Frogged Knits

Wool-Aid

2011-07-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

Found a great charity group on Ravelry that specifically focuses on wool items for children. Wool-Aid sends most of their items internationally and focuses on wool, which provides the most warmth. They take items for children of all ages.

Here is my first package to send to them, which includes a lot of items that I made years ago that had to intended recipients.

Moorish Mosaic, finally!

2011-05-16T19:52:00.000-04:00

Almost immediately after it was published, I bought yarn for Lisa Naskrent's Moorish Mosaic Afghan. Eleven months later, it is finally finished!

The only modification I made was to skip the triangle motifs intended to fill in the sides in favor of doing a few extra rounds for the border. I love this pattern!

Ravelry linky

Project Linus - Reverse Mitered Block

2011-05-11T10:47:00.002-04:00

My Stitch'n Club at Nationwide is starting blanket project to benefit Project Linus. To help everyone get started, I wanted to find a couple simple patterns that could be easily used with any yarn and any gauge. For the crocheters, it's the Corner Stripe Square by JudyK. For the knitters, I wanted a mitered block pattern but most of the ones I was finding started with a large number of stitches for the cast on, then decrease to a point. I wanted to work in the reverse direction to make it really simple to get the proper size. While this is probably not an original idea, I have searched for this pattern and could not find it anywhere. It is similar to this pattern by Ari Whitlow, but without the yarn-overs.

Enjoy! I will add pictures soon!

Pattern
cast on 3

row 1: kfb, pm, kfb, k1
row 2: sl 1, k across
row 3: sl 1, k to 1 st before marker, kfb, sl m, kfb, k across

repeat rows 2 and 3 to desired size, ending on row 3, bind off

Notes
kfb - knit into the front and back of the stitch
pm - place marker
sl - slip
sl m - slip marker

Stash Update

2011-04-02T15:45:00.001-04:00

April 1st is Flash Your Stash day, so here is my annual picture (only a day late)!

To be fair, this includes WIPs as well (see the 4 crocheted blankets along the right side of the photo?).

When I started keeping track of my stash and actual usage in 2009, I had a little over 44,000 yards in my home. A few months later, I peaked at over 46,000 yards. Today, I have just under 30,000 yards and lots of plans. Maybe under 20,000 by the end of the year?

Magic Carpet Blanket

2011-03-11T09:01:00.001-05:00

I am so excited! I have another pattern being published in the Spring 2011 Interweave Crochet, which is due out closer to the end of the month. They've shared their preview here.

The pattern will be available for download on the Interweave website at some point, if you don't get the magazine.

And now that it's public I can share my pictures!

And one of the girls playing on it while I was taking a break from the seaming:

Pay it Forward 2011

2011-02-19T07:19:00.002-05:00

You may have seen this posted on Facebook some time after the new year:

Pay it forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade or homemade to the first five people to leave a comment here. To be eligible, you must also post this in your status, offering the same thing to five other people. The rules are that it must be hand made by you and it must be sent out sometime during 2011. Ready set GO!

Well, I decided to jump on the wagon and joined on in. I have to make for Jen, Lissa, Erin, and Amy. The fifth person never reposted, so I'm taking him off the list.

So, what do you make for two sorority sisters, a former coworker, and someone who is a member of your knitting club? Dishcloths? Hats? Scarves?

New Year, well, a little late

2011-02-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

I think I wrote a New Year’s resolution last year, and obviously it didn’t hold. It is yet to been whether this year will be different, but here’s to giving it a go.

I am committed to two things for this year. The first is to design more, and share the things I have designed. I have two patterns that I intend to share as soon as I can get them written up. One is a crocheted hat that features spirals rounding from the top all the way down into he ribbing. The second is for a 12 inch block I designed for my last round of NYOBE on Ravelry.

The second goal is to continue to knit from the stash. While the last couple years of stash-down have really gotten me far, I still have far more than I need. I’ve come to realize that it’s pretty wasteful to purchase yarn, hold on to it for 3-4 years, then sell it at a loss because I no longer want to use it. Doesn’t it make more sense to make a purchase and start up with the yarn while you still remember why you bought it? That’s my goal.

Here’s a picture of the stash as of mid-January.

I’ve actually sold off 35 balls through Ravelry’s ISO/Destashing Board. I’ve also made some purchases from those very same boards, but the net is a decrease. I’m hoping to show another picture at the end of the month with some real progress.

Pattern Writing

2010-07-31T12:18:00.002-04:00

I have decided to spend the day (or the free hour I'll get during nap times) writing up three patterns I've been playing with. There are two crocheted block patterns (both for the block exchange I mentioned in my last post) and one crocheted hat. The hat is made with sock yarn and is for a baby, but could be for an adult as well. The hat will become a submission, once it's ready, that is....

Writing the patterns is not the hard part, the testing is. Once these are written, I'll have to make a couple to test myself. Then, once I'm happy with them, I'll find someone willing to try them out as well. A free crochet pattern isn't worth anything if you can't read it.

Not Your Ordinary Block Exchange

2010-07-11T09:34:00.008-04:00

Ravelry has some really great groups. This particular one is an afghan block swap. Each member makes a 12 inch block for every other person in the group. There are 10-12 people in each group, giving you enough blocks for a 3x4 foot blanket to assemble by the end.
The group is using Comfort Worsted and we've selected a strawberries and cream color theme. I've completed 4 blocks so far. Here they are:

Spring Fling by April Moreland, done in two different color combinations. This one is my favorite so far!
New Year's Eve by Sherry Welch, made in a single color. This one feels a little floppier, but is very pretty. It seems like it was designed to be reversible, as it has some front-post and back-post crochets on both sides.And finally, one of my own. I have to call it a prototype as it's a little wonky in places, but I like it all the same. I'll be writing up the pattern at some point...

I've been toying with the idea of putting together a series of block patterns.

Rediscovery

2010-05-02T08:54:00.005-04:00

In an effort to continue to use my stash, I've starting thinking about my stash of pattern books and magazines. According to what I've listed in Ravelry, I have 32 books, 65 magazines, and 7 booklets.

Of the books, I've used 9.

Of the magazines, I've used 7.

Of the booklets, I've used none.

It's time to rediscover the stash of patterns that I've accumulated.

2010 Goals

2010-04-20T19:41:00.003-04:00

I've committed to three stash-down goals for 2010.

First, I have gone "Cold Sheep", which my friends over on Ravelry know means no yarn purchases. The only exception I am allowing is yarn needed to finish a project already in progress. To date, I've been successful and have not purchased any yarn this year! So far, that's over three months with no new yarn purchases!

Second, I will knit/crochet up 10 miles of my stash this year. That's a little less than 1,500 yards each month. So far, I used 3,897 as of the end of March, which is a little behind pace. I hope to make up for it this month with a few larger FOs.

Third, I am trying to use up 100 balls of yarn this year. Now, the goal is to get rid of balls of yarn. They don't have to start out as full balls, but they have to be completely gone in order to count. I am at 21 balls as of right now, but am focusing on partial balls to up my count.

Pictures of some cute things to come, but for now, off to knit!

How Big is your Stash?

2010-01-16T07:52:00.002-05:00

This is for my peeps over in the Stash Knit Down Group in Ravelry

2009 Stash in Summary

2010-01-01T14:42:00.002-05:00

I have knit/crocheted up 13,289 yards of yarn (FOs only).

