July 31, 2011

Just knitted today. Learned the granite stitch. Was not impressed. But it taught me the kfb--knit front then back.

New decor

Found new "m"'s to decorate. Perhaps some rhinestones, glitter, and hello kitty stickers.

Ally's idea

So I took Ally's Idea and I put the circulars into school boxes by sizes. 4-8 in one box and 9-15 in another. May transfer 9 and 10 because the bigger needles take up too much room in one box. Ideally, I would like them hanging up so the nylon straightens out and makes the needles easier to use, but I'm still working it all out.

Of course, I could just start projects on all the needles and then I wouldn't have to store them. (But I won't.)

P. S. The straight needles are in numerical order from left to right, #'s 2-17. On the other side if the boxes is a cubby filled with double points needles and cable hooks.

Original needles solution

This was my first attempt at organizing all my knitting needles. It was too messy to bring me any peace.

July 30, 2011

Worked on my wool cowl today. Started in the middle of the brown and worked to where it stops. Miserable day to create today. Couldn't get myself comfortable enough to do more. May have to buy second A/C to put in craft room. 18 days left of my summer. Trying to not be miserable.

July 29, 2011

Here's the work, so far, on my hooded cowl. On this project, I've learned how to join a second ball of yarn, how to weave in and hide the ends invisibly, how to increase, and how to fix a dropped stitch without throwing things or cussing.

July 28, 2011

Learned to do an almost invisible knitting increase. Priceless.

Once I got home from Columbus, I hauled in the knitting supplies from Flo and then worked on the hooded cowl until I ran out of yarn. No pictures today. Maybe tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone

July 27, 2011

Just knitted randomly today. Need to learn a discreet knitting increase STAT!

Sent from my iPhone

Sucker!

Bought this magazine today thinking the knitting patterns inside would be "simple". Hmm. Not so much. I claim false advertising. Rats!

July 26, 2011

Worked on this old fashioned washcloth today. Would show you the whole thing, but I'm too vain. Just know that I can now do a yarn over successfully. That is what's truly important.

July 25, 2011

Finished the basketweave washcloth!

July 24, 2011

Found this picture on flickr. I've added this idea to my brain and I'm going to make a purty one for my craft room using grey, linen, chartreuse, and silver balls from the attic Christmas stash!

Spent the day working on the basketweave cloth and cowl again. Almost done with the cloth!

July 23, 2011

Here's the projects I worked on today. The hooded cowl and the basketweave washcloth. Niiiice!

July 22, 2011

Today I worked on the two projects from yesterday and I started the washcloth pictured below in a pale yellow. Might as well practice different stitches--and washcloths are perfect for that!

July 21, 2011

Here's the second project. A hooded cowl (for me!) out of Tweed Stripes. I am loving knitting, can you tell?

July 21, 2011

Worked on 2 new projects today. This is a cowl out of Lion Brand's new Amazing yarn.

July 20, 2011

The cowl is finished!!

Closed...

If it actually closed, it would look like this, minus my thumb.

July 19, 2011

Worked all day, finished piecing the clutch together around 5. Andrew helped me put the clasp on. The clasp does not clasp. We were both disappointed. Tomorrow I trek back to Joanns to hopefully find a clasp that works. I'm happy with how it came out. Even the felt lining turned out awesome! Now I need a hot date! Ha!

July 18, 2011

Worked most of the day on finishing the body of the clutch. Started beading work. Tomorrow, I'm going to create a lining, finish the beading, and sew the clutch together.

July 17, 2011

Spent the majority of the day reworking on my cowl. I'm loving how the yarn stripes. Knitting brings me peace.

July 16, 2011

Worked on my Tweed Stripes cowl. Decided it was to small circumference-wise. Pulled it all out. Started over. End of crafting day.

Lunch with Haizle in which we discussed our crafts and she gave me free yarn. Bonus! Too bad I thought it would be prettier. Tangerine Mist should be bright. Alas, it is rust colored. I will find a use for it! Mark my words!

