Did you watch the Gilmore Girls on the new CW tonight?? they were knitting ALL over the place i'm soooo excited! must go finish watching tuesday night, my new fav show Veronica Mars is next. Just thought you'd like to know.....
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Tube Knitting ALERT!!!
Did you watch the Gilmore Girls on the new CW tonight?? they were knitting ALL over the place i'm soooo excited! must go finish watching tuesday night, my new fav show Veronica Mars is next. Just thought you'd like to know.....
Thursday, November 23, 2006
TURKEY DAY!
So last Wednesday for awana's the bub was supposed to dress up as a Indian (native American?) or a pilgrim. We really didn't have much of either. So we improvised. We found some pink moccasin like slippers and some feathers and leather strip/lacing. And there she is standing nicely. Not the best costume but still cute. 
so I thought it was an appropriate pix to start out today withI don't know about you but as it gets colder I get moving more and more. I find my knitting and crochet goes faster and I finish more. (or maybe I'm picking smaller more faster projects) the season gets me to cooking and baking and canning can you tell what I was making the other day?
it's yummy and tangy and sweet. I love it. It's great on
toast...I snapped a few pix that I thought I would share. The steam from everything is pretty neat. Look though the mist.. LOLok so I tried my hand at some apple butter. Though I didn't really follow one recipe I followed 2 or 3 different recipes so it's a
little tangy. But that can be the result of the, apples I used along with the ingredients. But I still think it's good. I'm planning on using it for presents for teachers and co-workers for Christmas. So what are you guys thinking for making for Christmas presents. I've been researching easy "mass produced" type of gifts. I'm always up for ideas. I found this site that someone had mentioned making chocolates and putting them in origami boxes for gifts.. YUMMO! Of course b/c it's chocolate I may have problems giving it away. Well not that people wouldn't want it but that I would want it. *sigh*well that's just one of my ideas... I'm always open for more. Share share! Well it's time for the Tday parade!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A pattern for you
Today was a rather crappy day for me today, so I thought I would share a pattern with ya'll. That should cheer someone up! I wrote it up for a sock knitting technique class I teach at my local Michaels. I was thinking that I wanted to teach how to knit socks but they don't sell sock yarn at Michaels so it just kinda hit me when I was walking down their isle and found the paton's classic wool why not knit big socks and then felt them for slipper/socks. This is a teaching pattern so it's written for the novice and may be really boring for you if you already know how to knit. It's how I knit my socks from the toe up using a short row heel and toe. Anyways I wanted to share it with ya'll. I also submitted it to the 2008 pattern a day calendar and it was accepted. whoo hoo I'm excited about it. I figured since it's just teaching a technique and all I would share it with everyone.. So ENJOY! Also if you make a pair or two LMK by leaving a comment and I'll come check it out.
Toasty Tootsies
Toe up felted slipper socks
By Allena Williams
Basically these are just huge socks that may actually fit an ogre before felting. I created this pattern to teach the technique for toe up short row socks. Using worsted weight yarn and bigger needles, help to teach this technique. By using wool and felting them, you still have something wearable (and a lot of practice) when you are done.
Materials
k crochet hook
10.5 Knitting needles (set of 4 DPNs or circular needle 32 inches or larger)
Patons Classic 100% wool in any color you would like. Worsted Weight 200 grams.
Yarn needle.
Gauge 16 stitches = 4 inches before felting.
Notes:
K knit
P purl
YF yarn forward
YB yarn back
W&T wrap and turn (directions in parenthesis in #3 and #4 for knit and purl respectively)
Provisional cast on use spare/scrap yarn of the same weight of the yarn you will be using for your project.. Using a crochet hook chain a few more chains then you need stitches. Then using your needles and your sock yarn knit into the bumps or the wrong side of the chain. (The right side has v shaped stitches.) This cast on is used so you can unzip, the crochet stitches placing the knitted stitches on a needle and work in the round with out seaming.
This pattern was written for a women's size 9 to adjust the cast on for your foot size here's an equation: Take the number of inches of your foot diameter (around the ball of your foot) divide it by the .6 , the number you get, multiply it, by the number of stitches per inch (from your gauge) that number (round up your number for an even number) divided in half equals your cast on..
For this pattern I used my foot, the diameter of my foot is 8.5, here's the equation worked out
8.5/.6 = 14.16666667
14.16666667 x 4 = 56.66666667 rounded up to 58
Half of 58 is 29
Toe
1. Using a provisional cast on, cast on 29 st. ( using a K crochet hook, chain 35 finish off by pulling the tail of the yarn through the last chain make a small knot or bow at the end of this side. Knit into 29 of the "bumps" or wrong side of the chain.)
2. Turn and Purl back across the 29 stitchesSt
3. Knit 28 st (to the last stitch or last unwrapped stitch) Wrap and Turn (YF and slip the stitch to the right needle and YB slip the 1st stitch to the left needle and turn. )
4 keeping the wrapped stitch on the right needle purl 27 sts (to the last stitch or last unwrapped stitch) Wrap and Turn the last stitch (YB slip the last stitch to the right needle YF slip the same stitch back to the left needle and turn. )
5 Continue in this manner (repeating the last two rows) until you have 8 wrapped stitches on each side (16 total wrapped stitches and 13 unwrapped stitches)
6 knit across the 13 unwrapped stitches and when you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip to the right needle and with your left needle lift the wrap up onto the right needle fish out the stitch so it's in front (closest to the tip) of the wrap and then place both of them onto the left needle and knit together through the back loops. (this is done so there will be no holes in the toes) W&T the next stitch (there will now be 2 wraps on that stitch.
