Sunday, December 31, 2006

Punky Brewster

My latest project were some Punky Brewster-esque wrist warmers.

I had tried to make the wrist warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts but they were too tight so I decided to design my own. I used Patons Classic Wool Merino in Rosewood and size 7 DPNs.

The pattern is super easy, free, and on my blog.

http://creativecarissa.blogspot.com

enjoy!

conversation heart


OK, I am moving on to the next holiday. I just made this cute conversation heart pillow. It was out of the Domiknitrix book that I got for Christmas. I will make one for Romeo next.

Knit in the new year



I sit and I knit the new year in alone on the computer and watching Prisoner Cell Block H on DVD. I have had a very productive day with 2 items going well for the Dapto Show coming up. I have the Beanie complete for the show and now working on the Irish Hiking scarf in 8ply Alpaca that will be sent on to the shop I knit for inpart of my new knitting mode to try and make room in my bedroom to get more of my room back. The only way I can see it happening is to knit my way through it.

See the wonderful Yarn Bra I can now use. They are great for taming the yarn especially as the alpaca has a habit of being in a mind of its own.

So when all else fails knit on it and knit the new year warmly.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

MP3 Player Cozy

Hey everyone! I hope all of you are well. It's been a bit quiet around here this week. I completely understand. My girls are out of school and driving me nutty.

I have proof that I have been knitting sporadically, at least. I completed a cozy for my new pink MP3 plaer. I did not use a pattern, but I did explain how I made it on my personal blog, if anyone wants to make a cozy too. Happy knitting and rock on!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO!

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Which one should I choose?

I recently decided to buy a needle set, but don't want to buy the Boye set that I saw in a store. So I go online and check out what's out there and reading a couple reviews. I'm stuck on deciding whether I should get the Denise Interchangable needle set or the Knit Picks needle set. I had a LYS owner suggest me Knit Picks (which is pricier), but I've been eyeing the Denise set before she told me that. Plus, the Denise comes with more cable cords. I don't know how they are with performance or how the cords are with each set. A little advice is appreciated.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Fun with Money! Wallet and Coin Purse


So I asked my sister what she wanted me to make her for Christmas. “Well,” she mused, “I already have a scarf, and I still wear the hat you gave me. So I don’t need those things. Hey! I know! I need a wallet.”

So, a wallet it was. I’ve never seen a knitted wallet before, but I made one. I might make another one, because I love the way it turned out. In doing this I learned how to make a seed stitch and a button hole. Also, I learned how to attach a button. I also made a coin purse big enough to hold a bankcard. With this little project, I learned how to attach a zipper and how to sew a liner. I added a button to it for fancy. Special thanks go out to my mother for showing me how to do some of these things. It would have been a sweary day without her.

Both projects are in Lamb’s Pride Worsted (I’m going to get a different kind of yarn sometime), Onyx, on size 6 needles. I made up the patterns for both.
The little gift was a hit.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

grams to yards???

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! It snowed AGAIN christmas eve, so it really was very white and very pretty here! I got some wonderful possum and merino yarn from New Zealand for christmas - you can read all about it and see it on my blog ! What I am wondering is, if there is any way to convert grams to meters or yards - it says 8 ply, but feels like a light sport weight and 100g is the only other measuring mark on the tags . . . it looks and feels like quite a bit of yardage . . . its just hard to pick a project without knowing an approximate yardage . . .

Turtleneck Shrug Progress

Thank the Gods, Christmas is officially over. It's stressful at times. I did have a lot of fun too. I can now move on to non-Xmas knitting projects.

Here is one project that I have been slowly working on for the past two weeks. It's the Turtleneck Shrug, by Teva Durham. The pattern is from the Scarf Style book. If anyone else wishes to make one too.

The photo shows the progress I have made, so far, on the first sleeve. I have made it to the 15 inches mark. Whew! I was using double pointed needles in the beginning, to knit the sleeve. I recently switched to small circular needles and it goes much faster, and easier. I think knitting on something that large, with dpn's, becomes a bit tedious for me.

I will also add that yellow is one of my least favorite colors. For some reason, I am loving the yellow. Maybe it's the darker time of year and my need for brightness? I think the yellow is very pretty. The yarn and color are LB Wool Ease in "buttercup."

The blue-ish hank of yarn was gifted to me by a good friend. I am considering making another one of my felted Vintage Girl Cloche's with a pink flower. We'll see...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Xmas and survived the family. LOL!

