Summer Projects

Obviously I'm going to be very busy this summer. I'm job hunting, starting Craft Academy, updating my Etsy shop, probably redesigning my blog (time for a facelift, right?), and continuing to work on my portfolio. But aside from all that "work" (hehe), I'd like to throw in some fun, personal projects. Here are a few I have my eye on...

Fruity trivets and potholders via the Purl Bee (aren't these adorable?!)

I'm thinking the lime is my fav, but I may make a new color combo to make apples! Which would you do?

Rainbow cupcakes! (Lemon Drop Rainbow Cupcakes via Bite Size Baker)

I love rainbows and I love cupcakes. So...makes sense, right? :)
 

The Danielle Dress, a free pattern on BurdaStyle

This dress should be pretty easy to modify - neckline, length, sleeves, etc. And it's so simple and cute! I'm excited to make another dress ^_^ (Plus it's on my 2010 goals!)

Or maybe I'll make this Work Dress (it's a wrap style), also on BurdaStyle.

It's pretty nifty, not to mention handy! I looove pockets.

Crocheted Dishcloths via Lion Brand Yarn

 I think my favorite thing might actually be the colors :P

Root beer cookies?! That just sounds awesome! [Recipe here, but via The Dainty Squid] I also found some Dr. Pepper chocolate cake mix, so I may have to try to make my own recipe for that...It's going to be a tasty summer!

I'd also like to knit (or maybe crochet) a small shrug. I haven't found the perfect free pattern yet though. Anyone have one to share? Aside from these, we'll probably also be working on our apartment...I love redecorating :D And Alex and I are thinking of getting me an old Honda motorcycle to rebuild.......but that may be a more distant project. But I can still think about it this summer ;D

What just-for-fun projects are you working on this summer?

Knit-Along: Premie Hats

This month, Knit for a Cause is doing premie hats! For my group, I'll collect them at our meeting next month to donate to Seton Hospital. If you're not in Austin, you can donate them to a local hospital :-) So come knit along with us for little ones! (Here's an adorable crochet pattern from Squishy Chocolate.)

Here are instructions sent to me by my mother-in-law. What I love about them is that they adjustable - different sizes, different brims, different yarns. You can find a ton of patterns for premies here (including patterns that you don't knit in the round!). I'll upload pictures as I go. Please feel free to do the same! For my first one, I'm using a gorgeous Debbie Bliss yarn (60% silk) - yum!

No. 3 DPN, gauge 5 st = 1" across

ALL HATS HAVE TO BE SOFT COTTON OR SYNTHETIC YARN THAT CAN BE MACHINE WASHED/DRIED.  DO NOT USE WOOL AS THIS CAN IRRITATE BABY'S SENSITIVE SKIN.

Finished hat circumference (not head size):
X-small  5.5"
small 6"
med 7"
large 8"
full term 10.5"

Length of hat from edge to top:
X-small 2 1/2"
Small  3"
med 3 1/2"
large 4"
x-large 4 1/2"
full term 5 1/2"

Cast On:

Baby/Fingering Weight:
x-small  44 st
small 48 st
med 56 st
large 64 st
x-large  72 st
full term  84 st

Sport Weight:
x-small  36 st
small 40 st
med 46 st
large52 st
x-large  58 st
full term  68 st

DK Weight:
x-small  30 st
small 34 st
med 38 st
large 44 st
x-large 50 st
full term  58 st

Pick one edge:

Garter Stitch Edge:
Row 1:  knit around
Row 2:  purl around
Repeat row 1 & 2 until have 1 - 1 1/2" edge, then start decreases (see below)

Rib Edge: 
Work 1/2" of K1 P1 ribbing then K every row until 1 to 1 1/2 inches from desired length, then start decreases (see below)

Rolled Edge:
Knit every row until 1 to 1 1/2" from desired length, then start decreases (see below)

Decreases:
Depending on the number of stitches you cast on (see chart below) you work your way down (number of stitches) until you have 3 or 4 stitches left on each needle then draw yarn through stitches to gather, securing well.

Multiple of 8: 
Row 1:  knit 6, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

Multiple of 7: 
Row 1:  knit 5, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

Multiple of 6: 
Row 1:  knit 4, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

Multiple of 5: 
Row 1:  knit 3, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

Multiple of 4: 
Row 1:  knit 2, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

Multiple of 3: 
Row 1:  knit 1, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2:  knit
repeat

It's Happening!

