4KCBWDAY6: A Tool to Covet

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

Day Six (Saturday April 27th): A Tool To Covet
Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers. Is it an item that you would recommend to others, and if so for which applications/tasks do you think it is most suited. Conversely, do you have a tool/accessory that you regret buying? Why does it not work for you?



Hmmm...this is a hard one. I'm not that into gadgets and haven't explored enough to really have any absolute favorite crocheting tools. I still use the same hooks and scissors that I bought when I first started crocheting 8 years ago. I don't buy a ton of tools, so I don't have any that I regret buying. Think, think, think. There must be something. Okay. I've got it. Two favorites. The first is this eyeglass case that I found at a charity shop for about 50p. It's perfect for holding all the tools I need for a WIP: scissors, hook, needles, pen. It's also pretty and easy to grab and go.



The second is my needle holder. I have no idea when or where I got this, but it is the best because it holds all my needles. It also fits nicely in my eyeglass case and I never lose my needles!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here, my first ever, inspired by yesterday's topic!

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4KCBWDAY5: Something A Bit Different

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

4KCBWDAY5 Something A Bit Different 

It’s the annual challenge to blog in a way different to how you normally blog. You may choose to create a podcast, or vlog, create a wordless post or write in verse. You've already stretched your wings with an infographic, now it's time to freestyle. You can post on any topic you like, but be sure to post in a style different from your usual blog presentation. 

Today, I'm going to do something I've never done before: a Giveaway! When I saw today's topic, I thought it would be the perfect time to run my very first giveaway. I'm offering one of my newest additions to my Etsy shop, Sunshine Makings. My mom (Kay from Jerry & Kay) and I started the shop at the end of November and it's been loads of fun! One of our newest items are these lovely crochet headbands. By entering the giveaway, you have a chance to win not one...but three of the crochet headbands. You choose the colors.



The colors pictures are what we currently have available in the shop, but here is a list of your choices: red, white, black, dark blue, light blue, green, grey, pink, raspberry, and yellow.

The giveaway will run until midnight, April 30, 2013. To enter the giveaway, just fill in the form below. The more options that you complete, the better chance you have of winning. I will announce the winners on May 2, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4KCBWDAY4: Colour Review

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

Day Four (Thursday April 25th): Colour Review
What are your favourite colours for knitted or crocheted projects. Have a think about what colours you seem to favour when yarn shopping and crafting. Only after writing this part of your post should you then actually look to see what colours you have used in your projects. Make a quick tally of what colours you have used in your projects over the past year and compare it to the colours you have written about. Compare this, in turn, to the colours that are most dominant in your yarn stash – do they correlate? Now think back to your house animal - do the colours you have chosen relate to your animal in anyway - if you are in the house of peacock, for example, are your projects often multicoloured and bright?

My favorite colors this year have been grey, blue, and pink. This blanket has been one of my favorite color combinations that I have ever used. 

I even used again in this scarf.

And then there are the many shades of grey...

Little Mouse and Elephant Amigurumi

Coffee Cup Sleeves                                                       Fingerless Gloves

Infinity Scarf                                                              Mug Cozy

               Guy Beanie                                                        Recycled Yarn Cup Cozy

Headband

These colors are different from what I have in my stash, which makes sense because my stash is filled with yarn that I've bought for projects that I've never completed. There is a lot of baby colors: pink, light yellow, light blue, white. I'm hoping to use a lot of it up soon because I have a lot of pregnant friends, and I'm also going to be selling at my school's Mayfair in a couple weeks. I'm hoping to get a few baby blankets finished by then!

I don't think the colors I choose relate very well to a bee. They relate more to the weather that has surrounded me many days over the last year: grey. Also, on a grey note, they relate to the sad fact that there aren't as many bees around here as there have been in the past. Looking at the next set of bright colors in that help me combat the grey, I can also see colors of flowers that might attract a bee, so perhaps they relate more that I thought...

        Wash Cloths                                                       More Coffee Cup Sleeves

 ...and Hats!

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4KCBWDAY3: Infographic

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

Day Three (Wednesday April 24th): Infographic

There are many ways of conveying information on a blog; text and images being the two most widely used. Many infographics combine both these elements to provide a visual way of presenting text information. Make your own infogaphic (no fancy imaging software needed, you can draw it on paper and photograph it if you want) to convey any element of your craft(s). It can be just for fun or a thoroughly researched presentation of an idea/finding.

