The Wicked Can Craft For Charity Too!

A bunch of us LSG'rs over at Ravelry have decided to make some bears for the MotherBear Project! Our army of bears will ship out in January. Allowing us plenty of time to craft away.

This is my first. His name is, The Bear Without a Face. Plainly, as you can see he has no face. At least not yet!

Moe clearly approves!

Finally Some FO Photos

Finally! Something about blogging without pictures...*ick* Photos just make it so much more interesting!

I have been crafting away. Seems like I have forgotton to show off some items.

The Eco Bags....

Elisa's Nest Tote ~ the pattern info on Ravelry

My strap differs from the original pattern. I used a spoolie/corker, made 2 ropes and twisted them around one another.


Saturday Market Bag ~ Pattern info here on Ravelry

All of these bags were made with Peaches N Cream cotton leftover in my stash!

Lion Brand Market Bag # 60551 ~ Pattern info here on Ravelry

Last, but certainly not least as far as the bags go...is the Everlasting Bag Stopper.

The Everlasting Bag Stopper ~ Pattern info here on Ravelry

The body of the bag is knit. I changed the straps from the original pattern, which called for ribbon. I used what I have found to be wicked strong and sturdy... just your basic double crochet.

As far as use and practicality, we have used the Lion Brand Market Bag the most. Used for toting around snacks, sunscreen and first aid at softball tournaments. As well as toting junk to and from the pool. Sunscreen, toys, extra clothes, towels and of course more snacks!

Ultimately, this will cut down on how many of those weak and useless plasticky grocery bags this family uses. Might not be a huge ECO GREEN step, but but a step none the less in the right direction.

Talk Derby to Me

Oh yah! Go Baby, Go. Talk Derby to Me (in your best Poison tune)

Louisville and the first Saturday in May = DERBY. For many it's par-tay time. For us, it's just another day.

For me, it was the day I blocked my MYSTIC LIGHT Shawl! Here is mine done in Dream in Color Smooshy Yarn - Lipstick Lava colorway.

I enjoyed everything about this KAL. The pattern, while easy to follow it had it's challenging areas, such as cables and knitting pattern on both sides. The yarn, fabulous; first time I had ever worked with it. So soft and very easy to work with. While it did rub a wee bit of red on my hands while working, that's normal for brightly hand dyed yarns and fibers. Before I blocked it, I rinsed throughly in cool water til it ran clear, so it's all set now.

progress pics

OK, I got off my lazy ass.... presenting clues 1 and 2 of Mystic Light KAL in Dream in Color Smooshy- Lipstick Lava



This is the cafe curtain hung up...of course, being the brainiac that I am....took it into the light *duh*

I will take another one tonight, perhaps it will be better.

What's a Goil to do?

What's a goil to do while waiting for new yarn to arrive for a KAL? Stash bust of course!

Realizing that I was sick and tired of mini blinds in our road facing bathroom, I made a cafe curtain. Denim Ombre kitchen cotton, and a vintage crochet pattern that I modified. I ALMOST have it perfect. I believe I will need to make another panel in order to have the folding drape to obscure the bathroom window. The photo is that of the panel drying and blocking.




Over Easter, also bored and bummed that I could not work on my Mystic Light KAL, I busted out some Lion Brand Homespun from the stash and made this Generic Granny! Pretty wonderful what a K hook and a week can do!



And last but CERTAINLY not least....my new yarn for the Mystic Light KAL!!! I had chose 2 alternate yarns and colors that I thought might work. As much as I loved my STR Rhode Island Red, the beautiful colors detracted from the lace pattern. Which quite frankly, what's the use in doing lace if you can't see it?!

The Loopy Ewe shipped SO fast! My Lipstick Lava colored Smooshy yarn by Dream in Color arrived last week. Which gave me plenty of time to get re-started on the KAL. I am happy to say that I was able to get clues 1 and 2 done before today! Which is when clue 3 is to be released. *whew* The second yarn, which was ordered from another company... has yet to even be shipped. Apparently, it is on backorder.

