Christmas crafting round-up

I had great intentions of debuting all my crafting for the holidays slowly, but since it's practically mid-January, here ya go:

Item #1:
Here is the mysterious item I was hand felting. It is a big bag and it was a name-draw gift for Christmas. I was fairly pleased with the final product. I think it could have felted better in a machine but overall, I was able to keep the felting consistant. The handles were horrific to felt--I didn't think they would ever shrink! I will also confess to attaching the handles on wrong ends so I cut them and attached buttons for a cute little flair.






Item #2:
I decided that bags were going to be the gift of choice this year; they're always needed, super trendy, and customizable. So I made my mother and two sisters their own tote bags. I kind of winged it in terms of a pattern. I learned a lot about the process of adding a liner from the bags when I made the bags for my grandmothers, and I just adapted that pattern for new bags. I'm also starting to not forget to add pockets to the inside! I did, however, forget to make a bag for myself. I think they're so cute but I'm kind of burned out from sewing....maybe I'll make a couple when the outdoor farmer's market starts up again.


And for some non-present related Christmas crafting:

New Year's post

I don't think I really made a list of New Year's resolutions last year so I'll start with a clean slate this year.

First, I think my first new resolution should be to post more often! I always set out with the best intentions and something sidetracks me. I'm too busy creating and not documenting enough. One non-knitting goal I have for myself this year is to photograph the world around me more, and I'm sure my knitting will feature prominently in that endeavor.

Second, I will no longer buy yarn for imaginary projects, even charity baby items. I have a very small space to store yarn and most of it is taken up with bad yarn choices. I have reached a point where I need to bag all the yarn up and walk into a random knitting group, slip in beside someone else's chair, and walk away slowly. I have so many better creations to work on.

Third, I need to organize my queued projects and prioritize. I might work on Ravelry to make this happen, but at this point I'm not sure I want to fully jump into that community.

As for non-knitting resolutions...
I hope to dabble in embroidery a little this year.
I've made some progress with sewing and I want to keep that up. Limited time and space really are hard to work with though.

And finally (and I've been wishing for this for a while), I want a room of my own (but since I just renewed my crappy apartment lease, I don't think that'll happen this year).

Ridiculously long New Year's post

It's another new year! I went back to my "resolutions" post from a year ago and thought I would see how I did:

-Fewer impulse yarn buys - more conscious stash management!
Well...I did alright on this one. I tried to buy mostly sale yarns and to buy sweater quantities to encourage more garment knitting.
-Actually *finishing* more projects instead of ripping out 10 times before finally giving up.
I haven't gone back and counted my finished projects, and while I'm sure I was more productive than in the past I still had too many impulsive project starts and subsequent rejections.
-Knit more of my own clothes and knit more gifts for others.
Again, did better perhaps than in previous years but there's a lot of room for improvement.
-Do some charity knitting.
A community service group I belong to at my work did a hat knitting project in December - 26 hats for a men's shelter in our neighborhood!

My hopes for 2008 are high, and my project list is long, including lots more than just knitting. In general, this is my challenge: this year, how can I be more creative, more productive, and less wasteful? I want to think about these questions in all areas of life - crafting, eating, work, shopping & spending, etc. With regard to knitting in particular, I have begun to develop a list of specific project goals and sketch out a timeline for getting them done. I've resolved to buy no new yarn or clothes for 6 months in an effort not only to economize but also to focus on working with the materials I already have to create new clothes (or refashion old ones). And charity knitting is still a goal, both with the group at work and on my own.

Here is my last project of 2007 - the 6-stitch-per-inch Basic Socks from Getting Started Knitting Socks. I used one strand each of gray Wool-Ease Sportweight and brown sock yarn, and they turned out warm & well-fitting. They were very fast to knit, too.

Gifts & gifts

Here are a bunch of scarves I made for my coworkers and our student workers. I think I actually have another one to do, but since they only take about 2 hours to do on size 15 needles, I'm sure I can find time to finish just one more. I hadn't planned on making gifts for my work friends, but this Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn was on sale and the colors were so pretty, I caved in.


And here are the two-circular socks - not much progress! I've already had to scrap 2 other gift projects due to an overly ambitious knitting program...it's down to these socks and a mystery project (hmmm...), and I'm hoping to mail them both out early next week so I have to pick up my pace!

Something for Myself

As a small bonus for semi-finishing my final project in school, I thought I'd make a little something:

I made a little needle holder for all my double pointed needles. They were getting out of control at the bottom of my knitting bag. I had originally envisioned a large needle holder for all my needles, but I have way too many to do that and still make the holder a reasonable size. This way I can make three different holders. I got the idea from the Multicrafty: Knitting Needle Case tutorial, which I found via the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. I think it'll really help, but I wish I would have made the pockets a little more custom for each needle set. Some of the smaller needles move around a bit.

