WIPS

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As always, I have more Works In Progress than any sane craftist should have.  This week I've added two scarves to the pile -- one knit and one crochet -- and I picked up some yarn to try crochet color pooling.  Both are my own patterns -- hopefully coming soon to the blog! The crochet scarf (in the blue) I think would work better in a solid color.  I am loving the texture of the red scarf!

Feel free to link up any of your finished yarn projects at my weekly Yarn Fanatic Party.

I'm also super excited because my library hold for The Mysterious Benedict Society finally came in! Speaking of books, I've started a new post series called Our Library Bag.  

So much crafting and so many books . . . so little time!

Linking up with Small Things and Frontier Dreams.

WIPS: Birds & Crochet, Plus a New Hat

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What bird(s) do you think of when you see this color combination?  While the colorway is "gelato" I'm all about feathers this time. (Full disclosure, this cell phone photo is pretty terrible, it just doesn't capture the true vibrancy of this yarn.  You can see it on Amazon and Michael's but even there the lighter green is somewhat washed out -- in person it's almost a neon lime green.)

I have a lovely pattern that I am working on writing up to share with you all, but I am still debating the name.  Maybe one of you will will be able to give me some inspiration.  Birds that are on my mind are peacock, parrot, and canary.

Photo Source: Free Images

Photo Source: Free Images

Photo Source: Free Images

I have another project going using the Caron Cakes Yarn.  I am attempting to knit a hat sans pattern.  Always dangerous.  Especially since my knitting skills aren't nearly as honed as my crochet skills.  The brim is going to be a braided cable . . . at least, that's the current plan.  Cable charts terrify me.  I can read just about any crochet chart with no problem, and love when they're included for intricate patterns, but a knitting chart still looks completely foreign to me.  It's a fear that needs to be conquered though, because I adore the look of cables.  (And in my humble opinion, crochet cables just don't measure up.)

I'd like to invite everyone to link up their yarn-y projects at this week's Yarn Fanatic Party!  Also, don't forget about September's yarn giveaway!

As always, I'll be sharing this Works In Progress post at the Yarn Along and Kelp Calm Craft On. 

WIPS: Hearts and Dragons

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As always, I have an absurd amount of Works In Progress.  Today's highlights are a circle vest with a heart motif and a dragon.  I'm hoping to finish both this week!

Have you entered April's yarn giveaway?

If you're in the market for a Kindle, most of them are on sale right now.

 

Linking up with Small Things and Frontier Dreams.

WIPS

I have a box of Works In Progress that still haven't been unpacked from the move.  I untaped the box, looked inside, pulled out a couple of projects, and pretty much left it.  The box is conveniently sitting to the side of my crafting space.  (Which is currently covered in Legos.)

I'm still knitting my Traveling Woman Shawl, although it has taken a back seat once again, poor thing, but I'm hoping to get working on it with earnest very soon.

Here's a little teaser of a crochet project that I'm just about finished with.  I need a teeny tiny amount of black yarn, and I can't find any!  I literally have boxes and boxes of yarn, but I can't find even a couple of yards of black.  I suppose I will HAVE to go yarn shopping.

Oh, I'm also planning on sewing Catherine's Halloween costume.  And the treat bags.  I should do that.  Soon.

What are you crocheting, knitting, or sewing?  Anyone else still have Halloween sewing to finish?  Or (*cough*) start?

This yarn could be yours!  Enter the easy peasy giveaway. (Ends 10/31/2015.)

I'd love it if you could show the sponsor, Chaleur Hand Dyed Yarn, some love.  She's been super sweet to work with and I want her to know how much we appreciate her generous giveaway prize.

Maybe we could help her get to 1,000 Facebook fans?

Linking up with Small Things and Frontier Dreams.

WIPS: Booties, Hat, and Giveaway Reminder

It's especially cold here today, how is it where you are?  (Tonight's forecasted windchill is -22, which for this area is crazy!)

I whipped up some little booties for Dominic.  I used this pattern but used an H crochet hook and didn't put any decoration on the booties.  They are a little bit big, which unfortunately means that they are super easy for him to remove.  I do need to weave in the last two ends at some point.

I am still knitting my Mont Royal Hat.  I'm such a slow knitter in comparison to my crochet speed.  I also have an easier time holding the Little Guy and crocheting.  Knitting and cuddles just seem to be a sure recipe to poking an eye.

Have you visited this week's Yarn Fanatic Party?  It's a weekly party where you can link up your projects that use yarn.  I also try to have a giveaway every week!  This giveaway is a continuation of last week's.  Expression Fiber Arts is sponsoring this giveaway.  You could win a skein of the above yarn!  (Ends 2/22/15.  US only.)

I'm also hosting a beautiful handmade jewelry giveaway right now.  (Ends 2/22/15.  US only.)

Crocheted Kitty Dolls

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These three little kittens were Christmas presents.  I have to say, I am pretty happy with how they turned out!

I used Simply Soft yarn for the dresses and a mystery white yarn from my stash.  (I'm pretty sure it was a Red Heart baby yarn, but I can't find the label.)  I did a basic ruffle (three stitches in every foundation stitch) using treble crochet for the skirts.

