Lots of knitting and crocheting :)

Hello all. First I'd like to express how incredible stressed out I am at the moment.  My car broke down again and I had to put all the wedding money into fixing it. AHHHHHHH I feel like crap like this always gets in my way!! Ok so now that I've gotten that out of the way let's get on with the actual content. If you are interested in buying some things that I've made please check out my Etsy shop that has a widget on the right side of this blog. All money from the Etsy will be going to paying for the wedding. If you would like to custom order something, please shoot me an email.


I'd like to tell you about an Etsy shop that I found and REALLY like their products. I bought some beautiful blue faced lester in a wonderful colorway. It reminds me of the Rainbow Fish book from when I was a kid. You can find this seller at ArtemisArtemis. It took only a week to get to Ohio all the way from New Zealand. Please check this shop out because her products are really quality.

I've been working on a Mizzle out of the yarn that I purchased from ArtemisArtemis and it's turning out really nice. It's really hard to get a nice picture of though. Pictures will come when I'm finished with it.

That's really all I have for right now so I hope everyone takes care :)
Liz

Yay 20th post :)

Good morning everyone. Though I'd give you a quick update on the knitting and crocheting. I have no FOs and I'm horribly behind on the 52 pair plunge. I think this week we were supposed to have something like 6 pairs done and I'm done even finished with 3. I'll catch up after my elbow heals up and this wedding is overwith.
I think I'm going to make my own facinator/birdcage veil for the reception. I've found some tutorials online and if I do wind up making it I will share a brief description of the process. I'm almost done with the 2nd shawl (I was supposed to have that done last month, whoops). I need to start busting my butt on that. I'm also considering starting a business after the wedding madness and Christmas madness is over. I'd like to start a yarn dying company and I think I have a pretty unique niche to fill, though I think all yarn lovers will enjoy the product.
I'm also thinking of doing a giveaway after all the wedding madness is overwith. I'm going to have a TON of this Knit Picks Gloss in the Fiesta colorway left over from the wedding and I don't think I'm ever going to want to look at this color again after making 4 shawls with it. I have an idea that it's going to be a charity kal/cal (knit along/crochet along for those playing at home) for my favorite charity. For those of you who don't know I'm a huge animal lover so keep that in mind. More details to come on that in November.
Hope you are all doing well!
Liz

Yay an FO

Hi everyone. I just wanted to pop in to give a quick update. I have an FO :D

You may recall this is a basic toe up socks made from See Jayne Knits Yarns Superwash Merino in the Fishy Wishy in a Dishy coloway. WOHOO :) 

I'm going to be casting on the Ashokan Shawl with Knit Picks Telemark in the Grass colorway. I need to get a long enough needle first though.

That's about all that's going on right now. I haven't had the brain power to make a new pattern lately. Maybe after the wedding. Also please make sure you check out my podcast, the No Idle Hands Podcast available on  iTunes. You can find the shownotes here.

Take care everyone!!

No Idle Hands Indeed

Hi Everyone! Hope all is well. Three months until the big day. I'm SOOO EXCITED!! Anywho on to knitting.
I've been working on the Cabletini Socks but Red Heart Heart and Sole with Aloe in the Sunrise Tequila colorway. You can see the project page here. I've also been working on the Luna Shawl in Knit Picks Gloss in the Fiesta colorway. I'm not showing that off until the wedding though. I've also been working on a pair of vanilla toe up socks in this yarn. I haven't put up a project page yet but here's a preview:

I've also been working on some items to sell in my Etsy shop that I don't have picture of yet. I will be having a photo session with a friend tomorrow and putting them up. All money from the Etsy shop is going to fund out honeymoon. After careful budgeting we have not been able to save enough money to go on a honeymoon and I really think it's important that we go on one. Please considering checking back to the Etsy shop on Sunday to view the items for sale. Right now I only have a baby blanket up but there will be more items shortly.
Also please consider checking in to the podcast I started a few weeks ago. It's called No Idle Hands and it is available on iTunes or at noidlehandspodcast.podbean.com. The shownotes can be found at noidlehandspodcast.blogspot.com.
Thanks everyone and take care,
Liz

Podcast

Hello all! As you may or may not know I am a huge fan of knitting podcasts. I listen to them all day, every day. So as a result, I have decided to make a No Idle Hands Podcast. You can find me on iTunes as No Idle Hands and the show notes will be posted here. Hope you enjoy it as I know I enjoyed making the first episode.
In other news, I am working on what I'm calling the Cheerful Rainbow Popsicle Socks using a vanilla toe up sock recipe. They're made from Knit Picks Felici in the Rainbow colorway. I have the first sock done and I'm finished with the provisional cast on for the second one.

