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

Blast from the Past

Remember that rainbow armband I mentioned in one of my first posts?  The one that was my first crochet project?  I found it!  Here's a picture of my wonderful beginnings. :P

End of Vacation

So, every year my extended family goes down to Florida for a beach trip together.  I love being down there and greatly enjoy the family time, but the drive is frustratingly long.  Yesterday's drive home was especially painful because we had to drive through thunderstorms...which if you are reading this and don't know me, storms give me pressure headaches.  Sometimes migraines if the system is bad enough.  In any case, I had a wonderful time at the beach but vacation is now over and I need to go find a job.  Tomorrow.

I don't have any test patterns to work on right now, so I'm trying to figure out what to do with my yarn time.  I am going to crochet a couple of hats for family members who graduated this year, but I don't have all of the information on those yet.  I could work on the table runner that Mom wants for her kitchen table.  I think maybe I'll do that or work on weaving a new scarf.  Maybe I'll even finish editing a pattern and get it tested for you guys.  What do you think I should do next?

I've gotten a few things crocheted since the move that I haven't posted pictures of yet.  

Let's see how many...

Pea Hat Test
No Pattern Available Yet.  Still in Testing.
There is a Pea Pod that went along with this test, but I did not sign up for it...so I have not finished crocheting it.

Patchy Puppy Hat Test
Pattern Link
This Hat is both adorable and really fun to make.  You should try it out!

We went to the zoo...
this has nothing to do with crocheting, but I like the picture.

Commissioned Hat!!  I got paid!
Plus I really like the way the hat turned out.

Brimmed Sun Hat for Mom
Pattern Link
I finished it in time for her to wear it on the beach!

Apparently I have finished 4 projects since the move.  I thought I had done more than that...strange...

So, let me know what you think I should crochet next.  Until next time, ~Andromeda.

Moving Woes

Well, for those of you that don't know, we are in the process of packing up our apartment for the move to Middle Tennessee.  I am currently avoiding packing up the kitchen.  Anyway, while 'packing' my studio I found out that I have a lot more yarn than I remembered...so I'm on my first yarn diet.  I'm not sure if I should be stash-busting or trying to make my yarn last as long as possible so we can save money.  I think it might last me quite a while either way.  I'm not sure I've seen any stash-busting projects that aren't blankets, so maybe I'll just work on Christmas presents, writing more patterns and whatever else I come across along the way.  Whittle down the stash one little project at a time.

I have been working on that belt pattern, but goodness I am terrible at sizing!  Normally when I make hats and write down patterns, I avoid gauge like the plague.  I suppose it is time for me to actually start paying attention to such things, but I really just like crocheting by the seat of my pants and altering patterns to fit me along the way!  I will probably end up putting a different pattern up here before that belt one is finished, but for now I think I'm going to test for other designers.  At least until we are settled in the new location.  That way I don't lose any of my patterns in the move.  

We've decided that the loom will be kept in our bedroom at the new house, but that means we won't be able to keep Pippin in there when she is being a bully towards Whiskers.  Not sure how that is going to work out, but it was the best solution for me to have easy access to the loom and be able to practice my weaving skills.

  

Oh, the husband started cleaning/packing...I suppose I should stop procrastinating and get back to work!

Easy Shell Headband Pattern

And now the pattern I promised you guys yesterday!  Same rules as the other pattern: 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!

EDIT on 08/04/14: I have created a photo tutorial for this pattern. Go here if you need it.

For child-sized, see my new post here.

Easy Shell Headbands

Hook:

H

Yarn used:

Simply Soft

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 sized head.

Notes:

• The headband is worked lengthwise from narrow-to-narrow end.
• Row 18 can be altered for fitting. 14-16 chains fit my head, but I don’t like things to be tight.  The best way to size it is to try on 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. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st and next st, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr, 2 tr in last st. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 9-10. Ch 4, turn, tr in next 2 sts, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 11. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec, tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

Row 12. Ch 4, turn, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec. (2 tr, 1 shell)

Row 13. 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 14. Ch 4, turn, tr, tr dec, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr)

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

Row 16. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, tr. (3 tr)

Row 17. Ch 4, turn, tr dec. (2 tr)

Row 18. Ch 14, sl st in 5^th ch of Row 1.

