A Slightly Romanticized Knitting Journal

Hobby Lust Update

2008-05-14T23:37:56Z

I gave my yarn stash some major TLC this weekend. I got a few more bookshelves and some glass doors at IKEA so I can proudly display my yarn and all of my pattern and sewing books. Most of the yarn that I have on dispaly now is the worsted weight stuff. I still have alot of skeins and novelty yarns in plastic see-thru bins in my closet too. I can't wait to take pictures of it all!

Speaking of stash, I took on Stitch Diva's Tunisian Crochet Stashbuster Blanket. My Jenkins Woodworking Tunisian hook with extension is so nice to work with. I got started on my blanket and am thinking I might make some scarves like this for the fall. I ended up buying my Mom a hook for mother's day too. Here is a picture I took after the first day i worked on it:

I stopped by Bobbin's Nest at lunch time today to drop off some of my stitch markers. I was good. I didn't get anymore yarn or anymore fabric, but since they are having a 20% off sale on purchases over $50 (through May) I did splurge a bit and got Jordana Paige's Bella in black! The lining is a made of a beautiful avacado green fabric which I adore!

I'll leave you with some pictures of my "knitting jewelry" :)

Oh yeah! I'm on Ravelry now!! My username is Judyswag and my Etsy name is Judyswag too!!!

The Story Behind all of the Fiber Pics!

2008-02-29T00:41:15Z

I know I said I'd write about my stitch markers next and I will...I just don't want to wait much longer to post about this year's trip to Stitches West! Oh, how lucky I feel to live so close to this glorious yearly event! Ok, I only have a half an hour to wrap this up.

Like last year, my intentions were good:
1. don't spend to much on yarn that you have no room to store
2. only buy if it's in conjunction to learning something new
3. bring only cash
4. be home by 4 p.m.

HAHAHAHA... I broke all of my rules this year! When I arrived, I found the front of the hall a bit overwhelming. So I made my way to the very last row where I now know I can find Newton's Yarn Country booths.

How can I resist at $4 a skein??

Only 6 bucks a skein at Stitches! I drooled on it, so I HAD to buy it
;)

And another $4 per skein buy:

I also got a cardigan pattern from Yarndogs and another from White Lies Designs.

After that purchase and some searching around I went to my Teach LTK (Learn to Knit) Market Session. It was a great class and I got some really neat ideas for teaching LTK. After the class, I still felt the need to learn something more tangible...Spinning! Ah yes, a spindle and some luscious hand dyed roving should satisfy that craving!

From Judy's Novelty Wool

Judy was nice enough to show me how to use my student spindle I got there. It was hard to concentrate with others around and watching, but I'd love to take a class sometime soon!

So in the heat of the moment, I decided that I didn't need a new couch or my own steam carpet cleaner so badly...but I did need more roving to spin with and some sock yarn right then and there! I've never knit socks before, so this would fit into my "learning something new category". Mwahahaa.

Creatively Dyed... way too beautiful to pass up! My picture does not capture the way these colors seduced me into taking them home.

I didn't stop there. I had to have this bright green silk hanky:

At this point, I couldn't leave without stopping once more at Newton's. All of their cones were 60% off!!!!!

A couple more $4 couldn't hurt my bank account, right? These should make a really pretty scarf or two.

Aside from the bead booth that reeled me in, I think that was it. This is me smiling after a day of shopping and learning at Stitches West:

Now I'm going to go out to dinner and then make more beaded stitch markers to photograph on my sunny day off tomorrow :)

December Happenins

2008-01-24T18:40:55Z

December was a great month for Judyswag. I was able to participate in a craft fair and sell items at work. Bobbin's Nest Studios also did a great job in selling some of my "swag".

The craft fair was my first. It was small and it was fun to setup. I just wish there would have been more people there, both selling and buying.

Here are some pictures that I took. Sorry about the blurriness!! I don't know why I didn't get better pics.