I started the year at 43,954 yards,
I purchased 19,277 yards,
I knit up 13,289 yards,
I destashed 7,242 yards
Leaving me with 42,853 yards.

So, I am down from the beginning of the year, but only 1,101 yards. At this pace I’ll be done in just under 39 years.

Next year, I am going "cold sheep", as my fellow ravelers call it. No yarn purchases all year, unless I need a small amount to finish a specific project. Free yarn is okay, swapping is okay, as long as I'm not spending money and as long as my total is going down.

Christmas Presents

2009-12-20T13:17:00.003-05:00

I swore to myself that I was not going to be doing any last minute Christmas knitting this year.

My husband and I were out shopping for a present for his grandmother, who is turning 95 the day after Christmas. He spied a really nice hand-knit looking scarf at Macy's. I said, "I would rather make one than spend $60 on that."

Oops.

I comfort myself thinking that this is a birthday gift, not a Christmas gift.

I found a lovely and lacy scarf pattern by Julie Sprague called Christmas Lace. It's a simple two-row, four-stitch repeat that a poor left-handed knitter like me can follow without adjustments. It's turning out beautifully so far, and more so because I get to use some beautiful blue wool that's been waiting patiently in the stash for a few years (the rest will become a sweater at some point).

Because it's not done, and I suspect there will be a rush to block, wrap, and give, here's a picture of the incomplete scarf. This is going to stay on my list for future gifts.

Focus? What's That?

2009-11-04T09:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the long delay with no postings, there was a new baby, then a death in the family. I am back now.

My brain is going crazy with ideas for new patterns and project ideas. A large lacy scarf/wrap? Reversible? A knitted sweater with short sleeves and a single button at the throat that makes everything fall at an angle? A crocheted baby vesty/cardi out of some kettled-dyed sock yarn? A poncho-type thing that widens at the base and is assembled out of two matching not-quite-rectangular pieces?

My problem is my lack of focus. I think any number of these items would be fun to work on and might turn out to be pretty cool, but I can't seem to concentrate on one idea long enough to make any progress. I started a baby cardi, then stalled on making a lace pattern for it. Then, I drifted off to the lacy shawl... then wouldn't that be a cool baby blanket?

November will be my month to get my act back together and design something. I just need to make a decision and roll with it and see how things come together.

On the stash side of things? I have now gone over four months with only buying two skeins of yarn to finish specific projects. I'm pretty proud of myself. My goal now is to get below 40,000 yards of yarn on hand by the end of the year. I think I can do it!

"Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises."

2009-09-12T20:15:00.003-04:00

- Elizabeth Zimmerman

Maternity Leave Knitting

2009-08-24T15:21:00.004-04:00

Yes, I have been knitting and crocheting while on maternity leave. At least, I was before my two-year old decided she didn't like taking naps anymore. I am getting sleep at night, managing to keep the house fairly neat during the day, and almost managing to keep my sanity. I start back at work in 3 weeks.

I have spent a lot of time on my Twist Cardigan, and have finished the back and one half of the front. The other half has stalled and may be resumed once the weather cools a little. Lovely worsted weight wool is not quite so lovely when it's 90 degrees outside.

I have started several other projects, all of which are still in the process of being completed. A baby vest for a friend (along with matching hat), a dress for my daughter's baby doll (which is nearly complete), and a crocheted baby cardigan are all in the works. Hopefully I will make a little more progress on some of them before I head back to work. Otherwise, it's knitting during lunches again!

I am hoping to visit a LYS today while I am in Milwaukee. Hopefully, this one will not be a disappointing as the ones I tried to visit in February...

Frantic Knitting

2009-07-06T09:28:00.001-04:00

The due date for the new babe is in less than a week! I have this week off from work, so on top of trying to get the house ready, I intend to knit my little fingers off. I am starting the Twist sweater for myself, which I hope to have finished by the end of 2009. I also have lots of baby items planned, as two friends are going to be having babes this year (oh, and me, too!).

Although I have not been writing a lot of posts lately, I fear there may be even fewer for the next few months while I am on maternity leave.

Although... I will have lots of sleepless nights, so maybe there will be more...

Cutie Pa-tootie

2009-06-22T10:43:00.003-04:00

Cute baby sweater, fabulous old Cider Moon Yarn.

My Dollar and a Half Mess

2009-06-15T05:58:00.002-04:00

Oh, how I wish I had Ravelry two years ago when I started making my Dollar and a Half Cardigan (aka Joni Mitchell cardigan). There are so many great modifications that are really needed in order to make the sweater wearble, and I didn't know about them until it was too late.

So, I am frogging this sweater, unfortunately. It makes me sad, but it frees me up to worry about my other projects and focus on getting them done. It also unfortunately adds a ton of yarn to my stash because it wasn't previously recorded as part of my total. Oh well.

Beaded Lace Garter

2009-06-13T08:17:00.004-04:00

It is official, Interweave Crochet is publishing one of my pieces. The supply list is here, while bonus photos are here.

Now that it's finally here, I feel like I can share a couple of my own photos. This is the piece actually featured in the photos in the magazine:

I am so proud,and very excited to start working on my next item. I've taken a break lately because I've simply wanted to knit up some of my stash, but I think the time has come to start up again.

Mr. Penguin

2009-06-12T18:24:00.002-04:00

After about a year and a half, my knit penguin is finally finished.

This project was started sometime in 2007, and has been sitting in storage without wings or a bottom since then. Finally, I have sat down for a hour and finished this thing. I still need to take some new pictures, see how young my little one is in this picture? She's almost two, now!

And, I have a confession to make. Today during work, I finally broke down and placed an order on knitpicks to get the Little Baby Bubbles cardigan kit. It is so freaking cute, and I couldn't resist it any longer.

And, given the kit was so cheap, clearly I had to order some of their sale yarn to get my total purchase up to $50 to qualify for the free shipping. So, just shipped is the following:

5 skeins Comfy Sport for the baby cardigan (680 yards)
3 skeins Elegance (330 yards)
11 skeins Wool of the Andes (1210 yards)
2 skeins Essential (462 yards)

Grand total? 2,682 yards added to stash. Sigh. I am excited to see this stuff in person.

Weekend of Finishing

2009-06-08T08:36:00.003-04:00

I finished three of my projects this weekend, and continued to work on the Cobblestone.

The three-year adventure making my Neverending Ripple Blanket has ended. This was a funny pattern, as I could never manage to completely memorize it. Usually, a four-row repeat is something I could handle, but I couldn't remember which rows needed an increase on the end and which rows were worked even on the end. Although I like the finished product, I won't make it again for this reason. A crocheted baby blanket should be something that can be worked without a pattern.

I finally sewed handles on my two Felted Stained Glass Bags. They don't seem particularly strong to me, so I plan on having them lined by a friend-of-a-friend. This will make the finished product just a little nicer, given they will be Christmas gifts this year!

My other felted bag, the Entrelac Bag for me, may never be finished. I am not happy with felted handles, so I need to find some other kind of strap. I love the bag itself so much, that I am just being super picky and will probably never find something good enough. So, I have decided that this will go back into hibernation until I can make up my mind. Maybe I'll get lucky and find something at Knitter's Connection?

The Cobblestone Progresses

2009-05-22T14:24:00.002-04:00

I have made significant progress this week on my Cobblestone Pullover. I have finished the body up to the underarms, and have about 7 inches done on the first sleeve. By the end of the long Memorial day weekend, I imagine I'll have this sleeve done and have started on the second.

