1/31/12

Took mom's advice and started crocheting some of my stash. I hunted around ravelry last night and found this beauty. Started it today and like it, for the most part. It is a different take in the easy drop stitch scarf I like to knit.

Crochet Is so much faster.

Must. Make. Now.

1/30/12

Here's the things I worked on this evening. Cowl is 33% done. The other two are slow, but only because I talked on the phone and cooked dinner and did the dishes. Just plugging along...

Stash Bust 2012

This was a bad idea. Of course, buying all this yarn was a bad idea, too. I made the mistake of opening one of my bins and realized I still have too much yarn to deal with. I tried to make it better by starting a couple of projects to get the yarn out of the bin, but alas, that is overwhelming too--looking at six unfinished projects. No happy medium.

What can I say, I made my bed.

Giving it away is silly. Using it all seems impossible. It is possible, though. I'm just whining. Good thing there's nothing I really want yarn wise, or else I'd really be in trouble. Staying out of craft stores certainly helps, but ravelry does not. Oh well. Enough for now.

Sent from Michele's iPad

1/29/12

Worked on the cowl and started these two scarves today. The top one uses a star stitch which makes my hands tired, so it'll be a slow go. The bottom one uses increases and decreases to make the wave (much easier on the hands).

Beautiful organization system

Makes me all tingly!!!

1/28/12

Worked on the cowl today. Decided on a double decrease notated with the 2 silver needles. I think it's going to work. Fingers crossed.

1/27/12

No crafting today other than a crocheted heart that I gave to a student who wanted it. Was disappointed to later find it abandoned on the floor of the school.

Spent the evening with my BFF and Tashara at dinner and a movie. Hope it created good memories for Miss Tashara. It was good for all three of us.

Squiggly-Wiggly Crochet

Seems I keep finding ways to use up my yarn.  This method is used for hot pads, etc. OR it used to clear out a yarn stash and make a cool wall display in my craft room...

Click on the title to get to the instructions.

1/26/12

Worked primarily on the hooded cowl for Anne this evening. Trying to visualize as I go. Talked over the construction with mom and decided I might have to crochet a swatch to see if the idea for decreases will work. May have to start writing down my notes and submit the pattern on ravelry!

Maiya knits. Mayhem ensues.: Kool Aid Popsicle Dyeing

Maiya knits. Mayhem ensues.: Kool Aid Popsicle Dyeing: I came across a DIY post on Tumblr that showed how you can freeze watercolor paints in ice cube trays and then use the frozen paints to "dra...

Sky Scarf--Conceptual Knitting

I came across a post yesterday about Conceptual Knitting.  It is a pretty cool idea the more I think about it.  The premise is that you knit a row every day and at the end of the year you have a 5 foot long scarf.  The catch?  You base the color of the row on a theme of sorts.  In the link I've provided, the scarf is based on the sky for that day.  They start the scarf with balls of grey in different shades, shades of blue, and white. If the weather was overcast, you knit that color of grey that day. The next day is super sunny and the skys are clear, you knit the row using one of the blues. Looking closely, it looks like they use two different colors for each row so if the sky is blue with white clouds, you can use both colors.

I've been thinking about how I would do my conceptual scarf.  Based on my happiness level of the day (5 colors)?  Based on what color shirt I wore that day (12 colors)? Based on whether Andrew was home or not before 8pm(2 colors)? (rude) Based on if I spot my crazy neighbor and if she was nice or not (4 colors)?  Based on which parent of mine that I talk to that day(4 colors)? So many ideas!

I'm kind of excited about the idea.  The concept that my scarf will tell a story and every time I look at or wear it it will remind me of that story.

1/25/12

Putzed around today. No real significant progress on any projects. But, I am almost halfway done with the diamond brocade!

Simple project

Found this little lovely on Craftsy.com. Yum!

Stash Bust 2012

I reported yesterday that I was making headway. I am. Honest. I have projects for most of my yarn. BUT, I'm getting tired. This picture gave me an idea of how to get rid of all the yarn, but I won't. Tempting, though. I'm thinking about taking a break for the rest of the week and just lounging around doing absolutely nothing. Must be the overwhelmingness of the resolution, because I love my yarn crafts. Could be other reasons too. Who really knows? I don't want to do anything at all. Must be that time of year for me. I generally lose my mind towards the middle of winter from the lack of sun and warmth. Oh well. Moving on....

1/24/12

Today I worked on the iPad cover, the brocade scarf, the hooded cowl, and I completed the ruffled scarf in chrysalis yarn. I live checking things off my list. AAAAAND, I learned to make button holes today!

My Stash Busting Success

Granted, I've only been at this bust for 24 days, but I can happily report that one drawer is empty, awaiting new yarn. The middle two bins are the ones I'm working on now. Slowly it's coming together.

1/22/12

This poor guy got frogged twice before I decided on a width of 27 stitches. I love the pattern the yarn made with 21 stitches (shown here), the pattern now looks like static. Hope it evens out.

Worked on this and three other projects today. And finished two books I've been reading forever.

Disappointed, yet not disappointed.

Today, I hosted a "crafternoon" for all my friends who had been asking for help with their knitting or crocheting. It was also a chance for my other crafty friends to come, share, craft, and socialize.

I had RSVP's and I bought enough pizza to feed 10 middle school boys. I cleaned all day. I was excited.

Then.....only one person showed up. I was hurt. I was sad. But, I was also super happy to have 3 hours to craft with Haizle and hang out and talk about our patterns and our yarn and our lives. I think the day turned out perfect.

1/21/12

Finished my granny square cowl today. Tried it on and realized it was big enough to pull over my should to wear as a "shawlette" of sorts. Cute and unique and mine!!