I was also selling jewelry for my friends who got me the spot in this fair. I somehow managed to squeeze in most of the merchandise, including cute bags I tried to sell for another one of their acquaintances.

See all of the scarves on the table? I sold ALL of them - not just at the fair, but also at work. There are alot of warm necks out there!
I managed to make alot of things for Christmas gifts too.

I crocheted this from Elisabeth A. Doherty's, "Amigurumi!: Super Happy Crochet Cute" for my friend's 4 year old daughter.

I crocheted potholders to sell and give and I knit a beanie for my dad. I crocheted some shoe laces and made some of Amy Butler's "In town Bags - Drawstring Purses" for James' daughters. Now I'm on another Stitch Marker kick! More on that, next.

SJSU Artique Event - Tuesday, December 4th!

2007-12-03T20:10:44Z

Who: Judyswag, friends and many others selling handmade stuff!
What: We'll be selling very pretty beaded jewelry, sexy scarves, super cute hats, unique greeting cards and more!
When: Tuesday, December 4th from 8am to 5pm
Where: San Jose State University's Student Union - 1 Washington Square, San José, CA, 95192
408.924.1000
Why: Because you have no idea what to get some people on your Christmas list and I'm here to help you out!

The Ultimate Craft Tote....

2007-11-04T22:48:19Z

Let me start by saying that the Amy Butler pattern I used for this bag was so fun to use. The instructions were very clear and I didn't really encounter any major problems.

I had grown very tired of carrying all of my stuff around in one of those canvas grocery bags. I liked the size of it, but it didn't have enough pockets and it wasn't pretty at all. My new handmade tote has tons of pockets and the instructions call for 5 different coordinating fabrics which I had in my stash.

This is the back of the bag which I actually use as the front

This is the front of the bag which has a foldout tool holder that looks like this when open:

I love my bag and I've been using every day since I got it. There is a "but" though :\ I don't have much use for the tool holder. I put my biggest needles in it just for show, but the truth is that if I ever felt the need to have all of my big needles in there, doing so would add extra weight and I would be dropping needles out of the sides of this pocket. You'll see that in addition to the holder, theres' also very long pockets along the bottom flap which are also open to side droppage. I thought about adding some velcro along the sides, but for now I might just keep it closed until I feel the need to fill it. I put a couple of pens in there and one fell out as soon as I got to work today.

Now that I know how easy this bag was to make, I might make a second one using the green/brown/turquoise fabrics I got during my last visit to Bobbin's Nest! I would customize the pattern to create pockets more suitable to my needs. I was thinking of making something like a foldout knitting/crochet pattern holder instead of the long pockets on the flap. I would have to add about an inch to the flap which means I'd also have to take an ich off of that top front pocket. I could live with that! Instead of the tool holding ribbon part I could have it be a large flat panel pocket that would fit a magazine...that shouldn't be too hard to do, right? ;)

Lunch Break!

2007-10-31T23:31:18Z

I went to Bobbin's Nest and had some fabric and a pattern for lunch. Delicious!

I was looking back on and I actually finished alot of the stuff off my list from a previous post:

1. Tonight after dinner I REALLY want to lay out the pattern for my next dress. (DONE)
2. I also need to get started on the rennaissance faire costumes (DONE)
3. I started another scarf like the one above, but in turquoise, purple and black. Burried in a bin
4. I totally suck - I haven't worked on my Hairpin Lace Skirt in a while :( I want to finish it!! I must be halfway done...at least Worked on it some more, but not done yet
5. I want to make a Cool Cap or Hip Hat for James! (DONE)
6. Aaaaarrr! I have to take pics of so many things. ongoing
7. Must designand print some tags ad continue to work on the site! Gave the site a new look, but still needs this year's photos added

**************

New list

1. Finish sewing AB Ultimate Craft Tote
2. Crochet Stitch MArkers and Crochet Stitch Holders
3. Make a matching AB Drawstring Purse to put purse stuff in craft tote
Not sure what i want to make after all this! :) Maybe stuff from previous list!