I frogged the baby vest. I am really starting to dislike Encore yarn, as it is very scratchy and thick. Although it was going to be cute, the vest was turning out very stiff and uncomfortable looking. Also, I ran out of the grey yarn and wasn't going to buy more.

I have found a use for all the partial/random skeins of yarn I have sitting around. It is the Traveler's Life Afghan by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It is meant to be a record of all the knitting projects you have worked on, made by knitting up all the partial skeins and leftovers from those projects. Each row is meant to be a different color, and the original pattern appears to be in garter stitch. I have seen another version with a feather/fan type pattern, which I may copy. I may also crochet it, to keep it a little simpler for me. It's going to be a fun project to work on every few months, or so.

Oh no, not again

2009-05-14T08:42:00.002-04:00

I started another new project!

In my defense, this is for a friend who just had a little boy. It's my Baby Buckeye Vest, and will hopefully fit him this fall. This should be a quick knit, as it's only a size 12 month vest.

I am making significant progress on my Cobblestone Pullover, with about 400 yards worked up. The body is about halfway up to the arm pits. I have also finished felting my three felted bags. I took a razor to them to clean up all the fuzzies, and they are now ready for handles.

Frogged the Boring Socks

2009-05-07T08:20:00.002-04:00

I frogged the boring socks last night, and it was liberating. I put away the needles and added the skein of yarn back into my stash. Free!

I also have finished all the knitting required on my three bags and they are ready to be felted. This probably won't happen this weekend, as we have company coming in, but maybe next weekend? It takes so long for my washer to felt something, somewhere in the 3-5 loads of laundry range (unless, of course, it's something I don't want to felt - then it's immediate).

May/June Goals

2009-05-05T13:59:00.003-04:00

In the spirit of spring cleaning, I've decided that the next two months will be for cleaning out all my wips and hibernating projects. A couple of them are so old that they are not even on Ravelry. They include the following lucky 14 projects.

The first two are okay, and have not been languishing:
Cobblestone Pullover - just started
Jeanne's Shawl - started in April

Playful Penguin - FINISH IT! This cute little guy just needs wings and maybe a rattle. I can totally finish this and give it to a good home where the cats won't tear it apart.
Thrummed Mittens - FROG IT! I don't really like the pattern I'm using, but I love the yarn and the idea. I will have to hunt down a different pattern and get started again.
Entrelac Bag - FINISH IT! This bag went through one round of felting and a test run of handles. It needs to be felted some more and some final handles/straps selected. All the knitting is done.
Stained Glass Bag #1 - FINISH IT! It just needs to be felted some more and assembled. Possibly add a lining?
Stained Glass Bag #2 - FINISH IT! The I-cord strap is nearly complete, thanks to my knitting night on Monday. Then, felting, finishing, and lining.
Picovoli - FROG IT! I started this great little top several years ago and never finished it. Now, it doesn't fit because I'm a little bit different shape than I was back then. This needs to be frogged and the yarn needs to be added back to my stash.
Joan Baez Cardigan - FINISH OR FROG? This was the first sweater project I ever started, and I'm not sure anymore if the yarn works. I need to block the body of the sweater and decide if this project will work or not.
Boring Socks - FROG IT! My mother-in-law picked out the yarn and wanted a very simple pattern. I picked a plain-jane boring sock that I can't bring myself to finish. I will definitely frog and pick a new pattern for her.
Green Lace Shawl - FINISH IT! This is something that I will try to start working on again, as it has been hibernating for over two years. I can't work on it at home or at work, as there are too many distractions. I will try to pull it out when I go to the yarn shop to work.
Basketweave Baby Blanket - FINISH IT! This one's not even in Ravelry. It's a knitted baby blanket in DK weight yarn, and is taking forever. I will try to take this project on the next long car ride to try to make some progress!
Crocheted Wave Baby Blanket - FROG IT! This one's not in Ravelry, either, and it will stay that way. I remember hating this pattern, as it never got easy to memorize and that's just annoying.
My Market Bag - I don't know what to do with this one. It's a bag I designed for IC that was rejected. Still, I am proud of it and like it and am trying to decide if it's worth submitting it somewhere else or just writing up the pattern and posting it here. I need to decide.

So, this will clearly take me longer than just May, so I have made it a two-month goal. This will put me in good shape before the baby comes in July!

Progress in April

2009-05-01T09:13:00.001-04:00

I have made significant progress on projects ans stash this month, finishing up a couple whoppers and throwing in a few instant gratification items, too. I started out the month with 46,526 yards of yarn on hand and ended the month with 44,114, for an actual reduction of 2,412 yards!

I added 2,167 yards through one purchase and several yarn adoptions from friends. The one purchase was for three skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca which is planned for a bag for my mother-in-law at some point. Most of the rest of miscellanous sock yarn for my little baby booties and celestine star toys. They are a lot fo fun to make and don't take too long with the crochet.

I destashed 1,167 yards by returning a hank leftover from my minimalist cardigan and forcing friends to make some adoptions.

I actually knit/crocheted 3,412 yards! This includes my:

The total of these puts me right where I was at the beginning of 2009, which is major progress for me since I haven't been making progress!

Roaring Meg

2009-04-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share a picture of the Roaring Meg I finished a little bit ago. The weather's now too warm to really get a lot of use out of it, but it will still fit her in the fall when the temperature cools a bit. This is really one of my favorite baby/toddler sweaters so far. This designer has a lot of cute stuff!

Cutie Pie Booties

2009-04-26T19:50:00.003-04:00

These are the cutest booties I've seen. They are Saartje's Booties made from some miscellaneous sock yarn I adopted from a friend in a swap.

I found a similar pair in crochet I wanted to try, but the pattern costs $5.95! The designer does have another cute pair for the same price that I might actually pay for. We'll see... I may just have to come up with my own.

No New WIPs!

2009-04-23T08:41:00.002-04:00

That was supposed to be my goal for April to allow me time to clear out some of the felted bags and my minimalist cardigan that have been hanging on for a long time. That didn't happen.

My cardigan is nearly finished, with about half of the seaming remaining. The half that is seamed fits perfectly and I love it, so assuming I don't screw up the other half, I should have a lovely sweater at the end of April. Just as the weather warms up here in Columbus.

However, I have not picked up any of the felted bags that are hanging around. I have two stained glass bags to finish for gifts for this Christmas. They were supposed to be gifts for last year, but that didn't happen. One of the them is knit and just needs to be felted more and assembled. The other needs a bottom and strap and felting. It shouldn't take long once I get motivated again. I should probably pick those up before I start on my next sweater. I also have my own entrelac bag that needs to be felted a little more and lined with something. It's too big and needs the lining to add that extra support.

I started and finished a Roaring Meg sweater for Emily, which is so cute. I need to find the camera and take some proper pictures of it this weekend.

I have started and not nearly finished a shawl for my grandma Jeanne up in Michigan. I'm using some hand-dyed purple linen yarn that I bought almost a year ago at Knitter's Connection. It's shedding and a little hard on my hands, but I hear that it soften up quite a bit when you wash it.

I have also started and nearly finished a little baby set out of some leftover sock yarn. The bootees need to be seamed and the hat only needs ties and finishing. I definitely will make it my goal to finish this project in April.

I have also made serious progress on my stash, but more about that at the end of the month. Hopefully, I will have pictures of all these things soon!