7 purl across 14 stitches. When you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle and lift the wrap up on to the needle fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wrap) and slip them both back to the left needle and then purl them together as you would normally purl. W&T the next stitch.(there are now 2 wraps on that stitch)
8 knit across until you get to the 1st wrapped stitch and then slip it to the right needle lift both of the wraps together on to the needle. Fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wrap) place all 3 stitches on the left needle and then knit all 3 together through the back loops. W&T the next stitch.
9 Purl across until you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle lift both wraps on to the needle, fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wraps) place all 3 stitches on the left needle and purl all 3 together. W&T
10 continue rows 8 and 9 until there are no more wrapped stitches left. You now have a toe and it's time to unzip the other side of the to toe begin knitting the foot of your sock
To unzip the provisional cast on. Pull out the tied off end of the crochet chain. Very gently being to pull the chain stitches out. While you do this place the knitted stitches on to your needle.
Begin to knit in the round Pick up and knit though the back look 2 to 4 stitches between the two sides so that you can eliminate holes. Knit these picked up stitches 2 together on the next two rounds.
You should have 58 stitches total. Divided equally over the needles.
To make these slippers fit you the best measure the length of your foot from toe to heel. And multiply it by 1.69 (for the model sock that is 9 inches times 1.69 is 15.21 we'll round that up to 15 and ¼ inch. ) From that number subtract 4 (for the model sock 11.25)
This is the number of inches you need to knit for the length of your sock before starting the heel.
Heel
Once you reach the length you need, it's time to start the heel. It is worked similar to the toe with fewer wrapped stitches.
Working with 29 stitches
Row 1 knit 28 stitches W&T the next stitch
Row 2 purl 27 sts W&T the next stitch.
Row 3-14 Continue in the same manor as until you have 7 wrapped stitches on each side (14 total wrapped and 15 unwrapped stitches)
Row 15 knit 15 slip the wrapped stitch onto the right needle pick up the wrap put it on the right needle fish out the wrapped stitch knit them together through the back loop W&T the next stitch (there will be 2 wraps on this stitch)
Row 16 purl 16 slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle lift the wrap, fish out the wrapped stitch purl them both together W&T the next stitch (there are now 2 wraps on this stitch)
Row 17 knit across to the first wrapped stitch slip the double wrapped stitch to the right needle lift both the wraps and fish out the wrapped stitch knit all 3 together through the back loop. W&T
Row 18 Purl across to the first wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle lift both the wraps and fish out the wrapped stitch purl all 3 together. W&T
Repeat rows 17 and 18 until all the wrapped stitches are not wrapped anymore.
Pick up and knit through the back loop 2 to 4 stitches between the needles. Make sure you decrease them on the next 1-2 rows. You need to have 58 stitches when you are done with the decreases. Now you're working on the cuff. Knit for 3.5 to 4 inches depending on what you want. cast off
Felting the slippers.
This is a very easy process there is NO need to complicate it. Your new best friend is now your washing machine. It saves you hot and your hands from extreme hots and colds and you really don't want your whole house smelling like wet wool do you?
Some people like to use a zippered pillow case b/c they say it saves their washer from the fuzzies. The choice is yours to make. I throw in a few pairs of jeans for added agitation. If you're using a darker color make sure they're older pairs so if the color runs. Also CLEAN OUT those pockets!! What's in the wash will get felted into it. (no little papers are wanted in our slippers) Set the washer for the Hot cycle and add a little detergent and turn on your washer. Since this is the first time you're using this yarn you will want to check your slippers every 5 to 10 minutes to make sure they're felting. Once your slippers start to shrink you'll need to check them more often b/c you want to make sure they're the right size for your foot. You can always make them smaller to fit you. Once they're the right size wring them out. Get a towel and wrap them up in it to blot out the excess water. Try on your slippers, they're wet but you want them to be the shape of your foot. Then stuff them with plastic bags and set them up to let them dry it may take 1 to 2 days to dry completely. If you want you can sew on leather soles for traction or use some "puffy" or fabric paint and paint the bottoms. Enjoy!
**NOTE** Though this pattern teaches a technique, I did write this pattern and took the time to test it. Please do not sell this pattern as your own. You may sell the slippers you've made from this pattern as long as you say where you got the pattern from. And send any questions about them my way. www.starknits.blogspot.com or ullena at yahoo dot com
**also if you'd like this pattern to teach a sock knitting class I have it in PDF and can email it to you. Just drop me a line**
Toasty Tootsies
Toe up felted slipper socks
By Allena Williams
Basically these are just huge socks that may actually fit an ogre before felting. I created this pattern to teach the technique for toe up short row socks. Using worsted weight yarn and bigger needles, help to teach this technique. By using wool and felting them, you still have something wearable (and a lot of practice) when you are done.
Materials
k crochet hook
10.5 Knitting needles (set of 4 DPNs or circular needle 32 inches or larger)
Patons Classic 100% wool in any color you would like. Worsted Weight 200 grams.
Yarn needle.
Gauge 16 stitches = 4 inches before felting.
Notes:
K knit
P purl
YF yarn forward
YB yarn back
W&T wrap and turn (directions in parenthesis in #3 and #4 for knit and purl respectively)
Provisional cast on use spare/scrap yarn of the same weight of the yarn you will be using for your project.. Using a crochet hook chain a few more chains then you need stitches. Then using your needles and your sock yarn knit into the bumps or the wrong side of the chain. (The right side has v shaped stitches.) This cast on is used so you can unzip, the crochet stitches placing the knitted stitches on a needle and work in the round with out seaming.
