Crafty Bean Counter

Another Craft???

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:47:00 +0000

Just what I need. Another craft hobby. But here it is. The drop spindle bug has bitten and here are the first results. (Of course, I must remind everyone that I tried this craft a couple of years ago with a bottom whorl spindle. Never could get the hang of it.)

The pictures aren't that good. But for a first try with the top whorl, I am pleasantly surprised. I found a video on youtube that explains pre-drafting. I found that to be VERY helpful.

Pretty good, huh??

I think that I will spin the rest of the this wool and maybe make a scarf with my own homespun!! Of course that depends on the yardage I end up with.

Where has the time gone?

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:48:00 +0000

What happened to the fall?? Here it is already the middle of October and I haven't made a post in ages. Well, the kids have been sick on and off since school started and I've been busy taking the kids to band practice, soccer practice, gymnastics, music lessons, football practice, etc. etc. There really isn't room for more after school activities.

I have managed to complete a couple of items. (Of course, I have others that I only posted to Ravelry.)

This is a pair of fuzzy slipper socks for my Mom. They will keep her feet nice and warm this winter. ssh. Don't tell her, but it's her Christmas present.

The yarn is Regia Softy sock yarn. I used size 4 needles and did a 1x1 rib for 1o rounds and then a 3x1 rib pattern for the cuff. The cuffs measured about 5". I tried a short row heel for the first time and carried the 3x1 rib pattern down the top of the foot. The socks aren't very pretty, but they're cosy!!

I also finished my Sally Melville's Simple Cardigan. My goodness, it only took me a couple of years to finish this. But hey a FO is a FO no matter how long it takes.

The camera lighting stinks for this picture. The color is more of a deep purple with slubs of red, blue, green and yellow. When I used more flash, the sweater looked bright blue and you couldn't even see the buttons. All the details are on my ravelry page here. I don't know if I will make this again. The bottom tends to curl and the sleeves are really too roomy. This is an over sized garment, which I don't really care for. I went down a size, so it wouldn't look so sloppy on me.

Notion Review

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:44:00 +0000

You know, I am a sucker for buying knitting needles, bags and notions. So, recently when I was in a local LYS, I found a new knitting notion. It was the new Lantern Moon repair hook. After carefully adding up my purchases, I decided that it wouldn't break the yarn budget.

This is the hook. It's nice and smooth and easy to use.

I just used it tonight to change a knit stitch to a purl stitch in my fuzzy socks. (The wrong stitch was about 4" down the leg of the sock.) The hook works great. It is not awkward to use like a regular hook. It is short and sleek and a real pleasure to use. Great job Lantern Moon.

Another Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:20:00 +0000

I promised the little girl a pink crocheted bag. Here is the result.

This is another bag from a free pattern off of a Japanese Site. I used Reynolds Saucy Sport purchased from Hank of Yarn in Southaven, MS. It is a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It took a tad over 1 skein. I added the new skein at the first handle. She liked it, I hope.

New books

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Who has time to clean house and do laundry? I'm going to blame the Japanese craft books. I have started crocheting again. As long as I don't overdo, it doesn't seem to hurt the arthritis in my hands.

This is one of my new purchases. Of course, it is not new but vintage. Unfortunately it doesn't have charts, but there are great patterns.

I looked at this book for a long time before I purchased it. I almost waited too long. But thank goodness, I was able to find a copy from my favorite etsy dealer. The patterns are in Japanese but all are charted. The book is full of hats and bags. I see more WIP's in my future.

This is my last new book: a Japanese sewing book. It is full of tote bags, book bags, pencil cases, makeup bags, etc. It's time to dust off the sewing machine and get my sewing mojo back!! All the books have detailed diagrams. I think it won't be too hard to follow.

New Quiz

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Take Clara's new quiz. Which ewe are you?

I am a Perendale. Now I need to look it up and see what kind of sheep this is. Enjoy.

Didn't you just enjoy Clara Parkes' other book Knitter's Book of Yarn?

Oops, wrong size!!

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:46:00 +0000

Well, I finished the second Sitcom Chic for my SIL (Christmas present last year), but oops, it's the wrong size. But, no ripping another sweater for me. My mom tried it on and loved it. So, I gifted it to her and will knit SIL another sweater. It really turned out nice. Instead of using reverse stockinette on the bands, I used 4 rows of garter stitch. Maybe that will help it stay flat without using the ribbon underneath to hold the shape.

Mom didn't want a button loop or button. No problem, as I hadn't made it yet.

On this sweater, I didn't graft the underarm seams like my turquoise one. It was seamed as the instructions stated. This should help keep the shape under the arms.

I lengthened the body and sleeves and did a 2x2 edge on the sleeves and hem. It fits Mom just right.

I can tell that my knitting skills have really improved since finishing the first Sitcom.

Chasing Shiny Objects

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:43:00 +0000

I have a confession to make. Whenever I browse patterns, I find things that I just have to start. For instance, this is the Hemlock Ring Doily Throw as modified by Jared Flood. Someone on Ravelry had made it for a baby blanket using Lion Brand Organic Cotton yarn. That's all it took. I found a good source for the yarn and ordered it. The package came in yesterday. With all the socks, sweaters and shawls already on needles, I cast on.

