Seriously!!!

Ok so seriously, I am the worst blogger ever! I promise to try an do better in the future.

I have done quite a few projects since the last time I posted here. I did finish my quilt, but I do not have a picture of the completed work. I will try and remember to get one and post it here. I did start another one though. This one is for my mom. However, I do not have a reliable sewing machine. My teacher moved away, so sad, and now I have my aunt's machine. But her machine is so loose that trying to stitch a straight line is impossible.

But for now, here is what I have:

I have more things to post, but it is late and I have to be up early. I promise another catch up blog tomorrow! Goodnight

Adventures in Quilting

Hello my readers! I know it has been a month since I have posted anything, but please forgive me! I have been super busy!!! As previously stated in my past post from July, I am learning to quilt! Now that I am thinking about it, I wish I was a lot further along than I really am. But until Saturday, I am without my own sewing machine. I have to do it all at my teacher's home. And we only meet a few times a week. I do a lot of the cutting and pinning here at my home, but a lot of the work is still slow going. I don't even have an iron and ironing board. These are things I have to invest in. I have two quilts in the works. One for myself and one for my grandmother. And I have until my teacher moves away at the end of October to to get them done. Oh! Did I mention I am planning two more? One for my cousin for Christmas for the back of his couch and one for my mom for her bed for the summer. Yep...I might have bitten off more then I can chew.

Here it is! My first almost completed piece! This particular pattern is called "Shoo Fly" and it is just one piece of my grandmother's floor quilt. (A quilt for her great grandbabies to play on when they are at her house. Hence, Floor Quilt.)
I am so proud of it. It may not be perfect, but it still great! Well great to me!

I am even learning to hand quilt at the same time! I HATE IT!!! It is the bane of my quilting existence! But it has to be done. I must have pricked my finger a dozen times, only one time to bleed, but still...Ouch!
I know it is hard to see in the pictures, but trust me, it is there.

     Ok, there will be more to see but this is just an update! I can't wait until it is done! I will be able to do more this weekend when my aunt lets me use her sewing machine. Keep looking out for the next post, my dearest readers!

New projects

     I know what you are thinking, my dear readers. "Gasp! Another post! Hell must be freezing over!" But no! You would be wrong in that. Well this is another post, its just I have time and things to show off. All the reasons for a blog right?

     So, on to the new projects. Well, I do not know if I would call them projects, more like learning tools. Practice if you will. I said some time ago that I had started to learn to crochet. For being a beginner, I believe I have gotten pretty good at it. So much so, that I am starting my very first baby afghan. I'm really happy about it. My apologies though. I will not be able to post the pattern. It is from a book. I will be able to tell you what book it is from. But I will save that for a later date when the blanket is finished. Its nothing more right now than a square. A fancy little square.

 

All four that I have done recently. 

    

 Crocheting

 

Green, with SC, DC, 1/2 DC, and X stitches.

Mainly green with orange and yellow. Same stitches. 

   

     Here you have it, dearest readers. Some of my firsts ever in crocheting! I know they don't look like much, but hey! I'm just learning. They are made with Sugar and Cream, 100% cotton. This is awesome. They are thick, durable, and best thing ever, machine washable!

     If you are looking to make these, chain 40 stitches and work around. No turning. Just remember where you started. The work should start to fold into itself becoming a pocket. When you have done a bunch that it becomes that pocket, lay it down in a diamond shape. The ends should come closer and closer together. By the time you are done, both sides should touch without being pulled, and the stitches on either side are facing opposite directions. Some of these have a chained loop at the end to hang it up on a hook. You don't have to do it, but you can. Maybe the next time, if there is interest, I will post a DIY video on these. Maybe. Comment below if you are interested.

Mainly orange with green and yellow. 

     On to my newest project. I am learning to sew! As in on a machine! Super excited about this one. I have been wanting to truly learn for ages now. I think to be a well rounded crafter, one has to have knowledge in many things. Ok, that really isn't true. But for me, it will be. Maybe I will be a Jack-of-All-Trades kind of crafter. Which, as the saying goes, will make me a Master-of-None. But I am alright with that. I love my beading. I don't make overly elaborate designs, they are simple. Classy. Some are kid like. But I digress. Back to the point of this...

     I have started quilting! Below is called a Grandmother's Fan! I am so excited to be doing this. It is an easy way to learn how to sew on the machine and by hand, or so I am told. I can not wait until this is finished. I will post more pictures as it continues to grow. This is the only piece so far. I am impressed with myself, even though this is not perfect. I made the up close picture larger so you, my dear readers, can get a closer look at the print. It is gorgeous!  

Quilting

      

     So, I think from here, I will end for the night. I know I make promises to keep this up to date, and here is another. I did notice that I have not posted anything about my jewelry. Perhaps I will talk about that next time. We will see. But that will have to wait.

Goodnight, moon! Happy Crafting!

Success! Aubree's Twisted Cable Car Seat Blanket.

Huzzahs all around! My crochet instructor has giving me permission to publish the pattern that she wrote for me! It turned out beautifully, and my friend loved it. The baby was born a few weeks ago and she is beautiful. I am hoping my friend posts some pictures of the baby with the blanket. Please note that this is not a full size blanket. I made it small. Something small that can go in the car seat or just to travel.
     This pattern is made for beginners! I know I know, my dear readers, I know! I've been knitting for several years now. Don't judge me! Cables were intimidating! I can't help it. But thanks to my instructor, I am no longer scared of cables!

