Saturday, February 23, 2013

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! 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

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! 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

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!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

New Yarn!

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

Just wanted to share!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

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!