NEW PATTERN RELEASE: Nebula Scarf

Simple pattern to showcase the beautiful colors in an amazing yarn!

I have forever loved watching the stars, Amazing Adam and I spent our first weekend together doing just that after the kids were asleep.

Nebulae are amazing cloud-like formations in the heavens, exhibiting all kinds of beautiful colors and shapes. There is the Crab Nebula, Cat's Eye Nebula, Butterfly Nebula, Horse Head Nebula, Pillars of Creation Nebula and I believe there is even a Unicorn Nebula!

The colors of this yarn from Groovy Hues Fibers really inspired this pattern, I really wanted something simple and understated to not detract from the amazing color changes in this yarn. In all honesty, I have NEVER worked with sock yarn before! I was a bit intimidated in the beginning and afraid that all my frogging would render a chunk of the yarn "over worked." I was incredibly pleased when everything ended up amazing in the end. It is exactly what I was hoping for!

I've also fallen in love with nebula jewelry! I was lucky enough to purchase this necklace from Nerdy Little Secrets this last week. I simply cannot wait to wear it with this scarf!

love, Love, LOVE!

Knowing how much I like putting patterns out there, I encourage you to put your own spin on this one. the Star-Heart is completely removable! Instead of being stitched to the scarf, I stitched on a button instead, small enough to slip between the clusters and large enough to not fall out every time I move.

Please head on over to Ravelry to purchase, add to your queue, please remember to add to your favorites! It is also available at Craftsy.

As always, please let me know what you think & don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!

Have a great weekend!

Month in Review: January 2015!

Beginning this year, a goal I have set for myself is to of course, blog more! 

In order to do so, I've decided to post interesting links, mostly crochet or geek related, sometimes both. I hope you enjoy! If there is something you’d like to see in the future, please let me know in the comments below.

NEW PATTERN RELEASE!!!                                                                           (New Paid Pattern)  

I released my very first paid pattern just before Super Bowl Sunday this year! Links are posted under the picture below.

Amanda's Super Bowl Scarf

This pattern is available for $3.50 USD on both Ravelry and on Craftsy.

I am super excited about this one! One of my amazing cousins, Amanda, created a leaf pattern inspired by the Seattle Seahawks 2015 uniform… here’s a pic:

Yes, it is a butt, however we're supposed to be looking at the green stripe!

Since Amanda is super sweet, she gave me the graph to create my own pattern from!

I had never tried a pattern with a lot of color changes until I created this one, and you know what? It actually ended up being a lot of fun! It was quite intimidating at first but I've learned a lot from looking around on the interwebs investigating different techniques to improve my work and color changing is something I must have retained!

What I have been working on: (Please forgive the dark pictures, I’m surrounded by inadequate lighting for proper photography in my home)

Cubone                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)            

Pattern Link:    https://www.etsy.com/listing/154708735/cubone-amigurumi-pattern-pokemon-crochet

My eldest son, Riley, is really into Pokemon, so much so that it has infected the rest of my family! I’m up to my ears in what I have deemed “poke-lingo” it sounds so strange when you have NO IDEA what is going on let alone being talked about… and yes, it has taken Amazing Adam too. *le sigh*

Riley usually has his profile pic as one of Cubone; to which I found out has a seriously HORRIBLE back story:

Team Rocket (I remember some of them from the cartoon) killed his mother in front of him when he was just a baby and now in honor of her death or in order to exact revenge or something, he WEARS HER SKULL! What. The. Heck! This is for kids? Really???

Anyway, I had wanted to get Cubone done in time for Christmas, unfortunately I decided to NOT stress myself out this year (last year?) and do what I could, so I spent most of January still working on Secret Squirrel Projects! This was the first one – seems as if I’m always making things for his younger siblings, so I put Riley on the top of the list.

This little critter has so many stinkin' parts! I stuck to the pattern like glue too, I had to seriously! Apparently, I switched the back spikes, but it doesn't seem to matter, he LOVED it! I was a happy mama!

