New fun!

Wow...I haven't blogged for quite some time. So, I'm still knitting on that Enterlac blanket. I love it, even though as a blanket it does take a lot of time. I've also been working on rewarping the loom, but I haven't made it very far...I got on a knitting kick yesterday and started a new scarf instead. I will post a picture of it when it is finished. I was going to reproduce the scarf below that I got in an art trade a few years ago...the friend who made it was new to knitting and tied knots at each color change instead of weaving in the ends. Being bamboo yarn, the knots have been slipping out even more quickly than expected and the scarf has started unraveling. The moral of this story? Don't EVER just tie knots in your yarn. Take the extra time and do it right. The time spent weaving in all those pesky ends is definitely worth it in the long run. In any case, I knew that she talked about 'moss stitch' when she was making the scarf, so I looked up the stitch pattern online and decided to make the scarf here instead. I'm using a different weight yarn, so mine is turning out quite lacy and beautiful. I love it already.

The lost cause scarf from a friend. :(

Close up of one of the unraveling ends.
It's gotten worse since this picture was taken.

Anyways, I've been asked to do a few commission pieces. (Yay money! Spend it on yarn!) I finished the one commission for my friend Mrs. Wilson. See her blog here. She wanted a beret, scarf, and a pair of fingerless gloves...so I made them...quickly. Mainly because this girl is AWESOME and I knew if I didn't get started right away I would forget and/or never get said items finished. It also helped that she wanted a very simple design. All of the pieces were made with Caron Simply Soft Paints, Color Spring Brook.

Mrs. Wilson's Beret.
Link to pattern.
I used the suggestion to make it longer by increasing Round 10...but I don't remember how many times I repeated it.

Arm warmer/fingerless glove.
The ridge on the bottom was from slip stitching the piece together instead of sewing.
I ended up turning them inside out to remove that effect.

Scarf on my lovely giraffe, Jerome.

Also, I realize that I never posted a picture of Mom's table runner...so here are a couple of pictures of it. I apologize for the awful picture quality.  

So, I finally made an Etsy account...we'll see what happens with that. Here's my profile. I don't know that I'll sell stuff on there...unless you beg. I might if you beg. :P I don't know what I would try to sell since most of my projects are made with specific people in mind. I did buy a pattern on there for a different commission. Hopefully that one will pan out. The lady wishes to buy the yarn for it, but keeps forgetting/running out of time. 

Vandy Hat Pattern

Well, only one of my testers finished checking my Dad's Vandy Hat for errors...so you guys will have to let me know if you have problems with this pattern. Oh, and for you guys unfamiliar with what I mean by "Vandy" it's short for Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. My parents go to a lot of their sports events and Dad wanted a hat to match the scarf I made for him a few years ago to wear to games. My dad has a fairly large head, so this pattern is written for people who have trouble finding hats big enough to fit.

Same rules apply as my other patterns: You are allowed to do whatever you want with items made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

Dad's Vandy Hat

Hook Size: H/8

Yarn:

• Main Color (MC): Bernat Satin Black or other worsted weight yarn
• Contrast Color (CC): Filatura Lanarota Cool Cotton Yellow (Color 17) or other DK weight yarn

Notes:

• Starting chain at beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
• Written in US crochet terms.
• Linked videos are not mine, but are nice if you are not familiar with the stitch listed 

Abbreviations/Stitch instructions:

• Chain (ch)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
• Stitch (st); stitches (sts)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Long Single Crochet (long sc): Also known as Spike stitch. Single crochet in row below. Link to youtube video. (You only need to watch through 1:22 in the video)
• Crab Stitch: Also known as reverse single crochet. Single crochet from left to right. Link to youtube video.