Monday, December 25, 2006

All I want for christmas is my jumper

I have been meaning to finish this jumper for Christmas and as our weather is constantly dipping back to winter like conditions it was not the hot beach Aussie Christmas to have this year. I have done it all but seaming one side up which ill get back to soon.

Hope you all have a good day wherever and with whomever you spend it.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Santa is so coming to town


Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Happy Knitting :O)

More Merries!

snowy2I'm obviously not the first to pop on to say Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! No matter what you are celebrating, enjoy the time with your friends and family!

Here's hopin that you get lots of snow and yarn.

Merry Wishes To All...


Saturday, December 23, 2006

Wishing you all . . .

Wishing you all snow angels, love and a very Merry Christmas!! And lots of skulls and knitting in 2007!!

Friday, December 22, 2006

Finally able to log in!

Well I was finally able to log in under the new blogger! Took me forever, but it is worth it!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very merry christmas and a happy new year! May 2007 bring the best for you all!

Kelly

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Alphabetical Cool Kids

I am posting a quickie note that I have changed up the members list in the side bar. I re-listed them in alphabetical order, rather than "date of join." I also changed the template a wee bit too. I hope no one minds...Carry on as usual. Don't mind me.

MERRY YULE, everyone!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

No More Beta

Oh, I am back in town. See, wasn't gone too long. I get back home and I see Blogger is no longer in beta and is released as the new version of blogger. YAY!

So, anyone who wants to join the Punk Rock Knitters now that the beta is over...feel free. I suppose i should mosey on over to Punk Rock Knit Girls and notify everyone who wants to switch over to here.

Unfortunately I am still unable to switch my old blogger account over, still. Who knows why? Nor do I care...Ok, enough rambles...Take care and stay warm, everyone.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Baby gifts to fly out tomorrow

Baby gifts going off to Indiana tomorrow. My penpal of 5 yrs. just had her 1st grandchild (little boy in case ya couldn't tell, lol). Hat was done on the "Knifty Knitter" loom, the (crocheted) bunny wash cloth was a freebee from Lionbrand and the booties were from my friend's book (to which I can't remember at the moment, but will find out if anyone needs to know.)

I'm busy working on more prezzies until my hubby gets home off late shift at 1:30am. Happy knitting.

Peace out, Boop

Out Of Town

Hi Everyone, I am just writing a quickie note to let everyone know that I will be out of town for two days. I may or may not have internet access during this time. So, any invites, adding new members, or tech help stuff will have to wait until I get back. Feel free to post as normal.

I will be home sometime Wednesday, or so. Take care and behave yourselves while I am away. Have a fabulous day and happy knitting to all.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Center Square Hat


So, I made the Center Square hat from the Knitty.com. I love it, but I don't know if I'll get that many chances to wear it. It is double stranded Worsted weight, plus all the floats from the Fair Isle make it REALLY thick and warm. Seeing as I live in Southern California, I'm not sure i'll have many chances to wear it, but Oh well, I still love it!
♥ : Kaity

My skull scarf won!!!

I entered a contest at punk knits with my reversible skull scarf, and just got notified that I was one of the 3 winners! I am sooo excited. The prize is knitting needles with skulls on them!!

Anyway, now the scarf is up on eBay, so we will see how it does. I have also had orders for 2 more to be made. Like McDonalds, I'M LOVIN IT!

Kelly

Sunday, December 17, 2006

BookWorm Hat (and Free Pattern)

I just finished a ton of Christmas knitting and this is my latest......


The BookWorm Hat
There is a free pattern listed on my blog for those who are interested (I won't take up all the space here).

I made these for my husband's parents for Christmas. Hopefully they'll like them.

... not even a mouse.

Some more X-Mas knits. These are quick little mice that I have done up for all those with kitties. They are stuffed with catnip & are based on the pattern from "Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation" (p.226).
Had fun making them up, but had to keep them in Ziplocs while in process as so my own 3 kitties didn't get into them, lol.
Peace out, Boop

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Well, here it is! I finally finished the scarf and hot pads I have been working on. Next, I will be making a kitchen towel with the skull and crossbones below it.
Enjoy,
Kelly

The mighty wash rag

I know everyone has their fav., but I have to say that I love the design & texture that the "Ballband Dishcloth" has to offer. I didn't knit it in 2 colours like the pattern suggested because I enjoy using variegated cotton yarn for these.


This pattern is from the "Mason*Dixon Knitting" book (pg.21 in case you have it). It's a nice read as well as containing good utility knits. These are quickly done up as a nice hostess gift for the holidays.