I'm still working on the Swallowtail Shawl and that's really all I've been working on for the last couple days. I did have some major yarn acquisition yesterday. Jo Anne's was having a sock yarn clearance and I bought about 10 balls of sock yarn for like $22. Yay!!
Well that's all I have, take care everyone!!

Another Update

Hello all!
First I'd like to thank you for the kind comments on my patterns. Not too much thought went into those but they all turned out quite nicely. Please add me on Ravelry if you haven't already, my user name is MissKatPegasus. So let's get down to what I've been knitting.

For mother's day I made my mom the Holden Shawlette (yes I made another Holden Shawlette). And yet again it turned out beautifully.

I finished that while I was on the most stressful vacation in the world.

First it started with this:

And it ended in having almost everything on my brakes replace to the tune of about $650. Being stranded in Tennessee with no brakes was not the best feeling in the world but I made it back to our fair city in one piece thankfully.

This is what I saw while I was adventuring Tennessee:

The Chatanooga Art Museum. It was closed but it was still beautiful from the outside.

This horse is made out of metal even though it looks like drift wood. Pretty neat, huh?

I think this boat is a restaurant. It was really cool to watch.

I have one other FO I'll be sharing with you today. I'm proud to announce that I have successfully knit my first pair of socks!! I used the Lisa's Basic Toe Up Socks pattern and I could not be happier with them. They are knit in Paton's Kroy Socks in the Sailor Stripes colorway. The best part is it only took about a week to make them. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually considering joining the 52 pair plunge next year.

One WIP I've been slowly working on is the Twist caridigan, which I have affectionately renamed the Pretzel Sweater. I'm making it out of Knit Picks WOTA in the Indigo Heaher colorway. Here's a small bit of what the yarn and pattern looks like.

I'll do just a quick update on the wedding (this will not be anything close to a wedding blog so don't get your hopes up). We're less than 4 months away from the big day. I've finished the first of four shawls that I'm knitting for the wedding. The first shawl is the Seascape Stole. I knit it in Knit Picks Gloss in the Fiesta colorway. I don't think I'll be posting pictures of the shawls until after the wedding when I do a recap just because I want there to be some kind of semi-suprise factor sort of like what the wedding dress looks like.

Well tootles for now and TTFN!! 

The Gabby Headband Pattern

Who is Gabby and why does she get a headband? Well, she is a good friend who happened to have a birthday last week and I needed to whip something up for her real quick. So she also gets a knitting pattern named after her. Unfortunately, I forgot to give it to her (I might just keep it, it's so cute!)

Materials:
2 Size 7 US Double Pointed Needled
1 skein (you won't even scratch the surface because this uses so little yarn) Lion Brand Amazing in the Mauna Loa Colorway

Gauge:
Let's skip that, shall we?

Abbreviations: CO- Cast On, K- Knit, K2tog- Knit two stitches together, M1- Make One, P- Purl, Sts- Stitches, YO- Yarn Over



Ready? Ok!


This headband uses the application of I Cord. Actually it was the first time I ever used I Cord. Don't know how to make an I Cord? This is good practice.


CO 3 stitches (make sure you're using double points or this won't work)
Slide the stitches to the other end of the double point so the yarn is coming from the wrong end. 
Knit these stitches. You'll be making a mini tube of knitting.
Continue until you have 8 inches of I Cord.


