Knit~Crochet Mania

Rainy Day Projects

2006-10-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

I really did want to post at least once a week but I am not doing well with that. When it comes to writing, I am lazy. Ask my parents...um well maybe not, they would be too happy to complain that I haven't emailed them in forever...lol

Thursday on my day off from work, we got a lot of rain. Well I kept losing my internet connection. For some reason, when it rains a lot, my dsl connection goes out. It will come back for a few minutes and then goes out again. I couldn't get in the mood to work on the bears so I decided to get out the weaving loom I bought a few months back. Its a very basic loom but the shop owner said it would be the best for learning how to weave, especially tapestry weaving which is what I want to learn how to do. I also bought a book on how to weave which C. also recommended. The first project is a sampler of different stitches. I should have done a close up photo. Its hard to see the details. I decided that I love weaving. I can't wait to try weaving a picture. Now I need to sit down and draw some sketches to get something to use for a pattern. C. told me to put a sheet of paper behind my weaving so it would be easier to see the weaving. Also if I do a sketch, I can put it behind the loom and work from it. I have some watercolor paper that is the size of the loom. I'll post more pictures of my weaving as it progresses.

I am also posting a picture of the sock I finished knitting. It was my "at work on lunch" project. We get an hour lunch at work so I take my knitting to work on after I eat. I am not good at just sitting without going to sleep. lol I have started on the 2nd sock and can't wait to wear them.

Well it is getting late so I am off to bed. Until next time, keep on knitting or crocheting.

Waiting for the cold front

2006-10-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight I started a new project. This one is for my sister, Sheri. I decided to try out a new yarn by Red Heart. Its called Red Heart Strata. It is a self-striping yarn that creates "fair isle patterns" which is why I bought it. Its similar in weight to Red Heart Supersavor but feels a little bit heaver to me. The only downfall is the yarn is rather rough. It wouldn't be that great for sweaters unless you wore something under it.

Three guesses what my project is? lol Sheri emailed me early this morning before she went to work and appealed for my help. She needed me to make 3 of my yarn teddy bears for some children. The bears are about 7 or 8" high. I lost count how many of these bears I have made. They are so fun and quick to make. Originally the bears were made from a pattern from Family Circle or Women's Day magazine in the mid-80es. I have made so many that I memorized the basics of the pattern. I usually change patterns to suit myself so I have strayed somewhat from the pattern. I do wish that I could find the pattern though but I have no idea where I put it for safe keeping. Sheri, if you are reading this, I guess you know what my answer is... ;)

Speaking of my dear sister, I am excited to say that Sheri finally ironed out her technical difficulties with getting to post to the blog so she will finally start posting soon. I will let her introduce herself. However, I'm not sure when she will be posting yet, she um...lost her keyboard. Hey, it could happen! If you saw all the yarn Sheri has and like me, she is running out of places to store it. Then there is her cat Remy who is still a kitten and very mischievous. She came home one day to find him stretched out on the keyboard.

If you are wondering about the title for this post, I live in the Houston area and it is still hot here. Once in a while the weather man promises us a cold front which really means that the temperature drops a few degrees then is hotter than ever. It really takes the fun out of making sweaters when you only get to wear them 2 times a year. At this point, I'd be happy if the temps go down to the 70es.

Well its late and I work tomorrow so I better wrap it up for now. Until next time, Keep on knitting or crocheting.

Name the Bear Contest

2006-10-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Sheri & I thought it would be fun to have a name the bear contest. Sheri came up with the idea that who ever wins the contest will get a link to their blog or website added to Knit~Crochet Mania. If the winner doesn't have a blog or website, we will figure out a different prize. The main idea is to have fun. :) If you have an idea for a name, email me at keliloi@earthlink.net
I decided that the winner will be picked in a drawing. (whoever's name is drawn will win)

The cat in the picture is Katie Kat. She usually stays in my computer room when I am in it. The computer room is also my art and craft room. Katie is holding one of my projects which is a sock made out of self-striping yarn. Oh and you thought she was really knitting? Katie is very smart but she prefers unwinding the balls of yarn. lol

I recently learned how to knit the socks on two circular needles instead of the double pointed needles. I found out that it goes very quickly and it is easier to avoid the "ladder stitch" that you sometimes get from double pointed needles. The next pair of socks I am going to try knitting two socks at the same time on the circular needles. I have to force myself to make the 2nd sock and this should resolve that problem.

It is getting late, and I am so sleepy today.
Until next time, keep on crocheting or knitting.

View of the orange bear standing. You can see one of the beads I used at the leg joints.

