These couple of weeks haven't given me the chance to finish many projects. I finally got the Pikmin pillow completed (check out my etsy listing and my project page) and have blocked out a couple of shawls I have done... One from January and one from February actually. They are both gorgeous!
The fingerless mitts I was working on have also been completed, and these are the most amazing pair I have made(that I have designed) to date!! I will be making some more, I love them that much... All though I'm not sure I'll be using fingering weight again. These were ma de with my February yarn pick in this beautiful blue, and I still have a little left for my scrap bin.
Talking about montly yarn pick, my March pick was a James C. Brett Marble DK weight skein. I have also completed a stripped cowl, but do have enough left for one more project I believe...which I've yet to pick out.
My WIPs have not received much attention either. I've only completed 5 rows of my Nintendo granny square blanket in total these two weeks(project page), however I'm well ahead of my goal so it's not a huge deal. My arm also needed a break, I found that this was the culprit for my aches and pains... The break was truly appreciated.
The thing is, I have been splitting my time between yarn and gaming. I have recently beat two games, Paper Mario Sticker Star and Yoshi's New Island, both for 3DS. As you know, my aim is to make a project inspired by the games I complete, and so have been working on a couple of projects relating to these. I have two crochet tutorials in the works and look forward to having them up by the end of the month if at all possible. I won't spoil the surprise, but they are pretty quick, easy and ideal beginner projects. Check out more chatter on my video!
These couple of weeks have been busy. I finished up a few of my WIPS from last year(the tunisian crochet pillows) and have made huge progress on the Goomba...he's almost done, actually. Two more rows and my blanket is officially 50% complete!! Check out all the details on my project page here. This is my biggest project ever and it truly will be awesome once complete. I plan to actually use this everyday as well, made with Red Heart Super Saver it should last quite a long time(i'm counting on it!).
I've also completed a number of hats, knit and crochet. Check these out:
I've only completed two projects this time around, and still have yarn left from my February yarn club skein! I made an awesome kerchief that turned out dreamy, and i'm pretty sure i have enough for a set of hand warmers/finger-less mitts. If i have any yarn left after that, i plan to make something else if i have enough, or use it in another project until it expires. This weight of it is a little thinner than what i'm used to, nontheless i'm still enjoying working with this quite a bit.
My biggest accomplishment is my finished Piranha plant! My Nintendo blanket is now officially 25% complete(a little over actually) and i couldn't be more excited. I really pushed for this these last two weeks, unfortunately my overworked arm has been paying the consequences. As awesome as this was, i will try to take things easier and slower for the other 75%, i'm way ahead of schedule as is(not that this really has a deadline).
I spun up some fiber and am working on another awesome bat of some dreamy Falkland. It's my first time working from a 'bat' and i'm quite pleased with how thi
n i'm spinning this. I also finished the brown fiber but have yet to skein it or measure yardage. My drop spindle spinning(lol) is also still in the works. Check out youtube vid below for more blurbs on what what i've been working on!
This month has been pretty great. I've completed a total of 9 projects, one of them being an adult crochet sweater that was completed from start finish this month. That's pretty good for me, last year i've had times where i didn't get anything done in a couple of weeks. I have a blog up where i'll be listing my projects completed each month; don't forget to check it out every now and then! I'll also try to make project pages(on Rav) for them as well.
As mentioned, the biggest accomplishment is the crochet sweater i made for my husband. It's a good and easy enough pattern, all thought i did have to alter the body a little(the small size was too big). I'm happy with the re
sults, and i did manage to use up a whole jumbo skein of Red Heart Super Saver(and then some). I'm not sure i like the look of it, as far as the material of the fabric goes. After making knitted sweaters, i think that's what i prefer.
I also completed a scrap cowl as well as a shawl made with Loops and Threads Impeccable. I love that yarn, it's really one of my faves. The shawl turned out great, i love the final product and the pattern was really simple/easy to memorize. I have to thank a fellow yarny friend for that one, who gifted me a booklet with the pattern(all though you can purchase it in Rav).
Last but not least my WIPs. Another great stash buster project is my Video Game crochet blanket... It will be a long while before it's complete but i'm ahead of schedule so no worries there. I'm also making another cowl in garter stitch, using the carry-the-yarn when making stripes technique(i don't know if it actually has a name...).
I also purchased a couple of skeins, but i didn't really do it on purpose. When i made the purchase i didn't even think twice, it only came to me after the fact and honestly i wasn't going to return it for that reason. They are missing quite a bit of info, however they feel like wool and are soft enough... i'll be able to use them for something. Going back to the game afghan for a second, i'm not sure if i actually have enough yarn for this so may have to purchase some in the long run... which i will do if that means i'm purchasing for a specific reason(not to simply add to my stash). Ideally i'll get to that point at the end.