Peace out, Boop

Dia de Los Muertos



Catching up on my blogging, I haven't been able to for a while. I've been knitting a feew Christmas hats. And then, thanks to Sunneshine's help and inspiration, I've made some Dia de los muertos stitch markers and a decorated Altoid box for them to go into.

While shepherds felt their purse by day

The day began with carols at the local Bunnings Hardware and here most of the band (minus me behind the camera of course) playing While Shepherds Watched. I then attacked the felting of my coin purse from the Bully Woolies knit kit in a box I was gifted. I attacked armed with tongs and hot water in my yarn basin.

While it dries I put to gether the arch for the christmas lights.

To know more see my blog

Friday, December 15, 2006

Knitting in miniature


Not sure whether any of you gals have tried it, but I love to knit in small scale. One of my favs. is to knit these small bead-knitted necklaces. The pic. above is the 1st one that I made & keep as a sample. It was knit with black perle cotton strung with silver-lined crystal seed beads. There are approx. 1100 seed beads in the purse part alone not including the necklace's chain. It was knit using size 0000 knitting needles that are narrower in diameter than a toothpick, & about 6" long. You can find instructions to a similar pattern here.

This second picture is of the turquoise necklace that I finished knitting this week for my mother's B-Day. Have a great night & feel free to ask any questions that you might have.
Peace out, Boop

PS- would Lana please change my sidebar link to my blog to this new address? I don't think I can wait much longer for the Blogger beta to change it over on it's own, lol. Thx. a bunch!
http://thecreativecastle-boop.blogspot.com/index.html

Thursday, December 14, 2006

stocking stuffer


I just finished this hat for my husband for a stocking stuffer. He has been asking for it for about 6 months and I have had to make every excuse I could think of, not to give it to him earlier. I took the photo with the seam right in the middle, because I am so excited my jogless jog didn't jog for the first time ever! And the seam is also amazingly even - thanks knitting elfs. The hat is now rolled up in his stocking helping santa out. If you want to read more about my crafty husband, its on my blog.

Popsicle Blue Sweater, Done!

I have finally finished my Popsicle lue Cotton Top Down Sweater. Oh, try saying all of that really fast. The sweater is nothing special, just your basic top down design. I used LB Cotton Ease in their discontinued color Popsicle Blue. It's certainly a bright sweater and wearable.

To read more...see my blog entry.
Have a great day! Oh yes, and happy knitting.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

MY Aussie maddness

Winter above and summer below of the Aussie clothesline from old days or the bush.

Hi folks just a quick snippet of the tea cosy I have created for a local show and it is all hand done and created from my head and no pattern has made it to paper.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Need Help Finding A Pattern

Does anyone know where I can find a pattern for a Celtic Cross. It can be a plain pattern, cabled, or chart/graph. I have been searching high and low and cannot seem to find one, and I REALLY need one badly. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly

Monday, December 11, 2006

Memories....

Converse BootiesI love my babies. All of them. On my birthday I found out that the Converse booties I made for the little guy finally fit! Now, I don't have a pic of him wearing them (darn!) but here is what they basically look like. Cute, no? Here is the pattern that I drafted, the craftster version that I modified, and the original suede booty pattern from Knitty Gritty that were the basis for these.

This is what happens when you party too hard:
Baby Steveo

I Did Me Some Calorimetry

Yay! Its allowing me to post finally!

So I was entranced by the new Knitty's Calorimetry, so I decided to give it a go.



I love it, but here are some thoughts about the whole thing:
  • It doesn't tell you what weight the yarn is. I'm not usually in the habit of doing swatches for headgear, I just sort of cast on and pray. After a little looking up, I found out that the pattern called for yarn is classified as heavy worsted so I was able to substitute some KnitPicks Shamrock (my favoritest yarn ever) which is also heavy worsted.
  • The pattern says to CO 120 stitches. If you look over at Craftster they are having a discussion about how ginormously alot this seems.... and they're right. I Cast on twice, and frogged twice because it was seeming so freaky huge. Alot of girls (including me) over at Craftster are doing 80 stitches instead of 120 and its working out fine since its a really stretchy 2x2 rib. One girl knit hers with the 120 and ended up having to add a second button (a la double breasted jacket kinda deal) and over wrap it. Maybe if I was the kind of person who sports dreadies the 120 might work, as it is I'm not so it didn't.
  • It was a rather quick knit, and that's with me being crawled all over by 3 kids constantly. For someone with knitting oompa loompas stashed in their closet, they should be able to pound this out in a manner of a couple of hours.
  • It looks cooler than the ever popular Panta (you may have to go thru a couple of pages of comments to get to the translated pattern and pictures... older posts are encouraged to remove pictures to give more speed to the site). I like the button for some reason... it endears the Calorimetry to me.
Overall, I liked it, and will probably knit another. As you can see, to take a pic I stylized it to look like an unhappy mouth- I don't know why.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Xmas Tree @ Casa Lana

We finally put up our tree, this afternoon. It's a lot bigger than I originally wanted, but I sort of like it. My Xmas tree is usually a mix-match of stuff. Most of my ornaments are home-made or kid-made. I also have several that we given to me over the years. This year features colored lights. It was all we had left from last year. I prefer white, non-blinking lights on me tree. I am sort of neurotic that way.

