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Thursday, February 1st, 2007
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12:34 am - Crock Pot Yarn Dyeing
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| Thursday, January 25th, 2007
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10:14 pm - Not forgotten!
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My main blog has become the Blogger one, but I haven't totally forgotten this one. Actually, I plan to start using it again, sorta. I think I'll post when I put updates on the other blog, and also I remembered that since LJ has the private entry function that Blogger does not currently have, it is a great way to save notes to myself about ideas I'm not ready to share, or things I don't think anyone would care about reading, but that I want to remember. So, hello again, crafting LJ!!
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| Saturday, June 24th, 2006
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8:42 pm - (Finally) FO: Chinese Prosperity Fish Bag and Crawfish Purse
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Sometimes, it's so hard to make myself finish a project. I can be totally in love with a particular project, but put it aside, unfinished, because I'll think something like "Oh, that's going to be so easy... but so time-consuming... I'll do it later." Then later doesn't come for months, and I find myself looking at that project thinking "Boy, I really, really need to finish that."
That was pretty much what happened with the Chinese Prosperity Fish Bag from Folk Bags. I love the bag! I saw a picture someone else had knitted, and tracked down the book specifically for this one bag. I never saw anything else from the book until I got my copy. It was such a fast knit! I was very happy with it and couldn't wait to have it finished. Then... oh no... the details are EMBROIDERED. Ok, that's not so bad, I learned to draw, crochet, and knit with no problems; I can learn to embrodier. Well, folks, lemme tell ya something. Embroidering is not easy! In fact, I couldn't figure it out at all. A "simple" outline stitch is apparently something Ms. Crystal just can't grasp. I sat there, beside three different descriptions of how to do it, for hours, and it just looked bad on my swatch. Sad and discouraged, I put the beloved Fish Bag away. I picked it up some time later, and tried again. I did no better with the embroidery, but I did think of something else. I decided it didn't really HAVE to be embroidered, as long as it was there. So, I BSed it. I took the needle, cut a long piece of the yarn I was using to "embroider", and just messed around with it until I came up with something I thought looked ok. I actually like how it turned out. I like that it is definitely not store-bought... it's obviously handmade, but (and here I flatter myself) I think it's more like artsy-fun-expensive-boutique handmade, instead of being like the little pins you made for your mom in elementary school, that she wore out of pride no matter how ugly they looked. I also even like that the two sides look different; it's apparent that they are meant to be the same design, but they vary anyway. I think it adds to the purse, instead of taking away.
( Click for piccies! )
As already mentioned, the Chinese Prosperity Fish Bag is from the book Folk Bags. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves purses, and particularly to anyone who loves purses that are unlike-the-norm. There are several patterns in it that I would knit.
The bag is knit in Plymouth Galway, on either 10 or 10.5 (I think the latter) needles, and fulled. It was my first time fulling. I did 3 cycles in the (front-loading) washer, and am not quite happy with the amount of stitch definition remaining. The yarn was nice to knit with, and I will probably use it again, although I won't say it's my favorite wool so far. I wasn't sure what a fourth cycle would do, so I stopped at 3. I don't remember the color, but it was the brightest red I could find. The whole bag only took one ball. The yarn I used to embroider was a sportweight cotton yarn I found at Hobby Lobby, called Sinfornia, and I found the buttons and beads used for the eyes there, too. I omitted the tassels because the tail fins are pretty much fulled together, and I didn't want to mess with that. I am planning on making another of these bags.
The crawfish purse I sewed was also a cast-aside project. That instance was out of laziness, not frustration. I just never bothered attaching the handles. I finally did that yesterday, so now I can post pictures and tell a little about the bag.
This was the first thing I ever sewed. Mrs. Nancy helped me figure out how to put it all together, and let me use her machine to sew it. The bag is from a McCall's pattern, Easy stitch n' save M5082. I am really pleased with it, although I'm not quite happy with my placement of the handles. I think they are supposed to be lower, and they may end up that way. The fabric is a crawfish-on-newspaper print I just had to get when I saw it on eBay. I only had one yard, but that's enough for 2 purses, so I am going to make a purse for my mom out of this fabric as well. The lining is a heavy black fabric Mrs. Nancy had left over. There is interfacing to give it shape, but I omitted the cardboard called for in the pattern for the bottom. I also gave my purse two pockets instead of one, and for the pockets I used the crawfish fabric, again lined with the thick black. I really love that detail! I still need to add snaps of some kind - I hate bags that don't close.
