100Creations

Hang in there

2011-08-02T12:28:00.000-05:00

Still knitting, just don't have pictures with me at the moment. Will be back soon, summer is for fun.

Transformation

2011-06-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Transformation is what draws me to knitting. I seeing gorgeous things come from string and needles. I realized today that I like seeing others things change too. I have been busy thoroughly cleaning house, that is why I haven't had much to blog about. It is nice seeing the change in things, dark, damp under the sink, full of unknown stuff, to a space I feel like showing some one, "See how it looks under my sink". Yeah like that is going to happen. But is is nice knowing I don't have to think about it, if someone does look under there it is just like everyone's. It is still the cabinet under the kitchen sink, but it is now clean, neat, and I know what is under there.

I have even been going though my extensive stash. Extensive in that I have yarn from every era. Including orange acrylic. While I have used some old acrylic for great garter stitch rugs, I have more than I can knit with in 50 years. With out buying any more yarn. And it would be a pity to not buy any more yarn. Ever. So I have carefully selected a few skeins to release back into the wild, with hopes someone will enjoy them. LOL. While I can't always knit with the best stuff, I can be a little more selective. Sheep have been around a long time and I think at least a few will stick around.

So I feel freer and more relaxed, despite all the hours cleaning done and ahead. Cleaning still isn't my favorite occupation (duh) but I can handle it.

Chart or written

2011-06-09T20:39:00.000-05:00

This blog title is linked to an interesting discussion on ravelry. It starts out as a discussion of the most difficult pattern ever and turns into a discussion of chart knitting versus written directions. When I started out I only knew about written patterns. Since I started knitting from charts, I have knit items I wouldn't have tried before. I have problems knitting from written patterns, i always get lost in the pattern. I could read my knitting, but couldn't follow with the directions. I had one pattern I would finish the knit lace rows, and when I got done with the purl rows I had to read my knitting to figure out what row I needed next. For every other row. It was only a dishcloth, but it took forever. I actually started a project from and old doily book, and charted the pattern before I cast on. When I got to rows that I thought would be to long to chart, I tried knitting from the written. My knitting really got hard. My theory is that written directions is more like some one telling me directions. I'm lousy at figuring out direction when some one tells me. But give me a map and I'm there. So any way...
Do you prefer Charts or Written directions? Any theories on why?

Ocean

2011-06-08T06:41:00.000-05:00

This lovely yarn is in the process of becoming my next shawl. I decided against the pattern in the picture for this yarn. I'm making the heartland lace shawl. The caron spa is soft, but it is limp and splity. I think it is working good in this pattern though. I also have a bunch of stuff that needs ends woven in. Any volunteers?

Hats

2011-06-02T12:10:00.000-05:00

Since this hat was sized to be close fitting, I was scared to try it. My gauge is funky, sometime it seems loose and tight at the same time. It turned out perfect. It fits snugly, but the pattern still gives room for stretch. The color is Rose Bisque, and the yarn is acrylic and wool.

This is a very stretchy hat. it will fit any where from a toddler to a child. The colors are very light. It has blue, yellow, green, and purple.

Cover Girl Natureluxe

2011-05-26T13:29:00.001-05:00

A while back I promised a review of the new cover girl natureluxe foundation and lip balm. I received free samples as a bzzagent. The foundation went on even and smooth. It didn't clump up or look funny after wearing. I will probably be using it again. The lip balm/stick was silky smooth also, and feels like a lip balm with the color of a lip stick. Let me know if you try these products and what you think of them.

Baby

2011-05-24T10:06:00.001-05:00

My first time knitting with yarn this small. this is sock yarn. I love the colors, it makes it nice and cheery. The hat below is from the same yarn. Both are sized 0 to 6 months.
I made this a couple years ago.

This is my brightest blanket yet. The yarns look great together, and it was really fun to work on. Machine washable and dryable, this blanket is ready to be used everyday. The blanket is square.

4 Finished in 3 days

2011-05-18T12:17:00.000-05:00

From the Freya Shawl on Ravelry. I used Paton's lace. Pink is not one of my favorite colors, but this shawl is so light and lacy it made me feel feminine. The whole shawl weighs less than 3 ounces. See the links on each item for more pictures.

From Ocean Breezes book. The yarn is hand dyed in small batches in Chile. This scarf is long, and little more purple, but a great cotton scarf for summer.

A substantial shawl, this will be very warm. A subtle striped pattern shows off the V pattern. This will be great for fall, winter, or air conditioning.

Each becomes my favorite as I see them grow! Which do you like best?

This hotpad was inspired by colors in a friends kitchen.