1/20/12

Today I finished the granny squares for the cowl. Will piece them together tomorrow...

Granny square cowl

I started the cowl tonight. Here's what the blocks will look like. They'll be seabed together with white and then the trim will be dark grey stripe, burgundy stripe, light grey stripe.

BTW, jiffy yarn sucks.

1/19/12

Improvised a wristlets design using left over yarn today. Not too impressed. Think I'm going to add a thumb to them because they are warm, but air blows right in the thumb hole. Next up, a granny square cowl using Jiffy in shades of grey, wine and white.

1/18/12

I had 4 things I wanted to complete today, and 3 were completed. A scarf and 2 garlands. My craft room air space is a bit crowded... But I'm short and I don't bump into anything so for now they stay until I start to feel crowded.

1/17/12

Much better mood today, but not much seems to be getting done. Here's the stuff I worked on today. For tomorrow, I made a list of projects so I don't get sidetracked--which happens pretty often with a huge project list staring at me.

1/16/12

No happiness came from creating today. Why? Because I was creating "props" for my music evaluation tomorrow with my vice principal. Props I never use for a lesson I could do in my sleep. What. Ever.

I'm off to finish cutting out "said props" so I can go to bed. Eff!

Project bags

Check out these beauties! My super creative mom made these project bags for me. Mind you she had her knitting in a plastic circular ads bag, but she made these beauties for me. She could have kept one and I'd have never known. Perhaps I should learn to sew for her...

1/16/12

Worked on iPad cozy and then worked on these granny circles. Trying to use up my stash is a killer.

Stash Bust 2012

First, the flower pillow. I underestimated how stash would used. Now, granny circle that will either become an awesome cowl, throw, scarf, tote, shawl, or super cute garland. Some many colors! All inspired by Attic24.typepad.com

1/14/12

Finished the möbius cowl today. Took a picture, posted it to ravelry, and then frogged it. This is the second time I've used this yarn and then taken the finished project apart... Hopefully next project with this will be the perfect fit.

1/14/12

Started my monster iPad cover today. This is not him, but I like this picture. My monster will be lime green. And flat. Also

1/13/12

After a tragic meltdown at work, I came home and knitted furiously. I'm getting close to done on this cowl simply because I'm running out of room on my needles or running out of patience in general. It's fast becoming time for a needle organizer.

1/13/12

Got this book yesterday! Tonight I'll start on one of the projects hopefully. But today I'm mainly working on my möbius cowl. It is finally spacing itself out and becoming easier to work.

1/12/12

Didn't get too much done. Worked a little on a couple projects, but mainly I laid next to my baby girl and kissed her on the space between her eyes that is super soft while scratching her back.

1/11/12

Progress. A little at least.

1/10/12

Nothing really got accomplished today except for one round on my möbius cowl. Of course, one round is equal to 280 stitches, but still. Work is wiping me out mentally and I'm actually blogging from my pillow before I go to sleep. (It is 8:50pm)

Looking forward to a snowy weekend and getting a couple of projects out of my queue.

No complaining. Just drained.

1/9/12

Restarted the möbius for the 3rd time. This time, I'm finishing it whether it's right or not because it hurts my fingertips to cast on and do the first row.

Disappointed

I didn't realize how much I enjoyed my vacation until right now.  I mean, I knew I liked being off work, but this is different.  I'm sitting here at work and I'm aching to be home.  The hourly cuddle with one of the dogs.  Sitting in my super wide, kinda comfy chair watching Rockford Files on Netflix.  But most of all, I was being creative.  I was surrounded by the material things that make me the happiest.  Six projects going at once and no interruptions.  I didn't leave the house most of those days.  And laundry was done just so I could have clean pajamas to change into. 

Now?  I'm a drill sergeant once again.  I'm not happy.  I haven't smiled since yesterday.  I'm counting the minutes until a break so I can crochet for a bit.  But I can't relax because there is a child outside my classroom kicking my door.  Each stitch is accompanied by a kick.  The radio is on, but it is not soothing.  I'm disappointed.  I'm sad.  I'm conflicted.  I'm something.  I can't quite explain it. 

Perhaps what I am at that point in the Robert Frost poem where I'm supposed to take the less traveled road.  But fear keeps me here.  Fear of going broke--again.  Fear of losing everything.  Fear of the unknown.  Greed for material things that got me to that point where I have to continue working in a field I HATE.  Perhaps this is the year I go for it.  It really isn't, but the hope gives me something to work towards.  I'm trying like hell to get out of debt.  My goal was debt free by 40.  Well well well, that won't work.  So now it is Debt free by 43.  That I can do.  I'm sure of it.  Then I can cut back and perhaps take a job I love instead of one that I'm tied to.  Or maybe actually start that yarn store....

1/8/12

I finished my blooming flower pillow!! Yay! Back to work tomorrow, so my production will slow. Sad me.

1/7/12

Finished the front of my flower cushion!! Yay!!

Progress

Here's the two scarves from yesterday. I added a bit more to each today. Two passes of the pattern to the brocade. And 5 color changes on the Montana.

1/6/12

Here is a "convertible cowl" I made today for Alicia. It used 1.25 skeins of Tweed Stripes yarn in Luau.

1/5/12

See what happens when I'm stuck at home without my car? I start 3 new projects. Argh. That flower is going to be a pillow!!!!

Yummy

Makes me want a yarn shop even more....

Stash Bust 2012

I seem to have an overabundance of Lion Brand Tweed Stripes yarn. I'm using it to make scarves for a future date. And I'm I'm also going to use two skeins to do the entrelac scarf tomorrow.

Moving right along....

1/4/12

Finished the möbius cowl. Picture doesn't do the colors justice. New picture tomorrow in the sunlight. But the thing is so soft I may sleep in it. Yum-o.