craf·te·ra·ti

Athletics Hat

Lorene — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:39:04 +0000

My friend asked me to knit him a hat with the Athletic’s colors. So back in April/May I did. Then it sat for a few months awaiting the ends to be sewn in and a pompom. I finally got around to finishing it off a few weeks ago.

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.

Cardigan for Merry

Lorene — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:17:30 +0000

I want to make a gift for some friends who are expecting their first child. My first idea was to try a Baby Surprise Jacket, but then I did some more looking and found the Cardigan for Merry. It’s based off of Kate Gilbert’s Arwen sweater but Anny added some toggles and loops and changed it to raglan sleeves.

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!!

Interweave Knits Winter 2006

Lorene — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:13:23 +0000

Does anyone have a copy of Interweave Knits Winter 2006 issue that I can borrow or buy?

I’ve found some places that have it in stock online but most of them want $7 to ship a $6 magazine.

Renegade Craft Fair

Lorene — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:56:31 +0000

The Renegade Craft Fair is this weekend at McCarren Park (of the Pool fame) in Brooklyn. I think my sisters and I are going on Sunday. The weather looks good and the stuff for sale is pretty nifty. This is what I got when I went a couple of years ago.

I think we may also go check out the Brooklyn/London Telescope.

in the mood for jewelry

Lorene — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:52:32 +0000

I’ve been totally in the mood to make some jewelry lately. In the past few days I’ve made 3 necklaces and an a pair of earrings. The first thing was a necklace made with some semi-precious beads I had around. I think they are either some form of quartz or jasper. This necklace is hand knotted on a silk cord with some seed beads. I tried out using a knot cover finding for the first time.

Next is this necklace I’ve had in my head for awhile…it’s using gunmetal chains and amber glass beads. I am thinking of adding some amber glass drops too…but I want to think about it.

Lastly is this cute little beaded necklace with purple glass beads. I have tons of these bead packets from ACMoore. Basically it’s a bunch of coordinated beads and when they’re on sale it’s like $1.50 each. They’re great for quick and easy projects. I put the beads on tigertail then used crimp beads to secure it on the chain.

(click on photo to view bigger)

Custom Printed Fabric at Spoonflower

Lorene — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:23:04 +0000

Lincy sent me a link to a new website yesterday called Spoonflower. You upload an image file and they custom print fabric for you. Pretty nifty! Right now it’s in beta so you need an invite, but I signed up last night and got one this morning so there doesn’t seem to be much of a wait.

It’s relatively pricey ($18/yd) but it’s bespoke fabric!

Some updates

Lorene — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:49:38 +0000

I have been slow on the crafting lately because I’ve spent tons of time gardening. Which is kind of like live crafting in the dirt, right?

I have gotten a few things done though. I finally reknit the neckband and wove in the ends on my Rusted Root. I only made it a year ago ;). I gave it to my sister Natalie. I also did some work on longtime hibernating Tempting II which is for my other sister Vanessa. I’m probably more than 3/4 done with it. Gotta finish though!

I have also been playing around with making resin jewelry. I am definitely in the mood to make jewelry but need space. My craft room has been a big pile of junk since I started working on it. One night this week I went down and moved all the boxes to the side so I can get rid of the non-craft junk. The main thing being the exercise bike that blocks all walking routes. Now I need to clean a spot to move it to.

I have also been itching to spin. I haven’t done that since I moved back to NJ a year ago!

Glass works

Lorene — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:00:36 +0000

I have always wanted to learn how to do glass blowing/glass working. I discovered there is a glass studio in Newark that offers classes/workshops called Glassroots. It’s a few blocks from the Broad Street station. They have a 6 week glass bead class that I am interested in taking. The only thing is it’s at 6pm on Tuesday nights.

I also found there is a studio in Blairstown called Solar Furnace Glass. It’s on Camp Wasigan Road - which seems to be pretty close to Sandy’s house. Have you ever seen/heard of it?

Interweave Knits Summer 08

Lorene — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:38:37 +0000

I just got my issue of Interweave Knits in the mail and it’s kind of disappointing. I only see one thing I really like, one thing I like, and one thing I admire but wouldn’t make. There is also a whole lot of ugly and unflattering garments.

So for the good…The Apres Surf Hoodie is totally adorable. I also liked the Wallis Cardigan and I kind of like the Roped Shell, but I wouldn’t make that for myself.

Simplicity’s Project Runway patterns

Lorene — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:53:54 +0000

I was looking at Simplicity’s website when I noticed a big banner for their Project Runway patterns. They say they are “inspired by Project Runway” but I fail to see the connection. There are 24 patterns (including a few for kids) and don’t see one that looks anything like the designs on PR. There are a couple of cute patterns, but for the most part it looks like your typical Simplicity stuff.