on trying out different methods. Mr Foster's scrub outfit calls for a knitted edge that folds over on both sleeves and hem. It was a must to get an edge that could be easily undone.

I went to the web and found a couple of different ways. I had tried using crochet but obviously was missing something in the translation because I could never get it to undo with ease. I found one easy method and it worked like a charm.

Now I have two tiny short sleeves and have got the stitches ready for the bottom edge of his scrubs. A triumph of mind over knitting. Makes me glad that others have posted the information that I needed. Thanks for all the help.

Some bunny loves stitching

2009-07-28T22:11:00.002-04:00

This photo doesn't do this cute little pincushion bunny justice. She's so cute, poseable and usable. She'd look good in anyones sewing room.

A jump on christmas with this Lizzie Kate design. It came out really nice if I say so myself.

I finished stitching a tiny ornament that needs some blocking before it can go to be finished. So many fun projects in the works.

Lizze Kate

2009-07-22T20:00:00.003-04:00

Some more quick projects finished half way. Be merry is getting me thinking ahead.

Be Jolly is the second in the series, soon to become blocks.

Crafting update bonanza

2009-07-20T19:39:00.002-04:00

It's been a finishing bonanza this week with this sunflower mat ready for gifting or using.

The sparkly socks got finished but there isn't enough yarn to make another adult size pair. Some little kid could get a pair though. Quite the bling on ones feet.

Pincushion or faux oreo cookie, you decide. A fun pattern that cries out bake up more of us.

But even better than that are the doughnut pincushions with pin sprinkles. I need to make a bakers dozen of these.

This Lizzie Kate design is destined to be finished into a cube with bows on top. It's what every mother needs to know.

This Lizzie Kate is going to get framed and put on the wall in my kitchen. Yeah something for me. I just love the sentiment.

A flag in a bag was just the summer stitching project I needed for the mantle. Another project for me. Yeah. Fun and fast to stitch it came out really nice.

I'm working on two color socks, clothes for a monkey, more Lizzie Kate designs and lots of fun pincushions. Loads of fun projects in the future. Some for me but lots for gifts.

Adding to the herd

2009-07-09T19:54:00.002-04:00

In the last two days I've knit two additional sheep for my herd. They are both knitted in Lionbrand Fisherman's wool yarn. I love the colors and the feel of the yarn and after the first wash load they are felting beautifully.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the speckled brown w/white yarn felts up. I anticipate more cute sheep for the herd.

It's a holiday made for crafting

2009-07-05T18:57:00.003-04:00

It's a holiday just made for knitting as I told any one who asked what my 'fourth plans' were. If it was sunny I was knitting outside and if rainy, knitting inside. I cast on last nite and knit before the fireworks got started this 'glomit' mitten from the 'halcyon' yarn website.

http://halcyonyarn.com/social/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=6&page=1#Item_0

It's a mitten that folds back and you can use your fingers. I'm making it out of brown sheep, lambs pride worsted weight and it's going along fast as one is complete today and the 2nd has the cuff already done.

I started and finished my second market bag from knitpicks. I changed the color waves using the darkest on the bottom until it ran out then the next and then the third color for the handles and top. It was way easier to do this way then changing colors every two rows and every 10 rows untangling the mess of yarn. I also used a stitch marker between every lace repeat and could instantly tell when I was off patterns. This one knitted up quickly, 2 days, and is going into the gift portion of the closet.

This gator also got started and finished this week. Mama gator is outside looking for her baby. I loved knitting this morehouse farm scarf. Clever shaping makes it stand out as an easy project with a great wow factor.

This slice of cake pincushion from Spring 2009 BHG Quilts and More magazine is going to become a favorite and will soon have some other slices. Perhaps enough to make a cake?

Now I'm back in my closet looking for another project to bring with me for the week. It's a lace cowl or smoke ring, the pattern and yarn both from webs, that is a trial 'gift' project. As with all lace from now on, markers go on the needles between each and every repeat and the highlighter tape on the pattern to show what row I'm on. I like successful projects and every little bit of guidance and assistance helps.

Knitting with Math

2009-06-29T12:55:00.002-04:00

I kept thinking of ratios and math as I shrink different knitted objects in the washing machine. Some shrink about a third of their size and other shrink even more. The little boy above shrank about a third.

The sheep above started live as knitpicks wool of the andes yarn and came out about 11 inches tall. Very cute but lose and lots of stitch definition. A really nice yarn to knit with.

Three loads of wash later and 'snickerdoodle' the sheep is now only 7 inches tall and extremely cute and playable. Snickerdoodle in the color of the yarn but is such a cute name for a member of my toy flock. This is my favorite fibertrends pattern. I've knitted usually in lambs pride bulky or other feltable leftovers in the attic but never in a worsted weight. I love the finished size it came out. I checked on their website and they have knit it in blues and purples and I actually liked the other hued sheep. I'll have to go outside of my comfort zone and knit some more additions to the flock.

This is my needlepoint canvas I'm working on. Right now I'm working on the sky background. I like to do needlepoint in order because in this project you build layer after layer. This project also has a deadline of the first of August. I'll have to do less knitting in the next few weeks and more stitching. Notice I said 'less knitting' not none at all. I can't keep those needles out of my bag. So many fun projects to work on. I finished a large triangle shawl this morning and have to block it today. I'm looking around my craft area for a flat, cat-free space to lay it out. Another project in the finished pile.

Just knitting along

2009-06-25T19:58:00.002-04:00

I worked last nite and today on the monkeys lab coat. I ripped back the first collar four times before I understood the pattern directions. I looked at the picture, the directions, the knitting and tried again and again until I got it right. Now the labcoat needs three pocket and two sleeves and the monkey needs two ears and a tail. I got the saftey eyes to install but and waiting until the ears are done first to get the right head shape.

Mr Foster Progress

2009-06-24T18:37:00.002-04:00

As you can see, Mr Foster now has a head. I've left it on stitch holders until I pick out some 'safety eyes' for him. His mouth is knit just like a socks heel.

Here he is posing with his lab coat. I've been knitting it on size 0 needles. I tried the square cable needles but switched after a few inches to my knitpicks wooden harmony cable needles. The square needles worked great but the join between the needle and cable was extremely flexible and kept folding over and poking the end back through the stitches. I spent more time fussing with getting the active stitches ready on the left needle. The knitpicks cable is stiffer around the join and the stitches glide right over the join ready for knitting up. The squares vs round didn't give me a different gauge at all. I'd like to try the squares maybe just in a dpn or straight set and see how it went.

I wanted to try some more of my 'webs' yarn and picked out the kuku doll to knit. He knit up really fast, about 4 hours total. All he needs is some strategically placed holding threads through his body part and he'll be ready for shrinking in the washing machine. I think a sheep is next for some speedy knitting.

Sunday knitting

2009-06-21T19:54:00.002-04:00

I had a relaxing Sunday, listening to books, watching tv and knitting away on Mr Foster the monkey. His body is done up to the neck and it's on to the head shaping. This has been a very different pattern for me to knit. It's constructed all in one piece and filled as you knit along. The arms are attached and the shoulders knit just like you are decreasing for a raglan sweater. The head is made like heels of socks. It's moving fast because I'm enjoying the challenge and seeing him take form. As you can see he's a large monkey, 12 inches tall so far. His outfits look interesting too. For his lab coat I purchased a square cable needle and am going to see how these new needles work for me. I'll let you know.

A whole lot of knitting going on

2009-06-19T20:46:00.005-04:00

The alpaca made it through the wash and got stuffed and brushed an is looking extremely cute and fun to play with. I think it needs some eyes and a ribbon around it's neck and it will be complete.

It's a Turtle Police Department uniform and hat for Sheldon the amazing changing turtle.

His uniform comes complete with a belt and shield so he can protect the community in the pond.

I needle felted eyes onto the kuku doll and he looks a little bit better than with no face at all. I need to work on my needlefelting skills a bit though.

It's one sock down on the metallic 'bling' yarn. It came out very nice and isn't at all scratchy. The ribbing makes it form fitting. A short cuff but they can't all be knee-highs.

Mr. Foster is getting started with two arms and a toe. I'm knitting this on size 0 needles and it is coming out very even, smooth and even I would say beautiful. This knitpicks kit uses their 'stroll' yarn, a superwash merino and nylon blend. Lot's of knitting to do in this project. My son doesn't like 'sock monkeys' but agreed with me that this project would be challenging and give me a lot of knitting pleasure time.

