Craft Month: Week 1

Its the first week of craft month and I plan on using up all of my scrap yarn!

My first project is a simple ribbed hat.  I was originally going to use a pattern I found on Ravelry but I decided to go simple with ribbing.  I am using green scrap yarn that I used to make a headband for my friend in January.  

The second project I am working on is almost done!  I plan on posting pictures soon! 

Happy Craft month!!!

Its CRAFT MONTH!!!!

What a joyous month for us crafters!  This month I plan to finish one project every week using yarn from my stash!  I am so excited and I already have a few projects planned out!  Perhaps a few cute headbands one week, or maybe a cute lace hat for the springtime?  

The first week of craft month I plan on finishing a green hat and hopefully *fingers crossed* the scarf I am knitting in the round that I started last month.  

I hope you all have a great month!

ProcrastiKNITTING

Well this week has not turned out the way I wanted it to and it is mainly my fault. I had two tests in my honors bio class and instead of studying I knit. I think it is easy to figure out that I pretty much did really bad on both tests...I also had a photography film project to shoot and Instead of doing that I knit. I had to snap quick pictures on my way to work. I also had a health test and I didnt do too well on that either.

So you would think that right now I would be sitting and studying for my lab practicle next week or maybe work on my english homework but instead I am sitting at the computer reading blogs and well...knitting. Which brings me to the things that I am obsessed with this week.

1. Knitting projects to use up my scrap yarn! I have so much scrap yarn and I promised myself I would not buy anymore yarn until I used up the yarn I have now. (I am running out of yarn room) Right now I am making a scarf for a special someone and knitting hats for two lovely children I know.
2. Pandora! I just love Pandora! I have a work playlist and a special playlist for epic knitting time!
   
3. Organizing! I just love organizing my yarn shelf, book shelf, closet...well anything really. Since I am busy with school and work I rarely have days to clean up. The free days I do have however I cherish my organizing and getting everything cleaned up for the next hectic week!
4. Knitting Blogs! It is a known fact that I am obsessed with knitting blogs, however I have had two specific ones that I have been loving this week! Check them out if you ever get a chance! Untangling Knots is a great blog, I just love her designs. One Sheepish Girl is also a great blog with great photography and super fun blog posts!

Here is the hat I am currently working on instead of studying. I got the pattern from Ravelry. I will try to find the link again and post it. It is a super quick knit so far and the pattern is super easy to remember so I can knit it up while I am waiting for class to start.

Almost Done!

Its been 2 weeks I think? Well I am almost done with the first item for Spring/Summer 2012. I had to play around with my pattern a bit but I am very happy with the way it is turning out. I do have a few things I would like to change the next time I make it, one of them being the straps in the back should have a boarder to that they don't curl. I am hoping that if I block it then the curling will go away but if not then I will still be happy with the way it turned out.

I changed the design of this project around a few times. I originally wanted it to have a knit back, a knit front and crocheted side panels. However, I ended up making the back knit and the front crocheted. I also added a cute shell boarder on the front.

So I first started out sketching my design and making a gauge and swatch.





I started working on the back first. The back is a simple stockinette stitch with ribbing at the bottom. I eventually got to the shaping and had to put part of the back on a stitch holder. I also began to type out my written instructions on the computer. This helps me keep track of the pattern in case I need/want to make it again.
After the back was finished I began to work the crocheted right front side. It is a simple single crochet throughout and after I finished the shaping I decided to add a fancy boarder to it. I decided to make a shell boarder. All that is left is to work the front left side and then it will be all ready and then I will begin to work on the next new item!

Other projects I have going on

• Striped Scarf knit on circular needles
• Scrap Hat
• Lace Heart Sweater

Although it is officially still Winter, it is Spring in my mind! In order to get all of the Spring/Summer items done in time for Spring I need to start now. I have about 5 or 6 items I plan to make and it takes a very long time to plan, sketch, write out patterns,test patterns and make the officially items. So far planning and sketching is done for only two items, a knit vest with crocheted lace panels and a simple lace shrug.

Today I officially started writting out the pattern and begning to make the actual Vest with crocheted panels. At the moment I have cast on for the back and have finished the ribbing. I have only worked a few rows after the ribbing but so far it is working out. I am very excited to work the crocheted panels. I think it will look really nice when it is all finished. So far I am about two hours into the project and I am hoping to finish the back by the end of this week. (I never meet my deadline though)


I am starting to think of new items for the Fall/Winter season. I also plan on doing a few items for Men. If you have any ideas on items or if you really want me to make something special for you let me know!

Okay so a few fun little deals are running around the shop right now

• Until January 25th if you buy a Cabled Slouch hat($20) you get a FREE Cabled Headband in a matching color!
• Scrap Hats are now available for only $10 in whatever color combination you want!!

• At the end of the year the my best customer will receive a FREE Scrap Hat in the color combination of their choosing!!!

Sounds fancy right?


Last night was a big knitting night for me. I started working on a project for myself which I haven't done in a while. I have always wanted to try out a Triangle Shawl and I finally found a pattern I really liked so I cast on yesterday and I am about halfway done, however I am hoping I don't run out of yarn

I also cast on for a customers Cabled Slouch Hat in dark red. I finished the ribbing in about an hour and a half while I watched a Criminal Minds marathon.

My page seems to have sparked a lot of interest lately and I felt that it would be appropriate to share the process of creating new designs and new ideas on this blog. I wanted everyone to see just how much goes into creating and finishing a knit article of clothing. I was also hoping to post a few video tutorials due to the fact that I have alot of people asking me to teach them to knit. Im hoping these videos will be of help to you!

I am very happy with the way the Cabled Christmas items came out. I know I was two weeks off my deadline but I wanted the items to be finished properly. I spend hours writing out patterns and unraveling and re-knitting certain things because the shape was wrong or the look was not what I had in mind. I think my favorite item is definatly the Cabled Headband. It only takes a few hours and it can be put on really quickly and I think it looks great with any hairstyle! It does not slide when it is on which was one of my main concerns but finishing it off with a Triple Needle Bind Off helped a lot I think.
I have decided to take a quick break from my knitting. I have my ideas planned out for the Spring/Summer items but I still have about two weeks before I plan to start them. For these two weeks I plan on playing around with knit and crocheted jewelry as well as wire jewelry. I started to make a really interesting Dreamcatcher Earring, however, I feel that it is too bulky so I plan on making a bigger necklace version as well as a key-chain. I am hoping to put a tutorial on in a few days with a detailed description and a few pictures so that you can make one yourself! I think they are really fun and although some parts are tricky, it is a great rainy day craft!