Meet Adalind

I bought another Blythe for myself as a motivation present, as I had a mini breakdown a few weeks ago and needed something to help me get back into going to classes (and getting out of bed, period), as well as an early end of the semester/birthday/Christmas present. She wasn't due until around the time of finals, but arrived early. I was so thrilled I decided to open her up! Meet Adalind! 

The girls were really excited!

Zooey was especially thrilled, since when Lola came Zooey was in pieces. Zooey was quite dismayed when she was put back together and Coral had made fast friends with Lola. 

The Domos are familiar with boxes, since they order so many of themselves, but they were a little confused as to why this box was so big, and what that big headed thing was inside.

...so the Domos tried to make off with her accessories. They're like little kids, I swear. (But she did come with some neat accessories. Sunglasses and an awesome leather jacket, as well as a necklace that I'm having trouble joining round her neck because it's so tiny, and some kick ass boot that I want in my size!)

She was a little miffed I was taking so many pictures rather than taking her out.

The Domos thought they could take her out of the plastic, but she was not having it! She's quite vain about her hair.

Here she is, fresh and clean from cardboard and plastic. She's quite the drama queen. She's told the girls she's a model from California and talks in a British accent, dahling this and dahling that, much to Lola's displeasure. She's already gone through the girl's wardrobe and decided that none are really her style, so she needs me to make her something real quick. She's an RBL* mold, though, my first different mold from Coral and Zooey, who are FBLs,** not counting Lola. She doesn't have the same "cuteness;" she looks more sophisticated.  She's my first doll with extra long hair, (I cut Lola's to mid thigh length) so I'm having a ball being able to braid it and have more freedom to give her updos. It's a bit staticy, so I think all three girls (poor Lola) are going to be in for a Spa Day. 

I have some more pictures of her I have to upload, as well as an adventure of Domos outside in the leaves, and a lot of Blythe dresses. Also Sarah and I's joint venture, EssHippo Blythes, is really taking off, and we are opening an Etsy shop! I think she'll have items in it sooner, as I'm still doing Christmas gifts, but Adalind helped me make the first prototype! They're currently just called Little Ears hats, but I have a lot of plans for them including colors and decorations:

I crocheted it up quick using some bulky yarn and an H hook, while watching Terra Nova and House M.D. I also had a migraine, so I'm sure I could make one an hour, at least, without interruptions, like wandering around to get snacks, or laughing at silly commercials.

I always say I need to get better at blogging, but instead of saying it, I need to just do it! Here's to more posts in the near future!

*RBL: "Radiance" Blythe mold: fourth Blythe mold; possibly closest to the original Kenner; largest eyes; first released in 2005

**FBL: "Fairest" Blythe mold: first released in 2009; my personal favorite mold

Dyeing Yarn: Day II and the Finished Yarn!

I've finally gotten around to blogging about my finished yarn! It's divine, and I love the process. Next time I think I want to try hand-painting it, but I really liked the ice cube method.

After the ice cubes froze and I soaked my wool (smelly!) I laid the yarn in a Pyrex dish and arranged the cubes so there wouldn't be two reds right next to each other.

Domo helped.

Here they are in the dish:

Hearts and bunnies!

I only had to leave them out there for about an hour before they melted.

OoOoO pretty!

Then I had to cover it with plastic wrap and microwave it so the dye would set. The resulting steam made a funny bubble.

Then I rinsed it twice, once just in water and again using Eucalan, and let it dry. Then I made a Kool-Aid cake!

Yay! I love it! I like how there's still spots of white in there. I started knitting a cowl, but I think I'm going to make a hat instead. Here's what a few rows of it looks knit up:

 

And the details:

Name: Children's Colorbox

Method: Kool-Aid Popsicle Dyeing

Bare: Wool2Dye4 Tweed

Weight: Worsted

How much: 181 yards/100 gram skein

I'll definitely be doing Kool-Aid dyeing again. In fact, I splurged at the grocery store yesterday:

And by splurged I mean 15 packs for $3. I have some colorways in mind, and some will be sent to England, but I love how cheap Kool-Aid is, and it creates beautiful colors on yarn!

I can't wait to buy some more bare yarn and dye, dye, dye!

Donuts!

My mom was sewing a little bag to keep our Scrabble pieces in, but she had all her pins in the little plastic bag it came in on her nightstand. That's not too cool, especially since I have nosy cats who like to steal sharp objects. So I made her a donut:

A donut with sprinkles, that is!

Donut Pincushion by Nevadamama

  

Yarn: Caron Perfect Match in Brown; Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Natural Heather

Hook: US 3 (3.5 mm)

Somehow I didn't follow the directions exactly, and instead of crocheting it circularly, I ended up having to join it. I did the frosting correctly. 

It crocheted up quite quickly, only a few hours. 

I think I'll be making another for my aunt who sews!

Bunny Nuggets!

Bunny Nuggets, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Bunny Nuggets by Rebecca Danger

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Bonbon Print & a worsted blue
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Made for: the multi-colored one is a graduation gift for my friend Laura, and the blue one was an Easter present for my mom. They have little pom-pom tails as well!

