2012 - July Recap

I reread my recap post from June and laughed at the following statement.

"It has been so hot but I am trying to enjoy the sunshine instead of whining about the heat."

Really the weather had not even begun to get hot last month. I spent a good chunk of the month of July sleeping on my couch under the air conditioner. I did get a new matress and box spring so I may actually sleep in my room. Time will tell.

I have been out and about with the boy* but I did manage to get a bunch of stuff done and was able to post some great Finished Objects.

You got to see the finished version of the LEGO blanket, the Green Lantern Square, and a single wristlet.  The thing that makes me happiest is the progress on the Hogwarts Scarf.  Next month it will get finished.

 <3 Heather

* The Boy is my code name for the guy I am currently dating.  He is super sweet so be kind.  :)

WIP Wednesday - Stripes and Solids

Hello again, what a busy week!  I shot a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for work and a local news station yesterday.  I was chosen by my management team to go through the interview process and was chosen to be 1 of 6 people to represent the company in these PSAs.  The topic was to encourage youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

It was really interesting to see how those commercials are shot.  The commercial itself is 30 seconds but it took about an hour of shooting.  Overall, it was hard to get stage fright when your just staring at a teleprompter.  Anyway, if your good I may be able to post the finished product when it airs.

Now onto the yarn!  :)

Given my business, the only progress I got was on the Gryffindor Scarf.  I have given myself until August 10th to get this all done.  Check out my progress.

It's getting to long to take pics on my table

So there you have it my WIPs for this week. I think I had a pretty productive week, how about you? For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Go Go Gryffindor!

Hello again!  I am happy to report that my project at work is finally rolled out.  This means that things should calm down a bit and I won't be working 10-12 hour days all the time.  Yippy!

Surprisingly, I have gotten a ton of knitting and crocheting done so far this month even though work has been crazy.  I really attribute this to Nerd Wars challenges.  Really any inspiration to get stuff done will get me motivated.

I have mentioned it before but I am working on a set of Harry Potter inspired winter accessories, including a scarf, hat and wristlets in Gryffindor colors.  The set is for an avid fan who is going off to college this fall.  I initially thought to make it in her college colors but she wanted burgundy and gold.

As the start of the fall term gets closer, I have a deadline to get these items completed.  The good news, is that the hat is done and progress was made on everything else this week.  (I will do a finished object post when it's all done)

Gryffindor Scarf

I like working on this but it's a bit daunting.  I tend to procrastinate with other projects, at least this time it's apart of the set.  I did get to work on it quite a bit these past 2 weeks and I really need to get a move on to get it done.  It may be that I have to get one section done a day for a bit.

I really like how this is turning out

Gryffindor Wristlets

I am so surprised how easy I found this pattern.  I had some modifications to make it a wristlet versus a mitten.  This is so comfy and I will probably find it hard not to want to complete the left hand this week.

Right Wristlet!

So there you have it my WIPs for this week. I think I had a pretty productive week, how about you? For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - Green Lantern Square

I have another one.  These squares are quite addicting and take a small amount of time.  Which as any crafter will tell you, getting something finished and quickly is such a crafting boost.

As I mentioned with the Aquaman Square, I am knitting squared based on The Big Bang Theory episode that featured the Justice League of America.

This is my second attempt at a Colorwork design.  The key with these squares is that they require intarsia knitting.  I still have The Flash and Wonder Woman to come but here is the finished Green Lantern Square

Green Lantern!

As I make more squares the finished blanket becomes clearer and clearer.  Perhaps I will have it done by wintertime!

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Patten - My own (If you are interested in testing send me an email)
Needles - Size 7/4.5 mm with 24 inch cables
Yarn - Comfort Solids & Heathers, in Chalk and Adirondack
Duration - 1 Week
Size - 60 stitches by 60 stitches
Gauge - 5 stitches per inch

Finished Object Friday - LEGO Baby Blanket

This post should also be titled, Oh My Goodness, It's Done! part 2.  Seriously, this blanket that you have seen in countless WIP Wednesdays is finally done.  When I found the pattern, the author said it was a bit time consuming but I didn't realize that it would take 4 months.  Granted this blanket was not hard, just a lot of repeating blocks and lots of seaming.

