Month: September 2012

A bit busy, but still crafting

Aynaria 4 Comments

The past week or so, it’s been busier than normal. Of course this means that my time for extra curricular activities, such as personal blogging, has been pushed to the backburner to simmer, while my focus has been on more important things.

Outdoor workout

A lot of yard work was complete, such as chopping and stacking wood. Which is an excellent workout, planting fall vegetables, and of course taking my daughter to the numerous after school activities that she’s involved with.  Crochet and knitting usually accompany me during those activities and it’s usually a simple project so that I can still interact with others while I watch my daughter practice.

Knitting, sewing, and some crochet

Knitted amigurumi has been the main items on my circular needles, which of course makes my daughter happy— but I’ve been working on other small projects too; mainly clothing.  Additional books have been gotten, many focused on knitting but one that focuses on sustainable living….which is something I try to incorporate into my daily life, so it’s nice to see other like-minded souls that practice this too.

Still of the night, I work on a secret sweater

Aynaria 4 Comments

Last night, after my daughter was asleep, I started working on a special project. It’s a sweater I’m making for an 18″ doll. My daughters best friend,O, has three American Girl dolls, and because of the play dates at O’s house, she’s become quite enamored with them. I still haven’t purchase the doll, but I’m starting to create some lovely outfits; crochet, knit, and sewn. Of course I’m making a few items for O too, but for her… I’ll most likely stay away from knitting since her grandmother does that, and focus on some cute crocheted outfits for her dolls.

I’ve decided to include beads in some of the dolls outfits, and have already sketched a festive beret where I’ll be adding more bead work.  Of course I have a ton of beads. I love making jewelry and still (occasionally) design commissioned jewelry items. I’ve already set aside some special beads for my daughter and her best friends outfit.

For those unfamiliar with how you add beads to knitting, check out the above informative beaded tutorial by Cat Bordhi.

Teeny tiny knits

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The past few days I’ve been working on tiny knits. During my down time, I’ve been so busy hanging with my daughter — and squeezing in knitting. That I’ve completely forgotten to take pictures, I must change that.

Of course my daughter has reaped the benefits since the completed items were gifted to her dolls. It’s all part of using magic loop to it’s fullest. I’ve been good, and haven’t touched my DPN’s at all — although I’ve looked at them longingly. Since I have the simple knitted doll items nailed down, I think it’s high time that I add something more challenging to the mix, and so I’m looking at sweaters and knitted jackets/skirt combinations, all in miniature of course.

Naturally, this means I’ll need to purchase smaller knitting needles. I believe my smallest knitting needle size is either 0 (2.0mm) or 1 (2.5mm), but I’ve seen them go down to 000 (1.5mm.) Naturally Althea Crome came to mind, since she’s the miniature queen — in the knitting world.

 

I already posted the above video before, when I wrote about crocheting my first ‘Coraline doll‘ but I had to post it once more. The detail in her miniature outfits are amazing.

You want to know something? I find it much easier to make miniature knitted items than crochet. Perhaps its because I’ve knitted longer. I’ll be sure to post photos of some of my knitted creations within the next few days.

Which reminds me… I need to purchase appropriate purchase lace weight yarn for these upcoming projects. My birthday is right around the corner, and my gift to myself is another set of circular needles, yarn, card stock, and stamps. I might purchase some more fabric too.

How did you know my name!

Aynaria 6 Comments

Today, I helped out in my daughter’s fourth grade science class….

The project they were working on was a barometer experiment, the barometers have been made in class, so now the children will be taking their projects home for a week. They’ll record their findings daily, log the information into the provided journal, and next week they’ll be returning it to class.

Each year, I tell my daughter’s  teacher that I’m available to assist if they ever need help, all they have to do is ask. One of the perks from working from home, I can occasionally help out at school.

