Finally! A FO!

Due to pre-interview nerves, my sweater was finished today. I'm actually glad it's done, now I can concentrate on some other projects that got pushed aside while I knit my heart out on it. Like my sister's renaissance goodies. I decided to post a picture of my sweater tonight, and the link, as always, will be included.



(Yes that is me, don't make fun.)

Pattern

Edit: Looking back I think I just set a new personal record. A full sweater in under a month..... *squee*

Closer to the Finish

So just a really fast update. My sweater is getting close to the finish. One sleeve is done and since I am beyond bored with the decreases, I've moved on to the neck. Actually I'm getting pretty close to being done with the neck, so the second sleeve may be started sooner than I expected. Crap. Just thought I would amaze you all with my speedy needles.

Update and a Cookie

Don't ask I've been in a baking mood lately.

Important stuff first. My sweater is about 3/4 of the way done. Front and back are complete and sewn together, and about a third of the right sleeve is done. Okay, maybe the sweater is closer to being half done. I finally got over my irrational fear of color work and got the front color panel done in about a day. You know for being so afraid of doing it, after I started working on it it just flew by. So now I have the monotony of dec. rows ahead of me. Yay......*sighs*


Ok now for the tasty stuff. I finally baked a batch of gingerbread cookies that actually taste right! I ish so excited. I made a pan of bears and a pan of stars so I could have some variety. My mom even tasted them and said they tasted good.



In other news, someone suggested to me that I should knit pieces of lingerie. I have no problems doing this, but I need patterns, and if I'm going to sell them I need a catchy name for them. I was thinking something like "Naughty Little Knits" but I'm open to suggestions.

As always please leave me comments! I love hearing if more than Sam reads this.

Sweater and a Cake

So I finally started work on my Weasley sweater this week (I'm making Fred's, just so you know...), almost done with the back. Only another 5" or so until I get to cast off, considering I started this on Saturday morning, I'm doing amazing. Sam has graciously agreed to make my scarf for me (*cough*christmaspresent*cough*), and Mary still hasn't given me yarn for her vest.

But wait! I have good news! I baked a cake, a real cake from scratch. And if I do say so it looks delicious. It's a Buttermilk Spice cake with Vanilla Creme frosting, also from scratch. Pre-cuttage picture below.


Update: Back of sweater is done, front almost at colorwork stage.

A Spot of Tea

Yeah, I get bored easily. So after bashing myself for a while about not getting my cupcakes done, I gave up and started working on another project. Knitted sandwiches; same line of thought, not as redundant. Which led to my search for the perfect way to display such wonders, hence why the picture has my mother's best china in it. (Just don't tell her I used it.......)

And since I was taking pictures in the kitchen....I decided to make lunch......

Yummy! Grilled cheese!

Ooops, I think I burned it....

(Thank you for putting up with me and my strangeness)

Wool Gathering

So in response to Sam buying a spinning wheel, I may have wool to spin with it. My loverly bestest best guy buddy, Mathew, who works on a farm where they have sheep is going to see about getting me some wool. This means Sam and I get some spinning experience before we start attempting llama wool.

I am ashamed to say that I have been a very lazy knitter. I haven't even started on my Harry Potter project, simply because I have no yarn, and no money at the moment to buy yarn. Can I just say I hate gas prices? So I am seriously considering making a shirt that says "Hogwarts Dropout" just so I have something to wear. Unfortunately Mare has just informed me that it's a sweatervest or bust. Looking through some of the Weasley sweater patterns, they're becoming a very real possiblility.

Ok, now that I have updated everybody on my new yarn possiblilies. OH! I could spin the yarn and dye it grey for my sweater! YES!

Phoneticly Speaking

I just wanted to let everyone know that I GOT A NEW PHONE! And it is sweet. Once again, instead of getting me a new battery which is what I really needed, my faja bought me a brand new phone. Pictures to come, I'm writing this from my sister's room not mine.

In terms of my craft, I've started work on the Alumni Banquet Project. I'm crocheting a couple dozen cupcakes for the Alumni Banquet as a large group project, we're all doing different types of projects. Unfortunately me and Sam are going to take a little longer than everyone else, since cupcakes are a little more time consuming than a clay sculpture.

Some Flowers Blossom Overnight

There is a reason for that title. One night last week I got bored and decided that I needed a new hanging for my door. So I whipped out my pastel yarn and set to work making a flower. Did you know that there really aren't all that many good flower patterns out there? After searching for at least an hour, I gave up and started making it up as I went. All in all it turned out well I think, with the possible exception of my non-existent embroidery skills.

Total time: Approx. 3 hours.

In other news, I finished the last Birthday present for a few months. Bambina is going to love this, hopefully the colors are toned down enough from her Valenmas present.

