My interest in Pinterest

I get lost in Pinterest. I resisted for about forever, but then I just jumped and decided to look at what it was about. Several hours later....... anyway I've been pinning afghans today, I have been thinking about a solid white afghan for a blanket for my bed. Not many that I pinned are actually white. LOL but there are sure a lot of wonderful ideas out there. It got me started thinking about just how many afghans I have made... not tons but more than I thought. I think my favorites were the ones with Q hook and 3 strands of yarn. I used up a lot of scrappy stash that way. Actually that would make a lovely white blanket. Especially now that I know how to do the magic knot

It was funny though because suddenly I realized I was looking at a recipe for Rainbow Slime..  I wonder how I got there....

hats and gloves

Over the years I have made many many hats. And one pair of gloves. And one pair of socks (and two half-pairs!). One of the techniques for letting things go is to take their picture, LOL, and then it is supposed to be easier to let go of whatever you aren't using. So here goes.

First, the gloves. They were one of the first knitting projects I ever did. I couldn't begin to tell you where the pattern was, but it gave much practice in casting off and then casting on. It was fun. The gloves fit well. I am not getting rid of them, but I wanted to include them anyway.

This hat was the first ribbed crochet hat I did. It too is going back in my drawer. So much for making it easier to let things go. I wear it though. This last winter was so mild I don't think I wore a hat at all.

This yarn caught my eye but when I knitted it into a scarf, It was ugly. I ripped it out, then made a knit-in-the-round hat. I liked it.

This one was a pattern on a yarn band. It looked interesting. It is! I think I will probably do another one.

These last two I will donate. I have several scarves as well. It's summer now... so I'll put them aside until winter and maybe I'll have a few more to add to it. And maybe a blanket or two! If I find that glove pattern, may try it. And there are those two socks that need their mates!

more washcloths.... and flossing!

Today I spent some time watching a video about drawing faces. I ordered a Stabilo All pencil because it is recommended by the video lady. I also spent some time in a facebook group called Art Journal Junkies. Oh I am inspired. Now I want some Inktense blocks, too. I also need to figure out some color sprays. and then there's hot glue stencils to try. Oh my. I have a lot of stencils already, but this will add some originality instead of always having to use manufactured stencils.

I also finished a set of washcloths. These are diagonally knitted.
Not sure what I am going to do with them. Maybe donate to the Rag Quilters. I need to get involved with SOMETHING in the community. I know it's a good cause. If we have a garage sale, I could sell some there... we will see.

The other thing I am excited about is my embroidery floss holder. In cleaning out L's house, I inherited a bunch of embroidery floss and such. I wanted to add to the stash, but have a way to actually access the stuff when I wanted a specific color and not have to paw around in a box or bag. I found a zipper notebook at the thrift store, put those card collection pages in it, and put scraps of floss by color in the pages. It doesn't hold it all yet, I need more pages. But it is a good start. I am excited to get back to doing a bit of counted cross stitch. As if I need a new hobby. Not exactly new, but I haven't done any in a long time.

The more orderly my craft things get the more excited I am about being able to spend some more time crafting. I have been spending a lot of time knitting and crocheting. I just downloaded a karate uniform and a denim jacket for American Girls... I have to watch it, I will just plan and plan and never Do. I don't really think I need to worry about it.

Tomorrow, my cousin J and I are going to help my mom plan a display about my father. It will be a bittersweet day.

Enough rambling.

Knitting Challenge

see it sparkle? It is really pretty.

Finished my short-row shawlette. I've been trying to challenge myself a bit; this one is designed by Lorna Miser and it said "beginner" and it was, once I got over being intimidated by A Pattern. I love the way it came out. I used Caron Simply Soft Party yarn which has a bit of a sparkle in it. I normally don't use anything but Red Heart (blush!!)  but Lorna gave me a bag of stuff and this was in it. I am really going to enjoy this. Now we need some cold weather so I can use it. Thank you, Lorna, for the yarn, and for the encouragement.

finished!

Even though today was a very hectic day, I managed to finish my little sweater while my hubby was watching Die Hard; I have less than no interest in those kind of movies, so it is nice to be able to work on something and still sit next to him ignoring the movie he is watching. Not bad for a first try knitting with itty bitty needles. Since I didn't have the doll with me when I started, I didn't know that it would be so short on her! Should have checked my gauge more thoroughly, I did a 1 inch square and it SEEMED okay... but... So I decided to make it short sleeved as well so it is more of a top than a sweater. Next time I'll take the doll... and make it longer with long sleeves.

If I do this again. I have LOTS of other projects to finish. Tomorrow, TWO CARDS.... I am behind due to the hospital adventures, and need to get them out to Gueck and Chris. I didn't sign up for any other swaps because I just must catch up on other things.

So one project FINISHED. Hooray!! The pattern for the sweater, although MY sweater doesn't look a lot like the pattern because I changed things a bit (as I usually end up doing!!) The sweater wasn't on a doll so I didn't think about how short it might be. I shortened the sleeves because I think a good sweater should actually cover you to be warm :)

http://knitting.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-barbie-doll-sweater/2010/12/12/

and she has an etsy shop, and that green cabled turtleneck is sure tempting me...

Niki Jin Crafts etsy shop