To Craft Fair or Not To Craft Fair?

Posted on August 7, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I got my first craft fair registration email of the season…..

To craft fair or not to craft fair?

I really enjoy craft fairs and I can normally make enough moo-la to fund my yarn habit for a few special projects and offset my booth costs. The people are really cool and I always have some great conversations with fellow crafters. The downside is that I have to crank out massive amounts of the same patterns and projects over and over again. This means less time for my de-stashing efforts and the selfish projects I have lined up. I mean knitting is knitting and it’s all fun in the long run.

What’s a knitter to do?

I have semi-good size stash of ruffle scarves and washcloths left from last season. Maybe I could throw in some lacy scarves, headbands, bulky hats, and maybe a few cute baby blankets?

What kinds of wares do you look for at a craft fairs? What do you guys think?

FAL for August!!!

Posted on August 7, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I’m joining the FAL (finish-along) at Sage yarn for August! I have a case of WIPs here lately and I feel the need to finish something. I’m not giving up on my recent stash busting efforts by any means. But I need to give some monogamous time to some of my older projects!

Remember, Aunt Martha’s Prayer Blanket?

(Stashbustin’ #19)

I made fairly good progress in the beginning and even made it to the second color. But then I started second guessing the two colors together. I hemmed and hawed and the project slowly migrated to the bottom of my knitting bag. And then I saw the blog post about the FAL and I thought it was kismet!

I’m determined to finish this blanket but I fully realize that might be a lofty goal by the end of the month. But at the very least I am going to keep up with the group on Ravelry and do weekly postings. You get credit for making progress even if you don’t finish. I can’t wait to see what others are working on finishing. The Rav group is here!

Anybody else have a finishing goal?

Stashbustin’ #26: Garter Stitch Balaclava

Posted on August 6, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Remember the yarn splurge I showed you last Friday? Well some of that yarn is for a good cause!

Stashbustin’ #26: Garter Stitch Balaclava and Beanie by Christine Grant!

I have a coworker who works tirelessly outside all winter to keep those of us indoor warm and safe. Last winter he showed me his hat/balaclava that had seen better days and asked for a replacement. My first attempts last winter were not all that successful.

So I’m giving this pattern a go in Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Lost Lake Heather. I’m hoping this Aran weight yarn and garter stitch go quickly so my coworker isn’t waiting for me come fall!

Now I just need to measure his head so I know what size I need to make!

Happy Knitting!!

Stashbustin’ #25: Baby Sophisticate

Posted on August 5, 2013 by atangledyarn84

At my recent 10 year high school reunion I had a friend make a special knitting request. She wants an “old man” style sweater for her baby boy due in September.

So I introduce to you Stashbustin’ #25: Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down!

(Photo courtesy of Linden Heflin/Ravelry page)

How cute is this? I think I am going to make the 3-6 mo size as this family tends to make big babies! Mom also requested that this be a soft and easy care garment. So I culled my stash and found just enough Carron Simply Soft in grey. It’s machine washable and pretty soft for acrylic. Probably not my first choice of yarn for a sweater, but this isn’t my project, lol!

The yardage is going to be tight but I think I can make it. I hope to get this started this week. I am going to swatch in the same yarn but a different color since I’m close on yarn.

Now I just need to go find some old man looking buttons….

WIP Wednesday: Spiral Leg Warmers

Posted on July 31, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Introducing Stashbusting #24!

Spiral Rib Leg Warmers by the Purl Bee!! I had some Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Lady Slipper calling my name from my stash. So in a fit of WIPitis I just had to start a project with it.

As the pattern is written for extra small to small, I cast on 68 stitches to upsize for my big girl legs. Otherwise I’m working the pattern as written. I have no idea what I will do with these. They aren’t practical but they are adorable and fun to knit. That’s all that matters right?

What’s on your needles this week?

FO Friday: Stashbustin’ #23

Posted on July 26, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Stashbustin’ #23 is complete!!

