Rambling Designs

I moved!

2011-08-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

To wordpress!

It's a purely precautionary measure! I have a G+ account and I refuse to comply with their real names policy. specially since I signed up with spinndiva waaay before gmail was out of beta. It's who I am!
Anyway, if they suspend my G+ account, I will loose access to all my other google products as well (gmail android apps, my blogger blog, etc) so I moved my blog over to wordpress. everything is there.
I am asking you to please update your bookmarks if you want to. I also have a subscribe button over there, so it's really easy to keep up with it again.

I am so sorry to have to put you all through this, but I refuse to cave to this ridiculous -and potentially dangerous to some people- policy!

Two more done!

2011-08-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

So my sample socks for the sock pages are done! :) WOOT WOOT!

Stats:
Yarn: Mystery yarn from Stash. I really thought this pair would take care of the rest on that cone, but I have enough for another pair at least on there! O.O
Needles: US size 1 bamboo crystal palace and no name. I broke two, TWO sets on these socks! Grrrrrrrrrrr...
Nitty gritty: short row heel, square toe, my own pattern...and that's it. :)

The other pair is just a pair of anklets also for DH:

Mystery yarn from stash, Molly's needles, heelflap heel, square toe. :)

2011-08-26T12:30:00.001-07:00

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

- Buddha

blocked

2011-08-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2011-08-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

My sweet Daughter! I wish you a very happy birthday!

I hope all your wishes and dreams may come true!
I am so very happy to have you in my life! I could not have dreamed up a sweeter daughter!

Thank you for being your wonderful, sweet, compassionate, lovable, huggable, fun self!

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND ALWAYS!

FO!!! :)

2011-08-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

The scarf is done! *snoopy dance!* :D
I just have to block it! Woot woot!
It got done late last night! :)

Modelled on my sweet daughter!

socks and more socks

2011-08-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am knitting! On socks! For the tutorial! I even made another pair of anklets to show how to do a heelflap heel. Guess who's getting that pair? Yes, DH.. he is really loving this tutorail, since he benefits from it so greatly! LOL
This pair is just plain white.
I broke my glasses and can't see the dark wool so well without. So until I get new ones I will have to have a special evening project in lighter coloured wool! I cast on for a scarf for that reason! It is going to get done tonight I'm sure! I only have a few more yards left of the yarn! Woot woot!
Here a little preview of it! I'm really liking it!

I found the stitchpattern in my book and right away thought of a scarf! Will post pictures of the finished thing after blocking!
So that's it for now! :)
What are you all up to?

And just because..a picture of my dog!

Short row heel video tutorial coming!

2011-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

I finished the tutorial! YAYYYY! DH is editing it!

Big big weight off my shoulders having this done! I have procrastinated on it like a fiend. But the post goes up next Friday!

So if you want to see a short row tutorial with extra accent, mark your calendars for next Friday and get together with me on the Blooming Sisters Blog for a sock workshop!
(and don't forget to sign up for the Amy Butler fabric contest right now!)

I will eventually post the tutorial here too, but really go over there and have a look! The Blooming Sisters Blog is definitely worth a read! :)

Thought I let you know!

2011-08-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

There is a contest going on over at the Blooming Sisters Blog. It's for Amy Butler FQ's! Such cute fabric!!!!!! Sadly I can't enter, since I am an author over there, but I can drool over it! LOL And I can live vicariously through you all!

SO:

Go and enter!

And then send pictures of what you make with it!

I want to see it!

Fingertip towel and where I chat.

2011-08-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

Just love it! I will have to get more of this cotton.. (I have decided cotton to be exempt from the "only handspun yarn" next year, since I HATE spinning it! .. hmmm that could be a new challenge all together...spin cotton... I will keep it in mind after next years challenge is over with LOL)

The colours are a bit "washed out" in this picture, they are really a "green apple" green and violet.

I also thought I let you know where I sit when we chat on G+ or FB or twitter...
Right here:

My poor chair is getting old and well loved... I got it at the thrift store for a whopping $1.99!!! Is it any wonder I love it so much? I am in the process of covering it. Not sure yet if I should do it in crochet, or in a new fabric.. so I am living with the crochet for a while to see how it feels...
The little squares on the wall are pincushions. The top one is a vintage one in black and red with an Edelweiss flower on it. I got it at a garage sale. The Edelweiss is a Bavarian flower, so I had to have it!

The other two were made by friends for me! One has a Dandelion on it

and the other one is covered in hand-stitching!

My yarn is handy right next to me. I took it out of "Geoffrey's drawers (Kids named our chest of drawers....) and put it visible right there. I love it. Yes those are milk crates until I find a shelf worthy of my yarn AND my living room. (read: big enough to hold everything, halfway decent looking and free LOL)
Incidentally that is all that is left of my stash! Once I am through that I am done! I haven't bought any yarn since January and have used up everything I had bought/was given to me. I am rather proud of that! It was two big drawers full, plus a big box in the garage! (I thought I had a picture of the giant box, but I don't) I did get "working yarn, but that doesn't count to my personal stash and is all gone as well but 3 balls of banana fibre!
My spinning is over here right now (opposite me)

And the finished yarn is awaiting the setting of the twist right here (sorry for the bad pic, but the window is in the way LOL)

Ok now you know! Where do you craft/chat/hang out?

New post with actual knitting content!

2011-08-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

WOW peeps! Yes! Real knitting content! O.O
I finished a bit of a procrastination project yesterday :) A little fingertip towel for my bathroom! YAYYY!
Pictures:

Stats:
Yarn: Patons "Grace" (mercerised cotton) about half a ball of each colour.
Needles: US size 6 bamboo circular
Pattern: Just cast on and go, it's just a little slip stitch pattern I found in a pattern-stitch-book. Crochet crab-stitch border

I could have done a better job on blocking it, but it was late... I made a little hanging loop on one corner, although I don't really need it in my bathroom with the ring.

I like it so much I cast on for another one in different colours (purple and green, since I have those here in my stash). It's awesome "next to TV" knitting. LOL It took less yarn then I thought, so the next one is going to be a bit bigger.

Also: There is a CONTEST/GIVEAWAY over at Blooming Sisters Blog! You have until Monday do put your name in the hat! :) GO SIGN UP!

New Challenges

2011-08-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm back :)
I have been busy, not that you think I have been slacking off this time away from the internet.
I have been frogging.
I frogged the white socks and I frogged the blanket.
I started a new scarf with some Debbie Bliss pure Silk and stopped again, because the yarn stained my hands and my needles and was just not worth the money I spent on it because of other things as well, so I frogged that scarf.
I wrote on the sock pages and worked ahead a bit.
I worked on getting rid of my stah yarn. I made a nice dent so far. I will be done with the last scraps of it towards the end of this year.

I will need a new challenge!

I thought about it while I was spinning the alpaca for my friend Karen. Oh how lovely it is. Oh how it tempted me to sink my needles in it when a new bobbin was full with plied yarn. Oh how it distracts me from what I am doing/writing/thinking about by hanging on the mirror across from where I sit....

That's when it struck me!

I don't nearly knit enough with handspun-by-me yarn! I give most of it away usually. That needs to change! I have this wonderful wheel, that I love! I have great roving out in the garage (ok, so not a ton of it, but it should be used really).

The challange for the coming year was born right that minute!

I want to only knit with handspun-by-me yarn this coming year! So the "don't buy any yarn" rule will still be in place. I will ONLY buy roving/fleece this coming year and spin it up for my knitting. No millspun yarn. No handspun by other artisans. It has to be my own hands work from start to finish!

Since I have a dog, that is allergic to lanolin, I am allowing myself to buy roving, not just fleeces. The more processed the fibre comes to me the better it is for his allergies. I don't let him roll around in any of my fibre/yarn anyway. Should he brush up against it while I spin, with roving the chance of him breaking out is less then with fleece. And to be honest: I dislike washing/carding fleece in the house. So that is a summer job to be done in the yard. Since the new year doesn't start with summer, I will need some to keep me busy for the colder months. :D

So 1212 will be the year of the handspun yarn.

I'd love to have company! So if you feel like it, by all means come along for the ride! All I ask is for you to post it to your blog, so that maybe others, that don't stumble by mine get to hear about it and let me know here, so I can put a list together of people that participate! I will host a link-party once a month to all participating blogs. If you don't have a blog, but still want to go along, just let me know here. I will gladly host pictures for you once a month, so others can see your progress.

The other requirement for participation: Be happy and enjoy the process!

Hope lots of you will join me in this challenge!

