Pjs and wheelchair bags

Hiya!

By Wednesday, my official third day off from studying, I'd already done more craft-wise than I've done all year.

Do you remember the pjs I made for Chris awhile back? Well, I used more of the same remnant fabric and made me a pair.

There are four pleats in the front and two pleats in the back. The shorts are hard to pull up over the hips, but fit wonderfully once I get them up. I think, next time, I'll leave off the front and back pleats to see if that'll make the shorts more comfortable to pull up.

Also, in this post, did you see the button I sewed back onto Chris' shorts? It fell off within in a week. Turns out the button was broke! I figure I need to find the shorts and attach a new button in the coming week, too. I'll do that when I'm mending some jeans.

Actually, a lot of jeans. Many of my jeans have holes in the thighs. I've researched the various ways to mend jeans and I think I'm just going to go with the traditional patching. The holes are pretty big and I don't really care for anyone to see my inner thighs or have crazy stitching in that area, so this really is the best option.

But, if you're not interested in just old fashioned patching, here's some other ideas: soluble stabilizer and crochet patches. All three of theses are courtesy of Craftzine and Instructables, two sites worth checking out for tips, projects and how-tos.

And, back in October, I started a ministry at church — a knitting, crocheting and sewing ministry. Currently we're making wheelchair/walker bags for area nursing home residents. I hoped to have several made by Christmas, but haven't had much luck getting people to participate. Right now I have one lady who always joins me at the meetings every other Saturday (but she sort of has to since she has the key) and three ladies that occasionally show up when they can, but not very often. One lady, whom I've only talked to via phone, sent me a really cute bag made out of a kitchen towel.

So far the grand total is 5 bags. I've got one crocheted bag made and another cut out and ready to be sewn together. Another piece of fabric has been washed and ironed and is ready for cutting.

Our target goal now is February for Valentine's Day. If you're interested, this is the pattern we're using (or click here for the pdf).

Sweater update

Just a quick update on Chris' sweater.

Only 2.5" left to knit in the round before I can bind off!

I'm just about finished with one sleeve! Then on to the final sleeve, assembly and the collar.

As you have probably guessed, I've sort of dropped out of the 2011 Sweater Challenge. I should be completing sweater 3 by now, not still working on No. 1.

But I'm fine with that. I've been enjoying myself anyway. And I do have yarn for the second sweater, which I hope to start before fall. :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Knitting and Crochet HD app

Remember me asking about the Knitting and Crochet iPad app?

Since I now have an iPad, my interest is piqued once again.

I've found it in the app store and took a closer look. It has 4 out of 5 stars, so it seems like it's worth getting. And it's currently $2.99 instead of $4.99.

But I still don't know if it's worth the cost.

Here's what it has:
- 20 patterns,though it doesn't say how many are knitting and how many are crochet and you can't preview all of them before you buy
- fix-it instructions with photos
- Stitch guides and how-tos

At $2.99 I'm tempted to buy it. Twenty patterns and a portable stitch guide sounds like a pretty good deal to me, but if it goes higher or back to $4.99, I don't know if I'd drop the cash.

It would be great if there was a way to upload patterns to take along too. That along with the stitch guide and fix-it tips would make this a very useful tool. Maybe the developer could hook up with pattern companies or sites, like Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting or Ravelry. That would be pretty cool.

The Knit and Crochet Show

The Knit and Crochet Show is coming to the Greensboro, N.C., area in September. Will you be there?

I learned about it from Ravelry friend hartroadhomestead. So, I've emailed Mom and my sis to see if they want to go to the Greensboro show, which is Sept. 23-25.

There's also a show in Minneapolis, Minn., in July. Might want to check that one out if it's closer to you.

The show features vendors of yarns and notions for knitters and crocheters alike.

There's also classes and several special events, like dinners and fashion shows.

I don't think we're going to take in any classes as they're pretty expensive. But we're talking about going at least one day to check out some yarn and other events.

Cost is $10 for one day and $5 for each additional day. That cost isn't too bad. Plus, you can grab a coupon off the event's website here.

You can register for the event here.

Hope to see you there!