Instructions:

Round 1:      In MC Ch 3, 12 dc in 3^rd ch from hook. Sl st in 1^st dc. (12 dc)

Round 2:      Ch 2, dc and fpdc in each st around. Sl st in 1^st dc. (24 sts)

Round 3:      Ch 2, (2dc, dc) around. Sl st in 1^st dc. (36 dc)

Round 4:      Ch 2, (2dc, dc in next 2 sts) around. Sl st in 1^st dc. (48 dc)

Round 5:      Ch 2, [(dc, fpdc) in same st, dc, fpdc, dc, (fpdc, dc) in same st, fpdc, dc, fpdc] around. Sl st in 1^st dc. (60 sts)

Round 6:      Ch 2, (2dc, dc in next 4 sts) around. Sl st in 1^st dc. (72 dc)

Round 7:      Ch 2, dc around. Sl st with CC in 1^st dc. (72 dc)

Round 8:      In CC Ch 1, (long sc, ch 2, skip next st) around. Sl st with MC in 1^st st.

Round 9:      Ch 1, 1 sc in each st and ch 2 space around. Sl st in 1^st sc. (72 sc)

Round 10:   Ch 2, dc around. Sl st in 1^st dc.

Round 11:   Ch 1, sc around. Sl st in 1^st sc.

Round 12:   Repeat round 10.

Round 13:   Ch 2, (dc, fpdc) around. Sl st in 1^st dc.

Round 14:   Ch 1, sc around. Sl st in 1^st sc.

Round 15:   Ch 2, dc around. Sl st in 1^st dc.

Round 16-19: Repeat rounds 7-10.

Round 20: Ch 1, Crab Stitch around.

Finish off.

More Patterns to Come

Well, the beanie hat is in testing and will be offered on here when my testers are finished with it. We'll see how that goes. I stopped using Ravelry for now due to a bunch of random things you don't want to hear about, so my testers are mainly Stitchingupastorm and some friends from the knitting group...which means I have no deadline on how long they can take to work on it...and have no idea when you will see the pattern. So you are left wondering and waiting. :P Once that is done, I will be sure to get some more patterns tested and available on here, but it might wait until after the Christmas season. 

On a happier note, we officially are moved into the new apartment and are mostly finished unpacking. I'm happy to report that I am now in possession of a 'yarn closet'! Because who doesn't want a whole closet full of awesome? I really should take a picture of it with my camera, but I've been a bit busy and lazy...I'll fix it after Thanksgiving. And now that I've spent several hours on the internet watching Tobuscus videos, I think I'll get off the couch and do something productive...like blissfully sit in the yarn closet.

Child Size Shell Headband Pattern

So, for those of you who have made my Easy Shell Headband, this is the adjusted version for child sizing. I altered it to fit a child who was around 5-years-old, so if you are looking to make one for preteen children it would be better just to alter the number of chains at the end of the original pattern. 

Same rules apply as my other patterns: You are allowed to do whatever you want with items made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

Also, if you find any mistakes or have problems following the pattern, please leave a comment on this post and I will do my best to help.

Hook:

H/8

Yarn used:

Simply Soft or other worsted weight yarn

Stitches and abbreviations used: The pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (ch)
• Stitch (st), stitches (sts)
• Skip (sk)
• Treble crochet (tr)
• Shell: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr)
• Treble decrease (tr dec): YO twice, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in next st, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Gauge: Not important for this pattern, just change the number of chains in the last row to make it fit any child-sized head.

Notes:

• The headband is worked lengthwise from narrow-to-narrow end.
• Row 16 can be altered for fitting. 14-16 chains are what I normally use when I make this pattern.  The best way to size it is to try the headband as written and then decide if you want it looser (chain more) or tighter (chain less).
• This headband takes me ~20 minutes to make when I am consistently working.  You can make this in one sitting.
• The treble stitches in Row 13 shells are inserted in both ends of the shell, in the top ch space, and the 2 tr on either side of the ch space.
• Shells can also be done (3 tr, ch 1, 3 tr) if desired.
• Ch 4 at beginning of each row counts as 1 tr.
• The top of the shell mentioned is the ch space.

