2 new projects

there are so many other things i should be working on, but instead i started 2 new things …

the first, a sock.


it's "leftover" month over at sock knitter's anonymous on ravelry. i'm not knitting along with the group, as the pattern i've chose will not count for the sockdown (this pattern is considered "vanilla" … too simple, all in stockinette).

but i wanted to work on something relatively mindless, and use up some of my leftover sock yarns.

the pattern is called blender socks. essentially, it's just a blending sequence of changing from one color of yarn to another. i'm using various self striping and self patterning yarns to make this pair of "monster socks".

then i decided my new sock needed a new bag. i have lots of sock bags, and lots of fabric.

i've been searching online for a tutorial to make a project bag with a square bottom, and finally settled on this tutorial.






i followed the exact way it was made by malin, with the exception of me making my channel at the top a bit more narrow.

i like that it stands up with the square bottom, but i think it needs to be taller.  it's plenty roomy for a sock project, but i think proportionally it looks kinda squatty when the drawstring is cinched.

and i would like to add a loop or something on the outside so i could hang it from a belt loop or something. next time ….

the lining fabric i used is white ripstop nylon. i like to use it as a liner, as it's slippery for the yarn to roll freely. also, it helps keep knitting needles from pushing through the fabric.

new hat

so, that yarn i got yesterday … it's a hat now =)


i took this picture this morning, before i started the ribbing.

it's been a cold and dark day here … with rain. and the temperature only (ever so slightly) high enough to keep this rain from being freezing rain & snow.

i had errands to run today, but my biggest goal was to finish my hat so i could wear it out all afternoon!


i cannot even begin to explain how difficult it is to take pictures of yourself!

this was the best i could do --- mom wanted to see my finished hat on my head.

i did not get a single compliment! (really?!) lol! perhaps everyone was in the "i'm shopping for Christmas" zone.

speaking of christmas, i feel like i'm running out of time. i want to start a pair of gloves for myself, or work on my cotton shawl, but i really need to work on _______ (a SECRET).

making the day brighter!

it is SO gray here today.

i ran my usual sort of errands and appointments this morning, and picked up some "brightness" along the way.


on the left, a ball of yarn and some fabric. they yarn is red heart's "boutique unforgettable" in colorway parrot. the colors are not my usual sort, but i wanted something brighter, and not like the colors of my other hats.

below the yarn is some fabric i picked up. every now and then, i will buy 2 yards of a 45" wide fabric to make a quick & dirty tablecloth.

all i do is turn the cut ends under (twice, 1/4" each time, for no cut edges to be exposed) and then stitch across. i leave the selvedge edges alone. i like the simple look.

i've not yet done the sewing, as after checking into tires for my truck, and grocery shopping, and "other things", i didn't feel like sitting down at the machine.

instead, later this evening, i plan on starting a crochet hat (the unforgettable hat! in the same colorway, gasp!).

on the right is a crochet magazine i found at my grocery store. i paged through it quickly, and found at least as many projects i'd like to make equal to the dollar price. so, i brought it home. it will be my bedtime reading. i tried to find it online, but perhaps it's too recent?

hmmm … found some of the patterns uploaded to ravelry here.

projects i'm very  much interested in:

• merry the moose --- yep! a 7" moose!
• winter frost --- a cool pullover (cool as in "if norah gaughan did crochet"!)
• bering sea --- the hat (though it includes a scarf pattern)
• holly berry cowl
• the harrison sweater
• city park gloves
• spangled lightbulb garland
• snow cap
• midnight sparkle sweater
• woodland cowl

plus, there's a couple of great technique articles on cabling and tunisian stitches.

sewing

i've been sewing since i was _____ ? i'm not sure, but i did get a sewing machine for my 10th birthday. i use to make a lot of my own clothes. i don't do that so much anymore.

instead, lately, i mostly sew project bags for my knitting and crochet, and sometimes pillowcases.

while home over the thanksgiving holiday, i found this piece of fabric in my parent's storage:




notice the fabulous corners matching!

i have no idea how old i was when i sewed this piece together. and all i can do now is laugh at the job i did =)


notice my amazing seam allowances! some have seam allowances of 1/2" and some a scant 1/8", and in  at least one spot --- zero seam allowance. whoops!


and then, i didn't know then that i should probably press my seam allowances in the same direction. oops.


so, i'm looking for suggestions.

i want to salvage this piece. i think it would make a nice table topper.

i doubt the fabric was ever pre washed. some of the seam allowances are fraying or "missing". it's totally not rectangular.

i'm thinking that maybe i can stitch through the layers on the outside? with a zigzag or decorative stitch. it will never lay flat.

and then, perhaps underline it, and then put a backing and trim?

i intend for this to be a functional piece (mini-tablecloth?) and to (hopefully) survive many trips through the laundry.

Bueller, anyone ?

W O W

i think i find myself more busy lately making things vs. talking about making things.

since my last post, i finished my crochet shawl.











i love it!

i really really really do !!!

since i've finished this project, i've of course started others.

the one i'm working on today is a pattern by the same designer. it's called porcelain berry shawl. this pattern was a gift for completing another one of the designer's tests.

i'm using the knitpicks cotton curio. curio is a size 10 crochet thread.



i did block out my "swatch" --- i ♥ love ♥ it !!!!!

the pattern is quite simple, thought i keep making mistakes. i rip out my mistakes. i want this shawl (or shawlette) to be perfect. and this would also be my first cotton one.

IF i run out of yarn, i will order more. it probably won't be the same dye lot --- but i'm okay with that.