The operation was a success

So sometimes my head muscle gets these ideas which i think are pretty cool. So i take these pretty cool ideas and try to make them into reality. The results aren't always what i expected.  But when it does come out what i had imagined, its freakin' awesome!

I always put liners into each purse i make. i try to find really fun patterns so people can enjoy the inside as much as the outside the bag. Sometimes i find a material that is so freakin' awesome that i get bummed that its only on the inside of the purse. So i needed to find a way to surgically combined yarn and cloth together into and awesome purse.

So i took a weekend trip to visit my quilt fanatic mother-in-law and this is what i came back with.



Patient A
I knit 2 flat sides and constructed the rest of the purse in cloth.







Patient B
I knit a more complex pattern and again constructed the rest in cloth.



I think the results are amazing and i already have more ideas for different patterns.

and then i said "?#@*&%!"

"?#@*&%!"

The moment when you realize you don't have enough yarn to finish a project.

Option 3- "I totally did that on purpose"

I am currently in this predicament. I've been working on a purse and realized that my ball of yarn is getting smaller much too quickly. I will most likely run out of yarn before i finish the pattern.

There are three ways to fix this...

1. Find the same exact yarn and dye number at the store you purchased the yarn from
2. Find a yarn very similar to the yarn you've been using and hope no one notices the slight different in color or yarn thickness.
3. Find a yarn in a complimentary color and finish your project with that yarn. Tell people you switched colors on purpose as a fashion statement.

i will have to go with a combination of options 2 and 3. The dark red yarn i was using was leftover from another project and one that i've had for a few years. Its very unlikely that i will be able to find the same yarn at the store.

The purse project I've been working on requires a double strand of yarn. which means that i have to knit two strands of yarn at the same time as one stitch. i plan to find a similar yarn to the one i've been using and use the leftover yarn as one strand and the new yarn as the other strand.
If anyone notices... option 3 will come into play. "I totally did that on purpose. Doesn't it look so fun!"

Forever Christmas

It's been a while... i know i've broken my promise of keeping up with this blog. I'm sorry to those few people who actually read this.
I've been keeping busy with my Knitting Club and also making Christmas presents for family.

This is a forever scarf but
not the pattern listed below.

Right now is crunch time for Christmas shoppers. If you need something quick but still has a homemade touch. i suggest making a Forever Scarf. Its very easy to do and can be done in just a few hours.

Start off with a set of Size 35 knitting needles. These suckers are huge! you can find them at Michaels or Joann Fabric. It will feel very awkward knitting with these jumbo needles. Kind of like when you write with those jumbo novelty pens.

Grab two skeins of your favorite yarn. I used a chunky yarn. the bigger the needs and the bigger the yarn, the faster the scarf will be done.
Cast on 10 to 20 stitches, depending on how wide you want the scarf, then Garter Stitch (knit every row) until you have reached the desired length. I ended up using both skeins and was able to comfortable wrap the scarf around my neck twice.

Leave a little yarn so you can use it to sew the two ends together to create the Forever Scarf.
Quick, easy and the gift-ee will love the gift-er who made it.

Heaven looks a lot like a Granny Square

I have a surplus of leftover yarn and what i love to do is make Granny Squares with it. So right now I am in Granny Square Heaven!
Granny Squares are great when you have bits and pieces of yarn leftover from a bigger project. Not enough to make something, but too much to just get rid of it. So instead, combine all the scrap yarn and make granny squares. Its amazing how you can take a bunch of mismatched yarn, put it together and make a beautiful afghan. It also has that homemade feel to it that i love.


Have fun with Granny Squares...

1. Make slippers- I have a men's pair in size 11 if any wants them!
2. Make two really big ones, sew then together, stuff it with cotton and voila! You have a granny square pillow!
3. Granny Square Scarf
4. Granny Square Purse- Visit LuciesBags.com and see the ones i have available now.
5. Granny Square Leg Warmers and Wrist Warmers.
6. Table Covers
7. Coasters
8. Any type of clothing- Jacket, Blouse, Halter Top, Skirt... Pants?

The possibilities are endless... From colors to patterns.
Check out your local craft store for granny square pattern books or google "Granny Square patterns" and see what comes up. I like Crochet Pattern Central and i also have a few books with a variety of patterns.

