Knitting Amid Mikan: Marisa's Crafting Shenanigans

My latest creation

2010-08-09T13:28:00.004-05:00

Blah blah, never update, blah blah, . If anyone still reads this, you know the drill.

Anyway, I've been on a huge retro dress kick, and I just finished one. It's Butterick B4790, a reproduction 1952 wrap dress pattern known as the "walk-away" dress because it's supposedly so easy to make that you can start it in the afternoon and walk away in it that same evening.

Yes, it is pretty easy, and now that I've made it once, have all the pieces cut, and know what modifications to make, I probably could finish it in a day. I'm already planning a second one in view A, with 2 contrasting colors.

This, however, is view B, where the front and back are cut from the same fabric. It's 100% that I got at Hancock Fabrics, which I think classified it as "novelty cotton". It's super-soft and smooth but wrinkles like the dickens.

As always, my photography skills are abominable.

Random Thought 11/18

2009-11-18T09:28:00.003-06:00

My iPhone is my new favorite knitting accessory. I can punch up patterns online instead of printing them out (and more likely than not losing them); and if I forget a row counter, I can open a note and keep track of them there.

Also, have I seriously not updated since January? That's a new low. So much has happened since then, including but not limited to:

-Losing my old job
-Starting a new job
-Getting drafted to a home team (I was previously skating on the farm team)
-Adopting two cats
-Developing an insane addiction to fancy tea

I tend to have downtime at my new job, so my intent is to use said time to update more often. This, of course, is when I'm not using it to work on league business, as I was also elected co-chair for one of our committees.

Makeup is an art, too!

2009-01-21T14:06:00.005-06:00

One of the many ways living in Japan changed me is that it gave me a new appreciation of makeup (other ways were a taste for coffee and yoga). I've been addicted to lipstick since 8th grade and used to wear powder in high school because my skin was wicked oily, but I was opposed to eye makeup of any sort. I would wear foundation and mascara when cosplaying out of photographic necessity, but that was the most done up I ever was.

Somehow, though, I got hooked on eye liner in Mihama, and shortly thereafter I started using powder again. When I moved back to Chicago my roommate at the time introduced me to mineral makeup, and that was the end of me. Now I won't even run errands without a full face of makeup. I think it's an extension of playing dress-up when I was little. I used to rock the Jem look like nobody's business!

The result of this makeup fixation is that when I get bored, I start to play. I found out about Doe Deere's makeup tutorials a long time ago, and now that I've amassed a ridiculous collection of shadows, I actually have enough of an arsenal to try some of them. Last night was one such experiment:

I'm a pirate! ARRRRRR!

I'm a stoned pirate! DUUUUUUUDE! (Ok, not really. I'm just a lousy photographer who's up past her bedtime.)

The look was inspired by the Pirate Girl tutorial.

One of the socks hanging in the background is a Pippi Kneestocking.

A very belated birthday present, and even more belated photos

2009-01-20T11:42:00.007-06:00

My friend Rie's birthday is in October. I finally gave this to her when I went back to visit in March.

Yes, it's a Hangover Helper! It's mostly leftover yarn from what I was sent to make the Beermeister bottle for the SnB book, which is Lion Suede and Lion Wool-Ease (even though the book says to use Vanna's Choice, mine were originally Wool-Ease). The dark gray is left over from my Gryffindor sweater (which I finished a while ago, but I don't like how full the sleeves are so I never took pictures).

Fun fact: when I initially submitted the idea, I considered using Asahi for the beer bottle model instead of Budweiser, but I ultimately decided that Bud would probably be more popular. The Asahi label was infinitely easier to design, though.

Random Thought 1/15/09

2009-01-15T13:51:00.001-06:00

Both knitting and roller derby involve blocking.

(P.S. Happy Belated New Year!)

One from the vaults

2008-12-16T12:25:00.010-06:00

Here's a project I finished a while ago, but the pictures were held captive on my camera until recently when I *finally* got a replacement battery charger.

It's Knitpick's Checks & Charms hat, made using the pattern-specified US 5 needles and Merino Style yarn, although I used a slightly different color scheme. I finally learned how to do proper 2-handed Fair Isle on this project, and it knit up a lot faster than I thought it would.

Please forgive the super zoned-out look on my face. I took this at about 7am one day before work when I was still commuting over an hour.

When one hobby cannibalizes another (aka Random Thought 12/12)

2008-12-12T17:55:00.003-06:00

When I first moved to my aparment, I practiced bass almost every day. Since I've started skating, my bass playing has become almost nonexistent. The money I was set to pour into bass lessons is being spent on league dues and skating lessons instead.

That could be another reason for my knitting resurgence: it doesn't cost me anything. Aside from the yarn I bought to make the sayonara sushi scarf and some beautiful impulse sock yarn, everything I'm working on has been made from yarn already in my stash using needles already in my arsenal.

And there's no end in site to the leftover yarn: last summer my friend had a stashbusting party (which I've mentioned but never ended up writing about in depth), her sole purpose being to get rid of as much as she could so she had an excuse to buy more yarn. Any time I mention using leftover Simply Soft or Microspun, that's where it came from.

When hobbies collide!

2008-12-08T22:28:00.009-06:00

Seriously, have I not posted since July? Shame on me, really.

I figured "collide" was an apt choice of words given my newest pursuit, which I briefly mentioned in a previous post: Roller Derby.

Since I started skating in July (which was my first time on roller skates since I was about, oh, 12) I've worked my way up from beginner technique classes to more advanced technique classes, speed skating classes, skating with the lovely ladies of Derby Lite, and upon trying out at the beginning of November, a member of the Windy City Rollers!

Somewhere between speed skating and joining the league, I finally reawakened my crafting bug. I stopped into Have Ewe Any Wool? to buy yarn for my boss's sayonara present; since he was retiring and moving back to Japan, I decided to crochet him the sushi roll-up scarf from Son of Stitch n Bitch (marking the first pattern I've made from the book besides my own). If I ever figure out how to get the photos off my phone and onto my computer I'll post them.

As often happens when I stop in "just for a sec", I got drawn in by pettable yarn and lively conversation. The topic of roller derby came up, and the owner told me about Knockdown Knits, written, designed, and modeled by Naptown Rollergirls. Not too long after, I got my hands on a copy.

The patterns are a blast, mostly on the easier side of the spectrum, and the best part about them is that even though they're designed with a roller derby angle, most of them can be adapted to non-roller derby purposes. Arm warmers, leg warmers, and messenger bags have widespread appeal, and rollergirls aren't the only ones who need crutch cushions or slings (they just need them more often)! Heck, even the underpants-mouthguard cover could easily be used as a change purse.

I, however, made mine with the original purpose in mind. Fed up with wrapping my mouthguard in paper towel, I decided this nifty cover was just what I needed:

My US 8 needles were otherwise engaged, so I used Japanese 9s instead, which are similar if not the exact same size. It's made with leftover Lion Microspun, as almost everthing I've been making lately has been a stashbuster.

I have two other WIPs from the book right now: the sling (which I figured I should knit ahead of time, since I won't be able to knit should I actually need it), and the ice pack holder (since I slap an ice pack on my left leg every time I get home from practice, and I'm sick of holding it in place).

They're both made from leftover Caron Simply Soft. The sling is in our league colors, and the ice pack holder is bright orange because, hey, that's what I had on hand.

Squirrel Clothes!

2008-07-22T16:02:00.003-05:00

We had a "Squirrel Village" in Mihama-cho. I never saw a squirrel anywhere in the area, and it was never open, but there were a lot of squirrel knick-knacks for a while at the souvenir shop near my house (the hiking trails around where I lived are a World Heritage Site, so there are a lot of shops scattered through the area).

Before I decided to stay a second year in Japan, I was considering a semester in Italy to study fashion design once my contract ended. My mom joked that I could make squirrel clothes for the Squirrel Village.

A few months later: Happy Hanukkah, and be careful what you joke about, Mom.

Ooh, a LYS!

