I've gotten so bad at this blog thing
Knitting
I made the Coupling socks with a hank of Araucania Ranco in a semi-solid purple (color #101). The only modification I made was turning the flap heel into a short-row heel; the pattern was already written toe-up, like I prefer. The stitch pattern, when stretched on the leg, is much lacier than I had expected while knitting them. I really love them and can imagine them making lovely knee- or thigh-high stockings, if you're into that sort of thing. The yarn is wonderful too, but the first time I wore them, the sole was felted solid by the end of the day. I don't mind because I kinda like the cushiness of a felted sole, but that's something you may want to keep in mind if you're thinking of using this yarn.
I found this yarn at Hobby Lobby (they only carry one ball of each colorway at a time, even though it takes two to make a pair of socks - hence the anklets - but that's a rant for another day). It's the new Red Heart Heart & Sole. That's right - a sock yarn from Red Heart, and believe it or not, it's 70% wool! Crazy, huh? This is the E745 Mellow Stripe colorway, and it reminds me of Froot Loops cereal. So of course, I chose the Froot Loop sock pattern. I would usually pick a simpler stitch pattern for a self-striping yarn, but I couldn't resist. In addition to shortening them to ankle length, I also worked them toe-up and used a short-row heel.
I also discovered Patons Stretch Sock while at Hobby Lobby (again only one ball - good thing I like ankle socks). This colorway, #31306 Plum, is very high contrast, and I tried a number of patterns to see what worked best before settling on Hedera. Again, these are toe-up with short-row heels, as always. The elastic content of this yarn was difficult to work with at first, but once I got used to it and adjusted my tension accordingly, it was fine, and the end result is great - snug, stretchy socks.
A desire to use fewer plastic grocery bags, combined with a desire to use up some stash cotton, led to two Everlasting Bagstoppers. I knitted garter stitch straps instead of trying to find a sturdy, coordinating ribbon, and I didn't bother with the drawstring near the bottom. The solids are Sugar 'n Cream in Hot Pink (01740) and Hot Orange (01628), and the ombres are Peaches & Creme in Carnival (#?) and Gumdrop (205). These bags are sooooo stretchy. I really adore them and have already made use of them. And I still have several more balls of SnC in various colors, so I may be making more of these at a later date.
A friend commissioned me to make a Nautie for her coworker since she only knows how to crochet. I used some random worsted acrylic from my stash in pink, white, grey and a teensy bit of black to embroider the eyes. I'm not a huge fan of seaming, so I picked up stitches for the face instead of knitting it separately and sewing it together later. I think he's adorable, so I hope the recipient liked him as well.
And wow, I just realized that all of the above knitting patterns came from Knitty. I'm such a sheep.
Plus, there are two more projects (only one is from Knitty) and one work-in-progress that I can't share with you yet as they are gifts, and the recipients may read this.
Sewing
After seeing my skirt-belt-bags, a coworker of mine commissioned me to make some for holiday gifts for her family. I just went to the thrift store, picked out several skirts, belts and ties, and took them to work to show her and have her pick out the ones she liked. The last two are the ones she didn't want that I kept for myself.
Though it's not knitted or sewn, I also wanted to share a new piece of jewelry: my Crafter's Charm Necklace. I found all the pewter charms at Hobby Lobby and the rest was already in my bead stash. There's a pair of scissors, painter's palette, sewing machine, ball of yarn with knitting needles, thimble, measuring tape and spool of thread.
partially x-posted to 20sknitters
I made the Coupling socks with a hank of Araucania Ranco in a semi-solid purple (color #101). The only modification I made was turning the flap heel into a short-row heel; the pattern was already written toe-up, like I prefer. The stitch pattern, when stretched on the leg, is much lacier than I had expected while knitting them. I really love them and can imagine them making lovely knee- or thigh-high stockings, if you're into that sort of thing. The yarn is wonderful too, but the first time I wore them, the sole was felted solid by the end of the day. I don't mind because I kinda like the cushiness of a felted sole, but that's something you may want to keep in mind if you're thinking of using this yarn.
I found this yarn at Hobby Lobby (they only carry one ball of each colorway at a time, even though it takes two to make a pair of socks - hence the anklets - but that's a rant for another day). It's the new Red Heart Heart & Sole. That's right - a sock yarn from Red Heart, and believe it or not, it's 70% wool! Crazy, huh? This is the E745 Mellow Stripe colorway, and it reminds me of Froot Loops cereal. So of course, I chose the Froot Loop sock pattern. I would usually pick a simpler stitch pattern for a self-striping yarn, but I couldn't resist. In addition to shortening them to ankle length, I also worked them toe-up and used a short-row heel.
I also discovered Patons Stretch Sock while at Hobby Lobby (again only one ball - good thing I like ankle socks). This colorway, #31306 Plum, is very high contrast, and I tried a number of patterns to see what worked best before settling on Hedera. Again, these are toe-up with short-row heels, as always. The elastic content of this yarn was difficult to work with at first, but once I got used to it and adjusted my tension accordingly, it was fine, and the end result is great - snug, stretchy socks.
A desire to use fewer plastic grocery bags, combined with a desire to use up some stash cotton, led to two Everlasting Bagstoppers. I knitted garter stitch straps instead of trying to find a sturdy, coordinating ribbon, and I didn't bother with the drawstring near the bottom. The solids are Sugar 'n Cream in Hot Pink (01740) and Hot Orange (01628), and the ombres are Peaches & Creme in Carnival (#?) and Gumdrop (205). These bags are sooooo stretchy. I really adore them and have already made use of them. And I still have several more balls of SnC in various colors, so I may be making more of these at a later date.
A friend commissioned me to make a Nautie for her coworker since she only knows how to crochet. I used some random worsted acrylic from my stash in pink, white, grey and a teensy bit of black to embroider the eyes. I'm not a huge fan of seaming, so I picked up stitches for the face instead of knitting it separately and sewing it together later. I think he's adorable, so I hope the recipient liked him as well.
And wow, I just realized that all of the above knitting patterns came from Knitty. I'm such a sheep.
Plus, there are two more projects (only one is from Knitty) and one work-in-progress that I can't share with you yet as they are gifts, and the recipients may read this.
Sewing
After seeing my skirt-belt-bags, a coworker of mine commissioned me to make some for holiday gifts for her family. I just went to the thrift store, picked out several skirts, belts and ties, and took them to work to show her and have her pick out the ones she liked. The last two are the ones she didn't want that I kept for myself.
Though it's not knitted or sewn, I also wanted to share a new piece of jewelry: my Crafter's Charm Necklace. I found all the pewter charms at Hobby Lobby and the rest was already in my bead stash. There's a pair of scissors, painter's palette, sewing machine, ball of yarn with knitting needles, thimble, measuring tape and spool of thread.
partially x-posted to 20sknitters