New Developments

Well, it's been quite a while since I've written a blog post.
Items of business:
1. I finished the cat bed. And of course it's the only thing the cats refrain from laying on.
2. The multicolor afghan is basically done, I just need to sew the last few squares on.
3. I finished the fuzzy dice, but have no rear view mirror to put them on.
4. I finished the head, body, and one leg of the alien, but I hate knitting such small things in the round so I stopped after that. I think I'll sew it it all together and add a tentacle or two, modifying the pattern.

Since I last posted, I've knitted a multicolor earflap hat and crocheted a stacking ring set for the previously mentioned baby.

Right now I'm working on a freeform scarf and a double knit argyle scarf in hot pink and black. The double knit scarf is taking forever, but it's gonna look killer. The freeform scarf looks very spring-y.

This is JC Studlee. He's an alpaca:
I've just learned to hand-spin yarn using a top whorl drop spindle with a "learn to spin" kit my dad got me for Christmas from Big Horn Mountain Alpacas in Wyoming. It came with the spindle, some fiber, instructions, and they even include a picture of the alpaca it came from!! Alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic, super soft, and leaves your hands feeling super soft, too, after you spin it. My alpaca fiber came from none other than JC Studlee himself, a herdsire with an award-winning fiber background on his father's side. Isn't he adorable?!

Here are some projects I have lined up next:
1. A fringe vest out of VHS film:
For some reason I can't find a single knitting pattern for a fringe vest, so I'll have to create the pattern myself. I've had the idea to make something out of VHS tape film for so long, and I've finally thought of an awesome way to use it. It'll be really flashy, so it will probably turn out to be more of a couture item than a day to day piece of clothing. I'm really excited about starting this project!

2. Flying Panda painting:
As I was waking up one morning, I heard the phrase, "but first, flying pandas," which related to the shipment of a panda in the National Zoo back to China. At that moment, I envisioned a large canvas with a panda in the sky flying with comically small wings.
I really want to do a series of "absurdist" (I'm coining that term!!) paintings, like the panda one.

3.T-shirt/clothing modification:
I've had this on my list for a long time. I now have most of the tools to play around with this. I don't have any specific ideas as far as modification goes. I've got to look through my stash of old clothes, and iron-on letters, and t-shirt modification book, and finally figure out my new sewing machine that I've had since July 2009.

4. Paisley Tie Skirt:
Whenever I read the owners manual of my sewing machine (hopefully this weekend), I'm going to start working on a skirt made out of a bunch of paisley ties (that I got at Goodwill!!). Most likely I'll make a simple base skirt first and then sew the ties in such a way that they curve around as they go from hip to knee. With any leftover ties or remnants, I'm going to make a hand bag. It'll be downright Project Runway!

That's it for now. Maybe next time I'll post pictures. Right now I'm too tired to be taking and uploading all kinds of pictures...

--Michaela

My First Blog Post-- How Exciting!!

Ok, guys. I guess I'll just start with what I've been knitting recently. In later blogs I'll post progress, etc.

1. The Cat Bed.
I started this several months ago. It has turned into a between-projects project, a project I work on when I'm don't feel like working on other ones (and when I'm not tied down with entirely too much Calculus homework >_<) . I got the pattern from one of the Stitch 'n' Bitch books. It's made with one strand thick acrylic yarn + one strand eyelash yarn. The black part is the base; the blue/white part is the border that will be sewn on and folded in half so it will stick up, if that makes sense. I'll post a picture when it's finished.

2. The Multicolor Baby Afghan.


I started this project to use up leftover yarn. I'll probably end up giving it to Project Linus. I got the pattern here. I just inserted my own colors for each of the letters. (You won't be able to see the pattern if you are not a member of the Lion Brand Yarn website.) I'm a little over two-fifths done with it.

3. Fuzzy Dice.


I've always wanted fuzzy dice. I get a kick out of kitschy. As you can see, I've only put dots on one of the dice and they are not connected yet. Anyways, I designed this pattern myself!
Caution: These dice turned out fairly huge, approximately 3-4" wide.

If you make these, I'd LOVE to see a picture!!! :)
Materials:
Size 7(ish) needles
Eyelash/fuzzy yarn (I used about 1-1/2 skeins Lion Brand Fun Fur which they have a lot of at the Dollar Tree!!)
Tapestry needle
Black or white felt (optional--for dots)
Sewing needle & matching thread and/or fabric glue (I used both, just to be safe)
Cereal box or something made of similar cardboard
Crochet hook

Directions

Cast on 15 sts.
Knit in stockinette st until piece's length is the same as width (approx. 3"), ending WS row.
Purl RS row. This will create a line, which will become an edge of the cube (die).
Continue in St. st. for 3 more in., purl RS row, and continue st. st for 3 more in.
At this point, the piece is about 9" long and 3" wide (or different if your width is different).
Cast on 15 sts at beg of next RS row. Knit the rest of row (30 st total)
Cast on 15 sts at beg of next row and knit rest of row (45 st)
Knit in st. st. until piece measures 3" from new cast-on edge.
BO.

The piece should now look like a large T (see left).

Cut a T of the same size (made up of 3" squares) out of the thin cardboard. Fold and tape securely together into the shape of a cube.
Hopefully the diagram to the right will help explain...

Sew the knitted piece up the same way. It doesn't matter whether the "right" side or the "wrong" side faces outward: you won't be able to see the individual stitches.


Before sewing the die up completely, insert your cardboard cube and continue sewing.
Do not cut off tail. Crochet a chain long enough for your liking (to use to attach to the other die later).

After the sewing is complete, cut out 21 circles out of felt (about 1/2" in diameter). Glue/stitch the appropriate number to each side.

Repeat directions for other die and attach the 1st die's chain to the 2nd die's tail.
Voila!!!

4. Last But Not Least: Weird Alien Guy

I'm making this for the child --currently, fetus-- of someone (I am not at liberty to say whom).
Anyways, she doesn't know the sex yet, so I'm making it orange like in the original pattern, Bartholomew. It's gonna be awesome. Nontraditional for a nontraditional mother and baby. :) I think they'll get a kick out of it. I'm toying with the idea of making it a "girl" if the baby's a girl, by adding red lips and eyelashes. Or maybe I'll make on of each gender. Perhaps I'll add a bowtie to the boy one. :)

That's it for now. I'm entirely sick of typing. I apologize if there are typos; I do not have any desire to proof-read this whole entry.

Peace, Love, and Ninja Turtles--
Michaela