So make your Grandmother proud and start your Granny Squares!

Excuse me while I pat myself on the back

ORIGINAL

I finished the purse that my sister asked me to copy from a photo she saw. I think I did a pretty good job. Let me know what you think?

MY COPY

MY COPY

Fiber! Not the kind that makes you poop...

This past weekend was the 2nd Annual Fiber Festival of New England at the Eastern States Expo. And just like the title says, this fiber is not the kind that makes you poop.

Yes, just like the one from Sleeping Beauty

Fiber is the material you use to make yarn. Whether its sheep, goat, alpaca or rabbit. Fiber is the furry coat or fleece that is trimmed from the animals and then is spun into yarn.

Pygora Goats are a cross between
 Pygmy and Angora Goats

This was my first time at this event and hope it won't be the last. I was surprised when I walked in and it instantly smelled like a barn. A quick glanced showed me that not only did independent farms bring fiber and knitted products, but they actually brought their animals as well. It was so great walking up to the alpacas and actually feeling how soft their coats were.

I fell in love with a pair of pygora goats that let me pet their heads and scratch under their chins just like dogs. I walked away before they could roll onto their backs and start begging for me to scratch their bellies.

I stopped at each booth which had a variety of products and information. From large bags of un-spun fiber, finished products, dye colors, spinning wheels, and buttons... lots and lots of buttons! I was able to find the PERFECT button to compliment a purse i just finished.

The HitchHiker from The Merlin Tree

One booth had a woman spinning fiber into an adorable portable spinning wheel. After watching another yarn enthusiast learn how to spin and seeing how easy and relaxing it looks, I wanted to buy a wheel for myself instantly. Until i looked at the price...
Spinning wheels may be expensive but they're probably worth it. It's just not for me right now. I'm already considered an old lady with my knitting and crochet and i'm not even thirty yet. (I said YET! and yes, i am counting the days).
Anyways, a few hours later and a little less money in my purse, i left the festival and can't wait for next year.

Bacon makes it better!

Yes... I am an adorable squirrel!

My cousin Melissa asked me a few months ago to replicate a neck warmer she saw in a shop in New Hampshire. I forgot about it up until a week ago and became determined to finish the project.

Its a prototype of the neck warmer she saw at the shop. I used a cotton yarn in a espresso color. The buttons I got at WEBS in Northampton. they have a great variety of buttons (a little pricey) but worth it. You can't see it too well in the photo but each button is different. You can really dress up a simple scarf, hat or neck warmer with some really fun buttons or pins.

Right around the time that Melissa asked me about the neck warmer, my sister Caroline showed me this photo of a purse she wanted me to replicate as well. it looks like a simple knit/purl project with a few hardware pieces. I just started the project and will keep you updated on its progress.

On a side note... i took a Sunday drive today and  stopped at a diner called Chelle's. I was told i had to stop and have their Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana sandwich. I've loved PB & Banana sandwiches ever since i was a kid... just like Elvis! I have to say that Bacon does make it better. I suggest you stop by and order one along with some Mr. Pibb!

It doesn't have to be the end

Arthritis can be very painful and can deter you from a great project. A lot of people just give up knitting completely because its just to painful. Well, it turns out the knitting and crochet can be helpful in keeping your hands flexible.
There are a few helpful hints from Arthritis Today on how to keep the discomfort down while still enjoying your hobby.

1. Soak your hands in warm water before starting a knitting session.
2. Knitting in 10-15 minute intervals to give your hands a break
3. Knit with wool or wool blends. These fibers have more elasticity than others.
4. Use circular needles instead of straight needles. The shifting of weight back and forth on each needle can put stress on your arthritis. Whereas the circular needles will balance the weight as your knit,
5. Choose light weight plastic, birch or bamboo needles instead of cold heavy metal needles. The plastic tends to stay warm while using them where as the cold of the metal or the wood will only agitate you arthritis.

I haven't forgotten about Crochet Fans!

1. Use flexible, flattened and square crochet hooks. They are easier to grasp in your hand.
2. Make a hook handle by using a foam sheath or wrap a rubber band around a few times. This will prevent your hand from slipping on the hook.
3. Go to your local yarn shop and ask a professional there to watch you crochet. They will be able to give you tips on holding your hook, and your crochet method.

