Monday, December 21, 2015

Update from the cloudy day

It's been a while since I've posted anything.  It's not that I haven't finished things, or wanted to, but sometimes the words fail.  Sometimes time won't allow enough creativity to flow.  Sometimes I forget.  In any event, Christmas is just around the corner, and I'm trying to finish up a couple of gifts.  I have found little time while homeschooling and doing chores to work on things.  But, here is the plan.  Once Christmas is over (this week), next week is about planning.  I have to plan the next homeschooling semester, my homeschool co-op class, my Etsy shop, and a bill paying schedule (I've been flying by the seat of my pants for the past few months on that one, and need to get a better grasp about what's due when).  I am having trouble finding things as well, like my contacts.  I know I have a whole bunch of them somewhere, but I cannot find the box.  I don't have room to unpack everything, as we do not live in our own house.

Which is my chief complaint at the moment.  Changing lifestyles, I knew things would be hard.  I knew things would be difficult.  But some of this I did not expect.  I guess there are always unexpected circumstances with a major change.  College has that.  Marriage does too.  I would call these "growing pains" except it's not from growth.  It's from pruning.  Maybe these are just "pruning pains."  Is there such a thing?  Maybe it's shock from pruning.  That I know really happens.  How are your holiday plans coming?

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Wishing and hoping

Ever want to just start putting together a whole new look for your house?

Cottage charm living room - love the quilt on the sofa and the heart doors on the bookcase:


I've been gathering ideas on Pinterest for some time and I really want to make a cozy home.  The trouble is that I don't have a home anymore to make cozy.  Oh, sure, I have a place to live, but it's not really mine.  I'm not upset by this, but it does make me more mindful of once I get my own space again how I want it to look.

I think most people these days start off with hand-me-downs.  We did, and they have been wonderful.  Some things we got just because they were on sale.  Like my dishes.  Hubby was kind of hard to please, we had a VERY small budget, and we found two sets of dishes on clearance at Target.  They have served us well over the past 11 years, but I am ready to upgrade.  I am ready to save up and make a mindful purchase.  I am also ready to carefully consider the colors painted in my home and the furniture to fit into it.  I think most of the pieces I have I want to keep, and perhaps just paint or refinish.  Then there are the textiles - you know, the pillows, the throws, the comfy things to snuggle.  These things I have more control over now.  I can make them and store them, since that's really what I want to do.  I want them to be handmade, not mass produced.  I know my children have several blankets that were bought for them, and that's fine.  I just want the rest of my house to be handmade with love.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Updates from the grey skies

I just logged in to Ravelry, and found some improvements they have made on friends' projects.  It made me realize how terrible I am about updating my own project pages.  I update things here from time to time, but hardly ever update Ravelry.  I should, as it would be a help to others.  I use it regularly for new projects, or for looking up projects that I'm curious about.  I should update my own project pages to be the help to others that I so frequently look for myself.  I guess I'm just lazy, and rarely take the time to do it.  I am also horribly embarrassed by my pictures.  I can see the shot; I just can't always take it.  I also don't take pictures often enough.  For example, I was working on Common Bean, and finished it - bound off and everything.  Then when I started to stretch it out, I realized it was too small.  So I frogged the whole thing.  I looked and saw I had used the wrong size needle - I used a 6mm, when it called for an 8mm.  My solution, as I couldn't find my 8mm, was to use a 9mm.  I jumped from a size US 10 to a 13.  I probably should have used an 11, but I couldn't find it, I didn't want to go buy one, and I knew I had extra yarn.

It's now almost done, but I am behind.  I had tried to finish it by the 15th, so I would have one Christmas project done and ready, but I still have a few rows left and need to get finished with it.  There are a ton of other things that I need to do as well.  I have some items that I think I'm going to put up on Etsy, so look for that coming soon.  A friend has a light box, and he agreed to let me use his to photograph my stuff.  I just have to get a bunch of things done so I can take pictures.  That will be next week, and hopefully I can open my Etsy shop just in time for the holidays!

What are your plans for the holidays?  Anything exciting going on?