Judyswag Projects and News!

2007-10-29T22:43:14Z

A month ago today I received the news that a new store really close to work had just opened up for business. About a week after that I decided to go on my lunch break to check out this shop called Bobbin's Nest Studio. Around the same time I had been working really hard on making some stitch markers to sell on Etsy, plus I had a bunch of scarves too. Long story short, some of my scarves and my stitch markers are on display and for sale at Bobbin's Nest Studio! I can't even begin to explain how thrilled I am to have a shop like this within walking distance!!! This place has yarn, fabric, patterns, books, bags, notions...pretty much a dream come true.

So, my first visit was simple - an introduction and a few seconds to take in all of the merchendise. My second visit was business as a vendor. I left some scarves and about 250 stitchmarkers. Here are a few snap shots of what I have available over there:

This is a scarf I crocheted using bouclé and worsted weight yarn.

This is one I knitted using a furry yarn and some leftover Rowan Cotton Tape. See the hidden stripes?

Another hidden stripes scarf with fishnet fringes!

If you want some nice beaded stitch markers, Bobbin's Nest Studio is the place to go!

This is just a snippet of what I have over there. So when I finally went to buy stuff, I still felt overwhelmed. I have SO much yarn and SO much fabric already. I just couldn't pass up the Amy Butler Patterns though. I also treated myself to a set of ChiaoGoo Bamboo Crochet Hooks. These are AWESOME!!! They have the same "thumb dip" that the metal ones do and they're super comfy to use. I already hooked up two scarves over the weekend. And because I love looking at stuff:

I've already started my "Ultimate Arts & Crafts Tote" (far right) and it's a very fun project!! Definitely a nice and relaxing break from sewing dresses. Oh, heres' a picture of the last dress I made. Never mind my boyfriend's brother in the background ;)

The pattern I used was Butterick 5030 (view E) I used some cotton fabric for quilting that I got at Joann. I love the way it fits.

I'll be going back to Bobbin's Nest at some point this week. I want some Amy Butler Fabric!

For the love of pictures

2007-08-01T23:00:56Z

I've been knitting and crocheting scarves like crazy! I don't remember when my last post was. Oh shoot! It was in June and I missed all of July.

So at some point I finished my Alexander Henry Badanna dress. I used the Simplicity 4119 pattern.

Layed out before cutting

Sewing in the lining

Though I LOVE the fabric and the pattern IS cute, I'll fully admit that this dress makes me look prego. I really need to tone up my upper body so that I can look normal in this dress, but you know what? I don't care! It's super comfy and I worked my ass off on it, so I'm going to wear it and drink beer while doing so! ;) "Oh my gosh is that pregnant chick drinking?"

Of course I am! I don't wear skulls 'cause I'm a saint! It's a beer baby!!! Ha.. I really don't drink all that much.

I haven't had the chance to photograph all of the scarves I've been working on. However, I did get snapshots of the scarf I made for my friend's daughter and wouldn't ya know? I'm wearing the dress!

It sort of looks like an anime dragon tongue?

I started this one the day before the party on the three hour drive to my boyfriend's band's CD release show. I finished it on the way back! The only thing I had to wrap it in was an inside-out paper bag which I decorated and closed with a matching crochet chain. Kids don't care!

Heres' the princess wearing her scarf :)

Also, while on my birthday camping trip I got some better (and some worse) pictures of myself wearing the crochet hat I made. Now James wants one in a darker color. I'm so jealous of how cool this hat looks on him with his big curly hair! Hmmm I'll have to hurry up and make him one or get him to let me take a pic of him in the light green one ;)

I got some generous giftcards for my birthday this year! Among them were some from my family for Fry's Electronics. I was tempted to get a new digital camera, but got a new Canon Pixma iP4300 printer and an external hard drive instead. I still have enough to get another little goodie, but have so many things to keep me occupied right now. At least I backed up all of my files that are on my laptop. Here are some of the other things I'm up to now:

1. Tonight after dinner I REALLY want to lay out the pattern for my next dress.
2. I also need to get started on the rennaissance faire costumes
3. I started another scarf like the one above, but in turquoise, purple and black.
4. I totally suck - I haven't worked on my Hairpin Lace Skirt in a while :( I want to finish it!! I must be halfway done...at least
5. I want to make a Cool Cap or Hip Hat for James!
6. Aaaaarrr! I have to take pics of so many things.
7. Must designand print some tags ad continue to work on the site!

