Ravelympics so far

Wow, I actually earned badges!!! I really was not expecting this to happen but it's quite nice :)

The project that got me the Hat Half-pipe is in my previous post complete with pattern.

The other project is arm warmers requested by my loving husband. I used Bernat's Heathery blue worsted weight yarn. Since he wanted them to fit snuggly but not too tight, I used 2 cables that run up the arm.   I finished knitting these while I was sitting in the ER on Monday. Still have to get a photo of hubby wearing them. Guess I'll have to corner him when he has them on :) Yes, he's camera shy but then again, so am I! The picture is of my arm while holding the camera with the other hand. It sorta works, right? :)  

Update on the infection and swelling on my face. The swelling is barely noticeable now. There is a bit that doesn't seem to want to go away but with the big blue pills I have to take 3 times a day, it should be gone by the time I'm done taking them all. Hopefully I won't have to go to bed snuggling an ice pack tonight. The freezer burn under my left eye is slowly disappearing thank goodness LOL 

I finished the red slippers! They are for a disabled young woman who comes in every week at the office where I temp on and off. She needs something that will fit easily over the distorted bones of her feet and not constantly fall off and keep her warm as well. She's very prone to getting cold and has no way of saying so. The disability is so severe that she is about on the same level as a newborn baby and cannot express what she needs except in wails. I do hope that she is happy. 

I only have one more part to go on the surprise for my husband. I was planning on doing this for Valentine's day but got sidetracked with the arm warmers and hat and slippers. I was finishing up one part last night when he asked what I was working on. It looks like a hat, let's leave it at that :)

Ravelympics!

This is my first Ravelympics. Since I don't have a job, I may as well participate and have some fun as well as taking advantage of the incentive supplied by the competition.

My first submission is a hat requested by my husband. Not just any hat, but a Jayne hat. Only Firefly fans will know what this is and the story behind it. I went stash diving and came up with some maroon, dark orange and gold yarn and began designing the hat to match as closely as possible the one in the series. I didn't have enough dark orange so ended up combining it with the maroon to make an interesting stripe effect.

Here is a quick 'n dirty "How I did it" for those who would like to make this hat. This hat will fit a regular sized head and a large head since it has plenty of stretch to it. Warning, it's VERY warm!

Worsted weight yarn, 2 strands together. The hat is knit throughout with 2 strands of yarn held together.I used Phentex Merit Solid in Maroon 3/4 of a ball, dark orange 1/2 a ball and gold 1/3 of a ball.

Needle: US 10 circular or 4 dpns

Darning needle

Piece of cardboard 3 inches high or Pompom maker

Gauge: approximately 16 stitches by 16 rows equal a 4x4 inch swatch in stockinette stitch

Jayne Hat

CO 72 stitches using the long tailed cast on, place a marker and join to knit in the round.

Rows 1 & 2: K1, P1

Rows 3: K1, P1 (you will be placing markers in this row) K1 P1 28 stitches, place marker, K the next 16 stitches, place marker, K1, P1 the next 28 stitches (you're back at the beginning marker.

Row 4 to 9: K1 P1 to marker, knit all stitches to next marker, K1 P1 to last marker.

Row 10 onwards: Switch one strand of the maroon for a dark orange and knit all stitches for next 3 inches.

Once you've knit the 3 inches in stockinette using the maroon and dark orange, switch the strand of maroon for the gold yarn. Knit in stockinette for another 2 inches. 

Switch the dark orange strand for a gold strand and begin to decrease.

1st decrease round: K2 tog all around.

2nd round: Knit all around

Continue knitting 2 together until you have 8 or 9 stitches left on your needles.

Cut the yarn and pass it through the remaining stitches with a darning needle. Pull tight and pull it through to the inside of the hat.

Ear Flaps

The part where you knit instead of the K1, P1 is the front of your hat. Starting on
either side of this section count back 20 stitches. Those 20 stitches will be an ear flap. Pick up and knit the 20 stitches, work in stockinette holding two strands of maroon together for 3 inches or so. Then start decreasing by knitting (or purling) 2 together after the first stitch of each row. Keep decreasing until you only have 3 stitches left. Bind off leaving a long tail (approximately 12 inches) that will be used to make the ties.

