tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815310089757467922024-03-14T05:38:11.342-04:00thru the eyes of a craftera day in the life of an craft addictdiyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-10740941932773378482009-04-22T20:59:00.001-04:002009-04-22T21:01:20.869-04:00New Blog HomeSince I've finally gotten back to crafting, I've been making some changes. One being a new place for my blog.<br /><br />Now you can follow up on my knitting progress at <a href="http://diyodknits.vox.com">http://diyodknits.vox.com</a>.<br /><br />I will be leaving this blog up since my Link Hat and Triforce Scarf patterns are listed here, but any new updates or patterns will be posted on my new blog.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-20747330500720239252009-04-15T10:15:00.003-04:002009-04-15T10:23:59.640-04:00Hole-y increases, Batman!Well last night I got to the increases on the Star Crossed Slouchy beret, and it's starting to bother me. I did the M1's like the pattern says, but for some reason they look like purls and leave a hole (and I'm a tight knitter, so loose things hardly ever appear in my knitting).<br /><br />I guess I'm going to have to sit this to the side for a little bit while I think about things. Do I want to just continue on, frog it and try again or frog it and find something equally as beautiful for the yarn? I'm almost leaning more towards the frog it and find something else beautiful. It seems like the Star Crossed beret would look better in a slightly heavier yarn, or at least I wouldn't see all sorts of holes that drive me crazy.<br /><br />We'll see what the Ultra Alpaca becomes...only time will tell.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-86019804475890917392009-04-14T16:05:00.002-04:002009-04-14T16:20:48.532-04:00I'm a Star Crossed lover!Ever since my vacation last year to Destin, I've had a beautiful ball of Berroco Ultra Alpaca sitting in my stash. Alpaca is my favorite fiber, and I wanted to make something out of this gorgeous yarn. After almost a year of browsing projects made out of this yarn, I finally found something I thought would be perfect...<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/star-crossed-slouchy-beret">The Star Crossed Slouchy beret</a> by <a href="http://strandsofme.blogspot.com/">Natalie Larson</a>.<br /><br />I swatched this morning, and was lucky to get almost 100% the gauge required. Of course, I usually end up being a little off when I actually cast on for the project (whether I was right on for the swatch or not, it's never the same when casted on). After getting close enough for me, I casted on during lunch. Now it's almost time to go home, and I'm half way thru the first stitch pattern repeat.<br /><br />This is proving to be a pretty fast knit, and with the weather today I may need to have it finished so I can wear it. If my project turns out half as beautiful as some of the FOs on Ravelry, then I'm going to be wishing it was Fall now.<br /><br />I was going to work on the adorable hat for my expecting friend's baby boy, but after casting on and almost getting done with the rib and trying to insert the brim...I found that working with DPNs for that part are not quite the best option. Trying to insert the brim while picking up stitches isn't very easy when you have needles that don't want to bend, which I was able to tell when I somehow was off in my stitch count when picking up the cast on edge (I know I had the same number off stitches, but when the needles won't move with your fabric it makes it hard to pick up in the right spot). <br /><br />What did I do? I placed another Knit Picks order of course! I ordered a small fixed circular, since my Options sets don't go smaller than 24". I've also got some beautiful sock yarn coming to make socks for my boyfriend and myself, and sock blockers to make sure that they are picture perfect when completed.<br /><br />Hopefully my order comes in soon, I can't wait to see the baby hat as an FO. There's just something about tiny clothes that is so adorable!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-5067593701452571982009-04-13T15:29:00.003-04:002009-04-13T15:57:27.304-04:00It's a boy!This past week, my boyfriend and I heard from some friends who are expecting their second child. They just found out that they will be having a beautiful baby boy!<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I have the hardest time coming up with ideas for guy gifts. It takes me all of a few seconds to think of things to make for the girls I know, but when it's time to make for a guy...I just hope that I can come up with something before the special occasion comes. It surprises me a little, since there's not quite as many patterns out there for guys as there are girls.<br /><br />Well last Thursday and Friday I spent most of my spare time browing the patterns in Ravelry's database, looking for non-girlie baby projects. As usual, Ravelry came to the rescue! I really don't know what I would do without the pattern database and the pictures of the FOs! Thanks to all of that, I have found quite a few perfect projects to make for their baby boy!<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/red-ball-jets---chuck-taylors---archived">Chuck Taylor baby booties</a> (a must for any baby boy)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skater-baby--brim-hat">Baby Skater hat </a>(baby version of the Half Pipe hat)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-baby-mitts">Baby mittens</a></li><li>Yet to be determined baby toy</li></ul>As you can see, my "To Knit" list is starting to get back to normal. I've even been adding a few little gifts for the soon-to-be big sister.<br /><br />I dusted off my hooks this weekend to get started on my list, and I've got to say that the baby booties are some of the most precious things I've seen! They are super fast, and absolutely adorable! Once my boyfriend builds his new lightbox I'll have him take some pictures to post (he loves any excuse for him to work on making a better DIY lightbox).