2008-07-16T09:05:00.003-05:00

As mentioned in previous posts, I recently moved. One of the first things I stumbled across while driving around my new surroundings was a sign: "Coming soon: Have Ewe Any Wool?" Despite not having picked up my needles in a while, there's something to be said for the giddy thrill of a LYS so close to my apartment.

They're open now, and I stopped by last Saturday. It's not actually a new store but a new location for them. I was very well-behaved and resisted buying anything, but I still petted just about every skein of yarn in the place (and discovered that my magpie streak is alive and well as I got distracted by several varieties of sparkly yarn). I also spoke to a group of friendly, interesting women (some who worked there, some not), and I definitely plan to go back.

I may just return to knitting yet. Of course, now it's not only in competition with bass but with roller derby as well....

And the excuses keep on coming....

2008-06-26T13:12:00.003-05:00

Status report: Still setting up the new apartment. Still an insomniac. Still haven't picked up my knitting needles in about 4 months.

And honestly, I haven't really wanted to. My crafting inclinations are a Karma Chameleon. They come and go. Sometimes I really want to knit. Sometimes the crochet hook calls to me. There was that beading spree last summer. Lately, though, I've been much more interested in catching up on all the books I found in storage and playing my bass. I've practiced nearly every day since I moved.

There are a lot of UFOs idling in my knitting bag right now: my Knitty Shimmer, a beard hat for a gentleman I'm no longer seeing, not to mention yarn for planned projects that aren't even underway. At this rate, I'm not sure when they will be.

Techincal Difficulties

2008-05-19T11:25:00.002-05:00

Wow, almost two months since my last post, this must be a new record in laziness.

Actually, there have been several factors conspiring against me:

-The aforementioned combo of no laptop or camera power sources, thus limiting my ability to post new stuff

-Insomnia since February which has left me unable to do much besides sit like a lump on the couch and watch tv when I get home from work, let along make things

-A long-ass commute, made all that much worse by construction, which doesn't leave me much time to sit like a lump on the couch before it's time for bed

-Getting sick twice in the past month. I'm still recovering from a cold and can barely talk after losing my voice completely last week

However, I just moved to a new apartment which is much closer to work, and the doctor gave me some meds which should help with the sleeping issue, so hopefully I'll be back on the creative track soon.

I'm just a big ball of excuses.

2008-03-28T09:28:00.002-05:00

I've been back from Japan almost two weeks, and I still haven't made good on my promise to post fun stuff. Here's the deal: my pictures are being held captive on my laptop and my camera.

The power cord appears to have died on my laptop, so I can't turn it on; and I can't find the battery charger for my camera, so I can't turn it on. I hope to rectify these problems over the weekend.

What I had planned to post pictures of: a new Hangover Helper. Using my pattern and leftover yarn from the one I made for the book, I knit a bottle of Asahi as a (very extremely super-duper) belated birthday present for a friend and finally gave it to her when I visited.

Greetings from Japan!

2008-03-09T07:28:00.003-05:00

Consider this an internet postcard of sorts. I'm back in Japan for the week, mainly so I can attend a junior high graduation ceremony on Tuesday. It'll be a whirlwind trip and I'm tired already, but I should have some fun stuff to post when I get back.

Fandom knitting - the Harry Potter edition

2008-02-13T09:38:00.007-06:00

I'm a geek. Or a nerd. Or whatever the proper term is these days. I know people tend to argue semantics. At any rate, I make things based on media I enjoy.

While in Japan, I decided I was going to make a Ravenclaw house scarf. Despite being a cosplayer who often bends over backwards for accuracy, I determined that wasn't the point of this scarf. No, I just wanted a gigantic, wooly, geeky scarf. Ravenclaw colors weren't quite as reconizable as Gryffindor either, so it seemed like the type of thing I could get away with wearing on a regular basis.

Given my short attention span for projects, it had to be done in chunky yarn on thick needles if I ever wanted to finish it. The yarn store obliged with Hamanaka Men's Club Master, a 60% wool / 40% acrylic blend, which I worked up on US 10 (6mm) straight needles in a 1x1 rib.

As you can see, it's pretty flippin' big. I finished it during my first winter in Mihama, which was pretty cold, and wore it to class almost every day. Elementary students liked to use it as a leash and drag me around by it ^_^; Also, about 4 of them could share it with me (well, the younger ones anyway).

Of course, the geekiness doesn't end there. Oh no, certainly not. I decided that I would put together a whole Ravenclaw school uniform. Then I came to the conclusion that instead of being "Random Ravenclaw student #156", I'd rather be an actual character. Well, I always liked Ginny Weaseley, so out came the cranberry and gold.

I used the set-in shoulder pullover pattern from The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, to which I added waist shaping and short-row bust shaping. It was done in Wool-Ease on US 9 (5.5mm) needles. Again, I wasn't aiming for 100% movie accuracy (the color is far to light, for starters). The sweater's finished, but I don't like how the sleeves turned out, too full at the shoulders, so I have to revisit the pattern at some point. Not currently high on the priority list, though.

Lest you think the Potter-palooza stops there, this little guy comes along:

Yes, he is a pygmy puff. He was described as a "psychedelic pygmy puff". His name is Frankie. I was bored one afternoon and had leftover clapotis yarn. The pattern came from yclept djinnj; I think I used the crochet pattern but can't remember hook size or any of that good stuff.

Random Thought 2/12/08

2008-02-12T14:12:00.000-06:00

The bulk of the hats and scarves I made in Japan, while suitable for the winters of Mihama-cho, are nowhere near warm enough for Chicago.

I need more wooly ear-flap hats.

Random Thought 2/5/08

2008-02-05T08:54:00.000-06:00

If I had a signature stitch, it would have to be seed stitch. A lot of people are put off by the alternating knit/purl/knit/purl, but I think it keeps things interesting. Plus the texture is so dang cool.

Happy Birthday, Blog!

2008-01-28T08:46:00.000-06:00

You're one year old! I know I haven't been great at maintaining you, and updates are inconsistent at best, but... well... I really don't know how to finish that sentence.

Hopefully year 2 will be more productive and update-y.

Yeah, I know I've said that before.

*sigh*

Oh well. To all you readers out there (all two of you), thanks for reading, and who knows, maybe I'll surprise you with... actual photos! Of projects! Woooo!

Insert excited squealing here

2008-01-02T09:39:00.001-06:00

SOMEONE KNIT MY PATTERN!

Nerfernie on Craftster made a beer pillow! This is the first completed Hangover Helper I've seen that isn't mine.

Speaking of which, I was reunited with my whiskey bottle when I caught Debbie Stoller on her book tour, it's one of the projects she brought along. She also told me that the beer bottle went to Europe with her.

Among the photos I uploaded this weekend were pics of the prototype whiskey bottle and some shots I took of the book pillows before I mailed them back. At some point (hopefully soon) I plan to post those along with the whole Hangover Helper story.

First Post of 2008

2008-01-01T22:08:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

All right, so I never actually got around to updating during vacation, but I did add the labels, and I uploaded a lot of photos, so they're one step closer to being posted.

Knitting Heresy Revisited

2007-12-21T11:30:00.002-06:00

I was just looking through my old posts (because today is the last day of work before winter break and I'm terribly busy /sarcasm), and I came across my original Knitting Heresy post. Since then, I've actually gone back on a few of my declarations.

1. I hate circular needles. I own exactly one set of circs that I actually use to knit in the round (as opposed to larger ones that I use to knit sweaters and afghans). If I can knit something on DPNs instead, I will.

I still like DPNs, don't get me wrong, but I've become a bit more accepting of circs lately. I recently completed a Knitpicks Checks and Charms hat on their new Harmony Wood needles, and I have a couple sets of their Nickel-plated circs ready for another project.

9. I hate knitting socks, even though I love legwear.

I'm reconsidering. My first pair of socks were kneesocks, and that's why they took forever. I might attempt a pair of more reasonable anklets and see how they go.

15. I have never paid more than $8 per skein for yarn.

I think the Glitterspun I bought for my Shimmer was $8.99.