( Mmmm, crawfish )
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| Tuesday, June 13th, 2006
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12:01 am - Why I Am Not Trendy
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First of all, I am trying out the new Sponsered thingy here, and if it doesn't suck, I may upgrade on my regular LJ.
Secondly, I've neglected this knitting blog in favor of the blogger one. I don't know why.
Today, on a post in the Craftster forum, I read that the new style, which is predicted to be around for 10 long, horrible years, will be tight, straight legged pants and loose blouses. What is wrong with clothing designers and fashion gurus?! Didn't this look awful during the 80s? Why would it be any better this time around? Seriously, I adore much of the music and even some of the tv shows from the 80s, but please, please do not bring back the fashion! What else will this new trend include? Perhaps using a whole can of hairspray every time you fix your hair? Whenever this style begins, I will whole-heartedly revolt. I REFUSE to wear blouses that make me look like a cow, and I don't see that tight-fitting, straight legged jeans will do anything to flatter my short, dumpy curvy figure. I can barely pull off the current fashions!
Anyway, the left front of Rambling Rose is nearly complete. I think I'll finish it tonight or tomorrow, and then take a break from the sweater for just a few days. I need to do a quick, little project.
I'll post something interesting eventually. I promise.
To see my first ever sewn dress, go here: http://cnp71203.blogspot.com/
Sorry for just linking, but I uploaded the pic to blogger and don't feel like going to Photobucket again. I think maybe tomorrow I'll try fixing it.
I finally have done more on my nephew Dustin's Green Day hat. Figuring out a way to do the symbol was annoying as crap, but I did come up with this, in crochet:
( Click for pic! )
What do you think? Pass or fail?
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| Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
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12:54 pm - FOs - Modeknits' Silk Corset Top and Ribbon Shrug from Knit.1
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| Friday, April 21st, 2006
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12:02 am - Tomorrow, tomorrow
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Tomorrow, I'll try to take and post some pictures of the (nearly) completed corset top, the (nearly) completed fish bag, and the fully completed ribbon shrug. I mention the first two with the word nearly, because they are both wearable, but not technically finished. I'm going to have to buy another skein of yarn to do the crochet edging of the corset, and I need to embroider one more side of the fish bag. I haven't had much time for knitting lately, nor for anything else.
That's all for now, just wanted to do a quick update so y'all would know I'm still around. Bedtime now!
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| Saturday, April 1st, 2006
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1:00 pm - Almost!
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The corset is nearly complete! I love it already. All I need is to add buttons and do the crochet edging, which I've not yet done because I just know I'm going to run out of yarn. I need to find some great buttons for this top. I really like it right now, though, even with the safety pins holding it closed.
Once I started over on the final two charts, it was really easy and came out great.
Yay!
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| Monday, March 20th, 2006
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4:12 pm - Silk Corset Top update.
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Sorry to disappoint my readers (haha... I'm pretty sure no one reads this!), but no, it's not complete. It IS coming along very nicely! My birthday was on the 16th, and I had to wear something else, something I didn't make. Oh well! I'm really enjoying working on this. The only reason now I'd like to hurry and finish it is that I'm a bit worried I'll run short of yarn. I'm down to having less than 1.5 skeins left, with still two charts to work! I really hope I have enough. Another problem is that it fits, but it's really tight. I mean skin-tight. I know it's supposed to be tight, but I think I needed mine a bit larger. I'm making the 32" size. The only other option was the 35", and my bust is 32.5" or 33", so I thought that would be too big, considering that I've been told my cotton blend yarn is going to STRETCH. I just had an idea about a possibility if I run out of yarn and can't find anymore in the right colorway. I have fat, red, cotton crochet thread I may be able to work with. It's thinner than the DK weight Brilla, but I may at least be able to use it for the crochet edging, if I need to. Hopefully, I'll have enough yarn to finish.
I've not had much time for knitting, so I'm not really working on any other projects. I really want to finish my fish bag! I've found several other bags in the book I'd love to make, too... but first, I need to get back to the Delphine sweater. Too many beautiful things to knit, with too little time to devote to them!