<br /><br />Well I better get back to the needles, have an ever-growing list of things to make! Ahhhh, it feels so good to be back into the crafting swing of things!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-56311279221418464142009-04-10T09:25:00.002-04:002009-04-10T09:44:46.783-04:00Back in full force!So far, 2009 has not been a crafty year for me in any way, shape or form. I have yet to do any of the crafty things I dreamed up for this year. In all truth, I haven't done any crafting at all this year. <br /><br />Well, yesterday I got a kick in the pants for my lack of craftiness. Because I haven't been active in my crafting, I haven't even been active in my reading all my favorite craft-related sites....and that has cost me a chance at a <a href="http://blog.ravelry.com/2009/03/20/want-to-work-for-ravelry-community-support-position-available/">dream job</a>. When I saw the post for the PT Ravelry job, and that I missed out, I was so sad for the rest of the day....and did quite a bit of life thinking.<br /><br />The past month has really sucked for me, and I'm thinking the reason it's been so crappy is because of my lack of crafting. Nothing makes me happier than working on some creative project, and watching it evolve from and idea or ball of yarn into a gorgeous finished project. So yes, I'm back and in full force! Life's too short to be unhappy!<br /><br />I've also got some other ideas in this crazy mess of a mind, but those are going to be saved as surprises for a later date! Gotta keep you in suspense sometimes!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-58680918511541602132009-03-05T16:30:00.003-05:002009-03-05T16:43:33.228-05:00March Crafty Self-ChallengeWell, I've been looking over my list of crafty goals for 2009 with hopes of selecting the perfect crafty self-challenge for this month. I wanted something a little challenging, but still fairly simple to kind of ease into this monthly challenge. Today, while thinking of all the other things I have to do, I finally decided on what would be a good challenge...and just the right project to go with it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">C<span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">o</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">l</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">o</span>r<span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> w</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">o</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">r</span>k<span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">!</span></span><br /></div><br />Of course I have to figure out a way to keep Dade out of the yarn, otherwise I'll have more tangles than color work should have.<br /><br />As for the first project, I'm going to be learning from the master of knitting...EZ! Last year I finally saved up money to buy some of her books to add to my library, and I can't wait to start using them. Browsing through them, I saw a pattern for a simple knit hat with some basic color work. I think this will be the perfect introduction for color work and my crafty self-challenge.<br /><br />Keep checking back for progress on my challenge...and Happy Crafting!!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-68292997929743263112009-02-24T10:00:00.002-05:002009-02-24T10:16:46.315-05:00Back into the swing of thingsAfter my last post, I started thinking about what should I work on to get me back into the swing of things. I have 2 projects currently on the needles, but both are very simple and mindless and I knew that I would need something fun to get me motivated. That's when I went to the wonderful world of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com">Ravelry</a> and searched all sorts of projects/patterns to see what would be the perfect project. Finally after deciding on a general category of what I wanted to make, I was able to narrow down my pattern choices. <br /><br />That's when I saw the beautiful <a href="http://www.cogknition.org/patterns/quinn/">Quinn bag</a>, and decided it would be a fun project and the perfect size to tote around my little <a href="http://eeepc.asus.com/global/products.html?n=0">EeePC</a>. I went home, searched through my numerous boxes and tubs of yarn and was ready to go.<br /><br />If you remember, one of my crafty goals is to actually knit swatches up for each project before I start knitting. Most of the projects I have made before didn't really require a swatch, but if I'm going to start knitting sweaters and other fitted items I need to start making it a habit. In the past when I've tried knitting swatches, things haven't turned out quite right or the swatch turned out great but the project was off. <br /><br />I was nervous about knitting a swatch with a cable design, since simple knit/purl swatches didn't come out right before...but I was trying to stick to my crafty goals, so I casted on for the swatch. I was suprised and amazed to find out that my swatch came out perfectly on the first try! Of course with my past experiences, that didn't mean that the project would come out quite as perfect.<br /><br />I've been doing a little knitting on the bag, when I have a spare few minutes, and luckily the actually project has the same results as the swatch. This is just the encouragement I need to keep me swatching!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-77886265073113611172009-02-17T14:47:00.002-05:002009-02-17T15:06:15.438-05:00No excusesI haven't posted in entirely too long, but I won't sit here and post excuses as to why I neglected the blog. It's my own fault, and I will take the responsibility for it. While I'm not making excuses, I do want to apologize to all my crafty friends who haven't been given my craft life updates. <br /><br />Not only have I been neglecting this blog, I've neglected my needles...and that sickens me. Remember that list of crafty goals for 2009? I haven't even begun to tackle a single item on that list, and I don't want to waste the rest of the year not being crafty. I've got to do something to motivate me...what now? Well, starting March I'll be doing my own crafty goal challenge each month to tackle some of those goals I set for myself, giving periodic updates on my journey to a new crafty ability.