Recycling Yarn

Happy Thursday all!  I had just popped up Facebook and the first thing I saw was a post from Bramcost Publications.  It was a link to their blog about recycling/repurposing yarn from old, unused, or thrift store sweaters.  It sounded intriguing so I checked it out and it was very interesting.  They had four links to sites with instructions on how to repurpose old sweaters.  I know we all probably have old sweaters in the closet we don't wear any more but keep around in hopes it will come back into style because we like the color.  Why wait that long?  Just repurpose it and make something that you will wear today...not in three, five, or even 10 years down the road.  In this day and age, I look for any way to save a dollar or two.  Oh, and think how much yarn you could get out of a sweater dress!!  I think I'm going to have to hit the thrift stores this weekend!

This site also had some great vintage knitting and crocheting patterns on it that you could buy.  Well worth it if you're in to that vintage look.

Well, I'm still working on that Aloha sweater.  Alas, I was sidetracked by a video game.  Oh well...what can ya do?  But I do have the front of the sweater completed.  As you can see, it will be quite nice when it's finished.

I still need to block it, so it looks a little wonky, but I really like the way it's turning out.  I'm at the top of the back now, and it's going to look a little different.  The pattern eliminates the two outside pineapples at the top (the part to the left of the red markers in the picture).  I'm going to guess this is for shaping and to make sure the off the shoulder top is tight enough to stay up!  But only time will tell.  I'm going to log for now so I can get a little crocheting done before I have to get back to work.  Enjoy your day!

Old Socks

Hi everyone!  I've been sick and haven't felt up to blogging.  Mostly I just wanted to sleep.  But I'm better and back to work.

While I was sick, I tried to work on the stole for my friend but apparently wasn't up to the task.  I'm at a part where I'm to make little nodules or bumps in the fabric.  To do this, they want you to make 7 stitches (K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1) in one stitch one the right side and perl them all together when you go back across on the wrong side. Well, that's actually harder then it sounds...at least when I'm sick, it seemed harder.  Anyway, getting the needle to catch ALL 7 of those stitches to perl them together wasn't a task I was up for.  Some how or another, I kept missing one of the loops in the middle.  And of course, I didn't notice until I was two or three rows further along.  So, to keep my sanity, I placed stitch markers on the ones I messed up (yes there was more than one!) and put it aside until I felt up to ripping out the rows to the first mess up so I could try them again.  I'm actually thinking of going to our local yarn shop, The Gourmet Yarn Co., and asking them for a little help.  They have these days where you can bring in any of your projects and they'll help you with them.  I could always post on one of the bulletin boards for help on Ravelry.com.  I'm sure there is someone on there that could be of help.  (If anyone wants to friend me in Ravelry, my name there is....wait for it....Sofyann!!)

Well, the stole episode is what brings me to today's topic - Old Socks.  When I say 'old socks', I don't mean socks that you've found under the bed in your child's room that you haven't seen in three or four years and they've grown so crusty that they could stand up on their own.  No...the old socks I'm referring to are the ones that I've started knitting and then put aside so that I could work on other projects.  Socks, for me, are those go to garments that I can work on anytime, they don't take up much room in my purse, and (usually) are easy to pick back up after a month or two of ignoring them. 

Well, going through my socks, I came across a pair I started a couple years ago for the same friend I'm making the stole for.  I had totally forgotten them!  So I thought I'd pick them back up and see if I couldn't finish them for her.  I opened up the bag and what did I find but a pair of two at a time socks and they'd been forgotten just at the end of the heel flap.  I couldn't believe I'd left it there!  That is probably the worst place for me to leave off.  I can't remember if it's long enough, if it's ready for me to start the short rows, or what.  AND that's the least of the problems.  I'm using a mock cable pattern on them and the sticky note marking where I had left off in the pattern lost its sticky and fell off.  I'm sure I could figure it out, but when I pulled them out, my poor sick mind looked at that and decided right there they were beyond help and that I should just rip them out and start over!  I didn't, though, cooler heads prevailed, but I will need to sit down this weekend and get those socks past the heal stage so that if they are neglected again, I won't be in such a worried state.