Increase Rows:
Don't move the stitches to the end of the needle, we're going to knit like normal people now.
Row 1: K1, M1, K2 (4)
Row 2: K4 (4)
Row 3: K1, M1, K1, M1, K2 (6)
Row 4: K2, P2, K2 (6)
Row 5: K2, M1, K3, K2 (8)
Row 6: K2, P4, K2 (8)
Row 7: K2, M1, K4, M1, K2 (10)
Row 8: K2, P6, K2 (10)


Pattern Rows (For argues sake we'll say there's a right and wrong side. The right side will have the knit stitches in the center but you can wear it any way). 


RS: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2 (10)
WS: K4, P2, K4 (10)


Repeat these rows until piece measures 16" not including the I Cord. End with a right side row.


Decrease Rows:
Row 1: K4, K2tog, K4 (9)
Row 2: K2, P5, K2 (9)
Row 3, K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1 (7)
Row 4: K2, P3, K2 (7)
Row 5: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5)
Row 6: K Across (5)
Row 7, K1, K2tog, K1 (4)
Row 8: K1, K2tog, K1 (3)


Now make 8 more inches of I Cord and bind off. Weave in ends and enjoy :)


Take care everyone!

Garter Ridge Shawl Pattern

Another pattern, you say? For you? Anytime!
I call this the Garter Ridge Shawl Pattern and it is very similar to the Stockinette Shawl Pattern other than the garter ridges at the bottom of the shawl. As you can see, I don't wear my shawls the traditional way, I prefer to wear them with the point in the front. This seems to be the fashion now a days and I quite like it. Well, on with the show!

Materials:
Size 6 US 16" Circular Needles
2 skeins of Lion Brand Amazing in the Glacier Bay Colorway
Stitch Markers

Gauge:
Let's skip that, shall we?

Abbreviations: CO- Cast On, K- Knit, P- Purl, Sts- Stitches, YO- Yarn Over

Ready? Are you sure? Ok, GO!

CO 3 Sts and K 6 rows. Do not turn the last row. Pick up 3 stitches on the edge garter ridges then pick up 3 stitches on the CO edge.

Row 1: K3, P3, K3

Row 2: K3, place marker, YO, K1, YO, place marker, K1 (center stitch), YO, K1, YO, place marker, K3

Row 3 and all wrong side rows: K3, slip marker, P to marker, slip marker, P to next marker, K3

Row 4 and all right side rows: K3, slip marker, YO, K to marker, YO, slip marker, K1, YO, K to marker, YO, slip marker, K3.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 (pattern rows) 41 times.

Ridges:

(WS) K across.

(RS): Repeat row 4

(WS): K across

Repeat this section one more time.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 twice.

Repeat Ridge Rows.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 twice.

Repeat Ridge Rows.

Bind off with a stretchy bind off. 

Block according to yarn manufacturer's label.

Enjoy!

Take care everyone!

Stockinette Shawl Pattern

As promised, here's a free pattern. I call it the Stockinette Shawl. It's not exactly an original idea, but I felt like it's not written down (that I can find, if you have a pattern written out, please let me know so I can credit you. I didn't find this pattern anywhere online, it came from my brain, which is a very scary place.) and would be a nice, easy project for beginners. It's so easy and a great way to show slow repeating self striping yarn.

'

Materials: Size 6 US 16" Circular Needles
2 skeins of Lion Brand Amazing in the Mauna Loa colorway
Stitch Markers

Gauge: Not important.

Abbreviations: CO- Cast On, K- Knit, P- Purl, Sts- Stitches, YO- Yarn Over

Ready....Set....GO!

CO 3 Sts and K 6 rows. Do not turn the last row. Pick up 3 stitches on the edge garter ridges then pick up 3 stitches on the CO edge.

Row 1: K3, P3, K3
Row 2: K3, place marker, YO, K1, YO, place marker, K1 (center stitch), YO, K1, YO, place marker, K3
Row 3 and all wrong side rows: K3, slip marker, P to marker, slip marker, P to next marker, K3
Row 4 and all right side rows: K3, slip marker, YO, K to marker, YO, slip marker, K1, YO, K to marker, YO, slip marker, K3.

Continue Rows 3 and 4 until you only have enough yarn to bind off. End with Row 3. I did a bind off by knitting through the back loop, which made for a stretchier edging. This shawl has an intentional curl to it even after blocking. If you don't want a curl, do 3-5 rows of garter stitch edging and it will lay flat.

