I've Been Knitting :)

On and off for the last couple of months I have been knitting beanies! 

So far, I have one completely finished and another on the needles. I'm not sure if it's just me, but it takes me quite a while to knit. Crocheting I can finish in a day, but knitting is a little harder on my fingers :( However, I personally prefer the look and, in my experience, the longevity of knitted beanies over the crocheted ones. 

Both of these beanies follow a basic pattern of a 3" ribbed band and 7" of stockinette. The total length is 10". I plan to reopen and stock these items in my Etsy shop in the next couple of months. 

The first beanie is made with Patons Classic Wool in Natural Mix. The second is a combination of Patons Classic Wool in Royal Purple and Deborah Norville's Serenity Sock Yarn in Teal Tease. I love the look of combining the solid with the variegated yarn. 

Just in case you were wondering, the needles are Knit Picks Rainbow Wood Circulars and the cute sheep stitch marker is one I've had for a while and can be found here. 

When creating and then selling wearable knitted items, I strive to use natural fibers and basic patterns to suit everyone. 

The Patons Classic Wool is one of my favorites to work with, besides the fact I can't just throw it in the wash :) 

The basic pattern leaves room for personality. I have an idea in my head of creating detachable bow, heart, or pom pom brooches to embellish the hats, so that is a near future task I have to tackle. Let me know what you think!

Be on the look out for more color options in these basic beanies and I will let you know when the shop reopens! 

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B  

WIP's

Works in Progress that is :)

I have a lot. As in a whole lot. Due to this I am only posting a couple at a time as not to overwhelm myself. I love crafting and sometimes another project calls my name before another is finished. One of my goals this year was to completly stop working on more than 2 projects at one time and to finish up all my older WIP's. Therefore I plan to stick to this plan. I am either going to finish everything or finish most and frog the rest to use for another new project.

I am uber excited for the task at hand and am hoping that my blog will help in keeping me on track. Without further ado here goes it:

 A felt bear plushie I am working on. Everything shown is felt aside from the ribbon for attaching a key ring and the mouth which is a back stitch. All I have to do with this project is sew him up and stuff.

 Fingerless mitts in this gorgeous Carribbean color Knit Picks Swish Worsted. Lovely ribbed pattern happening and a nice quick project. I only need to finish up the second mitt and weave in all ends.

 Ribbed hat worked flat. I find that I sometimes enjoy working with straight needles over circular. Something "old fashioned" and relaxing about it.

Doll worked with wool to be felted. I can't wait to decide what to dress him/her in. :)

My first attempt at an infinity chain scarf/cowl/necklace. I love the colors!

That's all for now folks! I am going to get back to my huge task at hand. Wish me luck!

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

Knit/ Crochet Essentials

As with any craft/ hobby there are certain "essentials" needed to create a beautiful project. Personally I dabble in just about every kind of art and crafty thing there is, so I have a lot of essentials :) However, for the time being I thought it would be a good idea to list and show how I store my knit and crochet essentials.

I carry along a clear view zippered case from Knit Picks with me always. This is their Tool Pouch from the Knitting Project Bags line. I absoutely love this bag! Sturdy, small yet big size, and zipper were winners for me. I throw this bag in my purse where ever I go. I do not have a knitting bag as I also have to tote around a 3year old, lol, so that's enough for me :)

I keep (from right to left):

• View Sizer purchased at Knit Picks- handy ruler, needle sizer, and magnifying glass
• Steeking Scissors purchased at Knit Picks- pointy tip, sharp, cover
• Plastic Darning Needles purchased all over- for sewing and weaving with bulky yarn
• Emergency Fix Keychain purchased from Knit Picks- dual sided crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches, adding on tassles, etc
• Tape Measure purchased at dollar store- measuring :)
• Curved Daring Needles purchased at Michaels came in two sizes for weaving in ends and sewing, great twist on closure
• Cable Needles purhased from Hiya Hiya- cabling
• Extra Yarn great for holding onto live stitches ie: sleeves
• Altoids Tin purchased at drug store- breath freshners??? :)

Of course its not for mints! This handy dandy tin is filled with knitting notions!

All these useful little gadgets would always be lost with out this tin.

• Bobby Pin I found that this common object is 100x better at holding crochet stitches than the Slip Stitch Markers
• Stitch Markers in 3 different sizes for knowing where the beginning of your round is in circular knitting
• Slip Stitch Markers in 2 different sizes and 4 different colors for crochet
• Row Counter from Lion Brand- counting rows, I attach mines to a stitch marker with a ball chain
• Locking Stitch Markers from Hiya Hiya- these safety pin look alikes are perfect for knowing where you are
• Darning Needles purchased all over for those pesky ends and sewing  
• Point Protectors must protect those knitting needle tips and keep work from sliding off!
• Interchangeable Needle Key for both my Boyle and Knit Picks Harmony Circular knitting needles
• Wire Yarn Stranding Guide purchased from Knit Picks for intarsia which I have yet to master

I hope this helps the newbies and also the seasoned knitters and crocheters.

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

Yarn Inventory!!!

Hey Y'all!!!