OK! I better go before my head explodes!!!

So much!

2007-06-12T21:48:22Z

OK, I'm stopping here to take a breath! Things have been going well. Spring has been nice and productive. I haven't really done much travelling this year, so I've had more time to dedicate to creating breathing room in my apartment! Speaking of apartments, I can't believe how much rent has gone up in just 3 years! I've decided to stay put for now. I don't have a spare bedroom to make into my hobby room, so I decided to convert my dining area into one. It really works out well this way and I'm happy about it. I got a sweet deal on a folding cutting table which is perfect! So here is my converted dining room. James was able to raise the hanging lamp so that I don't hit my head on it :)

As you can see, I have enough room on there to draft patterns, cut fabric and iron on a tabletop ironing board. It's been years, maybe even more than a decade since I've sewn any garments. Shame on me! After doing a lot of research, I went ahead and jumped into the Bodice Project. This is to make a bodice for me to wear at the Renaissance Faire in the Fall. The year before last I purchased a tailor made costume from Ebay. WAY over-priced considering that I could have saved money had I done the research, bought the materials and figured out how to make one myself. The most difficult part is the bodice. Special thanks go to these very helpful costume construction websites:

Dawn's Costume Guide
Italian Renaissance Gown Construction pages
Tudor Costume Page

By combining all of their instructions I was first able to draft my own pattern, construct a "Mock Bodice" out of cheap fabric using cable ties for boning, and make a bodice that I can wear! This is not the final one that I will wear to the Faire, but I'm getting close :) My final one will be green and I have all Summer to work on it.

In the middle of all of this sewing, I sold the Serpentine Scarf!

Now, not only am I continuing to build up my yarn stash so much that I haven't even photographed all of my new yarn, but now I've also started a collection of cute fabric! I want to make some Summer dresses soon.

Butterick Pattern Wish List (99¢ Joann June 17 - 23)
B5029 (Dress, Halter or tank with gathered waist)
B5038 (Tunic Dress - Summer Sleeveless)
B5030 (6 variations of Wrap Dress!! with and without collar)
B5031 (6 Cute Kimono style dresses)

Simplicity Pattern Wish List (99¢ Joann June 14 - 16!!)
3777 (Dress - Peasant style, short or long sleeve + zipper)
3803 (Dress or long gown - halter or tank with band under bust)
3867 (Dress or top with bow in front - capries, bolero and purse too)
4119 (Cute baby doll dress - Straps and vertically gathered bust)

New Look:
6586 (Very Cute Summer Dress)

McCall's Pattern Wish List (99¢ Hancock June 14 - 18!)
M4530 (Western Shirt for James :)
M5039 (Cute Peasant Dress - no zipper :)

One of my wonderful student assistants scored a GREAT deal on some yarn. I never really got into the whole eyelash fuzzy yarn thing, but when someone brings some to me, practically for free, it's amazing the beautiful creations I can almost automatically envision. It's also fun for Gumby and Fish to swim in ;)

Did I mention some sparkly ribbon yarn was also acquired?? Oh yessssssss...

You can click on any of the pics above to view more. Here is the first scarf I made using some of it. I doubled the Crystal Palace Splash with the Deco-Ribbon:

I also taught both of my assistants how to knit! Another FO is a hat out of Get your Crochet On! I don't remember the pattern's title at the moment, but heres' a pic:

I used Sugar and Cream %100 Cotton yarn.

