More spinning photos

Couldn't fit them all in in the previous post. More photos from World Juggling Day at El Dorado Park.

More knitting

I see I'm a little behind in posting my knitting projects. The two close-ups are scarves I am knitting. The woman with the fish is my friend Renata Fossett and the fish she made for the mystery knitting contest. The alpaca and the spinner were taken at a World Juggling Day gathering I went to last weekend at El Dorado Park in CA.

Fair Isle Purse

I worked on my fair isle purse at Jack In the Box yesterday and noticed the bottom strip of the pattern just wasn't quite right. I've decided to let it go. I've already started over once, and I'm so far into it now. I'm learning a lot and that counts for something. I'll just have to be more careful with future rows.
It's a delight to work with various colors. Each row only has 2 colors so it's not as daunting as it might appear.

I'll never win

All my life I've tried to convince people that knitting and crocheting isn't just for grannies but the stereotype has persisted. I was in grammer school when I learned how to crochet and I was in high school when I learned how to knit.
Finally people are trying to convince the whole world that it's an art for the young and it's fashionable and not dumpy and dowdy like grannie's old afgans.

Bad news folks. Come Sept. I will be a grandmother. So now the very message I tried to get across all my life is about to backfire on me. I fought for the cause all my life and now I'm the stereotypical grandmother who knits and crochets. Save me.

bonding with knitters

I was waiting for my table at Chili's in Santa Maria and a lady who was also waiting was knitting a cabled burgundy sweater. I told her I was going to goof her up by mumbling 'purl, purl' at random moments. She laughed and then we discussed knitting on trains or while waiting in line at amusement parks.
That reminds me of a book I saw called Knitter's Night Out. It made me long for a group of people to knit with once a week.

Bunny hand puppet

I've been designing a knitted bunny hand puppet.

Yarn Bargain of the Day

I've paid about $5 or $6 a skein for this Lion brand yarn at yarn shops. Imagine my surprise when I found it at the .99 store for .50 a skein. And I needed some to finish a shrug I'm making so I bought 6. I suspect the yarn came from Walmart since many of them have closed their arts and crafts depts. I've also heard of it showing up at Big Lots so keep your eyes peeled.

More Knitting

I just listed three more items in my etsy shop and two of them were knitted. http://www.pigglewiggins.etsy.com

The red scarf I finished this morning. The purple hat I made for a class display at Michael's and the manager refused to display it because it was a 'family oriented store' despite the fact that the main display by the registers at that very moment was for Pirates of the Carribean. So I quit shortly thereafter and the poor hat has been sitting in a bag ever since.

New Knitters

Yesterday I taught two of my friends to knit. At the other end of the table men where working away on bows and making a lot of noise so it was hard to concentrate but they both got the 2 basic stitches down.

My first mittens

This is the first pair of mittens I knitted. The pink camo ones were the 2nd pair.

Pink Camo Mittens

Things were getting so overwhelming that I made myself sit down and write 3 pages in my journal to clear out my brain. Then I took a walk in the sunshine after hearing sunshine on our retinas produces seratonin, which cheers us up. A little sunshine every day, especially in winter, and no more cabin fever. While on my walk I finished a pair of mittens and listed them on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8990779

I'm so happy to have one more project in the 'done' pile.

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.