Block according to yarn manufacturer's label.

This pattern is so simple, I really don't care what you do with it but please don't go commercial with it.

Enjoy! I hope you liked this pattern. Look for more in the future.

Lots of news..

Hello everyone! First and foremost:

I'm engaged! Wedding date is Nov 5th, we are so excited. You can see hidden pictures of my fiance in the Men's Glove pattern that was on a previous entry. Also, his shoe is in the above photo. I have 3 patterns that I designed and will be posting here throughout the week. Here's a preview:

Garter Ridge Shawl:

The Gabby Headband:

Stockinette Shawl:

I've been knitting ALOT in the last few weeks. I've also not been in the best of health, which is the reason I haven't been blogging lately. I'm better now so you should expect regular blogs from me now. I have lots of pictures to share with you.

Firstly, I finished the Wurm Hat. This pattern is very easy and nice to knit. It was the first time I ever did a knitted hem and I really like the way it looks. I knit it from Knit Picks Imagination in the Frog Prince colorway. Again, I love Knit Picks Imagination, though it does look a bit hairy from the alpaca fiber content.

Next I knit 2 The Age of Brass and Steam kerchiefs. The first one I knit from Noro Kureyon. I really don't like this yarn. It had a lot of knots in it and it wasn't the softest yarn (it actually rubbed a raw spot on my finger). I love the colors though. I'm going to try the Silk Garden to see if it's easier on my hands because I really do love the colors.

The second on I made from Shunklies Superwash Merino sock yarn in a blue green variation. Colors are nice are bright and the yarn is super soft. I'd recommend looking into this yarn. I was really impressed with the communication and the packaging that she sent. She sent a cute little stitch marker and a hand written thank you note. It made me feel like a valued customer. 

Next I have pictures of my Holden Shawlette. Again, this pattern is awesome and fun to knit. I was having one more row syndrome knitting this whole shawl and I think it came out perfect. I knit it in Knit Picks Imagination in the Looking Glass Colorway.

I'm actually knitting another Holden right now in Knit Picks Stroll Sport in the Aloha colorway. It looks a bit like camouflage but I still like it. Most of the items I knit are going to be gifts with the exception of the Wurm and the Holden Shawlette. They are too perfect to give away. 

Now I need to think about wedding knitting. I'm still trying to find the perfect shawl to knit for myself and as a gift I'm planning on knitting shawls from my 2 beautiful bridesmaids. So the last few weeks have been overwhelming and exciting. If anyone has any suggestions on patterns I'd really appreciate it. I've been thinking that the Seascape Shawl from Knitty would be the closest to what I'm looking for. A nice lacy stole would be perfect. If you can't tell I've been a little kerchief crazy lately, they're fun to knit and a relatively quick project. I'm actually gearing up to knit my first sweater. I'm ordered the yarn and pattern for the Twist Cardigan from Chic Knits. I can't wait!

Cheers!

Liz

#5 and The Debacle

Oh dear....Oh man....I have a story for you.

This is Cait Sith

And this is Leo.

.

Awwww. Aren't they cute? Don't you want to just hug them and pinch their tiny little cheeks?

No!

I want to pull their tails!

And kick them.

Let me explain.

This is my first lace project.

Notice something missing?
Like a ball of yarn.
The little shits tore my lace from the ball and got my lace stuck on the needles because they stretched out the cord and the lace was stuck on the cable. AUGH AUGH AUGH!! So I threw the whole mess out, needles and all. I'm buying nice needles next time where that won't happen.
Ok I'm done.

I finished the Holden Shawlette yesterday and I haven't had enough time to get pictures yet, so those are to come. I must thank Shelly from KNOTS for telling I wrap my purls wrong. It's been a struggle to remember to do it correctly but I'm making an effort. Next on my needles is a hat for my friend Jake, who is active in the Gay Straight Lesbian Alliance. You'll see what I mean when I get pictures of the hat. I've already knit it once and it would have fit, well, maybe a 10 year old so I ripped the whole thing out.