So, what do ya think? Now I just need to find my festive, holiday spirit. I am positively Bah-humbug-y! I am blaming PMS and I am sticking with that explanation...

Kitschy Kitschy Ya Ya Da Da


Voulez-Vouz Do Dishes avec Moi?
My mother guffawed when I told her I was knitting these dishcloths for my friends. Absolutely lost it. See, I used to mock her senseless when I’d see her knitting these things. “Mom. You are knitting stuff to wash dishes with? Why don’t you go buy sponges like every other sensible person?”

“These work best,” she’d say, knitting away happily.

Perhaps she was happy because she knew that someday I’d come crawling to her, asking for the pattern. Thing is, these kitschy dishcloths kick ass for washing dishes. Something about the little nubs just works. They last forever, and if you don’t count the time spent making them, are practically free. And so eventually I ate my humble pie, and she showed me how to make them. Knit on the diagonal with size 9 needles with cotton Sugar ‘n Cream yarn, these dishcloths are also how I learned how to increase. I found the yarn in some shocking colors, and so I decided that they would make funny gifts for my friends.

Still I wasn’t quite satisfied with the gift. A dishcloth? Then I remembered that I had this really creepy photo of a refrigerator in the woods that I’d taken sometime in the mid-nineties. I had planned on making the refrigerator into magnets for months, I’d even ordered smallish prints, but I hadn’t done it yet. So why not give them a scary refrigerator magnet too? Hee hee.

The True Lady Marmalade
But still, something was missing. I’m a feminist, and I didn’t just want to give something for my friends’ kitchens. I was staring at all this leftover cotton yarn when a wicked grin passed over my face. If someone really wanted to go all Lady Marmalade, what would she need?

I’m sure I’m not the first person to knit these, but I laughed the entire time. Here, with the scary refrigerator magnet is a little cozy for… Holds two, snug as a bug. Knit on size 8 needles with the same yarn. I was going to add a button, but does one really want to fiddle with yet another one of those?


Saturday, December 09, 2006

punk tree

Finally, blogger beta loves me again!! Yipee!!
Had to share the photos of my punk tree(s) - there is one in
each store. I love the black and silver. Had to make the glittery black balls, which was more difficult then I anticipated -- but the result was worth it! The black balls with the skulls are from Urban Outfitters, they say merry x-mas for the mouth ;) And the tree looks great at night, when the store is closed and there is the spot light on them in the window! The skulls and hearts are a little difficult to make out - so only those who really look will see them!
Have a great weekend!

Handsome Devil Hat and Scarf Set


Here’s my present for my dad. I pretty much made up the patterns for the hat and the scarf, but I’d made the "Hot Head" hat from Stitch ‘N Bitch before, and so I sort-of based the hat on that. I knit the hat on 11.5 circular needles with Lamb’s Pride Bulky in onyx and a red (which is a true red, not pinkish, as in the photo) from my stash (confession: I was worried that I’d run out of the onyx, so I added the stripes). I knit the scarf on size 10.5 needles, all in the onyx. Hope he likes it!

Friday, December 08, 2006

Pink Striped Anklets Pattern

Yesterday I posted my finished pink striped socks. I have finally typed out the pattern and posted it on my blog if anyone wants to try them out. Feel free...
Pink Striped Anklets pattern

Ok, I am now off the computer until tomorrow. I am going to plant my tush on the couch and knit up a storm. Toodles.

Winter 2006 Knitty!

Hey everyone, the new Winter 2006 Knitty is out. There are so many cute new patterns. I love quite a few. Happy Weekend!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Please help!

So I made this hat:

(I know it's a stupid picture of me, but it's the best one of the hat. You can stop laughing now)

I made it thinking I'd give it to my brother's girlfriend but now I am not sure....

Can you guys help me out? I put up a flash poll on my blog and I'd appricate your input.