In the nick of Time

Guess what?! I finished something in a timely manner. I saw the pattern for this a few weeks ago when I was searching for something to make my friend for her birthday and gave it a try. I am in love with this shirt, and I actually finished it in time to wear it to my sister's last Band Banquet (goodbye to all that good food until I have kids...) where I got several compliments on it. One girl actually asked me where I got it from, I think she had a heart attack when I told her I made it myself. It's a bit different from the one the pattern makes, because I have issues with crochet patterns, but I love how it turned out. I really like how the shells turned into a kind of rib as I was working, but then again I'm strange. Also I have Bambina's present nearly done, all that's left is to appropriate a couple yards of ribbon. I love dollar store yarn... Picture and original pattern as usual! (Please excuse the mess, I'm working on cleaning my room.)










Pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60485.html

Birthday Madness

So I just now noticed that three of my friends all have birthdays around the same time. So after going crazy to get one friend's present done in time I have to get another's done in just over a week. Oy. Anyway now that Sam's birthday is over and done with I can finally post pictures of it. Since I forgot to take a picture of the sweater I made her (because she thought I was making her one and I would've felt guilty if she didn't get one) all you get is a picture of the lovely lace scarf I made her.



Pattern Here:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html

Wizards, Muggles, and Squibs OH MY!

So as anyone who reads Sam's blog knows, we have embarked on the great Harry Potter quest. Can we each make two sweater vests before November? Or will be wearing T-Shirts that say "Muggle"? We shall see.

I still have no progress to report, because I am a lazy bum and decided that knitting without internet was no fun so I caught up on my reading instead:

• Marley & Me -made me cry, I didn't realize how much I missed my dearly departed dog until I read this.
• Fellowship of the Ring (Again) - Tolkien is a genius, but why was Moria so short and Lothlorien was described for six pages.

I feel really bad not having any progress to report, but there we go.

Laaaaazy

I am a lazy bum. And I apologize for it. So Sam's thing still isn't done, and I've started a project for me. Almost done with it though. Blarg. I don't have any pictures for you either. I felt bad and updated because it's been almost a month since my last update.

Now, I've been thinking of selling my stuff on sites like Etsy, but I'm not so sure. I have a large duffle bag full of stuff, that needs to find a home and fast. I've started on a record of everything I have, but without a good version of Mircosoft Office I'm kinda stuck. Oh well.

Shrug it off

So I've started work on a new shrug, this time with my own pattern. The good news is it will be pretty much one size fits all, bad news it's taking a while. I'm knitting it completely in the round and it's straight St st, so I get bored with it very quickly. In addition it's going to be knit all in one piece so I can't wait to get this done and try it on. When it's done I'll post the finished pattern and update the picture.

I know I haven't been posting regularly, and unfortunately that's going to continue. Finals are in two weeks, and I have to finish final projects before then. I did do some baking the other day though. Oatmeal Raisin cookies, and Oatmeal Peanut Butter. Very good if I do say so myself.

An update on all I've got going on: Sam's Present is almost done, Finished and sold shrug to a friend of mine, managed to get two different projects comissioned for the Ren. Fair this summer, and picked up another skien of my favorite yarn.

Ophelia Lives!

"Ophelia drowned in the water, crushed by her own weight."



So Andy's sweater took third, and I've joined another contest. "Under The Sea", so naturally I made a octopus and named it Ophelia. She ish adorable, done in about 4 hours on a size G hook with 4 ply acrylic. Pattern below! I'm going to try to update more often, but finals are coming up fast and my life is going to revolve around them for a while.




Octopus

Update: Ophelia has become Stanley the French Octopus. I had no say in the matter, but I must say she looks good with a mustache.

Organized Chaos

If you've noticed there's been a definate lack of updates lately. I've had a rough couple of weeks, last monday my grandmother passed away so any and all knitting and crochet was put aside to deal with later. Then at the furneral we all caught the flu and were out for several days. I have several WIPs laying around along with some things for future projects.

1. Felted Llama bag
2. "Bun in the Oven" Baby blanket
3. Relaxation Scarf
4. The various bits and pieces of cupcake Ami's
5. My victorian style shirt that isn't even started

And because I feel bad for not putting anything up here for several days, I even took a picture of it all for you!

Oops!

Yeah, my self-imposed knitting ban lasted all of about 30 minutes. I saw a pattern for a baby sweater and had to try it. The good news is I have a pattern picked for Sam's Present. And I'm designing a top for me too. Gasp I even knit a swatch to get the guage for it. I hate swatches.....and guage for that matter. The rest is kind of on hold, and I have an idea to make Andy some pants besides his red overalls. Yeah, guess what I was doing in church, and it wasn't listening to anything the preacher said. I was writing patterns in my head. I don't have any FO to show you or even any WIP shots so I guess that's it for today.

A Bit of a Break

So I'm taking a bit of a break from knitting and crochet. I've whipped out several projects in the last couple of weeks, and I need a break. When I come back to it I have a "To Do" list to finish so those'll be up here eventually. So without further ado, the To Do list.

1. Shrug for a college friend (yarn picked, not started)
2. Relaxation scarf (started, probably will never finish)
3. A couple of crowns just for the heck of it (need more yarn in apropriate colors)
4. Sam's Birthday Present (still needs pattern)

So you can see I have a lot of work to do on all this. Maybe I should prioritize and get the important stuff done first...