Well frustrating week all in all but it's life. Hope you guys had a better week than I did.
Take care and TTFN!
Liz

#3 and #4

Well I managed to finished 2 projects this week! Probably has something to do with being home from work under the weather. Well, I'm not sure if one of them counts but we're going to say that I did even though I frogged it.
Firstly the Citron Shawl. I gave it my mommy and she was completely thrilled with it. I made it with Knit Picks Felici in Waterscape. Honestly I don't think I'll be knitting this again simply because it's miles and miles of stockinette stitch that just gets longer and longer and feels like it never ends. I only had enough yarn to finish 4 repeats and 6 rows of the edge. I hate to say this but I was begging the yarn to run out because I didn't want to do anymore stockinette.

                                                                    Here's the front:

                                                                And here's the back:

And today I frogged the Slouchy Copy Cat Hat because it was TINY and popped right off my head. I don't think I'll be casting on for this hat again but I'm very glad I learned the mock cable pattern in it.

I'd like to talk about my first experience with Noro. For the price, I was not impressed with this yarn at all. First, in the first row of making the hat I encountered a knot. For almost $10/a ball I should NEVER encounter a knot, especially considering the ball only has like 119 yds. Secondly, it rubbed a raw spot on my finger because it was so rough. I'm sure it softens up when soaked in Soak Wool Wash but you would think it would be softer. What I like (LOVE) about this yarn are the colors and how they all fit together.

So that was my wonderful week in knitting. I'm going to cast on a shawl I think now in Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Tidepool next. Wish me luck!
Take care and TTFN!
Liz

Not Dead Yet

    Hi All. I'm not dead just working on things for my brand. I'm hoping I'm going to be able to release them on March 1st so stay tuned for that. In other news, I discovered Knitting on the Square on Friday and I'm so happy there is such a nice LYS not too far away but far enough I won't be spending every day there spending all my money! I'm planning on being at the Friday night knitting group with my shawl project for my mom in tow. I'm currently working on a shawl out of Knit Picks Felici Sport the colorway being Waterscape I believe. I'm using the pattern Citron from Knitty. The plan is to give it to her on Mother's Day. Last year I made her some soap that was good for her sensitive skin and crocheted her some roses. She was estatic so I hope this year has the same results.
    I know it seems early but I need to think about what I'm making everyone for Christmas. I don't usually knit for my boyfriend and my stepdad. I usually give crocheting supplies to my mom. Last year I did ornaments for the cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. This year I would love to do mittens and fingerless gloves and probably a few hats. I need to contact everyone so they can put their orders in. Does anyone else have crazy Christmas ambitions?
    Knit Picks has one of my favorite yarns on sale, Felici Sport. I'm doing everything I can not to clear them out right now. I bought my first Noro purchase on Friday and I think I've found a patterns for it. 198 yds. of Heaven , which is a free download on Ravelry. I've also discovered the Knitmore Girls and what a pleasure they are to listen to. I downloaded all of their episodes and started at the beginning like I did with the Knit Picks podcast. I have to say I actually prefer the old set up for the Knit Picks podcast better than the new one. I miss listening to Kelley's knitting stories and getting weekly lessons from her about how awesome I Cords are and about steeking. She will always be one of my knitting heroes.
Well that's all for now! Take care and TTFN!

Relapse

     Ok so I have this problem that I've been trying to quit for a while. I start something, get halfway through then I either rip it out or put it in the closet and never finish it. So the socks are frogged because they wound up being HUGE and the fair isle bag is sitting on my computer desk all lonely. I have since started a hat for a co worker and a lace shawl. I got a huge box of yarn that I ordered from Knit Picks this week and now I have startitis. I just want to see how the veregated yarn works up.
    I have finished 3 other projects but they are under wraps for the moment because they are for my brand. I've been working alot of my brand lately and pretty much I've had alot of things that got frogged because I didn't like them. The hat for my coworker is only still alive because she said she really like the way the yarn worked up. I personally don't like it at all but I' not going to be the one wearing it.
   About the projects for my brand. We'll just say they're 2 hats and a scarf for now so I'm not too mean about talking about them. You'll see pictures of them soon enough. I need to get my business license and a business account set up before they get released. So much to do. So little time.
TTFN and take care!
Liz

#2 and #3

Well, it has been a few days and I have been quite busy. I finished the Elise Shawl!

