Archive for category Crafty

Crochet progress.

Dec 8

Posted by Ashley in Crafty | 2 Comments

I’m making pretty good time on the scarf I am making and the only thing that’s changed since my last post is that I’m not using the yarn I had bought for the one-skein scarf. I had started using it and got through a couple of rows and noticed that it didn’t look quite right…I wasn’t sure what it was but I didn’t like it so I undid everything I had worked on, and started on a yarn that’s much easier to work with. I took some pictures with my phone since it’s the only camera I have to show you what I’m working on. I’m using a double crochet stitch and a size I-9 hook.

I like the way it’s turning out so far and if anything it’s practice. The only thing that’s wrong with it in my opinion is that at the beginning I started with more stitches than I ended up with; I noticed after looking at my rows that I skipped a stitch or two by accident which is why it’s wider at the bottom than towards the top. Luckily though I’ve managed to keep it straight and even since then…like I said practice. After I finish this scarf, I will go back to the Lion Brand yarn I bought yesterday and try again with it. The yarn in particular is what was giving me a hard time because it’s not a smooth texture but rather has “waves” in it, which makes it kind of difficult to work with. Not to mention, it’s a lot more bulky which when you need to crochet loosely can become a big mess but I’ll get better at it.

I need to stay away from the crafts stores though. We have two in town, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby and I went into Hobby Lobby today since they were closed yesterday and bought TWO more things of yarn. One thing I hate about doing crafts is that I get ahead of myself and want to start something new before completing what I’m already working on, haha. But the two skeins I bought are really neat multi-colored yarns which should make for an interesting pattern in a scarf; I’m looking, however, for an easy beginner pattern for a beanie or some type of hat…I haven’t tried anything that works in rounds but after I finish the project I’m currently working on I plan to practice it a bit. Hopefully, I’ll come across an easy pattern in the mean time.

I’m enjoying myself with crocheting – it’s definitely fun and relaxing and interesting to see a ball of yarn turn into something wearable. I don’t predict, however, that I’ll make a home based business out of it although if in the future I get pretty good maybe I’ll sell some things on Etsy but I don’t see that happening for a long time!

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One-skein beginner scarf.

Dec 7

Posted by Ashley in Crafty | 2 Comments

Per the post I made about learning how to crochet, I went out and bought a few more crochet hooks since I only had one from the kit I had bought. I also bought a skein of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (it’s so soft!) in Montana Sky and plan on making the one-skein beginner scarf from the pattern I found at the Lion Brand website. Hopefully all the practicing I did last night on making stitches will prove to be beneficial, and if not the nice thing about crocheting is that the stitches can easily be taken out and redone if you make an error. I’m going to start tonight on the scarf, and when I finish it I’ll try to post pictures. If all goes well, I plan on going back to the store and picking up another skein in Parfait color :)

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Learning how to crochet.

Dec 6

Posted by Ashley in Crafty | 2 Comments

When I’m not in class or doing school work, I’m doing one of three things: sitting at the computer, watching TV or sleeping. Needless to say, I’ve been pretty bored out of my mind and have been looking for something productive to do to keep me busy but everything that I already know how to do – photography, cross stitch – I can’t because I don’t have all my materials with me (they are still in South Carolina). So, I started searching for something new to learn and I came across crocheting after I had seen a lot of the amazing things people can create through crochet. I figured it would be something fun to learn and give me something to do when I’m sitting at home so while my mom was here for Thanksgiving I picked up a “I Taught Myself to Crochet” beginners kit from Wal-mart that came with one hook, beginners instructions for the basic stitch’s and a pattern for a purse.

Well, it hasn’t been going as well as I though it would because come to find out I’m not very coordinated when it comes to using my left hand. However, with time, patience and practice I’ll get better and I sat down tonight and did some basic stitch’s that look better than the ones I originally did. I’m just really anxious to learn because I’ve seen so many patterns for crocheted hats that I want to make because I’d love to have one to wear during the winter. Hopefully, I can pick up the learning quickly and be able to make something soon.

I also came across a few websites last night while searching that offer free crochet patterns which I bookmarked for later use. One site in particular though that I’ve found really useful for free patterns but also great detailed instructions for beginners is Lion Brand Yarn. If you’re interested in learning to crochet or you’re a knitter, I’d definitely check it out because they offer knitting patterns as well. I’m hoping to be on my way to making something simple but first I have to find the right pattern to start with.

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Fun with Photos!

Oct 28

Posted by Ashley in Crafty | No Comments

When it comes to buying gifts for people, I would rather spend the time and money on finding a gift that is unique and/or Fotobed Pillowhandmade rather than buying just some random item from a store, that’s why I absolutely love the idea of photo blankets. Not only are they unique but it is a creative way to turn that photograph of your children, your pets, your family, of ANYTHING into something that will be cherished by the person that receives it – or perhaps you’d rather keep it for yourself :) Fotobed offers items like photo pillows and photo pillowcases as well as customized shower curtains with any photograph you could possibly think of using – how would you like to take a shower with a picture of your husband plastered all over the curtain?! You also have the ability to add text to the items also, which makes the product even more unique! With Christmas coming up and having to search all over town for gifts for the family, Fotobed will definitely come in handy.

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Lovely Invitations.

Sep 10

Posted by Ashley in Crafty | No Comments

I have a feeling that when it comes time for me to get married, have babies and then raise those kids along with just having my own family/marriage in general, that I’ll end up being one of those parents that sends out party invitations�for just about every thing. I have an aunt like that, who even when they move to a new address will send out cute little cards or announcements announcing they have moved. I know it is usually customary to send out wedding announcements and later invitations to the wedding as it is for when you are pregnant and then when the child is born. Normally, one could spend hours on end printing and sending these kinds of things out on their own, but there are some rather nice and lovely invitations out there like at the site above that I wouldn’t mind spending some cash on. We’ll have to see when that time comes obviously, but I must say I see a few wedding invitations that I would order at the drop of a hat if I were getting married soon (eh..wink, wink, nudge, nudge Alan�;) )…just kidding, haha!

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