A Fantastic New Craft – My Freeform Crocheted Carpet Project

It all started when I was sorting my wool the other day. I love how a bunch of wool can create a whole chain of thought and inspiration!

I’ve got tons of textured yarns which I’ve accumulated over the years and lots of basic acrylics that I use for blankets and toys. I had the idea to create an area rug for my son with various textured yarns held double with a strand of the base acrylics (worsted weight) in all the shades of beige that I had in my stash. The flat/untufted areas are base acrylic held with a strand of cone cotton and strand of cone rayon with a golden sparkle to it – each about fingering weight or less. It compliments the sparkle in the main ‘bling bling’ yarn I’ve used for texture. It’s the multicolour found in all the circles – pictures just don’t do it justice.

I had so much fun with this I’m planning to invest in some rug yarns to try to make a more durable/long lasting rug. This one is tightly crocheted and seems strong but it is just blanket strength acrylic I’ve used so I can’t wait to see what I can create with real rug wool and my tufted texture yarns! It will take away the machine wash option though if I decide to go with wool rug yarn (and I’m leaning to that option – seeing a guy with a factory full of partial cones which he needs to clear out later on today and there are a few different materials to choose from).

We all knew I needed a new hobby, seeing as I have nothing to do lol 🙂

Oh wow, almost forgot to post this pic…

It’s my new Polonaise! Yes, finally, I have been blessed with the one wheel I’ve wanted forever-since-I-thought-of-spinning!! A totally excellent early Christmas present 🙂

She spins like a dream and is just beautiful. The lady I purchased her from was excellent and her husband was even kind enough to deliver the wheel.

And a very cute grandson pic…he loves to jump!

Freeform FUN

Happy Friday!

I have something new to show today 🙂 Or at least the beginnings of something new…

I was inspired by a picture of the stained glass window blanket (for which I don’t have the pattern) and thought the technique looked fairly straightforward.

I am just working this freeform for now and waiting to see what it wants to be when it grows up!

Bringing Baby Home

Good morning 🙂

I’ve finished my latest crochet portrait…created from a photograph from 20 years ago, of me holding my eldest daughter on the day we came home from the hospital…

The original photo…

A bit closer up….

Perspective makes a huge difference with these fibre creations! Up close, they look so much like nothing but when you step back a few feet, the picture is so clear.

I’ve also finished the first pair of crocheted and felted baby boots. It’s a pattern of my own which I’m working on, off and on, here and there. They are fastened with velcro at the sides/backs of the booties.

I attached the velcro with the same wool (fishermens), sewn on by hand. The velcro is sewn along the back of the ankle section and the edges of the front flaps. I’m unsure, at this point, if I chose correctly when I put the ‘hook’ section on the fronts and the other section on the back.

These have been given to my husband’s friend for his new baby boy. He’s going to be my first test wearer 🙂 On a side note, his little daughter has a pair of my felted slippers (the pattern I made late last year and am still working on) and she LOVES them…they are the only slippers she’s ever worn!! 🙂 She calls them her ‘ballerina shoes’ and was QUITE impressed with them! I single stranded my ladies medium size and felted them down for her little feet.

I also made the grandchild to be a couple things…

Some braided balls to play with;

I found the pattern, free on ravelry. It’s called the gevlochten bal.

And, a little improvised sweater, in sock yarn, on 3.25 mm needles;

I have a few ends to weave in and some blocking to do before it’s completely finished.

A Portrait – In Crochet

Good morning 🙂

I’ve got something new to show today, and I’m really pleased with it!  Kind of addicted already, actually…

From this original picture (photograph)…

To this portait in crochet!

Isn’t it neat?! It’s a picture of Luke, the basset hound. I made it for my husband as Luke was his favorite dog and has since passed away. This is one of the rare things I’ve seen my husband excited by, craft-wise!