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Getting Distracted

I keep getting distracted.  Although, part of it is not really my fault.  My sewing machine decided to become schizophrenic the other day, and I had to get new thread.  I am not sure if this will solve the problem.  I have also to replace the light bulb because it has taken it upon itself to go out when I sew, rather than stay on.   However, I can't find a light bulb locally to replace the current one, which means ordering it.  So, instead of working on my sewing projects (and for some reason they continue to accumulate), I have switched to knitting.  I have actually scaled back this year on things that I'm making for Christmas, or at least I think I have.  Here's my current list:

1. My brother's socks.  He always wants socks for Christmas, of the handknit variety.  He wears them and loves them, and I happily comply with the request.  This year, he really wants Wraptor.


These are incredibly unusual socks, and will take longer than normal to knit them because of their unusual construction.  I have only made a gauge swatch for these (really, she suggests it because of the unusual nature of the construction.  If it weren't for that, I really wouldn't do a swatch.)

2. Common Bean for my Sister-in-law.  I actually found the yarn, and then the pattern for this one.  I'm about halfway done with it, I think, and I hope to finish it up this week.  Then I can honestly say I have one gift done.

3. The quilt for the 'rents.  This one is tricky, because every time I think I'm about to get started good on it, something happens.  Like my tension going wonky.  But not consistently.


I did finish cutting the squares, and I'm now ready to sew them up.

4.  Socks for hubby.  I haven't chosen a pattern yet, but I did already pick out the yarn - it's a superwash wool in a worsted weight.  I think I may do Rye, but since I haven't cast on yet, it's still up for negotiation.

And then I sit here and color for a good 20 minutes.  I got one of those adult coloring books (adult meaning grown up, not X-rated in subject matter) and I borrowed a set of colored pencils from one of the kiddos and I colored.  And it wasn't even a lot, but the amount of detail is immense, so in order for it to look like an adult colored it and it wasn't scribbled, it takes time.  How about you?  What are you making for the holidays?

Monday, October 26, 2015

Fall has arrived!

The temperatures have dropped, and it's lovely.  The nights are getting cooler, and knitted things are needed.  Princess' sweater is finally done.  All I had to do is sew on the pockets.  That was trickier than it sounds.  The trouble was that I couldn't make them even.  Somehow, every time I would start to sew them on, one side of the pocket would work, and the other wouldn't.  I fixed that though.


So here's the finished modified Teagan.  It's a great sweater, and it fits wonderfully.  I'll get pictures with her wearing it soon.  She's already worn it and gotten it dirty (fall leaves) and so I need to wash it.  Again.  I fixed the pocket issue by crocheting them in.  Duh - it should have occurred to me to do that sooner.  The color is more like the picture below, and not as peachy as the one above.


That made attaching them not only easier, but faster as well.  And they are stronger than if I had merely sewed them on.  The extra strength is needed, because Princess loves to fill her pockets with rocks and things.  Go figure.

New Works In Progress:


This is a quilt, so don't be confused.  My parents have a queen size quilt from my great-grandmother that is currently falling to pieces.  My dad, have all the faith in the world in me, thought I could repair it, but alas, if only I could.  The fabric is worn out - not the seams.  So, the only thing to do is to replace it.  And that is exactly what I'm doing.  There is no way I could match the fabrics she used - that was from the 60's and 70's, and what I remember is horribly faded so even if I could find vintage fabric, finding the right colors would be near impossible.  Instead, I found some cotton locally and bought more than enough to piece together an easy 12" HST queen quilt.  HST is half square triangle for those of you who don't know.  I didn't know either until I got started doing this.  The stack on the left are the pieces that are already cut, and the stack on the right is yet to be cut.  I think there will be enough for the front and back, and I may buy the binding once I get there.  I still don't have the batting either.


This is an experiment for which my children picked the color.  It is a crochet project, and there is no pattern up for it - I have made it up on my own.  I try to keep a crochet project going along with my knitting projects, just because I enjoy the difference.  Once this is complete, I'll post a picture and some more details.


This is the first sock in a pattern for me that I received a while back.  They have never progressed passed this point, and I think I need to pick them back up.  The yarn is Malabrigo Sock in Indiecita, so you can't really go wrong.  I'm just not sure about the toe-up part.  I love the pattern, but toe-ups just don't have a stretchy enough bind off for my liking.  Any suggestions?


