I finally finished my first "big" project since I started knitting again. For those of you who don't know, I both knit and crochet. I learned to knit first, when I was 11 years old, but became obsessed with crocheting once I got to college when all my friends taught me how.
Since joining Ravelry, I've taken a huge interest in knitting again, especially since things like baby sweaters and clothing in general look better when they're knit. This lead to me picking up my needles once again and casting on.
I didn't expect much out of this sweater, since the first and last baby sweater I knitted two years ago took forever to complete and I had to seam every piece together once I was done. I like to call that project "Hell on Earth." I don't mind emroidery or things like that, but I abhore sewing things together (almost as much as weaving in my ends). But this whole sweater was made as one piece on two needles - you couldn't ask for an easier project!
I really love the colors - pink and green. The picture is pretty true to the actual colors. You an also see it's barely bigger than the size of my hand, which makes me think it's too small for even a newborn. So... I'm making another. I've altered the pattern to be 10 stitches wider and it'll be a couple rows longer. We'll see what happens, but I'm also alternating the colors on this one - the main color will be green with the pink as accents.
I can't tell you how quick it is to knit this sweater up, and maybe I'll make a bunch of them for people I know and to sell. I mean, it's just a basic raglan, which until this past week I had no idea was so easy!
More of my friends need to have babies so I can make a ton of these.
For more information on this project, or to download the pattern yourself, click here for the ravelry page..
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Yarn Store Woes
Every time I visit my local ACMoore, I regret it.
They have very few yarns that I like and use on a regular basis or, when they do, it's never in colors I'd like to use. Last night, I went in hopes I could find some awesome colors to make more fingerless gloves and wrist warmers. I spent five minutes trying to find the Caron Simply Soft (or any Caron at all, for that matter) and finally found it buried in the middle of the tiniest aisle ever. I was soon horrified to discover they only carried six colors, all of which were either muted tones or primary. Where were the Brites?
I tried to find the silver lining, thinking this would be the perfect opportunity to use some Microspun again. Nope, they didn't carry that, period. Any soft yarns that didn't cost more than $4? Meh, not really. Like, I'm looking to sell this stuff - I'm not going to spend $5 on a skein of yarn to make something I only plan on selling for $5.
My basket empty, I saw a row of blue in the Red Heart aisle. Okay, so it wasn't what I was looking for to make hats or gloves, but I figured I could pick up some white and delft blue for the Special Olympics scarves. I had planned on purchasing some online, but if they sold it here, might as well save myself the shipping and have something to work on during the craft show. Great. So they had periwinkle, light blue, dark blue, and navy. Not delft, heaven forbid.
At this point, I think my trooper boyfriend was ready to murder me and was going dizzy from all my walking back and forth. Eventually, I wound up purchasing $32 of yarn from the sale rack in some gorgeous colors that felt great. I couldn't, for the life of me, tell you how some of them ended up in clearance because they were so wonderful, and most were less than $3.
My biggest concern? I live in a heavily populated city less than an hour outside of Phildelphia. For two years, I lived in Middle of Nowhere, Central PA, and had the world's most amazing ACMoore less than 15 minutes away that carried every Caron color imaginable and tons of novelty yarn I have yet to find around here. I love where I live, but the ACMoore leaves something to be desired.
But they do have a bigger selection of crochet and knitting tools than I've ever seen anywhere. Then again, how often do I need to buy supplies?
PS: I bought a High School Musical lunchbox at Giant last night for $4. Guess what I brought my lunch in today? :)
They have very few yarns that I like and use on a regular basis or, when they do, it's never in colors I'd like to use. Last night, I went in hopes I could find some awesome colors to make more fingerless gloves and wrist warmers. I spent five minutes trying to find the Caron Simply Soft (or any Caron at all, for that matter) and finally found it buried in the middle of the tiniest aisle ever. I was soon horrified to discover they only carried six colors, all of which were either muted tones or primary. Where were the Brites?
I tried to find the silver lining, thinking this would be the perfect opportunity to use some Microspun again. Nope, they didn't carry that, period. Any soft yarns that didn't cost more than $4? Meh, not really. Like, I'm looking to sell this stuff - I'm not going to spend $5 on a skein of yarn to make something I only plan on selling for $5.
My basket empty, I saw a row of blue in the Red Heart aisle. Okay, so it wasn't what I was looking for to make hats or gloves, but I figured I could pick up some white and delft blue for the Special Olympics scarves. I had planned on purchasing some online, but if they sold it here, might as well save myself the shipping and have something to work on during the craft show. Great. So they had periwinkle, light blue, dark blue, and navy. Not delft, heaven forbid.
At this point, I think my trooper boyfriend was ready to murder me and was going dizzy from all my walking back and forth. Eventually, I wound up purchasing $32 of yarn from the sale rack in some gorgeous colors that felt great. I couldn't, for the life of me, tell you how some of them ended up in clearance because they were so wonderful, and most were less than $3.
My biggest concern? I live in a heavily populated city less than an hour outside of Phildelphia. For two years, I lived in Middle of Nowhere, Central PA, and had the world's most amazing ACMoore less than 15 minutes away that carried every Caron color imaginable and tons of novelty yarn I have yet to find around here. I love where I live, but the ACMoore leaves something to be desired.