Aubree's Twisted Cable Car Seat Blanket

Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy Bulky
Knit: 14.5sts + 18 rows = 4"

Aubree's finished blanket

Needles: 10 - 10.5

Needs:
Place Markers Needed (I used two different shades to mark the cables and the twists)
Cable Needle

Now, I used 4 skeins of the above yarn mentioned, but you will need more if you want a bigger blanket. Obviously....See below for a larger image of the finished blanket.






Cast on 93sts

Row 1:  K1, Pl across (Place a stitch marker after the first and before the last stitch as a reminder to knit the last stitch and slip the first.)

Row 2: Sl 1, P1, K1 across ending in K1
*9
Row 3-21: Repeat Row 2

Row 22: Right Side: Sl 1, P1, K1 five times (11st Border) place marker K6, place marker, P2, K1, Inc1 (knit in front then in back of stitch), K1, Inc 1, P2, place marker,  K2B (knit in the second st on left needle then in the first st), P2 place marker, K9, place marker, P2, K1, inc 1, K1, inc 1, P2, K1, P2, K1, inc 1, K1, inc 1, P2, place marker, K6, place marker, K1, P1 5 times, K1 (101 sts.)

Row 23: Sl 1, P1, K1, 5 times, P6, K2, P6, K2, P2. K2, P9, K2, P6, K2, P1, K2, P6, K2, P9, K2, P2, K2, P6, K2, P6, K1 P1 5 times, K1

Row 24: Sl 1, P1 K1 5 times, K6, P2, CB6 (slip next 3 st onto cable needle, hold back of work and knit next 3 st, then knit 3 from cable needle), P2, K2B, P2, K9, P2, CB6, P2, K1, P2, CBF6, (slip next 3 st onto cable needle and hold in Front of work, knit next 3 st, then knit 3 from cable needle), P2, K9, P2, TB2 (same as K2B), P2, CBF6, P2, K6, K1 P1 5 times, K1

Row 25: Repeat Row 23 and all Odd rows.

Row 26, 28, 30, 32, 34: S1, P1, K1 5 times, K6, P2, K6, P2, KB2, P2, K9, P2, K6, P2, K1, P2, K6, P2, K9, P2, TB2, P2, K6, P2, K6, K1 P1 5 times, K1

Repeat rows 23 - 34 until desired length (less border) is achieved. Work last row EVEN before beginning bottom border as follows:

Sl 1, K1 Pl 5 times, K6. P2, K1, K2 tog, K1, K2tog, P2, KB2, P2, K9, P2, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, P2, K1, K2tog, P2, K1, P2. K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, P2, K9, P2, KB2, P2, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, P2, K6, K1 P1 5 times, K1

Work Row 2 - 21 times

Bind off.

Up-close and huge! This way you can see the twists and cables easier.

So there you have it, my dearest readers. A very simple, beginner cabled and twisted blanket! I hope everyone enjoys it and if you do make one, I would love to see it here or posted on my page on Raverly. If I get enough, I would like to make a page showing off everyone's projects. Please note that this is free, and if you make money on it, that is awesome, but please, keep in mind those in need. Hospitals are always looking for donations of this type for children who have nothing. So please, do your part and give back in your community.

HAPPY KNITTING!!!

Happy Memorial Day

Hello All! I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day and having wonderful cookouts and enjoying the sun. It is a beautiful day here in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg for a well deserved day off for everyone not in retail. I just want everyone to take the time and thank those who gave everything for our freedom.

I just wanted to check in. I know it has been a while, and I am sorry for that. I am currently finishing a baby blanket for a dear friend who is due in July. Her baby shower is on Saturday so I don't have much time. Thankfully, I am down to the sewing in of the ends, and the washing and blocking phase. So not that much more and all should be done by Saturday. I will post the pictures of it, and if I get permission from my crocheting instructor (she wrote the knitted pattern) I will post the pattern as well. Its a beautiful pattern and my first time working with twists and cables, so it is super simple for beginners.

 I will also post my first crocheted projects. They are just potholders, dice bag, and what I am calling pan doilies, but hey! It's something. I am working on my first crocheted blanket. I'm doing it in blue for a baby! I've only done a little but I will work on it more. Promise!


Stay Tuned!

Oooooooopsssss...

Sooo yeah. My bad. I am a terrible blogger. I have let other things neglect my blogging. So back to it....

I did not get to do the craft show at the end of March due to rain. I do not own a tent or some sort of shelter, so unfortunately, after all that hard work to get ready for it, I was not able to show my work. I'm still a little sad about it.

But on a happy note, I am learning to crochet! I know what you are saying, my dear readers, "SHOCK! GASP! An avid knitter picking up a crochet hook to do more than finish off a knitted project or pick up dropped stitches?! It can't be!" But yes! It is true! I haven't done much. I have done two pot holders and learned three stitches. Double, half double, and X stitch. (I already know a single stitch.) I don't know how to read a pattern yet, but that will be coming soon.

My current knitted project is a baby blanket for a friend of mine. I am not that far along and her baby shower is June 1st!!!! Ahhhh!!!! I don't have that much time!!!! Wish me luck. My crochet instructor wrote the pattern for me so its an original. If it turns out well, I may just post it here! We will see.

Pictures to come soon.

Super late...so sorry.

Yes so so sorry, but this will be a short one. Tomorrow is a craft show at Tractor Supply again. I'm excited about it. Hopefully it will be tons better than last time. The weather is looking to be 10x better than last time. No snow! I'm adding a few more items. More jewelry, even a handmade display for earrings. Its not as professional looking, but at least its something better than them sitting flat on a table.

I hope everyone comes out to see everything. My stuff and so many others. Hope to see everyone there!