My NCEE Meeting

I got many compliments on my sweater wrap and bag. I even learned how to do the magic loop (thank you Crimson Purl) and here are my spoils. Some white cotton acrylic. That I will be making an oversized clutch with. I want to use the pattern Sak used on their tote. Mine will be a clutch it will not have the strap like theirs but it will be cute and non fuzzy!

Now the ladies in Knit Picky (a yarn shop in Winston Salem) asked about my sweater and I showed them that it was a piece of a sweater not a real one and they were amazed. One lady said it put her in mind of a dickey. Many poeple were amazed that it was not a real sweater and that it only took me like two days to make it!

My attempt at a pinwheel sweater was going well but I messed up on the last row somehow. I noiticed my YO was not in the same palce as the other YO then it dawned on me that by time I finish the sweater it will be hot and she probalby will not be able to fit anyway. but I was real happy that i learned how to do the magic loop . My new goal is to do a bag with the magic loop no more making the base and picking up stitches. Well not really now I can knit a round bag instead of the square bags I have been making. How about a pinwheel bag! and I thought about making a pinwheel blanket! How would you make a hat do you bring it out as wide as you want then start decreasing? All i know is that now a whole new world has been opened up to me now that I can patterns that ask for DPNS. Go ME! Oh yeah thank you again Crimson Purl for showing me how!

Create your own topsy turvy planter

This man Matt has created an inverted planter. I am going to try it tonight! Right now my strawberries are struggling in the kitchen so they can do no worse. I want them outside but I need to find somewhere to hang them. Not much sunshine around my place. Hopefully it works so that i can make my MIL one. She wants tomatoes. She will enjoys this for Mothers Day.

It Is Just TV!

Ok I feel stupid. I have been looking hoping and waiting for a new episode of girlfriends and it is gone been gone since February! Now I read that they will not even get a season finale! All that money they brought to your network CW and you drop them. Personally if you did not have girlfriends when you changed from UPN to CW you would not be where you are right now. CW was pumping girlfriends before they began as CW. See how people treat you that is why you have to have your own. Why not start over on TV one! I would stop watching CW altogether if they did not have the Game. That is the only time I watch CW other than that I watch somethingelse we used to have black Mondays! Well if we had it once we will have it again.

Did ABC do the same to Heroes? Did they cancel that show without notification? I can see pushing Daisies (a show on CBS) not coming back it was a fledgling but Heroes. If ER came back why not Heroes, I going to have to go back to reading! Upon further reading Tim Kring gave some reason "With a show like Heroes that's so strongly serialized, and given what we wanted to accomplish with the new storyline, to come back with just three episodes could be creatively dangerous." Whatever!

It is just TV like I tell my daughter. I need to lead by example. Because you see my nerves are all tied up and it is just TV.

New Bag progress

Here is 68 garter ridges. Yesterday I was looking at LV oversized clutch for the Fall 07 and this bag may end up being that. Would it still be a shopper. I was thinking of calling it a shopper clutch. and with the waffel pattern it would have some texture like the LV bag. Although the LV bag is quilted. All I have to do I knit straight and fold it over and bam oversized clutch you don't even have to worry about handles. My heart says tuck stitch will get me that quilted look. I am still hesitant about that waffle pattern. All you can do is try.

Mara is messing with me!

Mara Brock Akil is a ffabulous writer! But she is messing with my emotions. I love how she broke up Derwin and Melanie. And I kinda like the dynamic of the both them wanting to find each other in other people. She through me for a loop with Mel showing up to Derwins house and Lying to the new boyfirend who she just decided to make her boyfriend! Just too much but that is Mara style. What is going on with Girlfriends though! But anyway this is as close as I am going to get to writing a letter to Mara about her jerking me around with her shows! She sets you up then knock you down!

Kinda Selfish

This may be kinda selfish. I know I have a blanket to finish and like 4 pairs of booties but I have started another bag! I cannot help it. My mind was smoking on this pattern so i need to see if what I thought can actually create a bag. I am calling it the waffle shopper. At the moment I am not truly sure about the number of repeats required for the bag i increased by 14 like the pattern writer called for but the numbers are not adding up to me I sent her an email. any way wish me luck!