Pattern:

       Row 1. Ch 5, tr in 5^th ch from hook. (2 tr)

       Row 2. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr. (3 tr)

       Row 3. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 2 sts. (4 tr)

       Row 4. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, 2 tr in next st, tr in next 2 sts. (6 tr)

       Row 5. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 5 sts. (7 tr)

       Row 6. Ch 4, turn, sk 3 tr, shell in next tr, tr in last st. (2 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 7. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, 2 tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 8-9. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr, tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 10. Ch 4, turn, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec. (2 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 11. Ch 4, turn, tr in outside st of shell, sk st, tr in next st and ch space, tr in next st, sk st, tr in next 2 sts. (7 tr)

       Row 12. Ch 4, turn, tr, tr dec, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr)

       Row 13. Ch 4, turn, tr dec twice, tr. (4 tr)

       Row 14. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, tr. (3 tr)

       Row 15. Ch 4, turn, tr dec. (2 tr)

       Row 16. Ch 14, sl st in 5^th ch of Row 1.

Quick Question

So, before I go to bed tonight I wanted to ask a couple of quick questions. I figured out a way to convert the  Easy Shell Headband Pattern to child size. Should I add that as a note on the original post, or write it out as a separate pattern on here for people? Also, I wrote out a beanie hat pattern I designed on Friday and was wondering if anyone would like to test it for errors before I share it on here.

If no one comments on this, I will assume that these patterns are not wanted and will not worry about posting them...so please comment if you read this so that I will know to continue forward. (Even if you don't have an opinion, just let me know you saw it.)

Fibers Update

As promised, this post will be an update on everything that has been going on in my world fiber-wise.

First off, I finally finished another scarf on my loom. I like to call it the "brick-by-brick" scarf because it alternates black and red. It looked like bricks to me when I was making it, in any case. What do you think? It end has a twill pattern that switches directions in the black section and is a bit stiff while the middle is just a loose plain weave alternating the colors. It was my first time I had tried weaving loosely, and it is very nice to wear.

The end of the "Brick-by-Brick" Scarf.

The middle pattern and majority of the "Brick-by-Brick" Scarf.

After I finished that scarf, I taught my mother-in-law to weave. She loved it! It only took her one afternoon to finish her scarf because she was enjoying playing around with the loom so much. I don't have a picture of her scarf, but it is beautiful and very well crafted, especially considering it was her first time.

Learning to weave.

 These next two pictures are the scarf I have started on my loom right now. I'm using Caron Simply Soft Paints and it is turning out beautifully. I might see if I can get it finished this week so that my mother-in-law can have a chance to weave another scarf before Luke and I move out.

On my next woven scarf I plan on using the yarn below. I found it at Joann's and have been looking forward to weaving with some type of ribbon for a while now. It has a wonderful feel to it and will hopefully weave well.

Okay, now for the rest of the update from yesterday's adventure. A few of the girls from my knitting group and I went to the local fibers festival after the ACS walk. There were llamas and angora bunnies there that people could pet and all sorts of unspun fiber, yarn, and other products to buy. I didn't have any cash or my checkbook with me, so I had to borrow money from a friend. There were just so many amazing things there that I couldn't resist. We walked around for a while and I finally decided to buy some fiber that one of my friends is going to spin into yarn for me and a ski shuttle made by a man who does woodcarving. There were door prizes there, but I wasn't going to sign up because I didn't come in the main door...luckily I was convinced to sign up and ended up winning a scarf. It's 100% wool and is scratchy to me, so I won't probably wear it very often/at all. It might end up getting gifted to someone in the future.

The doorprize I won.

The tag on my doorprize.

The ski shuttle with the man's business card.
His woodworking is amazing and extremely well crafted.

Full look of my new ski shuttle.

The fiber I couldn't leave without.
It's in its bag so that you can see its contents.

The different fibers I bought to be spun.

