Hybernating projects

When it comes to knitting and crochet (ok, maybe just crafts in general), I have a certain attention deficit problem. So called WIPs (works in progress) tend to become strewn about the house. Then there's the things that I've already made that I tuck away in need of photography to sell, donation, craftster.org swapping etc. that I forget about. That is exactly what happened to some freeform crochet collar/scarflet things that I made last year. So, while I'm rummaging around in my craft room yesterday, I came upon some of these and actually did something about photographing and posting in the appropriate places.

For sale in my Etsy shop - Victorian Rose Collar.
A green and cream crochet collar with scallop detail and 2 different kinds of yarn for texture.
There's other things hidden in that room, I know it! More pictures to come as I find them I'm sure. :)

From way back when!

While I was going through some things on my computer today, I found some photos of the first few things that I made when I first learned to crochet. These were all crocheted for our charity group at work.

From Stitch' N' Bitch

From the Lion Brand website, I think!

I got this pattern from somewhere and added my own color flair.

My first attempt at treble crochet.

It's amazing how far I've come with my fiber crafts in the last few years....crochet being my gateway drug so to speak!

Hat Attack!

Back in December, you may remember I participated in a vendor fair that just didn't go all too well for me. I came back from that with a massive inventory of stuff, all neatly tucked away in a Rubbermaid container...all forgotten and neglected until now.

I was inspired last week to really get a grip on my craft supplies, figure out what I have, what I needed to do with it and so on. I finally unpacked the storage bin and took a look back through the things I made, and decided it's time to start listing. I had to borrow a mannequin head for photos because, as my husband pointed out, most hats look like mushroom caps on me. It's true, I think I look like the mushroom dude from Mario Cart (I don't even know what his name is...but that's me).

Anyway, here's a sampling of what I have just listed in my store, and there is more to come! I also have some collars and scarflets to list as soon as I can. I've been finding fun names for them too, which has probably been spurred by all the recent talk of pregnancy by my close friends, who are frantically deciding names for their offspring. I'm not quite there yet myself with the baby thing, but that's not saying I can't find cool names online to name products right?



This green and white one is named Olwen, after the Welsh patroness of springtime, while the purple beanie is named Sverra, which is Nordic for "swirl"!

Happy (Crafty) New Year!

2009 is finally upon us! While I'm not one for New Year Resolutions (just seems like setting up for failure), I have been formulating a list of fun crafty things that I'd like to try this year. I'm not under any assumption that I will actually manage to do all of these things, but one can wish! =)

- Try dying yarn with Kool-aid (perhaps move on to roving if that works out ok)
- Do the cross stitch pattern that I bought (see picture)
- Figure out if I really do want to buy that darn weaving loom!
- Finish the sweater that I've been working on for a year now that's been hiding...crazy cable patterns lead to long time knitting!
- Sew the curtains for our bedroom
- Learn to sew zippers properly
- Go on a couple of field trips with my camera (definitely need some new portfolio shots)
- Thrift more yarn (I had fun with my first sweater so will try to find more!)
- Attempt to felt something in the washer
- Write down a couple more of my knitting/crochet patterns. I have them in my head but not yet on paper.

In between all of this, my number one priority this year is to get my inventory fully listed on my own website and figure out the details of Zencart! I've been making some progress but definitely want to focus on it more.

If you have crafty things that you're planning this year, please comment below as I'd love to know what you're going to be up to!

Don't bother me, I'm crafting!

I think I've been firmly entrenched in my crafting bubble over the last 2 weeks. While I had made a bunch of things for the last craft fair, when I really started thinking about the upcoming craft fair this Wednesday, I started panicking...just a little (ok, a lot). My biggest concern was that I just wouldn't have enough inventory for a building with 2,500+ tenants. So, I put my head down and got to work, even creating my own little excel spreadsheet (I'm a big nerd like that) to track inventory with. As of last night, I have 109 items!!

While knitting and crocheting up a storm, I realized that my hands might fall off, so next thing you know I'm sewing scented sachets, eye pillows, purses, and doing holiday penguin rub-on transfers to candle votives. I'm very proud of my insane achievement though and excited to get to show it all to a bunch of strangers on Wednesday!

One last thing on the needles for now and then mostly organization and sewing on buttons to finish everything off. Of course, many pictures from the show to come.... The good news is that the husband and I just started the planning for our bathroom remodel and of all goes well this will be a nice head start on paying for the floor tile!

Entirely too cute!

I'm currently in the process of taking the inventory that I crocheted and knit up during the week before the craft fair and making it ready for sale in my Etsy store. I've been sick all week (not related to the anthrax scare in my office) so it's been hard to move up off the couch and take care of business, so to speak.
I know I previously mentioned the booties that I'd been making and last night I separated some to donate to a local children's charity through my work and started photographing others to go up for sale. First up are this super cute pair that I am tempted to make in adult size for running around the house. I sense that I wouldn't do so well on the hardwood floors in our new home though - this is based entirely on watching my husband slide around in his socks very "Risky Business" style (a/k/a when Tom Cruise wasn't crazy).

I'm definitely going to be listing more of these over the next few weeks, and of course some things for us adults too!

Interesting effect

This weekend, a friend of mine brought over her yarn stash that she said she was never going to use. I've been so good about not buying yarn on account of buying a house that this was of course a complete delight! While rummaging through her "donation" to my cause that afternoon, I came across a long crochet hook with a hook on each end. I had no idea what it was so immediately had to go do some online research to find out! Turns out that she had given me an afghan hook, also known as a cro-hook, or it can be used for Tunisian crochet. You might be wondering what on earth I am yapping on about at this point, and I had no clue either so let me explain a little more!

The difference between Tunisian crochet and regular crochet is that loops are created and pulled up onto the hook, then the piece is worked back and forth without turning the work. It creates a pretty cool woven effect, which I love the look of.

A double ended cro-hook (which is what I have) has a hook on each end and is similar in technique to Tunisian crochet, but is great for working two colors. Essentially you work with one color from each end. Check out this information from www.crochetcabana.com if you'd like to know more!

I started making a cowl using the Tunisian crochet method last night using some pretty novelty yarn from my stash. The pictures below show the interesting effect that happened with this particular yarn.Front side (above) & back side (below)The front side has the textured woven look that I was expecting, but the back side has created a really fun fuzzy look that reminds me of a pile of pebbles. My original plan has now changed and I will be making this into a reversible cowl! Stay tuned for finished pictures and of course the listing in my Etsy store.

What's your preference?

While making myself a handy new needle roll to carry my random assortment of knitting needles, I realized that it's perfect for keeping all the needles and crochet hooks I have in one spot. The problem is that I wouldn't want to carry it around with me all the time when taking my projects on the road. Personally, I tend to take whatever needles I'm using plus the yarn for the project, or alternatively my drop spindle and some roving. Either way, I want it all to fit in a medium sized tote bag.

I've been wanting to put some needle rolls and other similar items in my Etsy store, now that I am friends with my sewing machine, and I was wondering what you all use.

- Which needles do you carry with you?
- Do you carry in a tote bag or a drawstring bag?
- Do you like having a needle roll to carry everything at home and something smaller to carry on the road with you?
- Do you like having separate holders for your straights, DPNs, crochet hooks etc?

Please leave a comment and keep an eye out for the results in my Etsy store!