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Sep. 14, 2009 - Knitted Headband

What with packing, cleaning, moving, and settling in, I haven't had much time or inclination for knitting or crocheting.  Not to mention I left all of my needles packed away in a storage shed! 

Recently, however, I had started to ache to have needles, yarn, and a project again.  I was so thankful when one of the ladies from church gave me a bag with three skeins of yarn, and size 8 needles.  YAY!

What did I make?  My first project was Knit Picks' Intertwining Cable Headband.  The link will take you to a page where you can download the pattern.

I really like the way it looks, and part of me can't wait for the weather to get cooler, so I can wear it!

I still have more yarn, and I have plans for some of them.  Right now I am working on the Cluster Stitch Doily.

What have you been making lately?

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May. 16, 2009 - Another Project Finished!

Finally, I sat down and drove myself to finish a project.  Hopefully, I can do it again for some other things I need to finish!





Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions

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Feb. 18, 2009 - Wordless Wednesday ~ 6

Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions

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Feb. 17, 2009 - Bluejane's Shrug

I have not finished a knitting project in quite a while, so I am quite pleased to share with you my recent endeavour.

 Bluejane saw the pattern for this shrug in Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits, and was quite determined to have it.  Of course, since she prefers not to knit or crochet, it fell to my lot to make it.  I don't mind really, and was kind of excited about it.

I have a tighter gauge, apparently, so the front, which is supposed to button, wound up being a bit small.  I don't think that it looks bad, however.  Othere than that, it fits well.  So, now it is done, and I can now add a picture to my Ravelry projects page!

Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions

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Feb. 2, 2009 - Ravelry

Has anyone ever heard of Crochet Me?  I discovered it recently and decided to join, thinking that it would be another great avenue for finding patterns, and help with crochet troubles.  So far, it looks like just what I expected it to be, and I was, for the most part, pleased.

The one thing that I didn't like, is that I didn't know of something similar for knitters, and most of the time, I prefer knitting to crochet.  So I was excited to find Ravelry.  This website allows you to keep track of your yarn, your current projects, and books.  It also allows you to have friends, participate in forums, and join groups that pertain to your interests.  The best part is, that it is all centered around knitting and crocheting. 

Another cool thing that I discoverd, is that there are quite a few homeschoolers on Ravelry.  One homeschool group has 940 members!  I was quite pleased to see that, as I wasn't sure about making friends with no common interest like that, at all.

One of the downsides is, that currently you have to wait 4 days to recieve an invitation to join.  Just so you know, this isn't because they choose certain people to join, but they can only take in so many new people at a time.  So you are certain to get in, it just takes time. 

The other thing that I am cautious about is the type of people on Ravelry.  I am guessing that the many of them are not Christians, or homeschoolers.

Overall, though, I have been excited about the whole thing, and it has inspired me to get moving on my projects!  My current knitting project is going to take me a tad longer than I thought, on account of it not coming out as long as it was supposed to! 

So, even if you don't decide to join ravelry, do you knit?  Do you crochet?  Do you get excited at the thought of either handcraft?  I do!

*Note*

If a couple of people from HSB are interested in joining Ravelry, then I was thinking of starting an HSB group.  Let me know, so that I will know if it is worth while!

Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions

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Aug. 8, 2008 - Susanna's Blanket

Coming upon a year ago now, Bluejane and I had this great idea.  Everyone knew that Mrs. Suarez, the TOS Publisher that we all know, was going to have a baby.  In honor of the upcoming event, we thought that it would be fun, and create a neat gift, if we got together with other knitters on Homeschoolblogger, and make a blanket. 

We began by finding the knitters, telling them of our idea, and asking if they would like to take part.  Everyone had to knit about three squares of a specific color, with machine washable yarn.  A good thing for a baby blanket. 

Now, if you ever decide to do a project like this, make sure that you decide on a gauge.  We didn't, and because of this, we wound up squares of different sizes. That was the one thing that we didn't specify, and that made things a little harder on us, the ones who had to sew it all together. 

We also had to make more squares ourselves than we realized.  The real delay was because of my slowness in sewing all of the squares together.

However, this past July, we finished it, just in time to give it to the little cupcake, in person!  So, now, for the first time ever, here is the blanket that many of you worked on, finished and residing with Susanna Suarez!

We would like to thank those of you who participated.  Also, if you name isn't mentioned in the list below, and you helped with this project, then we apologize profusely, and will add your name. 

Pianolove

Lyric

Melarooski

Narniagirl

Mandygrace

msmarla

3rsandahug

JNLANG

Bluejane

Eyebright

Thank you so much, everyone, for participating, and for your wonderful patience concerning our tardy gift-giving. 

Welcome Susanna! 

