Craft Progress

I have been extremely busy with my new life at university. I have finished the third Piney Warmth Hat, but I haven't had time to photograph it. I am still making progress on my Union Long Beanie. Now that I'm in school, I don't think I will have time to make another fingering weight hat. DK or heavier will have to be my new normal. Without feeling progress, I'm not excited to pick it up, and when given the option, I'm choosing sleep over knitting.

I am now working on the decreases for the Union Long Beanie. After the decreases, I'll knit a button tab, add a cute button, and be finished! However, I doubt it will be finished in the next day or two with my class schedule. Do you have any modifications to your crafting schedule when school starts back? Any favorite "during crunch time" projects so your creativity doesn't wither?

Please comment!

Knitting in New Location

I have now moved to East Carolina University. For the first time in five days, I had a chance to knit a few rows. It was so peaceful knitting in the old laundry room on my floor. There were these beautiful rays of sunshine filtering through the windows and landing in pools on the black and white tiled floor. The whirring machines blocked out the hall noise while I worked on the Union Long Beanie. Even though I couldn't knit long, it was good to be back at it.

I've also purchased my first pet, a pink and purple female beta fish. As the tank I purchased was already  cracked, she is living in my friend upstairs. She still lacks a name, so if you have a wonderful fish name related to knitting or not, please leave a comment below. Thanks!

The Original Piney Warmth Hats

After posting about my try three on the piney warmth hat, I realized I hadn't posted pictures of the first two piney warmths. Here they are, modeled by my gorgeous friend, Emma, over at Auburn Rose Photography. 

The hat is designed with cables, ribbing, and seed stitch (or moss stitch). I hope to be finished with the pattern writing shortly.

Try Three: Piney Warmth Hat

In this chaos of moving, I impulsively tossed an old notebook. I forgot that, scribbled on a page lost somewhere in the middle, were my directions for the Piney Warmth Hat that I designed. So, I pulled out a piney warmth that I still have. I am knitting another one and paying attention to the old one. I am knitting this piney warmth out of Merino Style, my favorite yarn from KnitPicks. Unfortunately, it was discontinued a few months ago.

I am making great progress on my Union Long Beanie. I'm almost ready to start the decreases! It will have a button tab on one side. I should start thinking about a button before I leave for school and don't have access to my button collection.

Happy Knitting!

Serged Pillowcases

A few days ago, my mom's new Brother 1034D serger arrived in the mail. After she watched a few videos to get it threaded, she had a meeting, so I got to serge my pillowcases to take to college. I was amazed how neat and fast using a serger was. The inside of the pillowcases won't ravel when I wash them and the seams won't be fall apart anytime soon with four threads binding them together.

Do you have any favorite fast craft projects? Please just leave a comment below. Happy Crafting!

Baby Knitting

A few months ago, I mailed this rabbit to my Spanish teacher for his new baby girl. He emailed me these pictures of his daughter with the rabbit. It's such a blessing to see her enjoying her rabbit and, of course, her sister.

Do you have any favorite or funny gift-knitting stories? Please leave a comment below! Happy Knitting!

DownTown Knits

Last Saturday I visited another local yarn shop in Apex, NC called DownTown Knits.

The owner, Michele, has arranged the shop to have a spacious sit and knit area with lots of room for the knitters that gather on Friday for Knit Night.

I've enjoyed her variety of hand-dyed, natural fiber, locally produced, and designer yarns. I had never knit with Malabrigo or Manos before coming to her shop, and I now quite enjoy them.

I really like the knitting bag above: Keep Calm and Carry Yarn. The table above also features DTK's own line of yarn, Gather, a beautiful hand-dyed merino wool.

Michele has creatively grouped yarn, knitting bags, and knitted samples together throughout the shop.

There is a scarf-tree in the front window with several lovely, ruffled, variegated scarves.

Michele has a great baby knitting section complete with machine washable yarn, baby knitting books, like Itty-Bitty Nursery, shop samples of baby garments, and even a few baby hats and booties for sale.

I have really enjoyed admiring and gaining inspiration from the hat table. I think I might even venture to try entrelac (the hat pictured just above with the sunflower-like pattern) for this adorable tam.

I purchased Manos Maxima, a fair trade, kettle-dyed merino wool. Because East Carolina University's colors are purple and gold, I knew I would have to get this skein. I thought it would be fitting to knit a little scarflette, like the one in this post, to go with my purple dress for the fall. 

Please visit Michele's website at www.downtownknits.com! Happy Knitting!