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