July 15, 2011

Today, I was on a mission. I had to buy special circular needles, so I trekked to Joann's for the 3rd, maybe 4th, time this week. (The cashier now knows me...)

I worked all day on other projects until I couldn't stand it any more! So around 7:00 I busted out the new needles and my new yarn and tackled "knitting in the round."

Here's the start of the cowl I'm making. It's actually longer because I decided to stay up later than normal and finally just now am forcing myself to stop.

I may get back up...

Felt?

Yes! I found this felt today at Joann's and I had to have it. For what? Who cares!!

July 14, 2011

Spent today trying to catch up. Restarted the clutch and I'm liking the results. Worked on my infinity/möbius wrap. Did the scrunchie of the day.

And then I started a chevron motif washcloth with far too many new stitches--needless to say, I had to rip it out and start over. And I really don't much like the seed stitch, BTW.

OH, and I broke down on Facebook over a pair of circular needles that I need, but do not have. Yes, I've taken my pills. Everything will be OK tomorrow. I think.

Scrunchie of the Day

July 13, 2011

Bad day for crafting, so here's flowers from my garden.

Scrunchie Of The Day

July 12, 2011

Didn't post last night because I was disappointed. I worked so hard to complete my clutch and I realized the directions were void of a valuable piece of info.

I was supposed to carry the design into the outer edges, not skip them.

So when I started sewing I have this stupid looking gap. Mom told me I could fix it, but I dint think it will work because the cording is super thick. Bah! I'll be starting over.

Scrunchie of the day

So far, this is my favorite. And it shows why I love variegated yarn. Well maybe not shows, but I do! I really do!

Today's scrunchie of the day

Yesterday's....

Yesterday's scrunchie of the day that was really done today.

July 11, 2011

Trying to complete open projects. Today I worked primarily on my clutch. Now halfway finished. Hope to be done by Wednesday. More than likely done by Friday. I really like it...

July 10, 2011

Today I worked on my plastic canvas clutch. I'm actually finished with the whole section. (old picture) I then was kidnapped to go to a family barbecue and didn't get to make the scrunchie of the day. Sigh.

A scrunchie a day

In order to use up my scrap yarn from my scrap bin, I'm committing myself to making a scrunchie a day. Here's today's. Yellow "Duckie" Vanna.

July 9, 2011

Finished my KNITTED scarf today. Stockinette stitch bites when it curls. But, I'll live.

July 8, 2011

Worked on my Tunisian crochet today and despite how much I like doing it, I can't get it to not curl up. Argh.

Almost finished with the pink knitted scarf. I have about 50 rows left.

Worked on the plastic canvas clutch. Starting to love it.

And found this cute necklace on Etsy. It has been added to my list of things to buy for myself when I'm having a bad week.

July 7, 2011

Finished my knitted washcloth this afternoon. Not bad for a beginner. Now what do I do with the leftover Sugar 'n Cream? Add it to my stash bin for later? Or make scrunchies?

July 6, 2011

Worked diligently on my pink scarf today. I will picture it when it is finished. Maybe.

This, however, is my washcloth I'm knitting with cotton yarn. This small project has helped me learn how to manage my yarn while I knit. Knit/purl every other stitch is taxing at first, but I'm getting the hang of it. And there's a few mistakes, but who cares! It's a washcloth!

And those purple things allow me to sleep easier knowing none of my yarn will mysteriously jump off my hooks....

Tunisian crochet

Here's the swatch I worked on for a few minutes. Why did I stop? A) I hate my hook because it is not a Susan Bates hook and B) it curled up like a cigar because I crochet to tight. BUT, I love how simple it is and I'll try again with a better hook and I'll try to loosen up.

July 5, 2011

Worked on my plastic canvas clutch early this morning (1am-ish) because I'm having trouble sleeping AGAIN. Am very happy with how it is turning out. I guess you could say I'm pretty surprised considering a) it's plastic canvas and b) I only work on it when I'm exhausted.

How to Crochet - Tunisian crochet stitch or Afghan stitch

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EdRuM6I-3w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my iPhone

July 4, 2011

I celebrated Independence Day by using several 40% off coupons at Joann's and then coming home. End of celebration.