Bookmark

2011-05-14T12:05:00.001-05:00

For real books, not computers. They turned out good, but I have been knitting more lately. I have even knit some bookmarks, but don't have pictures of them yet.

free samples

Can't get off Ravelry

2011-05-11T13:16:00.000-05:00

Sorry everyone, I can't get off Ravelry long enough to take pictures. I have got some knitting done. I finished a laptop cozy from the knitting today summer issue. I also have been working on the mermaid mesh scarf from ocean breezes. I love the way that is turning out! The Freya Shawl is coming along slowly now. I have about 200 stitches now, compared to 40 starting out. I was really liking the yarn and the colorway, but then I found a knot that changed colors. I already have one more ball of this yarn in Bonfire, if that one does the same thing I won't use it anymore, as tempting as it is. I will also be starting my first fair isle pattern. I choose a felted bag, that will cover mistakes. I should be able to change some of the color work with out to much fuss. I have bright yellow, red and blues, so it will be bright.

Finished!

2011-05-04T11:45:00.003-05:00

As much as I love knitting there is just something about getting an item completely done. All the ends woven in, and clipped. The item washed and/or blocked. And pictures!
This is my clapotis scarf, made with snowflakes yarn from Hobby Lobby. This is the extra skein I bought for another scarf, thinking one wouldn't be enough. So two balls and two scarves. I love them both. The colors match my winter coat great. This is my 'I don't like pink, but I love this shawl' Shawl. Made from the best of knitter magazine shawls and scarves. Grandma's Checkerboard lace, and acrylic baby yarn. It washed and dyed so soft, I used it for warmth while I put the fringe on. I'm also proud of the seaming I did on both ends for the lovely picot border used to attach fringe. I'm using the yo, p2tog, on another scarf.

Mystery Yarn

2011-04-30T10:12:00.001-05:00

Does anyone recognize this yarn? It is yellow, pink and orange.

Saturday's project

2011-04-26T13:46:00.010-05:00

I grabbed a random ball of yarn i thought might be wool, cast on, knitted, cast off, and threw in the washing machine. All in one day! I was great getting something done that fast, and I love the squares. I will use them as coasters to brighten up my living room. I have another ball i will try this on, but i will knit it narrower and longer. Then i can just cut it off square for each coaster. I love the colors. I only had about one and a half ounces of yarn.

For My Sister

2011-04-21T12:20:00.006-05:00

This is the pattern I made for my sister for her engagement. It was the perfect colors for her, and I liked the stitch changes.
I was busy that summer, I made this blanket and another for her wedding. I also made my mom a cardigan to go with her sleeveless top. I made myself a shawl I never used:
double stranded cotton with a shiny metallic yarn. It was so hard to make, I had to pay attention to the pattern every stitch. It turned out good though.

What items have you made for a specific purpose, for yourself our others?

Scrap Away

2011-04-19T11:43:00.006-05:00

I went a little over board planning crochet blankets to use up my stash of random yarns. At first I was just going to do a basic granny square like my first crochet project, but i've done that. I am unable to repeat anything(thus why i keep talking my self out of doing sock-s-). So I decided on a nice simple variation:
I will us black as the border color, for reasons I will explain later. I am also thinking of doing four round of color before the black instead of just three. It will make it less flowery, but faster I think.

All the looking though books reminded me of this failed project:
Which i still love, but trying to make another fan reminded me why i had stopped working on it. I hated the single crochet around the colored wedge. I might try again using a larger hook, but that will mean I can't use the wedges I already have. sigh...

I also wanted to try this pattern:
So far it is simple and quick, we will see how far i get. The pattern is only two row, so I can get a lot done watching tv.

Then I have always wanted to do this pattern, just never thought I would have enough yarn:
I will put aside yarn for this blanket as I find it for the other patterns. I will be spending a lot of time going though my stash, I can see that. I have one more pattern i wanted to make, but it has it's own story.

Crochet Master Class

2011-04-11T17:38:00.005-05:00

Featuring techniques I had only heard the names of, Crochet Master Class shows what is possible with some string and a hook. The artisans featured took little known techniques and expanded them. I love the painted crochet photos. Like the other Masters featured, It explains how show started crocheting and how she learned or created the technique. Worth checking out, even if just to push your comfort zone a little farther.

Have you looked at this book? If so what was your favorite technique? I also liked the lesson on the double crochet hook, My Grandma had one. We discussed it, but had no idea how it was used. Can't wait to show her!

Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today's Top Crocheters

Another Blog

2011-04-11T15:21:00.003-05:00

This blog is giveaway some beautiful jewelry pieces. This is my favorite. Hurry and sign up! You can also click on this post's title to get to another giveaway.