Baby Girl's Blanket

2009-04-03T09:24:00.002-04:00

I actually completed a significant project yesterday, and I am very proud of it. This is Jodi Euchner's Solas Caomh, published in the Spring 2009 Interweave Crochet. I decided to make the new baby a blanket of her very own, since she's going to be getting so many hand-me-downs from her big sister.

Here is the work-in-progress picture:
And the detail pictures:

I used 7 whole skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, a total of 1,505 yards. I love it, though it is a very heavy blanket. If I made it again, which I might, I would pick something machine washable and maybe a little lighter.

Obviously must revise goals...

2009-04-01T16:40:00.002-04:00

At the beginning of January, I had 44,107 yards of yarn on hand. Right now, I have 46, 219. Obviously, I need to rework my goals because simply trying to knit up 1,400 yards a month is not getting it done. So, I'm thinking of a revision.

I know that I will want to buy yarn at Knitter's Connection in June, so I need to reward myelf somehow by reaching goals. I plan to limit my spending at Knitter's Connection to one penny per every yard of yarn I knit or destash or sell before then. This starts today, and I have given away three random skeins of yarn for a total of 307 yards, or $3.07.

Think this will work? We shall see!

Traverse City, MI Yarn Shops

2009-03-03T11:17:00.002-05:00

Well, I was both disappointed and delighted by the yarn shops I found in Traverse City when I was up there a couple weekends ago.

My first stop was Yarn Quest, on Garfield Road. We were greeted by the woman by being instructed to make sure my toddler didn't get into any of the yarn. I should have turned around and walked out right then, but I needed some new needles to get my minimalist cardigan started. The selection was fine, but they didn't have needles in stock in very many sizes. I was not disappointed to leave and continue my search in another shop.

The other shop we went to was much more rewarding (and stash fulfilling). We stopped at Lost Art Yarn and Needlepoint in the downtown area. We were greeted warmly and there were no instructions given regarding my Emily. We found some yummy Adrienne Vitadini Donata on clearance; I picked up 13 skeins in a bright sky blue color at 50% off. They also had my Addi's and I left the store quite happy.

At the end of February, I had 44,381 yards in my stash for a net gain of 274 yards in 2009. My minimalist cardigan should eat up a lot in March!

Milwaukee Yarn Shops

2009-02-09T15:18:00.000-05:00

Very disappointing yesterday, but today Milwaukee redeemed itself.

Yesterday, I decided to take a trip to the local yarn shop while on vacation here, temporarily lifting the spending freeze. I stopped by the two shops I know about, Kro-Sha and Fiberwood Studios. It turns out that Kro-Sha is closed for good, and the other is closed on both Sundays and Mondays.

So today, I drove all the way out to Whitefish Bay, which is actually a suburb of Milwaukee, to go to Ruhama's. Good selection, good variety, and a very large store. I picked up 6 skeins of Cascade Eco Alpaca in black for a new cardigan for me (1320 yards). I probably only needed five, but get nervous when I'm buying for a sweater.

So, in February so far, I have added 2,724 yards to my stash, bringing the total way back up. So, the spending freeze is on again until Knitter's Connection.

Hello again!

2009-02-03T09:30:00.001-05:00

I have been gone for a very long time, and I apologize if you were hoping to hear from me. In December and January, I had to take some time off from knitting and crocheting as I think I got burned out from all the Christmas presents I was working on. The work part? I didn't even finish most of them. They will, however, make very lovely gifts for next year!

I have some wonderful crochet news. Interweave Crochet has selected one of my designs to be published in their summer issue! I don't want to share any details just yet, as I have promised not to share any pictures or other information before the magazine in published. It was a relatively simple project, but it turned out beautifully and I am very proud of it. It's very exciting.

Projects? I have finished one that I am very excited about. Emily's little Pink and Purple striped sweater that had been on the needles since August 2007 was finally finished in December. I will share pictures soon, but our computer is fried and I haven't been able to download anything off our camera. I am thankful I made a size 2-3 year old, as it is still just a little big on her after all this time!

As for my stash, I continued my spending freeze throughout the holidays and only broke down this week to spend a gift certficate to the Yarn Market. I started out the month of February with 43,808 yards of yarn on hand. I am working on a couple things that should really knock down the totals this year. My goal is still 1,400 yards per month, though there have been very few months where I have come close to that. But, this is a new year!

November Stash Progress

2008-11-30T11:44:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been another good month. The most exciting part? No new yarn purchases to add to my actually shrinking stash!

My November completed projects are:
Turn a Square Hats: 197 yards
Mary's Slippers: 220 yards
Crocheted Neckwarmer: 347 yards
Emily's Winter Hat: 80 yards
Crocheted Flowers for trim: 69 yards

Grand Total: 1,132 yards

New stash size: 44,603 - 1132 = 43,471 yards

I promise to post more often. I am nearing completing Emily's striped sweater, which has been a WIP for almost two years!!!

Emily's Super Cute Hat

2008-11-04T21:19:00.002-05:00

The hat she will never wear! I love it!

This is the Brr Babie Beanie by CraftyRahRah with a 5-Petal Flower by Julie Armstrong Holetz. Yummy!

Coolest Bag Ever

2008-11-04T21:15:00.004-05:00

I have finished knitting the Felted Stained Glass Fan bag by Madelain Langan. Here is a picture of the bottom of the bag:

I need to tie in some of the loose ends, but it will be felted soon! I love the Noro in this bag, it's amazing!

October Stash Progress

2008-10-30T20:15:00.000-04:00

I have finished:
Felted Crochet Tote: 495 yards
Turn A Square Hats: 202.9 yards
Grrlfriend Market Bag: 273 yards

Not finished, but I'm going to count it because I used up all the Noro:
Felted Stained Glass Bag: 440 yards

Total Used: 1,411 yards

The best part? Total purchased: 0 yards!

Current stash size: 44,603 yards

Turn A Square

2008-10-17T14:44:00.002-04:00

I love these hats! So far, I have made two of them out of stash Paton's Wool and Noro Kureyon and I plan on making two or three more for Christmas.

I am a huge fan of Jared Flood's designs. They are simple, but appealing. I have a couple more of his patterns queued up, including a sweater for Bill when I get around to it.

Christmas!

2008-10-14T13:15:00.002-04:00

Well, we are about two months out from the Christmas travelling season, which means it's time to get down to some Christmas knitting! It seems that I will be knitting something for at least 6 different people this season, two hats for one person! The trick will be to do all of it from my stash.

One particular project was a very specific request, so I bought some Cascade 220 wool last month, but so far, nothing this month! I am very proud of myself for resisting temptation. I think I can actually make it all the way through the New Year with no more purchases!

September Stash Progress

2008-09-24T18:24:00.012-04:00

I feel good about my stash progress under my new goal.

So far in September, I have knit up 1,756 yards. Now, this includes a couple projects that I worked on in previous months but finished this month. I prefer to count yardage this way because there's no guarantee I won't frog a work in progress and put it right back in my stash. Counting only finished projects ensures that the stash is actually reduced!

So here's what I've finished this month:
A Sweater for Ronan: 250 yards
Blanket for Dale: 550 yards
Weapon of Choice: 200 yards
Elita's Scarf: 153 yards
Elery's Sweater: 273 yards
Don's Slippers: 330 yards

I have added a bit to my stash, but I have a good excuse for half of it! I have bought 2 skeins of wool to make a pair of felted slippers for my mother-in-law. She requested a certain color that I actually did not have in my stash, so I bought it.