Thanks!!!

hey!


well, i just made this hat, and i want to redue it, it didnt turn out the way i wanted, and! i found out a new way to add colors! so, when i remake it, it should be better, and i have a new thing on my blog, with just some videos, but i must say, i do love this blog, and i am so happy it is around! i luv u guys! have a good one guys! R.I.P. Dimebag :)

Any Ideas?


Hey guys, I got a skein of Crystal Palace Taos in my Guest gift package from my Knitty Gritty taping, and I don't know what to do with it.


It's so freaking gorgeous, I don't want to do the wrong thing with it, ya know? I've thought of maybe wristwarmers or a hat, but maybe I can do better. Any ideas?

Thanks!


♥ : Kaity


FINALLY! I was able to upload my image. I have been having trouble with this, but I created a FLICKR account and uploaded it there, and then was able to do it here.

Anyway, I am about half way done with this scarf. I also made, but have no pics of, a set of pot holders like this. I am making a kitchen towel to go with it, that has crossbones below it.

Enjoy!

Kelly

i have been having troubles too...

SO i signed up for a flickr account and its so easy... me likey...

anywho... i redid the spiral that was used for my sweater if anyone wants to use it... or modify it...

heres the link!
http://static.flickr.com/108/316632271_0da7a3beb8_b.jpg

enjoi!

akkkk!

Blogger beta is giving me fits! It won't accept any of my photos - and its been doing this since Monday! Is anyone else having difficulty? Or is it just a mac thing? I can post on the old blogger just fine . . . very confused . . .

Pink Striped Socks

I am having digital camera issues. My battery is dying a slow death. It cost me over $50 when I bought the battery, three years ago. So, my pictures may be sporadic, until further notice.

I did manage to snap a photo of the Pink Striped Socks. The socks are more like slipper socks, thick and comfy. I haven't thought of a more interesting name yet, and I have not typed out the pattern yet, either. I will get to it soon. They look small, but are stretchy. They fit my foot and I wear a size 9 shoe. Hmmm...?

Specs on the socks:
I used 2 skeins of Wool Ease. One in Dark Rose Heather and one in Blush Heather. The needles I used are US # 4 dpn's, for the socks. I self-striped the entire sock...a pain in the butt. The heel is knit in stockinette too, rather than the normal Slip 1, K1. I have to mix thing up every now and again.

Have a great Thursday! Hugs and Happy knitting!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

I need a volunteer. or two. or three.

I've been working on a skull cable/lace chart and I need a volunteer or two to help test knit it. I plan to offer it in a hat pattern free on my site but I just haven't had time to work on it like I should. I know you guys would like it, so I thought someone here might be willing to collaborate with me on it??? Email me if you are interested at slcortezATyahooDOTcom.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

2 Skirts



I have spent my afternoon sewing with my machine. I am not really that great with sewing yet. I made these two simple skirts for my youngest daughter. The pink skirt was a practice one, made with a pillow case I bought last summer from a thrift shop. It screamed...10-year old girl. LOL! The blue skirt is made from scratch with some floral fabric that a friend of mine sent to me. It's made for my daughter's Winter Musical, this coming Thursday. The theme is colonial times. I am hoping to figure out some white fabric and make my daughter a simple waist apron, tomorrow. Who knows? I am just proud to have survived these two skirts without failing miserably.

Personally, I adore the pink skirt myself. I may have time to make a skirt for myself soon. Hmmm...? I am certainly inspired. Ok, back to my knitting now.

You Can't Spell Knit without INK

phoenixTake KIP to the extreme. When we got the bonus in, one of Justin's presents for me was a new tat! And I certainly impressed Bombs Away.

As soon as I get that pic I will post here. Until then, just picture it in your head.

Random Free Patterns

More random free patterns I have come across in my surfing, this week.

Pinwheel Sweater, Brangelina Hat, Globe Trotter Socks, Cinnabar Scarf, Victorian Choker, Delta Shawl, Iris Afghan, Felted Bag With Mitered Squares, Born To Knit Cloth, Knit Flower, Love Me Knot Socks, Double Knit Bears, Paige Poncho, Carpathia Gloves, Noro Silk Garden Scarf

Monday, December 04, 2006

New to group

Hello, I am new to this group. Happy to be here! I am currently working on double knitting a scarf with skulls on it. Last weekend I did 2 hotpads double knit with the same skulls, and on the towel I will be adding crossbones with it. Anyway, nice to meet all of you!
Kelly

Frankenknit!




Okay, so I didn't knit the sweater. But I felted it. And then I turned it into a hat. Much faster than knitting and, besides, the yarn was soooo fine, I could have never recycled it. So stop looking at me like that, okay!