Hooked

Over the long Thanksgiving weekend I was able to finish up the George's Vest for my Nephew.  You may remember this post where I shared the vest, and the demise of the vest. Well once I cast on the correct number of stitches I was able to whip up this cute vest in only a couple of appointments.  (Anyone else measure the difficulty of their projects based on the number of appointments it takes them to get through?  Or is it just me? )

Like I was saying, I finished the vest except for one thing, the crocheted edging around the neck.  I have crocheted once or twice in my life without much success.  I can't seem to figure out what to do with the working yarn, and hold the piece I am working on. When I knit I hold the yarn with my right hand.  When I crochet I hold the yarn with my Left.  This simple change is so complicated!  My left hand just does not want to cooperate.

My mother has crocheted for years.  She has taught me multiple time to crochet with relatively little success.  Over Thanksgiving weekend she came down and we worked on crocheting once again.  This time I think I am Hooked.  To date I have crochet this cute little bow-tie and 3 washcloths.

With luck this time it will stick.

-A sock cowl?

Does it annoy you? Or is it just me?  You knit up a pair of socks, which you love and adore.  But then you have this smallish amount of leftover sock yarn.  It is never enough to make a third sock.  It just sits there in my yarn bin.  Occasionally I think about tossing it, giving it away or finding something to use it for but mostly it just takes up space.  Annoying.

Gusto pattern by Laura Nelkin

I was searching for knitting patterns, for what?? I have NO idea. Suddenly I found myself on Knitty.com. with this beautiful cowl pattern staring at me.  Gusto is a pattern by Laura Nelkin.  While I have never made one of her patterns before I have seen her on Craftsy.com.  This pattern was just what I didn't know I was looking for.  In the pattern she uses the Magic knot to make one continuous ball of yarn from all of the partial sock yarn balls you have left.  Brilliant!  From that yarn ball you knit up a beautiful and useful cowl!  

The pattern is full of fun stitches that keep the pattern rolling without getting boring.  Which I have to tell you will keep you on your toes if you happen to be someone who likes knitting in front of the TV.   Yet, it is easy enough to knit in on a hallway bench, (with a finger you may or may not have sewn through,) while you wait for your son to finish saxophone lessons. There are two versions of the pattern.  One that uses beads on the cast-on and bind-off round for extra sparkle, and one that does not.  I chose the one that does not use beads.  Mostly because I did not have beads on hand and I was to impatient to start knitting.  Next time I'm trying the beads!

I was going to save this as a possible Christmas gift but now that the polar vortex has brought colder air our way I am in desperate need of a cozy cowl.  If you happen to have a few extra yards of miscellaneous sock yarn laying around you should check out Laura's Gusto pattern it's the perfect fit.

I was sad that I did not have a large selection of sock yarn leftovers to choose from.  I haven't knit socks in over 6 years!  Fortunately I did have some.  While it is all one color way it is variegated and does give contrast to the beautiful stitching.

The demise of a sweater vest

Look how much I was able to knit on George's Vest over the weekend!!  I really was able to get a lot done and I was so excited...until.

Yes. The dreaded until.  Until I laid it out just like in the photo above.  I thought to myself.."self.  That looks a little small for a 2T-3T."  And I answered, "yes, I do believe you are correct."  Just to be sure I measured it.  Yup.  I had made the 24 month size not the 2t-3t size.  UGH.  I guess that is what you get for casting on when you are watching a movie.

So, it was today with a heavy heart that watched the demise of a almost finished project.

I took it off the needles and started to rip-it.

And rip-it.

Sniff...

At least I was able to capture our last few moments together.  sigh.

Now, I think I'll find a nice one size fits all pattern. Perhaps a scarf.

Knitting again

Last weekend we spent driving back and forth to Charleston.  The kids had a Band Competition and a soccer game, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.  It was our intention to hang out in Charleston for the weekend but Homecoming Dance on Saturday night we had to swing back.  It's not a long drive only about 2 hours but driving four times was a little much.  This did ensure that I had time enough to knit not only while sitting in the car but while watching all of the events take place over the weekend.  I finished up this cute little tunic. As I mentioned before it is pattern from Elena Nodel which you can find here.  I plan to make the larger tunic in a scarlet and grey color way for a niece in Ohio..  go Bucks!

