Envelope Hat

Envelope hats are literally a knitted rectangle folded in half then stitched up the side.

New Hat At the Beach

I titled my newest hat "At the Beach" because the colors reminded me of sand, surf and sky.

Scood

I learned a new word today. A SCOOD is when your hat and scarf are attached...it's a scarf and a hood. I can't wait to create one. Fun fun fun!

Get a free hat

If you live in San Luis Obispo County, CA you may be able to get a free hat hand knitted by me in one of my original designs. Read the details here: http://hubpages.com/_l6f64eotqm13/hub/Knitted-Hat-Project

Knitting Hats

I just finished one of the hats I designed. It's in my Etsy Shop here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7244058 so people can order it in a color combination that suits them. I have 2 more original designs on my needles right now. One is blue with orange diamonds and the other has five different colors and a great texture.

I also finished my green and orange monkey hat and should be listing that soon. I redesigned it to make the monkeys smaller for the next hat attempt. I wish I could knit them as fast as I could design them on paper.

Designing Original Hats

Last night I couldn't sleep so I sat up, turned the light back on, and spotted the knitting graph paper sitting there. So I started doodling some new hat designs. I came up with four or five. My favorite was a design with two monkeys. I think I will add a third monkey and knit a had with that design in dark green and orange. I doodled until I finally got sleepy.



This morning I started doing the ribbing on the new hat. I'm still working on a previous hat in royal blue and orange that I should have finished first. The creative process is rarely linear though. I had the worst time with the blue hat and had to frog about six rows. I finally got the pattern back on course, but I was tired of looking at it for the night. Maybe today I'll give it another go. If my headache goes away. I found it's hard to knit when I don't feel well. I get too frustrated.

I finished my purple and light blue hat with the chain pattern except for weaving in the ends. It came out nice, but the pattern shifted in one spot and I was too far into it to rip things apart, so I'll have to live with the mistake. It will still keep my head warm; I just won't be able to sell it or give it as a gift. Sigh.

New Hat Designs

I have hat fever lately. I just finished one original design with a chain motif and now I'm doing one I called "Dotted Diamonds". The new one is royal blue with orange diamonds. I just wish I could knit faster because I have so many designs bumping around in my head and I'd like to see each one come to fruition.

Progress Report on Multidirectional Knitting

I've decided to use this to trim a jacket lapel. It has about 10 squares now. So I'm about halfway done.

Box O' Yarn

Determined to clean out my old storage unit, we put 3 of my boxes in the truck last time we had it open a week ago. So, today I finally took the boxes out of the truck. Happily one of them was all yarn. Plus about 6 dolls I had knitted sans arms and never finished. Luckily I recognized what they were. I also found about 10 steel crochet hooks, some sewing tools, and 2 bigger aluminum crochet hooks. I'm happy to put all these things into use. Waste not, want not.
The other box had several needlecraft projects in it including some Christmas tree ornaments in cross stitch and a Christmas stocking.

I also found my index book of all the commercial stamps I bought. It was very nostalgic looking through all those.

The last box says 'costuming' and I didn't get to go through it today. Tomorrow is another day. It's already 1 AM.

Multidirectional Scarf Cont.

The pattern has been a bit hard to figure out. It could have used a few more details. When you get to the end of the 2nd triangle (the pink one in the photo), finish on an even numbered row. Don't knit back. Switch colors, and start the short rows all over again.

When I was halfway done with the pink I realized I'd dropped a stitch at the beginning of the pink section. I had no luck trying to retrieve it, so I had to frog it and start the pink section all over again. Now I'm on to the third color.

Also, I used size 2 needles because they are what I had on hand. But it would have been much easier on size 6 or 7 needles.

Multidirectional Scarf

My friend MEC is making a scarf like this. I'm sorely tempted to try it as well, even if I can't sell it, since it's not my own design. But still, the technique might be useful for other things, like a vest or a tote bag.

http://lluest.blogspot.com/2006/12/m-for-multidirectional-diagonal-scarf.html

Striped scarves

I finished the knitting part of my Super Skinny Spaghetti Scarf and started another one in shades of green and blue with black to give it a stained glass effect. I still have to weave in half the ends on the first one, but I find that tedious, so I work on it during TV commercials or when I'm tired.

