New years challenges

This year I set myself some craft related resolutions:
1 - learn how to use DPNs
2 - make a pair of socks
3 - learn how to cable
I did all three though granted I'm no pro but I can do them all in their basic form lol
I learnt DPNs for my sons wellie socks :)and also the hand warmers I made for the surprise knit for Bekki :)
I made my son 4 pairs of wellie socks and myself a pair of house socks :) (wellie socks pattern age 3-4)
I did cable brimmed hats to practice, in fact the one for my aunt was rather popular lol so much so that my other aunt may be a little jealous lol

For the new year I need some new challenges, I'm thinking of things I'd like to make and these are what I've come up with:
1 - learn to knit two at a time socks (preferably two at a time toe up socks but think I better learn two at a time top down before I jump the gun lol)

The others aren't so much challenges as things I'd like to find time to make:
A - make an item of baby clothing for my cousins current bump lol
B - make a vest for my friend (if she wants one lol)
C - make myself hand warmers
D - make myself a pair of socks
E - make myself a shawl

There is much, much more but they are the main ones for right now lol
As you can see rather a few for me as I have a tendency to make for others lol

And on that note, a happy new year to you all and happy crafting! x

Vest try on

Well my son tried the vest on this morning, it is a little big but not too much I don't think, see how it stays while he plays in it and things.

 Obviously it won't usually be worn with a onsie lol

The Vest

It's finished, I cast off tonight :) It's not perfect but I'm happy with it. My son is in bed so can't try it on him right now but should fit him ok :)

It's the Little Fuchsia pattern but without the cable sides or leaf detail at the bottom :) I also worked in the round for bottom rather than as rows. I did the Stretchy Yarnover Bind-Off as shown on Liat Gats YouTube channel. Though this would come in handy for bottom up construction (but wanted a practice), I'm a little loose but that should improve, and is better than too tight a cast of, especially if cast off is at the top edge.
I'd like to make another for him in brown and orange I think, and if my friend wants one I may make one for her too :) she's so tiny it shouldn't take too long lol but not sure if it's her style :)
Not finished the cream scarf as been working on this, and not cast anything else on as of yet, won't be long though I assure you lol I may be a craft addict!
Happy crafting :)

More Gifts lol

Well my friends boyfriend is coming to our 2nd Christmas, I wasn't going to give him anything as he doesn't celebrate Christmas, but I decided I'd make him a very small something :)
It's a green Mario mushroom with a jigsaw puzzle piece, nerd mixed with autism awareness :) I know it's my son who is autistic but I'm spreading the cause lol

My sisters birthday is 2nd Jan so I've made her gifts :) an autism awareness key ring off little man and a set of butterfly ear rings off me :)

I'm guessing some of my readers have guessed from all the toadstool and mushrooms how much I like them :) so for Christmas my mum found me some super cute mushroom candles from M&S :) I got two :)

I also gave the autism necklace to my friend, her son loved it and decided to wear it so I went to make him one but he saw the Mario mushrooms and ended up with a red one on a cord instead lol Didn't get a picture but he liked it I think :)
And that's all the crafting and randomness for now, I'm off to laugh at Michale McIntyre to try feel less rough (my sis decided instead of an IOU she'd give me her cold for Christmas lol)

Merry Christmas!

Well I've given some of my hand made gifts but not all lol But what I did give were well received :)
My son had such a fun time though by home time it had gotten too much for him, poor lad.
We hired the local sweetie cart for xmas eve and it was a big hit lol we had rather large jars of sweets each left over lol
So here's wishing you all a very merry christmas :) x

Last minute gifts

Well I promised a picture of the Fish Lips Kiss heel off the needles, so ta da! If you didn't grasp from my previous post, I really liked this heel. The stitches once learnt are easy and just have to look for wear to place the next one. It puckers out which I guess is why it's called fish lips, but the stitches are even on both sides, there are no holes from the heel to foot transition so no sewing up little holes once finished, just weave in your ends and ready to wear :) well other than blocking them if you need to block them first lol

I finally picked up the cream scarf again...with 1 row being around 20 minutes I sometimes dread picking it up but got a few rows done in the past couple of days. I'd not been working on it in the hopes of finishing the Little Fuchsia vest for little man but when I realised that was never gonna happen by xmas, figured why not spend some time on the scarf.