I had time this week to run (limp.) out and pick up some cute leggings and a long sleeve top to wear with it.  It turned out so cute.  I only hope it fits, if only for a little while. :)

George's Vest by Chrystal Erb Junkins
(How Cute is He?)

After spraining my ankle, I started on a matching sweater vest for her brother using the grey yarn.  (Amazing how much knitting you can get accomplished when you are forced to sit and elevate your leg multiple times a day.) George's Vest by Chrystal Erb Junkins is the pattern I am using.  You can find it here on Ravelry. I plan on making the vest grey and (possibly) crocheting a matching bow tie with the variegated yarn.  There are so many cute crochet bow tie patterns!

Today I am off to watch the final Band performance of the year... State Finals! Of course I will have my knitting to keep me company.
Knit on!

I'M BACK

I'm back from my longer than expected hiatus from blogging.  I mentioned, or I think I mentioned in a previous post that this year we are hosting a foreign exchange student.  When considering this, I knew that there would be more work involved.  Going from 3 teens to 4 obviously more work involved.  I knew there would be more laundry, more after school activities, more cooking (a lot more cooking), and more trips to the doctor.  Poor Martin had to get up close and personal with American Dentistry, just a month after arriving.
Welcome to America!  How about a root canal? Sounds like fun right?

I failed to comprehend how much more time all of this would take, and frankly how much more tired I would be.  Thankfully I we are adjusting nicely.

Sadly, my crafting is suffering.  I have less and less time to devote to quilting, sewing, knitting and the like.  But I do have a few things to share that have successfully made it into various Dr.'s appts.

My dear friend sent me this Awesome tote that she made and embroidered to help me keep crafting. 

Made from recycled denim in 3 various shades it had been a wonderful addition to my project bag rotation.  Not only did she send me this bag, she also sent me the directions to make my own.  (as well as a very* Large HINT* that I should develop a pattern to share with you all.  Never one to shy away from a *hint* I have it in the works.

Since I have this totally wonderful new bag I had to have a new project to tote around in my tote:)

I have been working on this cute tunic for my niece.  It's a pattern from Elena Nodel.  I came upon it on Ravelry you can find the small version here and the larger child version here.

I have been doing a little quilting.  I have 2 projects currently in the works.  For now I must sneak in a shower before I head off to the grocery. (again)

Knit-a-little

I have been playing with yarn these days.  I took a break from knitting for almost a year.  Then as long car trips for holidays took more of role in my crafting, I needed a more portable form of crafting.  Not that I didn't try to convince my husband that it was absolutely necessary that my sewing machine needed to travel with us. Heehee. :)

 I shared with you 2 projects already, the knit and felted stocking and the Sven Sweater.  Since the weather has gotten chillier I thought a hat would be a great thing to knit up, but then. I ran across the Calorimetry pattern on Knitty and well the rest as they say is history.  I knit up, not one but two of these great little headband/hats and are they ever cute!  The first I knit up in Cascade 220 heather gray.  It was a little plain.

When I started the second I needed a brighter cheerier yarn.  I started the second with Lion Brand Amazing in the Aurora color way.  I have to say this is my favorite.  I love the bright colors.  I even knit up a little rosette for the side using this tutorial, from Nicky Epstein.  Let me tell you, it makes the project!  Even my 12 year-old daughter wants to wear it.  Now that's a complement!

The pattern calls for a button to join the ends. The ends could just as easily be joined permanently with yarn.

 I had these cute buttons sitting in my button jar just begging to be used.  What a perfect finish.

{Post } Christmas round-up

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Well, it has been a long time since I blogged.  Wow!  I wanted to share a few of the handmade Christmas presents I whipped up.  Most of them at the last minute!  Why do I always commit myself to these projects with one week to go?  All I know is that I did not start packing for our trip to Ohio until 6pm the night before.  And that was when my DH stepped into my quilting space and exclaimed, "Okay, now you have to stop!"  Gee, some people.

First thing I want to show off is this adorable little apron and chefs hat I made for my 2 y.o. nephew.  His parents love to cook and I am told he is quite the chef in his little kitchen.