I also bought a couple skeins of cotton fleece on sale because I've had my eye on a pattern for a short-sleeved sweater for a while. However, I will have to add a couple more skeins from the many up for trade on ravelry.

So, I have added this month:
Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (on sale ) 430 yards
Cascade 220 Heathers (for a specific Christmas present) 440 yards
Total of 870 yards

Net reduction: 886 yards

I have fallen short of my 1,400 yard goal, but I will just plan to make it up next month. I have one larger project to finish that should take care of a good bit and a couple crochet projects that should help me churn out some yardage.

Weapon of Choice

2008-09-23T08:27:00.004-04:00

This hat is cold and deadly, taking no prisoners, and killing all in its path. It looks friendly enough at first, in its soft yummy exterior…

It starts by snuggling up to you, and you will probably like the feeling on the back of your neck

But beware, as it creeps up you will lose yourself in the silky wool

it will take hold and smother you in it’s soft ribbing!

Did you ever play the game Assassin in high school or college? Well, Hat Attack is the same idea, except to kill someone, you knit up a specific hat in a specific size and mail it off to them. Once they receive their hat, they are dead. My hat is expected to arrive in New Jersey sometime tomorrow.

My assassin is very quiet, haven't heard a peep from her since this whole thing began, so I have no idea where my hat is....

1400 YPM

2008-09-08T18:26:00.004-04:00

So, I ended July with the new goal of ending 2008 with less yarn than I started with. How is it going? You can see the totals here, but the short version is that in 1.5 month's time, I have ADDED over 5,000 yards to my totals.

Clearly, I need a different goal, something to give me a little more focus that this ineffective one. So, here is the new one.

There is a good chance that we will have to move in about two and a half years when my husband is finished with grad school. I currently have 46,900 yards in my stash. My goal will be to get down under 5,000 yards BEFORE we move. If we move in June 2011, this gives me 30 months during which I will need to knit/crochet at least 1397 yards per month.

That really puts the size of my stash into perspective, doesn't it?

So, my new goal is to knit/crochet at least 1,400 yards per month for the next 30 months! Wow.

Garage Sale Weakness

2008-09-08T09:45:00.002-04:00

No sooner had I almost finished that baby cardigan... a garage sale sign pops up that says "Craft Supplies"!!!

I stopped by and picked up 5 partial skeins of kitchen cotton and three skeins of a mystery dk/sport weight yarn. I am estimating about 300 yards of the cotton and about 900 yards of the mystery yarn. The mystery yarn will be used for Derek's scarf and hat while the cotton will be used for dishcloths for Christmas.

Add 1,200 yards to my total, please!

Elery's Sweater

2008-09-08T08:39:00.004-04:00

I finished up a super cute, super easy baby cardigan this weekend. It's a gift for Justin and Michelle's baby, expected to arrive in November. I've heard that they're going to call her Elery.

I made this completely out of stash yarn, scraps of acrylic baby yarn that's been sitting around. I started with the pink, then ran out of my little ball only to find out it was a different dye lot than the other 2.5 skeins of pink yarn in my stash. That's when I switched to white. I am actually very happy with the results.

I don't know exactly how much I used up on this sweater, but I'm calling it 273.1 yards based on my ravelry stash totals.

Found Some More Yarn

2008-09-03T07:54:00.002-04:00

This is starting to get a little annoying! I found parts of a skein of baby yarn tucked away in one of my knitting bags. I'm using it to work on a sweater a baby girl expected in November, but it's two different dye lots so I'm mixing in white.

Add to stash: 341.25 yards!

Don's Slippers

2008-09-02T10:29:00.003-04:00

I have complete my first finished object of the month! I made the Cable Guy Slippers for Don, using the yarn I had frogged from the Celtic Tote. I love how they turned out, though next time I would make them a little shorter than called for in the pattern. That way, they would require slightly less felting and the cable would be a little more defined. But, they're great. I only need to pick up some slipper bottoms to sew on to make them a little more grippy.

I'll post some pictures once I get them taken.

This used up approximately 330 yards of my stash!

Last Adjustment for Free Yarn

2008-08-27T15:18:00.002-04:00

So, a friend gave me one more skein of worsted weight wool to add to my pile. Thankfully, this matches a previous skein so I should be able to make a little something out of them.

45,743.4 yard + 219 yards = 45,962.4 yards

Stash, organized

2008-08-25T19:01:00.002-04:00

I spent a couple hours organizing my stash this weekend. I dug through everything, got it sorted into ziploc bags, and re-packed it up. It gave me some ideas, seeing everything all together. However, it also led me to uncover a little more:

Baby yarn: 227.5 yards
Jaeger wool: 95 yards

New Total: 45,420.9 + 95 + 227.5 = 45,743.4 yards

Yarn Market is Evil

2008-08-23T13:08:00.002-04:00

Well, maybe just a little too much temptation in our large warehouse for little weak Melisa. The good folks at Yarn Market in Ohio invited us into their warehouse and showroom this morning and I went crazy in their bargain yarns. Oh well.

Araucania Atacama: 1,100 yards for only $47
Lily Chin Grammercy (Blue): 1,524 yards for only $54
Lily Chin Grammercy (Grey): 1,651 yards for only $58

For a grand total of 4,275 yards

New total? 45,420.9 yards

Okay, I think this has become a little bit of a game to me, but now I need to be serious. I have more than enough yarn to get me through Christmas. Do you think I can avoid any purchases until after the holidays? That should be my new goal, because this is getting ridiculous.

Give-Away Update

2008-08-21T18:04:00.004-04:00

So, I have finally boxed up and shipped off my Caron yarn to the winner of my give-away. Now, I can actually tally the stash reduction officially.

Caron Pound of Love: 9,086 yards
New total: 50,231.9 yards - 9,086 yards = 41,145.9 yards

I am now within 10,000 yards of my original totals, which is still significant, but is at lease manageable. Now for more knitting!

The Swap Meet

2008-08-20T19:24:00.003-04:00

At my knitting club today, we had a yarn exchange and my goal was to leave with less than I came with, or at the very least, leave with things I had a plan for!

I gave away:
Berrocco Comfort DK: -178 yards
Jo-Ann Sensations Smania: -309 yards
Lion Brand Cotton-Ease: -414 yards
Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering: -175 yards
Lion Brand Suede: -488 yards
Total Traded or Given Away: 1,564 yards

I added:
Patons Shetland Chunky Tweeds: +135 yards
Lion Brand Homespun: +100 yards
Mysterious Sock Yarn #1: +200 yards
Mysterious Sock Yarn #2: +200 yards
Reynolds Lopi: +50 yards
Total Added: 685 yards

Overall, there was a net decrease of 879 yards!

New totals: 51,110.9 yards - 879 yards = 50,231.9 yards

2008-08-19T08:13:00.002-04:00

I have decided to finish the Scrappy Baby Afghan that I started a looonnggg time ago. I had decided to use up all my little bits of baby yarn, because I didn't have enough of any one color to make a whole blanket, so this is what I ended up with. I love it, but unfortunately, I still have a ton of left over baby yarn. I'm probably going to switch to hats and cardigans, because I'm sure I have enough for those.

I also decided to make this smaller for a car seat, so it will be for Chrissy and her baby due in February!

Gingham Baby Blanket

2008-08-18T10:03:00.004-04:00

For the trip to Milwaukee this weekend, I dug out an old crocheted baby blanket that I had been working on a while ago. Happily, I have finished it and it is darling.