I will get a pic of my progress up as soon as I get off my lazy ass to take one. :o)

I am also working on my Blue Moon Fiber Arts Notorious Sock Knitters Club March edition. *loving it*

The children are on Spring Break here. Teen Queen and Boy Wonder are enjoying their time off from a heavily planned schedule. Boy Wonder does have a few baseball practices tossed in there, but for the most part it's all free time baby! Which for them, means ~~~VIDEO GAME TIME!~~~

Since January it's been a bit rough around here, ya know, with Rambo being told that his civilian job no longer exists. Talk about a wicked pissa!

It's never fun to be told you no longer have a job; but that damn job was nothing but a nightmare for us the entire time, good riddance! Thankfully, we still have the military. *never thought I would be thankful for that*

The time off from an endless work week and incessant traveling for no good cause for that damn civilian job has been good for us. Rambo has been able to spend some quality and quantity time with the family, which has been long overdue!

Aarrrgh! Colors vs. Pattern

Ok, here's the deal...
Another lovely KAL; because you see...I have an addiction. Mystic Light.
Here was my completed first clue...yes...was. It splashed into the frog pond last night when I realized I did not want to go on with clue 2 only to really not see the design pattern.










I was using Rhode Island Red from Socks That Rock, it is beautiful yarn, and a dream to work with, but it's too many colors detracts from the actual shawl pattern. IMO.

I was looking at a few other choices online. Shaefer Anne has 2 colors that I like; one is Clara Barton and the other is A-52. Another color that I think may do well with this pattern is from Dream in Color (smooshy), Lipstick Lava. These all seem to be a version of semi solid dyed yarn, rather than varigated yarn.

Of course I cannot locate any of these locally. Today I scooted around town in search, only to find nothing suitable. I was hoping to get it today, so at the very least I could get re-started on clue 1 before clue 2 comes out on Wednesday. Alas, it appears I will have to be ordering online. Which means waiting for shipping...aaarrrrgh!

Which color do you like???

Ahhhh... 2008 The Year of Shawls and Socks

Well, at least for this crafter it will be! Of course, the added birthday ghan or odd ball item tossed in just for fun and to mix it up a little. ;o)

So many Shawl Kals....
Currently on the needles are The Civil War Shawl KAL and The SotSii KAL.
Soon to begin are the Mystic Light KAL and Mystery Shawl 6.

The CWS..Why does everyone ask if I am working on a hat?


Apparently... I also have a new found affinity for SOCKS! Go figure. Last year I learned the Magic Loop method and I am hooked. No more DPNs for this crafty Goddess...it's magic loop all the way baby. Last year, I was a happy member of the Yarn4Socks Sock Club. Now keep in mind that when I say "member"; what I ACTUALLY mean is that I received the yarn and pattern. Nope... I never did complete one single pair of socks from that club. Though, I did and do love the sock yarn I happily added to my stash! (wickedly evil grin)

This year, Rambo Husband gifted me a Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin Sock Club Membership. I am happy to announce that I am well on my way to completing January's Edition!

Hahahah, bet you thought I was gona show ya. Check out my "Flickr Me Baby" widget for more pics.

I also have lingering on my table, the January edition from Harmony Semi Solid Sock Yarn club... taking my time to find a pattern to showcase this beautiful yarn. Last but not least ... yesterday, the mailman brought me even MORE sock yarn!!! That's right....Yarn4Socks February edition!

Woot! I plan on being up to my eyeballs in sock yarny goodness! You can clearly see why I said this would be the year of Shawl and Sock knitting for me. :o)

It's all good! Being the Mom Chauffer that I am...with carpooling the kids to and from school, back and forth to baseball and softball practices, as well as to and from games and tournaments; I will have plenty of sock knitting time on my hands.

With Great An - tici - PATION ...

As said with my best Rocky Horror Picture Show voice! *grin*

The SotSii begins in just 7 days....SEVEN DAYS people!

yarn ... check
needles ... check
swatch ... check check

Yarn is fingering weight Jaggerspun heather 2/8 in Hickory color.

Using size 7 needles.

Midwinter's Eve Shawl is Blocking

Completed MS6 on schedule. I am thrilled that I was able to complete this KAL with the group.

I love the name and the design is fabulous!


Pattern by Goddess Knits

knit in jaggerspun heather 2/8 in smoke colorway

size 7 needles



currently blocking on the guest bed.