Instead of knitting the ears separately and attaching them, I just used 4 stitches at the end of their head and knit an i-cord up that way, then stitched up the top of their head. It was a lot quicker, and less fiddly than attaching them.

Baby's First Handknit Item

Baby's First Handknit Item, a photo by mochaxlight on Flickr.

Shrugs and Kisses by Maggie Baird

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Mango, which matches perfectly with her stock dress
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
Started & finished: May 4

Very quick knit. It was just a parallelogram. It could have been wider, as she doesn't really have sleeves. In fact, it's only sewed together by one stitch. And there's an odd roll in the back, but it fits!

Knitting for Blythe is instant gratification.

Squares on Sunday!

Four squares to share with you today! I have been really productive.

I've completed three 6 inch squares, all from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton.

First is 19: Lacy Cross.

I used Caron Simply Soft in Soft Green and an I hook. I finished it tonight; it took about an hour. 

It ended up coming out a little larger than 6 inches because I changed the last round to sc instead of dc. I still wanted the border around it. When I sew them together I might take out that last round if it gets too big, but for now it stays.

Second, 43: Four Patch Granny

I used Red Heart Baby Multi in Rocking Horse, Caron Simply Soft in White and Lion Brand's Pound of Love in Lavender and an I hook. It took about one night as well.

It also has a border in the PoL Lavender, but it was added after this picture was taken. Right after I finished and measured it was fine, but the next day was obviously smaller than the rest, and had apparently shrank. I'm not too sure how that worked, but I like the border anyway so I'm not too worried.

Third is 157: Boxed Square.

I used Lion Brand's Pound of Love in Lavender and Caron Simply Soft in Soft Green with an I hook. I finished this one in two settings, two nights, so a little longer than the others because it's not open.

It doesn't look like the picture because I modified the colors. I did an extra round of purple, and three of green because I thought my tension was so tight I'd have to add 3 or so more rounds, but it turned out not needing any white at all. Maybe my tension is evening out.

Lastly, I did the Half-n-Half - 12" square by Melinda Miller

Yarn: All those listed above

I hook, per usual with the squares in this afghan.

It took me five days, from October 27 - 31, because I had a horrible sinus infection. It wouldn't have taken that long had I been well. If I were to make this again I would make the center granny square 6 inches instead of following the pattern's 6 rounds, and then added the dc rounds because it makes it look odd. I added some variegated yarn halfway through so it didn't look like a tiny granny in the middle.

Now I believe I have 11 six inch squares to go, and 3 twelve inch ones to do and then the squares will be finished! Maybe in time for Christmas, even if I won't be able to see my grandma. (Working in retail means no vacation days off in December during the rush.)

5. The Alligator

This is the seventh part in a 16 set of posts of things I need to blog about. See more information here

Baby Gators by Anna Hrachovec from her first book, Knitting Mochimochi knit at her class given at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio in New York City

Yarn: Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in Fern and Vanna's Choice Baby in Duckie

Needles: US 6

Started: August 29

Finished: September 14 (haha, I was so lazy doing the legs. I hate little ami body parts, and then trying to sew them on is such a pain, though Anna showed us mattress stitch, which is easier, but it's still a painl.)

I'm really glad I took the class. There were a lot of things with the construction I couldn't figure out and it was nice that she was there to help. I also learned how to knit small tubes, by doing it as an i-cord instead of fiddling around with 6 stitches on 3 needles and having them slide to and fro.

Happy Halloween! Pumpkinpus!

A Pumpkinpus!

I saw a pattern for OctoPumpkins from Sarah/EssHaych, but figured I could just do my own octopus and use specific colors.

I used RubyTuesday's Baby Octopus pattern that I always use for cephalopods. I used Sarah's tentacle pattern for her Mini Octopuses because she has a way to make the tentacles all in one piece. And for the stem and leaf, I used the Apple in a Suit pattern from Sarah again.

Yarn: Stashbusting! Lily Sugar 'N Cream in Orange; Patons Katrina in Limon; Peaches & Creme in Camel

Hook: I wanted a small one, so went with a F (3.75 mm)

Started: October 22

Finished: October 27

I used two large cat eyes from 6060's Etsy, which is a fab place to get safety eyes, to make him look Halloween-y. He's really tiny, too, and so cute! I don't think he needs any glitz either.

Happy Halloween! I'm in bed, sick, and have to work tomorrow so will be giving out candy to kids who are trick-or-treating at the mall. (Who does that anyway?) But tomorrow I might also have a square. ;]

2. The Monstie

This is the third part in a 16 set of posts of things I need to blog about. See more information here.

Remember my Inga's bag, from the spring? I wanted to line it, but didn't know how so Cindy/craftADDchick was kind enough to make a lining for me. I got in back in August, and still haven't sewn it in (badbadbad) but will soon! So as a thank you gift, I made her a Monstie.