The Tiniest Bear

2006-09-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

Well maybe not the littlest bear in existance but my crochet bear stands 3" tall. I crocheted it from a free pattern for a bear created by Edith Molina. Edith's bear, Monique is 2 1/2" tall and is adorable. Much cuter than mine. The bear is made from size 10 crochet cotton and a American size 7 steel crochet hook. I probally should have used a size 8 hook as I crochet loose but it was so tiny and my eyes had to take long breaks after making a section.

I made a few changes to the orange bear from the original pattern. I made the ears larger and used a verigated tatting thread for the mussle. The bear is jointed and I decided to use larger matching purple beads for the tops of the legs. The eyes are purple and topez round beads. I haven't decided on a name for the orange bear. Any suggestions, please leave a comment. I need help. lol I used a scrap of Oriental looking fabric for the bear to sit on for the photo. I will probally make a scarf to wrap around his neck. I had so much fun crocheting this bear! I am planning to make more. Edith crocheted some of her bears using thin acrylic yarn and then brushed the bear to make him fuzzy. I found some thin wool yarn at my favorite yarn shop. The shop owner suggested felting a bear. hum...

Stay tuned for more bears, meanwhile keep on crocheting.

Afghans Etc. 4 Charity

2006-03-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't done so well keeping up with this blog.
It reminds me of when I was a kid and would get a diary for Christmas. I was always thrilled. I'd keep up with it for a few days, then the rest of the year remained blank. lol I think there was only one time that I actually wrote in a journal
everyday. I used a 3 ring notebook and found that having a larger space to write on gave me the freedom to write what I was feeling. I was in high school and have destroyed it long ago. Its embarrassing what you write when you are a teenager. lol

I have gotten a lot of crochet and knitting projects done lately. This one is a 12" square that I crocheted for a online charity group; http://www.afghansetc4charity.com/ that crochets for the children at St. Jude's Hospital for children who have cancer. My sister Sheri was the first to join then recently I joined. I am really happy I did. It really makes me happy to think maybe I can help comfort a child who is dealing with more than any child should have to in life. The group owner, Roger and the other members are amazing. They give so much of their time to help these children. They are a great group of people.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! It seems like this year has passed so quickly. This time last year, I was having a problem with a slipped disc which i thought was a pulled muscle in my back. After many trips to the dr. and 3 cortisoine shots, I finally got back to normal but found out I have
arthritus in my right hip which still acts up. Not as bad as the slipped disk though... Its better to see the positive side. lol

Christmas was nice though, my husband & I spent a nice quiet day at home. I got my husband a little remote car in which he had fun playing with our cat Katie with. I should have taken pictures. When Katie got tired of watching the car, she simply flipped it over like she would a bug and then watched its wheels spin uselessly. lol

I am very happy to announce that my younger sister Sheri has joined me in my blog Crochet Mania. Sheri is also hooked on crochet. She learned how to crochet about a year ago and is getting really good. Hopefully between the two of us, there will be more posts.

I hope you had a very nice Christmas and all your dreams for the new year come true.

Christmas Projects & Baby

2005-12-22T17:12:00.000-08:00

Its hard to believe that a year has past since I started this blog. I have been terrible about blogging. Hum, maybe add that to my New Year's resolution list...lol I have been crocheting a lot but I can't share any pictures until after Christmas since what I am working on is presents for my family known as Project S. by my younger sister and myself. lol I once shared the link to this blog with my older brother and he bookmarked it, so just in case he looks, he won't find out what he is getting from this page. ;)

However, I will post a picture of my youngest cat, Baby. Ok, actually she doesn't have a name yet. We can't seem to agree on a name for her. However, Baby fits her. Ok maybe a baby tiger...lol She is a good cat though, she is very smart and likes to play tricks on the other cats oh and especially her mother, Cw who is not much bigger than her. Cw is a small cat and it looks like Baby is going to stay small too. Luckily the other cats look after them both.

No time

2005-09-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Once again life interfere with my crochet work and posting in the blog. Also I have become hooked on crazy quilts! I am planning to change my crochet blog to a general craft blog to cover all my interests. I haven't come up with a title yet. Any ideas, let me know. I am desperate for suggestions. lol

The crazy quilt block I am showing is a postcard for a swap I am in. I am also working on 6" blocks. Its very addicting and I keep looking for new color combinations and embellishments for the embroidery work.

Changing Colors

2005-04-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile. Life has a way of getting hectic sometimes. My younger sister asked me how to change colors when you are crocheting. I took some pictures to explain how to change colors in the middle of a row. This techneque can also be used to change colors at the end of a row also.