Here's Catherine with her Kitty from this morning.  Frozen nightgown and bedhead included. 

I do have a crafting confession.  I am still finishing a few Christmas gifts.

Be sure to link up your projects at my Yarn Fanatic Party, and enter to win a $5 Amazon gift code while you're there.  (This party and giveaway will end January 11, 2015, but don't worry, another one will begin on Monday!)

Edited to add:  These items were for personal use only. 

WIPS

I am almost ready to begin the decrease on the swirl hat, just another inch or so.  I needed a few super quick projects the past couple of days so I grabbed my crochet hooks and some of my partial skeins and whipped up a hat and a headwarmer.  (Patterns soon to follow.)  I still need to weave in the ends.  It's so easy, but I often find myself procrastinating on that last step.

I also have figured out a way to crochet while holding the Baby, but I can't knit with him.  It might just be that I'm more familiar with crochet, but I'm thinking that knitting might simply be impossible.  He's teething so he's needed lots of cuddles the past week.  Can you knit or crochet while holding a baby?

I'd love to see you share your projects at my Yarn Fanatic Party! 

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: Finished Projects and A New Sweater

Here are two projects that are (finally!) finished.  They both had been started over a year(!) ago. 

Even though I have quite a few projects that are currently in progress I decided to start another one!  I cast on this sweater.  This will be my first knitting project for myself.  The pattern is for a size small, which I am not, but I'm hoping that using larger needles will make enough of a difference.  We'll see.

I love the color of this yarn!  It's called Teal Lake.  I've never worked with this type, or even this brand, of yarn before, but it looked so nice and felt so soft I thought I'd give it a try.  (And *cough* it was in my price range.)  How about you, have you worked with this yarn before?  What did you think of it?

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: Or Not . . .

Well, to be honest, I haven't touched a crochet hook or knitting needle since "Porcupine" was born.  (His official name is Dominic, don't worry!)

I did finish crocheting the matching Minion hats that Catherine wanted in time for Dominic's arrival.  Here are my two cuties wearing their hats in the hospital.  (A full post on these hats, with much better pictures, will follow . . . someday.)

My crochet and knitting "to do" list is ever growing!  I saw this crocheted cardigan pattern that looks pretty and fairly simple.  I think I will have to try it soon(ish).

Just curious, did any of you lovely readers manage to master crocheting and/or knitting while nursing?  Is it possible?

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: Minion Hats, Slouchy Hats, and a Finished Snowman Scarf

With Baby "Porcupine" arriving on Friday (the doctors believe a c-section is in our best interest) I haven't been starting too many new projects.  I do have a few Works In Progress that I am hoping to finish before then.  (And let's face it, at this point I really can't move around for more than five minutes without pain or getting sick, so I should have plenty of couch time to finish these projects!)

I need to finish the Minion hats for Catherine and Porcupine.  I decided that the original one I made for Catherine was simply too small -- it fit over her head, but just barely.  So last night I started another one for her.  The embellishments shouldn't take me too long.  (This picture shows the first hat I made for Catherine next to the newborn sized one for Porcupine, you can tell that it isn't too much bigger.)

I made a slouchy hat for a friend that overall I thought turned out pretty well; however, I am making her a second one with softer yarn.  I only need to finish the embroidery.  Here's the first one:

I did finish my "Snowman Scarf"!  I'd love if you'd check it out and tell me what you think!

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: Various Updates and New Yarn

Well, my big knitting news is that I finished the baby sweater!  And it looks like a sweater! Please,  check it out here -- I'd love some feedback!  I've added a few rows to Catherine's poncho/cape -- this particular project sure is taking me awhile.

I've also added some yarn to my stash.  The purple yarn will probably be a sweater for Catherine.  (I'm on the lookout for an easy-ish child's pattern -- any recommendations?)

Catherine picked out a blue yarn for her giraffe.  I'm going to start working on this as soon as I put the computer down.

This green yarn is going to be a Yoda hat for Porcupine.  Again, I'm looking for pattern recommendations.  I have a baby beanie hat pattern that I like, but I'd like a pattern for the ears.  I like the ears on this Craftsy pattern, but I want to see if I can find one for free first.  (My hubby is a bit of a Star Wars fan, so I have to make sure that the ears are "right".)  

The yarn looks a little bright in this photo -- the above one is much truer. 

Be sure to follow my blog so that you don't miss anything!  I have an awesome hand dyed yarn giveaway coming up very soon, sponsored by Quaere Fibre!

 

Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS

This post contains affiliate links. 

I'm quite a bit south of the Mason-Dixon line, and we currently have snow!  We are expected to get a lot more snow today, so I will be cozily working on my knitting and crocheting while streaming the Olympics. 

I've been wanting to crochet some hats with the half double stitch for a little while. (Take a Craftsy class to learn this stitch!)  I think the stitch would look nice but I've been having a difficult time finding a pattern that I like.  I found this one, but I don't think that the increases are staggered properly.  (Yes, it is a minor detail, but it bothers me!)  My grand plan is to make one (mostly) according to the pattern and then develop my own pattern.  Do you have a favorite half double crochet hat pattern?