Copyright 2008 Defective Compositions

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Jul. 28, 2008 - Ahh, Knitting

Ahh, knitting.  Such a peaceful pastime.  Knitting is such a versatile hobby, as well.  I mean, you can make pretty nearly anything, you can do it pretty much anywhere, and you can do many other things while doing it.  Let me show you.

Point One ~ You can make pretty nearly anything.  If you googled the word knitting for a while, you would find the strangest patterns amongst all of the normal stuff.

How about a knitted wig?  There is even a bonus, it has curlers.  Take a look.

Flowers anyone?  Lilies are always beautiful, although, these are...knitted?

I am sure that all of you have studied bacteria at one point or another, now you need to try to knit them!  Knitted bacteria is the way to go.

Just a side note, today is Beatrix Potter's birthday.  How did I find out?  Well, lets just say that Google is very informative.

Point Two ~ You can knit pretty nearly anywhere.  How do I know?  I know because I have done it!  You can knit on the road while traveling, you can knit on the porch in the summer breeze.  You could even do it while bungee jumping I suppose, but I think it probable that you would drop quite a few stitches!  I knit while waiting for things, so sometimes I bring it to Dr. appointments, too.

Point Three ~  Take a look at my sidebar there, and gaze at my Goodreads book widget.  (Oooh, I love widgets, don't you?) At all times there will be one book there that I don't physically read.  You see, our lovely library has books that you can download and listen to, so that's what I do!  While I am knitting.  You can listen to books while doing lots of other things as well.

Knitting can be sociable.  For a while some of the girls from my church, and ourselves, met every other week to knit together.  While we knit, we talked, and it was a very pleasant way to spend some time.  If you are a knitter and you know other knitters, I encourage you to get together and do two really fun things, knit and talk.

Some people can watch movies while they knit.  Depending on the pattern, you don't have to watch what you are doing, and can concentrate on something else.  Sometimes, if I am excited about the project I am working on, I will work on during the movie.  I usually drop it a quarter of the way through, but at least I started.

Anyway, as I sat here trying to think of what to post, the frustration of my knitting project of just a few minutes earlier, came to mind.  Thus, knitting became the theme of my post.  I am trying to knit my first pair of socks, every knitter's dream, but when I actually got started, it became rather intimidating.  I think I will work on something else for a while.

Copyright 2008 Defective Compositions

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Oct. 12, 2007 - A Crocheted Sweater

Okay, I know that I haven't been posting real posts for several weeks now, so here is one to make up for my slacking. 

This is one of the projects I have been working on since July/August.  I bought the pattern book at the Mill End Store.

The pattern was in a deep mulberry color with a matching mulitcolored yarn for the trim, but as you can see, mine is light blue and cream.

I do like it, but I don't think I will crochet a sweater, agian.  I really do like the look and feel of knitted garments better. 

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Sep. 21, 2007 - A Knit Wit? Me? No, You've Got To Be Joking!

Lately, if you haven't noticed, I have been knitting and crocheting crazy.  My family can tell to that I have been working almost non-stop.  I have a few things finsihed and will display them later (yeah, I know, I keep saying that), but for today, I just have several links.

Knitting Links

Knitting Pattern Central ~ This is one of the greatest sites on the internet.  It has links to tons of patterns.  Literally tons!  This is where I get a lot of my ideas, and, obviously, patterns!

How about several knitting quizzes?

What Kind of Knitter are You? ~ I was a knitting Guru.

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Aug. 30, 2007 - I Really Am Working on Projects!

I know that I have been neglecting to tell you all about my knitting and crocheting projects, but that is because I haven't finished any!  I get bored of one and start on another.  I have buckled down now, and am working on two projects.

The first is an on going project, in that I keep making somewhat the same thing.  I started several years ago to crocher doilies for my great aunts.  I have one already finished that I entered in the county fair, but I will post pictures when I finish this next one.

My second project is a sweater.  This is also crocheted, because I didn't have materials for any of the knitted sweaters in the book I used.  Again, pictures will be posted when I finish.

I just thought I would let you know that I did not just suddenly stop all crocheting and knitting.

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Aug. 22, 2007 - Winding Yarn

I have to admit that I am a slightly modernized knitter/crocheter.  Most of the yarn that I use comes from the store in a nice skein, and you pull the yarn out from the middle.  Otherwise, it is old, ugly yarn from the 60's and 70's, and it has previously been wound into balls.  Of course, I know how to carefully wind the yarn into a ball, that's the easy part, but how to get the brand new skein into a format that I could begin the winding process was a mystery to me.

I have read books where the grandmother sits her adult grandson down, and has him hold the yarn, that is in a large loop, with his two hands, while she winds it.  I have even seen pictures of this being done.  I guess I just forgot everything I had read and seen on the subject.

It must have been selective memory, however.  I mean, how else do you wind a skein of yarn into a ball?  I thought, in my infinite wisdom (ooh, scary!) that I knew a better way.  I didn't use anybody for the first skein, I just laid the loop on the floor.  Let me tell you, it did not work very well.  That skein is still tangled.

