Felted slippers January 17, 2010

I broke down and bought the pattern for the french press felted slippers yesterday. Then I realized I needed to decide on a ravelympics project. So I picked the Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang. I took a look at the yarn requirements and thought about using some variegated sock yarn from my stash. Then I did a little more research and discovered that I didn’t like the effect of variegated yarn in conjunction with the pattern. Of course I didn’t have the perfect yarn for these, so I was compelled to buy some.
Off I went to www.knitpicks.com to pick up some inexpensive sock yarn. I picked out an obnoxiously bright, yet fabulous combination (bordeaux and teal anyone?) and added it to my cart. I looked at the top of my screen and saw the “amount to free shipping” and went a little bonkers. I added some yarn for the french press slippers, and some blocking wires. I kept adding and adding, and finally realized that I didn’t have $400 to spend on yarn this week. Damn!
I culled the cart severely, and ended up with some fantastic yarn and goodies, and only $54 poorer. It’s winging its way to me now.

I spent today organizing my ravelry queue and sorting favorites. I tried to eliminate queued items I didn’t have yarn for, but left a cabled cardigan with a hood. It’s so pretty, I just had to keep it.
I batted my eyelashes a bit and got Mr. to take me over to AC Moore so I could spend my $10 rewards thing. I found some great things to add to swap packages I’m working on. I then figured I’d look at the yarns and maybe make a cheap sweater. I found a seafoam-aqua sort of color (it’s much prettier than it sounds) in the baby section. It was only $3.79 a skein. So I did some math (ouch) and started piling in the yarn. I walked around the corner, and saw the giant balls of yarn, in the same color!!! and on sale at 2 for $10!!! *deep breaths*. I did a little more math and figured out that I would only need 1.5 giant yarn balls, so I did the switch.
I went up to the register, piled my loot on the counter, and the sweet cashier lady rung it all up. I handed over my rewards paper, and the plastic card that gathers these rewards. I looked at the total, ready to accept the damage I’d caused. What did I see? A total of $20.95. Wow. The I looked closer thinking this was too good to be true, and noticed another number. Uh oh… What’d I do? She read out the total to me. Cashier lady: “$7.49 please”. Me: “how much?” Cashier lady: “$7.49 miss”. Me: “are you sure?”. Cashier lady: “yup. Secret sale”. Me: “awesome!!!”.
So all in all, I got $30 worth of stuff for $7.49! I love sales!!!

The knitted update October 17, 2009

I have a copious amount of knitting going on right about now. And as such, I need to make a list of it somewhere to help me keep track.

I’m busy working on a project for my sculptural knitting class (yes, I do in fact get credit for this class). It’s some sort of neck-head covering thing making use of several patterns. I’m still working on the first section of it, a band for the bottom making use of the cable chart from the Snow Drift cardigan found in the book Inspired to Knit. And it’s making me crazy. I originally wanted to create a capelet hood type thing. Something to reach down over my shoulders and cuddle up around my neck, and be pulled over my head in place of a hat. I;m starting with a band for the bottom. This is due next Wednesday. I think I’m in trouble here.

I’m also working on a garter stitch blanket. I began this the day after my grandmother passed away as something to keep my hands busy but wouldn’t need any thinking. I love it so far, but it’s eternal garter stitch. I’m over that.

Next in the rotation is a pair of flip top mittens for the Mr. for christmas. He requested them a while ago, but he was on knitted gift probation after a dilemma involving a 12 foot long scarf and the garage floor… That’s a story for another post. I’m on the fingers of the second glove, and then need to add the mitten tops to both. They’ll be done in time.

Then comes the xmas hat for my brother. I’m trying to figure out the increases right now. I know how I want the hat to look when it’s done, but I just can’t get it quite right.

A beautiful chocolate brown alpaca lace shawl is still in the rotation. I work on a few rows every few weeks or so.

I have a bunch of buttons to sew onto various items that are otherwise complete. I really need to get those done. I’ve been wearing a sweater with no buttons for a couple of weeks now. That’s just sad.

There is an entirely too long list of thing I need to make before the holidays. I’ll get going on those soon. Once that’s all done, I plan to finish up a whole bunch of UFOs sitting around my apartment. And I’ll someday finish the lace shawl so I can start another one.