It is a very fast knit. I have already finished the flower part and started the feather and fan chart.

Also, I started the Mountain Stream Scarf the other day. I am using some leftover Knit Picks Shadow lace yarn. Well, that made the DH happy because I didn't buy more yarn. This is an interesting pattern. You start with the bottom border then pick up the edge stitches to begin the body. The side borders are knitted with the body section and then the top border is added at the end. This scarf uses "techniques from traditional Orenberg shawls" ....and is "a nice introduction to the Orenberg construction". I really like how the scarf is starting to look.

The pattern can be found here.

Maybe I should put these down and go finish my second Sitcom Chic Sweater. Only need to weave in all the ends, sew up the underarm seam, add the button and crochet the button loop.

Finished Results

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Here is the process I used to dye this yarn.

Put up in the hank. Before starting.

Washed & rinsed, soaked in plain water for 30 minutes.

I didn't have Kool Aid Brand so I used the Aldi's store brand. 2 packs per 50 grams. (Of course, I didn't read this correct and had to add 2 more packs during the dye bath).

The kool aid mixed with water.

Add the yarn and cover with water.

After microwaved for 2 minutes and then rested for 5 minutes and repeated.

Yarn rinsed and hung to dry in my jungle of a back yard.

Final product. I don't know, it may need to be redyed with more blue. But wait, it is just for socks. I'll try dyeing some Knit Picks Bare that I have had for a couple of years.

It is a little time consuming, but overall, very fun. The kids enjoyed "helping" me too.

Trying Something New

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:09:00 +0000

I bought a new skein of ONline Supersocke 100 Florida-Color from my LYS. The picture doesn't really show the neon brightness of this yarn. After a lot of thought, I have decided to over-dye the skein.

Now, I am not a spinner, so I don't have a Niddy Noddy. Thanks to Google, I found several websites that explain how to make one and the proper use of it. If you are interested, see this site or this one. Here are the parts to assemble.

With my children's "help", we put it together and made the center pull ball into a hank.

Finally, I tied the hank in three sections and twisted it for a photo shoot. Now it is off to figure out what color to dye it with.

Ravelry is EVIL!

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Where has all the time gone? I haven't posted to my blog since August. Well, I guess I will have to blame Ravelry. I have been spending a lot of time over there on the group boards. But I have finished a few projects.

This is Fancy Fullness from knitting delight.

This was knitted with Knit Picks Lace Weight Yarn on size US7 needles. It turned out very nice and is light as a feather.

Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:24:00 +0000

I finally finished the Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. Instead of the nupps I used beads. This is for my Mom's birthday present. I hope she likes it. The details are on my projects page on Ravelry.

What do you think of my Fuzzy Monster? I modified a crochet pattern from Lion Brand free patterns. This was knitted as a joke for one of my groups on Ravelry. The teenager next door really liked it, so I gave it to her.

Pattern: Mini Square Monster - Modified

Source: Lion Brand Yarns

Yarn: Clearance yarn from Hobby Lobby & Cupcake (white)

Colors: Pink and sparkly light Pink (two strands together)

Needle: US 7 & US 3 (arms & legs)

Pommel (Sheep)

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:34:00 +0000

This is the new critter that I just finished. What does it look like to you? My DH said it was a cow, one son said that it was Snoopy. It is a SHEEP! I saw this on Tammy's kleine Seite blog back in December. Unfortunately the instructions were here in German. Thankfully it has been translated to English. See this blog here.

This was mainly made with scraps leftover from other projects on US 3 needles. I put a ribbon around his neck, but he needs a scarf.

Dog Days of Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:47:00 +0000

Well, this has not been a very productive summer (knit wise). The kids are out of school and Mom is the chief referee. Other than the monkey, the only thing I have finished is the Harlot's Rotating Rib Socks. I stole - oops - used her ideas from her blog from the November 2007 entries.

Pattern: Harlot's Rotating Rib Socks

Source: The Yarn Harlot

Yarn: Regia Jacquard

Color: Blue, Purple, Green Stripes

Needles: US 2

Maybe I should go finish some of my other WIP's.

New Stitch Markers

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:27:00 +0000

I have been working on the Goddess's Anniversary Mystery Shawl KAL. Even though I cheated on the circular cast on, it is a must to use stitch markers. All the markers that I had made last year did not work on the lace weight yarn. I had used jump rings to attach the beads. So, off to Hobby Lobby. I bought 2 packages of silver head pins, added the beads, then wrapped the wires around an old 10.5 knitting needles and finished with a wrapped loop. I used a tutorial from Fire Mountain Gems.

Voila, new stitch markers that don't catch the lace yarn.

Monkey Shines

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:41:00 +0000

I finished the Monkey for my daughter's teacher. I used the pattern from Monty the Monkey. Also, I tried to use the modifications from Meowkat on Ravelry. I guess it came out okay.
This is my show n tell for the Memphis Knitting Guild meeting next Tuesday. Then off to the teacher.

Specific details are on my ravelry page.

