Now on Facebook!

I've got a LOT of catching up to do here, but the most exciting thing that has happened recently is that Knot Another Project is now on Facebook! 

Here, I'll share past creations in addition to what I currently have for sale, as well as current news! 

Come on over and say hi!

Overwhelmed

I've been so overwhelmed lately.  I'm trying to deal with so much, and it's just not working.  God has been telling me to simplify, and I'm trying, but in order to do so, He's got to help me.  I'm beginning to see resolutions to one situation of many (I'll get to that later), but hey, it's a start. 

First of all, please keep my grandfather, and our family in your prayers.  He has kidney disease, and started dialysis several months ago.  He has been in and out of the hospital ever since, and is now struggling with severe congestive heart failure, severe heart disease, an 80% blockage in his heart valve, COPD, and an abdominal aneurysm.  The dislysis is making his body so incredibly weak, and due to the weakness, the congestive heart failure worsens.  The fluid buildup makes it hard for him to breathe, and relief is only brought with dialysis.  It's a vicious cycle. Yesterday we found out that he is being sent home from the hospital soon and will be under Hospice care.  He and my grandmother have been married 60 years. 

A family member made his a very pretty lap quilt to take to dialysis, but he oftern bleeds, and doesn't want to stain the quilt, so I made him a brick stitch afghan to use. 

The one thing that seems to be resolving itself is a position I volunteer for at church.  It's just time for me to move on, and God seems to be asking me to be patient as He fills that roll with someone else.

I've also participated in 2 swaps on Ravelry, and my swap partners have been awesome!  Swaps are so much fun!  You make something according to the criteria decided on prior to you joining the swap, and you send it to your assigned person along with any goodies you'd like to include, then someone else does the same for you.  I'm still trying to get creative with little things to include in the swap package.  Mom gave me some good ideas for the next swap I do.

I suckered my dad into one of my projects.  I wanted to make a yarn swift, and dad had the tools, so he joined in on my project.  For some spur of thhe moment tools, our neighbor pitched in and helped me out.  I found the DIY instructions on Crafty Diversions.  The swift was easy to make; I just need to practice drilling straight!  After I was done with it, I thought I'd stain it, for a nice, pretty look.  I'm quite happy with the results.  Now, I just have to find a ball winder...

Another project I've taken up is spinning.  I'm attempting to learn to spin yarn on a drop spindle.  I'm not doing too well, but I've also not been devoting a lot of time to it - I've been trying to finish and start other things!  We're going to be going to Gatlinburg TN soon, hopefully, and I'm wanting to go to the Spinnery there. 

A non-yarn project I'm now into is training for a 5k I plan to run with my sister in August.  I got a jogging stroller for a great deal at a church consignment sale, and have been pushing Sweet E in it while I run.  I figured that I'm pushing 47+ extra pounds of weight when I run, which is no easy task.  Especially uphill!

I need to update you on several other projects - current and upcoming, so I'll hopefully be posting again soon!

Hey there!

Yes, I'm still here.  No I haven't run away.  Yes, I know it seems like I have.  I apologize for the lapse in posts - life got in the way. 

I've been busy crocheting since we last spoke.  I haven't finished Sweet E's Teddy Bear afghan, or YammaDaddy's knit hat, but I have completed several preemis items, a lapghan for charity, a Bible cover for my niece, a scarf ofr my cousin, and am currently working on a Nintendo DS case for my niece.  Numerous items are still in my queue, but I'm trying not to get overwhelmed.  When that happens, I get absolutely nothing done.

I will post pictures as I can. 

Speaking of which, I need to go be productive now, and work on at least one project tonight. 

More cloths

Here are the dish cloths I made for my mom for Christmas. I forgot to take a group shot before giving them to her.  They are made with Peaches and Creme.

Welcome 2010!

Hi to the new year!  I can't wait to see what wonderful things this year has in store. 

I know I've been quiet for the past month.  I would say I'm sorry, but then again, I've enjoyed what this month has held.  Up until the week of Christmas, I was crocheting and knitting like mad trying to get the dishcloths done.  I ended up completing 25 in total!  They were received very well, and I heard several murmured requests for a set.  I plan to make several more sets this year as I enjoyed trying lots of new patterns. 

