Monthly Archives: August 2010

Getting my knitting groove back

Posted by on August 26, 2010 2 comments

I’ve been flitting back and forth from this to that lately. Not feeling like I’ve really sunk my teeth into anything of substance in a while. Just not feeling a real creative spark. The solution I found? Cast on for something I’ve been wanting to for 4 years.

Finallly starting!

Pattern sketch of Rogue PulloverI finally started my Rogue! I’m loving this so much already. I literally got the yarn more than 4 1/2 years ago (awesome deal on eBay for Bartlett Fisherman 2-ply in Garnet Heather). It had been waiting for the right time to start it. I figured if I start it now, it may be ready in time to wear for our brief Texas winter.

I’m almost done with Chart A and have the front pocket completed. I didn’t do the hem facing stitch instead casting-on 5% less stitches with smaller needles. I then increased to the correct number two rows before the turning row.

Bring on the meaty knitting!

I learned something new- Needle Tatting!

Posted by on August 18, 2010 13 comments

I’ve loved the look of tatting for awhile now after coming across some amazing pieces around the web and bookmarking several sites. After finding this great video tutorial from TotusMel and seeing the needle tatting technique (vs. the shuttle type) I thought, “Hey I think I can actually do that! It looks a bit like working a backwards loop cast-on in knitting”.

First ever tatting

Also the needles are inexpensive and I already have several things of crochet cotton in the stash so minimal investment is always a plus for me. Sat down with the video and had this flower done in no time! I also had ribbon and some jump rings already so a quick new pendant necklace was made.

2nd attempt- little less wonky

This is a 2nd one I made and it’s a bit less wonky than the first.

Tatted ring attempt

I also took a stab at making Yarnplayer’s Tatted Ring. But I didn’t have fine enough yarn so mine is only half.
I’ve already started a few other pieces, I’m hooked.

Ear Decoration

Posted by on August 13, 2010 1 comment

Coincidentally, my regular work and crafting have come together of late. We have been developing some online courses for a major craft retailer and I got volunteered to be the “hand model” to demonstrate different jewelry making techniques.

During some down time in a photo shoot I started playing with some scrap pieces of jewelry wire, and inspired from a piece online, I bent this little ear cuff into being.

<3 my new ear cuff

It was super fast to do too! I added some beads I had at home and it can be worn with or without the dangle piece. It’s a simple zigzag pattern in the middle with the end pieces curled however you’d like. Yay for instant gratification.

Fastest Bracelet in the West

Posted by on August 2, 2010 2 comments

I think fastest knit ever.

From cast-on to bind-off and sewing on the button while Mr. PieKnits was making dinner. I had just randomly felt like making a bracelet and came across this pattern – Button Bracelet by Allison Hogue on Ravelry with it’s nice free-floating cable look. Perfect instant gratification pattern for little bits of left over yarn. Plus I love an excuse to go through and use some of my vintage buttons.

Buttony goodness

In some exciting news, my Celtic Tote pattern has been included in Interweave’s new “Best of 2010: Top Ten Patterns for Knitted Accessories” eBook as #5!

Best of 2010: Top Ten Patterns for Knitted Accessories

You can purchase the eBook here for $14.99.