The craftiest cat in town

2009-06-15T20:16:00.002-04:00

I was setting up for my photos and Sailor, the crafty cat helper decided that I should take photos of him first. He get cute and cuddly looking and you can't resist giving him just the scratch and pets that he asks for. I think he is psychic or else he has me well trained.

I cast on using my new metallic yarn for a pair of socks with some bling. I'm using the pattern "simplicity" from the book the eclectic sole. It's going along nicely and I'm liking the yarn. Not much stretch in the yarn so it's all in the ribbing for fit. Everyone who sees it likes the glittery shiny effect.

Yesterday I cast on and knitted an alpaca. Yes it's ready to get shrunk. An easy fibertrends pattern that worked up quickly. The yarn is organic wool, very soft and hopefully very feltable.

Yesterday I finished my sfs socks. They are ready for the wash too but won't felt down like the alpaca. Tomorrow is laundry day so they will be off to a soldier in need of warm feet by the end of the week. There's a lot of knitting in these socks. I'll be mailing off for more 'regulation' yarn so there will definitely be more socks in the making.

Confessions of an addicted knitter

2009-06-13T22:16:00.002-04:00

I went to Webs today. If you don't know it you are missing out on America's largest yarn store. Check it out at yarn.com. I had prepared myself with a few patterns to buy the yarn for. We got to the store and my sister asked if I needed a basket and I agreed and got one. An hour later I found the shopping carts and transfered the basket into the cart. The basket was overflowing. In all I purchased yarn to make:

1 alpaca
3 sheep
5 dolls
1 zippered vest
1 pair glittery socks
1 pair two color socks
1 smoke ring
1 pair mittens
1 triangular shawl

That's 15 projects.

In my closet are the following:

1 prayer shawl, on the needles
1 baby blanket, on the needles
1 triangular shawl, also on the needles
Sheldon the turtles police officer outfit, on the needles
1 bag of bunny parts waiting for assembly
1 bag of bride and groom parts also waiting for assembly
The kit for Mr Foster, the knitted monkey and all his outfits
The kit for the amigarumi gang from knitpicks
The second market bags yarn
dishcloths from the second Mason-Dixon book
Different yarns for additional sheep
animal book and yarn to make a dog, duck, and mouse

That's just the knitting projects I have to work on, and don't forget my sfs socks that are almost finished. That's a lot of knitting but I'm going to love knitting and finishing up everthing. I'm admitting it, I'm addicted to knitting and crafting, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Race to the toe

2009-06-11T19:48:00.002-04:00

I've been knitting the foot sections of both of my sfs socks. There are about 7 inches on each so far but they need 9 inches from heel to the end of the foot. Then you change to the 000 needles and knit tiny stitches for the toe cap. These socks are going so fast. I usually knit a ribbed sock so just doing stockinette is speedy. At this rate I'll be mailing them to the coordinator next week.

SFS turning a corner

2009-06-08T18:35:00.000-04:00

The legs of the SFS socks are both finished and I've turned the heel on the first one and have it all set up for the gusset decreases. I'm going to do the same to the second sock so they will both end up with the same number of picked up stitches on the heel flap. I love my new Inox steel lace pins. They have sharp points that pick up this fine yarn wonderfully and hold up to my grip of steel that bends regular needles.

Crafting updates

2009-06-07T09:52:00.002-04:00

My neckwarmer got finished this week and is ready to try out. It was too hot last night but I'm hopeful tonite is the time. It's filled with seed corn that you had to pretreat by heating in the microwave and then sifting through to clean. The corn heats up like a dream though. Now I need to clean the microwave before using it to heat up this gorgeous neck warmer.

Yesterday I tackled an orphan project. I finished the main stitching for my sister's mother-in-law. Now it just needs the dates and initials done and it's done and back to her for framing. It was good to get this project to the top of the pile and worked on. This one has a deadline for the fall.

My socks for soldiers are doing well. I received my 00 and 000 lace pins in the mail and got the stitches off the bendy aluminum needles and on to the new stiff steel ones. One sock is ready for the next ball of yarn to be added and the other needs an inch or two of knitting prior to the heel. I'm so glad the needles came as it will make it easier to get these worked on. I'm not working on them over the weekend as other projects cry out for equal crafting time.

Shrunken Boy

2009-06-03T19:29:00.002-04:00

Three times through the washing machine and the little guy got shorter and cuter every time. We think he's done shrinking now. He has to dry now before getting his face felted in place. I could see knitting him again with other feltable yarns using different colors for his outfit and hair. My son loved how he came out. Good craft feedback.

I cast on the second sock for SFS. I didn't get quite as much knitting done on it but it's getting there. You are supposed to knit at least 1 inch per day. I think I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. I'm putting a marker where I end knitting each day so I can measure my progress. My sock/medic/purse bag that I got in my kit is working out great. It has three compartments. One large one holds my drink and knitting. One small one holds knitting accessories and the other small one my wallet and calendar. The yarn stays in the bag and feeds out the side so I can keep the bag closed and keep on knitting away. One person was disappointed this morning when I told her I had to work on the second sock first. By the afternoon she was happy again seeing my progress. Wait until I get to the heels.

Socks for Soldiers

2009-06-02T20:25:00.002-04:00

I joined the "Socks for Soldiers" yahoo group and ordered my first kit last week. It arrived last night and I quickly unpacked it and followed the instructions. That meant knitting a gauge swatch so that I would get 8 spi and 9 spi. For me the loose knitter it means knitting on size 00 and 000 needles. Luckily I have one set of each, but you are supposed to knit them concurrently. I got online and found some 'Inox' dpn lace needles and ordered 2 pair each. They should arrive in a few days. In the mean time I cast on and knitted about 6 inches today. I love the bag that keeps everything organized and gets people to ask about what I am knitting. This is a group that matches me and my skills.

It took a few hours but the 'princess tin' is completed. Custom cover done in mat board, batting, muslin, laced on needlework with a finish of custom cord. It came out really cool and will be fun to take to stitching events. There is only one like it.

I've been knitting parts for this 'Alan Dart' bunny. It has a total of 15 pieces to assemble and stuff. I purchased additional quality stuffing and he's bound to come to life on the weekend.

It's not a Frankenstein project but a KuKu doll ready to go in the washing machine. The stitching is there to keep the stuffing in place while being felted. It was an easy pattern to knit but the kit was skimpy on the yarn. I'd make it again using my own yarn or get some 'cascade 220' in colors. It's been through the wash twice but needs another wash to get totally felted down to size. He's getting better and better as he shrinks.

At the 'machine quilting expo' my sister and I attended I got a kit that makes a shoulder spa bag and eye mask. I've finished the eye mask and have the shoulder bag ready to stuff and finish off. First I need to clean and heat the large bag of feed corn prior to final assembly. That will kill the bugs and insure safe use of the shoulder relaxer. It's the first time I've done piping as an accent and I need to work more on that technique or get a better piping foot for my machine. I'm looking forward to being able to use this soon on my shoulders.

Week ends of crafting fury

2009-05-30T18:58:00.003-04:00

Last night I sat at my worktable and was bound and determined to finish up some projects in my 'some assembly needed yet' basket. This little nurse mouse and two baby mice got completed and she's pleased as punch with the 'twins'.

Check out the monk mouse, he has prayer beads because he's a non-denominational monk mouse. I had put him together while visiting my daughter but he had no eyes or a tail.

I made his hood so that he could remove it and be a less dressed up monk.

That sock blank is history as I finished the second sock this week. I don't have enough of the blank left to knit another sock, unless it's a baby pair. It's going to the sock bin in the attic for future projects and consideration. Great project that was fun to knit up.

I cast on yesterday and finished out on the patio today another modern dishcloth. I like the color, pomegranate with fedora topper made from Comfy yarn (knitpicks). I'll raid my stash of vintage jumbo buttons to get it to the totally done pile.

Went to Joann's fabrics and got a pillow form for my knitted pillow project. It looks better with the form in but you can see where I lost or gained some stitches on one side so it isn't as even and neat as it should be. It's a pillow that is soft and comfy and will have a head or backside laying on it so... I'm not worried about it. I just say to myself it's a prototype never to be knit again, I'm learning from my mistakes and to enjoy the end product even if flawed.

These are three baby bibs knit for a new little girl joining the library community later this year. They are from the Mason-Dixon book and are fast and fun to knit. Done in Comfy from Knitpicks they are totally machine washable and so soft. They'll scrub a dirty face and absorb the drooly bits nicely. Modern colors will go with lots of outfits.