The pictures show how to change colors when you are working with single crochet but it is done the same way with any stitch you are working on. The first picture shows working the first part of the single crochet with the old color. (insert hook into stitch, draw up a loop,) then attach new color to the yarn of the old color in the back of the work, then yarn over, then pull the new color through the two loops on the hook.

2005-04-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

First Hibiscus

Janie's Valentine Dress & Hat

2005-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

BarbValDress_kjc
Originally uploaded by kacis_mail.

Today I made a valentine dress and hat for Janie (aka Barbie)Janie is my first Barbie doll as an adult. Lol I redid her make-up and cut her hair. Her hair needs more work though. I changed her eye color from blue to green. I may do more work on the dress later. This one was crocheted with the size 0 steel hook again with fingering weight yarn. The red is embroidry thread. I didn't have any red fingering weight yarn and this made a good subsitution. I'll have to find some red shoes for Janie. I was amazed to find I didn't have any that color. We all know that the Barbie dolls have every color of shoes imaginable. Lol

Angie_kjc

2005-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

Angie_kjc
Originally uploaded by kacis_mail.

Angie's Crochet Dress

2005-01-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Now you can see why it takes me so long to get anything done. I get distracted. Lol Today I made a dress for Angie who is one of Tutti's friends. Poor Angie has a major problem with her hair. She was once loved too much by some little girl (or maybe her brother?) Angie is missing quite a bit of hair. However, she is still adorable. Someone had put a pink bow in what's left of her hair and thanks to Mattel dying her scalp brown, the baldness isen't too noticeable until you get up close.

Back to the dress--I used a steel crochet hook size 1 with fingering weight yarn. I didn't use a pattern. Its very easy to make simple doll clothes once you know the basics. On this one I made a starting chain to go around the neckline then on the first row I made 2 sc in each chain across. This will make the piece curve with the neckline. Then for the 2nd row, I dc across the row, increasing where needed to fit. The 3rd row was the arm hole row. Dc across the row, then after about 7 dc, chain 3 for the armhole and skip about 3 sts, dc across front of dress, then chain 3 and skip 3 sts then dc across last 7 dcs.

The next row was for weaving the ribbon through and making a bow. Dc in first dc, chain one, skip one dc then dc in the next dc * repeat this pattern so you have dc, ch 1 skip one dc across row. Later you weave the ribbon through this row starting at the middle front. Then tie ends in a bow.

The next rows are the skirt rows and are all the same. Chain 3 for starting chain, skip the ch 1 and then in the next dc, make 2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc (shell stitch), then skip next chain one and make the shell stitch in next dc. Do this across the row. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning ch 3. For all the other rows, chain 3, make a shell stitch in the ch 2 space of shell stitch below. Hopefully this is easy to understand but if you have any questions, fill free to add a comment and I'll try to help you.

The butterfly was an applique I found at Wal-mart in the sewing dept. They had a lot of cute appliques which I bought one set of each. Oh one more thing, you will either have to make a simple slip to go under the dress or crochet some bloomers. Ok, pattern coming soon. Lol

2005-01-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

Toe-up Crochet Sock

In with the New Year

2005-01-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years! This is the time of the year when everyone makes their new year's resolutions. You know, Mine are quite simple: Finish all the crochet projects I started in 2004. ;) Here's the list: *crochet bears for family members-started in July when I was visiting my Dad, 2 baby blankets, a pair of socks (started 2 weeks ago-see picture) and the latest venture is crochet sleeves for a denim vest. The pattern came from Michaels in their Art & Crafts magazine from the Feb. 99 issue. I was going though my closet and ran across the issue this week-end and saw the pattern. I remembered the blue jean vest that was in my closet and the light bulb started flashing. The vest is lined and I always thought it would look better with sleeves, also I'd wear it more if it had sleeves. I can't share the pattern but I'll post a picture when I get more done. The sleeves use different types of yarn with lots of texture. Theirs is in different shades of blue but I am doing mine in burgandy and blues.

The socks are quicker to make. The pattern is called Toe-Up Crocheted Socks which I found at Grafton Fibers website. They are fun to make and leave a lot of room for creativity. The pair I am working on now are a late Christmas present for a friend at work. :} I am almost done with them though. One more sock and Carlee will have some new house socks. She picked out the yarn, it is Caron's Simply Soft. I love crocheting with that yarn. It lives up to its name.

I should add some other need-to-do's to the list like organize my closets or organize my craft room(gasp), however I think I will quit while I am feeling good about myself. Maybe after I compelete my crochet list...