[I will put in a finshed picture here just as soon as I get them back - had to purchase a disposable camera to use at the zoo this weekend and decided I would use up the second half of the roll on my stash and projects].

And, my stash count is somewhat reduced by the additional yarn I used, 227.5 yards

New total = 51,338.4 yards - 227.5 yards = 51,110.9 yards

Oops!

2008-08-15T15:06:00.003-04:00

I forgot, last weekend I spent a few hours knitting with friends. One of them gave me a skein of dark grey Louet Merlin that they didn't want. How can I turn down free yarn? Now, I have one in black and one in dark grey, so I'm going to have to ponder what to do with them.

New Total: 51,182.4 yards + 156 yards = 51,338.4 yards

I can't say I'm sorry

2008-08-15T14:09:00.002-04:00

I am in Milwaukee, WI, right now to visit the in-laws and took a trip to one of their local yarn shops, Fiberwood Studios. I picked up three skeins of beautiful Heritage hand painted sock yarn by Cascade in a deep red mix. I will be making a scarf for my mother-in-law out of this. I bought so much, that I'll probably be making a hat or mittens, too!

Then, when I got back to the house, my mother-in-law gave me some discontinued Orchid Line yarn, a lovely mohair/silk/wool blend in a beautiful raspberry color.

So, my totals go up again:
Cascade Heritage: +1,311 yards
Orchid Line Yarn: +1,225 yards

New Total: 51,182.4 yards

Pretty Pinafore

2008-08-10T22:19:00.005-04:00

I finally managed to sew on the buttons for the Debbie Bliss pinafore dress that I have been working on for a very long time. It's a little big, but I love it!

Give-Away Winner

2008-08-10T21:43:00.003-04:00

I have drawn a winner for the yarn, and it is Donna Lynn! Here's what Donna said she was going to do with the yarn:

I would love to find several homes for your yarn! My DH and I are in the process of becoming medical foster parents, taking in medically ill children. Almost all of the children come into the program with absolutely nothing and literally nothing to call their own. We will only have each child for up to a few months each (usually) and my goal is to make sure each child leaves our home with their very own afghan. We will be primarily taking care of babies, however, the need is so great that I have started to collect and donate squares and yarn for larger afghans for older children and the teens who are in this program. I am in contact with our caseworker through this program and she is thrilled that we are trying to help because the need is so great for these kids.

If you send me the yarn, the love would literally be scattered to several deserving children who need nothing more than love!

Congratulations! I'll be in touch!

Give-Away

2008-08-03T12:25:00.014-04:00

This contest ended on August 10th

I have decided to give away a portion of my stash for no reason other than to clear some space in my house and reduce the yardage I have listed on Ravelry. In the last few days, I have gone through my entire stash and taken an inventory. I currently have over 48 thousand yards, or over 27 miles, of yarn in my house.

I am offering up 9,086 yards, or over 5 miles, or 11 skeins, of Caron Pound of Love worsted weight yarn. This is 18 percent of my stash!

This yarn was purchased with the intention of crocheting an afghan, but that was over four years ago. The yarn has been stored in the plastic bags it came in, in a tub in a spare room. It's in good shape, but I know it feels sad being left in those skeins for so long. And I know that I will not be able to use it in the near future.

So, I am looking for a good home for this yarn. It's free, and I will even ship it to you. All you have to do it leave me a comment here telling me what you'll do with the yarn if you win it. I will draw a winner in one weeks, on August 10th. All entries before 6pm that day will be counted.

If you're on ravelry, make sure to give me your username so I can easily get in touch with you!

This includes the following colors:
3 Midnight Blue - 546
3 Lt Grey - 591
3 Cape Cod Blue - 539
1 Forest Green - 534
1 Azure - 523

Stash Honesty

2008-08-03T10:18:00.007-04:00

Ok, so in the spirit of being honest with myself, I have added all my acyrlic and other chain store yarn to my stash on Ravelry. There was a huge bin of this stuff underneath my bed, and now it is all out in the open. It is not new stash, but it has seriously upped my totals.

Bernat Softee Baby Yarn: 4,322.6 yards
Worsted Weight Cotton: 520 yards
Worsted Weight Acrylic: 9,086 yards
Joann Yarn: 309 yards
Knit Picks Swish Superwash: 220 yards
Lion Brand Suede: 488 yards
Wool-Ease: 522 yards
Patons Wool: 390.3 yards
Plymouth Encore Worsted: 1,300 yards
= 17,157.9 yards

Grand Total Now = 48,646.4

I will consider this my real starting point, as I believe it may include all my stash. I do, however, reserve the right to adjust my goals if I discover more somewhere in my house!

Stash Swap

2008-08-02T14:10:00.001-04:00

In the spirit of stash reduction, I left the house today with the intention of returning one skein of sock yarn left over from a baby hat I had made. While out, I was inspired by a beautiful shrug that was knit from side to side and decided I would design something similar for myself. If course, I picked up a new skein to work up swatches.

My new totals:
31,433.5
- 136.0
+ 191.0
31,488.5

Ahh! I went in the wrong direction. But that's okay for now, because I'm picking up my celtic tote again...

Football Hat

2008-07-31T20:39:00.000-04:00

With season tickets for this year on the way, I decided I needed a hat to keep me and my ears warm during the games at Ohio Stadium. Here is my Football Hat. The hat is knit from the top down.

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in scarlet, grey, and black

Size 7 dpns and 16 inch circulars

Pattern

When directed to increase, knit in the front and back of the indicated stitch. Start with the double pointed needles and, if desired, switch to the circulars when possible
In grey, cast on 4, spread to the 4 double pointed needles
Increase in every stitch around (8 total on needles)
Increase in every stitch around (16 total on needles)
(Increase, knit 1), repeat around
(Increase, knit 2), repeat around
(Increase, knit 3), repeat around
(Increase, knit 4), repeat around
(Increase, knit 5), repeat around
Knit around
(Increase, knit 6), repeat around
Knit around
(Increase, knit 7), repeat around
Knit around
(Increase, knit 8), repeat around
Knit around
(Increase, knit 9), repeat around
Knit around
(Increase, knit 10), repeat around (24 stitches on each needle, for a total of 96 stitches)
Begin pattern section, working in stockinette stitch. Repeat this pattern 4 times around the circumference of the hat.
After pattern, work in plain stockinette stitch for two more rows
Work in k3, p3 ribbing until hat reaches desired length (to try on, just slip the stitches onto some scrap yarn and try on.
Bind off loosely

De-Stash Status

2008-07-29T09:47:00.019-04:00

Beginning July 29, 2008, I will attempt to reduce the size of my stash by keeping track of how much I have on hand. I can add to it, as long as I am honest and keep track of my additions. The goal is to have fewer yards at the end of this year than I have right now. Here's the tally:

July 29, 2008: 31,433.5 yards
August 2, 2008: 31,488.5 yards
August 3, 2008: 48,646.4 yards
August 15, 2008: 51,182.4 yards
August 15, 2008: 51,338.4 yards
August 18, 2008: 51,110.9 yards
August 20, 2008: 50,231.9 yards

On August 20th, I recorded ALL of my stash, and on the 21st, I gave away over 9,000 yards. So, my starting point for the year is now my August 21 stash. I will try to end the year with less than 41,145.9 yards of yarn in my stash!