I joined the yahoo group 'Socks for Soldiers' a while back and just mailed off for my first sock kit. I felt like I can get back into knitting socks now after a few months break from last years marathon of sock knitting. I checked and my kit is on it's way to me. I know I must be thinking about sock knitting because at lunch time on Friday I went to the local yarn store and fondled lots of sock yarn and checked out pattern books. Lot of inspiration later I went home empty handed but happier knowing I had plenty of projects to knit and another package on it's way.

Happy crafting to all.

Crafty weekend

2009-05-25T18:38:00.002-04:00

I purchased this baby gator scarf kit from MorehouseFarm last week (on sale) and only had it in the house a day or two before the yarn was wound up and the knitting commenced. It knit up fast and was a fun project. Using just the knit stitch it cleverly makes a face and all the gator bumps. I can imagine some little person wearing it to school.

This is a pillow from Knitpicks using a kit of organic cotton yarn. I liked the pattern but wouldn't knit it again with multiple colors and would be more careful on the increases to allow enough stretch room. It needs a pillow form for it to fully take shape.

I now 'brake for knitting stores' kimono American girl doll sweater. I was coming home from the Wayside Inn in Sudbury Mass and saw 'knit and purl' an unvisited knitting store. I had to stop and inside I found a nice shop with great yarn and ideas. This little sweater knit up so fast using Plymouth's colorspun yarn. It will be a nice addition to any little girls doll wardrobe.

This is my new beading project just started today. That much beading took me about 4 hours. It's all in the plain white setup row on the bottom. Getting that first three rows done with the correct amount of beads and spaced correctly makes the rest of the project go along swimmingly. I have the beads all numbered in my bead box so all I have to do is match color on the chart with beads lined up in the box and peyote stitch away. This will end up being a business card case from someone.

I have some medieval mice body parts in a basket that need finishing and I'm keeping my second scarf/sock at the ready knitting on it in my spare moments. So many projects to keep my hands busy. I'm also looking forward to a box in the mail with more yarn. Yeah!

Princess tin

2009-05-23T20:37:00.002-04:00

I took a needlepoint class today and finished the stitching on what will be the top of a tin. The tin is lined, has a magnet inside and includes a scissor w/ tassel & a thread counter. Now it's time to finish the top and mount it on the tin. I don't have a finisher to send this to, I'm it. So on to some assembly required time.

First sock

2009-05-13T19:59:00.002-04:00

It doesn't look great but I finished the first sock from my dyed sock blank today. I'm going to soak it to let the yarn relax a bit and then let it dry and see what happens. It fits like a dream and the yarn is so soft.

Sock blank - the heel

2009-05-12T17:55:00.002-04:00

It doesn't look like much but I finished knitting 6 inches on the leg of the first sock and am almost finished with the heel flap. Onto the heel and gusset and this will start looking like a sock. I'm liking how the yarn turns from a circle on the blank to spatters of color in the sock. I'm looking forward to every change of color as it unknits itself.

Project updates

2009-05-11T19:43:00.002-04:00

I went to visit my mom for mother's day and took this table runner project home with me to work on for her. I took it totally apart and resewed it so all of the squares are now square and it fit's together. It's all pinned and ready for her to do some machine quilting then bind off. A good looking table runner.

This is a market bag made from a 'knitpicks' kit I got just recently. I love the organic yarn in natural shades of marshmallow, malted milk, toffee and ginger. This was a challenging pattern with a woven stitch for the bottom, top edgeing and handles. It makes a firm bottom that will stand up to a lot of use but is soft on the hands. The center, bag portion is in a lace, vine pattern that expands but isn't so holey that items will fall through. All in all it's a bag that looks good and will hopefully stand up for years of shopping enjoyment.

I started a new project today. Yes it's going to be a pair of socks for me. My sister got me a dyed sock blank which you 'unknit' as you knit it into a new item. The yarn stays crimpy as you knit but the instructions say it will soften and uncrimp at the first washing. I'm enjoying seeing the spots on the blank knit into stripes and blotches on the sock cuff. I'm doing this fine yarn on a size 0 needle using a k2p2 ribbing throughout. This will insure a good fit for the finished sock. No fancy patterns as the yarn is dark and I don't want to detract from it.

Sheldon the Amazing Transforming Turtle

2009-05-11T19:27:00.003-04:00

It's a long awaited update for all the crafty viewers and here he is Sheldon the Amazing Transforming Turtle. He's not just a turtle though.Because his shell is removable he can transform and wear other outfits.

He can fly and turn into a bat.

He's the hit of the sheep society in his awesome 'trinity stitch' sheep outfit.

He looks smart in his 'pirates of the caribbean' outfit complete with hat and earring. Sheldon originally was on the 'knitty' website but all of his patterns are on the 'knitpicks' site ready for downloading and knitting. I love the smooth yarn and he is very soft and adorable. A great project to get knitting on

Another day another gnome

2009-04-19T17:39:00.004-04:00

Here is a great shot of my lovely craft assistant who helped me assemble the 2nd gnome. He's in a heavier gauge of yarn, more worsted "checkheaton" and curly bearded. Using the same needles he's larger than the first. Yarn does make a difference.

My assistant slumbers in the tray I've been using to keep all of the body parts in. She looked at the tray, then me and I took all of the parts out just for her comfort. One eye kept track of the entire sewing of the gnome and she even stayed for the glam shot. She's a hard cat to get a good picture of. She's the best craft assistant though.

Dish cloth #2 is completed in record time. The third one of the set (in green) is already on the needles.

Another gnome in the works

2009-04-17T22:26:00.002-04:00

It's like CSI:Gnomes up in my craft workshop. The 2nd gnome is getting assembled and here is what he looks like as of today. The beard is a fuzzy curly black silky 'firenze' yarn that I got as a markdown. It's going to look great on him. I took the instructions and printed them out on index cards, one body section to a card. The card is on a ring so I can just pull out the set, follow the directions and I don't mess us my nice book the pattern is from. Also the index cards are smaller and fit in the project bag much better.

After a wonderful time at the Machine Quilting Expo today I just had to balance it out with some knitting time. I cast on and finished this dish cloth tonite. It was my favorite pattern from the new Mason Dixon book and uses Knitpicks Comfy yarn. I love this cotton yarn. It's soft, knits up really nice and will was wonderfully as all dishcloths need to. I've got enough yarn to do two other dishcloths and 3 more vintage brown buttons to use as the fastener.

The machine quilting expo was a fun event and different from your normal quilt show. There were the quilts and the vendors and the attendees but there were tons of long arm quilting machines and the tools that go with them. It was a show about the equipment needed to quilt all of those tops we love to sew but don't have the time to hand quilt. Lots of fun tools, rulers, patterns, kits and thread abounded and I supported the quilt shops by purchasing a few fun items. Just the quilt show alone was worth the trip. I don't think I'd go again next year but it's fun trying out a new show and seeing all of the gadgets and goodies that are out there.

Meet the Royals

2009-04-15T20:54:00.003-04:00

I've been spending the last couple of nights putting together and customizing the Royal Family. Here is the princess of the family. I couldn't give her braids, it just ruined her looks. She loves her crown though.

The queen mom had a cape that has a snap under the gold rosette, so she can remove it when needed. She likes her decorated skirt and golden belt.

The king has gold embroidery on his tunic and a elf woven cape with a snap under the golden rosette. He came out especially nice.

I did some changes in the patterns for the crowns and didn't sew on the royal capes as called for in the pattern. They all have chenille stems in their arms so they can be posed or hold items.

So here is the royal family all assembled and ready to rule their realm. Now I just have to wait for the next issue of Simply Knitting for the remainder of the villagers. Not to worry, I have tons of other projects that need crafting.

Gnome

2009-04-10T22:53:00.002-04:00

Since I didn't have a chance to get to the craft store for some white chenille stems until today I had to keep on knitting. I was having trouble decided what royal robes the king and queen would wear. In my yarn stash tub two balls of red and white yarn floated up to the top. I had purchased these in September intending to make a holiday gnome or two. I found the 'alan dart' pattern and he knitted up really fast. Seated he is 10 inches tall, just perfect for a mantle or shelf. Extremly knittable in lots of colors he will not be one of a kind in this house. Tomorrow I'll make a decision on the royal family in the daylight. Yarn looks different at night even with an ott light.

Medieval Royal Family

2009-04-08T23:06:00.002-04:00

The royal mouse family is being born, one stitch at a time. The little princess is starting to take shape but needs her arms attached. I have to get some more white chenille stems. I have other colors but they show through the white in her tiny paws. It's better to wait until I get the correct part.