I do have another project in mind, although I'm not really sure yet about all the details. I'm seeing a light, lacy stole/wrap-with-sleeves (similar to the one from Rebecca, but much lighter). Maybe something like Eunny Jang's Print O' the Wave stole, with sleeves. Basically, a long, lacy rectangle, with two armholes worked in, and then sleeves grafted. I believe the Rebecca one is worked in halves and then grafted together. I think it would be really neat to find a lace pattern that looks pretty with the stitch used on the Pomatomus socks from knitty, and use that stitch pattern for the sleeves (my arms always get cold!). Or something like that, anyway. I just realized the Rebecca wrap looks soft and romantic and flattering on the model, but on me, it would just look bulky. It would not flatter my figure at all. I've seen wraps on Stitch Diva similar to what I'm planning, but they are too "modern," and not really soft or romantic. Maybe that's just the way they have them on the models. I also haven't been able to find anyone on Google who has made one of those wraps.
I'm really excited about Eunny Jang's brocade jacket plans. That is just going to be amazing; I can't wait to see how it turns out!
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| Friday, March 10th, 2006
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4:10 pm
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Well, it's been awhile since I have updated. I've been on quarter break, been to Mardi Gras, got a new kitty, and done some knitting, of course. Over the break, I also made this:
Here's a close up of the ribbon used:
Isn't it cute?!
I also got quite a bit done with my Folk Bags chinese fish bag; in fact, I have only to do the embroidery and I'll be done. Since I don't really know how to embroider, I'm a little nervous about messing with it. It looks so cute thus far, though! I took it into Knitwits knit shop when I was in Mandeville, and everyone just loved it. The people there are so nice, friendly, and helpful; I really recommend their shop. They also gave me some advice on needle felting, which I've never done, but was thinking of trying instead of the embroidery to make the designs on the bag.
I also finished the ribbon shrug from Knit.1 Spring/Summer '05... well, almost. It is a little big for me, so I am trying to find a way to remedy that without ripping it out... it's not so bad that I can't wear it now, but I would love it so much if it fit just the way I want. I was thinking maybe elastic would do the trick. It's adorable though; I haven't taken any photos yet of it, but I will soon and post them here.
Also, here's a link to a kitty picture and story, if anyone is interested. It's a photo of Butters! See my kitty!
No more work on the Delphine sweater yet, thanks to all the distractions I have had lately. I started on the silk corset top instead of working more on my sweater. Bad Crystal. Bad, bad Crystal. I'd love to finish it by my b-day on Mar 16, but I seriously doubt that will happen! It's lovely though, and going quite well after I got my confusion about yarn overs straight. This is my first project using lace! The Brilla is wonderful, and I'm currently wondering what else I can make from this yarn. I have a feeling it's going to be fab against the skin, and nice for Louisiana's almost eternal warm weather.
Alright, that was the short update. I'm going to work on my corset top some more. And then study. Stay tuned for pics of Mardi Gras; I'm going to scan them and post. We got some great pictures of all the costumes from the contests!
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| Tuesday, February 14th, 2006
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9:40 pm - More on the Delph sleeve.
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I now have two completed sleeve bottoms. Yay!!
I know people are just dying (ok, so maybe not!) to know what I'm doing for the top part of the Delphine sleeve. Well, I've been thinking about it alot, and have run two or three different ideas around in my head, but I've finally settled on something I think will look really nice. I don't particularly care for the holes in the sleeves of her sweater. True, they are very interesting and make you wonder how she did them, but well... I just don't see the practicality of a sweater with holes in it. I mean, the whole idea of a sweater is to be warm, and well, this just seems to be defeating the purpose a bit. So, instead, here is a little drawing of my proposed sleeve. The picture looks pretty bad, because I sketched it as quickly as I could. But anyway, here it is, with a little explanation.
This picture isn't perfect, but it's close enough. For the upper section, I plan to do another tube, again, picked up from the armband. I'm going to do two regular cables. The tricky part is that I want mine to cross over one another like hers do, except no holes. So I'm (hopefully) going to have two cables, that are going to travel in a curve and cross over at the elbow of the upper, and then come apart again at the armband... assuming I can figure this out. I'll do some shaping and all...hopefully this will work out; I'm just going to fudge it until it does. I am so glad I'm not afraid of ripping out!
Here are pictures of the original sleeve:
The first is of the sleeve from the sweater, and the other is from another sweater, but this sleeve is obviously the same.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/princess_vernie/knitting/delphsleeve2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/princess_vernie/knitting/delphsleeve1.jpg
Any suggestions on how I could do something similar, minus the holes in the sleeves?