Forward Progression

Like they say in football forward progression. I have not finished my espadrilles. I have moved on to The Bootie Swap! I am making two pairs of booties for my swap partners who either do not know what they are expecting or would like something gender neutral. So I chose yellow. That is what I am using. When I saw this yellow sock yarn I had to have it. The plan is to make some Saarjtee booties and some garter stitch slippers. Yes I am making a swatch because I want them to be bootie size. The last pair I made fit my baby and she is not a 3 month old baby. So I bit the bullet and I am making a swatch. Now I am only making it 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Hopefully that will do. Actually let me look that up how big a swatch should be. I got time.

Grass Shopper details

Red Heart Soft color Grass
Size 15 circular needles
Two layers of interfacing
Fabric for lining and straps to attach handles
Matching thread
Handles
Patience (lots of patience)

Base:
Using two strands of the yarn held together, CO 3st.
Knit
KFB, K1, KFB
Repeat these two rows until you have 31sts
Knit 20 garter ridges (40 rows)
Next row SSK, knit to the last 2 sts, K2tog
Next Row Knit
Next row SSK, knit to the last 2 sts, K2tog
Repeat these two rows until 3sts remain
Bind off 3 sts. The strip forms the bottom of the bag.

Bag:
Starting at the center cast on edge pick up and knit all sts ending at the center bound off edge. Place marker. Starting at the center bond off edge (where you left off) Pick up and knit all sts ending at the center cast on edge (where you began) place a different color or type marker so that you are able to tell that this is the start of the round. Make sure you have picked up the same number of sts on both sides.

Knit four purl four for four rows. Alternate stitch pattern for the next four rows. Knit where you purled and purl where you knit. Continue to your desired length. I did eight pattern repeats.

Lining and Interfacing: put lining and interfacing together and cut out to your desired size. Sew tighter wrong side together then turn right side out.

Handles: Cut small strips for your lining fabric. Sew together wrong side out then turn right side out. A crochet hook was very helpful to me. Put straps on handles and sew to outside of the bag lining (interface part).

Sew lining to the bag with coordinating thread you may want to fold the edge down some to get a nice edge around the bag.

Viola bag!

I am flattered!

How about I walk into the salon and my stylist says you did not make that bag? You know my green one. I had it in the shop because I was tacking the bottm to get a flat bottom and now I may even take that out. She asked how much do you charge and i said supplies I mean you could not pay for the amount of time I put into that bag. Point is I am flattered!

I am almost finished

The bottom is not flat like I want it. The plan is to tack the bag to the lining and hopefully it will create a flatter bottom. I even made the flap that old the handles!I am amazed at myself! I don't like how you can see the interfacing through the bag. My little $5 handles came in handy! Anyone have any tips on how to minimize the fuzz of acrylic? It looks great now that it is close to completeion I would like another one but man it took alot of work!

Where am I?

Let's see I am almost done with my knitted espadrilles.

You see I have two tops. Why do I have two balls of twine? Well me being grown went to walmart and saw a little ball of jute twine which is what the pattern calls for and I saw saw this large ball of sisal me thinking they were not that much different and the sisal was cheaper I am going with sisal. No. It was so hard to work with I think I got 6 chs and said enough. Next time follow directions but then it would not be me. The other ball I am not even sure it is jute. It is the same color in the pattern. I got it at Target for $1 on the label it said ball of twine it gave no content info. It was a dollar I could at least try it. And it crocheted up pretty nice. But it stinks! it smells like oil or gasoline. But it is working it will be on my feet I do not care! I plan to make a bag with the sisal once i figure out how.

I have 5 ivory centers left to do for my eight rounds before i begin the borders. The all I have left are the two larger squares the 16 and the 20 rounds. I can't wait. Raena has made two blankets in the time it is taking me to make this one! I want to make one like hers, she made a tiramisu. actually a super tiramisu she used a huge hook. I think i will make a white or ivory one. I am making all things for the baby neutral because I do not want to know the sex of the baby till it comes into the world.