ETA: I will exempt cotton yarn from the don't buy any rule this next year. I have spun it in the past and it was not my favourite LOL. I will keep "getting better at spinning cotton" for another challenge some other time!
Feel free to customise this challenge to suit your needs! If you don't have enough time to spin ALL the yarn you use, then vow to spin every other one! Or vow to knit all socks in 1212 with handspun yarn! Whatever fits your schedule.. it should be fun and is only to make sure you use more handspun by you yarn in 1212~

Part Deux!

2011-08-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

The second part of the sock pages will go up tomorrow! Go check it out! I am sorry that it is rather quiet here lately, but I am without internet and then my laptop died and DH had to resurrect it (took a few days, but he got it done! YAYYYY for Computer geniuses!)
I will be more vocal again when the internet is back! hugs and smooches until then!

SOCK PAGES!

2011-07-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

My sweet readers! The "sock pages" are going up live tomorrow (July 29, 2011) on the Blooming sisters blog! :D
Please go and check it out!
Have you ever wanted to design your own sock, but didn't quite know where to start? Here is your guide coming up! I will add tips for fixing mistakes on the fly, reinforcing heels and toes, and mending socks at the end.
Every Friday, for the next couple weeks, there will be a new part up for you to read. Tips for "Free range sock knitting!" Make YOUR own sock, the way YOU like it! Use whatever textures you like. Pick and choose and make the next sock totally "yours" by creating your own pattern for it!
Go check it out and leave me a comment over there! I will answer questions! WOOT WOOT! Let go of the patterns! Jump off that edge and dive right in to

FREE RANGE SOCK KNITTING!
I hope to see you all there!

The lovelyness!

2011-07-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hand-carded alpaca!

I want to dive in!

a bit of mindless knitting and some news! :)

2011-07-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

I needed a bit of mindless knitting, so I started a blanket yesterday. Knitted on the diagonal. hmmm liking it so far.

I also knitted these socks and ripped them back again.

Now you know what I was busy with... but wait! There's more! :D

Then I have some news! I am writing for the Blooming Sisters blog now! :)
My first post went up yesterday! It's a quick and easy tutorial for this little headband:

WOOT WOOT! Check it out! Leave a comment! Subscribe! (Don't worry, I'll still be boring you here with my ramblings! :D )
And some more news? The Free range sock knitting pages I am working on will go up there as a sort of KAL/Workshop thing... :) First one will "Go live" on the 29th of July! YAYYYY!

Hope to see you there!

I'm on G+!

2011-07-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Come and join in the fun and try a bit of G-spotting (yes we have decided that is the verb for it! LOL) :) I'm spinn diva over there...who would have thought it?
Link to my profile is in the picture below or copy paste this in your browser:
gplus.to/spinndiva

Hope to see you all! :D

this and that

2011-07-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Have I told you, that I don't have a wreath on my door right now? I have live plants instead! I love it!
I got this little hanging basket for free and right away knew it had to hang on my door. Well.. I wasn't about to spend money on fake flowers. (mostly because I don't have it) so I was thinking and then it occurred to me: I got a little pot of chamomile at the same time (also for free) and I stuck that in the little basket! It looked so cute! Then the chamomile grew and had to be planted elsewhere. Now I have nasturtiums in it and they bloom! I am loving it!
What do you think?

Then I am drying lavender! My dehydrator is full of it and the house smells so delicious!

I still have this much on the first two bushes and the second two aren't blooming yet, but have at least that much more to be harvested!

My winter tea supply is safe! I am also thinking of making some lavender wands for the closets! YAYYY! (tutorial coming)

This is the view we had just now out on a little drive to pick up a craigslist free box:

Isn't this beautiful???

There were a couple of really nice digital cameras in the box among other things.... I will go play with them now! :D

Vest

2011-07-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

The vest got done on the fourth, but I didn't get around to make pictures until today...
So here it is. The Vest fro DH.

Front:

Back:

Simple enough. He likes it. Now I can move on to the next :D

I have plans!!!!

Oh, do I ever! LOL

Stats:

no pattern, just made up as I went...
Mystery Wool (and it is wool, I did a burn test..mmmmhhhh burnt hair in the morning!)
Needles size US5 (HUGE I tell you!!!)
Buttons from stash. My husband made the top button himself a few years ago.

On my kitchen table

2011-06-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

From my garden!

Orca

2011-06-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

The kids and I are helping a friends kid with his geography lesson (through post cards) I thought this was a great opportunity to have my kids do some research on the history of Washington State.
They came up with quite a few facts. The kids picked 11 they thought were interesting to write in a little letter we wrote to send.

While they were researching, I was indulging my "artsy" side. I drew an Orca in a native American art style. I adore native American and Inuit art! Just love the way it looks! So I jumped at the opportunity to try my hand at it. Here is my Orca now for your inspection:
Be kind, it's my first one. DH wants it as a tattoo now!

I'm liking it.. I might just draw more! I never realize how much I miss drawing/painting until I do it again after a long while....

Orcas are said to be the guardian of the ocean! They symbolize longevity and romance since they are believed to mate for life. It is said that if fishermen ever injure a killer whale, it will capsize the canoe sinking the fishermen to the Village of the Whales. It is here where the fishermen will be transformed into Orcas themselves. Killer whales near the shore are said to be humans who were transformed trying to communicate with their previous human families ashore. Others believe that killer whales are reincarnations of deceased native chiefs....

I love Orcas! I think they are breathtakingly beautiful creatures!

SAVE THE WHALES! ALL WHALES!

Yup :)

2011-06-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

It's coming out nicely!

First few rolags of the washed fleece!

Since the sun came out...

2011-06-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

This in itself is a rare thing, so I had to use the occasion and ran outside to "wash my sheep". (having just written about needing to do so LOL)

Ingredients:
1 Fleece
1 tub
hot water
wool wash (hair-shampoo if you run out of wool wash, which frequently happens to me)

Instructions:
Combine hot water, wool wash and sheep. Let sit for a while (until water is cold) REFRAIN from giving in to the urge to agitate.
Strain sheep from water, rinse with water of the same temperature as the first wash has now after sitting for a while.
Lay out to dry in sunshine.

Result:

Semi-clean sheep and really dirty water!

Wow! TWO blog-posts today! :) I'm catching up!

Ima Round

2011-06-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Yes.. I'm around... just loads to do, so not much blogging going on. :) No worries! I will be back shortly!

I have finished half the page with the sock tips, but no pictures yet. I got all the way down to the heels LOL
The first pattern for one of the little baby socks is written down as well and is being tested by the maaaahvelous Elisabeth! Thank you again sweety!
The others will follow shortly.
The pattern for the long white manly socks is coming along.
I have started a vest for DH I'm about one third up the back so far and planning for the next
I am still carding the Alpaca for my friend Karen
The pattern for another pair of little girlie anklets is coming along as well. *winks at Karen*
~~The fleece for DH second vest is going to get washed this week~~, DONE! so I can start carding it as soon as I am done with Karen's and before I get the other spinning job in.
I got another request for some socks in that I just want want want to start on
I am back to teaching classes. (find me here!)
Monday and Wednesday I'm gone since those are Volunteer-days....

I think that's about all...
So, you see, I have not forgotten about you! I'm slowly working my way through the mountain!
See you on the other side! I promise I'll take pictures! :D

Teeny Tiny Sock Parade

2011-06-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

baby socks I made this weekend

handspun cashmere!

"Pink Flamingo"

Baby Alpaca

sock yarn with a bit of aloe in it

presentation is everything LOL

No patterns were ~~harmed~~ used in the making of these socks.

all projects are on hold

2011-06-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

hand spun-by-me merino blend yarn :D

A co-worker is having a brand new grand-baby in a few weeks. She is a knitter herself and makes the cutest little hats, baby shoes and has already knitted sweaters for the baby. i also know that she is getting a few baby blankets. So what to knit.
I have been thinking and thinking. Finally I came up with a nice lace shawl for breastfeeding! I am a big BIG BIG supporter for breastfeeding (did it for all three of my kids and did not care if someone was offended! GET OVER IT! IT'S THE BEST THING FOR THE BABY!!!!) I did however have a blanket, that I sort of draped over myself when I breastfed in public. Don't have to let it all hang out ya know...
So Anyway. I figured this is rather a personal gift and may come off the wrong way, so I asked the proud Grandma today.

She looked at me and said: You know what I really would like? And I said: What? She answered: Some tiny socks!

I was really really flattered!! :) (see me blushing?)

WOOT WOOT! I love to knit socks!

