Moving along

Ok, I'm moving along on my squirrelly adventure. I have to say, the yarn is by far... NOT the softest I have used. It's rather abrasive. Here's hoping for a miraculous turn around once it is plunged into some soapy water. (A girl can dream). No sense complaining any further about it. It was a great price for the kit. I have already blown through one skein. I kind of wonder if there will be enough to complete this sweater? 

The curling hem is quite bothersome, but I suppose that I can pass judgement until the finishing. Speaking of which, I'm super excited to try my hand at the faux side seam deal. Seems quite exciting. 

 

Ripped and gave in to the 3's

Well I finally mulled it over enough and stopped knitting with the wrong gauge. Now I'm on the size 3. It's coming along nice. I was concerned that it would be bulletproof but fortunately that is not the case. I did do a swatch in color work to check. I'm now on my decreases for the waist. 

I'm really still under the impression that this will be my rhinebeck sweater! We shall see. I got into a plying class and I'm thrilled. After SSK2013 I have the urge to take more classes. 

Swatched but not quite sure...

Well,, as I sit here in the waiting room of my daughter's dance studio, I am knitting along on the hem of my squirrelly goodness. Granted it doesn't look like much at the present time. And my gauge was not spot on. Initial cast on with recommended needle proved that designer and I do not share same stitch tension. I was off by two stitches. I dropped down one needle size and now I am only off by one. But I couldn't see myself knitting this with a 3,, so I'm sticking with this.

However as I sit here, and after my girl looked suspiciously at my 40" cable that holds said sweater... I'm second-guessing my choice to go with a size medium! Do I rip out or carry-on? My favorite sweater that I measured has negative ease. Come to think of it, I haven't tried it on lately. That sweater is an inch shy of this squirrel size small measurement. But it's not color work. Hmmm. Pondering. 

Perhaps I'm too indecisive to knit?

The difference between small and medium is 4".

the squirrelly goodness has arrived....

Ok, I got all confident during my time at SSK2013. So much so that I had allowed myself to be convinced to embark upon the squirrel sweater (craftsy: custom yoke sweater) that the lovely Susan B. Anderson showed during the design your own fair isle hat class. 

Whats wrong with me? What was i thinking? Oh well, no time for that now! I have a bag of yarn crying out to me. It is beckoning me to knit it up...  I am very carefully (for now) going through step by step of the online class. You know what that means right? Finding one of my sweaters and measuring it up, and then doing  a gauge swatch in the colors... yeah, we shall see how that goes. At best, if I tap out early, I can get some self adhesive velcro attached to the ball-bands and wear around the jumbled up skeins with pride? Ideally, in my fantasy world, I would love for this to turn out the be my Rhinebeck sweater! Wouldnt that be special? a girl can dream, right? Well lets see how this turns out... 

You going to stand by and watch this --train wreck--, I mean... this adventure of mine? I will keep you posted.

Chex it out!

Nook Sleeve without any velcro/flap... just a sleeve!

Zippered pouch! Love it!!!! Bring on the Spring!

Sweet Sleeve for the Nook!

Spicy goodness from a chip? Purple wrapper! Yeah!

Get the sensation! I have made more bags! Every once in a while I get on a roll with making these bags! I guess now would be one of those times! Funny though - I still haven't decided which sleeve to use for my NOOK? Hmmm...

I need a change though - a different wrapper.... I am on a hunt! Yep... got a couple more to list soon. -- Too fun!

Ax the cheesy Nook case:

I am soo excited about my NEW NOOK from Barnes and Noble!!! Yippee!!

Check out that case I made with recycled wrapper!!! Wow! Saving the planet with a NOOK which diminishes some of the paper waste (in printing of books) and also emphasizes the eco friendly point even more with this repurposed case!!

It's padded with a 1/4" thick cotton batting, but I am wondering if a FELT sheet would be better? I dont particularly know about the thickness factor though? Hmm... I guess i will have to do some investigative work. At any rate, I am having a blast making these!

I made two more tonight! Yeah! I will list them at some point this weekend!

Ode to the Almond Joy!!

