August 10, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

The Scarf Is Dead; Long Live the Hat

The scarf from hell has been officially frogged and up-cycled into a crochet hat. After struggling with my knitting and working on a few fairly large or at least fairly involved crochet projects for awhile, I felt like I needed something easy to give me a little immediate yarn gratification. I saw this cool pattern for a slouch hat, called Autumn Slouch, and decided to frog the scarf and use the yarn for the hat.

The hat was not turning out too “slouchy,” so I turned it into a beanie style hat instead, and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I put this in my charity bag for a later donation. It calls for a size H hook and worsted weight yarn. I will probably attempt this pattern again but use a larger size hook or slightly thinner yarn so I get the slouchy affect that I prefer.

August 9, 2012
by Tammy
1 Comment

The Scarf from Hell

Like an Olympic hurdler who hit too many hurdles, my Ravellenics’ dream of making a four foot knitted rib scarf has crashed and burned. I now call this project the Scarf from Hell because it looks like a cat swallowed it and hacked it up a few days later.

My original intent of going to the end of the four feet no matter what without stopping and frogging just could not be realized. At one point, I had the hole the size of the Grand Canyon and wacky loops hanging off. In my ignorance, I thought I could fit it by just frogging a few rows.

Um…yeah..um…that did not work. Somehow I didn’t get the cast on back onto the needles correctly, and my knit, purl, knit, purls turned into knit, knit, purl, knit, what? purl, purl, what?

So then my thoughts were that I will do a few rows of knit stitch and then start back over with ribbing. Of course, I didn’t think about the fact that knitting stitch would be much wider than ribbing.

I’m thinking now that ribbing just does not like me.

August 7, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Ripple Shawl 2 Done

My second ripple shawl is done and drying on the guest room floor! I think I’m a little rippled out now since this is the second one of these I’ve made in the past few months. This one is slotted as a holiday gift for someone on my list, not sure who at this point. I have a few other shawl patterns to attempt, and once I get more stuff made, I will decide who gets what. And, of course, the recipients must be yarn worthy!

August 6, 2012
by Tammy
2 Comments

Podcast Contests & the Knittynatter

I have to confess that other than all the great information I get from watching and listening to craft podcasts another reason I’ve gotten a little…shall we say…er…addicted to them is that many of them run contests, and ever since I won one over at the Stockinette Zombie podcasts, I have started to pay more attention to them. I am not the type of person who wins stuff, but as of yesterday, I have won two different podcast contests!

The latest one is from a fairly new show called Knittynatter. Zena is the host. She is from the UK and has a wonderful, easy-going personality. I just feel relaxed when I watch her. What I also like about her show is that it is usually under 30 minutes, and generally, she has pretty good show notes. So if she talks about something you can follow links to various patterns. She has been running a monthly contest where members of her Ravelry group can post about their finished objects (or LOLs). You can double dip (meaning you can post to other groups like Dramatic Knits who also has a similar contest), and you can make a post for each item you finish during the month. So the more you make, the more you can enter, and the more chances you get to win.

Podcasts contest can vary. Some are super simple like the Knittynatter, and other are a little more involved. For example, here are a few other contests going on right now (all require that you are a member of their Ravelry group by the way):

Knit Me Happy has a sock KAL for August/September that will include prizes.

Knitabulls is always having lots of contests. Right now there is one to win a knitting bag, but watch her podcast for other contests she has in the works.

Knitting Samurai Plus 1 has an unusual contest now where you post about someone else’s works in progress that you love.

Retro Lemon Studio is having a KAL/contest using toy patterns from the host, Jenna. Some of her patterns are free, and some are paid for patterns, but you can use either.

Almost all the podcasts seem to run a contest now and then. Find the podcasts you enjoy listening/watching, join their Ravelry groups, and enter their contests!

August 5, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments

Craft Links!

About Family Crafts
Have you ever experimented with chalkboard paint? If so, share your stories!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen offers you some of her freebie e-postcards to send to your friends and family.

Carmi’s Art/Life World
A trip to the antique market can be very inspiring!

Cherie Burbach
Cherie makes a clear glass garden sculpture.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there are a whole bunch of designs created with new Sizzix Dies, a tutorial on how to make a Blackletter “S” , 12 ways to make the letter “K”, plant a container garden featuring red twig dogwoods, and a recipe for Tuna Tartar.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
How to make polymer clay food safe.

Mixed Media Artist
Come oooooh and aaaaaaw over the quirky metal work of Joseph Cavalieri!

August 4, 2012
by Tammy
2 Comments

Crochet and Czech Bead Necklace Done!

Here is the necklace I made using the beads I purchased yesterday at my LBS. I am very happy with how it turned out, and a full tutorial is in the works.

August 3, 2012
by Tammy
1 Comment

LBS Visit & Crochet Project in the Works

Today I had a chance to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in years. Neither of us are mall people, and both of us are crafty types. So we agreed to make a trip to a downtown area, stroll down the streets, stop by a few boutiques, and do lunch. We had a great time, even though, sad to say, the downtown is obviously struggling since there were many empty shops.