August 21, 2008: 41,145.9 yards
August 23, 2008: 45,420.9 yards
August 25, 2008: 45,743.4 yards
August 27, 2008: 45,962.4 yards
September 2, 2008: 45,632.4 yards
September 3, 2008: 45,973.6 yards
September 7, 2008: 45,700.5 yards
September 8, 2008: 46,900.5 yards

Butterfly Baby Hat

2008-07-24T21:37:00.007-04:00

A simple baby hat using a band of butterfly stitches as an accent. The pattern is written for three different sizes, newborn, 3 - 9 months, and 9 – 18 months.

Materials
DK weight yarn
Size 5 needles (the smallest hat will fit on sixteen inch circulars)

Gauge
22 stitches per 4 inches

Sizes
Small, newborn
Medium, 3 - 9 months
Large, 9 - 18 months

Pattern
Cast on 72 (80, 88) stitches and join in the round
Work in plain stockinette stitch for 6 rows

Purl next round

Continue in plain stockinette stitch for 2 (2.5, 3) inches
Begin first butterfly pattern

(move yarn to the front, slip 5 stitches purlwise, move yarn to the back, k3), repeat around
knit around
repeat round 1
repeat round 2
repeat round 1
repeat round 2
(k2, slip needle behind the 3 strands from bottom to top, knit into the next stitch, slip the three strands over top of the needle, k5), repeat around

Begin second butterfly pattern round

k 4, this is the now the location of the beginning of the round
Repeat rows 1 through 7 of the first butterfly pattern

Continue working in plain stockinette until the hat measures 5 (5.25, 5.5) inches

Decrease Rounds:
Size Large Only:

(k2tog, k9) around
knit

Size Medium and Large:

(k2tog, k8) around
knit

All sizes:

(k2tog, k7) around
knit
(k2tog, k6) around
knit
(k2tog, k5) around
(k2tog, k4) around
(k2tog, k3) around
(k2tog, k2) around
(k2tog, k1) around
k2tog around, break yarn and draw yarn through all 8 stitches. Pull tight and weave in.

Baby Hats

2008-07-24T10:22:00.000-04:00

So, I ended up not really liking my wrapped stitch swatch, so not baby hat trio. But, I will be working up the pattern for my Butterfly Baby Hat, which I think turned out really cute. I just need to get the directions right for all three sizes.

Baby Hat Trio

2008-07-17T10:55:00.001-04:00

In wading through my knitting stitch dictionary, I have an idea for a cute set of baby hats. It's simple, but three different hats, all using an interesting/unusual but simple stitch to get a very cute effect. I have the idea for two of them, and just need to put together a third to round out the group. Things always seem better in threes.

The firts is a pink baby girl hat, using the butterfly stitch. The second is a little blue hat using a wrapped stitch that I found, it ends up having a polka dot kind of effect. The third is a mystery. I will definitely post the patterns once I have them completed.

Market Tote Test

2008-07-05T12:49:00.002-04:00

I tested my Market Tote today at the Clintonville Farmer's Market and it was a smash success! I loved how it stretched in all the right places, and I got so many compliments on it. I took some pictures and sent them off to be printed for my submission. Must be mailed out next week to get there in time!

Bass Pro Shops

2008-07-02T14:43:00.000-04:00

So, I have made my first ever purchase from Bass Pro Shop, my father's favorite store. At the suggestion of someone on ravelry, I checked out this. It seems like the perfect solution to my circular knitting needles problem, and hopefully won't fall apart quickly like some other solutions I've tried. I'm so excited to have it arrive!

Market Tote

2008-06-30T22:06:00.002-04:00

I have completed my market tote and love it so much! It turned out so cute that I decided I wanted to submit it to Interweave Crochet for their Spring 2009 issue. It seems so far out into the future, but it's probably really not. I am working up a second swatch to include with the submission, which will also include photos and a written description of the pattern. Thankfully, I don't have to send in the actual bag I made, so I can use it at the new farmer's market near my work on Thursday. I've got the pattern written up, so if by some chance they decide they like my bag, a lot of the work is already done.

Finished Objects

2008-06-26T09:26:00.003-04:00

I am on a tear. I have been knitting up hats like crazy, and thinking of new designs like mad. It's like posting my first real official pattern on Ravelry gave me a new kind of energy. My first goal is to finish up my Clintonville Market Tote and get it posted here.

I went to the Clintonville Farmer's Market last weekend with my daughter and we had a great time. But, I seemed to be the only person walking around without my own non-plastic grocery bag. I resolved to check out Ravelry for a pattern to work up quickly. When I did, it seemed that there was a lack of crochet totes that I really liked, excepting Jill Chatelain's Rust Goes Green tote, which I intend to make next. So, I am making my own!

I've made a nice criss-cross pattern of dtrs, which seems to make a nice mesh pattern for the bag. Most of the pattern is written up, but I need to finish it to make sure it's useable. Hopefully in the next week, or so.

Sampler Crochet Dishcloth

2008-06-17T21:54:00.008-04:00

This will be used for a crochet workshop at work. The idea is to introduce the main stitches while giving a little time to practice them.

Materials
Worsted weight crochet cotton
Size I hook

Pattern

Ch 25 loosely, turn
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (24 sc total)
Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn
Row 4: sc in each st across, ch 3, turn
Row 5: dc in second st and in each st across, ch 3, turn (the turning ch 3 is counted as the first dc, so there are 24 dc total including the turning ch 3)
Row 6: dc in second st and in each st across (including the turning ch 3), ch 3, turn
Row 7: dc in second st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn
Row 8: dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, *skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, repeat from * across, dc in turning ch 3, ch 1, turn
Row 9: sc in first dc and in each stitch across, ch 3, turn (24 sc total)
Row 10: dc in second st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn
Row 11: dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, *skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, repeat from * across, dc in turning ch 3, ch 3, turn
Row 12: dc in ch-1 space and in each st across (including turning ch 3), ch 3, turn (24 dc total)
Row 13: dc in second st and in each st across (including the turning ch 3), ch 1, turn
Rows 14 - 15: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn
Row 16: sc in each st across, do not finish off,
Outer edge: sc around edge to finish off. On edges of rows, make two sc in each dc row, one sc in each sc row.

Lull

2008-06-15T18:10:00.002-04:00

I find myself in a weird lull in between large/rushed projects. I finished my sister's garter, finished my shrug to wear to Knitter's Connection, and finished the latest hat in the Great Hat Race. Sure, I'm working on a little baby hat and am finishing my felted entrelac tote, but there is no deadline for those and I feel very relaxed.

The hat I'm working on:

After all my purchases and free yarn from the Knitter's Connection, I have tons of options for my next big project. I should and probably will finish up my stragglers, but then I could work on:

Emily's next sweater
Husband's sweater
Sister's shrug
Mom's bag
Mother-in-law's bag
Stepmother-s bag
My wrap #1
My wrap #2
My scarf

I could also begin designing my next project, which I think will be a crochet shrug. I have lots of yarn left from the knit shrug I made, and it was such a hit that I want more. Or, I could work on my idea for a stranded tote...

Knitters Connection

2008-06-13T09:53:00.002-04:00

I got to attend KC yesterday and I am in love. This was the second annual Knitters Connection held in Columbus, OH and sponsored by The Merc. I was not able to attend last year, but heard such wonderful things about it that I put it on my calendar to make sure I'd get to a class.