I've also been making some last minute gifts :) nothing too fancy and nothing knitting or crochet related but crafty all the same :)
First I made this double puzzle piece necklace for a new friend who also has an autistic son,she liked the one I just looped around some cord so did this on an a cord with clasp and extendable fastener.

Mine was originally on one of these but the jump rings opened and I wasn't impressed with the strength.To combat that I've swapped the jump rings for 7mm split rings, the split rings should hold up better than the jump rings too (also used this to put the puzzles on the cord so they'd lie right). I put both puzzle pieces on to show that though autistic children sometimes don't fit together the same way as average children, it doesn't matter they're themselves and we love them for it :)

I also made an autism awareness key ring for my mum. Used the small puzzle piece with purple cord and 3 beads (green round, pink heart, and blue round). Used a swivel connector so it can rotate and move without getting stuck.

Also made myself a single small puzzle piece ear ring, just the one as I like to wear odd ear rings lol

I made this puzzle cord to wear a few weeks ago (can't remember if I uploaded a picture). Basic but I like it, and so far others have liked it too :)

I also made a Mario mushroom key ring :) Love this as I love mushrooms and used to play Mario Brothers games all the time when I was little, still have my original game boy games and everything lol one red and one green mushroom, attached to a swivel connector with 7mm split rings :) awesome!

I've also made a few porcelain gifts for people:
The first is for a friend called Michael (you have seen the front in a previous post), it's a star to hang on a tree. He always says I'm a Scrooge so wrote Bah Humbug on the back side.

I also made one for my mum, slightly different but basically the same. They're both kinda traditional style at Xmas so stuck with a tree and stars wit ha gift :)

I made one for my friend but with a bare tree and reindeer with multi-coloured snow, she's a bit more artistc like me so thought she wouldn't mind :) please excuse my awful drawing of a reindeer lol

And last of all I made a coaster for my aunty Yvonne. Basic but colourful :)

Hope everybody likes their gifts and will probably try fit in some more mini gift making :) but since I still need to wrap all my sons gifts and get everything to wear it's going that may not happen lol
Sorry this post ended up so long. Merry crafting! x

happy yule!

A happy and Blessed Yule to everyone.
Today I cast off the sample for fish lips kiss heel, I'm very happy with it :) as you can see it's a smooth transition and construction, really easy to do (in my opinion) just look for next st on each row. Thumbs up!

Picture shows it still on the needles, will post finished mini sample when on computer :)

Hiya Hiya sample Fish Lips Kiss cast on

Giving my hiya hiyas a test knit, doing a sample heel of the fish lips kiss heel :)
Just doing mini cuff, heel and tiny body, casting off so I can try it on and check the fit (so no toes to do).

Cast on with 3.25mm tips and 24" cable and moved on to 2.75mm tips and changed cable to 32" length.
I could do the magic loop with 24" but the 32" is a little easier.
Testing with a yarn that is classed as DK but is a very thin one. When I use 4mm it's a loose gauge (22 sts per 4 inch), haven;'t tested this gauge yet. It's definitely tighter but still has gaps you can see through when you stretch the fabric.
Will post a photo when the test heel is completed.

Hiya Hiyas and Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern + YouTube

My hiya hiya interchangeable circs have arrived :D

At first glance you see the lovely case in which they arrive :) mine is blue but it does state the cases vary in colour etc. 

Then you open it up and it's so exciting! I got the 5" steel tip set in the small sizes:  
        2.75mm (2 US) tips
        3.25 (3 US) tips
        3.5mm (4 US) tips
        3.75mm (5 US) tips
        4mm (6 US) tips
        4.5mm (7 US) tips
        5mm (8 US) tips
        1* x cable making 40cm-45cm (16"-18") with small connector
        1* x cable making 60cm-65cm (24"-26") with small connector
        1 x cable making 80cm-85cm (32"-34") with small connector
        1 x cable making 100cm-105cm (40"-42") with small connector