Memories

2011-04-09T18:05:00.003-05:00

I got a letter from one of my Grandmas today. A real letter not email. It reminded me of the knitting heritage i have. She told me a few weeks ago that my Great Aunt had knit a lot. It kind of made me sad. I started knitting after she died, and didn't know she used to knit. I was interested in it before I started, but not enough to find that out. She also told me about a Great Great Uncle of hers that would knit very fine things while he was away on ships for months at a time. I told my husband, see it is in my blood, I can't stop. She sent me a pattern a friend had given her to send to me, I can't wait to try it. It was great getting to visit and swap tales of knitting. Hope to be able to again soon.

This is a blanket i made for a friends wedding. I still like the way it turned out, even though it was made four years ago. I have greatly improved since then, I wonder how many ends are sticking out? Haven't heard from her in years, wonder if she uses it?

Please tell me any stories you have about knitting or crochet and how it brings us closer.

Cotton Cables

2011-04-08T11:00:00.005-05:00

This was a great project! The yarn was a cotton blend, really soft and light. The pattern was from the book Ocean Breezes, knitting patterns inspired by the sea. I made this pattern first, but i want to make all the patterns in the book.
Look for this items soon on artfire.

Stay Tuned

2011-04-08T10:29:00.002-05:00

I have just been invited to try the new Covergirl NatureLuxe foundation and lipstick. To find out more about this product you can go to Covergirl.com. I will be posting a review on the products as soon as they arrive.

This opportunity comes courtesy of bzzagent.com

Create every day!

dye pictures

2011-04-01T15:18:00.003-05:00

This is the original pillow case. Nice, but plain.

The pillowcase in the top picture is on the top right. I love the subtle stripping from the blended fabric. The top left is the pillowcase from the sheet set that became a rug. The rug was posted yesterday. The sheet at the bottom is a nice soft cotton, the strips are actually texture differences.

The bottom of the picture shows the soft pink of this shawl better. It is still on my needles, I started the project a couple weeks ago. Love this pattern from the Knitter's Magazine Best of Shawls and Scarves. I really really love that book.

I'm back

2011-03-31T10:20:00.005-05:00

Still love knitting, crocheting and anything else I can do. Now I'm working with my husband again, so hope to have more time to show you what I do.

I dyed a sheet and two pillow cases last week. They turned out great. The pillowcases where just for practice, I didn't plan on liking them as much as I do. The sheet is now on my bed, saved from turning into a rug.

I made this rug for Makayla. One of the pillowcases i dyed was from this sheet set. I will be transforming the pillowcase even more, so stay tuned.
I am also on Raverly! Please look me up.

Currently working on all kinds of projects. I have 1 knit, 3 crochet (or maybe more), and even 3 sewing projects I need to get to. I will also dye anything possible. My husband warned me that our cats have to stay white. I think they would look good in nice spring colors. Maybe I should focus on fabric though. I talked my mom into quilting a wall hanging for my from fabric i dye. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Heard about a place in Bowling Green yesterday. The lady sells silk items. The name is Marsch Inspirations. Here is the website. That site sends you to an etsy store and a blog. The store is on vacation, but check out the pictures on the blog. Wow is all I can think of. I love the blue camisole. Only partially because it is blue.

My Artfire Shop

2009-04-20T15:05:00.009-05:00

These are items I have listed in my new Artfire shop. For those of you not familiar with this site, it is similar to Etsy, and I really hope to be able to sell my items there. The link to my shop is http://www.artfire.com/users/100Creations. I will continue to add items, so please check back often.

I welcome any advise that anyone can give me on selling these items.

If you would like to find out how you can open your free Artfire shop, please click the box above.

More pictures of WIPs

2008-10-24T14:10:00.005-05:00

The colors on this one I deliberatly made lighter to show of the pattern. The color is a darker purple.
The color are way off in this photo, sorry. It is a soft pink and white baby blanket.

I love the color and feel of this poncho. ( At least it will be a poncho if I ever get it sewed together.) It is sized for 2 to 4 year olds, if I remember correctly.

2008-10-24T14:08:00.003-05:00

This is my Doily throw. I have a few more rounds left, but have already done some since I took this picture. I think this will look great draped over a sofa.

Pictures!

2008-10-24T14:02:00.004-05:00

These are two of my cloths. I hope to make many more!

Getting ready to fly!

2008-10-18T22:39:00.000-05:00

That is what it feels like. I am ready to sell the items I have made. Scary. I have but my best into each object, and it feels like a part of me. Now I'm hoping some one else likes it enough to buy it.

Currently I'm working on a baby blanket. It is pink and white. I need to get this done soon!

Also baby booties, duck pattern.

My favorite so far is the doily pattern. I used a doily pattern from 1969. I am making in with double strands of yarn and it will make a nice size throw. The pattern was for size 20 thread and the doily was 17 1/2 inches. So far I have 18 rounds out of 25 done. This will slow down now because of the size and because I need to get the baby blanket done.

I will post new pictures as soon as I find my camera.