I made my infogram using Tagxedo. I enjoyed designing it, choosing the colors and shape. However, I could not get it to download in any way, so in the end I just took a screenshot. I really didn't have the time or interest to investigate why it wouldn't download because I don't think I'll be using a ton of infograms in the future. It was fun to do it today, but I didn't fall in love with the task. I had the most fun with the theme of it: Knit and Crochet Abbreviations. When learning to knit or crochet, it's like learning a new language. My infogram shows most, but not all, of the many knit and crochet abbreviations. I am happy to say that I knew what most of them meant...most of the crochet abbreviations, anyway...the knitting ones I still have a ways to go!

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4KCBWDAY2: A Mascot Project

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

Day Two (Tuesday April 23rd): A Mascot Project.

Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal. It could be a knitting or crochet pattern – either of the animal itself or something that makes you think of the qualities of that house. Alternatively it could be a type or colour of yarn, or a single button. Whatever you choose, decide upon a project and blog about how and why it relates to your house/creature. You do not have to make this project! It is simply an exercise in blogging about how you come to decide upon what projects to make. Try and blog about the journey which inspiration and investigating patterns, yarns, stitches, (etc) can often guide you through. You may wish to make a collage or 'mood board' to present several ideas, or even sketch out your own design.

My Bee Moodboard

When I search for a project, I first think of what projects I have in my old red binder where I filed projects before the invention of Pinterest. Usually, I don't think of anything from there. So, next I go to Pinterest and take a look at my Crochet and Knitting board. If that does not inspire me, I go to Google, which is where I ended up for my bee crochet project research.

My findings:

1. Naturally Dyed Merino Yarn on Etsy - I love this color and that it's naturally dyed. Favorited.

2. Bee Amigurumi - This is the type of project I love. It's super easy. It's super cute!

3. Salted Honey Artisan Caramels - yum. yum. yum. I got a little distracted from finding a crochet pattern when I came across this image and went straight to its source to read more about it! Can't you just taste it?? Favorited.

4. Yarn Ball Pure Beeswax Candle - When the caramels took me to Etsy, I thought I'd look around there for some bee inspired crochet patterns and instead found this great beeswax yarn ball candle! Isn't that clever? 

5. Bee Movie - Any time I hear the word bee, I hear "Thinking bee! Thinking bee!" because The Bee Movie has been one of my daughter's top two movies for her entire life of four years (the other is Madagascar). I'm pretty sure I've watched or at least heard the movie at least a couple hundred times.

6. Bumble Bee Hat Crochet Pattern - I saw this and the next few adorable patterns before I got distracted by the caramels. I'm just not sure if my kids will be into it. They're pretty picky these days. So, I'll have to ask them and get a definite answer before I invest.

7. Bumble Bee Amigurumi - Isn't this a lovely picture? I love how they placed the crochet bee in the flower. This one originally brought me to a fabulous page with loads of free amigurumi patterns. Love it!

8. Baby Bees - I just love these. They are so cheerful. They were made as a teacher gift, a pretty unique idea. I never thought to crochet dolls for my kids' teachers. I might have to give it a try this year.

9. Crochet Covered Sea Stones - Where else but Purlbee! Very fitting. I've seen these stones before and love how the crochet cover softens the hard stones.

                                        Source: purlbee.com via Jessica on Pinterest

This is a typical pattern search. A little flighty, right? And I still haven't made a decision on what to crochet - also typical. Usually, in the end I choose what I think will be the easiest on that I will still love. So, in this case, if I really have to make a choice, it would be the crochet covered sea stones. From looking at the pictures, I don't think they would be too difficult or take too much time. So, I've pinned the free pattern and tutorial! Now, I just have to find the perfect day to make them.

Now for the House Mascot, I would have to choose the Bumble Bee Amigurumi. It represents the house because it's a bee. It is on a flower. It looks like it's eye has just spotted something else. It's attracted. It will not be on this flower for another second, but will flutter over and away to the shine that has caught it's eye. And on...and on. Bzzzzzzzzzzzz......

