double crochet

Here is a cowl I just finished (this one is for me!) using double crochet instead of puff stitch... I'm going to wear it today!

Oh, and here is a super cute photo of my cat, Cali, from yesterday! She is sleeping in the lid of the hepper pod...

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urban foraging :: pecans

I've been interested in urban foraging since reading about it in "The Urban Homestead" and this week I've come across my best foraging prize ever - pecans! The park near my apartment (where I run 3 or 4 days a week, anyway) has at least half a dozen big pecan trees that are dropping nuts all over the place. This week I've been taking a few minutes after my run to scoop them up and bring them home.

I toasted a batch with vegan "butter", sugar, and cinnamon yesterday! And the extra pecans will last up to a year if left in the shell, so they have a nice spot reserved in the pantry.

Have you every foraged in the city? I know that some cities have foraging groups or maps of fruit trees available. I'd love to hear your foraging tips!

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x x x x x x stitching

It's raining today... perfect for catching up on some embroidery while listening to music...

"I suppose I have a really loose interpretation of “work,” because I think that just being alive is so much work at something you don’t always want to do. The machinery is always going. Even when you sleep."

--Andy Warhol

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bright stripes cowl

It feels like rain here in Tuscaloosa today and I'm in the mood for a nice storm!

Here is the cowl I crocheted over the weekend... puff stitch is really thick & cozy and yarn is very soft cotton...

I'm putting it up in the shop today!

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tiny hearts

This weekend I as busy crocheting tiny hearts for the shop and making a really cute puff stitch cowel (which I will photograph today and post tomorrow)...

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stitching

I did a bit of embroidery yesterday...

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supplies

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red & mint

I am in love with red & mint together! I was trying to think of a project to combine the two colors and I came up with these pot holders... the strawberry sealed the deal!

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holdiday puzzlement

I don't do much traditional holiday decorating, but this year I'd like to try something festive. I've been making these little heart ornaments in a variety of colors.... I think I might make some sort of garland-y thing with them.... I also have an idea for a DIY wreath.... hmmm.... some more tutorials might be in the works!

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crazy

I lost a bunch of photographs in iPhoto today : ( I was organizing some files in preparation to burn them to a disc when a whole section blanked out... now all of the photos of my cat Chloe are gone! All of her baby pictures... sigh. I've tried restoring my library but it hasn't worked.

Sigh.

Sigh again.

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puffy flower coasters

I did a lot of crafty, crafty stuff over the weekend! A bunch of crochet was crocheted and embroidery supplies were purchased! Photos are forthcoming...

I think these puffy flower coasters are so cute! They are new in the shop...

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urban scavenging

While biking to the library this week, I spotted these two plant stands left on the side of the road. Sturdy, but very weathered with big chunks of paint flaking off (and the green paint on the small one was hideous). I have tons of plants on my windowsills, so these were such a find! I used a bungee cord to strap them to my bike and brought them home...

After some scraping and painting, they are tucked happily away in a sunny spot in my living room, holding pots where tiny chamomile seeds are beginning to sprout!

The paint is "Lagoon" in satin finish by Rustoleum (indoor & outdoor paint).

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When you need something...

I found myself in need of a trivet, so I made one (two, actually) myself...

I also have a new treasury of cleaning supplies over at Etsy! Let's CLEAN UP!

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crochet crochet crochet

I've been crocheting, crocheting, crocheting these new items for the shop...

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Free Knitting Pattern :: Wrist Warming Mitts

My favorite fall jacket has 3/4 length sleeves, so I wanted to knit a pair of mittens or gloves with extra long cuffs that would protect my wrists from the cold air. This is what I came up with...

The pattern is pretty simple and I've always loved rolled edges on knit accessories! You'll need a skien of soft aran or worsted weight yarn and a set of 4 size 5 DPN's, as well as two stitch markers and a stitch holder (or a piece of waste yarn).

1. CO 36 stitches, dividing them evenly over 3 needles. Join the stitches into a circle for working in the round.

2. Work in stockinette stitch (knitting every row) until your work measures 5 inches long.

Make the thumb stitches:

3. Knit one stitch and place a stitch marker immediately after it. Increase 1 by knitting through the front & back of the next stitch, then knit 1. Place the second marker. There are 3 stitches between your markers. Knit to the end of the round.

4. Knit two rounds plain, slipping the markers as you go.

5. Knit 1, slip the marker, increase 1, knit 1, increase 1. There are 5 stitches between the markers. Knit to the end of the round.

6. Knit two rounds plain, slipping the markers as you go.

7. Repeat steps 5 & 6, increasing after the first marker and before the second one until you have 13 stitches between the markers.

8. Knit 1 stitch as if you were starting a new round, then take off the first stitch marker and slide the 13 stitches on to the stitch holder. These stitches will be used to make the thumb, but not now. Later. Take off the second marker. You will now be working 35 stitches on 3 needles.

9. Knit plain until work measures 10 inches from CO. Bind off.

For the thumb:

10. Slip the 13 stitches from the stitch holder onto 2 of the needles (7 stitches on one, 6 on the other). Pick up 3 stitches from the space between the first 2 needles to make a triangle.

11. Join yarn and knit 6 rows plain. Bind off on 7th row.

12. Weave in ends.

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addicted to puff stitch

I'm addicted to puff stitch. I've just been messing around with scrap yarn, but a trip to the yarn store today may change that...

I also have a new knitting pattern to post tomorrow! It's perfect for fall weather : )

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f r i d a y

"To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts... but so to live wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust."

-Henry David Thoreau

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egg carton pincushions

A new set to be added to the shop...

and check out my new treasury, "dreamscape," too!

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a yo-yo post

I'm amassing an army of tiny fabric yo-yo's - 125 so far! After scouring flickr and googling for a bit, I've found some great projects... now I just have to pick one (or two!) to try.

I especially like the big necklaces and the fascinator I found on flickr...

1. Day Nine - Yoyo Zipper Pouch, 2. Yo-yo Pillow, 3. Vintage yo-yo ring bling, 4. key lime beat yo-yo bracelet, 5. More hair candy, 6. Fabric Yo Yo Garland, 7. Untitled, 8. Yo-yo close up, 9. ACEO Original - Yo-yo Girl, 10. mini yo-yo's, 11. yo-yo necklaces, 12. Yo-yo Bracelets, 13. Green Yo-Yo Christmas Tree, 14. Yoyo Tank #2, 15. Yo-yo Necklace, 16. yo yo quilt

And here are some tutorial links...

Beautiful yo-yo embellishments by Posh Paperie

How to make a heart shaped yo-yo

Heather Bailey yo-yo garland

Sweet holiday ornaments

How to make a yo-yo handbag

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a small quilt for me

I finished making a small quilt for myself to use when I'm reading or watching movies. I used some larger fabric scraps for the top and a piece of thrifted sheet for the back (a cheerful yellow and floral striped sheet that I've been portioning out to various projects).

It's already much loved around the house... by everyone....

Today I plan to make some more fabric yo-yo's and tomorrow I'll post some ideas for using them! I've been researching this topic all morning and have found some cute projects!

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impromptu cat toy

Hello, Monday! This weekend I learned how to crochet in puff stitch! I am working on a project with it now and I've moved on to the lace portion of the February Lady.

Oh, yes, and I made this spur-of-the-moment cat toy.

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b o n n e t

I finished knitting this autumn bonnet... it's very similar to this one from my shop (in case you want to see what it looks like on someone's head), just with a different edging. And it's for me!

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