This is my first Multnomah.  A while back, a friend suggested this pattern to me.  Being finicky and ornery, I decided not to use it then.  However, it continues to haunt me, so I have finally broken down and started one.  Dearest Ginny always knows her socks and her shawls.  She knows her patterns very well, and I should have listened when she first suggested it.  The yarn on this one is Melody from JoJoLand.  It's my first time using it, as I just found it in my stash and I really wanted to use it NOW.

Hubby bought me this yarn a few years ago, in a super stash haul for Christmas.  He's a keeper.  I thought I'd make the Blueberry Waffle Socks with it.  There are more projects, but I thought I'd just pull these out and show you.  Maybe tomorrow?  It will still be raining, so who knows what will get done?

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Moving along


This is actually easier than I thought.  I thought it would be much harder changing the flat-written pattern into an in-the-round one, but really, it's not.  The directions are making it WAY easier than I anticipated.  I had tried to use another pattern to re-write it, but once I really read through this one, there is no need for the other one.  You can see where I am - I'm still working on the shoulder decreases for the sleeve cap and armscye.  The rounds take a while, as there are a lot of stitches, but really, it's working out quite nicely.  Once I realized how easy the conversion was going to be, I'm sticking close to the pattern, but knitting freely (as in unfettered by worry).  I hope that by next week, this will be off the needles and on the Princess.  Then, it's time for some Christmas crafts.  I have a quilt that I plan on doing for my parents, and I already have the fabric washed and dried.  It's waiting to be pressed, cut and sewn.  It will be a large quilt, a queen size, but the top needs to get done quickly.  Then the back and I will need to pick up the batting for it.  Once I have all the pieces, it will be time to layer them and pin them.  Can I tell you I'm a bit worried about that?  However, I think I may have some help.  My mother-in-law, with whom I now live, has quilted before.  She may be able to help me pin it.  Once I get over the "this-is-so-scary-because-I've-never-done-this-before-and-haven't-seen-it-done" factor, I'm sure it will be fine.  I am hoping that my newly serviced machine will be up to the challenge.  If not, I think I can handle that too, as I have options.  I can either hand-quilt it (massive amount of time) or there are a few places I can take it to have it done.  In either case, I hope to have it wrapped up by the end of October.  November will be for a pair of crazy socks, that may get some knitting time here and there, as socks are easily transported.

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Quest Complete

I found my swift and ball winder.  Of course the box was hidden.  It was surrounded by boxes, with stuff piled on top of it.  And it took me about half an hour to find it.  But on Sunday, I did finish this:


I think the fringe turned out well.  Here's a modeled shot:


I think he's a good looking model, don't you?  But then, I'm a little biased.  I had to rip back on the pink sweater.


I think it's even less than this picture.  I took it back and started some more decreases.  I had stopped decreasing on the front, and I ripped back to add more.  I think I was going to end up with too many.  So, I'm working on it still.  Once it's done though, I think it will be great.  It's just a matter of getting the neckline right with the sleeves.  I think I can work it out.  It's getting to be sweater weather here...how about where you are?

Friday, October 02, 2015

Quest

I think I found the answer to my problem.  This sweater:


should be completed in another week or so.  For whatever reason, I was having a mental block on how to proceed with the neckline, since I've basically just re-wrote the pattern.  I found my answer in another pattern (since all my knitting books that would give me how-to instructions are currently in a box somewhere) and I think now I can finish it.  I also have to block the curling scarf and then fringe it to death.  I will post a picture once that's done...for now, it's sitting in a plastic bag awaiting its fate.  It's an extremely rainy day here, courtesy of a hurricane from my understanding.  I don't know if it's a good day to block something, as it would take forever to dry, but maybe in the morning I can get it started.  In the meantime, there is fringe to be made and a sweater to be finished, and then the Christmas projects can begin.

