Wearable Row Counter

What do you use for a row counter?

For a long time, I resisted the trend of convenient as-you-go click counters, and used a pen and paper. And then I was gifted the Clover click counter by my wonderful husband, and realized the error of my ways, and the convenience of a row counter such as this one. Although, I find that I forget this row counter at home way too often, leaving me knit-disabled when I'm out and about.

I just purchased the beauty via etsy:

(You can purchase your own Here at Pancake and Lulu's shop)

Hopefully having something pretty and wearable will mean it's right next to me just when I need it. 

I'm very excited to get it in the mail! 

Guilt Free Cupcakes

The last few weeks I've spent patiently knitting, sewing, and crocheting away at baby items for my sister's first baby. I even ordered rattle inserts so I could make some non-plastic, easily washable rattles for her. At the moment I'm playing Dr. Frankenstein with a several cupcake patterns to yield my perfect cupcake rattle.

Attempt number one!

I needed a new pincushion - so it served a good purpose.

I must say, though I knit more projects than I crochet, I enjoy how fast a crochet project seems to fly by. I finished this little beaut' in about an hour last night.

I found the pattern here at Bitter Sweet. I changed just a few things, adding a round of SC here and there, nothing prolific.

I also finished the Diamond Baby Mittens to match the Diamond Baby Socks. Again, changed it just a tad, by only doing 3 diamond motif repeats, instead of 4, but that was probably just because my guage was a little big. (Shame on me for not swatching!)

I will continue to experiment with these cupcakes, and hopefully end up putting my own pattern out there. 

Until then - Allonsy! 

A New Crafting Adventure

Since discovering my crafty side about 7 years ago, when I picked up my first pair of knitting needles, I've slowly added certain crafts to my repertoire. First I added some simple hand stitching (this mostly being out of necessity as a broke college student), then some crochet, an upgrade to a sewing machine, and now - hand embroidery.

I've been interested in embroidery for as long as I can remember, my grandma has all the little scraps of fabric she gave me covered with the chicken scratch stitches of 8 year old me. Unfortunately, no one in my family does hand embroidery, my grandmother had just let me cut up old clothing and had purchased me embroidery floss and needles to nurture my creativity.

Now I'm back! With the knowledge and faith that I can teach myself, especially if I've successfully taught myself knitting, crochet and sewing.

I've already gone and picked myself up needles, embroidery floss, hoops, and some onesies to learn on (for my niece of course, oh and there's that - my sister is having a girl!).

This is my first finished project:

I freehanded the bird with a template pencil, and went over in running and stem stitch. :) The eye is a French knot, and the beak satin stitch. It was a good learn-to template.

Next:

Embossed tie applique onesie, cupcake toys and rattles, the baby blanket (which is more than half done), and I'm sure an assortment of other projects I'll add to my roster.

Allonsy!

New Yarn!

What girl doesn't love new yarn (and some new circs)?

Just wanted to share!

Weekend Knitting

My weekend is going by in a sunny, fiber infused blur. I just wanted to share some WIP pics.

I hope everyone else's weekend is well!

Allonsy!

Review: Sockupied Spring 2013

Year after year I've seen the newest issues of Sockupied come out, available by direct download. And year after year I held off from making the purchase. For one, I wasn't a big sock knitter at the time, and I figured with enough research I could just learn the techniques on my own. This year I broke down (especially after seeing Alice Yu's "Deuce" socks!), and decided to make the purchase.

First I'll go over everything that comes with this $7.99 purchase.

• 5 beautiful sock patterns 
• 3 heel techniques, taught in writing, diagram and video
• Clear, helpful instruction for subbing in a heel technique you like for one you might not favor
• Tips and techniques to custom fit your socks to you (or your loved ones) special feet 

Now, for my review: 

I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. The things I've found in this ebook have helped boost my confidence for future pattern modifications, and imbued me with the knowledge of 3 more heel techniques. No longer am I stuck in my comfort zone of the YO heel. Alice Yu's shadow wrapping heel is now my new favorite, and can be used both for a wedge heel and an hourglass heel. Having options in your knitting is a wonderful feeling.

The patterns included in the ebook are clearly written, and easily knit on DPN's, two circs, or in magic loop. All of the patterns, in my opinion, are beautiful and I can't wait to add them to my humble sock drawer when my recent sock yarn order arrives. I would recommend this download to both new and experience sock knitters, because I feel there's something all experience levels could take from this book. 

You can see I've already put the skills learned to use in my version of Weeping Angel socks, where instead of the bulkier heel in the pattern, I've used the shadow wrap heel. 

You can purchase this Sockupied here. 

And before you start thinking that I'm getting paid for this review - I'm not. I bought the ebook with my own funds, and wrote this review from my own desire to do so. I wanted all of my fellow knitters to know how I enjoyed this purchase before jumping in and making it for themselves. 

Allonsy!