I'm hoping to learn two-at-a-time socks (I really want to do toe up but think I'll try the easier top down first lol), make another Little fuchsia to correct gauge (I measured and mine on 4mm is at 22sts per 4" instead of 24sts per 4"), I want to make myself something with my Caped Crusader aran yarn from Babylonglegs (I'm thinking fingerless mitts and a hat) and I have so many plans in my head as well lol I need more time and better joints lol
Going back to socks for a minute, my friend Joeli on her blog has been saying good things about the Fish lips kiss heel so I've downloaded it and going to give it a try on a pair of socks for myself maybe :) The heel comes with a rather long PDF explaining how you can make a card template to help with sock construction measurements, and has a YouTube channel to explain some of the terms needed for the heel. This is supposed to be really easy with no gaps caused by wrap and turns (as it doesn't have them), I may even knit a small sample just to try it before doing a full sock. It does recommend putting in a life line before starting the heel if you are unsure of yourself (think I'll be doing that lol). 
I've been addicted to YouTube videos lately in the evenings lol including Knit Purl Hunter, VeryPink Knits, and Anacapa Knits, you can also find Joelis Kitchen.
I also really like having them on in the background whilst I work on my knitting, it keeps me motivated and it's interesting to see new techniques or hear about other peoples projects. 

The craft group I go to has had a Secret Santa as you may know if read my previous posts, we exchanged yesterday :) Gail liked her shawl, said it'll be good to keep her neck and back warm, especially in the car :) and funnily enough she got my name out the hat lol and she hand wrapped wire around a glass candle holder for me :) she put green glass stones in and a few candles as well :) We don't know whose making for us but we all guess when we get our gifts :)

 

My sons chewellery has arrived, and he has given it a go, even chewed the cord lol he's not going mad for it but if he gets used to it slowly may stop him chewing tops of drinks and killing his dummies. This was the cheapest one but the do have some cool shapes like turtles and such.

I've finally put my christmas tree up, still not feeling very festive though. Still have wrapping to do, and I'd like to fit making a snowman (a crocheted one, we haven't had snow yet) in for little man as he loves all the snowman ornaments and things at peoples houses.

And on that note I am off, happy crafting :) I know I have lots to do, how about you..?

Vest try on...

Wanted to make sure the vest is fitting even though only just about an inch down from under arm.

As you can see it seems slightly wide but not so much that it'll fall off.
Really hoping this knits up quick as I'd like to make a brown and orange one :)#
Happy crafting :)

Last minute gift and vest coming along

I needed to make a small gift to fit inside a bauble for on a tree :) so I made this small orange cotton flower decoration :) The pattern for this was from Stitch By Stitch I believe, if not that then one of my other Jane Bull books. It's for my grandma, I got her a photo frame with pic of the little lad in, and a bauble that comes apart with this tree decoration and 3 raspberry ruffles in :) I quite like using cotton but it can be pricey to make clothing out of :( but a cotton vest for summer would be nice for me or the little one.

I'm well on the way with the Little fuchsia vest for my son in green and yellow left over yarn. Gauge is a little loose would have been better on 3.5mm as pattern called for but I was being impatient. Not tried it on him yet as for a change he doesn't want to, too busy playing :) I started it on DPNs and am now using a 100cm circular and magic looping. Image shows up to end of increasing for the yoke and about to do under arm shaping (that is now done). Am now knitting straight stocking stitch for the body in green, I've got around 6" to knit like that until I can start on the garter stitch bottom edge.

I think, looking at it, it may be a little loose on little man but not too much, and being a loose gauge can be worn on slightly warmer days and won't be too hot. Though may make one on 3.5mm needle with tighter gauge for the cooler days. This yarn is a rather thin DK but there is a DK slightly thicker at the haberdashery, so if I get that it should be to gauge and a slightly warmer fabric. But may try a new yarn, as I think it would look cute in variegated yarn so may try that instead of colour changing, see what options they have in stock.
And on that note am off as I've lots to be doing, finally started xmas wrapping today, but not got much done.
Happy crafting :) x