So all of my other projects are on hold as of 4 pm today and baby socks found their way onto my needles! I cannot wait to get the first pair done!
I raided my stash for some cute girl-y sock yarn (yes, they know what it will be, very helpful to a knitter I say! :D A woot for modern technology!)
As always I am winging it. No patterns, just cast on and go where the yarn takes me!
I will keep you all up to date with pictures as soon as I have something to show!

Got to love friends, no? They always know what makes me happy! :D

Quick refashion

2011-06-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

I bought this blouse ages ago (I believe it was last spring some time) at the thrift store.. It's a 3 X!

I really really liked the wood-bead embroidery in the front and the linen fabric though.

Today I am going to a luncheon with the Food Bank I am volunteering at and wanted something new to wear.. well no budget for new clothes means I either scrap the idea or go diving in my fabric/refashion pile.
I did!
I found!
I refashioned!

2 seams, 10 minutes, new shirt, proud grin.
I know it's not really a big deal for all you wonderful seamstresses out there, but for me it was something awesome! I usually can do this only in knitted garments! To imagine how I want it and then go do it... and have it come out exactly like I saw it in my head! I think I will emply my sewing machine more often now....
I tailored it just a wee bit.... LOVE IT! Can't wait to wear it and show it off!

NOW

2011-06-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

I can show you one of the three secret projects (two are done and I am working on the third)
A crochet meditation mat in Sari Silk from Darn Good Yarn! :D
I sooooo love this project! I had fun making it and it makes me smile every time I see it! LOVE IT! (even if I say so myself LOL)
You can get the pattern over at Darn Good Yarn for free peeps! Go get it! :)

Now the moment you have been waiting for (or not.. I leave that one up to you...)
The pictures of the mat!

Stuff

2011-06-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have been working on things... Things I cannot show you pictures of as of yet, but soon. I can tell you though: I made a sari silk bag! :)
Yup... not another pair of socks!
I know!!!
The world did not come to an end. :D

I am casting on for a pair for me here pretty soon though. Doing the preliminary math right now and already selected the pattern stitch I am going to use (LACE this time, so they will not be claimed by DH again LOL although he already is talking about his next pair.. LOVE THAT MAN!!!!)

There are two other projects to finish (nope, no pictures of those either for now) before I can actually get going on them though. With any luck I should be casting on this coming weekend though if the weather stays rainy. yayyy! LOL

I will keep you posted and I will show pictures as soon as I can! :)
Smooches!

I'm working on it! :D

2011-06-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you all so much for your feedback on my readers question! I will go ahead and write the post. It will take a little while, since there is a lot of knitting to be done (and even more thinking on how to best show it all and write it so people can understand what I'm talking about.... those of you that know me, know that is not always easy LOL)

I let you know the minute it is up. I'm thinking I will put it as a page (link will be in the sidebar) so it won't get buried in the posts....

Anyway.. thanks again for the response! Makes me happy!

:D <--- see my big grin???

Hugs to all of you!
B.

I finally got one myself!

2011-06-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have given these little guys as a gift a bunch of times.Always thinking that they were so cute and how much I wanted one myself!
The other day I went through my etsy faves and saw that the shop is going out of business. It took this, to make me finally get one for myself! (go grab one before they are all gone!!!)
So sorry to see the shop close.
She does have another shop on etsy though and I like almost everything in it :) I do need a few sock-project bags and maybe one or five for shawls... (yes I am fully aware I only knit one project at a time LOL)
I ordered one and it came today! WOOT WOOT!
I had to start on it right away of course and here is now my little sock and blocker key chain! LOVE IT!!!!

How cute is it????

Question for my readers

2011-06-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have been asked a few questions about socks lately.
The questions ranged from How do you make knee-highs stay up?, to questions about heels and how to determine what kind of patterns to use and how to arrange them etc.
So I have been wondering if you all would enjoy a post about some of the things that came up?

If so I am happy to post a sort of "what I do when" for everybody!
I need at least 10 comments in the affirmative to this post in order for me to go through all the knitting and photo-taking involved with such a project, but I will totally do it for all of you, my daaahlings!

You can also totally send me more questions! (ramblingdesigns [at] gmail [dot] com or use the link in the sidebar) Please let me know if you like me to mention you by name, or initial, or at all and if you have a blog, I will happily link to it!
I will be happy to answer as many as I can.
Well... now it's up to you! Let me know if this would be of interest to you! :D

Taking scissors to your knitting!

2011-05-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

The faint of heart I beg to look away!

As you all know, the socks for my DH just got done! What you don't know is, that I made the second sock 10 stitches smaller in the ribbing. Yes, I did. Because DH likes them tight on top, so they don't slide.
Well, the first sock was already done all the way to the toe when we decided they were for him. NO WAY am I going to rip all that work back! So I finished it and knitted the second sock, knowing I can fix the first one later.

Since knitting looks the same right side up, as it does upside down, it stands to reason, that the stitches will be "Live" in either direction if you rip back. They are!

Said and done. I Picked up the first sock, and took scissors to it.
I cut the ribbing off! Yes I did indeed! (I got the idea to blog this undertaking after I had it already started so no pictures of the cutting, sorry)

Clip clap and off it came! If you do such a thing, make sure you cut about one row above where you want to start knitting again! That way you can rip one row back and have a yarn tail to sew in!

So you cut it all off, that will leave you with "Live" stitches. Put these live stitches right back onto your needles BEFORE picking out the short bits of yarn. These short bits secure the stitches from running down! :)

Then clean out all the bits and "Straighten" the stitches on the needles (I just "grab" them with my needles not caring if I get them on right way round or not. I rather make sure they don't "run" and straighten them out as I go when I knit them)

Now that you have all the stitches back on your needles. Unravel the bit you just cut off (it's what I had to do, since I ran out of yarn), or just add new yarn and knit back up (with the decreases or increases or what have you that you wanted changed)

Your knitting should look like this:

Knit back up:

Bind off

and I dare you to tell the difference!
(Note the Man-approved manly shot!!! :P)

So you see. Taking scissors to your knitting doesn't have to be intimidating or destructive and is not solely reserved for steeks! Make sock,s or sleeves longer that way, (or shorter if need be) add a bit more to knitted anything on any side you wish, without unraveling the whole shebang.

Give it a try some day!

If you thought I was kidding about running out of yarn... Here is what I am left with:

Feast your eyes!

2011-05-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

The socks are done! I nearly ran out of yarn in the end too! It was a race between me knitting and the end of the yarn coming closer! LOL As if I could outrun the inevitable by knitting faster, I always get into a break-neck-speed when the end of the skein threatens!
Alas, I made it and they are on the feet they belong!

Happy as a clam!

Here now some pictures of my DH in his new socks!

DH was asking if I could make a bit more manly pictures.. teheheeee.... flowers and squirrels are apparently not manly! ROFL

Well... fine then.. here you go! :)

Done and done! On to the next project!

I have been asked for the pattern for these and I am writing on it. It will take a while though! Will keep you posted!

Because I like you people...

2011-05-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hijacked

2011-05-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I started a new pair of socks. Well, after lots of measuring and fiddling and ripping back because I did not like something or other I am finally at the toe of the first sock. The second one will go much faster, since I made extensive notes LOL
Anyway, I tried it on just now, to do a last check before starting to decrease every row and finish off the toe. My Husband walked in from the kitchen, stopped dead in his tracks and stared.

He: "WOW, those are NICE!!!"
Me *blushing, and in my best southern accent: "Why thank you, kind sir!"

He asked me who they were for, so I told him that they were for my shop, but I liked them so much, now they are for me...
Hmmmm, he says... I think now I want some like that, but if they are for you, then I take the next pair. (gotta love a guy that keeps you knitting)
I told him he can have this pair, since I had a feeling I wanted mine a bit more snug and this just wasn't it, but I didn't want to rip back.
We tried them on his legs and lo and behold they fit even better on him then on me! All I have to do is rip out the started toe and add a few inches to the foot and presto!
Here are a couple of pictures to show you how well they fit him:

Front:

Back:

And yes, that is a hand knitted sock on the other foot, too! I had to fix the heel on that pair already. He wore them so often, they wore out!!! O.O
Tomorrow I finish the foot and the toe and then on to the second. I have a plan for the next pair already (just a fast no-show size pair) then a pair like these for me :D, then one for the shop! Thank goodness my stash is the size it is! Looooots of nice yarn for socks like these! WOOT WOOT

Sock on my peeps!

Still stashbusting

2011-05-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

So I have been carving away at my stash.... It just doesn't look like I made much of a dent LOL I'm trying to find the yarn on the pictures I made of the stash, so I can cross them out, but so far I have only used a few of the bits that weren't on the pictures (I did not take photographs of the random little leftover balls of yarn) and the rest is on big cones, so when I use some for socks, there is less on there, but one can hardly see it. So no reason to cross it out yet. I think I will be working on this stash for the rest of my life! ROFL

Not bad either. At least I know I won't be running out of yarn any time soon!

