Crocheted leviathan band bracelet: Pattern test is done!

This crocheted bracelet was supposed to be completed yesterday, but since my daughter wasn’t feeling the greatest, I didn’t get a chance to stop by Michaels to purchase the embroidery floss.

Crochet Leviathan band bracelet 1 05 27 12 copy

 

 The silver jewelry was created by myself from silver wire. I coiled, and twisted them into the desired shape. I used a manual Atlas Pasta machine to flatten and set the finished pieces.

Crochet Leviathan band bracelet 2 05 27 12 copyFor the grey and black tubes, straight silver was woven through the holes, and turned at the end with jewelry tools. The button was crocheted.

Crochet Leviathan band bracelet 3 05 27 12

When it comes to crochet and knitting, I like them both, so why not work on projects simultaneously? 

If you’re a Ravelry user, you can view my crocheted bracelet project page. This pattern test is done. I have one more pattern test to complete, and after that I believe I’ll take a break from testing crocheted patterns. Not that I don’t like doing them, I truly do, but I have a few projects that I want to focus on, such as the crocheted bag that I’m making for my daughter’s third grade teacher.

Crochet Pattern Designer

Becky of The Tangled Skien is the crochet designer for this crocheted bracelet pattern.

Crocheting and knitting items for those in need

The cooler months are still a way off, but I’m already thinking of cold weather items I can donate to the various organizations I’m affiliated with.

Clothing is a nonissue. I have contacts with a local second hand shop, and so can supply those in need with clothing, toys, and sometimes electrical appliances too.

But, I must admit, I do like adding handcrafted items to the mix. 

I’ve always enjoyed creating items for those in need. In the past, the items I’ve given have mainly been sewn, like the quilts made for the Lutheran World Relief. I also make handmade cards for our soldiers too. This year is different since I’ll be adding crocheted and knitted items to that list.  How cool is that? 

Knitting Stockinette scarf 1

Stockinette scarf

In the above picture, you can see a stockinette scarf that I’m knitting. I started on it last evening, and it’s working up fairly quickly. One thing I’ve always enjoyed about knitting is I don’t have to look at my work. I “know” whether I do something wrong. Because of that, I was knitting this scarf, while watching Coraline the movie for the bazillionth time. My daughter really loves the movie.

The color I chose for the scarf is bright and cheerful, and more important it’s warm. I was torn on how to make the scarf, originally I was going to make it in garter stitch. Since that’s a bit stretchier and it since it uses more yarn, it’ll be warmer too. But, I do like stockinette scarves too, and so I decided to make my first scarf of 2012 using the stockinette stitch.

Yarns used for charity

The types of yarn I use for charity varies. If I know, it’ll be going to someone that might not have a lot of money. I usually opt for acrylics, not because I think less of them. I just don’t think it’s reasonable to think they’ll have the funds to dry clean the items I make.

What I love about acrylics is you can just toss it in the washing machine, take it out and wear it. They won’t have to worry about messing up a delicate fiber since the handmade item is acrylic. Perfect for those who might not have a lot of money. It’s also perfect for those with children, or people who can’t be bothered with special care instructions.

But back to my stockinette scarf…

Because of it’s tendency to roll, the stockinette stitch is best suited for circular items such as socks, stockings, hats, gloves. You can combat the roll in a variety of ways. In the above picture, I added a few knit stitches at the beginning and end of each pearl row. I could also have added cables, seed stitch, or a variety of other options to prevent the stockinette from rolling.

The next charity items I’ll be making are hats. I’ll do a combination of crocheted and knitted hats. I’ve always been fond of the garter stitch, and so a few of my hats will be knitted that way.

Volunteering is very important to me, and it’s something I do weekly. Not just around the holiday season, since I realize that some people face difficulties throughout the year. 

Teeni, you’ll be happy to know that I’m now comfortable with my circular knitting needles, and I’m as fast as knitting with regular needles. 

Crochet: Leviathan band bracelet; pattern testing

One of the two crochet pattern tests I’m doing is this lovely bracelet. 