Update, Ordered and Want lol

I've finally finished the surprise knit :) I will upload pics as soon as I can :) love the yarn (Babylonglegs space dyed sock in the merino).
I've cast on the vest for my son, though I don't have 3.5mm circs and non in stock at my local haberdashery so I've cast on with 4mm. Means it'll probably be too big for a while lol but ahh well really wanted to get it on the needles as a change to the scarf (which I know am going slow at).
I've mean naughty and ordered the small Hiya Hiya interchangeable circ set. Means I'll have a 3.5mm to cast on future Little Fuchsia vests with correct gauge. It has different sized tips and 4 different cable lengths. Will post pics when it arrives and full details, though it does tell you in the product description.
Babylonglegs has updated her stock, so many lovely colours, I want loads.
I'd love to do a vest/jumper for my son in one or more of these:
Pussycat aran
Rainbow aran
Cortez Gold aran
Very Hungrey Caterpillar aran
but can't justify the yarn cost for a 3 year old, as much as he loves me making him such things :( (may if get some funds for xmas but we'll see).
I also really want these:
Chardonnay semi-precious sock
Straw Poll semi-precious sock
Fire In The Sky aran
don't want a lot do I lol ..? Though I haven't made everything I want with my previous order yet lol
And on that note am off :) happy crafting! :) x

Baby Foxy Loxy hat + plans

I've made the baby (0-3 months) version of the Foxy Loxy hat for my cousins unborn baby :) It's adorable and unisex :) I've added in the stripes rather than the hat body being a solid colour.

I've also bought a pull over tank top pattern for children, Little Fuchsia. If I don't include the cables under the arms it is plain enough for my little boy :) The designer has an adult version as well that I like :) Look forward to casting this on :)
I've done 3 more rows on the cream scarf for my friend. It hardly looks like anything but it is 340 sts long so takes some fair time to do one row.

I've also been working on the surprise knit, I've got around 6 or 7 rounds to do then cast off and weave in all the ends and it'll be done. Can't post pics till it's been gifted but will post pics as soon as I can :)
That's all I've done but am happy the hat finished so quickly, might wrap it up for them for xmas :) Baby not due till next year.
I really want to cast on a vest for little one but see what happens :) I have lots to do.
I have some lovely yarn but unfortunately it's a ball of pink and a purple, not very boy colours lol maybe the purple with a green or brown but can't get those colours in the same yarn and don't really like mixing yarns on a single project unless using up scraps for charity knits. I do have some of the brown and cream I used for his foxy jumper I made previously but dunno whether to use it or not, it would be using stash instead of buying more yarn lol
I also want to make myself some thickish fingerless mitts as my hands get rather cold pushing the pram. Might use some of my babylonglegs aran yarn, was thinking caped crusader dye lot with a matching hat :)
So many plans, so little time lol Happy crafting :)

Christmas KAL + mini update

Well I actually finished knitting these a while ago, I can't remember when in all honesty...I hadn't classed them as cast off though as I fully intended to add some duplicate stitch on them. I've finally given that up as a job that just won't get done. Being a stay at home mum you'd think I have loads of time but I'm actually busy as my son has weekly visits and appointments, as well as nursery (that is out of town so two mornings lost there) and I just seem to end up with project bags sat there for ages going untouched or pretty close to...sorry long sentence lol but basically the KAL is to knit socks it doesn't state they have to have a design on them so long as the theme is christmasy and these to me are :) I like that I've made them odd but matching lol they remind me of a weird little elf :) awesome!

My son loves them, I've made this pair longer than his others so that when he wears his leggings his legs should still stay relatively warm :) Please excuse the no pants picture he has a tendency to strip off, at least we were at home when he did it today lol

I've followed a pattern I wrote up for this my patterns though I have substituted the double DK yarn for chunky and gone from 4mm to 5mm DPNs so the st count changed but only by a couple stitches.
I've worked a little on the surprise knit, though not as much as I should have but joints gave up on me.
I've done maybe a row or two on the cream scarf for my friend (so not enough but long rows so get achey and sore quickly).
I've cast on another foxy loxy hat  this time in baby size for my cousin who is expecting, thinking about it practically I know as much as I'd like to I just wouldn't get a full blanket done in time without causing a lot of pain. I'm now thinking a small unisex hat and maybe a little something else too :) see how we go lol
I've not made any more squares yet, I think last count was 8 but not 100% but at least they have no deadline and will need to get some form my tattooist (who's done at least 1) and my friend Lariath who has she will try work on a couple :)
I have decorated a few more ornaments and such for gifts, will get pics soon and post them :)
Happy crafting :)