I signed up for Sally Melville's "Two Colors Two Hands" class to learn more about fairisle knitting (or stranded knitting, or color work, etc.). It was fabulous. We learned about 5 different ways to work with two or more colors, including the Portugese purling technique with the yarn wrapped around the back of your neck. It actually worked! I am already planning my first fairisle felted tote bag.

After the class, I had the pleasure of sharing lunch and then a few hours of knitting time with other KC members. It was awesome. Next year, I am going to attend the entire event. Definitely.

Stephanie's Crocheted Lace Wedding Garter

2008-06-01T13:50:00.033-04:00

I fell in love with Diane Willett's Knitted Lace Wedding Garter, but couldn't seem to handle the size 00 needles that were required. After a week of fighting with the slippery cotton thread, I decided that I needed to design my own in crochet.

This is a gift for my sister Stephanie's wedding.

This pattern is on Ravelry.

Materials
cotton thread - size 30
crochet hook size 7 (1.65 mm)
1/4 inch wide blue ribbon
thin elastic cord
sewing notions

Gauge
The length of the garter is customizable. Research on the internet tells me that the standard thigh is 20-22 inches. The size I am working for is 24 inches. To this, I have added 2 inches to provide some gathering in the material. My total length is 26 inches.

Center Section
Throughout the pattern for the center section, the turning ch 2 is not counted as a hdc. Work this section to the desired length by repeating rows 3 and 4. Complete a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 3.

ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 7 ch, ch 2, turn (8 hdc)
hdc in first hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in next 2 hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in final hdc, ch 2, turn
hdc in each hdc across, with 2 hdc in each ch2 space, (8 hdc total), ch 2, turn
repeat rows 2 and 3 until pieces measures the desired length. Make sure that you have completed a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 2, ch 3, turn

To get 28 inches, my version was 192 rows long.

Edging
The edging is worked along each side of the garter. The instructions below will get you through the first side and then you just repeat on the other side of the center section.

Make 2 dc in each row across the side, counting the first turning ch 3 as the first dc. Make sure to get one stitch on the foundation row. You should have twice as many double crochets as you had rows, plus 1. I have 385 stitches. ch 3, turn
2 dc in 1st dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), *skip next 3 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc, ch 1, turn
sc in 1st dc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, *skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (this is the middle dc of the 5dc group), 5 dc in next ch 3 space, repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) is last dc, cut thread and finish off.

Assembly
Make sure to block to get the proper stitch definition, paying particular attenting to the ch3 loops on the outside rows. After blocking, sew into a ring. Thread the ribbon and elastic through the openings in the center of the garter, making sure the elastic is hidden behind the ribbon. Sew the two ribbon ends together, making sure to leave enough ribbon to stretch to the desired length. Sew/tie the elastic together to the desired length.

I got the pattern for the flower from SkaMama's blog.

Pattern & images © 2008 by Melisa Darnieder. Personal use ONLY. Commercial use, including selling items made from this pattern, is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Great Hat Race #2

2008-05-30T21:11:00.001-04:00

The hat for the second round is now complete, and it was a quick one. It ended up being teeny-tiny and I think it would only fit a preemie. Very cute, though!

I'm glad it was quick because I have only a week to finish my sister's garter! Ahh!!!

Great Hat Race

2008-05-09T09:44:00.000-04:00

I have entered the Great Hat Race on ravelry, to knit hats for charity while satisfying the competitive side of me. In two days, I have finished the first hat and will ship it off tomorrow to Texas. It's exciting - I'm already looking forward to the next hat to see how difficult it will be!

Testing Phase

2008-04-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

I am in the process of working through the pattern I've drafted for my Crochet Wedding Garter. I have completed the center section and have determined that 28 inches of length should be appropriate for a 24 inch thigh. Now, for the ruffly sides.

Tiny crochet can be so beautiful, but I can only work on it for a little bit at a time. My hands begin to get all cramped up and tired. I've got to be persistent, though, because my hope is to make one of these for my sister and another for a good friend. I've got a few weeks before the first of the weddings....

Design Phase, continued

2008-04-24T09:12:00.000-04:00

I have completed a swatch and draft pattern for the crochet garter. My next task will be to actually following the pattern and create a full-sized version. I think it's beautiful, the only question will be how it lays when fully constructued and worn. Crochet tends to be more stiff than knitting, so it will be interesting to see if this works out.

Designer Phase

2008-04-22T09:33:00.000-04:00

I am designing a crochet garter for my dear sister's wedding, which is coming up in June. I had initially started trying to make the Knitted Lace Wedding Garter by Diane Willett, but apparently I can't handle size 0 needles with thread. So, I decided to keep the concept but create it in crochet, something I know I can complete in the next few weeks.

Designing in crochet seems much easier to me than designing in knitting. Because you only work one stitch at a time, it seems easier to design as-you-go when crocheting. Perhaps that is only because I'm much more comfortable with crochet, but maybe not.

I am currently sifting through stitch dictionaries trying to finalize the look of the ruffles on this project. Then I hope to finish it up and get the pattern uploaded to Ravelry. This will be the first design where I've actually kept track of the pattern so others can do it, too!

Darn Pinafore

2008-04-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

I love Debbie Bliss designs, but I can't understand why this project wouldn't be worked in the round? It's a perfectly reasonably project to work in the round, and would completely eliminate seaming. I detest seaming and I usually work all my projects on circulars anyway.

I REALLY should have looked harder for my size 3 circulars. I know they exist somewhere, well, at least I *think* they exist somewhere. I really need to do some inventory.

Anyways, it's coming along. I only have about 40 more rows to complete on the back of the skirt, then it will be complete. Yay!

Matching Beanies

2008-04-06T13:18:00.001-04:00

I love this hat pattern by MK Carroll. I made one for Emily and then Bill asked for a matching one. Happily, there was enough left of the blue/purple skein to make it.

I made it in Lion Brand Cotton Ease, with a size F hook. I followed the pattern, with the following changes:

Follow the pattern but make the first 7 rounds blue

Follow with a round of white

Follow with blue again, but continue the increase pattern through round 11 (you'll have 88 stitches after this).

Continue even, switching back to white for the 15th and final rounds

I have a problem

2008-04-03T11:00:00.001-04:00

I have a serious problem. I am keenly aware of the items I have in my stash, thanks mostly to Ravelry. However, I just went to Joann's and bought even more yarn. Ok, so it's only 6 skeins, and it's for the next couple projects on my queue, but it's still more yarn. My husband has been supportive thus far, but I think it's only because he's not fully aware of what I have hidden away.

I bought some Lion Brand Cotton-Ease for a few crochets beanies that I intend to make as soon as the Pinafore Dress is complete. I also bought some crochet thread for the gifts I am hoping to start on soon. But then, I ALSO bought some yarn for the little romper pants I thought Emily could wear under her pinafore for the wedding. Now that I think about it, though, that's an awful lot of things for a little baby to be wearing, so I think I will return those.

Good, I'm back down to 4 skeins. That seems a little better, somehow.

Ravelry

2008-04-01T21:18:00.000-04:00

The wonderful creation that is Ravelry has lit a new fire in my knitting. I have rediscovered my stash and added over 30 projects to my queue. I really believe that this site will help to keep me on track, if only to fulfill the desire to complete projects and someday have someone "fave" my projects. Eventually, maybe it will push me to create my own patterns that others could work on.

Ahh... it's fabulous

How many YARDS of yard do you have in your stash?


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