Paper Bag

Did you ever think it would look cute on a baby's head?  I don't know about anyone else, but it's usually not considered a good habit to put bags on baby's heads! :)

Really, though, this time there's an exception.  I just finished an adorable little hat called Pink Paper Bag.  This hat combines several different stitch patterns (stockinette, seed & garter stitch) as well as a few techniques (picot edging - crocheted & knit; I-cord, eyelet), really adding some character to the hat. 

The top is scrunched up so that it is like the top of a paper bag when closed.

It's closed with an I-cord strand tied into a bow. I went stash diving to complete this hat, so it's white & pink instead of dark pink, light pink & white. I like that way. :)

The top and bottom have a picot trim edge.  The bottom edge is knit while the top edge is crocheted.  I was running out of yarn and the crocheting took less yarn and less time.  :)

Top edge

Bottom edge

I made the hat for a friend's baby.  I'd like to make another paper bag hat soon.  There are so many people having babies!  But it's fun to make things for the little ones. 
 

Sewing, sewing, sewing

I've finally had the chance to use my new Brother sewing machine.  It's nice. :)  I got everything I needed for my project out yesterday, sat down to sew, and realized, I didn't really have my machine ready to go.  Bobbins weren't wound, needles had no thread, I didn't even really know how to operate the parts of the machine (other than the basics). 

See my sewing corner?  Eventually it will all be moved downstairs to a craft corner, but right now it consumes our kitchen table!

I've never worked on a machine with a start/stop button.  But now, if I want to, I can. :)  I just disconnect the peddle and voila!  I don't trust myself yet to use it, I need to get a feel for the machine first.  It also had a setting for speed, so that if I want, the speed will never increase from the set speed.  This is handy for someone like me who sometimes gets ahead of herself. :)

Start/Stop, reverse & needle position buttons

I think my favorite part of the machine, which I probably won't use for a little while, are the quilting stitches the machine is capable of.  I've quilted a couple blankets in the past, but only a very simple "stitch-in-the-ditch." It does the job, but it's not as visually appealing as leaves or curlies or flowers and the like.  So I'm anxious to give that a whirl.  I have a few projects coming up that I wasn't originally planning on quilting, but now, come to think of it, I could add some batting and quilt. :)  Fun way to practice!

See 43-48?  Yeah, those would be the quilting stitches!

My project last night was for a knitting project bag.  I have some fun fabrics that I picked out and cut into strips.  Mixing shades of teal, cream and pink, the bag has a bright, fun appearance.  It's going to be a drawstring bag w/ a shoulder strap.  The pattern originally contains a pocket on the outside, but I have no solid colored fabric and I think a pocket out of the material I'm using now will be a bit overwhelming.  Once I line the bag, I may choose to use some of the strips of fabric and create pockets on the inside. 

Fabric: pre-assembly

My bag book - love this book!

I'd also like to make a notions pocket to accompany the bag, but I'm not sure if that will work out.  For now, just the bag. :)

It's great to be back at sewing.  I've missed being able to just sit down and work at the machine. 

Once I finish the bag, my next project to tackle is getting back into polymer clay sculpting.  I'd like to make my own stitch markers instead of buying them, and this way I can make them unique for me.  I have lots of ideas - maybe I should create a list of things I'd like to make.  We'll see.

Quick - new photos!

So I've mentioned the Modern Rib Hat on NUMEROUS occassions, so I won't go into that again.  But I finally finished my hubby's hat - LOVE how the colors turned out.  Used 3 colors this time instead of 2 and it made a big difference in the end result.  Here are a few pics. :)

Stitch Markers

I've decided that I'm addicted to stitch markers.  The cute kind. :) Not those plastic ones, or the rubbery ones that stick on the needle.  I'm talking collectable stitch markers. :)  

It started innocently enough, just browsing Etsy for ideas for needle organizers and knitting project bags.  Of course, stitch markers came up in the search.  All kinds of them.  From the very basic rings, to more elaborate beaded markers.  Then I found something that really sparked interest - and I was off and running to find more.  I found Sherman the Sheep.  A beautiful glass bead shaped like a sheep.  I thought - wow, what cute way to keep your place.  And so unique compared to just several beaded markers that are all the same.  Every time I logged in to Etsy I'd look at him, but never wanted to spend the money on something so little.  And I thought, well - maybe there's more like it out there at a lower cost.  So I searched through TONS of markers, not even beginning to skim the surface of them all. 

