Happy New Year!

I realized that I had off-loaded a lot of stuff I made before I even took pictures of it...oops! I'm going to make an effort to take pics of things as soon as they are finished so that doesn't happen.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely New Year's and is starting the year refreshed.
Here's a scarf I knitted (my first knit project!) out of some alpaca yarn my mom sent me:

As you can see, it curled up along the edges...it's because I didn't use a pattern and so had decided to knit one side and purl the other; as it turns out, that's called a stockinette stitch and will always make your piece curl.  It's most often used for sweaters, because when you attach a seam it doesn't curl anymore. Oh well, lesson learned, and it's still a pretty rad scarf.

I started a new knit project as well, which I am excited enough about that it's taking up almost all of my crafting time :)
It's called a curbing bag and it's pretty fun to make.

I am also determined to get back to my weaving project this month!!
Finally, Chris and I got engaged, so I apologize in advance for the fact that many of the future projects this year will probably be wedding related. But still lotsa fun!

Wood work by Tom

Chris's brother, Tom, works with wood a lot. He made some Christmas gifts that we love, so I thought I'd post them!
He said he cut them and turned them on a lathe.

I finished a handful of things over the holidays as well, so I'll work on photos and posting for those soon.

Update

Ah! So I've fallen a little behind in posting.  But it's mostly because I have a lot ongoing and not a lot getting finished...I've been working on my own designs/patterns, which is actually a lot more challenging than I thought it would be! I have about 30 little scraps laying around that started as something and then I didn't like the shape so I ditched them. =P
Anyway, I did manage to finish a scarf made from yarn my mom got me (100% alpaca - very soft and chic).

 [I hate taking pictures of myself...]

The scarf is crocheted - it's just straight hdc, working back loops only throughout. I learned how to knit when my mom visited for thanksgiving, so look out for more knit projects soon! I'm working on a knit headband to match the scarf currently.

I also made a little Santa hat for the Butis:

Finally, the ring is almost done - I soldered the bezel onto the band and now just need to get the stone in there!! I'm hoping to finish all of the jewelry projects this Sunday...

Chris is still finishing up his most recent neon projects - kinda slow going because he has his qualifying exam soon. (Wish him luck!) But he did make us some delicious Guinness ice cream for thanksgiving. :)
My mom also made me this lovely floppy hat, which is just adorable.
[More guest spots on my uber-talented family to come later!]

Penguin

I made a penguin for my mom, since she likes penguins.  I started using a pattern at first, but I wasn't liking how it was coming out, so I modified it a whole bunch...I'm still not super pleased with all of the details, but I learned from it, and it's still pretty cute.

The body is basically an elongated ball, so the pattern is pretty simple. I'm going to shorthand it here; email if you would like further details.

Body
Rd 1 - Ch 2, sc 5 in first ch
Rds 2-8 - increase each round
Rds 9-19 - sustain same number of stitches
Rds 20-26 - decrease each round
You'll need to stop at about round 22 or 23 and hold off on finishing the body until you finish the other pieces. It's a lot easier to sew them on when it's not stuffed yet (except the feet, which you will have to sew on after stuffing). Once you finish those and sew them on, then you can stuff it and finish it off.

Belly & Wings
Use white for belly; use black for wings and make 2. Fold wings in half and sew shut.
Rd 1 - Ch 2, sc 5 in first ch
Rds 2-4 - increase each round

Feet (make 2)
Rd 1- Ch 2, sc 6 in first ch
Rd 2 - 2 sc in each st
Rd 3 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next, repeat from *
Rd 4 - only work first 5 stitches:
in first st - 1 sc
in second st - hdc, dc, tr, dc, ch
in third st - hdc, dc, tr, dc, ch
in fourth st - hdc, dc, tr, dc, ch
in fifth st - slip st
finish off.


I also made another (larger) Buti with a hat, and another hat for the little guy as well.

One of these days I'll get a better camera, I swear...
:(

Jewelry Casting

I casted a few more pieces and soldered my ring shut. I bet you all forgot about that ring, but I'm still working on it!!
I'm going to make these into charms, probably earrings. They're unfinished, but they will be a nice polished silver (with jump rings) when they're done.

Here's the ring for now...still not the finished color, and I'm going to set a stone on it (hopefully next week).

I've finished crocheting this guy too...just need to stuff and assemble him, so for  now he's just a pile of pieces.

I've been working on making more Butis and more accessories for the Butis, so I'll also post some of those once I get a few more and can take some pics.

:)

Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Fall weather!

Buti wit a top hat

Buti pattern available for purchase here.

I made the top hat myself, using a basic pattern:

use st marker throughout

Rd 1 - ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (don't close loop/ no slip st)

Rd 2 - 2 sc in each sc from previous rd

Rd 3 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st, repeat from * until end of rd

Rd 4 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, repeat from * until end of rd

Rd 5 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, repeat from * until end of rd

Rd 6 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 4 sts, repeat from * until end of rd

Rd 7 - *2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 5 sts, repeat from * until end of rd

Rd 8 - work this round in back loops only - 1 sc in each st

Rds 9 - 21 - 1 sc in each st (work both loops)

Rd 22 - work back loops only - 1 sc in each st

Rds 23 - 27 - 1 sc in each st

Finish off

I think it looks best flipped inside out, so that the ridges created from your back loop only rounds show. It will shape better too.

I added some mini peacock feathers to dress it up.

Email or comment if you have any questions or feedback!

:)

Crocheted X-Mas Goodies

Here's the finished snowman! The pattern is available for free if you click here.

I also made a bunch of teeny little stars. Again, pattern is available for free here.