 I took this from 2 separate patterns and added my own little spin.  The chefs hat was from www.stardustshoes.blogspot.com.  The hat is adjustable which is good for growing little ones.
I liked the apron that was also designed by stardustshoes and was paired with the chefs because it was reversible and oh, to cute.  There was just one thing that kept me from making it...it needed to be tied by a grown-up.  Well if you have ever been with a two year old you will know that cooperation is not their strong suit. Using the pattern from www.sewliberated.com which is slightly smaller, and the pattern from startdustshoes I came up with this cute mix.
The apron has a pocket for carrying treasures, an elastic strap for pulling over his head and a Velcro tab at the waist for the all important, "I do it my self." 2 year old.

This little cutie also got a wonderfully warm and cuddly fair isle sweater from his favorite Aunt.  I knit up this sweater from Cottage Creations pattern The Big Sven Sveater. Although the picture is a bit fuzzy, I think you can tell it fits well! I am sure his hat and leg warmers are also hand knit, he is lucky that way.. Now I just need a picture of him wearing his hat and apron.  (Hint. Hint.)

front

back

Here are the three Hexi-stockings all hung in a row.  Don't they look pretty?

As I stated before the week we were getting ready to leave on Christmas Vacation I decided to "whip-up" 5 insulated casserole carriers. (Yes I said 5) Oh yea and I decided to try glass etching the sides to all of the casserole dishes as well.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of them all together.  I managed to snag a few of this last carrier before it was shipped off.  I used the pattern that can be found here at twolittlehooligans  It is simple pattern with great instructions and rather quick too!  I mean if your not trying to make 5 in one week.

While I was out at the fabric store picking up a little extra Christmas fabric I stumbled upon an adorable polar fleece.  I decided right then and there that I was also going to sew up some polar fleece goodies for my little nieces.  Don't worry this was the week before the 5 casserole carrier decision.  Plenty of time left..

I stitched up this little snow bunting for my niece who will be arriving one chilly February day. This is a Butterick pattern # 5091  . I think I have used this pattern at least 8 or nine times.  It's quick and easy and I love it! She will be warm and snugly when she comes home in this cute little bunting.  

Lastly, I sewed this little polar fleece dress for my 18 month old niece.  Here I used McCall's Pattern #9532 sewn for size 1. Matching polar fleece cousins.  Too CUTE! Emma and I picked up a long sleeve shirt and some lavender tights at Gymboree for an Adorable little outfit.

Here she is at our Christmas gathering.  Isn't she precious.

My New Year's resolution is to have all of my Christmas presents for this year made before December.  With a little planning and a lot of patience I should be able to accomplish that.  I'll let you know how that goes. LOL.

Stocking Stuff--hers

I've kept up on my stocking creating.  And this time they are for some girls I know.  This stocking is a 'mate' (if you can call it that?) to the first.  1.5 inch hexagons in a variety of reds.  Like the previous stocking (here)  I added a stripe ruffle.  This time a dash of green separates the ruffle from the embroidered top.  I had to blur the name to protect the gift's secret.

I embroidered the top with the name and a cute little Christmas Tree. For the back I  kept it simple by using a Red print.

The second stocking I made was a Knitted and Felted little number.  I used a pattern I have fallen back upon numerous times from Felted Knits by Beverly Galeskas. It's a great pattern.  If you have knit a sock before, it's super-duper simple. I used brown sheep worsted weight for the red and Cascade 220 for the green (also worsted).  I haven't knit in almost a year and I cannot tell you how Awesome it felt!  (no pun intended)  

Two more Christmas gifts checked off that list!

"Cozy" Little Projects

Over the past several weeks I have gotten the most wonderful packages in the mail!! Once a week I open my mailbox to find a coffee cozy has been embroidered and delivered to my mailbox. It is totally cool how they keep showing up.

 Those of you who know me may be aware that I have a little bit of a coffee thing.  I'll admit I love the stuff.  And truly, I couldn't get through the day without at least 3 cups of the stuff.  Okay 4 cups.  In the past I have been as high as 2 pots a day, but I've cut WAY back and only make one pot these days.  Still it isn't often that I pass by an opportunity to head to starbucks.

