Expanding My Skillset in the Next 12 Months - 4KCBWDAY7

Day Seven (Sunday April 28th): Looking ForwardOne year from now, when the 5th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week rolls around, where do you hope your crafting will have taken you to? What new skills, projects and experiences do you hope you might have conquered or tried?

Turn Drawings Into Plushies!

I sat down with my kids last week and I finally got a few good drawings from them! I plan on designing my first original amigurumi based on my kid's drawings thanks to the Design Your Own Monster class on Craftsy. I think this is going to be loads of fun! I get bored completing the same pattern over and over...sometimes just making a second one is unbearable. This has the potential of becoming a new path of crochet for me that I am super excited about!

This is my oldest with his drawing of Mr. Moon

This is the drawing I got from my youngest.

My younger son is only three. I started him out with a teardrop shape. He drew 3 black dots for eyes. I drew the circle around the eyes. Then, he added that stack of yellow stuff on top. Then, he added a smile and mustache (the mustache is that green line going across the middle). And, he drew the three legs. I thought the picture was finished, but then he needed just a little blue, so now we have some wacky hair action! This will be so much fun to turn into yarn art!

I couldn't let my kids have all the fun though. I came up with my own drawing for a dude who is so happy that his smile is bigger than his head.

My Drawing of Happy, Smiley Dude

Other Crochet Plans

I want to master the loop stitch this year! It makes an appearance in a few FreshStitches patterns: Sherwin the Alpaca and Murray the Squirrel. She also has a microbe and macrobe that use loop stitch. My plan is to complete Sherwin the Alpaca. He's so cute and comes from the Crocheted Softies book.

Expanding My Knitting Skills

In the next 12 months (hopefully before Christmas), I plan to make my first pair of socks using DPNs. The struggle here is that I have a fear of pairs. Something happens with my gauge between completing one and moving on to a second one. The second one never comes out the same. I really need to conquer that fear of pairs!

After knitting my first pair of socks, I want to attempt knitting two-at-a-time. If I get super daring, I may just do this from the get-go to solve that fear of pairs problem. They should come out identical if I make both socks at the same time, right?

I want to complete my first Enterlac project this year, too. I have completed the first section like 5 times and frog it every time. I really hope to conquer that one quickly because enterlac creates such a beautiful fabric.

Pattern Designing Plans

I want to design 4 new items this year. I want them to be things that do not already exist and I want to have a lot of fun with it. I already have a few ideas lined up, but haven't started working on them yet. I might venture out into finally selling some of them instead of giving away everything for free. I promise that my paid patterns will offer much more than the free ones I post here. 

CrochetLite Hooks Rock My Socks - 4KCBWDAY6

Day 6 of Knit and Crochet Blog Week is to talk about your favorite tool! I have two favorites: my CrochetLite hooks and Stitch Markers. You can read about the stitch markers and how to make your own by following the link at the end of this post. But, I think everyone should give Crochet Lite hooks a try and here's why...

CrochetLite hooks tend to make an appearance in my tutorials/free patterns. Photo from Pacifier Clip Tutorial.

You Can Crochet in the Dark

CrochetLite hooks light up just like the name says. This means you can crochet in the dark if you want to. Think of those long drives on vacation! 

Removes the Guesswork of Working with Dark Yarns

Black yarn is especially difficult to figure out where one stitch ends and the next stitch begins. Turn on the light (even if you are working in daylight) and it will take away the guesswork of where to insert your hook to complete the next stitch. 

Large Handles for Painless Amigurumi

CrochetLite hooks are available in sizes "C" through "K". This means you can make amigurumi with a teeny tiny "C" hook and still feel comfortable. The larger handle makes grasping during those sc's bearable and painless. 

DIY Stitch Markers Tutorial

Workout Complete - 4KCBWDAY5

This is an attempt at a wordless post! I started working out on 4/11/2013 (11 days ago - 7 workouts elapsed).

Day 1

Day 11

Look at the difference in mileage already! I am 30, so the heart rate is ok! 

Image Source: HPM Corporation

Color Review - #4KCBWDAY4

Day Four (Thursday April 25th): Colour ReviewWhat are your favourite colours for knitted or crocheted projects. Have a think about what colours you seem to favour when yarn shopping and crafting. 

Only after writing this part of your post should you then actually look to see what colours you have used in your projects. Make a quick tally of what colours you have used in your projects over the past year and compare it to the colours you have written about.

Compare this, in turn, to the colours that are most dominant in your yarn stash – do they correlate?

Now think back to your house animal - do the colours you have chosen relate to your animal in anyway - if you are in the house of peacock, for example, are your projects often multicoloured and bright?