You saw all the pictures already in previous posts, but I thought it would be fun to have them in a badge from now on in the side bar.... here it is for you to see in the post, until I have time to re-arrange the side bar and make room for it:

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing public items from spinndiva tagged with stashbusting. Make your own badge here.

I dug out the "Turtle Socks" again, that kind of got put on the back burner because of custom orders... I sort of forgot what size needle I used with them and promptly cast on with the wrong size. I was thinking right after the toe, that it looked a lot different from the first one, but kept ignoring myself until I hit the heel.... there was no denying it then. It was waaaaay smaller then the first one! D'oh!
My DS could not stand to have me rip it, so he suggested I just rip out the heel and make the rest into a coin pouch for him. Said and done! :)
Now I can cast on again to finish the turtle socks.
Somehow I had enough of them though for now, so I cast on for a different pair instead and I am super duper in love with the way they are turning out so far! Woot woot!
I give you a little "the current stand of things" picture"

What ya think?

Cowl done!

2011-05-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Pattern by the sexy knitter, Cuppa Java
Yarn by Manos Maxim
Shawl pin by Molly from the Celtic Swan Forge! (it's my pin! I love, love, love it! You should totally go check out her website!)

2011-05-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

We interrupt your scheduled programming for the following, shamlessly selfpromoting announcement:

I have a new listing in my shop!

Woot woot! :D

You can now get the chart for the little skully there! Not the pattern for the socks mind you! ONLY the chart!

If you are an intermediate sock knitter you can easily figure out how to knit the sock and how to knit the skully in the heelflap for yourself. I am working on the pattern (or the "how to's", but it may take some time)

I have a few custom knitting orders to fulfill and I also am hatching another project, but I shall not tell what that is for now... you will see one day. When it is ready to fly the coop....

Until then be it 'nough said that I will be a super busy bee, even in my sleep LOL

My daughter's socks

2011-05-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

These are done after the chart I made for my husbands socks. My daughter wanted a pink skull though and the black yarn has colorful flecks in it :)
On to the next pair.

Oh! And Happy Squirrel wishes you all a happy Mothersday :)

Oh, and....

2011-05-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

I got a new hairdo!
First time in 12 years that I went to the hairdresser rather then do it myself!
What ya think?

So that's it... now I will go and finish the second sock of my DD's pair and start on one for our adopted Grandma. Then it's my turn. I have this idea....

waves

2011-04-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hey! I'm back! WOOT WOOT!
Right now I'm on the family network, but I will get my own little 4G hotspot in a few days and then my connection will be flying! Yeah!

I was not lazy these last few days without the internets. I got lots of reading done, made some dandelion pasta, avocado soup and vegetable dumplings. Sooooo yummy!!!!
I also got some knitting time in! :D
I made socks!
For my DS and me I made some "leftover socks". I had a wee bit leftover of various sock yarns and made them into striped socks for him and me...

Then I made a pair of socks for my DH. I made him a pair like this 6 years ago and he loved them. Sadly the washer ate one sock of that pair and so he requested a new pair from me. Nothing would make me happier! So here is the new pair. I charted the skull myself back then.. if you like to have the chart, just email me (it's very non-professional LOL but it works...). My DD wants a pair just like it (only the skull has to be pink) and those are the ones I'm knitting on now...

I also made a pair for a friend of ours. DH said her fave colour is blue (turns out it is red-orange...) She still liked the socks though.
I love the way they came out and HAVE to make myself some like these...

what do you all think?

All the socks have been knitted with out patterns.

Want to know some of the other shenanigans that went on around here whilst without the entertainment of TV or internet? Your wish is my command....
DS is always ready to get us giggling around here... once as "Patrolman Pete"

and then he was a "bluesBrother" he even invented a song, when my DD complained she had to use the facilities, but Dad was hogging them...we only have one bathroom in the house....

Check out the song here:

My daughter made some mixed media art.. I loved it so much, I framed it and hung it in the living room.

Ok.. so now you are all up to speed :)
Talk to you soon with new sock pics!

Donation

2011-04-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

So we got it all the way up to $17!!! I'm thrilled! I am donating the amount as we speak to the red cross!
Thanks to everyone that helped me make this possible!

You guys ROCK!

In further news: I am without internet for a while. I'm not sure when I will be back online, but my shop will go in vacation mode and the blog will be quiet for a while. Just check back now and then, I am going to try and update every now and then through the library or some other place (the bookstore?)
I am up to 10 hats in my 52 hat quest! WOOT WOOT!
Pictures will come in a future update! Got another pair of socks done and am working on my green ones for a while.
So that is that for now!
Will miss you all terribly!
See you on the other side!
B.

Meanwhile back at the Ranch

2011-03-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I was making lunch and thinking of all the work I did yesterday in the yard to get the house looking more like spring.
My budget is rather tight (read: non-existent) and does not allow me to run out and buy new decorations, so I have to put the old noodle to work....

I put out the old chair from last year (found for free at the side of the road), I planted a little tulip from the flower-beet into a pot to put up front with the chair and I bought the little squirrel figure from the Thrift-store also last year. (It used to be stuck in a tree in the backyard :D )

It all was coming together. I wrestled the climbing rose into submission and tacked it up. The bird cage, that graced the front stairs over the Holiday season is now hung in a tree in the back, looking cute! I am still looking for a solar powered light string to put in it.

So, now that it all is coming together I was thinking I need a new wreath for the door. What to do?
AH! The neighbors have this beautiful, big willow tree in the yard and a few branches hang into mine. She told me to just cut them off, but I really, really love the way they look when the wind gently sways them. Now I'm glad I did. I went and cut off a few twigs and wound them into a wreath. Then got out my sock yarn leftovers and got to crocheting a few flowers and for good measure I put a few origami Cranes on the wreath as well and a butterfly.

I topped it off with a bit of Sari ribbon yarn and voila! I love it! :)

Looks inviting enough, I think :)

The little pillow on the chair is made from straw and has a little embroidery of tulips in the middle.

I got 4 of those from our adopted Grandma last year and they come in handy now :D

two more socks!

2011-03-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Got one more pair of socks done last night. Nothing too spectacular, just the softest yarn you can imagine (baby alpaca) and a little cable up the side! These are not for me though (hence they are a bit too small for me) and will go with the blue pair off to a very, very nice person!

Now I'm on to a pair in blue with all round cable pattern! I'm so looking forward!
I also started a new hat, but no pictures of that as of yet.

In other news: A friend of mine in Germany Test knitted the German version of my shawlette! Pattern available here. Remember 50% go to the Red Cross!
I love the yarn she used! Sockyarn!
It makes it look so happy!
Here are pictures:

I may have to make one in sockyarn for myself now! Doesn't it look so cute???
Thank you to E. and to C. fro testing the German Version of this shawl and to Karen for testing the English one!
You guys ROCK!

just to keep you up to date:

2011-03-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

I have sold 7 patterns so far this month! :)
That is awesome!
Thank you all so very much!
That means I have $10.50 for the Red Cross!

Can we make it to $20?

New Pattern!

2011-03-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

The pattern for the shawlette is now available in my shop! YAYYY :)
Remember 50% of this months proceeds go to the Red Cross!

Permission update!

2011-03-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

In light of starting my own Custom knitting company, I have to make some changes.
I DO NOT allow commercial use of my patterns anymore. If I find you selling my designs without my permission, or without giving me credit, I will point you out and give you a very angry stare! (you will also be asked to cease and desist....and I get unfriendly from there)
ONLY EXCEPTION: Use for charity. You are still allowed to make and sell products made from my patterns for a charitable cause!
I did give a few people permission and that still stands fast! So no worries.
Since this change is going to come sudden for some people, I will give you until October 31st 2011 to sell what you have already made from my patterns. If I find out you are selling anything after this time frame has elapsed I will not be a very nice person to be around.

Don't say I didn't let you know! ;D

My family tells me I don't have to feel bad about this change, but I do.. I feel like a big fat meanie! (won't change anything on the changes though ;D )

3/52 and a pattern

2011-03-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the third hat for my 52 hats! :) YAYYY
I am also done writing out the toddler sized pattern for this particular one!
I will be working on the pattern notes for the adult version this coming weekend.

It has instructions for both knitting the hat flat, or in the round. :D
So, no reason not to try it!
If anybody cares to test this one, please email me! ramblingdesigns [at] gmail [dot] com, or leave me a comment here with your email addi, so I have a way of contacting you.
I'd be thrilled to send you the pattern.