Soon Come...

2007-05-28T20:23:57Z

My latest crochet FO! This is a hat out of Afya Ibomu's "Get Your Crochet On: Hip Hats & Cool Caps". One of the coolest things about this book is the unique instructions on adding elastic to your hats. It's amazing. Another thing I love about Afya is that she's no yarn snob! I took her advice and found plenty of inexpensive yarn in funky colors at the thrift store. Just remember to put your adopted stash in the freezer overnight (My awesome friend Linda's advice). This will kill any possible moths etc.

I actually finished "Soon Come" over a week ago and finally got a pic. I wore it proudly today since I stayed up too late last night working on another one of these hats and I showed up to work today without washing my hair! Yikes... I can easily pull up my mane with a hair clip and it all fits in this hat without looking lumpy. The last time I wore it was on my way to the salon!

I used some Red Heart Super Saver that I had in my stash for a while.

Tax Returns...and Stuff

2007-04-22T22:09:48Z

I've been meaning to take some pics of the little shrug I crocheted a week or so ago and I finally did it at work yesterday! I used the little built-in cam in my laptop, so they aren't the best quality. After messing around with the picture's "effects" using iphoto, I wanted to upload them to flickr so I could have them to post here today. However, I discovered that the pics the tiny cam took were TIFFs! Last time I checked, this format wasn't web friendly. Anyone know if this still holds truth? Well, time had run out and I dismissed the idea of getting some pics up on my break. The pics are pretty bad anyway... NOT meant to be.

I got a call from my friend saying she couldn't make it to lunch. The wheels in my head were turning as I made tentative plans for a 30 minute trip to the local yarn store. Then my phone rang again. It was my mom. She said, I got my federal tax return in the mail at her house. Wheels in brain no longer spinning! Lunch plans set to: purchase Adobe Creative Suite Web Premium AND make a trip to the LYS. I know I said I wouldn't buy anymore yarn, but Commuknity had all this pretty Spring/Summer type yarn out!!!!

So here is what I ended up getting at lunch:

No idea, what I'm going to make yet. The hank of Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon is only 66 yards, but so pretty. I got 6 hanks of the Cascade Cotton Rich in Watermelon. Those have 80 yards each.The two hanks of Wool in the Woods "Shaggy" have 200 yds each and are actually VERY soft rayon/polyester. After my purchase I was informed by the nice cashier that I reached 250 points and I would be mailed a $25 giftcard to the store! Woohooo!!!!!!

I also got me and James each one of these ilaps for our "babies". I know that once I get CS3 on here, I'll be spending way more time brushing up on my computer graphics skills. I'll be SO happy to remove iphoto from my dash and put Photoshop back!!!

Double Stitch - Woodstock Duster

2007-03-30T03:12:43Z

Heres' my version:

This pattern can be found in the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Crochet. I got this magazine before I learned to crochet. I had gone through it and put little markers on all of the patterns I wanted my mom to show me how to make. Then I left it over there for a few months until my mom finally showed me crocheting basics. In the mean time, I had created my judyswag myspace account and had stumbled across the Double Stitch crocheting twin's myspace site! Shortly after that I realized I had the magazine and could make my own Double Stitch Duster!!! The only pattern modification I made was to not make the sleeves so wide. Oh, and I used acrylic yarn. Wool = itch :\ at least I was able to find some great colors! I was thinking of making another one of these in a different color. Something like black and with burgundy trim and fringe :)

I should really continue to work on and finish my hairpin lace skirt!!!!

Another crocheted FO!

2007-03-23T00:14:57Z

I ordered a bunch of crochet and knitting books through my library's Link+ system which allows me to borrow books from all sorts of public libraries. The first one I got was Hooked on Crochet: 20 Sassy Projects: Books: Candi Jensen. I started on the "Posh Frock" last Monday and had it done Friday night. However, I completly changed the pattern! It's more like a "Posh Top" now. Instead of the flowing triple crochet dress, I finished the bottom off in mesh. I also shaped the neckline into a V instead of a U with straps and added the tie under the bust.