Pattern Stalling

I have another pattern ready to be posted on here...but I didn't want to put two patterns in a row and get you guys all excited that I'm going to start posting patterns everyday.  And I didn't think it would be finished testing so quickly.  So this is my post to stall the pattern and hopefully show exciting things.  Tomorrow is my official presentation for my research topics from this semester, so I'm scrambling to make all sorts of things in an attempt to have more to show...and make myself less nervous about the whole process.  It's not working.  If you could see my nerves they would look like this:

Except they don't have the excuse of caffeine

*does nervous jittery things*  Wait, you are still here?  I suppose I could talk some more to make myself less nervous.  I Love Ravelry.  Just so you know.  I have gotten so much encouragement for writing out my own patterns and designing, not to mention the awesome friends I have made so far.  Like I mentioned earlier, I had another pattern being tested, but my testers got done earlier than I thought they would...in less than 24 hours I requested testers, found them, sent out patterns, and everyone finished testing.  Granted, it is an quick pattern to make, but that is record time for a test!  Here's a picture of what I was having tested so you can get excited for the pattern: 

Easy Shell Headbands!

In other news, the clay baskets I've been working on in the ceramics studio are finally dry and ready for their first firing.  They won't be done for the presentation tomorrow, but I have some pictures of them to show what I've learned.  I'm praying they survive, because they will be awesome if they ever get glazed and finished.

I particularly love the basket bowl on the right!

And I have pictures of Doilies 7-10.  I was hoping to get #11 done before my presentation, but my hands are too shaky to crochet tonight.  Maybe I will be able to finish it in the morning.

Doilies 7-10

Doily #7

Doily #8

Doily #9

Doily #10

Today I wore my new hat made from Frugal Fashionista's Spider Web Slouchy Hat pattern!  I wanted to wait and wear it at the presentation, but I could not contain my excitement and ended up wearing it to the studio today.  It was one of the CAL hats for this month...so I finished it on May 2nd.  I suppose that means I need to work on the other hats for this month.  OR maybe I'll just make more from the same pattern.  I ended up counting out warps in the studio today to prepare the loom for a blanket (when I'm finished with its current warp...which may not be for a while).  And I finished testing a pattern for a fellow Ravelry member. In any case, here are my finished hats:

Cyclops/Zombie Frog.  AKA the unfinished Frog Hat.

I think that is enough stalling.  I will post the headband pattern tomorrow after the presentation.  :)

Indiana Memory Pattern

I told you guys that I would post up the finished pattern for the Indiana Memory scarf, so here it is!

Enjoy! 

Just for the record, you are allowed to do whatever you want with scarves 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!

Indiana Memory Scarf

Yarn used: 

• Caron Simply Soft Bone (Color A)
• Caron Simply Soft Collection Pistachio (Color B)

Hooks:

• H for beginning chain,
• G for rest of scarf

 Stitches used: This pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Single crochet (sc)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (Ch),
• Double Crochet (dc),
• Treble cluster: YO twice, insert hook in next dc, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in same dc, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• Petal (single crochet, ch 4, treble cluster in next st, ch 4, single crochet in next st)

Gauge: Gauge is not important for this scarf, so it can easily be done in any size yarn with a hook that goes well with that yarn.  My finished scarf had a width of 4.5 in./11 cm and was approximately 5 ft 10 in./178 cm long. 

For base (not edging):

Colors alternate one row of Color A, 3 rows of Color B (except when noted).

There should be 13 dc per row (or 7 dc alternating with 6 ch).

Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as 1 dc.

Pattern:

Row 1:          Ch 16 (with H hook and Color A)

Row 2:          With G hook (from now on) in Color A dc in 5^th st from hook, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 3:          In Color B, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across

Row 4:          Ch 4, turn, sk 2 sts, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc*

Row 5:          Ch 3, turn, dc in 1^st space, dc across (there should be 2 dc in the ch 4 space), in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 6:          In Color A, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Repeat Rows 3-6 until desired length without edging.  In last row of Color A, don’t keep 2 loops on hook…just dc last st.

For Edging:

There should be 7 petals on each end of the scarf.

  

Edging:

Row 1:             In Color A, sl st in top of last dc (or ch 3 sp), ch 3, *sc in side of next row, ch 3*, sl st in bottom of first dc

Row 2:             Repeat on other side

Row 3:             In Color B, start at second row from end, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 4, treble cluster in first st of end row, ch 4, sc in next st, petal across, last petal should end with sc in side of the top row

Row 4:             In Color B, *ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space*

Row 5:             Repeat (Row 3)

Row 6:             Repeat (Row 4),  Sl st in first sc of (3)

Row 7:             Finish off and weave in all ends