I spent the day relaxing alone on my porch swing listening to the calm before the storm and mentally rearranging my garden. The only crafting that occurred was transferring my washcloth from straight to circular needles. Somehow the day slipped through my fingers.

This picture? I'm embarking on plastic canvas fun by making this clutch. Be very jealous. Or craft along with me! The purse form is available for $1.99 and the clasp is $1.59 (or the other way around). Use your favorite yarn or buy cording. I chose black shimmery cording, but Red heart shimmer would look good.

July 3, 2011 (still)

It looks like I've been busy, but I haven't been. I did, however, works a little bit on each of these three things.

Knitted blue washcloth, knitted pinkish scarf, crocheted infinity wrap. The bottom is using my favorite yarn: Tweed Stripes!!!! See how delicately it moves from shade to shade? Love. It.

Oh, Lion Brand--I love you so. Let me open a Lion Brand studio here in Cleveland and I'll even make Haizle a believer in Vanna!! Sigh.

Ravelry

I came home from a long day running with Andrew and I thought, "I should list my stash on Ravelry." What a crock of crap! Why would I want to do this again? So you crafty types will know what to look for when you break into my house to steal my beloved yarn? I. Don't. Think. So.

Here's what I have: A ton of Vanna in almost every color, some NORO DARIA that I buy whenever I find it because it is discontinued, 2 skeins of stretchy sock yarn in case I every decide to make socks again, Lion Brand's Tweed Stripes in blues, purples, caramals and greys, and I also have a couple of skeins of Homespun for my ruffled scarves.

Honestly....I have a high turnover rate on my yarns. I buy what I need for whatever project I'm doing and that is generally it. When I'm done, I roll it into balls and put in my scrap bin to make scrunchies. Everything in my other 3 bins is designated to certain projects. I'm not a yarn hoarder, but I am a "yarny" as my friend Bengt calls me.

Still love this face....

July 3, 2011

Here's today's creation--pinwheels! I saw a pinwheel arrangement on Etsy and Martha Stewart Crafts. I decided I was just as capable of making my own. And since my RLS was keeping me awake, I made them today--just after midnight.

Does this mean I can lay around and watch TV all day, now? Yeah, I didn't think so.

P.S.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to create a home for this shelter dog. Must begin my campaign...

Also...

I worked some more on my knit washcloth. I can finally start to see the pattern. But knitting and purling every other stitch is tedious on long needles. Guess I'll have to go invest in size 9 circulars. Bummer, eh?

July 2, 2011

Finished my pom pom scarf today. It probably should have been longer, but I didn't have any more yarn this color and I was tired of making pom poms. AND Walmart was out of orchid tweed stripes yarn. This is going to look cute this winter!

Clarification

Hello new followers. This is my baby girl Tess. Remind me to tell you her story one day.

And I wanted to also let you know I'm not really crazy. I do take "crazy pills" as I like to call them, but not to keep me from being homicidal or believing I'm invisible. More of keeping me even. I'm weird and sometimes strange, but harmless. I promise. Just ask Haizle. Or maybe not.

And this was the face I woke to this morning so I had to take her pic before she completely woke and jumped off the bed. I. Love. Her. (She's an Appenzeller Mountain Dog)

Completed Embroidery Project

Never did post the completed embroidery bag I did. Taught myself embroidery stitches, completed bag, decided I don't much care for embroidery.

But I am thrilled that after all these years I finally perfected the French knot!

July 1, 2011 also!

Found a pattern for a knitted washcloth while we were out last night. Simple. Committed it to memory. Started this evening while watching Netflix.

July 1, 2011

Today I added a third color to my knitting. You can also see the mistake I made in the middle of the second color. (dropped a stitch, unraveled a bit and put it back on my needles the wrong direction.) Oh well, at least I didn't have to start over. (Because, if you know me well, it would have ripped it all out, put it in a metal container and set it on fire.)

It takes me a while to get angry, but when I do.....

And just think, I'm off my crazy pills! See? I can maintain!