Crafty Recap Part One

I am the worst blogger. The last time I wrote a blog was in August!

Hides in shame

As ever, I'm crafting away so I thought I'd do a recap of some of the things I've made over the past few months. In September, I finished up my third Rikke Hat for a swap with Jess of Milky Robot. I used some Knit Picks Chroma that was bought on a Black Friday sale. It's a one of a kind color and I love the way it turned out!

Also in September, I made a pair of Jane Richmond's Mitten Cuffs out of Malabrigo Chunky in Mariposa. This is one of my favorite colorways and I love the way the double seed stitch shows it off. However, the finish project filled me with so much rage, I gifted them so I wouldn't have to see them. I had to restart these 4 times because they kept coming out too big for my tiny hands and then by the time I was done with them, I was just over it. They look pretty though and their new owner is now a member of the Cult of Malabrigo. ;) 

I spun some yarn inspired by Arthur Weasley. It's bulky weight and single ply, which was my first time doing an unplied single. I think it turned out ok but it's definitely over-twisted in some spots. 

I also finished plying some yarn I started at the end of July (yikes!) from Wool Pack from Spun Right Round. It's 237 yards of fingering weight, 2-ply and I call it Every Flavor Beans. 

In October, I donated two items to a charity auction put on by my friend Molly of Hello Doll Face to raise money for the domestic violence support agency she works for. The mitts were a test knit of a pattern that I don't think has been released (which is sad because they are cute!) they are in Brown Sheep Lanaloft in Garland and the hat is Jane Richmond's Autumn made with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Turmeric. 

I also made a wand for my Hermione cosplay (more on that later) that was turned in for Potions homework in the HPKCHC and it won a trophy! I made it out of a wooden dowel, paper, wire, and hot glue. Plus paint, of course. I was really happy with how it turned out and felt like it completed my cosplay quite well. 

In November, I went a bit crazy for these cabled headbands and made 7 of them! The pattern is the Knit 101 Headband from Toronto yarn shop, The Knit Cafe and they are total instant gratification. I can make one during a movie and every recipient, myself included, loves them. I deviated from the pattern a bit, as usual, by doing a crochet cast-on and a three needle bind-off. This pattern is perfect for introducing cables!

I also made a Hitchhiker which had been in my queue forever! I used Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Blue Yonder, which had also been lurking in my stash for a long time. It's wrapped around my neck twice here but I think I prefer it looped once. I will most definitely be making this again! 

On Thanksgiving Day, I made a baby sized Barley hat as a thank you for someone who translated a pattern for me. It was a very quick knit as I made it in the time it took to eat and talk after the meal! I used Knit Picks Brava in Rouge.

December saw some last minute gifts and was crazy with the amount of travel I had to do. That's also for another post! Part two of my crafting roundup, aka 2015, is coming soon!

Why I Love Knitting (and Crochet and Spinning!)

Knitting as a hobby used to conjure up images of little old ladies making blankets and crocheted doilies on tops of dressers. Today, there is a surge of knitters in the younger generation (say, 60 and under) and knitting is becoming more and more popular. But why? Obviously I love these crafts because I enjoy them but it goes deeper than that.

Knitting connects me to my past. 
Both of my grandmothers knit and while one died before I was born, snuggling up with an afghan she made makes I feel like I'm connected to her in a special way that no one else in my family can claim. Since knitting used to be such an everyday task, I'm sure I have lots of women (and maybe even some men) in my family history that sat down with yarn and needles. I feel like I'm keeping that aspect of my ancestry alive.


Knitting keeps my hands busy! 
Easily portable and sometimes mindless, knitting keeps me from getting bored. I knit while I watch tv, ride in the car, and I even take it with me to restaurants when I know there will be a long wait. I can be productive at almost all times!


I love turning nothing into something.
This is true for most crafts but I especially love it with fiber arts. Turning wool into yarn and then yarn into a hat, socks, or a sweater? That is the ultimate "Look! I made this!" moment. For someone who has dealt with depression and needs small victories to feel accomplished, this is a huge part of why I do what I do.


It's very cerebral.
It may not seem like fiber arts involve a lot of thinking, but math plays an integral part in all three of these crafts. There are drive ratios and twist angles in spinning and pattern repeats, increases, and decreases in knitting and crochet. Not to mention adjusting sizes in things like sweaters. Once you start following pattern, there are charts, repeats, and color changes to keep track of. Make no mistake, fiber arts take brain power!


It connects me to an amazing community.
I have met so many creative, generous, and highly individual people through knitting. Finding out someone is a knitting (or crocheter or spinner) gives you an instant bond. Ravelry has been a huge part of meeting people as has the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup game that I play. Knitters are incredibly generous selling patterns with proceeds going to every charity you can think of, making hats for chemo patients, and blankets for kids in the hospital. We also send hats and mittens to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, our troops, the homeless, and veterans.


Every item is made with love.
That sounds cheesy, but it's true. I can easily go out and buy any of this already made at any store in America. The things I make involve not only my time, but my desire to make whoever it's going to end up with happy. I literally will spend hours searching for the perfect pattern and yarn combination for gifts. Every stitch is done by hand and every project made with a lot of thought put into it. Seeing a smile on someone's face that has received something I've made is the ultimate thank you.