21. I have never knit a bobble and never intend to.

I made a bobbled panel for the sampler afghan I'm working on. I figured, well, if I'm ever going to knit one, now's the time. And, um, I actually really like how they look. I still refuse to wear them, though.

Knitting is my true love...

2007-12-20T10:08:00.000-06:00

... but Crochet is the mistress I keep around for quickies.

We can thank my roommate for that little gem. He's right, though. I've been knitting a lot longer than I've been crocheting, and I'm still more comfortable with two sticks instead of one, but it's hard to beat the speed of crochet (a concept I've already contemplated), especially with the quantity of gifts I'm trying to finish in the time frame I have to finish them.

Ok, here's the Plan

2007-12-19T12:32:00.003-06:00

I am a terrible updater. I'm sure my regular readers are all aware of this. That is, if I even *have* any regular readers. I'm sure anyone who might have attempted it has given up by now, considering I haven't even posted in over a month.

However, in light of Son of Stitch 'n Bitch being released and my blog address being in there and all (I submitted the Hangover Helpers), I figure I should probably attempt to update a bit more regularly.

Seriously, I have FOs dating back to this summer when I was still in Japan that have yet to be posted. I have FOs that I've started and finished since moving back to Chicago. I have eighty gajillion WIPs. There's probably enough material to write about to keep me occupied through March, even without the inevitable adding on that will occur!

So here's the plan: my office is closed from Dec. 24 - Jan 2. During that time I plan to give my blog an overhaul. Updates. Links. Some semblance of organization. Hmm, this has "New Year's Resolution" written all over it....

Blargh

2007-11-14T20:00:00.000-06:00

All day I was thinking about how I would come home from work and update properly for once. Pictures of FOs, perhaps, or all the WIPs I have going right now. Maybe I'd finally write some book reviews.

Then I got rear-ended on the highway while driving home.

Now all I want is Mythbusters and pizza.

Time Constraints

2007-11-10T17:25:00.001-06:00

Here's the problem I've run across recently: I work all day, mostly on the computer. When I get home, I can either knit, or I can update my blog. Knitting wins. Thus, my blog is a little under-utilized right now.

I've got several WIPs going, though: Knitty's Shimmer worked up in silver Glitterspun, the Checks and Charms hat from Knitpicks done in their Merino Style, a sampler afghan using yarn ganked from my friend's stashbusting party (which I mentioned briefly in the previous post but never got around to elaborating on), and a knitted bottle of Asahi for a friend's (belated)birthday present from my own pattern.

The quickest turn-around time in a while

2007-10-06T20:37:00.001-05:00

I just finished this project on Tuesday night, and here it's Saturday and I'm already uploading it!

As mentioned previously, I started a new job about two weeks ago. One of my coworkers and his wife are expecting their first baby, and someone asked them if they had a baby shower. They answered, "Oh, we don't have baby showers in Japan," to which the office replied, "You're in America now!", and threw a shower for them.

So of course, I had to knit.

I used the Lil' Devil Baby Hat pattern, with a chart borrowed from Knitting Year-Round's Rubber Ducky Pullover. In case you're keeping track, this is the third baby hat and and sixth hat total I've made using the Kittyville hat patterns. It's knit with Lion Cotton-Ease, Caron Simply Soft, and a mystery eyelash yarn, all of which came from my friend Nora's stashbusting party (which is another entry entirely).

Here's the hat being modeled by a penguin:

Improvisation

2007-10-02T23:35:00.000-05:00

Pompon tree? Who needs a pompon tree?

Excuses, excuses

2007-09-27T23:06:00.000-05:00

First I was too busy to update because I was moving home from Japan. Then I was too busy because I was searching for a job. Now I'm too busy because I just started my new job last Friday (which so far I love) and it's really hectic right now. *le sigh*

Random Thought 9/20

2007-09-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

I was more or less expecting it, considering The Happy Hooker kept getting bumped back, but the Son of Stitch 'n Bitch release has been delayed from October to November. I know it'll come out eventually, but I really want it to come out now.

In other non-related news, I'm getting very sick of the dachshund running off with and subsequently mangling my skeins of yarn.

If it wasn't nearly 2 am, I'd be a lot more interesting

2007-09-15T01:54:00.000-05:00

Craft Update: I have some photos kicking around here somewhere that I need to upload, and I've started yet another new project (never mind the previously started ones that still haven't been completed, but that's an old story).

Life Update: I'm back in Chicago, more or less. Technically I'm living in the north suburbs and will soon start working in the south suburbs. How this will affect my crafting habits has yet to be seen. The introduction of kung-fu, bass guitar, and a renewed love for Dynasty Warriors have already cut into my knitting time lately. Never mind the adorable demon dachshund who likes to gnaw on my bamboo needles while I'm using them; I keep trying to explain to him that he's not a panda, but he doesn't listen.

Also, I think it's funny that at the time I made this post, the only photo on the page is a mass of Fun Fur.

I swear I'll start updating again soon

2007-08-22T13:43:00.000-05:00

I've been back in the States for almost two weeks, and I think I've finally readjusted, more or less. There's still the risk of reverse culture shock down the line, but I'm feeling less out of whack than I did when I first got in.

Anyhoo, I'm waiting for most of my craft supplies to reach me. Since sending packages by ship was the cheapest option, that's how I mailed them home, but it takes a month or more for the boxes to get here. Fortunately I ordered a ton of yarn while I was still in Japan that my mom never sent to me, so I do have a couple projects in the works right now, ranging from complicated (a cabled afghan that I'm pretty sure has a few errata in the pattern) to simple (a 1X1 rib Gryffindor scarf).

The cost of moving

2007-08-06T02:37:00.000-05:00

I've made it from my home in the country to my host family's house in Osaka, at the expense of several WIPs that I previously mentioned working on, most notably the cabled bag and vintage dress in this post and the Knucks mentioned in this one. I also gave scads of yarn, most of it still in the ball bands, to one of the English teachers who I worked with who's an absolute doll; and somehow I lost one of the beaded pins I made.

When I get time to upload them, I have photos of most of the hats I crocheted for my host family (my host brother took his lot before I took photos of everything), and a few other sayonara presents I made for some of the other teachers I worked with.

Musings on crochet

2007-07-13T07:11:00.000-05:00

Before I move home to the States, I'm going to visit my host family up in Osaka. They very generously housed me for 4 months during my semester abroad, and they're fabulous. I've decided to crochet them all hats, which is no small undertaking considering there are ten of them between mom, dad, grandma, my host brother's family, and my host sister's family.

And yet, it's not an unreasonable task. In three days I've already completed five hats. In a mere 16 rounds I can make a whole hat. Try knitting a hat in 16 rounds; the yarn would have to be damn chunky and the needles like tree branches, and it would probably end up looking like a big clunky mess anyway.

Crochet also seems to lend itself to designing at a much earlier experience level than knitting. I've been knitting for years, but I only learned how to crochet back in college when some friends taught me how to make a basic single-crochet beanie, and I didn't expand on that knowledge until after moving to Japan. I consider myself to be at the advanced beginner/kinda-sorta intermediate level, and yet I've already created my own hat pattern which lends itself to several variations. Perhaps this also ties into the time involved: even if you mess up, it doesn't take long to rip it out and recover that lost ground. On the other hand, I have some arm warmers that I've been designing for over a year now just because I can't be bothered to restart them AGAIN.

Busy, busy, busy

2007-07-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

I'm moving back to the States in a little over a month, so I haven't really had time to make things lately since I've been trying to dismantle my house and figure out how much I can feasibly take home, craft-related and otherwise. There are several FOs I packed up but haven't taken pictures of yet, so you can look forward to those making an appearance some time in August.

ZOMG, Fun Fur!

2007-06-22T10:16:00.000-05:00

AAAAHHHH!!

A reply to Random Thought 6/12

2007-06-15T09:34:00.000-05:00

On the other hand, I love it when an idea I've been kicking around in my head for a while ends up looking as cool as I hoped it would.