Thursday, October 01, 2015

Rainy days

It has been raining for the past 3 or 4 days...I have lost count because the greyness has just be so continuous.  But today, today is different.  The sun is shining, the sky is a brilliant blue with a few puffy clouds, and it may actually dry out.  At least until the rain hits again.  Since it's been so rainy, I haven't taken any more pictures.  This has grown tremendously, though it's still not done:


It is now like this:



(in full disclosure, I did actually cast off last night, after this picture was taken, and adding just a couple more inches - it was already over the prescribed 72).  So, now all I have to manage is blocking it and adding fringe.  It curls something fierce, so blocking is a must.  I am still stuck on the birthday sweater, which is horrible, because it's now October, and her birthday was EARLY September.  I know - terrible me for still not finishing, and having Christmas knitting to do.  It's time to get busy, but I need peace and quiet to figure out the neckline, and that's rare in a house with 7 people.  How are your projects coming?

Friday, September 25, 2015

A little more

The last time I took pictures, I went a little nuts.  So you saw the socks I finished, the shawl I finished, the shawl I'm still working on, the scarf I'm working on and my son being a nut.  Here's something I did last January (not this year, last year...like before the baby was born).


Little Man insisted on being in the picture.  These are my French Press slippers, that I STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED.  It's almost embarrassing.  Almost.  There is another project that I hope to finish that has been sitting around for about 8 years (I made it when Little Man was a BABY - no literally, a baby) and do you know what it needs?  Seaming.  That's all.  Just seaming.  I know why it's still sitting in the bag, waiting for me to sew it up.  The reasons are two-fold: first, I can't find my copy of the pattern I used, and I was going to reverse engineer the pattern.  Second, I really don't like seaming.  I mean, like I will do whatever I can to avoid it, including wait until my baby is no longer a baby and a baby blanket won't work for him because his legs are too long.

I have yarn that I REALLY want to use, but I just haven't found a pattern yet.  Do you ever have those times?  You love the yarn, and really want to use it.  You even know what you want to make with it, but you just can't seem to find that "perfect" pattern.  I guess maybe I should just make it up, but sometimes my brain hurts.  I have trouble finding brain power sometimes.  Do you ever have that problem?  I don't know; maybe it's just me.

In other news, I am making loaded potato soup.  Now please understand, I live in a house with extremely picky eaters.  I'm not talking just one or two don't like a few odd things.  I mean really picky eaters.  For example, one won't eat anything that is spicy hot.  One doesn't like bell pepper.  Actually, make that two.  Three won't eat asparagus.  And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  So, here goes my attempt to make something completely different.  I'll share what I've done so far, and what I plan on doing to finish the soup, and let you know the results.  So far, I cut up 4 slices of bacon, about 1/4 of an onion (again, back to the picky eaters - really small bits that cook to almost nothing and give just the flavor of onion), about 3 cloves of garlic (I have pre-minced garlic in a jar, and used about a tablespoon of it), and 7 medium sized potatoes in 4 cans of chicken broth.  I added a teaspoon of salt and a half teaspoon of pepper.  I have cooked it on high in the crock pot for about 4 hours, and will let it cook for another 3 or so on low.  Then I plan on adding a cup of half and half and about a cup of extra sharp cheddar cheese to it. I'll let that cook for another 30 minutes or so, and then call it done.  We're planning on having sandwiches with it, and since it's been raining and cool most of the day (high near 68 degrees), it should make a comforting dinner.  Now, I'm off to finish something...either the scarf or seam up that blanket...not sure which.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

More on the needles

There is so much more than what I showed you the other day.  Here is the first project I completed:


They are my Monkey socks.  I can't believe I didn't make them until now.  I still haven't woven in the ends yet.  I'm lazy in that way.  I need to, so that I can have another pair of socks.  It was some selfish knitting.  I don't remember the name of the yarn, so I'll have to pull that one out for you.  It's a lovely variegated blue and purple tweed.  Here is the second project I started after moving:


It doesn't look like much now, but it will become a Lumiruusu shawl when it's over.  It has gotten slightly stalled, because it takes a good bit of concentration, and I have some other items that have taken it's place for that.  Like a book from the library, that I am sure they want back at some point.  I am studying as well, but it's for the schooling of my children.  Speaking of...