So...instead I picked up a pair of socks that I'm knitting for myself.  They were also in a similar pattern (except these are also a bit lacy) but the sticky on the sticky note marking my spot was still in tact and I was able to pick right back up where I'd left off.  Needless to say, those are the ones I worked on while I was housebound.

Alas, our time together is over.  Time for me to head back to the real world and my job.  Enjoy your Friday!

Oklahoma Winter Quilt Show

Good morning!  Sorry I didn't post yesterday but I was worn out after attending the quilt show!  There were lots of beautiful quilts and great vendors with great deals.  I didn't buy much but found some new cool items and some great new techniques.  Some of the great things I got were a book that shows a new, easier technique for making pineapple blocks and a marking pen that's like a gel pen so that it doesn't dry out as fast but disappears the minute you put a hot iron to it.  I also got a tool to help make the diagonal seam when attaching the binding to a quilt much easier and perfect. And the best thing I bought was a telescoping rod to hang a quilt from a center hanger instead of hanging from the ends of the rod.  I can't wait to get it to the office and see how it works on the quilt I display there.  If you want to see the pictures of the quilts that I found beautiful, unusual or just cool, you can go to my Webshots Member Photos area.

One of my friends wasn't able to join us yesterday to enjoy this great show.  She developed a sinus infection and had to go to the AM-PM clinic to get some medication.  She didn't feel up to going so just stayed home and rested.  I sent her gift home with her sister though, and her sister said she just loved it!

There were also jewelry vendors there and I got this great new idea for making necklaces.  I'll have to try it out and post the results on here. 

Today, my friends and I are attending a concert at the university where I work.  It's a string quartet called ETHEL.  I've never seen a concert like this before and I'm not sure what to expect.  I'll let you know what I thought of it in my next post.

Starting to get hungry, so I'm going to leave you for now and get me something to eat.  Enjoy your day!

Stitch Counter Bracelet

Well...I finished the gifts for my friends.  And even though I've not given them to them yet, I'm pretty confident they won't be reading my blog before I do. 

I can't find the exact site where I saw the idea, but found two other sites that give you an idea of how they are put together.  You can choose which idea you like and run with it!  The first site is at eHow.com.  The bracelet instructions are here.  The other site gives you a different design with the same concept.  It's located at The Official Unofficial Magazine of the Crochet Liberation Front.  What a name, huh?  Their design is here.  There seem to be lots of places on the web with lots of different ways to make them.  Just do a search to see what you can find.  My creations are below.

I used magnetic clasps on mine.  And the one at the top has square beeds.  I don't recommend that.  It was sort of hard to move the marker over and between those beads.  Also, I saw a great detail on the Crochet site.  They added a charm to one end of their bracelet which helps you to remember which end you started your counting on.  Of the two sites, the crochet one is probably better.  It has pictures!

The bottom item in my picture is something I made to attach to a pair of embroidery or other scissors to make them easy to identify as yours as well as helping you to find them!  I didn't have any cell phone cords left so I made my own using the same cord used for the bracelets, cutting a strip the length I wanted, folding it in half and using one of the clamps, made the holder.  Then I just attached the beads and it was done!  To attach it to your scissors, you just slip the loop through one of the finger holes and draw the beads through the loop and pull to tighten.  I'm sure there are free instructions for those online as well but I didn't look for any.  I'd seen one at a friends house once and just used my imagination as to what to put on it.

The fun part of these items (and anything you create, really) is making them your own.  Looking at something and saying to yourself "That is a great idea but how can I make it 'mine'?"  Adding your personal touch is what makes it unique whether you change the color or the clasp or redesign the whole darn thing!  Take that bracelet for example.  It would be very simple to make that into a necklace just by making the cords longer or even keeping it as it is and just make a neck piece to attach to the bracelet.  That way you can wear it either way. 