I don't like to make New Year's resolutions, but I would like to try working with new and different yarns this year, and I'd like to knit and crochet down my stash.  I took a picture of the current stash so I can monitor my progress. 

Here are some of the dishcloth sets:
For my grandma:

For my sister:

My neighbor:

A very special friend at Chick-fil-a:

My college roommate:

That's enough for now, but later, I'll post pics of the set for my mom, and my mother-in-law.  I forgot to take "group shots" for those sets, so I'll post each cloth separately.  I'll also post my beginning stash photo, so you all can help keep me accountable!

Christmas Savings

I've still be knitting and crocheting like crazy, preparing Christmas gifts.  I can't wait to share the pictures with you!  I've also been trying to figure out the best way to handle Christmas on a budget.  One of my many cousins just shared some fabulous deals she's gotten in her most recent blog post.

I've heard of Swagbucks before, but haven't really taken it seriously.  I should have!  You earn 'bucks' easily - just by using their search engine when searching the web.  I am quite partial to Google, so the thoughts of giving it up, ,even once in a while made me sad.  Then I saw that the Swagbucks search results are partially powered by Google.  Awesome!  So now, I can search and earn!  Earn what, you may ask?  You can trade your Swagbucks in for a variety of things - Amazon.com gift cards, books, magazines, and all kinds of things!  Unfortunately, I haven't found yarn on their 'gift' list yet! Haha!  I would love to earn enough bucks to do some Christmas shopping on Amazon, but I'm not getting my hopes up that they'll accumulate that fast.

Anyway, if you (yes, you) sign up (It's totally free) for Swagbucks using one of the links in this post, I'll get 1 free Swagbuck (which would just be awesome!)  If you don't sign up, it's not going to hurt my feelings, but definitely check it out!  Free stuff is always cool, especially to a mostly-stay-at-home mom. 

I'm off to do my homework for the parenting class YammaDaddy and I take, and I've got to get it done while Sweet E sleeps! 

I hope you and your families had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We did, but more (photos) on that later.

Crafty Madness!

Has it seriously been three weeks since I last posted?  I've been working away on my Christmas crafting, and have lost track of time.  Again.  However, I've been forced to put things for me away, and work on things for others.  Not that I mind, but at the end of the day, I'd like to eventually have something to keep.  When the new year arrives, I will be making things for me and my family to enjoy, and hopefully be able to get some charity items made.

I've finally got my Etsy shop up and running!  Currently, the only items listed are coffee cozies, but it's a start.  I have several scarves and afghans I will list for sale soon - I just need to take picutes of them! 

Speaking of taking pictures, YammaDaddy bought me my birthday and Christmas present this past weekend - a Nikon D3000!  Woohoo!  I'm loving it!  Yes, my birthday is in December.  Yes, I've already opened my gift.  No, I don't feel guilty. :) 

A friend of mine is having a baby, and is due Jan 1.  She likes small afghans for her kids, and I usually make her 2 - one for her child to hang on to, and one for the laundry.  She swaps them out, and her youngest son never knows his 'night night' is being washed.  Sneaky, and a great idea!  I have afghan #1 made for the new baby, and as soon as I finish a chemo cap for my friend who just started treatments, I'll get busy with baby afghan #2.  I will also be making her youngest (well, he's currently the youngest!) 2 replacement afghans since he loved his other two to death.  Quite literally.  I love it that he loves his blankies so much!

I'm still baffled by the lack of spell check on this new Blogger composer, so if you find it, let me know!  Even though posting photos is SO much better now, I may have to switch back to the old style, just to have spell check. 

Knitting up a Storm

I've been knitting up a storm lately, and can't wait to show you, but you'll have to wait!  I'm working on a LOT of Christmas gifts, and don't want to give away all the surprise.  I also don't want to bore you with a bazillion pictures of dishcloths.  I'll take a group shot when I make more progress.  I've knit 4 dishcloths this week alone. 

