I was tagged by Tia, of Christopher and Tia, to do a “7 things about yourself…” and was flattered anyone really wanted to know any random facts about me. I procrastinated bunches before committing. I had a list forming when Vanessa, of So Darn Happy, tagged me to do a “10 things about yourself…” meme! ah! So, I decided to just list 10 things instead of coming up with 17 even remotely interesting tidbits. These 10 are probably more than you wanted to know anyway…
1. I’m shy. Ridiculously so.
2. I cuss.
3. I bite my nails.
4. I clean my ears too much.
5. I don’t wear makeup.
6. I’ve had an engagement ring on my finger for over 5 years.
7. I’m an “extended” nurser. my nursling is 20 months old. My oldest weaned at 29 months (few months into pregnancy).
8. When I first started knitting, I thought it was so boring, and had nightmares about it. When I woke, it felt like I had slept DAYS. In reality, it’d be the middle of the night, many more hours til dawn. I was afraid to go back to sleep.
9. My heart bleeds, so I don’t wear it on my sleeve. Most of the time.
10. THIS is my mellow-song of the week. It’s a cover and I absolutely loathed it when I first heard it on sirius. I can’t get enough, now. And below you will find my dance-song of the week. It’s adorable. You’ll probably love it.
The image at the top of the post is an old vexel I made in Photoshop a couple of years ago. I just added a pink layer to it. Because it’s February and pink is necessary.
The first Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern I ever made was ‘Ganomy’ from Knitters’ Almanac. It’s also been the most used pattern in my repetoire. My copy of KA is in bad shape. It lived in the bottom of my bag for a while. I haven’t knit everything she gives pithy directions for, but I HAVE read the whole book–some parts more than others.
Anyway, what I meant to blog about is how much I love wool. I’m sorry you have to wash your handknit hat. I’m sorry you accidentally put it in your hamper and it’s a ball of fluff. I’m sorry it itched you when you first touched it and now lives in a box in your closet. Fact of the matter is: you never gave wool a chance! It took me longer to knit your hat than it will for you to wash it. You should not put something beautifully made in a hamper. If you would have given it a soak, it wouldn’t be itchy.
That first Ganomy was a rather quick knit. It isn’t perfect, as I was a newbie to knitting, but it fit and was pretttyyy in all its Noro Kureyon glory. It was also lost in a hamper, almost-felted, and hella itchy. But I kept putting it on my little one’s (now, 4.5) head, hanging it on a hook, or shoving it in my bag, when he wasn’t wearing it. I even soaked it in warm water + lanolin (the same tube I got at my baby shower–thank heavens for an easy start to my breastfeeding career) + baby shampoo to wash it when it got really dirty one day.
Three years later, it is the hat I love most. Soft, pilly, smelly. It’s never gotten quite as dirty as the first time it warranted a cleaning. Heck, it’s only needed a wash once since then. And because of that, it smells wonderful. It smells like their heads. A lovely mixture of baby shampoo and baby sweat. No, don’t wince! Babies’ heads smell gooood. I promise.
This hat has been loved. It will continue to be loved for the rest of winter and perhaps into Spring. Maybe Easter will be cold and Andy will wear it one last time, on his second celebration of the holiday, like Nate didin 2007.
Won’t you give wool a chance? In a few years, when my boys undoubtedly become obnoxious the way I was when I was little, I bet someone will find me crying on a closet floor, deeply inhaling the scent of my babies from this hat. It’s just a fact.
My oldest child is spending a weekend with grandma. This leaves me with such anticipation of accomplishment for the next 2 days. Alas, I know better. I’ll probably just revel in the fact that only one child will be yelling at me for attention and hugs. I’ll spend it sitting on the couch, listening to the little one play with the absent son’s toys (alone! no fighting!), crocheting, with a stupid movie playing in the background. The place will still be messy Sunday evening when he returns and my basket of miscellaneous crafts will be fuller than it was Friday night. I’ll be ok with it.
I’m really into these brooches, lately. I suppose the appeal is in their size. They are so quick to make that I just keep making more and more. Almost-instant satisfaction. If I could bottle that feeling up, I’d be a millionaire.