<br /><br />Stay tuned for the March crafting challenge...diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-38681932068330299952009-01-14T10:36:00.002-05:002009-01-14T10:58:59.855-05:00Not your typical craftWell, so far in 2009 my knitting/crocheting has been a little limited as I've been working on a few different things this new year. First, I had to work on a gift for my fabulous mother on her birthday (she'll be 60 this Friday, but she doesn't look or act her age), a cute little counted cross-stitch of some adorable tree frogs. <br /><br />Now I'm helping my dad with his type of crafting, writing. He's a self-published writer who has about 9 or so books already published. Lately he's been having some trouble getting some good, reliable help for proofreading his books. So I decided to support him a little with offering my services, even though English is not my strong suit....I'm a total Math girl! <br /><br />Other than that, I've finally done a little more work on my sweater I started in the fall of last year. Since I've been rushed lately with my crafting projects because of deadlines, I've decided to take this one slowly and just enjoy the whole knitting process. I should have some pictures to post soon on the progress of my sweater, once I can get a little photography help from my boyfriend.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-61395578819439232662008-12-30T22:44:00.006-05:002008-12-31T08:48:35.831-05:00Crafting ResolutionsWell, it's that time of year again....you know, the time of year where you make a list of resolutions/goals to work on during the new year. I can hardly believe that in a matter of hours we will be kissing goodbye to 2008 and welcoming in 2009. In the spirit of things, I decided to make a list of craft resolutions/goals to accomplish in the new year and share them with all of you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diyod's 2009 crafting resolutions:</span><br /><ol><li>Learn to magic loop.</li><li>Swatch for every new project.</li><li>Work on my sock knitting skills.</li><li>Sew some of my own clothes.</li><li>Make some home decor for my apartment.</li><li>Learn to do fair isle knitting.</li><li>Learn embroidery.</li><li>Learn to knit the continental method.</li></ol>I'm sure that there will be more added to the list throughout the year, but I didn't want to overwhelm myself with things to accomplish. I figure it's better to add to a list after you've accomplished all that you've planned, instead of making too many resolutions and breaking half of them.<br /><br />So have you made any craft resolutions for the new year? I would love to know what you have planned for 2009.<br /><br />I wish you all a safe and fabulous start to the new year!!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-55323112692848574002008-12-30T15:03:00.002-05:002008-12-30T15:13:55.984-05:00Holiday RecoveryI don't know about you, but although I love the holidays because I get to spend some great quality time with my family...it wears me out! My Christmas lasted 3 straight days, but Christmas day was definitely the busiest of them all. Luckily I got a few extra days off of work, so I was able to get some rest after all the running around.<br /><br />If you have spent any time reading my blog, you will know that I was starting to stress out a few times about getting the gifts completed on time. I am proud to say that everyone received completed gifts, even the two who were surprise guests (I had less than 24 hours notice that we would have two more for dinner on Saturday, so I had to whip up something quick for them...thank goodness for hats!). The gifts were a huge hit, and a few were trying to not only keep their gifts but steal others as well. <br /><br />Well, now that all the stress of holiday knitting is over, you can expect to see more of me on this blog. Oh, and don't be surprised if you see more than knitting on here...I got a dress form for Christmas (I'm hoping to start working on some sewing soon)!!<br /><br />I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday, filled with lots of great crafting fun!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-21074587479149909032008-12-11T12:17:00.002-05:002008-12-11T12:23:14.383-05:00Holiday StressWell, I think that deep down I want to try and make holiday gift knitting as stressful and last minute as possible. Until just a few days ago, I planned on knitting this adorable fairy doll for Olivia. Of course now that she's in middle school, I've seen her grow up a little and now I'm afraid that the adorable fairy doll might be a little too kiddish for her. So back to the drawing board...<br /><br />I've still got a few gifts to finish not including whatever I decide to make Olivia, so now the stress is setting in again. With only 2 weeks until Christmas, it looks like I'll be drinking a lot of caffeine and staying up late knitting. I really don't want to give anyone an unfinished gifts, or a Christmas gift after Christmas. Even though I'm doing much better than last year, I've apparently still got to work on my timing so that I don't get overwhelmed by the stress of getting things done in time.<br /><br />Please try and overlook my absence for the next 2 weeks, I'll be buried in yarn and patterns trying to get everything done in time. <br /><br />Good luck with your crafting and I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-625506639028292302008-12-02T16:12:00.003-05:002008-12-02T16:23:35.813-05:00If at first you don't succeed......rip the seams and start again!