Short, sweet, and to the point:

2007-06-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

Craftster is my new crack.

What was that about "instant gratification"?

2007-06-12T07:46:00.000-05:00

I saw a tutorial on Craftster for a beaded bangle and posted my interest in it at 7:40pm. I then dug two cheap, tarnished Claire's bangles out of the trash (not as gross as it sounds, the bag was only jewelry waste from the other night), bummed around Craftster a bit more, made some posts, and at 9:50pm I already have a new beaded bangle. Photos later.

As promised, a necklace.

2007-06-12T04:35:00.000-05:00

Actually, make that plural. Necklaces. I think what appeals so much to me about beading is the speed with which projects can be completed. As I mentioned in my knitting heresy post, I'm really big on instant gratification, so the ability to finish a project in a night and wear it the next day makes it very appealing.

I made an illusion necklace while in the throes of sickness the other day.

It took longer than it probably should have, but I'm pretty out of practice with beading to begin with. Pair that with the not feeling so hot and it's not surprising that I had to redo it a few times, mostly because the cord got all crimpy and didn't look right. As it is, there's an odd crinkle in the final product, but it wasn't significant enough to make me want to redo it again.

All the beads came from the pallets I bought on clearance, and the clasp came from my pilfering the other night.

Now, as for what I was talking about last night (which was actually very early this morning by the time I posted it), I wanted to attempt making a pair of cherry earrings. I already had hooks up the wazoo, so I hit the craft store for jewelry findings (clasps, crimp tubes, etc.) and beads to use for the leaves and stems since nothing in the pallets really matched. Upon returning home and starting plan A, I discovered that there weren't enough red beads to make two sets of cherries. "Ok, plan B, let's make more fruit and make a necklace out of it!" After spending about two episodes worth of Mythbusters trying to make a mikan that actually LOOKED like a blasted mikan, I tried googling patterns for fruit charms to no avail. Then plan C hit: I would use the cherry pendant as the centerpiece, then link beaded kyu-pins (I'm not sure what they're called in English, but in Japanese they're named because they look like the number 9) to make the rest of the necklace.

I futzed with a few different combos before deciding on the green/blue/silver/clear color scheme. The bead pins are symmetrical up each side, but none of the patterns per side are duplicates. It had the world's tiniest, most obnoxious spring-ring clasp on it when I wore it today but replaced it with the much-easier-to-manage toggle clasp after work.

Here's a closeup of the cherries, I tried to get a shot of the beads up the side but was once again thwarted by my lack of camera talent, they all came out blurry. I may post a tutorial for the cherry charm later on, I was pretty pleased with how it turned out considering I just winged it and figured it out. I knew how to make "bead balls", and after that the stems were pretty much basic bead stringing.

I wrote up a tutorial and posted it on Craftster; I'll add it here with photos at some point in time that isn't when I'm sleepy and in need of a shower.

Random Thought 6/12

2007-06-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

I really hate it when an idea looks a million times cooler in my head than in reality. On the upside, failure of both plans A and B led me to ~~waste a lot of time~~ make a necklace that I'm almost certain is made of awesome. I'll test that theory when I wear it to school tomorrow and hope it doesn't fall apart since my wire bending skills are a bit rusty. Photos tomorrow if it holds together.

Also, I completely lost track of time and should have been in bed an hour ago.

My hands smell metallic

2007-06-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

I just spent a good chunk of time watching old Mythbusters episodes and dismantling cheap Claire's jewelry for parts.

Shortly after I moved to Japan, my mom sent me two huge bags of jewelry that a client who worked for Claire's HQ had given her. A few of the pieces passed inspection as things I would actually wear, but most of it looked too cheaply made or didn't fit my taste. I kept it all for a while, thinking maybe I'd use some of it as prizes for classes. I even gave a few pairs of earrings away to some junior high students who ambushed me and had me cook them dinner one day. But really, I had no use for it and pretty much forgot about it.

That is, until I went on this beading kick. Suddenly I remembered, "hey, I have two big bags of ugly jewelry that I can raid for parts!" I ended up with two necklace clasps, several sets of earring hooks, a buttload of jump rings, and even some beads. Score!

Looking back at yesterday's entry, I probably should have taken better photos to show detail on the pins and the colors of the yarn. Maybe when I'm unsick I'll reshoot them. Better or not (though mostly better), I'm headed back to work tomorrow.

Crafts that aren't made of yarn (and some that are)

2007-06-09T04:23:00.000-05:00

Not quite sure what's gotten into me, but I'm on a major beading kick right now. I had been working on a pin which I mentioned in my massive WIP entry, but I hit a sort of mental block about it. It's been years since I've worked with beads, and when I was younger it was mostly in the vein of beaded flower necklaces and things of that nature.

Anyway, I finally finished the pin and made another one as well.

(The DS is there to provide a point of reference on size. Oh, and to show off the nifty Plusle and Minun cover I bought at the Poke-center in Fukuoka).

The one on the right is the one I mentioned in the previous post, the pattern came from a Japanese book called Beads Box. It looks ok if you don't look to closely at it, but it's a little funky if you do. I've decided to keep that one and use the one on the left as part of the present the first one was originally intended for. The one on the left is a star from All Info About Jewelrymaking.

Here's the circular pin in action:

It's now officially the clasp for my Sweet Pea Shawl from SnB:HH. It's made from Denim something-or-other, 100% cotton. I found the yarn at my craft store, petted it, and knew I had to have it, so I bought the last 3 skeins of the purple colorway. Then I crocheted away with my typical disregard for gauge, knowing I wouldn't have quite enough anyway (mine ends with 3 shells left at the bottom instead of 1, and it's not quite as wide). Because it's a bit smaller, tying it is somewhat awkward, and I decided a snazzy pin was the answer, so there you have it.

As an added bonus, here's a scarf I made a hella long time ago:

It's a Yo, Drop It! scarf from SnBN. I made several as gifts out of some Joann brand ribbon yarn but don't have photos of those. This one is made from Lion Trellis on size US 13s instead of the recommended 11s (I was trying to stretch my yarn). It occasionally doubles as a belt.

Random Thought 6/9

2007-06-08T13:51:00.000-05:00

Between all the forums, communities, and blogs, sometimes I think I read about crafting more than I actually do it. I just joined Craftster.

I also figured out why I haven't wanted to knit: it's because I want to bead! Pics later, after sleeping. Being sick and on bed rest for a week has really messed up my internal clock since I haven't had to get up for work.

I should be unconscious by now....

2007-06-05T11:53:00.000-05:00

I'm sick. Again. It sucks. After almost fainting at my bathroom sink yesterday, I dragged myself to work, only to be taken to the doctor before first period, put on an IV drip, and sent home with a bag of prescription drugs (because the Japanese love prescribing a multitude of pills to treat various symptoms). I stayed home today and slept for hours, which is probably why I'm awake despite the fact it's almost 2am and I have work tomorrow (though depending on how I feel, I might call in again).

Seeing as how I'm stuck in bed (same old "ack, I'm dizzy and going to pass out if I stand up" as last time, when I went on a crocheting binge and made a bunch of hats), I need to find ways to amuse myself. I started looking up Linsner's Dawn images, since although I don't know if I'll ever make it to Dragon*Con (and certainly not this year, since I'll only just have moved back to the States by the time the con rolls around), it's fun to think about what sort of costume I'd want to make for the annual Dawn Lookalike contest. Tonight I came across this outfit, and I was immediately smitten with it, mostly because of an overwhelming desire to make that duster. Knitted or crocheted, not sure yet, probably crocheted given all the openwork on the skulls. It's probably far-fetched and ridiculous and the product of a frustrated, bored, ill mind, but dang, I want to make that work somehow.

Random Thought 6/1

2007-06-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

If you told me that, from now on, I'm only allowed to use blue, green, and purple yarn*, I would have no problem with that.

