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!

Almost Done!

I have been working on this vest for who knows how long and although it is still a work in progress it is almost done! I finished the armhole shaping and now i am working on the straps. I have decided to redesign the back of the vest to make it a bit easier for myself and also so that it will be finished quicker. I also had to use my own way of casting off for the armhole shaping because the pattern was a bit confusing.

Here it is!

To make this project a bit more difficult I have it on three different stitch holders and I am also working from both ends of the yarn. I had to do this because I didnt want to cast off the straps until I knew they were the exact size that I wanted them. If I need to add more length I can very easily start knitting away again without adding new yarn. This is the reason why I had to reconstruct the back of the vest but I think it will turn out really nice!

I am also currently working on the sleeves for a green lace heart sweater that I have been working on for a really long time along with a blue cabled cowl!

Heres to a cozy, warm, knit filled fall and winter!

A Few Projects

Heres a few of the projects I've been working on while juggling the two jobs.

First I finished the Seed Stitch bag, now I just need to sew on a nice button and put the lining inside. Im really happy with how it came out except the strap is a bit longer then I would like it but I can just tie it for a quick fix.

Next is the tea pot cross stitch ive been working on. I got the pattern last week and ive been spending quite a bit of time on it but so far it still doesnt really look like anything.
Ive also been branching out and working with wire and beads. Knitting with wire is extreamly hard for me but i really like the way it looks. I havent been able to get alot done because after two or three rows my fingers start to hurt really bad. So it is a work in progress.

And then there is the never ending lace vest. I promise I will finish it but its been moving along really slowly. Ive been telling myself just a few rows a day and pretty soon it will be done!