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.

WiP Wednesday #12

So I've at least made some progress this week! Happy Leap Day as well!

On my mitered baby squares blanket here's where it stands

It's actually a small bit further because the first two rows are joined so it's halfway joined!

My Hex bag should be done by Friday (yes that's one of my little helpers in the far right...he sees this opportunity as any other cat does, "yay Mommy laid out another kitty blanket").

I'm also doing the Waverly for Bernat CAL and I keep falling slightly behind just because I have so much going on! This is the Week 2 clue. Week 3 actually comes out today but I still have 2 more of the below motifs to make! Shouldn't take long at all, they're 11x11 motifs.

Now for a few quick sneak peaks at Friday FO's and upcoming projects

FO to be revealed Friday

Another FO to be revealed Friday

Finally, here's an upcoming cast-on I hope to share next Wednesday. I'm going to use my skein of Bernat Sox for Wingspan

My craft time is starting to be limited during the day because of this next picture...

She got up there by herself...she's 7 months next Wednesday. OH MY are we in trouble sooner then we thought or what? Hehe

YoP #7

In case you missed it, I did manage to finish one blanket this week, my Vortex! Little one has been enjoying its swirly goodness as she rolls around on the floor :)

I didn't share a progress picture of my ballet camisole last week so here's an update!

I have two more inches to go on the body before I start the upper back and front so not much longer! I ended up making a lot of progress on it this week because I decided after I finished my Vortex Wednesday I'd take a good few days and just focus on this.

This week's goal is finishing up that snowflake throw that has one more row to be attached! It should take me no time at all so those two blankets will be finished and I'll be able to start my next two blankets.

Once I finish the snowflakes, I can start something else off my YoP list (or catch up on my cap sleeve top which I should do).

One is a ripple blanket for our queen size bed and the other will be my blanket I'm doing along with the Crochet Block A Month group so it'll be this time next year before I share those :-P.

FO Friday #5

First up, my Knit It Tonight Cowl from Caron's site. I had originally planned on doing the lighter turquoise with a purple Simply Soft that I had but with Simply Soft super cheap last week at Michael's, I spotted the darker shade and had to have it. I do still have about a half skein of the darker shade, half skein of purple and a small amount of the lighter turquoise left so those three will likely be used for another small, quick project of mine. These quick projects have really been keeping me motivated on the larger projects I have (although I'm anxious to finish my one blanket so I can start the queen sized one for the master bedroom)!

I also realized I never even got to take a picture of myself sporting the cowl! Hubby saw it and said "I'm trying it on, give it here" so I may have to make that second one quickly if I want to have one for myself! We also amused ourselves by showing the dual use of a cowl:

BABY SKIRT!!

She was just plain confused when we put it on her thus the blur in the bottom of the picture from those little feet kicking away. It was still amusing though!

I did do three small projects (all the same pattern) last week during the car ride but I haven't made it to the craft store this week as I had planned in order to pick up buttons to complete them so they'll have to wait until next week!

WiP Wednesday #4

My mom called me earlier in the week to remind me that the small annual craft fair we usually do was quickly approaching so based on my limited time (it's held the second week in December) to build stock, I've decided to go with "Are you cozy this holiday season?" for my portion of the items.

That means I've been working on creating all kinds of various cozies for various items! Obviously the first versions aren't perfect so I'm not sharing pictures of those but Friday I'll be sure to have a few to share!

Above is my box of yarn to create all my craft show goodies. Being that my phone call with my mom was last Thursday when Michael's was conveniently selling Vanna's Choice for 1.99 PLUS 25% off your total purchase. I picked up a ton of skeins and spent only $19.60. I should mention that total also included a skein of pompom yarn for a project that will also be revealed on Friday!

I don't have that many exciting pictures for this week's Wednesday which is a bummer because I have so many FO's to share at the end of the week! I believe right now I'm up to 6...yes SIX!! We'll say it was a busy Saturday through Tuesday for me :)

Here's one of my not quite yet finished small items this week in Moda Dea Eclipse. I really wish they still made this yarn, it's such a pretty color.