With my last cozy I also got these.. Patterns!  Knit patterns, sewn patterns and even crochet patterns (not that I crochet much, but I could, and with coffee as an incentive.  Who knows?) Who knew there were so many of these floating around in cyberland! These are certainly headed to the top of my teacher gift list and quite possibly to the top of my 'to-do' list.

I love me some hedgehog.

A year ago, possibly longer, I started knitting up a Hedgehog for my nephew.  The knitting went well.  The felting, not so much.  The problem,  the fur.  The pattern called for Fun Fur from Lion Brand.  Since I was trying to use up the yarn I had in my stash I just used an eyelash yarn I had on hand.  Once felted, the yarn matted terribly.  It was quite possibly the ugliest hedgehog ever.  I put it in my, UFO pile and there it has stayed, until yesterday.

Yesterday, in a small effort to do some cleaning out I finally finished the Hedgehog.

And it makes the perfect doggie toy.  Not only does it smell like wool, yummy.  It also, so far, has been indestructible.  Add a dog safe squeakier and voila instant Doggie Toy.

And Ginger seems happy.  She love her some hedgehog.

*one of theses days I am going to have to make this with the correct yarn.  It is so Cute!*

Knitting Review

I have been spending more time knitting recently.  I guess I needed a break from quilting, well that and it is hard to lug my sewing machine around to doctors offices and sports practices.  :)  Over Christmas break I knitted up this warm and snuggly ribbon scarf for my sisters birthday.

The yarn is a wonderful blend of mohair and silk.  The scarf is nice and warm as well as soft.  I would have kept it for myself had it not made me itch.  (wool allergy)  . I used the pattern Ruffled Lace Scarf  from Suzie Blackman.  This was a nice manageable pattern, paired with this yarn, I was reminded of the joys of knitting.

I purchased yarn for these ski head-wraps back in, oh I guess it was September, and just recently got around to stitching them up.  I thought they would make nice Christmas gifts for friends/family in the cooler climates.

The method used for the head-wraps is called Double knitting. Double knitting is just what it sounds like, you knit the front and the back at the same time.  This gives you a reversible image on the opposite side. I had never heard of double knitting before so I decided to give it a whirl.  The book Knit Hats! 15 cool patterns to keep you warm was a impulse purchase.  I believe I have acquired most of my patterns that way.  The most challenging thing with this type of knitting was the Gauge.  I am typically a loose knitter.  With this new method I wasn't sure, sometimes with a new process I knit tighter.  I went with the needles that were recommended.  Guess what?  Yep, still a loose knitter.  Apparently the method of knitting, for me anyway, does not make my stitches tighter.

Both of these head-wraps were knit with the same number of stitches.  The larger one was knit on a size 6 needle and the smaller on a size 4.  What a difference!  The wrap knit on a size 4 is 2 inches smaller than the other.  The wrap knitted on the size 6 is Okay. I just wasn't as impressed with the end result as I wanted to be, hence the remake.  The larger wrap still works fine, better actually for larger heads.  Double knitting tends to S-T-R-E-T-C-H!  a ton.  The fact that the larger wrap is, well larger, coupled with the extra stretch give the wearer a looser garment.  The smaller wrap still stretches definitely looks better to me and it wears tighter.  I guess it just depends on your preference.

Sweater weather

Last week the Family and I took off for our annual camping adventure.  We, John and I used to camp more frequently, and then we had kids.  As many of you know kids come with stuff, lots of stuff.  Now when we camp we have 3 tents and 3 kids, a dog and 2 cars to haul it all in.  Camping is still an adventure, and the kids love it.  They look forward to our camping weekend every year.

This year we camped in Poinesett  State Park here in SC.  It was a beautiful park, with a pond for canoeing, hiking trails and beautiful campsites filled with large trees that held tons of Spanish moss.

The we hiked, canoed, fished, sat around the campfire, played horseshoes and ate a ton of smores. Yummy.

While out and enjoying the cooler weather, I finished this baby sweater.  Yes, I finally broke down and just ordered the darn toggle buttons.

I also knit up this adorable little shrug.   It is so fluffy.  My intent was for it to be for Emma, sadly I hardly ever check my gauge and thus it did not fit.  :(  So it will have to be for someone a bit smaller:)

I used this pattern or here. It was quick and simple.