It's perfect and I love it! I made it out of Vanna's Glamour (1 and a half balls) and used an H hook. It's sparkly and warm and I couldn't ask for more!
   Now for #2, I'm making a Fair Isle Bag. This is my first experiment with Fair Isle and I have to say it is very gratifying.  I'm using white, purple, maroon and gold. It so pretty!
    #3 is my first pair of socks. I'm making them with a short striping yarn and the solid part keeps matching up so one side is striped and the other side is solid. It's hard to explain but I'll show you some pictures. The socks are very simple and I plan on keeping them for myself. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my bag yet.
   It has been an ice, snow and rain storm here for 2 days and I have to say I'm sick of the weather here. It's either too hot or too cold!
   My Ravelry queue is getting enormous and is full of all sorts of projects. If you want to look me up, my user name is MissKatPegasus.
Take care and TTFN!
Liz

Ok So I lied and #1

   Yeah I admit it. I lied to you. I couldn't wait until Sunday to start my 100 projects in a year, it was just impossible. So what am I making? Well I'm making the Elise Shawl, a pattern I found on good ole Ravelry. I'm using 2 balls of Vanna's Glamour and an H hook.
   I have to say it's been several months since I've crocheted a project and my wrists have lost the strength they once had to crochet for hours on end instead of knitting for hours on end. But the fluidity of the yarn flowing through my hand and the graceful motions and flicks of the wrists made me remember why I love this craft so much.
   While searching through the internet I discovered 2 things last night. Firstly Bohus knitting, which is beautiful but I'm not sure how to do it (I was really more interested in looking at it rather than looking for instructions). The other thing I've discovered are color work mittens that have a beautiful damask pattern (my favorite) worked with a black background and a veregated yarn. I have to say that it is simply wow and on my list to do very very soon!
   Once I have finished my Elise Shawl, I will be sure to post photos. But for now it's off to many hours of happy crochet time.
Take care and TTFN
Liz

100 Project Journey

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” -Greg Anderson

     I am going to embark on a journey. I don't know how long it is going to take me and I don't know where I am going to wind up but it is the journey, not the destination that is important. I am taking upon myself a goal of trying 100 different projects and posting them on my blog. Now idealistically I'm going to have this done in a year, but we all know how life goes sometimes and I don't want to feel like cranking 2 projects a week out is a burden more than a joy. 

    Now I have not planned out 100 projects for a very specific reason. I have the tendency to love a finished garment when I first see it and then after a month of the pattern sitting on my coffee table untouched, I know that it's never going to be made. So I'm going to be choosing patterns in the moment and doing them as soon as I pick them. Or maybe I'll pick 2 projects a week on Sunday and work on them at the same time. I sometimes have yarn crafting ADHD so this may be a better option.

    This feels like such a good opportunity to stash bust too. I have, well, as most knitters and crocheters would say, an extensive stash. Honestly I have a problem with buying yarn. I think it's mostly the thrill of coming home with a shiny new ball of yarn that fuels this. Or even worse, a huge bag full of shiny new yarns! The yarn stores around here are all chains and they're yarn selection is pretty blah, so I buy a lot of my yarn online if I can find a good sale. 

   On Sunday I'm going to be identifying the projects I'm going to do that week and I'm very excited about starting this. If anyone has suggestions I'll be more than willing to take them into consideration. Projects I'll be considering will be new techniques that I've never tried, old techniques done in a new way and new and exciting garments. Please add me on Ravelry under the user name MissKatPegasus.

TTFN and take care!

Liz

Men's Glove Pattern

Well... They're finished!! My babe's gloves are officially done!

They're so soft! Now, as promised here's the pattern.

Size: Men's Large-XL
Materials: 2 balls of Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends
Ebony Colorway
4 Size 9 DPNs
Cable Needle
Waste Yarn for thumb hole in a contrasting color

Gauge: Not really important but around 15 stitches by 20 rows in a 4x4 square.