Crochet Leviathan band bracelet pattern testing 2

I don’t have too much left before this crocheted leviathan band bracelet is complete.

 Let’s see…

A button needs to be added, and while I have hundreds of them neatly sorted in a box, my daughter has asked me to crochet a button. Sure, I can do that.

Also, I needed to crochet the lace. This will be done with embroidery floss. Since my daughter doesn’t like the floss I have, we’ll be heading to Michael’s so she can choose the type she wants. 

 My daughter and I’ll  will be heading to our Lutheran church, shortly. It’s our day to volunteer at their food closet. We’ll stop by Michael’s, to purchase the embroidery floss, once that’s completed.

This crocheted bracelet will be complete by today, at that time, I’ll post additional pictures, and send feedback to the pattern designer.

Update: This crocheted bracelet is complete!

 

No school today; Crafts, gardening, grilling, playtime, running, etc.,

My daughter’s thrilled because she can sleep in late.

She’s off today, and Monday we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, so she’s out of school for four days! Which is great, since it means I get to hang out with her.

Yesterday was a half day at her Lutheran school. And so her best friend/classmate, her mom, and I went out to eat, it was a great time for all. My daughter got to hang out with her best friend for several hours, and I got to chat with her friend’s mom; C. Over the years, we’ve had plenty of play dates, and I always enjoy chatting with C.

But back to my daughter’s sleeping habits…

If I let her, she’ll sometimes sleep until 8:00 am. And I do let her sleep in when she’s not in school. When she finally rolls out of bed, she’s greeted with a cheery mommy, yeah I’m one of those types too, and her breakfast will be prepared.

She’s so unlike her mommy. I’m up early, usually by 3:30 a.m, and late to bed too. My body doesn’t need more than five hours of sleep. I’ve always been this way, even as a child. Over the years, I’ve seen a variety of studies conducted on people such as myself,  and while we’re in the minority, for us, the lack of sleep is “normal”.

I’m hoping we can go outside today. Currently it looks like rain. Boo! I’d love to grill, and my daughter is eager to run on the track. Earlier this week, we made a makeshift running track in the back part of our yard. It’ s not a flat surface, small hill, and it’s grassy, so this should be a nice workout. I’ll try to take pictures of it this weekend, and post it on Celebrate Life.

I mentioned this makeshift running track to Dragonlady, when I was commenting on her site. I must say, I’m enjoying reading about her running experiences since it’s inspiring, hearing others accomplishments inspires me to continually work on the areas of my life that I want to improve.

Change of heart; swapping for circular knitting needles

Yesterday, my daughter told me she wanted to hold off on knitting. She said this, while she watched me as  I tried to get comfortable knitting with circular needles.

She does sew a lot, and she crochets, and does many other crafts, so I figure if/when she’s ready to learn knitting. I’ll have an additional option for her. I did return the standard knitting needles I’d purchased for her, in one of her favorite colors (pink) and bought a larger size circular knitting needle size ten.

Yesterday, I mentioned I’d purchased my first pairs of circular knitting needles

My first attempts to knit with circular knitting needles weren’t pretty. And I have a swatch to prove it, the rest I frogged. I’m thinking it might have taken me a while to get used to circulars, because I’m used to holding standard knitting needles a bit differently?

Sure it was frustrating, but I didn’t give up…

I kept attempting to become comfortable with knitting on circular needles, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve crossed over the other side. I’m still much slower on circulars as opposed to the regular knitting needles, but that’s not going to discourage me, since I know in time… I’ll improve.

I must say, I like the portability of the circular knitting needles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I started using them for all my flat knitting projects. Yesterday, I made a simple cable stockinette scarf for my daughter’s amigurumi Coraline.

Pattern testing and circular knitting needles

Circular knitting needles

I guess I can’t get enough of testing crochet patterns….

A few days ago, I accepted two additional pattern tests…

I figure, why not? I already try to crochet daily, even if it’s just a few rows. The more I crochet, the better my crochet skills will become. Testing out a crochet pattern gives me the practice I need to improve, while allowing me to crochet a pattern that I like. And… it also exposes me to different ways that a pattern can be written. Think about it, do you really think that all designers will write their patterns the same way?

