Tag: handmade

Orange You Glad?

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but just to ensure that I’ve covered my bases: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller is THE book for crochet, and if you don’t already own it, go run out to the store RIGHT now and buy it. The beauty of it is, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been crocheting for 10 years or if you’ve never picked up a hook in your life. The patterns are enticing and attractive, with easy to follow, well-written instructions. If it hadn’t been for this book, I doubt I would be able to do much more with a crochet hook than weave in ends. The price is a bargain, because I guarantee that you will refer to it endlessly like I do, even when you’re not working on one of the projects included within.

Finally working through some of the projects that I marked over vacation, I decided to first tackle something relatively easy (all single-crochet) but still challenging. The Orange You Glad bag fit the bill perfectly.

At first, I was a bit intimidated by the color changes, as I’m still not very skilled at making them appear natural in knitting.  Nonetheless, I decided to give it my all.  Funny enough, the hardest thing for me in this entire bag was just the first row.  It’s always difficult for me, and ends up taking ridiculous amounts of time, especially of I inadvertently chain too tightly.

But anyway, even while on the train to New York, I figured out how to create a picture in crochet stitches!  It was so exciting, I had no idea it would be so easy!  So while it’s not perfect… I’m really pleased with it.  Not to mention how beautifully it used up some of the scraps of yarn I had in my stash.  Don’t tell anyone, but that green is actually the same one I used in my Skully sweater ages ago!

Hannah (BitterSweet)2 Comments

So Cheesey

I’ve been experimenting with making my own patterns again…

…And so I’ve come up with this, mushroom / onion pizza!  I’m still not entirely satisfied with the look of the mushrooms, but I think it works overall…  My nutritionist hinted that knit pizza would be awesome in her office, and since she’s getting married in two weeks and will be off the job for some time, I wanted her last gift from me to be extra special.  I’m really happy for her, she’s such a wonderfully kind person and deserves someone who agrees to the millionth degree.

Anyways, if there’s any interest out there, I could write up the instructions for the pizza pattern sometime later this week…  Any takers? 

Hannah (BitterSweet)6 Comments

Flower Basket Shawl

I long to knit intricate lacy things, or at least items more complicated than a little stuffed toy. Sadly, my regular schedule doesn’t really permit this, as I don’t have enough time to sit and concentrate on a complicated pattern, and I certainly couldn’t take it with me and work on it in between appointment. Thankfully, this vacation time has allowed me to finish my Flower Basket Shawl, and I must say I’m very proud of the end product.

The pattern is from Interweave Knits, Fall 2004 issue, but I somehow downloaded it in PDF form for free. I can’t seem to find this file anymore, but if anyone’s interested in making their own, I could try to email it to you? Trust me, this shawl was so much fun to make, it’s really worth your effort!

So here it is, pre-blocking, rather curly and unimpressive on my bed…

Oh, and do you see that little thread to the side of it? That is literally all that’s left of the yarn. I was so scared I would run out at the very end, I was having a nervous fit as I bound off! It used exactly 6 skeins of Cotton Classic (With the yarn doubled-over) for a grand total of $36. I know that this may seem pathetic, but that’s the most I’ve ever paid for a single project. As you can see, I usually make really small things from cheapo acrylic, because it doesn’t matter if a knit vegetable isn’t so soft, for example.

So anyway, I laid it out to block yesterday…

…And was certainly rewarded for my patience.

I really love this shawl. Never mind that I have no clue when it’ll get worn, it’s exactly what I was hoping for. Beautiful, elegant… and PURPLE. I swear, I was practically seizing when I saw how rich this hue of yarn was at the store. I think it’s perfect for this pattern.

And now I have a reason to use my brand new brooch!

Hannah (BitterSweet)5 Comments

Ladder Bracelets

The beautiful thing about spring break, for me at least, is getting the time to work on all of those little projects that I’ve been dying to do for what seems like ages.  I’ve been accumulating so many craft magazines, books, and links, it’s practically impossible to sort through all of it!  The craziest part of the whole situation is the fact that I’m actually attempting to reorganize to fulfill my need to do some spring cleaning, so all of the crap I have lying around is driving me crazy!  The best way to take care of messy supplies:  Craft with them.

Ordinarily, I really suck at working with wire, but lately it has actually been kinda fun.  The first attempt at this sort of bracelet, though, has all sorts of issues, and I’m not so happy with it.  The inspiration came from the latest issue of Bead Style magazine, which is usually about as helpful has a computer manual written in Latin.  I’ve only received two copies because they were free, but this last one shocked me – There were actually projects I wanted to make.  Every other issue (As far as I can see) has really just been one big ad.  Even the projects are no more than lists of supplies to buy, which you’re instructed to string onto some wire, and you’re done!  I guess it’s better for inspiration… And cleaning out your bank account.  Though painfully expensive, I’ve gotta admit that the beads that they advertise are truly gorgeous.

So anyway, I tried again and came up with this.  I like it a lot more, so I’m almost okay with letting go of some of those nice glass beads.

They really do look pretty nice, probably much better in person, because as I’m now learning, jewelry is one of the hardest subjects to photograph.  In fact, I had so much trouble with backgrounds and lighting, the above picture was actually taken on the lid of my toilet!  That’s why it’s a bit reflective… but look how clear and bright it is!  (Don’t worry, it was clean.)

I tend to get better pictures outside, so the rest were taken on my patio, in case you were becoming worried. 

Hannah (BitterSweet)3 Comments

Blooming Brooch

I’m almost finished knitting a very special shawl (Which you’ll hear much more about soon….) and I realized that it would probably need a brooch to be worn.  I don’t think I’ve ever owned a brooch before this day, so I set off to work on a little beaded flower.

I hope the colors will match…! 

Hannah (BitterSweet)2 Comments

Happy Crafting To You!

Somehow I’ve managed to give out my entire stock pile of knit cupcakes – They all went so fast! With at least two or three upcoming birthdays to prepare for, I figured there was no time like the present to start replenishing my supplies.

Another pin cushion, mostly because I think the pinheads look better as sprinkles than the beads, but it’s also for another crafty friend, so I think the effort will be appreciated. Unfortunately, I’m running out of “realistic” frosting colors… The neon pink may be pushing it a bit.

Hannah (BitterSweet)5 Comments