House Cup 4KCBWDAY1

The House of Manatee: Manatees are gentle, calm and cuddly. Relaxed and unflashy they represent the comfort and soft side of knitting and crochet.

In the debate over which House I belong to, I really wanted to properly assess myself. Originally, I was torn between the Manatee and the Bee. I would fit as a bee because I am always starting something new. But I feel like a lot of people are like that. I decided on manatee, because I feel like when I knit and crochet, I'm making something that will last, but also something that will give the recipient a hug. Even when I knit or crochet on commission, it's a blanket or a warm scarf or cozy hat.  

Sometimes I feel like flashy things are impractical. My wardrobe even reflects this, as it is full of staples- basic pants, tops, and shoes- though I do have some flashy pieces, they do not go with everything. And it's not even just my wardrobe. An ideal day to me includes several blankets, a cup of tea, and a cozy knit project. 

While I might not always come across as the gentle, calm, cuddly person, I know that I wish I was that person more often. There are so many times in my classroom where I wish I was acting as the calm and gentle person. 

We're supposed to be going for the best fit here, and my self-evaluation places me in the house of Manatee. Stop on by if you're looking for a cup of tea or for a hug in the form of a scarf. 

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.

FO Friday

The end of a busy week is more than a welcome sight. Tomorrow I might even wear jeans-- five days of "teacher clothes" can wear you down! And I don't insult teacher clothes, I just need to adjust my wardrobe to find stuff that is appropriate to teach in, is reasonable attractive, and comfortable.

But I get off topic so easily!! I'm here to post about yarn-y things. After school yesterday, I sat down with my hooks and cranked out a dishcloth, the border on a shawlette, and dithered about what to make next. I just found a few really nice cowl patterns in the Ravelry database, and I might try some out in the near future.

My 2 finishes are the Tulip stitch dishcloth that I've made before-- I super love the pattern-- and the Oveja shawl in a scarf/shawlette size. The Oveja is the CAL in the Crochet Shoulder Wrappers group this month, and as it is a goal of mine to get my stash under control, I'm finding yarns to go with various CALs so I have support when I work a pattern. It's a fun and active bunch  participating in this CAL, which is super helpful.

However, there is always a condition on my finishing-- today it is the fact that I still have 15 g left of the yarn I used, and I hate saving those little balls of yarn. So I'm debating between frogging back the final written row in the pattern and redo-ing, or adding on another border row to finish up the yarn.

And no photos because of my early rising and self-imposed bed times. Sorry. Maybe I'll do just a photo update this weekend. 

Holiday Stashdown Challenge Week 14

This week I added some finished projects to my Stashdown List, starting with a lacy-style cowl in Vanna's Choice Baby Cheery Cherry (which I bought on clearance a couple of months ago) with gold buttons that will probably be gifted to one of my aunts. The color really doesn't look baby-ish, and I bet it would be fabulous with a black or gray wool coat.

I also finished my Starlight tunisian scarf, 'By the Firelight', after working on it all afternoon yesterday. I still need to wash and block it, but it goes on my finished list, because I'll need a decent day to lay it outside to dry. I love the color, but I am not thrilled with the wool. I bought it in high school (oh my, *so* long ago, lol) when I had less experience with nice yarn. Greenfield Village (near Detroit) was the location of a field trip my senior yarn, and I bought the yarn there. It's a fun memory, but honestly, I've purchased nicer yarn since then.

On Saturday I cast on Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief in lace for my sister. She requested a triangle shaped scarf, similar to the Holden Shawlette that I made last fall. I wanted to try out a new pattern, and I'd looked at ABSK before, so I figured I should give it a shot.
The pattern is so simple! I totally love that it is simple yet pretty. Even though I hate counting, since the author is totally amazing and provided stitch counts, I'm taking advantage of them.