<br /><br />Well I finally finished the Lidsville hat that I was making for my Uncle Joel! For the most part, it's a fun project and super easy...that is until you get to seaming. The instructions for finishing the hat are a little unclear, but after some trial and error I finally got it looking like the designer's FO. Here's a tip...you have to sew the outer edge of the brim to the front of the hat and flip it and turn the hat right-side out.<br /><br />Unfortunately I don't have any pictures at this time, but I am hoping to have some pictures for you guys this weekend. The bf is working on a little DIY project of his own (a photographer's light box), and he's wanting to use some of my FO's and stash as his test subjects once the box is completed.<br /><br />As for other knitting progress, I am working on one of the pairs of fingerless gloves right now. I started them last week, but am trying to figure out which increase method I want to use. Being the crafting perfectionist that I am, I want all the increases to look identical. I tried 2 different ways, and when I finally picked the one that I will be the happiest with...well let's just say it became a yarn mess and was just easier for me to unravel and re-wind the ball of yarn and start over.<br /><br />Lately I've been itching to do some needle felting, so I think this weekend will be the perfect time to work on the felted frog collectible and the dove ornaments that will gone on the gifts. It will be fairly relaxing and easy, and I think I can get all of them done and feel I've accomplished a lot.<br /><br />Well, it's back to the knitting needles.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-41715130166905999222008-11-19T11:02:00.003-05:002008-11-19T11:19:07.895-05:00Dusting off the crochet hooksAs you have probably figured out, most of the crafting I do right now is knitting. It's very relaxing, and with everything being made of 2 different stitches it's easy to do when you have so much on your mind (Thanksgiving preparations, Christmas gifts to make, Christmas decorating to do, etc.). Every now and then, I like to use my crochet skills on some project that really catches my eye.<br /><br />Crocheting is a little bit harder to memorize than knitting, with all the different stitches to make the different patterns...I usually forget them by the time I do another crochet project and have to pull out my handy-dandy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Answer-Book-Solutions-Question/dp/1580175988">Crochet Answer book</a>. Well, I've decided that now is the time for me to dust off my hooks and books and work on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lidsville">Lidsville</a> from the Son of Stitch 'n Bitch book as a gift for my uncle. I absolutely love flat hats, and when I was looking through my books and patterns for men this was the one that won out for my Uncle Joel.<br /><br />I don't know what it is, but for some reason I love to crochet hats. The projects seem to go so much faster, and <span style="font-style: italic;">usually</span> look so seamless. This hat is a little different, but so far I'm loving working on it. It's crocheted in many pieces and then you slip stitch the pieces together, but that makes it a perfect crochet-on-the-go project. I've got my yarn (<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Shamrock%20Yarn_YD5420154.html">Shamrock</a> by Knit Picks) in a small project bag, along with the pieces that I've already finished.<br /><br />I started working on some of the pieces Monday night while watching Heroes, and with a little bit of crochet time here and there I've already got about half of the hat pieces complete. This is definitely the type of encouragement I needed with my Christmas gift list, because I was starting to wonder how I could get hats, scarves, gloves, dolls and needle felting all done before Christmas day. If things keep going at this rate, I could have it done by the weekend and ready to show off on the blog and Ravelry!<br /><br />Well I better head back to the hooks and books!diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-80216392722083439612008-11-18T08:41:00.003-05:002008-11-18T09:00:27.599-05:00Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!Well it seems like winter is coming early in my neck of the woods, well sorta. We didn't get inches and inches of snow, just a few flurries here and there that left pretty snowflakes on my car this chilly morning. I know some people are dreading the thought of winter starting so soon, but it was just what I needed to really get back into my Christmas knitting.<br /><br />Not only am I a knitter, I enjoy video games too. This past week was the release of the new expansion to <a href="http://worldofwarcraft.com">World of Warcraft</a> (yes, I play <span style="font-style: italic;">that game</span>), so this past weekend was filled with playing video games and seeing some of the new things in the expansion. I even scheduled a day off from work to stay at home and play, but after all the anti-knitting mobile happenings of last week...let's just say I really needed a stay-at-home day.<br /><br />I was a little worried that my gaming might get in the way of my knitting time, and possibly cause some gifts to not be ready on time. But then yesterday it was freezing outside and there were some snow flurries, and that's just what I needed to get me in the knitting mindset. <br /><br />After weeks of re-thinking Christmas gifts, I finally have something to make for everyone on my list! I even finished one of my dad's Christmas gifts yesterday, so I'm feeling good about my gift list again. Sorry, there are no pictures quite yet, because I was in such a crafting zone I immediately started another project on the list before taking time to snap some photos. Maybe once I get a few more completed, I'll post another visual progress report.