This little doily brooch is currently residing on the collar of my red coat, which I’m using because of this little cold snap Houston just got. It adds some daintiness to my usually frumpy wardrobe. I’ll probably pin it to my t-shirts when this front passes through. They could use some pretty.
My initial plans were to make a few as little Valentine’s day favors. Well, I started and then couldn’t stop making them! Andrew was napping and before I knew it, I had finished my first sheet of red felt (it made 6) and so I started with pink, then white, and then I made another batch of red. What I’m trying to say is…I have about 24 little heart pins sitting in my cool Regaline bowl, now. I made them throughout the weekend. During naps, late-night movies, when my kids left on a lunch with grandma, etc. I’m all out of felt, now!
I love using textures, so this was a tough decision! I chose this photo because I think Nathan is making an incredibly awesome face in it. He really has a flair for drama!
check out some other excellent textured photos at I Heart Faces!
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.
I haven’t spoken about it here, but we’re currently house-hunting. This means I have to pinch pennies and save save save. There is no longer any “extra money” to blow on whatever my crafty little heart desires. Living off of one income is tough, but it’s our life. I stay home with the boys–they’re my 24/7 “job.” It would be nice to have some extra dough, though. SO….
I am opening myself up for cupcake orders. I hand crochet and assemble these cute little things. They are the perfect size for your little Valentine(s). You can buy an 8oz (I recycle various condiment/yogurt containers for these) cupcake for $15, shipping included. Since Valentine’s day is upon us, I am having a sale. You can get 3 containers for $35, shipping included. You get to choose what color(s) you want! This special price is valid until Saturday, January 23. I am giving early notice, so I can make and ship all containers on time for Valentine’s Day!
Each little container opens up with enough space for a little treat for your special person. If you’re into giving bigger treats, I have two slightly larger cupcakes that are in need of good homes. There’s a 16oz chocolate on pink cupcake and a GIANT, 64oz, one. It’s a white cupcake with a pink frosting top. I’m sure you could find something completely awesome to put inside. Heck, you could put a smaller cupcake inside it! Nesting cupcakes–imagine that! The 16oz is available for $20 and the 64oz is $35, shipping included. Buy them both for $50.
If you’re interested in anything, please email me! lisa@goodknits.com
I’ll be accepting orders through next Wednesday (January 27), but the special price is only valid through THIS SUNDAY. Payment will be needed before I start your cupcake(s). Contact me with any questions/concerns!
If you would like to see more photographs, please click HERE.
It’s been a bit since I posted something in the crochet or knit category. You must be tired of my kids and/or my week-long obsession with pom-poms. Here’s something new.
Is it too early for Valentine’s Day crafting? I’m not much of a romantic, but I do like hearts and flowers and OMG!pink! I suppose I get so tired of all the blue, the millions of cars and trucks and construction scenes, that I’m happy to have an excuse to display some hearts and make little cutie pie things. Even if my own personal Valentine has been absent from 2 of the 4 past February 14’s, thanks to a little convention in Vegas that is anything but MAGICal.
I bought a handmade heart garland at the thrift store, a few weeks back. It was less than a dollar and I couldn’t bear to just leave it at the store. Someone definitely put some time into it. It’s comprised of many little stuffed hearts. It’s hanging on a hook in my living room, patiently waiting for it’s Valentine-decor spot.
I made this little amigurumi heart yesterday. The pattern was as easy as they come. It’s this free one at roxy craft. Pay attention to the stuffing note. I stuffed and stuffed and still think it could have used a smidge more poly-fil. I used some Caron Country and a 4.25mm (G) hook.
I was thinking of making these for Nathan’s teachers, but then I remember the cute little heart pins on the purl bee and decided I should make those instead. I just need to buy some felt. I have amassed a collection of random craft things but I don’t have any felt. That’s really weird, no? Felt is so lovely, but I tend to only buy the cheapo stuff at Wal-Mart whenever I need a bit to make something specific. I want some wool felt in all the lovely colors of the visible spectrum. If that’s too much to ask, a few squares in some pretty colors would be sufficient.
![tiny brooch [2]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4292622181_fa88c7da3e.jpg)
