This cardigan definitely turned out better the second time. Mainly due to using yarn that wasn't blended with bamboo. The pattern is Baby Kina, can be purchased online from Magpie Patterns. This time I used Classic Alpaca that I got for a good price from Trinity Ridge Alpacas Fiber Studio. Sleeves are middle length and I used pretty JHB buttons. Made for Baby Rachel.

Best Peanut Butter Cookies

The best Peanut Butter Cookies Ever!

Get the recipe here Classic Peanut Butter Cookies.

Steam Blocking

LOL! Steam your latte!

Framed Coin Art

I made this as a birthday gift and a thank you for Brenden. I got the idea from IndigoAmethyst 's post on Pinterest. I was staying in the spare bedroom at the time and had limited space, materials and tools. Abu Dhabi doesn't have craft stores, so I had to re-purpose a souvenir frame, found a tube or metal polish and glue.  I askedB. for a few coins from his collection. He was excited showing me each one. He had no idea why I wanted them, so he was speechless and almost brought to tears when I showed him the frame. I can't wait to make one for myself.

Shiny money!

Banana Cupcake

Banana Cupcake with chocolate, peanut butter frosting. So good!

Gift Card Holder

I've always wanted to make a duck tape wallet. This one is made to hold my nephews birthday gift card. It also has a cash pocket. It was fun to make but, I don't like the messy white edges where the adhesive is exposed. I tried to cover them but it makes the wallet too thick.

Buttons

New buttons for my newest knitting project.

Obama Stencil

I stenciled this bag for my nephew's knitting stuff. He like's it but I can't wait to teach him to knit a scarf.

Envelope

I didn't have an envelope to fit my printable Amazon gift card, so I had to make one. I needed it heavy enough for the print to be invisible. The chopsticks work great to smooth seams cleanly and to keep me from gluing the sides closed.

Men's Pullover

This pullover has a lot of details that are not standard in men's crew neck, off the rack (at least not that I've seen) although I haven't seen a Lands End catalog lately. I don't know what to call the pleat in the front shoulder. Pintuck? You can't see it in this picture, but the sleeves stay loose into a ribbed cuff. The edge of the cuff is finished in contrasting color, yellow I think. Source NHK Sports Japan olympic report. Arigato!

Brooks Farm Yarn

This a sample of Solo Silk, 50/50 wool silk, included in my DFW Fiber Fest tote bag. I can't wait to try it with something.

Dilemma

I've made the decision to frog. I'm not happy with the arm holes or the plain decreases.

Homemade Body Oil

I made this for a friend who's tired of having dry skin. The main ingredient is Jojoba with vitamin E, and Almond Oil. I added almond extract for scent but I think the alcohol caused cloudiness. I'll just use essential oils next time.

Baby Cardi

It's almost finished. It needs buttons and blocking. I used one skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted, #99 Stone Blue. It has a bit of Periwinkle Blue. The armholes are a bit wonky because I chose the wrong raglan stitch. Next time I'll use a pretty double increase.

Folding Fans

These are a few of my favorite folding fans purchased from Daiso. I plan to hang them on a wall in my hallway.

This fan is made of silk and bamboo in green and gold.

Black Cotton and bamboo.

Paper and Bamboo with The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

cha_cha_ring (1)

Via Flickr:

Cluster ring or what I like to call "Cha Cha," made from a tutorial from the Interweave website, by Margo Farrin O’Connor. I had to add extra loops due to my larger ring size. 16 gauge silver plated copper wire. I'm not found of the tool marks but I wanted to try and use the cheaper stuff before using Sterling.

I ran out of head pins and had to stop and make more.

The finished ring. I used Swarovski Pearls in Cream and AB Crystal butterfly and flowers.

And here we are the first ring of the new year!

silver_tube_2374

silver_tube_2374, a photo by blacklovelythang on Flickr.

This bracelet started out as an ankle bracelet for my mom. I made it for her years ago. It was one of my very first creations. I even used stretchy cord so it will still be comfy when her ankles swell. After a while it started to patina and she didn't like it anymore. I don't know how or when I took it back from her, but I must've been attracted to the patina. Sometimes different sources of silver patina differently, but not this bracelet. The color is very uniform and also delicate. I haven't been able to get this tone with chemicals. I shortened it into a bracelet for one of my guy friends. It was perfect for him because he's not the type of person to wear any sort of adornment, except glasses. He wears plain white tee's without graphics. I just had to make him something. He liked it!

Via Flickr:
Natural patined Sterling Silver tubes and red Czech Glass on stretchy cord.

Mirror Ring

mirror_ring_2686, a photo by blacklovelythang on Flickr.

I wanted to add a the Rhodolite cabochon, but I'm so out of practice that I couldn't get the bezel soldered on straight. So, I did what comes most natural, I hammered it very constructively. In hind site I wish I'd made the band slightly narrower, but I think the customer will like it anyway.

Via Flickr:
Sterling Silver, hammered ring, with tapered band.

Another Beret

I knit this on a whim. I just wanted to do it. It'll make a nice gift for someone one day. I put some of my Knit One Crochet Too Babyboo to work on this All-Day Beret from Debbie Stoller. It was fun and knit-up pretty fast. I've seen other knitters finished Beret's on Ravelry and many have the same net drape like I do. My favorites are the people who used the recommended yarn Bamboo Ewe. Such nice colors. I want some.

Pillow Cushion February KAL

This is my first KAL in the UAE. I'm really excited. I chose a huge pillow to cover. It's 44cm's square. I bought it from Ikea already covered to go with this woven stool.

I thought it would look nice with a knitted cover in a fancy pattern. Some of the nicest pillow patterns are with cables and I was trying to avoid them because I've never done them before. I originally chose Knit One Crochet Too Babyboo and the Willow Bud and Carillon Pattern, but I didn't know how to k1 p1 k1 p1 into the same stitch. I don't think the yarn and this pattern would've worked anyway.

So I switched to the Embossed leaf pattern instead. It's very easy to knit and the stitch count makes it versitile enough for any kind of panel. I love this pattern but it didn't work with the yarn either. The yarnovers at the base of the leaf was too open. You'd be able to see the white cushion underneath.

Then finally I decided to shop for new yarn. I found Dream Classy, from the LYS Magrudy's. The suggested needle size is 5.o but I think a 3.75 would net better results. I chose a new stitch pattern called Firefly. It's originaly from the Vogue Stitchionary book, but I found it on the Lion brand website for free. Although I think it works best with finer gauges, I think it's going to work.