Etsy Store -- NOW OPEN

My Etsy story is now open: KnotSewMuchHandmade!

For those interested in purchasing one of my Custom Cowls for the holidays, head on over and get your order in the cue.

I will be adding other crocheted and knitted items throughout the Winter months.

Stop by and favorite my shop if you like what you see!

Thanks so much!

Custom Cowls for the Winter Months

What a wonderful and luxurious way to stay warm this Winter!  Cowls are all the rage right now and I'm making a limited number of custom cowls for those who appreciate handmade goods.  The yarn is an acrylic/wool blend, super soft, chunky and warm.  Here are a few that I've already completed for my most recent customers:

Burnt Orange L/XL

Red Sm/M

Multi-Colored Special XL

Oatmeal Sm/M

Forest Green L/XL

Here's an example of the size difference:

The one on the left is: Large/X-Large and is done in a 'broken' pattern.  The one on the right is: Small/Medium and is done in a 'continuous' pattern.

Other colors available: Black and Brown.  The Multi-Colored Special is on back order so probably won't be back in before the holidays (for those wanting one in time for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa).  All other colors and variations (if the exact color is not available) are.

Interested in ordering your own customized cowl for the season?  Message me at KnowSewMuchHandmade[at]gmail[dot]com and I will send you further pricing/ordering details.

Be well and stay warm!

Crocheting with my Girls

I've recently learned how to crochet.  Maybe I've been at it for 2 years now?  Maybe three.  Anyway, this is something I want my girls to learn and they're finally interested and able. (smile)

Pretty girl has been doing it for over a year now and decided today she was ready to learn how to crochet in the round.  She wanted to make her doll a hat.  Sweetie-pie has been interested but not quite ready.  At the end of last week, we went to our favorite craft store and found some yarn she just had to have.  She's been working on a basic chain stitch and added single crochet today.

Here a few shots of our progress for today.

Practicing Single Crochet

These are definitely the days I'll miss when they grow up and move into their own lives.

Anything on your needles?  I'd love to see.  Share your link below!

Sewing for and with My Girl

Haven't been here in a long time.
But wanted to share a quick top I whipped up for my girl the other day.
I didn't use a pattern, just pictured it in my head and went for it.
LOL.

Not bad!!

My girl decided she wanted to make a similar one for her doll....and she did.

Pinterest

So, I've found Pinterest.
And gotten into it.
Such an addictive place.
My hope is that I'll take time to actually MAKE the projects that I've found.
So many neat & cool things.

We'll see....

Craft It Forward 2011

I've just joined the Craft It Forward 2011; it's similar to last year's 5 for 5 Challenge.   I've posted it to my main blog, in hopes of getting more takers this year! :D

If you're interested....stop by and leave a comment!

thank you! :D

A boy & a hat

The Boy has been begging me to make him something for awhile now. Although I have made him a couple of things, since he's been a 'big boy' I have not.

Well, here is the lovely knit hat I was able to whip up in a couple of days.  NOW he says it's too itchy.  Go figure.  It's cute, anyway.  I do have plans to make him something in the pattern in something other than wool.

It's a Wrap!

Yep.
And oh,
so
LOVELY!

(more pics to follow!)

Reminder

5 Orange Potatoes

On My Needles

I know you're dying to know, right?!
LOL.

Well, I'm almost finished with the first leg of a set of legwarmers for my sweetie-pie.
Aren't they cute?  She picked out the yarn.  It's her gift for the holidays this year.

Handmade Holiday

This isn't a new idea.  A few years back I took the Handmade Pledge and when I shared it with my husband we made it our family tradition to give handmade gifts.  This year I've decided to make another 'official' declaration of more of the same! :D

I've been working on gifts already.  The children already know about them.  They've gone with me to pick out yarn and such.  But this year we're hoping to extend our tradition outside of our family.  We may end up giving some New Year gifts, but they will be handmade, nonetheless!

If you're interested in taking a public stand and/or want to see some of the others who are participating this year (and get some ideas from them), please hop on over to Plain and Joyful Living.  I'm sure you'll find something that catches your eye. :D

Here's to another handmade holiday season!

Wrist Warmers

So I've completed (all but the weaving in of ends) my first pair of fingerless gloves.  This is the first pattern that I've done with a slot for the thumb (found pattern on Ravelry).  In the previous pairs I've only left a hole for my thumb to slide out of.  I an tickled with them.  They don't remember match though.  I tweeked the pattern as I made the second one.  So it fits my hand a bit better and it longer.  Also did the thumb portion a bit neater.  You know how the second one is usually better than the first? lol.  Well, I my frog the first one...I may knot.  Now that I know what I'm doing I will definitely be making more.  My girls have already put in their requests.

What do you think?

My 5 for 5 Challenge Gift!!!

It's here! It's here!!
(Well, it's been here since Monday--but just finding some time to share online!)

 Felted Nesting Bowls

Aren't they lovely???
I'm tickled pink!!
I love,
Love,
LOVE them!!!

They're perfect in every way:
-they were made just for me
-made by a dear friend
-they are some of my favorite colors (Autumn colors)!
-they made my bedroom colors perfectly!!
(did you notice the little bonus gift? Strawberry Jam Syrup!! Oh My!)

