iPod Pocket

A few months ago I gave in to the iPod craze. I used to regard them as my nemesis. Do you know how many times I chatted people up in my dorm elevator... only to realize they couldn't hear a word as they were plugged into their ear-buds? It doesn't exactly make you feel cool.

But when I bought my new computer I gave in and added the 80GB Classic to the mix. Now on my long drives between Bellingham and Vancouver Ira Glass and Dan Savage keep me company. Plus I don't have to fumble with cds. Basically, I'm happy.

So my iPod makes my life easier and I repay it by keeping it in a sock. Until yesterday.

At home sick and bored bored bored, I turned to the sewing machine. I kinda had to redeem myself after a certain sewing project last April. You see, I hate to sew. I don't have the patience. But I always get ideas... and convince myself I can do them... and then, well... then it's last April and there's a pillowcase project consuming me.

Needless to say, this tiny project was much smoother. I just made a little pocket out of felt, and attached a heart for cuteness.

This little heart was originally to be a musical note, but that ended up being a little hard to produce with felt. Hearts are easy.

When I'm back with all my crafting supplies, I think I might add a little strap of elastic to keep it from sliding out when in my purse.

Thumbless Fetching

And now I can say it...

The mission behind the Great Snow-Yarn Debacle was to get yarn to start work on a Christmas gift for my mom. The Potluck Mittenettes were supposed to be it... but... they seemed a little too tight around the knuckles and I wanted my mom to be able to type when she wore them. Plus, I didn't like the holes the M1 increase made (or I made, I guess!). Basically, not gifting worthy.

After scouring many patterns, I settled back on Fetching (you'll recognize from Gray Yarny Love). This time however I decided to eliminate the thumbs to make typing easier. I picked up the stitches around the thumb hole and bound off as loosely as possible. It seems to have worked out well.

Finally, I can present... Thumbless Fetching.
yarn: Cascade 22o handpainted

A Very Knitty Christmas

All of the wonderful knitted items and knitting accessories I received for the holiday are begging to be blogged.

Book from sister, markers & cable needles from mom, needles & (flute) case from aunt.

Lovely Nest Tote knit by my sister.

I'm so impressed by that lace work.

She also knit me an urchin that I've barely taken off since opening. See it here.

Holiday Tradition

Chex Mix

Originally uploaded by pilliebee

Every year when I come home for the holidays, my sister politely requests/begs me to make "the trail mix...without pretzels, I hate it when you put in pretzels!" After calmly explaining that it's Chex Mix not "trail mix" I lovingly oblige (but I keep the pretzels).

I think we could be the new commercial.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Behold our lovely Christmas tree.

Did you know that if you wait until the 22nd, a Christmas tree is hard to find? We just wanted to take a quick trip to pick out our Christmas tree. We drove to our usual spot... no trees. We drove to a nearby spot... no trees. We went to Fred Meyer... no trees. We followed the big signs to "39th and Main XMAS TREES $15"... no trees.

Finally, a crummy little sign on the corner, "All trees $8" ... trees! trees! trees! We giggled the whole time...

Christmas trees are included in "anything" ... I wonder what else?

Owls

Maybe you'd like a peek at someone else's handiwork?

Meet these cute little owls, hand crafted by my friend Taune. She's recently forayed into the stuffed-animal building arena. I wish you could see the cute tail feathers on these... too cute. (and it's her own pattern too!)

Help me convince her to open at etsy.com account!

Gray Yarny Love

The previously mentioned "gray yarny blob" has finally been gifted! The recipient was very pleased... listen to the back story.

In early November we were out in the chilly weather. She lamented the loss of her favorite gray fingerless mitts ("I liked that they were gray, I could wear them with anything!"). Her hands were so cold. Immediately, I concocted a plan. I ordered some Debbie Bliss in silver gray and geared up for some DPN knitting. With the help of my sister I had a pretty decent first time project. A few weeks ago, out again in the chilly weather, I spotted the recipient with new GRAY fingerless mitts. I was bummin'. New plan, I'd offer her the gray mitts and the chance to trade for the color of her choice. Last night the gifting went down. I blurted out the story. She laughed... she had just lost the partner to her new mitts. Once again, she was in need of gray fingerless mitts! Even though it was a birthday present (she's a Christmas baby), I think this could be safely referred to as a Christmas Miracle.