Famous or not, they know their way around a skein!

You'd be surprised and maybe not surprised by which celebrities know how to knit. Knitting isn't just for the expecting housewife anymore. It's become a fashion statement, a relaxing hobby and a way of life. Here is a list of celebrities that know how to knit.


Sex & the City actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Davis. The ladies of "Friends" Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and her ex-husband David Arquette. Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Julianna Maroglies, Rikki Lake, Rosie Perez, Eartha Kitt, Laura Leighton, Portia De Rossi, and Courtney Thorne Smith. Vanna White loves to knit and has her own brand of yarn called Vanna's Choice. 90210's Jennie Garth, Karen Allen, Dakota Fanning, Felicity Huffman, Tracey Ullman, Madonna and Lawrence Fishburn. Models Kate Moss, Paulina Porizkova and Naomi Campbell. Actresses Katherine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn (no relation)! French singer Edith Piaf, comedian Hal Sparks, Marilyn Monroe, Amanda Seyfried, PINK!, British singer Lily Allen, Joan Crawford, FDR, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and Uma Thurman. Julia Roberts taught Cameron Diaz how to knit. Elizabeth Taylor and the all members of Cold Play.


Here is a funny video where Tom Hanks plays a trick on Julia Roberts on the set of Larry Crowne

Do you know of any other celebrities who know how to knit? Leave your answers in the comments.

She works hard for the money!

So i have been neglecting this blog, but i have an excuse. i started a second job last weekend and truly have been too tired to post. After i got home from work today, i was pretending to forget about posting until i got an email from my lovely cousin. She asked if i could replicate a neck warmer she saw in a small New Hampshire shop. My cousin Melissa has always been a great supporter and i'm more than happy to jump into any project she wants to me to try. So i said yes and now i'm working out the details with her about color, design, etc, while i figure out the pattern.
Here are a few free patterns for very cute neck warmers. i know its summer, but if you start now, it could be ready for when you actually need it!
Burberry inspired neck warmer from the garter girl
Green neck warmer from Kae Knits
White neck warmer from DROPS Design
Norwegian Pattern neck warmer from DROPS Design

PS. Donna Summer sang "She works hard for the money" but i prefer Hank Azaria's version from the movie The Birdcage.

Cancer can SUCK IT!

This past weekend was the Relay For Life in my area. If you don't know, Relay For Life is walk to cure cancer. They raise money for cancer awareness and research. There are many fundraisers out there, but this one is particular to me because cancer has affected my family. My grandmother and an aunt have died of cancer. And my mother is living with cancer. Thankfully my mom is doing great and she doesn't need treatment.
Relay is a great event for people who have either survived cancer or has been affected in some way by cancer. I think its a very therapeutic event. The survivors walk to show that cancer didn't beat them! And the rest can show their support and love. Not only that, they can DO something.
In my experience with my mother's cancer, I felt helpless. This was something that was happening to her and I couldn't do anything. I think Relay can help with those feelings that i'm sure others have felt as well.
Other ways to help are donating knitted projects such as hats for treatment patients.
There are a few organizations that collect knit caps and send them to cancer treatment centers. HeadHuggers has a large selection of patterns. Also, Chemocaps.com. Each website has its own directions on suggested yarn and also how to send in your donation. Also, check your local cancer treatment center to see if they take handmade donations.
Some people donate, some people walk, but i like to knit!

Crisse de Calisse de Tabarnake de Cave!

My Dad...

• has a girly name in English but a manly name in French.
• can fix anything
• taught me how to change my snow tires
• accidentally went fishing for sting rays
• grew up on a farm
• can't chew soft bubble gum (Bubblicious gum + dentures = badness)

• Almost killed himself while fixing a dam
• can't pronounce words that begin with "TH"
• says "WHOA WHOA WHOA"
• taught me math
• loves to buy antique furniture
• does not wear a toupee
• has a facebook page
• has planted thousands of trees
• has a Kubota Tractor
• likes dark colors
• loves seafood
• loves thin crust pizza even more. and loves toppings like apples, raisins, walnuts and whatever he can find in the fridge
• can use an entire bottle of sun-block and still get burned at the beach. "You have to rub it into your skin!"
• drives a van
• makes the the best maple eggs
• taught me how to curse in French (not intentionally, of course) Crisse de Calisse de Tabarnake de Cave!