1. I've already jotted down a schedule to try out!

2. Wanna help? (kidding...sorta ;)) shop

3. Paintings that inspire me:

Susan Hazard

Marcelo Pambo (via artnet)

 Takashi Murakami (via Art Radar Asia)

4. Something like...

(via knitty - patterns: holla and surface)

5. I'd love something like these from Anthropologie

6. Craft Riot by Etsy Austin, definitely! Looking into others, too :)

7. Definitely would be more organized. (And I love organization.)

8. I'd been thinking about it, and then seeing this:

...put my over the edge. I'm doing it.

(work of Elsie at A Beautiful Mess)

9.This one is pretty:

(tutorial via Film in the Fridge)

10. It's started with my bestie, but not quite ready to be viewed yet ;-)

Free Christmas Gift Tags!

I just made a page of free gift tags for you! I hope you like them :-) Just click here to download the PDF.

All I ask is that you leave a comment if you use them! You can even send me a photo if you'd like :) I'd definitely appreciate it. Thanks!

Scarves and Cowls and Chairs, Oh My!

Ok, I really don't have anything to say about chairs. But I have been knitting up a storm! I'm having so much fun with bulky yarn!! All the ladies in my family will be receiving knit gifts this Christmas (I hope they like them!). I believe most presents I give this year will be handmade. [I'm a preschool teacher...money is tight.] What better way to show I care than to spend countless hours creating gifts I can only hope will be appreciated?

I made this yin yang scarf for my mother-in-law, then moved onto bulkier weight yarn. I used this pattern to make my sister's gift (in the fisherman color *love*). I amended the pattern to make a couple more gifts. These have taken me a quarter of the time to complete! Especially as I've been practicing :) Oh, I'm in love with bulky yarn. And such gorgeous fall colors! This morning I completed a mobius scarf for my sister-in-law. It was kind of a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. So pretty!! I can't wait to give it to her :) I'll definitely be making another for my Etsy shop.

Speaking of which, I did list a new cowl on Etsy this morning. Here are some photos!

Batman Bag!

I've been sitting on this pattern by Lula Louise and this amazing Batman sheet I picked up at a thrift store for a while now. Finally I really needed another bag, and have the time, and decided to make it! It started off by me emptying out my giant box of sewing stuff. Since I'm an amateur and very poor, the only things I really keep on hand are scraps from old clothing and thrift stores and a few pieces of sale fabric I couldn't pass up. After sifting through, I cut the pattern out of the Batman sheet and some white linen. The pattern doesn't call for pockets, but I need them. I used yellow t-shirt sleeves to back a couple villains; I made a double pocket with a flap; and I made a couple invisible pockets on the Batman fabric.



After getting the pockets on, I was back to the pattern. Sewing the two pieces together wasn't bad (well, curves are slightly problematic). The bottom of the bag was really the hardest part (besides the pockets). It called for a basting stitch to gather it around the short ends, but that didn't really work too well for me. I did better when I just gathered it by hand. Of course, at this point it was 2am ;) I also actually pressed the fabric every time I was supposed to!! I'm so proud of myself for actually trying to make something pretty... (Also, notice my beautifully color-coded pins *swoon*)




Once I had the bottom sewn on, I turned the bag right side out and whip stitched the hole closed. Isn't she beautiful? *tear*



I'm really jazzed with how it turned out.


*note: I had to cut the Batman side in two pieces, because I wanted the pattern to be right side up on both sides! *pats self on back for foresight*

Knitted Grass Creature

I finally finished my first knitting project! I had to learn a lot of new things, since all I knew was how to knit and purl. Now I can slip slip knit, knit front and back, reattach yarn, and felt (sort of...). I must have messed up somewhere, because the two sides didn't fit wrong sides together, but facing the same way. As such stitching them together was a little difficult. But he still turned out really cute!

Anyway! This adorable little guy is thanks to the pattern by Mochimochi, an amazingly talented knitter. I also tried to use her mattress stitch tutorial to sew the two sides of the creature together.

I checked off every line on the pattern so I wouldn't get lost.


Here's the first side finished!


Felted, stitched, stuffed, and now with eyes!


Standing tall like this beautiful little grass creature should:


I'd like to make at least two more. I had an inspiration the other night: I'm going to put them in a window box (like for putting flowers in your window)! I'm very excited about it. Then maybe I'll knit some flowers (like these calla lilies from Knitty) and snails to go along with them... I can't wait to see it all together!