I've been away for awhile n I've missed blogging!

On Monday I did an inventory of my complete yarn stash. I have decided that for the whole of 2012 I will not be making any new purchases. Instead my goal is to use up atleast half of my stash this year and to donate any skeins that I can. This goal hopefully will be pretty attainable seeing that I have 3bins and 2bags full of just yarn :) I love yarn but I love knitting, crocheting, and crafting with it a lot more so I plan to get busy!

The above pic is page 1 of 5 GASP!!! :)

I already have 2 new projects on the needles this new year and am the jumping up and down type of excited for lots more! However, I do need to finish up all my WIP's as stated in my previous post. In fact, expect my WIP post to be up soon. I really need some accountability to finish up the projects that have just been hangin around on needles and hooks needed to make (and complete) even more projects :) 

And of course I can't finish this post without showing atleast one finished product:
100% wool skinny reversible rib knit scarf. I love how warm this scarf is and how simple it was to create. I have it listed for sale in my brand new Etsy shop!

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

What's on my hooks n needles???

Completed my munchkins cardi besides the sleeves. Had the hardest time finding #9dpns, but I got ahold of some yesterday at Michaels and am going to complete this weekend.

I was getting really tired of the pink yarn and so I have switched to grey :)

Currently working on a SUPER skinny ribbed knit scarf with Patons Classic Wool in Dark Grey Marl and a SUPER wide crochet scarf with Carons Simply Soft in Grey Heather.

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

Cardigan for my Lil' Girl

Currently knitting a cardigan for my lil' one. She began Preschool yesterday and I thought she needed a lil something extra to add to her wardrobe. This cardi is a pretty quick knit too, I've only been working on it during any down time that I have (not much at all) and right before bed. I started on Saturday afternoon and I am hoping it will be done before the end of this week. I am using the Lion Brand Pattern Neck Down Cardi.

The pattern calls for Baby's First but, I am subing with Cascade Yarns Greenland. This yarn is super fun to work with and very squishy :) -100%  Merino Superwash.

My only downfall is that its pink, lol! I feel like all I have been working with lately is pink yarn-AHHHHH :) So, as soon as I am done with this cardi- no more pink for awhile. I will keep you updated on the progress as I go along.

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

Welcome Baby!!!

Baby gift completed and ready to ship!

Knitted hat and booties

Makeshift tagging with washing instructions on reverese. I LOVE GLITTER :)

Over the weekend I went to Target and found this really big pink, bubble envelope, SCORE :)

Off to the postoffice!

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

A Long Time Away = A Long Post

Hi Everyone! Wow - August is flying by a little too quickly :)

I have been extremely busy with life and all that comes with it so I haven't really been able to post at all. And even now as I sit here I am feeling my eyes drooping so please excuse any spelling/grammar errors.

Garden

The lettuce, spinach, and carrots have completly took off. I have to apologize because we had already used some of the spinach and lettuce in a salad before I had a chance to snap an updated pix. But look how full it still is!!!

I also realized that I had never posted any of the other edibles currently growing this season: 

Lemons

Black Berries 

Single Orange :( 

Beans 

Parker

I just had to :) He was being so photogenic today

Knitting

Just finished up the baby gift today. Below is a sneak peek, I will show the full gift tommrow (fingers crossed)

New Craft Storage

I am so happy- my 20-drawer double wide storage cart just came in from Joann over the weekend. I spent about 2hrs putting it together and cleaning out a space for it. It is amazing, I finally have a place to fit all my crafing supplies and now I can actually see where I need to destash and what I do and do not have.

That is all for now - I really am tired :)

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B 

Knitting Away...

I have been knitting just about everyday and I finally get to post some progress and some finished items!

First off, I completed a sock!!! I used Patons Kroy Sock Ragg Shades in Grey Brown Marl on #3 dpns. They are going to a man wearing size11 shoes so it did take awhile. But, not as long as it could've because he doesn't wear any socks going past his ankles-Thank God :) The yarn was really nice to knit with and I loved the color changes, it kept me interested. I was so excited to be doing this sock because it was my first ever! I think I did pretty good :) I used just a basic sock pattern from Clothed in the Lamb and I was quite confused by the charting in the beginning so I just measured his ankle and the length of his foot and went from there. I finished the toe off with the Kitchener Stitch, which I thought would be really hard and it was surprisingly simple. I am now an official lover of handknit socks!!! And I must say that I absoutely love working with dpns, I feel so old fashioned :) After these, my baby bop is getting a pair, and then finally me!

I recieved my #9 straights from Knit Picks on Wednesday, speedy service :) I have already cast on for the baby girl's (due in November) gift. I will keep you updated on my progress. I am using Lion Brand Baby's First in Fairy Tale. I must say that I love the names of this particular lines colors :) Cotton Ball, Twinkle Toes, Splish Splash, Pixie Dust, and Honey Bee to name a few. This yarn is super soft, it's so cushiony. It was a little tricky in the beginning to get used to the unplied texture but after that initial row it was golden.  

I'm going to get back to knitting and enjoying this summer so tata for now!

Love. Peace. Happiness. 
B