End of the Season

Weather's getting colder, and the craft show season is over for me. Last weekend, I went to my last show for the year. I'm scoping out a few more, to see if I can add a few closer to home (as I'm still going back to my parents' town for the others).

I am hoping to move stock, so I can have more new product next year-- check it out-- Mary's Crocheted Creations! My hats are posted right now, but I'm hoping to get my scarves up soon.

Since I'm back to teaching, I really have only been able to restock between craft shows. These are my only real FOs in the past few weeks.

Baby Monster

Baby Owl

Baby Snowman

Two Shawls

Both of my Wednesday projects were finished!

Ends are waiting to be woven in, only because they needed a light blocking. 

The rainy weather is preventing me from taking outdoor sunshine photos, but hopefully I can once it lets up. 

Another Unfinished Friday

Finishing projects is not something I've been able to do lately. The end of the school year has been massively busy, and a full time job was not something I previously had in my schedule. So I count little successes when I can.

Making sloooooow progress

Last night I finished another mitered square on my sock scrap blanket. As you can see, the progress is very small. Just the one green square. I have 4 more squares that need to be attached, but am torn between knitting and crocheting. If I can find a good movie, or a good audio book, I may try some more, as I'd really like to have all my starting row connected. I think the making of individual squares is harder than  making the squares that hold them together. This is probably due to the fact that I hate casting on, and joining eliminates that step. A ten-stitch blanket may be another possibility for me, simply for that reason.... Hmmm. More things to craft, just what I need!

Missing a Head

My week has been a bit crazy, especially since I spent all day Tuesday thinking it was Monday. I love having a long weekend, but since we were out of town, I didn't get a lot of time to relax like I had wanted to. My major progress this week has been a pair of baby hats, one of which is still in progress. They are similarly sized, but I wanted to make one slightly bigger, just in case. The accents on it are still up for debate, because it's hard to come up with ideas for boy hats. Girl hats are really easy- add a flower and BOOM you're done. This requires more thought. 

A hat in need of a head... and an accent

I used Vanna's Choice yarn in a light green- the name escapes me right now- single crochet with an H hook. My only model in the proper size is an orange shaped candle. I'm both excited and nervous to have a baby to fit it come the end of the summer. Hopefully, I will have a few more cute crocheted items done by then.

My basil is my other success for the week, as it is starting to look like what it's supposed to look like, and it smells awesome. My zinnias are doing alright as well, with the oregano coming in 3rd place. My rosemary is sadly in 4th, with nothing discernible in the pot. We planted another pot of seeds, but we may just buy a seedling in a few weeks if nothing comes up. 

My husband has most of the vegetables out of the pots and into the proper garden, and I have been given the responsibility of keeping them watered. We have beans, carrots, pumpkins, and cucumbers right now. Hopefully we'll get some good produce from them this year. 

Zinnias

Basil

Oregano

Infinity Stripes

On Wednesday, I gave a sneak preview of my finished project for the week. This project will always hold special meaning for me, due to when I made it.

Double the fun!

These two scarves kept me company during my first experience on an over-night school retreat. We only had girls sign up for this one (I'm told that's unusual), and the experience was interesting, to say the least. It was a short, two-day retreat, but still a good time away from everything else. 

My small group

Being out of the school atmosphere was great for me, as I really enjoy the age group, but so often have to be the teacher with my students. These girls were not my students- I teach freshmen, they were sophomores- and we had some good fun. The "thing" of the weekend was the "Cold Water Challenge". We were on a lake, and a few of the girls had been recently nominated. My understanding of the challenge is that you must jump into a cold body of water within 24 hours of being nominated, or donate $100 to charity. What ended up happening was the priest on the retreat with us offered to do the challenge, since none of the girls had permission forms to go in the lake. (School rules, which is legitimate). The girls thought it was hilarious, and the priest told us later that it was something he did with his buddies when in college, so not much of a challenge for him.

The girls challenged the priest- the "Cold Water Challenge"

Back to the scarves- one skein of Knit Picks Felici per scarf, crocheted on an angle. I didn't want a pattern so busy that it obscured the striping, but I didn't want plain double or single crochet either. It's basically my version of the Retro Striped Scarf from Crochet Me a few years back.