Catherine, in all adorableness, asked me to make matching hats for her and Porcupine.  (I'm 34 weeks along today!)  She then clarified that she wants them to be matching monster hats -- so I will have to see what I can fit onto a newborn's hat.  Do you know of any monster hat patterns that would work well for both a newborn and a toddler?

I've been slowly adding rows to Catherine's Poncho/Cape.  (I really need to decide what I am going to call it!)  This project is certainly a work in patience. 

Please ignore the fact that the yarn is still in the bag, and artfully staged on Porcupine's car seat box.

My daughter is even more of a yarn addict than I am.  We made a stop at Michael's on Sunday to check out the Lion Brand yarn sale going on this week and she wanted me to get Vanna's Choice yarn in every color.  I was the one who had to limit us to a handful of skeins.  She is very eager to learn how to crochet or knit.  I don't think she quite has the fine motor skills necessary yet, but I've started letting her play with a hook and yarn.  How old were you when you learned how to knit or crochet?  Or how young have you taught your child(ren)?

I did finish that poor neglected blue hat that I told you about last week.  It was a Work In Progress for about a year for no real reason.  

{Mint Blue Elegant Hat}

 

Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: A Giveaway, a Poncho Update, a Neglected Project, & a Pattern

Before getting to the projects that I'm working on this week, I'd like to let you all know about a giveaway that I'm hosting!  The prize is a beautiful Origami Owl Heart Locket.  The giveaway is open to US residents and ends February 10, 2014.

{Enter here.}

I'm making slow and steady progress on Catherine's poncho/cape.  (That's the cream yarn on the right.)  At this point it's lots and lots of knit stitches with the occasional yarn over, so it's great for while I'm watching tv. I'm still hoping that it will turn out nicely, since I threw caution to the wind and am doing my own thing!  Do you like knitting and/or crocheting while watching tv?

The project on the left (blue yarn) is an Elegant Hat -- with some modifications, of course.  The color of this yarn is Blue Mint and I absolutely love it! I actually really enjoy working with Simply Soft yarn and will pick it up whenever I see it for cheap.  This project has been sitting in a box, neglected, for almost a year. (Yikes!)  It shouldn't take me too long to finish now that I'm working on it again.  Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has easy to finish projects languishing away in boxes, please?

I shared a quick child's headband pattern that I whipped up on Monday.  I'd love to hear what you think of it!  (And isn't my model just adorable?)

 

Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

WIPS: Cape/Poncho Update, Thank You, and Another Question

On Monday I announced to the world (via Facebook) that I would finish two WIPs this week.  I am halfway there!  I finished a hat that I had started before Christmas.  (I blogged about it yesterday. I'd love for you to check it out.) Now I just have to pick a second project to finish . . .

I am making progress on the little poncho/cape that I am making for Catherine.  I think it's going to turn out alright.  I am loving the stockinette!  It looks so nice and it's so easy to knit!

I had so many people give me great ideas last week on how to wash my secondhand yarn.  Thank you so much!  My to-do list today includes trying some of those methods.

I have another question for you wonderful readers!  I just love how soft and beautiful this scarf is and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but I don't wear it that often.  Should I turn this scarf into an infinity scarf and use it as a "daily" scarf?

(Please ignore the fact that this is a low-quality selfie photograph.  On the cute side, there is a little bit of Baby Bump showing!)  I originally blogged about this scarf here if you'd like to see more pictures. My very opinionated three year old told me I looked silly with the scarf and should take it off.

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

Works In Progress (WIPS)

Before I say anything about (some of) my current projects, I'd love to invite you all to enter a giveaway that I'm hosting.  The winner will receive a copy of The Knit & Crochet Notebook: Project Planner and Organizer.  I highly recommend this notebook for anyone who knits or crochets.  

{Go here to enter!}

Now for the things that are keeping me busy! I am working on a big project right now, but I can't share it until next month.  I'm pretty excited about it.

Meanwhile, I found some of my previous WIPS that got forgotten in our big move.  This pink lacy scarf with violets on the edge is so close to completion.  I think I started crocheting this one over a year ago . . . I really should take an hour or two and finish it!

I'm still working on knitting my purple cowl, although I am tempted to unravel it and start again.  I am not super happy with the starting edge and think that I could do better.  This Homespun yarn is so difficult to photograph!  What do you think?  Should I start over or keep going?

I also started to crochet another hat.  I just find them so relaxing to make while sitting on the couch.  (Unfortunately, with this never ending morning sickness I sit on the couch a lot.)  Catherine wants it to be her Christmas hat.  I have some Christmas yarn somewhere, so maybe a nice red flower or something would make it festive enough to be called a Christmas Hat.

I found this lovely baby yarn in my stash. (I'm still unpacking my crafting supplies and finding all sorts of goodies!)  I'm wondering if 450 yards would be enough to knit a shrug for Catherine.  Do you know of any easy and pretty shrug patterns for a little girl? (She's roughly a 4T.)

(If she were still a baby I would try my hand at this adorable Seamless Yoked Sweater, which Heather of Mama's Notebooks pointed out to me!)

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

****Don't forget, check out this giveaway!****

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