Toppers for Rambos Cast

During the Holly-days after Rambo's foot surgery, we decided that a buffer would be required ... what with the wire coming out the top of his toe and all! ~~EWE ICK ~~

Somehow; the thought of having that wire getting snagged in the bedcovers or whacking it into a baseboard while shuffling around on crutches made my skin crawl! *and it's not even MY foot*

His cast left 4 toes peeping out, plenty of whacking possibilities! I, being the crafty and practical Cappy that I am ... takes off for the kitchen, grabs a plastic cup from our fave sammich shop (jersey mike's), I cut the bottom off, attach the top part of the cup to the end of his cast with medical tape. Voile! A sturdy buffer! Sure it may not be pretty, but it damn sure is practical!

Realizing that the cup would get lots of unwanted attention, (especially from my father in law) I figured a festive topper would grab a better type of attention!

Presenting Rambo's Holly-day Gnome (crochet)

This is clearly an adaptation of the lionsbrand gnome pattern that I made for my nephew's. I thought if I just made the body longer to fit he cast it would be ok. WRONG! The original gnome topper ended up looking like Beetlejuice after he swipes the witch doctors line number...huge body... teeny tiny little noggin. I ripped off the head and just winged it til it looked to be proper size for the bigger torso.

Being the HUGE Minnesota Vikings Fan that he is; I decided to design a Viking for him. I was not thrilled with the drawstring used to keep gnomie on, I figured a ribbed design would be easier and stay on better. I knit 2x2 rib about 7 inches tall, and enough to stretch around the cast. No massive math calculations for this gal! I just fly by the seat o' my drawers!

Once the body was tall enough, I switched to crochet after casting off, and winged a viking noggin that might look as if he has a helmet on, made a couple of horns. then I added blonde braids and mustache! Get a load of this guy!!! (I am so proud) :o)

close up

After Holly Days....whew!

Well the gifties have been unwrapped and played with for a few days now, the leftovers are dwindling down, Father in law and sister in law have gone back to their homes, Lucy and Moe are wondering where the house guests have gone to and all is right at Wicked's Manor.

The kids seemed to have got everything on their lists and them some. Grandfather got some needed clothing items and goofy gifts like a HUGE button remote control, and we also took him to a La z boy showroom to pick out a new chair for himself. Rambo husband got some early gifts, like a new handgun and toys. I got membership to a couple sock clubs.(yayyy yarn!) and a few new snowglobes for my collection.

Dinner consisted of Honey Baked Ham, Hot German potato salad, green bean casserole, holiday cheesy broccoli casserole and punkin pie with ice cream for dessert. Ahhh my perfect holly-day spent with family and food in our own home! Doesn't take much to make me a happy girl!

Sadly, Rambo husband and I fear the kids did not spend enough time with their Grandfather and Aunt. We remind ourselves that they are getting to 'that' age and any time is time enough as far as they are concerned. Grandfather did venture down to the familyroom in the basement while the kids were playing the new video games he got them, to get his grankid doses. Usually Grandfather and Aunt come out during the summer to see the kids in their sporting habitats. This past year however, Grandfather was ill and unable to travel. He says he will be out this June to see them kick butt in their respective sporting events! Grandfather is a huge sports fan!

Rambo husband had his post op Dr appt and all is well on that front. Will go back in 2 weeks for cast removal and upgrade to a walking cast...woo hooo! I have been running errand, doing laundry and taking care of home and hearth.

Happily, I have been working on MS6 and have only a few more rows to complete before the next clue is released. I am loving this pattern!

The Insanity Continues....

I am thrilled to say that the KAL insanity continues! **yaaay**

~~enabler alert...the many links may invoke the urge to click and thereby initiating the KAL addiction phenomenon~~ YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! ;o)

As if hostessing and designing The Secret of the Stole KAL was not enough for the wonderful, ever so talented and kind Nautical Knitter, DK. She has brought us the sequel...Secret of the Stole II slated to begin January of 08 with supplies info coming in Dec. Apparently DK is not one to sit idle and allow the dust to settle on her needles, she is also hostessing The Civil WarShawl KAL taking place also in January 08. I still need to decide on yarn/color for these two. Most likely will be jaggerspun zephyr or maine line from Sarah's Yarns.