Knitted Espadrilles

Here is one of two. This was a really easy pattern. I hope to have the other one by today. without interruptions I may have it complete in 1 hour. I still need twine and and an upholstery needle. my flip flops are a bit small so i am hoping that I do not need any ribbon to keep them on. Let me tell you how easy these are. I want to make many more.

Any bag but this one

Can you see how I ran out of yarn! I was close to finishing the round and I had decided that I was done. Had I had enough yarn to finish the repeat and bind off a finished bag would have been presented today. I was in the salon long enough to finish it too. However, that is not the case but on a brighter note I am close! But the point of the title. Why when you are making the hardest project of your life as you are doing this forsaken project you ask yourself why am I doing this and you are too close to being finished to actually stop so you drag on. That someone asks you to make one for them? My stylists said will you make me a bag? I quickly said any bag but this one. But I quickly said I am kidding oh yes of course. If she brings it back up then I will know she is serious. But it always happens that way.

My co worker suggested that i put wooden handles on this bag. I concur I bought some rattan handles that will go great with the bag. Now all I need is interfacing and bag feet! Then it is on to the next bag: over sized clutch! it probably wont be orange.

Pictures of progress

I have completed my 6th repeat. i plan to go to ten in the end the bag should be 13" tall. I am really debating wheter or not I should go to ten repeats or not. I feel like it is going to be a diaper bag! nah it is going to be cute with its bag feet and square bottom. Just do not give up!

What's Up!!!

Ok What have Ibeen doing so far. nothing. Sadly but true. i finally went to AC Moore to get some yarn and a plus it was on a bigger sale than previous. previously it was on sale for 1.49 this time it was on sale for 1.19. I almost went back and got some more!. They were fully stocked as well. So as I said before i am doing the centers first then the borders. I am on the eight rounds and the break down is thus 3 white 5 ivory and 3 yellow. not bad but i guess it is my surroundings. You know maybe I should not be in bed all roasty toasty then i would not get bored and then go to sleep. And by the way we got a new pillow top mattress which calls me everyday so when i get home i make sure the baby has what she needs and I get straight in the bed! It is like sleeping on a cloud! But anyway back to crafting. I have completed one eight round. One of the ivory centers. and so I started working on the three yellow centers I got to about halfway through the third one got bored and went to sleep. here is my new goal! crochet at work on the bench outside. I wish I had my project with me so then i could outisde right now enjoying the beautiful sunshine. That way i cannot go to sleep. but anyway that is what I have been doing so far. Instead of nothing I can say sleeping.

I like this banner

I like this better than the last one. I bought the last one and made this one myself for free. i guess i feel restriced with the other banner. But since I bought it I will see what else I can do with it. Waste not want not?

8 Rounds

I am on to the eight rounds. I went to AC Moore yesterday and all they had was ivory and white. They are having a sale on Sugar and Cream right now 1.29 a ball vs 1.59. Hopefully they will restock soon i need to call. Anyway I am going to do what I can with what I have. I barely had enough for this white center.

Baby Babette Progress

15 of 15 complete. Now on to the eight rounds. I am really loving the yellow it just seems to pop!

They did not take all that long. I found doing the centers first and then the borders may have made it go much faster.

I am doing big things!

Cables in crochet?! Yep! Now with a baby size thanks to Diva27406!

Remember the cable baby hat I made a while back. Well the lady that originally made the pattern asked if she could post my baby hat pattern on her site and she did! You see big things! Go me!
Check me out: http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=5

Cable hat in action

Now mind you she has it on because it is raining but she came in the office and said “I love the hat!” I gave it to her yesterday. The brim came out nice as well. I need to go ahead and make a neck scarf to match. Now I actually see someone rocking my stuff I realize I need to get me some labels.

Baby Babette

So i a m making this baby babette. I wanted to use greens but the AC Moore I went to did not have the green I wanted so i went with yellow. I am using Sugar and cream cotton yarn so far it is looking very pretty. The light yellow is called ivory i see it as light yellow. I have 5 more four round to go before i start on the eight rounds. The plan is to do the largest amount of squares(ie 15 4 rounds) first then do the larger rounds.