Skipper's dress

2004-12-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't felt like writing the past few days, I pulled a muscle in my hip last week-end. Don't ask me how, it just happened. lol Didn't feel much pain in the hip but the pain shooting down my leg kept getting worse as the week went on. Not too bad until I start walking. Finally went to the dr and he said to stay off it as much as possible. I really am trying, but its hard.

Today I didn't feel like crocheting so I made Skipper a Christmas dress. Sewing on a small scale really is a challenge. I did part by machine and part by hand. I lined the bodice as I figured that would make the armholes and neckline look better. I think I will go back to crocheting doll clothes, much easier. :)

I am proud of the dress though, I made the pattern myself as I don't have any patterns for Skipper. I guess I prefer making my own patterns anyway, I started doing that when I was about 10 years old. I grew up watching my Grandmother make quilts and clothes and knew I wanted to learn how to do both.

2004-12-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

Skipper's Christmas dress

Button Crochet Angel 2

2004-12-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

Today turned out to be a beautiful day, the temps were in the high 70es and the sun was shining...one of those days you would like to sit outside and soak up the sun. However, reality is going to work at 7am and getting off at 4pm and missing the experience. Ah well, thats the way it goes.

Good news though, Trixie came home! Biddy, her mom took her off last month because she got jealous of the other cats playing with Trixie. There was some other people feeding Trixie but this weekend they went off somewhere and haven't come back so Trixie came home to eat. Trixie is the youngest of our foster cats (that's the cats that we feed but tell ourselves they don't belong to us. Lol After eating, Trixie and her older brother CW had a nice reunion and started playing like they haven't been apart. Trixie was shy with us at first then got over it and I got to hold her. She is such a pretty kitten--she is also the last cat we are going to feed, honest! lol

I made another version of the button angel today. I added beads to the edging of this one. Beads aren't hard to crochet with, two rules--1st, string the beads onto your crochet thread or yarn and the 2nd, add the beads when you are working on the wrong side of the item you are adding them to so they will show up on the right side. I also expermented and used black velveteen for the background when I scanned the angel to see if it showed up better. I also took some pictures of it with my digital camera, but my camera froze when I tried to upload the pictures to my computer and still hasent unfroze. I have no idea how to get it to unfreeze. Oh wait, I can take out the batteries and put them back in. Yeap, that worked. :)

Now its late, and I work tomorrow so I better go to bed. Until next time...keep on crocheting.

2004-12-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

Button Angel 2

Button Crochet Angel

2004-12-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

I finished crocheting this angel today, it is very fast to make. I was going through my junk box when I found some buttons I had put there and came up with the idea to make an angel with the button. Its probally been done before, but this one I made up as I went along. It is very easy to make, I'll try to write down the steps and post the pattern soon. I was working on the angel at work during lunch and two women wanted me to make them one. I told them that I didn't know if I'd have time before Christmas. I want to make about 6 more for Christmas ties for some of the Christmas presents I am giving. Um, yes Sheri, you are the first on my list. :) This one is actually yours...sorry I ruined the surprise but I had to add this to my blog.

Update on the Christmas tree--Dh did fix the base and it is standing tall now. I still need to put the garland and beads back in place though. Katie was funny this morning. She sat and stared at the leaning tree like she was thinking, "poor tree" I really do wish cats could talk. Their expressions speak volumes. If there are any cat pyscologists out there, please comment... Meanwhile, back to making angels. I'm planning on making each one a little different.

2004-12-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Crochet Button Angel

Mishap of the Christmas tree

2004-12-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

This week-end I finally decorated the Christmas tree. We decided not to get a real tree because it dies too quickly in this Texas heat and we didn't feel like vacuuming pine needles out of the carpet every day. Actually I was relieved. I love the smell of pine but this year my allergies are acting up. Ok, they act up every winter, with the smell of Christmas potpourri in every store you go into and the dampness in the air.

We still had a perfectly good artificial tree--well except for the slightly broken base from the year Katie (our oldest cat) was a kitten. She couldn't resist climbing up the tree and it fell over a few times...I'll hunt down a picture my husband took. However, the tree will stay standing if we take a strong nylon fishing line and tie the tree to the wall. This was Wednesday when dh brought the tree out of the shed. I came home from work and looked at all the branches waiting to be put on the base and ignored it. I was tired and didn't feel like dealing with it. Thursday, I came home from work and the tree was put together. My husband smiles at me and says, now all it needs is some ornaments. They were sitting inside the back sun room in the boxes. I ignored the hint and started supper. After supper, dh says, "well you can decorate the tree tomorrow after work." lol

Finally on Saturday, my day off I started decorating the tree. When we first got together, my husband would put the lights and garlands on the tree and I'd put on the bulbs and my crochet decorations. Then one year my husband worked late so I did everything. He was impressed and realized that I was better at stringing the lights and garlands and left the tree trimming to me every year.

