Homespun

Bipolar Disorder and Creativity

2008-01-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

It's over-rated. All I am is tired, lol! You'd think I'd churn out at least one pattern!

Still Here

2007-10-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

Way too much crap to even think about explaining it all. I'm still crocheting and knitting, working on a variation of this sweater. I've been watching stupid Halloween shows while crocheting and attempting to not live entirely in my room.

2007-02-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Charity
I'm thinking about seeing if I can work with my BIL to get a blankets for unadopted animals project started at HELP the Animals. I know they take donations for a particular type of bed for the dogs, but I didn't see anything on their website about blankets for cats or dogs, and, having volunteered there in the past, I know those cages are uncomfortable for the critters.
I've got lots of projects going, especially since it's gotten much colder. Fortunately, most of them are already mostly done. Mitered mittens, which just need a few more squares, thumbs, and an edging, and whoooole lot of ends woven in, a very-cold-weather scarf that I just started, a pair of gloves for my FIL, etc.

And for Anonymous, who left the lovely post on my last entry (now deleted because I don't like dross in my blog): if you leave another comment, which is fine, at least have the balls to leave a name I can contact you at instead of hiding behind anonymity, which is quite possibly the most cowardly thing to do if you're trying to condemn someone's medical decisions. And give a fucking reason as to *why* you feel I shouldn't take my meds, ok? I'd be more than happy to have an intelligent discussion with you (assuming you have enough brain power) pertaining to your opinions on modern psychiatric treatment for non-psychotic mental disorders, although I should warn you right now, you're not going to change my mind - I'd just like to open yours. Please excuse my annoyance - close-minded medieval approaches to mental health just get on my nerves, as do random attacks on people. What's the point? Do you really feel so low about yourself that you stalk the internet late at night searching for someone you feel is somehow "less" than you to put down? Because it doesn't work. It just makes people angry. And someday, if you ever work up the balls/ovaries to say something to somebody in person, which I highly doubt you will, you'll probably get the shit stomped out of you, and you'll deserve it.

By the way, Anonymous, you said you were from Columbus, too, which you would say only if you knew me or had been reading my blog, since I've moved. Either way you would know my mother died in August. You are a true piece of work for suggesting I go off the medications that have kept me from killing myself since my mother died. Congratulations to your parents, I'm sure they're proud of you, and truly ashamed to have given birth to such a lovely cockroach...I mean human being.

I have not deserted thee, fair blog!

2007-01-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone reads this damn thing, but I'll keep updating it anyway. So proud of SIL, she started crocheting a huge afghan for herself and her husband while I was in the hospital. She was doing it using slip stitch, and she wanted it six feet wide, so when I got home, she had done seven rows, and it was and inch tall. I showed her the dc and she caught on very quickly and is progressing nicely. Good for her. I started new meds in the hospital, which seem to make me a bit dizzy when I knit or crochet, but it's wearing off, thank Goddess, and as soon as I get my Medicaid started, I will get new glasses, which should help a lot.
Working on a ton of projects which I shall list later for I am zonked off teh meds right now.

Four New Patterns

2006-10-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

I've got four patterns I was going to submit, but I have decided instead to publish them here, and probably on The Island of Misfit Patterns. I just have to re-take pictures of the projects so you can see what you're making, if you wish to make it. I'll publish them in a day or two, possibly even later today, depending on how I feel.

Well now...

2006-09-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hello, lots of knitting and crochet time! I sprained my ankle very badly, and have to keep it up. Sucks because I'm supposed to be cleaning the house, but just walking around leaves it throbbing. Last night I fell getting into bed, and it hurt all the way up the back of my leg, from my heel to my knee. I really hope it's not a stress fracture. Knowing my luck, it is. At least I've got time to craft.

A lot has happened

2006-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

My mother passed away August 3. I've been under a lot of stress since then, just dealing with her death and all the legal stuff that comes with it. We've also moved back to our hometown, along with my sister-in-law and her toddler. I started knitting my dad a sweater for Christmas a few days after Mom died. As EZ said, "Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises." It's true. It helps. Today is my first day alone with my nephew, as both my husband and SIL are working today. I'm rather nervous, but I expect I'll do fine. I've got a lot of projects lined up, and I got some new hooks last night. I would have loved to have bought some yarn, but we really didn't have the money, which is a shame, since it was on clearance! CLEARANCE!!
Anyway, I crocheted some more wrist warmers last night, since my original ones seem to have taken a holiday, probably with my missing socks. These are made of Homespun and are very similar to the wrist warmer pattern that I posted to this blog.