Hexagon and Stitch Markers

Here are two firsts for me. I stayed up until 2:30 AM the other night knitting a hexagon. I'm so thrilled I did it. And then I started another one the next day and made these stitch markers to help me keep my place better.

I've been trying to learn how to make a hexagon so I can knit hats for over 20 years. I must have 4 books on the subject. So I finally found directions on line that I could understand, and now I'm in hexagon heaven.
I've also never made stitch markers before. So happy to have made my first set. Now I won't have to buy any ever again.

New Doll Prototype.

I finished the first doll prototype, and now I'm working on some clothes for her. I haven't done her hair yet because I'm not sure what color I want it to be. But at least I'm making progress. I'm knitting a dress right now in multi-colored yarn.

Technorati

Thanks to Technorati, I may soon have more readers on this blog.

Technorati Profile

Knitted Babes

I ran across people making the Knitted Babes on 43things.com a few years ago. I was sorely tempted to get the book and join the fun. Tonight I found this Blog of bunches of people that have used the book Knitted Babes and made all these dolls, clothing and even a horse. http://knittedbabes.blogspot.com/
But I still come to the same conclusion...if I'm going to spend hundreds of hours knitting dolls, I want to do it my way and come up with my own original face and clothing and hair and who knows, maybe even write a book some day. But just for fun, go check out the knitted babes blog. Maybe it's just up your alley.
MeanwhileI'm still working on designing Long Tall Sally.

Knitting with beads

Yesterday I knitted at work for 4 hours and got paid to do it. And they had some of the fancy novelty yarn on sale for $1. and $2 a skein so I stocked up. I got some Bernat and Lion yarns. I got some yarns in shade of pink for Valentine's Day. I just need to figure out what project I want to make out of it.
At work I made a fuzzy spring green and purple purse. I added green seashell beads to it. I finished it all while I was at work from 1 to 5. I didn't have my camera at work though, so no photos of it so far. When they put up the display I'll go take a photo of it.

Happy Holidays

I have been knitting up a storm. I think I'm in the middle of a dozen different knitting projects.Last Sat. I bought a Knifty Knitter and finished my first KK hat yesterday. It's very comfy. I used the green ring, and now that the hat has stretched a bit it's a little too big. So I'll make one out of the smaller ring and see if it fits better in the long run.I'm also knitting a dress panel on straight needles and I'm still working on my Harry Potter Slytherin scarf on circular needles. And I always keep a freeform knitting project handy so I can keep 'growing' my freeform butterfly jacket.I also have a hat made with self-striping yarn. I can tell it's going to be way too small for me, so I haven't finished it.I'm going out of town on Christmas day and hope to get some knitting done on the train.

Pagan Knitters Forum

Come see the new Pagan Knitter's Forum here: http://www.paganknitters.com/viewtopic.php?p=161#161
I just wrote this poem for their new poetry corner. It's called the Theory of Sweatertivity.

Blogshares

I just joined blogshares, a faux stockmarket game where you buy and share blogs. The game seems complicated. I'm not sure I'm ever going to figure it out.
If you scroll to the bottom of this page you'll see the blogshare logo. Click on it to see what the game is all about.

I'm afraid I know more about knitting that the stock market. I'm just doing this to expand my knowledge base in the world.

I've been busy, just not here.

Here are some knitting articles I've written. http://hubpages.com/_l6f64eotqm13/hub/Be_a_Better_Knitter
At the bottom of this first one are links to other knitting articles I've written.

Pagan Knitters Forum

Hop on over and join the brand new http://www.paganknitters.com/. I'm having a great time over there. My screen name there is Purlsofwisdom. Clever eh?

Have yarn, will travel.

I just migrated over to the Google version of Blogger. It didn't hurt a bit so far.