I've Been Tagged

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sat, 31 May 2008 20:01:00 +0000

Wow, I actually have been tagged by Toni.

The Rules:

Rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names. Then the player goes to each of the “named” people’s blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. If you’ve been tagged, you do the same, letting the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer. Your answer, of course, is the answer to the following questions. Here we go!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

10 years ago, I was running after 3 kids. My baby was 3 months old. And the oldest child was playing T-ball at church.

2. 5 things on my to-do list today?

Laundry - with 4 kids, I do laundry every day.
Cook - they get hungry too.
Cut out a skirt.
Clean the downstairs bathroom - with 3 boys it never ends.
KNIT

3. Snacks I enjoy:

Everything that's bad for you.

4. Places I’ve lived:

I have always lived in the Memphis Metro Area.

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Have a maid
See the Grand Canyon
Go on a cruise
Have my own craft room
Knit, of course

I live such a boring life.

Now to tag others:

Typing Speed

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:53:00 +0000

I think that I need to practice:

36 words

Clue #4

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:31:00 +0000

I am slowly be steadily working on the Fancy Fulness Shawl from Knitting Delight KAL. Here is clue #4. Unfortunately, clue #9 came out today. Oh well, I won't finish first.

Must knit faster.

Toys are a Pain!

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:03:00 +0000

I made this penguin for my 4th grader son's teacher. Penguins are the class mascot. I have discovered some truths about toys:

Toys are cute
Toys are fast
Toys are a PAIN to seam and finish.

But it did turn out cute. Except for the wings. If I knit this again, the wings will need to be modified. Mine didn't come out like the pattern.

Pattern: Pasha the Penguin

Source: Knitty.com

Yarn: Plymouth Encore DK

Color: Black & White (the yellow/orange yarn is from my stash)

Needle: US 4

Now to finish the monkey for the DD's teacher.

More Things

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:47:00 +0000

Boy, am I an easy target. I went by Hank of Yarn and found this cute little baby hat already made up. Of course, I had to buy the yarn and go home to cast on ANOTHER project. It is a quick and easy knit. Already to go to nephew's new baby. I see smaller preemie hats in my future.

Pattern: Baby Hat
Source: LaLa's Knits
Yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk
Color: Pink
Needle: US6

My daughter thinks any day is a good day to swing. Even in the rain! (I guess instead of Singing in the Rain it's Swinging in the Rain!)

Clue #3

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:15:00 +0000

My day started off terrible. My #3 son locked the filing cabinet. Fortunately, my husband found a key that would open it. This was after I searched the house for hours looking for my set of keys. (They should have been in my desk drawer. Obviously one of the children moved them.) After all this, I decided to knit and finished clue #3 for the Knitting Delight KAL. It is beginning to have a definite pattern. Now onto Clue #4.

Tomorrow has to be better.

Off the Needles

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Wow, as much as I love to cast on new projects, I really love to finish them. I think that I have the dreaded disease of "start-itis". So when I can actually finish things, that is a red letter day.

First off, here is the Shrug This from One-Skein Wonders. I think it is for an adult, but it fits my seven year old! The directions are a little confusing, but if you aren't a beginner, there should not be any problems.

Pattern: Shrug This

Source: One-Skein Wonders

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky

Color: Hot Pink

Needles:US 10

This is the scarf from the Knitting Delight KAL Yahoo Group. The blocking wires I am using are stainless steel welding rods, purchased from a local welding supply store. For about $20 I bought a whole tube of blocking wires. Now all I have to do is learn how to stretch out the knitting for a perfect blocked piece.

Pattern: Vision of Delight

Source: Knitting Delight

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette

Color: Rain Forest Heather

Needle Size: US 7

What a great pattern to knit. The charts were well written and easy to follow.

Finished today, the We Call Them Pirates Part 2 Hat. I changed the needle size and the cuff of the hat from the pattern.

Pattern: We Call Them Pirates

Source: Hello Yarn

Yarn: Plymouth Encore DK

Color: White, Black

Needle: US 6

I knitted a 1" 2x2 cuff for the hat. The next time I knit this, I will use a smaller sized needle for the cuff.

Finally, this is a baby set I knitted for my nephews' baby.

Cardigan

Pattern: Buttons Cardigan

Source: Cabin Fever

Yarn: Naturally Magic Garden Buttons

Color: Yellow

Needle: US 6

Socks

Pattern: Little Speckled Toes

Source: Cabin Fever

Yarn: Naturally Magic Garden Buttons

Needle: US 6

Hat

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Naturally Magic Garden Buttons

Needle: US 6

Another KAL

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:34:00 +0000

I am getting into this lace knitting craze. We have started a new shawl KAL in my Knitting Delight Yahoo Group. This shawl is called Fancy Fulness. After several starts, here it is after Clue #2. The clues come ever week. So far I am only 1 week behind. Clue #4 came out yesterday. I have almost a week to knit 2 clues.

I ran out of yarn for the last KAL. I ordered more & it came in yesterday. I just need to crochet the edge around it, weave the ends, then block. Stay tuned for pictures.

It is Our Time

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Go Tigers, Go!

Edit: Good game, too bad we lost.