• Knitting and Crochet,  Lists

    Six Last Minute Knitted (and Crocheted) Gift Patterns

    It’s that time of year again! Gift giving season! I figured that this would be a perfect time to post a compilation of a few of my favorite, tried and tested fast knitting patterns – you know, in case anyone needs to procure a thoughtful, hand-knit gift in the span of a mere afternoon. All photos are taken from the Ravelry Pattern page, and link back to the original source. 1) Fern Lace Cowl by Jami Brynildson – I’ve made several of these over the years – it’s a quick knit that’s interesting enough to keep you entertained without being too brainpower intensive, allowing you to easily pump this project…

  • Knitting and Crochet

    Operation: Finish the Afghan

    So I have this afghan. It’s been half-done since somewhere around 2008. Maybe 2009. I started it as a graduation gift for my college roommate, but as it continued to linger and linger and linger, and as years and years passed since both of our graduations that original purpose became moot. And now it’s 2015. I’m three years away from a 10 year college reunion (which I will probably not go to, since I didn’t know anyone I graduated with – I graduated a year early). And still the afghan remains. Unfinished. Languishing in a green milk-style storage carton behind our couch. The time has come. It’s time to be…

  • 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,  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…