<br /><br />So here's the list of what I'm making for those hard to craft for guys:<br /><ul><li>Papa Bear - Scarf and Slippers</li><li>Eugene - Scarf in a neutral color</li><li>Josh - Link doll and 1-up mushroom mitts</li><li>Russell - Fingerless gloves</li></ul>And here's a list of what is on my needles:<br /><ul><li>Knitted Fairy doll (I really need to work on that some more) - 15% complete<br /></li><li>Lidsville (crocheted) - 5% complete</li></ul>While I will still be cutting it close with the gifts, this cold weather will definitely get me on the right track. There's nothing better than a pile of yarn keeping you warm on a cold day! <br /><br />Well, I better get back to work...I've got quite a few projects ahead of me.<br /><br />P.S. - Sorry that I've been a little scarce recently, with the car problems and trying to get some progress made in knitting, it's been hard to focus on blogging. Once things get back on track I will definitely be posting more regularly, and I hope to get more pictures up of my completed projects.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-47356017064596167682008-11-06T13:06:00.003-05:002008-11-06T13:41:35.411-05:00Knit (or Crochet) One, Save OneLooking for a way to give back to the world? Looking for a way to do something special for children and families? Wanting to put those crafty hands to use? <br /><br />For me, the holiday season always inspires me to do more for others...and it gets those crafty juices flowing. When I was looking at some of the blogs I frequent, I found <a href="http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2008/11/knit-one-save-one-with-warm-up-america.html">Vickie Howell's post</a> on <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org/programs/health/child-survival/survive-to-5/knit-one-save-one.html">Knit One, Save One</a>. I had seen something in my email about this last week, but being without a printer at home I saved the information to look at later on. If it wasn't for Vickie's post, I might have forgotten about it until it was too late to send it in.<br /><br />I got to thinking about all the things I have to knit/crochet between now and December 31st, but then I realized...it doesn't take hardly any time or yarn to make a hat for a newborn. Please check out the site, and if you feel inspired, take 30 minutes to create a beautiful hat for a newborn.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-67124748254370050422008-10-28T09:52:00.003-04:002008-10-28T10:18:20.424-04:00Knitting WeatherI don't know about you, but I'm very glad that it's finally started getting chilly outside. Nothing inspires me to knit more than cold weather, and lately I've needed some inspiration to keep me on track with my Christmas knitting. With the recent frustration of having to re-think what I'm going to make for about half the people on my list, I've needed something to keep me motivated so that I can still meet my deadlines and hopefully this cold weather will be just the right thing.<br /><br />I still haven't come up with the perfect ideas for the men on my Christmas list, but hopefully I will get an idea while knitting the other gifts (or maybe one of you has some great ideas for those hard-to-get-for men in your lives). I've found that looking at others' KIP's and knitting myself can really get the ideas coming for future projects, so I may have to hit <a href="http://ravelry.com">Ravelry</a> and check out some great gift ideas.<br /><br />Unfortunately I have no pictures to show you visual progress of my projects, but I can assure you that I've been working on them. Here's an update as to what is on my needles:<br /><ul><li>Knitted Fairy Doll - 15% complete</li><li>Knitted Fingerless Gloves - 15% complete</li></ul>I'm also getting ready to work on the few needle felting projects that were added to the list after going on a "Knit Nite" group fieldtrip. I'm considering saving those for when I really need some stress relief, but since I am somewhat clumsy that might not be the best time to work on something where you continuously jab at fiber with a very pointy needle.<br /><br />Well, I'm off to work on my knitting and get to brainstorming other project options for those difficult men in my life.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-2456256242584068492008-10-21T08:47:00.002-04:002008-10-21T09:06:09.750-04:00SOCKIT2MEWell, I have officially decided to re-think my Christmas To Knit List until I have more practice knitting socks. I have come to the realization that right now is just not the right time to make socks for everyone on my list, even if they want them or not...at least if they all want their gifts by Christmas this year instead of a few years down the road.<br /><br />It all started with a sock pattern I was going to test knit, which in turn was going to be a gift for my mother. I ripped that sock out so many times that I lost count, because something would always seem to distract me as I was doing the short rows and then things would get lop-sided. I decided that maybe that project should wait for a bit and I would work on another pattern (since I had 6 pairs of socks on my list of items to knit), Eugene's Comfy Brown Socks. I knit up a swatch to see what my gauge was, and then I used that to decide how many stitches to cast on to give the width I needed. The problem here was that when I actually started knitting up the sock, my gauge changed...I now had more stitches per inch than I did with my swatch.<br /><br />I have not given up on sock knitting. I'm merely changing a gift list for now so that I can have enough time to practice knitting socks before I make them for others, since I am a perfectionist when it comes to my crafting. So after Christmas, except to see a lot of sock knitting on the blog.