Xmas gift guide...turned out kinda long...sorry

For any of you struggling to find those last minute gifts I thoguht I'd give you a few ideas from my endless wish lists. Please note you need to check shipping prices and times as some are going to be from different countries in some cases.
First up, I love bags and have a few though not too many as with a little one I don't really get the opportunity to try new ones and need plenty of space. Here are a few I like from online.
I love messenger bags and this orange polka bag is super cute, it's a decent size with inside pockets to stash away anything you need to know where it is and not loose at the bottom.
I love Ghibli films and merch so this green Totoro sling bag  is ideal for those slightly geeky female friends who have a thing for Ghibli style items, it's basic but adorable.
I love satchels and this Purple Leather Satchel is amazing, I have a small red one (though not real leather) and I think they are so stylish, though I'm not keen on the neon ones that have become fashionable (real leather is always a must if it's within your price range). 
As you all know I'm a fan of knitting and crocheting so any gift list would have to include items form my crafts :) here are a couple of notions pouches form blingyourstring on etsy: long mushroom notions pouch and long cow notions pouch. I love these, I have a thing for toadstools/mushrooms so obviously that is a loved item but in looking for cow items for a friend of mine who loves them I've developed a liking for them too lol so had to include the cow pouch too, don't see too many cow knitting items as people generally go for sheep, alpaca prints etc.
And of course a needle roll is always handy with your knitty friends so here is the link to all of TheUndercoverOwl needle roles  I really love the toadstool one (obviously lol but can't justify buying it at the moment).
TheUndercoverOwl also has a variety of project bag/pouch sizes and they all have their uses, I prefer the large and giant ones as if I'm not winding my own balls the bought ones are bulky so fit better in these sizes. I love so many of hers but being a geek I love that she has a separate folder for her geek fabric prints geeky fibre folk bags. I have a few myself (as you can see in previous posts) but I really love her Firefly large project bag. Still looking at project bags I think this sea critters project bag by blingyourstring is also really adorable,l great for anyone who loves the sea or for using for childrens projects.
On to yarn :) I love Babylonglegs as I've mentioned before but I really love her space dyed arans and her semi precious range which is so soft you just wanna smush your face in it :) The next two yarns I like I haven't tried so I can't guarantee it but they looks super nice, the first one is: British Falkland Aran (Divine colourway)  by LaalBear, the colours are like candy with the brown giving a hint of autumn/winter feel to it, great for a wintery gift to make or the yarn for a crafter. The second is this merino, cashmere, nylon blend in luscious greens with hints of yellow, just makes you thing of evergreens and wreaths (or it does me). As I said I haven't used these but I love the colours and this both are great for Xmas time, they're festive without being only wearable during the festive season (unlike candy cane colours and such which can be if not too careful).
If you like hand made items but can't knit of crochet yourself I've found some lovely geeky items :)
These Iron Man wrist warmers are awesome, and being Iron Man can be for your male or female friends :) keep you warm and be a little geek at the same time :)
Loving mushrooms and Mario I had to link this Mario mushroom cuff, it's cute and just had to be included lol but if you think a cuff would be a good gift but not for your nerdy friends, why not try a cute button cuff it's cute and the colours are autumn/wintery but could still be worn on a cold spring morning :)
And for any artists, why not have a colour wheel necklace to help with those colour choices :) can be helpful with pencils, paints, yarns and everything :) great for help for any age artist too :)
And often being thought of as the black sheep in the family I just love this stay weird necklace. Embrace your differences...why would we all want to be the same, how boring would life be then..?
For people who like crafting with glue I highly recommend Matte Mod Podge. I've used it on glass jars for candle holders, paper, card, cogs/gears, buttons and all sorts and it's never failed me yet. Really great for your mixed media friends.It's available in: Sparkle, Original Gloss, Original Matte, Outdoor, and Paper Matte. Though I've only used the original matte myself.
Or if you know someone who likes sewing why not try this Dressmaking questions answered book  so if they ever get a little stuck there is advise there ready.
And for knitters who like small projects using only one skein at a time why not give them inspiration with this One Skein Wonders book, filled with projects that either grow quickly or take time but all only use 1 skein of yarn (approx, bear in mind yardage if using different yarn to suggested). I have the One Skeins Wonders book for sock yarn, so all projects use sock yarn but aren't all socks :)
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without an old film...I used to love watching Annie and it's now available on DVD. But there are loads out there, I also love The Snowman and Father Christmas as they used to be on every year when I was little, and not forgetting the new The Snowman and Snow Dog for a classic style but a new story :)
And of course you have to read The Night Before Christmas, I have it in a mixed Christmas story book form when I was a child, though I've never seen that version since. If I can dig it out without destroying all my storage (it's in a memory box) I'll edit this post to include a picture of it. I was my pride and joy as a child, used to sleep with it under my pillow all year round lol Strange as now I'm kind of a Scrooge lol
Happy holiday shopping and crafting for all you making gifts :)

Chewable...