Little Man was outside while I was taking pictures, and started showing off.  He picked up one of my French Press Slippers (that I still need to finish...I have a finishing issue) and started playing around.  How are your projects coming?  Have you finished anything lately?

Saturday, September 19, 2015

I found my camera.

Yay!  And, lo and behold, I am using it.


Here is my finished Over the Sea to Skye.  I don't know that it is as deep as I would really like it, but it's really pretty.  I did modify the pattern a bit, since the yarn I used was thinner than what the pattern called for.  I did another repeat of the lace mesh section, a garter section, and then half of a lace pattern and half of another garter section,  Then I did the bind off, without the eyelet row.



Here's an up close view of the top where I made the modifications.  The pictures make it look very bright - it's really not.  It's darker than what it appears.


I am still not finished with the birthday sweater for Princess.  I'm kind of stuck at the moment.  I decided I didn't like the pattern in pieces, so I went for an in-the-round approach.  It was also too big for her, so I had to downsize it.  It's based on the pattern Teagan, from Rowan.  It's a perfectly lovely pattern.  I just don't like to seam, so I did the body and the sleeves in the round.  I am also joining them in the round, and I'm about halfway up the shoulder.  It's a matter of the neckline and sleeve caps at the same time.  The original has set-in sleeves, and I'm still trying to recreate that.  I don't know if I'll make it or not, but as long as it fits, it will be fine.  I still have the pockets on the front to do as well.  I had thought about double knitting them, but that was a bit much at the time.


This is Baker Street from Knitty.  It's for my wonderful brother, who sent me the yarn.  He wants it before the weather turns too cold.  He's moving back to Atlanta from New Orleans this year, so he should actually get a real winter.  NOLA is nice to visit, but after you've lived there for a while, sometimes it's nice to move back home.  He gets the mountains instead of the ocean, and a different kind of crazy people.  :) There are crazy people all over - we're just a little different.  I should have this one done in a couple of weeks, by the time the cold weather sets in.  So, what cold weather projects are you working on?  Are you ready for fall and winter?

Thursday, August 20, 2015

I have lost my camera.

Okay, well, maybe not "lost."  Maybe just "misplaced."  My days are looking better, and I think I may have found more time to knit.  At least I think I have, although I don't think I am accomplishing any more than normal.  I am finding more time to read as well, so that's probably why things aren't going as fast in the knitting department as I think they should.

Homeschooling is turning out to be a great adventure.  I still wish I was more organized than I am, but things move along at a nice clip and we're making great progress.  The house is still in a bit of disarray, but by the time I'm done with schoolwork, the hubby is almost home, and dinner needs to be cooked, dishes need to be washed (did I mention we have no dishwasher here? Yeah - everything is HAND WASHED) and the evening chores need to be done.  I have tried to get hubby to help out, and from time to time he will, but life goes on, and unless time stands still for us, it's a matter of fitting it in.  I'm hoping to make a little progress on it this weekend, even with the insane schedule we have.

Oh, and here's fun - tomorrow we're headed down for our first field trip of the year!  We're going to the High Museum.  It should be lots of fun.  It's their kick-off homeschool day, and the kiddos are excited about using their lunchboxes.  Yep, I'm the cool homeschooling mom who got them traditional lunch boxes instead of just using a brown paper bag or cooler.  We have several field trips this semester with the co-op we're joining, and I plan on trying to fit in a couple more (like the Zoo and maybe the Aquarium).

I have only finished my socks, but I'm close to finishing Over the Sea to Skye.  Since I got a fingering weight yarn instead of a DK weight, I used a size US6 instead of the 7 it called for.  Also, I wasn't happy with the depth, so I'm adding another repeat of the lace mesh and garter section.  Then I'll see how much yarn I have left, and how tall it is.  I think it will be better then.


I've already started planning Christmas as well.  I have one request:


My brother requested the Baker Street Scarf from this past issue of Knitty.  How can you say no to someone who LOVES everything that you knit for them?  I also have some socks to do for him.  I'm hoping to get started on a quilt for my parents, and before I can do any of that, I have a birthday sweater to make for my Princess.  How are your knitting plans going?

