More Boot Cuffs

I found my pictures that I had lost of previous boot cuff that I made (although this is not all of the boot cuffs I made).  Some were gifts and I failed to take a pic before I gave them away.

Here are the buttons I used (love the deal $0.50/ea. when they were regularly priced at $7.49/ea.).  I really like the look of the buttons also.

I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in 'Wheat'.

These were finger knitted.  This was the first time I tried finger knitting.  I really like the non-perfect (primitive and rustic) look of the finger knitting.

Here they are with the buttons sewn on.  I found the tutorial here at The Kurtz Corner.

Here they are with my boots.

Sorry about the glare with the flash.

Here is another pair that I made.  I knitted these with knitting needles and used the knit stitch.

It is hard to tell from the pic, but I used 2 strands of yarn (2 different colors -  Vanna's Choice in Chocolate and Vanna's Choice in Charcoal).  I used US size 13 needles.  (Bamboo needles are my favorite.)

Last pic with the buttons sewn on.  I didn't use a pattern here.  I just knitted across 3 or 4 inches (as tall as I wanted them to be) and then kept knitting until they went around the calf of my leg.  I then sewed the 2 short ends together to form the cuff.  It was a quick and easy project I did when the temp was in the single digits (unusually cold for around here) and I just wanted to stay inside where it was warm and cozy.

What's cozier than working with yarn and drinking coffee or hot chocolate?

Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Where do you get the inspiration for your projects? Whether it is sewing, knitting/crochet, etc. I look around at what pleases me and go from there.

Here is a granny square that I crocheted. The colors are white, brown aqua and burgandy/dark red (yes, I know it looks bright red, but trust me - it is not - don't know if it was the camera or the computer).



I got my inspiration from my favorite tote bag.  It has the same color scheme.



Here they are together.



The colors may not be an exact match (fabric and yarn do not always match), but I like the color scheme anyway.

So where do you get your inspiration?

Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek at something that is in my work basket. I am also trying to work on my photography skills (they are so lacking - in everything).

I have worked with crochet thread before and the normal yarns, but I have never used thick yarns. I have always wanted to, I just love the texture and the chunkiness (if that is even a word and if not - I'm going to use it anyway and make up my own word) of it.

I found those knitting needles on clearance somewhere (for a little bit of nothing) a couple of years ago (before I learned to knit - knowing that I wanted to learn). I thought they were the perfect size for the thick yarn. It is really easy to work with and I am loving it.

I am using the yarn that I bought for this project. It is LionBrand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Butterscotch. **Just a side note, I still use that decorating idea and I keep adding yarns to it (and taking them away for different projects like the one above). I also change out colors for seasons (reds and greens for Christmas, pastels for spring, etc.). Not only do I like to vary the colors, but also the textures. I am big on texture.

More Valentine Hearts

I crocheted this heart using a red cotton and a pink cotton crocheted together (talked about it first here). It is thick enough that I think it could be used as a trivet. You can find the pattern here.



To knit this, I used the pattern that I found here.

I am really enjoying knitting, but crochet is faster. Not sure if it is really faster or if is just me because I have crocheted for so much longer and knitting is still pretty new to me. It is fun either way, but if I want a quick project - I crochet.

Valentine Knitting

I found this illusion heart dishcloth pattern at I'm Knitting A Rat's Nest. But since then, I've had trouble finding it. I can find the blog post about it (click the link above and scroll down to the bottom of the page) but now I cannot find the pattern. Wait, I did a little more searching and found it here.

I did it in red and white for Valentine's Day. I just think it is so cool how it goes from stripes to a pattern. (Don't pay attention to how wonky it is - I am still working on my tension - keeping it even and not getting too tight or too loose or keep changing from tight to loose and back again - it will come...eventually.)



You can see my first attempt at illusion knitting here.

Knitting Fun

I have been working on teaching myself to knit for quite sometime (since summer of '09 - I think). I was able to do a small garter stitch (only) rectangle that I used for a dishcloth. I was wanting to improve my skills and learn other stitches, but since it is a new thing for me it takes concentration and sometimes it is hard for me to do (concentrate) with a house full of boys.

Since Christmas (the hustle and bustle, the too many irons in the fire) is over, I have tried again (and with the snow we've been getting - it has been easier).

I first made a "Letter Dishcloth" - I did "B" first (for my last name). I was so excited that as soon as I finished it I began using it right away and forgot to take a picture. It was not perfect, by the time I reached the end of the dishcloth I had 3 extra stitches on my needle (I had already taken it out and restarted like 5 times - so I figured that I could live with just 3 extra stitches). You can find the knitting alphabet dishcloth patterns here (along with some others that I want to try).