And I love the inside fabric!

Guess the insanity!

Here's a picture of what I've been slowly working on this week:


Yes, I am hand felting! It is quite the chore but it's actually working. I couldn't do it all in one shot; my arms got a little tired (eep!). This is another Christmas present and I needed it felted and dried before then but I don't have easy access to a top-loading washer so I'm resorting to this old-fashioned work. Where's the Wonder Washer when I need it? I will most likely have another post when it's all finished so I'll save the details for then.

I'm about to do something really irresponsible

It's the one year anniversary of our blog! I should have knit a little cupcake to celebrate, but is it really that big of a deal? I had to mark the milestone though.

On to projects:

I made myself a Christmas tree this year because my little tree I usually have is located at my parent's house and I won't be making a trip there until after Christmas. I found these wonderful little softy trees from little birds handmade and decided to expand on that idea.


I sewed little circles of Christmas fabric on it for bulbs. I still have to put lights up and the star on top but kitty is having some issues with it right now so I'm waiting for her to settle down a bit. Apparently it's a giant toy!

Good Grief!

I had high hopes of posting something every day of December this year. I seem to have plenty of projects, but not enough time I guess. To kind of catch up, here are three recently finished projects:


First, I made another green A-line skirt. This time, I added pockets, which was fun to think about and plan for. I didn't use a pattern again and I still like the skirt, but I think it flares out a little more than I wanted but I can never tell what it'll look like until I have it all sewed up and by then I'm not tearing it out again. Also, I added a liner but didn't take a picture of it.






Next, I had a request from a friend to knit a Charlie Brown sweater. I didn't think I had to time or desire to knit a whole yellow and black sweater so I compromised and knit a hat instead. I made the pattern all by myself (not too hard, thankfully!) I used my favorite Cascade 220 yarn and followed the Hats that Fit by Nancy Lindberg pattern.




And finally I started my holiday crafting. I feel fairly safe posting what I've worked on so far. I'm making bags for both my grandmas and here's one bag all finished up. I used the Curved Gusset Bag from U-handblog. It sewed up really fast and it was easy even for me. It turned out really well and it's huge! I think it's almost too big.




More tomorrow!

I need a Room of My Own!

Here's a picture of what I've been working on:It's a sweater for my mom and right now it's laid out all over my bedroom floor. :( It's a good thing she never looks at this site because I'm sure she wouldn't like my cat walking all over her new sweater.
I'm still in the ideas phase for everything Christmas-themed. I have yarn for one project that I probably will start as my mom's sweater blocks. A lot of my presents this year involve fabric and not yarn. I'm excited to forget about school and start crafting!

Little sweater

It's the February Baby Sweater by the wonderful Elizabeth Zimmermann, knit in the yarn from a ripped-out old sweater of mine. I really enjoyed knitting this for a brand new baby, although she probably won't be big enough for it for a couple of months.


And these are my two-at-a-time socks! After the first couple of rows, it became easy to handle the two needles and manipulate the turns. It's so exciting to think that I'll get to avoid the notorious Second Sock Syndrome and have a complete pair when it's all over. The only downside is that the multiple components don't lend themselves well to subway knitting, which is how I've been trying to make a dent in my holiday knitting goal.

Finished Projects

I thought I'd post what I've been working on lately. It's been a while! First, I finished the baby crew sweater that I started a couple weeks ago. It turned out really cute. I wish I knew a baby to model it!

Second, a couple of weeks ago I went to Old Navy and found a really horrific jumper (for only $6) made out of the exact color green corduroy that I've been scouring Joanne Fabrics for. So, I bought an XXL and used it to make a skirt. I wish I would have taken a picture of the jumper. It could have been a really cute above the knee jumper, but it flared out so much that it looked like a mumu.

Anyway, here is the jumper transformed into a basic A-line skirt. I thought I'd be cool and model it (I'm not sure if I'm pulling off the boots though...) I used another skirt of mine that I really like as the basic template and I added a cute fabric to the yoke on the inside (because I'm all about cute details...I'm a sucker for things that other people won't see...)

That's it for finished projects but I'm working on some other things (and getting great ideas for Christmas presents...) so hopefully I'll have a new post soon.

A wee update

Circumstances have conspired to keep me away from knitting lately, which is very bad considering how many holiday gift projects I've set out to make. The brown sock has been made twice now, and has turned out way to big both times, so in a fit of frustration I bought the book Knitting Circles Around Socks, plus two circular needles in a smaller size, in the hopes that not only will I end up with a normal-sized sock but maybe save a little time by doing the two at once.