So yes, I apologize for the lack of exciting pictures but Friday will be an extravagant post of pictures for sure, I'm excited!

For now, it's off to make some progress on my Saroyan and other bigger projects that have sadly been neglected the past week due to "life" going on.

And on one last note? This is how I've been so productive lately. As opposed to being rocked to sleep, we just sort of zonk out now.

YoP #4

I guess there's good news and bad news to this post. The good news being I've been productive on my Saroyan, the bad news being that's ALL I've been productive with off my list this week. I've officially been invaded by outside projects which is keeping me from my list! I did finish my Granny Cowl that I posted in this past week's FO Friday!

I finished the first increase section and am working on the fourth or ten leaves on the middle before doing the last six leaf decrease. My guess is that this will be done fairly quickly but once again, we'll see how those non-list projects take over my life :-P.

The fourth row on the snowflake throw is finished but I won't bore you with another repetitive picture of more snowflakes. Two rows to go so that is moving at a good pace too!

GOALS FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEK:

* Must do more rounds on the Vortex throw to ensure my third square is finished by the end of November. I've only completed 9 of 22 rounds, yikes!

* More work on the Saroyan/Peacock Shawlette

* Get going on items for the upcoming craft show Dec. 1st or 6th (the date hasn't been finalized yet)

* Complete a baby gift for a friend we're seeing over the Thanksgiving holiday

*Row number FIVE on the snowflake throw

*Finish something on my "quick project" list which really should only take an hour or two

On top of all the crafty-ness I really do need to clean the house so it'll be an interesting week. I'm hoping for long naps from the little one to help me out! I figure if I can get some non-YoP things done during the day with the cleaning, then the evening is mine to work on YoP things!

Sorry there's no exciting pictures this week, I do already have at least one FO for FO Friday this week, hoping for two!

WiP Wed #2

I'm excited for how much progress I've made on various things not even in the last week, just in the last few days! I finally started my other fingerless mitt and hoping to have the set complete in time for FO Friday this week! I'm kind of itching to start another pair (different pattern too) once those are complete. I think it's the change in finally having cold weather that's got me motivated for some winter accessories!

I also picked my Knook back up after having it hibernate a couple weeks. Started my fourth leaf for the table runner that by the time it's finished it won't be Autumn anymore but that's ok, it'll be finished!

Beginning of the month also means I started my next square in my Vortex blanket! This one is going quickly I'm assuming because I'm so used to the pattern at this point!

Also starting a blanket soon but when my Herrschners shipment gets here decides on which one I start. I've got some Caron Simply Soft in various colors that will eventually become a striped bobble blanket and I have the afghan kit I mentioned a few days ago on its way to my house. I'm hoping to start one of those either end of this week, beginning of next week depending on progress on everything else goes!

All three of those projects above were started Tuesday morning during the little one's naptime so I felt highly productive that day! I always hate the first few beginning rows of projects so I figured if I could get myself several rows in on each one, it'd be a breeze to complete them within the next week or so.

YoP #2

So I completed my Chevron Lace Cardi and shared it in a FO Friday post on here (thus I won't repost it, don't worry) and I made more progress on my snowflakes throw this week. Being that it was snowing outside was the perfect motivation to do another row on it. It goes surprisingly quick since it's join as you go.

I do have a somewhat dilemma though. I'm dying to continue my Betty's Tunisian Tee because I love the pattern so far, love the way the final product looks, however I don't think I'm too keen on the yarn I'm dong it with. I'm using Caron Simply Soft which is fine but being that it's Tunisian, it's a little thicker. I've decided I think I'm going to frog it, use the Simply Soft with some other skeins I have for a blanket or throw and save the Tunisian Tee for some yarn that I find when I go to Maryland Sheep & Wool next May :). Therefore, I'm replacing it on my list with a Saroyan. I have a yarn I'm very much looking forward to making this with. To me, the colors in it just seem like nature-ish colors with the red being a nice contrast as well.

I feel like I'm lacking pictures this week because the peacock shawlette had to be frogged and started over (it's looking lovely this time around so far), and for whatever reason I couldn't find the motivation to do my ONE remaining fingerless mitt. It was just an off week apparently.