What colors do I gravitate toward while yarn shopping?

I am mostly drawn to neutral colors.

My favorite real (non-neutral) color is green. 

I guess the other real (non-neutral) color that I like a lot is icy blue.

My most recent shopping trip. I went in for blue and walked out with a bag of neutrals.

What Colors Have I Used for Myself in the Past Year?

 Archer, the dog - His future home awaits him on top of my yarn dressers.

Knit Cabled Cowl - I wanted to keep this, but gave it away last fall.

Painted Cables Scarf - Design by Tina Sanders

I made this cowl for myself on the way to Chicago.

We visited the bean...

I think the only shocking project thing I made for myself is this.

Chunky Braided Cowl Design by Elisabeth Spivey

That pink cowl is so bright and I actually like it a lot! It is completely off-key from what I normally make. I am in destash mode this year and I had this yarn pegged as hideous and ugly and I was so tired of seeing it in my stash. This sloppy WIP photo is an indication of my dislike for the yarn. 

I am a strong believer that even ugly yarns can be turned into beautiful creations. Not that there really is an ugly yarn, but even the yarns that we aren't attracted to can make beautiful pieces.

What Colors Are Most Dominant In My Stash?

I feel like I should say that most of my stash is for my business. However, I still find myself with quite the selection of neutrals.

And I have a lot of green...

I clearly do not favor bright colors. This is the rest of my worsted weight yarns.

Do These Colors Reflect on Being a Bee?

Bees themselves are clothed in yellow and black and they are drawn toward bright-colored flowers. However, their honeycomb is neutral and that is a color I love. 

The bright flowers they find as food would not be able to survive if it weren't for the green stems and leaves.

Bee hives (which might actually belong to hornets/wasps) that I have seen hanging in trees are earthy looking. They appear to have been made from layers and layers of decaying leaves and mud. And, I have a strong attraction for brown!

Analyzing My Pattern Purchases - 4KCBWDAY3

Today is Day 3 of the 4th Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week! The assignment for today:

The whole point of this topic is to experiment with infographics as a way of sharing facts, information and ideas, and to explore another tool in a blogger's arsenal of communication options.

Monday, I explained that I am mostly a busy little bee and yesterday I described how a bee picks a project. Today's challenge brings out the monkey in me...the intelligent, analytical side. My full-time job title is Information Analyst. The monkey in me drives multi-tasking for optimum efficiency and the bee in me doesn't mind flapping her wings hopping from task to task. 

The analysis I performed for this post actually has a purpose. I have logged all of my paid patterns onto a spreadsheet and created good old-fashioned charts.

Have I used all of my paid patterns?

I obviously have a lot more crochet patterns than knit patterns. And, I have several of both that have never been touched. No. I am not using all of my paid patterns.

Pattern Usage for my Top 3 Designers

This chart analyzes the purchases I have made from the Top 3 Designers and answers the question of have I used their patterns?

Doesn't it seem strange that I own 33 patterns from Designer A and have only attempted 1 pattern? There is too much to tell here, so I'll reserve that for a future blog post.

Designer B & C are both favorite designers of mine and their patterns are in different areas. There are good reasons that I have a few patterns from each of them that have not yet been touched. I just purchased an e-book with 18 patterns last week from Designer B, so of course I have not had time to work them yet.

Have You Analyzed Your Pattern Buying Tendencies?

A word of caution...do not buy a ton of patterns from a designer until after you try one of them out. You may end up like me...with 33 patterns that leave you with an icky feeling inside.

How A Busy Little Bee Picks a Project - 4KCBWDAY2

Today's task for the 4th Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week is to explain the process of deciding upon a project to make.

Yesterday, I shared with all of you that I am a bee! How exactly does a busy little bee decide on her next project?

For the most part, most of my projects are commissioned. A customer will contact me with an idea and ask if I can do it. My absolute favorite is when someone comes to me with a general theme and says, "What can you do that involves this?"

In true bee form, my mind starts buzzing immediately when I receive a special request. I scour Pinterest, Ravelry and my great big brain of useless information until I stumble upon or remember the perfect project.

Here are just a few examples. I will explain the thought behind my favorite ones below.

Can you make some sort of fish hat with natural fibers or keep it organic?

Hey! It's the year of the dragon and my friend is really into that. I am having trouble finding decorations for a dragon-themed baby shower. Do you think you could make something that is cute and babyish?

My friend's husband is a tennis pro and their house revolves around tennis. Could you make something? Maybe a rattle with a tennis ball on the end?