And I came across polymer clay stitch markers.  :) And this is where my resolve in not getting any broke down. There were so many cute ones, I decided to find ones that were just right.  I came across Kyoto Song Designs.  She had a unique selection of markers, and after some lengthy convos, I had what I needed.  She's pretty much open to whatever you can think up.  If you have the idea, she'll make it happen.  So now I'm recieving 3 custom stitch markers that are truly unique for me.  She made one for Evie, Skilar & Jax (our pets).  I'm so excited for them to come in the mail, I can't wait. 

I got a few others as well - a zebra, a horse, a giraffe.  They're all pretty fun.  These pictures are before they're glossed and finished, but I wanted to share anyway. 

 

Which finally brings me to my final conclusion.  I do believe this is something I can learn to do myself.  I already have the polymer clay from making beads, now I have a second purpose for it!  I already know how to bake the clay, etc.  I'll need to brush up on a few basics, but overall, I think I'll be able to do this myself, for myself, instead of spending the money elsewhere.  And who knows - maybe it'll turn into something I could eventually make money on myself!  (although I better not get ahead of myself.  lol)  So in the end, this is what I'm MOST excited and thrilled about (yeah, I know - one more thing to add to my list of hobbies & crafts).  But this makes the possibilities absolutely endless.  :)

Making Up

Not the kind that happens after you've had a fight with someone.  I'm talking about making up or finishing up a piece of knitting or sewing.  I'm not completely sure how I feel about it.  I think it may be a love/hate relationship. 

On the one hand, I love seeing how a project comes together when all the pieces are added.  The project evolves into something - not just strange shape or large circular (or flat) band of something.  The project takes on a life of it's own.  And it's not a huge chore to put the project together as long as you add pieces as you finish them, not all at the end.

But on the other hand, making up is a sometimes tedious and time-consuming chore.  Even when I add each piece as it is finished, or do as much as possible at once.  But sometimes it's inevitable that everything has to wait until the end.  Such is the case with a hat.  Or at least the hat I'm working on now.  I'm in the process of making up the Painted Turtle hat.  I crocheted the turtles first.  I thought it would be fun to try my hand at crocheting to see how well I could manage.  Then, if I couldn't get the hang of it, I could keep practicing until I got it right, and then the hard part would be over.  The turtles were quick fun projects.  The embroidering of the shell was interesting because it gave each turtle a unique look.  But now I've finished the base of the hat (a very easy quick knit, by the way).  I've attached 2 turtles, 4 to go.  They look great on the hat, but...I get a little bored, I guess.  Since the actual knitting and crocheting is done, I feel somewhat exhausted (mentally) and just want to see the end result.  This is partly due to my impatient personality.  Instant gratification sometimes wins out over patience.  And it wouldn't have mattered if I'd made the turtles first or last - I want them already on the hat.  But I digress.

I will admit, after each turtle is attached, the hat changes.  It makes me excited to see what each step will do for the overall look and feel of the hat. 

Such is the internal struggle for every project that isn't immediately finished when the "knitting" is complete.  I'm sure I'm not the only knitter to experience this angst.  It won't stop me from doing bigger projects with more pieces or anything like that.  Just something that frustrated me last night.

I can't wait to get home tonight and finish up the hat.  I'm very happy with my color choices.  I think it's sweet, and hopefully the recipient will appreciate it.  Another plus - my son seems to think it would make a great toy.  When I was crocheting the turtles, he kept trying to take them from me.  I finally gave him a completed turtle to play with and chew on, and I made another for the hat.  So now we know the hat is not only functional (warm, pretty hat) but also versitile.  When I sewed the turtles on last night, X wanted to take the hat and play with them.  Instant toy! haha

I also have a KnitPicks order in the mail.  The yarn for the hat/toy swap is in this package.  I'm anxious to see the colors.  I hope they work well.  The package also has the last skein of yarn I need to make my hubby's hat.  He's been so patient, but I think he's getting anxious to have his hat as he walks around in this cold weather!   Then, all I need is the fabric for the project bag, my swap surprises to arrive in the mail, and I'll be set! :)

Busy Busy

This is going to be quick. 

I've recently finished a couple hats.  My son's Snowman hat is done.  Yay!  I knit this for the December KAL on Ravelry, but it took me a little longer.  I was planning on doing this hat anyway - so it was good timing.  I opted not to try the carrot nose - since no orange yarn!  Instead he's got a button nose.  Quirky meets Frosty.  :)  I like him. 