Do the same for the other ear flap. 

Yes, that is my husband with a slightly demented Jayne look on his face LOL

Once both ear flaps are done, Cut two 24 inch lengths of dark orange (if you have it) and gold. Pass one of each color through the middle stitch of the ear flap and even them up with the maroon yarn. Braid the 2 or 3 colors together and make a knot once you reach a length that you like. Leave about 1 inch of yarn after the knot. Repeat same for the other earflap with the 2nd lengths of yarn you already cut.

Using the cardboard section and holding a strand of each color together, wrap around the cardboard approximately 40 times. If you've never made a pompom, there are tons of DIY videos to watch.

Attach the pompom to the top of your hat, pull the strings inside the hat and tie off with several knots.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. Please be respectful of copyright issues. This pattern is for personal use only and is not to be sold under any circumstances. The pattern is also not to be used to knit and sell the finished item. Charity knitting is always welcome along with the use of this pattern.

PS. If you find any mistakes, or have questions, do not hesitate to let me know. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Gadgets & stuff

You will notice something new on my blog sidebar. Fishies! I've always enjoyed feeding the koi found in parks and zoos. I happened on this gadget while browsing another blog and immediately fell in love with it. 

They also remind me of the bit on Sesame Street featuring Bert & Ernie and Ernie says he can get fish to come to him while they are fishing. Bert of course doesn't believe him, so Ernie proceeds to prove his claim. He bellows "Heeeere fishy fishy fishy!!!" and out of the water and into their rowboat jumps a fish. Bert's jaw hits the floor so to speak :)

Simple games for simple minds eh :)

Other news

I spent the better part of yesterday 7 and a half freaking hours! sitting in the emergency room. I developed an infection in my eye tooth that then spread to my sinuses. I had a bit of swelling on Sunday night but woke up Monday morning with the left side of my face swollen like a balloon. I decided it was time to head over to the local clinic which was closed! Bah!!! So not having any choice in the matter, I had to go to the emergency department at the nearby hospital. I got there around 11 am, sat in the pre-triage waiting room and finally got through triage just before 1 pm and went to sit in the post triage waiting room. I was whisked away to the examining room around 5:30 pm and finally saw a doctor shortly after 6. Had to wait for the prescription and the first dose of antibiotics and eventually walked out of the hospital script in hand around 7 pm.

Boy, am I glad that I had brought my knitting along. I was working on arm warmers requested by my darling husband and had only 15 rows knit. I finished them while waiting for the doctor to come and examine me. I'm thankful I had knitting to work on since the pain in my face had triggered a migraine and I had nothing that I could take for it and wasn't about to walk out to get some from home since I'd have lost my spot. At around 4 pm my blood sugar crashed. I hadn't brought a box lunch or water with me since I didn't think I'd be there for THAT long. That was a mistake!

Waiting for that long you get to know your seat mates on either side of you. I was entertained by the sweetest 81 year old lady with stories of the past, her great grandkids, etc... The lady on the other side of me had come in post surgery because she'd started bleeding through the sutures and not just a bit. She had to wait 3 hours before she was called in. By the time she went in the extra heavy feminine pad she'd used to staunch the blood flow was dripping through. I kept an eye on her since I didn't want her to faint from blood loss. When my blood sugar crashed I asked both if they happened to have a hard candy on them since I needed to get my blood sugar up. Neither had any but a lady across from us presented me with a granola bar. It had 8 grams of sugar in it and apparently did the trick since after about 20 minutes I started feeling better and my hands stopped shaking. It was the best tasting thing I'd ever had at that moment. LOL

I'm in shock at how much the antibiotics cost. For a 4 day supply I paid 88$!!!! Sheesh!

The T3 only cost 13$ and boy am I glad for them. The left side of my face is still hurting and threatening a migraine again. Let's hope those super expensive antibiotics do the trick and soon!

Tunisian Crochet

Well, if anyone had told me just how easy tunisian crochet was, I'd have picked it up a lot sooner!

One of the items listed on my crochet meme was to learn to do Tunisian crochet for 2010. While cruising through my youtube video lists for crochet, I came across this one which details how to do a tunisian crochet stitch using a regular crochet. I watched it, went and found a bit of yarn from my stash, a 5.5 mm crochet and set about copying what was demonstrated in the video. There are also written instructions on her site.