One Step closer

Five Finished Squares

My finishes have been small, but I am seeing a bit of progress on my sock blanket. There are plans for dyeing yarn that may take place this evening, but nothing really concrete. These little squares are definitely the best on-the-go project to have right now, so there is hope for more progress over the next few weeks.

The weather is tired and rainy today, and my mood reflects that. I've been busy, bustling around trying to get lesson plans together. Hopefully the weekend will be calmer.

FO Friday!

A Happy Finish

Not really true to color.

I finished my sister's birthday present this morning, with just the ends left to weave, and a light blocking if I have time. Seeing as she picked out the color & yarn, I'm really hoping she likes it. Working with Knit Picks Stroll was lovely- I have worked with similar before, but not the plain Jane Stroll. I have to find a place where I can capture the true color of the yarn; it is much richer in person. Also, my couch is not a good staging place. Nor is my iphone a fabulous camera when I need it to be (it takes great pictures when I dont need it to take great pictures).

 

New wardrobe in the first bedroom

Yesterday afternoon, E and I spent quite a bit of time assembling the above wardrobe. E was having a bit of trouble, but once two heads were involved, it came together fairly quickly. It looks great with the new paint too. Assembling this was one of the last steps in having the apartment move-in ready. My parents have a baby crib for us, which we are picking up this weekend, and after that, there is just a bit of cleaning left. We won't start moving in earnest until after the school year is over, but we are getting there. (Also, I'm making new curtains.... Hopefully)

Again, colors don't work, though this does give you an idea.

My sock blanket is progressing slowly but surely. I came to the conclusion last night that this will most likely NOT be for the baby on the way. While I'm not big on gender colors, this blanket will definitely lean girl, based solely on my own personal choices of yarns that have pink and purple in them. There has been no firm decision yet, but I'm pretty sure even if this doesn't work for baby, it'll work for someone else another time. I have many other more neutral options open to me. 

 

I really enjoy the sock blanket as a project, though, more than I thought. A quick knit for me, though still not up to speed just yet. The project as a whole may take a while, but the little squares will come together fairly quickly. It makes me want to start another crochet block project.... But I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

 

It's a happy Friday today, for me at least. Many things are getting finshed- both cleaning and crafting, we celebrate the sacrifice of Christ through his crucifixion, and Sunday we celebrate his rising from the dead. Overall, a good way to end the week.

Finishing Friday

Blue or pink? Any guesses?

I didn't quite finish my projects this morning, but I'm hoping by this evening to be finished with my chunky blue scarf. The other is a button cowl in a pale pink, just waiting for buttons. 

For those who caught my post yesterday, the lack of fanfare was not due to lack of excitement, but rather to 'I don't know how to proceed with this' in a sense. Work does not always leave room to get excited, but I have found some patterns to try- this sweet pinafore, this knit baby tunic, this knit blanket, another cute pinafore style dress, and this hoodie.

Once summer vacation hits, or maybe even as soon as spring break, I will start to get excited :)

FO Friday @ Tami's Amis!

A pile of projects...

...and nothing finished yet. Work can be so busy, and crocheting just doesn't happen as much as I would like. But there is some progress. 

There is another part of the Katniss cowl started, and the blue/green project is something I'm making up as I go along. It's been frogged at least three times already... I just can't  decide on the shape and style. Hopefully the weekend will give me more inspiration. 

A finished hat!

You can see my Christmas decorations hiding in the back

The focus isn't great, because iPhone photos are not the best at night, but I have finished a slouch hat. Challenged by my sister, I came up with the pattern myself. I plan on making more of these, so there will definitely be more (& better) pics in the future!

The fact that I've been  able to finish this is most certainly an accomplishment, as I have been so busy with teaching, my time is not always my own. I still want to make a few more before my final craft show of the season- next weekend! I think with Christmas being so close, many people will be shopping for gifts, and these have been particularly popular. 

Linking up with Tamis Amis! 

More Finishes

Last week I posted my finished Michele's Lace, and I have post blocking photos now too! 

The lace opened a lot with blocking. I took some photos with my mom modeling, and I'll get those up next week hopefully. 