I will also be crocheting baby afghans for a friend of mine.  One is for her new baby, expected in late December/early January, and another is a replacement for her 4 year old son.  He has absolutely worn his afghans to the points they're threadbare, and it warmed my heart to know he has enjoyed them so.  However, it broke my heart thinking he may be afghan-less soon.  We can't have that now can we?!? 

I took picture of my Etsy items last night, and hope to post them this week.  I'm starting off with a few scarves and coffee cozies. 

On an unrelated note, does anyone know where the spell check button is on this new Blogger editor?  I am usually quite computer-savvy, but I'm at a loss...

Beginnings and Ends

Interested in what's been going on? Here it is.

• I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy shop. I've stopped pondering it, and am going to jump in and do it. All that's left to do is post my shop policies, and photograph and list my items. You can be sure that I'll post links and more info as it's available.
• I finished a purple afghan and hat set


• I've gotten another order for a candy corn Trick-or-Treat bag
• I've been frantically knitting and crocheting Christmas gifts, praying I get them done
• I've been organizing my knitting needles (more on that later)
• I've been making apple butter from fresh apples we got this weekend while traveling

When I list it all out, it doesn't seem like much, but in all reality, I'm just not sure where the time has gone. I need to also get on the ball making these felt Christmas stockings. So far, I'm only 1/2 way through the first one, and I have that to finish, and 2 more to make, or else Santa won't fill them with goodies. Uh oh! I'd better get busy!

Projects Galore

I've been so busy working on projects!

I finally took the few minutes required and ran the ribbon though Sweet E's pink dress. I tacked it to the dress with hidden stitches, so the ribbon will stay in place. She wore her bloomers with it, but they were a little big, so I had to run a string through the waist and tie them. It worked out, and she was able to wear them, but I'd like to make her a smaller pair. I have a lot of projects now, so I'm not sure when/if the bloomers will be completed. Here's her finished dress.

I'm very happy with the dress, and love it on her. It fits very nicely.

I also took a few minutes and sewed the buttons on the white baby poncho, so now it is ready to wear.

I have also started working on Sweet E's 3-D Teddy Bear afghan again, and realizing how much work I have ahead of me, actually considered for a day or two just throwing away what I've done (or just making a tiny afghan of just the flower motifs) and being down with it all, so I can move on to projects that interest me more. However, I really want to finish this afghan, and hate to get rid of the work I've done thus far. I've pretty much decided to make it smaller than the pattern calls for, but that's still a lot of work.

I added several projects to my queue today - a knit dress for Sweet E, a crochet cardigan for me, and a baby afghan that has been commissioned. All of these on top of all the projects I'm making for Christmas. I'm to the point I'm so overwhelmed I don't know where to start, and I'm losing valuable time just thinking of all the work I have to do.

Real vs Fake

Since we went on vacation Labor Day weekend, I've been knitting and crocheting a lot! Yay for progress! I'll share my projects in a little while, but for now, I must share two funnies.

I've been trying to knit a preemie hat in the round (seamless). I've started, and frogged, the project approximately 10 times. No joke. I've tried Magic Loop using circular needles, and I've tried double pointed needles. I got so frustrated with the dpns at first, I wanted to use their bamboo loveliness as kindling for a campfire. I then planned to roast marshmallows and have smores to drown out my failure. Then, my toddler, Sweet E finds the dpns, and yarn, and decides she'll take a shot. Please excuse the after-nap hair, but we all know you must be well-rested in order to concentrate.

Now seriously, why does it seem she get them, and I don't?! I had to laugh and take a picture. It's priceless. Since then, I have cast on yet another preemie hat, and am actually halfway done with it. Seems I learned a thing or two from my daughter.

Second funny of the day. I saw this on a Ravelry discussion board last night, so this is not an original 'me' thought. However, I'm still laughing about it, so I thought I'd share it.

This picture was in a craft magazine, advertising the handy-dandy yarn holder for those projects that require multiple colors. The holder helps you keep up with your yarn, and helps it not to tangle. Nifty, right? Take a look at the picture.

At first glance, you may not think anything of it. However, look again, and ponder the following points.