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Ravelry

I am trying to use Ravelry a bit more to remember things.  There are lovely patterns that I have forgotten, and now I have changed my queue to help me remember.  I should document my current projects a bit more, but I just haven't yet.  I plan on it.  I just finished these socks last night:


I will have to weave in the ends, and post a picture of the finished ones.  They are blue and purple tweed.  I can't even remember the yarn I used, but it was very nice.  Next up, a purchased pattern:


This is a new shawl called Over the Sea to Skye.  I purchased the pattern last night, and am currently working on it in a deep teal color, and then plan on working it again in a charcoal.  So far, the pattern is easy and lovely.  I'm actually working it in Nature Spun, which is a fingering weight, but the pattern calls for dk weight.  Am I changing anything else?  No, not this time.  Maybe when I do the grey, but I am checking to see how big this one turns out.  How about you?  What are you working on?

Friday, July 24, 2015

Forever and a day

It feels like it's been forever and a day since I last posted, and in some ways, it has been.  Since the last time I posted, I've packed up a house, quit my job, moved, unpacked some things, moved other things around, tried to settle into a routine, and started homeschooling my children.  I did start to go into withdrawal from knitting a bit, so I picked up a skein from a local shop with a set of needles, and got started on this pattern:


It's Monkey, by Cookie A.  Surprisingly, I have never knit them.  However, I'm in good company, from what I can see - the Yarn Harlot recently knit up a pair too.  So, it must be Monkey season.  Socks are great for the summer - small so it doesn't get hot while knitting them in your lap, portable in case you're traveling, and fast so you can take advantage of the daylight and getting stuff done.  I also stumbled across an old project, and since I still haven't set up everything yet and 90 percent of my crafting supplies are boxed up in various locations, I restarted it.  It's a lace project - another great summer project idea.  I started it 5 years ago or so...and it's just been sitting there, lonely.  Well, I busted it out, ripped it back since I had no idea where I was in the pattern, and started fresh.  I'm only 12 rows in, and it's about an inch.  Nothing really to brag about, but I do feel better now that I have 2 projects, instead of only one.  Also, I spent an obscene amount of time in a local store getting fabric tonight for a quilt.  I plan on doing this quilt truly in an old fashioned manner - completely by hand.  I'm going to do a simple pattern - as a matter of fact, it's just going to be large half-square triangles.  And I will cut the fabric, sew it, and quilt it all by hand.  I went to the local library yesterday and got our library cards (a necessity like a new driver's license and vehicle registration changes in my mind) and checked out this book:


I think I may have read it, or read part of it, before, but it's a fast read (I started it yesterday and am about halfway through) and enjoyable.  It's nothing heavy, no deep philosophy or intricate plot.  It's just a lovely little story with quilting as the main theme.  Silly to some, I'm sure, but it's a nice vacation type book, and being as it's summer, and I have 3 small children that demand my attention.  Sometimes simple is all I can handle.  So, how is your summer going?  Any new projects you've started, or old ones you've rediscovered?






Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Completely lost it

I have not knit in a few days.  I know...it is crazy.  I carry it with me, in hopes that I will pick it up and knit just a bit.  I turned the heel on my second Charade, but I have not made much progress on the foot.  Maybe I need some wool fumes.  Maybe a trip to a yarn shop would help.  To be honest, I have been caught in a Netflix marathon of Gilmore Girls.  I did not watch it when it was on, so it is completely new to me.  I love the fast paced dialogue, as it reminds me of His Girl Friday.  That was a great movie - if you haven't seen it, I really do encourage it.  I did finish a dishcloth though.  I crocheted a simple one for myself, but ironically have not used it.  I have also been reading. I picked up A Game of Thrones the other day, and while I am not always a huge fantasy fan, this has been quite interesting.  I have just lost almost my will to knit.  I think it has to do with the packing.

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

New things

Well, another month has flown by, and I did not do nearly as much as I hoped.  I started a washcloth for myself:





And I am working on the second Charade sock.




I have been busy with a tea party for the Princess, cleaning a bit here and there, and packing.  Yes, packing.  We are moving next month, and although I would love to hoard a bunch of supplies, I have to be judicious in not only what I purchase, but also what I make.  Hopefully after the move, more craft time will be present.  How is your summer looking?

