Spring Tote

The Lion Brand All-Occasion tote is the handbag I made for myself years ago. One day I got the urge to be an extreme-crafty person, not to be mistaken with extreme-sporty person, but it's right up there for me.
It was supposed to look like this...

but turned out like this...

This is my version of the All-Occasion tote bag. I customized my bag quite a bit... I omitted the puffs, added lining on the inside, added a drawstring, lengthened the shoulder strap and attached webbing to it, to prevent further stretching. It's held up great so far and has been admired by true crafty people, which is a great compliment.

Shown in the photo is my homemade handy-dandy
crochet hook holder with sharpee markings and all.
Simple and functional.

After I finish my slouchy cardigan I will be starting a new All-Occasion tote bag. I'm thinking more of a double-handle, longstrap tote.... we will see. The yarn is 100% cotton Lily Sugar'n Cream in Spring Meadows - perfect color for the season.

A Little R & R

I've been craving the Slouchy Cardigan for the longest time now.
The pattern is found in the Greetings from Knit Cafe book by Suzan Mischer, which I've had in my knitting book collection for years.
As I often do with brand new knitting books or magazines I bring home, I immediately dive into them, skim through the patterns and mark everything I fancy.
While absorbing the deliciousness of every pattern and fantasizing knitting all of them, this cardigan suddenly grabbed my full-attention. Personally, I feel this sweater epitomizes everything having to do with rest and relaxation. It was big. It was comfy. It was slouchy, and I loved it, so I immediately marked it with a post-it... and it remained "posted" for a few years.

This afternoon, I finally committed myself to this project.
As soon as I was off from work, I drove straight to the store to purchase the skeins needed for my slouchy cardigan. I'm ready!
I also grabbed some chocolate because sometimes a girl just needs chocolate.

FO's

I give you the baby Who? Hat. This will definitely be a repeat knit.
Pattern: Who? Hat by Sara Amoroso
Needle Size: US5 circular
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby sport dk - baby denim marl
Notes: I decided against the button eyes for obvious safety reasons, but it's still a darn cute hat.

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The heavily modified chevron scarf was bravely modeled by this charming bust form.
The edges are curling and that really bothers me. I haven't given it a good blocking, so I'm hoping it will take care of it.
If not... ya got me...don't know what to do.
Pattern: Chevron Scarf by Mary Jarred
Needle Size: US8
Yarn: Berroco Cotton Twist
Notes: This pattern was heavily modified. Instead of casting on 36sts, I started with 24 sts, then revised the pattern accordingly.

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Last night, I needed something simple and quick to knit...instant gratification, if you will. Since I have a lot of Lion Brand Thick & Quick yarn from a sweater that, I can confidently say, was never meant to be, I decided to put it to good use. Thank you to Leslie at a-friend-to-knit-with for sharing the Chunky Knit Beanie pattern.
Pattern: Chunky Knit Beanie by Leslie Friend
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
Needle Size: 2 - US15 circular needles
Notes: I decided to knit the beanie in the round. I have a love/hate relationship with dpn's... I don't own size 15 dpn's, instead I used two circular needles for the decrease.

"Your girl is lovely, Hubbell...."

It's Time to Revamp

I got 14" out of one skein and seeing that I only have 3 skeins of a discontinued color lot, I have to do some major pattern revisions.

I'm hoping the next update is the finished scarf. Back to the drawing board.

*correction - The scarf is actually 16 " but I'm still short by a few feet when multiplied by 3... sigh.

The Berroco Way

A few years ago I found these beautiful skeins at a cute little knitting shop in La Mesa called, Two Sisters and Ewe. The yarn was bright and cheerful and perfect for Spring. I knew I had to have them, but since I was still somewhere in the beginning stages of my knitting skills, I didn't know exactly what to make with a yarn that was 30% rayon and 70% cotton....slick and slippery.

They have been sitting in my knitting bag waiting patiently for their transformation into the perfect, something-or-other.

Today I had an epiphany...I have decided to knit up the ever-popular chevron scarf with this lovely yarn.
Stay tuned for more details and photos.
TGIF!!

Baby Hats

The sailboat blankie was gifted and greatly appreciated. Tiny socks and knit-jersey caps were purchased and included in the gift bag along with a knitted cap, which I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the other day. Oh well.
I'm on a roll with all the baby knitting and I'm hooked. I decided to knit one more, okay, two more baby caps. They're so much fun to make, but since I don't have a baby around to model the hats for me, I have to estimate the sizes (that's a ball of yarn under the hat).

Can you guess which hat pattern I'm knitting up?
The Whoville people would be so proud.