It looks a bit stretched out on old Betty, but I'm not having any luck finding time to model my FOs. It actually fits me better than it fits her this time! So here she is :)

I used Lion Brand Incredible in Autum Leaves

Next crochet project: Double Stitch's (Erika and Monika Simmons) Woodstock Duster out of Interweave Crochet's Fall 2006 issue.

I'm also still working on my Hairpin Lace Skirt!

Crocheted Headband

2007-03-11T18:56:50Z

Friday night I was up really late working on the strips for my hairpin lace skirt while James was working on mixing some music. I had no idea how late we were going to be up so when he asked me if I could make him a headband for Saturday I just told him I'd think about it. The last two headbands I knit for him ended up becoming too stretchy. He wanted something snug and not as warm as a hat to hold his ~~hair~~ afro back during band practice. I gave it more thought and decided that I could probably crochet one and it might not take me too long. Plus I've been on a crochet kick!

I made one using single crochet stitches vertically so that I could keep checking it for length around James' head. It also felt more stretchy this way, but not too stretchy. I joined the ends with a single crochet seam, which to my surprise, was barely visible. This way, if it does become too stretchy with use, I can undo the seam, remove some rows and seam it back up.

This very simple project got me thinking...I could probably make a wide belt or a nice corset using this *pattern*. :)

I managed to get pics as he was leaving to practice! We were both in a hurry so most of these ended up being candid shots.

Yarn used: Lion Brand Cotton (Worsted)
Size Hook: I
Instructions:
Ch 16 or however many it takes to make the headband width of your choice (16 is a bit wide).
Ch 1, turn.
Row 1: Sc in each ch across, ch 1 turn.
Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch 1 turn.
Repeat row 2 until you reach length desired.
Tie off end.
Seam - With ws together, sc in sts from both sides across.
Tie off and weave in all ends.
Rock on!

Stitch n' Bitch!

2007-03-06T21:19:33Z

So last night Linda and I went to our first Stitch n' Bitch in Fremont! I'm really excited about it. It's so nice to get out of the house and interact with people who enjoy crafts. It's just what I needed!

The project I brought is my second Hairpin Lace project, the Hairpin Lace Skirt. That's alot of hairpin lace strips to be made, my friends. I hope I don't get TOO burnt out on it. I'm might be putting down the loom for a while after this one. Heres' the third strip in progress:

Here are the first two strips:

I'm using Lion Brand's Incredible (Accent on Black) yarn which is a ribbon yarn. It's more fluffy than it is drapey, but I'm hoping it's drapey enough and not too poofy. I got the yarn on sale - $2 a ball at Michaels this week. That was perfect since I need almost 1100 yards of yarn to make this skirt. I ended up really liking this yarn more and more as I work with it. I went back to get an extra ball and ended up getting a bunch more in Autum Leaves color.

The bottom of a CD-R container holds this yarn ball perfectly so that it doesn't roll away.

Convertible Wrap done!

2007-03-06T20:46:03Z

I really want to post about my latest FO, the Convertible Wrap, so here it is...sprawled out on my desk at work (on my lunch break, of course):

I finished this in one week. I used the discontinued dark brown Rowan Cotton Tape which I've had for almost two years now and now have almost 3 balls of it left. For the single crochet trim I used doubled up Phyz.

The buttons were the only buttons that size that I had in my button stash! The colors, although different from eachother, match the two yarns in the wrap!

I like wearing it like a halter top over a tank top. When I have time I'll take pics of it being worn.

Pile of wrap! ;)

Stitches!