The prince in his chain mail armor looks great and he carries his knitted sword proudly.

Crafting for Jesus

2009-04-06T15:18:00.002-04:00

I finished this little farmer mouse on Saturday. I'm getting quite good at making mice now in anticipation of the medieval and star trek mice to come. I didn't like her bonnet being sewn in place so ripped, knitted and ripped again until the hat band had ear openings in the correct position and size for her. Very cute and a nice mouse with good character.

Thursday I had a consultation with the christian ed director at my church. She needed prayer flags and thought I would have a rotary cutter and mat to accomplish this task. I volunteered my time and after cleaning the house after church on Sunday I went at it. This morning I finished the total of 75 prayer flags. They have rolled hems on three sides and a casing at the top for the rope hanger to go through. Lots of work but the kids on good friday will have a lot of fun decorating them. I wanted them nice because they intend to leave them up in the church vestry for a while.

This is for my mom. I made one for her a few years back but when she went on a missionary trip to chile she brought it as an example and then ended up giving it away as a present. She always liked it so I bought enough fabric last week to do it again. I finished it this morning and it came out quite lovely. A nice addition to her table cover collection. She'll get it for mother's day.

Some late nite crafting

2009-04-01T00:17:00.002-04:00

Last week I finished up another doll sweater. It came out really nice and I enjoyed the broken rib pattern a lot.

This baby quilt I finished yesterday and after it 'glam shot' wrapped it up. Today the new mother-to-be loved it and liked how soft and texturey it was. That baby will be loved a lot when it arrives.

Tonite I wanted to work on knitting but instead I cut out and sewed this jumbo size pincushion with a hole in center for your tools. I don't think I really looked at picture from the 'craftzine' download or I would have realized that it was going to be big. But it came out way bigger than I thought. The inside hole is 3.5 inches in diameter. The pattern left a little to be desired in the way of completion. It says to use a thick interfacing for the center tube. Mine wasn't sturdy enough to stand up straight so I cut a piece of cardboard and inserted it inside and then stuffed the pincushion through one seam left open. Once I was sure it was going to work, fit and stand upright, I stapled the cardboard together into a tube, finished the stuffing and then sewed the seam shut by hand. The bottom has a round of heavy cardboard covered in fabric and then sewn on again by hand. A lot of work but in the end worth it. I don't think I'll be making another one soon though. There is an adorable hedgehog pincushion that needs making up.

The herd grows

2009-03-24T21:38:00.002-04:00

I finished all of the sweater parts last nite and gave them all a quick steam to block them tonite. Now it's time for them to get sewn together and the collar binding and button band knit on. Another raid on the button stash and this sweater will be ready to keep some doll warm and looking fashionable at the same time.

My herd of easter treats or 'hats for eggs' as my sister calls them is growning. A chick and a pink mouse round out the other bunnies in the gang. On the way home from work I stopped and got a lot of chocolate eggs to fill out their shapes. They look so cute and I just love having them in a rainbow of colors. In my craft stash were pom-poms just perfect for their little bunny tails. Much easier than knitting a tail and they look so soft and fluffy. I think at this point a few more have to be knitted so there are enough in the 'herd' to go around.

Back to the needles

2009-03-20T22:32:00.002-04:00

No meetings today but I wanted some new knitting to keep my needles busy. I cast on the back of an 'american girl' doll sweater. It was a free pattern from 'classic elite yarn'. I'm not doing one for a child, only the doll and the yarn is some 'jaeger' from the attic stash. The pattern is an easy broken rib (k1, P1 on row 1, Purl on row 2) that has a good look for such a little item. This one is sure to knit up quickly.

I know I need to add more bunnies to the herd but that is all garter stitch. No patterning at all. Cute in the end but I need more variety.

At my needlepoint meeting this week I decided to bring some beading to do and finished this easy peyote stitch bracelet yesterday. I has a picot edge to bring some interest to a plain wrist wrap. It uses size 8 for the main, and 11's for the picot edges. I raided my stash and am pleased with the results. The beads were a little un-even so it is as tight as I like but still no one is going to look at it on a wrist with a magnifying glass.

Easter gang

2009-03-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

Three meetings all in one day made for some knitting strategy. Not another sock but something really easy and fun. This little easter gang fit the bill perfectly. Casting on 30 stitches and knitting for 27 rows makes a rectangle. Sew that into a tube. Turn right side too and gather both ends. Now it's a hot dog. Push one end into the other and you've got a body. Knit two ears and a tail, insert a 'cadbury egg' and you've got one of the cutest easter table decorations ever.

They don't use a lot of yarn, knit up quick, are cute and ... they lay an egg when you squeeze them. So far I've knit 1 pink mouse, 1 yellow chick, 1 brown bunny, 1 pink bunny and 2 white bunnies. 6 total. The trouble is I only have one 'cadbury egg' for fitting. I'll have to put the other eggs on my shopping list.

You can get this free pattern from www.jeangreenhowe.com Highly recommended. You too can have your own herd of bunnies for easter.

Craft comeback

2009-03-16T11:36:00.003-04:00

After yesterdays meltdown in the morning, I went down to the kitchen and made the best chocolate cupcakes I've baked in a while. Chocolate with buttercream frosting and dipped in green sprinkles. A melt in your mouth delicious morsel. They came out so tender that it made up for all of the craziness with the teeny, tiny quilt blocks.

So I went upstairs again and assembled a 'hello kitty' mug that will go off in a box soon. Really cute and easy to stitch up.

I finished that chick and her egg shell. It's cute but won't be knitted again.

Then I pressed all of the red work blocks so I could put them away neatly and get them organized. I counted how many I had stitched and looked at all I had left to do. Mistake. I've only done 7 and there are 32 total to stitch. At least they are all ready, traced and waiting in their box. I keep thinking the mantra 'it will be beautiful when it's finished, it will be worth the work'.

To make up for the teeny, tiny block mishap, which I couldn't face working on, I pulled out another project that had recently made it's appearance from the back of the closet. A paper pieced quilt which had all of the blocks sewn and almost all of them sewn together. Two seams stitched and it was time to pull off all of the backing tissue. Magpie, my cat loved that as tissue flew around the room and at my feet. I kept picking it up but it just went everywhere. This morning I gave it a good press and looked in the box for all of the other fabrics that went with it. It's going to have a 1 inch red border around the edge to punch it up, then a 4 inch border of the same black color. Deep at the bottom of the box is enough backing fabric, a white with swirls of black. I even had the plain black for the binding.

I'm going to finish the borders and then have it machine quilted. It's a twin size quilt that is not my favorite colors but has my sense of color. I gravitate to two color, classic, bold quilts. We'll see how it goes but it's out of the closet now.

Craft Mishap, a true confession

2009-03-15T12:10:00.002-04:00

First the good craft news. After a day of cleaning the house I put in a movie and undid the eggs for the chicken. The brown yarn is a little bit lighter in color than the old but looks great. The parts need sewing together and then assembly. That's going to happen today. I need a great chicken on my mantle, complete with matching egg shell.

My ongoing red-work quilt project saw another block finished. I haven't counted how many blocks there are to do. I just pull out another one, all prepped, and stitch it up. I really like the designs and the final quilt is stunning. I've seen two so far that others have done.

Now for the true confession part of today. I was working hard on finishing up the final two paper pieced boat blocks and looking forward to the next step. I got out the pattern again and was checking the final size of the block. 8 1/2 inches. ??? My pieced blocks are 4 inches with lots of seam allowance. I looked at the pattern, read all of the instructions, looked again and again and duh.

It was me. My great idea of paper pieceing hadn't embraced the idea of the finished size. I should have printed the blocks at 200%. Now I have 6, count them 6 teeny, weeny blocks that look great, but... they are all too small.

It's time to back away from the sewing machine. I'll be making some chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting and green sprinkles for st. patricks day. Then I can come back and see if I have enough fabric to make the much larger blocks and/ or make up the chickens. I'm hopeful. It's only fabric, not brain surgery or rocket science.