It took me some time to figure out and write the pattern but I’ve got it now 🙂

If you’d like to try this technique, check out the Crochet By Numbers web site or ravelry group, or both 🙂

I’ve got so many pictures already lined up that I want to do, this could keep my attention for as long as I let it!

Have a great day 🙂

Another Monday…

And time to start blogging again!

I’ve been preoccupied with life — you know how that goes — cleaning, cooking, children, pets… I had this crazy notion that if I did everything REALLY WELL that it would make a difference around here. In ways it has, in others, not so much.

This is my ‘Kaleidoscope‘ (pattern by Lisa Donald) and it really turned out beautiful. I am making it for the ‘Elf Collection’, for this Christmas. That’s all I can say publicly, LOL. You never know when the children are going to read the blog!

This is my Drops b13-18 done in phentex 2 ply fingering weight. I couldn’t help but think ‘here we go again’ – I tried so many times to knit little things like this when my children were born (18 and 20 years ago) and always ended up frogging them in frustration. I didn’t have the skills yet, nor the patience required! It’s a little lace ‘jacket’ and there are matching accesories if I make it that far.

I’ve got more wips than ever before (and possibly ever again). A couple things for the baby-to-be – socks and a sweater half done, a sweater for me, a double knit baby blanket, another afghan for the ‘Elf Collection’, a baby toy and a bathmat. Oh, yes, and a shipwreck shawl…

Ok. A little scattered. I have one more thing, finished, to show…

It’s the “Baby Cabled Baby Slouch” pattern by Stacy Mar, done in Mary Maxim ‘Parisienne’ sport/dk acrylic yarn.

I really must show you the double knit blanket, so far…

This is my ‘Beauty of a blanket’ or the “Reversible Celtic Patterns Baby Blanket” by Kathleen Sperling. A really lovely free pattern which is going to take a LOT of work but which will be well worth the effort. It’s my hope to have this ready for the baby shower so I’m aiming for March. I’m using Phentex sport in caribbean blue and a very light blue marl. I absolutely know that acrylic isn’t ideal for baby things but I’m not financially able to do this blanket in anything else. Fortunately, it will wear very well and last a long time 🙂

Ok, off to knit, and cut the grass (I’m the excited owner of a new lawn mower – it’s actually alarming how excited one can get about appliances and equipment after a certain number of years being married!) and maybe even clean the house, assuming anyone will notice…

Have a great day!

Bats and Other Distractions

Yes, I know, it’s been ages since I’ve kept the blog in the fashion it has become accustomed to!

(This is my ‘snowflake princess’ – on ravelry – from the snow queen pattern. It’s for the baby-to-be if the baby is a girl, if not it’s for a future baby-to-be 🙂 Who could help it? It’s adorable)

I have been busy and it’s been quite a summer. Some of it was excellent, some of it was extremely stressful and annoying.

I’ve been distracted from my knitting, and the blog by a thorough house sort and clean – not that it wasn’t a great idea, it really, really was! – but not on my timing, it was decided by a problem we have had here – BATS!!!! in our (rental) home.

I couldn’t bear the idea that they may be anywhere here so I spent about a week or two cleaning like a maniac and sorting everything we own. Basement included. What a job! So the second hand store now has about ten bags full of extra clothes, toys, and household goods and the garbage tag people are finally getting a little help from us, lol.

The house does look beautiful!

I *think* the problem is solved…we’ve had a company in who specializes in excluding bats. They’ve sealed the house and I’ve duct taped the hell out of the inside of the house to prevent them coming into the living space. Apparently they leave little ‘doors’ that work one way only and the bats may leave but they cannot get back in. Now I just have to get over the thought that there are some stuck in the house.

LOL – I seriously wish I had a nanny cam or some such thing to film over night. It’s really hard to know whats really going on…I suspect they’ve been here all summer and we only just noticed them because we usually sleep at night. Lately I’ve been unable to sleep and that’s how I discovered two of them flying through the house at 3 am-ish about two or three weeks ago. Not nice. They are known to carry rabies and are the leading cause of human rabies.