I'm looking forward to doing something like this again and hopefully some more of you will be open to participating with me! (hint, hint...no pressure though!) :D

Thank you so much, Debbie.  I couldn't have asked for anything better!!! :D

Yarn!

Since I'm visiting family in NC presently, I couldn't remain here and NOT visit that lovely yarn store.  I lucked out as I went on the day they were celebrating their 2nd anniversary/birthday and were holding an AWESOME sale.  I was only planning to get ONE skein--the one I should have gotten that last time I was there.  It's 100% Baby Alpaca in orange--I got the white one last time.  I also got another skein of the Jarbo Duo in a bright red mix and then a Berroco Sundaw skein which was on sale--it reminds me of someone's locs.

I have plans for each of them.  Going back to get them wound and to get a second skein of the bright red mix.  My Winter Solstice Gifts will be underway soon!

Here's a peek at what's on my needles currently.  I found a free pattern on Ralvery.com called a Stitch Sampler Shawl.  I've had this yarn for a few years now, was initially going to make a poncho for myself.  Well, I'm know a third of the way finished.  This shot only shows about half the width of it.  It's on circular needles.

What wonderful things are your creating?  Do share!

Status

I've taken a good bit of time away from my blogs....but although I've been away, I've been creating.  It's amazing just how many things I was able to crank out in the midst of packing and mothering.  I guess my computer time takes a lot of my free time.

Here's a look at some of what I've made (started & completed)!

I have three others that I see I haven't yet photographed (a silvery black & white one that's spiral and two others like the green one in other colors), but you get the idea! :D   I've found a lot of patterns online, worked a couple of them and then did a couple 'freestyle' (ie my way).  Gave me time to practice my crochet stitches.  Still learning!

I am currently working on  a Stitch Sampler Shawl.  It's being knitted.  I'm about half-way finished with this one.  Will share some pictures when it's complete!

How are things in your crafting world?

Another Scarf

I've completed my FIRST crochet pattern scarf.  As I've shared before, I'm more of a 'freestyle' crafter.  I learn the basics and then go with the flow.  I try new things out, collect and consult patterns.....then create from there.

I decided that I should try to follow a pattern so I can learn how to read a crochet pattern, being that I'm still new to this and all.  I found this pattern on Ravelry.  I now understand why my girlfriend says she's a "pattern-ho".  It's easy to collect patterns, so many choices and styles.

Anyway, this pattern is called Cascade Scarf (it's a free pattern by Lion Brand Yarn)....not bad for my first one, eh?  I've already gone through my stash and will be making another one tonight.  Gotta love crochet--it's quick!

What are you up do these days???

Fresh Off the Hooks!

Earlier this year I purchased some chunky baby alpaca yarn (IT'S SUPER SOFT & WARM) at a lovely yarn store (aren't they all?).  Since that time I've been deciding exactly what to make with it.  I settled on a scarf--simple and easy.  Instead of knitting it, I chose to crochet it.  I think the pattern I 'freestyled' as nice and was able to complete it in just under 2 hours!! (yeah, that the main reason why I chose crochet over knitting)

As I was making it, my son asked me to make him one, which is a big deal (to me at least) as he's never asked for something handmade from me (although I've made him several things)!  I looked through my stash and found the baby alpaca yarn that I purchased on Ebay months before his birth.  I was able to make him some booties of out that yarn, but that was it.  I'm must completed his scarf and will be starting on a matching hat.

It's rather hot still....but Winter is coming! My plan is to have everyone 'hatted' and 'scarfed' up before the cold winds blow!

What's NOT on my Needles?

I usually see posts about "What's ON your Needles?"  When I browse crafting/knitting/crocheting sites, this is a frequent question.

Well, I've been taking time [in this blazing heat] to knit.  Yep. Knitting.  I'm determined to complete my started projects BEFORE starting new ones (and boy do I have some new ones I want to start on)!

So here's the completion to a winter set for me:

(I made the scarf previously--it was crocheted.)

So, what's NOT on your needles?? (or in your sewing machine?)

New Pattern

 (This photo was taken directly from TheTrainToCrazy.com)

Just found out about this lovely pattern on Whipup.net.  TheTrainToCrazy.com is offering this cute pattern and tutorial for FREE!  If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, click the link above to download it.

Hope each of you have been enjoying your summer and finding time to craft!

5 for 5 Challenge :: 1 Completed!

I've been waiting to post a photo of the handmade item I made until my first and only (so far) participant received it--so she'd be surprised.  Today, Rana @ Free to Learn an Lovin It, got the package.  I am so happy to know she likes it!  There's something about seeing my work on her blog--I'm rather proud of it.  You can check out her post about it here.  Here's a photo I took right after making it.  It's a nice and fun reusable bag.

Rana has asked me to put a tutorial together.  So, I'll plan do that when I start on my next one.

If you're interested in joining my 5 for 5 Challenge, I'd love the opportunity to share some other handmade creations with four others.  Click here to read about the requirements and leave a comment letting me know you wanna play along!

Happy Hand-making! :D