Bottomline, she was pleased (she claims to have got teary eyed), I was pleased.

Plus, I whipped up a few pretty push-pins for her new office. She predicts her boss will get jealous. It's amazing the excitement these little pins create. I cannot express the joy I get from How About Orange.

Holiday Crafting / Knitting

There are secret somethings in the works. One kept me up way too late last night. And a job application is keeping me from finishing and moving on to others.

Dear Christmas,
Please come soon. I want to share my crafting/knitting with friends and family.
Your Friend,
Jill

Blast Off.

Jump Mosaic
Originally uploaded by pilliebee

Well it's not exactly a crafty thing... But look at the fun we have at The Homestead.

Potluck Mittenettes

I used the "yarn-snow debacle" yarn to make this mittenette pattern from Midnight Knitter. I think that's a pretty cute way of saying "fingerless mitts."


It was a pretty quick knit and I only messed them up a couple of times! Originally they were going to be a gift...but... I kinda wanted them. Other reasons apply, but an explanation would erase the surprise. Also, I must mention my knitting assistant on this project, Horatio, who took to sneaking licks at the yarn every so often.

Today I finished them up just in time for some market/library adventures with Molly. Then I put them to the test at a Pickford shift. Later they didn't do so well on a long , long, long walk to Fairhaven via Boulevard Park. My fingers were freezing!

Overall, super happy.

Liz Scarf Photo

I received the excited text message from Liz, and may therefore post a photo. Here it is:

The Great Snow-Yarn Debacle

Friday night I thought, "Oh, I'll just spend a little time knitting up the secret something." I began and after what felt like a few minutes, 5 hours had passed. But my secret something (gray blob) was complete.

Saturday morning I woke up to snowflakes. My first thought? "What am I going to knit?! I finished the secret something!" I decided I'd spend some time crafting other neat crafties and then run out to the yarn store. Then, it became apparent that things were getting interesting outside. I decided to venture out.

So, motivated by Apple Yarns and an added task to get yeast for a roomie, the adventure began. About 3 blocks from my house I went into a slide. The next thing I know there's about 4 or 5 cars in front of me stuck going up a small hill. (Keep in mind there's about an inch of snow on the ground.) I followed a car weaving in and out of the stuckies. After much slow slow driving I made it to the freeway (where I got up to 40mph!).

Apple Yarns was basically empty... I grabbed the yeast at a nearby grocery store and headed home. Things went well (very slow, but well) until I got back to where I first slid. This big gargantuan truck was flying down the hill and forced me to the side of the road, where I slid and hit the curb. A roomie came to help and we got my car straighted out and parked. We hiked the last few blocks back.

But I think it was worth it.

GOAL!

I finished the Liz Scarf. It's ready for the mailbox. I'll post a photo after she notifies me via excited text message that she received it. Must preserve the surprise! (Hint: It's pretty cute.)

Thankful for Knitting (and my sister)

Thanksgiving break was so relaxing this year. (Can I call it "break" eventhough I'm no longer in school? as a student!) I didn't do the crazy run around see everyone I love in the span of a few days. Instead...I relaxed on the couch with the kitties and my sister, watching bad movies (really bad), and knitting! What did I work on?

1. Liz's Scarf: I continued to work on Liz's scarf with plans to finish it. Except... I kind of messed up big time, and had to undo about 3 inches. (Which takes forever!) I tried to make up time by knitting in the car while driving (as a passenger) to Powell's...but there's plenty left to do. New goal: Thursday 11/29.

2. Secret Something: I will say, this project is my first time knitting in the round with DPNs. Something I've been shying away from. Big fat thanks to my sister for her patience and help. And I only made tiny mess ups! I'm very proud. Here's a sneak peak, it will probably look like a gray yarny blob...but really it's gray yarny love!



PS: I also finished a non-knitting project. Will post when I get some decent light in my room. (Gosh, that's funny)

Stess Ball / Birthday Hat

I've been wanting to make a stress ball hat since September. I ordered the Rowan big wool and everything. Finally a friend's request for a birthday hat gave me a reason. It was so fun, so easy, and so quick. I started it a few days ago, took it to a potluck and to work, and then finished it up last night.

