New Blog Home

Since I've finally gotten back to crafting, I've been making some changes. One being a new place for my blog.

Now you can follow up on my knitting progress at http://diyodknits.vox.com.

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.

Hole-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).

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.

We'll see what the Ultra Alpaca becomes...only time will tell.

I'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...The Star Crossed Slouchy beret by Natalie Larson.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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!

It'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!

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.

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!

• Chuck Taylor baby booties (a must for any baby boy)
• Baby Skater hat (baby version of the Half Pipe hat)
• Baby mittens
• Yet to be determined baby toy

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.

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).

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!

Back 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.

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 dream job. 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.

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!

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!