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Busy as a bee

I have been busy, although not with a lot of crafting.  Here is my latest semi-finished objects:


I made a small flock of sheep.  I still have to embroider the faces on 4 of them, but they are otherwise complete.  I have not been idol; I have been trying to clean and pack.  We are moving soon, and preparations must be made.  I will link to the pattern that I based these on later.  I did not follow the pattern exactly, and when I link to it, I will tell you the modifications I made.  I am somewhat saving my crafting for the summer, after we move.  My job will change - I will no longer work full time outside the home.  I will be homeschooling my children and being their mom full time.  It will be a huge change, for me and them, but a good one I think.  I will try to post more often, even with small things.  There may be less knitting and crocheting, and more embroidery,  as I have at least one project that I would like to complete before we move.  Oh, and I got my sewing machine serviced, and returned to me!  This is very exciting, as I have several sewing projects lined up as well.  What are you working on?  Do you have big plans for the summer?



Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Startitis

I have startitis, or at least that is what I am telling myself.  I picked up this magazine this morning.


And now, I have this...






And this.



Spring is in the air, and instead of cleaning things out, I am starting new things.  I still have not finished my second sock, or my sheep.  I think I am gathering projects for the financial drought that I know it coming.  Very soon, I will not be able to buy project supplies freely.  I know this, and something in me is trying to gather like a squirrel.   I have more than enough to keep me busy, yet I insist on buying more.  In my defense,  it has been a while since I have bought things just for me.  I have been buying things for presents and not much else for a couple of years.  Maybe this is just the result of that.   Or it is a cruel April Fool's joke.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Just different

I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest lately, and I have been seeing all kinds of crafts.  Quite frankly,  it has turned my head a bit.  I took my sewing machine to be serviced, and I can't stop thinking about sewing.  I have been slowly working on my sheep.


I had to make him smaller as bobbles eat yarn.  I seem somewhat discontent, but not with any particular craft.  I am discontent with my lack of time, not only for crafts, but for family as well.  I am hoping this will change within the next couple of months.  We have an insane plan, that requires a lot of faith, trust, and work, but if it is right, it can also pay off well.  Hubby and I started our first video, and I think I can do better.  He still has some editing to do, mostly just for practice,  and I think we may shoot it again in another month or so.  It takes a lot of scheduling,  as 3 beautiful children like to be in the middle of everything.  I am very tired and having health issues, and I am afraid of them worsening before things get better.  I am one to normally downplay any problems I may have, but in this case, I really should not.  My initial instinct is to just let them be and ignore them, but these are not ones that should be ignored.  I vacillate between being worried and knowing everything will be fine.  I hope things change soon enough to avoid major issues.  What are you working on?  Any new plans for the second quarter of the year?

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Knitting set aside

So, I honestly have not been knitting that much.  I have been working on this though.

I thought a sheep of my own would be fun.  And it will serve a dual purpose.  Are you ready?  Here is my announcement that I keep promising.  Hubby and I are starting a business.  It will be a yarn business.  We shot a video this past weekend and hubby is editing it.  I definitely need to work on my delivery, but in a month or so, we should have something.  I hope.  We have more major news coming, and as it does, I will keep you posted.  Want to see us so far?  Visit www.theyarninewe.com and then leave a comment here, to let me know what you think!  We still have some work to do, but we have started, and that is the first step.

Monday, March 16, 2015

A different kind of stitch

I have been working off and on on my sweater...more off than on lately.  The weather has warmed up, and I got distracted.




It is not as clear as I would like, nor is it very flat.  I found an adorable embroidery kit at a local quilt shop, and could not resist.  It was sheep!  I love it, and have been working on it diligently for 3 days.  I have not decided if it will become a pin cushion, a wall hanging, or something else.  But I love it.  Now, I will get back to my other sock and sweater.  I think I am ready for spring.  How about you?  I will share some of the other projects I have been working on this weekend!  And, get ready for a big announcement!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Lost


I have finished the first sock...




except for the toe.  I had cleverly put all my yarn needles together, so that I would not lose them.  Then, I lost them.  I just found them last night, so I can now kitchener the toe.  I question if I should get another set of needles - I stepped on one and broke it, so now I only have 4, instead of 5 US1.  I plan on getting another set, but the real question is if I should get it for the second sock, or just make do.  Thoughts?