I, being the good lil knitter and addicted KAL-gal I have become; am of course all signed up for them both!

Ohhhh and lest not forget Renee of Goddess Knits! Her designs are ever so beautiful and sometimes require much concentration, at least for me; as with the Halloween Mystery Shawl; later announced as Dracula's Bride. *stunning* Which is currently hibernating, but I will complete! Renee has a Winter Mystery Shawl (Mystery Shawl 6) beginning Dec 1st! I have my yarn and needles at the ready. The yarn ... in color smoke.

****oooh and what kind of lax enabler would I be if I did not inform you that all of these wonderful KALs also have Ravelry counterpart groups! Aahhh RAVELRY...the community of sweet fibery, yarnie goodness. Rav-love.

Wholly Crap! New Post and many FOs (photo heavy)

Yep, bout time for a new post eh? As you can see I have been busy...I have FOs to show!!!

I have been working on SotS and Mystic Waters KALS...no real progress to show as they are both in progress. I was halted with SotS for a little bit after the bead fiasco! I do alot of my yarn tangling while I am in the car bringing or picking the kids up from various activities throughout the week. I still am not certain what happened or caused this to occur, but... just visualize tiny seed beads whooshing out of the canister and into the air vents of your vehicle!!! *sigh* yes, it happened and it would of course happen to ME! :o)

You see them in there....yes, an entire canister. I spent the rest of carpool fishing them out one by one with my wee little crochet hook. After that, it was a while before I could bring myself to touch beads again. *shudders*

Another Nephew Blankie has been completed and shipped! Almost on time..unlike the previous ones. *better late than never I say* Handmade is best! Crochet using Caron Simply Soft yarn and pattern used is from The Crochet Dude *monet afghan*

A Knit Earflap Hat for Jack! Made with Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Charcoal. Matching Mittens are on the needles now. Pattern from the Fall 2007 Knit Simple magazine. Pattern is Tasseled Earflap Hat. No tassel for Jack though! :o)

Fingerless Mitts for Meg! Pattern is from Fluffy Knitter Deb Kureyon Wristers. Made with Noro Iro in colorway 40 (blue green) She LOVES them and wears them every chance she gets!

The Stocking KAL at Cauldron of Crafts is complete! It has been finished for a while, just waiting for me to block and get a photo! Never having made a stocking before... I quite enjoyed this project and do plan to make more.

Fun Slippers for Marc~ Still have to waterproof/slip-proof the bottoms before gift giving for the Holly Days! Crocheted from Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick. Pattern is fuzzy bunny slippers from the Stitch n Bitch crochet book...minus the bunny ears! :o) Brown for the uppers, dark green inside sole, and charoal for bottom sole. Scrap yarn was used for a free hand stitched spiral on the upper. Difficult to see. The process I will be using to waterproof/slip-proof the bottoms can be seen here ~~~> Making Slippers Non Skid

I think that's about it for now...well there are a few other things laying around waiting for their photo shoot. As well as much more yarnie fun on the hooks and needles!

It has been nice with the kids being done with sports for a while...well at least til February! *eep* Taking advantage of this my house is getting some much over due attention and cleaning!

Learning Something New Every Single Day

A kind person emailed me after reading the bloggity blog. Susan has informed me that there is a term for kntting lace with larger yarn .... it is called Moose Lace. How cute is that?

Not only do I enjoy knitting lace with larger yarn and 'tree trunk' needles...I LURRRVE the name!!! MOOSE LACE!!! *hah*

Stick a Fork in it....Hemlock is done!

After a little over 2 weeks I believe, my Hemlock is complete. Poisonous??? Perhaps. Maybe.

I *had* posted the quoted paragraph below, in the earlier entry...a kind person emailed to let me know that anytime you YO (yarn over for all you non knitterly people) that it is considered lace. Which of course is correct! For whatever reason it never seemed like lace in my mind, because I was making it in regular weight yarn not lace weight yarn. So apologize, technically the Hemlock was/is another lace project of mine :0)

"My Hemlock is not actually a lace project as it is being done in Carons Simply Soft, color "truffle". This is actually a doily pattern but Brooklyn Tweed modified and did in heavier yarn for a lapghan..FABBY IDEA BTW! Which of course, has me looking at doily patterns in a whole new light these days!"