A close up of the fiber I couldn't live without. It is sparkly, soft, and SO beautiful.

Here's a picture of Pippin. Just for fun.
Disclaimer: I did not make that blanket.

Right now I am making an enterlac knitted blanket in addition to the scarf that is currently on the loom. I think that covers just about everything recent....Oh! I almost forgot! I crocheted a bunch of the shell headbands to sell for donations at the knit-a-thon fundraiser we did for ACS. I've made several more, but I still have to weave in the ends before I can sell/donate/wear them. I have friends who think I should sell them on Etsy, but I don't have an account on there yet and don't know if I really want to have to deal with figuring out how to ship them. Do you guys have any suggestions, ideas, or advice on that?

Until next time,

~Andromeda

Non-fibers Update

Well now, it has been a very long time since I've posted on here. I hope you guys haven't been too disappointed. :P I am now employed at a local child care center working with one-year-olds on weekday afternoons, so I no longer sit on the couch all day and goof off. It's good, because I was gaining too much weight and was getting bored of having no set routine. In any case, both of those things have been resolved. I love working with the children! We have an awesome class to work with, but I probably won't say anything else about it. We aren't really supposed to discuss the children with other people, and I imagine posting stories about them online would be why that rule is in place. :) Luke is doing well too. He got a job at Kroger in the meat department. He's still looking for his career job, but he's making good money and has room for advancement if takes a while to find a job more suited to his field of study.

Also we have officially found an apartment and signed the lease for it! I won't tell you all of the crazy details that went along with that process, but I will say that God's hand has definitely been guiding us through everything. The apartment is 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, so I will have a separate room to keep Pippin from having unsupervised access to my yarn and anything else we don't want her destroying. She is pretty good about not causing trouble when we are in the room with her, but sometimes she can't control herself and tries to eat my lovely projects and supplies. She is a cat after all! In any case, we will be moving in a few weeks and will no longer be living with my mother-in-law. *excitement dance* Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws and we all get along really well, but it is nice when you are married to be able to have your own place. Plus Pippin tends to bully my mother-in-law's cat, Whiskers, so it will be nice for him to get his home back. The only things we have to do before we move in are get Pippin her annual Rabies shot, set up utilities, and pack up the stuff that isn't already in storage. Oh, and learn how to plan meals better so that we don't eat out so much. lol

Wow, I just checked my old posts and have nothing about the knitting group! I suppose I'll have to start from the beginning on that. When we moved to the area, I was looking for a yarn related group to join so that I would know more people and begin to make friends. I was very lonely. For a little while I was going to two a week, one on Friday nights at a local yarn store and the other on Monday nights at a local coffee shop. I liked both pretty well, but the one on Friday nights was at an awkward time for eating dinner and the women are outside of my generation. That's not normally a problem, but it was far enough removed that I didn't understand most of the references they made and was usually lost during the social conversations. Now that I have my job I wouldn't be able to go to that one even if I was still trying to, but it was fun to meet all of the people there. The knitting group on Monday night is more varied in age; I am still the youngest in the group, but several of the people are closer to my stage in life. And I understand more of the references that are brought up. So, I decided to continue going there and have made some awesome friends!

This month has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the knitting group has been raising funds for ACS (the American Cancer Society). We had a 'knit-a-thon' near the beginning of the month to help with our fundraising and were featured in a local newspaper! It was pretty exciting. Hmmm...maybe I can find a picture from that...hold on a second. Nevermind, I'll have to do that in a different post because this one is getting too long. In any case, we raised quite a bit that night and with other donations we ended up exceeding our fundraising goal. We raised $1083.81 for breast cancer research! Woo! The 5-mile walk in Nashville was yesterday, so needless to say, my legs feel like pudding. Only a few of us were able to make it out there, but it was definitely a wonderful experience. Afterwards we went to a fibers festival that was held nearby, but that will have to wait for my "Fibers Update" post later today. :)

Until next time,

~Andromeda