I've always been the girl that loves to make things. That should be obvious from the fact that I craft like a mad woman most days. Well, I set out to really start designing my own stuff when I couldn't find what I was looking for. Then, I set the goal of creating something new, from my own mind, each month with the 12in12 project.
This has kind of blossomed into something I wasn't fully expecting. I know my mind goes off on tangents when I think of a fun idea, but I wasn't expecting to have my crochet patterns almost write themselves with my hands. I wasn't expecting them to come out so easily. At this point I have designed and created a fun & funky headband, four different scarves and three new cozies (one of them is already in Scarlett Key!). I have more headbands, more cozies, more scarves, more everything in my head that I need to work out, need to get them on paper!
With all that said, I need a couple of pattern testers for what I have written out. Do you crochet? Wanna test for me? Everything I need tested takes far less than two hours to complete at this point. I use mostly Caron Simply Soft so you would need less than a skein of worsted and I write stuff using my H hook mostly. If you would like to test for me, please comment here with a way to contact you or email me at prajaline (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks!!!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Bookworm Wednesday!
(you thought I forgot again, didn't you? I don't blame you, I almost did forget.)
This week is a book that I haven't finished, but I'm kinda baffled by, so I will share.
Dingley Falls is....interesting. I mean, this book is written in a way that you need to pay attention. Each character has like four different names, things get repeated in such a way that you don't realize they're talking about the same thing. It is essentially written in a bunch of circles. haha oh! And the language! It cracks me up! There will be a scene talking about these prim and proper ladies and then somehow a short, random poem about really dirty sex gets thrown in. The first time I read a part like that I was shocked! Anyway, the book is about a city named Dingley Falls and what happens when weird things start going on....random people fall for each other (a priest and a school headmaster?!?!) and random things happen (hello, little random letters showing up on doorsteps!). This book is ODD! But hilarious! I highly recommend it if you're looking for something that will keep you on your toes and something that makes you do a double-take....well a double-read. :)
This week is a book that I haven't finished, but I'm kinda baffled by, so I will share.
Dingley Falls is....interesting. I mean, this book is written in a way that you need to pay attention. Each character has like four different names, things get repeated in such a way that you don't realize they're talking about the same thing. It is essentially written in a bunch of circles. haha oh! And the language! It cracks me up! There will be a scene talking about these prim and proper ladies and then somehow a short, random poem about really dirty sex gets thrown in. The first time I read a part like that I was shocked! Anyway, the book is about a city named Dingley Falls and what happens when weird things start going on....random people fall for each other (a priest and a school headmaster?!?!) and random things happen (hello, little random letters showing up on doorsteps!). This book is ODD! But hilarious! I highly recommend it if you're looking for something that will keep you on your toes and something that makes you do a double-take....well a double-read. :)
Monday, January 16, 2012
I think I finally hit a wall.
I've been relatively non-stop for a few days now working, thinking, planning away for Scarlett Key. Once I added it to Facebook, my friends fully supported me which was a pleasant surprise (I'm talking friends that I don't normally talk to...) and they started asking me about prices and such. Great! I'm super happy! I can't survive off of it, but it makes me happy and keeps my hands busy.
Anywhooooo, I've been searching the internet for inspiration for new products. I suddenly felt like every other little shop on Etsy and want to be something different. I don't feel original and that keeps my brain searching and thinking ALL.THE.TIME. Each thing I see, I try to figure out how I can make it different. Pinterest has become a good source of inspiration at this point since I finally signed up for it the other day, and I've gotten some ideas from there that I want to try so we will see how those work out. The issue at this point is that I keep finding things I want to make, and possibly sell, but they aren't really good for Etsy because they can't be easily shipped. They would be more for craft fairs and such. But, I've never sold at those before...hopefully I will try one this year though! Back to my wall though, I think I hit the wall this morning when I got up and then stayed in bed for like an hour just staring at and not really watching the tv. Then, when I migrated to the couch, I got out my yarn, and promptly stretched out and fell asleep. For hours. Now, I could blame this on my super-swollen-can't-walk-normally knee but I know that isn't just it. My brain finally needed to shut off...and now I'm feeling off my game and unsure of myself.
The whole point of this is....what do you draw inspiration from? How do you deal with this type of thing? :)
Anywhooooo, I've been searching the internet for inspiration for new products. I suddenly felt like every other little shop on Etsy and want to be something different. I don't feel original and that keeps my brain searching and thinking ALL.THE.TIME. Each thing I see, I try to figure out how I can make it different. Pinterest has become a good source of inspiration at this point since I finally signed up for it the other day, and I've gotten some ideas from there that I want to try so we will see how those work out. The issue at this point is that I keep finding things I want to make, and possibly sell, but they aren't really good for Etsy because they can't be easily shipped. They would be more for craft fairs and such. But, I've never sold at those before...hopefully I will try one this year though! Back to my wall though, I think I hit the wall this morning when I got up and then stayed in bed for like an hour just staring at and not really watching the tv. Then, when I migrated to the couch, I got out my yarn, and promptly stretched out and fell asleep. For hours. Now, I could blame this on my super-swollen-can't-walk-normally knee but I know that isn't just it. My brain finally needed to shut off...and now I'm feeling off my game and unsure of myself.