Some of the teachers, even though they need the help, don’t ask too much… whereas others will. I’m so glad my daughter’s fourth grade homeroom teacher is the latter. Today marked the first time I helped this school year. I definitely appreciate everything the teachers at the Lutheran school, my daughter attends, does with our children.  I always tell them they have my support, throughout the year. I can’t say enough good things about the teachers at my daughters Lutheran school, they are amazing role models. The amount of love, compassion, and dedication they show for each student is apparent. I consider myself blessed that my daughter is taught by them.

Most of the students have attended the Lutheran school since kindergarten, so of course I remember them. I even know the three kids new to the school/class since my daughter told me their names and described them to me. You should have seen the look of surprise (and delight) on their faces when I was able to say all their names correctly. How did you know our names? asked S. I replied, “Don’t you remember I’ve been volunteering since kindergarten? How could I possibly have forgotten such wonderful children?” But how did you know the new kids name? asked K. “Oh, my daughter told me their names, and I remembered.” Even though it was something ‘small’ apparently I was a big hit in my daughter’s class.

The class size at my daughter’s Lutheran school is small, about 15 students — so that makes it easy. I love children, and enjoy spending time with them, and listening to what they have to say. When I pick up my daughter each day, not only do I as about her, I ask how the other children, in her class are doing. Upon leaving the science class, S thanked me for remembering his name. I remember how impressed  I was at that age, when adults paid attention to us children, and I promised myself if I ever became an adult… I would do the same thing.

 

 

 

Scary skull

Aynaria 8 Comments

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, it happens in fall (which is one of my favorite seasons.)

Teeny tiny knitted skull. This one is about the size of a quarter.

 

This past weekend I decided to knit a few cute items for the upcoming holiday, such as the cute little skull featured here. This skull is tiny, about the size of a quarter, and was knitted in the round on my size 4 Knit Picks options circular interchangeable needles.

For my daughter’s fourth grade class, I’m making trick or treat bags out of muslin, it’ll be much easier to sew than knit 15 bags. I’ll then stuff the bags with all sorts of yummy treats.

Early morning adventure; breakfast at the homeless shelter

Aynaria 3 Comments

Yesterday (Sunday) I was out of the house shortly after 4:30 am, on my way to the only homeless shelter in the county. I’ve been volunteering at this particular shelter, since I joined my Lutheran church last year. It’s one of the numerous ministries that our church is involved with, in fact, I’m the Homeless shelter coordinator for my Lutheran church.

This summer, because of my daughter’s schedule, I was only able to volunteer once; she accompanied me — we prepared and served dinner. It felt great to be back doing something I truly enjoy. I enjoy cooking, and the shelter gives me a chance to prepare larger quantities of food for those who stay there. Yesterday, there were 26 people in attendance. This homeless shelter has enough space for about 35 guests; 29 beds for men, 6 for women. The women have another facility (houses women and their children) available that’s not too far away.

The shelter is part-time during the week, most of those who work at the shelter are volunteers, just like myself. The guests have to leave shortly after by 8:00 am. But on weekends, the guests don’t have to leave. Many of the guests have jobs, that don’t pay too much. I’ve encountered many that lost their primary job, and are just struggling to get by. With this economy, I’m seeing this a lot more.  Food provided at the shelter is all given by the various churches who also cook and serve food to the guests.

At times, I hear a lot of inaccurate information about Christians. Many automatically assume that we ‘preach at the guests’ before they can eat. We don’t, we interact with them as with anyone else. The guests know those who serve them are of Christian faith. It shows the groups that support this ministry (on their bulletin board.) Faith based ministries, in this case Christian churches, are only ones that are funding this homeless shelter. Some of our guests do talk about religion, at least some of them have talked about it with me, and it’s nice to share, interact, and occasionally pray with them — or for them.

You can’t lump all groups a certain way. I see that happen often with political and religion organizations, and I can’t help but shake my head. Since I know the same people making inaccurate stereotypes about people who vote or worship differently, would be up in arms if someone was to use those same labels to describe a race of people. I live by a simple rule, I treat others how I want to be treated. Of course it’s much easier to apply this rule to people who think like us, but how many make the effort to use that same rule to those who might disagree? I do…

Tutorial: How to soften acrylic yarn skeins; yes they can be washed in your washing machine!