I also finished my First Love shawl, and am currently debating about a button for it. The reason for the button is the smallish size of the shawl, which I was expecting. It might get a bit of blocking to help it. 

I left off the picot border, and was left with a small ball of yarn. My project page on ravelry will be updated with the measurements, etc, in a few days. 

Thinking about new yarn is dangerous. But I'm still thinking. I've been doing really good, keeping up with and finishing projects, and I think I need a wedding de-stress-er. 

Linking with FO Friday!

Sunny Summer Shawl

I just love alliterations! Yeah, I'm a teacher like that. This week, I've slacked off quite a bit here, mainly due to a full work week-- a co-worker's on vacation, so I worked every day. (the only sadness to that is working on my birthday, which I will celebrate with my family tomorrow).

It has given me time, though, to crochet. I tested a shawl pattern for Anastacia Knits, and I wanted to have it finished to show off today.



I've also been working on some shawl pins, one of which is featured in the above photo. I haven't blocked the shawl yet, but I think it will just bring out the edging more, so the photo is a fair representation.

Linking up with Tami for FO Friday!

FO: Rainbow Sampler

As promised, I present my finished baby blanket.

In a rush on Monday night, I decided to forego the puff stitches & border on this blanket:

yep, it's really bright

and simply finish with the rounds of granny.

The pattern is Rectangular Sampler Blanket, and it works up to a decent sized baby/lap blanket. I was working it as part of Underground Crafter's CAL, but didn't finish in time for the contest, and was also impatient.

My reason for stopping before the border was 1) because I knew if I didn't end it, I wouldn't finish and 2) I wanted to gift it ASAP. A friend of mine recently had a baby! and I wanted to give her something. It was spontaneous, hence the hurry to finish.

I'm pleased with how it turned out, all happy & rainbow-y. About 1000 yards of yarn went into it, and the rounds were starting to get long. I think if I work the pattern again, which I'd like to do, I would have more planning, and try to keep the colors down to 2 or 3, like the pattern recommends.

Linking with Tami for FO Friday!!!

Returning with FOs!

Been MIA for quite a few days- just got caught up in life, and projects, and wedding stuff.

I'm attempting to be more brief, as a way to keep reader and writer engaged and not over-taxed with my chatter. I'll let my pictures do the talking.

3 new hats!

Mustard hat with cranberry rose

Baby blanket for nephew Josiah, expected in September.

Keeping myself entertained while I crochet!

Bridal Shower- the ribbon bouquet is a hat, future mother-in-law laughing at my silliness

My future mother-in-law asked that the guests pray over me. 

It's been raining a bit here, but some beautiful flowers are out in my mom's garden!

So, I've been busy. The hats & blanket were finished this last week. I'm about halfway through the first season of the West Wing. I'm listening to The Fellowship of the Ring again, because I like the reader, and the content is so fun!

My first bridal shower is done with, and it was a lot of fun-- E's aunt and cousin did most of the work, and the food was amazing. Luckily, I have another month or two before the shower hosted by my sister  & aunts.

Linking up with Tami's FO Friday!!!! 

A Garment in 72 Hours

Even though I am both a process and a product girl when it comes to crocheting & knitting, today I'm definitely endorsing the product end of the spectrum.

Last week, after finally assembling the afghan for my parents, I felt inspired to tackle what seemed like another large project: a garment for me. Over the last 18 months, I have been challenged through various Block-A-Month crochet-a-longs, which have expanded my technique and helped me to become a more adventurous crafter. I have also gotten better at knowing what I like and don't like, and am now more than willing to frog a project if it is not suiting my needs.

3/4 length sleeves & 2 buttons

The garment that I choose to make: a crocheted cardigan. I knew this would be a good choice, because it would not take as long as a knitted cardigan (I knit a lot slower than I crochet) and also because I had just recently lamented to my sister the lack of colored cardigans in my wardrobe.

my pair of buttons are nearly an exact match to the stripe I added

The pattern I picked is a free one: Chevron Lace Cardigan. This pattern was recently brought to my attention again through Knit and Crochet Blog Week, where we were asked to think about projects that would reflect the characteristics of our chosen house. My chosen house, the House of Manatee, reflects the calmer, steady nature of crafters, and I felt like it fit my most prominent crafting personality. I further explain this here.