-This is a crocheted, granny squares, afghan. If it's crocheted, then why is she holding knitting needles? You can't crochet with knitting needles, and you can't knit with crochet hooks (unless you're quite MacGyver-ish). Hmm.

-Why is she holding her knitting needles in the same hand, chopstick fashion? That doesn't work either.

-Why does she have her knitting needles stabbed randomly into the afghan? That's not how you knit either. With knitting, you carry individual stitches on your needles.

-Have you noticed yet that the afghan is completed, and not in progress?

-There are only 4 colors or yarn used in the afghan. There are 6 colors of yarn coming of of the yarn holder. Yellow is the mystery color I'm really caught up on. Where is she putting the yellow strand? Is she eating it, or using it to knit more blonde hair?

-Very rarely do you either knit, or crochet, with 6 strands of yarn at one time.

Anyway, please, if you work for a publication, and want readers to take your advertisements seriously, know your audience, and at least a little about the crafts your product pertains to. Maybe the blonde model explains it all! :) Ok, ok, just kidding about the blonde thing. Kinda.

I think Sweet E is doing much better with the dpns than the model is doing knitting her crocheted afghan. Just a thought.

Peaches & Creme

Back in August, we traveled through Old Fort, NC and I begged (ahead of time) to stop. Why stop in a tiny town nestled near the base of a mountain? To visit Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Company, home of Peaches & Creme yarn! P&C, for short, is 100% cotton yarn that is spun and dyed in NC, and is made of all USA manufactured materials. Talk about stimulating the economy - I tried to do my share!




P&C can be confused with Sugar 'n Cream, which is also 100% cotton yarn. Sugar 'n Cream is manufactured in and imported from Canada. SnC seems to be in the big chain craft stores, while P&C is a little more challenging to find. A few limited colors can be found at Wal-Mart, but for their most delicious colors, you have to search a little. When I found this out, and learned that we'd be driving right past the mill and outlet store, the begging, pleading, and good behavior began :)

YammaDaddy didn't really make me beg, and we stopped by the mill. I only had 30 minutes to decide what I wanted to 'adopt', make my list, ask the guys to go pull my order, and pay. Whew! I wasn't prepared for this, and now know what to expect next time. Oh yes, and there will be a next time! Here are my treasures from this expedition, and believe it or not, I got home, and realized I'd forgotten a few things. Along with first quality yarns, I also picked up some seconds, which is why some cones don't have ballbands, and why some is just wadded up looking. I can't wait to get into this, which I plan to do this afternoon!

Yes, this will take me a while to work up, but all the pretty colors make me so happy!

Trick or Treat!

For Halloween 2008 I made Sweet E a candy corn Trick-or-Treat bag. My niece and nephew saw it, and loved it, so of course, I made them one. This year, I've already received, and filled, on order for two of the bags! The requester saw the bags I made last year, remembered them, and specifically requested them! Wow! Here are the two I made on special request:

Want one? Email me!

I dyed today.

I dyed yarn for the first time today.

After the desire to dye (very different than to die) was stumbled upon, I scoured the web (mostly Ravelry) looking for information. I opted for Kool-Aid dyeing, but then found out you have to Kool-Aid dye animal fibers (like wool), which I didn't have. A feature I don't particularly care with wool is that it felts when it is washed. While felting is neat, the texture of felt kinda weirds me out. So, you can imagine the pleasant surprise when I dropped by AC Moore (to pick up the stuff to dye cotton yarn with), and found Superwash wool in the clearance bin! Woohoo - it was my lucky day!

Here is how today went:

1)Wrap ball of yarn around Niddy-Noddy to create a hank. It is not necessary to us a Niddy-Noddy; you can use the back of a chair for example. But why would I do that, if I can build, and have another little gadget to use?

2) Tie yarn in several places. I tied near each 'leg' of N-N (you can see the little colored strings). Slip yarn off Niddy Noddy, and soak thoroughly in lukewarm/coolish water. I added a tad of baby shampoo, because I read that helps the yarn absorb the water.