I remember back in my youth, that the Almond Joy and Mounds candies were pretty popular choices! My dad happens to favor the nutty option. Actually that speaks much of his personality, good-natured and joyful! Not that I am saying anything against those that prefer the moundalicious goodness... no, nonsense. Heeee... Now dont read too much into this post of mine, I am just having a little fun! Speaking of post/posting.. I posted the Almond Joy bag on my etsy shop - HeyDigThatBag - It is perfect for toting around those sock dpns! I should go ahead and make another for myself... which would mean having to buy yet another BAG of snack sized Almond JOY! What a sacrifice! heee... Maybe my good-natured pop will devour the treats and save me the trouble! Wow, imagine the day that my family and extended family decide to go all-natural in our food choice? Hmmm. I will convert tofu bags? Oh wait, is that even "all-natural"? I dont know what I am typing here... no, it's not from a sugar-rush, if that is what you are thinking!!! Enjoy the weekend.... I have a Barnes and NOble Nook being sent to me, and I cant wait to create COVERS/CASES for it! hahaha!!!

Listed yet another bag on my etsy shop! -- Stride sweet peppermint gum. My friend must have thought I was nuts while I eyed this wrapper that was once in her possession. It was as if she was holding GOLD! hahaha! You know that coined phrase - I see dead people? well, ... I see bags, people!!! That's me. Eternal bag lady. Spying out those wrappers. Saving the landfill (for the time being) by scoffing up these little gems!

City of Bones

Just finished reading the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. There is a part of the storyline that is near the end of the first book that has the potential to turn off the readers, my high school-aged son refers to that part as being "redneck." However it is presented in a manner that plants a tiny seed of doubt and therefore encourages further exploration to disprove the concept!

Each book in the series feeds off the one before and I had a difficult time putting down the last book about midway through. Three books have been released to date with the promise of more to come, even a prequel is scheduled.

Now I have read J.R. Ward's series - black dagger brotherhood - and this is NOT spicy as such, City of Bones can be found in the YOUNG ADULT section of the library! It is a definite STEP UP from the TWILIGHT series in the romantic department. In the fantasy aspect, it is similar to the Harry Potter series - but I found it to be even a bit more entertaining with lovely tidbits of sarcastic humor weaved into the story.

If you have had serious overload with this newfound embracing of the whole vampire world and think that you could not possibly stomach even ONE more book on them- well, let me just say -- this book is about a whole different kind of "animal"... Sure there is a vampire in the mix, but the storyline is not centered upon that "theme". However, if the Harry Potter magic thing wigged you a teensy bit, then take heed and be forewarned that this goes beyond that fluffy good natured: ACCIO WAND and full-out into pentagrams, runes, and tarot cards. (to be read in the tone of "lions, and tigers, and bears...oh my! hee hee.) In addition to all of that, there are even biblical quotes weaved within the storyline and as a matter of fact, the main characters do converse about a belief in God.

FYI: I did borrow the audio book from my library and I was disappointed. I couldn't even get through the first chapter! If you are a reading knitter than I suggest the hardcovers - they are much more compliant to stay propped open! As a matter of fact, I was able to crank out a plain vanilla sock during my reading of this series --now that is multi-tasking, right?

These bags are really fun to make! Got two more listed at my etsy shop!

A moment of BLISS -SOLD- thank you

Air Heads! Batman edition!-SOLD- thanks!

Now I when I go shopping, I am perusing the candy aisle for exciting bags! Yep, it has become quite addictive. In addition to the sewing, I have set a personal goal of knitting a pair of socks to mark each dance competition that my girl attends! Thanks to the knitmore girls for posting their vanilla sock pattern. I have been using that faithfully, however for the next pair I am contemplating a 64 st cast. Guess I will have to do some digging to find out how to turn the heel on that.

This yarn is from the TWILIGHT kit that woolgirl sold. It is vampire kiss colorway. Paca Peds. I dont care for the pooling around the gusset, but I dont know of anyway to avoid that from happening! My dancer snatched these up! I cant help but wonder if she did so because she wanted to be sure that I wouldnt WEAR them out in public! One never knows these days, teenagers! I am hoping to be proved wrong on this theory!

Hey Dig that BAG!

Pepsi Max...

Cracker Jack!- sold-

Cheetos!- gifted -

Hall of fame!

I love making these bags! They are so much fun to create! I have about 13 more waiting to be listed on my etsy shop! But, I think I shall post a bag a day! My goal is make 100 bags! Yes, I know, I am wacky! But it keeps me busy! Now I just have to decide which bag to post for today... dunkin donuts, almond joy, bliss, doritos.... hmmm..... so hard to decide!