The whole point of this is....what do you draw inspiration from? How do you deal with this type of thing? :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
12 in 12! Month 1, Week 2 - Charity Hat!
HI! For this week, my first charity hat, I used a basic crochet beanie pattern that you can find just about anywhere online (10 dc, inc rounds for 4 rounds, 5 rounds of no inc....) and this will probably be the same pattern I use each month unless I find something else to tickle my fancy. I'm in a group on Rav that is sharing a hat pattern each month so I will see that pattern each month and may do it... Again, this is Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton. It is just a great yarn that is perfect for this since it can be washed easily.
As always, if you're doing a 12 in 12 project, let a girl know so I can check it out!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The "Oh! That's how you do it!"
Remember a few days ago when I mentioned being in a group of Rav that is sharing a hat pattern each month? Well I took some time and really looked at the pattern....my first thought? I don't know how to do that! My second though? Well, why don't I learn! So I did! There is a reason why I named this hat "Oh! That's how you do it!" hat on my project page on Rav.
I used Sunflower Yarns' Grab Bag Grey and the pattern is from Rheatheylia : The Divine Hat. (sidenote, she has some wicked cute patterns up on her page, I will probably work through all of them...). The most important thing I can say is that when you do the slip stitch to join, do it to the beginning front post double crochet and then follow the suggested join instructions. For whatever reason, I didn't figure that out until like round 8 or something so my joins up to that point are a bit wonky.
I used Sunflower Yarns' Grab Bag Grey and the pattern is from Rheatheylia : The Divine Hat. (sidenote, she has some wicked cute patterns up on her page, I will probably work through all of them...). The most important thing I can say is that when you do the slip stitch to join, do it to the beginning front post double crochet and then follow the suggested join instructions. For whatever reason, I didn't figure that out until like round 8 or something so my joins up to that point are a bit wonky.
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| I really love how you can make ridges using a front post double! |
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| The ridges kind of spiral down...this is right before I started the border. |
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| Laid flat...it looks wonky but that is due to the yarn (it is 100% wool so it really needs blocked correctly) and the fact that my rounds were not joined right for the first part of the hat....when it is on, it is actually really cute and fun! |
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Hello, my name is Andrea and I.....
....Have an obsession of colorful crafty tools. Perfect example? My knitting needle holder....you know, the newer one - I should note here that I have three knitting needle holders & two crochet hook holders. I've grown my collection that started with the ones I learned on that my grandma gave me (most of those are tucked away somewhere safe), then my mom gave me some to fill in the gaps, and, finally, I have gotten a BUNCH from estate auctions. The perks of going to auctions around the farm is that the women made a lot of stuff at home which translates to being able to get antique crafty bits! I bought a stool once that had a storage bin in it full of knitting needles, vintage tape measures, reallllly old needle books full of sharps, etc! I was in heaven going through it all! And I only spent a DOLLAR on it! Auctions are the best!
I digress though....I have decided that I need to learn more knitting stuff. I have the knit/purl stitch down (though I still do them backwards) but I would like to learn cables and different stitches that just are not available in crochet. Well, I opened the holder I keep in my travel bag and fell in love with all the colors all over again! I mean, seriously, how cute is all of this?
I digress though....I have decided that I need to learn more knitting stuff. I have the knit/purl stitch down (though I still do them backwards) but I would like to learn cables and different stitches that just are not available in crochet. Well, I opened the holder I keep in my travel bag and fell in love with all the colors all over again! I mean, seriously, how cute is all of this?
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| I've tried to keep at least one set of the main sizes in this holder so they go from 1's to 10's or 15's I think.... |
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| Colors of the rainbow!!! |
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| See those green size 8's right there? Those are the very first knitting needles I ever held and learned on. And the two sets of wood ones on the left? Also size 8's - they're my attempt to branch out from the metal knitting needle world. I also have some acrylic rounds and bamboo dpn's to practice stuff on! |
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
My horoscope today....
....is rather fitting considering that I finally, after months, shared my little store with my family and friends last night via facebook....
"It is never too late to get started on a different path in life. If you have something that interests you -- a new hobby, a new career, or a new weight goal -- you should pursue it. Don't let your age, income or current status in life restrict you. Every day offers a new opportunity, a new set of choices to make -- and this day is no different. If you want to make a change, make it. Stop working so hard to come up with excuses. You know you can do it, so do it!"
"It is never too late to get started on a different path in life. If you have something that interests you -- a new hobby, a new career, or a new weight goal -- you should pursue it. Don't let your age, income or current status in life restrict you. Every day offers a new opportunity, a new set of choices to make -- and this day is no different. If you want to make a change, make it. Stop working so hard to come up with excuses. You know you can do it, so do it!"
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