I’ve had this empty flower pot hanging around for a while, now. I bought it at a thrift store many moons ago. I bought two little succulents, today and I think I may transfer at least one of them to this pot. [...]]]> This is the apron I made, yesterday. It’s a small round one. Terribly cute.

I’ve had this empty flower pot hanging around for a while, now. I bought it at a thrift store many moons ago. I bought two little succulents, today and I think I may transfer at least one of them to this pot. They’re my new [super duper cute] babies. When it stops raining outside, I’ll get some photos of them for you. I’ve never been much of a garden person, but the prospect of a new house, which means a backyard and just plain ol’ space has my thumb turning green (I hope). I figure the succulents are a good place to start. God willing, I’ll be able to plan a real garden, next Spring.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I had plans to take photos of new bookmarks, today, but the weather was not cooperative. As a lover of natural-light, I am waiting for the sun to peek out, so I can photograph them. Look for a shop update this weekend, or on Monday.

Snag one of the ready-made babies, or send me a note requesting a custom cupcake. I have been hanging on to yogurt, dip, and other random plastic containers, just to make these cupcakes. The 8oz (usually a yogurt container) cupcakes will be $10, if you’re interested in a [...]]]> ..in the goodknits shop. Check it out!

Snag one of the ready-made babies, or send me a note requesting a custom cupcake. I have been hanging on to yogurt, dip, and other random plastic containers, just to make these cupcakes. The 8oz (usually a yogurt container) cupcakes will be $10, if you’re interested in a smaller size. They make adorable party favors! I made about 15, last year, for my sons’ combo birthday party. It was tough work, so if you’re interested, please let me know a few weeks in advance! I’ll give you a great deal, if you buy more than 10. Shoot me an email or etsy convo.

To celebrate, I finished up, photographed, and listed a new item in the shop. These dark heathered gray slippers are adorned with one of my mini brooches (non-removable) made with vintage yarn and buttons. They should fit size 8-9.5. If you like this style and would [...]]]>

Andrew woke up without a fever, this morning! Huzzah!

To celebrate, I finished up, photographed, and listed a new item in the shop. These dark heathered gray slippers are adorned with one of my mini brooches (non-removable) made with vintage yarn and buttons. They should fit size 8-9.5. If you like this style and would like a different size, please let me know! I could make a custom listing for you.

Visit the shop for more photos + details. Thank you all for your continual support!

p.s.!
Andy’s taking a longer-than-expected nap, so I was able to also finish, photograph, and add a granny square pillow that’s been sitting in my craft-pile for the better part of a week! click above to get to the shop for more photos/details.

Why is it that mini always makes [...]]]> Today, I listed 3 pairs of crochet+button MINI-brooches. They’re about an inch in diameter and are SO cute. Head on over to THE SHOP to see the others! They’d be supremely cute on a lapel, or even on a headband. Keep them both or give one to a friend.

Why is it that mini always makes things way cuter? Mini-humans (aka BABIES) are probably the cutest, but others things like miniature puppies, mini-ice pops, and even mini cupcakes always get little MINI giggles from us. In fact, Nathan watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids with my dad the other day and had such a delightful time! There’s something about making things smaller that makes people happy. And I’m OK with that.

Anywho, stop by the shop, if you have some time. The minis are made with vintage yarn and buttons! Boy, I love finding old craft supplies at thrift stores and antique shops. I’ve amassed quite the collection.

That’s a sneak peek [...]]]> It kind of feels like that. At the same time, though, it feels like I’m not getting anything accomplished. I’m trying to make enough to comfortably stock a shop. I have a few pairs of Mary Jane slippers, cushion covers, hats, and yo-yo pins. It just doesn’t feel like that’s enough.

That’s a sneak peek at the cushion/pillow covers. They fit a 16×16 inch pillow form. I actually wouldn’t mind if they didn’t sell. I really dig the colors and general look. Granny squares for the win!

On a more personal note, we found a house we like. Just waiting on some forms from the seller and then we can make an offer. Who knew that would make me more neurotic? I felt like I was losing my mind, today! It didn’t help that Andy is at the tail-end of a cough. He’s been extremely grumpy and….sensitive?…lately. It’s like everything we do hurts his feelings and he has a meltdown. I sure hope this isn’t the terrible two’s already. I hadn’t realized how close we’re getting to his birthday. He turned 22 months the other day. AH!