Quick update and other randomness

Hi, folks! Sorry I've been M.I.A. for a few weeks. Some things came up (i.e. work, sick grandpa), so I've been busy dealing with things other than blogging .... or even crafting!

But I started hitting the needles again earlier this week and I plan to finish those pair of gloves this weekend (Sorry, Chelsey!) I don't think I'll get Chris' cardigan finished by next week, but that's fine. I got a late start on it anyway and some of the other projects for the 2011 Sweater Challenge will be fairly quick.

I also plan to work some more on my knit top I talked about here, but I'm not promising myself I'll finish it this weekend. That's just setting the bar too high since I've still got laundry to do, taxes to pay and other things to do that I've gotten behind on. I'm starting to pick up the pieces, though, and get things back on track.

Though I haven't done anything crafty in the past couple weeks, I have made some killer recipes (I've gotta eat, yo) and planned out our spring and fall gardens. In fact, we dropped the onion sets into the ground Valentine's Day weekend.

Next up we'll start seeds for broccoli and spinach. We can start those inside as early as next weekend.

To plan out the garden, we're using this book and I love it (thanks, Mom)!















Mom gave it to us for Christmas and I've flipped through it many times since December. It gives tips on how to plant seeds and/or plants, when to apply side dressings, how to prevent disease and pests and what are some good companion plants. It's all organized in a user-friendly layout and easy to read and use. I'm looking forward to referring to it several times this year.

As promised, I'll snap a few pics of the cardigan and post these on here sometime later this weekend or early next week.

David A.'s wool gloves

OK, I actually finished these gloves more than a week ago. I just haven't been home during daylight hours to snap some photos. So here they are:

Thanks to Chris for modeling these!

I dropped these in the mail today so they're on their way to the mid-West. Hopefully our friend, David A., will get some good use out of them this winter!

These are made from Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in Natural Brown. This is the same yarn I used to make the wool beret.

Here's the beret in progress.

The gloves are based on my "Hubby's Fingerless Mitts" pattern I created last year. I designed the pattern for Chris and made a size medium for him last year.

For David, whose hands are longer (though more slender), I cast on 40 stitches instead of 36 for a large size. I also knitted 6 additional rounds in the palms, or 20 rounds instead of 14.

I also redesigned the thumbs. Instead of knitting the rounds, I purled them and I think it looks better.

_____________________________________________________

What's Needlin' Ewe's 2011 Sweater Challenge Update: I've decided on my first sweater. It's Kim Hamlin's "Lattice and Hollow Cardigan" from Interweave Knits Spring 2010 issue.

This photo belongs to "Interweave Knits."
Click on the links above to visit the magazine's website to buy the pattern or the Spring 2010 issue.

Chris picked out burgundy and navy-colored merino yarns from Malabrigo. I'll keep you posted as I get it going. The challenge's goal is to knit a sweater every two months so there will be six sweaters by the end of December. So I've got six weeks to knit this one up!

FO: crocheted wool beret, other updates

I finished the beret in the past week but haven't been home during daylight hours to snap a photo for you.

Here it is. Please forgive the poor lighting; the funny, close-up of my head; and the bad photo styling. I'm doing what I can with what resources I have!

I think this would look better with a lighter weight yarn. This is also wool, so I'm sure some washing will felt this right up.

The pattern is by Jennifer L. Appleby and is from Interweave Crochet's Winter 2007 issue. I found it to be a fun, quick pattern, though there were a few mistakes in the pattern copy I have. Either that or I managed to create more treble crosses than the pattern called for, but that didn't mess up any of the other steps and the pattern came out without much trouble.

Here's a close-up of the brim and the treble crosses. I like the contrast between the two.

I would definitely recommend this pattern!

Using the same yarn (Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool) I'm making David A., a friend, a pair of fingerless mitts, using my Hubby's Fingerless Mitts pattern.

David's hands are longer and wider than my husbands, so I cast on 40 stitches (for a large size) instead of 36 (medium). I may knit more than 40 rows before beginning the thumbs and palm sections since David's hands are somewhat longer. I don't know how much longer I need to make it though.