So – a little distracting, yes?

I’ll have to catch up on everything else in another post! May your day be fabulous and your home bat-free 🙂

It’s Perfect!

I’ve finished my version of ‘Starsky’ (by Jordana Paige) and I have to say it’s turned out amazing!

A couple pics…front and back…

I made a few modifications…beginning with the yarn. The pattern calls for a bulky yarn (knitpicks sierra) but I used Bernat ‘denim style’ (cotton/acrylic blend) and I really think it’s a great choice. It’s light and warm/cozy at the same time, completely machine washable too! The denim style SAYS it’s worsted but it knitted like a bulky for me.

I knit the body and sleeves in the round rather than including seaming in the design. I joined the shoulders with a three needle bind off to eliminate seaming there too. The ONLY seams are those used to set in the sleeves.

I made the sleeve cuffs a little longer than the pattern calls for. I also incorporated one panel of the pattern, centred, up each sleeve. I like the texture and it made the knitting more interesting too 🙂

Mine is the small size and the pattern is available free, from Knitty. I have yet to decide on a fastener or knitting an i-cord tie…

It fits perfectly and the yarn is really too comfy to describe. I can see me making more things with this lovely yarn 🙂

A Little Of This, A Little Of That…

I’ve been working on a bunch of things lately — I’m hoping to have some nice gifts ready to give at Christmastime!

Here is a new picture of the quilt (for my daughter) – I’ve almost completely finished the applique, so far.

Here is a picture of the blanket I’m making for my husband….I’m using some new yarn (to tie it together, I hope) and some from the stash…

Here is one of the sweater (well, the sleeve) I’m working on – probably for me 🙂 I’m using denim style yarn and I love it so much – so soft and cozy too!

Free Scarf Pattern…

I’ve improvised a simple, quick, chunky knit, reversible scarf pattern and I wanted to share it 🙂

It’s part of my Christmas knitting and will soon have a matching hat (it’s rolling around in my brain – I’ll probably have it written up by this weekend).

Please feel free to add this project to your Christmas knitting, if you like 🙂

Great Expectations…

Yeah, lol.

I definitely overestimated the amount of knitting I could get done this week!! Once I gave up on the mission (of finishing the medallion top by tomorrow) I turned to a really GOOD book my friend gave me…

I’ve only read a little but it’s great so far…I highly recommend it.

I also worked a few rows of the double knit pirates hat…I’m beginning the decreases now (about ten rows earlier than the pattern calls for)

I’m up to the end of the side slits on the front of the medallion top… (did you know your hands will seize if you knit too much at once – or at least mine were! – maybe it’s because the acrylic has less give)

I’m glad the kids are coming home this weekend…I can’t believe how empty the house is without them…they make our house a home.

I’ve been visiting with my little nephew this week – his first sleepover (oh yes, and apparently I am the best aunt in the world! 🙂 ) We went and bought a pile of books yesterday (25 cents each, who can beat that?) and one of them was ‘critters first sleepover’ – PERFECT! He’s doing fantastic with staying and hasn’t had a meltdown…I’m very proud of him 🙂 Today we’re jumping on the trampoline, taking the dogs for a walk to the school yard and probably going back for more wonderful used books. Mom comes home tonight 🙂

Nice!

The medallion top, so far…

Lots On The Go…

I think it’s the project-itis acting up again, lol. I’ve started the Medallion Top (#31) from the Spring/Summer Vogue for my best friend and that means I have FOUR projects on the go!

I’m praying that I have enough yarn. I’m using a mystery stash yarn (Eaton’s ‘perle’ acrylic) and don’t even know for sure how much is on each ball.

