Oh blog how I've missed you! 2012 Roundup

My last post was September 11th of this year? What the heck happened...blogging fail on my part! I went on vacation the day after that, then a bunch of fall activities/Halloween happened and the usual craziness of winter holidays happened, yikes!

I figured that out of my own curiosity, it was time to go through this year's projects and see what I've accomplished!

Looks like I completed 125 projects (and a good amount of afghan squares that aren't counted in that final tally)

Afghans: 8
Bags/Containers: 7
Bracelets: 6
Cowls: 12
Hats: 20
Tops/Sweaters/Dresses/Etc: 8
Fingerless Mitts: 3
Scarves: 10
Toys: 33
Dishcloths: 7
Legwarmers: 2
Other: 7

My blogging goal for 2013? (Besides actually BLOG) is to make an effort at doing the end of the month project collages so I can compile a nice big picture at the end of the year!!

YoP Round 2 Update: 9/11/12

So I decided to join in the 1 Million Rows Challenge (thanks to whoever blogged about it recently, speak up if you did because I'm drawing a blank!).

The way I see it, I'm using stash yarn for my Year of Projects list and that's one of the premises in the challenge so why not kill two birds with one stone! I'm also curious as to how long it will actually take me to do 1 million. This is my counter:




Don't worry, it won't say ZERO for long, I just created it 5 minutes ago!

I figure we leave for vacation soon and that'll be 14 hours in the car up and then another 14 when we come back plus a side trip day that will be 4 hours so with 30+hours in the car I'm curious as to what I can get done!

I did decide to add to my list since my amigurumi portion of my list is going to be complete very, very shortly!

I added a home category:

I bought some Dishie from KnitPicks and had every intention of making washcloths to keep in the kitchen for my toddler daughter to use. That was a couple months ago so they're being added to the list for motivation!

Also going to work up some new placemats, throw pillows and a few motifs that I'd like to work up, block, stiffen and just frame individually for wall art :)

Sorry for the lack of pictures, it's been a crazy week! I did get started on the two cowls off my list that will be traveling with me!

WiP Wednesday 9/5/12

Trying to get back into WiP Wednesday. I'm so bad about taking pictures of things while they're in progress!

Working on the I Predict A Riot hat by Kydel. It's part of a CAL that just start. We're doing either the hat I'm working on or her Uncoil pattern. Come join us!

Looking at the picture, I'm realizing that I think I missed a knit row in between the yarn over rows so I guess I'll be frogging back two or three rows to fix that.

Oh well, it's my first knit hat so it's a work in progress in itself :-P

Decided to break out my Oaklet shawl again since it ended up hibernating all summer. I decided I didn't want to start another shawl before I finished this one (trying to be good about it). No progress picture on it yet, we'll see how far I get before we leave on vacation next week.

Next week will be cast-on mania for me because I'm taking at least 7 projects (mostly small) with me.

YoP Rnd 2: 9/4/12 Update

So now I have the opposite that I had last year with my Year of Project list. It's a little shorter and much more manageable but I'm sort of flying through a lot of things on it and am not ending up with as much to blog about as I'd like!

I'm contemplating adding some things into it since my amigurumi category is going to be beyond finish by Christmas and it's not going to take me another 6 months to do other small projects!

I also took the last couple weeks to start a few new things for our upcoming vacation to Maine. We have 14 hours of driving time so that'll be a lot of time to complete things (in between entertaining the little one).

I did decide to take two of my Lisa Gentry cowls with me to start/work on...

I'll be doing the shell with a twist crochet cowl and use my mohair/merino mix in Eucalyptus from Tess Designer Yarns

Also casting on a lace with a twist knit cowl and using soft green Caron Simply Soft.

I did finish up these little guys this week! 3 more amigurumi to add to the list!

Gary the tiny frog (from Rainbow Amigurumi E-book)

Alastair the Caterpillar (from Cutie Crawlies E-Book)

Tipper the Crab (from Rainbow Amigurumi E-book)

These little guys took no time at all and are all out of e-books from FreshStitches.com

FO Friday: 8/31

Figured I haven't posted some FO's that were non-Year of Projects related in awhile so here they are!