Here's the pattern:
1 skein Homespun
"J" hook

Ch 19. DC in 3rd ch from hk and in ea ch across. Ch 3, turn. Repeat for a total of 9 rows. Sew together, beginning edge to ending edge, leaving a hole for your thumb.

That's it. I'll probably post a picture in a bit.

Long Hiatus Is Over

2006-07-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

I am back. I took a break from everything for a while. I'm not going to try to get my patterns published by a company at this time - I'll just keep posting them online. Right now I'm more interested in other people's patterns. I'm working on:
Team Spirit skirt from CrochetMe
The Incredibly Versatile Giant Snowflake from CrochetMe
fishnet arm warmers
Ombree Plus shawl
simply soft shrug
giant granny afghan (this one's being put off for a bit)

I think that's it. I made a hat and some arm warmers in the past three days. Here's a pic.

2006-03-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

I still haven't mailed out my designs. We haven't had the money to do it. Probably (I've been promised) they'll get mailed this weekend.
I'm going through kind of a crochet slump. I haven't felt like working on anything, and I'm barely managing the exchanges I'm in. I think it has more to do with the mental state I've been in lately than anything else.

A Bag with No Name

2006-02-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a pattern I made up last year. The bag is really nice. The only thing I'd change about it is to add a second bottom and then an insert made of plastic canvas. I may write up directions for that. In the meantime, here are the directions for the original...

Size:
7" wide x 9 3/4" tall; 22" circumference

Materials:
1 skein Red Heart Grande in color Linen (Color A)
1 skein Red Heart Grande in color Cranberry (Color B)
J crochet hook
yarn needle

Gauge:
9 dc and 5 rows = 4"

Instructions:

Bag:
Rnd 1: (RS) With Color A, ch 4, 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st to top of ch-4. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (36 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, (1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (48 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st and in back loop only in each dc around, join with sl st in top of first sc. (48 sc)

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in each sc around, join with sl st in top of ch-3.

Rnd 7-12: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join with sl st in top of ch-3. Change to Color B in last dc of Round 12.

Rnd 13-16: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Rnd 17: Ch 4, (skip next st, dc in next st, ch 1) around, join with sl st to third ch of ch-4. (24 ch-1 spaces)

Rnd 18: Ch 3, dc in each st and each ch-1 space around, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Strap:

With Color B, make chain to desired length. (I made mine 51 inches long). Tie knot in each end of strap, weave through Rnd 17 of Bag, and knot ends of strap together with overhand knot about 2 inches from ends of strap.

Weave in ends.

2006-02-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

I got my first rejection letter today. I expected to get one, but still...Oh well. Hopefully mailing out 4 more designs this weekend.

2006-02-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

I finished the Frenzy Cardigan, and I think it turned out great! Now I'm working on thisshrug in Caron Simply Soft in a raspberry color. It'll turn out a couple inches larger than it would be in the suggested yarn, but that's good for me.

Crochet Olympics

2006-02-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just joined the 2006 Crochet Olympics-I'll be making the Bernat Frenzy Cardigan in Homespun instead of Frenzy, because that's what I had and needed to use, and I have no money for yarn right now. Poor Jenn, lol!

Anyway, I'll be taking a break from designing until the Olympics is over, except for mailing out some completed patterns. They're very pretty, and I hope the editors think so, too!

Ian and I cleaned yarn yesterday. What had happened was I had stored my yarn in the basement (first mistake), in a cupboard (second mistake) that apparently leaked. A lot. (last, and biggest mistake.) So the labels on the yarn just disintegrated, and the plaster on the back wall of the cupboard got stuck to the yarn, and some of the yarn actually got moldy. But all was not lost, even though there were also spiders. We bought one of those lint brushes, not the sticky kind, but the kind that feels like it has velcro on it, and started brushing that yarn. It worked really well. Then we went upstairs with the yarn and sprayed it liberally with Febreze. That took care of most of the yarn, and the yarn that was still stained or otherwise in need of cleaning is now in panty hose, awaiting the washing machine. Don't worry, most of my yarn is acrylic or acrylic-blend, so it won't felt or become otherwise damaged. I've got my yarn back!!! Yay!

