A Few Projects Down

I have gotten a few of my projects done, but not as many as I would like. I finished my Twilight Monkey Socks, Pro Bono Hat, Orange Llama hat, and my Ravenclaw scarf from my list as well as a few projects that I started and finished since I made my list. I made a tube scarf for my dad for Christmas, a short scarf for my Grandpa and a hat for the Bridges Project. Idon't have pictures but hopefully I will get some up in the next few days, now that I have finished my finals I have more time to get some more projects done.

Too Many Projects

I have been going through my projects that I have going and I have realized that I have too many things going at once. There is a list of the projects that I can think of:
-Nick's socks
-Black Spring Forward Socks
-Twilight Monkey Socks
-Mom's Blue Monkey Socks
-Embossed Leaves Socks
-Waves and Piers Socks
-Don't Panic Towel
-Left-over sock yarn blanket
-Pro Bono Hat
-Orange Llama Hat
-Lexie's Mittens
-Fall Wrap
-Nick's Cobblestone Sweater
-Ravenclaw Scarf
-Mardi Gras Socks
-Bite Me Scarf
-Two-Tone Shurg
-Carnival Baby Blanket
-My Green Mittens

I know that there are more but I can't think of them right now. I really need to finish some of my projects so that I don't feel so overwhelmed with too many things going on at once.

A Long Time

It has been a long time since I have written. Not much has changed since June but school has started up again and I am pretty busy with it, which means that I don't have much time to knit or read or anything much more than do things for school and work. I have been good about not buying yarn since I haven't had time to use any that I already have but that still means that I have a huge stash consisting of 5 large Rubbermaid tubs and numerous bags of yarn all over the place. Hopefully soon I will be able to finish some things and make a dent in my stash so that I won't feel bad about adding to it.

A Little More Freedom

Well I now have two more days off a week because I quit one of my jobs today. It was really a relief to quit because lately it has gotten so unpleasant to work there and there is just too much tension that is not being addressed that could easily be fixed. So now I am down to working three days a week in a job that I really like going to.

Spencer's Socks

These are socks that I made for my boss' baby who is a preemie and just came home yesterday for the first time and he was born 6 months ago. He has finally reached the size of a newborn. These socks actually go up to his knees since he is so small still.

Black Yarn Swap Package Arrived

I actually got my package from Erin last Wednesday but I have not been able to post my pictures until now.
Erin also made me some wonderful stitch markers with a Harry Potter theme to them as well as a tote bag with a Buffy quote that actually happens to be one of my favorites and she didn't know that when she made it. The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in the colorway Ravenscroft. I absolutely love the yarn and I was able to get my first Monkey sock done this past weekend.

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. Things have been insanely busy for me lately. I have to make 100 of my small drawstring bags by July 9 for a store grand opening, so that the first 100 people get a free bag which will be filled with other goodies. These sure are going to be expensive gifts for a store grand opening. I have less than three weeks to get all of these bags done and I only have 40 done so far. I know that I will get them done, but now I am getting tired of making those bags. I am going to have to come up with a new design to focus on for my Etsy page. I really hope that I will be able to come up with something that will be a good substitute.

5 & Dime

This is one of the quilt tops that I finished last weekend, I did both out of the same pattern and each only took a couple of hours to complete. It was fun doing something that was sort of an instant gratification project because lately I have been getting myself into projects that take a lot of time.
Time is not something that I have a lot of right now because I just started a second job last week to help pay for school and I have gone from working a day and a half to five days a week. So it is a big change for me, I'm not used to not having time to do things like spend the afternoon at the library like I used to. Even though I don't have as much time any more, I am enjoying my new job much more than my old one because the people are much more pleasant to work with and it is not nearly as stressful for me. I am seriously considering quiting my old job and just taking on more hours at the new job to cover the hours that I would lose by quiting. I also am making more per hour at the new job. I have a big decision that I have to make.

Mom's Harry Potter Tote

I made this Gryffindor tote for my mom for Mother's Day. She was really happy with it and has been using it a lot.

Well I was going to post this last week but things have been really busy. I got a job offer that pays a lot more than I am making now plus more benefits. I am starting next week and I hope that things go well with my new job.

The Black Summer Yarn Swap

1. Do you knit, crochet, or both? both but I like knitting more
2. What do you prefer to knit or crochet? socks and felted purses (socks? sweaters? cables?) What would you like to try to knit or crochet?
3. What are your hobbies outside of knitting or crocheting? walking, reading, sewing, biking, swimming
4. Do you have any fiber allergies? No Fiber preferances? wool, bamboo, cotton
5. Do you have any favourite books, music, or tv shows? If so, what are they? books: mysteries, young adult books, classic lit; music: rock, punk; movies: french comedies, vampire movies, zombie movies, Harry Potter movies; TV: Bones, House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, One Tree Hill, Angel
6. Do you have any pets? Two dogs
7. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks? sweet and salty
8. Do you prefer coffee or tea? Tea
9. Aside black, which colours do you like/dislike? Like: Lime green, red, turquoise Dislike: pastels
10. What is your favourite time of the year? (season-wise or holiday-wise) Summer and Halloween
11. What is your favourite scent? vanilla, peppermint
12. What do you collect? yarn, fabric, books
13. If there's anything else you'd like your swappee to know, list them here: I dislike strong perfumes very much

Harry Potter Sweater

This is my first sweater and my first attempt at duplicate stitch. I don't have anyone in mind for the sweater but I hope that who ever gets it will enjoy it.