This pattern was written for a women's size 9 to adjust the cast on for your foot size here's an equation: Take the number of inches of your foot diameter (around the ball of your foot) divide it by the .6 , the number you get, multiply it, by the number of stitches per inch (from your gauge) that number (round up your number for an even number) divided in half equals your cast on..
For this pattern I used my foot, the diameter of my foot is 8.5, here's the equation worked out
8.5/.6 = 14.16666667
14.16666667 x 4 = 56.66666667 rounded up to 58
Half of 58 is 29
Toe
1. Using a provisional cast on, cast on 29 st. ( using a K crochet hook, chain 35 finish off by pulling the tail of the yarn through the last chain make a small knot or bow at the end of this side. Knit into 29 of the "bumps" or wrong side of the chain.)
2. Turn and Purl back across the 29 stitchesSt
3. Knit 28 st (to the last stitch or last unwrapped stitch) Wrap and Turn (YF and slip the stitch to the right needle and YB slip the 1st stitch to the left needle and turn. )
4 keeping the wrapped stitch on the right needle purl 27 sts (to the last stitch or last unwrapped stitch) Wrap and Turn the last stitch (YB slip the last stitch to the right needle YF slip the same stitch back to the left needle and turn. )
5 Continue in this manner (repeating the last two rows) until you have 8 wrapped stitches on each side (16 total wrapped stitches and 13 unwrapped stitches)
6 knit across the 13 unwrapped stitches and when you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip to the right needle and with your left needle lift the wrap up onto the right needle fish out the stitch so it's in front (closest to the tip) of the wrap and then place both of them onto the left needle and knit together through the back loops. (this is done so there will be no holes in the toes) W&T the next stitch (there will now be 2 wraps on that stitch.
7 purl across 14 stitches. When you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle and lift the wrap up on to the needle fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wrap) and slip them both back to the left needle and then purl them together as you would normally purl. W&T the next stitch.(there are now 2 wraps on that stitch)
8 knit across until you get to the 1st wrapped stitch and then slip it to the right needle lift both of the wraps together on to the needle. Fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wrap) place all 3 stitches on the left needle and then knit all 3 together through the back loops. W&T the next stitch.
9 Purl across until you get to the 1st wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle lift both wraps on to the needle, fish out the wrapped stitch (so it's in front of the wraps) place all 3 stitches on the left needle and purl all 3 together. W&T
10 continue rows 8 and 9 until there are no more wrapped stitches left. You now have a toe and it's time to unzip the other side of the to toe begin knitting the foot of your sock
To unzip the provisional cast on. Pull out the tied off end of the crochet chain. Very gently being to pull the chain stitches out. While you do this place the knitted stitches on to your needle.
Begin to knit in the round Pick up and knit though the back look 2 to 4 stitches between the two sides so that you can eliminate holes. Knit these picked up stitches 2 together on the next two rounds.
You should have 58 stitches total. Divided equally over the needles.
To make these slippers fit you the best measure the length of your foot from toe to heel. And multiply it by 1.69 (for the model sock that is 9 inches times 1.69 is 15.21 we'll round that up to 15 and ¼ inch. ) From that number subtract 4 (for the model sock 11.25)
This is the number of inches you need to knit for the length of your sock before starting the heel.
Heel
Once you reach the length you need, it's time to start the heel. It is worked similar to the toe with fewer wrapped stitches.Working with 29 stitches
Row 1 knit 28 stitches W&T the next stitch
Row 2 purl 27 sts W&T the next stitch.
Row 3-14 Continue in the same manor as until you have 7 wrapped stitches on each side (14 total wrapped and 15 unwrapped stitches)
Row 15 knit 15 slip the wrapped stitch onto the right needle pick up the wrap put it on the right needle fish out the wrapped stitch knit them together through the back loop W&T the next stitch (there will be 2 wraps on this stitch)
Row 16 purl 16 slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle lift the wrap, fish out the wrapped stitch purl them both together W&T the next stitch (there are now 2 wraps on this stitch)
Row 17 knit across to the first wrapped stitch slip the double wrapped stitch to the right needle lift both the wraps and fish out the wrapped stitch knit all 3 together through the back loop. W&T
Row 18 Purl across to the first wrapped stitch slip it to the right needle lift both the wraps and fish out the wrapped stitch purl all 3 together. W&T
Repeat rows 17 and 18 until all the wrapped stitches are not wrapped anymore.
Pick up and knit through the back loop 2 to 4 stitches between the needles. Make sure you decrease them on the next 1-2 rows. You need to have 58 stitches when you are done with the decreases. Now you're working on the cuff. Knit for 3.5 to 4 inches depending on what you want. cast off
Felting the slippers.
This is a very easy process there is NO need to complicate it. Your new best friend is now your washing machine. It saves you hot and your hands from extreme hots and colds and you really don't want your whole house smelling like wet wool do you?
Some people like to use a zippered pillow case b/c they say it saves their washer from the fuzzies. The choice is yours to make. I throw in a few pairs of jeans for added agitation. If you're using a darker color make sure they're older pairs so if the color runs. Also CLEAN OUT those pockets!! What's in the wash will get felted into it. (no little papers are wanted in our slippers) Set the washer for the Hot cycle and add a little detergent and turn on your washer. Since this is the first time you're using this yarn you will want to check your slippers every 5 to 10 minutes to make sure they're felting. Once your slippers start to shrink you'll need to check them more often b/c you want to make sure they're the right size for your foot. You can always make them smaller to fit you. Once they're the right size wring them out. Get a towel and wrap them up in it to blot out the excess water. Try on your slippers, they're wet but you want them to be the shape of your foot. Then stuff them with plastic bags and set them up to let them dry it may take 1 to 2 days to dry completely. If you want you can sew on leather soles for traction or use some "puffy" or fabric paint and paint the bottoms. Enjoy!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Should I be annoyed?