<br /><br />Until then, I need some help from all of you. I have got to come up with some great gifts to make for my loved ones, and all of them have to be gifts for men. I have a hard enough time thinking of what to give guys, and now that I have to re-think my gifts I'm at a complete loss. So if you have any great gift ideas for any of the following, let me know (preferably knitted or crocheted items, since I have plenty of supplies for these types of gifts):<br /><ol><li>Poppa Bear - Local author and book lover.</li><li>Eugene (Uncle's father) - He likes the color brown.</li><li>Josh (boyfriend) - Gamer and gadget lover. I would design another game-inspired gift, but I'm running out of time.</li><li>Russell (Josh's father) - He likes FPS games and motorcycles.</li></ol>I was going to make a pair of socks for my mom as well, but I've got plenty of ideas for her...and she's also been emailing me patterns, hinting at things she wants me to make her (crocheted dachshund since my dad won't let her have a dog right now).<br /><br />Well, I'm off to knit on the non-sock gifts until I can come up with some great replacements.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-8324906663069363382008-10-11T11:57:00.003-04:002008-10-11T12:26:00.148-04:00Once upon a sock...Once upon a sock, there was a knitter who struggled with some of the basic techniques. Her first ever hand-knitted sock wasn't a disaster, but there was a long vacation of sock knitting after that attempt. Now she has many loved ones that have hinted at wanting a pair of hand-knit socks, so she must be brave and get rid of the monster that stands between her and a finished sock she is happy with.<br /><br />Ok, I will admit that I'm not a lover of socks for myself (I just have a hard time with that sock-feet feeling) and that could be why sock knitting is becoming a challenge right now. In my latest attempts at sock knitting, I've had to do many froggings and don't even have a finished pair to present to you guys. It can be frustrating at times, so I'm working on just knitting on the socks when I'm in "the zone". Hopefully this new sock knitting schedule will produce some results I can be proud of.<br /><br />With a majority of my <span style="font-style: italic;">Christmas gift To Knit</span> list being socks, this could be a challenge getting everything completed in time for gift giving...but I'm going to do my best! Maybe visual progress reports of my sock knitting adventures will help me stay motivated....so for the first visual progress report, I present you with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KellesBelles/a-basic-sock-pattern">Eugene's comfy brown socks</a> that I casted on last Thursday:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2931179773_93fcf39e32_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2931179773_93fcf39e32_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'm doing a very simple sock pattern and knitting it from the cuff down. I've had issues with getting my kitchener stitch to be absolutely flawless, but I'm so determined to not let a tiny technique get the best of me.<br /><br />Well, I've got the sock knitting bug at the moment so I better get back to the socks while I'm in "the zone".diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-35184777291590190912008-10-08T11:45:00.008-04:002008-10-08T17:58:09.930-04:0077 days until...Christmas!<br /><br />Are you making your lists? Checking them twice? You've only got 76 more shopping days to find the perfect gifts for your family and friends!<br /><br />Ok, some of you are probably thinking that I'm absolutely bonkers for thinking about the Christmas countdown already...but if you know me at all you will know that not only am I bonkers, I've been planning for Christmas since July! I'm not one of those people who wait until the last minute on Christmas Eve to hit the stores. I'm not one of those people who wakes up before the rooster on the day after Thanksgiving to get all the great deals (don't get me wrong, I love deals!). Rather than stand in lines a mile long or sit in traffic for hours, I prefer to sit at home during normal holiday shopping time...and work on making the gifts (that's right...I'm a <a href="http://buyhandmade.org/">handmade pledger</a>!).<br /><br />When you have 6 pairs of socks, 7 dishcloths, 2 hats, 2 fingerless mitts and 1 doll to make by Christmas, not to mention the one gift that has yet to be determined for that oh-so-hard to buy for person on your list...you would plan early too! Especially since last year life threw quite a few obstacles my way to prevent meeting my knitting deadlines (sorry Josh for the Christmas present in July!).<br /><br />Well here's the visual Christmas knitting progress report:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2925531010_4d24b373b7_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2925531010_4d24b373b7_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2925530098_e16f25be30_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2925530098_e16f25be30_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2924677701_8c86766e69_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2924677701_8c86766e69_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2925531490_b1b789cbe9_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 109px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2925531490_b1b789cbe9_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2925529166_23fb3547e5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 149px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2925529166_23fb3547e5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2925529646_b1caa9e5de_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2925529646_b1caa9e5de_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br />I know that I still have a good bit of work ahead of me, but actually seeing the progress I've made and items I can check off my <span style="font-style: italic;">to-knit</span> list makes me realize how much I've actually accomplished so far. Every now and then I start to panic that I won't get done in time, but then when I actually see how much I've already done so far and I realize that I've still got time (especially since I was just starting Christmas knitting this time last year).