Today I worked on a freeform organic knitting and crochet project. I bought about 10 skeins of yarn at a Goodwill store in Atascadero, and carted it by train back to S. Calif. and now I'm enjoying my treasures.

Still working on Harry Potter scarf.

I'm really bummed that my digital camera up and died. Blogging just isn't as interesting without photos, esp. craft blogging. And I can't justify buying a new one when I have so many other more important expenses. Sigh.

I've been working on my Slytherin scarf each day, doing five rounds a day. I won't finish it in record time, but at least I'll finish it sooner or later, and that's what counts.

Save those yarn labels.

Today I got a great idea from an unexpected source. A PBS show was suggesting that you make a wine label scrap book. You steam the labels off of your favorite wine bottles, and put them in a scrap book, which you can take to the wineries so you can remember which wines you liked.
Well, I don't drink, but I was just looking at an old skein of yarn I got at a Thrift store and I noticed the vintage label on it. So instead of saving wine labels, what about saving yarn labels, and having them for future reference and nostalic reasons? But since the labels have useful info on the front and back, I may have to use plastic sleeves instead of gluing them to a page. Which beats my current method of having them all over the house in bags and boxes and on the floor.

wallop on knitting 2

wallop on knitting 2
Originally uploaded by fyrefantasy.

wallop on knitting

wallop on knitting
Originally uploaded by fyrefantasy.

I set up my knitting, took a photo for my blog, went to download it, came back to take another photo, and there was Wallop again, taking over.

Idiot Cord hair dreads (extensions).

The dreads came out so well, I'm thinking of making a belt now using 3 of these braided together in a 3 strand braid. I need a new belt for my pirate/gypsy garb that is sturdy enough to hang pouches and a mug from and this should do the trick nicely.

Idiot cord

I figured it was high time I learn to make Idiot cord, and I thought it would make for some interesting faux dreadlocks/hair embellishments. I did, and it did. I've made two so far and I wore them yesterday to the gourd festival. The first is pink with bits of white yarn that look just like shredded coconut and the 2nd was a deep bluish green that I added abalone shells to.

Free Patterns from Cascade Fixation

I had to go see if Cascade Fixations had a website and here it is and some great free sexy patterns too: http://cascadeyarns.com/patterns_fixation.asp

My Sockapalooza Socks are here

I got my sock trade today from my secret sock pal in Kansas. She doesn't have a blog yet, but I took my own photos. I love them, especially the ripples along the top!
The yarn is Cascade Fixation and the pattern is Broadripple from Knitty.com.
Thanks! I love them. And all the little gifties you sent along for the ride.

Flickr Photo Sharing

I made a pagan crochet group and a pagan knitters group over on flickr and I'd love to have more members if you are interested.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/pagancrochet/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/paganknitters/

Waffle Stitch Bookmark

Front and back of waffle stitch bookmark.

I thought I'd design a waffle stitch bookmark to leave around randomly for people to find. I'm still going to add ribbons and maybe a charm or a shell or something, and the foundart.org tag in case they want to re-enter it into the site. I'm looking forward to designing other bookmarks.

U.F.O's.

I've made a bit of progress on my Thyme scarf. Now that I've started weaving in some of the loose ends it's looking better than ever. I've also memorized the four row pattern so I'm 'in the groove' of doing row after row without having to write down notes or check off rows.
As I was driving to work yesterday I glanced down the street where the Knitty Gritty store used to be and I swear I saw a new sign that said "Sit and Knit" so hopefully a new knitting store is open.
I want to go to the new library as well, so maybe a trip is in order to both places in the middle of next week.
I'm thinking of going to the Santa Ana Zoo too. It's good to have things to look forward to.

Knit Shawl

I made this knitted shawl a few years ago.

Waffle Stitch

I was watching the Rosemary and Thyme mystery series on PBS and Thyme was wearing a really cool multi-colored scarf in a stitch I didn't even recognize. So I used that as an inspiration for a scarf that uses a waffle stitch. Right now it has tons of ends I have to weave in, but I want to post a photo of it anyway. For one thing, beginners need to see that knitting can look pretty unruly until you tidy it up at the end. It is so much easier to make big things with one or two colors, but I guess I'm just not wired that way. I must have Kaffee Fassette DNA because I'm happiest when a project has a plethora of colors.