On another note, I am more in love with the color of the hyacinth WotA every time I look at it. It is such a wonderful color. I just hope I can wear it. I don't usually like how I look in dark colors. I couldn't resist casting on and knitting the bit of ribbing for the Fur-collered jacket (from knit.1 spring/summer 2005) I'm using it to make. Minus the fun fur collar, of couse. I'm going to do something else for the collar. I think I'll knit more 2x2 ribbing, unless I come up with a cuter idea.
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| Thursday, January 26th, 2006
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8:08 pm - A lil treat!
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| Saturday, January 21st, 2006
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8:05 pm - A little about the De sweater, and a lil rambling about random knitting stuff.
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I tried to post this last night, but it didn't work, so I'm trying again.
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I wish there was something interesting and exciting to post today, but there is not.
I did, however, work my armband today long enough to get it to about 5". I can do cables quite easily (most are of the opinion that they are not hard, and I agree), but I'm pretty slow with them, partially because I have to watch my stitches all the time, to avoid dropping any, since I'm working on Al needles. For cabling, I'd prefer to have bamboo, but my inventory of bamboo needles is quite limited, and so are my funds. Therefore, I am cabling with cheapo Al needles that I actually like for nearly any other purpose. I'm generally a rather tight knitter, so with simple stockinette, I actually like the slipperyness of the metal.
Anyway, the cabled armband, knit rather tightly on size 6s, looks nice so far. There is one spot where I apparently twisted a stitch, and didn't notice it until a couple of repeats later, but since it will be on the inside of the sleeve (not inside the sleeve, but you know what I mean), I didn't worry about it. I am very pleased with the color I chose. Hopefully, I wear gray rather well (at least this pale one), and the color doesn't really look gray to me, anyway. Plus, it's going to be beautiful with my wonderful sequined shoes! Also, from knitting, I've found that if you stare at a very light color for a very long time, it begins to appear white until you actually look at something white.
I also finished my grandma's hat in time to hand it over to mom. I wanted to do more with it (like add a little star), but I didn't know when I'd be back in Monroe, and if I'd waited much longer, she'd have no need for it. We don't keep cold weather long; another reason my newfound love for knitting sweaters kinda stinks. Not that knitting beautiful sweaters stinks, just that rarely being able to wear them does. Ah well, why complain? It's not as if I don't love spring, and even our overly hot summers.
I've decided that with the purple sock yarn, I am going to make Pomatomus socks from knitty.com. Since I've never knit socks or lace-type patterns before, it may be quite a challenge, but the only reason I'm knitting a pair of socks is for the challenge anyway; may as well make it a good one. I can buy a whole pack of functional socks for cheaper than making this one pair, but I just want to make some. Plus, these are the neatest socks I've ever seen. They are seriously Awesome. Yes, with a capital A. Who could resist? I've got to find a set of size 2 double point needles first; something neither Wal-mart nor Michael's carries. It sucks, not having a real LYS. I think all the online stores I've searched thus far would be pretty expensive for one set of dpns, since they charge full retail price and standard shipping! How insane! Then again, I haven't checked Knitpicks yet... oh, no, I sense an addiction!
The hyacinth WotA has decided it wants to become a cute little cropped sweater from the Spring/Summer '05 Knit.1. I've heard bad reviews about this mag, and I will admit, there are things in there that I would never knit or wear, but there are also some gorgeous things that aren't too expensive to make, and I still have at least 3 things I want to make from the book, excluding the cropped sweater. I haven't subscribed, but I may someday. Then again, there are already so many free patterns (or cheap single patterns) I have found and want to make, that I probably wouldn't get around to doing any of them, and there are lots of free tips on the web. With great resources like knitters' blogs, the Livejournal knitting community, and knit related websites (such as stitchguide.com, a site from which I learned much), I'm not sure that I need to splurge on mag subscriptions, as much as I'd love to. I would, however, love to buy a book or two full of cables and lace patterns, and one of those books that pretty much covers everything. I haven't messed with lace yet, but I love knitting cables. It's just crazy, how something so simple can look so complicated. Well, following a chart is simple... designing my own is definitely a different story.
After knitting with the WotA, I've decided it may end up being a little itchy. I'm not too worried about it; I figure either hair conditioner or fabric softener should remedy this. When it comes closer to time, I'll probably post a question in LJ knitting about which is better for wool. I know if Downy could make that Red Heart not only wearable, but actually cuddley, it should work wonders for this, too!
This isn't about knitting, but oh my goodness, I figured out my Genetics homework on my own today! Go me. I should give the DNA scarf some time in honor of that, right? It won't be tonight though, because I have been typing, waiting to go out with my boyfriend. That should be fun! :-)
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| Wednesday, January 18th, 2006
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7:47 pm - A short update, but no pictures this time.