I made a couple changes to the pattern. I wasn't sure how big to make it, but I figured bigger is better than smaller, so I cast on 55 stitches instead of 50. Then the earflaps looked too small, so I picked up 11 stitches instead of 9. Plus, he decided to not have a pom on top. So it's pom-less.

I also ended up not using the Rowan yarn. The color was awesome, camouflage but more brownish. But after reading the care instructions it just seemed too intense for the recipient. I went with a basic Lion Brand "thick and quick" in charcoal instead.

Here's what it looks like. I'm saving a zoomed out shot until after it's gifted... you never know who reads the blog!

A Blog in Four Parts

Wow. Lots of delight to share this time. (And lots of photos too!)

1. In a previous post I hinted about a new project...well I finally did it. I used a little paper, a few boxes, and some modgepodge to go from this:


To this:It doesn't look like much, but when your bathroom is more like a cave (dark and damp!) anything helps. I haven't been wanting to put anything up that will ruin easily, so I think this is a decent solution. And trust me, it looks better in person.

2. I finished the Palindrome scarf. It was way faster than the Irish Hiking scarf. If you are thinking they look similar... you're right. The Palindrome is basically a double sided Irish Hiker, more or less.

3. Yesterday a beautiful little package of yarn arrived on my doorstep, much to my surprise. A package on Veterans Day! The Rowan is for a hat and the Debbie Bliss a secret-something-else.

4. The hip little ladies of Garden Street hosted a Bake-Off last night. Theme: Childhood favorites. A delicious potato dish took first prize, and this little piggy came in second:

A Little Birdie

The most adorable little card showed up in my mailbox yesterday courtesy of a long-distance friend, Julia. I had to post it. It not only made me super happy, I think it inspired my holiday cards this year.

No School = No Work = Crafts

There's no school today, so I've been working away on my to-do list. I finally finished reading Moll Flanders which opens me up for more knitting and crafting.

The past few days I've been able to work away at a scarf for Molly's mom. She was a heroic figure in the life of Adele (who sadly passed away in September). To thank her for her help, I'm making her a Palindrome scarf. I started out following the pattern, then started over, then made adjustments, then started over, and now I'm back to the original. It's a pretty quick knit which is fortunate, since Adele died a month and a half ago! Here's the so far:
I've got another little project in the works. Can you guess what it is?!

India, Really?

According to my cluster map, someone in India peeked at my page. I've been trying to think if I have a friend I've lost track of somewhere across the globe. Do I? Or just a curious blog browser? If you come back, tell me!

Project Warm-Up

Project Warm-Up is a volunteer opportunity with the Whatcom Volunteer Center. You get to spend time sitting around knitting, and feel so good that the finished products go to people who could really use some winter warmth. This year's donations are almost due. I'm a bit bummed I don't have as much ready as I did last year. I think I got a later start... and definitely had more of life's happy not-so-happy events to contend with. That's ok. That's ok. Below is the family photo of donations.

Irish Hiking Scarf

The finished scarf and the lovely recipient.

Crossing More Off...

More projects to cross off the list. I love progress.

knits: earflap hat, irish hiking scarf

crafts: pretty fabric push pins, a lunch sack with a freezer paper image

practical: spice rack, utensil holders, shelving

sweets: vegan blackberry-smoosh cupc akes (invented recipe) revised to mupcakes!

chickens: door on the coop

The Irish Hiking Scarf was finished last week or so. The recipient promises I can take a photo of her sometime soon to post.

Pretty fabric push pins were featured in a post a bit ago too. I love making them so much. I made a ton more tonight to shi p off to a few more friends. Feel free to make requests people, give me reasons to craft while listening to Savage Love and This American Life.

We decided not to go with the sp ice rack and just put them on the shelf. But for the record, I did build one. A not so functional one, but still. I'm crossing it off .

The utensil holders are the latest bit of excitement at the Homestead. Do you know the best part of living in a house that will soon be demolished? You can kind of get a little wild with a hammer. Our forks, spoons, and knives are very happy.

(again, sorry for the lighting. i seem to only think to take photos at night. as if there is much natural light in the kitchen anyways.)

That leaves just the ear-flap hat (postponed til Continental picks up) and the lunch sack (probably needing a sewing machine). Seems like now I'm going to have to turn my productivity to winterizing the house. Also known as the uphill-battle-we-will-never-win.

Adding to the Repetoire.

