Crafty Corner: Halloween & Winter

I had a longer post title, then figured this fit just as well. I have been concentrating this last month or so on just getting one project at a time done. If you follow my writing updates as well, you’ll know this is a problem I have in just about every aspect of my life, or at least creative life. But, it’s something I’m working on.

I did a Halloween-inspired bib and wash cloth set, both with Peaches & Creme cotton yarn in bright orange. The pattern was designed by Elaine Fitzpatrick over at Down Cloverlaine

I also finished a little sweater this month that was in a magazine my mother-in-law gave me. This one was knitted with Simply Soft yarn in soft green.

And a scarf that was in the book I used to learn crochet:

And a hat I just finished last week from a pattern by Jennie Harrell I had queued on Ravelry

My crafting is picking back up now that the weather is turning again. So, I may be doing these posts a bit more often. I try to finish at least one project a week. Depending on the project that doesn’t always happen though.

Crafty Tuesday: Another Bib & Afghan Squares

I haven’t finished a whole lot in the last week. I was working on the crochet bag and ran out of the one yarn. And of course I don’t have any more of it. I thought I was going to have enough, but obviously I was wrong. So, I had to set that aside until I can get to the store and get more of it. And I had started knitting another hat, but I was having a couple issues. A problem with the short rows and the fact that the yarn wouldn’t stay on the needles. i got frustrated and decided to set it aside for now.

Finished:

Baby Ripples Bib

I posted about this one last week, as an in progress project. Well, I finished it last week. It didn’t take all that long, a little less than 7 hours total. I did crochet ties this time instead of the knitted I-cord ones. They turned out pretty nice.

In Progress:I just started knitting another hat today. It’s the Soft Berry Hat from Lion Brand Yarn. I’m using Lily’s Sugar ‘n’ Cream yarn instead of the Lion Brand Organic Cotton though. Just have a few rows finished and no picture yet.

I have also been working on crocheting some afghan blocks. I figure I can seam them together later to make a blanket. I have three done so far.

Coming Up:

Not really sure what I’ll be working on next. Will be picking up the crochet bag again once I have the yarn I need to finish it. Other than that, I’m not sure.

Crafty Tuesday: Finishing Projects

I’ve managed to finish a few different projects in the last week, and am working on two more now.

Finished:

The first thing I finished was the pair of slippers I was working on last week. They only took about half the time it took me to do the knitted slippers.

a pair of finished slippers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next project I finished was a pair of fingerless mitts from Lion Brand Yarn’s website. I couldn’t find the right yarn for them when I went to Michael’s the last time, so I got one that was a similar weight. They turned out nice(and warm!) still. Of course, when I went to Joann’s after that trip to Michael’s, I did find the right yarn, but I used this one anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

And I also finished crocheting a dishcloth. that project only took about 2.5 hours. Could have been done even quicker, but I’m still figuring out crochet. But, it was a real easy pattern. half double crochet for about 24 rows.

dishcloth folded over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Progress:

I started one of the projects that came in the book with the crochet kit. I’d started it once before, but it requires holding two strands of yarn together as you work, and I thought I’d start with something simpler. It’s really not too difficult, but I wanted to have more practice before I worked on it. I’m about halfway finished with it so far. I have one side of the bag done. Have to do the other side and the gusset that will attach them.

one side finished

the start of the other side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also started another bib. This is another by designer Elaine Fitzpatrick. I really do like her patterns. So far I have the main part of the bib done. I just need to do the neck/shoulder decreases and the ties.

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Up:

When I finish these two projects, I’m planning on starting another one that was in the crochet book, a scarf. I attempted it before as well, but didn’t quite understand the pattern stitch(mat stitch). I’m going to try to find some clearer directions on it before I start it again. I’m also planning on starting another cause hat, this one a flat top hat with brim base.

Knitting Tuesday: New baby Hat and Bib

Finished:

Otis Baby Hat:

I used a lightweight acrylic yarn for this hat. The pattern only gave directions for a newborn size, so with it being so small, I needed to use my double point needles. It turned out nice, but cabling when knitting with double point needles is complicated to say the least(for me anyways. Some people may find it easier.) I just don’t seem to have enough hands.

newborn cabled hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

closest to newborn I can find.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garter Stitch Bib:

I also finished another bib. It’s designed by the same person who I got the patterns for the cow bib and some others from. This was a much simpler one, just garter stitch(knitting every stitch, every row) throughout the whole thing. I almost thought as I was going to run out of yarn before I finished it, but I ended up having just enough. Seriously, I had maybe two inches of yarn left when I finished. Now, that was cutting it close.

garter stitch bib

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Progress:

Rolled Rim Slouchy Toque

This is my latest cause hat. I only have the brim of it finished so far and no pictures yet. I would have started it with the other two projects, but I had to use the same needles for the baby hat that I’d need for this, so I’m just starting it.

Turn a Square Hat

This is another pattern I found on Ravelry. Also only finished with the brim of this one. I should make more progress on these this week and hopefully have them finished before the end of the weekend.

Coming Up:

Knit Child’s Solid Sock:

I found this pattern on Lion Brand Yarn’s website and was going to start it already, but I don’t have the yarn it calls for(Wool-Ease). I was going to use some of my acrylic yarn, but not sure how well that would work for socks. hopefully I can get the yarn soon though

1×1 rib beret

Simple Stripes Baby Hat:

This is another pattern I found on Ravelry. I attempted it once before, but it was when i first started using double-point needles and hadn’t quite gotten the hang of them yet, especially when starting a hat on them.