Squirtle!                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)           

Pattern Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/214644384/crochet-pattern-amigurumi-chubby?ref=related-0

Squirtle went to Aurora. After she saw that Riley got Cubone, she started dropping hints – like a typical Scorpio, trying to manipulate my will – that she wanted Pikachu; and like the Capricorn I am, gave her Squirtle!

Only modifications I made to the pattern were using 15 mm buttons instead of 15 mm safety eyes; which I would have had to make a special trip to the other side of town to purchase. Also, instead of 3 pipe cleaners in the tail to help hold the curl, I used 2 folded in half. Not only did it make it easier to crochet the end of the tail, but it made sure that sharp bits were definitely not going to poke out, as well as not ruining a pair of scissors cutting the ends off!

Assistance for selling projects & not underselling yourself!                                       Free Link       

I know a lot of people are always wondering what their craft items are worth if they were to start selling them. Well I found a link to a Craft Calculator – it seems as if it is also available in both the App Store and on Google Play as an app, making it completely convenient to use on your phones and tablets!

 Craft Calculator:                http://www.craftscalculator.com/

Faux Crochet Boots:                                                                                                        Free tutorial  

Not exactly a crochet item, but I LOVE the way these boots turned out! Created by Glamour 4 You, she turned a pair of boots into wearable crochet art, even out in the Washington weather, these would be adorable!

Faux Crochet Boot Tutorial:         http://www.glamour-4-you.com/blog/faux-crochet-outdoor-boots

FREE Dragon Scarf Pattern                                                                                           Free Pattern  

I love dragons, and I've been eye-balling some scarves around there, but this one is not only super cute, but it’s also free! Posted by Six Little Mice, this one is definitely on my To Do List!

Dragon Scarf Pattern:     http://sixlittlemice.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/dragon-scarf-pattern.html

Stitch I’m dying to learn: Crocodile Stitch                                                                   Free Pattern  

Saw this purse posted on Craft Passion and thought it would be a great way to learn how to make the oh-so versatile Crocodile Stitch. I’ve seen those scales on shawls, cowls, booties, slippers, scarves, blankets and so much more! Can’t wait to give this one a shot too!

Crocodile Stitch Drawstring Purse:   http://www.craftpassion.com/2013/08/crochet-drawstring-crocodile-stitch-purse.html/2

A pattern for those you love!                                                                                         Free Patterns  

One of my all-time favorite patterns has got to be the Circle of Love Afghan by Moogly. It’s a free pattern posted on her blog and it is gorgeous! I originally made it in colors she suggested (reminded me of the school colors for Washington State University), then because I did enjoy working the pattern I followed the original with a Seahawks colored afghan:

Circle of Love Afghan:            http://www.mooglyblog.com/circle-love-afghan/

There you go! Links of January is complete! Please let me know what you think. I’d also love to see if you complete any of the projects posted above!

Remember to visit my Facebook page and let me know you came by to visit!

FREE PATTERN: Supernatural Moonlight Infinity Scarf for "I Love Yarn Day!"

Happy I Love Yarn Day!

I know it has been a long time. And let me tell you, chaos reigns! There has been a lot going on – but then again, who’s life doesn't have chaos?  Over the last few weeks I've been in quarantine due to a nasty cold that has been kicking my butt (hopefully, I’m on the mend now). Plus a nasty of creative block; I’d start a few patterns then unravel everything I’d done in the day. It just wasn't grabbing my attention and it was all lacking passion and enthusiasm.

This last weekend I was again sequestered into the bedroom as to not contaminate the rest of the family I watched Supernatural Season 8! Oh, I had finished Seasons 1-7 a few months back and had been wanting to catch up on Season 8 as it was the current season, but my cable provider (you know who you are) sucks and wouldn't provide them in any helpful order. Imagine my thrill when I was notified by Netflix that it was now available on instant streaming! Heck, yes!

almost too much squee for one geek!