Hey all, i've decided to keep track of my knitting and crochet projects this year by adding to the list as i complete each project. It was a pretty easy and a quick(er) way to have a final list of all that i've completed... so far so good! I'm including the link to the patterns(when applicable) as well as if they're free(or paid, etc). I may just add a link to my completed projects as well(so if you're on Ravelry, feel welcome to check them out!). Check on this post from time to time to view my progress.
* Around June and July, life happened and i missed keeping track of what i made for a few months thereafter(i also took a bit of a break)... hence the list not being complete. All projects have been added to my Ravelry if you're inclined to check that out. I hope to follow through with a complete list in 2016!
Due to the productivity this week, i decided to update. Also, because i will probably forget to show half of these by the 2 week mark(all thought i'm trying to get better at that!). I finished all of my WIPs from last week(save the piranha plant swatch) and then some. I also completed an awesome cowl i made w/ the hand-spun, as well as added a crochet sweater to my WIP list.
I'm going to update this the easiest way possible which is including some tidbits of information along with the picture. As usual, you can find my Cast Off Crew video below as well. As a bonus, i'm also sharing my awesome new Animal Crossing themed project bags made by The Patchwork Peaches (on Etsy). She is a new podcaster as well, check out her channel here. They came just in time too, i plan to use one as a purse(or at least carry my WIPs around in) to the convention i'll be attending this weekend(Magfest). You can view my mail-time video here.
These last couple of weeks i've completed the 'Harvest' cardigan(check out my project page), a free pattern from tincanknits. It turned out great, i really recommend it! Although i had to alter it due to my gauge, i had no issues with my adjustments.
I also completed my Monthly Yarn Club project! January's pick was Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun. My aim was to use as much yarn as possible, i wanted minimal scraps/yarn left over. At first i thought fingerless gloves, but that was too small a project so i decided to make a pair of leg warmers instead. They turned out great and used up about 99.5% of the skein(if not more, really). The 'pattern' was inspired by the cozy sweater warmer i purchased from scentsy via Smellsgreatguy(check him out! he's a scentsy consultant).
The next two 'completed' items are fiber/yarn related. I finished dying my handspun(navajo plyed) which i showed during my last Cast Off vid. It wasn't what intended but it was a beautiful surprise. I love how all the colors separated and blended on themselves, it's disappointing that i won't be able to replicate it. I already know this is going to be a cowl, i just have to pick out the pattern.
I also completed spinning the 4oz of Malabrigo in the Universo colorway last week, and i recently finished plying it into a 2-ply chunky/super chunky yarn. I'm not sure about my yardage yet, i'll let it sit for a couple of more days before i make it into a skein and measure. It's my first 2-ply on my Babe spinning wheel(which i haven't named yet..lol). Check out my ravelry and Cast-Off video below for more info!
My WIPs(works in progress) for the week:
1. Sockhead Hat in Lion Brand's Sock Ease, Sourball. This is a free pattern!
2. Bernat's Cable Baby Blanket in I love This Yarn, Mid Green and Gray(?). Also a free pattern!
3. Cable and Gusset Mittens in Loops & Threads Charisma, Mountain Majesty. Pattern from the 'Circular Knitting Workshop' book.
4. Double Knitting Piranha Swatch (no pattern/ working off a chart)
I decided to dig through my stash and pick out 12 skeins/colorways I would specifically want to work with this year. They aren't any one kind of yarn/blend/weight in particular, but all are beautiful skeins, old and new(er), which I just haven't had a chance to work through yet. Some have been in my stash for a few years, probably since I've started my yarn journey! Others are more recent buys that are just as beautiful. There's a variety of commercial yarns and not so commercial yarns, as well as a variety of fiber(fiber content) and weights. I didn't number my bags either, I think that will just add to the surprise element ;).
I did go a step further and somewhat browsed ravelry while i updated these in my stash, for projects I tagged and/or are in my queue. If I happen to really like a specific project I'd want to see with any specific yarn, I noted the details and included it via note in the package. Not to say I have to make that specific item, it's more of a dash of Inspiration. I also noted if I have more of the yarn in my stash, if I happen to want to make a larger project(I'm on a yarn ban as well!), this should come in handy to use up more of it. Last but not least, here is the bunch! I'll have my hubs pick one out every month. I'll also be updating with links to the projects these awesome yarns have created(i imagine most may be ravelry project pages, so if you're not in ravelry you should really think of joining! It's an amazing resource at the least). Check out my video update regarding the yarn club here.
Talinay by Ester Bitran Hand - Dyes Discontinued Colorway: 214 165yards/100grams p/skein - I'm including the 2 in my stash
100% Wool October Pick! No Project :(
Araucania Pomaire Solid
Discontinued :(
Colorway: 68
208 yards / 100 grams p/skein - This is the only one!