2/52

2011-03-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Got another one done and also used up all of the yellow yarn! WOOT WOOT!

Stats:
Yarn: rest of the yellow mystery acrylic
Needles: again the US size 6 since I had them out already
Pattern: none, just made it up as I went along, but I might write it out if there is enough interest for it. So let me know how you like it! ;D
I will make another one like this, since it was a super easy knit, but I will make it a bit bigger (I ran really close to the end of the yarn with this one LOL... )
Well for today I'm done (it's past midnight now and I'm going to read and then to bed!) Nighty night!

ETA: Thanks for the feedback here and on twitter! I will be writing the pattern down and putting it here for a while for you to grab on your visit! ;D
Gimme a few days... weeks...

1/52

2011-03-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

Don't mind the look on DD face, she was at a birthday party yesterday and up until all hours of the night :D aaahhh teenage girls....there is always one more thing to talk about ;D

one down.... 51 more to go! :D

Stats:

Yarn: Mystery acrylic

Needles: US size 6

Pattern: none, I made it up as I went along ;) , I based it loosely on my pattern for the reversible slouch hat.

Notions: a cute little crochet flower out of 100% cotton yarn and a vintage button

Next one is already on the needles.. gotta catch up to the weeks LOL

Setting goals

2011-03-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

I like to set my self goals. I like to work towards accomplishing it and I get a real kick out of surpassing it!

I decided a nice goal for this year would be to knit a hat a week for charity. (last year I totally sucked and only got 4 hats done!)
Today week 12 started already, so I have 11 hats to work up and then go from there. My goal is to have 52 (+) done by November, so I can donate them in the cold season to the homeless shelter, or a charity in need of it.

I just cast on for the first hat today. I want it to be a slouch hat like I made for my daughter. The yarn is bright yellow acrylic. So cheerful! I do hope it will brighten someones day and keep a head toasty warm next winter! (see my snazzy new stitch marker?)
I will post pictures as I progress so you guys can keep an eye on me!

Anybody up to join me?

2011-03-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Super moon picture! :) I love looking at the normal moon already lots and lots, but this is super special and was taken advantage off! Even if a full moon is responsible for my bad nights sleep...

Knitters are the best!!!!

2011-03-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

So.. I ordered some of the cutest stitch-markers ever from @fal00la on twitter! (so worth an #FF)
I am telling you (not asking.... TELLING!!!): You have to go and check out her etsy store!!! She has some of the most fun stitch-markers! No knitter should be without!

I bought the sugar skull set from her and it came today! WOOT WOOT!! Right?
Yes, BUT....
Oh was I surprised when I opened the package and not one, but two(!) little packages fell out... my Sugar skulls!!!

and....
Hmmm.... what is this?
I opened the other one and OMG!!!
I got a Cleaver set as well!!!! (Dude! There is a waiting list for the Cleaver set!!!)

@sillygirlsarah (also utterly #FF worthy!!!) sent me the cleaver set as a thank you for helping her with knitting socks! (There was not much for me to do! She is a natural and caught on super fast!)

THANK YOU SARAH! You crazy girl you! I love love love the Cleavers!!! and of course my sugar skulls! On to using them on the socks I am knitting now! :D (right after I take a nap)

Mmmmmmmwah Daahlings! You both are such talented and sweet people and I feel so fortunate to knowing both of you ladies!

This really made my day! You have no idea how happy you two made me!

Alive, but under the weather

2011-03-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm still here and knitting away on some socks. I have yet to pick my cardigan back up after frogging it all the way down.

I am not feeling well these last few days. Headaches. Loads of them.
Plus, I got an irritation on the left side of my mouth.It is almost like it got burned. It hurts tremendously when my tongue hits it, or when I swallow. I have a suspicion it was triggered by a medicated lotion I got for the skin on my face. Every time I applied it my mouth seemed to feel worse. First I did not think it possible, since the creme was for the OUTSIDE of my cheeks, and nothing ever got into my mouth, but I discontinued using it and my mouth is healing... so I figure that was it. It is by far not healing fast enough though....
Anyway, half my mouth is out of order and I am living on painkillers and soup for now. The painkillers in turn make me very sleepy and are not good for my tummy... oh it's an evil cycle LOL
I am sure I will be back up and running in no time and then you will get pictures of the new pairs of socks (two pairs!, but not mine...) and hopefully by then my turtle socks will be done too. They did take a bit of a backseat, so I can get the other two pair done by next week. (shooting for Wednesday, but it all depends on how I feel)

So, this is it for now, just wanted to give you a bit of an update on why it is so quite around here....
Hope all of you are well and happy! Stay safe and warm!

stashbusting baby!

2011-03-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Picture heavy post!!!
I have decided not to buy any more new yarn until I have worked my way through EVERYTHING I have here at home!*
insert determined face here
To start this task off right I will take pictures of my stash. Then I can cross off what I have used up. That way you guys can see, how far I am along and keep me on track!
*(Private stash only! Work stash is not included in this. )

Here are the pictures for you to see. I will try and figure out how to put them in the sidebar as well so they can stay "up" at all times for easy access.
(I did not make pics of the leftovers I have in a bag in order to make a blanket out of)

The white and neutrals

The browns and greens

the blues

The black and grays

the pinks, reds and purples (forgot a few little ones here)

Latest charity project yarn: diagonal garter blanket from acrylic scraps for ASPCA

The give-away-pile:

The yarns were all on cones and rather heavy, so after calculating the shipping amount for a few of them I decided it was just too much. So I donated them to a good cause.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Personalized Lessons with Full Custom Knitting!

2011-03-12T13:55:00.001-08:00

Hello peeps!

I am now offering personalized knitting lessons! Want to learn how to knit something? (how about a sock?), need some help figuring out a vintage pattern, or just have a problem with the project you are working on..

I can help! Online, or in person!

1 hour of personalized assistance or teaching just for you! Or for you and a friend online ($40) (group prices are available for physical lessons)

Please send me an email to reserve the time that would best suit you (any time except Mondays) and state if you like to learn something new or have a problem with a project.
I am available for "emergencies" or "quick questions" as well. ($15/ 15 min if it takes longer then 30 min I will give you the hour price, so it won't get too expensive.)

Looking forward to working with you! :D
B.

I'm in!

2011-03-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

Nicole over at Darn Good Yarn is calling for Crafting Help for Japan! She is donating 5% of her sales for March to the Red Cross to help out Japan after these earthquakes.
I decided I'm in!
I will donate 50% of my pattern sales for the Month of March to the Red Cross!
It may not be much, but every penny counts!
If the patterns are temporarily sold out in the shop, just email me! I will get them out to you asap and let you know the pay pal account details.

With your help it could be a few bucks in the bucket! Lets do this together.

I want to be a farmer!

2011-03-10T15:41:00.000-08:00

So this Bridgett moment (DH made that term up) started off with us standing in line at the Grocery store.. Just the two of us. I love being with DH by myself.
Anyway, the line was long and slow. I noticed a balloon that reminded me of an ant. God-knows-why, since it was a "Dora-Balloon", but I digress. The "ant" in turn reminded me to tell DH that I wanted an ant-farm. I added: "I always wanted to be a farmer..."
*Odd look from Cashier, knowing smile from DH*
DH's only comment was -he never really tells me no to anything, so I'm getting ants but: that he is not looking forward to picking them out of the sugar, when they escape.
AHA! But it is all in the eye of the beholder, is it not?
Of course in my mind I immediately had a picture and of course I had to comment on the visual I just got. I told him it could be fun. He could be a hunter.... I would even get him the little orange vest and hat...."You can accessorize!! (he likes to put outfits together, he admits to being very vain) I argued: "Sure, it's not big game, but it's a hunt non the less..."
Cashier and DH exchange glances at this point...
I had it all set up with hunting parties and hounds and all and proceeded to tell him about it.
I had an entire industry springing up around ant-farming/hunting.
It all ended with DH telling me he has no ambitions to become a hunter, big game or otherwise. Dreamkiller!!!!

It is very dangerous to leave me alone with my thoughts for too long without anything to do. My mind wanders off into the wild blue yonder very easily. DH thinks it's what keeps me sane...

He also says it amuses him to watch me go 'round the bend.
He thinks it's his private entertainment. Sometimes he finds himself caught up in it and has no idea how I involved him in these strange wanderings of my mind. "I feel like the guy getting stuck making sure the light goes off in the fridge when you close the door!" he explains it....

Turtles?