I haven’t started on the crochet patterns…yet, but I will within the next few days. Being that they are simple, I should have them complete within one sitting. The longest a slouchy hat, which I’m claiming for myself, should only take two hours to make.

Picking up my knitting needles

In a recent post, I mentioned that I’d been thinking about knitting. I do adore handmade socks. I’ve made a few for myself, and have been gifted with some others by a dear friend that has deemed me “knit worthy” I cherish the few hand-knitted socks I have. However, I’ve been hesitating making them. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that, and it means relearning how to make them. But, I feel that my upcoming vacation will be a great time to relearn how to knit socks.

With that in mind, I’m stopping by A.C. Moore, once I drop my daughter off at school. I’ll be using their 40% coupon, and choosing some circular knitting needles. Circular needles are new to myself. I’ve never worked with them before, and have always favored the traditional or double pointed needles, but I’m fascinated with circular needles since knitting with them shouldn’t leave a seam.

But I have to admit, the real reason for having knitting on the brain recently, is that I want to incorporate knitting into some of my crochet ideas. I have a few additional ideas for an crocheted amigurumi doll, but some of those ideas require that knitting is added too.

Amigurumi: Crochet Coraline; almost complete

 

I’m happy to say that my crocheted Coraline was finished in time for my daughter’s birthday.

Wait, I take that back… She was complete, until I decided to go in a slightly different direction.

Crochet Coraline 05 22 12

In the book Coraline by Neil Gamon, Coraline raves about these day glow green gloves that she sees at the store. Her mother was taking her shopping for school uniforms. 

And could I have Day-Glo green gloves to wear, and yellow Wellington boots in the shape of frogs?” asked Coraline.

Coraline’s intrigued by the gloves, and keeps pestering her mother for a pair. After all she’s looking for individuality, a way to stand out from others who’ll be wearing the same drab uniforms. In her mind, these gloves will do the trick. I’d have to agree. By the way, in Coraline the movie, the gloves are multi-colored. 

Crochet Coraline 2 05 22 12

The more I thought about my daughter’s crocheted Coraline; the more I realized she would definitely choose lime green pants over black! And while her mother might not have allowed her to have such a bold color, I would…

And so I frogged the black pants, and crocheted lime green pants.

I read Coraline years ago, so I’d already created my own image of her years before I saw other artist’s interpretation of Coraline. While I think other artists have made some amazing Coraline’s, I wanted to add my own spin.  

Crochet messenger bag 2

In Coraline the movie, she wears a messenger bag, and so I crocheted this one. I wanted to crochet a backpack, but my daughter was insistent that it be a bag. So, I listened to her request. I’d wanted to make something for her in bright pink, since I think Coraline would be all over that, but my daughter said, No!

This was a very simple bag to create, and it reminded me of a messenger bag that I’d made in the early 1990’s. It wasn’t knitted or crocheted, but I did sew it. Odd, that I haven’t thought of that bag in years. Then again, I’ve designed/sewn hundreds of items. There’s no way I’m going to remember every single item I’ve made. That sewn messenger bag was my favorite “go to” bag. It was made out of corduroy, velvet, and strips of leather. I carried it everywhere, and it received a lot of compliments. I wore it so much, that it eventually wore out, and I had to toss it, but not before I saved a scrap to use in a pillow I was creating.  I have lots of great crafting memories.

Regarding my crocheted Coraline, I opted not to do crochet individual fingers, this time… Time was a huge factor, but I will be making crocheted fingers with my next crocheted human amigurumi.

I still have a few minor additions to this Amigurumi Coraline…

My daughter is insisting that I add freckles; I believe I’ll embroider them on her face. I’m also going to add something to her hair. I’m just not sure what. I’ll most likely have to reread parts of the book, perhaps then Coraline will tell me what she wants. 😉 And… I’m wanting to add extras to the messenger bag; I have a few ideas that involve embroidery and beads, so we’ll see what happens.

If you want to make your own crocheted Coraline, please visit Sharon Ojala of Homemade Obsessions and  check out her free crocheted Coraline pattern.