I've been trying all week to upload these photos, and for some reason blogger wasn't working with me. I wanted to share with you the gifts I made for a friend. She's due any day now and Tuesday was her baby shower. I crochet'd the red hat and knit the purple and white booties and hat. The hat is cut off I was quickly taking pix as I was wrapping up the present to get going. I was running late (but what else is new?) The hat is a pattern my sister made up and she's going to submit it to the Pattern a Day calendar. I'm glad! It's cute pattern if you go to her blog and look at the pix of her daughter has one on.. Go a head check it out!anyways so seeing that I can knit and crochet such cute little numbers for friends one would think that I would make the same type of things for my own children. (Which I have done and still do from time to time BTW)
So the question I have for you (if you chose to answer) Should a gal who's able to (or potentially able to) knit such fantastic things, be annoyed when people buy (perfectly cute BTW) knitted hats and things from a store for her children? It does make me wonder, why I get so annoyed though...Is it rational? Probably not but am I the only knitter who does that?
Friday, November 3, 2006
Slow I know!
Last weekend I got went to my grandma's to visit. Ok I know it's almost this weekend... I said I was slow about posting things. I kept meaning to to post it but I just haven't gotten around to it. A lot has been going on here
, but we won't get into it. It was good to see her and also sad. She's now in a nursing home, she's having a hard time getting around and falling a lot. While we were there we helped my parents clean up her house a bit. While I was there I found her cook book! I'm so loving this. It's something I've wanted a long time. Just having all that wonderful knowledge at my fingertips. I'm sooo excited. so here's a close up of a recipe and why I'm loving it.. See all the notes! It's awesome not to mention all the hand written recipes shoved in there. It's awesome I've written a letter to my grandma thanking her for it so that she knows it is in a good home now and will be used a lot.anyways just wanted to share my find! I'm off to get ready for work.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
A parade at night?
Yup that's what we did Tues night. It was a Halloween parade
. (pretty cold out there.) as you can tell the girls are all bundled up. But not before dressing up in their costumes. My dh said that no one dresses up but I asked if they wanted to b/c why just have the costumes for one night. They did so we got all dolled up. The bub is an Asian barbie princess and the beady is a unicorn. I have a pix of the kids at the parade and a little pony to show that there really was a
parade at night. I guess it's a tradition here in town. It was fun. 
There's one for Christmas too so I'm pumped. but I was surprise not one of the clowns or the floats gave out candy. A Halloween parade with out candy?? What's up with that? Well we had fun anyways. I've also finished a baby hat that I needed to make for a gal I know who's expecting. I'll show you a pix later on. b/c I haven't taken one yet. So I hope you're staying warm and enjoying fall!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
TWO!
Where has the time gone? Well my dearest beady is now two! Can you 
believe it just 2 short years ago my DH was home from Iraq on R&R and I was in the hospital having a baby. Crazy how time flies. Here is is modeling the dress that my parents sent her for her b-day. It's cake cake as she would say. Strawberry shortcake for those of you who don't speak twosey she's happy. Wait a min what is that on her feet?
look a little closer. Heck I'll just give you a close up pix. Yup that's a pair of felted slippers. I wanted to see how paton's classic wool felted. It does very well in the washing machine. I'm working on a pattern for the class I'm teaching at my Michaels for how to knit (toe up) socks. We're using wool yarn 
and bigger needles so they can learn the technique and then felt out any problems they may have and also have a pair of wearable slippers. I'm working on a normal size now. (for myself that is) while I type up the pattern. Here's a pix of her putting on the slipper. And that WAS the last time that I saw the slippers I'm not sure where they are now. I'm sure if I hunted I'd find them but ya know.. Why would I do that while I'm blogging? Anyways just wanted to say Happy Birthday Beady!
believe it just 2 short years ago my DH was home from Iraq on R&R and I was in the hospital having a baby. Crazy how time flies. Here is is modeling the dress that my parents sent her for her b-day. It's cake cake as she would say. Strawberry shortcake for those of you who don't speak twosey she's happy. Wait a min what is that on her feet?
look a little closer. Heck I'll just give you a close up pix. Yup that's a pair of felted slippers. I wanted to see how paton's classic wool felted. It does very well in the washing machine. I'm working on a pattern for the class I'm teaching at my Michaels for how to knit (toe up) socks. We're using wool yarn 
and bigger needles so they can learn the technique and then felt out any problems they may have and also have a pair of wearable slippers. I'm working on a normal size now. (for myself that is) while I type up the pattern. Here's a pix of her putting on the slipper. And that WAS the last time that I saw the slippers I'm not sure where they are now. I'm sure if I hunted I'd find them but ya know.. Why would I do that while I'm blogging? Anyways just wanted to say Happy Birthday Beady!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Signs
SO my friend Katie shared this sign that is up at a local store. She lives in Alaska. I've always wanted to go there! One day. Anyways Katie said the shop owner had a problem with kids running amok sooo she put up this sign and hasn't had a problem since. HILARIOUS! I just wanted to share it with ya'll
Sunday, October 15, 2006
A Wedding in the Family?
