Finished Object Friday - Owl Mitts

I can scarcely believe that I finished that paper on time.  I worked through the afternoon to about 8 PM to get that thing done.  In fact, I am still tired.

Anyway, in going with the procrastination theme from Wednesday the finished object in today's post was finished under the wire as well.

Every year myself and 4 other friends participate in a Secret Santa exchange.  A friend's husband has a program and he runs it each year so we don't have to draw from a hat (like we did when we started).  This year my recipient was Ashley.  She has great taste and likes cool jewelry and loves to craft.  I checked out her pinterest board and was inspired by the owls she had posted.

So I decided to make her mitts.  I used two patterns to create the design.  I made mitts for a modified version of the House Mittens from Charmed Knits and included an Owl Cable that was designed in the Owl Cup Cozy.

One is done!

So I cast on with plenty of time and got the first one done by the end of November.  I put it aside to get the Star Trek Cup Cozies done for my Nerd Wars Swap.  After the cozies were done, I had good intentions to get the next mitt started but I procrastinated and cast on the Wednesday before our exchange on Saturday 12/7/2012.  I got half way done by Thursday but didn't feel like knitting on Friday.  I made sure I got up Saturday to finish it but time kept ticking and I was almost done.  I finally cast off but had 8 ends to weave and eyes to apply.

So, I took to the back seat of the car and on the way to the exchange with Becky, I finished the Mitts.  And took pictures in the moving car.

Why yes this is taken in the car!

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Ravelry Project Page

Pattern - House Mittens and Owl Cable Knit Coffee Cozy
Needles - Size 5/3.75 mm Double Pointed Needles
Yarn - FiberNymph Dye Works in the Cosy Base

Color - Purple Pandemic
Duration - 2 Weeks
Size - Medium

WIP Wednesday - Knitting for Christmas

Hello all, I was rather busy last week and just didn't get time to share an update with everyone.  I didn't have to cook the Turkey this year but my WIP Wednesday was spent on my biggest WIP of all.  Laundry.  I like clean clothes but I hate doing laundry.  You spend all day washing, drying folding and hanging and at the end of the day, the dirty clothes start to pile up again.

So my day off was spent running to and from the laundry room at my apartment and waiting on the cable guy.  I got a new set of boxes and it allows me to watch what I DVR'd in my bedroom which is a lovely thing!

Anyway, Thanksgiving was great.  I made more Cranberry Squares and a Pumpkin Bread Pudding with homemade caramel sauce.  Yummy.  I forgot to take pictures it was tasty.  Also I couldn't just follow the recipe and I doctored the recipe with Pecans and and Bourbon soaked Figs and Cranberries.

We went to my mom's best friend's house for dinner.  Becky and her sister Francy are my adopted aunts and are very special people in my life.  My mom and Becky met when they were five and have been friends ever since.  It was really nice to spend the holiday with them and I could really feel that my mom was with us that night.

The rest of the weekend was pretty mellow.  I didn't partake in Black Friday shopping because nothing was really worth the crowds and hassle this year so I stayed home.  I did intend to work on my research paper for my Grad school class but I didn't and procrastinated on that until Monday....the day it was due.  Oops ;).

In my procrastination I did get some knitting done so let's see what I got accomplished.

Hue Shift Afghan

Ooo Shiny Stripes!

From the last update, I got four more blocks done.  I have to say that each new block is my favorite, though I really like the peach squares so the next row should be fun.  The pink had a huge yarn barf in the skein and thanks to help from Samie yesterday we were able to de-tangle the skein.  I think it cause I travel with this project so much that pulling it in and out of my bag has something to do with all of the tangles.

Anyway, I love this blanket and it's so soft and drapey that I can't wait for it to be done to snuggle underneath it.

Justice League Filler Squares

I finished the orange one but haven't cast anything else on.  It looks really nice with the finished Justice League squares but I am happy to have my needles back to work on Batman!

Owl Fingerless Mittens

Purple!

I cast on another project this week.  I needed to get a move on this as it's a gift and I have a deadline earlier than Christmas so they need to get done.  I am using a combination of the House Mittens with my Fingerless Modifications and the Owl Cable Knit Coffee Cozy.

I am holding off on finishing the thumb because I  want to match the light purple yarn so it doesn't look like it was added onto the stitches.   The owl is a little hard to see in the picture but it's so cute.  I hope the recipient likes them.

So that's it for me.  I wanted to knit more for Christmas but my ideas never formed on what to make people.  I guess I am a pretty selfish knitter that way.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams   

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - Cables and Blankets

So I have had this object done since the end of April but really haven't had a chance to blog about it or the resultant blanket I finished so now that I have some time I can share it with you.