Time to head back to the office.  If you have any questions about any of my creations, please do not hesitate to ask!  I'm always happy to help any way I can.

Happy crafting!

Our First Snow

Well...I didn't think it would happen, but Oklahoma City got it first snow last night!  It wasn't much...just enough to get the ground slightly white but it was enough to keep my prissy little girl in the house!  She just hates to get her feet wet, whether it's from rain, snow, or bath! 

This is my prissy little girl...B'Lanna.  for those of you who are Star Trek fans, you might recognize the name.  Now I know she doesn't look prissy, but believe me, she is very spoiled and has me and my husband very well trained!



But after the last two winters when we had blizzards that shut down the whole city for several days, trapping people in their vehicles because they got out even though the newsmen told them not to, this little smathering is just that...a smathering.  Maybe if we're lucky we'll get us a good snow before the season's over, but I doubt it.  It may be 34 degrees today but on Saturday, it's supposed to be in the 60's again! 

I didn't work on my knitting or crocheting last night.  I was looking through my beads choosing just the right ones for what I'm making for my friends' gifts.  I think I have them picked out, now I just need to assemble them.

I also played Star Wars: The Old Republic.  For those of you who are not gamers, this is the newest MMORPG game that is out.  It was released on December 20th (unless you preordered).  It's pretty cool.  If you become a Jedi, you get to play with light sabers!!  I've got two characters made.  One is a allied to the Empire (the bad guys).  She is a Sith.  My other character is allied to the Republic and she is a Smuggler.  Its actually pretty fun and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.  The setting is different from World of Warcraft, of course, but the play is very similar.  Oh...the one really cool thing I've come across so far?  I got my own ship and my own droid!!  To me, that is pretty cool. It is a big ship though and it needs crew.  I wonder if we gain crew as we go along?  I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Well...back to work for me.  Hope everyone has a great day!

Another Promised Picture

Hi!  Again as promised, I've got a picture of the Sangiovese Stole in progress.  I know it doesn't look like it, but I'm actually 1/3 of the way done with it!  Once it's finished and blocked it will be beautiful and the lace pattern will show up more.

I'm getting all excited about attending the Winter Quilt Show this weekend.  I'll be going with friends, one of which I haven't seen in a couple years so that will be nice.  I've got a little gift that I've made them, and I hope they like it.  It's useful and pretty at the same time!  What more could anyone ask for?  I'm not going to say what it is on here because it's a surprise.  And since one of the friends is a subscriber to my blog, I don't want to ruin the surprise for her!  I'll be sure to tell you what it is after they've opened them and even give you the link to the site where you can find instructions to make one for your very own!

I was going through my box of unfinished projects and found this sweater that I started in September.  It's a summer sweater...crocheted.  It's a free pattern from JoAnn.com called Aloha Crochet Top.  Anway, I was looking at the pattern and realized that I'd highlighted two different sizes (with different colors of course!) but I can't remember which size I was working on!  Under closer inspection though, I noticed that there are more of the Medium sizes highlighted, I'm going to guess that is what I was going for. 

I had started this sweater when my father-in-law went into the hospital to keep myself occupied while sitting in the waiting room.  He was in ICU and so there was a lot of time when I wasn't able to go in to see him but wanted to stay around...just in case anyone needed me.  I had to abandon this project at the time because it's a pattern that you have to keep up with...one missed stitch won't become noticeable until SEVERAL rows down the road.  After frogging it for the third time (yes I said third!) I decided my concentration level wasn't up to it.  That's when I started knitting the Shoulderettes.  Much easier to deal with under the circumstances.

Now I want to get back to it.  I'll probably wait until I finish the stole though, since it's for a friend and not for myself.

Well...time to get back to work.  Talk to you all tomorrow!