Frosty

Frosty in the snow

Like the button?

Second, I finished my stepdad's Christmas present - the Modern Rib Hat in Hawkeye colors.  I even had this completed for the game last weekend. :)  I need some better pictures so the pattern is better seen, but once again, this pattern has proven to be simple and soft.  I prefer the yarn I used for this hat and my brother's hat, over the yarn I used for my Dad's hat.  It's softer and not as stiff.  But, on the flip side, probably not as warm!

Hawkeye Colors

Large folded brim

My son modeling the hat :)

Big on my son - but adequately fits the intended adult!

I'm now working on a Modern Rib hat for my husband.  I've got it started, but I need more black - so I'm waiting for that to come.  In the meantime - I'm working on the Painted Turtle hat by Susan B. Anderson.  The hat is one base color, with colorful crocheted turtles adorning the hat.  So I learned to crochet.  Yay!
I'm doing a hat & project bag swap on Ravelry so I don't want to disclose too much information yet. But the turtles are completed, and now I'm working on the base of the hat.  About 1/3 of the way finished there.  I have also finally picked the toy I'm including in the project bag, found a couple cute stitch markers, and bought the yarn for the project.  Anywho - once I get these two projects done, I have 2 more hats and a couple quick gifts to knit up.  Then maybe my knitting will slow down a bit! haha!

Hats, Hats and More Hats!

That seems to have been keeping me busy lately.  With several projects on my needles over Christmas, I've been working away as much as possible to dwindle down all my unfinished objects.  Just a couple days ago I finished another Modern Rib Hat for my dad.  This hat is brown and cream and made of a heavier weight yarn so that hat shaped up a little thicker and tighter than the hat I knit for my brother.  I really like the way the colors compliment one another.  Very earthy.  I think Dad will enjoy the hat. 

I finished (okay, almost finished) my son's Snowman hat.  It's soo cute! :)  I still need to add the carrot nose, but I think it knit up nicely.  I like the red I chose for the scarf.  It's not a bright red, more of a deep, saturated red that really adds some substance to the hat.  I tried it on X several times last night to see how it looked.  He didn't appreciate it since he was trying to play, but once I got it on him, it didn't bother him.  He'll be wearing it sans nose right now, but that shouldn't take me long to finish.

I also have a hat on the needles for my stepdad.  This one is about 1/3 of the way finished.  It's another modern rib hat and it's going to be in black and gold.  Go Hawks!  This hat is to accompany some basketball tickets we all gave him for Christmas to see the University of Iowa Hawkeyes play.  The first of 2 games is this Saturday, the 9th so I need to make sure the hat is finished by then.  This hat is knitting up great.  It's such a change from the last yarn I was working with for my dad's hat.  I think he'll really like it. 

After that, I need to start and finish a hat for my husband.  He was the original intended recipient of the modern rib hat.  I was looking for something to make him, and this pattern jumped out at me.  And the poor guy has had to wait to be last to recieve his hat. :(   I'll make it up to him in the future, maybe with a second hat so he has choices.  He did tell me he was okay with me doing the other projects first, I just feel bad that it's taking me so long to get to his hat.

I have a hat I'll be casting on very soon for a hat swap on Raverly.  I'm looking forward to the challenge of adding some crochet turtles to the hat.  I hope they turn out well.  This also gives me the excuse of buying orange fabric since that's what the pattern calls for - thus giving me yarn for the Snowman's carrot nose!

And finally, I have a couple projects I'm working on as a gift for a friend.  I can't disclose what they are yet, just in case said friend reads the blog.  I'm really excited about these projects and hopes she enjoys them. 

That's it for the knitting I'll be doing in the future.  That should keep my January busy. :)

Of course, I have other things I'd like to accomplish in that time as well.  I got a new Brother sewing machine for Christmas (yay!!!). So now I can work on a few projects I'd been scheming about in my head for the past couple months.  First on the list are a needle case and a project bag for my knitting.  The needle case will be the first because the case I have for my needles drives me crazy.  It fits my needles well and keeps them protected, but it's that clear plastic, it's not cute, and it doesn't fit my straight needles.  It fits my dpns, but I have to throw them into the big pocket since all the side slots are occupied.  I've seen a lot of cute cases on Etsy, but I'm not willing to spend the money on them when I know I could make them myself.