My first project with cables

I had a desire to try cables to see how hard they were.  I started working on the Cables and Lace Afghan Square 8 in a cotton yarn but really hate knitting with cotton so I switched to some acrylic I had in my stash.  After finishing the square itself, I started to widened it so that it could be 12"x12" and fit in with the squares I received from a swap in which I participated.

Square project details can be found here:

Needles - US 7/4.5 mm
Hook - F/5 mm
Yarn - Vanna's Choice Yarn - Lime, Lamb, Eggplant, and Kelly
Duration - About 3 Weeks
Pattern - Cables and Lace Afghan Square 8

Here is a picture of the blanket put together.

Spring Ahead Swap Blanket

I finished the edges this week but it really came together.  For information about who made all of the different squares check out the project page

Blanket Seams detail:

Hook - I/5.5 mm
Yarn - Vanna's Choice Yarn - Lime, Kelly
Duration - About 2 Weeks
Join Method - Half-Double Stitched Together

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

2012 - April Recap

Seriously where is the time going?!?  I am so amazed at the posts I did in April and I really hope you liked them too!  I am sad that the Pens out of the playoffs but there is still a lot of great hockey being played.  I have really progressed with getting those Lego Blocks done and bought a bunch of yarn.  Oops! :o)

Anyway, in May I plan to get that Lego blanket done and finish some of the other WIPs I have going on before starting a bunch of new ones again.  Let's see how that goes.

<3 Heather

Crafting Balance - 3KCBWDAY7

Welcome again to the Knit and Crochet Blog Week, Day 7!  As we round out the last day of the Knit and Crochet blog week, we are asked to talk about our crafting balance.  

Details and Image care of eskimimi makes

What an interesting topic to round out the week.  In general, I am a newbie to the crafts. I re-learned to crochet in 2008 and have completed several projects.

Scarves, Squares, Blankets and Amigurumi!

But last summer I was enchanted by a knit hat and really haven't looked back.

When I started this hat, I didn't know how to cast on, knit, purl, knit in the round or do color work but the challenge of knitting was something that forced me to keep learning.

Since that time I have made another hat, started half a dozen other projects, finished socks....

Cables...

You know as I look at my WIPs and things that I have planned, I have turned into more of a knitter than a crocheter. I love both equally but it really depends on what projects capture my attention.

I really love both, I feel a connection to my great-grandmother when I crochet. I feel challenged when I work on knitting crazy socks and garments. I know I will balance both as need as I craft into my future.

<3 Heather

Check out other great pictures by searching for 3KCBWDAY7

WIP Wednesday - Method to My Madness

Hello all, it has been a particularly busy week this week but I did manage to cast on some new items and get a good progress on other projects.

Progress Picture for 4/18/2012

The following projects are what has been worked on recently.  Starting with Cabled Square, Gryffindor Scarf, LEGO Blanket, Falling Water, Gryffindor Beret, and White Centered Granny Square Blanket.  (Missing is the Hummingbird Sock)

Really looking at that picture is very intimidating and I wonder what I got myself into.  But I do have a reason for some of my madness :)

The Cabled Square was really just a test knit for cables and I was using Lily's Sugar and Cream Cotton but realized that I loathe knitting in cotton.  Crochet is perfectly fine but I just hate knitting with it.  So I went to my stash and pulled out some Vanna's Choice Lime I had in my scrap box and got to work.  That's when it hit me.  I need to make another 12 inch square to finish my Spring Forward Block Swap from the Vanna's Choice Fan Club on Ravelry, and here I am making a square!  Granted it's only going to come out at 9 inches but I can add a border and get that blanket done!  Oh happy day!  (See there are methods to my madness)

Doesn't look like much now but I think it will look great with the rest of the squares.

I didn't really make much progress on the Falling Water Scarf and the Gryffindor Scarf.  I know that scarf is going to be a labor of love but I wanted some instant gratification for the Gryffindor set I am planning (Scarf, Hat and Wrstlets) so I cast on the beret.  (See another method to my madness)

Sorry the picture is blurry.

I made a lot of progress on the Lego blocks.  I finished off the skein of Turquise and moved onto the Lime Cotton Ease during the Hockey Game on Sunday.  I was so excited to see them all laid out for once.  Don't the colors look nice together!  I just can't wait to add the Maise.  I ordered the remaining yarn I needed so that should keep me motivated to get more blocks done.

It's really coming along.