Sailing Away

2009-03-12T22:29:00.002-04:00

My sewing machine went into the shop earlier this week for a tune-up. In only a few days away from me I realized that I really, really missed it. It is always at the ready waiting for my whim of sewing time. Well I picked it up today and decided to put it through it's paces. I can't tell if it is sewing any better, it was fine to me but it smelled of oil and looked all shiny again. The tiny, tiny paper pieced blocks above are for a wall hanging. I finished three of the stripy sail boats and only one of the tiny triangle boat. Two more triangles boats to do. The pattern didn't even suggest paper piecing these tiny blocks. They assumed templates and drawn patterns. I looked at that and re thought the pattern for ease of sewing and assembly. Granted the pattern is from 1994 but my goodness, streamline is the word now.

On the knitting front on my needles this week is a tiny chick and egg from my favorite knit designer Alan Dart. It is a free download from his website. My son agreed that we don't have enough easter/spring decorations so that decided me on what to knit next. I finished the chick parts and almost all of the two colored egg shell when I ran out of yarn. Oatmeal, brown yarn. I thought there was enough for the shell but no, so now it's time for some un-knitting and selecting another shade of oatmealy brown yarn. The bride and groom are in the finishing pile waiting for some time this weekend for their debut. Too many fun and exciting crafts to work on.

Knitting the nites away

2009-03-09T11:11:00.002-04:00

The very 'pink' american girl doll sweater got finished yesterday. I sewed on the buttons and got it all ready for a 'glam' shot. I will look very nice on a doll, which I have to find. I'm hoping it fits well as my gauge was a little larger than called for. That will leave room for the dolls shirt underneath.

Up next I've knitted all the parts for the bride and groom cake topper set. They look like a tangle of yarn at the moment. But with a lot of assembly things will evolve into little tiny people.

Lets go to the circus

2009-03-06T08:39:00.002-05:00

The circus mice are all completed. Yeah!!! Here is the clown with his hat done.

The bee trainer with his shaped hat on.

The completed girl juggler.

The completed girl acrobat. The acrobats idea of having magnets in their hands didn't work out the best but they hold 'paws' together nicely.

Next up for Alan Dart is 'medieval mice', I can't wait.

So instead of waiting, I cast on and knit the back of an 'american girl' doll sweater from Berroco yarn. I'm using some 'plymouth astra' that I had in my stash and everyone agrees it is a 'doll' color. I'm getting back into doing cables but the project is small and doable and fun to knit. Too much knitting and not enough time.

Cast On

2009-02-24T22:13:00.002-05:00

Last nite I cast on a new hat for my daughter. I knitted and knitted and did about 5 inches up. Tonite it was another 6 or 7 and it's on to the decreases. It looks like a tube of green yarn now but just wait until tomorrow. I have to get my car inspected so that means a waiting room with time to finish up the top and sew up the bottom flap.

I took the frog prince to work today and he was a big hit. Everyone loved him, his crown and googly eyes. He does look ready to work on Sesame Street with the muppets. The furniture went over really well with the girls mom and she agreed with me that they would just have tons of fun decorating it.

The Berroco free pattern this past week was an aran 18" doll sweater. I sent a copy to my mom and have selected some pink yarn to knit it up with. This time I checked the weight and the yardage on the yarn I have. It's a Patons Astra, same weight and yardage. I don't want to run out of yarn this time and only have one sleeve done. I'll get the fun of doing some cabling and practice following a chart. I'm enlarging the chart for easy knitting.

Another craft day

2009-02-23T18:06:00.003-05:00

This week I didn't get a lot of time to craft but made up for it at night and on the weekend. When I put away all of my yarn this week I pulled out enought to make this cute frog from the Alan Dart world. He looked easy to do, which he was and adorable. I had just enough dark yarn to finish him up but it was tight.

Here is the finished frog prince, looking ready to appear on the Muppet Show. His crown is starched with hair spray and just posed on his head. A frog wouldn't wear that in the water while swimming.

I had a helper cat this morning as I got the craft ready for their glamour shots. This is a doll bed that I saw on the Martha Stewart show this week. I happened to have a few sheets of card board, just enough as it happens and decided that some dolls needed furniture. Luckily I could easily enlarge the patterns so it went pretty fast.

Removeable adhesive (post it note glue stick) kept the patterns in place while a new box cutter blade made easy work of the double layers. The assembly is easy and very clever. Magpie my helper stood on the bed and it didn't even move at all.

Here are all of the piece, flat packed ready for assembly into doll furniture.

Here is the completed table and chairs ready for a doll tea party.

The bed needs some bedding but it to is ready for a doll or bear to lay it's head on. My son wanted to know if the furniture was going to be painted but I thought I'd leave that to the two little girls from work who will be the recipients. Lots of fun for them and me getting to make it all.

Craft Holiday

2009-02-16T22:28:00.004-05:00

What a crafty holiday it was today. I finished a handknit pair of socks for myself this week and celebrated by wearing them while finishing up some other projects. They are comfy and stretchy and I can't think why I haven't made more for myself before.

I worked hard on all of the circus mice that were languishing in a project bag in the closet. Below are the juggler and bee trainer. The bees are too cute.

I took a break and made that other bracelet in a green and gold combination. It came out very nice and lush looking. The gold was a nice accent to the green. I have a cool idea for a fitted box using extra silk and foam core remnants.

Above is an acrobat and to the left a clown. My favorite is below. He is the escape artist, complete with blindfold, rope to tie him up with and a ball and chain to weigh him down. His outfit is bright and distracting to the eye. He's very good at escaping.

2009-02-15T15:16:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of the triange prayer shalw knitted with all of the remainder yarn from
my aunts stash that my sister and I rescued on our last visit. We sent home boxes and boxes of yarn and fabric and it is all slowly but surely making its way into finished projects. I know that all of the recipients of the prayer shawls appreciate the gift and all the work that goes into them.

I finished the blue bracelet last nite and I just
the look of it. I will admit that beading through multiple layers was tricky at times and I did need to use my pliers (a lot) to get the needle through. Great finished look though. Now to make a special gift box for it to reside in.

My helper Sailor decided to help me get ready for the next beaded bracelet by trying out the bead drawer. I had taken out all of the boxes of various beads to get the next great bracelet planned. He is a cuddle bunny lately, wanting to snuggle on the bed or chair. It's cold outside but I think he justs like to watch the crafts. He loves to lay on a plastic project bag and paw at the items inside.

Here is the next bracelet in it's infancy. The light blue 11's will be the inner netting. The matte triangle and dark, shiny green 15's for the diagonals and then for a final touch of elegance either the glass gold or matte gold beads down the spines. I had a lot of fun picking out the color combinations. I do tend to pick out monochromatic color combos. With a pattern I like after the first one it's much easier to let go and let the colors fly.

The house is slowly, slowly getting cleaned as I work on getting all of the craft projects, current and future all organized for later on tonite. A crafter and her toys are never parted or even very far apart.

New beaded bracelet

2009-02-14T14:28:00.002-05:00

A project from the magazine 'bead and button last summer' was all ready for me to start with this week. You do a square stitch all around a 3" brass ring. After the entire ring is covered the next layer is a combination of size 15 and triangle beads in a diagonal stitch. There are two more rounds of the triangle layer left and then you add accent beads along the seams. A fun project with totally new techniques.

In the knitting department, a triangle prayer shawl got finished and blessed this week and will be on to it's new home soon.

The holiday weekend plans for crafts include house cleaning and some sewing and finishing. A few dvds at the ready make for a crafty good time.

Lots of knitting

2009-02-05T21:22:00.002-05:00

I know that the beaded panda is not knitted but I've been knitting a lot this week. The panda was just a diversion and respite. Cute with a sprig of bamboo, it's destined to be somebody's mascot.

This is what I've been concentrating on this week. I finished yesterday morning, added the fringe and took it's picture. Soft and yummy yarn made this a really nice shawl for someone. I only used two skeins of the yarn so the left over skein will join another left over, from another knitter, of the same color, a coincidence we think not. This shawl went to work yesterday, got blessed and than ferried across the street to the church, ready to give away. When I asked my other prayer shawl knitter to help me bless it we excused ourselves from the main desk and went to the back room. I just said it would only take a few minutes but 'we needed to take a minute for jesus'. The other co-worked after we were done thought that that was a good thing to do, just take a little break for him. They all know how hard we work on these shawls and to give away. Some of our co-workers have been recipients. A tangible way of showing that we care.

My sister brought me some yarn from her stash this week and I went through it and selected a crazy mixed yarn. There's not a lot of it so I cast on and am knitting a triange shawl. So much need and not enough knitters in our group. But there is a meeting tomorrow morning so I'm pretty sure the shawl will come with me.

