the website is http://www.craftcake.com

This all started out when I finally got my hands on a chasing hammer and bench block. From there I had to go and get silver soldering supplies. My first attempt at soldering didn’t go so well as I didn’t know what it mean when the solder flowed and I didn’t heat it long enough. But once you know what that looks like it gets pretty easy.

Here is my first piece – it’s made from copper wire. The solder is silver which is why you see 2 colors. I need to figure out how to copper plate the solder.

I am using Cabernet to make a Meret Beret on size 8 needles.  To start off I cast on using the Italian tubular cast on. I just like k1,p1 ribs on hats so much better with an invisible cast on. I am almost done with with first repeat of the lace. It’s pretty easy and quick.

And I adore Malabrigo – so soft and squishy!

The last project I need to start is a Meret for my friend at work. I dug through my stash, but sadly couldn’t find anything to use. This ends my stash busting Christmas run as I had yet to buy yarn for any of my gifts.  I just need one skein of Malabrigo Worsted. Planning on heading over to Down Cellar during lunch to get it.

(Apologies for the crappy iphone photo. I was in a rush this morning)

I have been busy working on christmas gifts. I decided to make (almost) all my holiday gifts this year. I was a crocheting machine the past couple of days doing to 2 gifts from start to finish, and finishing off a knitting project. That leaves me with one complicated project that is 75% done and 2 new projects to start. I also have some jewelry to make.

So I’m not quite sure how my mom convinced me that I should line the dress I’m making for my halloween costume. I just cut it out last night.  Hopefully I will get it sewn tonight.

I have a baby hat that I really need to finish and send off be fore the baby outgrows it. Thankfully I made the 3-6month size. Then I really want to do some spinning. I haven’t done that in about a year!!

I haven’t been doing a ton of crafting since I’m spending most of my free time working on powderroom.net’s relaunch. Still I’ve been playing with resin jewelry and itching to knit.  I haven’t spun in FOREVER but I need to get the craftroom in progress straightened out so I have somewhere to assemble my wheels.

I’m going on vacation next week and I decided I need to knit something for me. I’ve decided to do the Debbie Bliss Catriona vest(ravelink). I got some nice green merino style from knit picks.  It’s all written instructions so I decided to write the cable pattern up. I screwed it up the first couple of times but now I think I’ve got it. I also realized it’s very important to look at the size not just the number of the needles required. This calls for size 6 (4mm). However it’s also common for size 6 to be 4.25mm. So when I did my gauge swatch I was way off, and I’m always exactly on gauge. So I dug out my other needles that were 6/4mm and got gauge – yay!

Now I just need to figure out what size to make. This pattern has tons of positive ease but looking at photos on ravelry I’m pretty sure as a busty gal I want negative ease.

I also wanted to make a Greenery hat (ravelink) after seeing helloyarn’s version. I have this gorgeous dk superfine merino that calls for the same needle size as the pattern. However after spending the time to do a tubular 2×2 cast on and a few rows I had to abandon hope that it would actually fit my enormous head. I guess my options are to add a repeat or use different yarn. Oh well.

I used Cascade 220 on size 8’s (I think).

He just got it and told me “You are a knitting genius. Like jack White with needles.” Jack White with needles?

He also said the pompom fell apart to which I had to ask – what were you doing with it? I’ve never had a pompom break.

I picked up 3 skeins of Sandnes Garn Lanett at Down Cellar today. It’s a superwash merino fingering weight yarn. I started casting on (on size 1 needles, eek!). And then I realized how much seaming this would need. I took out a pad and started figuring out how to convert this to a 1 piece top down raglan. I think if I use a provisional cast on I can go back and add the hood later.  Now I just need my paypal payment to clear so I can get the Arwen pattern – which I need for the reversible cable chart. Reversible cables!!