on the ball

I may or may not have lied about the holiday breakdown, but let's get real here.. I actually was knitting, and not just writing about it. Also, I found my camera (right where I left it in my Camelbak .. )

Here is what I've done:

Several lovelies-- a few hats, a cowl, and some mittens. There seems to be an unintentional tweed theme. What can I say? I can't resist a good tweed yarn ;) It is so cozy! Details on the FOs later when the ends are weaved in, they are blocked, and properly photographed.

I've really and truly been lagging on the project page front, but here's a little peak at a couple of sweaters I finished around late spring/early summer.

Today, I was delighted to shop Cyber Monday over at the Knitpicks website where I claimed several skeins of yarn at a low, low cost. I also threw in some stitch markers (mine grew feet and walked off somewhere ::shifty eyes:: ) and a lint shaver. My sweaters are all in need of a good shave. Hello, weekend project! My goodies should arrive later by Friday-ish, having splurged for 3-day shipping. Yay!

I leave you with a cake that I made this weekend for a baby shower. It was so fun to make a cake at home with my supplies, using actual creativity that is lost in grocery store decorating. It was delightful :) 

Have a good week!

return from hiatus

I'm baaaack. Okay, so I am in the last month of my college career. It is exciting and terrifying. I think I might be a terrible adult and that sucks. It is taking every ounce of my willpower to not completely ignore my studying and homework assignments. Two of which are due within the next week.. ah!! (Hm, I need to get on that.)

Also, I have misplaced my camera so I am very behind with updating both this blog and my ravelry page. I think it must be hiding in my room under all my WIPs and clothes. My room is far too small for how much fibery goodness I have acquired over that past 4 years at school.

Ohhh.. I'm engaged now too! To Mr. K, of course. The big day will probably be early- to mid-2013. You will, of course, get the latest details (if I can find my camera, hurumph) <-- So no ring picture for you yet, sorry.

I am greatly overwhelmed at present. I am taking every opportunity to get Giftmas knitting/crocheting/crafting done and it is my only link to sanity. I have a few things to show you, which I will capture with the camera on my phone (which isn't actually that bad fortunately! 5 whole mega pixels!)

I shall return with the Giftmas breakdown in a couple days, so come back soon :o)

pattern: quinny hat

Presenting my version of Q's hat..... photo and pattern

please excuse the state of my hair

What you will need:

• US 9 (5.5mm) and US 10 (6.0mm) circulars, 40" for magic loop (dpns, if you require them. I didn't use them.)
• About 70-80 yards (64-73m) of bulky weight yarn; I used Cascade Eco +
• 5 stitch markers (one being a different color to denote beginning of round)
• Button OR crochet hook (F) and some leftover yard from hat.

Directions:

Using the size 9 needles, cast on 72 stitches. Work in back and forth in garter stitch for a total of 8 rows.

I included a couple short rows at the cast-on tail edge to create a bit of a flair in the tab, but I think it was mostly superficial and not necessary. For those interested, after working rows 2 and 6, knit 5 sts w&t, work to end of row. Pick up wrap during next row (3 &7)

Next round: Bind off 6 sts. Switch to size 10 needles, and begin working in rib pattern as follows: (k1tbl, p1) around. 

Place marker and join to work in the round. Continue working in rib pattern until the piece measures 5"

This length just fits my small noggin, but I would recommend for those with larger noggins (bigger brains!) to add some length. It wouldn't hurt to go up to about 6".

Next round: (k1tbl, p1) 6 times, k1tbl, place marker, p1, place marker, (k1tbl, p1) 9 times, k1tbl, place marker, (p1, k1tbl) 13 times, p1, place marker, (k1tbl, p1) 3 times

Decrease round: Continuing in rib pattern, work to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sm,  p1, sm, ssk, work to next marker, sm, ssk, work to 2 sts before last marker, k2tog, sm, work to end of round.

Work decrease round every round for a total of 12 rounds.

For the last round, continuing in pattern, work to 3 stitches before marker, k3tog, sm, p1, sm, sssk, work to end of round.

Cut yarn, pull through the remaining 14sts, and weave in ends!

Last step is to sew the tab down. You may do this using a large button or how I did it. I'll admit my method was a little unorthodox. 

Using the crochet hook and leftover yarn, chain 5 sts. Slip stitch to join in the round.

 Work single crochet, all the way around until you are unable to fit any more on circle. Slip stitch to join to first sc. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

So, with this little circle of crochet, simply place tab and circle where desired and using a satin stitch, stitch circle into place. Tie ends and you are done! 

There's my odd little trick to make a fake yarny button.

Final step: Wear your hat and get your Gleek on! (Finn Hudson required. nom.)

weekend project.

In addition my school projects, I will be trying to recreate this hat that was on the new episode of Glee this week.

 

Boom. Super awesome pixie hat. Knitting will commence after my exam at 4:10pm.

I hope to share the result with you by Sunday! Have a great weekend :o)

KP independent designer program

I didn't say anything until I knew for certain, but my pattern was chosen to be included in Knit Picks' Independent Designer Program!

 

You can find it on their website here.

I actually found out a few weeks ago, but decided to wait until the page was up on their website to share. I am just so honored, because I think Knit Picks is a truly fabulous company.