2007-02-24T23:27:51Z

After buying my ticket for Stitches West I decided to go on Friday, since it was my day off and that would give me Saturday to play with any new toys I would get. My intentions were to not go too crazy, only buy if it was going to help me learn something new and not get anything that was just going to take up alot of space. Going by myself the day after payday was definitely a dangerous decision to make, but what's the worst that can happen? Heheee :)

I went there sporting this judyswag scarf and a big canvas shopping bag. We all had to park across the street at Great America which wasn't too far. It was a sunny day, but it was cold and windy so I walked across the street as fast as possible... a bit like a maniacal knitter power walking towards yarn heaven.

The first thing I did was go to the very last aisles so I could work my way up back towards the front, or at least thats what I had planned originally. I spotted The Oregon Wood Worker's booth and made a mental note: swift and ball winder would be nice to have. Then I walked up to the beautiful things at the Stitch Diva Studios booth. I asked Jennifer Hansen about this skirt and she informed me that it was done using a Hairpin Lace technique which she was about to demonstrate in a free demo. I HAD to check this out. I'm so glad that I did! I ended up getting the Hairpin Lace Loom. I couldn't wait to try this out again at home on my very own loom.

I ended up spending less that $50 on yarn! I got some Inca Organic Cotton and some Monte Cristo at Yarn Barn of Kansas. OK, so I bought the 575 yard skein of Monte Cristo so I'd really have an excuse to get the swift and ball winder. The truth is no one could talk me out of my next purchase mwahaaahaaaaa! My Mama Bear Swift and Royal Ball Winder!

By the end of it all I was exhausted! I don't even know if I got through every booth. It felt like I had seen everything at least ten times. I must have just gone around in circles in no particular order...just wherever me and my canvas bag could squeeze through! I'm so very glad I went. I wish my friends could have gone...theres' always next year! :D

As I was leaving, I overheard a lady in the parking lot comment on how the snow up in the hills has melted since the morning. I took some pics of it then headed out for some Thai food...mmmmmm.

Pictures!!! I should've waited till daylight for the yarn stuff, but I just couldn't! Then I decided to experiment with iphoto.. eh.

Bad picture of the snow

So much fun!! I'm tempted to do all of my yarn so I can organize my stash in stacks of these little cylinder like balls!

Bad photos of the little bit of Kyoto I had left from the last scarf I made. Here it is on the Hairpin Lace Loom

The pink yarn is a guidleline.

Here it is off of the loom. Maybe I can use Phyz to make a couple more strips and join them with this to make a headband or something...Can you spot the cat ears?

My LTKA square feels left out. I finished it last week. Square 8: Rose Fabric

I almost forgot to mention that I got alot of compliments on my judyswag scarf! :)

Heh hehee

2007-02-23T05:40:19Z

I just bought my ticket. YAY! I could not resist! I'll probably just go by myself and see if I run into anyone I know :)

Tidbits...

2007-02-19T03:03:48Z

I'm hoping today is the last day that I have to stay home from work because of being sick! Anyway, after being sick for a week and going back to work and then catching something else I went home again...the day before Valentine's Day. Before leaving, I stopped by my boss' office to drop off my timesheet. Well, she had gone to Imagiknit over the weekend and picked out some yarn and a scarf pattern for herself and some needles so that I could knit it for her (whenever..she suggested maybe for next Christmas). My boss doesn't knit so, thank goodness she has good taste. Even though I have this thing about not knitting when I'm sick, I couldn't wait to pick up this project. The Crystal Palace Daisy needles are really light and I just couldn't put them down! I'm convinced that this project helped me feel better and I promise I only worked on it with clean hands (I also did not cough on it). So here it is, last week's FO :)

I didn't stop there. After finishing it I realized how much I liked this pattern and my new needles YAY! While working on it I kept looking back on the last time I hung out with Monica on St. Patty's Day ALMOST A YEAR AGO! I had yarn in my stash from our trip to Artfibers and I hadn't even touched it...well, ok I touched it a few times, but with no plans to make the little pouch that I got the pattern for the same day. Oh my precious Kyoto %69 silk / 25% super kid mohair / 6% extrafine wool. I think this is by far the most beautiful yarn I have EVER purchased. To have it sit there in my yarn cupboard for almost a year is sinful.