Finally!

So I finally finished Andy's Sweater for the contest. And I must say it is adorable! I ran out of yarn again so I begged some dark green off my sister (green is the one color I don't have) and knit the rest of the sweater with that. I really like the contrast between the light body and dark sleeves, hood, and pocket. The little shamrock just gives it a little extra for St. Pat's day. Ok it won't let me upload another picture, so all I've got is the front.

(I don't know if I mentioned this, Andy is my mother's peekaboo doll. I just dress him up.)

Just a quick update

I know I updated yesterday, but I wanted to let all of you know that Clara May's birthday presents were a hit. And not just with the baby, Grandma was really getting into the knit book! Well I just wanted to leave you a quick note to say how it went.

An early St. Pat's update

Yesterday I joined a knitting contest for a guild on Gaiaonline, so I've started on my St. Patrick's day knitting and crocheting. For the contest I'm making a hooded sweater for the peek-a-boo doll. I think it's time he got out of his Christmas outfit. During St st breaks, I crocheted a bunch of shamrocks and started decorating my bedroom. Pics below!

Just a note: I ran out of yarn on the back and used another skien that I thought was the same color, I didn't realize the shade was off until I took the picture. Thankfully, that's going to be hidden by the hood.

Sadly, yes, that is the extent of my decorations at the moment. Give me a couple of weeks.

Sick and Tired of Sick and Tired

So anyone who has seen me in the last few days will know that I've been sick all week. Never the less I did finish all of Clara May's presents last night. All that's left is to sew a few things down. I absolutely adore the crown I made her, I'm thinking of making one for me. Links for the bear, book and crown are below the pictures. Sorry the last one is a bit dark, my flash makes it impossible to see it.

(Henry the Penguin volunteered to wear the crown.)

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTbookofknitty.html
http://phoebe.gleeson.us/2005/07/12/knitting_updates_crown_pattern
http://members.tripod.com/~JillMC/teddy.html

Birthday Blues

So this past Sunday I was informed that I was invited to the birthday party of the daughter of a friend of mine. The person that told me this, who shall remain nameless *cough*Sam*cough*, has had my invitation for over a month, and the party is Sunday. Needless to say I've gone nuts making presents. I'm giving her a whole slew of things, since this is her first birthday. I made a book for her with little knitted swatches and what stitch they are, I'm making a little pink teddy bear, and I think I'm going to make her a little backpack and a crown. And I have four days to get these done....

In other news, I found a new comedian that I like. Bill Bailey, he's the off-the-wall crazy comedian that works music into all of his acts. Thanks to my lovely little sis for sending me links to some videos of his shows. Well, I have Music Theory homework to finish, and a bear to knit so I'll post the links where I found the patterns and stuff later when I have everything done.

Presents

Hey All!

So, yesterday was the now infamous christmas party, so I bring to you an update! I've been wanting to put up pictures of peoples presents for a month now and finally I get my chance.

First up, my friend Sam's scarf. (Modeled by my lovely sister) It's a novelty mohair blend yarn, that I thought was going to be enough for a scarf, but it ended up a little short. I thought that the color would be perfect for her and I was right.

Next is the heart scarf I made for another of my girlfriends. (Modeled by me this time) The yarn was a soft acrylic that I've actually fallen in love with, I have about 4 skiens of the red in my stash. Kind of a fun project, making all the hearts got annoying after a while though.

And now, the shrug I made for my third best friend. (My sister once again modeling) I used the "Shrug This" pattern in the book One skien wonders, but changed the yarn to make the shrug a little warmer. I added a contrasting colored stripe towards the bottom, which you can't really see, and a crocheted trim.

And finally, because this was not only a regular gift exchange, but also a white elephant party. Meet the white elephant. (He looks pinkish because of my afgan) This cute little guy is completely cheap acrylic I found at a garage sale, and polyfil stuffing I kidnapped out of my mom's stash. I've tried making another elephant since, but its turning out looking more like an aardvark.

First Postage

Well, I have finally jumped on board the craft blog train. Welcome to Hooks and Needles. Hopefully I'll remember to update this on a regular basis. For now a picure and a pattern. I found several patterns for these the other day when I was searching for a felting pattern. I naturally jumped at the chance to use an unusual medium, and got rid of some of the grocery bag surplus in the back room.

The Bag of Bags

Materials

"Yarn" Made from loops of plastic bags

US Size 15 circular needles

A tapestry needle with a larger eye

CO 80 st, Join being careful not to twist stitches

Row 1-3 Knit

Row 4 K15 BO10 K30 BO10 K15

Row 5 K15 CO10 K30 CO10 K15

Continue knitting every row until you reach the desired depth, mine was shorter only because I ran out of plastic bags I'm allowed to use. Once you have it as long as you want to make it BO all stitches. Fold in half with the handles in the center, turn inside out and sew seam using prefered stitch. Turn rightside out and you're ready to go!

Yeah, the pattern is short. I like to keep them short and sweet so they're easy to memorize. I hate carrying a pattern around everywhere, so the easier something is to memorize the more I like it.