But they do have a bigger selection of crochet and knitting tools than I've ever seen anywhere. Then again, how often do I need to buy supplies?
PS: I bought a High School Musical lunchbox at Giant last night for $4. Guess what I brought my lunch in today? :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Glove Crazy
I have this craft show coming up in two weeks and, as mentioned in a previous entry, have zero access to my yarn collection at the moment. So sadly, I must make due with what I have. Despite having some ugly, boring colors on hand, I need to get started on stuff for this craft show. I already have a ton of hats on file (though none of them are new and were used in the same craft show last year, and then I got really lazy and didn't crochet for like six months), and I recently learned how to make arm warmers... strange, considering it's usually a beginner's project. BUT - they are so much fun! And quick to make! And I can make about 90 before the craft show in two weeks, provided I buy more yarn (tomorrow = pay day!) and don't get the urge to make more hats. Thought if I do, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Anyway, I found this pattern on Ravelry and they're seriously super quick to whip up and uber cute. I might actually try some of my own patterns as the weeks wear on and I feel more comfortable with my inventory for the show.
I expect these to sell like hotcakes, perhaps for $5 because they really do whip up quickly, but I'm never good at anticipating what sells. I poured my heart and soul into gorgeous hats last year and ended up selling a ton of fun fur scrunchies I whipped up in a day. People bought my hats, they really did, but the scrunchies stole the show. Who knew? I mean... they're scrunchies.
Anyway, super happy with these and I've already started making a set in black. With any luck, I'll finish up a bunch tonight while I do some reading for work, bust some of my unwanted stash, and have plenty of room to add more yarn to the collection tomorrow.
Anyway, I found this pattern on Ravelry and they're seriously super quick to whip up and uber cute. I might actually try some of my own patterns as the weeks wear on and I feel more comfortable with my inventory for the show.
I expect these to sell like hotcakes, perhaps for $5 because they really do whip up quickly, but I'm never good at anticipating what sells. I poured my heart and soul into gorgeous hats last year and ended up selling a ton of fun fur scrunchies I whipped up in a day. People bought my hats, they really did, but the scrunchies stole the show. Who knew? I mean... they're scrunchies.
Anyway, super happy with these and I've already started making a set in black. With any luck, I'll finish up a bunch tonight while I do some reading for work, bust some of my unwanted stash, and have plenty of room to add more yarn to the collection tomorrow.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Weekend Finished Projects
Can't believe the weekend is over already. Just as I was really getting into the crafting groove. The highlight of my weekend? NKOTB on Behind the Music. I wish I was kidding.
One thing I realized over the weekend is that I need my yarn stash back. When I moved in with Nick back in July, he still had a roommate. Because of a space shortage, I couldn't exactly bring my huge bins of yarn, plop them in the living room, and expect either of the boys to welcome the situation with open arms. My stash takes up a lot of space, people. So at the time, I thought it would be a great idea to store said stash at my parents' house with some of my other kitchen and craft supplies. They live an hour away. I'm not sure if I'll ever see my beautiful yarn again.
It's not like I don't have any to work with. I have some left from a hat I knitted this weekend, the leftover pink skeins from the baby blanket I finished two weeks ago, and some black, white, and grey from an amigurumi penguin I made for Nick's sister. It's a pretty monochromatic pallet with pastels tossed in, and we all know how I think pastels are colors that lost their will to live. My available stash makes me pretty miserable.
But I did finish up some cute projects this weekend. First and foremost is a hat I was commissioned for before the summer even started. You can view the pretty picture on the left, here. I'm really happy with it. I found the main pattern online and added a brim from cardboard. I've been knitting for as long as I can remember, but still consider myself enough of a beginner to not know how to shape a brim, so I ended up crocheting it with slip-stitch that looks a lot like thick knitting. I'm pretty happy with the result, although the brim is still a bit wider than I'd like it to be. You can read more about this project on my ravelry page.
Not to be outdone by the hat is this prototype for mittens. With the leftover baby yarn I had from the blanket, I made these heinously pink flip-top mittens from one of my pattern books. I'm in love with them, except the color. I need to figure out a better pattern for the thumbs, as they're huge, but it's nothing too difficult to mess with. What thrills me more is the pattern was so simple, I'll be able to come up with my own renditions. I mean, I really like the shell look it has going on in one way, but hate it in another. It almost seems too fancy or something. But yes, LOVE the concept and plan on making 1200 more. I bet I get bored after 3. You can again read more about them on my ravelry page.
Well, if I don't have my stash back by Friday and I'm still itching to make more of these, I'm gonna have to suck it up and make a run to the yarn store.
One thing I realized over the weekend is that I need my yarn stash back. When I moved in with Nick back in July, he still had a roommate. Because of a space shortage, I couldn't exactly bring my huge bins of yarn, plop them in the living room, and expect either of the boys to welcome the situation with open arms. My stash takes up a lot of space, people. So at the time, I thought it would be a great idea to store said stash at my parents' house with some of my other kitchen and craft supplies. They live an hour away. I'm not sure if I'll ever see my beautiful yarn again.