*Well, maybe with some occasional black and pink mixed in. It's funny, I never even realized that I actually like pink until I moved to Japan. I never drank coffee, ate egg yolks, or enjoyed yoga until I came here either.

Knitting Heresy is sweeping the web

2007-05-30T01:24:00.000-05:00

Inspired by a post I found on LJ's Punk Knitters community, which was in turn inspired by a post on Isis Rising, which was in turn inspired by a post on Knitter's Review Forums, here is my list of knitting confessions.

1. I hate circular needles. I own exactly one set of circs that I actually use to knit in the round (as opposed to larger ones that I use to knit sweaters and afghans). If I can knit something on DPNs instead, I will.

2. Stemming from #1, I have no desire to use the Magic Loop method.

3. I have no qualms about jumping on Knitty bandwagons, if the item in question actually appeals to me (such as Clapotis or Fetching).

4. I will make an effort to reach the end of a row before attaching the next skein, but if I'm pretty close, well, I'll join it anyway.

5. I hate tiny needles and time-consuming projects. I'm an instant gratification knitter. I learned to knit on a pair of US 11s, and they're still one of my favorites. Most of my stash is worsted and heavier.

6. Yet, the size I use the most are US 7s.

7. I never swatch for accessories, only garments. I'll adjust the pattern as I go if it's too big or small.

8. Short rows and waist shaping are the best knitting inventions ever. Joan McGowan-Michael is my hero.

9. I hate knitting socks, even though I love legwear.

10. I'm a selfish knitter, most of what I make is for myself with the exception of charity knitting and occasional baby presents.

11. I love 1x1 rib and seed stitch. I hate garter stitch.

12. I love Fun Fur.

13. Heck, I love novelty yarns, especially soft plushy ones.

14. I love Wool-Ease, Homespun, and Simply Soft, but I hate Super Saver.

15. I have never paid more than $8 per skein for yarn. Ever. I have some to-die-for Noro that I bought for 200 yen a skein on clearance.

16. I have spent the last few coins in my wallet on knitting needles, even when I shouldn't.

17. I knit through the back loop by default.

18. I have never read the Yarn Harlot. However, I love Debbie Stoller's books.

19. I have knit patterns from Vickie Howell's blog, but I have never watched an episode of Knitty Gritty.

20. I almost never know what to make when I randomly buy yarn but do it anyway, then have to go out and buy yarn specifically for the patterns I want to make.

21. I have never knit a bobble and never intend to.

I actually bought this a while ago....

2007-05-21T06:04:00.000-05:00

I don't need any more yarn. I know this. Really. But the bulk of my stash is heavy, wooly, wintery yarn, and I couldn't resist some of the delicious spring yarn that went on sale around March. Most of it has already been worked up, but here's some that's still in skein form (3 of them, actually):

It's President Shine Lame (yes, it's spelled that way on the label) by Motohiro, 52% polyester/20% cotton/28% rayon.

Headwear Bonanza!

2007-05-20T04:34:00.000-05:00

As I've said before, it is my firm belief that a person can never have too many scarves, armwarmers, or hats. Here are three FOs that support this theory, plus a fourth that more or less fits the category.

This is the first thing I ever crocheted. Back when I was stagnating in the "I can only knit stockinette rectangles" phase of my knitting career, I really wanted to learn how to make hats. A couple of my crocheting friends taught me how to make a basic beanie using single crochet worked in a spiral. This is the result, made from Lion Homespun in the now-discontinued disco colorway on a US K hook.

Fortunately, my crocheting abilities have progressed a bit since then, and I made this during a crochet-a-thon back in Februrary that also produced my Blue Star Cloche and Rose is a Rose Hat in the course of one week. This is the Dorothea hat from the Modern Flapper Hats collection. Like the other two, it's made with Motohiro Premium Merino (100% wool). The flower is a chain stitch flower made from leftover "Rose is a Rose" yarn and a bead stitched in the middle.

I made this in an attempt to use up stash yarn. It started life as Knitty's Coronet but went through a few alterations along the way. I had one skein each of Olympus John Lennon Peace (100%) and Katylana Soft Colorful (100% nylon), so I combined them. The John Lennon yarn is worsted weight, so I made the cable brim as instructed, but the Soft Colorful is bulky, so I used US 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needles and only picked up 54 stitches. When it ran out I switched back to the worsted yarn and US 8 (5mm) needles, increasing the number of stitches to fit. This pattern really suited the yarns well thanks to its fold-up brim construction; the wool yarn is a bit scratchy, so having it fold over the super-soft yarn works out perfectly.

This last FO isn't quite a hat, but it DOES get worn on the head, so I'm counting it anyway! I made this a really long time ago but somehow never got around to taking photos. It's the Head Hugger pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, with very little regard given to yarn type or gauge. I used the instructions for the neckwarmer, knit up in the now-discontinued Lion Kool Wool, which is a thicker yarn than the pattern calls for. The flowers are made with Micro-spun leftovers from my Pippi Kneestockings. It was the second pattern I completed from SnBN, and only the second item I've made using the actual colors from the pattern (the first being an Adults-Only Devil Hat).

WIP it, WIP it good!

2007-05-18T23:47:00.000-05:00

"Why don't people understand? I've got a short attention span, short attention spaaaan!!"- Fizzy Bangers, Short Music for Short People (That's the entire song.)

I've been threatening to do so for a while, so at long last, here's a rundown of most of the projects I'm currently working on.

Somehow I've amassed a huge assortment of yarn:

And that's not even counting the 100% acrylic put aside specifically for Warm Up America knitting:

Let's not even talk about all the fabric and buttons and whatnot that have somehow manifested in my sewing room.

So I want to use up as much as possible before moving back to the States at the end of the summer, and these are some of my attempts.

Mikado Ribbon Fingerless Gloves, made not from Mikado Ribbon yarn but a 70% bamboo/30% cotton blend called Eco Summer by Hands Products. I bought it because it was luscious and seafoam green, but there wasn't enough to make a full garment. I had wanted to try this pattern for a while, and the yarn seemed like a good match. It's wonderfully soft and silky but a bit splitty; really, it reminds me of a higher-end Micro-Spun.

Magknit's Matilda Scarf. This has been on the needles since December, I just got a bit sidetracked. The black yarn is Cozy-something-or-other, 100% acrylic but very thick and soft, the multicolored is Applause, 100% polyester chenille, I think it's also by Hands Products.

Paton's Cabled Bag. I decided to do the center panel in a different color, mostly because I didn't have enough yarn to do it all in one color. It's made with Daiso Soft Tweed, a wool/acrylic blend from the 100 yen store.

I have a few other knitted projects that I won't post right now for various reasons, but lest you think I only make things out of yarn, here are some other in-progress pieces.

This is a pin I'm trying to make as part of a present (I'm not posting the rest of it in case the recipient checks this blog, which I'm not sure she does), the pattern comes from the Japanese book Beads Box. Japanese patterns tend to be heavy on diagrams and light on explanations, so I'm not sure if I'm assembling it right and have kind of stalled out on it for now.

This is the first non-costume garment I've made in a long time, using a vintage 60's pattern purchased on Ebay. It's casa satin from Joann Fabrics, the pattern has a matching jacket, and I plan to add some beading when it's done. I feel a bit rusty with my sewing, though, I'm having trouble getting the darts to not pucker.

This is a wig I'm styling for a Setsuka costume I hope to eventually finish, using techniques from Katie Bair. I thought I'd make it while here, but materials have been very hard to come by, so I probably won't finish the costume until I'm back in the States.

Wow, I'm boring

2007-05-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

Well, what do we have here? Oh, it's another Blue Star Cloche, made with... wait for it... leftover Wool-Ease.

I made the same alterations to it as my first one. The lady who owns the cafe where my friends and I meet for our weekly coffee/English conversation date loved it, so I offered to make her one. She gave all three of us free cake sets that day!

I've been meaning to catch up on posting the several FOs and gajillion WIPs I have kicking around the house. Maybe that'll be one of my projects this weekend....

