Death Star found at: http://www.yarnydoom.com/2011/04/free-death-star-pattern/

wanted it to be small for baby mobile. Used F hook and I Love This Yarn W.W.

Petite Brimmed Cap: http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Easy-to-Crochet-Petite-Brimmed-Cap-from-Red-Heart-Yarn

Panda and Teddy are approximately 6 inches tall.

This “Gift Bear” holds a gift card in the front pocket.

I then looked with frustration at the disaster that is my craft room.

and struggled to make it look like this:

There really is a carpeted floor under all that!!  I found a lot more “unfinished” items in the mess to add to my list. I also managed to fill a trash bag to dispose of and 3 bags were sent straight to Goodwill before I could change my mind.

It seems sometimes like the more I try to get ahead, the further behind I get. For example, finding more works in process. But I have learned that I work best when I have a TO DO list in front of me. That is how this blog is currently helping me. It’s a TO DO list and commitment to myself to move forward. 

So, I added a few more items to my ‘unfinished projects’ list and I still started a couple more teddy bears for fun.  I’ll post some of those pictures next week.

Until then, my unfinished life goes on,

My grandson and I started having our tea parties when he was 2 years old. Now approaching 8, he still looks forward to our tea time. As a Christmas gift this year I received a clear pot with flowering teas. I can’t wait for our next tea party.

In the meantime, I am considering making some Tea Cozies. What is a Teapot Cozy?  According to CarefreeStore dot com they are sweaters for your teapot, to keep the contents warm. There is nothing worse than your hot tea turning cold during your tea party.

Here is a list of just a few of the tea cozy patterns I have found that I like the best. I thought I’d share them with you. Some are knittted, some crochet. Why not brew yourself a pot of tea and sip while you browse these patterns.

Daisy Teapot Cozy.  This one also has coordinating apron, dish cloth, and place setting. Start now to make the complete set as a Christmas gift next year.

Ridge Tea Cozy. This set includes patterns for 2 different sizes and has ridges to set off its beauty.

Tea for One. This pattern is for a set with the teapot that sits over the teacup.

Granny Tea Cozy. Using the granny stitch, this teapot stays warm.

Coffee – French Press Cozy.  If you are into french press coffee you will like this wrap for your press.

Your Favorite Teapot.  Not all teapots are shaped alike. Ginger Schatz, in her blogspot post, show how to make the right cover for your teapot.

A Little Girls Teaset: Red Heart offers up this cute crocheted playset, including crochet cookies for your little girl and her imaginery tea party.

She faithfully blogs every day and is planning now what daily entry she would make in 2012. She blogs about crochet books and artists. She reviews various yarn and highlights crochet in the news. If crochet is involved, she blogs it. Looking back over her past entries, she has decided in 2012 to photograph what she is wearing each day and how crochet is part of fashion.

I am impressed by this and want to do the same – posting regularly, not offering pictures of myself, I am not photogenic and I have the pictures to prove it.   I need to make a commitment to myself and move forward. Pain has brought a stop to much of what I do, I need a goal to help get back on track.  I may try to make it 52 things and see if I can manage to post once a week faithfully.

Now the question is…. what to focus on for 2012.

Any ideas or suggestions?  What would you like to see?

You still have a few days, and I am sitting here typing instead of knitting those final projects.

A Christmas Muff: these tree decorations can also offer surprise gifts.

Fingerless Gloves and Pedicure Socks: stay warm get a mani/pedi.

Cancer Survivor’s Ribbon Shawl: A project for someone special experiencing the pains of cancer.

Earbud cover: Decorate that plain wired earbud.

Toddler hats and Baby Sweaters: these work up quickly for little ones on your gift giving list.

Loaf Pan Totes:  since making these, I determined cotton would be better than acrylic for the heat.

Towel Toppers and Character Stockings:  These work up quickly and make great gifts.

Cat Hat:  every cat needs a hat.

Toddler Purse:  Little girls need purses too! Here is one I designed for my granddaughter.

Scarves:  Add a pocket to a scarf from these fun patterns.

Looking back I found references to projects I need to finish, projects I wanted to make but haven’t started and even reminders of projects waiting to find a recipient.

And now…..

back to the pedicure sock.

   Merry Christmas and happy stitching.

P.S.  crocheters will enjoy this too

Knitters Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep—he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired–my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don’t circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you’ll work out just fine!

I know this is hard as it’s just your first year
But I’d hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."
I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!

And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s big boots stomping on the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.
The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I’d thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then 2–
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

                             Author unknown

If you’d like to offer up a handmade gift to someone your list, browse through my store.  If you like what you see but want to customize an item, click on the CONTACT ME tab at the left.  We can discuss your ideas.

To tempt you, here are a few of the items available.

Keep your hands warm while working at your computer or on your latest craft project.