Super Bowl of Crafting

2009-02-01T19:19:00.002-05:00

To celebrate Americas favorite un-holiday Sunday (Superbowl day) I had a great afternoon with my favorite past time, crafting. While the dinner was in the oven, I was sewing away on this lovely, but never to be made again bag. I loved the shape and could see endless possibilities of fabric choices and started out with great hopes for the end project. The pockets and zipper went in easily but after that it got tricky. This is a project for advanced sewers. Admittedly the pet screen fabric is a little stiff but the side and bottom construction left a lot to be desired. I'll get some other craft input on this project but for now, never more.

This tiny little wagon pin is going back to my mom, finished. Cute and quick to sew up she'll wear it for spring and get good comments.

A yarn counter for a fellow prayer shawl knitter came into being today so she can get back to the basket weave shawl started a few months back. This is her first project actually keeping track of rows and a more complicated pattern so this simple pony bead counter will help. You just slide the beads up and down as you knit. It can be pinned on your knitting bag or on the knitting itself. I have one that I use a lot for repetitive projects and find it really helpful. All you need is pony beads and slippery cording. The plastic ring is an added touch.

This is the craziest project I've done in a long time. I bought the pattern and fabric thinking it was something more than it was. You stitch a design ( mine is changed of course) and then sew it up and it becomes a faux wine cork scissor fob. The idea is good but the end product is just weird. I don't even drink wine. Using 'pcstitch', a computer program for cross stitching design, the font, wording and spacing were changed to a more meaningful design for me. "Live Long & Prosper 2009" are on the sides and a heart on the bottom. The top has an eyelet opening that allows the cording to be attached to a jump ring contraption inside. It's nice but there is no need in my sewing box for another fob. They usually last for a while and then get in the way so I take them off. I sense a display box for all of them in the future.

The big game is on but the ads are more interesting than the game to me. I'm just waiting for the half-time show with the boss. The prayer shawl needs some more rows done on it.

Out of the crafting closet

2009-01-29T17:19:00.002-05:00

More projects got finished today as I stayed home sick, unable to talk. I realize how much I talk to the little gang of cats and felt funny not talking to them. It hurts to talk. We all hate being sick. So to relieve the boredom I pulled down a few project that needed just a bit of finishing. This plaid snowman had all of the parts stitched, cord twisted and backing covered. The back got sewn to the front, the cording attached and plaid snow guy is ready to back to my mom's house, finished at last.

It's my mom's birthday next month so I cut out this pull up card and glued it together. It's from the canon paper crafts website. You have the choice of candles or numbers to glue on top of the cake. I decided just candles was fine for an all round birthday greeting. Again easy to do and quite the card.

This little snowme was an Alan Dart pattern that I had started a few months ago. I had knitted the body, arms, legs and nose and had even started putting him together. Some stuffing, careful stitching and he started looking really cute. I raided my yarn stash and his matching scarf and hat ensemble followed quickly. I chose the seated pose for him as an easy to display position. The yarn is super soft but you use purl side to add even more texture. I have 1.5 balls of the white snow yarn left so I'm sure another snowme is in the future.

Who'll stop the snow

2009-01-28T22:48:00.002-05:00

A snowy day in New England left to world as we know it closed for duration. I shoveled snow, then slush then rain but left time for crafting. By the end of the day I had completed two projects from the closet. The first is this table runner from printed fabric. It's extremely, lightly quilted but has nice hand sewn binding. It's a nice 'church fair' project for someone in the future.

Snow cook or snow baker was a 'bucilla' felt kit that I bought I few months ago. I started it but was unhappy with the white felt. I pulled him/her out today and just went to town sewing all of the accessories. These kits are lots of fun to display when they are finished. The instructions though, are in multiple languages and can be a little confusing. I'd really like to make the 'lighthouse' or 'santa in an antique car' in the future. I've only seen those on the web but maybe someday I'll get lucky and spot them in the local crafts store. Lots of work but extremely cute. I even managed to get some knitting in on the prayer shawl today. A few more rows and it's on to the second skein of yarn.

Pet additions

2009-01-26T11:28:00.002-05:00

Introducing little Foo Foo, the newest pet in the family. Foo Foo is a white cuddly furball who loves to play with her toys.

This is Bun. She's been a member of the family for a while now and is the same breed a Foo Foo. She tosses her toys around and loves to cuddle. They are both members of the lionhead bunny family but look so different.

Craft updates are as follows: Prayer shawl knitting and knitting. I bought new yarn this weekend and have knitted about a foot on the new shawl last nite. It's a boucle yarn that is very bumpy so I'm only doing garter stitch. I need to get cracking on it because there is a backlog on recipients. So a little fun stuff and then lots of garter stitch.

Craft afternoon

2009-01-23T22:50:00.002-05:00

I had the afternoon off today and instead of doing housework, which I should have been doing I crafted and watched the 'prisoner' on dvd. I'd never seen the classic show but it is interesting and is fun to watch 30 years after it was made.

Back to craft updates. The pop-up card is from the canon website. Fun , tricky to cut out but goes together easily is a cute card and will be given out soon to a lucky birthday someone.

This little 1.5 inch pendant is my first attempt at knotwork. It went well but there is so much backround that the bee design is somewhat obscured overall. I enjoyed making this tiny project but would not do a miniature rug or larger project.

This little yo-yo bunny is the newest creation. I seem to remember these from long ago but have made a resurgance of late with the 'clover' yo-yo maker. It makes them all equal sizes and does cut down the work in getting them done faster. I tried use scraps of prints but I think the one I saw made up used coordinating prints all in one color family for a harmonius look. This little bunny will go live with my mom and could go to a good home from the local church fair. The yo-yo maker is put away for now.

Topsy Turvey Doll

2009-01-20T20:52:00.002-05:00

Here is the newest member of the knitted toy family. It's a topsy turvy doll. She's very clever because she wears two different colored gowns and stands on her own quite nicely. I've made her arms posable with chenille stems and all of her clothes are sewn on for playability. Her two skirst are not joined together but each forms the under hem for the other. Very clever styling and look. I enjoyed knitting her but I think one is enough of this form. On to another project. I've got some meetings this week so my sock project is coming with me.

Lots of projects

2009-01-19T18:53:00.002-05:00

This week I've been knitting away on the double sided doll. She's tiny, only about 7-8 inches tall when finished but there is a lot of knitting in her many parts. I still need to knit two tiny wigs of hair before assembling her. The brown yarn is ready along with the needles. A fun project to get along with.

This bug bag is a project from my mom's stash of stuff. It is really adorable and would make a great knitting, project or decorator bag. It worked up fast and the patten could be adapted to make just the bag with out any appliques.

This was a project almost all finished but needed applique work, machine quilting and binding. All got done this afternoon and it makes a lovely table quilt or smallish wall hanging. I've had the cats helping me by just sitting in a basket and looking adorable. Just having a little helper by your side is encouraging. Thinking about all of the project still to do in the closet is a little bit daunting.

Another day another craft

2009-01-15T22:37:00.002-05:00

These two tiny keychain, bunny and dog charmers are finished and join the kitty. My son or his girlfriend is receiving the bunny and the dog is going to a puppy lover. I got them at 'webs beads' in Northampton. They aren't the easiest to bead but are adorable and I want to do others from this company. Great instructions.

Can you tell I had a meeting to attend this week? I needed a project and the little elephant sailor boy needed a friend to play with. She was very fast to knit up and is quite the charmer. I've put chenille stems in her trunk and arms so she can pose a little. In looking at all my patterns I'm leaning towards a topsy turvy doll next.

In the practical knitting department, I rush knitted and finished a prayer shawl I had started months ago. With my new needles it went so much faster but the yarn just tugged and tried to stick together at every stitch. I came out very soft and elegant looking. It's desperately needed so it will get blessed tomorrow and go right out to someone in need of comforting. This weekend it's either attic shopping or Michaels for me in order to start right in on the next shawl.

Snowday

2009-01-11T16:15:00.000-05:00

Another day in new england and that means another day of snow. To celebrate I've been cleaning the house and ignoring all the snow outside. It looks beautiful but I've got to go out and shovel it again. Since a snow day is for fun I decided to finish up some projects. Here is the needlework I finished a month or two ago. It turned into a needle case, pin cushion and scissor fob. I goes into a case to hold all of your sewing goodies. This is going to be a gift for some good sewer in the family, and there are lots of those.