Peacock shawlette is about 8 rows in (many to go) and the Snowflake throw is through two rows now (4 more to go!). Ideally the throw should be done in three weeks which will be perfect time for me to start a new project and work on it in the car over Thanksgiving!

I am starting my 3rd square for my Vortex throw this week so that'll be interesting to see how the colors start working up there!

Overall:

CALs (done by end of 2011):
1. Chevron Lace Cardi (completed 10.23.2011)
2. Betty's Tunisian Tee (frogged and replaced) Saroyan
3. Snowflakes Throw (in progress, 2/6 rows done, 3rd row in progress)
4. Vortex Throw (in progress, 2 squares done, 2 to go)

Crochet:
1. Pinecone Top
2. Lacy Cropped Cardi
3. Custom Tank Version #1
4. Cap Sleeve Top
5. Custom Tank Version #2
6. South Bay Shawlette

Knit:
1. Clapotis
2. Ballet Camisole
3. Peacock Shawlette (in progress)
4. Sagrantino Shawl
5. Summit Shawl

Now I somehow need someone to tell me to STOP adding things to my list :-P. At least everything listed already has yarn assigned to it that's in my house already (no more needs to be purchased).

Speaking of adding though, I am thinking about a few small things to have nice little FO for the week's update instead of the "Um, I did another row of snowflakes on my blanket?" posts. Have to keep it new and refreshing! So I think for every large project I have up there, I'm going to look into my queue and bookmarks for smaller filler projects to feel more productive (and add to my "when I need a quick gift") stash.

What are your favorite small, quick projects? I've seen plenty on others' YoP lists!

Let is snow *er* slush?

I have to say I'm rather jealous of those who received a nice amount of snow in the northeast. Here about 30-45 min from D.C. we got a slight dusting but enough to make it pretty out. It was disappointing to know that an hour further west it was a complete winter wonderland!

Spent my day inside working on my Dusty Snowflake Throw (what can I say, the weather inspired me to work on it) but took a break for the always addicting rounds on Pinterest, Etsy, Ravelry, all that good stuff. I was very good and didn't buy anymore since I have enough projects going on but couldn't pass up sharing a small tidbit of the cute things I stumbled on.

(1) Really I have no idea what I would do with a giant owl but owls are cute and the pattern is free so I kind of want a reason to make a giant owl! Who doesn't?

(2) I'm wanting to do a crocheted snowflake ornament tree in my house somewhere and I have to say Martha Stewart's idea with the backings on them is a nice touch. Plus, who can turn down free patterns.

(3) I've been eyeing this boots pattern for awhile now. I'm dying to make some for my baby girl! They're just too cute for words!

(4) This little family would be a perfect winter decoration on my mantle if I didn't know for certain that two particular orange tabby cats in my house would see them as toys. PearCreekCottage has the individual snowmen in their store front but also offers the family as a whole...soo cute!

(5) How cute is this hat with the giant statement snowflake on the side of it! YarnBlossomBoutique sells the pattern for $4.99.

Crochet in the news

My mom called me today to share that the local paper ran the following article today:

Homeless Pair Knit, Smoke, Find Serenity Outside Union Station

It's really a great article to read about this lady and her daughter, both currently homeless who spend many of their days between stays at local shelters greeting and chatting up local commuters. I glanced at the first few comments on the article and quickly refused to read many more because well, you guessed it, DC area people felt the need to judge just because they are homeless however, a few did point out the positives in what these ladies do.

• They do commissions for locals. People give them yarn, they knit it up and make some extra cash.
• Knitting (and crocheting) are very much stress relievers and nothing is more stressful than being homeless, having practically nothing and not knowing what the next day, or even the current day, holds.
• Many studies have shown that the best way to avoid depression is to force yourself to have positive interactions with people. Isn't that what they're doing? People who are willing to engage in conversation back with them are bound to have a positive influence.

I know businesses need start up money but man do I wish these ladies would know what kind of money they could make selling knit/crocheted items to those busy commuters. People around here are so obsessed with money and "things" that they could sell about anything for twice what it would normally be priced at a craft fair. With both women hoping to apply for disability because they are unable to do other jobs due to health concerns, a craft business would be right up their alley!