2011-03-09T22:05:00.000-08:00

So I cast on for a pair of socks for me. :) Cannot be without socks on the needles, can I?
Anyway, while knitting on the last pair I thought this pattern would be really cute in two colours! Said and done. I picked black mystery wool and a variegated green merino from my stash (stashbustin' baby!). I think it will be so cute!!!
I had to play around with the pattern stitch a bit, since the needles are smaller (knitting this on size US1's instead of 4's as the previous yarn called for) and the stitch-count is of course different because of it. But I wanted to use up this yarn for such a long time and I really rather like to knit socks on size 1's.

At the moment the emerging pattern rather reminds me of a turtle shell for some reason...
Check it out LOL:

Cant wait to have them done! Simple slip stitch pattern! Fun to knit and fun to look at! Off to knit a bit more on them! At this point I'm not sure if they are going to be knee-highs or longer... I guess I will stop when I am sick of the pattern LOL we will see when that is...

Started turning the heel

DH saw it and thought they looked so cool. He was contemplating hijacking my socks LOL. I was lucky that the next pair he wants *need* to have skulls in them, or else these would have been charmed right off my feet :D
(Thankfully my feet are much smaller then DH and they will not fit him anyway)

U-huh.. that's right... I'm done

2011-03-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

*does a little dance*
So here are the socks! :)

LOVE the pattern stitch! I found it in Big book of knitting stitch patterns on p. 44. it's called clasped rolls. HAVE to use it for socks for me now!
Stats:
Needles size US4 (3.5 mm)
Yarn: vintage 100% wool in piggy-pink! Weeee weeeee! :D
Pattern: none.
Nitty gritty: toe up, short row heel. Super fun to knit!

New patterns in my studio!

2011-03-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

I finally updated my artifre studio and released a few new patterns there to be bought! YAYYY!
So, the new patterns available are:

Red scarf (older pattern of mine, but first time available in my artfire studio)

Flower headband in cro tat

Reversible slouch hat

Kitchen hand towel

and Eagle of Pengwern shawl (oldie but still goodie)

The link to my shop is in the side bar, you can also get to it through my patterns page at the moment. Or use this link here. :D

Hope to see you there!

Enough shameless self promotion for one day! LOL Back to knitting second sock!

2011-03-05T23:23:00.000-08:00

Another one :D
Love it!

Digital camera: $100, sugar shock from soda: $1.50, going on Dh nerves: Priceless

2011-03-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Little bit of sunshine

2011-03-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

Messengers of Spring in my front yard!

I put my plants out to soak up some of the rare rays around here! Fresh air is not only good for us people, but also for our plants! :) Of course in measures and not super cold fresh air LOL
I thought I share the sight with you all...

Drumroll please!

2011-03-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

I am proud to introduce to you:

FCK!
Full Custom Knitting...

All that's missing is YOU!

Run solely on chocolate and caffeine, Rambling Designs new sister-company will give custom knitting a new, fresh face!
Bold knits with you in mind!

Please be FCK's first new customer! Email me at fullcustomknitting [at] gmail [dot] com for your custom knits, or designs. First customer will get 50% discount on one custom item.
Please also contact me for pricing on individual items. Since it will all be custom made to your specs and wishes the pricing will be based on material, size, time and difficulty of construction.
Need a hand knitted lace shawl for your wedding? Or simply sweep your date off her feet in a pair of hand knitted socks? I'm your girl!
Do you feel the need to openly flaunt your individuality? Let me help you with that!
Got a UFO around your house, that you just don't want to work on any more, but would like to have the project finished? Send it to me! I will happily finish it for you!
Thank you, Charlotte! I should have mentioned that! Vintage patterns: Not a problem!
I have done custom knitting for years, but finally decided to take it that step further and give it it's own space on the big www.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you and working with fun and funky peeps to make their custom knitting dreams come true!

.... waiting for your emails... now...

squeeeeeeeeeeee!

2011-02-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Look what I got today:

It's a ring made from a vintage spoon! I absolutely love it!
I got it here, at Silver Spoon Jewelery on Etsy! It's awesome! It's hand made! Go check out the store! She has a bunch of really cute rings like that for very, very reasonable prices!

FO's

2011-02-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

I have a few, but I'm not showing them just now..
I will however show you a few shots of the spring/summer scarf/shawlette I made!

Not much better then the first one, but you can sort of see LOL
I have no idea why my camera is acting up lately. It was also super windy and ice-cold outside when we took those pictures....I will have to look into getting a new lens for my dSLR... but they are so expensive! *whine*
Hope you all have a great start in to the new week!
More pics of FO's coming soon! Promise!
Off to go volunteering! Smooches!

De-stash party over at Liz's

2011-02-26T23:16:00.000-08:00

Hey my sweet readers!
I have decided to participate at Liz's de-stash party!

Go check it out! They are swapping all kinds of crafty goodness! From Fabric to crafting materials. You have until Monday to sign up!
Here is what will go into the pile up from me.

Plymouth Yarns Royal Llama Linen (40% Fine Llama, 35% silk, 25% linen), oatmeal coloured, 50gr-109 yrds, 7 skeins

What I would like in return:
Vintage buttons, vintage patterns (only before 1960), yarn, or roving. I would also take vintage, handmade doilies in return (white, or off white), since I have a project in mind! But it would have to be quite a few LOL
I can only trade with a non smoking home! (Sorry, I react badly to smoke, but I don't mind pets one bit)
Sorry, I can only swap in the US... Postage is a fun-killer!

more socks

2011-02-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

So, my sweet son has asked me last year some time to make him some socks. He was so very patient about it. I finally cast on for some last night while watching TV. On size US7 needles I was flying through them. As I got to the calf part I asked how long he wanted them and he said short.. so they were done in no time! :)
He picked the yarn out of my stash. It is super soft!
He is happy with his new around the house socks and is wearing them now!
I might just knit the next pair for him also! Sweet little guy!

Oh... and when did his feet grow so big?????
Stats:
Pattern: just plain, no pattern
Yarn: mystery acrylic I had in my stash but no more ball bands
Needles: US size 7

Little joys

2011-02-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

I thought I share Spring with you! :)

The Chopping Block!

2011-02-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and had it.. My hair was just too long. So off to the bathroom for a quick haircut.
Nothing more easy than that.. Rubber band the hair to how short you want it and CHOP!! Done!
10 inches off :)
So glad I decided to finally do this!
I had headaches and was really getting tired of having to tie it back all the time....(my hair tangles easy and I have to tie it back at night too, there will be no difference now, but at least the braid will not sit right in the middle of my back when I sleep :D)
I leave you a pic of the new "hairdo":

See? Still long enough, but much much lighter! :) It reached all the way down to under my bust before!
I can breath again! LOL

My Cardigan

2011-02-24T19:43:00.000-08:00

You have read about my cardigan before. I think I told you all I had to rip it nearly all the way back, because I ran out of yarn (if I hadn't made the steek it would have worked out).
Have a look at it's state as of tonight:

I have worked a few more rows on it to find out I just didn't like the garter stitch sleeves. I decided to totally re-design the whole thing.
Right now I am even debating if top down Raglan is the best way to go about it.... I have a few shapes in my head that would look cute in this yarn. I will have to let them "percolate" for a while.

At least now I'm back to only ONE project on my needles! :D

Tea and backyard honey

2011-02-24T14:41:00.000-08:00

Not feeling all that hot today! So I made some tea with local honey.

Trial and errors

2011-02-24T11:56:00.000-08:00

So, I did not listen to myself and cast on yet another project.
I could have predicted the outcome of last nights knitting session without looking. It came to naught, of course. I had my thoughts not really in the sock I cast on. However.
I did have this idea for a long stocking I wanted to make. I cast on and thought... this looks oddly familiar....

A quick google search brought me 'round to this:

A free 1930's handknitted stocking pattern! I knew I had seen this before! LOL

I was wondering why I didn't have the link in my collection already...

These are knitted on two needles (not something I want to do) and they have moss stitch panels (which I found out last night I don't like).

I will still knit stockings with eyelet stripes, because I think they are absolutely darling, but not these :)

I think I will instead implement the pattern-stitch I started in this attmept:

Or something similar to it....

I did want to share the free pattern with the rest of my vintage knits fanatics and fellow sock-addicts though :)

HAVE AT IT PEEPS and let me see some pictures!

Make your own! Envelope tutorial

2011-02-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here it is! The promised tutorial to make your own envelopes!
You will need:

an envelope
paper (old magazine pages, calender pages, pages out of photography books, children's books, interesting advertisements, Maps, sheet-music etc, anything interesting you can find that would fit an envelope. )
Scissors
glue (Make sure it is paper glue. I have tried different glue sticks and some came undone after drying)
a straight edge

How to:
Get your Envelope and carefully open up the "seams" until you have one flat piece of paper. If you can get your hands on a "good" envelope that's great. They tend to be a bit more stable then the cheapo kind. It's easier to open them up and they stand up to being used as a template a bit better.
You could trace the opened envelope on a bit of light cardboard, so you will have a bit more substantial template. Try different size envelopes and different styles!