3) Mix yarn and Kool-Aid. I didn't want a uniform dye, so here was my approach. Put 2 packs of Kool-Aid in bowl. Add warm water. Mix. Dip partial skein of yarn into dye. Hold for a few seconds, put the rest in. Submerge yarn. Sprinkle packs 3 and 4 of Kool-Aid onto yarn. Wearing a glove, squish and swish yarn around in Kool-Aid dye. The yarn will begin absorbing the color, and therefore the dye. My assistant in this photo is my neice.

4) Cook mixture in microwave until water is totally clear. I cooked it for 2 minutes, stirred, then 3 more minutes. This is our finished product, which I'm very happy with.

It is exactly how I pictured it, and I love the variation in color - some is lighter, some is darker.

5)Hang in shower to dry.

6)Wind into ball.

7)Crochet or knit with your yummy smelling yarn! This is the most challenging part of it all - deciding what to make!

8) Beg family members and passer-byers for more Kool-Aid and Superwash wool, so you can dye again!

An added bonus? My house now smells like Berry Blue Kool-Aid!

Not meant to be

I really don't think my Waffle stitch knit dishcloth is meant to be. I've frogged more on this cloth, and considering it's a dishcloth, that's absurd. I'm persisting though.

Anyway, I began a knit preemie hat, but that didn't work out (it was big enough to fit me, thanks to a stretchy cast on), so it got frogged. I really will make one, one of these days. I'm going to attempt the double pointed needles next, but it's a bit intimidating to me to think I'm going to have to keep up with 4 needles at a time. Ahh!

I will also be crocheting 2 candy corn trick or treat bags that have been requested. I'll post pictures as I can - probably when I complete them both.

I'll may also attempt yarn dyeing tomorrow, as my dad helped (ok he did most of the work, but I did a little) me build a Niddy Noddy today. What is that, you may ask? Details to follow in a yarn dyeing post. Dad also helped me make a drop spindle today, as I'd like to see how I like spinning my own yarn. I'm quickly understanding why handspun and hand dyed yarns are so expensive.

Coffee anyone?

I've been quite busy the last couple week working on coffee cozies, and my knitting.

My Knit Nuts knit and crochet group was asked by the owner (of the coffee shop we meet at) if the group would make coffee cozies for her to sell on consignment there in the shop. Between everyone in the group, we had a large number of cozies up for sale, so I only left 6 of the 14 I crocheted. Here is a picture of all 14.

Some are very basic, and some are more unique. If you see one you want, or want to to custom make you one, email me!

I've completed my first Ballband dishcloth. I made it of Peaches and Creme cotton, and have fallen in love with it. My husband and I are planning to stop by the Peaches and Creme outlet store this Friday while we travel, and I'm trying to figure out how to limit my spending!

I enjoyed making it so much, that I've cast on a Waffle Stitch dishcloth. Another member of Knit Nuts showed of a precious blanket she made in Waffle Stitch, and I just had to make a cloth.

A group I belong to on Ravelry is doing a preemie project, and we're seeing how many objects we can knit for preemies between now and October. So far, I've only cast on one hat, and am determined to complete it, even though I'm frustrated with it already.

I've fallen in love with my Knit Picks interchangeable knitting needles, and now, I want to complete set, and additional cables. Considering the set is almost $70, I'll save my pennies... I'd also like to try some of their yarn I've heard nice things about.

I've also gotten the itch to try spinning and dyeing my own yarn. I purchased the items I need to make a drop spindle and a niddy noddy (which created skeins of yarn). I can't wait to see the results of my dyeing attempts!

Sweet E's Toddler bloomers are almost completed, but I have decided I don't like them. I'm so close to completing them though, so I hate to completely frog them. But, when she grows big enough to wear them, she won't actually need bloomers. So, what to do. Hmm...

All kinds of creations

I've been up to all kinds of stuff the last two weeks.

July 20 we left for vacation. Upon arrival, we unloaded the car in the pouring down rain. After the torrential downpour let up though, we had beautiful weather the rest of the week! We spent the first several days stringing, breaking, and canning beans. My grandmother also gave my sister and I a pickle recipe, so I've made some, and we're waiting to see what they taste like.