You can use this pattern for personal use only. Please do not sell the items made from this pattern. It really discourages people to write free patterns when other people are making money off of them. Plus, this isn't your original work. *Gets off soapbox*

Stitches:
CO: Cast On
1x1 Ribbing: K1 P1
C6B: Slip 3 stitches knit wise onto cable needle and hold to the back. Knit 3 then knit 3 from cable needle.

Pattern:
CO 45 and divide evenly onto 3 needles.
Rows 1-18: Work 1x1 ribbing
Rows 19-23: K3, P3, K6, P3, K30
Row 24: K3, P3, C6B, P3, K30
Rows 25-29: K3, P3, K6, P3, K30

For Right Glove:
Row 30: K3, P3, C6B, P3, K3, K6 with waste yarn, slip 6 stitches back onto left needle then knit with working yarn (i usually knot the ends of the waste yarn so they are secure), K21

For Left Glove:
Row 30: K3, P3, C6B, P3, K21, K6 with waste yarn, slip 6 stitches back onto left needle then knit with working yarn, K3

For Both Gloves:
Rows 31-35: K3, P3, K6, P3, K30
Rows 36-40: Work 1x1 Ribbing

Bind off and weave in ends

Thumb Holes:
Remove waste yarn and pick up 5 live stitches on the top and 6 live stitches on the bottom.
Row 1: Attach yarn and knit 6 stitches, using another needle knit up 2 stitches between top and bottom then knit 3 stitches from top needle. Knit remaining 2 stitches with another needle and knit up 2 stitches between top and bottom. This will leave you with 15 total stitches on 3 needles.
Rows 2-5: Knit all stitches.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Enjoy!!

TTFN and Take Care!
Liz

Working, working, and more work

      So I finally bought the yarn to finish my boyfriend's fingerless gloves yesterday but I spent most of the evening shopping for a new coat and doing my taxes. I must be the only person in the world that anticipates when you can get your W2 because I love the extra money. I'm getting quite a bit this year so this year's the year I'm finally breaking down and buying a laptop. Dell's website has special discounts for students so I'm going to be getting a tricked out dell complete with a custom skin on it. I'm so excited!! The rest of the money is going towards my trip to California in October. California's one of the few states that I've never been too so I'm very excited. My boyfriend has only been to 3 states and being 20 years old I think that's just wrong. So I'm on a mission to get him to go to as many states as possible in as short of time as possible.
    In May we're driving down to Tennessee to visit my best friend for a week with some friend's. She's flying into Akron and we'll take the 45 minute drive to get her so she can see me graduate. That's right. I said GRADUATE!! I'm so excited to be done with school. I'm thinking I may be going back very shortly but until then I can bask in the fact that it only took me 4 years to get an associates of arts working full time. Not going to be raking in the big bucks with an associates of arts but it's a start.
    It's my dream one day to open a local yarn store but my problem is I have no idea on how to go about this. And I'm also not living in the most financially stable parts of the US so I would need to move somewhere where businesses seems to be closing every week these days. My sister worked at a place that closed its doors last fall and it was heart breaking.
   My boyfriend and I really want to move to Govenour, NY, which is where he grew up and start an alpaca farm so I can spin my own yarn. We would also have sheep and angora bunnies. Doesn't that sound like the life? Spend all day spinning yarn and taking care of animals. Sounds sleepy and comfortable.
  Well on to more yarn related things. I'm currently working on a hot rice bag that you put in the microwave. I'm making out of Red Heart Soft. And before you think poorly of me for using Red Heart I must say that a lot of yarn that Red Heart makes is actually pretty decent. They do the Stitch Nation Yarn and they have a lovely yarn called Shimmer that I just love. All of these yarns have a great hand and I have to say that the Soft has a wonderful sheen to it plus, it is extremely soft, just like the name says.
    I have to say that it is an extremely common notion that crocheters are cheaper about buying yarn than knitters are. Well, I have to say on the most part this is true. I've never spend more than $40 on any single project, which was an afghan. Why is this? Well I have a theory: crocheters tend to make smaller projects that should be washable and the easiest yarn to wash is acrylic. Acrylic yarns tend to be cheaper and more readily available than nicer yarns.
Well, it is time for me to head off too school. TTFN and take care!
Liz

