Slip Stitch Sides

This time I decided to concentrate on the sides. I am finding the Sockmatician very informative and easy to follow. I used this video to make my edges pretty. 

Well, neater. My knitting still needs work, haha.

Again for my sister, Transformers :). Her favorite is Bumblebee so I did gray and yellow. 

The pattern can be found here.

 the mess at the bottom is me just tucking the tails out of the way (besides it just being messy...)

See, you can tell the sides look so much better and they are locked together so it is not making a pocket! I really like the "Slip Stitch" technique.

Next post will be the cast on and bind off.

Double Knit Fix and My Next Challenge

I made lots of mistakes in my knitting. But that's ok, I am learning :) What is important is to not give up just because of it. So I am learning how to fix many oopsies, one at a time.

The most pressing and frustrating mistakes was losing a stitch. One of the places I went to was here.  Knitpicks' video was a very helpful, and the most comprehensive video I could find on how to pick up dropped stitches. I dropped many.

The next thing I wanted to challenge myself with was changing colors, I understand with double sided, intarsia, tapestry knitting that I am already working with 2 colors, But I was starting with those two colors and they were used throughout the whole piece. The idea of changing colors just blew my mind. I was trying to make it difficult. I hit Google up again and found these youtube videos.

AllFreeKnitting.com   and knittingtipsbyjudy


This pattern from the Geek-A-Long was my next project. Again it was too big for my comfort, so I reduced it and made this potholder, again for my sister:

I still was not crazy about the sides, cast on, and bind off, that is the next post. But a huge improvement on mistakes and catching them BEFORE getting too far!

Fun, fun, fun.

Double Knitting

I have been learning double knitting. I have always known how to knit, but had no skill at it. The needles and movements felt awkward and I would give it up after a few stitches. Not to mention it just looked awful!

Then I found this: The Geek A Long. The description from the group:

The Geek-A-Long is an annual FREE knit along where participants make a truly epic nerdily themed blanket to raise awareness for Child's Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org).

I HAD TO DO IT. I am a geek, my sister is a geek, She would love this. I would have fun making it. Though am not sure about making a blanket per se. But I was sure I could figure out something to do with the squares! Besides, we are both particular about our geekiness, so I wouldn't make all the squares they have.

For example my sister loves Marvel Comic Heroes, DC Comics, not so much. I don't know the difference (don't tell her!). I like Star Wars (my sister will only watch Star Wars because of R2D2), Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and on and on.

So learning to knit became a priority. And of course it wasn't just regular knitting, it had to be Double Knitting. Two colors with essentially two panels with a front side knitted at the same time. One side would be the "proper" side and the other the negative.

I did it. I am proud of myself.  This is my first attempt.

 Normal side

Negative Side

 I took the image from here. I didn't want to start with such a large square so just used the Batman logo portion of the square and made a potholder.

Then realized I should have added the oval... oops. So I reworked things and made this:

 Front Side

Negative Side

Much better, even if I did mess up with the margins. I was happy with it but didn't like several things. The sides look messy, and I was holding the yarn in each hand and would have to let go of the needles to wrap the yarn or pull it to the front or back, It was a quick lesson on tension! My needles fell out so many times! ugh.

My next post will be my fixes.

BTW, my sister was the recipient of the potholders, she said I could mess up as much as I want, lol.

Birthday In A Box

Sorry I have been missing in action. Again, I won't bore you with the details...

My Aunt Francine is having a birthday coming up. She will be turning 67, and as she says maybe one day she will grow up. I love her to pieces. She tells you like it is and if you want her opinion, boy, she'll give it!

My uncle is in the oil business, and with the drop in prices, has lost his job. They are very frugal and do not live anywhere close to an extravagant (or even middle class) lifestyle but with their medical bills, this is a HUGE issue, sadly, not one they haven't dealt with before. Needless to say, they BOTH need some cheering up and prayers.

I made her some little gifts, small (useful) things to cheer her up. For her, if it doesn't  have a purpose, why have it?  Here is her Birthday in a box:

 "Hot Hats"

 Towel Holder

 Book Marker

 Small Birthday Banner

  Homemade Party Favor

 "Hot Hats" In Action

 Towel Holder In Action

Book Marker In Action

Adding candles and individually wrapped cupcakes and we are good to go!