I can't believe how far I have come since that first baby blanket.  I re-read that post and realized I was hinting about the LEGO blanket even then.  In general, that feeling of accomplishment is pretty addicting.and I hope to get the other blankets I have in the works done.

Well for the final review, Here is the LEGO Blanket.

The Whole Blanket

I used the LEGO Baby Blanket Pattern from All Things Bright and Beautiful.  I found this blanket on Pinterest and fell so madly in love with it, I knew I had to make it.

My Pinterest Knitting and Crochet Board

So when I started it I chose similar colors from the pattern but switched the stone color for a green.  I used Lion Brand Cotton ease in, Snow, Maize, Lime, Turquoise and Cherry.

Of which, I used about 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 Skeins of each color to make the 9X9 rectangle blanket.

Close up of the Boarder

81 Rectangles later, I used a half double crochet stitch to join the blocks.  The boarder is another area that I deviated from the pattern.  I did a round of half double crochet and then a round of double crochet in white.  Then  I did a reverse single crochet in Maize to finish the boarder.  I love this finishing touch because it frames the colors and is very appropriate for a little boy.

So what do you think?  Does it look like LEGOs?

The blanket is really heavy but in a good way!

It looks so nice all folded up!

Even the back is lovely!

I am so happy it's done and I can share it with all of you!

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!
<3 Heather

Details:

For more detailed about the progress and a ton of pictures visit my project page on ravelry

Patten - LEGO Baby Blanket here is etsy site from the author
Crochet Hook - Size G/4.0mm may need to adjust to get gauge
Yarn -  Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Cherry, Lime, Maise, and Turquiose
Duration - 4 months
Size - 9 rectangles by 9 rectangles or 81 blocks
Gauge - You need to ensure there are no gaps in the rectangle,

WIP Wednesday - Rockets Red Glare!

Happy Fourth of July! I love the Fourth, it reminds me of the picnics at my Great Grandmother's House.  My Aunt would chase me around with Super Soakers and there would a ton of food.  Granted we don't know how to have any sort of gather without a ton of food.  Has anyone ever noticed that the American holidays (July 4th and Thanksgiving) are all about the food?

Anyway this year is very subdued, since the holiday is in the middle of the week.   I am not going home for a picnic this year, instead I was supposed to go to the Pirates game and then stick around the city for the fireworks.  Alas, my plans have been thwarted by a migraine.

So we will see what the rest of the day brings.

As a bit of an update, I had a lovely birthday and it wasn't as bad as I worried about.

Now onto the yarny goodness that is WIP Wednesday!

Diagonal Lace Socks

These have gone to the back burner for the time being. I was working on them for Nerd Wars and the first month ended and I only got one sock done.  

First Sock almost Complete

I am still working on it and hope to finish the pair for the WIP challenge in August.

White Centered Granny Square Blanket
Well these have been a lovely diversion WIP and I had to try out all of the colors this week.  I just wanted to see how everything played together.  I do love these colors.

Don't they all look great!  I am so happy the colors worked out!

I also was able to measure the finished square with the white borders to get estimates for the finished blanket.  Now that I know the blocks are about 5" x 5" I realized that I needed more yarn so I bought more yarn.

Green Lantern Square

I started the next square in my Big Bang Theory/Justice League Series.  I cast on in late June but ripped it out because something didn't work right.  I then recast on in July and now it qualifies for Nerd Wars.  I am so happy with how it is turning out.  Check out how it's turning out!

Taken on Tuesday Morning!

Taken Today!

I should get this done this afternoon.  I am so pleased by how the pattern is working up.  I will share when everything is done.  The Flash is next!

Gryffindor Beanie

This is another one I started but ripped out and can use for Nerd Wars.  This is to go with the Gryffindor Scarf that I am working on.  As soon as the Green Lantern square is done this is next on the list.

So there you have it my WIPs for this week. I think I had a pretty productive week, how about you? For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

2012 - June Recap

Between my birthday and life, June was a busy month. It has been so hot but I am trying to enjoy the sunshine instead of whining about the heat.

I got a bunch of stuff done and was able to post some great Finished Objects.  

With the Aquaman square done and the LEGO blanket done, I was able to plan for the next projects and get restarted on some WIPs.

Plus who doesn't love Rainbows!

<3 Heather