The double knit pirates hat is coming along…it’s now in second place since dh can’t wear it until summer is over anyways. The Medallion Top I’m hoping to finish before next weekend. Yes – 9 days. Then there is the silky soft apres surf hoodie (FOR ME!) — I’d really like to be wearing that asap. Finally, my son’s handspun cable sweater. Deadline on that one is August so I’m doing ok 🙂

Ok, off to knit. I’m about halfway to the armhole shaping on the back so far. I LOVE the lace – ok, most lace! – and I’m finding it easy to follow the pattern now 🙂

A Peek

at what I’m working on… 🙂 

I’m working on finishing the Modern Lace Henley today.  I’ve finished the body, working on the sleeves (which I’m making full length – I LOVE long sleeves and especially long lacy sleeves!)

 

Modern Lace Henley

So, I’ve cast on for the modern lace henley by Pam Allen.  I’m using the mint green ‘perle’ from Eatons – some of the ‘good stuff’ from what I was gifted recently 🙂

I’m going to knit it in the round with a 2″ split at the hips, more tunic style I guess.  Also, I’d like long sleeves.

I’ve already made an error in the lace and I’m thinking I’m ok with that!  I don’t feel like pulling it back!

I tend to forgive myself a lot of my knitting mistakes.  LOL, they add character.

I’ve been getting a lot done lately, knitting wise.  I think part of it is that I only knit with circular needles now.  They are so much easier on my body.  My shoulder aches if I use straights and my hands hurt.  The circulars fit in my hands like they belong and I find them much more comfortable. 

Ok, off to stare at the henley and see how noticable that mistake is!  I’ll take a picture of it if it survives the night and you can see for yourself 🙂

Oak Leaves Pullover

This is the “Oak Leaves Pullover” that my mom picked up part-way finished at her second hand store.  I’m finishing it for her.  I picked it up midway through the leaf design and it has a line through the knitting — I assume because it sat on the needles for nearly forever.  I guess I should have taken out a row.  Since I didn’t, we’re going to make this the back…so mom never has to look down and see that line 🙂  The pattern is from Mary Maxim and uses dk weight acrylic.  I do love the colours!

Finished Christmas Gift :)

I have a little nephew, Matty , who loves anything I knit for him.  I gave him the knitted gansey sweater I made a while back.  I’ve made him a scarf and hat (for Christmas) out of the leftovers from that project…

The yarn is James C. Brett Marble (dk weight).  I used the ‘my so called scarf’ pattern for the scarf and an improvised 2×2 rib hat (cast on 100 sts, size 6 mm circular needle/dpns).  I think he will love them…

Oh Happy Day!

Yay, my tree skirt is finished!

I’m pretty happy with it…and happy to be finished it!  LOL, large projects always feel like they are taking forever, no matter whether they really are or not.  Those last few rows felt like a marathon!

You can’t quite see some of the tone on tone colourwork I did to prevent having to use plain blocks of colour.  I thought it makes it more interesting looking.

Basically I cast on 144 sts (12 panels of 12 sts) and increased (12 sts – one in each section) twice over six rows until I was to 118 rows.  You could continue it as far as you liked though.  For the colour pattern, I use graph paper and graph out one section only, as I go…more than once I had to add in more paper because I changed my mind, lol.

The So Called Scarf

I realized I forgot to post a picture of the ‘my so called scarf’ I made for my nephew (it will be his Christmas gift – with a hat once I get it done!)

Plugging away…

 I’m on row 103 of the tree skirt…only about 17 rows to go though I’m worried that it may not be long enough for my liking and I may end up adding more rows, continuing with the increases.  Already there are nearly 500 sts per row! 

Those last 30 rows…

I’m plugging away at the Christmas tree skirt.  Almost there, but the rows are getting SO LONG.  I’m on row 86, the pattern I was originally looking at (and took the basics from) had 118 rows.  We’ll see how big it looks as it goes but I think I’ll stop at about the same point. 

I didn’t even let myself go to the mail today, LOL, because I’m expecting that wool and getting new wool is NOT conducive to finishing this project!

