So I’ve started writing several posts over the last week only to abandon them. I have been crafting a lot since I last wrote. I’m going to post lots and lots of pictures of my new goodies. First, here are some pictures of the items in the package for my swap partner.
The yarn:
Ella Rae Classic 100% wool yarn
The Knitted Item:
Generic Bag Pattern made out of Cascade Cotton Rich
The Needle Holders:
DPN holder
The Notebooks I made:
I didn’t get any photos of the tea, the DPNs, or the pattern I sent her, but I think that’s okay. The needle cases were made using these directions and some cotton fabric from Hancock Fabrics. I made three, one hand-sewn, two machine-sewn. The notebooks were made with four sheets of sketchbook paper each and some scrapbook paper from A.C. Moore. They are sewn together using a simple pamphlet stitch. The handles of the bag were made from two different types of ribbon. The lining is the same fabric from which I made the DPN holders. My swap partner likes to make socks from worsted weight yarn so I got her some worsted yarn, a pattern for a basic sock in three different gauges, and some size 7 needles. I really hope she likes it all; I had a blast putting it all together.
Other than the swap, I have been making a lot of books.
That one is made with sketch paper, fabric-covered covers, and a coptic-stitch binding. I love coptic stitch binding. I bought this amazing book on how to make all different kinds of books. I love it because they give the basics first, guidelines for projects second. I think it’s really necessary to know the basic of any craft so that the mind isn’t limited to what it sees in the book. Here are some books I’ve made since reading How to Make Books:
Left: Accordion Book Right: Instabook
These books were made from one sheet of left over scrapbook paper each. Author Esther Smith suggests using leftover paper (i.e. computer paper, old flyers, anything without purpose) to practice making books to get the hang of it.
As far as knitting goes, I have begun a second Two-Toned Shrug by Stefanie Japel. I am making it with navy and natural Cascade 220. I have finished the Navy part, which I have washed and blocked in hopes that it won’t bleed onto the natural color. I’d really like to get this done before Friday, because Friday is the start of the Olympics and therefore the Ravelympics. I am on Team KnitK and I am going to be making Hey Teach from Knitty Summer 2008 with Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Terra Cotta. I am having trouble getting gauge. The pattern calls for size 8 needles. I have knitted a swatch using size 8s and size 9s. I am gonna try size 10s now. Very frustrating. Oh well have a lovely week everyone!
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