My BIL is getting married at the end of Dec. His fiance is really sweet. I've only gotten to meet her once. But I did like her. So I think She will be a great addition to the family. With a wedding in the air it's making me look around for wedding stuff. I found a great site where you can order wedding invitations online I browsed some of the invitations and just loved them! If you order over 100 wedding invitations you get thank you notes! Makes me want to get married again. Anyways if you're interested here's the link. 
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
A Sock Sighting!
Before I start my Sock History for 
Socktoberfest. (I know I know I'm a little late) I wanted to
share the scarf I made for my beginning crochet class. The fun fur one, a couple of posts ago, is for my advanced beginners class. I Calll this one the LTC scarf. (learn to crochet) what do you think? I'm pondering if I should enter it into the crochet pattern a day calendar for next year. Any comments are welcomed! Sorry the pix are a little dark. At least they look dark on my computer. I used a hunter green color of caron simply soft 
yarn.
I'm also working on a pair of wool socks to be shrunk for slipper for the beady. She likes the purple and I hope that it will work for me. We'll see soon enough. The ones on the needles in the pix are finished I'm working on the second sock/slipper now. Oh and AWESOME news. I got my socks back from my DH's friends house. WHOO HOO now I've just got to get done with what I'm working on now to finish the socks for myself. Ok now on to my Sock History
1 When did you start making socks? shortly after learning to knit, about 2 years ago now.
2 Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? Or in a class? I taught myself, using internet tutes and books
3 What was your first pair? they were to be a pair for a friend.
4 How have they "held up" over time? not so good I frogged them b/c they were being made out
of rec yarn. And I started them again with different yarn here's a pix of the cuff of the frogged socks..
5 What would you have done differently? used different yarn and short row heel. I got stuck on the heel flap. So I switched yarns and to DPNs instead of 2 circs here's a pix of the finished 2nd sock. I understood the heel flap better with DPNs
6 What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? I really really like them all. esp if they're soft and I haven't been able to use a lot of yarn so I won't pick.
7 Do you like to crochet your socks? I have only tried once and it was for felting a pair it didn't work but I would like to try again for just regular socks.
8 Or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I love to knit on DPNs with magic loop next 2 circs after that but I prefer DPNs all the time! They just seem more fun to me.
9 Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? Or short-row?) I know how to do the heel flap but I don't enjoy it. I LOVE short row heels and toes. Though I did find a new toe that looks like a start that I've been dying to try! On my next pair.
10 How many pairs have you made? um **blush** under 10. I just have tons of stuff that I'm working on and socks get put aside but I collect sock yarn. I plan on doing more socks now!
so that's my sock history. Not too interesting though. Sorry about that. Anyways I'm off to finish my slipper socks for the beady.
anyways have a wonderful day.
Socktoberfest. (I know I know I'm a little late) I wanted to
share the scarf I made for my beginning crochet class. The fun fur one, a couple of posts ago, is for my advanced beginners class. I Calll this one the LTC scarf. (learn to crochet) what do you think? I'm pondering if I should enter it into the crochet pattern a day calendar for next year. Any comments are welcomed! Sorry the pix are a little dark. At least they look dark on my computer. I used a hunter green color of caron simply soft 
yarn.I'm also working on a pair of wool socks to be shrunk for slipper for the beady. She likes the purple and I hope that it will work for me. We'll see soon enough. The ones on the needles in the pix are finished I'm working on the second sock/slipper now. Oh and AWESOME news. I got my socks back from my DH's friends house. WHOO HOO now I've just got to get done with what I'm working on now to finish the socks for myself. Ok now on to my Sock History
1 When did you start making socks? shortly after learning to knit, about 2 years ago now.
2 Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? Or in a class? I taught myself, using internet tutes and books
3 What was your first pair? they were to be a pair for a friend.
4 How have they "held up" over time? not so good I frogged them b/c they were being made out
of rec yarn. And I started them again with different yarn here's a pix of the cuff of the frogged socks..5 What would you have done differently? used different yarn and short row heel. I got stuck on the heel flap. So I switched yarns and to DPNs instead of 2 circs here's a pix of the finished 2nd sock. I understood the heel flap better with DPNs
6 What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? I really really like them all. esp if they're soft and I haven't been able to use a lot of yarn so I won't pick.
7 Do you like to crochet your socks? I have only tried once and it was for felting a pair it didn't work but I would like to try again for just regular socks.
8 Or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I love to knit on DPNs with magic loop next 2 circs after that but I prefer DPNs all the time! They just seem more fun to me.
9 Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? Or short-row?) I know how to do the heel flap but I don't enjoy it. I LOVE short row heels and toes. Though I did find a new toe that looks like a start that I've been dying to try! On my next pair.
10 How many pairs have you made? um **blush** under 10. I just have tons of stuff that I'm working on and socks get put aside but I collect sock yarn. I plan on doing more socks now!
so that's my sock history. Not too interesting though. Sorry about that. Anyways I'm off to finish my slipper socks for the beady.
anyways have a wonderful day.
Sunday, October 8, 2006
4 days and 20 hours?
I have to admit I love to play the PC game Warcraft! I think my lil bro got one of the games when I was in high school and we played it forever. I remember staying up late at night playing the game.
The newer game World of Warcraft is also fun. I don't get to play as much as I was younger with having 2 kids and having to work and all but I did find this site rather fun!www.warcraftunderground.com I poked around it for a while. I think I may be playing the game more often now that I've found all this info for it. It's a newer site with World of Warcraft news, tips, secrets,links, you name it! I found a link to a player who'd made it from level 1 to 60 in 4 days 20 hours. What a record! Over all the site is really informative and has some great links and blog posts. If you're a fan of the game Go check it out and LMK what you think!