And here is a picture of what I've done so far. Pretty neat huh?!

I also like that the fabric made with this stitch flows nicely. There is no stiffness to it and it actually has a nice cushiness (<-- is that word?) to it.  Who would have thunk eh?

Tunisian crochet was one of those things that I thought required special crochets. But after learning how to do this stitch, I can see myself using this type of stitch in the future for some of my projects.

This is the pouch I made from my first ever attempt at tunisian crochet. A very special lady will be receiving it.

Crochet Meme 2010

After reviewing my knitting meme, I realised that I had not made a Crochet Meme. So here goes. Blue means planned for 2010, bold means already accomplished and regular is for those to try in the future.

Chain

Single crochet

Double crochet

Half double crochet

Treble crochet

Chainless foundation crochet

Tapestry crochet

Clothing - adults

Clothing - Children

Clothing - Babies

Tunisian crochet 
Doilies

Bag/purse

Shawl

Beaded crochet

Pop tab creations

Jewelry

Create a pattern

Create a stitch

Sell items

Sell patterns

Crochet to make money

Hats

Freeform

Mittens - top down

Mittens - tip up

Socks - top down

Socks - tip up

Participate in a CAL

Slip stitch

Crab stitch

Irish crochet

Moebius strip

Domino (modular) crochet

Toys

Amigurumi

Magic circle

Granny squares

Graffiti crochet (crochet onto or leave behind in public places)

Cable stitches
Lace patterns

Twisted stitch

Publish a book

Teach a child/ teen / adult / male to crochet

Button holes

Fair Isle (stranding) crochet

Household items (washcloth, dishcloth, scrubbies, tawashi, etc)

Crochet for a living

crochet with natural fibers (cotton, soy, corn, milk, silk, wool, etc.)

Bosnian crochet

Spanish crochet

Fulling/Felting

Crochet art

Textured crochet

Front post / back post crochet

Swatching

Slingshot crochet cast on
Entrelac
Crochet with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn

Two-colour crochet

Intarsia crochet

Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Crochet a pattern from an online crochet magazine
Rug
Crochet a gift
Crochet for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Crochet with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Crochet in public
Filet crochet
Motif crochet
Thread crochet
Spiral crochet
Tunisian entrelac
Tunisian entrelac in the round
Crochenit or cro-hooking

Costuming

Afghan / blanket / throw

Birthday Girl

This week past was the 6th birthday of my half sister in law. I know that sounds odd but my father in law remarried and there was a whoopsie! and a very pretty one indeed.

We plan on sending her a box of goodies for her birthday, albeit late but at least it will be leaving as soon as I finish a couple of projects I have for her.

The first one which is 3/4 done is a crochet pony purse. I will post photos as soon as it's completed. I still need to make the saddle, reins and halter.

The second item is a very pretty play top in frilly pink. What can I say, she's a girly girl! That one is also on my knitting needles and almost done. Just have to finish off the cap sleeves and sew on the buttons.

And last but not least, some pretty slippers for her. Earlier this month I developed a very pretty slipper design and have been developing a child size version. She will be the first recipient of my new design for which I still have to write up the pattern.

And here is my pretty sil showing off her top that I made for her a couple of years ago. It still fits amazingly enough.

I will be posting photos of the finished items since I have to make sure I don't forget to take photos before I pack them up!

Knitting Meme revisited 2010

The idea is to take this list of knitting techniques, projects, etc. and mark the ones you've done in bold. Then the ones you plan to try in blue, and leave the rest in plain text.
The last time I updated my Meme was December 2008. Thought I had done one for 2009, but I guess not. Too many things took priority and I just plain forgot! So let's see what changes and updates happened to my Meme for 2009 and what I'm going to work towards for 2010.

Afghan (working on it)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting - gave up after several attempts
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book - One day!
Participate in an exchange
Scarf
Teaching a child/teenager to knit
American/English knitting

Knitting to make money

Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items

Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars

Knitting with someone else's hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm-warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public
Russian join
Knit a hoodie
Follow a chart
Children's clothing
Sell finished items online

Sell patterns online

I know it's a long list, but it's a fun one. Gives me a quick view of what I've done and what I plan on doing.