100% Cotton November Pick! No Project
Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun Worsted
Colorway: 7652
200 yards / 100 grams p/skein - This is the only one!
I finally completed the larger version of the Animal Crossing inspired amigurumi cake. I'm thinking whether to make a video tutorial and if i should wait until it's uploaded before releasing the pattern(s) or just add it on later on. Hmm, i guess it will depend how soon i can get that done, we shall see! I used the same toppings(strawberries/candles/etc) for the larger version than i did for the small one, just made the cake itself a little bigger. I may make one more to re-test the pattern before releasing it(this will be a free one btw).
Talking about Animal Crossing, i got the most awesome thing via a Secret Santa swap. My partner is also into amigurumi and crochet, so she made me a Bell Bag!! It's pretty cute. She also included a piranha plant cross-stitch necklace(and/or key-chain). She's located in Canada and has an Etsy shop as well. Check her out here! She makes a lot of video game related goods, i'd say she's definitely worth a look. *Update, i think her shop is on break...but do go and check it out once she's back! The next projects are smallish in size and are for gifting actually. I finished the cute cat hat and have decided to add buttons to the 'seam', as i found it pretty noticeable(however i knew exactly where it was, so...). I also did a couple of simple finger-less gloves. The stripped one is pretty awesome, and due to my laziness of sewing in ends i ended up doing the magic knot technique on every stripe. I pretty much eyeballed it as far as where to change yarn and it's not perfect, but it's close enough. From now on i think i'm doing this for stripes(unless they do have to be perfect for some reason). These were a simple 3x2 rib. The purple ones are 2x2 rib, and turned them into tiny cables to add some texture since they would be pretty plain otherwise. I also tried out making a cable on the thumb gusset...wasn't very hard at all and am quite satisfied with the results.
I worked on my current brown sweater as well, i actually started on one of the sleeves. You can see the body of the sweater is complete, an open cardigan was exactly what i was going for. I really like this pattern, all though unfortunately i had to adjust due to my gauge, it turned out great. It's a free one from tincanknits, you can find it here. I made quite a few adjustments to mine, i'm also doing a couple of stripes in a cream/aran color on the sleeves. I should be done with it for the next update! You can check out my project page on Rav for more details(all though not completely up to date).
I worked on a couple of hats(a baby and adult sized) from one of my favorite free patterns, Be Kind. I gave the double knit technique a try as well. My swatch wasn't the best really, i probably should have used a smaller needle size (my gauge i'm telling you...), so will keep at it until i'm satisfied with it and then decide if i do in fact want to use this technique for a project(or not). It would make an awesome cowl/scarf. I'm still iffy on whether i like charted characters knitted up(or not).
I worked on some spining and have finished off two skeins that are ready to be worked. Actually, i lie... one is ready to use, however the other is ready to dye and then have the twist set. I'm not sure what color yet, but i know it'll come to me! It was my first time plying on my wheel and it went pretty smoothly. I decided to navajo ply it since i spun this yarn a little thin, making it into a 2-ply would still be a little thin for my taste. Definitely not as hard as i thought, i'm looking forward to doing more. That's all for now i think; in the meantime check out my Cast-Off video below!
How long has it been since i've done an update on my finished projects and what i'm working on? I'm not quite sure; i don't recall the last things i've shared either(and i don't plan to go and find out, lol). I grabbed what i remembered making and all though i don't have a few of these items to show anymore, i think i got most of them.
I've finished a number of things, including a cowl for my Secret Santa Rav swap(all thought i don't have a pic of the completed cowl; it was sewn together of course- find the pattern here) as well as a headband and an item that was already in use(a crochet container for small misc items on my bath counter). I also finished my gift cat hat(at last!). I was iffy about this one 'cause there is a (very noticeable?) seam in the front of the hat and i wasn't sure if it required an embellishment(or not). What do you think? This is a very cute free pattern you can find here.
Now let's talk about(more) cowls. I finally finished one that has actually been done for some time, but i was rather unhappy with the color of the yarn. I decided to over-dye this project and ta-da! Love how it turned out(and it may be a future pattern in the works). I also finished a crochet cowl(great free pattern by Nina, find it here) which is just up my alley. I love close-to-the-neck cowls and this totally fits the bill; i also really like the neutral color i chose for this pattern. It would be amazing in any color really(and i do plan to make some more).
My one huge thing was my sweater - I'm so glad it's complete(this is a free patter you can find here)! I finished it last week actually, but i've yet to wash/dry before i let myself wear it out. It fits pretty well and i love the colors that i chose. This pattern would also make a great cardigan/open sweater so am looking to alter the pattern and make it again w/ that purpose. I decided against duplicate stitching something on it, as i thought it would take away from the stripes.