My son has managed to chew through rather a lot of cup tops recently, his speech therapist has recommended these chewable necklaces so I've ordered one form the States and hoping it'll help...if he's not chewing cups to pieces he's chewing a dummy, his clothes (so he ends up wet through) or himself (and ends up covered in bite marks and clammy feeling :( )

I'm hoping if this works to invest in some more to have ones he can choose from, but they are rather pricey, and take time to deliver due to importation. They also do a retractable belt clip version as well :)
So if you have a child with a chewing sensory issue and have one of these, please let me know your thoughts. Or if you have one of these in your house hold already please let me know if they are hard to transfer your child on to them lol
In other news...I'm slowly increasing my collection of replica jewellery from TV shows/films :) yay! Am such a nerd but I love it lol
Happy crafting :)

Porcelain painting, Curiology and Knitmas!

I've been bad for actual knitting lol but my craft items I ordered weeks ago finally got here :) and ordered more already lol

I ordered some porcelain paint pens and some star decorations and owls. I started with the star and painted on an Xmas tree and gift with stars and initials of it's intended recipient :) When the paint dries I'll write a small message on the back...probably "Bah! Humbug!" as he says I'm a Scrooge coz am not in general festive lol Then I can bake them to set the paints.

I then started the owl (it's a tee light candle holder), and as you can see I didn't get very far before my son wanted to help lol I actually like it, the colours are bold and I don't mind that it's a bit all over the place lol Something like this is ideal for our home, or a relative as a gift. Same with the stars (and coasters still to come).
For my second order I've asked for porcelain coasters to decorate and pumpkin decorations (Hallowe'en is by far my favourite holiday!) I've also ordered some glass paint pens as on this order I got baubles to decorate but they can't go in the oven to set the porcelain pen paints and the glass pens are air dry (and clean off able apparently). I had borrowed some of my mum but as I was ordering anyway I thoguht why not get some so we can have a play anytime.

A while ago (Hallowe'en) I made an order with Curiology with an offer of a free item and free postage for the holidays. Unfortunately she's been having problems with her acrylic supplier so taken this long to arrive. But her being lovely has included a 15% off coupon code for my next order to appologise for the delay, and she did message me to let me know there were problems.
I ordered the Octopus and Heart Silhouette necklace, I like sea life so this was something I'd had my eye on for while. It's rather big and bold so not something I'll wear all the time but I really like it. I also like the Ornate Deer Skull Silhouette necklace and the Til Death do us Part reversible Silhouette necklace.

The free gift for Hallowe'en was a skull and cross bone necklace. If I decide it's something I'm not going to wear it can always become a extra gift for someone :)

I like the designs from Curiology, they're very individual :) I've previously ordered the Coraline Seeing Stone necklace and the toadstool and vintage pen nib ear rings :) If you're even slightly alternative, or got a little bit of nerd in you I'd recommended her (she also has replicas from films such as Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings). I don't think she does the toadstool ear rings anymore that I got but now has a few themed ones. Also I've added a link to one type of Harry Potter necklace but there is also another design with "Always" on. Happy browsing!

I read a blog by Anacapaknits and she has a link to last years 'Countdown to Knitmas' blog posts which includes a label image for yarns and what the symbols mean on the labels. I think these could be printed out and kept as a reference, but also if you wanted to make your own labels maybe design one similar and circle the options that apply to the yarn you used to make the item you're attaching it to. Yarn Instruction Label Link! The whole lead up to Knitmas has some interesting hints and tips as well as patterns for you to make too, so happy reading!

And on that note I'm off, I've bombarded you with enough links to have a look at for one day :)
Happy crafting! and Merry Knitmas! lol