Random Thought 5/9 and a WIP (and general geekery)

2007-05-08T10:18:00.001-05:00

I would probably be a lot more productive if I didn't stop so frequently (like, say, after every repeat of a cable pattern) to look at my work and say, "dang, that's so cool!" I really only get this way with cables, though. Maybe if I go on a cabling binge I'd get it out of my system.

Speaking of cables, I treated myself to some real, honest-to-goodness cable needles the other day. Up until this point I've just used spare dpns. It makes a world of difference, much less juggling and stitches slipping off; plus they're really smooth, slick plastic which helps keep things moving.

In keeping with my promise of not text-only posts, here's one of many WIPs I'm working on now (there are several, I can't seem to commit to any one project lately):

It's Magknit's Seaside pattern, done in (surprise surprise) leftover Wool-Ease. I had originally intended to use this color for seaming a project I was working up in Lion Suede since I was afraid the Suede would be too bulky, but it actually worked fine. Seeing as the stitch pattern is called "seaweed", it seemed like a good candidate for swampy green yarn.

As an added bit of geek cred (and offering a glimpse of my cosplay tendencies), the manicure was inspired by Drusilla, influenced by my Buffy marathons.

They're like little bullseyes or something

2007-04-27T06:51:00.000-05:00

Now that school's back in session I'll be spending less time at my office, which should translate to more internet time at home, which means I'll have access to my photos, which means pretty not-text-only updates! Yay!

Last month a friend of mine had a birthday, so I crocheted her some coasters as a present:

It was my first time changing colors on a project (I seriously don't know how I haven't done it before now), so there's a bit of a jog when I switch. They're made with Lion Wool-Ease which I had left over from another project and a size G (4mm) hook. Here's the pattern, which is fairly basic if you know how to crochet in a circle because that's pretty much what I did.

Super-Easy Birthday Coasters
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted (80% acrylic/20% wool; 3 oz/85 g; 197 yds/180 m)
A: Blue Heather - 1 skein or color of your choice
B: White - 1 skein or color of your choice

US G/6 (4.0mm) crochet hook

With A, ch 2. Make 11 dc in second ch from hook, sl st to join (12 sts).
Rnd 1: Switch to B. Ch 3, dc in same st. 2 Dc in each dc around, sl st to join (24 sts).
Rnd 2: Switch to A. Ch 3, 2 dc in next st. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc* around, sl st to join (36 sts).
Rnd 3: Switch to B. Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. *Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st* around, sl st to join (48 sts). Fasten off.

Also, a random thought completely unrelated to crafting: M&Ms Speck-tacular Eggs are a bit disconcerting. They look like peanut M&Ms but when bitten into they're just solid chocolate. Where's the peanut??

Checking in

2007-04-13T01:44:00.000-05:00

I've been busy doing nothing at work for the past month or so, which means that I spend a lot of time online at my office. As a result, I haven't been on the computer much at home, which is where all my photos are. The point is, I'm still making things, just not posting the results.

My recent Buffy addiction has now spread to Angel (yeah yeah, just a few years late on those, I know), so in order to combine hours of watching tv and productivity, I've been crocheting afghan squares for Warm Up America!. It's also a good way to thin out the stash before I head home at the end of the summer, I'm already sweating how I'll get everything home. As much as I try to use it up, I somehow keep buying more....

Status Report

2007-03-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

Ok, ok, so I've been a bit neglectful. I actually haven't been crafting too much this month in order to give my wrists a break, they were pretty sore after all the work I did in February. Well, that and I've been super-addicted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer recently. Not that I can't knit and watch tv at the same time, I've just chosen not to, for the aforementioned wrist ailment. I do have a few FOs and some WIPs that I should have pictures of soon.

Oh, and as for my dilemma in the previous post, I figured out a solution that I'm not sure why I didn't think of before: instead of yarn, I slipped the held stitches onto circulars. Worked like a charm!

Random Thought 3/12

2007-03-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that patterns which involve placing a large number of stitches on waste yarn annoy me. It's tedious slipping them all to the yarn, and equally tedious to return the held stitches to the needle. I'm so totally sticking to armwarmers instead of gloves from now on.

Ahh, natural light!

2007-03-03T23:11:00.000-06:00

I mentioned that I ran out of yarn while making a hat but never actually posted photos of the finished product. Here it is:

Look, I actually took them outside! Much better lighting than anywhere in my house, that's for sure.

The hat is made from Motohiro Premium Merino (100% wool) using the A Rose is a Rose pattern. For the accent I used a 100% cotton yarn purchased last summer and the Star Flower Pin pattern, although I stitched it to the hat rather than using a pin and added a bead to the center.

Continuing on that review

2007-03-03T05:33:00.000-06:00

After working two weeks solid on a project using Lion Suede, I can now make a more detailed review. The rugburn feeling was indeed caused by over-knitting, I got the same feeling from my trusted Wool-Ease as well.

What I did notice about Suede is that it's a very "sticky" yarn; that is, it likes to cling to the needles and itself. This is both a blessing and a curse: it's difficult to drop stitches, and if you do, it probably won't unravel too far. On the other hand, it takes a bit of effort to slide stitches up the needle, and if you need to frog it, sometimes it snags and can break.

Another odd quirk about it is that it needs to be held taut in order to keep the stitches neat, otherwise they tend to be a bit saggy. My natural knitting style is fast and loose, so having to concentrate on my tension slowed me down a bit.

A very brief yarn review

2007-02-19T07:46:00.000-06:00

I like how Lion brand Lion Suede feels when it's knitted up, but I'm not so sure I like knitting with it. I feel like it's giving me a rug burn on my middle finger as I feed the yarn through my hand. Of course, this could just be from over-use after all the crocheting I did this weekend.

Scarves! Scarves! Scarves! (and a hat)

2007-02-16T05:08:00.000-06:00

I strongly believe that you can never have too many scarves. Or hats. Or armwarmers. Here are three scarves which I've made, a new one each year:

The oldest is the seed-stitch scarf in the middle. It was done back in '04, and the only reason I even know that is because I remember working on it at my mom's old apartment before she moved.

It's knit from that perennial favorite, Lion Wool-Ease, on JPN 10(5.1mm) needles. I can't remember how many stitches I cast on, but there are 20 rows of each color.

When I started trying to expand my crochet knowledge last winter beyond chains and single crochet, I selected a shell and wave scarf pattern from http://crochet.about.com/

It's looking a bit haggard at this point, I've worn it a lot, and I attempted several projects with it before this one so the yarn was already a bit stressed out from being frogged so many times. It's Diamond Diaparterre (50/50 alpaca/acrylic), the same yarn I used for my Clapotis. Strangely enough, as soft and wonderful as the Clap is, this scarf can feel scratchy at times (probably due to all that frogging). The coolest part is how, thanks to the shells, the color pattern comes out in splotches and zigzags instead of stripes.

After that scarf, I fell away from crochet again, went through a few (relatively unproductive) cosplay and (somewhat productive) knitting phases, and didn't come back to it until this winter. I put the purple merino I bought to good use and made the One-Skein Scarf from SnB: The Happy Hooker(which was a misnomer in my case, since it took 2 1/2 skeins).

I never really bother with checking gauges when it comes to scarves and just adjust accordingly to suit my specifications. In this case, I increased the repeats from 3 rows to 5 and added an extra scallop on each end to compensate. I'm still working on my crochet technique and am much better at working in the round than straight; my chain edges always seem to be tight and make the whole piece curve, even when I cast on with larger hooks (as I did in this case). Maybe a good blocking would fix it, but it doesn't matter too much when I wear it, so it's really not a priority.

I had 1 1/2 skeins left over, so I made a hat to match:

It's the Blue Star Cloche from Hook Me Up! Crochet, although the star on it is actually this pattern and made out of leftover Clap yarn. I used an I hook instead of the recommended H since I wanted it to be a bit longer.

Good FOs, Bad Photography

2007-02-15T00:39:00.000-06:00

In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly the slickest with a camera. Here are a couple FOs I made that didn't quite translate well to film (or a Sony Cybershot, as the case may be). One I could attempt to reshoot but eh, the other is no longer in my possession.