Aside from the sewing, I have also been knitting:

These are plain vanilla socks from the Knitmore girls pattern. I used a berroco sock yarn that is a bit on the scratchy side..... but once on my tootsies - they will feel fine?!

I intend to knit up a pair for each dance competition that my daughter is in this year!

Toasty Alpacas...

Whipped up a pair of TOASTY mitts... in ultra alpaca - maybe I should type - Ultra Itchpaca? heeeee... Hopefully My sister doesnt agree(1) with that! They are for her! I shall wait and see. They worked up real super fast! A day or two of on-off knitting shall do it!

Now I have nothing on those needles again. I think i enjoy the HuNt for the next project almost as much as I enjoy the knitting/finishing! It's the CASTING-ON department that is not particularly fun for me! I start to think about how long it will take, and if I am doing the gauge... I think that I am "wasting" time -- when I could be knitting on the project..etc.. I am desperate to just get going with the darn project!

--Need to browse thru my faves on rav and see what I will tackle next!

If only my Woolgirl kit from DECEMBER! would arrive! Perhaps that will scratch the itch I have going on right about now? Who knows!

At a standstill...

Nothing on the needles. Grrr.... This is highly unusual for me. Finished off the midge mittens with a modified texty thumb just before the ball dropped on New Years! Then I did try to whip up a "halvsie" sock - toe up version on Kollage DPNS... but the yarn jumped off the needle after a second repeat of the twisted rib... and I was too mega frustrated to bother with it! Frogged it!

I have to get back into the habit.

In the meantime, my ears have been getting a treat with the audio book I borrowed from the library. THE HELP, by Stockett. (Cant remember the first name of author). A pretty good book throughout, however the ending was a tad lackluster.

Bags have not been in production lately. I will eventually get back to that, but for now there are a handful still listed at my etsy shop.

Time to get combing through the patterns and find something to knit! I even have a gift certificate for a lys and it is BEGGING to be used!! I just have to assign it to something real great! hmmm... what shall it be?

More BAGS!
Got some more done last night. Fun!!! I love creating these! There is one in particular that is a wacky shape -- BUT, perfect for circular knitting needles!!!!! Love it! Let's see... there were Charms blow pops, mr. goodbar, pop rocks, and pecan sandies wrappers that were among the transformed. Eventually I will get to some pictures and listing on my shop:
http://heydigthatbag.etsy.com/

on the needles...
The birch mitt is coming along s-l-o-w-l-y. It may be difficult to muster up enough motivation for the left mitt!! At least the fact that they are FINGERLESS is on my side!

Birch Mitts
Lovely kit from woolgirl.com - sock club 09. This kit was the best one yet! I am currently knitting the right mitt. It's interesting, as the pattern calls for a ribbed palm? Uh, unless I READ it uncorrectly - which is ALWAYS a possibility for me! But the yarn is gorgeous from Pigeonroof studios. It's a fingering weight with 435 yds per skein and the best part: Superwash merino. Super fabulous. The bag is gorgeous from The Silver Pumpkin http://www.thesilverpumpkin.etsy.com/ One can NEVER have too many bags!!

Speaking of which, I took some time last night to get six more bags sewn up for my etsy shop: http://heydigthatbag.etsy.com/ - I will be listing them at some point soon. There are a couple New Moon bags in the mix.

Now listed --

(SOLD- thank you)

(SOLD- thank you)

Still available:

I almost didn't list the Jolly Rancher Lollipops because of my own selfishness!!! hahah! I am really liking that one! But - then again - I tend to think that about way too many of these bags! That's why I make them! It's FUN!!

uNbeknownst to me...

That the day after my last post, my family dynamics would drastically change. I know that I tend to use this blog as a KNIT or CrOCheT account; however I kind of NEeD to talk about the "elephant" in the room.

So... Please excuse this interuption of the yarny kind to update on what has become of my tribe. WE are nO longer a family of siX. We had to make an impromptu and most difficult decision to disrupt one of our long term foster placements after SEVEN years. It was an abrupt move on our part, but oddly enough it was also long overdue! Does that even make sense? Actually, does anything make sense anymore? Who knows! Eventually everything will fall into place and we will begin to see more clearly as to why this all had to occur? Until then, I guess I will pour myself into my distractions - aka knitting - crochet - sewing.