So. I'm trying to teach myself continental knitting. I guess I'm feeling a little self-conscious of my funky left-handed English style practice. Plus, continental is way super faster. I'm getting a bit frustrated with the tension in my left hand though. Its so not tension-y enough. Ugh. I'm not wanting to start any new projects until I get it figured out... torture.

Push-Pins / Finished Scarf

I finally finished my Irish Hiking Scarf. Yay. It took forever but was really fun to knit. I think it turned out quite nicely too. I made a tiny mistake and finished on the 8th row instead of the 7th, plus it flares a bit. But, that's the beauty of handmade! I'm wrapping it up in a day or two for a lovely gift to a lovely friend.

And. I'm super excited about the new push-pins I made. I followed the super easy instructions from How About Orange. I boxed some up to send to friends with office jobs. The rest are in place on my cork board. I want to order more supplies tonight. Addicting!

(photo quality is not so great, sorry. blur and bad lighting.)

More. I have to put up this delightful photo I took today on my walk to the co-op.

Autumn.

"Autumn's coming in through the walls..." - Casey Dienel

This is actually happening in my little house of no insulation. This place is frigid, and it's only October.

Proof of Progress

Progress and revisions have been made on the big list of projects.

knits: earflap hat, irish hiking scarf in progress

crafts: pretty fabric push pins, a lunch sack with a freezer paper image

practical: spice rack, utensil holders, shelving

sweets: vegan blackberry-smoosh cupcakes (invented recipe) revised to mupcakes!

chickens: door on the coop

The Irish Hiking Scarf is coming along nicely. Which is good, seeing as it's a gift! I'm about a third of the way done and totally in love with cables. I just need a few hours to get serious about it again. The last time I knit on it I fell asleep. Good grief.

I did a quick fix to take care of the shelving. It's not all that pretty. No photo.

The vegan-blackberry-smoosh cupcakes were procrastinated too long. No more blackberries. However, mupcakes! were born (see previous post) so I feel like that's a pretty good trade off.

The door on the chicken coop I can take absolutely no credit for. It was all Galen and his assistant Molly. I got a few looks telling people we were "rennovating our chicken coop" ... but really, it looks about a million times better. Much easier to get in and out. And no raccoon attacks. Not bad for a $2.50 door.

Plus, the chickies look so happy and cute in there (for chickens).

And lastly, I was wrapping up this gift for a friend today, and I just thought it looked pretty. Like, so pretty she wouldn't mind the banality of the gift inside. But really, what do you get the girl who jets to a new city each day? It's not like she wants to carry a toolbox or a tea kettle with her wherever she goes!

Mupcakes!

Introducing mupcakes! Muffin-cupcakes. Yesterday I felt the need to set off the smoke alarm so I started to cook and bake simultaneously. The baking resulted in blueberry/cranberry muffins topped with a vanilla glaze. A definite mupcake.

Components of a mupcake: a hearty muffin base (which one assumes is good for him or her) with a sweet delicate topping more aligned with a cupcake. In perfect synergy, we have: the mupcake.

Mupcakes pictured pre-vanilla glaze phase.

Overwhelming Myself. (but the good kind)

Yay, today was my last day at job #3. Already I'm finding ways to fill my new found spare time.

Projects:

knits: earflap hat, irish hiking scarf
crafts: pretty fabric push pins, a lunch sack with a freezer paper image
practical: spice rack, utensil holders, shelving
sweets: vegan blackberry-smoosh cupcakes (invented recipe)
chickens: door on the coop

And tomorrow is a dinner party with a few friends. Now I can breathe, although it's the hyperventilating I-want-to-do-everything-at-once kind of breathing.

Meet Adele

This is Adele.

(the black and white one).

She's my lovely little chicken. So pretty, minus her slushy-butt feathers. Those are kinda sick. However, I noticed that of our three chickens, Adele is not the brightest one. I was giving them each a blackberry treat and Adele kept letting the others snap them up. I mean, there'd be a blackberry right in front of her face, and she'd just look to the side. She's also the only one who won't let you pet her.

Fiesty.

Day One.

If you thought you could avoid me forcing you to "ohhh" and "ahhh" over my lovely little creations just by leaving town, you were so wrong.

I'm blogging.

Those kind enough to indulge me may receive sweet delights via their postbox.

Sweets. Knits. Crafts. My Chickens.