I've been on a bead crochet kick lately so we'll start off will a few bracelets first (and you can ignore the ugly shadow in the first picture lol)

Beaded Ripples bracelet designed by Lisa Gentry

Beaded Band Lace Bracelet by BethToddCreatz

This is such an easy, quick little square with nothing complicated about it but has a great look!

BLO 6" Square by Anastacia Knits Designs

Ignore my ugly join up top, I need to make a few more of these in cotton. All I had readily available was worsted weight which still looks nice but the cotton would give it a nicer look (which is what the pattern calls for)

Linked Bullions Coaster designed by Donna Kay Lacey

Tumbling Diamonds 12" Square designed by Anastacia Knits Designs

Tumbling Diamonds 6" Square designed by Anastacia Knits Designs

Kitty Kat Kanoodler Blankie designed by Lisa Gentry

The Amy Cowl designed by Kelly Menzies

YoP Round 2: 8/12/12 Update

So now that the Ravellenics are coming to a close (Yes, that's why I was quiet last week), I've got some FO's relating to my YoP page to show off! My Paintbox Frog was put on hold over the games so I'll be back to him shortly but until then, enjoy these!

My Ruffles & Buttons Cowl, designed by Lisa Gentry

M. Richard the Whale, designed by Stacey Trock, available free here

Frankie the Lobster, designed by Stacey Trock
This pattern was available FREE in the amigurumi calendar on crochetme.com from Aug 1-7. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for what seemed like forever and snatched it up as soon as it was available! You can still grab the remaining patterns during the first week of each month but you can also buy the calendar if you missed the previous ones.

Finally, my most prized amigurumi so far on my list:

Petey the Pufferfish, designed by ME!! That's right, I cracked and started dipping into designing :)
He's too cute to leave my house though so this one won't be sold or gifted. Kind of like people who frame their first dollar they make when they start a business? He's the first of his kind in my designer world!

YoP Rnd 2: 7/29/12 update

Yes, yes, I know...I failed when it came to posting last week. We were out of state at a wedding and when I came back I was so focused on getting my Ravellenic Games materials/patterns together, it completely slipped my mind!

Still working on my Paintbox Frog but it likely won't be finished until after the Games.

I did decide to incorporate a book into my list this year so I could explore more into the knitting world than I have in the past being that I'm primarily a crocheter.

Working my way through "The Knitter's Life List" one chapter at a time.

I absolutely love some of the quotes thrown in,

"It might seem that one would need more than one lifetime to explore all the many intriguing patterns, luscious yarns, and various stitch combinations, to say nothing of going to all the yarn festivals and inviting yarn stores and knitting retreats that are so tempting. But won't it be an adventure to try!"

In the first chapter, they discuss the "Top Picks" in techniques to learn, garments to make, specific patterns, yarns to use and other fiber loves. I will say some of the "top" choices surprised me when compared to what I personally would rather learn. Somehow cables are at the top of the techniques where as fixing mistakes is at the bottom? Weird.

The "Yarn Life List" is next up for me to read. I think that chapter needs a "touch and feel" section included ;)

So yes, not a lot of project progress this week but next week I should have a few FO's to share (I think) because I worked some of my YoP list into my goals for the Games :)

I'll leave you with a picture of my Kool-Aid dyed yarn that I worked on yesterday. First time I've ever done it and have to say a) I'm hooked and b) I'm proud of my first attempt!

YoP Rnd 2: Week 3 Update!

So this week for my YoP update I have another FO and a WiP! :)

I finished up my first dragon from the Choose Your Own Dragon Adventure. There is still a debate in my house as to what kind, if any, horns he may or may not be getting at some point but here he is!

Showing off her wings, ears and arrow tail

I'm just now realizing that both of those pictures have a convenient baby sized finger print on the lens in the same spot...argh! Will have to give the lens a good cleaning!

As for my WiP this week, I started the Paintbox Frog from Classic Elite's Quick Knits book. The frog is originally done in seed stitch but a) I have a bad attention span with turning seed stitch into accidental ribbing (especially with increases and decreases involved) and b) I'm not really all that much of a fan of seed stitch's look so I just went with regular stockinette stitch on it.

