Final Project-- Knitting Needle Case

Yes, finally, it is done. The knitting needle case that I have been putting off doing forever. I buckled down and worked on it off and on for the past few days but I was determined to have it done before 2011 made its appearance

After searching the net for a while I found this case and it seemed practical. They all seem practical so this is just the one I picked. I guess so it could hold a lot, lot, lot and the majority of my items will be in one place. A few dimensional adjustments were made but for the most part I stuck to the tutorial.

Warning...you may need to put on shades or some type of protective eye gear. Looking at it may make your eyes cross. Don't judge me..clearance fabric is great. I'll start you off easy so your eyes can get adjusted.

All rolled up...

Prepare your eyes it is slowly coming undone.

Ta daaaaooow!!!! (Do your eyes hurt now? My brain actually hurts a little, just grab the needles and run!!)

Everything nice and tidy in one spot. No more looking in this bag or that can or wherever else. No excuses. I do see that I need some colorful needles to make this clash just a tad bit more.

With that being said I have rolled up 2010 (ha, ha,) and am ready for a great 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

(ugh, the red clashes with everything!!)

Wishing you and yours a prosperous 2011.

Gloves

I did it. I finished the gloves I made for my sister. A while a go when I was sharing that I had learned how to knit she said, "Ooooooohhhh, I want some hot pink fingerless gloves!" After searching through Ravelry I decided on the Knucks pattern and got busy. These weren't hard to knit at all and I feel like I learned something which is always spectacular. When I gave them to her she is either a really good liar or she really liked them. My thought is that I make them a little longer next time so I told her they were my trial run. She can tell me any modifications she wants for her second pair.

I totally forgot to take pictures with them on her hand but here a few pics from the process and on my hand.

I am definitely making some of these for myself. Scarf down, hat down, dishcloths down, sweater down, and gloves down. What shall I tackle next on the knitting front?

Time For Another Dishcloth

Yes, it is that time again. Another dishcloth/napkin/whatever!! These are my little break projects while I figure out what I am going to knit next. I am almost finished a gift for my sister but need to get a tapestry needle. My hands needed to knit so it was dishcloth time!!!

I wish I used a solid for this so you could see the stitch details. Beginners mistake no doubt. I still like it though.

My First Sew-A-Long- Burda Marie Skirt

2011 is guaranteed to be a year of firsts when it comes to my sewing. I joined my first sew along which is being hosted by Regan over at Stitch In My Side. This will also be my first time trying a Burda pattern as well so it will be a double dose of firsts.

We will be making the Burda Marie skirt. Cute isn't it.


Hopefully it really is for a Novice like me but if not I think being part of a group of other people doing it too will help in case I have any question.

Well here it goes!!

Download pattern-- check
Print page with test square-- check
Measure test square-- check
Adjust print settings-- check
Print page with test square-- check
Scratch my head-- check
Recall my knowledge of ratios and do a quick equation-- check
Adjust print settings-- check
Print page with test square-- check
Measure again-- check
Do a happy dance-- check
Print the other 8 pages-- check

Not so bad. Now I just have to decide on a fabric and see if I have interfacing as well. I am thinking navy blue because I already have the fabric and I don't have a navy blue skirt.

Window Woes

This window is on the front of my house in my office. Everyday the sun totally beams through this window to the point where it is blinding and I have to move. If only I could have some solar panels and put all that energy to good use. Anyway I need some type of curtain or shield to go in this window but the shape is throwing me off on how to achieve a nice barrier between me and the sun. Any thoughts?

Dishtowel

This is smaller than most dishtowels but I wanted to see how big of a product a roll of the Sugar N' Cream would yield.  I know it all depends on the stitches you are doing so there will be some variances.   For this I used a Labyrinth pattern and it gave me a 10"x 16" cloth.  I guess I'll just use it in the kitchen for a drying towel.  I was hoping for something big enough for a handtowel to hang in the bathroom but this is to short.  Next time.

Finally Hemmed the Jeans

These jeans, the ones I posted about here, finally got the hem they deserved.  It only took 3 or so years but who is counting anyway.  When you absolutely nothing to wear that will put a fire under you to get something made or altered just in a nick of time.  

I was in such a hurry I really don't have any photos of the process. Here is quick snapshot of me pinning.  

Exciting right. But it worked out perfectly.  Kind of.  After doing one leg it was still a little to long so I did the second leg an 1/8 of an inch more and voila, perfect.  Kind of.  If going out with to different length pants legs is your idea of perfect.  Yes, I ran out of time but here is the finished product for one of the legs. 

I don't think anyone noticed since it was such a slight deviation and if all someone can look at is the hem of my jeans then I should be worried.

It was quick lesson that I enjoyed getting back at the machine and doing.  I am looking forward to my next project.  Hopefully I will have sense enough not to wait until the last minute on whatever it is.

I used the the tutorial found here.

Kercheif Cowl

"Cowl, what is a cowl?  I have never heard of that."  Truth be told it is not a word I hear to often either.

This is a cowl.

Actually that is a almost finished cowl where I just couldn't deal with the ends and put them off until the next day.

If you want to keep your neck nice and toasty through the winter months a cowl is great. I got this pattern on ravelry.com. One thing I love about ravelry.com is the Advanced Search option. I knew that I didn't have a lot of yarn to work with so I was able to find a nice project for the amount of yarn I had.

Here is the finished project. I have it on now and my neck is very, very warm. This may not be taken off for a while!!

It is hard to see in the picture above but there is a triangle at the top that folds down. My colors all just blend together so you can't tell. You can see it a little better with the cowl pulled up higher. Warm neck and face!!!

Yes, my hair is a mess.  Don't judge me.  

First Sewing Book Purchase

Look what I scored at my local Goodwill store.  I have gone in there a million times and thought I looked through all the books never to find any sewing books.  Come to find out I never made it to the very last bookshelf.  Lo and behold this was staring right into my face.  I dare not tell about the happy dance I wanted to do.  I know there is a newer version but for $2.62 this one will do for the moment.  

I also picked up this Coats and Clark Book.  Don't they look happy together!!!  I can't wait to thumb through the both of them a little bit more.

These are my first ever sewing book purchases.  I usually just check them out from the library but I am happy to call these my firsts.