Cat Blanket to Baby Blanket

Minus the edging these blanket are excatly the same 100sts wide by 125 sts long. See how far back I had to be to take a full pic of the solid blue one. Yes this was a gauge lesson. Now the solid one needs to blocked badly because how is it still curling even though it is ribbed?! This is my first blanket where i did the ribbing as I went. It took longer than the cat blanket but the same amount of yarn about 1 skein not a complete skein. One side of the ribbing did not come out so well it is only visible upon real close inspection. I may have came out ok if i had doubled the yarn on the blue and white one. Now that I think about it the solid blue one was made on key plate 4 not three like the blue and white one. it still is sport weight versu worsted weight. But htere you have my gauge lesson. Haven't had one in a while been hand kniting purses for so long I forgot all about gauge! what a way to come back to reality.

What have I been up to

Nothing much still working on the green shopper and thirsting for the yellow basketweave madie. Have not started it because want to finish the green one first. I was going to buy some yellow yarn when I remembered I have some already. It is a thin cotton. I am going to double it and work the bag up on my 5 circulars. At least that is the plan anyway. But i do have the base and more of my shopper complete. That is a good start. I should be half way done but i am not working on it like I usually do. You know circurlar knitting it will go by in a flash. I am already thinking of ways to finish it and i am not even halfway done. Red heart did a great job on color matching this yarn looks like a great piece of fresh new grass.

The yellow bag I am going to make like Raena's Madies she cast on the length then knit the width her base and bag are seamless to me. It just takes too long for me but you get a great bag. We will see. I am thinking of putting piece of plastic canvas on the botom and adding feet I do not want my bottom poking out i really want a flat bottom bag if that makes since.

Last night I was watching QVC and they were selling D&B Bags. I want to make one of those. A large square bag with a short handle that is the next line after the yellow madie but not sure what color. Still have not made me a real big bag( because I have made a buttonhole bag) out of crochet nylon. anyway steadlily working away on my grass shopper.

Check this out

http://www.dipdive.com/

I enjoyed this.

I am knitting again

it has been a while since i picked up the needles. tried to start several things just did not stick but now i got. A bag of course. I am making another shopper.

I was looking at the new coach bags and i want these colors grass green and canary yellow. I do not know yet when yarn companies roll out their spring colors. Now that I look at it I did not do to bad on the green I did not think it was bright enough. The canary yellow may be a stretch. Where am i going with a bag that bright? I am not sure but it is cute. I can buy my interfacing from this and that lining i am not too concern probably the same lining i used for the last shopper it has green in it. I want to make a buch of pockets for this bag though. What i don't like about the original shopper or even any big bag is I can never find anything i just toss everything in the bag and regret it when I go to look for something. I love the bag becasue I can throw eveything in it but i don't like it for the same reason. So to remedy that pockets. I bought a cable needle although i have no idea on what to do with it but i may not use it and just do basket weave. This shopper or should I say my spring shopper will not be plain. If I do a canry yelow shopper i will have to be accessoried to the hilt. matching earring shoes shirts the bag must have a purpose i don't want to be like why is she wearing that bag. no that one can be plain. it is going to be too bright to focus on texture. oh bag feet or no bag feet. This and That sells bag feet for 3.50 I am thinking eight feet. oh got to go to AC moore and get theses handles hopefully they will be there I can get them for half off!

Cayla

too cute!

Baby Legs and tutus

I am behind in the times becasue apparently there has been a pattern out to make your own baby legs and tutus for a while. Anyway here are a few links to some tutorials.
Baby legs there are severl but they are pretty much the same there is one out on the net where you slice the btoom cuff in half to tighten it on the leg http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=207882.0;all

Tutus now this is the cutest thing i ever did see. I cannot wait to make my baby one. She is set for Halloween. And over the weekend I put a head band around her tummy to make sure it would not be too small. Even thought I am thinking about cutting a ribbon 1 yd long and tying the tulle on for 20" you know kinda like a tutu apron then it is adjustable the bigger she gets just add more tulle? and it is still no sew. http://plumtickled.typepad.com/plumtickled/2007/08/tutu-tutorial-t.html
the baby has some leotards too i was wondering what i was going to do with them but now i know.