Right now I’ve got about a million (ok, really it’s 50) strands of yarn going at once.  I better get back to it!

Good Morning :)

My tree skirt is coming along pretty well!  I’m about half way, row-wise…which of course means I’m no where near half way knitting when you take into account the ever increasing row length, LOL, but it’s getting there 🙂  I’m pleased to be able to use my scraps for something we will really enjoy.

My mom is awesome 🙂  She found me this neato thing at a second hand store.  It is an older drop spindle set but hasn’t (from the looks of it) been used.  It is a beginner set (excellent, I am a beginner) with a spindle and an instruction book.  Who knows when I’ll get around to trying it but I have no doubt that someday I will 🙂

This week I shall be awaiting my wool (the malabrigo I ordered from www.fabulousyarn.com ) and finishing this skirt. 

Enjoy your day! 🙂

This May Be a Record!

Well, this may be my fastest frog ever!  I got almost halfway done the first quarter panel of the tree skirt and realized I don’t really like it very much. 

Soooooo…..

I’ve frogged it and cast back on for an improvised skirt.  I’m using the basics (the cast on number of sts and the increases) from the pattern and I’m going to design my own ‘insides’.  I like the holly leaves/berry so I’ll include those.  I’m going to do the entire skirt at once rather than make it in quarters.  I realize this means my needles will be very full by the end, lol, but hopefully it works out ok!  

November…

 

So, Now Halloween is over and it’s time to focus on CHRISTMAS!!

I’ve finished a scarf for my nephew, tried to finish a matching hat…lol…didn’t swatch and designed it myself so it turned out baby sized and will be going to Christmas Cheer.   I’m sticking to the same idea and adding 20 sts to the next one.  They are hats using the ‘my so called scarf’ stitch, modified to work in the round.  

Because I’m frustrated by the non-fitting hat, I’ve put that aside for now and have cast on the ‘floral tree skirt’ from Handknit Holidays.  The pattern is by Michelle Rose Orne (which I just noticed) and she is the same designer that designed the composed mitts as it turns out!  I’m using stash yarn, mostly red heart….LOL, I added my stash to ravelry and I now feel obligated to find stash busting projects.  It seems I have a little wool problem!

Must go knit and de-Halloween this house, lol (the kids have decorated everything in sight).  Have a great day! 

Sherwood – All Done!

sherwood – backOriginally uploaded by lisaknitsnthings

Pattern:  Sherwood

Source: www.knitty.com

Yarn Substitute: Red Heart ‘comfort prints’ in blues/greens

I’m really pleased with how this turned out!  It was a ‘WOW’ moment for me when I realized that the sleeves were picked up and worked in short rows from the shoulder.  I have never seen this design detail before.  Seamless knits are one of my favorites so I was pretty impressed, lol.  I would definitely recommend this pattern.  The yarn I used kind of concealed the pattern in the knitting so I think it would be much nicer in a plain coloured yarn.  I have some close-ups of the sleeve and the cable pattern on my flickr page…

Casting on for Something New

Good morning!   I’ve finished my son’s sweater, I’m happy to report.  My picture taking skills leave much to be desired though, so the only picture I have taken so far is out of focus.  I think I can do better so I’ll try again tonight.  He is very happy with it!  It makes me happy when my knitting can make someone else so happy.  Just in time too, for the cooler weather. 

Last night I cast on for a pair of socks.  We’ll see how they turn out….I’ll keep you posted.  I am using size 1.5 mm dpns and a fine fingering weight yarn (Austermann step).  I think (being a person who doesn’t do proper guage swatches) that the guage is about 12 sts per inch.  I’m ‘inventing’ the pattern as I go and keeping notes.  I want them to be lacy, fit nicely, probably ankle socks because I really hate socks that go higher than the ankle.  I am using the Eastern Cast On method and going toe up.  I love the truly seamless sock!