Thus I was inspired by a healthy (and much needed) 2-day session of Season 8; which was luckily prior to the premiere of Season 9 this week. Lately, I’d been trying to do something with a “granny square” stitch and I had been collecting sparkly yarns over the past few months, knowing that I’d find the perfect project someday. Well, that someday happened!

To not only celebrate the rampant geek squee that is Supernatural, but to also celebrate I Love Yarn Day, I present to you my new pattern:

worn the long direction - bad selfie, sorry!

in this pic i have folded it to double up as a cowl
another bad selfie!

Materials 

N Size Crochet Hook

Yarn:

     Loops & Threads Charisma – Black, Purple & White (5 Bulky)

     Loops & Threads Dewdrops – Amethyst & Diamond (6 Super Bulky)

Yarn Needle & Scissors for cutting & finishing off ends

Notes:

• Each round will finish with a slip stitch to the beginning cluster of the row.
• Beginning Cluster:- ch 2 + 2 dc in the same stitch (the ch 2 will count as a dc for the beginning cluster only)
• Pattern Cluster – 3 dc in same stitch
• Do NOT chain any stitches between clusters.
• It was my intention as I created this scarf that the clusters remain close, not too much space between as a more traditional cluster stitch may be, as I wanted this to be plush and cozy.
• As you’re working or even when you’re done, I found that tugging the stitches both vertically and horizontally across the rows & columns helped to seat the clusters between other clusters making sure they settled where they were supposed to.
• For changing colors I found it easiest to just tie off and cut the yarn mostly due to the number of colors in use and their mass to move around each other. It is your decision if you want to carry through or tie off.

Foundation: (Use your first color; see below for an outline of the color scheme I used.)

I found that there are two basic ideas to starting off a project. For this one, due to the amount of stitches required I preferred the beginning chain over the foundation row – here are both for you to decide:

• Beginning Chain - chain 131 stitches, sc in 2^nd stitch from hook, sc back to the beginning (130)
• Foundation Row - Foundation sc for 130 stitches; sl to join to 1^st stitch, careful not to twist the chain when you join to the beginning. (130) YouTube has videos on how to stitch the Foundation Single Crochet.

Supernatural Moonlight Color Scheme

Foundation              Charisma Black

Row 1                     Charisma Black

Row 2              Dewdrops Amethyst

Row 3              Dewdrops Diamond

Row 4                    Charisma Purple

Row 5                     Charisma White

Row 6                    Charisma Purple

Row 7              Dewdrops Diamond

Row 8              Dewdrops Amethyst

Row 9                     Charisma Black

Row 10 (sc)             Charisma Black

Pattern:

Row 1: (Black) ch 2, 2 dc in same st, skip 2 stitches, 3dc in next stitch. *skip 2 stitches, 3dc in next stitch* continue repeating from * to * until you reach the beginning cluster, sl st to join. Tie off & cut.

Row 2:-9: Repeat Row 1 – changing color with each new row, following the color scheme listed above or a color scheme of your own choosing. 

Row 10: (still using black) sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the beginning stitch, bind off.

Finish off any remaining loose ends.

That’s it. Super simple really, but I LOVE this scarf! I’ve got rave reviews about it from work and family. Have fun with this pattern, use colors that speak to you… I’m already thinking of what other color schemes I can come up with!

Feel free to sell the items made from this pattern, just please don’t replicate the pattern, if anyone wants the pattern for themselves, please direct them to my blog!

Also, if you find any errors or discrepancies, please let me know!

Hope you enjoy making your Supernatural Moonlight Infinity Scarf, I’d love to see your finished projects!

employee snapped what i hope is a better pic?

It had been my original plan to spend all day crocheting at Starbucks while the kids were in school. However because I've been ill and missed too much work and then the kids don't have school due to a teacher professional day. I'll be at work, but I'll be yarning in my heart!

Anyone do anything fun to celebrate?