Last but not least are the White Centered Granny Squares.  I mentioned my big yarn purchase on Friday but these little guys were the start of my test crochet to see if it would work to my liking.  I am really excited to make this blanket as I have never made a colorful blanket for my self.  I think it's time don't you?  (See justification is just another method!)

These are so striking and so soft in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

I do realize that all the little bits of time that I put into all of these different items would probably equate to a finished object by now but I like my methods because while I do want to craft everyday, working on the same thing can get a bit boring. (See there in is the main reason for my madness)

Do you like variety while crafting or are you a very linear project kind of crafter?

So are you mad for WIPs?  Check out some more on Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

Month of Craft - Day 8 thru Day 12

Not only did I get out the Knit and Crochet festival this past weekend but I caught up on taking some pictures for the Month of Craft Project.  I have had a great time with this challenge and am really trying to take the pictures now instead of using older pictures that I have.  Anyway, here are days 8 thru 12.

Day 8 - Challenging

Celtic Cables Dishcloth

So I found my WIP for Cables to be challenging.  Not that making the cables was challenging, just the need for concentration and paying attention is challenging.  I used cotton and it really didn't have much give but I plan to attack this pattern again and try to get it to stand out.  Also I accidentally did 2 rows twice and that was when I decided to frog the pattern.  I know now I need to make notes and journal while doing these projects.

Day 9 - Your Hands

Working on Silver's Sock Class

I got a couple new gadgets (post coming shortly!) so taking this picture was a lot easier than the "you in action" prompt from Day 1.

Anyway, I have to comment that I love nail polish.  I usually either have a manicure or at least my nails painted, but I am guilty of letting it chip away for a while (GASP!)  Anyway, I am pretty handy at painting my own nails and can even do a decent job on the dreaded right hand.  This nail polish is from Essie and the color is called Lion Around.  I love it.  I tend to gravitate toward deep colors and stay away from pastels but this one is just the right amount of color to make me happy.

As noted on the caption, I am working on Silver's Sock Class in Tequila Sunrise from Breathless by Shalimar Yarns

Also, the purple band is from the Knit and Crochet Fest.

Day 10 - Your Craft Bag

My mom made me a craft bag.  I really like it and it holds a couple of projects and my bag of needles and hooks.  I mentioned that I wanted a bag and the next weekend this was made.  I didn't quite like the bag at first but it really grew on me.

I realize now that I didn't always appreciate all of the little things that my mom did for me.  I look around my apartment and see the curtains, pillows, and blankets she made.  I see the lamps she found for me when I moved to my first apartment and the appliances I got for holidays and birthdays.  She was kind of awesome and I really did have a great mom.

Day 11 - A WIP

Noro Plaid Project

I have craft ADD and have like 6 WIPs going on but I couldn't help but grab this one for the photo because the colors are so vibrant and beautiful.

Day 12 - A Crafty Gift

I made this scarf for my Friend Jenn but never got it to her.  Now that St. Patrick's Day is coming around again, I hope to get her this scarf.

So what do you think?  I personally can't wait for my recap at the end of the month to show you all of the pictures!

Change of Plans

Hello all, this post was supposed to be a FO of a baby blanket I am working on for a friend's baby.  I started before the baby was born but didn't get it done in time for the birth so now I just want to get it to the baby before their first birthday.  Truthfully, I enjoy all of my crafts but I have such ADD when it comes to projects.  I work best with clear deadlines and expectations to meet them, but having plans to write posts is a great motivator.

This is an in progress shot of the blanket.

 
I am really annoyed with myself for not finishing but I did work on something so the night was not lost.  I started to learn how to do cables and while completely scared of the things, I am realizing they are really easy.

I really got the confidence after reading this post and this post from Misadventures in Craft that I found a washcloth pattern to practice cabling.  Really she has a point that if you don't have preconceived notions about doing the "hard" things in knitting or crochet they really aren't that hard.  Challenging yes but not that hard.

It's hard to see in the white but there are the cables :)

It's definitely flawed but I am so happy that I can finally see the pattern.  One thing I was surprised about was that working with the ecru was like working with black, after awhile I was so frustrated because I couldn't see the pattern forming.  This morning it looked better though. I shall update the progress as I knit along til I get a FO.

In other news, I decided to participate in the Month of Craft Photos on Flickr.  I figured that I have a new fancy camera and would be taking pictures for the blog anyway so what could it hurt.  Below are the daily prompts and my first 2 shots.

Daily Prompts

Day 1 - You in Action

Day 2 - Craft Tools

So there you have it, 2 days down and 27 more to go.  I am really excited to work on my composition and make great exposures.

Hope you have a good weekend!