My Week

I was able to get quite a bit accomplished this week, though it doesn't look it.

I am still unpacking and getting things organized. It feels as if that will NEVER get done! Oh well, maybe, eventually.

When the kids moved they did not have enough room in the moving trailer so a lot was left and put into the garage for when they can come and get the rest. But it was just placed helter skelter and didn't really have any room to move or work in there. Some rearranging was needed.

See more wine boxes? lol

The rolling garage door broke so the front is completely open! There was just nowhere to go, so I basically moved the good furniture to the back and the garbage to the front so can grab as we can, to toss/burn etc. No Before and After Pics, because it really didn't change! At least until all the garbage is gone ;)

What has your week been like?

EW

Taming the Craft Room

I promised to show how I used boxes to store my embroidery, lace, ribbons, elastic, etc; I just didn't expect it to take so long!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS AND YOUR PATIENCE

And finally, as promised:

First, get your family together every night for a month (or three) and get the boxed wine for them to drink. For me, it took 5 to 9 family members and a birthday to get me enough boxes for what I need.

Enjoy the wine and family. Once it  doesn't pour through the convenient spigot, pull out the bag that held the wine through the little spigot hole in the box keeping the sides intact. Make sure they finish whats left in the bag - there is usually quite a bit left over and can pour the rest into a glass or two ;)

(Would you believe I absolutely cannot stand wine????)

 

Use a razor to carefully cut where the black line is.

(I can never cut straight!) The original handle for the box will still be used as a handle and the hole for the spigot you use to be able to open the flap easily. I left about an inch or so inside the edge so that as they are stacked the won't collapse inside each  other. But these are seriously sturdy boxes, so it is not too much of a concern.

 

Fold the flap you just cut back to crease a "hinge"

I spray painted my boxes because I cannot cut straight and it would aggravate me to try and cover squiggly lines with fabric or paper! And... I am LAZY.

I then eyeballed the measurements inside and cut foam board to make "drawer dividers" to keep things in line.

Once I find the box that has my gazillion and one glue guns I will glue them down!

You can stack the boxes or set them sideways, I use them both ways

Hey!!! There is my box of glue-guns! Haha

I found the Alice In Wonderland labels online here: http://www.familyshoppingbag.com/img/thumb/jump/1569/Gift_Tags_Alice#.VLXUY7A3Pug

I am a huge Alice In Wonderland nut. (If the Pinterest Board (11 boards!) and tattoo wasn't a clue!)



I also use these boxes as magazine holders! See - I can't cut straight :)

And my craft "wall". I am still, and lets face it, ALWAYS, tweaking my craft "storage" I do not like having to move things out of the way to get to anything. I just want to reach and grab. Like I said... I am lazy.

All my fabric is on a shelves in the closet (which I will not show right now... it's BAD) But I have a storage "system" for that too.:)

EW

I Am Back... Again!

So much has happened, but I will just hit the highlights: My son, daughter-in-law, grandson and granddaughter moved to another state in the hopes of better job opportunities; I have moved (AGAIN); my computer died a horrible death and my family all got together and bought me this new computer for Christmas!

I have a JOB. I only average 12 hours a week, but it is what I can handle and still be able to function (after a nap), the bosses are extremely family oriented and understanding if I cannot come in. I am loving it.

It is not glamorous, or probably even interesting for most people. I work in the laundry of a hotel, washing, drying and folding sheets and towels. I don't have to deal with people, no one is standing over my shoulder (haha - it's fairly obvious if I am slacking on the job!) And best of all the job makes me feel good, I am providing a good service to those who are traveling, and I am earning a paycheck. What more could I ask?

I MISS MY GRANDBABY THOUGH!   Don't try to adjust your screen; yes, my hair is blue/green. I am asked by kids in the grocery store if I am a mermaid. When I wear my red scrubs I look like Dr. Seuss' Thing1 or Thing2. It's a lot of fun, and my granddaughter loved it.

This is my new home and that is Mr.Chubbs coming to me from the porch. A LOT of work to do with the yard!

My housemates;

 

 Mr. Chubbs and Roadkill

 

Boo

 

 Maui

 

Sweety

Well, that's my catch up. My next post will be what I had promised before.... My craft room is just now in a different room! So get to redecorate.

EW