The Monsties by Sarah Hearn/EssHaych

Yarn: unlabeled blue worsted; Bernat Boa in Phoenix

Hook: G (4 mm)

Started: August 10

Finished: August 23

The crocheting actually only took a night or two. It was finding my hot glue gun to put the eyes and mouth on, then making the hair (I used Sarah's tutorial HERE.) and then giving him a hairstyle. Also, instead of making the bottoms of the feet in their entirety and sewing them on, I slip stitched them on. They warped upwards/inwards now, but it makes it really easy for him to stand. 

Glad you like Cindy!

3. The Hats

This is the second part in a 16 set of posts of things I need to blog about. See more information here. 

A while back I heard Sarah/EssHaych's cousin had twin boys, Alan and Roy. She made some octopi for them, but since she doesn't knit and I do, I decided to make them two hats to mark the occasion.





Umbilical Cord Hat by Jennifer L. Jones from Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitters Handbook, by Debbie Stoller
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream Ombres and Prints in Cool Breeze Ombre and Summer Splash
Needles: US 8 (5 mm)
Started: August 19
Finished: August 23


Followed the pattern straight from the book. These hats are so cute! I hope Alan and Roy and their parents liked them!

Part A: Finished Objects

Part A of the three part post session starts with my most recent finished objects: a square for my grandma's blanket, and an apple in a suit!

The 4 Pointed Star Square.  Remember?  It's been fixed and is finished!

Yarn: CSS in Soft Green; Lion Brand Pound of Love in Lavender; Red Heart Soft Baby Multi in Rocking Horse

Hook: I (5 mm)

Date started: 5 July

Date ended [finally]: 3 August

Well, it's finally finished, along with the corrections and everything.  I'm still not completely satisfied with it, as it's not all square but eh, it'll work.  It'll get better after it's been attached all together.

Apple in a Suit! by the lovely Sarah Hearn

Yarn: Knit Picks' Shine Sport in River and Green Apple (version 2)

Hook: E (3.5 mm)

Date started: 22 July (starting version 1)

Date ended: 3 August (ending completely with version 2, leaving version 1 out to dry)  

Remember version 1?

I searched the stashed for some lighter weight yarn and started again, this time with much better results.  As far as the pattern, it's awesome.  I had to adjust it for my weird needs, because I think I put the eyes too far apart, but other than that it came out great!  We took some more glamor shots:

I'm pretty pleased with him, though he kinda looks like a ninja. But how will he compare to Sarah's? Stay tuned!

So I'm off to watch Dawn of the Ocean on National Geographic.  Hopefully I'll be blogging more often, as I have things to show and my body's getting used to working more.  And just for you, here's a gratuitous shot of me and my work badge:

FO Post!

MERBEAR!

 

Merbear/Bearmaid by Kahra Grae (cheezbomie)

For: Sarah!

Yarn: Teddy Papoose Baby DK in Pink Multi; Lion Brand Yarn Cupcake in Marshmallow

Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)

Date cast on: 16 May

Date cast off: 7 July

Cute!  I actually think I put the face on the wrong side, but I think it works better the way I did it.  Next time I would also knit another bottom fin and sew the two together so it'd be plush, but other than that a good pattern.  After you knit the tail, you have to turn and knit the body differently, so the seam is on a different side.  It was a tad confusing at first, but worked itself out nicely in the end.

JOHN'S BAG!

Finished a little cosmetic bag thing for my boyfriend, John.  I guess it's not a cosmetic bag, but I don't know what else to call it.  Pouch?  I think this is the best one I've done, especially the zipper, and there's even a little pocket inside.  Fancy schmancy!  And all materials are from my stash; the red check is from an IKEA pillowcase I got for $0.25 at As Is; the gray I bought last summer for that 9 Patch Quilt, which I still need to finish; and the blue zipper is from two years ago when I bought over 100 zippers.  They're all in baby blue and lavender, though, but I'm happy it matched.  (Anyone need some zippers??)

ARWEN'S BIRTHDAY BOW!

 See her Flickr set for more pictures!

Moss-Stitch Bow Headband by Stefanie FAIL

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (tried and true!) in Cherry Red

Needles: US 8 (5 mm) though I probably could have gone down a size.

Date cast on: 16 July

Date cast off: 17 July

It came out pretty big!  It's pretty large, even for me.  If I make one for Susie, I'm going to use a lighter weight yarn and smaller needles.  It's still cute, and she still hates it, so mission accomplished. 

PETAL!

Petal Dishcloth by Hazel Schrock

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'N Creme in Butter Creme Ombre 

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)

Date cast on: 30 June

Date cast off: 9 July

Yet another Petal Cloth, this time for my friend's mom.  At first it was going into the exists-only-in-theory gift pile, but I was knitting at my friend's house and she was so excited, so I figured I'd give it to her.  I still need to deliver it.

Bearmaid // MerBear

Holy crap, is this not the cutest thing ever?!

images courtesy cheezombie.

It's a Bearmaid!

The rare and elusive mer-bear (aka the bearmaid) is endangered because its habitat in the wild is disappearing. Help this amigurumi species survive by knitting one of your own!

So cute, I might just have to buy the pattern!

P.S. Pictures and hexagons soon, pictures and hexagons.