Ski Hats

I haven't been on the bench since last months Iolite bracelet. I've been getting myself organized for school, which opened January 12th. I haven't stopped knitting. Mainly because it calms me and helps me focus. The Scrappy hat was originally for my nephew's Ricky's birthday, but I made it too big and had to start a new one. It's a fun, quick and easy pattern. My challenge was of course the sizing, but also the color arrangement and fiber care. Ricky's mom doesn't have time to hand wash, so I was lucky to have a large stash of different color Mission Falls 1824 superwash. It's perfect for this pattern.

Adult size

Kid size

I don't know which color to choose for the pom pon yet. And yes, the outside Christmas decorations are still up, but all put away on the inside. 

Triple Wrap Bracelet.

I showed my new bracelet to my grandfather, and asked him if he liked it. He said yes, if "I"made it for him, so I jacked my new bracelet (previous post) for beads and made him a triple strand. I used waxed cotton linen. I'm not sure if I like the "S"clasp, or the large final knot, but I think he'll like it anyway. I re-strung the single strand with red dyed quartz. I like it. Maybe I'll learn one day not to second guess myself.

Crafty Night Person

I've been staying up nights and desperately need to change my sleep cycle back to daytime. In the meantime, I read, study and make stuff. Here is a blanket square I'm working on.

I made this Chan Luu style bracelet out of leather, silk thread, and African trade beads. I thought about using the red quartz but changed my mind.

I finished it with a vintage metal button. I found the Beadaholique tutorial a few weeks ago on youtube by accident. The project has been in my brain ever since. It's perfect for a restless night owl like me. It's super easy. I think I'll make them for friends and family. I'll use rubber cord so they'll be more versatile, and not weaken in water, like leather.
I made the beading needle from fine gauge craft wire. I couldn't find my store bought ones. It worked like a charm.

The finished product!

It's so difficult to center your subject using Hipstaprint, otherwise, I love it.

Chan Luu has an interesting story. You can learn more about her in this Good Morning America! interview on youtube.

Multi-Turn Winding Stitch

I'm not good at crochet, but if I was, I'd find a way to use this stitch.

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.

Steam Blocking

LOL! Steam your latte!

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.

Baby Socks

The two little cream puffs have arrived. I'd show you a photo of my new twin neice and nephew, if I had one. I ashamed to tell you that I haven't started the baby socks. The baby sweaters will be finished by the time the temperature drops in KC. I'm also ashamed to tell you that I hate to use my pretty yarn from SpritelyGoods.com. The socks will get ruined or lost. My brother and sister-in-law don't really have a lot of nice things and they wouldn't take care of a nice sweater if they had one. Some how I have to get over it because 1. I'm tired of being ashamed, and 2. I don't have anything else to knit with at this moment.

SpritelyGoods.com Bird of Paradise

Here's the new baby sock project bag. I love it!

Cat Bordhi socks knitted in Brown Sheep superwash worsted. I forgot the color. My tention is wacky, but I haven't blocked them yet.

Weekend Knitting toddler hat

Letoya's First Blog Entry From Abu Dhabi

My last blog entry was last year. I'm so ashamed, again. So this is going to be a big one.

Abu Dhabi has treated me well. So far my new job is absoutely crazy but my coworkers are very welcoming. I'll tell you more about them later. I found a huge magazine stand at a small grocery around the corner. They sell craft and hobby magazines like Craft: I don't know why they sell them. I haven't found a yarn store here anywhere. I think camel wool is used for rug making. There's no such store like Michaels. I found this knitting mag that came with a free gift. It's a UK publication. The patterns are unimpresive, but they advertise some of the best products like Rowan and Habu. The magazine is trying to appeal to lots of different knitters and cross stitchers, instead of specializing. Anyway, the mag as a whole is still worth the price of 3.99 GPB.

Here's what today looks like in my neighborhood of Kkalidya, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. I took these pictures from my apartment balcony.

Partly cloudy, dusty 94F

Feels Like: 111F
Wind: W 31km/h
Relative Humidity: 50%

Disorganized and Dusty

I believe in organization and a neat work area. Currently the truth of this statement isn't being practiced. The photo doesn't lie. In defense, I haven't worked at this table in months. It's about to become a place where I can neatly stack those storage containers with the gemstones. The actual work area will be about the size of one table setting. There's a lot of stuff in this room that isn't in the pictures. I have a closet full of yarn, paper and fabric. I also have a shelf full of book in my bedroom.

This is my jewelry worktable. It's MDF and a metal cart that I got at Goodwill for ten dollars. It works for now. I like my caddies and the soldering pan. I'll move it into the garage when it gets cooler. Then I'll set up a real shop. I'll buy another workbench and bolt a vise on top of it. I'll also look into buy a jewelers bench. Yes those are sawed off knitting needles. They are perfect for getting inside ring bands. I have another set for knitting. I also have a big shop fan on top of the counter for ventilation. The white towel isn't hiding anything I don't want you to see. It's covering my bench pin and rotary flex shaft. I'm drying a new project that was just washed. I don't use the kitchen for much cooking. But it's possible. Wine, cheese and raisins don't need cooking anyway.