Today’s color(s): hot pinks, fuschias, raspberry.

Living in a house of boys, those colors just aren’t the norm. I thought about going outside, but there aren’t many pretty flowers around here. So…I turned to my yarn stash. I started a pair of Mary [...]]]>

I’m participating in a group on flickr–for the LOVE of COLOR week.

Today’s color(s): hot pinks, fuschias, raspberry.

Living in a house of boys, those colors just aren’t the norm. I thought about going outside, but there aren’t many pretty flowers around here. So…I turned to my yarn stash. I started a pair of Mary Jane slippers, using the [photo!]tutorial here on this very blog (link at the top). I was undecided on the buttons until I remembered these plastic flower buttons that look like they’re crocheted. Could it get any better? I found them at Wal-Mart of all places. They were in a clearance bin!

I think this pair is destined for the shop.

Yesterday’s color was GREEN. You can see my green submission here. Andrew was rocking the green, too:

A lovely friend of mine requested some slouchy hats for her girls. She wanted me to name my price, but I one-upped her and just asked for some modeling shots for me to use in my [future] shop.

When I first got her message, I started a hat (crochet) [...]]]> to a goodknits shop near you! ;)

A lovely friend of mine requested some slouchy hats for her girls. She wanted me to name my price, but I one-upped her and just asked for some modeling shots for me to use in my [future] shop.

When I first got her message, I started a hat (crochet) immediately. I didn’t really feel like searching Ravelry for a little girls slouchy hat pattern, so I thought I’d wing it. Afterall, I have made MANY knit berets and those are almost the same, right?

RIGHT?!

Well, no. They aren’t. There were three differences between what I had made before and what was being asked of me: 1. Size (I had made berets for myself, my sister, and my cousins. Adults.); 2. Technique. (I KNIT all the berets I had made. She specified crochet); and 3. Slouch not beret (there’s a difference). So, I crocheted and frogged. Crocheted and frogged. Crocheted to the brim, tried it on one of my kids….then frogged. I eventually decided I’d just adjust the pattern for the eyelet beret I’ve been making a lot to fit a girl’s head. I cast-on and got to the increases and realized it took me as long as crocheting a whole hat had. I’m just a really slow knitter.

I started crocheting again and kept notes, adjusting increases and trying it on my baby (her girls are 2 and 4, like mine!) almost every round. I ended up with a lovely slouch hat that fits BOTH of my kids. Huh-ZZAH!

I’m sending her the two hats, tomorrow. I am excited to see the photos of them modeled on kids with hair (aka girls)!

I’ll let you know when I open shop.

Materials: crochet cotton thread 1.75 mm (US [...]]]>

I picked up my tiniest hook and some crochet thread, yesterday, for the first time in a long time. I got hooked! (no pun intended) I made a few of these tiny brooches. The crocheting is super simple and is pretty much just a popcorn stitch flower. Here’s the quick pattern:

Materials:
crochet cotton thread
1.75 mm (US 4) hook
button
small safety pin or pinback
needle for sewing on button

Pattern:
beginning popcorn: Ch 3, 5 DC into same space, drop hook from current loop and place through top of ch-3. Grab dropped loop and pull through.
popcorn: work 6 DC into same spot, drop hook from current loop and place through top of first DC. Grab dropped loop and pull through. This is a 6-DC popcorn stitch. see here for details on a 5-DC popcorn.

Rnd 1: Leaving an ~6″ tail, make 6 SC into a magic loop, pull thread end to close. Slst into first SC.
Rnd 2: Ch 4, slst into same space, *Ch 4, slst into next st* 5 times. Slst into first slst.
Rnd 3: Slst into first ch-4 space. Make beginning popcorn, ch 4, *make popcorn into next ch-4 space, ch 4* 5 times. Slst into first st.
Rnd 4: Slst into first ch-4 space. Ch 1, *6 SC into ch-4 space* 6 times. Slst into first st.
Finish off.
Weave in the ending tail.
Use beginning tail to sew on button and to attach safety pin.

If you’re not into brooches, you could glue it to a hair barrette for an absolutely adorable hair accessory. I’ve also made one in worsted weight and it is just as cute! It would be darling on a bag or pinned to a cloche.