Here's my third hat based off the Kittyville devil hat pattern. I made my first a long time ago as my first experience with knitting in the round, and my second I styled after Lum from the series Urusei Yatsura (which is the hat I'm wearing in my profile pic). As an aside, since she's based after the oni, I wear the hat to school on Setsubun, and the kids love it (they always recognize the oni horns).

I knit the pattern as written on US 7(4.5mm)circs and DPNs, but this time I substituted a 2x2 rib for the seed stitch and knit the ear flaps in stockinette with garter stitch selveges to prevent curling, and on all of them I widened the ear flaps by 2 stitches. The ties are just twisted cords. I used Hamanaka Men's Club Master (60% wool 40% acrylic) that was left over from another project, and the variegated yarn is some type of Noro I got out of a clearance bin (without even realizing it was Noro, I couldn't read the kanji at the time. Had I known, I would have bought a lot more of it, it was dirt cheap). The fair isle pattern came from Big Needle Knit Afghans, and the stripes were on a whim.

Speaking of Big Needle Knit Afghans, I actually knit one for a friend of mine. My former coworker was pregnant with her third child, so I made the Morning Sunlight afghan for her:

It's knit on US size 17 circs (to accomodate the stitches), triple-stranded Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic and machine washable, a good idea for baby goods). Easy-peasy, not much to say about it. I took these photos before blocking it (which, in the case of acrylic, means throwing it in the washer to even out the stitches), so it looks a bit wobbly.

The Dangers of Clearance Sales

2007-02-14T05:03:00.000-06:00

In the past two days, I have acquired an absurd amount of new materials. My original intention was to buy more of the blue merino yarn, enough to make the Unseamly Sweater from SnB: The Happy Hooker. Not only was I able to obtain said yarn (I was really afraid they'd be sold out after the pumpkin-color disappointment), but I also picked up two skeins of tan (for what, I don't know) and one skein of rose to make a hat. The lilac I had purchased became a scarf and hat which I'll post later.

Now, you're probably saying, "but Marisa, there are four kinds of yarn there, and you only mentioned three!" Or maybe you're not. Either way, the fourth skein is Katylana Soft Colorful (100% nylon and wonderfully pettable) which I found today in the clearance bin for half off. As yesterday's post said, I just barely ran out of yarn while crocheting a hat, so today I went to pick up another skein of the rose. Silly me, thinking I could escape with just a skein of yarn!

Thanks to their clearance, I also stocked up on beads:

The palette sets are really nice: each one contains a mix of seed beads, pearls, faceted beads (is that the correct term? I'm so not up on bead lingo), glass beads, and nylon bead cord. The smaller vials are a mix of seed and tubular beads. Here they are after being organized (more or less) by category:

They're much easier to see without the plastic baggies, aren't they? Plus, I have 2 extra palettes in case I buy more beads.

As an aside, this particular craft store offers a stamp card, for every 10,000 yen you spend, you receive coupons worth 500 yen towards your next purchase (basically for every $100, you get a $5 credit). They also offer some sort of special bonus if you complete 5 cards. I'm already 3/4 done with my third card -_-;

Also, I was right, they're getting rid of the winter yarn to make room for the spring yarn. It has arrived. It's delicious.

A lesson in frustration

2007-02-13T09:39:00.000-06:00

Frustration is running out of yarn 1 1/2 rounds away from finishing.

Poop, and I really wanted to wear a new hat tomorrow. It's back to the craft store after work!

Random Thought 2/13

2007-02-12T11:08:00.000-06:00

Recently I've seen a lot of scarves and purses in various combos of knit and crochet for sale. Upon looking at the various goods being offered, it occurred to me that basic crochet looks a lot more impressive than basic knitting.

A lot of the crocheted scarves were some form of double crochet: straight dc, shells, mesh stitch (which are mostly chain stitches), etc. On the knitted side, very few were just garter stitch (and clearly not straight stockinette, for reasons addressed in my Super Scarf narration); rather, the knitted scarves featured complex cable and bobble patterns.

Considering that double crochet is considered one of the basic stitches, while cables are normally saved for intermediate knitters, it would appear that crochet has an edge for beginners when it comes to razzle-dazzle.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a cabled bag to work on....

Sweater-rama

2007-02-11T23:07:00.000-06:00

After knitting for a while, I got it into my head that I had to make a sweater. After all, what self-respecting knitter doesn't prove her prowess with a full knitted garment?

The problem was, I didn't really like sweaters very much, so it took a long time to find one I wanted to make. One that wouldn't be horrifically unflattering. One that wouldn't make me schvitz to death. One that would actually be worth the time it took to make.

I finally found my answer in Hip Knits: the True-Colors Zip Up. Even if I didn't end up liking it, it was knitted on US 13(9mm) and 15(10mm) needles, perfect for my short attention span.

I used the Patons Melody (68% acrylic 32% nylon)recommended in the pattern but substituted triple-stranded Lion brand Microspun (100% microfibre acrylic) for the triple-stranded Patons Look At Me (which I had never even heard of before). I've changed to a dull blue zipper instead of the shiny black one pictured here, which was actually a bit too long and made the front pucker. I've worn it a few times, and it was really nice last winter when it was a lot colder here, but I wore it home to Chicago and left it there during winter break. I might be outgrowing my "garish pink" phase anyway.

Of course, after knitting my first sweater, I came to the conclusion that I do like sweaters after all. I had a formal event to attend last March, so I decided to knit a sweater for it. I chose White Lies Designs' Milinda Pullover.

I used Olympus Alpaca Concerto, the same yarn as the blue Fetching from a few entries ago, (which were an attempt to use up the leftovers), JPN 8 needles (4.5mm, the same as US 7s, which the pattern called for).

Here's a detail of the lace:

This pattern also started my love affair with short row bust shaping, but I think I'll save that for another installment.

I think it's a requirement to make one these days

2007-02-07T22:38:00.000-06:00

Time for a story: Once upon a time (embarassingly enough not that long ago), my knitting consisted exclusively of stockinette stitch rectangles that I liked to call "scarves". I made them for myself. I subjected friends and family to them. My ex-boyfriend was actually kind enough to wear his, he was a good man.

During this period I created a monstrosity affectionately referred to as "Super Scarf". Super Scarf was three skeins of Lion brand Homespun (chunky weight) knit on US 11(8mm) needles, worked across about 64 stitches. This thing was more than a scarf. Sure, with the way stockinette rolls up on itself I could use it as such. But I could also unfurl it and use it as a shawl. I could wrap it around my neck, head, face, and shoulders when I went out in a blizzard (oh how I loved that thing while waiting for the El). I could fit two of my friends in there with me. It truly lived up to its name.

Now, having expanded my knitting knowledge, I realize just how crude a piece of knitting it was. Still, it was undeniably cozy and useful. And that's where today's FO comes in: Knitty's Clapotis. The first time I saw the pattern, I wasn't all that impressed with it. Then I started to see people posting their versions, and seeing the pattern in action I thought, "wow, those are awesome!" So I decided to make my own:

It's knit from Diamond brand Diaparterre, a 50/50 alpaca/acrylic blend that's a bit expensive but wonderfully soft. The pattern itself annoyed me though-- it differentiates between knitting and knitting through the back loop. Somehow when I learned to knit I learned to do so tbl, so that's my default. Forcing myself to knit properly made the project a lot slower at the getgo. In the end, however, I'm glad I pushed myself through it, since I can knit through the front loop a lot quicker now, which is useful for lace patterns which similarly differentiate between the stitches.

Now, you're probably asking how this relates to the Super Scarf narration. Simple- the Clap is really just an upgraded Super Scarf! I can scrunch it up and use it as a scarf, or I can unfurl it (thanks to the drop stitches) and use it as a shawl. I can't quite fit three people in it, but certain concessions must be made for fashionability, after all. Actually, I take that back, I can fit three people in it, if two of them happen to be first graders (wear scarves to elementary schools at your own risk). It took a really long time to make, and I don't think I ever want to make another one (sorry Mom, I'll teach you to make your own), but it's one of my favorite things I've finished and I get a lot of use out of it.