Also, with the way I've been losing weight (3 pant sizes in 4 months), I've decided to start making sweaters in the size I'll probably end up (about a 16 American), or XL. So things won't be too small, and they won't be too big either.

2006-02-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Wow. I've been really busy with crocheting designs to sell, and of course, we've had no internet access for awhile, but I'm back now. Hopefully I'll have some new patterns soon.

Another Pattern

2006-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

I've decided to start designing patterns to sell to magazines and such. In the meantime, here's a pattern I came up with last week. I'm going to submit it to the Crochet Pattern-A-Day calendar, but not for awhile, so here it is:

Crochet Pocketbook Slippers

NOTE: These fit my size 9 feet. If your feet are larger, you may wish to add a few rows to the sole. If you do so, be sure that the first row of the Side is an even number of single crochet.

SECOND NOTE: Here's a slightly larger version. Work it the same as below, except: Make 30 rows for the sole, and on the second row of the sides, sc2tog twice on both ends of the row.

worsted weight yarn, 3 oz.
"G"/4.25mm hook

Make two.

Sole:
Row 1: Chain 23. Single crochet (sc) in back loop only (BLO) in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn. (22 sc)

Row 2: Sc in BLO of each stitch across, chain 1, turn.

Row 3-25: Repeat Row 2. At the end of Row 25, do not turn work.

Side 1:
Row 1: Chain 1, sc in end of each row of sole, 2 sc in last row. (26 sc). Chain 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc2tog through BLO across. (13 sc). Chain 1, turn.

Row 3-5: Sc2tog through BLO, sc through BLO across to last to sc, sc2tog through BLO.

Row 6-9: Sc through BLO across remaining 5 stitches. Chain 1, turn. At end of Row 9, do not chain 1. Fasten off.

Side 2:
As for Side 1 on unused side of sole.

Sew up ends of sole. Sew tops of straps together. Weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

2006-01-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a pattern for you-fingerless mitts designed for web-surfing. I find that on most mitt patterns, the fleshy part where the thumb meets the hand is covered, making it difficult to get a grip on the mouse, so I made a bigger thumb hole.

Women's or Men's Wristwarmers

Women's Average. Men's in ().
Hook: I Yarn: worsted weight
Row 1: Chain 20 (23). Double Crochet in fourth chain from hook and each chain across. 18 (21) dc. Chain 3, turn.
Row 2: DC in each dc across, chain 3, turn.
Row 3: Repeat Row 2.
Row 4: DC in next 3 (4) stitches. Chain 6 (7), skip 6 (7) stitches, dc in remaining stitches across. Chain 3, turn.
Rows 5-10 (5-13): Work 6 (9) more rows like Row 2. At end of last row, do NOT chain 3.
Joining Row: Chain 1, turn. Fold wristwarmer in half, so bottom of first row and top of last row are together. Working through both thicknesses, slip stitch through top loops of last row and bottom lop of first row across, as shown in picture below. *Make sure you get the bottom/top of the chain 3 at the end!*

Happy Crocheting!

Long Overdue

2005-12-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy with Christmas presents and not having internet access that I haven't been able to update until now. I don't really have much to say. I picked up the two books of scarves and hats by Lion Brand, which I LOVE, and am now making the Babka Hat from the hat book.

(Mostly) Finished Objects!

2005-11-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

Chenille Thick 'n' Quick boa, Fashion Knit basketweave scarf, Red Heart Light 'n' Lofty scarf.

Two hats from a heavily altered pattern, made of Red Heart, Encore raglan baby cardigan with crocheted ties (I made the ties by threading a long piece of yarn through a stitch near the neck, evening up the ends, and making a chain starting at the neck, working to the end), Encore hat, Red Heart earwarmer (own pattern).