Brother #2, when asked in a backwards way, said that he would like a new scarf. I've made him a variety of hats, so I'm honestly not surprised that he doesn't feel like he needs another one. He decided on Ravenclaw colors (blue and silver) so now I just need to decide what pattern to use. I'll probably adapt the PoA movie version scarf into crochet- using hdc and dc stitches for speed. Because he asked for a scarf, that means I will have one less hat to make! Yay!

I'm making a bit of progress on the Smorgasbord blanket, but have not assembled any more of it yet.

I readjusted some items on my list because they seemed like too much work, especially considering my relationship with some of the people. I've reasoned that there is nothing wrong with a scarf.

FINISHED:
Starlight Tunisian Scarf- stash yarn
Divine Hat for Sister- stash yarn
Non-Felted Slippers for Godmother- stash yarn
Neon Soft Waves Cowl- stash yarn
Cheery Cherry Lace Cowl- stash yarn (this was not originally on my list, but after I made it, I realized I could make it fit)
2 hats of 9 (custom order)- stash yarn

WIP Wednesday:

I haven't had a whole lot f time to blog the past week, as every day after Wednesday had something going on. Thursday, I taught my first class-- this was only the third or fourth time I've properly taught a class, with a lesson plan and everything. After that I worked all afternoon. Friday was a rinse and repeat. Saturday I got up early again to go out of town with my aunt for a spring craft show (it went very poorly). Sunday was a bit more relaxing, but still an early start to the day with Mass. Monday I had class and work, Tuesday I taught again and had another class. So yeah, a really busy week. And I still have 2 more days of teaching this week- Thursday and Friday again.

Something that Eileen over at Crochet Attic said yesterday really caught my attention:

 None of us live in a bubble where everything is wonderful all day everyday. 

This is totally the truth. I try to keep things as real as possible, and while I try not to complain on the internet too much, I don't try to sugar coat things.  I've been busy, life's been stressful, but God is in control.

And since I've rambled on so much, I figure I should get to sharing with you what I've been working on this week.
I recently was gifted a drop spindle, and while I am absolutely clueless about spinning, I still bought some roving from the craft show on Saturday. I've watched a few youtube videos, so I understand the basic process, but getting the wool to go the way I want is just not happening.


I'm trying to continue my stash-bash, and I have this huge bag of yarn...  I haven't decided if it's a bag or a creature. Originally, it was a bag, but I got lazy and didn't want to keep increasing. So I think it's a creature in progress. Both yarns are from recycled sweaters.


This ball of yarn will be another Claret Cowl. This used to be a skein of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bare Bulky, but I dyed it with kool-aid and now it is beautiful, if I do say so myself. I just haven't cast on yet. But by the end of the day, it will be.


You should check out Tami's Amis, cuz there should be tons of awesome WIPWs over there.

WIP Wednesday: Inspired by the Blog-o-sphere

This week I have been really inspired by all the crafting I've seen, done by bloggers who link up with Tami's Amis for WIPW and FOF and Ginny's Yarn-Along.

I have 2 'big' WIPs this week, not counting lesson planning.

First up is the Claret Cowl, inspired by Ginny, who shared her sunny cowl with us a few weeks ago. This is also semi-inspired by Liz [Yarnberry] who shared about a yarn bowl two Fridays ago. I am actually surprised that I like knitting in the round.


Second is my MSU ripple. One of my best friends is getting married in a few months, and this will either be a wedding or shower gift to them. (They met at MSU) I'm using the ripple pattern from Lucy @ Attic24, which I have used before and absolutely LOVE. I'm using Caron Simply Soft, so it'll be easy to wash but still super soft.

I have to get back to my lesson planning, so that's all for today! Thanks for stopping by!


<3 Mary

Some New Books and some FOs!

