My First Scarf

I did it! I finished my first knitted project. It isn’t perfect but it does what it’s supposed to. I wear it under my coat and it keeps me plenty warm. It didn’t turn out as long as I thought it would be but that’s ok.

I used the Lion’s Brand Homespun yarn. It’s so soft! I may have to try making a blanket with this yarn because of how soft it is. BUT I would crochet it.

This pattern was done with a basic Stockinette stich (Knit one side, pearl the other side). As I was moving down the scarf I notice the ends were curling in. I was getting kind of frustrated until I went online and saw The Stockinette stich does that. I even chatted with a older gal at Michael's that gave me some tips like adding a border and stuff like that. As I kept going and also glanced at the picture on the pattern, I noticed that it was actually supposed to curl in. I actually liked the way it looked!

I am very excited I finally started knitting. I learned a lot from my first project and I look forward to improving as I keep going.

I will admit that I am still kind of awkward when it comes to holding the yarn. I can’t seem to get the right grip for my tension. I am getting a cramp in my hand since I’m not holding in right. I hope I can figure it out because right now I don’t enjoy knitting when my hand does that.

I’m sure you are probably wondering, well why don’t you take a break and go back to crocheting? WELL I would but I already started another knitting project and I refuse to move on until I finish it!

I am now currently working on a very basic knitted hat for Hailey. Ha I am a little unsure how it will turn into a hat. Want to know why? Because it looks like this right now…

I’m sure you knitters out there are thinking that it looks like a normal start to a knitted hat. To me I am very interested to see how it will be a hat. I mean it’s flat right now! (Ha) I have read the pattern very closely and I just can’t picture it yet. Luckily Kyle found a hat my sister-in-law knitted for him. I studied it a little and I think I have an idea on how it finishes… kind of.

 

So once the hat is done I will get back into crochet mode. I made a pretty long list (16 to be exact) of projects I want to crochet and I can’t wait to get started! So I’m trying to enjoy knitting this hat but I am also ready to be done.

Michael’s

I took a little trip to Michael’s the other day. Oh man did I have fun! I got a couple gift cards for Christmas and my birthday and spent every cent on them (plus a little extra). I never shop for myself mostly because I don’t like shopping that much and also Kyle and I just aren’t fans of spending money on ourselves.

So this trip was again so fun! I went by myself and was able to take my time. I just walked through and if I liked something I put it in the cart.

Here’s what I got!

Some of the stuff is pretty random but that’s what’s fun about it. The cupcake stuff is for when my friend Rachel comes to visit. We’re going to bake some tasty cupcakes for the girls and us. I also got a bunch of knitting supplies that I can’t wait to use. As far as yarn, all of those balls of yarn will be used in a new pattern I want to try. Including a knitted sweater that I will make when I’m more experienced.

Oh and these I got because it was an amazing deal! The scrapbook kits were originally $16.99 each and I got them for $1.69 each. Wow! I even asked a gal if that was a real price. She said “yes and you should grab them all!” Ha I actually only got two. I don’t even scrapbook anymore but you can use the things for plenty of other fun stuff.

I love Michael’s so much!

What’s your favorite craft store?

I {Heart}

I {heart} crocheting. I could do it all day everyday. Ok with some knitting thrown in. I am loving that more and more too.

I thought I would share a couple of the blogs that have really inspired me and gotten me to where I am.

I first attempted crocheting in 2004 and it wasn’t a success. It was still fun though. The day after Christmas (or Thanksgiving. I can’t remember) the girls on my mom’s side of the family got together for a a craft day. I remember my cousin Jackie tried knitting, my cousin Jenny tried the knitting loom, and I tried crocheting. Again I just couldn’t get the hang of it.

Fast forward to 2009

I have been following a blog called Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. This blog definitely is up there as far as favorite blogs of mine. She had some how-to posts on how to crochet and I got inspired to try again. I started with little flowers. They didn’t turn out so well but that’s ok. I commented on Sandra’s blog telling her how much I enjoy her crochet posts. Sandra overall has been a great encouragement and friend. She then directed me to another woman’s blog that quickly became another huge favorite of mine.

Attic24

She was so fun to read because she had such a passion for crocheting, vibrant colors, and a good ball of yarn. I should also add that she is English so she throws in fun words and phrases like “delicious new yarn”, delightful, and my favorite “Hooky Time”.  She has great detailed patterns as well. So the first thing I tried making of hers was the classic Granny Square. These were fun to make and very easy. I think I got the best practice making a bunch of these.

Next were some flowers, a heart and a star.

 

After a good amount of practice I decided I needed to take on a big project. So I picked Lucy’s Crochet Bag Pattern. I just loved her finished bag with all the bright colors. Here are the colors I chose for mine!

I really enjoyed making this. Her pattern was awesome! She had a lot of pictures to help guide me through. The only thing I struggled with were the straps.

Here is my finished bag

 

I now use it to keep my crochet stuff and yarn in when I travel. It’s also perfect for a summer bag! I may have to make another someday.

I still read Lucy’s blog and there are many more projects of hers I want to try!

Last but not least is a blog called EASY

I honestly am unsure how I stumbled upon this blog but I am so happy I did! She too has some awesome patterns. She also has an Etsy shop where I have purchased patterns from. She does have many free ones on her blog as well. She does a lot of baby/child things like hats, booties, slippers, headbands, etc. She picks really cute colors that really draw you to her items.

 Here are some things I have made with her patterns

 

This is the most recent one that I just love!

Again many other things I still want to try of hers as well.

 

Oh and want to see the coolest blog that just excites me every time I see it? Here you go…

iCrochet

IT.IS.AWESOME

Just endless pictures of colorful and creative crochet projects made by others.

 

There you have it! The places where I get my inspiration 

First Scarf

My knitting is going pretty well! I am currently working on a scarf that is very basic. I say that like it’s been easy. Ha! So far it has been good but I did make a little mistake. I somehow dropped a stich and ended up with a hole in the scarf. I wasn’t sure how to get it back on so I kept going. I am ok with mistakes though. I know that this is my first project and I can learn from my mistakes.

I got the pattern from Lionbrand.com and am using Lion Brand Homespun Yarn. The pattern is just alternating between a knit stitch and a purl stich. I think this is called a Stockinette stitch too. Ha is it obvious how much of a newbie I am?

Here is my progress…

I had a couple issues adding a new yarn.

I love the colors! I wanted to give this to my friend Katie but I am not sure if she will want it because of the hole.

I have also been looking at patterns online for knitting and I am really inspired! I decided I am going to stop trying to sell hats on Etsy. Instead I am going to focus on trying new things. I will alternate trying new patterns for crocheting and knitting. I am so excited! There are a lot of cool things I have on my list.

One big project I will have is baby blankets. On Monday I found out that 3 of my friends are pregnant! I can’t believe it! I won’t name names at this point but I have already been discussing baby blankets with one of the mommies.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

A Dumb Moment

This last weekend we celebrated Christmas with my mom, step-dad, brother and his kids. My mom had purchased a crocheted hat I had made and gave it to my niece for Christmas. She looked so cute in it!

Now here in my dumb moment… When she opened the hat and was trying it on, I looked over and said, “Aw what a cute hat… Oh wait! I made that!” I for some reason didn’t recognize it and forgot I had made it. Either way I am happy my niece liked it.