Ureka!!!!!!

Thank you Virtuos (crimson Purl) because i really was going to give up on the brim. I re did it with the insert and it still was not right i was close to tears I tell you but Virtuos said don't give up look for newsboy caps. So i did and came across yarncat's pattern for a news boy cap. Her hat was 66st and my hat is 64 sts perfect i followed her brim pattern to the t and i got it! Thank you Jesus!!! Yes it is that serious.

Baby Cable Hat

Trying to make my baby a hat this past weekend i made a little baby hat. it is the cutes thing! my next attempt will be a cotton one for the summer time babies. same pattern same hooks (H,G) cut the numbers in the pattern in half.

Wow! did not know this would be so hard

this is after several take downs and I still ended up taking this down. the brim was flat on my face. You see how it is laying flat on the ball. I believe I need to do two pieces and put and insert in the middle. I do not like the band. Not sure how to do the band to look like the one on the MJB hat. May just forego the band. I actually like the brim on the hat. never made one before. Did not really like brims. First time for everything. Back to the drawing board.

I told you I was creative

I went from a bag to a hat. Next time I want to try a sport weight or a lighter weight worsted like simply soft and see what I get next I have to make the baby's hat. My plan is to not inc to 80 and go from there. Leon says it is a female hat. I am going to make him a hat! have you noticed what I got for christmas? it is the best thing since bread! Not sure if I posted the pattern yet or not it is very easy too. http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=5

I have plans to use this pattern to make:

Cable Bag

Cable Neckwarmer

It is suppoed to be a hat but it looks more like a bag

as i said in previous post next time i will use a smaller needle. But i did it does it count when it does not come out right? I was thinking of putting a ribbon through it and trying to wear it that way.

Beer Can Chicken

Over the holidays I decided to do something out of the ordinary. I made a beer can chicken. It was not for christmas or newyears but since i had to eat why not try something new. I injected the chinken with Ken's lemon pepper marinade and rub him in a seasoning salt and let it sit for a day. then i filled a tilt can with water and more seasoning salt and brushed him with oil and more seasoning (and i wondered why the skin was salty but Leon loved the skin) I cooked it slow for 3 hours and basted it every hour (that is why it so dark everytime i open the oven door it got darker).

It tasted great. Lesson learned do not baste in oil (I think that is why it got so black)
Only cook for two hours (the white meat was dry)
try with different marinades (loveed the lemon still would like to try more)
keep on injecting!

Side note I made this plate for my birthday my girlfrindes took me to mad platter.
What I learned from that
I had a great time making the plate
Plan out my plate much better ( I had a plan but it really didinot come out like i had plan next time make a sketch)
Learn a better way to put words on a plate
other than that I love the plate and the experience oh yeah next get a sitter.

I am not sure where I went wrong but...

My crochet cable hat is coming out way too big. Let me take you back. I was looking at Shamkea's blog and she posted about someone who made the hat on MJB album cover. I was browsing crafster.org and i cam across the crocheted cabled hat. I thouhgt i could make the reflections hat witht ecrocheted pattern no big deal. well that was two frogs ago. I had to start the hat over twice before i got the pic to the right. Which I am happy about because it is finally looking like the picture but it is oh so big. the pattern says use j hook . But now the lady who made hers made two and the secons one ahe used a smaller hook. So I will call this the trial hat (although it looks like a bag, which it very well may be). My other question is when does it start coming down? I could just be tired of the hat I have been working all day on it. Due to the determination not to fail. Well anyway let me go knit a blanket that oh so way overdue. Which reminds me to keep my mouth closed and not offer to make anything for anyonelse. I want to say I am in a selfish crafting phase of my life. When I first started all I wanted to do was craft for other hell that was all I did but now I don't want to craft for anyoneelse because it takes time away from what I could be crafting for myself. "Hi my name is Toni and I am a selfish crafter."

P.S. anyone know of a good pattern for a crochet brim?