This yarn can be challenging but this time I was up for it!! This one skein wonder is just a simple stockinette blanket with a four stitch seed stitch border. Finished size turned out to be 27 inch by 27 inch square. I used 10 1/2 US needles for a nice tight gauge. For more details on the yarn and stitch instructions see my Ravelry project page.

This blanket is oh so soft and yummy to the touch.

So soft to the touch in fact that when my Mother found this blanket in my WIP basket last weekend she announced that she would LOVE a full sized afghan for her Christmas. She then proceeded to fondle the yarn and the blanket at every opportunity for the entire weekend. Do you know how long and frustrating such a project would be to this knitter? Insert forehead slap here…

I am sensing that I am not done working with this yarn. Has any knitter out there every worked with a pattern or project that vexed them just because a loved one of said knitter requested it?

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: Stashbustin’ #22

Posted on July 24, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Here is the progress on my Florelei shawl or Stashbustin’#22…..

Doesn’t look much different from last time you say? Oh well that’s because I HATE CHART B!! I am however Queen of Chart A! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I know how to do all the stitches in Chart B, they are actually easy. But no matter how careful I am I seed to end up with stitch markers in the wrong places or the wrong number of total stitches at the end of the row after a couple of rows. The yarn overs seem to be giving me the hardest time.

What am I doing wrong? Lace can’t be this hard!!!

I love the photos of other people’s finished projects and the Cascade Sunseeker yarn is beyond yummy and gorgeous. Not to mention the yarn stands up well to frogging. I am not giving up on this project. I’m going to cull the collective wisdom of the blog world. Then I’m going to have a glass of wine (or twelve). Then this project is going to hibernate for a couple of weeks (I go into tech week for my play next week and won’t have time to knit anyway). Then…then I say I shall attack renewed!!

Any advice for a lace newbie?

Tuesday Pick Me Up

Posted on July 23, 2013 by atangledyarn84

My special delivery from last Friday arrived at it’s destination this week….

Not exactly the use I had envisioned, but I guess a red/white/blue tutu can be an effective toupee, lol. And it definitely made this knitter’s heart swell to see someone enjoying my handiwork. Just the pick me up I needed. Albeit a strange one….

Only 3 months until Baby #2 arrives for the bald guy on the right and we can get a pic of the babies in the tutus, stay tuned!!!

FO Friday: Patriotic Tutus!

Posted on July 19, 2013 by atangledyarn84

I am blessed to have many friends who let me lavish their children with hand knit love. One of my husband and I’s favorite couples recently found out that their second baby is going to be a girl. And I just couldn’t resist matching tutus!!! I found the most adorable red, white, and blue ruffle yarn from Premier…

First up a 0-3 months size….

And then a matching 2-3 year old size…

Their mom is going to flip when she sees these!!! I hope she will snap some photos of the pair so that I can share with you guys. Of course I will have to wait until baby #2 actually gets here, lol. Well I’m off to put these and a couple more secret presents (can’t share those because the recipients read this blog) in the mail.

I gotta hustle too because my parents, sister, and aunt are visiting for weekend and we have a Kansas City Royals game to get to!! (Don’t worry, I packed a knitting project so I can stitch while they pitch!!!)

TGIF!!!

WIP Wednesday: Baby Blanket

Posted on July 17, 2013 by atangledyarn84

Stashbustin #23 is coming along!

This blanket has been traveling back and forth to rehearsal every night. I have only managed a few rows every night between scenes but little by little it’s adding up! Concurring this chenille yarn feels a bit of a personal victory. This blanket doesn’t have an recipient yet as it’s destined for my “emergency baby shower” basket. It may not be fancy but this mindless project is all I can manage with so much of my energy going to my current acting adventure.

One downside….because I gave Chloe the first chenille blanket I made, she thinks all chenille blankets are hers…

My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures

Ramblings from an obsessed knitter

Category Archives: Knitting