Then I did another "B" and didn't have any extra stitches. I gave that one away before taking a picture also. Then I did an "E" that you see above. I have someone very special in mind to give this too. I am still working on my tension, but it will come. I remember when I learned to crochet - the tension just got better with practice.

Now, I've found illusion knitting and I just think that is really cool. Below, you can see that I've knitted a pink ribbon (for breast cancer awareness) - get that pattern here. I'm giving that away to someone special too.

What is neat about illusion knitting is from the top, it just looks like striped...



...but from an angle (it has to be a certain angle), you can see the design.

Project Bags

I have been planning on showing you my craft project bags, but me being a procrastinator like I am Craftzine beat me to it (they had the very same idea that I did - Wow). I will show you my version anyway. Actually I have 3 project bags.



This is the back and front of my crochet project bag. (I really need to make me a crochet hook organizer/carrier - see how they all settle to the bottom of the bag making it difficult to find?)



This is the back and front of my knitting bag. I've only been knitting for a short while so it's not as packed as my crochet bag (it's going really good - I'm getting a little better, no dropped stitches last time).



This is the front and back of my smocking bag. It's been neglected lately.

I love to keep my projects in bags like these. The clear bags make it easy to see what project it is and what supplies that I have/need for the project. It keeps everything clean and from getting too tangled. It makes it very easy to grab and go (I do a lot of my projects waiting in the car for the kids to get out of school or in Dr.'s offices, etc.).

Now, what's in my bag. Whatever is needed for the project. (Crochet hooks, patterns, small embroidery scissors, pencil and paper, yarn, small ruler. Knitting needles, yarn, pattern, instructions printed from the internet. Smocking plates, embroidery thread, fabric, neeldes.) I need a few more pair of small embroidery scissors so I don't have to keep switching scissors to different project bags - sometimes I forget and then I don't have scissors when I need them.

I am constantly looking for these bags (I have a stash of them in all sizes) and I keep everyone that I get (I've given a few away to friends for their project bags).

The knitting bag was from a set of sheets. The crochet and smocking bags were from hair sets (you know...shampoo, conditioner, gel, or whatever). Keep your eyes open for bags like these. They would also make great travel kit bags for kids.

I've Learned to Knit

I've learned to knit...well sort of. I just finished my first project. It was a small dishcloth made with a very small ball of leftover yarn. It is very lopsided, has several dropped stitches, it is just in one stitch (the knit stitch), but it is completed. It's pretty pitiful looking, but it's complete.

I'm really not disappointed. I remember my first few crochet attempts (pretty much the same). It will take time for me to get my tension right (not too tight and not too loose) and to learn other stitches (I am still learning new crochet stitches). My next attempt will be to learn how to pick up dropped stitches (or better yet, not to drop them) and to work on my tension. I am very slow, but I know that my speed will improve with my other knitting skills as I continue to practice.

I still enjoy crocheting, but I like the look of knitted items too (crochet and knit just look different). I also wanted to learn a new skill. I am happy that I taught myself (by book, YouTube, LionBrand.com instructions, and lots of heart). And with 4 boys running around it was quite a feat.

What I learned (I will still have to check my cheat sheet for awhile)...
...to cast on
...the knit stitch
...to cast off/bind off.

YES, knitting is harder than crochet (I heard it was the other way around - if I learned to knit first I might agree, but right now I don't), but it is well worth it. And NO I'm not going to show my dishcloth. I am proud that I completed it, but it is still pitiful looking (the dishes won't mind).

Crocheted Hearts

I crocheted this cute heart (in navy even though it looks black in the picture). I got the idea from Diary of a SAHM and she has a link to the pattern. It is pretty easy and fast. It is also a great way to use up your little balls of yarn (not enough for a big project, but too much to throw away). I love to crochet (I do it more in the winter and less in the summer because it can get hot under all that yarn - if you do a big project - like an afghan). I do not knit, but would love to learn. I may try my hand at it sometime.

Check out what we're going to have for dinner tonight - gyros made in the crockpot - check it out here. I got this recipe from A Year of Crockpotting and I have been dying to try it out, so I'm doing it for supper to night. I cannot wait.

I went to Kroger on Tuesday night (fairly late) to do my grocery shopping and they announced over the intercom that they were marking their Rotissiery Chicken down and I bought 3. I put one in the fridge and the kids and I had it for lunch Wednesday (chicken sandwiches) and we all had it for supper Wed. night with veggies and my hubby took it for lunch today. Great deal for $2.99 (It fed 6 of us twice). The other 2 I put in the freezer for later. It is great for casseroles or what ever (it is already cooked and seasoned).

~Jena