In other news for the day, I have to say most of my progress in the past few days has been made on the baby gift that I can't quite share just yet! It's 50% done and I hope to share the pictures of it after the recipient has received it soon :).

Everything else:

• Snowflake Throw: 3 motifs done just yesterday so I'm ahead on that
• Tunisian Tee: I need mucho concentration time so that's a "when the hubby is taking care of the baby" project, no true progress there
• Ropes & Ladders Scarf: Nada
• Knook Leaf Table Runner: Completed my third leaf this morning
• Knook Scarf: Had to start over because I attempted to work on this while taking care of the little one and it didn't quite work. I counted wrong, accidently skipped a wrong stitch, went to drop the stitches to create the open lines on it and ooopss, a giant hole appeared and it was beyond fixable besides a total restart
• Vortex Baby Throw: This is a slow progressing project and by the end of the week I should only have the corners left to complete on the second square
• Convertible Crochet: Not sure I mentioned I was working on this one. I'm doing it in Red Heart Shimmer in Lime. Will post pictures of my motifs tomorrow, it's one of those motifs that you absolutely have to block first in order to get a decent picture.
• Dare I say I'm most likely taking on another cardigan in addition to all of the above? O:) I told you I'm a sucker for CALs and I can't turn down one that I have the yarn for! The Chevron Lace Cardigan

Sorry for lack of pictures this post, I'll make up for it by blogging two days in a row ;) so expect plenty of pictures tomorrow! I'm also going stash diving because I'm curious as to the color combos I have so yes, plenty of pictures to come!

Project set-up time!

So my lack of a blog post the past few days has been due to our crazy busy fall activities that all seemed to bunch into one weekend this year! Friday was our yearly trip to the apple orchard to pick some fresh fruit then to the pumpkin patch to clip a few pumpkins right from the vines! It was the little one's first trip to the orchard/pumpkin patch and although she won't remember it since she's two months old, we had a great time and we've got pictures to prove it!

Now that I've had time to spew off the off-topic items, onto how much crocheting/knitting I actually did get done the past few days. I'll start by saying it was certainly a lot more than I thought I'd get done in 2 days!

As promised, here's my leaves that I knit using the Knook. There are two done and who knows how many to go for the table runner. They knit up insanely quick once you get into the flow of the pattern. I can't wait to felt them all in the end and see how they turn out!

While that size Knook is being taken up by that pattern, one of my other Knooks is currently holding my Open Lines scarf designed by Lisa Gentry whose Ravelry group I'm a part of. She also designed the previously mentioned Vortex design I'm working on. Both these projects are current CALs in the group and it's a blast chatting with those ladies everyday! Here's a peek at the open lines scarf in the works:

Also started up the first few rows of my Tunisian Tee for CrochetMe's CAL that starts this week. No picture yet on that because well...3 long rows of Tunisian crochet in mint green isn't that exciting just yet. I'll give it a week or so to get further for pictures.

Red Heart's CAL for the Dusty Snowflake Throw starts up this week as well and I whipped up a motif tonight for a good start. I have to say, I LOVE the look of this throw but I was definitely not looking forward to weaving in a million ends as usually happens with bigger projects.

Here's a quick peek at my first motif completed, ends all woven in as I went since that was my newest crochet skill I learned. I'll have to share the link for that video when I find it again. Have to say I felt like an idiot when I realized you could conceal these as you went so you weren't doing the boring work of weaving them in at the end of the project!

I always have to start these projects on the weekend when the hubby is around so he can watch the little one while I get over the dreaded "trying to figure out a new pattern and START the project." Plus, it gives me time to see which ones are easiest to work on during the week when it's me and the kiddo.

I also have to finish project "a" of a baby gift and complete project "b" of the same baby gift by next weekend (that's the goal at least) so I'm not sure how much progress will be made on these projects until I get the baby gift finished up but we'll see!

I'm also in two other groups currently picking their next garment CAL which may get me in trouble if I decide to take one of those on as well :-P. Anyone know of any other interesting "alongs" going on? I love checking them out!