A knitting/crocheting goal for the year: six sweaters! What's Needlin' Ewe, which I wrote about here, is hosting a 2011 Sweater Challenge and I think I'm going to participate!

The store is challenging knitters and crocheters to complete a sweater every two months through December 2011. That means six sweaters in 12 months. Only one of them can be a baby or child's sweater; the rest must be adult-sized garments. They can, however, be summer, winter or fall garments and that includes tanks and cardigans!

I have several patterns running through my mind and I'm trying to decide which ones I want to tackle.

New Publication: CraftSanity Magazine!

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of CraftSanity has published her first magazine!

This image belongs to CraftSanity and is from the Etsy site. Now, go buy a copy!

Jennifer and many contributors offer a variety of recipes and crafty projects in this inaugural issue. You can order the 'zine on Etsy in the print or PDF format.

I've followed Jennifer for a couple years now on CraftSanity and encourage you to check out her new product. I'm sure it's wonderful! (I haven't gotten a copy yet, but plan to.)

Christmas dish clothes

I've finished two Christmas presents! Yay! Time to celebrate!

The last two dish clothes are bigger than the first two, which doesn't look as nice, in my opinion. Checking Ravelry, I notice that I only stitched up 42 stitches, not 44, for the first two clothes because I used a larger needle size than the project called for. Oops! Wish I would have remembered that before I finished the last two!

(You can read the first post about the first two dish clothes here.)

Other than that, I am pleased with how well they look. I think the clothes together look like a sunset at the beach -- tan for the sand and the blue-orange-yellow-white for the color of the sky. Nice! That's what I'll call 'em -- Sunset Dish Clothes!

I've got 2 more to projects to complete, not counting baking I want to do. If I don't get to them today, next Saturday and evening hours this coming week will be the only time I'll have to tackle them. (You can see the fabric for these projects at the bottom of this post.)

Those projects require the sewing machine, so I gotta brave the cold basement to finish 'em up. The snow outside doesn't make it any warmer either!

Luckily, those projects are quick and easy. I just got to make time to finish them.

First, however, I've got an app to fill out and it requires 4 essay questions. So, I'm off to finish that, eat some lunch and then, maybe, begin the projects.

Cold Weather = Sweaters!

It was cold enough today for me to put on a sweater!

The first sweater, in fact, I've ever knitted.

------------------------------------------------------
Note the "I Voted" sticker on the collar. I cast my absentee ballot today. Make sure you get out to the polls on Tuesday! If you can't vote that day, there's still time to cast an early ballot.

More Christmas projects

More Christmas projects are underway! I'm very proud how I'm already tackling things and finishing them so early!

This will leave more time for other Christmas ideas, baking and shopping as the season draws near.

Here's the latest projects — knitted dish clothes. The pattern is here.

I bought the yarn at A Yarn Among Friends in Moundsville, W.VA. Chris and I were in the area last week visiting a friend and vacationing. You can read about that trip in various posts on Small Travels and Musings.

This pair of dish clothes are a set and I'll make another set just like it.

I bought this yarn to make a pair of socks.

I'll use "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting Socks," by Cindy Guggemos. I've used this book to make three pair of the Eyelet Chevron Socks. This time I'm thinking of Crest O' the Wave Socks or maybe Little Arrowhead Lace Socks.

I haven't decided if I'll make a pair for me or make them for a gift.

Also, Nannie told me this week that she bought me a book. She has picked out a sweater in it she wants me to make for her. I'm so honored and excited to do this for her!

Nannie fell and broke her hip last week and will be at a nursing home for up to 3 weeks for rehab. (Prayers would be appreciated.) So I'm not sure when I'll get the book from her. She wanted to finish looking at the book before she gave it to me. She also said she'd buy the yarn, but I'd rather pick it out with her and pay for it myself.

Hopefully someone will take the book to her and a baby quilt she's been working on to the nursing home. That way she'll have some things to keep her busy while she's there. She's not dealing with being away from home too well right now.

Photos of scarf, sweater and tomato update

One down, one to go
I finished the first of two scarves last night:

This alpaca yarn feels so good and it's so pretty. It's going to be hard to turn this loose for Christmas.

