My So Called Crafty Life

I am drowning in yarn and fabric, and yet I wouldn't have it any other way. The one thing I wish is that sewing were more portable, then I would be able to get more done on that end of the spectrum. Instead, I've taught myself to walk and knit (so long as there isn't any lace involved) and can usually get a row or two of knitting in while I walk from the parking garage to the office. So, at least it feels like I've accomplished something before I get to work. Otherwise, it feels like all I do is make lists of all the things I'd like to be working on :-/

To better organize myself and how I spend my time, I've made a general weekly schedule, which assigns projects to me during the week - everything from work, to exercise to sewing and writing (yup, I've decided it's time to get back to work on the novel). At least this way, I have my little checklist to tick off one line item at time so I know I've done more than play Animal Crossing and Picross (most evil game ever!) all week.

Sunday nights are devoted to cutting out sewing projects, and so far, I've cut out a pair of pajama bottoms from a pattern I've made quite a few times. They'll sew up super fast and then I'll have yet another thing to cross off my to-do list :-D

I took a crappy flash picture so I could share the fabric - it's bagels and New York style coffee cups on a red background. I have a ceramic version of the coffee cup, which I use every morning for my coffee at work. It's one of my favorites (favorite one being the Snoopy "I think I'm allergic to morning" one I've had since I was 4). Cute, huh?




I figure every little bit counts when it comes to getting back in to my crafting life.

Dr. Who?

While organizing my closet last night, I had the tv on in the background, and was lucky enough to catch some Dr. Who on PBS. Gah, the new Dr. Who is so frickin' sexah! Maybe it's the accent, I don't know, but I do remember the original 1970s Dr. Who always reminded me of my Algebra and Philosophy teachers combined, and the new one, well, he doesn't!

Anyway, watching it got me to thinking about Dr. Who's scarf, a fairly well-known accessory, and cause for obsession amongst fans. So at 1am, I pulled out some yarn and created my own version using this website as a guide.

Here are the results (before weaving ends in - there are a lot of them!):



I'm fairly pleased with the results, and have written the instructions, if you'd like to make your own Blythe-sized Dr. Who scarf (and who wouldn't want one?)

You will need:
sz 2 needles (2.75mm)
fingering yarn (aka 4ply) in 7 colors: Purple, red, tan, brown, gray, yellow and green

Using the color guide below, CO 10 stitches in the first color, and then follow the guide for the number of rows in each color (the rows are even numbers so the front side will have a seamless change of color). When you're done, bind off and weave in ends and take lots of pictures :-D

Rows - Color
2 - purple
12 - tan
4 - brown
2 - yellow
6 - red
2 - purple
12 - grey
6 - green
2 - yeloow
8 - tan
4 - red
2 - brown
2 - purple
12 - green
2 - yellow
4 - gray
2 - red
12 - tan
2 - purple
6 - green
4 - gray
2 - yellow
6 - red
2 - purple
10 - brown
2 - tan
2 - gray
12 - red
4 - yellow
6 - green
2 - purple
10 - tan
4 - brown
6 - gray
2 - red
4 - purple
2 - tan
4 - yellow
12 - green
4 - red
4 - gray
2 - yellow
6 - brown
2 - purple
2 - tan
8 - grey
2 - red
2 - yellow
4 - tan
2 - purple
8 - brown
2 - red
10 - purple

As with all my patterns, you're welcome to make items to sell from them, but please credit me for the pattern.

It's a Knit Knit Knit World

Ah, Summertime! When brains turn to mush and fingers ache for something to do... I compiled a list for myself of the projects I would like to work on/finish this summer (keep in mind - this list is made for a perfect world where days last forever and things actually get done). Anyway, without further ado, here's my list:

1. Rowan Scottish Tweed ballet wrap sweater - body is done, sleeves are half done
2. Sheela Scarf - on needles
3. Tagliato Shawl - on needles
4. Rowan Linen Sweater - back is half done
5. Fitted Knits sleeveless turtleneck
6. Fitted Knits puff sleeve cardigan - on needles - I'm using some vintage angora yarn from the thrift store - so soft!
7. Fitted Knits Alexandra ballet top - on needles - in naturgarn in goldenrod
8. Nxtdrguy's Noro hat - not like he can wear it now, but it'll be ready for the winter at this rate!
9. Noro Kureyon Cardigan - back is done, fronts are on needles
10. Noro Kureyon throw - on needles
11. Debbie Bliss Soho turtleneck
12. Debbie Bliss Soho arm warmers
13. Knitty Fetching fingerless gloves
14. Noro Kujaku tea kozy
15. Twinkle knit vest in Cascade Magnum
16. Vogue Patons cape - on needles

I'll be happy if I can get 1/4 of the list done (that would be 4 projects for the fractionally challenged). Any more than that and I'll be ecstatic! And of course, pictures and links are forthcoming on all of these. No fun reading the list when pictures can show you!

Wardrobe Refashion

While trolling through some comments on my flickr, I came across a picture of a shirt made from Simplicity 4589, which led me even further down the rabbit-hole to this website. O.M.G. I must do this! It feeds into all my neuroses... er, I mean, hobbies! 1) I love to sew and knit, 2) I have a ton of fabric and yarn to be gotten through and 3) I really need to save some money after splurging on a certain Blythe doll...



I've already bought the fabric I want to use for my high school reunion dress, so I think I'm covered.... Oh, wait - there is one more pair of shoes I want to buy... Hmmmm... Well, I haven't signed up yet, so I could in theory buy them and then sign up - that wouldn't really be considered cheating, would it? ;-)

Sheesh

So many things... I'm supposed to be finishing up my 2nd craftster swap (apologies to my swap partners - your stuff will be rad), but frick, it's hot and I've been rearranging all my crap today and I've realized I HAVE A LOT OF CRAP! Not that I didn't know that before... But, somehow moving it around to try to organize it just makes the problem so much more obvious. I'm annoyed with myself for letting it get this bad, and annoyed that work has been so busy that I haven't had time to fix it. Ugh.

On the plus side, I finished a project and wanted to share - it's knitty's fetching:

Aren't they cute?



I think I should concentrate on the shorter projects as, well, they go much faster! :-P Though, I do get supreme satisfaction out of finishing the more involved projects on my list, they just take forever to do...