Obviously nothing has been blocked so hopefully you weren't looking for a "pretty" picture on this one!

So yes my friends, if you can believe it, that pile will become a cute, cuddly frog shortly. I promise!

YoP Rnd 2: Week 2 Update!

1 item down, 29 to go! That's right! Started/finished one of the cowls on my list this week. It's the "Lace Scrunch" from Crochet Cowls by Lisa Gentry. Unfortunately these cowl books are so new I don't believe they've been added to Rav yet (I ordered straight from the designer) but I do at least have pictures of my finished product!

No I did not plan on wearing an orange shirt in the picture but it's amusing none the less. Want to know my favorite part about this cowl?

It is capable of extending down over my shoulders. I...LOVE....THIS. Once it's not 103 degrees out like it's been this weekend, this will get so so much use!

So yes, just a quick update with a FO this week. If you've seen my "worksheet" list here, you'll notice I've also filled in another project on it. I'm working on a dragon from Fresh Stitches' "Choose Your Own Dragon" Adventure.

It's also been recently announced in her group on Rav that there will be a CAL for the Dragon shortly after the Ravellenic Games so I foresee a second dragon being made BUT I don't think I'll count that as my YoP amigurumi/month, it may just be a bonus.

Year of Projects - Round 2!

Today marks the beginning of the second round of Year of Projects and this year (like most) I've been smarter about my list and maybe not quite as ambitious as last year.

Last year when it was time to compile a list, I was going on 9 months pregnant, just finished up at my job so I had a full month before baby to just craft and relax. Of course the amount of time I had on my hands made me feel like "Oh sure, I can get all of this done"...and several months later it turned into "What was I thinking?"

So without further ado, my 2012-13 Year of Projects list!


It's time for the 2012/13 YoP lists, so here's mine! I'm using this page as more of a "worksheet" this year. I have categories for things and the specific items will fill in as they are decided upon and finished if that makes sense.

At least ONE amigurumi per month

I ADORE making amigurumi and in particular I'm oh so fond of Stacey Trock (www.freshstitches.com). I'm constantly making my daughter (and myself) animals and monsters from her patterns! Most of what goes in this category for year of projects will likely be things from her patterns but I do have a few others that I'd like to do as well.

Read one chapter of my Knitter's Life List book

Having been mostly a crocheter, I'm still learning the ropes when it comes to learning some things about knitting and I 'm really interested in this book. My husband got it for me for my birthday at the beginning of June and I never have time to sit down and actually read it and take it in. I decided to dedicate one of my Year of Projects goals to focusing on various chapters of it.

Make at least 6 accessories from the Classic Elite Quick Knits Book

This one sort of goes hand in hand with the previous goal. I bought this book as a way to try out some new skills when it comes to knitting so 6 accessories is more than enough for me to aim for here. I haven't quite picked out specifics but I'll get there!

Make at least one crochet/knit cowl from Lisa Gentry's new books (EDIT: This is going to be per month so 12 total)

Another one of the many designers I'm fond of :). Her new cowl books just came out and I can't get enough of them! I'm already on a cowl kick as it is! One is knit and the other book is crochet, each having 10 patterns in it! Check them out, oh so beautiful!

_____________________________________________________

Just like last year, I made a tab at top of my blog entitled, "Year of Project" where I can easily go in and edit my progress. I've decided to go with the above category kind of theme this year instead of being so so specific in the patterns I want to do so my progress page is more like a worksheet. It has each category from above and a numbered list. That list will be filled in as the year progresses and as projects are finished. It seemed like the best fit for me this year organization wise.

I'm so happy to be back in the saddle for Year of Projects and feeling much more confident about it this year!

WiP Wednesday 5/23/12

Normally I'm a crocheter but now I know how many of you knitters feel casting on multiple projects! Here's what I've got going (and in the works):

I cast on a Lazy Lace Snood a few days ago and it's flying along (well, as much as it can fly for my knitting speed):

I'm using Jo-Ann's brand of yarn Sensations Caribbean in Metallic White. Of course flecks of glitter never show up well in pictures but I'm in love with this "just the right amount of sparkle" yarn.