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This past December, when I learned to crochet, I purchased cheap Red Heart Super Saver yarn from a few big box stores; Wal Mart and Michaels. The only downside to working with this fiber was that some of the skeins were scratchy. The scratchy factor isn’t reserved to acrylics, since I’ve encountered some animal fibers (mainly wool) that were super scratchy too.

Skeins of acrylic yarn, ready to be washed. Don’t forget to remove the yarn labels!

 

I don’t like working with scratchy yarn… I knew that many finished objects made with acrylic yarn, soften after they’ve been washed, but I decided to experiment and wash the entire skein before using them.

Red Heart yarn skeins, zipped in the mesh laundry bag and ready to go through the wash cycle!

What you need

  1. Mesh laundry bag aka lingerie bag for washing hosiery or delicate clothing
  2. Optional; Cover skeins of yarn with nylon stockings that have been cut into skein sized tubes.  Think of it as a jacket for your yarn skeins. I find when I do this the loose yarn ends don’t wander…which could unravel the yarn a tiny bit. I don’t always use nylon tubes.
Yarn skeins in nylon tubes, reduce tangles. You can cut up nylon stockings to make these tubes.

Directions on washing your acrylic yarn skeins

If you’re unsure about the results, just test one acrylic yarn skein.

  1. Remove the yarn label, you don’t want that going into the washing machine! If you want to identify the yarn color later, hold onto the label to place on after it’s been washed and dried, or make your own cute labels.
  2. Place yarn in mesh wash bag. I usually loop scrap yarn through the zipper hole and one of the mesh holes and tie. Since occasionally my lingerie bag will open during the wash cycle.
  3. Place yarn filled bag into the washing machine.
  4. Add detergent, instead of fabric softener I use vinegar
  5. Wash on warm setting, since washing acrylics at hot temperatures can damage the yarn.
  6. Once the cycle is complete, place the skeins (still in the mesh bag) into the dryer.
  7. Dry on warm setting. Too much heat can damage acrylic.
  8. Enjoy your softer yarn.

Tips and Warnings

  • Don’t overload your washing machine. You don’t want it to become unbalanced, or potentially burn the motor. When I first started washing my acrylic yarn skeins, I sat near the machine to make sure everything was fine.
  • You might need to secure the zipper on your mesh laundry bag. I found my bag would come open during the wash cycle. I found looping yarn through the zipper hole and through the mesh and then tying it closed solved this issue. Some machine wash bags don’t have large mesh holes, in this case you could thread a needle with regular sewing thread or embroidery floss and do the same thing.
  • Make sure the yarn skeins are dry before putting it in bag or storage containers, you don’t want your yarn to get mildew.
Washed and dried acrylic yarn. The texture of this Red Heart super saver yarn has changed tremendously, it’s now squishy soft!

 

Over the past several months I’ve been gifted with acrylic yarns for the various ministries where I crochet and knit things; The Mother Bear Project,  and making chemo and preemie hats for a local hospital. The organizations where I donate items request that crocheters and knitters use acrylic yarn. I’ll also use acrylics or washable yarn for people that don’t want to be bothered with hand-washing.

I must say now that I soften the skeins before working on a project, I don’t mind working with acrylic yarn!

I love the color of this yarn, and since the acrylic skein has been softened by washing, I can now make some lovely preemie hats!

 

Sometimes I wash my acrylic yarn skeins more than once, I just make sure I use a warm setting if I’m washing with like colors. The beauty of the acrylic yarns that I use, is the yarn tends to get softer with each wash.

I mainly use non-acrylic yarn, but  if I must use acrylic, Red Heart super saver is usually my “Go To” yarn. RHSS have a variety of colors that I adore, so I make sure that I soften the skeins first before working with it. If you have acrylic yarns that you aren’t using, because they’re too scratchy, try it out.