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I finished all of the flowers for the Ella scarf. Now I just have to crochet the borders and join them together. Yay!
I've almost finished my grandmother's hat. I may not have it done tomorrow, but I'm hoping to.
Also, I joined this Delphine Wilson knit-along. I should be getting started on my sweater soon, and I am getting some great tips and help from one of the knitters who happens to be working on the same sweater. Plus, someone else on Livejournal's knitting community was kind enough to swatch the center cable and write down an outline of what she did, so hopefully I can get it figured out as well. Cookie from the KAL said she may chart out the cable; if she does, that would be so awesome. I pretty much know most of what I'm doing with this sweater, but the upper sleeves and that cable confound me. I also haven't decided whether to knit it flat or in the round; both have good and bad sides. Knitting in the round means very little seaming, which would be wonderful, but I have more experience knitting flat, and I have yet to attempt cabling in the round. This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever worked on, but I think it is going to come out beautifully.
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| Monday, January 16th, 2006
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11:19 pm - Look at what I made this weekend!
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| Thursday, January 12th, 2006
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5:18 pm - More FOs and a horrible mistake!
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| Wednesday, January 11th, 2006
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2:57 pm - WIPs and some FOs
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Well, I'm trying to figure out how to put cute little progress bars on here, but I'm not sure I can do that with a free LJ account. So, for the moment, I am just going to list my current works in progress (WIPs) and projects in the near future.
WIPS
Ella Scarf - crochet, using Lily's Sugar and Cream (~ 40% complete)
Americana hat - crochet using Red Heart Worsted, to match the scarf I made my grandma for Christmas (she loves the patriotic things)(~20% complete)
A hat for me - crochet, using Lion Brand Homespun, Red Heart Light and Lofty, Red Heart Worsted, and crochet thread (~80% complete)
DNA scarf - knit, in Caron's Simply Soft (no dye lot, because I want it to be longer than pictured, and don't know how much extra I will need) (~ 10% complete)
Small flower - crochet, in crochet thread (~ 70% complete)
Fabric-knit purse - knit (~10% completed)
Delphine sweater - knit, in Knitpicks' Wool of the Andes. Currently, I am only working on constructing the pattern for this sweater. Don't expect this to be finished any time soon, it is the most complicated project I've worked on. Yay!
To-do list (someday)
Soon - Hat for my nephew Dustin - knit, Red Heart Worsted?
This silk corset top - knit, in Knitpicks' Shine? I'd love to do it in silk, but it will only cost about $25 to make it in Shine, double-stranded. I'm going to use Filatura Di Crosa's Brilla, in color #400.
Something for my boyfriend's mother, she is so sweet!
Something pretty and lacy for my elementary G/T teacher, Mrs. Knight... she was such a great teacher.
A sweater for my mom
A knitting bag, - knit, felted or cotton with fabric lining
A knitting needle case - knit, felted
A felted cloche like Ann Darrow wears in King Kong, if I can ever find or design the perfect pattern
A fish bag from Folk Bags
Kimono Sweater from Knitpicks
The Lion Brand Incredible ribbon shrug and camisole in the Spring/Summer '05 issue of Knit.1
This wrap from the same mag.
The ballet wrap from Interweave Knits Spring 2005. If anyone has a copy of this issue he/she would like to get rid of, please let me know! I think it's still available from the site, though.
The beautiful butterfly jacket from Noro Knits, (ETA: in color #74). I don't have this book yet either, so again, if you have knitted everything from it you want, and want to get rid of it, contact me. Right now, I'm planning on buying it from the linked site, but if you know of a cheaper place, tell me. :-)
There are tons of other stuff I've found and love, but those are things I will definitely make eventually. I have a lot of schoolwork on my plate though, so I won't be diving into any new projects soon. I also have some scrapbooking pages to complete.
( Some FOs )
Other artwork can be viewed by clicking on this link
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| Monday, January 9th, 2006
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3:10 pm - Welcome to my new blog!
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Well, I did what I said I wasn't going to bother attempting. I created this blog for my "artistic endeavors," mainly in the form of knit/crochet, but I dabble with other forms of arts and crafts as well, so expect to see those things here, too. Anyway, this week I have 3 exams and some other schoolwork to do, so I won't have much time to mess with this thing, but I'll try to fix it up a little next week.
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