H.P. Scarf

I'm still working on the Slytherin scarf. If you are working on a Harry Potter scarf too, please link your blog to mine.

Sockapaloooza

I'm off to mail my sockapalooza socks to their lucky recipient.

Pirate cap

I had so much fun designing this. I'm really going to enjoy wearing it. I don't always like wearing the wide brimmed version, especially if it's windy.

Another Giant Needle Shawl

This clearance yarn was under $3.00, and it only took one skein to make this.

Fun shawl

The light side of the shawl poncho in front this time. It takes me one hour and one skein of novelty yarn to make one triangle.

Two triangle shawls equal one poncho

I made this on giant knitting needles.

Still a long way to go.

I'm still chugging away on my Prisoner of Azkaban scarf.

Make your own knitting needles.

When I couldn't find the size of double pointed needles I needed for these socks after searching 3 or 4 stores, I decided to make my own out of a hardwood dowel. I shaved the tips down with a pocketknife, and then sanded them smooth by rubbing them on sandpaper.

Sword case in progress

The knitting part of the sword case is finished, but I need to weave in the ends, add a button, and make a leather bottom.

Sword case

This is a sword case I designed to cover my belly dancing simitar so I don't scratch it up any worse than it is. If this turns out I need to make 2 more since I have 3 simitars.

Amazing bit of synchronicity

Recently I joined postcrossing.com, a random address generator for people all over the world who would like to swap postcards. In my first outgoing batch of five postcards, I randomly got an address in Denmark of another knitter. So I send her the postcard with my knitting blog address. When she gets the postcard she emails me her blog address, and not only are we both knitters with blogs, we both have recent pirate/skull knitting projects. So I posted mine here so she could see it. To see hers, go here: http://www.lioness.blogs.com

The finished Sockapaloooza Socks

In the works

I'm working on a knitted purse, a pair of skull mitts, a pair of lacy socks as soon as I can find the right needles, and shawls made on giant needles.

Sockapalooza photo

I put the photo over here for now: http://knitabit.tribe.net/photos/e2318582-d9cb-4090-b29e-cb9ec70bc846 Hopefully "HELLO" will be working tomorrow so I can put it here again.

Practice safe sox.

I had such a hard time with that first pattern. Everything was just getting too bulky and funky, so I set that aside and started fresh with a new pattern, different yarn, and different needles. This pattern is from the Socks, Socks, Socks book. I am about done with the second sock and I tried to post photos but for some reason 'hello' just doesn't want to work today.
I thought the deadline for the socks was today, but as I look through the 600+ of sock makers, I see very few 'red' names that indicate people have finished their socks. Is everyone behind or is it just that it's a pain to update the lists with that many people on it? Okay, back to knitting!

Complications.

The sock pattern I'm using has two sizes. The regular size requires 48 stitches to be cast on. The larger size uses 60. When it came time to turn the heel, it referred me to another page. The entire book hinges on understanding the directions on that one page. After trying over and over again to turn the heel, and getting mutant results, it finally dawned on me what was wrong. The directions are for people that started out by casting on 48 stitches. Those directions don't work if you have 12 extra stitches for the larger size. The book forgot to mention that those directions are only for the smaller size and failed to include any advice on how to add the extra stitches to make them work on the larger size. I'm guessing that the author never tried making the larger size. So after searching google for tips on how to basically rewrite the trickiest part of the pattern, I finally found an animation that at least got me moving in the right direction at knittinghelp.com. Unfortunately the animation is for making a baby sock, so I took my best educated guess on just how many stitches I needed to adjust. I finally got what looks like a decent heel, but I won't know for sure until I finish the sock and try it on. I just hope I understand my notes when I get back to that part on the next sock. I want the socks to match. It's almost 3 AM so the rest of the gussets will have to wait until tomorrow.

This is my sock so far. 