While I waited for the book to arrive I needed a portable project to work on during my lunch breaks, so I started my first Elizabeth Zimmermann project, the February Baby Sweater:


The yarn is reused from the sweater I ripped apart a few months ago. I think it's a perfect baby color, plus it's machine washable. This pattern is going incredibly fast, and is terribly cute. If I have time (hah) I want to make the baby leggings from the same book in the same yarn...but I might have to settle for just booties or a bonnet.

I actually do have a few more projects underway, but since those are destined to be gifts for people who may read this, they'll have to remain secret for now. :-)

Photo Frenzy!

I have my camera back! I thought I'd update my knitting progress.

First, I finished my Stag Bag:
The liner isn't quite right...Tippi's how-to was really helpful. I think I need to reinforce my strap. I wanted an over-the-shoulder I knit two i-cords but they stretch and really pull on the bag so I might add a fabric underside to the straps. I haven't had time yet for that. The bag is usable (and being used). I have to admit to being a bit wary about my talents and desire for the bag, but it's so great. I'm so glad to have tried this bag.

I also made another bag this week:
I didn't quite have the right colors to make the Candy Corn Bag. My bag also really belled out when I felted it. I used Patons wool. I've felted with this before, but it really acted funny this time. The different colors seemed to felt at different times. I think the original is much cuter, but this was just a quick little project. Halloween is so close and I want to be able to use it this year.

Finally, I started another baby sweater:
It's the Jo-Jo Basic Crew Sweater from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-ease worsted weight yarn, so it's not so natural, but I am trying to work through my stash still. There's a lot of cute ideas in this book.

It's done!

I finally finished the Stag Bag! Overall, I'm happy with it. I found a great lightweight cotton canvas to line it with - the dots match the dark yarn perfectly! I made it a tote rather than a shoulder bag, although the handles are big enough to fit over my shoulder, but not too long so the bag hits the ground when carried as a tote.

So, how did I line it? Well, since my sewing skills have deteriorated significantly since 7th grade Home Ec, I just winged it, taking some guidance from Grumperina's post on how she lined her knitted tote (check out the awesome ribbon handle tabs!). I made an inside-out bag just smaller than the Stag Bag (18 x 17 inches!) and sewed a couple of pockets onto it, then slid strips of plastic canvas into the top to give it more strength. I lined the handles with strips of fabric and hand-sewed it all together.

With the dense knitted fabric, the canvas lining, and the plastic reinforcements, it's a really sturdy bag and I hope it gets a lot of use this winter. This project was a real challenge for me, and totally worth it. AND! I have a whole extra skein of the beige Lamb's Pride left over! I can't decide whether to make a hat or mitts...




And here's the finished Eyelet Yoke Sweater from Lion Brand; the dye lot change isn't even noticeable!

Zombie knitting!

Because I can never pass up posting fun knitting ideas:

My Picture-free post

I don't have my camera! I forgot it at my parents house this weekend! I might not be back before Christmas! What am I going to do?

I will still mention my weekend work. I finished the body of my stag bag. I am blocking it right now, but I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't knit the sides up before I did it! I now have a fuzzy bag and will have to find a nice seam when it is dry. It is huge! I was imagining it to be purse-ish bag size, but it's going to fit my lunch, book, and cat with room to spare. I think that a liner is required so it doesn't stretch to the floor when I stuff it full of my vagabond life. It sure would be great if Tippi could give a tutorial of how to add a liner...

My other weekend project was the socks that I've been working on all year. I finally got the bug to finish them, but I just finished the second heel and I don't have enough yarn! I'm about two inches shy. I really can't follow whatever rule I laid out all that time ago. I am constantly running out of yarn for projects. Gah. This makes me mad only because I should have enough for two socks, but I guess I like the sock to be longer than normal. Maybe I just have legs a piano can stand on :) In any event, I might try and find the yarn again--does dye lot matter all that much? On the other hand, I probably won't wear these things.

I feel like my whole weekend was a waste!

Eyelet yoke sweater

Here is the second holiday project I've got underway - it's the Eyelet Yoke Sweater from Lion Brand. The pattern calls for Cotton Ease but I'm using up some Patons Shetland Chunky that I had in my stash. The only modification I've made to the pattern is to add the white dots in the body of the sweater. I'm really happy with how it's turning our so far. On the Stag Bag front, I'm still looking for the perfect lining fabric...

Wonder Washer

As I was glancing through various blogs today (avoiding school like the plague), I came across a post about this:
It's the Wonder Washer and I thought it was too cool not to post about it. I could felt any wool I lay hands on any time I want! I could also wash new fabric without waiting until I have a load of laundry too. So, I doubt I'll buy this (practicality and space and all...), but it is fun to dream.