Chris said I should buy some more alpaca yarn and make one for myself.

The pattern uses a traditional ripple pattern that is commonly found in afghans. I think it translates beautifully into scarves.

I can't wait to see how the other scarf turns out. It's colors are just as pretty.

Photo update
Here's the sweater all washed and blocked. It's no where near as stretched out and frumpy as it was last weekend when I completed it.

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Green is definitely my color.

I'm also glad I didn't sew the collar shut. I think I like it open. Do you?

Tomatoes galore!
I canned six more quarts of tomatoes this morning! I can't believe how many tomatoes we've gotten this year.

We didn't tie the plants up, so many have been lost to rot because they sat on the ground too long or we overlooked them as they hid underneath leaves and stems.

We also had a lot of ants, roly polys (pill bugs) and slugs we had to fight tomatoes for.

I've canned 2 quarts of tomatoes with chilies, 17 quarts of diced tomatoes, 1 pint of diced tomatoes and 3 pints of salsa. That is a blessing!

That doesn't include the quart of basil-garlic tomato sauce we made earlier in the summer to can with the peach chutney disaster (had to throw out all 7 pints because it burned and tasted awful; apple cider vinegar does not substitute for white wine vinegar!) and canned peaches (1 quart).

Canning tomatoes and sweater update

This weekend I canned 7 quarts of diced tomatoes and 3 pints of salsa, loaded with peppers -- jalapenos, a few cayenne, banana peppers (sweet and hot) and some green pepper.

 (All photos by E.A. Seagraves. Do not use without permission.)

One quart didn't get quite full of tomatoes, so I topped it off with water.

I also finished my sweater! I still need to wash it and block it before I wear it.

The collar is supposed to be stitched together in the front, but I didn't like it. So I clipped it and decided to let it hang.

The sweater is "Tanglewood Pullover" by Beryl Hiatt and Linden Phelps from the book "Handknit Style II."

Chris and I also picked out some fabric for some other Christmas present projects and I started crocheting other gifts last night. Here's the fabric we picked out (not sure why the photo is uploading sideways):

We picked the fabric up from Mountain Plain Fabrics in Hillsville, Va.. It mostly carries quilting material so the selection isn't that varied as far as fashion fabrics go, but the fabric they do have is beautiful and the staff is incredibly helpful.

I can't wait to stitch this fabric up and present them at Christmas!
_____________________________________________________________
Here are the knitting book and preserving book for the projects above. I highly recommend both. The sweaters are superb and the Ball canning book is full of useful tips and recipes.

   

Hubby's shorts, some tomatoes and brie dessert

Current projects

I haven't undated with any photos of my current projects, mostly because none have been finished in awhile!

For the past two weekends I've worked on a pair of shorts for Chris. I am using BurdaStyle's Jochen pattern. This is the first time I've used a print-at-home pattern. I've been using the traditional tissue paper patterns, which I use to trace out the size I need and then use that.

Let me tell you, I think I like printing out the pattern so much better. Because I've got the pattern saved on my computer, I don't feel the least bit guilty in cutting off the larger sizes. If I need a larger size, I can print it off.

I also don't spend hours taping together tracing paper and tracing out the pattern I need.

The downside is printing at home does use a lot of ink and paper. I did use the back of recycled paper so that helped somewhat. And recycled printer paper lasts longer than tracing paper because it's thicker. Still a bummer about the ink though.

I am using remnant material that Nannie gave me. I really liked the fabric, but didn't have enough to cut all pieces out of it. So, luckily, I had a blue in a matching shade and it works perfectly for inside pockets. Thanks to Ferny and lonemoose, BurdaStyle members, for the idea!

(Please do not use photos without permission.)

This is the front pants leg and pocket./Photos by E.A. Seagraves

With this pattern, which is actually a really nice pair of slacks that I've altered into shorts, I had to learn how to put in a back pocket. It took a while for me to study it and figure out what I needed to do, but I think I handled it okay. What do you think?

I hope to finish these before it turns cooler. All that's left is the center seams, waistband, zipper, buttons and hemming.

I've also been working on this sweater since February. I'm knitting on the collar now. So it'll most likely be finished before the fall.