Sockapaloooza update

I am turning the first heel on my trade socks. I will post a photo as soon as I figure out where I put my digital camera. I've been knitting a bunch of things the last 2 weeks, but I haven't had time to photograph them and post them yet. I'm using a pattern in the book Sock Hop: Socks to make your feet dance by Joseph Madl. Wish me luck.

Hop on to the Sockapaloooza sock trade

You only have one day to sign up. I just signed up. To read more or to sign up, go here first: http://alison.knitsmiths.us/001600.html and then go here:

http://alison.knitsmiths.us/sockapaloooza/signup.php

I just started a Slytherin Prisoner of Azkaban style scarf inspired by Harry Potter. My daughter is making a Gryffindor scarf. I'm sure she is way ahead of me because she started several weeks ago. 

Designing

I'm still working on my skull mitts. I decided to switch to a smaller (size 3) needle. Plus I found that when I ripped out 3 rows, I had little pieces of yarn everywhere and didn't know where to start back up again. So I had little choice but to start again, which was no big deal because I'd already decided it would look better with the other needles. I really wanted size 2 but the smallest size Michaels carried was a 3. I switched my brainset from 'knitter' to knitting designer and that alone is helping me to reach a new level.

I knitted this hat today. For more hats, visit my hatitude blog at http://hatitude.blogspot.com. 

This freeform piece is a combination of knitting and crocheting and will be a hat sometime soon. 

Knit a bit of love to pass on.

Michael's craft store is sponsoring a project called Warm Up America and a sister project for Canada. They are asking for donations of knitted or crocheted squares in any pattern, as long as they measure 7"x9". They in turn get made into blankets for charity. The Michael's near me has a basket at the front of the store to add the squares to. To find your local Michael's or for more information see the website. http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0095.

Choice of colors.

I've added 2 more sections to the scarf...navy and olive. As I get older, I find my taste in colors keeps changing. Colors I used to discard as unworthy now find a new place in my projects. My boyfriend has influenced me heavily, as he wears mostly earth tones. I always found those colors blah. But now I am developing a liking for them.

The scarf rolled up. Each color represents 1 foot. So 7 feet done, 13 feet to go.  

More about the scarf.

The scarf is made on 4 needles (like a sock) and is a long tube. I like the smooth side showing, but I read the scarf on the show is garter stitch side out, which could be done if I turned the tube so the wrong side is out. At any rate the only resemblance is going to be the length...if you want one with the exact color scheme and stripe pattern there are some websites on google with the photos from every season of Dr. Who. Not being a copycat, I won't be going there, but if that's what you want, it's fun to see what they did on the show.

One day I got a hankering to make a really long scarf like on Dr. Who. Each section is a foot long, so you can see how far I've gotten. I thought the scarf was maybe 10 feet long. But the other day I found a website on Dr. Who scarves and the original was actually 20 feet long. Ay carumba! 

Snake and Rabbit Hat

I was sorting through some bags of yarn and I found this hat I had started months ago. I took it out to see if I could figure out how to pick up where I left off, when I realized it was 99% done. All I needed to do was add a few rows of pink, weave in the stray ends, and sew up the side seams. Definitely a one of a kind Fayme original. I'm going to enjoy wearing this zany hat.

Snake side up. 

Bunny side up. 

Hookery

I just made a new blog for crochet called hookery. My first project in the blog is a teddy bear I crocheted. I finished it today and I think I started it yesterday. Cruise through my profile to see the list of all my blogspots.

Tips for knitting with fabric

http://www.cranstonvillage.com/interest/intFeatDetailArt.aspx?id=1823

Knit Mitts progress report

I'm still working on the mitts. I'm really close to finishing the first one. I was knitting them at the dr.'s waiting room and I could hear them whispering behind the counter trying to figure out what the heck I was making. I think they will be fun to were while juggling. I could use a little warmth on my arms but I don't want to wear anything too constrictive.

Done on double pointed needles like a sock. 

Trying them on for size. 

Dance mitts. See my website for directions.http://spiralcharms.com/knitting.htm