Back to product versus process. I enjoy crafting because it makes me feel less useless while watching television. It makes me feel productive. I also enjoy wearing the items I make. This project was definitely a product. The process was quick, meaning I had the desired item (a colored cardigan) in a few short days. I never thought it would take me so little time to make myself a sweater, and I am totally thrilled. I dyed the yarn for it simply ages ago, blogged about here.

Perfect length, perfect weight

After debating about buttons with several different people, I found the ones I wanted.

It didn't really need blocking, so I wore it on Monday. Outside in the sun, the wool was definitely a bit too heavy. But in my air-conditioned workplace, it was perfect. I had a lot of compliments on it, which calmed my worries about it being a completely awful garment.

This sweater also used up close to 700 yards of yarn, pushing my total yardage used this year over 5 miles!!! (I know I have added to my stash this year, but I still feel awesome!)

Linking with Tami to share the love of a finished sweater!

Finished and Unfinished

As per usual, I have quite a few projects on the hooks or needles. But do not dismay, I have finished some of them to share with you today.

After my fall off the sheep, I determinedly got back on and started using the yarn. My test cowl shows that using a Q hook (I think that's the size. Basically, whatever size the ginormous plastic hook is...) makes too loose of a fabric, so I'm trying different sizes to get the drape I want. I finished the test cowl though. It is nice, but way too hole-y for my tastes.

#1

Another project that has been waiting to be completed is another wreath. This isn't really a crochet/knit project, but it involves yarn! Wednesday afternoon, I got out my hot glue gun and finally glued the pieces together. I actually completely finished two wreaths, though one of them had just been waiting on the glue for a while. Although I really like the inexpensive-ness of the pipe insulation, I don't feel that it makes the most sturdy wreath. I'll be on the hunt for something on the sturdier side if I want to continue to make these wreaths.

#2

My unfinished stuff consists of a cowl for my sister's birthday, which was yesterday; a knitted commissioned item that I finally unlocked the key to making the pattern simpler, so am finally making visible progress on; Steph; Blue Pineapples; and a number of dyed yarns that are waiting to be transformed. But HOORAY! I finish my student teaching today, so my life becomes my own again. (I mean, I'm hoping to get some subbing jobs between now and the end of the year, but I will not be working 5 days a week without pay anymore.)

Linking with Tami's Amis for FO Friday.

Finished: Dyeing

This yarn was supposed to coordinate, not match, but since I was experimenting with dye, it turned out pretty close in color. My last few days have been a bit busy, so I haven't gotten anything finished. It's ok though. I'm enjoying my last few days of Spring Break.

The top yarn is KnitPicks Palette, and the bottom is KnitPicks Bare Stroll, which I obviously dyed. I'm planning on making the crocheted version of the Color Affection shawl that has been popular. I'm excited to see how it comes out.

Yesterday, the weather was beautiful and I spent the afternoon with my cousin and her children. We all went to a nearby nature park and had a lovely long walk. Photos later, for sure :)

Share all your FOs (hopefully more finished than mine!!) over at Tami's!

A Finally Finished Citron

After over a year of knitting (Well, mostly hibernating), I'm pleased to share my finished Citron shawl. I've always loved the simplicity of the pattern, and had a tendency to get jealous of all the other bloggers that I would stumble across who had the patience to finish one of these.

My sister was not thrilled to be used as a model

Late in 2011 when I found out about a great sale on bare lace weight yarn (Sanguine Gryphon, which I think has now split into 2 different companies), I knew I had the yarn for this pattern. I dyed it myself with McCormick food coloring and vinegar (blogged about here) and cast on early in 2012.

She kept adjusting it.

After getting about 3 sections in, the rows started to be too long for my lack of patience, and my berry Citron went into hibernation. I was compelled to bring it back out after the 10 minutes a day "challenge" on the Cold Sheep board on Ravelry. The idea is that if you spend at least 10 minutes a day on one of "those" projects that drive you insane, or whatever, then eventually it will get properly finished.