This teddy bear is hand knitted.  She is wearing a knitted sweater and is jointed.   Because of the eyes and nose, this is not intended for children under 3 years of age.

Perfect for a newborn, this blanket and tiny teddy bear are super soft to the touch.

Modeled on a Lee Middleton Doll, this cute sweater and hat set are made for approximately 3-6 months child.  Keep her warm and stylish as the outside temperatures drop.

Are you tempted yet?   No matter.  Let me be the first to wish you a Handmade Merry Christmas.

P.S.  Use coupon code  ‘ Christmas  ‘  at checkout for Free Domestic Shipping through December 15, 2011.

Recently I went for a haircut wearing these:

The receptionist like them so well, she requested a pair.

Then a friend who often works outside in the cold wanted a pair made in a denser yarn.  That turned out like this:

I extended the finger section and the made the wrist section a little longer. I also added a ruffle to the wrist.

You can’t see it clearly in the pictures, but all of the above have clear beads stitched into the glove in a line from the middle finger.  There are many ways to attach beads, for these I string the beads onto my yarn before beginning the project by first put the beads on a long needle.

Then I put the yarn through the eye of the needle.

Once threaded, I slide the beads off the needle onto the yarn.

I keep the beads on the yarn and work the project, pulling up one bead as needed. Then I include the bead in the stitch.  It stays firmly in place and will not fall off.

Today I finished another wristlet.  This one is used in my knitting classes at Michaels where I teach knitting and crochet. This is used to learn the cable stitch.

The prerequisite for the cable class is knowledge of how to knit, purl, increase and decrease.  Check your local Michaels stores if you’d like to learn new stitch patterns or techniques.

ONE project you are particularly proud of:

Despite my love of knitting and crochet, the one project I am most proud of would be sewing my granddaughter’s christening gown, made from my daughter’s wedding gown.

I was terrified to cut up her wedding dress, but she was insistent. “Mom, I don’t want it hanging in a closet somewhere never to be used again.  I want to share it with my daughter. Please cut the dress.”  So, I did.   I used some of the leftover material to make a small purse in which I placed a New Testament Bible.  Today she is 4 years old and carries that purse and bible to church with her.  

For some additional crafting ideas, my daughter bought a display box which she lined with her veil as a backdrop for her wedding invitation and pictures.  It is a beautiful way to display these treasures.

TWO Mistakes You Have Made In The Past:

Though I don’t regret it, I am sure one mistake was not finishing college. I chose the marriage route, and though it failed, the two precious daughters I gained are proof it was no mistake.  I could have probably advanced more in the workplace by finishing college.

Another mistake I learned is knitting related.  I learned about gauge and swatches and  reading the pattern correctly.  You see, I found a pattern for a jacket I like on the Lion Brand website. I did swatch, and tested the gauge and tension. But I failed to follow the instructions carefully. According to the designer I would follow the directions for the Medium size.  Not considering medium was simply a number I thought “I haven’t been a medium since the 7th grade. I am at least an XL”.  And I proceeded to follow the XL instructions.  Both my grandchildren could fit inside the jacket with me when I finished it. From now on, trust the designer!

THREE Things that Make Your Work Unique:

I pray over each item as I make it.

I love to learn. And new stitch patterns or formats are exciting.

I don’t mind being “different” from the crowd.

FOUR Tools You Love to Use:

My Knitting Needles

My Crochet Hooks

A Hot Glue Gun

The Computer

FIVE Inspirations:

Craft websites:  Daily I receive emails and links to great project ideas.  I know I will never be able to make everything I have saved patterns for, but what a way to keep up new ideas.

Nature:  I love fall, when the trees are turning beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange.

Flea Markets: Strolling through the aisles really turns on the creative juices.  I see so many ways to repurpose something and bring new life to an unneeded product making it useful again.

My husband: He is very encouraging and helps me to accomplish more than I ever though possible.

God:  He was the first knitter “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13 says.  And He has continued to guide me, encourage and inspire me to see His handiwork in everything; even my crafts.

I made a pink ribbon shawl for a breast cancer fund raising event.

This shawl was made using Red Heart PINK.  Though a bit rough at first, after completing the project I tossed it in my washer and dryer where it came out softer.

I love the pattern for this shawl.   It includes a chart to make the ribbons only or you can add crosses with the ribbons.

The pattern also includes a list of various cancers and the colors used to represent each. This will help you create a shawl for any cancer survivor.

You will find the pattern at Inspired Crochet Design. (click here)

This project worked up very quickly.  I enlarged the chart to reflect one ribbon and kept that with me, making a note of the number of rows to add before beginning another. I found it easier to follow the small squares with my over 50 years old eyes.

I would bet you know at least one person who has faced this terrible menace that you could share this project with. And if you are one who faced or is facing the battle, keep on fighting and wear this shawl with pride and confidence.