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4KCBWDAY1: The House Cup

This blog post is part of the 4th annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

Introduction to the Topic:

Bee, Manatee, Monkey, or Peacock?

Choose your house. You may be a combination of more than one of these noble beasts, but think about which house best embodies your qualities and declare your place. Post about your crafting outlook/style and why you chose this house. 

If the sorting hat had been made out of yarn, it would have most definitely sent me to the House of Bee. According to Eskimimi, "Bees are busy and industrious, but can flit from one interesting project to the next as bright and shiny things capture their interest." This is me. Mainly the flitting, which is evident in all of the unfinished projects I accumulate. 

But also the literal attraction to bright and shiny things, like Glitter.

                                                                     Source: boards.weddingbee.com via Jessica on Pinterest

And the Sun.

 

                            Source: summmerlovin.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Which is why I started this blog in the first place - to help make up for my lack of the brightest thing - the sun. I flit from sewing to crochet to knitting...and then quickly whiz back to crochet and then zip again over to sewing. And just today I was considering sketching again with pencils and charcoal...if this busy bee can find the time, that is.

3KDBWDAY7 - Crafting Balance

Today's topic for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week is all about crafting balance. Am I a knitter or crocheter or both? Well, if you read my last post, you'll know that I am a crocheter with the goal to become a knitter. I love crochet and struggle with knitting, but I usually love the look of knitted items more than crochet items. I always have crochet projects on the go and aspire to have some knitting ones in the near future!

Left: One of my first crochet projects. Middle: Son's baby blanket. Right: Another first crochet project.

Can I interrupt myself to ask a question here? Thanks.

I'd like to knit a cowl - which one of these do you think would be a good first project for a new knitter?

1) Moss Stitch Cowl               2) Lyndhurst Cowl               3) Elphaba                4) InstaCowl

Besides loving to crochet and my desire to knit, I also really enjoy sewing. I love how quick it is to sew up lovely items. I was a frequent sewer from the time I learned at 9 years old through my university years. I remember hand sewing clothes for my barbies, browsing through pattern catalogues at the local fabric shop, borrowing cute dresses from my friends and using the to sew my own, and earning an award for best student in Home Ec. (at the time I was slightly embarrassed, but now I'm proud) after making an abundance of pillows and stuffed animals in middle school. I put aside sewing when I started travelling, mainly because it was impossible to pack my sewing machine. However, a little more than three years ago, I found a sewing machine at a charity shop and began sewing again. In my next post, I'll show more of the first few things I made and share the story of that first machine. It was a treadle machine without the treadle!

Back to the topic, though...I think I have a pretty good balance with the crafts I love. Crochet an item - Sew an item - and hopefully Knit some items soon!

I hope you've enjoyed Eskimimi Makes' Knitting and Crochet Blog Week with me. I have loved every minute of it. It has been a great challenge and delight to think about these two crafts and their significance in my life. I have also been very pleased to discover new blogs and to have read others' thoughts on the topics. I have laughed, sighed, and almost cried. Thank you Eskimimi Makes!

3KCBWDAY6 - Improving Your Skillset

                                                                   Source: crookedcrochet.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest

My skill set. Hmm. Crochet is definitely included in there, as well as sewing and random crafting. I love how relaxing it is to sit down with my hooks and yarn to make a hat, a scarf, a baby blanket, and so on. I have no fear of trying to make patterns that might be considered "difficult." I understand the language of crochet as if it were my first language. I...I...I...how great am I? Can I tell you some more? (just kidding). The thing is, crochet just came naturally when I re-learned it 5 or 6 or 7 years ago, most likely because I had already learned it as a child. 

                                           Source: finnesselifestyle.com via Jessica on Pinterest

When I became so confident at crocheting, I attempted knitting. Immediately Humbled. It was the farthest thing from easy. My hands were so awkward managing two needles. When I dropped a stitch, I had no idea how to fix it and would either begin again or just leave a hole or the ribbing would become unbalanced. I don't even really know what I'm talking about right now, so hopefully all you fabulous knitters can understand that last sentence. When I'd try a knitting pattern, I'd constantly be on google looking up terms. My best friend at the time was KnittingHelp.com. I made two hats...then attempted another project a few months later and gave up. 