Tomatoes

I have to say, despite early nibbling by deer, rot and insects, our garden has been a success! Look at this haul.

I plan to can these this weekend. Probably can more diced tomatoes and some salsa. I canned 2 quarts of diced tomatoes with chilies and 4 quarts and 1 pint of diced tomatoes the other weekend.

A dessert to try

For my birthday earlier this week, we bought a small wheel of brie cheese. I turned four triangles into dessert last night with left over egg roll pastry I had on hand and blackberry jam.

I got the idea from the web, but can't seem to find the two recipes I'd found before.

I basically placed the brie in the middle of the pastry and topped it with jam. Then I folded it up and placed the folded side down. I sprinkled it with brown sugar and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

It was very tasty! You should give it a try.

Kimchi quesadilla, new knitting needles

So, I did it. I made kimchi!

I've eaten a lot of it already. Here's my third kimchi quesadilla. It makes a great, light lunch.

I truly recommend trying out the recipe if you have any cabbage you need to cook up.

Unrelated news:

I'm just about finished with the Tanglewood Pullover sweater I've been working on forever. According to Ravelry, I've started the project Feb. 27. But I haven't been knitting since then. I put the needles down for a couple of months.

My sweater is going to be all green. I can't wait to wear it this fall!

All that's left to finish is the second sleeve, stitching everything together and knitting up the collar.

While in Cincinnati a couple weekends ago, Chris and I stopped at a yarn store suggested by Chris' aunt — One More Stitch.

I wanted to pick up a size 5 circular knitting needle for the sweater's collar and I didn't have one in my knitting supplies.

This store is HUGE and is filled with a lot of beautiful yarn and needles. If you happen to be out that way, stop by and check them out.
____________________________________________________________
The Tanglewood Pullover is found in this book: 















For some Korean fare, check out this cookbook:
 

Hot weather already!

I can't believe how the weather's jumped from 30 degree weather here in the Blue Ridge Mountains to 80 degrees!

I'm still working on my wool jacket and knitted sweater. I wrote about the wool jacket here and I bought yarn for the sweater from here.

Where did the 60 degree weather I was expecting go to? I figured I'd have plenty of time.

I've gotta figure out a way to work in all my projects in a timely manner.

My husband's also got me helping him with painting every room in the house and I'm sure there are more projects to come. How can I squeeze all the things I want to do in with all the things I need to do, like work and chores?

Ugh. I've gotta find a better system! :)

Hubby's fingerless mitts

I completed Chris' fingerless mitts last weekend. They turned out much better than I anticipated. I couldn't be happier except if I had used wool instead of acrylic yarn. But Chris asked that I use yarn I already had on hand and, so, acrylic it was.

I had considered using Pamela Grossman's "Knucks" pattern over at Knitty.com. I found it through the Elliphantom Knits blog. They look really cool and I figured Chris would dig 'em. (I planned to leave off the embroidery though. That wouldn't have been Chris' style.)

But after printing out the instructions and reviewing them more closely, I passed it over. It just seemed too difficult to tackle. I would have to knit each finger separately and then attach them to the palm part of the glove later. Too much hassle.

I had some fingerless mittens patterns, but they were designed for women's medium-sized hands and were either lacy or too feminine —"Ladylike Lace Gloves" by MK Carroll in "Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker" and "Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers" By Renée Rigdon in "Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook."


So I decided to tackle designing a pattern on my own. I'd already made the crocheted "Ladylike Lace Gloves" for myself and my sister, so I sort of had an idea of how to go about it. Just in case, I studied the techniques for the thumb hole again in both the crocheted pattern and the knitted "Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers" and then began.

I used worsted weight acrylic yarn and four size 7 double pointed knitting needles. My pattern's below and I've posted it on Ravelry. Adjust the needle sizes, yarn and number of cast on stitches to fit for your man's hands. Chris' hands, I suppose, are medium-sized man hands.

Hubby's fingerless mitts
By: E.A. Seagraves
(Credit for the thumb technique goes to Renée Rigdon.)