I also worked on quite a few projects.

I made a couple coffee cozies which will soon be for sale in a local coffee shop,

a little bag for Sweet E to carry small toys in (coffee cup there for size reference),

and a cloth for her to chew on to soothe sore gums, and busted lips (that's why it is black, and not a cute girly color.)

I also began some Bloomers for Sweet E to wear with her Pink dress I just completed, and completed a poncho/shawl for her too, except for adding buttons (the same one my grandma started.)

I've also started a Ballband knit Dishcloth, and will be starting to knit a dress for Sweet E - yes, another dress.

Another project was a cosmetic bag I crocheted for my best friend for her birthday.

I received my Knit Picks needle order, and love them! They have great customer service too, and I'll definitely order from them in the future.

When I arrived home from vacation, not only had my Knit Picks order arrived, but so had my swap package! This is what my swap partner sent me. What an awesome package! There were 2 balls of Peaches and Creme yarn, two, yes, two, sets of bamboo sock needles, two dishcloths and one pot holder.

First Knit Project

Finally! Here is a picture of my first knit project - Bubbles the Fish.

He's a tiny fella, but I didn't want to get bored and discouraged, so he's only 4 inches from top to bottom. My daughter likes to chew on him for molar teething relief. Hey, at least he's useful! I also learned a yarn over stitch with him.

Meet Ups and other stuffs

I attended my first ever crochet/knit meet up at a local coffee house. It was so much fun meeting others who share my love for yarn, needles, and hooks. I was afraid I'd be intimidated and be the only one who didn't know how to knit well, but that was not at all the case! The Knit Nuts were so welcoming, and I can't wait until the August meet up. While there, I shared the pink dress I recently completed for my daughter. Someone took a pic, and since I didn't have a camera, allowed me to share it :) I'll be adding ribbon to the two eyelet rows, but haven't taken the time to do so yet.

My awesome mom and dad got a new camera, and are letting us use their old one until we save up for a new one - how great is that?!? We actually are going to have a camera to take with us on vacation next week! No worries though, there will be no salt water waves for me to dunk the camera in.

Speaking of vacation, while we're away, I'm hoping to get several smaller projects started and completed. I'm really wanting to work on things for the hospital babies since I haven't donated in a while. I always take WAY to much yarn on vacation with me, and never even get 1/4 of it worked up. I also want to work on my daughter's Teddy Bear afghan. I'm letting it get the best of me, and continue to put it off thinking the yarn fairies will visit my house and complete it for me.

I'm also awaiting the arrival of a Knit Picks order which includes a set of circular knitting needles I'll be using to make a dress next month, and a smaller, but longer set of needles for me to attempt Magic Loop on. That way, I'll be able to knit tiny things in the round, which avoids both seams and knitting with 4 double pointed needles at the same time. 2 needles is enough for me, thankyouverymuch.

I hope to have lots of exciting progress and projects to share with you when I return from vacation. We'll be gone an entire week (Monday-Sunday), and I can't wait!

Completed!

I finished the pink dress for my daughter! Yay, another finished project! I'll post a picture as soon as we get our new camera (which hopefully will be soon!)

We went to visit my grandmother for her birthday this past weekend (happy belated birthday grandma!), and she gave me a baby poncho that she'd started. I worked on it last night, and it is working up quite quickly. That is, if I can just keep working on it. I don't want to put it aside, because if I do, there's no telling when I'll finish it.

I only have one major crochet work in progress, but am actually overwhelmed when I think of what I want to start next. There are so many things I want to work on. I really need to continue working on Sweet E's teddy bear afghan. I don't know why I keep putting that off. I think it may be because it's so overwhelming to me since there are so many pieces to it.

I'll be starting on quite a knitting project Aug 1. I'm going to try and knit Sweet E a dress for next summer. What? You ask...Didn't you just learn to cast on? My answer would be, "Why yes, I did in fact. But, I'm up for a challenge." Or am I? We'll see. I'll be accompanied by another new knitter from Ravelry, and we're doing this dress as a knit-along, so we can ask each other questions.