<br /><br />Oh, and if any of you have great gift ideas for my boyfriend's dad (he loves motorcycles, FPS games, etc.) please post a comment below! After coming up with ideas for everyone else, I've become a little brain dead and can't seem to think of anything to make for him.diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-16900386011020836372008-10-07T22:27:00.000-04:002008-10-07T23:21:07.834-04:00Welcome to the new home of <span style="font-style: italic;">thru the eyes of a crafter</span>!<br /><br />With my recent addiction to <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Design/season/2/index.php"><span style="font-style: italic;">Top Design</span></a>, I've been in a "sprucing up" mode that has carried over to my blogging. Unfortunately while attempting to alter my blog on <a href="http://wordpress.com">wordpress.com</a>, I discovered some limitations with their blogs which led me to seek a blog home elsewhere (I know, you are thinking <span style="font-style: italic;">"again??!?!?!"</span>). Please be patient with me as I work on getting settled in to my new blogging home, as there might be some quiet times while I work on some things "behind the scenes".<br /><br />This second "new" start got me thinking about resolutions and changes. Most people wait until New Years to make resolutions for the upcoming year, but why make them only once a year? Weather changes daily. Fashion changes seasonally. And as we have seen recently, the economy changes at a moments' notice. With all these things affecting our lives, we should consider making resolutions more often.<br /><br />So, what resolutions are you thinking about making?<br /><br />For me, I'm planning on making resolutions for just about every aspect of my life.<br /><ul><li>Slowly adapt my current lifestyle into a more eco-friendly way of life. Since it takes a little while to make changes a habit, I'm planning on taking baby steps so that I keep heading in the right direction instead of falling flat on my face and going back to my old ways.</li><li>Discover my own personal style, and do not let anyone influence it. Things are too boring with so many people looking alike, so I hope to make the world more interesting by being the odd duck that I am.</li><li>Become more self-sufficient. Make my own clothes (reconstruction or from scratch), grow my own herbs, create my own decor for the apartment, etc. <br /></li><li>Continue learning new crafts and techniques. With new techniques and crafts, I can help introduce more crafts to others and encourage them to get creative.</li></ul>This is a short list, but I hope to be updating resolutions more often since life throws all sorts of things in our way. <br /><br />Well, I'm off to work on more "sprucing up"...diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-28309916107467820682008-06-01T14:52:00.000-04:002008-10-08T08:59:00.037-04:00How to: Crocheted Towel Bathmat<p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">Ok, so I promised to show you how to make your very own crocheted towel bathmat...and here it is!</p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">First, gather all the towels you want to use for your project. Try to get some pretty colors if you can, but don't use brand new towels (unless you bought some specifically to make this project). If you want a regular size bathmat, I would suggest having at least 5 towels available. For my crocheted towel bathmat, I used 3 regular size towels. Make sure to take the end seams out of all your towels. For me, some of the towels seams had already come out.</p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">Once you have all your towels together, decide if you want a specific design or look. For me, I wanted to have a big stripe in the middle and smaller stripes on the sides. To do this, I folded my blue and green towels in half and pinned the ends. Then I took my scissors and cut right down the middle. I didn't care if it was exactly perfect, but I didn't want it too lop-sided so the stripes on the sides could be as close to the same width as possible.</p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">I wanted to cut my towels in a continuous piece so that I didn't have any huge bulky spots from where pieces were sewn or just overlapped. Here's is a picture of how I cut up the towels:</p> <p style="text-align: center;" mce_style="text-align:center;"><img style="width: 174px; height: 232px;" class="aligncenter" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2541738448_5779e0269c.jpg" mce_src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2541738448_5779e0269c.jpg" alt="How to cut your towel for the crocheted towel bathmat" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">You'll have to excuse the bad Paintbrush skills, but I figured it would be easier to see how to cut the towels like this instead of cutting an actual towels and posting pictures. Depending on your crochet hook, you'll want to cut between 1/2-1" wide strips (I used an "S" crochet hook). Now these don't have to be perfect, so you don't have to measure the width along the way...just eyeball it. When I cut my towels, I left about 1/2-3/4" at the end so it was still connected to the next cut.</p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">Now all you have left to do is crochet your bathmat. Make a crochet chain for as long as you want. I wanted something just a little bigger than my foot, so I just chained until I got the length I wanted. I didn't do anything fancy for a stitch design, partly because it was hard dealing with this bulky "yarn" and also I wanted to keep things sturdy so that it would soak up most the moisture and not leave holes for water to go through. Basically all I did was use a slip stitch (in the back loop) for the row below, and then a chain stitch at the end of the row to help it turn so you could go on to the next row.