When it comes to crafting, I’m happiest when I’m working on a project.
I really love how this wool scarf turned out. It’s squishy soft, thick, and it’s warm!
Last evening, I completed the simple garter stitch scarf for my father. My daughter asked if this would be one of his Christmas presents, and I told her no. My father will be getting this immediately!
This scarf is over 6′ long.
It’s over 6′ in length and it’s width is a little over 7″. If you’re a beginning knitter, this or an item using the garter stitch would be a perfect first project. I consider this stitch mindless knitting, since I really don’t have to think or look at my needles when I’m doing this or stockinette stitch. As a newbie, it wasn’t as easy. Hang in there (if you are a newbie) it does get better!
I do find the process soothing, and it’s a chance for me to unwind while keeping my hands busy.
During the Thanksgiving holidays, while my daughter was working on her crocheted amigurumi doll, I was knitting a simple scarf for my father.
An enjoyable pastime; knitting
It’s a simple knit, since it’s just yards of garter stitch. Call me lazy, but I really didn’t want to fuss with something elaborate over the Thanksgiving holiday. Naturally I used my Knit Picks interchangeable circular needles. The 60″ cable that I recently ordered came in handy for this project since I made this scarf differently; I knitted this scarf longwise. If I remember, I did a cast on of 265. My usual scarf cast on is between 40 to 85. The width is about 10″ long. Which makes a nice long/wide scarf.
Although I’m 42, I’m still a daddy’s girl and make and gift him with numerous items throughout the year. I’ve told him many times that he isn’t allowed to go anywhere. He has to be here forever. He just looks at me like I’m nuts when I say that. This scarf is a little over 6′. It’s perfect for him to wrap a few times around his neck while he’s puttering around outside.
I also made this knitted garter stitch scarf, in the same color as his knitted balaclava. The only difference is that this scarf has a tiny trim in a vivid blue. I’ll post the picture once the scarf is complete. If I work on it today, it’ll be finished. Regarding the Balaclava, my father wears it daily. How awesome is that? He told me it’s the warmest hat he’s ever received.
Over the Thanksgiving holidays, my 9yo daughter made her first crocheted doll. She kept begging me to show her how to make one, and I thought she was ready. I started her off simple, the only thing she needed to know was single crochet, how to increase, and how to decrease. No written pattern was used, I simply told her how many rows I wanted her to crochet for each body part.
My daughter working on her first crocheted doll.
Since I’ve already mastered those skills, she didn’t have to look for the information online (like I did.) She wanted to finish the doll the same day, but I broke it up into three days.
My daughter proudly displaying her first crocheted doll
Yesterday, after she rooted the dolls hair she proudly showed off her work. She was extremely excited.
If you look closely you’ll see where she marked the doll. I told her these blue marks would disappear once the doll has been washed and dried.
I’d been saving this yarn for a very special doll (since I thought it would make awesome hair.) But my daughter is more special than any doll I could create, and so I gifted the yarn to her. She was thrilled! Initially she found hair rooting to be challenging, but I reminded her that it only looks easy when I do it, because I’ve been rooting doll hair for years. I told her if she stuck with it, and didn’t give up… it would come easier. It did, I’m proud of her first crocheted doll.
Of course this means, that I’m adding a nice set of crochet hooks (and yarn) to her Christmas list. She’s definitely craft worthy.
Earlier today, my daughter and I made cold process soap. It’s the first time she’s played an active role in the soapmaking process, and I had a blast talking about the process. We only made three pounds of soap. I decided to keep this batch small while I experimented with a new recipe.
Pulling the lye out of its shipping box. Yes, I did use gloves when I measured and poured the lye.
The lye mixture was measured and carefully added to the distilled water. Here in the USA, In order to purchase Lye, you have to sign a disclaimer that states you won’t be using the caustic substance in an illegal manner. Nothing illegal going on here, I’m just making soap. Did you know that there’s a food grad lye available? It’s used in a variety of foods…including some pretzels.
Measuring solid soap with my digital scale
Since I couldn’t find my rubber apron, I settled for an big/bulky sweatshirt. I donned my ventilator and goggles, and I started making soap! It’s important to remember that you always add lye to your water. You don’t want a possible explosion.