Thursday, March 05, 2015

I went a little too far



So much for measuring.  I tried to knit the sock by measurement only, and I needed the sock to end where I started the toe.  Oh well...it is easier to rip back some days.  At least I did not cut the yarn and graft the toe already.  And this also means I am almost done with the first sock of the pair.  Yay!

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Mardi Gras

So, I am almost done with the first Charade sock.



I am down to the toe.  I am still somewhat conflicted about these socks.  Don't get me wrong - I love them.  But the hands pun is fragile, and I am wondering if something else would be a better pattern for it.  Any thoughts?  Have you used hand spun before?  What did you make?

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Truckin' Along

Well, I finally sewed on the buttons for Little Man's Lancelot.  Here's the happy recipient:



I finally finished the hat, mittens and cowl including blocking and sewing on buttons.  I just need to take pictures.  I was going to take them when it snowed, but I had to work from home and I barely bothered to get dressed, and I certainly wasn't presentable enough for a picture. I finished the Valentine's wreath and hung it at my desk:



I don't think I ever posted a picture of Princess in her birthday sweater, so here is one:


In typical Princess style, she has to pose for the camera.  This was last week, when we got snow.  We had a few days of bad weather - snow one morning, then the next evening that turned into rain and made nice icy patches.

I have started my sweater, as you know, and I've been working on my socks.  I'm doing the socks to carry to and from work with me - it's hard to carry an adult sized sweater around everywhere.  Socks are good travel buddies.  I hope to get the hat, cowl and mittens written up and published on Ravelry.  I'm noticing a trend - I have a hard time finding a pattern that I want, so I'm creating it.  This being the case, I'm going to start writing them up and publish them.  Some will be for free, like the bow I posted earlier this month, and some will be for sale.  The biggest issue will be the pictures, but I can and will get some help with that.  I plan on playing with my camera and maybe getting a remote soon.  Little things can sometimes help the most.  Oh, and I also finished a sweater for the Littlest Princess, complete with blocking and buttons!   I hope this trend continues for the rest of the year - lots of projects completed!  It makes for a wonderfully productive year, and also provides warmth to those I love.  Are you ready for March?  What projects do you have lined up?  Have you finished anything?

Monday, February 23, 2015

Less than expected

I went on vacation last week, and honestly, I knit less than I expected.  I did get one sleeve done and another one started.




Well, let me elaborate a bit first.  This is sleeve #2, but sleeve #1 is not completely finished.  I took 2 skeins with me, one for each sleeve, and it is taking more than one for each.  I did not finish the first, so that I could start the second with a full skein.  This is my own pattern, and so far, it fits.  I did a gauge swatch, and did the math, and started on the sleeves, just to try and make sure my gauge would work.  So far, so good.  I have more increases left, but I should be able to finish them this week.  I will walk you through all the steps on this one, because although there are a lot of "custom sweater" patterns out there, this one is bottom up, with set in sleeves.  I tried to find one on my own, but could not, so I dug out my pencil and paper and calculator,  and started working on it.  Would you like to join in?  I'll post the series, but for now, grab "a sweater's worth" of yarn, no matter what weight, and start your swatch.  Get your fabric right, and meet me back here.  We will go through it together.  Feel free to leave questions or comments as we go.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Perfect knitting weather

This is outside right now.


It may be nothing compared to up north, but for here, this is a lot.  I am so glad that I am inside and have my yarn to keep me warm.  How about you?

Monday, February 09, 2015

It is not proud

I am working on a new sock, and thought I would show you.





I think I am going to call it Mardi Gras,  since the colors remind me of Mardi Gras and the pattern is called Charade.  I will link to it later.  I have found that I failed somewhat in my organization in January, by not using my bullet journal.



The nice thing is that it is forgiving, since you can fill it in as you go.  I am starting over this month, and hope it will become more of a habit.  I have also realized that I have been somewhat procrastinating my sweater, and will change that this month.  How is your February going?