Knitting and Crochet

  • Holidays,  Knitting and Crochet

    Mom’s Afghan

    Hey, remember when I mentioned that I made an afghan for my mom for Christmas way back in December? Yea, I realized the other day that I never got around to showing that off. So here it is! I started it at the end of November and was just finishing weaving ends in at midnight on December 23rd at my parent’s house – my dad acting as lookout to make sure my mom didn’t come into the kitchen (we’re a family of night owls when we’re all home for the holidays). I’ve done an afghan like this before. Those of you who knew me back in the olden days will…

  • Knitting and Crochet

    I’ve Been a Bad Girl…

    So I told you last post that I broke my spending rules already thanks to a trip to NY. Here’s the fall out. These first two skeins aren’t technically rule violations – my mom gifted them to me. A skein of Jitterbug and a skein of Cascade Heritage Silk. Both so beautiful, and ohhhh so soft. When she told me to pick out two skeins of sock yarn for myself, I tried to veer away from my usual color choices of purples, pinks, and greens and instead go for something more neutral. They’re both just neutral enough to still be considered neutral, but still interesting enough to hold my attention.…

  • Knitting and Crochet

    Birthday Cowl for My Mom

    My mom’s birthday was last month, and I finally got around to photographing the finished product of her present. The pattern is Jami Brynildson’s Fern Lace Cowl (Ravelry link), and I just love this pattern to bits. It’s interesting, but still easy enough to knit while watching TV that requires attention, and the finished product is just fantastic. The finished product photos aren’t the best, since they were quickly snapped while visiting my parents (I was a bad blogger and forgot to model/photograph it before I gave it to her). The flat shot doesn’t really give you the best idea what it looks like on. As for the colors, the…

  • Knitting and Crochet,  Links

    Gave the 30 Minute Scarf a Try

    As I said in my post about my big squishy chunky scarf, over New Years I was introduced to the concept of arm knitting by one of my good friends. She quick showed me on her own project, and then showed me a YouTube video illustrating how. Naturally, after we went to go grab some yarn for me, I decided to do something entirely different, and by the time she left I had lost the link to the video she showed me. But not too long after I finished the first big chunky scarf, I got the itch for another, and this time I decided to try the arm knitting…

  • Knitting and Crochet

    Chunky Scarf Love

    One of my close friends came and stayed with us over New Years and introduced me to the concept of arm knitting. As a bit of an ADD knitter who has spent multiple months working on a single scarf because of other distractions, the idea of being able to finish a functional, wearable, and cute scarf in about half an hour seemed too good to be true. I had to try it. So we made a trip to JoAnn’s to grab some super chunky yarn (Lion Brand Hometown USA in Aspen Tweed). However, in true “me” style, as soon as I got home I decided to do something entirely different…

  • Knitting and Crochet,  Links

    I’m In Love With The Katniss Cowl

    I’m a big Hunger Games fan. So when Catching Fire came out I pretty stoked with the press photos, but not for the usual crazy fan reasons. The real reason was this cowl. Ohhhhh, this cowl. I’m not even entirely sure you can call it a cowl, it’s more like a hybrid between a cape, a shawl, a cloak, and a cowl. But whatever it is, it’s gorgeous. The original garment is, sadly, hand-woven specifically for the movie by designer Maria Dora and so obviously isn’t available as a pattern. Luckily, the knit/crochet community also fell as in love with this piece as I did, and since the press photos…

  • Knitting and Crochet

    Knitpicks Cyber Monday Haul

    The last thing I need is more yarn. But I just simply cannot resist Knitpicks’ Annual Big Sale the Monday after Thanksgiving. Last year I got a great deal on a set of Harmony Wood Interchangeable Circular Needles for my Mom for Christmas. This year, I did a bit of shopping for myself – they didn’t have any spectacular sales on needles this year, just yarn. But ohhhh, the yarn. In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t buy much. I know plenty of knitters would scoff at my measly purchase of 6 skeins. But let’s face it. It’s not often that I have the capital to splurge on myself…