I have my work cut out for me it seems. Pictures in the future.

I really really want! October 5, 2009

I came across these slippers while on a search through Ravelry. I really really want to make myself a pair. I could just buy a pair on Etsy from French Press Knits but she mentioned the possibility of posting the pattern for sale. And I really want that to happen.

Really really!

A new goal October 4, 2009

I make a lot of things. I work on making things just about every day. I don’t take many pictures. I want to, but I usually forget.

As a result of both of these things, I’ve decided to try and make something (or work on a project in progress) every day and photograph it. The plan is to then photograph my progress each day, and compose my photos for the week, and maybe post them here. I know there will be days when I don’t do much at all, but I hope that this will get me creating far more regularly.

The first step in this process is to dig out the sewing machine and stitch up the bags I’ve already cut out. I really don’t have much of an excuse for not doing it. Depending on how they come out, they may even go up on my Etsy shop. But I also need to take pics of the rest of my stitch markers to post those up. Oh my. I need a photo marathon day or something.

Here’s hoping!

My Learn to Spin round up September 26, 2009

For those of you who know me personally, you know that I am fiber-crazed. I knit, I crochet, and I even spin my own yarn. I use a drop spindle for spinning. At some point in the future, I will invest in a spinning wheel for myself, but as of this point in time, that requires more space and more money than I have available. The lack of space has not stopped me from learning to spin, and I highly recommend hand spindling to anyone who is interested in learning without wanting to invest a lot to get started. For around $30 you can get all the supplies you need to spin lovely yarn (and with a little searching, you can do it for far less!). Warning, this is long post, full of all sorts of information.

I’ve spent many hours over the last year and a half searching out information for learning to spin, and learning some more advanced spinning techniques. As this information is already located by me, and many others I’m sure, I figured I should compile it into a post for future reference, and as a place for people to begin their journeys.

The first thing you should do is become familiar with some basic terms used in describing various aspects of spinning. You can find the list here and if you’re on Ravelry there is a long forum thread on this list and some other terms here.

Another very useful gathering of information is from Abby Franquemont found on her blog here.

Her basic intro to drop spindling:

And another (in 2 parts):

And some more Abby advice is in this post on what you need to get started.

Another great place to go for tips, articles, and advice is Spin-Off’s website. Spin-Off is a magazine published by Interweave Press and is a wealth of information. Just sign up for a free account to access some great downloads, and click around to find info on plenty of topics.

More click-around goodness is posted on the SOAR blog (that stands for Spin-Off Autumn Retreat, an incredible experience I hope to someday attend). Find the links page here.

This is just a place to start. It is by no means the only information out there. It may not even be some of the best. But there is a lot of great starting points, and will give you some of the tools you need to begin your very own spinning adventure!.

Spin on, dear readers! And be sure to share anything you find that may be useful or interesting!

Mustache! September 17, 2009

ever wanted your very own mustache? Now you can have one with this great item. I know it’s been posted on many many blogs, but I’m adding it here, just in case you miraculously missed it. You can even purchase one of your very own right here

Hello Paperclip! September 16, 2009

I’ve been using paperclips to make and do all sorts of things over the years. Now I’ve discovered a woman after my own heart! How could you not want one of these incredible Paperclip Chandeliers?!

ReDesign Technologies fashions these works of art from that office supply staple, I mean, paperclip!

More Gawking September 15, 2009

Apparently Craft Gawker has a sister site, Food Gawker! Yay more delicious looking eye candy!!!

Give a gift September 14, 2009

I love giving gifts. I love searching for the perfect thing, be it an item, a recipe, or pattern. I love spending my time creating for others. And I love love love Giver’s Log! This blog is full of incredible ideas, from unique items for purchase, to great crafted gifts for just about everyone. It’s a well laid out site, and a fabulous way to spend minutes or hours (whichever you have).

Learn Something September 13, 2009

If you love useless facts, then I have a great site for you! If you love amusing illustrations, then I have something for you too. If you don’t like either, then maybe I’ll have something for you tomorrow.

If you’re one of the first two kinds of people, you should check out this site: Learn Something New Everyday

I hope you either learn a new useless or possibly useful fact, and get a giggle from some of the pictures. I went back through the archives and found quite a few that I just had to show to people in the area. Let me know your favorite new fact!