                                      Source: holycrapyarnandstuff.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Now, recently I have been inspired by my mom who is always attempting new things in her sewing, crochet, and knitting. You can take a look at her blog to see her diverse assortment of creations. She is currently knitting socks for the first time. I have come to the conclusion that I need to knit! I always see knit items that I love, but push the thought of making them from my mind. So, I'm making a goal. Yikes! Now I really have to do it!


So, inspired by Knitting and Blog Week...and inspired by my mom...here is my goal:


Skill I would like to have a go at: KNITTING
When: learn in MAY...finish 4 projects by the end of 2012


Now, I think I'll need some help from you. Do any of you who knit have any suggestions of a good project to learn on? Do you think it is possible for me who will be a new knitter to finish 4 projects by the end of 2012 or should I aim for less?

 ***To view more blogs participating in the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, search Google for 3KCBWDAY6***

3KCBWDAY5 - Something a Bit Different

I must admit, I didn't have much time today to put much thought and effort into Something a Bit Different for the Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. However, I had a great time making this short movie with my kids! My favorite parts are "singness" and our magical popsicle stick wand.

***To view more blogs participating in the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, search Google for 3KCBWDAY5***

3KCBWDAY4 - Through the Seasons

Today's Knitting and Crochet Blog Week topic has to do with knitting and crocheting throughout the seasons. Basically, I have to answer the question, "How does your local seasonal weather affect your craft?"

This one is definitely one of the most meaningful topics to me this week. The whole reason I started my blog was to help motivate myself  to create throughout the year, but especially in the dark months.

                                                                   Source: londonrelocationservices.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Since moving to England, I have experience a major lack of sunlight and warmth compared to what I was used to for most of my life. I always knew that I loved the sun, heat and lying on the beach, soaking it all in. What I didn't know is how shorter darker days would effect me emotionally. Year to year, the winter has brought me down more and more.

Source: summmerlovin.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Time to fight it.

I made a list of the things that make me happy and lift my spirit: Bible Study, Exercise, Creating. Oh, and ask for a S.A.D. light for Christmas!

I signed up for a weekly Bible study, (slacked on the exercise), and started this blog to document my creations. It has helped immensely. I have created more this winter than I have in years. Typically, I have crocheted items according to an occasion - new babies, need for a new hat, etc. 

The past months, I've been at a loss at times because there haven't been many occasions. It has helped me explore a bit more and I've enjoyed making amigurumi (here and here, along with some I haven't posted, yet). 

I've also crocheted in new places just to keep my fingers moving and my emotions even. To sum it up, I've learned that I need to create in all seasons. During some, it comes easy and naturally. During others, it definitely takes more of an effort. But, through them all, the creative process helps me process my thoughts and maintain a sense of peace and joy regardless of the weather!

                                                                   Source: aliciaandrick.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest


***To view more blogs participating in the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, search Google for the tag 3KCBWDAY4***

3KCBWDAY3 - Knitting and Crochet Hero

My knitting and crochet hero :: My Mom

This one is so easy for me. The only person that I could ever consider as my knitting and crochet hero is my mom. She is the one who taught me how to crochet when I was about 8 years old. I remember spending hours fingering chains long enough to stretch across the living room. I gave up crochet for a long period of time, but when I picked it up again 6 years ago, my mom was right there to answer any questions I had and fix my mistakes.

One of my dearest memories is the day my mom, my sister, and I spent at a cafe, drinking coffee and learning to knit one, pearl one.

 Besides learning the how-to's from my mom, she has taught me so much more from her love of stitching, sewing, and crafting. Her creations are so full of talent, but even more full of love. 

She has been told for years, "You should sell your stuff." But she never has. The beautiful things she makes have only ever been true gifts of love.

 Even if she was trying to sell, she'd end up just giving her creations away and feel even more full of joy and satisfaction. She's given things she's made, her time to teach others, and most of all her love.

To sum it up, my mom is my hero because of all the things she's taught me about creating, caring, and giving selflessly.

Thanks Mom! ...don't cry ;-)


*You can check out many of my mom's creations on her blog Jerry and Kay*


**All crocheted and knit items on this post were created by my mom, Kay (except my green hat, which she helped me learn to knit)**




***To view more blogs participating in the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, search Google for the tag 3KCBWDAY3***