Sneak Peek

Sneak peek of a project to come later this month....

Easiest Arm Warmers Ever

Here I have some socks that I've worn out. They have holes in the heels and worn thin in the toes. So I'm going to turn them in to armwarmers.

First, put the sock on your hand. (you washed it first, right? RIGHT?) Then mark where you'd like the arm warmers to end. Now take them off, and then cut where you marked.

There, arm warmers!

Little Miss Bear

It's Miss B's Half Birthday coming up, so being the crafty Nana, I made a little something to send down to her.

She's gonna be a bear!

It's made out of fleece, with flannel in the ears, and lined with cotton. It didn't take long, but I did have to do the ears by hand because the machine just wasn't cooperating.

She's going to be so cute! I can't wait for the picture of her wearing it!

This Post Socks

I did it!!!

I finished the knitted socks!

I didn't give up!

They look the same!


[medium crappy phone pic for now, better picture later!]

I've learned decreases, increases, knitting with 4 needles in the round, and how to pick up and carry a dropped stitch from 20 rows earlier.

+1 Craft Skill upgrade!

Plexus

There's a lot of art on Pinterest. This one caught my eye, because it's craft materials.

Source: mocoloco.com via Karen on Pinterest

I urge you to go read the artist statement as to why he used thread for his work.


Plexus no. 7, 8 & 9

Craftolutionary

I was listening to the latest YarnCraft podcast today, and being the first show of the new year, they were talking about yarncrafting goals and resolutions for the year.

While I made some goals for the year for my life as a whole, I didn't really make detailed plans for my craft life.

I did want to finish the knit socks, make jam and biscuits, and work on (and hopefully finish) the Luna Sweater.

But what else?

I need to get the Rachel Scarf pattern finished and published so that it can do what it's meant to do.

This year I would like to do more sewing. I'm off to a good start, having made something for the grandbaby (will post that soon) and a bag. Last year I made some pouches and my wedding dress. This year I would like to make some shirts.

I want to continue knitting, but I'm not in that big of a fury for that. I think that when I finish the second sock, I will try to make Calorimetry again. I think I understand the short row concept a little better and won't give up as easily.

I want to do more crochet. Projects yet to be determined. I think some of that should be some charity crochet work.

I want to improve my photography. I will be learning more of the manual settings on my camera, and I want to apply that knowledge to taking better project photos.


I have big ideas.
I just need to put the time and focus into making them happen.

Phannie Revisited

Back about 2 years ago, I made the Phannie hat from Berocco.

It came out ok, but I didn't dig the band or the way it came out, so surprise surprise, I didn't wear it often.

I used the same yarn for a different project and after I realized I had enough left over from that and Mom's present this year, I decided I was going to frog back and try again.

So I frogged back about 6 rows, and started over, this time adding a repeat of rows 15, 16, and 17, as well as doing the band with a bigger hook (I have big hair, it takes a lot to compete with it).

Result?
Success! I like the drape and fit much better this time around.

Today's lesson:
No project is permanent and you CAN go back and fix things later.

Stick With It

I've also been spending a lot of time on Pinterest and I found where someone had made a graphic of this quote. It's from Ira Glass, host of This American Life. While I find the show sometimes a little snotty and hipstery, this is a good thing to read about staying with your creativity.  I hope it enlightens you a little bit, as it did for me.

Source: littleremindersoflove.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Ending the Year on a Craft Note

So I have here the last two crafts of the year.

Well, there's one more, but it needs some tweaks and finishing, so that'll be next year's post.

I gave these two gifts for Christmas.


First, I made the Ribbon Cowl Necklace for my Mom. Yes, I know another cowl, but she keeps requesting them, so I'll keep on making them. This was in an issue of Crochet! magazine. I made it with Red Heart Soft yarn.

Second, I made something for my husband.

I saw one of these on Craftster or somewhere and thought it was cute, so I whipped up my own design.

It's not just a rice bag, it's a phone holder!

I'm actually kind of proud of this one. It didn't come out quite as angular as I would have liked, but if I'm going to make another one I think I'll use interfacing.





Happy New Year! Here's to more crafting in 2012!

Happy Birthday Craftykix!

Four years ago today, I made my very first post at Craftykix.


Since then there's been a lot of projects!


I hope you all have enjoyed what you've read as much as I have enjoyed writing.



FOUR MORE YEARS!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
FOUR MORE YEARS!!