Here it is in progress. I finished it last night, though :)

So soft..your brilliance is hipnotic... Kyoto, you ARE my favorite yarn <3 I kiss you!

I've had a cold for over two weeks now!!!!

2007-02-18T07:53:16Z

Since my last post, I've learned to knit with color! Back in December I was given two challenges. The first one was, "can you make me an orange beanie with a black Charlie Brown zigzag all around it?". Uh-huh... sure I can. That same night I was asked if I could make a black hat with my friend's band's name, MUDSOC, in yellow on it. At this point, all I had done in color was simple stripes.

I started with the MUDSOC hat. I used "Kim's Hats" pattern out of Last Minute Knitted Gifts which is knit in the round and I made my own letters on a piece of graph paper I've had for decades. It is 100% wool and I still haven't had the chance to get it to my friend.

This next one was more challenging and I almost gave up a few times. It was a great challenge and I learned alot of you-can't-do-it-that-ways doing this hat. This was my second or third take. In the end, it just doesn't look right on anyone but a child...trust me.

I wish I had taken a closer look at this Center Square pattern a lot sooner! I modified it and was able to make the orange/black hat. Heres' James' brother wearing it along with our friend Krista wearing the SFTPH hat which I made around the same time. I must add, by this time I easily picked up knitting with both hands - continental with my left and English with my right. Before that I had been making a mess of my yarns by twisting them over and over again and then stopping to untwist. I'm thankful to both my friend Monica, who originally taught me how to knit English knitting and my mom who taught me continental!

Heres' another done with a modified Center Square .

And another! Most people can't tell what this is a pattern of....

Grays!

I'm still here!

2007-01-16T00:01:27Z

Something is wrong with me and I haven't been feeling inspired to write much anymore. I don't want to waste time trying to pin-point what the problem could be, because I think just sitting down and writing something is a more productive solution. Speaking of productive... :) I have finished many scarves and beanies and was able to earn over $200 selling stuff in December alone! I didn't sell anything through the internet, but using the internet and myspace (evil, I know) to promote sure did help market what I do.

I sold the beanies so fast, that I didn't get pics of about half of them. Here is a pictoral summary of some of the swag I sold:

I wish my torso, chest and hips were curved more like my Mannequin's. It wears my tops way better than I ever will!!

It's so difficult for me to price and sell things to friends!! I really want to just give the stuff away, but at the same time I want to earn extra cash doing what I love.

I also went through my stash in December and divided some yarn that I knew I was never going to use and gave it to a couple of friends as part of their Christmas gifts. I hope that I'm not burdening them with too much yarn, but I bought way too much my first year of knitting. Did I REALLY need to buy 5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Rasberry and ungodly amounts of other yarns I originally purchased to make my Learn to Knit Afgan? I do plan on working on it someday, but honestly, ANY worsted weight yarn I have will work for that. I did keep one of each color while managing to create nice gift packs of the rest. I still have plenty of yarn and unfinished projects *sigh*.

I've also been experimenting with Faire Isle knitting in the round (beanies)! I'll have to photograph and post about that next! :)

Well look at what I got here... a knitting journal entry. YAY!

Open for Business!!

2006-11-13T06:06:47Z

If I learned anything about running a business this year, it's that as long as you feel that you can fulfill your mission you CAN open your doors... everything else is a work in progress.

Second Hat

2006-09-09T18:32:29Z

James, wearing a hat I knit for him :) He picked the colors.

Made with Patons Merino Wool on my addi Turbos that I love so much.

Kim's Hats - Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

2006-09-09T00:20:31Z

My first - Made in men's size with Patons Merino Wool and the stripes are knit with Manos del Uruguay - Cotton Stria

Purl Scarf - Last Minute Knitted Gifts..

2006-09-09T00:17:14Z

Manos Del Uruguay - and Colinette Mohair.. So fun and nice to knit!