The totally 100% acrylic Hemlock in Caron simply soft 'truffle' . I liked the color of Jared's/Brooklyn Tweed 's so much that I sought out a similar color. Just a wee bit over 3 skeins. Bound off the needles with a crochet hook, and edged in crochet. I could not wrap my mind around the pattern bind off. The crochet perhaps made my egdes a bit too ruffly for my taste, but it is still loverly all the same. Perhaps the next one I will take the time to do the patterned bind off.

Blocking on the guest bed.



Close up of the center.


Waiting to be of service.


Pretty damn good if I do say so myself. I am very proud of this FO.

Speaking of poisonous....
SPIDERS!!!!! Lots of em...well 3 to be exact, that I could see, without getting too terribly close. I am deathly afraid of spiders jumping at me, in the face in particular! They seem to be nocturnal. All of them at this one window on the front porch. *eek*

Wrangled by the Rings....

Seems I have been ringed into the KAL rings! First the SotS and now the Hemlock. *see the purty buttons?* Ah well, can never have too much on the sticks...can you? Nah NEVAH!

My SotS will begin Oct 5th. I am going with the Lost Lake yarn and the grey diamonds beads. I can hardly wait for this!

My Hemlock is not actually a lace project as it is being done in Carons Simply Soft, color "truffle". This is actually a doily pattern but Brooklyn Tweed modified and did in heavier yarn for a lapghan..FABBY IDEA BTW! Which of course, has me looking at doily patterns in a whole new light these days!

While I was waiting for the SotS to begin and before I stumbled upon the Hemlock, I did manage to get a few WIPs completed.

The Nephew Afghan....
Lion Brand Homespun colors Pine (discontinued) and country blue
Pattern from Sept/Oct 2007 Crochet Today "lazy day throw"

No, the granny squares are not wonky... no,it's not your eyes tiring from your scanning the internet for hours...they are trapezoids!

Brightest evah crochet sock! This yarn....sheeesh...OBNOXIOUS much?.

Another sock! Very nice! Not as obnoxious as the previous!

So crafty and capable...even when it comes to powerwashing and stripping a deck too??? Oh so useful to have around, aren't I?




I have an understanding with the bugg creatures...they stay outside and no issues...they come inside my house and it's war!

Look what a pretty web! AND...since it is outside, it can stay!

The Completed Fair Isle Hat

Here it is! I should bring it into the Knit Nook to show the gals!

SOTS Swatch Completed

I worked my swatch last night and blocked it. I am happy... I mean THRILLED that it did not seem as difficult as I had imagined! Take a look, I think I did pretty A-OK!

Yarn used~ Knit Picks Shadow in Lost Lake
Needles used~ Knit Picks Options size 4

Charades while I wait for SOTS!

Not playing Charades...kntting them, silly! However, I do think the yarn I am currently using is too much for the pattern. I am losing the pattern I am liking so much in the yarn colorway. I believe a more plain or subtle sock yarn will fit the bill!

Secret of the Stole KAL

I took the plunge and signed up for this KAL. I am waay excited and a wee bit intimidated. I think I got all bold after conquering the Fair Isle and continental knitting...I may have lost my mind and got in way over my head.
*eh* what the hell.
So what if I have never done lace knitting, so what if I have never knit with beads, so what that the whole thing will be charts only, so what that there are like over 500 people taking part in this ginormous KAL. I figure with that many people, certainly there will be peeps to help those of us who lost our minds and got all swept up in the SECRET OF THE STOLE KAL! Curious...click on the SOTS button, but hurry it closes soon. (Oct 4th)

After the supplies list was distributed I determined what yarn to use. I chose Knit Picks Shadows in Lost Lake Heather...


I have not yet determined which beads to use. A size 6 or 8 is recommended. Now, do I get beads that coordinate or contrast? Aww, heck I will just go with a MIX! Which ones do *you* like?

Grey Diamonds


Gypsy Rose


Sunken Treasure


Meanwhile, I will try to get my swatch complete and get a photo up. While I do...thinks *beads*!