Above is the second Snowstorm. This one is knit up using KP Merino Style in Hollyberry and Fog.

Anyway, just wanted to share :o) I have a couple other FOs that I will share soon. Now I'm off to the gym (keeping up with new year's resolutions in February, for the win!) and I haven't smoked for 41 days! Also, I gave up meat for Lent. No bacon for me. Sorry pizza.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Good day!

a little birdie once told me

 ~ through every storm and the darkness of night, there comes a patch of blue ~

Last weekend was my mom's birthday so I made her this bird garland that I found on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog. It was a really fun and simple project. Ever since making the Valentine banner, I've felt slightly obsessed with felt crafts and embroidery. I went out and bought a bunch of felt and what not. I have a very cool owl that Larri gave me the pattern to make that I hope to get around to quite soon.

Last weekend was also my Aunt Sherri's and K's sister's birthday so I whipped up some headbands for everyone (myself included!). These are so fantastic. I made about 16 headbands total. Slightly obsessive, no? I based them off this pattern, but I changed the measurements for a smaller band rather than a giant one that covered the whole head.

In case you're interested, my main piece measured 6" by 13". (If you were to use two coordinating colors, each piece would measure 3" by 13")

Aaaand a knitting FO!

Pattern: Toast

Yarn: Noro Kochoran; colorway- 53; used 116.2 yards

Needles: US 8 circ for magic loop

Start - Finish: January 26 -27

Mods: CO 32 sts. Knit for 55 rows. BO.

These are super soft! This was my first time knitting with Noro. It wasn't a bad experience. I didn't really care for all the vegetable matter that was in the yarn though. I also experienced one knot which I cut out and spit spliced the yarn back together. Overall, I love how these turned out. I love their fraternal color.

Happy crafting to all, and to all, a good night :o)

all you need is ..

This weekend the ladies got together at Larri's to make these Valentine's banners. It was a lot of fun! This was the first I had ever stenciled.. now I covet a Cricut.. oh boy! 

The embroidery was most fun. Larri has a plentiful collection of embroidery floss, and it is always lovely to duck into her craft room and marvel.

It not Valentine's day yet, but I hope you're all feeling the love :o)

Happy crafting!

wanted: puppy mojo

Our beloved Tank has suddenly gotten sick.

He is the best dog that I know, the most well behaved with the sweetest demeanor.

We need some doggy mojo for our angel.

new year, new me

Happy new year to all!

This year is going to be a good year. I can feel it! It is my last year of college (finishing next fall), which means the end of my extended adolescence. The feeling of still being a kid has come at a price, however ($20,000+ a year, my sanity, and a little a lot happiness) .

I am in the home stretch now and I feel like I need to start becoming a more responsible person. I need to save more and spend less. Study more and finish my education on a strong note (which I have always been capable of but did not care enough to put in the effort). Make good life decisions. Quit smoking for good. Start exercising regularly again. Be a happier person.

The difference between trying to do these before and doing them now is that my life, my adult life, is beginning now. I want to make the right choices and I want to do right by me,  for me. I am letting go of my past mistakes and I'm starting fresh. Not because of the new year, but because of the new me.

The goals I have made for this year are not the simple goals, like "quit smoking" or "study more." I wanted them to encompass several things I would like to improve upon. Here they are:

1. Run the 10k Riverbank Run. I have run the 5k in the past and I know that I could do it again easily, even now. I want more of a challenge. For me to run this, I simply need to quit smoking and I have. I am done. (4.5 days now and going strong) I have this optimism that I never had before when trying to quit and I'm going to use that to my advantage. Also, I need to exercise regularly which I started to do again during this winter break. Both of these improvements make me a happier person. I feel stronger, happier, and healthier already.

2. Follow through on commitments. This refers to two things in particular: school and knitting. For school, I would like to improve my grades overall and to do that, I have to put in the daily effort. It is a simple thing that I have the power to change. I need to stop letting things pile up when I know that it will just eventually stress me out.  Knitting, silly though it might seem, also stresses me out. I have periods of casting-on left and right. Right now I have about 10 unfinished projects that are mostly done, but have been neglected. With my anxiety, these unfinished things all around me put me over the edge sometimes. (Knitting plans to be shared next post. I have a master plan.)

3. Live in the moment. Although I haven't had the best experience at school, I think it's a beautiful place that I will miss once I leave. I hope to capture the good moments while I still have the chance. I want to make the above changes so that I can enjoy my time there more. This goal applies to more than just school (although most of my time will be spent there the first half of the year).

I want to be a better person-- girlfriend, sister, daughter, aunt, friend-- and I want to leave the worrying behind. I want to take more pictures of the wondrous world we live in. I want to watch my nephew grow into a little person who will soon crawl, then walk, then talk. I want to use my abilities and my talents to do something that I love, and with luck, something in which I find success. I want to be the best version of myself that I can be for the man that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

The new me feels that there is a lot to be said about effort. The world around you still moves forth whether you put your plans into action or not. It is up to you to make the changes in your life. No one is going to make them for you.

I hope you all find inspiration this year!

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"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." -Ralph Waldo Emerson