I'm Done!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am finally done with all of my classes for the summer. I will finally have time to do some things for myself. Now I will be able to get more things on my Etsy site. It has been awhile since I have added anything to my page. I hope that this summer I will be able to make enough money for school next year. I also want to catch up on some of my reading because I have not had a chance to read anything but textbooks for a long time. It is really going to be nice to be able to focus on something other than school for awhile.

Towel Day "Don't Panic" Towel Pattern

Don’t Panic Towel

Corrections made 4/28/08

Materials:

1 cone Peaches & Cream yarn (787 yards)

Size 8 needles

Tapestry needle

Mb= make border (your favorite border, I used seed stitch)

CO 72 sts

7 rows border

Row 1: mb 5 sts, k 62, mb 5 sts

Row 2: mb 5 sts, p 62, mb 5 sts

Rows 3-6: repeat rows 1 and 2

Pattern:

Row 1: mb 5 sts, k6, p2, k2, p5, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k4, p1, k6, p1, k4, p1, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p3, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 2: mb 5 sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p2, k1, p4, k1, p6, k1, p4, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k5, p2, k2, p6, mb 5 sts

Row 3: mb 5 sts, k5, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k4, p1, k6, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 4: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p6, k1, p4, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p3, k1, p2, k1, p5, mb 5 sts

Row 5: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p5, k4, p1, k6, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 6: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p6, k1, p4, k5, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 7: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k2, p3, k6, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 8: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p6, k3, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 9: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 10: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p6, k1,p2, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 11: mb 5 sts, k5, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 12: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p6, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p2, k1, p5, mb 5 sts

Row 13: mb 5 sts, k6, p2, k2, p5, k1, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k4, p3, k4, p5, k1, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k3, p3, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 14: mb 5 sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1, k5, p4, k3, p4, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p1, k5, p2, k2, p6, mb 5 sts

Row 15: mb 5 sts, k41, p1, k20, mb 5 sts

Row 16: mb 5 sts, p 20, k1, p41, mb 5 sts

Center of towel:

Row 1: mb 5 sts, k 62, mb 5 sts

Row 2: mb 5 sts, p 62, mb 5 sts

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until desired length

At this point you may with to add “Don’t Panic” to the other end but if you don’t you can do 7 more rows of border and bind off.

Don’t Panic (word facing other direction)

Row 1: mb 5 sts, p 20, k1, p41, mb 5 sts

Row 2: mb 5 sts, k41, p1, k20, mb 5 sts

Row 3: mb 5 sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1, k5, p4, k3, p4, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p1, k5, p2, k2, p6, mb 5 sts

Row 4: mb 5 sts, k6, p2, k2, p5, k1, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k4, p3, k4, p5, k1, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k3, p3, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 5: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p6, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p2, k1, p5, mb 5 sts

Row 6: mb 5 sts, k5, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k3, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 7: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p6, k1,p2, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 8: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 9: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p6, k3, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 10: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k2, p3, k6, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 11: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p6, k1, p4, k5, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p3, k1, p8, mb 5 sts

Row 12: mb 5 sts, k8, p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p5, k4, p1, k6, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 13: mb 5 sts, p5, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p6, k1, p4, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p3, k1, p3, k1, p2, k1, p5, mb 5 sts

Row 14: mb 5 sts, k5, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k4, p1, k6, p1, k3, p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 15: mb 5 sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p2, k1, p4, k1, p6, k1, p4, k1, p3, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k5, p2, k2, p6, mb 5 sts

Row 16: mb 5 sts, k6, p2, k2, p5, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k4, p1, k6, p1, k4, p1, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p3, k5, mb 5 sts

Row 1: mb 5 sts, k 62, mb 5 sts

Row 2: mb 5 sts, p 62, mb 5 sts

Rows 3-6: repeat rows 1 and 2

7 rows border

Bind off.

Weave in ends

Finished Socks

I finally finished this pair of socks, it seems that I have been working on these forever. I am really glad to have finished them, yet the day after I finished them it got too hot to wear them. It went from 40 degrees to 70 degrees and it has been staying warm. I'm not complaining that it is warm but I really wanted to wear my socks.
Unfortunately lately I have had to deal with a sick dog. Sophie has not been able to keep anything down. She has taken to taking over my bed
I can't stand to see her sick because she can really look pathetic even when she is not sick but when she is sick but now it is really hard to look at her.

Two weeks to go

I only have two more weeks of school and I am so excited because I am getting so burnt out with all of my work. It really didn't seem like a lot of work to me until a couple of weeks ago and all of a sudden it seemed as though I had more things that usual due but I really didn't. I just can't wait until I have time again to do things for myself and to add new things to my Etsy store. I have not been able to add anything new to my store in a couple of weeks. I am planning on adding some definite summer things to the shop including some crocheted bikini tops. I refuse to make crocheted bikini bottoms because there are so few people who look good in them and I don't want to contribute to having to see someone in a string bikini who should not be wearing one.