For the next one, I got smart.  I begged and pleaded my sister to sit with me, have some nice special time together, and hold my yarn while I wound it.  I thought for an instant that she might say yes, but no. 

"I hate holding yarn like that."

This is me - "How do you know?  You have never done it before!"

"I don't want to, okay."

Well, that took care of that.  Now, somebody smarter, and less lazy than myself, would have got up and fetched a chair, the back of which, would have held the yarn nicely.  That would have been somebody smart and less lazy, I said.  I, once again in my infinite wisdom (yikes!), poked my feet out in front of me, and placed the yarn around them.  Once I widened the distance between my feet, the skein was firmly held in place.  Very effective.

So, I have now wound two skeins in this manner, and it works pretty well.  I have yet to try a chair, but for all of you guys, who must be less lazy than myself (I really need to work on that!), I know that you will be smart, and use a chair, not mess up the first time, and not use your feet to hold the yarn.  You guys are so smart!

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Jun. 28, 2007 - A Question For The HSB Populace

A while back we found an interesting blog.  It was not on HSB.  I think it was called something like Knit the Classics.  I thought it sounded like a cool idea, but there was some language, and some books that I would not approve of (If I can remember correctly). 

What you do is you read a classic book, and knit something to go with it. For example, if we were to read Oliver Twist we might knit a little cap like one Oliver might have worn. 

I want to know if there is anyone who would be interested in participating in such a thing, or if you think it is a silly idea (honest answers here please!).

If we decided to do it, we would do knitting and crocheting, simply because I don't really know how to make up knitting patterns.  I would also make a button to put on your blog if you wanted it.  

The patterns would be of things that we could actually use, and hopefully things that wouldn't be tacky.

The thing is, I don't want to start going if no one is interested.  This will give you a chance to maybe read some classic books you have never read before, and to get some practice with your needlework.

Can't you just imagine your grandchildren asking, "What did you make that for Grammy?"

Then you would answer, your memory taking you back to your youth, "I made this when I was part of a Knit the Classics group.  Weren't those the days!"

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Jul. 4, 2006 - Knitting a Country Bear

My knitting 4-H project is finally done.  It seems like it took me forever to finish it!

It is suposed to have bloomers, but I didn't feel like I had the time to do them.  The blue dress is part of the body, so you can't undress her, but I didn't sew the hat onto the head.  The apron's neckstrap is too tight to pull off of the head, so that is kind of stuck on there too.

Here is another, closer picture;

I got the pattern from Knitting Pattern Central, but you can go straight to the pattern by clicking here.

Happy 4th of July!

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Jun. 28, 2006 - Victorian Cape for Babies

Hello everyone.  Last night I completed a crocheting project.  I made it for the baby shower that my Mom is in charge of.  I think it is absolutely adorable.

I think it was meant as a christening cape, but if it were mine I would just use it as a garment to keep the baby warm.  It took me about a week to finish it, because I have other projects that are demanding my attention. 

The ends of the drawstring are little flowers.

I am really pleased with it, and I would like to enter it into the county fair before it goes on to warm a little baby somewhere around the world. 

I got the pattern from Crochet Pattern Central, a link to the website is in my sidebar.

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Feb. 24, 2006 - 4-H

Just one last time, readers please go take a look at this really neat debating blog called The Contenders.  It is really cool!

I'm sure everyone has noticed the remodeling of my template.  Aren't the panda bears cute?

There are still a few things I need to fix, and mess with, but other than that it is pretty much done. 

I can always use suggestions on how to fix things or make them look better, so please leave a comment on it, if you can think of anything.

Two days ago I finished my 4-H crochet project.  It is a poncho, and it keeps you very warm!  Here is a picture of it.  

We are in two 4-H clubs this year, and the sewing, crocheting, and knitting one is called Needle Nuts.  Sis and I are the only members.

We are trying to convince some of our friends to join, but we haven't heard back from them yet.

For my knitting project I am working on a teddy bear pattern that I found at Knitting Pattern Central. 

For my sewing project I am working on a skirt pattern that we found at a thrift store.

We have been in a sewing 4-H group before, and I think the leader was amazed at how little my family knows about sewing.  We would work on our projects, and then go to the weekly meeting.  When we would proudly show what we had accomlished, and wait for the verdict. 

More often then not the verdict was good, because when we had worked on our projects, we were afraid to do to much, for fear we would ruin the whole thing. 

So far I have only cut my pattern out on the fabric.  I even messed up on that!  I accidently cut on the 12 line, instead of the 14 line.  I was pretty upset(and still am), but my leader told me she could help me sew it so that I will still have a skirt.

I am hoping to do Fashion Reveue this year with both my poncho and my skirt.  With three  projects, I should do pretty well on one of them!

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