What can your dad do?

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day gifts: Necktie for dad at Raverly.com, Father's Day Cloth at KrisKnits.com, and Father's Day Crochet Socks at LionBrand.com

Jordan Catalano signed my yearbook

Its been 16 years since the 90's TV show "My So Called Life"aired, but sometimes i still dream of Jordan Catalano. In 1995, Jared Leto played the high school grunge heartthrob to Claire Danes' invisible Angela.
I loved this show growing up. I could relate to the characters who were just a few years older than me. Okay, i couldn't completely relate to all the social issues it focused on... homelessness, teenage alcoholism, parental neglect, and many others. But i could relate to Angela, who was obsessed with Jordan. He was the kind of guy you wished knew your name and desperately hoped would sign your yearbook. Then when he looked into your eyes, he would realize that you were "the one", kiss you, and the two of you would live happily ever after. Everyone has had this fantasy. Maybe not with Jordan Catalano, but whoever makes your heart melt. It's hard to explain why, but I think it must go along with the same reason why women love the movie "Dirty Dancing".

It's the fantasy that the hottest guy in high school, not only notices that you exist, but is attracted to you. So when the holiday camp's hot dance instructor or the alternative grunge guy at your school has the hots for you, you become smitten!
And then he has to screw it up by sleeping with your best friend. He is so hot, but dammit, he is stupid!
Not Swazye though, because...
Okay, so here is the knitting related section. Click here to find some really cute Knitting Merchandise on CafePress.com

There's no place like home

Well, I survived my first Tornado! And crapped my pants too!
This past Wednesday, a Tornado landed in West Springfield, moved across the CT River and destroyed parts of Downtown Springfield. Another Tornado (or it might have been the same one) landed in other parts of Mass (Westfield, Monson, Wilbraham, Brimfield)
I wasn't outside to see the Tornado go right by my workplace but i saw the video and that was enough to freak me out. Everyone was ordered into the basement for cover since the weather was still suspicious of another tornado on the way.

You can see my office around the 1:38 mark.

Click here to go to the Western Mass Tornado Relief Facebook page. You'll find information on how to help others and also get aid if you have been effected.

Your free pattern for this week is Wizard of Oz themed. Very cute Mary Jane Slippers from CreativeKnittingMagazine.com. Knit them in Red and you'll have Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers! Or if you are more on the witchy side... here is a free pattern for striped Mary Jane Slippers from Craftbits.com

I apologize to those you might find by this post offensive but i feel that sometimes a bad situation needs to lifted with laughter. And that is what I am trying to do here.

How do you say "It's Gon Rain!" in Russian?

This past week i had to say good bye to my assisant. She found another position and i hope her the best, but i will miss her. Fun fact, she's afraid of butterflies. Weird, right?

So this one goes out to her...

I love fun facts. It always great to throw one out when a conversation starts to dwindle. Here are a few:

• The oldest known animal in the world was 'Ming' the 405 year old clam, discovered in 2007.
• If you eat lots of carrots, you'll start to turn orange.
• SCUBA divers cannot pass gas at depths of 33 feet or below.
• Tipping at a restaurant in Iceland is considered an insult.
• Moscow weathermen can be fined for inaccurate weather forecasting!

That last one hits home hard. I had to cancel an outdoor event for work a few weekends back because the forecast was rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day! KHAAAAAN!
Fun facts courtesy of FunFactz.com
PS. "It's gon rain" in Russian is его движение идти дождь

Knitting me up some Foghorn Leghorn

Technology, I say, technology is amazing. It really is. We have cell phones that are mini computers. Laptops that can unlock your computer by finger print, and the XBOX Kinect that will obey your every command except "KILL!"
Technology has even found its way into knitting. Did you know that you can take a photograph, process it through an image-to-pattern generator and voila, you have a pattern to create that same picture into a knitting or crochet project. For example... through KnitPro 2.0 i took a picture of Foghorn Leghorn and put it through the generator.