One shop that is thankfully still open is a bead store that I would estimate has been there now for around 10 years. It is really a beautiful store, well-lite, colorful beads and awesome and sparkly finished jewelry everywhere. However, as usual when I visit this place, I have a little sticker shock. I had the idea to buy some size 6 beads for doing some bead crochet. Normally, I’ve bought these in 40 gram tubes. I buy them on-line, and I have gone to a few retail bead shows over the years.

I was thinking of doing a bead crochet rope, which meant I would need a fair amount of beads. I figured that I needed at least two 40 gram tubes. Ah, yes, well….20 gram bags of size 6 beads were going for seven to eight dollars each. I just could not bring myself to buy them. Yes, I know the owner has rent, electric, insurance, and so many other overhead costs. All of this went through my mind while I was looking at all the fabulous beads in the store. And, I did not walk out empty handed. I spent a little over $20 and got a few small strands of Czech beads (which are working for my crochet jewelry experiment so far), two foil lined glass beads, and a few collapsible twisted needles.

My tiny bag of beads fit easily into my purse, and after my friend made her purchase as well, we were off to do more exploring. I’m happy with my purchase. I plan to make a simple pair of earrings with the larger beads, and hopefully, some kind of cool crochet necklace with the others. I know, too, that the high prices have probably helped to ensure that this shop is still open when so many other small shops and boutiques in the same area are now gone. I wish I was able to just buy any bead I wanted no matter the cost, but I can’t.

Luckily, the shop has somehow found a clientele to support it on a regular basis. It was pretty quiet downtown, no big surprise since it was August in Florida and at least 90 degrees. My friend and I are both Florida natives, so we are crazy enough to handle the heat. I suspect normal customers for this LBS are what we call “snow birds” down here. They have winter homes on one of the islands and only live down here from around January to April. They probably stop by and take a few beading classes and don’t have to really concern themselves with cost that much. Maybe they are the type that really have to see the beads before they feel okay buying them. I’m not sure. I am happy to still see this shop open, but wow, I am also very grateful that I know of lots of on-line vendors that I can afford to shop at as well.

July 31, 2012
by Tammy
26 Comments

Wearwithall Knitting Book Review & Giveaway

I recently received a review copy of a new knitting book called Wearwithall: Knits for Your Life. It is a collaborative project that was sponsored by The Yarnery and developed by five established fiber designers: Mary Lou Egan, Theresa Gaffey, Scott Rohr, Shelly Sheehan, and Sarah K. Walker. The book is currently for sale on-line through The Yarnery’s web shop and retails for $21.95 US and includes 13 knitting projects. If you are anything like me, you are already breaking down the per pattern cost, which is rounded up to $1.69 each.

The 13 projects are a mix of wearables and accessories: socks, mittens, hats, cables scarf and cowl, stole, rugby scarf, blanket, baby sweater and tunic, toddler’s cardigan, child’s vest, woman’s cardigan, man’s sweater, and table runner. All of the designs are very classic, and there are variation ideas provided as well. For example, one of my favorite projects is simply called “hats.” You can see a picture of it as well as all the other projects at wearwithall.com. This project provides instructions for knitting either a woman’s slouchy version of the hat or a men’s fitted version. One of the very cool things, by the way, about the book’s web site is that it lists all of the yarns used for each project and each variation and has links so that you could actually buy the exact yarn for a project in the book.

In fact, the web site is really packed full of information and also has a blog set up with on-going updates about ways to alter the projects and other related information. There was even a call for entries for version number two of this book. I like that you can go over there and learn a lot abut the book and get a good look at all of the projects before deciding to buy or not.

One of the elements of this book that really stood out to me as I was reading through it is the photography. Lately, I’ve noticed some publications try to be a little to artsy when it comes to project photographs. This makes me wonder if the publisher is trying to hide something or is just clueless about the fact that someone reading the book would want a clear picture of a project before he/she starts to make it. Wearwithall’s photographs are tasteful and inviting but still give you a really good idea of what the finished item will look like.

One point I would have liked to see, though this can sometimes be a little subjective, is a difficulty level marked on each pattern. As a fairly new knitter, most looked a little much for me to take on yet. However, as I spent more time reading the patterns, I did find a few that are at a beginning level. The stole pattern, though a large project, is beautiful and as far as stitches go very basic. The rugby scarf was also another good beginning project.

For anyone who enjoys making classic knit pieces, this book would be a great addition to your fiber book library. It is slim, just 56 pages, but it is designed for anyone who wants to knit pieces that will be worn and appreciated for many years.

Okay, now for some knitting and giveaway fun! I want to know what is your favorite item to knit. Is it a scarf, hat, sweater, what? What type of item do you seem to gravitate to over and over again when you pick up your pointy sticks?

This giveaway is available to anyone living in the continental US. (Sorry for this, but otherwise, it will be nearly impossible for me to mail out the book…long story.) Post your comment only once! in this blog entry and you will get a chance to win this wonderful book, Wearwithall. The deadline for entry is August 31st midnight ET. Then during the first few days in September 2012, I will randomly pick one winner. Make sure to include your email address when commenting. I will email the winner who will have 5 days after the drawing to reply back with a mailing address. Anyone who does not reply after 5 days will no longer be eligible to win, and I will draw a new winner.

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