Knitting Tuesday: Bibs, Cozies, Hats

Finished:

Like I figured, I finished the bib last Tuesday. I only had the one shoulder and I-cord tie to finish, so I knew it wouldn’t take me long.

Cow bib

In Progress:

I started another cause hat. This one is a beanie with a 2×2 folded rib brim. Since the brim is folded, it is also about the longest section of the hat, and usually it’s the shortest. So, I have just started on the main part of the hat.

beanie with 2×2 folded rib brim

I also started another cup cozy. The pattern is pretty simple, but it’s turning out nice. I just have a few more rows to go until it’s finished and add on a couple of buttons.

Cup Cozy

And I had also started a scarf until I looked at the pattern againand realized how long it was. And was pretty sure I did not have enough yarn to finish it. Thankfully I was only six rows into the pattern. So, I ripped it out and decided to wait until I had the yarn it actually calls for. Instead, I decided to work on another of my original ideas, a Mickey Mouse hat. Making this one to fit my son, but I only have the brim done so far.

Mickey Mouse Hat

Coming Up:

Once I finish these projects, I’m planning on working on another baby hat, a bib, and another of my cause hats. Of course, that is always subject to change.
And, as always, if you see anything you like or if there is something you want me to try to make, you can send me a message at brownsnovelknits@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page. I also have my Etsy page back up. Right now, I am just listing Ready to Ship items on there, but the more customizable items(mostly for color and size) are on my Facebook page.

Knitting Tuesday: Another Cause Hat

Finished:

Yesterday I finished my latest cause hat. Did this one in the smallest size, as a sample, since that uses the least time and is the quickest to finish. Obviously, I can make it in bigger sizes as well. I did this one in read, so 50% of any sales would go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

In Progress:

I am still working on the cotton baby bib. Almost finished with it though. Just have one more shoulder/strap to knit and it will be finished. So, I should be done with it today.

Coming Up:

I have picked the projects I’m going to start once I finish the bib. I kind of like starting three at once and then waiting until all those are finished to start another three, since they all take a different amount of time. So, I think that’s what I’ll keep doing. Unless one is a really big project. Then, I might start others before it’s finished.

I plan on working on this Simple Cable Scarf pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. Also will be picking up stitches for another Cup Cozy. And will be starting another cause hat, this one a beanie with a 2×2 folded rib brim.

As always, if you see something you lie or if there’s something you’d like me to try and make, you can send me a message at brownsnovelknits.gmail.com or visit my Facebook page. I’m also planning on getting my Etsy page back up and running at some point.

Knitting Tuesday: Finishing

Finished:

Last week, I finished both the Fair Isle Hat and the Cowl/hood. It didn’t take me too much longer to do either.

Fair Isle Hat

cowl

hood

I’m glad to be done with that project. I started it back in September. Never expected it to take that long to finish.

In Progress:

I started making that Shimmer by Night bag, but ended up scrapping it yesterday. It called for some shimmery fine yarn, which I have never worked with before. I tried it out and it was almost as hard as knitting with super bulky yarn. plus I got it all knotted up when I was trying to find the center pull end and could not figure out how to unknot it. Ending up cutting out the knotted part, which seemed to be quite a bit of it. And at that point I just had no desire to continue. I may try it again at some point though.

I ended up starting a new baby bib instead of the coffee sleeve I was going to do. The design is by Elaine Fitzpatrick over at downcloverlaine.blogspot.com. I love her patterns. they always turn out really nice. This one is her Hay Baby Bib with a cow on it. I’m only about a quarter of the way through the main part of the bib right now.

I also started the next Cause hat even though I scrapped the last one because I didn’t like the way it was turning out. I also haven’t gotten too far on this one so no pictures yet. I do have the ribbing done and a little bit of the straight section. But there’s not much to show of it yet.

Coming Up:

Nothing planned yet. I’ll figure it out when I get a little closer to finishing these two projects.

Knitting Monday: Baby Shower Gifts

I have a cousin who is due with her first baby, a girl, in May. This will be the first baby in our family that is not from me or one of my sisters. And this is the first baby shower I’ve been to since I started knitting. So, I decided to make a few things to give her.

The first was a hat that I made a couple months back but always intended to give her as a gift. It was different than the other hats I have done. First of all, it was knit from the top down instead of starting with the brim. That made it a little difficult at first. But, it turned out really nice. Now, hopefully her kid won’t be like mine and have a bigger head, since it’s made to fit a newborn, and I know my kids had like 3-6 month heads at birth.

I didn’t work on any more gifts until the end of March since I had been trying to get some Easter items done. But, the next one I worked on was a little headband. This was the first headband I had ever knit. And I made a little flower to attach to it. The one I ended up going with was actually the second one I made. The first attempt was a rose, but as I was trying to knit it together to look like a rose, it all fell apart. So, I decided to go with a different flower design instead. I may try to do another rose sometime and hopefully it will work better.

I still wanted to make something else to give to her, so I made a little square blanket. Not big enough to cover up with, but something her little girl could cuddle with a little later.

And I still wanted a little something else to put in with the gift, but we were only two days away from the shower. So, I looked through my list of patterns I’ve collected and found one for a bib with a cabled edge and strap that I didn’t think would take me too long to finish. I was a little worried though because I haven’t really done much cabling before. It turned out to not be too difficult though and actually ended up looking really nice. I had that finished on Friday, so still had plenty of time to get it all put together for the shower.

I’d had a couple of other items that I had planned to give her as well, but neither of them turned out as well as I had hoped so decided against including them.