The newer game World of Warcraft is also fun. I don't get to play as much as I was younger with having 2 kids and having to work and all but I did find this site rather fun!www.warcraftunderground.com I poked around it for a while. I think I may be playing the game more often now that I've found all this info for it. It's a newer site with World of Warcraft news, tips, secrets,links, you name it! I found a link to a player who'd made it from level 1 to 60 in 4 days 20 hours. What a record! Over all the site is really informative and has some great links and blog posts. If you're a fan of the game Go check it out and LMK what you think!
Saturday, October 7, 2006
How to hurt your back
So this past week I've been busy. On Tuesday I decided to paint 
my kitchen. We had the paint down in the basement so why not right? I'd picked out the color when we first moved in and then hadn't give it much thought. As I was painting it I was loving it and now every time I walk into the kitchen I LOVE IT! It's crazy how a color can just change your mood! I started this venture on Tuesday and only painted 2 of the 4 walls in our kitchen. I didn't paint anything on Wednesday b/c that is our busiest day. So Thurs I was going to finish but to get ready for the rest of the kitchen I first had to do some re-arranging. To start I was going to move some of my craft supplies upstairs to my bedroom but to make a place for them, I needed to re-arrange my bedroom. So as I was doing that I hurt my back. And I wasn't able to finish painting the kitchen, or re-arranging the guest room. I did however finish our bedroom (for the most part) But I am also angry at myself for not listening to my body. And not lifting with my legs... Well you know I'll be listening next time that's for sure.
Look, I made a scarf, and I'm working on another one too. They're for my Crochet classes at Michaels. I was un-willing on line with Wendy. I "met" her after posting about my classes the other day. She also teaches crochet and knitting at her Michaels. And we got to talking b/c Michaels doesn't tell you what you have to teach etc. So we were talking about how it is hard to come up with exactly how to teach. So after talking with her I decided to change my classes for Oct and Nov to making scarves. Wendy changes here's monthly. I'd never even thought of that! So smart! So it got me thinking with the colder weather coming up what do you need? Now I don't like fun fur but many people who come to my classes to and they want to know how to make scarves... sooo the purple fuzzy scarf on the left is the result of that... It's a curly q/squiggly scarf I adapted the pattern I found here. I used totally different yarn than they asked for and a different hook and I added about 50 more stitches. And I'm pondering if I should've made it wider.. It's a simple pattern so it was easy to adj to what I wanted. I'm also working on another scarf that I'm making up. I wanted to make them to show at Michaels for people to look at. I think for Dec and Jan we'll be making hats. What do you think? What did you like when you learned how to knit or crochet? I'm always looking for ideas to improve so leave a comment LMK. Thank you I'd appreciate it.
anyways that's what my week was like. Crazy yet not so. It's getting colder here. We actually turned the heat on. how about where you live?
my kitchen. We had the paint down in the basement so why not right? I'd picked out the color when we first moved in and then hadn't give it much thought. As I was painting it I was loving it and now every time I walk into the kitchen I LOVE IT! It's crazy how a color can just change your mood! I started this venture on Tuesday and only painted 2 of the 4 walls in our kitchen. I didn't paint anything on Wednesday b/c that is our busiest day. So Thurs I was going to finish but to get ready for the rest of the kitchen I first had to do some re-arranging. To start I was going to move some of my craft supplies upstairs to my bedroom but to make a place for them, I needed to re-arrange my bedroom. So as I was doing that I hurt my back. And I wasn't able to finish painting the kitchen, or re-arranging the guest room. I did however finish our bedroom (for the most part) But I am also angry at myself for not listening to my body. And not lifting with my legs... Well you know I'll be listening next time that's for sure.
Look, I made a scarf, and I'm working on another one too. They're for my Crochet classes at Michaels. I was un-willing on line with Wendy. I "met" her after posting about my classes the other day. She also teaches crochet and knitting at her Michaels. And we got to talking b/c Michaels doesn't tell you what you have to teach etc. So we were talking about how it is hard to come up with exactly how to teach. So after talking with her I decided to change my classes for Oct and Nov to making scarves. Wendy changes here's monthly. I'd never even thought of that! So smart! So it got me thinking with the colder weather coming up what do you need? Now I don't like fun fur but many people who come to my classes to and they want to know how to make scarves... sooo the purple fuzzy scarf on the left is the result of that... It's a curly q/squiggly scarf I adapted the pattern I found here. I used totally different yarn than they asked for and a different hook and I added about 50 more stitches. And I'm pondering if I should've made it wider.. It's a simple pattern so it was easy to adj to what I wanted. I'm also working on another scarf that I'm making up. I wanted to make them to show at Michaels for people to look at. I think for Dec and Jan we'll be making hats. What do you think? What did you like when you learned how to knit or crochet? I'm always looking for ideas to improve so leave a comment LMK. Thank you I'd appreciate it.anyways that's what my week was like. Crazy yet not so. It's getting colder here. We actually turned the heat on. how about where you live?
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Making eBay easier!
Do you have a ton of crap that you want to get rid of? Have you tried eBay? If you're like me you can easily get lost on eBay. (and that's not just looking at all the great stuff to buy) that is unless you're experienced seller not always do you have luck unloading your stuff right away. In steps List'd express. 