Now take the paper you picked for your handmade envelope and trace the opened store bought one on to it.

Then cut out the shape.

Check on the bought envelope how it was folded and use the straight edge to make the same folds.Make sure you are folding it toward the side facing you , that you DON'T want on the outside of the envelope!

Glue the two edges that you opened in the bought envelope.

Presto!

You can make your own lickable glue if you like. Recipe here.

Have fun making envelopes! :D

Envelopes

2011-02-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

I remembered a few magazines I got at the library in their free pile the other day. I don't usually read magazines. I do take them every now and then for the kids to make collages or for other crafting projects...
Today I looked through them and got started making envelopes! I recently ran out of handmade ones. *gasp* So I have to refill the box!
I love the way handmade envelopes look. Such a pretty way to send mail and recycle at the same time.
Here are the first few made today.

Excuse the crafting table underneath...old, scuffed up and used, but oh so handy! :D

2011-02-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

New Design!

2011-02-21T14:54:00.000-08:00

I have told you all about my secret knitting.. Well I am ready to show it to you!
The pattern is written and is being tested and will be available here at the end of March! :)

I offered it up to a yarn company. They did not want it, because their designers are working on something similar. YAYYY ME for being at the pulse of fashion and first to bring you a new design, even before the "BIG BOYS".
So keep this in mind: if you want cutting edge design: COME HERE FIRST! :D

This pattern is now available in my shop! :)

Sylish blogger award!

2011-02-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Oh boy! I am taken by surprise by this!
Thank you Catherine! What a sweet surprise to wake up to this morning! I really love reading your blog (I know I don't comment nearly enough... sorry) but I really love it and enjoy looking at your projects!

I got the stylish blogger award! :D

I still can't really wrap my mind around it...

Ok. With great honors come great responsibilities!
I don't only get to show you a nice picture, but I have to fulfill certain obligations that come along with being awarded...

A.) Thank the person who gave you the award.
I have said it before, but it bears repeating: Thank you Catherine, for bestowing this upon me :)

B.) Tell you seven things you didn't know about me. I wonder if I can come up with seven....

1) I'm allergic to fish (Nothing life threatening, but it does make me ill)
2) I like pickled herring.. and I eat it, although it makes me sick
3) I have worked an entire summer planting trees at a tree farm when I was a teenager. It was loads of fun and helped the environment as well (and if you haven't planted the one tree everyone should plant in their lives: I got you covered!)
4) I like polyphonic music from the 1400's
5) I prefer white gold and silver over yellow gold.
6) The only piece of jewelery I never take off is my wedding band. I have actually two of them. One simple gold band (the one I always wear) and one that is engraved with the scripture of Ruth,"Where ever you go I shall follow." I wear that one on special occasions. It is super thick and sterling silver.
7) I'm on the brink of insanity... no, not really.. seven... seven... hmmmm.. OH! When I eat and I get close to being really stuffed I always say: "Oh, this is just the best thing I ever had!!!" I have no idea why I do this. I didn't even know I did, until my husband pointed it out to me. A year after we got married. That's how long it took him to figure it out LOL.... :D

Sorry, I could not think of anything more interesting.... :)

C.)Now I have to name 15 blogger to present with this award.. Hmmmm tough choice. I don't read that many blogs.
Here goes:
1: Roe, from Yes, Honey Chile I just love her blog. And roe! She is so funny at times!
2. my friend Nicole, from Darn Good Yarn (her video posts crack me up!)
3. Bean from Adrift in Crafts I have known her for quite a while now and am glad that she is blogging again (and podcasting as well!!!)
4. my friend Karen from Karen's Needlework Karen is a super nice person! And so talented!!!
5. Ariane, from Falling Stitches Great knit blogger!!! And really sweet person!
6. Sinead, from knit inc. Fun person I know from twitter
7. Lucy, from Attic 24 I ADORE the colours!
8. Stephanie, from Crafty Addiction oh yeah! Don't you just love that pillow she has just finished???
9. the Dutch sisters, from the Dutch sisters Awesome blog!
10. Ellen, from Seelenruhig Just a really great and stylish blog!
11. Deanna from Dizzy little Kingdom . Love ya sweety!!!!!

These are all the ones I can think of at the moment... I know a bunch of my follwers have really really great blogs and I would love to nominate all of you!
Please if you have never gotten an award and really would like one: Feel yourself nominated! I know there are tons of bloggers out there who deserve an award for keeping us all in stitches, well informed, or just plain gasping and drooling over great photos!
You are all awesome in my book! :D

On a related note: I usually don't do awards and memes or tags... but I was really really happy about this one. Since it came from Catherine. I think her blog is absolutely wonderful and the pictures and her projects shows she has such great taste and her picking my little corner of the blogworld has really touched me.
Thank you again, sweety!

Best chocolate ever?

2011-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

My husband went shopping today and came home with my latest favorite little sweets!
Pilsbury Sweet Moments Chocolate Fudge Brownies.
Best thing about them today? They were $0.99 and had a $1 off coupon with them! So he got them free! :D
mmmmhhhhh nothing is better then free chocolate LOL

Too much! Too much?

2011-02-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

I have -at the moment- three projects on my needles.. My Cardigan, a sari ribbon project and one in mercerized cotton yarn (lace, yum)
I hate that. I like to do it one by one....
I know, lots of knitters have a few projects going at any given time. It helps them keep up their creativity and their knitting mojo, not to needle on the same thing day after day. It's different for me.

I like to savor every project for it's own qualities and challenges. Really devote my undivided attention to it. I loose my mojo, if there are too many projects waiting to be finished. I knit on one thing and feel bad about neglecting the other. It really hampers my creativity as well. Towards the end of every project, when it is clear this is how it will end up being (my projects morph a lot once on the needles), when it is down to the finish line, I like to dream about what's next. With a bunch of things going on at once, I don't have that luxury. I have to concentrate to keep each project "straight" not all over sudden knit one idea into the wrong thing :D
It is also a question of available needle space. I only have each size of needles once. Only some of my Circulars I have two sets of, but then one set is a super short 24 inches, so not really fitting for bigger projects. My favorite size needles, size US3's, I have two sets of, but ONLY two sets... One Addi turbo set and the second one is my much hated Chrystal palace bamboo set. I hate knitting with that one though and only use it when there is an absolute need to knit two projects on size 3's at once...

Another reason for me is the time it takes to complete 3 projects (or how ever many) at once. I can knit one project much faster, if I only knit on it, than if I have three going and have to divide my time among them. I do enjoy the "journey" of creation, but I do want to see the end as well. I don't like to dwell forever on a project, when the next challenge is just around the corner.

Every now and then of course, it is hard to avoid an overload. Specially if you have deadline-knitting going on. In General though I keep to my only-one-at-a-time rule and am blissfully happy with it.

How do you all handle this problem?
Do you even give it a second though?
What number of WIP's is your limit to have, if you have a limit?
How do you handle the needle question?
Do you have multiple sets in each size?
How long do you usually knit on your projects?
Do you mind that it will take you longer to knit that jacket/the hat/the scarf, if you simultaneously knit on socks/mittens/a pullover?

Of course these question can be answered by non knitters too! You seamstresses may like to work on multiple projects as well, or are you a stitcher?
Let me know your thoughts on this...

I leave you pondering... and this picture:

Lace pron! :)

2011-02-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

I made it! The birthday present for my co-volunteer.
Tomorrow! :D

Stats: leftover Cashmere/silk yarn
Pattern: blue Jeans lace leaf shawl
Nitty gritty: Well, it's done. I have knitted this shawl a total of 11 times and I can honestly say: This was the last one! I will retire from knitting it... But you all can go ahead and knit away! Super easy and super fast!

I love how this one came out.. I do every time.. I may have to knit just one more LOL

ETA: she loved it :D YAYYYY

AHAaaaa!

2011-02-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

And I am done! I knitted the second sock in high speed to find out I am running out of yarn. So I finished it a few rows short and opened the other one back up to make them match!
Now they are done and my sweety is super happy!
YAYYY!

Stats:
Yarn: Kiwi , from Nicole's store
Needles: US size1
Pattern: plain vanilla
Nitty gritty: Toe up, short row heel.

Didn't make it!