Update

Well things have been crazy for me lately not only because of school and getting my Etsy page going, but this week I have to get ready for two of my aunts to come to my house. Which means that I am losing my work space for making new bags for a week and that really sucks. It is really hard when I have so many new designs in mind that I want to try out. Also I have finally gotten my messenger bag pattern right and I have not been able to make any new ones since getting everything worked out. Next I want to try making a slouch bag which seems to be really popular right now and they seem easy enough to make.

What a busy week

I forgot how stressful it can be to have four midterms in four days. This is the first time since I was in 10th grade that I have had so many midterms in a row. I haven't had any of my other semesters scheduled with all of my classes grouped together like this, but at least next week is Spring Break.
Well apart from school, I have been setting up my etsy store and I have a few things listed for sale. I really hope that this works out because not only could I use the money but I would like to know what people think of my work and to see someone enjoy what I have made. Here are a couple of pictures of the bags that I have listed.

Completed Lucy Bag

I finished my Lucy bag and I am pleased with how it felted, however I would have liked it to have had a longer strap but I ran out of the teal and did not want to buy another skein to just use a little bit of the skein.

I started this baby blanket on Friday using the Carnival Baby Blanket kit from Knit Picks. It is a really easy pattern and interesting because it has the lace pattern. I don't think that it will take too long for me to finish because it is not that big and I can't make it any bigger than what the pattern says since I only have the yarn that came in the kit.

Lucy bag

I started this pattern on Friday and it has been going very quickly. I am using Nature Spun 100% wool in the colors Hurricane Seas, Cherry Delight, Limestone, and Amethyst. I really hope that it felts up nicely because right now the pink really stands out and maybe the felting will make it seem slightly darker. I have already made this bag before in a purple/black heather yarn from Cascade. I accidentally felted it too much so the strap was shorter than I would have liked and it was shorted than I would have liked.

Socks Galore

I finished this pair of socks for my 6 year old cousin. I used Cascade Fixation yarn. They really didn't take that long to make however they did take me a long time to make since I kept getting sidetracked.
This was the first pair of socks that I ever started and they took me a very long time to finish because they are not really the style of sock that I like to wear. I am really glad to have finished two pairs of socks in the past two days. I really hope that I can finish more of my projects the way that I have been finishing my socks lately.

Finished Sock

Well I finished my sock and started the second one. I really hope that it doesn't take me as long to finish this pair as it has taken me to finish any of the other pairs that I have started. The pattern repeat didn't start until the last three rows of the toe, so the second sock will be about an inch off from the first sock, but it really doesn't bother me that it will be off a little because not many people will see my socks. Yesterday I also started working on my Monk's Travel Satchel , I have the front almost done with just over an inch to go and I have the strap about a third of the way done. I want to have it done by this spring, but I don't know if that will be possible with my current school load.

Most of a Sock

Over the past two days I got the entire cuff of a sock done and I have just started the decreases after turning the heel. I really hope that I can get the rest of the sock done by this weekend. I am using a Trekking XXL yarn that has a pattern repeat to it but even with 8 inches of cuff and turning the heel I have not yet begun on the pattern repeat. I'm starting to wonder whether or not it has a pattern repeat or just random stripes.
I really need to go to bed because tomorrow I have to get up early for work and after work I have a test in Physical Geography.

One down

Well I actually finished one of the hats that I had going. It was made with Cascade 22o Quatro in a lime green with size 7 needles. It seemed to take forever, but I rarely worked on it because I have become so bored with hats since I gave one to just about everyone on my Christmas list last year except for a couple of people. However, I started a lattice scarf that has flowers woven through it so it kind of cancels out the one finished project. I am going to try to finish three projects before I start one new one. It will be hard because there are so many projects that I want to start, including learning how to knit two socks at once using a 40 inch circular needle. Hopefully with that method I will be able to finish more pairs of socks.

So Many Projects

I can't believe how many different projects I have going at once.
-5 different pairs of socks
-3 sweaters (2 the same)
-3 hats
-4 scarfs
-1 messenger bag
-1 felted purse
-2 stocking (that didn't get finished in time for Christmas)
-1 shrug
-1 knit bookmark
-1 lace wrap
-1 knit owl
and probably some others that I have forgotten about for the time being.
However, I haven't been casting on any new projects for a while because I am trying to finish up some that I have had going for a while now.
Knitting is not the only thing that has been keeping be busy lately. I have been absolutely swamped with all of my classes that I am taking. I have a Physical Anthropology class that is twice a week, a physical geography class that is once a week for 4 hours in the evening after I have been working for 8 hours before hand. I also have two classes that are online, Later Western Civilization and Sociology of Minority Groups. At least I am not overwhelmed with all of my classes and work. As long as I stick to my schedule I won't feel overwhelmed with everything that I have to do everyday.