And this is my all-time favorite!! This message came from a first-time aunt:

My sister is decorating the baby's room in a pale blue with a bird theme. Could you make some things with a bird theme for her baby shower that will match the baby room?

This one was a lot of fun! I immediately created a pinterest board and scoured the net for ideas. I sent the link to my friend and her mom. They replied back and told me which things they liked and which things they didn't. 

I think I had suggested creating a bunting with the bluebird appliques (upper left in photo collage). But, they immediately thought of giving them to guests as party favors. I made 30 of them and attached a magnet to the back. Each guest received one along with a poem written by Caleb's grandmother.

Next, they chose this sweet little birdie designed by LuvlyGurumi. She does not normally allow her finished items to be sold. I asked permission for this one time and she said it was ok. 

Sidenote: I know that designers do not legally have any way of enforcing their "do not sell finished product" policy. I do not want to be despised for disobeying their request. So while I disagree with their policy, I adhere to it.

There were three cupcake tiers at the baby shower. There was a bluebird perched on top of each one with a bluebird sitting on the table between them.

And, last but not least, I made a very special bluebird just for the baby's room. At the baby shower, my friend used him to decorate the gift table. 

Baby Caleb has such a beautifully decorated shower! I love how my little yarn art tied so wonderfully with the place settings, cupcakes and birdhouses decorating the tables.

Hey! Eskimimi asked if I could find a project that represents my Mascot? 

Of course! I treated this just like I would any other request. I created a Pinterest board and searched high and low for bees! Bees knees, bee shoes, honeycomb, etc. Even just some signs that I thought were cute that had to do with bees! Here is a peek at the board. Click on it and you'll be taken to my Busy Bee board.

I pinned several amigurumi pieces, photography props, pillows, inspiring signs and even a sweet little bee created from polymer clay.

You Don't Have to be a Peacock to Rock a Project! 

I admire the peacocks who can totally bedazzle a project. Like my friend Rachel from Silly Stitches who created these adorable bunny bottoms and this amazing underwater themed cape. These are two projects that I will never forget!

I think that all of us have a little bit of each animal as part of who we are. While I may not give you a glammed out (house of peacock) project, I will give you something that meets (and hopefully exceeds) your expectations. The reason I can do this is because I am a busy bee! Always buzzing around the internet pinning to my heart's desire. I know what patterns are available, where to find them and whether I am skilled enough to pull it off.  And, if I can't think of anything, then you can be sure I will find something that will more than please you. 

Knit and Crochet Blog Week: Where I Fit In

It is the 4th Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week hosted by Eskimimi Makes! I participated last year and you can read those posts here.

This year, we have been challenged to set up residence in one of four houses: bee, manatee, monkey or peacock.

Bees are busy and industrious flitting from one interesting project to the next as shiny objects catch their eye.

I am for sure a bee! My life is wild and crazy busy. I flap my little wings as hard as I can in the hope of creating beauty.

Bees are busy and industrious

I am not one of those people who does well sitting still. I would be miserable if I was just sitting there watching TV. So I crochet during TV time and car time and any time that I have a chance where I am sitting still and can pay attention to my hands. 

Flitting from one project to the next

My attention span is definitely not a strong suit. I often times get bored mid-project and can't wait to get started on the next one. So, I jump full-force into the next project (sometimes before finishing the project before it). At one point I had all of these projects in progress all at once...

I just counted...there are 9 different items sitting there and a wide range of projects. There were a few amigurumi, a few photography props and a few practical items for everyday use. It seems I can't even commit to stick with one particular group of items. I will probably never complete a blanket because I can't focus long enough for a project that large.

As Shiny Objects Catch Their Eye

What can I say? I love to dabble! I have met very few crafts that I didn't like, but crochet has for now (and probably forever) captured my heart. I love Pinterest and gain so much inspiration there that just leaves me sad that I can't crochet more than I already do. I have purchased nearly 100 patterns and have made less than half of them. Flavia the Unicorn is on my to-buy list and I won't be able to hold-off very long before I finally buy that pattern. Why? Because it's so pretty and caught my eye and I have an idea that will be easy to execute with supplies I already have on hand. 

What are you? Where do you fit in?

Here is a round-up of the houses you can choose:

• Bee: Busy & industrious and slightly distracted by shiny things
• Manatee: Gentle & relaxed representing the comfort and soft side of your craft
• Monkey: Intelligent & fun-loving who likes to be challenged with something new in every project
• Peacock: Flashy & amazing people who take something good and make it brilliant

Maybe you aren't a blogger and want to join the fun. Leave me a comment and tell me which house fits you best. I think we all could probably fit into a few houses, but choose only one and tell me why.