</p><p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2539898030_d8fb81b9e3_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2539898030_d8fb81b9e3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">Hopefully this is clear to you all, but if it isn't please ask questions! I would love to see any pictures of your finished bathmats!</p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align:left;">Happy Crafting!</p>diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81531008975746792.post-19742977973686472302007-09-18T12:48:00.001-04:002008-10-08T12:38:38.959-04:00Josh's Link Hat and Triforce Scarf<p>As promised, I am adding my original pattern for the Link Hat and Triforce Scarf here. <span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span>This is my first time designing/writing a pattern, so it may not be the best instructions. I wanted to make sure that things were easy enough for a beginner, because no one should be without their Nintendo inspired gear. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to <a href="mailto:diyod_knits@yahoo.com" mce_href="mailto:kellesbelles@insightbb.com">email me</a>. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;">There are only 2 things I ask in return:<br /></span></p> <ol><li><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;">Please share pictures of your finished hats and scarves with <a href="mailto:diyod_knits@yahoo.com" mce_href="mailto:kellesbelles@insightbb.com">me</a>. I would love to see how they turn out!</span></li><li><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;">Please do not make and sell the hats and scarves you make from my patterns.<br /></span></li></ol> <p><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;">Well with all that being said, here are the patterns you have been waiting for (hope it was worth the wait):</span></p> <p><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;">Josh's Triforce Scarf</span></span></p> <p><a href="http://diyod.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/joshs-link-hat-and-triforce-scarf/joshs-triforce-scarf/" mce_href="http://diyod.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/joshs-link-hat-and-triforce-scarf/joshs-triforce-scarf/" rel="attachment wp-att-7" title="Josh’s Triforce Scarf"><br /></a></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wlIL4LlS-4U/SOyriBjbCiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/GDLEFupAfWU/s1600-h/triforce+scarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wlIL4LlS-4U/SOyriBjbCiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/GDLEFupAfWU/s200/triforce+scarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254763466255436322" border="0" /></a><span mce_="" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;" mce_style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;">Materials:</span></span></span></span></span><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span mce_="" style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;" mce_style="font-style:italic;">2.5-3 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease (or other worsted weight yarn) in Pine - scarf<br />1 skein (or less) of any Yellow worsted weight yarn (I used 100% acrylic) - Triforce design<br />1 set of size 8 DPNs<br />Large eye blunt needle<br />Scissors<br />Tape measure<br /></span></span><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;">Cast on 54 stitches (18 on each DPN).<br />Knit every round until tube measures 60", then bind off all stitches.<br /></span><br /><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span>Using a <a href="http://sweaterscapes.com/dup-st.htm" mce_href="http://sweaterscapes.com/dup-st.htm">duplicate stitch</a>, stitch the <a href="http://home.insightbb.com/%7Ekellyrenee1979/triforcepattern.html" mce_href="http://home.insightbb.com/%7Ekellyrenee1979/triforcepattern.html">Triforce Pattern</a> onto both sides of both ends of the scarf.<br />Stitch up the ends so that the Triforces on each side are centered.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;">Josh's </span></span></span></span></span><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;">Link Hat<br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wlIL4LlS-4U/SOyrKwudnmI/AAAAAAAAAAM/U1wB9zeTIsI/s1600-h/link+hat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 122px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wlIL4LlS-4U/SOyrKwudnmI/AAAAAAAAAAM/U1wB9zeTIsI/s200/link+hat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254763066601348706" border="0" /></a><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;" mce_style="font-style:italic;">Materials:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div><p><span mce_="" style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><span style="font-style: italic;" mce_style="font-style:italic;">1.5-2 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease (or other worsted weight yarn) in Pine<br />1 set of size 8 DPNs<br />1 size 8 circular needle (16" or 18")<br />Large eye blunt needle<br />Scissors<br />Tape measure</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>Cast on 78 stitches using circular needles.<br />Knit every round until it measures 7".</p> <p>Start using the following for working decrease of hat:<br />Row 1: Knit all stitches<br />Row 2: k2tog, knit the rest of the stitches on the row.</p> <p>*Note: Work decrease until the hat is the hat is about .5" less than desired length (for my hat I worked 66 rows of each - total of 132 rows of decrease pattern).</p> <p>For the last 2 rows repeat row two.</p> <p>Leave about 10" of yarn and thread through remaining stitches.<br />Pull tightly and then weave ends through.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;" mce_style="font-style:italic;"></span></p>diyodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10831727984061845517noreply@blogger.com0