I was greet yesterday when I got to work with a new book on the hold shelf for me: Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series. Knowing that I was at about the same place on the list for this book and the next one (Mockingjay), I feel the need to read quickly. Also, my life just keeps getting busier, as I have 8 days of teaching coming up in the next few weeks. I was talking about books with a group on Ravelry, and someone just started reading Laurie R. King's Touchstone. She said she couldn't put it down. Has anyone else read it? I didn't check it out from the library, as I still am reading a few other books. I am a terrible polygamous reader. [The person who suggested it actually said I should start with one of her other books.]

For Finished-Object Friday over at Tami's Amis, I have 2 things to share.
I finished blocking my cabled cowl, and got the buttons sewn on. I noticed a little mistake when blocking, but I hope no one else does! I also finished my crocheted button cowl, but have decided against making a set.
(I am extremely frustrated this morning, as my internet is running slow, and does not want to upload my pictures. I was all set to share some pictures, but I guess those will have to wait. Sorry.)
I also have a huge stack of crocheted flowers that will go onto hair elastics or headbands in the near future.

(This is the only picture I have, because I took it a few days ago)

Nothing Finished today

I have nothing finished to share this week, so I'm not linking up to Tami's, but I still wanted to share what I was working on.

My crocheted button cowl that was in the works on Wednesday is finished except for the buttons- I have them picked out and everything, just not sewn on. I have more than enough yarn to make a complete set- I'm thinking a pair of fingerless gloves and a nice headband/earwarmer. Not sure if I'll sell it, as it's 'one-of-a-kind' and those don't seem to do well at the craft shows.

I've been working hard on my Lenten afghan, and as today is the 10th day of Lent, I should have ten squares. To be honest, I only have 9 right now, but after work tonight, I plan on working up a few more. I've sewn the first 8 together in pairs, which should cut down on my finishing work. I have about 8 6" squares with ends waiting to be woven in, and I'm planning on sewing those together either in strips or to make 12" squares. I haven't quite decided yet.

The BAMCAL March squares were released Wednesday night, and I have them all printed out. So far I've been able to work the 6" squares- Never Fading Flower- and it works up a bit small, so I added a few extra rows so they match my others. I'm debating about adding 6" squares to my 'official' BAMCAL afghan-- if I do, I will make a set of 4 to create a 12" square.

I've also been doing a bit of knitting- testing out some cabling for another button cowl. This will definitely have a matching headband/earwarmer, but again, still not sure about selling them.

I am sadly without pictures in this post, as I have been so busy trying to get everything done before Spring Break so I can relax, that I just haven't had time to take pictures. Maybe I'll add some tonight.

Slow but steady

I've had a busy week, both with school and with my crafting. I get my fieldwork placement today, so that's what I'll be doing for most of the month of March. We are required to get something like 24 hours of time in the classroom- 4 observing, 20 teaching (or some similar combination, I can't quite remember).
Since spring break is next week, I've had a big project to finish for every single one of my classes. My spring break won't be as exciting as last year's (I went to Paris last year), but I do have a subbing job for 3 days as well as an appointment for a massage.

But onto my WIPs this week. I'm joining up with Tami's Amis and Ginny's Yarn Along.



I've been working on the Lattice Lace Wrap for a few weeks now, and it's only taking me this long because it is a hard project to carry along with me. The skein finally looks like it's getting smaller, which means I am getting close to the end. I've made a few mistakes at the ends of the rows, but they aren't terribly noticeable, as the yarn is pretty fuzzy.

I'm also working on another button cowl, as I liked my first one so much. However, this one is crochet instead of knit, as the knitting wasn't doing it for me. I'm using a K hook, with a DK-ish yarn held double. It's nice and squishy, with a front-post treble crochet detail. I'm thinking that when I'm done with it, I'll make a matching hat or headband.  Thoughts?

I'm actually reading a new book right now: A History of the World in 6 Glasses. It basically goes through the 6 drinks (other than water) that are important to history. I've only just started, but the author's insight on beer is fascinating. I like how he mentions different traditions that we still have that relate to various places in history.

That's all for today!