Red Heart Light 'n' Lofty purse (own pattern), Read Heart scarf, Red Heart belt (own pattern).

Blended Rainbow afghan made with mill-end yarn from a Leisure Arts book.

That's what I've been up to. The basketweave scarf was my second-ever knitting project, made for my husband.

In the Past Three Weeks...

2005-10-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

I've completed two hats, two scarves, an earwarmer, and a baby sweater. I really will have pictures soon.
I have on the needles a scarf and a pair of mittens.
To start/finish:
6 scarves
2 hats
and either a hat, scarf and mitten set and/or a hat.
I got my Secret Santa information and I've already got some goodies together. I'm trying to decide what to include. I wish I could buy something, but I don't have the money. I don't know whether to make her something or not...

2005-10-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

Two hats down, many, many gifts to go. I really need to add some pictures but I still don't have any batteries for the camera. Oh well. I got my secret santa info today! I think besides the stuff I'll be sending her, I'd like to make her something...

D'oh!

2005-10-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

Guess what I did?
I spent money earmarked for trading for yarn (shipping costs) on....more yarn. My Big Lots has Caron Jewel Box and Cozi on sale for $2.99 a skein, and also some decent-sized balls of eros-type yarn and a stubby eyelash yarn. Cool. And I'm not getting paid until next month...
I severely edited the hat pattern, and everything is now going swimmingly. As soon as I get some more projects done, there will be pictures.

Bleh

2005-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

I found a sweater I want to knit, and it comes in my size and everything, but I'm afraid to knit it! I guess I'm afraid of a variant of the infamous sweater curse-if I take the time to make it, I'll end up losing weight and won't be able to wear it!
Also, it would be the most complicated project I've done. But it's so pretty...I was thinking about copping out and finding a crochet sweater, because I'm not afraid of crochet, but I just don't think it would look the way I want in the yarn that I want to use. I'm going to do it. I'll just have to wait until after the holidays to start it, because I've got so much other stuff I have to make.
I'm very annoyed at a pattern I got off the web, because there's no way in hell that, if made according to the designer's instructions, it would fit what it's supposed to fit. So I'm taking elements from that pattern, and creating my own damn hat. That FITS.

Crappy Needles

2005-10-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

As you may know, Target has a dollar section now that has yarn, needles, and small pattern books. The needles (at least the wooden ones) SUCK! They're flimsy, splintery, and the points are very dull. I like the yarn, though...

2005-10-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

What can I say? And no, that's not me. Because if it was, that cat would have mauled me by now...

Some Patterns

2005-10-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Please feel free to use these as you see fit. If you're selling them, please provide a link to this site with your finished product :)

Christmas 2004 Scrunchie
1 hair elastic
'H' hook
worsted weight yarn with sparkle wrap

Round 1
Attach yarn with knot, ch 1. SC around elastic, making sure to cover all of the elastic.
Round 2
Ch 5, *dc, ch 2* in next sc. Rpt from * to * in each sc around. Sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5, fasten off.

Quick and Easy Scarf
less than 6 oz of each of the following:
Red Heart Super Saver "Polo"
Red Heart Super Saver "Claret"
worsted weight dark navy
'Q' hook

Row 1
Using 3 strands as 1, ch 11. SC in second ch from hook and each ch across (10 sc). Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-81
SC in each sc across, ch 1, turn.
Fasten off.
*I really like the striping pattern that was a result of the variegated yarn. Neat.*

Enjoy!

Mmm...Fuzzy

2005-10-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hello Bloggy

2005-10-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

After reading tons of knitting blogs, I've finally decided to create my own. I will chronicle my knitting, crochet, sewing and other crafty pursuits. I've also got a LiveJournal account, which I will link to as soon as I remember how...
My current projects: (photos to follow when I find batteries for the camera)
top-down raglan cardigan for new nephew/niece due in December
mitered mittens
faux-entrelac scarf
crochet scarf for Christmas present

Projects I want to start soon:
keyhole scarf out of Imagine (for me)
crochet cabled scarf and matching headband
Christmas gifts for family and friends
earflap hat (probably crochet)

Now that I have a blog, I want to sign up for the Fiber RAOK group. Yay!