Got another Wallaby off the needles. This one is made with the clearance wool from Yarn Basket, Branford- CT. I believe it only cost a mere $6. or so? Yep! GReAT! The color happens to be my girl's fave!! Orange in nature, like the TaNG drink. YuM! heeee! She wore it immediately after I weaved in the last dangling piece of thread. Yeah!!

Now I have NOTHING, yes I did type NOTHING, on the needles or hooks! Yikes! there are plenty of woolgirl kits to dive into! AS a matter of fact, I did finish up the Hello Kitty yarn by stitching it up into the Very Plain Vanilla Socks. Let me be the first to tell you, that those socks are anything BUT very PlaIN! right? yikes! quite honestly, nothing about them screams hello kitty to me? NOTHING! Go figure.

I have been contemplating startin up a podcast again. But my confidence level has taken a toll. Not overly sure why? It's odd. Plus I have the equivalent of writer's block but in the podcasty sense. As much as I LOVE listening to others, not so sure that I have enough to say anymore! Plus they seemed to have brought some kind of jinx along with them...haha! I would start up as a way to combat my alone time.... and then for some reason or other... I would lack in my solitude by either layoffs of the darling hubby or suspension of a tribe member, or whatever! It was a wierdness. Yes.

The running habit is no longer a habit of mine. Sad to say. I was walking and now I am not even doing that. I need to get back into a more healthful mindset. As I know that I can do the HOUR LONG RUN... or at least at one point of my life, I could. HOwever I dont know if I want to revisit that particular quest again. The one hour was a little much for me. I didn't like how emmanciated (?is that even the right spelling/word?)that I started to appear. For someone who was trying to be more healthy, I gave off the appearance of someone malnourished. I needed more balance? Who knows! Too much information, right? I believe so. All I know is when I go from my mother "MOOOOOin" at my size, to her calling me "Annie"-short for anorexia... then I knew i had a problem. Or wait, perhaps she had the problem? Who knows. For what it's worth, I am going to have to seek once more that ~land of balance~ between proper nutrition and healthful exercise. Perhaps one day I will find what works best for me. Afterall, I am a work in progress.

Ok--- Remember my last post? I was TRYING to convince myself of something.... a mantra that I was proclaiming... It's not itchy... well, I confess:
It IS itchy!!!!!! Hahah! Drat! Turtle necky goodness will have to be revisited BEFORE attempting to wear the Lacy Baktus! Grrrr... Live and learn. But it sure is pretty! ahahaah!
---
Converted my youngest back into the knitting scene. She is knitting up a scarf with Lamb's Pride -BULKY-. We both went to Stitches East - and I guess the wool fumes got to her. She picked a zauberball in purples and orange and had every intention of knitting that baby into a luscious scarf. But that idea became quite a flop when we took out the number 3 needles! Yep, time out for that - and on to the bigger needles for now - double digit needle size, please. I didnt want to burst her bubble right off the bat, plus I did fancy that colorway of the zauberball, so I knew it wouldn't really go to waste!
---

Abandoned blog??
Hey, yeah- that what it seems like, right? Where did that Crochetlocket person go? Hmmm... well, I have been around. Just been distracted! Knitstracted? hahah! Maybe. I finished up a Lacy Baktus - made with the zauberball that I purchased from Madison Wool. This was a great way to use up (almost) the entire ball! Evidently the key must be to purchase a Kitchen, ehem YARN, scale BEFORE beginning the project! Not like I did, which was to buy the scale in a last minute scramble as I neared what I thought would be considered the half-way point of my yarn. Knit, knit, knit - til 50 grams then start up on the decreasing goodness. well, I was left with a little spot of yarn to treasure? toss? or use for instant stitch markers, etc. At any rate, now I am trying my best to convince myself that it is NOT itchy. . NOt ITCHY... how am I doing?
Yep-

Starting up again in bloggy land...

Where has the time gone? I got real lazy in the blog department! Geesh!

Been knitting- and sewing!!

Love the sewing lately! got myself an etsy shop: http://heydigthatbag.etsy.com check it out!!!

Handhuggers modified

IMAG0036.jpg
Originally uploaded by Crochetlocket

These are "taken in' by omitting four stitches. Reclaimed yarn! (lousy cell phone pic!)