As Promised

Hi again!  As promised yesterday, I have pictures of one of the Shoulderettes that I made.  The one pictured below was for Pam, one of the women in the office.  She wears a lot of browns and greens, so the color choice was obvious!  The other one I made is black and it was for Rita.  She didn't have hers with her today.  She'd taken it home to launder it before wearing.  I don't blame her.  The yarn I used is from Hobby Lobby called "I Love This Cotton".  It is really soft and works up nicely.  The only thing I can find wrong with it is that until it has been washed a time or two, it leaves a TON of lint on whatever you wear it over.  When she brings it back up, I'll be sure to get a picture of it to post here!  Her's was made with the diamond pattern.

On a totally different subject, I went to my Weight Watchers meeting last night.  I just signed up last Thursday (1/5/2012).  I weighed in at 249 lbs.  And when I weighed in last night (just 4 days later) I'd already lost 3.2 lbs!!  I was sooooo excited!!  My goal is to loose enough weight that none of my medieval outfits fit me and I'll be forced to make me a new one!  I've already bought the fabric and can't wait to get started!

I'd buy me a new one but I'm trying to save up enough money to visit my good friend Nina in Oregon in 2013. We have plans to attend the Sister's Quilt Show.  She went last year for the first time and loved it, deciding then and there that once she graduates, she and her hubby will be packing up and hitting the trail to Oregon!  I'm happy and sad at the same time.  I'm happy because its not every day you can pick up and move someplace as beautiful as Oregon.  And sad because I won't get to talk to her as often as I do now.  I guess I'll just have to get me a camera for my computer and learn how to use Skype!

I have 15 minutes left in my lunch hour.  I think I'll pull out my knitting and see if I can't get a row or two done.  Enjoy your day!

Howdy all!

Hi and welcome to my very first blog!  Since I'm new to this, I'm not sure what all I will put out here, but I'm leaning towards posting craft stuff, such as what I'm currently working on, new tips and tricks I've learned, and stuff like that. 

So...let's get started!  Last night I finished knitting a couple shawls for the girls in the office.  The temperature in the office fluxuates so much that it's hard to know what to wear.  These shawls are nice for two reasons.  One - they are made of a cotton yarn so they are just the right amount of warmth for what we need and
Two - they have cuffs so they won't fall off your shoulders!!

Yes, I know what you're thinking...she made shrugs.  But they aren't .  There aren't sleeves...just cuffs.  The pattern is called Shoulderette.  It's a free pattern that I found at the Yarn Lover's Room.  It't s a great easy pattern for someone who's newer to knitting and wants to learn how to knit lace.  This is a simple beginning lace pattern, that is good for all skill levels.  The lace pattern looks like a 'V' when finished. 

I've made three of them so far.  And what I like best is that it is customizable!  I made the first two for people who would never see each other so it didn't matter that they were the same pattern, but for the third one, I got out my Knitting Lace book and found a lace pattern whose stitch count would work with the pattern and used it instead.  Since I still wanted that 'solid' feel to the lace, I picked a diamond pattern to make the third one.  I'll have to get the girls to model them for me and I'll post the picture for you to see.

So, now I'm working on a Sangiovese Stole for a friend.  I bought the pattern from Lost City Knits when they were at an art show I attended.  They have luxurious hand-dyed and natural fiber yarns and original lace designs.  I also bought the yarn for it from them - Oak Barn Merino in a beautiful purple.  I think the colorway is called Munstead in Bloom.  It's 100% merino lace yarn.  It has great texture (so soft!) and very easy to knit with.  I'm about 1/3 of the way finished with it.  This is the first big project I've ever done, so my main concern is "where am I going to block it at?"  When I say 'big' I mean the finished stole is 20x80 inches and I can't think of any place in my house that is 80 inches long that the dogs can't get to.  That's all I'd need is to block it, then come back later to see my Yorkies sleeping in the middle of it!  I'm sure by the time I get it finished, I'll have thought of something.

Well, that's it for now.  Have a great day and check back soon for updates to the Sangiovese Stole.