Stag Bag Front

Here's the front of my stag bag:


I think I knit the top wrong, but I looked at the directions several times...It doesn't look weird or bad so I'm not going to stress about it. I just hope the bottom knits the same way. :) I also dropped a stitch, and while I'm not an expert picking up dropped stitches under normal situations, it was quite the problem when I had two choices of yarn. I can't wait to finish this...just in time for deer hunting season

Ta Da!

I thought my camera had died this week so I was a bit frazzled about this whole knit-along, but all is good! And I have both sides of the front done now. Hopefully I will have the whole front done by the end of the weekend. It's knitting up to be a very large bag--bigger than I thought originally!

Stag Bag progress + first holiday project

Here is the Stag Bag so far, all pinned up for blocking. After I sewed the side seams I fulled the bag lightly to tighten it up, and now it has a nice fuzzy, dense, felty kind of feel. The mohair in Lamb's Pride really fuzzes up, which I like. I've started knitting handles, which I think I will do differently than the pattern; I will probably make two tote-like handles rather than one long shoulder strap. I'm also debating whether I will do an applied I-cord along the side seams or just leave them. In any case, I'm pretty happy with it so far - it's huge! And I do love big bags. Oh, and I will be lining it, too, at some point.


And here is a new work in progress, the first sock I've ever knitted, which will be a Christmas gift. The yarn is superwash merino and so far, it's going pretty well. I'm using a really basic pattern from Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd. I haven't gotten to the really terrifying parts of the pattern yet (heel, instep, toes) but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Stag Bag update

I'm a little slower of a knitter than Tippi, so here is my progress on the Stag Bag:


I have all month, right?
This is super fun yarn to knit with. It's so soft--it made me realize that I should venture out beyond wool and acrylic sometimes.

While I wasn't knitting the Stag Bag...

I continued to work on my striped henley sweater:

I am making this up as I go so this might not make it to the final stages. I got the henley idea from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Around. I originally wanted to make a fair isle, but I don't think I'll have enough yarn. I'm using my Chaco yarn I bought at Smiley's Yarn Riot back in January:

At that price, I should have bought a lot more!

I also started knitting the Pea Pod Baby Set from Knitting Daily.
This is how far I got:
I had a horrific ball of Red Heart supersaver yarn and thought I'd use it up, but the gauge was way off so I ran out before I could work on the arms. I love this pattern though and I think the Berroco yarn I am using for the Stag Bag will work great for this pattern. I will continue to hold onto the impulse buy yarn that I have no desire to use anymore :(

Finally, here's a picture of the finished owl:

Softies

I haven't posted anything too exciting for a while, so I'll add to that streak by sharing this link I found today:

Softies Central

It's all about handcrafted toys. They're all so cute! I particularily love August 28th's post of the Candy Corn Vampire!

I couldn't wait

I know you are but what am I?

I was hoping to use the yarn specified in the Stag Bag pattern, and like Rita, I'd surveyed the colors and decided that the Chocolate & Fennel really were the best combination. However, the yarn store didn't have either Ultra Alpaca Light or Ultra Alpaca, and it's the only yarn store I've been to here that has nice salespeople, so rather than give my money to New York Yarn Nazis I went with my old favorite, Lamb's Pride, from the nice people. I chose a really dark reddish purple and a slightly heathered wheat color; I really really love this yarn and these two colors, but I hope my choices don't turn out to be too contrasty.


A bonus result of this change of plans is that the bag will turn out larger, and I love big bags. So then, let the great experiment begin!

For the little ones

I had a lot of Cotton-Ease left over from Snakey, so I crocheted a granny square baby blanket for a coworker who is pregnant. I have become very fond of the new Cotton-Ease; it's really soft and comes in great colors, and it's machine washable.










And this is a toddler jacket from a free Berocco pattern. I used some of the Wool-Ease I'd originally intended for the Pink Sweater That Never Was. This was a really easy pattern and I think it turned out well, I just hope it fits well. I'm still debating whether to add some kind of fastener, like a frog clasp or something.













So...this means that my project bag is empty! I'm going shopping for the Stag Bag yarn on Wednesday (yarn store is closed on Tuesdays - wtf?) and I can't wait to start on it. I'm also planning a Christmas gift knitting program, hopefully to be revealed soon.

Knit-along

I guess this is my inaugural post for the Stag Bag knit-along. I went to the yarn store this weekend to purchase the yarn. I wasn't sure if I was going to follow the colors in the pattern, but after looking at all the options, I thought the brown and fennel were the best choices:


Apparently this is brand new yarn, which I didn't know. I had the store employee opening boxes of yarn just so I could see what my options were. I felt kind of bad...