It's not like I don't have any to work with. I have some left from a hat I knitted this weekend, the leftover pink skeins from the baby blanket I finished two weeks ago, and some black, white, and grey from an amigurumi penguin I made for Nick's sister. It's a pretty monochromatic pallet with pastels tossed in, and we all know how I think pastels are colors that lost their will to live. My available stash makes me pretty miserable.
But I did finish up some cute projects this weekend. First and foremost is a hat I was commissioned for before the summer even started. You can view the pretty picture on the left, here. I'm really happy with it. I found the main pattern online and added a brim from cardboard. I've been knitting for as long as I can remember, but still consider myself enough of a beginner to not know how to shape a brim, so I ended up crocheting it with slip-stitch that looks a lot like thick knitting. I'm pretty happy with the result, although the brim is still a bit wider than I'd like it to be. You can read more about this project on my ravelry page.
Not to be outdone by the hat is this prototype for mittens. With the leftover baby yarn I had from the blanket, I made these heinously pink flip-top mittens from one of my pattern books. I'm in love with them, except the color. I need to figure out a better pattern for the thumbs, as they're huge, but it's nothing too difficult to mess with. What thrills me more is the pattern was so simple, I'll be able to come up with my own renditions. I mean, I really like the shell look it has going on in one way, but hate it in another. It almost seems too fancy or something. But yes, LOVE the concept and plan on making 1200 more. I bet I get bored after 3. You can again read more about them on my ravelry page.Well, if I don't have my stash back by Friday and I'm still itching to make more of these, I'm gonna have to suck it up and make a run to the yarn store.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Crochet for the Special Olympics
Okay, let us pause for a somewhat serious note here. Don't worry, it'll be back to fun time soon :)
If you know me, then you'll know I'm big into charities. There are certain charities I really enjoy because I get to give directly to the charity, while there are others I avoid because I'm not so sure I trust other people with my money. I'm a little cynical. HOWEVER, it brings me joy to create something for people who need it, whether it be kids, homeless shelters, just something where I can contribute what little I have right now to anyone who can appreciate it and maybe feel good wearing something I've made.
I recently came across this idea in Crochet Today. I have a craft show coming up that is taking all my time and energy, but I'd really like to participate in this over the holidays. I'm really excited to work with these new colors and even play around with some new stitches (in either knit or crochet, whatever's blowing my skirt up that day). But I also know that there are a few people who'd like to participate and don't know how to crochet or knit, or maybe they don't have time to dedicate to the project over the extremely busy holiday season. Because of that, I'm collecting donations to purchase yarn for the project.
Now, it's not insanely expensive, believe me. You can view what is needed here. I just thought I have the time to dedicate, the access to the yarn, the support of my friends and family, and the ultimate goal of making someone very happy with my favorite hobby. If you donate, rest assured that all your money will go toward the yarn. I already have the crochet and knitting supplies, so it won't be spent on that. And hey, it's only like $3 minimum. So if you're interested, click on the happy little PayPal button below. I'll post picture of the scarves as I finish them, and maybe I'll have a little scarf party in my craft room before the year is out.
The deadline for the scarves is mid-January, so I'd need to ship them out crazy in advance because of the holidays. Just FYI :D
PS: If you'd like to include a fun little message to send to the scarf recipient, please do so on the donation form or shoot me an email. The article says we can include personal messages, so anyone who donates money for the yarn should obviously be able to send a greeting :)
If you know me, then you'll know I'm big into charities. There are certain charities I really enjoy because I get to give directly to the charity, while there are others I avoid because I'm not so sure I trust other people with my money. I'm a little cynical. HOWEVER, it brings me joy to create something for people who need it, whether it be kids, homeless shelters, just something where I can contribute what little I have right now to anyone who can appreciate it and maybe feel good wearing something I've made.
I recently came across this idea in Crochet Today. I have a craft show coming up that is taking all my time and energy, but I'd really like to participate in this over the holidays. I'm really excited to work with these new colors and even play around with some new stitches (in either knit or crochet, whatever's blowing my skirt up that day). But I also know that there are a few people who'd like to participate and don't know how to crochet or knit, or maybe they don't have time to dedicate to the project over the extremely busy holiday season. Because of that, I'm collecting donations to purchase yarn for the project.
Now, it's not insanely expensive, believe me. You can view what is needed here. I just thought I have the time to dedicate, the access to the yarn, the support of my friends and family, and the ultimate goal of making someone very happy with my favorite hobby. If you donate, rest assured that all your money will go toward the yarn. I already have the crochet and knitting supplies, so it won't be spent on that. And hey, it's only like $3 minimum. So if you're interested, click on the happy little PayPal button below. I'll post picture of the scarves as I finish them, and maybe I'll have a little scarf party in my craft room before the year is out.
The deadline for the scarves is mid-January, so I'd need to ship them out crazy in advance because of the holidays. Just FYI :D
PS: If you'd like to include a fun little message to send to the scarf recipient, please do so on the donation form or shoot me an email. The article says we can include personal messages, so anyone who donates money for the yarn should obviously be able to send a greeting :)
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