I want to help make soap!
Well, it looks like I have a fur helper, Hi Bentley! He seemed displeased that he couldn’t be around while I was working with the raw soap.
Three pounds of uncured soap. I should be able to cut it tomorrow, then it’ll cure for a few weeks.
I’ll be making another batch next weekend. That batch will be my exfoliating bar soaps, and so I’ll be adding a mix of salt crystals and some herbs from the garden.
A neighbor dropped by when the soapmaking was completed and commented on how nice my dessert smelled. Perhaps he followed his nose to the lovely smells that were coming from our home? He asked what I was making, I laughed and told him I had just got finished making a small batch soap. He could hardly contain his excitement.
I imagine he was hoping I’d gift him with a few bars of homemade soap? His family has raved about how moisturizing the large batch of homemade soap I gifted them with before was. They didn’t want to use the traditional store bought soap after that. I’d made about 30 pounds and gave them a few pounds. I did promise him a few bars so they can try out my new blend. It’s always nice to have eager testers when I’m working on a new recipe. 😉 I’m thinking I might give a few bars away on Celebrate Life too. I use my soap a few days after making it, but when giving to others I always wait 4-6 weeks.
Next on my ‘to do’ list, is soap molds. Next weekend, I’ll be making several non-stick wooden soap molds.
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, my daughter and I are spending a lazy day at the house making crafts, reading, and I just got finished making sunflower seed butter aka Sunbutter! We won’t be having the traditional Thanksgiving meal… My daughter wants Indian food, and a few Kenyan side dishes. I prepared most of the meal yesterday, which means there’s not so much to do today.
Earlier this morning, part of my lazy adventure had me on Ravelry. Doing the usual, checking a few patterns, and reading a few yarn reviews. While there I stumbled upon a Random act of Kindness post by a user named, Knitwench.
My mom’s 80th birthday would have been Nov. 24, and I always try to do Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate her memory. I wanted to offer my Stained Glass Shawlette as a gift this Thanksgiving weekend from Thursday morning to Sunday night. Code is KAY . And if you feel like doing a RAK in her memory, thank you!
How awesome is that? Since I love basic as well as complicated knitting stitches, I downloaded the pattern. I already know who I’ll be knitting this for, and now I have another excuse to pick up some more lovely yarn.
Most of the patterns I use are paid patterns, since I do appreciate the time the fiber artists put into their creations I’ll go out of my way to support them whenever I can. It’s a shame she doesn’t have other paid patterns, since I’d definitely be purchasing one of them.
I’m virtually poking knitting pals Q, D’nali, and Sarah so they can take advantage of this Random act of Kindness.
Along with some dependable recipes I created years ago, I’m experimenting with a few new recipes which use a variety of herbs/essential oils. After some tweaks I’m sure I’ll introduce them into my natural skin care product line. Yesterday I checked the shed to make sure I had all my soapmaking supplies; my solid oils (coconut, jojoba, cocoa butter, and palm oil) pots, and immersion blender, are ready to be used. I can’t wait to make some homemade soap since most of the store bought soap would fall under my definition of ‘laundry bars’. They aren’t that conditioning, and filled with a lot of unnecessary ingredients that the body really doesn’t need.
Honeybees are fascinating creatures!
Also, after dragging my feet for several years… I’m finally placing my order for Honeybees! I’ve always been fascinated by these critters. What’s held me off, was my involvement in other things, but now I’m ready to welcome them into our backyard. Here in Maryland, you have to register your bee colony, and so my paperwork will be sent after the Thanksgiving holiday.
We’ll be sure to post pictures of our soapmaking adventures, and when spring rolls around (Lord willing) I’ll post pictures of the honeybees set up on our property. Their hive will be set up in our woods.
You are Dorothy. You’re a strong, domineering and intelligent person. Sometimes you can get a little sarcastic and impatient with people, but that is only because you want to get to the point. Your family and friends are gold to you, and although you may tell them things they necessarily don’t want to hear, they know you’ve got their back. You are the best kind of friends to have!