The best thing that got finished today was mr snowguy. I've been knitting on him all this week and finished his hat and scarf on friday. After a lot of assembly he had some facial surgery today and had a nose, eyes and smile attached. After a some buttons were sewn in place he was all set for his glamour shot. As you can see he's very tall and extremely cuddly and squishably soft. I purposely under stuffed him so when you hold him you just have to hug him tight. His scarf is a nice 4 row repeat pattern that is reversible. I didn't attach his hat on to his head because as a snowman he might want to go for a different look in the future. Lot's of fun to knit and the results are well worth it.

Let it snow

2009-01-06T12:28:00.002-05:00

The snowman in this picture called out of the closet and leaped to the top of the knitting pile. I bought the yarn and pattern for him early this summer. I knitted one leg and started the second and got sidetracked by the sock extravaganza. Right now I'm knitting the body with the legs attached and he's about 7'' tall so far. The yarn is the super cuddly 'Sirdir snowflake chunky" that is a little tricky to knit with. You can't see the stitches so you have to be careful none get lost. We'll see how he turns out. Right now he's jsut a ball of white warm fluff.

Can't wait for fall

2009-01-04T21:45:00.002-05:00

It's been a snowy new year this week in this part of New England. I've been hunkering down and just stitching away on my leaf table cover. It's not quite large enough to be a table cloth unless it was a tiny table but a table center piece most definitely. I had loads of fun stitching it. One should never count how many pieces or elements there are still left to go when doing a project such as this. I miscounted thinking I only had about 10 more to go, but after stitching and stitching still had 8 or more left. It went upstairs to get a glamour shot but will go in the finished project drawer for possible distribution later this year. That drawer is mighty empty after this holiday season. Not a sock to find anywhere.

After the leaves were done falling I went to my project stash looking for the next one to work on. I know I wanted to knit with my new needles and a snowman called out but when I went to look for him I found the hat I had started for my daughter. I was using some nice circular bamboo needles but every stitch caught on the joint and was driving my crazy. I got out my new set and was soon knitting like the needles were on fire. The joint is smooth and the knitting goes so much easier. The hat is knitted to the pattern but I think it might be a bit too large. It's 100% wool so it can be shrunk in the wash with no problem. I have some other creamy white wool of about the same gauge so I'm going to knit it again but take off about 10 stitches and see if that works for a better fit. It was an easy pattern with a nice fold under neath so your ears will stay toasty warm. I'll wait for feedback from the recipient. Now to my stash closet to select the next project to finish. Just where is that snowman.

Craft Bonanza

2008-12-30T19:48:00.002-05:00

Double feature movie day for me so I brought some knitting along. During the showing of the Hulk I knit some more on a stretch sock. It's for me. Yes finally a pair for me. I got 6 inches of cuff knit and an working on the heel. I'm slipping the stitches on the purl side for a slightly different look. I have to think hard on each row because my fingers want to do the opposite of what I want them to do. Knitting memory for socks is built into them. Love the color and feel.

My son got me a set of knitpicks cable needles and I used them to finish the top of this bag. It really needs a good blocking and will have to have a lining, I'm thinking with built in pockets. During the morning movie I worked on the knitted i-cord for the handle. It's going to need a reinforcement inside. This is sari yarn which is thick and thin and a little flimsy for construction projects. It's going to get done though soon.

During the last two days while I've been off it's been stitching time/dvd time. This is going to be a table covering (about 22 inches square when complete) with fall leaves on it. It has a nun stitch border with fringe. I'm about half way through stitching all of the leaves. I love the Caron watercolor threads that just keep changing colors for each leaf. This was a kit that I purchased at celebrationofnw.com from www.dutchtreat.com. It was very reasonably priced and included everything so you could start stitching right away. She had lots of great designs but this was one of her best sellers and I can see why.

Lots of projects to do and I can't wait to get started or finish them.

Holiday aftermath

2008-12-27T15:31:00.002-05:00

What a great holiday it was this year. The socks were well received as was the carmel corn and beer. The cookie trees were eaten as was the coffee bread and assorted cookie platters. Two days of treats and visiting and a years worth of crafting is out the door and on it's way to new homes.

Tonite, after laundry and cat feeding it's a movie and craft fest for me. My son got me the set of knitting needles I had coveted from 'Knitpicks". It's the adjustable, cable, harmony set with tips from size 4 -11. This morning I pulled out a project from the closet and set it along with the new needles by the comfy chair.

The little gang of cats are happy that the house is going back to a state of normalcy for them too. They love visitors but want the guest bedroom bed to be theirs not the guests. They helped me strip the sheets and have enjoyed hiding in the covers and under the folds of the blankets draped across the chair. There has been a lot of kitty snuggles the last few days but they all know that it's time to get their nails trimmed and coats brushed for the new year.

It's been a great year for crafters everywhere and I'm wishing for another years of crafts in 09.

Branching out

2008-12-23T07:35:00.002-05:00

Sackboy got eyes late Sunday nite and he's extremely happy climbing into his limited edition collectors box. I had a lot of fun knitting him and he's going to have a lot of fun over the holidays.

Here is the culmination of my Sunday baking. Yes I finally made another cookie tree. I managed inbetween the shoveling. For gifting purposes it then got a covering of fancy clear cellophane, a bow and and then put into it's special carrying case. I'm sure it made it to it's new home to be devoured.

The house is clean, floors washed, counters cleared, presents wrapped (almost) and cookies baked. I'm ready for a holiday.

Carmel Corn Day

2008-12-20T16:19:00.006-05:00

Today was caramel corn day here at Pam's magical workshop. I had my helper Magpie, close at hand ready to assist with any baking emergency. She waited patiently each time I would go outside to shovel, or stir the pan. She's been following me around and just sitting next to me where ever I am, crafting, cooking, reading and sleeping. Such a great help.

I made five batches of carmel corn. It's a favorite of the family but couldn't get done without my favorite pan. This belonged to my grandmother and it the best candy pan around. I tried to think how long I've been making the corn and I think it's about 15 - 20 years. I know the kids were little when it began. I've got the recipe down to a science and it always get's done on a day about a week prior to christmas. Yummy, fresh and bagged up it's a great present. (recipe comes from the back of the karo syrup bottle but mine has no peanuts)

I had to just knit something fun this week and for a 'me' knitting project picked a 'barbar' the elephant from a Jean Greenhowe book. He is just adobrable and six inches tall he's a perfect playmate for a little child (or big kid) Jean's patterns are easy to follow and all I did in adaptations was to put a chenille stem in his trunk so he can be posed.

Sackboy, the newest Alan Dart creation is going to become a playmate for my son and his girlfriend. The pattern arrived on Tuesday, yarn was selected and the parts knitted and on the way home from work on Thursday I got some more brown chenille for his armiture. Last nite in between shoveling his little fingers got 'bones and he is almost finished. Sackboy needs some eyes and a mouth and perhaps a little decorative stitching. This is a very anticipated addition to the knitted universe. His zipper does open but beware as he might lose his stuffing.

These is a tiny project just 2 inches wide. Can you guess what it is? No, it's an emery holder. You sharpen your needles in it and can also store a needle under the decorative cover. Fun to stitch, it's a present for my mom.

Mom likes to have fancy needlework tools to use and show at her meetings. I just love making stuff. It's a good matchup.

Here is the backside of the promised gingerbread hand toy and fingerpuppet. One puts his/her fingers down the back of the big guys legs and he just walks all around the table. The fingerpuppet is good for tiny fingers or a pencil.

Their fronts feature friendly embroidery that looks like real raisins and frosting. I can't wait to read ' the gingerbread boy' with a real boy to play with at the same time.

What's next in the magical workshop. Another storm is brewing and I have some items to wrap. The cards got written but await a trip to the post office. I decided to create a gingerbread cookie tree so that's on the baking list for tomorrow. My daughter is looking forward to helping me decorate it when she comes to stay. I've learned to my peril that when you make these cookie trees you should really let them dry and cool for a day prior to assembly. They can droop otherwise and you get a leaning tower of cookie.

Magical workshop

2008-12-15T21:39:00.002-05:00

The last two days have been a funfilled baking extravaganza here in my magical holiday workshop. Yesterday I managed to make seven types of dough and bake six kinds of holiday cookies. In between batches of cookies a little gingerbread boy and gingerbread fingerpuppet were assembled. The gingerbread boy is so cute.

Today it was swedish coffee bread baking day. While the dough mixes and rises it gives you 20-25 minute periods of time to get everything else done. That meant wrapping presents, laundry and other household chores. Tonite after all the bread was done and cooling it was time to work on the cat quilt. I trimmed the edges even, cut the binding and attached it. I even did fancy mitered corners. Now it's pinned around the edges and it ready for the final hand stitching.

