Dr. Suess

Here's some handspun that I recently finished- I just got around to taking pictures today.

84 yards - worsted weight

And here's the roving before it was all spun up.

3.6 ounces - Polwarth

I ordered it from an Etsy store, Nooch Fiber. It spun up great. I'll definitely be back for more!

Entrelac!

Entrelac projects made look intimidating for someone who's never done it... raises hand But it's easier than it seems! By picking up stitches, and using SSK and K2tog, you can achieve a basketweave texture that's great for just about any kind of project.

After seeing some super pretty projects that use entrelac knitting, I decided to figure out how it's done! :) So this morning I picked out some yarn to knit a sample with, printed out the Entrelac Scarf pattern, and grabbed my iPod (I like to listen to music while knitting...).

The Entrelac Scarf pattern (linked above) was a great pattern. It was easy to understand for someone who's never done it before, like me! I would definitely recommend it.

I'll definitely be doing this again, but maybe on a larger scale next time, instead of this swatch. I have a pillow from Joanns that does need a pillow case... maybe I'll do a entrelac pillow case?

I also learned how to do Judy's Magic Cast On (which is truly magical! :), so maybe I'll do a post about that, too.

Herbert Makes His Etsy Debut

I know, I know. It's been FOREVER since I've blogged on here. I apologize for my absence!

So to make you less mad at me (hehe), here's Herbert! I made him around Mother's Day, but I finally got around to taking pictures of him tonight. I crocheted him with some yarn I dyed with Kool Aid. I liked the colors and thought it would be cute for a frog :)

This evening, Herbert made his Etsy debut! You can see him here: linky link!

...and a couple weeks ago, I got some super cute project bags in the mail! Mellisa from an awesome Etsy store called The Ploverbird kindly gifted them to me. She sent me two, but I only have pictures of the larger one.

The first one has really cute people from all around the world on it :)

This one's nice and room- perfect for bigger projects. I love my bags :) 

You should check out her store! (There's a link above...) Her bags are cute, well made, and inexpensive too!

Yarn Makes You Smile :)

I went to the LYS today! I got two different kinds of yarn, Malabrigo and Noro, and then some buttons.

I got a skein of Noro Kogarashi to make Camp Out Fingerless Mitts. Once I got home, I realized that it's bulky weight, and the pattern calls for aran weight. I think it should be okay... If not, then I can just change the pattern up a little.

Then I got two skeins of  Malabrigo Silky Merino to make (another) Puerperium Cardigan.

And here's the buttons I got to go with it. When I was at the store, I wasn't sure if I would need 5 or 7- I'm glad that I got 7!

These projects were going to be for the Ravellenic Games (formally Ravelympics), but then I realized that these are really challenging at all! Can't wait to cast on :) (Probably after I post this...)

A Bad Blogger...

I know, I know, it's been FOREVER since I've blogged. I haven't really had any major FO's lately, so I haven't really have much to blog about.

Anywho, I'm making another Thunderstorm Mobile- but smaller this time. The pattern calls for size H hook, but I'm using a size F. This is what I have done so far:

Going well :) I still have the lighting bolt and raindrops left. And here's a close up picture, because...well, I don't really know why. I just like it, I guess.

I noticed that the pattern had a couple small mistakes, so it's been edited :) 

- Abigail - 

Coupon Code Results!

It's time to announce the results of the Stacey Trock coupon code giveaway! The winner will be be chosen via a random number generator. The winner is...

Commenter #7, Kaitlin! Congrats! I'll let Stacey know, and she can send it to you. Thanks everyone for entering, and thanks again Stacey for the interview!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:7Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Stacey Trock Interview

If you read the title, you'd know that this post is an interview about crochet designer, Stacey Trock. ;) You may recognize that name from her books, Crochet Softies and Cuddly Crochet. Have you seen her blog or Etsy store? Her blog has great crochet advice, tutorials, and tons more. Her Etsy store has cute amigurumi patterns and DIY kits, so you can make your own adorable creation. Links...

- Blog -
- Etsy -
- Ravelry -

(click on each picture to go to the Ravelry pattern page)
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Me: Thanks for coming! How long have you been crocheting, and how did you learn?
Stacey: I learned to crochet when I was about 6 years old... my mom taught me the basics of chainging, sing crocheting, increasing and decreasing. As I got older, I learned more advanced stitches from books from the library (it was before the internet!).

Gordon (aka Sting) the Jellyfish

Me: You have a surplus of amigurumi patterns, but what else do you like to design?
Stacey:  Hahaha...a surplus! That's a fantastic way of putting it :) When you design as a business, there's a long way in between coming up with a design and getting that design ready for publication. A published pattern needs to be tested, edited and photographed. So, even though I design lots of things (for myself, personally) not as many make it as published patterns. I've designed hats and little children's clothing in knitting, and I've always dreamed up new things for crochet. I love designing things for kids... new ideas for crocheted afghans are always coming to me!

Salty the Crocodile

Me: What's your favorite design of yours?
Stacey: I'd have to say that Nelson the Owl is one of my favorites. Everyone seems to love him, and it makes me so happy to see the versions that others make! I'm also a sucker for snails... so both Milton (in my book, Crocheted Softies) and Martin the Snail are person favorites.

Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers

Me: Do you have any other hobbies other than knitting/crocheting?
Stacey: I do! I love sewing and almost any other crafty thing you can think of... I'd dabbled in tatting, locker hooking, beaded flowers... variety is the spice of life! I also like baking, running and doing yoga.

Maple the Moose

Me: Do you have a favorite yarn brand to work with?
Stacey: Oh, it's so hard to choose! I love Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud and Chloe: they're organic yarns in fabulous colors. I also always have tons of Ella Rae Classics (a nice 100% wool yarn) on hand for my stuffed animals. Shepherd's Wool is another fabulous yarn.... 100% American-process merino.

Tuskegee the Walrus

Me: How many WIP's do you have right now?
Stacey: Not too many, actually! I have 2 amigurumi WIPs in progress (I usually only have one, but I'm waiting for some to come in the mail!) and one knitting project. My knitting project is for fun... a pair of socks that are portable and fun to knit on the go.

Zork the Alien

Me: What's your inspiration for your designs?
Stacey: I wish I knew! I know it sounds trite, but they just come to me! I'm absolutely in love with cartoon-y style that you'll see in a lot of Japanese books/designs... nice round circular shapes and bright colors. My designs are mostly 'cartoony', so funnily enough, real life animals aren't a big inspiration for me. Of course, I adore animals, but my designs aren't typically motivated by animals I see out in the real world.

Stretch the Giraffe 

Me: Do you have a favorite technique to use?
Stacey: The sloppy slip knot! I began doing it by accident... but it's really a quick and easy way to begin crocheting amigurumi. A lot of people find techniques such as the magic ring confusing or difficult, so I'm always teaching newbies about the sloppy slip knot. :)

Mr. Crabby

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And now for a coupon code giveaway! Like the other interviews, I'll be having a giveaway to win a Ravelry coupon code to pick out one of Stacey's patterns for free. To enter, just comment below! Remember to give an email (or if you have one, a Ravelry username, and then you can just message me it), so she'll know who to send it to. The giveaway will run from today, June 4th to June 11th.

Thanks a bunch Stacey for the interview and giveaway! I realize that the patterns above are almost all patterns from her book, Crochet Softies. Oops!

Abby