Check out this site. eBay listing tool I just found it. I haven't tried it but I poked around their site a bit. It was very informative and looked really easy. (even a dummy like me can do it!) I'm a mom of 2 kids and I work outside the home so anything that makes my life easier is great! So here's the lowdown...you just put in some keywords, select a category and write up a description. They have templates for you to choose from, like this one.
then you add pix and figure out what you want to get paid. Then you're done. You're on your way to getting rid of your stuff and making some cash. Promised to be easy. I'm thinking about selling some DVD seasons I have laying around, so I'm def going to try List'd express out for sure. If you've used List'd LMK I'd love to talk shop!When I do it, I'll update Ya'll
Monday, October 2, 2006
Forgetful me.
As you know I teach crochet at my local Michaels. I also just added a Knitting socks class. I'm so pumped about it I hope I get some people signed up for it! Saturday was my store's fall sign up. The class instructors who could make it, demonstrated what they taught. This was so people could see what is available and then sign up for a class. I met some wonderful people. I think I may have gotten hooked into some other hobbies though... LOL I met the beading instructor she was super nice and her jewelry was beautiful. And I met the Bob Ross painting instructor. It was really great watching him. The instructor for the wiltons cake decorating was also there and the one stroke painting class. They were also great. So while I was there I worked on an afghan that I'm crocheting. I also worked on my Socks! (I wanted to get a head start on my socktober.) It was great.
Sunday we went over to some friends to have lunch and watch some football. I also had my socks there. And they're still there. YUP I forgot them what a dork!
Sunday we went over to some friends to have lunch and watch some football. I also had my socks there. And they're still there. YUP I forgot them what a dork!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Today's Storm
So did you see the Today Show when PPP stormed them? I did not. But I did watch the behind the scenes they have on their blog. Got to go check it out.Guerilla Marketing it looks like TONS of fun! I think it would be fun to work with them they seem sooo energetic and fun loving. Have you checked out their site. It's great you get paid to post on your blog. Pay Per Post if you decide to sign up (which I bet you will) please tell them I sent you use my email (ullena at yahoo dot com) After watching the behind the scenes I want to watch the show. If anyone knows of where I could watch that please link me so I can watch it. TKS.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Late but still neat
so as I promised before here are some pix taken at the baseball
game 2 weekends ago by The Bub. All except this first pix which was taken by a friend. So cute huh? We had a lot of fun. When we got there it was light out but since it was a night game it got dark fast. The bub snapped this pix of the Pittsburgh skyline from our seats.. Pretty no?
If you didn't notice but they mow the lawn in different patterns
for the games this one had a baseball in the middle of it. Pretty interesting. I wonder how you'd do that.... hmm maybe I'll try it out on my lawn. LOL j/kthe bib also took this pix of beady while in the car on the way to the game. On the way home they were knocked out. It was late so I don't blame them.
well there were more pix but most of them were repeats so I opted not to share them.
so lets talk about babysitters. Where in the world are they? I'm not talking about day care I'm talking about a person (usually a teen) coming to your house to watch the kids while you go out on a date with your husband or something like that. We do have one gal who babysits for us occasionally. But sometimes she's out of town. (like this weekend) so I've been hunting for another babysitter not to replace but as a back up for us. This is not so easy to do when you don't know too many people who actually have kids that need babysat. I've looked online and a lot of places want you to pay to get info. And I found a yahoo group or two for sitters (they're free) but that brings me to who do I really want to watch my kids? Normally I ask a friend who they get to babysit. Really I think we need someone who's over 16 that can drive and get to our house on their own. (and maybe a little more responsible than those younger) But we'd also kinda like someone we know, or know the parents of so that we can kind gauge how they would treat our children and also what they would be "teaching" our kids. Lets face it our darling little ones are sponges they suck up everything they see. My 7 year old adores any older girl and uses them as a role model so I do want someone who dress modestly and believes the same as we do. So today I got the brainstorm to call the church and see if they had a list of the teens in the youth that babysit. I don't know why it took me so long to think of that. The secretary thought there were a few but she wasn't sure and said she would get the youth pastor to get me some info or give it to her so she would call me back. I'm waiting to hear back from the youth pastor who's gone today but will be back tomorrow. I'm hoping I can find another sitter who will be able to help me out this weekend.
also do we know what tomorrow is?? Yes it's Wednesday. But it's also See You at The Pole '06. I remember doing this when I was in high school. The bub's school is having a breakfast for the family and then prayer time. We're going. How about you?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Extra money?
So yeah I like to knit and crochet. And while lately I've been on a yarn diet I'd like to support my habit somehow.
So in the past I'd signed up for adsense. I still have the adds on my blog as you can see. Well I haven't see much profit from it really. (I think I've made like 2 bucks and you don't get paid till you hit $100) So while i still have hope in adsense i begin to wonder if it's really going to ever pay out. KWIM? Unless you have a really busy blog and get tons of hits it probably won't.
Through one of the blogs I read on bloglines, I found this site for me (and you) to make money. Of course I promptly signed up. So far it looks good. If you go there and decide to sign up please please when you do and they ask for who referred you there please put my email ullena at yahoo dot com. That will help me help you and the world will be a happier place. Well hopefully. But so far it's been easy and I have high hopes. And really what's it going to hurt? I'm just writing a few extra posts... KWIM?? it gets my creative juices flowing.
So i'm interested in what you think, what is your take on it?
go check it out!
So in the past I'd signed up for adsense. I still have the adds on my blog as you can see. Well I haven't see much profit from it really. (I think I've made like 2 bucks and you don't get paid till you hit $100) So while i still have hope in adsense i begin to wonder if it's really going to ever pay out. KWIM? Unless you have a really busy blog and get tons of hits it probably won't.