Materials:
(4) size 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles
left over worsted weight yarn (medium weight/4)

Special abbreviations:
pm = place a stitch marker on the needle after the last stitch knitted
sm = slip stitch marker from one needle to the next
M1 = make one stitch, Insert the left needle under the loop between the stitch just knitted and the next. Pull up a loop and knit into it, creating one stitch.

Directions: (medium-sized man hands)

CO 36 stitches, placing 12 stitches on each of three needles. With fourth needle begin knitting:

Row 1-40 (or the length you want): K4, P4 around

Left Hand:
Row 41: (K4, P4) across 2 needles. On Needle 3, K3, place marker (pm), M1, pm, K1, P4, K4

Row 42: (K4, P4) across 2 needles. On Needle 3, K3, slip marker (sm), M1, K1, M1, sm, K1, P4, K4

Rows 43-47: *(K4, P4) across 2 needles. On Needle 3, K3, sm, between markers knit in front and back of the first stitch creating two stitches, knit across until one stitch left between markers, knit in front and back of the last stitch, sm, K1, P4, K4 (Repeat from * around until 13 stitches total between markers.)

Palm: Rows 48-61: Slip 13 stitches onto a stitch holder. Then continue K4, P4 around (minus the 13 stitches) for 14 rows. Bind off and weave in ends.

Thumb: Rows 48-54: Divide 13 stitches evenly on three needles, such as 4 stitches on Needles 1 and 2 and 5 stitches on Needle 3. Knit around 7 times. Bind off and weave in ends, using the yarn tails to sew any holes left around and between the thumb and palm. (I had holes below and above the thumb.)

Right Hand:
Row 41: On Needle 1, K4, P4, K3, pm, M1, pm, K1. On Needles 2 and 3, P4, K4 around.

Row 42: On Needle 1, K4, P4, K3, sm, M1, K1, M1, sm, K1. On Needles 2 and 3, P4, K4 around.

Row 43-47: *On Needle 1, K4, P4, K3, sm, between markers knit in front and back of the first stitch creating two stitches, knit across until one stitch left between markers, knit in front and back of the last stitch, sm, K1. On Needles 2 and 3, P4, K4 across. (Repeat from * around until 13 stitches total between markers.)

Palm: Rows 48-61: Slip 13 stitches onto a stitch holder. Then continue K4, P4 around (minus the 13 stitches) for 14 rows. Bind off and weave in ends.

Thumb: Rows 48-54: Divide 13 stitches evenly on three needles, such as 4 stitches on Needles 1 and 2 and 5 stitches on Needle 3. Knit around 7 times. Bind off and weave in ends, using the yarn tails to sew any holes left around and between the thumb and palm. (I had holes below and above the thumb.)

New Feature: Where to shop

Some colorful yarn found at What's Needlin' Ewe, a yarn shop in Mount Airy, N.C./ All photos by E.A. Seagraves

Go check out my feature on What's Needlin' Ewe, a Mount Airy, N.C., yarn shop owned by mother and daughter duo, Sharon and Natalie Johnson, on my blog Small Travels and Musings.

Finished the last (belated) Christmas gift

I finished my final (belated) Christmas gift Saturday night!

I plan to drop these socks in the mail later this week. By this time, my sister, Jamie, may have already forgotten about them. So maybe it'll be a nice surprise for her later in the week. :)

I used the same pattern to make socks for my mom and myself here, and spoke of the book here. I plan to try the other patterns in Cindy Guggemos' book, but I still recommend this as a beginning sock maker's guide.

Now I'm working on some fingerless gloves for the hubby. I'm improvising since I couldn't find a pattern I really liked. More on this later . . . I hope.

Merry (Belated) Christmas!

I'm finished! The shawl for my mother-in-law is ready to be dropped in the mailbox.

The shawl was knitted from yarn my mother-in-law already had on hand. Her mother gave it to her years ago -- the date on the yarn is 1977!

My mother-in-law has held on to the yarn, hoping to find a way to use it. She'd tried to crochet with it, and so did I, but the yarn was too difficult to pick up stitches. So I knitted it with circular needles instead.

I hope I can get this belated Christmas gift -- and a note -- in the mail tomorrow.