2011-02-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

I am too tired to finish! I got within 120 rows of being done... It's doable, but not at this time. I got to go to sleep!
Here is a picture of how far I got with this second sock....
Aawwww.. so sorry honey! You won't get to wear them tomorrow morning to the breakfast, but I can get them done by tomorrow evening :)

Love you, my dear husband! I hope you had a good Valentines!

You are the love of my life and I am indescribably glad we found each other!

Thank you for being you, for being there for me when I need you, without me even having to ask, for your company and for the comfort of not always having to talk, but you understand anyway.

Life is wonderful, but it is better with you by my side!

Got the first one done!

2011-02-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

Hopefully I will get the second one done tomorrow.
DH would love to wear them on Tuesday morning. I only have half the day tomorrow though, since it is Monday and I will be volunteering all morning until around 3:30pm...Cross your fingers for me!

The yarn is really nice to knit with! I love the colours and I am absolutely fascinated how this can be hand dyed!! It just blows my mind :)

Stats:
Yarn: Kiwi sock yarn from here.
Needles: US size 1
Pattern: obviously none, just straight up.
Nitty gritty: Toe up, short row heel, these will be my March socks for #12socks! Woot woot!

2011-02-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Nicole!

2011-02-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

The package came today! With all the yummy yarn in it! YAYYYY!
I could not help myself and had to wind the sock yarn into a skein. I am starting tonight! My Husband already called dibs on the resulting socks.

I can't wait to sink my needles into these sumptuous colours!

There was also some ribbon yarn in the box! It's not up on her website yet, so I will wait until it goes live there to show you the ribbon yarn. Let me just say this much: YUMMY!!! :)
Thank you so much, Nicole, for sending me this burst of colour on this super gray and rainy day! :D You rock!

Cuteness

2011-02-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

My dog, Sokrates. Love-able, hug-able, cute.

Check out the awesomeness!!!!

2011-02-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

So we are having a wee bit of trouble with our mail delivery lately.
The mailman, that had this rout for 12+ years has given it up and we don't have a "regular" one as of yet. The replacements drop off mail as they see fit... Most houses here aren't getting their mail lately.
Today one of our neighbors stopped by to ask if we had the same experience, which we told her we had. So she went and spoke to the Post office and lo and behold! The postman rang 3 times today! Once with letters, once with a magazine for hubby and once with a package for MEEEEEEE!

In said package was pure awesomeness!! Check it out!
A cute little cushion with a pear on it!

(see how well it fits with my couch/bed and my fave. lavender filled cow-stuffy?)

My sweet Twitter-peep Ariane from Falling Stitches Blog and Falling Stitches Etsy shop and I had made a trade. (I was a bad, bad Llama and took forever to ship hers out. *hangs head in shame*)
I spun some yarn and she made me this wonderful, one of a kind, hand-sewn pillow!!! I used to have one like it (only in red) when I was a little girl!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

And if you think that was all, think again! She also put in this hand-sewn DPN roll-up case as a surprise!!! Yeah! She did! I told you AWESOMENESS!

I am so in love with it!!! I think it is so pretty and it totally has my very fave colours! I can't stop looking at it. I put all my brand new DPN's right in it! (petting the prettie as I write this. LOL)

Ariane: I absolutely love love love what you sent!

I decided against showing you what my DPN's used to be housed in, since I cannot provide the necessary bleach to wash out your eyes after. What has once been seen, cannot be unseen!!! You can thank me later!

Update :)

2011-02-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

My cardigan at bedtime today:

It is growing.. slow but steady.

Not that you think...

2011-02-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

... I have been lazy. Far from it. I knitted these:

Three times. (yeah, the math thing I mentioned earlier... *sigh*) They are very traditional Bavarian socks. Called "Wadlstruempf" They have the foot part separate. I still have to make the foot part...
DH wanted them in Cotton, so cotton I used, but they are sliding, so I am going to knit them again in more traditional wool. (And put elastic in these!)

I am also still knitting on this:

My cardigan. I am now down, past the raglan and will start the body this afternoon.

My DPN's finally came too! I only had to wait 2 Months! LOL I ordered them well BEFORE Christmas!

I don't really use the very big ones, but they are good to have, just in case!...

Then there was laundry and cooking and library visits as well.. and there goes my week. :) Plodding along!
So, now you are all caught up!

A little something you did not know about me

2011-01-29T15:58:00.000-08:00

I always loved to write stories when I was in school. I haven't done so in quite a few years.. but I love to make up characters for my stories...
When I find a list or a promt to make up characters (usually in the Roll playing groups across the web) I can't help myself but fill it out.....

I thought maybe I should share them with you all. It would be a giggle, maybe. So here goes.. one of the more recent Characters: (list found in a group on Shelfari by my daughter, who shamelessly promotes this habit in me!!!!)
Name: Bubba Hamilton
age: 46
Hair color: gray, sticking up like a mad scientists (and it usually has a lollipop stuck in it somewhere, grape flavor, since it's his fave)
Eye color: bright blue with black flecks
Height: 7 foot 20 inches
Weight/skin color: 220lbs, greenish tint
Personality: super funny and sweet
Family: yes, he is the crazy uncle that gives the kids too many sweets and sends them home to their parents all hopped up on sugar
Friends: obviously
Hobbies: Blowing bubbles, growing tomatoes, because he likes the scent, collecting cat's footprints on velum paper
Other: I would totally love to meet this person! It seems you could have a ton of fun with Bubba! Oh and he wears black, horn-rimmed glasses with lenses the size of coke-bottle bottoms! When he was young, he used to be a logger, but then his eyes got bad from reading in the dark forest without a flashlight.

note to self:

2011-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

Double check your math, or knit socks fit for elephant feet....

la fin

2011-01-26T13:07:00.000-08:00

The end.. I'm done.. the next pair of socks going on my neeldes will be for DH.
This pair got done late last night. Woot woot.
I only had one skein of this yarn, so short socks were on the menu.
Here are some pictures of my pair:

The above is DD fave picture! LOL

Stats:
Yarn: Serenity by Debrorah Norville from Premier yarns in the Aquamarine colourway. This yarn is Super Soft!! I love it!
Needles: Size US2
Pattern: I found the chevron pattern in "Super Stitches Knitting" By Karen Hemingway, p.212/213

Lunch

2011-01-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

Steaksalad and a roesti! :)

one down

2011-01-24T22:57:00.000-08:00

one more to go on the socks... but I ran out of audio books and the next one is taking forever to download!!!
(Which one, you ask?>"The Tudors: The complete story of England's most notorious Dynasty", by G.J. Meyers and "A Midsummer nights dream", by ye old Will :D)

um.... did I say Cardigan?

2011-01-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

Yes I did say last night I would work on my cardigan... and then cast on for the next pair of socks.... :D

Yarn: Serenity by Debrorah Norville from Premier yarns in the Aquamarine colourway. This yarn is Super Soft!! I love it!
Needles: Size US2
Pattern: I found the chevron pattern in "Super Stitches Knitting" By Karen Hemingway, p.212/213

January socks

2011-01-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

The first sock of this pair was at the heel when I last worked on it. Then I put it away until late today. I finally said I really should finish these January socks.
Said it, popped on my headphones and an audio-book and started working. I would have been glad just to finish the first sock today.... I knitted away.
Once the first sock was done however, the book was far from finished and I was really enjoying it so far (not so much the voice reading it and the inflections it gave the characters, but the story was quite neat).

I thought: let me just cast on the second and finish the toe today.
The toe was done in no time.... well I figured, the further I can get to day the less I have to knit tomorrow... let me get to the heel... by the time I realized it, the heel was turned and I was on to knit the shaft. Before I knew it I was binding off!

I think this was my personal best. For socks in a womans' size 7/7.5 .
These socks are for my daughter. She picked short ones, since she prefers them for around the house. Of course that helped tremendously to get them done quickly! LOL
Well, here they are now: January socks done and over with...

Stats:
Pattern: obviously just straight up k2p2...not much to it...
Yarn: Red Heats Heart and sole in mellow stripe (it has aloe in it and my fingers are a bit itchy now, since I am a little allergic to aloe, but not terribly)
Needles: US size 2
Well, six down, six more to go!
Anyway, moving on. Now I am uninhibited to get my cardigan done! WOOT! :D

Sari silk scarf

2011-01-20T15:14:00.000-08:00

I got it finished! Woot woot! Love the colour and the texture of it! I have also written out the pattern and after it is tested you will be bale to make your own sari silk scarf by rushing over to Darn Good Yarn. The pattern is there now.

I used the recycled Resolutions silk for this. I adore how it striped. I think it looks so cute when tied like a man's tie!!!!