This year the tree turned out nice. As I was putting on the garland, then the strings of beads, Katie sat behind the tree watching me. Her eyes were glowing and I knew the minute my back was turned, she would be playing with the garland and boxing the Christmas balls. Dh said that after the tree was decorated, he'd fix the tree so it didn't fall. Well the tree wouldn't wait for him to get around to it, it started falling so I grabbed it and wondered how I was going to be able to keep it from toppling over. I found my answer, two crocheted bells joined with a long crochet chain. I quickly tied one end to a branch and the other to the nail on the wall. Problem solved until it could be fixed better. It almost did stay too, however my husband liked my solution and never bothered getting the fishing line out. We were watching tv this evening and my husband was admiring the tree saying how nice it looked when the base cracked some more and the tree went toppling down. lol This may be an interesting Christmas. Dh leaned the tree in the corner until he could fix the poor tree. I can't help but wonder if it will take him 3 days to fix it now? I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, I am crocheting an angel without a pattern using thread, buttons and beads. I want it to be a lapel pin. I'll post a picture when I get done.

2004-12-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Finished Block

2004-12-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

Basketweave start

2004-12-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

Baby blanket so far

The Baby blanket continues saga

2004-12-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share a picture of the baby blanket. Still have a lot to get done but its getting there. The 2nd picture is a close-up of the stitch. If anyone knows what this pattern is really called, please leave a comment. Comments are welcome anytime anyway even critism, just keep it friendly. :)

I wrote down the steps for making the pattern.

Row 1: Chain 6, dc (double crochet) in 4th chain from hook and next two chs. Chain 6, turn.

Row 2: dc in 4th chain from hook and then dc in next two chains.
Skip next 3 dcs and sc in chain 3 from the last row, chain 3 make 3 dc in chain with the
sc. Chain 6, turn.

Row 3: dc in 4th chain from hook and then dc in next two chains.
sc in next chain 3 space, ch 3 and 3 dc in same space, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 3 and 3
dc in same space. Chain 6, turn.

This establishes the pattern, each row will have one more group of 3 dc. (see picture)
Work Row 3 until you get the size you want. You can make small squares and sew or crochet them together or you can make one large square. This would be good to use up left over yarns. You would change colors at the begining of a row.

When your square is the size you want, you will decrease as follows:

Work the blanket as before except when you get to the end of the row, do not ch 6. Instead ch 1, turn, slip stitch on top of the dcs and then sl st in the ch 3 from the last row, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, continue across row as before, when you reach the last ch 3 of the row, slip stitch to the top of the ch 3, ch 1 and then repeat the last row. You will now have 2 groups of 3 dc together on each end. Eventually you will get down to one block again. (see Pic) If you wanted a rectangle blanket you would continue to increase on one side while decreasing on the other side until you reach the size you want then decrease on both sides to get back to one group.

If you have any questions or problems with my directions, leave a comment and I will email you back.

In the Beginning

2004-11-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

So many blogs have been popping up on the web and at first I thought, what is a blog? After a little research, I found my answer then I started seeing blogs on crochet and knitting and my interest perked up...this might be fun. My interests are many, crochet, knit, tatting, too many crafts to name. lol Also I draw, paint and do computer graphics. However, I decided to limit it to one subject, crocheting which I think is so creative as an art form. Basically you are limited to your imagination and your skill level. To improve your skill level, you keep pushing yourself to learn more. I first learned to crochet when I was 20 by a friend who taught me the chain stitch and the double crochet stitch. That wasen't enough, I found books on crochet and taught myself the rest. I learned how to make a granny square by looking at a friend's work. Many years later, and I am still nuts about crochet.

My projects at the moment are a baby blanket for a friend done in a stitch that I call a basket-weave. I'm not sure what it is really called, I first did this from a pattern and made an afghan then after that I lost the pattern but I knew the pattern by heart anyway. I'll post a picture of the project soon. Another project is 6" squares for an exchange which are done, I just need to get them in the mail. I'm also working on some Christmas gifts. My worst enemy seems to be time, or the lack of time. I work full time and am married so there seems to be little time for crocheting. However, I found that I can get a lot done by crocheting on my lunch hour at work. I think I need to find a time management course. Lol