VOGUEknitting LIVE! - Seattle

I know, I know... You're thinking,"knitting, I thought this was all about crochet!" Well, it is. However I ran across an opportunity to participate in the Vogue Knitting Live Seattle event - with my crochet!

At Cafe Cesura in Bellevue on April 6th, Vogue Knitting is hosting an event where they invited all yarn crafters in the area to create coffee cozies to donate to be given away.

Boy, oh, boy! At first I didn't think I was going to participate as the information was posted with a local yarn crafting group message board and the group wasn't really interested in participating. Then this last week I found out that I could participate as an individual! All I had to do was crochet as many coffee cozies as I could and have them on their way to New York by TODAY!

Meep! Luckily, this coincided with a point where my "brain candy" wasn't exactly working right and I deemed it necessary to have some mental rejuvenation days this week. I played hooky on Monday and Tuesday this week and I crocheted my butt off for 4 days all together and here are a few pictures to show what I was able to come up with:

Cherry Cupcake Cozy

Death Star Cozy

Mickey Mouse Ribbon Cozy

Cherry Blossoms in the Snow Cozy

... and a few others that I don't have the pictures or the credits ready to post. I had so much fun working on these. Luckily, I still have enough ideas running around my brain so with the left over supplies that I wasn't able to use, I should be able to recreate some of these for any one interested in them.

Also, I should be able to wing enough replicas that I'm hoping to post some new patterns. (I know I keep promising this but I will totally get my act together and deliver... as soon as possible!) 

Let me know what you think in the comments, I would love to see which one is your favorite.

Hopefully, I'll be able to attend some of the events at VogueKnitting Live this next month (April 5-7) and I'll report back on what happens if I do.

So, there you go... this was my Secret Squirrel Mission that I'd been working on. Super cool, right?

Random Geekery - 2012.08.08

I read a blog post at Epbot - one of the fabulously geeky blogs that I follow - about her response to apparently psudo-geek girls running around out there. The gist of her statement was basically to get over it and quit judging everyone else. I liked that.

If you're reading my blog, you're opening yourself up to read my opinion; so here it is: EVERYONE HAS A GEEK SIDE. If you're a jock - you get your geek on over athletic-type stuffs, games, gear, ... whatever. If you're a fashionista-type - you get your geek on over Channel's latest bag, or Gucci's latest lipstick color (and youcan probably tell that I'm not the fashionista-type geek from that statement alone).

Fo r example, I haven't really been into the whole sci-fi tv shows thing, I'd watch a few episodes of ST: NextGen but that was mainly because it was late and nothing else was really on; I would never sit around waiting for a new episode because I never paid that much attention.

Then this year I found my gateway drug: Doctor Who! I started with Rose and the 9th Doctor as any good nouveau-Whovian should do, and by the time the Doomsday episode made it across my tv or tablet (thank you Netfix!) I was bawling right along with Rose wondering about the what-ifs and horribly upset about how unfair it was (and wondering where I can find a crochet pattern for her arm warmers).

Now here we stand on the precipice of a brand new season of Doctor Who (I'm still not sold on this 11th Doctor - his jaw line is a bit odd to me) that I'll actually be able to watch as they air on BBC America, I can't wait! But unfortunately I have to...

Honestly, I finished what Netflix had to offer for the seasons of the Doctor sometime back, so since then I had been filling in my time with its spin-off: Torchwood. Loved it! There were some quirky things with some of the actors where I didn't love them as much as Doctors 9 and 10, but lordy, lordy that Captain Jack. I sqeed every time he got his flirt on! It was a good series too - but i finished what Netflix has to offer last weekend. In doing some research Starz picked it up and did 2 runs with some of the same actors... I have to find those somewhere...

This is where I come to my problem, I know that - rather I feel my sci-fi geek whimpering for more fodder... but where do I go from here? I tried the first episode of Firefly and I'm not to certain how that's gonna go, wasn't too impressed with it right off the bat.

So if you have any suggestions... or if you wanna chat Doctor Who... let me know in the comments below!