Book Review Sunday

      Ok in my attempt to share my fiber art enthusiasm with the fiber community, I'm going to review a book every Sunday unless other arrangements are made. This week I'm going to review Crocheting School: A Complete Course by Inc. Sterling Publishing Company. This book is a wonderful reference guide that gives step by step directions on every type of crochet stitch you can imagine. It starts you out with the basics, then shows you stitches that are variations of the basics. It even works you through Tunisian crochet, which I am admittedly a novice at, and different types of lace. There are a bunch of edgings in the back too! The full color photos to work you through the stitches. Now as I am left handed, they're not particularly useful but you learn to get the general idea.
     Now being in with true reference style, there are no actual projects in this book but I think it will give you plenty of inspiration to make projects that you wouldn't have had the confidence to make before. If you've read this book or used any of the stitches in it, please give your opinion on the usefulness of this book. I would recommend this book to any beginner personally and even some more advanced crocheters would benefit from the techniques that are discussed in this wonderful book.
    Ok now onto randomness. Last night I had a hankering for 2 different sandwiches. A grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich (a favorite of the King himself) and a fluffer nutter. So, well, I combined them. I put a blob of fluff on one side, but the bananas on top of that and then put a blob of peanut butter on the other slice of bread and buttered the outsides and grilled it. OMG was it good! I was licking the plate because alot of it fell out and I didn't want to miss any of it. My friend and I were thinking it would taste good battered and deep fried. Yeah, that will be good for my crohn's!
Well, another day to say TTFN and take care!
Liz

Sleepy Saturday

Hello everyone, welcome to another sleepy Saturday in Cleveland. This blog is orientated to all things yarn related and, well, whatever else I feel needs discussed. I think a run down of all my current projects is in order, in case anyone really cares.
Today I started on the 2nd of a pair of gloves for my beloved and, alas!, I had enough yarn to knit the first 2 gloves and the first thumb and them I ran out of yarn. Since I was not feeling motivated at all to go to JoAnne's (which is the only place around here to get that particular yarn) I decided that I'd finish up a bag I've been working on. I was knitting the gloves in Bernat Alpaca Blend in a dark gray colorway. Bernat Alpaca blend is soooo soft and super warm. It's my first time working with it and I must warn you now, the fibers from the yarn come off and stick to your clothes when you're working on it so don't work with it if you're going to be going somewhere where you don't want to look like you're covered in dog hair. I'm going to put up the pattern for the gloves as soon as I'm done with them. They're very simple but I must say there is a great need for men's patterns that they would actually need and fits them.
Now for the bag I'm working on. I was at first going to make a fat bottomed bag out of Lion Brand's Amazing yarn, the colorway being Aurora. This was all fine and dandy until I waited a week to make the 2nd panel and I completely forgot how may rows was between the cables. Oh well. So I folded it in half and did a single crochet up 2 sides on the wrong side to make it a small bag. I'm going to weave in some ribbon for a drawstring.
Just a note on Lion Brand. I'm obsessed with them. I'm not going to lie, they're pretty much amazing. The yarn they put out is top notch and the LB Collection yarn. Don't even get me started on that. I would be so broke if I lived anywhere near the studio in NYC. Thank god I don't!! If you haven't already, you should check out their website and their podcast. Also the Knit Picks podcast is quite entertaining. I just discovered it a few weeks ago and I liked it so much that I downloaded all of the episodes and I've been listening to them at work. I think I'm like on episode 60 something and there's 151 so I have a bit of catching up to do.
Oh yeah, we were talking about my projects. I'm also currently working on a Harry Potter scarf for a friend, 2 afghans that were supposed to be graduation presents for last year (oops) and I'm learning how to knit socks.
I'm a fairly new knitter but I've been crocheting for almost 15 years. I think my main issue with knitting has always been trying to think of crocheting solutions to my knitting issues. I've been having a hard time with picking up stitches on the heel of a sock and it's been really frustrating. I had to put it down for a few days so I don't break any needles.
Well I think I've talked your ear off enough so TTFN!! Take care.
Liz