I thought it popped with the color of her sweater

My original plan had been to use up the entire 800 yard skein of yarn. However, with my patience still on edge, and after realizing that the original pattern was a fine size with only 5 sections and a ruffle, I just stopped. I did end up using about 510 yards of the yarn... so now I need to find something else to make with it. I think a over-dye may be in order.

I had this 'around', and it just happened to work REALLY well

I'm still working out the kinks with my new camera

I'm wearing it with a make-shift shawl pin-- a hair stick poked through a crocheted flower from Barbara at Made in K-town. (She has the pattern for free on her blog)

Linking with Tami's FO Friday, after a few weeks of quiet.

Fingerless?

There is just no way, with my schedule, that something I post as "WIP" on Wednesday is going to be a finish on Friday. It just doesn't happen.

This gives you an idea of size

But a girl can dream, right?

Gratuitous pic of nail color and engagement ring. I'm testing out nail colors for the wedding. 

If progress happens, it'll be over the weekend, most likely. And I do plan on having a pair of something--fingerless mitts or full mittens-- on Monday.

Onto my question:
I am working on mittens. The pattern includes an awesome thumb-space. I really just want to stop and have a pair of fingerless mitts. Except I already have several pairs. And I legitimately need a pair of wool mittens.

(Another ring shot) This is a better representation of color

Should I persevere?

Linking with Tami, even though I'm not quite finished....

FO Friday

Still needs blocking, but finished otherwise!

 On Wednesday, I shared my Juliana that was halfway done. As I worked on it after school and during our evening television shows, I came to a realization. I figured out what colors I love working with: sunset colors-- rich purples, pinks with some yellows, blues and oranges. The Chroma I am using, Gossip, has some beautiful shades of pink and purple-- the only thing I don't like about the colorway is the muted pale pinks and purples that are used as the transitions.

Aren't those colors amazing!?

 However, I do LOVE the Palette Fingering in Mulberry that I'm using with the Chroma. The pattern yarn requirements have it listed as 766-919 yards. I opted for a smaller sized wrap, with my center section measuring 40 cm unblocked. I didn't follow the pattern exactly in regards to changing colors, but I don't really think you can tell. On the border row, I ran out of Palette about a third of the way around. I didn't want to frog, and I had another skein, so I "broke into" a new skein. I used nearly all the Chroma. So between the 2, I'd say I used a little over 640 yards (if my mental math is right, lol)

My Shallow Waters that I shared last week is still in a pile. I really appreciated the feedback on my color choices, but I think I'm going to take an alternative route and dye some yarn to match. I have Bare Stroll in the stash, and as long as I pick a light enough color, I can use that until the shawl is my desired size, and then re-dye to use with the last of my Pearlescent.

Due to my upcoming move, I'm really trying to commit to "Cold Sheeping" and am having some success being part of the Cold Sheep and Friends group on Ravelry. Two different discussions went on this week, one regarding the optimum number of WIPs, and the other discussing methods for finishing items that languish. I particularly took to the second one, as I have a knitted Citron that had been a WIP since this time last year. The idea is to take 10 minutes each day to work on a long term project that you may not like as much. And to work on it BEFORE working on something that you like. So I've pulled it out. It is taking me over 10 minutes to just complete one row. Originally, I wanted to use the entire skien of yarn that I had, but I'm thinking I probably wont anymore. So the only thing left is to decide when to stop.

I couldn't capture the colors properly, and its hard to see the true size when my circs are too short. 

I've also taken a couple of skeins and wound them into balls on the new yarn swift my dad helped me make. It's not perfect, and it takes up lots of space, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. You should be seeing the newly balled yarns in my WIPs next week!

Not all skeins are made the same size... 

I start teaching next week, 2 sections of 11th grade government. I'm nervous and excited, but it will cut into my crafting time ridiculously.

The way my university sets up the student teaching expierence requires 2 weeks of "proper" lesson planning for each class being taught by the student teacher. My host teacher has 3 different classes, so I will end up with 6 weeks of full lesson plans for 3 different subjects. After the initial two weeks, the lesson plan format can be reduced, so the load will be worse for the month of February, and then ease up in March.  Today marks the end of the 3rd of 14 weeks of my student teaching. So far, so good.

Linking up with FO Friday!