So much coral wool yarn.

Instead of another cowl, I'm starting on some fingerless mittens.

Usually I get bored after the first one, but I think I've been pretty good lately about following through to finish projects, and mittens are pretty quick. I'm using the pretty coral color that the last cowl pattern I posted was, it was on clearance and i got a LOT.  I also made my cousin's daughter a sweater from it, I just need to tie in the ends of it (which I hate doing), and block it.

There's also a lot in my stash that I don't want (lots of acrylic stuff that I don't plan on using, mostly), does anyone know what to do with this? PIF on Etsy maybe? (UPDATE: Starting to PIF everything I don't want... take it!!)

Here's a picture of the felt fruit I started the other day:

It's a good start, I think, but I was working with black thread in the sewing machine, and running low on felt.  I think next week I'll make some finished products and post them.  Banana, apple, and bread. I'm not sure about the bread, that needs some work I think.  I made some play money, also, and will post that too.  I always forget how instant gratification the sewing machine can be, it was so quick to make things after I had templates cut out. What other suggestions do you have for felt projects?

Cowls and Cakes

I decided I don't like crocheting. At least not frilly little things to wear on your feet (aka barefoot sandals). I realized I like knitting because there are always a definite number of stitches on your needle, and crocheting is always looking for the next stitch. And ANYTHING can be made into a stitch, which usually I would like, but it's just too much for me. I started another cowl because my hands were bored, but I need summer knits! I also started making felt fruit toys for kids, and that's going well, I just need to get myself to the store for more felt and some sewing machine thread other than black. Black stitching just looks funny on a banana.

I'm posting the pattern for my coral bulky cowl, because I'm making a variation of it in a light tan color. About as close to instant gratification as you can get with a scarf, I think I started this one one afternoon and finished it the next day.

I used Patons Classic Wool, which is medium weight, and doubled it up.

Cast on 88 stitches on a circular US15 needle. Join, and work in k2p2 in the round so that it creates ribbing. Knit for 10", bind off. Block so that all your stitches lay flat. Done!

My other project to start thinking about is my fiance's birthday cake. I've got a week to think about it, and whether I want to bother with fondant or not. I'm thinking Formula One Racing. Maybe? We'll see how adventurous I feel, but definitely work in project and finished pictures to come!

 

www.rubyknits.com for more free patterns

Russian translation available at 

http://rubyknitsrussia.blogspot.com/2012/01/bulky-ribbed-cowl.html

Scarves Are Like Drugs.

So, I've been in a rut.  Knitting scarves is soooo easy. And portable (patterns are so easy to memorize!). And quick. But just how many does one person need to make? I've been working on adding things to my Etsy shop, but who is really going to buy a wool scarf in the summer? So, my rationalization is that I'm stocking up for fall. Yeah... I'm not knitting scarves because they're easy, it's a business decision... mmhmm.

But, the problem with adding wool scarves to my shop in June, is that no one cares.  Yeah, that's what I want to look at when it's 86 degrees and sweaty, winter accessories! They're like a drug - even though it seems like a great idea to get away from them, and I know I'll be better off spending my time on other things, I just can't help but think about starting on another.

So I got a little bummed yesterday that I didn't really feel like I was doing anything worthwhile.  I'd love for my crafting to be a part time job for me, and in the winter it was really picking up, but then when summer started it pretty much died.  But things work themselves out, right? After being mopey all afternoon, out of nowhere a friend made a couple suggestions for me on FaceBook for crafts that are not scarves.  Barefoot sandals, and children's play fruit made of felt.  Such good ideas!

So, I'm giving myself a challenge. Until the end of July, no winter accessories! Funny, how after I took those out of my options for new projects, I think of a million things I could make for summertime.  I think I need a trip to the craft store today to stock my summer crafts stash :)