Happy Belated Holidays!

I have way too many unfinished projects, but the one project that I was able to finish was a simple crocheted scarf for hubby. He likes darker colors and he hates scarfs that "roll up" so I decided to crochet rather than knit a scarf for him. It was extremely simple- I just did stripes in single, half and double crochet.

Not only was it quick, but I feel as though it barely used up any yarn! I also made the scarf incredibly long because he likes to double the scarf and pull the ends through the loop rather than just wrapping it around his neck. He measured it and the final length of the scarf was around 8 feet!!

Because it is winter break (and I am NOT taking classes for once) I am trying to design a knitted sweater. It will be knit from the top down, use raglan increases, and not be too form fitting. I am thinking more of a kimono meets cardigan for the fit of the sweater. I also did 12 row stripe pattern because working in stockknit stitch is enough to make a person's brain turn to mush! I am actually almost done with the main body (minus the button bands that will need to be picked up and knitted on the front). So, more pictures will be to follow. As some of you may have guessed, I am using Simply Soft Eco for the yarn. While I love the yarn and the idea of reusing bottles, I am really missing using some other fibers (mainly wool and soy).

And my last item in this post is a work in progress for needlepoint. I think it is really neat how the images in needlepoint evolve and I thought I would take pictures of it every so often to see how this progresses. This will be one needlepoint in a series of three that will become living room pillows for the couch.

Sorry about the darkness of the pictures but the sun has been a no-show for quite a while.

Well, I hope that everyone had an amazing holiday and happy crafting!

Babies, Some Bamboo, and a Book

Here is a super duper post for everyone, so I will start with the first part- babies. John and I have some friends who are expecting (we will find out the gender in a few weeks, yeay!!) and I have started a baby blanket for them.

The picture came out dark and makes the colors all look really "blah", but I am taking a (long) break from homework to write this post so when I am done with it I will post a good picture taken in good light to give you the full effect. It is a motif that I got out of the book "Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs" and I am really pleased with it. Of course, I am using the new love of my life for this project- Caron Simply Soft Eco and so far I have estimated that five plastic bottles will be used. Of course, the softness and the durability of the yarn will be perfect for baby. On a not entirely different note, one of my friend's sister is expecting a baby and I will be teaching her how to crochet as well so maybe I will actually have a craft buddy now! *crosses fingers*

So, going out of order and moving onto the "book" part of this post, I went to my local thrift store today and was pleasantly surprised at a few awesome finds! The first was this book Your Guide to Creativity that I found for only five bucks and it has tons of information that makes me want to add way much to my to do list. It is an amazing reference for a ton of stuff and really wish that I would have had this book when I was making the floral arrangements for my wedding! Some things that I want to now do (we'll see just how many I actually do) include:

• making pillowcase covers for our old couch pillows
• slip covering the kitchen chairs
• creating a nice looking table piece for the kitchen and the living room table
• try some new ideas when I scrapbook next
• making my own ribbon flowers for . . . something that has yet to be determined

I really didn't need this book to help me add to my to do list, but at least I am now adding items that are not homework!

Now moving onto the 'bamboo' part is the other fun finding that I came across in the thrift store, a package of four bamboo handles! Now, if you look closely at the picture you will notice one problem. Four handles . . . three different sizes. This was something that I noticed after I got home and opened it and I was frustrated at first (who wants two handles that don't even match?!) so I went to do some homework. And then took a nap. And then, came up with an awesome pattern idea that I will be making up for a purse that will only use one handle. The best part? There will be a knitted version and a crocheted version so everyone will be able to make one! And I am going to write a pattern for a normal, two handled purse as well. But I am pretty excited about the One Ring Purse pattern idea and so far I haven't seen anything else like it online so hopefully I will have a few people looking forward to a really neat pattern coming up!

That is all for this post, back to the homework for me . . .

Free Scarf Pattern!

I finished the scarf! It is vibrant, soft, and squishy and I love it.

I made this pattern because I wanted a subtly striped scarf. After falling in love with this color I decided that instead of using two different colors, I would use two different textures to create noticeable, but subtle strips. This scarf pattern is easy to memorize, and quick to knit up. The width of the scarf can be changed by casting on more or less stitches, and the length of the scarf can be lengthened or shortened depending on how many repeats you knit.
This pattern calls for Caron Simply Soft Eco® which is a yarn line that not only has beautiful colors, but is also 20% post-consumer plastic bottles. For each scarf knitted from this yarn, one entire plastic bottle has been used and kept out of the crowded landfills. I plan on making a matching hat and mitten set to match this scarf at a later date so keep your eyes peeled!

I have added this free pattern to a new "Free Patterns" category on the right side bar. Feel free to print it off for you and your friends! Also, let me know if you make your pattern because I would love to see this scarf in different colors

Download Textured Stripes Scarf Pattern

Nothing much to show now.

The Sea Ripples Wrap is almost completely written, but the knitting of the pattern has taken the backseat for some less involved projects. Of course, this has not stopped me from started up a few more patterns for:

1. Cabled Kimono
2. Diamond Leaves Scarf

So, that is pretty much it for now but since it is my first post I am willing to make it up in subsequent posts.

-Tina