The Animal Crossing game series inspired the amigurumi cake i worked up which i will be posting a pattern for(eventually, haha). It's not exactly to scale so may tweak it a little(and/or offer both sizes, we'll see!). I am also participating in another Secret Santa(not Rav related) which is the funnest one yet. This has more of a geeky approach; the person i'm gifting is into games as i am and by coincidence also happens to knit! This is amazing; to share the love of yarn i dyed her a custom skein of Superwash Merino/230 yds in various hues of green(her fave color). I'm also working on a Piranha Plant decorative pillow(reminiscent of the Super Mario Brothers games) and am waiting for a couple of items i ordered to arrive before sending out her package. Soo excited!
My works in progress consist of a ribbed knit sushi scarf(if you guys recall my crochet version you can check out here, i will similarly write up a recipe/pattern for) as well as a purple shawl i've started quite some time ago and um, anything else mentioned above.
Recently i have also made quite a few purchases due to the black friday/cyber monday sales and i've got a few of them already. I made a video sharing my yarn haul from Knit Picks, and if you guys have seen my current videos know i have purchased a spinning wheel(and that it has arrived!). I'm still waiting for a couple of other fiber purchases; once i have received them i will be posting up a general black friday/cyber monday haul blog where i talk about all my purchases during this time. I also have a video on how i put my spinning wheel together, it's more to share the experience rather than a how-to video, and will be posting a blog with pictures and commentary eventually. All in all, it's hasn't been a bad 3-4 weeks!
This couple of weeks i have realized my knitting gauge is a nightmare. I've worked on two hats where i was unable to make gauge so had to rework both patterns to fit my unmovable one. I also swatched for a sweater(a free pattern via Rav - $5 in Paris)where the problem persisted, and so altering that pattern is also in the future.
I was looking for a hat pattern to possibly gift around the holidays and i found a couple of cute free ones via Rav. My first was the Simple Kitty Hat which has adorable earflaps - this turned out to be my favorite of the two. The other similar hat was the Future of Forestry Hat which has a folded ribbed rim of 1x1 ribbing...i'm surprised i actually made this one. 1x1 rib is my most hated rib combination, and this pattern called for 8" of it. Never again!! If i happen to make it again i'll be doing 2x2.
A baby hat was also completed which turned out pretty cute as well. This is also a free pattern which comes with 2 different hat patterns called Two Lace Baby Hats, check it out in Rav. The goat pillow is also finally complete!! I got to it just in time for Smells Like Yarn group's giveaway. So psyched it's complete, if i do say so myself it turned out pretty adorable :).
I finished spinning the red/pink stripped yarn as well and have skeined it, however i have not washed it to set the twist yet. During my last update i was in the process of spinning it i believe.... I'm looking fwd to caking this one as well since the color transitions should really show up this way. Something else is on my drop spindles as a WIP, and this type of fiber (superwash merino) is amazing. It really spins like butter - this is my favorite fiber to work with to date. Once i use up some of my fiber stash, i know what i'll be going for.
A tutorial is also in the works, based off the cute ornament i made for my partner during the last swap. If anyone is interested in testing the pattern, do let me know! This will be a free published pattern and i'll be posting a tutorial vid as well. I used a 2" styrofoam ball inside this one, but it could easily be filled with fiberfill or the like. It's pretty adaptable too, so many ways to customize. I'll try to have it up ASAP! Whenever i have the time to edit and have it up that is... :)
These couple of weeks haven't given me the chance to finish many projects. I finally got the Pikmin pillow completed (check out my etsy listing and my project page) and have blocked out a couple of shawls I have done... One from January and one from February actually. They are both gorgeous!
The fingerless mitts I was working on have also been completed, and these are the most amazing pair I have made(that I have designed) to date!! I will be making some more, I love them that much... All though I'm not sure I'll be using fingering weight again. These were ma de with my February yarn pick in this beautiful blue, and I still have a little left for my scrap bin. 
Talking about montly yarn pick, my March pick was a James C. Brett Marble DK weight skein. I have also completed a stripped cowl, but do have enough left for one more project I believe...which I've yet to pick out.
My WIPs have not received much attention either. I've only completed 5 rows of my Nintendo granny square blanket in total these two weeks(project page), however I'm well ahead of my goal so it's not a huge deal. My arm also needed a break, I found that this was the culprit for my aches and pains... The break was truly appreciated. 
The thing is, I have been splitting my time between yarn and gaming. I have recently beat two games, Paper Mario Sticker Star and Yoshi's New Island, both for 3DS. As you know, my aim is to make a project inspired by the games I complete, and so have been working on a couple of projects relating to these. I have two crochet tutorials in the works and look forward to having them up by the end of the month if at all possible. I won't spoil the surprise, but they are pretty quick, easy and ideal beginner projects. Check out more chatter on my video!