So what is left for the holidays, a lot. Holiday cards, a quilt, mermaid something, present for a niece, wrapping and mailing a box, and the important caramel corn day. I'm even hopeful that an afternoon movie could be fitted in. We'll see about that, probably a dvd and handsewing will take it's place.

Holiday countdown

2008-12-12T20:20:00.004-05:00

I've been remis about blogging all the time but I've been concentrating on just finishing up the crafting. This week I really pressed on with the quilt for my son and last nite at 11 pm it came totally off the quilt frame. Yeah!! Tonite the quilt frame got put away and out came the vacumn cleaner. After the cleaning then the table for trimming and prepping for the binding. This is a big project but is one of pure love. Sometime between everything I had time to stitch this adorable shopping penquin. She's going strong with all of her packages. The sock needles are at rest but others are working on an Alan Dart gingerbread finger puppet. It's crunch time for crafters but between it all comes down to a gift from the hands and heart. Craft on.

Pair # 18

2008-12-07T17:03:00.002-05:00

I'm almost at the end of my sock teather and I'm glad it's getting nearer the end of the year. What was I thinking at the beginning when I thought a pair of socks for every one in the family. Well this is pair number 18 and it's for a gentleman. I've not assigned socks to actual recipients yet but that's coming. I think the socks need to get together for a group photo shoot. Right now they are all together and it looks like a lot to me.

The Paton's stretch yarn was a new yarn for me and knit up nicely and is stretchy so I'm hopeful that means a good fit. It's a fine yarn so it didn't knit up fast but it hold the stitch definition well so you could do more patterning with it. It was available at a local craft store at a reasonable price. One ball made one sock with a tad bit left over. Good value for the yarn.

My house is decorated, the lights are on outside, bills paid and another pair of socks done. Now it's back to the quilt and oh yes the holiday cards need to be taken care of. But Yeah!! another pair bites the dust.

Quilting the nite away

2008-12-02T20:44:00.003-05:00

Last nite I quilted one entire border of the cat quilt but had to put down my needle for the evening. I'm realizing that I can't just keep quilting for hours anymore. My hands get a little tired and achy so instead I switched chairs and picked up my knitting needles and worked on my stretchy light brown sock. With the thin yarn I didn't get as much done but then with a cat watching my every move and keeping track of the moving, wiggling yarn I think I did well. Tonite after work and again tomorrow I'll get quilting and finish another side. Every day a countdown to a deadline.

Sock # ?

2008-11-30T21:34:00.003-05:00

A great crafting weekend ended with another pair of socks knitted and a new skein of stretch yarn already on the needles. I enjoyed knitting this twisted rib sock pattern. It looks complated but is really quite easy. The new pair is back to a basic k2p2 rib but the yarn is stretchy so I'll see how this new type yarn works before working it in to fancier patterns. My son gave these his craft seal of approval.

I set aside a lot of time for quilting too and finished up the center of the quilt. I took it off the long frame and put it on the q-snap frame so I could get the borders done. I had to think about how the quilt would get finished and by just quilting it the vision of it in it's final glory appeared to me. My gang of cats are quite interested in the whole quilt thing and really want to jump on it but they are being good. Just wait until I have to go to work tomorrow and the they have the entire day to themselves.

Turkey day craft aftermath

2008-11-28T14:33:00.002-05:00

It was a great turkey day and I even got to do some knitting at the end. I made pumpkin cheeseballs for the appetizers and they were a big hit. Next year I'll make them a tad bit smaller so they fit on a cracker and you don't get cheese overload.

check out the bettycrocker website (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=37889&Source=SearchResultPage&terms=cheese%20pumpkins) and you can see a picture.

We checked out all of my mom's new knitting magazines, commented on good and bad knitting, got some good guidance on what others needs are for the future and generally had a great time just visiting. After a wonderful dinner it was on to checking out the upstairs craft supply and my sister and I both went home with some fabric and other projects that will get finished by us and then given back completed to mom.

After a stress free car ride home (lighter traffic than expected), everything go put away and then I could sit back and relax with the little gang. A dvd and a bag of knitting along with a bowl of the Rose Clan Indian Pudding made for nice end to the holiday. I thought seriously about going to the stores at 5 am the next day for those door buster sales but the extra hours in bed won out as did a snuggly Magpie keeping me warm.

I brought my knitting to work and did some at lunch so tonite it's a quilt session with some more dvds and cats. Another sublime nite of crafting.

Craft companions

2008-11-26T21:51:00.002-05:00

The quilt has recovered from it's batting surgery and is now fully back on the frame. I found the quilting thread, the 12 sharps that I love to quilt with (short and sharp), my thread holder to wear around my neck, favorite thimble, box of finger cots (little thin rubber covers for your finger that grips the needle, sharp scissors and masking tape. All the tools to get the job done, along with the tv remote control. I tuned up my thread and got right back into quilting. There is a lot to do but an hour or two every nite will get me done. I'm extremely hopeful at the moment but it's still November.

My craft companions were extremely perplexed at the rearranging of furniture and favorite perching spots (my lap and back of chair). Magpie kept coming and looking at the quilt frame, trying to peek over it and putting her paws up to see if there is a space for her. She's not quite ready to settle into a spot as yet. I cover it up when I'm not using it and also tilt the top up so that it doesn't encourage napping during the day time.

The first twisted rib sock is completed and the second cast on. I still need a carry along project for work so socks it is. My local yarn shop had the missing yarn I was needing and I'll have just a Little bit left over at the end of the pair. They are quite the pattern and I'll ask my son to do a test fit for me just to make sure they'll be a good wearing sock. The foot is done totally in stocking stitch instead of my usual ribbed top.

The Indian pudding is in the fridge ready for dessert tomorrow. I couldn't resist and had a little tasting bowl tonite, hot from the oven. Yummy. The Rose clan's recipe holds up to the ages. I think I just need a little bit bigger dish to bake it in or else next time use two dishes. Happy Turkey day tomorrow to one and all.

Holiday crafting season

2008-11-25T11:44:00.005-05:00

It's now officially the start of the holiday crafting season. I realize that I have been crafting all year long but that's just me (or a small minority of addicted crafters). Since I'm getting down to the wire on my socks for everyone project I cast on another men's sock. It's a twisted rib pattern found in the book "knitting (man)ual" and featured in the knitpicks new catalog. I really like the way the sock looked in the knitpicks catalog and went to my library and checked out the book. The sock in the book was poorly photographed and styled and I could see why I just went right by it. The catalog was clear and showed how nice the ribbing would look. It's an easy 9 stitch pattern repeat so the number of stitches around had to be adjusted a little.

This sock does have a problem though. I'm running out of yarn to finish the foot. A visit to the local yarn store is in the works to see if they have more of this. What's worse is I don't remember when or where I bought it. I think it was in the fall but I'm only guessing. If all else fails at the store I'll search on like and get the sock done by the holidays. I do have more backup yarn to knit with.

Another in the extremly limited series of stitched holiday cards. This one is very different for me and comes with a printed card to put over the stitching. Very nice.

A more modern interpretation of the holiday season. This one is a favorite, loved the modern vibe from the wondering reindeer.

Now a problem that has got to be fixed. This is a quilt on the frame that I started quilting over a year ago. I put it aside, wrapped in a sheet and forgot about it. The gang of cats got to it, pulled down the sheet and attacked the batting showing on the underside and made a big hole in it. It's only batting but before I can get back to the quilting the batting has to have some surgery. Luckily here is enough extra on the end so I'm hoping for the best. I'm going to to do a clean cut across above and below the damaged areas and then rejoin the two sections with whip stitching. The quilt top will get rebasted on the frame and then the quilting can begin. This time I'll make sure it's wrapped up securely each time I walk away from it. The gang of cats think that a quilt frame with quilt is the 'most excellent' place for a nap. I do love them and they are great craft companions. Now on to surgery and yeah, where is all the quilting thread and needles.

Crafting for the holidays

2008-11-20T20:36:00.002-05:00

This doesn't look like much but there is still some stitching to do before it assembles into a pincushion, needlebook and scissor fob. It already has a matching case to slip into. Not sure who will get it but I want it finished and done. I'm liking getting to the assembly and finalizing.

Yesterday and today I had meetings to attend and used the time wisely by working on my second opal sock. It's done. Yeah!! Another guy sock pair finished. I didn't even waste any time but put another skein of brown regia yarn in the knitting bag, ready for the needles.