Random Thought for the Day 2/2

2007-02-02T00:51:00.000-06:00

As much as I adore legwear, I've never really been a big sock knitter. I've made exactly one pair of socks, the Pippi Kneestockings pattern from SnB (Lion Microspun, 100% microfibre acrylic):

You'd think that since I love socks so much, and I love knitting so much, that the two would go together perfectly. Maybe it just takes too long to knit socks. Or maybe I realize that it's much easier to buy socks with hedgehogs or Jack Skellington on them than to knit a pair.

I am such a dork

2007-02-01T01:53:00.000-06:00

I lost my JET diary (aka daily planner) a while back. Today at school I saw a pile of promotional diaries, and they said I could have one. I wasn't sure what sort of company it was, and it says on the back of the book that they're a sporting goods supplier. This is what the envelope it came in looks like:

And I looked at it, and I thought, "Captain Slip Slip Knit?" I still have no idea what SSK is supposed to stand for in this context. Until I do, I am sticking to my theory that he's some sort of knitting superhero.

When being prudent with money bites you in the bum....

2007-01-31T09:31:00.000-06:00

During the month of December I was eyeing some beautiful pumpkin orange merino. Every time I went to the craft store I would pet it, thinking about how I could turn it into some sort of sweater, or a cabled scarf, or invent some sort of pumpkin hat. Unfortunately, as I was spending a lot of money on holiday presents and preparing to fly home for the new year, logic got the better of me as I told myself, "Wait until after winter break, until after the next paycheck comes."

Today was my first trip to the craft store since I've been back, only to find that the store was clearancing out most of their yarns, probably to make way for lighter spring yarns. Japan is very particular about only selling seasonally appropriate things- they have limited edition flavors of just about everything, from candy to cereal to noodles. So of course there was no beautiful pumpkin orange left. I did, however, pick up some lilac and dusty blue, in quantities to make a scarf and hopefully a sweater, respectively. I also obtained some curly pink novelty yarn that is just begging to be made into a poodle.

The blue and purple is Motohiro Premium Merino, 100% wool (and buttery soft!), the pink is the same brand as the green stuff in my last post (still can't tell if it's supposed to be Hands or Hans or what, it's written in katakana ha-n-zu), and the yarn in particular is called Lovely, 100% polyester.

I ♥ Armwear!

2007-01-28T00:30:00.000-06:00

Ever since I made the Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers from Stitch n Bitch Nation, I've had a bit of a thing for armwarmers and fingerless gloves.

I'd post a pic of that first pair, but they're currently MIA somewhere in the house, so, um, I can't right now. I do have another pair I made though, using the same pattern but substituting the cable chart from these gloves.

They're made with Lion Brand Wool-Ease in some sort of "autumn" color. To put it bluntly, they're pretty ugly. The yarn looked much prettier on the skein, but when I knit it up, I wasn't crazy about how the colors turned out. I think that if each color had gone a bit longer, more like stripes, it would have had a nicer effect. Nevertheless, these unattractive armwarmers do keep me warm, and they're particularly nice to have at school, where there's usually only a heater in the staff room and not the classrooms.

I tried making a pair of Knitty's Fetching for myself out of some leftover yarn from a sweater I made last winter, but one of my friends really liked them, so I ended up giving them to her. I knit another pair as a present as well.

The blue ones are made from Olympus Alpaca Concerto, an alpaca/wool/acrylic blend.

The pink ones are made from Daiso Soft Type Tweed, an acrylic/wool blend I bought at the 100 yen store (see, I told you there was some nice yarn there).

I modified the pattern by using US size 7s instead of 6s, simply because that's what I had. To compensate, I worked it over 40 stitches instead of 45, and the thumb is 15 sts instead of 17.

Yesterday I started working on a pair of Knitty's
Knucks using a yarn called Applause, 100% polyester chenille, left over from a holiday present I knitted for a friend.

So far they've been a bit tedious, probably because the chenille is kind of a pain in the butt when it comes to picking up stitches and placing the fingers back on the needles. They're a bit bulky but very warm, and I think they'll also be great for unheated classrooms. That is, if I can get myself to finish them.

Child's Play

2007-01-26T03:16:00.000-06:00

No, not the horror movies featuring that killer doll (which, incidentally, traumatized me so badly as a kid that I refused to go to a movie theater or video store from the ages of 8 to 13), but things for children to play with!

Back in college I spent a semester studying in Osaka, and I won the host family jackpot, living with one of the sweetest families you could ask for. Since I moved back to Japan, I visit them periodically. Last year during Spring Break they invited me to come up, so I whipped up some toys for my host nieces, ages 8 and 2:

The penguin is Knitty's Pasha, and the octopus is based on one my great grandma made me when I was little. Both are made out of yarn I picked up at the 100 yen store (the Japanese version of a dollar store). Everything except Pasha's beak and feet is 100% acrylic, the yellow yarn is a really soft wool/acrylic blend. Surprisingly, there are some very nice yarns to be had at the 100 yen store, I also have some great cotton/acrylic yarn they had for sale last summer.

I swear Pasha has eyes, they're just black on a black background, not very photogenic. I've made two of these penguins so far, and both times my beaks came out like in these photos, much wider than in the pattern pictures.

The funny thing about the octopus is that my host brother couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. The Japanese concept of an octopus looks something like this:

so I guess it threw him off a bit, what with the smiley face and non-curly tentacles and all.

For those of you who want an octopus of your own, here's what you need:

-1 skein of yarn in the color of your choice, plus scraps for the face and, if desired, snazzy hat
-A wad of scrap fabric to stuff the head
-Scissors or other cutting implement of your choice
-A tape measure
-A crochet hook, if you want the aforementioned snazzy hat (I suppose you could knit or sew one too)

And here's what you do:

1. Cut 48 strands of yarn, each 24" in length.
2. Divide yarn into 4 bundles of 12 strands.
3. Arrange the bundles so they intersect in the middle, they'll look a bit like an asterisk or the spokes of a wheel.
4. Using the scrap fabric as a core, wrap yarn around it to make a form for the head.
5. When the head is the desired size, place it in the middle of the yarn "wheel" and gather the "spokes" around it. Wrap and tie a length of yarn underneath the head to secure it in place, letting the spokes dangle. Since they've been folded in half around the head, there will now be 8 legs.
6. Braid each of the legs and fasten them at the bottom with pieces of yarn.
7. Embroider a face, make a hat- embellish it however you want. Go nuts!

I hope that explanation makes sense. The photo might help give you an idea of what goes where, if my steps aren't clear.

I suppose an introduction's in order

2007-01-26T02:49:00.000-06:00

Hi, my name is Marisa, and I'm a craftoholic.

All right, I admit, not the most creative opening line, but I have to start somewhere. I live in Japan and work for the Board of Education in a small town on the ocean, which happens to be famous for year-round mikan (a citrus fruit similar to tangerines or mandarin oranges) harvesting. In fact, our town slogan is "The Town Where You Can Pick Mikan All Year Long." See this photo of a manhole cover?

It has the town slogan on it. And a smiling mikan. We are serious about our citrus here.

At any rate, living in a small town wedged between the ocean and the mountains means that more often than not I have to find ways to amuse myself. Fortunately I've been a fan of crafting ever since I was little, and while some things are hard to come by down here (like a decent fabric selection), others are quite bountiful (like luscious yarn and gorgeous beads).

I decided to start a journal devoted exclusively to my creative pursuits so I would have a place to write about everything all at once. The way things are now, I post photos of my costumes here, comments on my knitting there, and currently have no outlet for my fledgling crochet and beaded pieces. This way, all the stories and photos from all my various hobbies can neatly be consolidated.

I'll probably be posting quite a bit at first to play "catch up" and collect a mess of FOs that are kicking around here.