Through one of the blogs I read on bloglines, I found this site for me (and you) to make money. Of course I promptly signed up. So far it looks good. If you go there and decide to sign up please please when you do and they ask for who referred you there please put my email ullena at yahoo dot com. That will help me help you and the world will be a happier place. Well hopefully. But so far it's been easy and I have high hopes. And really what's it going to hurt? I'm just writing a few extra posts... KWIM?? it gets my creative juices flowing.
So i'm interested in what you think, what is your take on it?
go check it out!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Conversation with self.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Get your Fash On
Did you ever play with dolls when you were younger? How about dress up? If you don't have a 
daughter it may look funny if you play with dolls now.. That is until you visit this site. Dress Up Games for girls (you know it's not just for girls though) This site is great it lets you create dolls from several different templates. The doll maker program is so simple to use and so fun too!
Go check it out but beware I spent several hours here trying to figure out which avatar would look the best. At first I wanted to be a mermaid, then a fairy then I thought maybe something normal. The possibilities are endless. It's really fun to play with these dolls. I finally ended up with this hot little number. It's really fun to make all different types of dolls for your use in forums, chats or whatever you want to use the avatars in. You can dress yourself up like a
vampire to celebrate Halloween. There are some great dolls that they have for you to look at and they even have a doll chat. I didn't get to explore all the different fun options they had there so I encourage you to go check it out. 
I liked this one she reminds me of Cruella Dev il only in her prime LOL. There's even some winter fun dolls to create so you can get your blog ready for the colder months. You can even make yourself a celebrity I may have to go do that just to say I was famous. even if it's an avatar. LOL I'm a dork I know. The angels were really pretty. I thought about being one of those too. (not that I look as good as these fun dolls though *sigh*) But that's what playing dress up and dolls is all about your imagination!
Go play have fun. And then LMK what you came up with. I'm thinking I may go back and become a mermaid soon.
daughter it may look funny if you play with dolls now.. That is until you visit this site. Dress Up Games for girls (you know it's not just for girls though) This site is great it lets you create dolls from several different templates. The doll maker program is so simple to use and so fun too!Go check it out but beware I spent several hours here trying to figure out which avatar would look the best. At first I wanted to be a mermaid, then a fairy then I thought maybe something normal. The possibilities are endless. It's really fun to play with these dolls. I finally ended up with this hot little number. It's really fun to make all different types of dolls for your use in forums, chats or whatever you want to use the avatars in. You can dress yourself up like a
vampire to celebrate Halloween. There are some great dolls that they have for you to look at and they even have a doll chat. I didn't get to explore all the different fun options they had there so I encourage you to go check it out. I liked this one she reminds me of Cruella Dev il only in her prime LOL. There's even some winter fun dolls to create so you can get your blog ready for the colder months. You can even make yourself a celebrity I may have to go do that just to say I was famous. even if it's an avatar. LOL I'm a dork I know. The angels were really pretty. I thought about being one of those too. (not that I look as good as these fun dolls though *sigh*) But that's what playing dress up and dolls is all about your imagination! Go play have fun. And then LMK what you came up with. I'm thinking I may go back and become a mermaid soon.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Have you seen it? Socktoberfest '06! I signed up last year and I'm glad to do it again. Since then my sock yarn stash has grown and I need to knit it up into beautiful beautiful socks and stop hoarding it. There are tons and tons of people signed up so why haven't you?Now I've been posting a lot lately but I've also been working on some things. So to show you I took pix. First off is a scarf. Made from some shlubby yarn I call it
that b/c it's hard to explain. The close up will show 
you it's think in some parts and thin in others. This scarf is an adaptation from the one skein scarf in The Happy Hooker. I made it skinnier and shorter. I don't think that it will get kicked off the runway though...LOL The scarf only took me about 2 hours to make in all. Maybe less than that, it's a super easy project. I got the yarn from my COT stash exchange. I took it b/c I thought I could use it. The scarf is a gift for an exchange I'm part of and I don't know if she'll like it super duper long. I love super duper long scarves that I can wrap around and around and around and still have it hanging to my knees. I had a wonderful scarf like that but I lost it.. Well I have this habit of taking scarves off places and forgetting them. Which is what happened to the last one. I'm thinking about making myself another one. But you know me I'm always making something for someone else. Not that I mind. I enjoy that. But I'm also on a yarn diet big time due to budget restraints. So I'd have to use my stash and I don't have any yarn I'd want to make a scarf out of. I'm thinking bright colors my 
fav's lately are lime green,blue, purple, pink and brown. And not in that order. Anyways on to the rest of my projects.I'm also crocheting an afghan for the same exchange the scarf was made for. It's a round ripple afghan. I love the way it is looking. I can't wait to see it when it's done. I hope the recipient likes it. It's really easy to make and brainless crochet so I've been working on that in the evenings when I've got "my" time alone with my shows. Tonight it was going to be Project Runway but it's not a new episode. I have to wait till next week. It's totally killing me! I love love love love LOVE that show! I should be sleeping but I quickly switched to CSI NY. And started composing this post for Ya'll. How ever will I finish a project if I'm online all the time.
but I find the time somewhere. I'm also actually working on my socks. Yes a project for me I've taken it off the back burner and 
started working on it again.. I'm not that far but it's coming along well. I took a pix of the patter close up. My camera stile never ceases to amaze me at the quality of pix it takes. This was taken tonight over my hand not very much lighting but hey it turned out! Anyways the colors are a little washed out but pretty still.anyways I would tell you about my evening, but I don't want to make this post boring or annoying. Lets just say I 'm not going to run out of gas ever again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)