Received my Knit Picks order yesterday as well which will certainly be in progress soon!

I picked up two colourways of Chroma Fingering that were on clearance and already have projects picked out for them!

The New England colourway will be made into Autumn Leaves.
That will likely be the first time that I make a project in the exact yarn/colourway as the sample shows, weird as that sounds.

The Mix Tape colourway will become Abyssal.

One of those two will hopefully be cast on by the end of this week so I"ll have some small progress for next Wednesday!

I also picked up 3 skeins of Knit Picks Dishie yarn to whip up some face cloths to keep in the kitchen at my daughter's level for her to use. I'm not much of a pink person but figured she needed at least one shade of pink in there and I have to admit I'm becoming attached to this shade.

From left to right: Kenai, Mulberry and Begonia
The Kenai is a tad smaller looking in the picture because I couldn't wait and already finished up a dishcloth in that one.

Surprisingly I don't have much crochet going on right now, I'm joining in a CAL that starts on Friday (info here) so that'll be progress for next week as well!

Oh! Can't forget the Twitter Mystery KAL! Look how it's progressing! I'm loving it so far!

For this I'm using Bernat Super Value in Teal Heather.

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week Day 6

Day Six - Saturday 28th April, 2012

Improving Your Skillset
How far down the road to learning your craft do you believe yourself to be? Are you comfortable with what you know or are you always striving to learn new skills and add to your knowledge base? Take a look at a few knitting or crochet books and have a look at some of the skills mentioned in the patterns. Can you start your amigurumi pieces with a magic circle, have you ever tried double knitting, how's your intarsia? If you are feeling brave, make a list of some of the skills which you have not yet tried but would like to have a go at, and perhaps even set yourself a deadline of when you'd like to have tried them by.

I'm going to keep today's post a simple list (mostly so I can bookmark it and reference it for myself later):

Since crochet is my main focus, here's a list of skills I'd like to master. Some of which I've briefly tried but not enough that I don't have to reference a book to do them again or to the extent I'd actually design something using them.

1. Tunisian
2. Broomstick Lace
3. Hairpin Lace
4. Entrelac
5. Learn new stitches
1. This is probably the only thing I want to attach a date too. I really want to start swatching blocks to learn new stitches. Maybe learn at least 2 per month based on the amount of time I actually have to do it.

So my crochet list is fairly short because I am pretty confident in taking on any WELL WRITTEN crochet pattern. Usually there's not a crochet pattern that will intimidate me at all :)

And then here's my sundry list of things on the knitting side that I'd like to try. Keep in mind I'm a pretty novice knitter. I've done it for years and can figure things out in patterns but the extent of what I make isn't all that complicated.

1. Successful colorwork in an item
2. Master double pointed needles (this includes socks and hexi-puffs)
3. Really sit down with my knitting books and absorb all the goodness in them
4. The easiest way to put any of these in the list is that I'd love to work through "The Knitter's Life List"

For those of you familiar with the "Year of Projects" I think sections out of her will make up my list for the second round of "Year of Projects" :) Just to force myself to sit down and really improve my knitting skills!

Maybe I'll tag this post as a "Year of Projects" post so that I'll remember to snag the idea when the time comes!

Made it Hap-Pin 4/27/12

This week's Made it Hap-Pin post probably more features a blog that I had pinned as opposed to a specific recipe. I found Real Mom Kitchen as I was browsing Pinterest and she happened to be featuring mug cakes so of course I can't resist a lemon cake that can be made in a minute as well as a one minute brownie or nutella cake so I gave them a try!

I think the picture above (lemon cake) was the 2nd time we (my husband and I) made them. We've since had them nearly every day this week...yeah it's that good.

The brownie I would share with you but as you can see from the picture above...it was THAT good. Didn't get around to trying the nutella cake since we were so hooked on these two but just judging from the desserts, I'd definitely recommend giving this blog a look, it's amazing! We're planning a few dinners from recipes off her site as well (and she has a book)! Enjoy!