The generator takes the pictures and basically pixelizes the picture while putting it into a chart. So now you can buy the colors of yarn necessary to replicate the picture. Its not a  perfect copy of the photo but it gives you an idea of how to make the pattern work. This program would probably work best with solid color project with a photo that doesn't have a lot of detail. Like a heart, daisy... bird... unicorn! Charlie, lets go to Candy Mountain!

Sorry, back to reality. I have not used these generators yet but i do plan to try them out. Starting with simpler photos and then working my way up to Foghorn Leghorn!

Here are a few other sites i found after doing a quick search for free or downloadable image-to-pattern generators.

KPG

KnitPro 2.0

Knit Pattern Generator 0.3

Rainy day projects

So Cute!

On rainy days like today, i like to catch up on my DVR shows and Netflix movies. oh yeah, and needle projects! Need a project? Keep yourself busy with one skein. They usually don't take more than a few hours to a day to finish them. Perfect for a rainy day! You can find free patterns on Raverly.com. Register at the website and have access unlimited patterns. Some are free (awesome!) and some you have to purchase.
Here are a few other websites that have free one skein patterns...
OneSkeinWonders.com
TheCraftiblog
Tangle
Reliquary Arts- really cool one skein shoe rug

Finally, here is my nerd reference... rainy days make me think of an episode from Sailor Moon where Sailor Jupiter was dumped by her boyfriend on a rainy day. Click here to listen to the song from that episode.

My Mom can kick your Mom's ass!

Mom is the best. Nobody can beat her. So don't even try!
Why is it that moms are so kick ass? Mom can always do it better than anyone else.
I could make the same sandwich. Same ingredients, same method. But when Mom makes it, its just better. She's got that special touch that can take your ordinary plain sandwich and make it into the best thing you've ever eaten. Heating canned soup is ten times better when Mom does it.
When you get sick, Mom makes you feel better.
What is it? Is it a super power that develops after giving birth? A genetic mutation that makes everything better after she touches it?
I wonder if i can acquire this same super power after i have my first child.
If my mom was a super hero, her name would be "The Lunch Lady Liberator"!
If you are looking for some great gifts for mom or if you want to sweet talk your mom into making something for you... here is a link for Crochet Patter Central Afghans. There are a ton of patterns. This reminds me of my mom because she's wicked into blankets! And pantoufles!
A few more Super Hero names for my mom: "Madame Maple", "The Beauce Bionic Woman", "Because I Said So Crusader"!
Come back for the Father's Day edition, when I talk about how dad can fix anything except the VCR player. (Yes, i know i'm dating myself)

Someday my prince will come!

So a lot happened this past weekend...
The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Donald Trump got put in his place at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and Well Golly Gee Willikers... Osama Bin Laden is dead!
Where do we go from here?
I know, back to the first event, The Royal Wedding, because that was my original topic for this blog before Bin Laden made his exit.
Kate, now the Duchess of Cambridge, looked beautiful in her designer gown, fashioned with lace sleeves.

Shrug

Which got me thinking about wedding accessories. There are many options for knit/crochet items to add to your wedding. Traditional shawls, purses, hair accessories, garter belts, etc.
There are even great items for the guys. Try knit bow-ties for the groom and grooms men.

Tying the Knot
By Linda Permann

You can find any of these items for purchase on Etsy.com. Its a great site to find handmade and vintage items or supplies.
Do you have any fun and new ideas for handmade wedding accessories? Please share by posting your comments.

At least I wasn't set on fire!

So Boston beat Montreal in game 7 of the playoffs. Bravo to the Bruins, they played a great game. I'm a Montreal fan though, and the only one in my office. I should keep a low profile while I'm in Bruin territory, but i can't help showing Canadien colors!

I was actually told by my direct supervisor that if the Canadiens win, don't bother coming in to work the next day or i might be set on fire. Well, Boston won so I was able to go in to work the next day with peace of mind that i would not see a flame.
I am bummed that Montreal didn't win to move on in the playoffs, but I don't care about anything enough to the point where i would threaten bodily harm on someone else.  But if you start shit with me about Manga, then i will cut a bitch!

So in case you actually wanted something concerning knitting... here is a pattern for some really cute Canadian mittens from The Diamond Yarn Blog