FO Friday 4/27/12

The bad news is that I've been way way behind in participating in FO Fridays. The good news is that I have a few to share! (And a few stashed for future weeks just in case haha)

To start, I made a Shimmer Lace Scarf

Probably a new favorite pattern of mine as it's super quick, could easily be made in a variety of yarns to suit various seasons and it's easy! To match, I made up some v-stitch mitts:

Once again, new favorite pattern and very cute to wear!

Also did a few squares for the month of April! If this isn't bright colors, I don't know what is!

This one I just LOVE. It was a mystery square in a Ravelry group I'm in and the pattern is currently no longer available but I adore it so much!

Think that's about it for this week. Just a few small things to share! :)

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week Day 5

Hello bloggers. That's me in the picture up there. That's right, a lonely ball of sock yarn just looking for the right home. Rolled into quite the sloppy ball but it wasn't always this way.

I used to be a squishy factory wound skein of yarn that sat in a bin at the local Michael's craft store until my lovely owner fell in love with my colors and took me home (after paying for me of course!)

See how neatly wound I was when I first came home? Such a site to see!

Unfortunately I ended up in what my owner calls her "stash" for about a year before she finally decided what I would grow up to be. I believe she called it a beautiful "peacock shawlette." I glanced at a photo of it when she sat me on top of the freshly printed directions ready to begin and it really was beautiful, I couldn't wait!

I began slowly transforming through rows and rows of lace knitting that required my owner's full concentration level.

We even got through the entire part 1 of the pattern! And then...the unthinkable happened...

That dark fateful night (actually I think it was a sunny afternoon but still...effect wise, dark fateful night just works), she frogged me! Yes can you believe it?! She frogged ALL of me!

Apparently the frustration of trying out lace knitting with the November/December holiday craziness was just too overwhelming. She realized that several rows prior, somehow the stitches had been shifted and thus horribly messed up the appeal of the pretty lace pattern so there was no choice but to go back to the beginning.

Ever since that day, I've been cooped up in a knitting bag, waiting to see the light of day and hopefully what will one day become my permanent home project. What, oh what will become of me? Another shawl perhaps? An actual pair of socks? Something else sock yarn related? What shall I become?

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week Day 4

Day Four - Thursday 26th April, 2012

A Knitter or Crocheter For All Seasons?
As spring is in the air in the northern hemisphere and those in the southern hemisphere start setting their sights for the arrival of winter, a lot of crocheters and knitters find that their crafting changes along with their wardrobe. Have a look through your finished projects and explain the seasonality of your craft to your readers. Do you make warm woollens the whole year through in preparation for the colder months, or do you live somewhere that never feels the chill and so invest your time in beautiful homewares and delicate lace items. How does your local seasonal weather affect your craft?

So today's topic is regarding the seasons. I find lately I've turned more to a crocheter for all seasons, especially with the little one around. I'm always looking to make stuff a season ahead for her so that she gets the most wear out of it. My mistake with that in the beginning? Not knowing that she'd be born at 8.5 lbs and that now, at nearly 9 months old, be in 12 month clothes so in the beginning there were some flaws in my plan such as this cute hoodie I was so proud to make that she never really got to wear:

So after learning my lesson with that one, I recently (as in maybe a couple weeks ago) finished this one in 18 month size with plans for it to be worn on our yearly trip to Maine in the fall :)

Luckily it's a little big now which means it should work during the season it's intended!

As for other items and their seasons...I took a look at my projects on Ravelry to see when  I completed them and what kind of projects they were. I will say that prior to looking at the project page, I thought I was a crocheter who crocheted projects for whatever the current season is but apparently not.

This obviously screams Spring but I started/finished it in December (Winter)

Can't say I'd wear this in July when it was started/finished

All in all, I'm pretty much all over the place. It's just whatever project strikes me at that moment. It could be a project appropriate for the current season or a project meant to be for Winter that I'm completing in the summer heat of August.

I like to try and keep on top of my gift crafting as well so I didn't really apply that to this post since I didn't consider gifts to necessarily be a part of WHEN I crochet them seasonally :) Those things I just NEED to get done, no matter the time of year!